SportsNation Blog Archives
Dallas Cowboys
On Wednesday, "First Take" debated Jerry Jones' comments about the Cowboys' Super Bowl window closing. Jones thinks his team is running out of time to win with its current core, but Stephen A. Smith thinks that the Cowboys should be ashamed of themselves for not doing more with their talent. Skip Bayless thinks that Tony Romo is just entering his prime, so he's a bit more optimistic about their chances. What's your take?
Tony Romo hasn't won a Super Bowl yet, and if his recent interview is any indicator, he won't be satisfied until he does. Will Romo ever hoist the Lombardi Trophy while he's still in Dallas?
- Rebuenb206: "He's got a great attitude, I just wish him and EVERYONE ELSE on this team would elevate their play in big games. Romo played great last year and I think the rest of the team needs to step up a little bit in crunch time."
- Giants21Joe10: "As a Giants fan, I like Romo. He's bad enough that the Cowboys will never win a Super Bowl with him, but good enough that they'll never get a top pick or decide it's time to move on to another QB."
- Tontos Redemption: "A 9-7 Giants team won the Super Bowl last year. There are probably 11 teams in the NFC capable of getting the 6 playoff spots and the Cowboys are one of them. Just have to get hot at the right time. "
- packpack13titles: "Romo actually has good numbers compared to most QB's in the NFL, however winning games is about TEAM, not one player."
- soulraida64: "He puts up numbers, he is simply not a closer."
- crash218579: "Will the Cowboys win a SB in the next 5 years? Who knows, they have a lot of holes to fill. But if they don't, it won't be because Romo didn't do his job well enough."
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Today: The Cowboys and Redskins will take a cap hit because of front-loading contracts in an uncapped 2010.
- bubbaamy: "They played within the rules at the time. This is making up the rules as you go along. This is wrong is every possible way. "
- BucktheYankeeandSox: "Roger Goodell is the only person on earth who could unite Redskins and Cowboys fans. "
- Romosapien247: "Something is really sketchy here. The NFL imposes this sanction one day before FA begins, and both teams seem to be caught completely off-guard by it. So did the other owners know about it before-hand?"
- Hooza Whatsit V: "Could be a blessing in disguise for the cowboys if they are forced to cut romo."
- Giuseppe Gatto: "For those of you who keep saying they cant punish these teams for their actions during the uncapped year. You are exactly right they cant because there was no cap and the NFL had to approve those contracts; however, what you are all missing is that these are not violations or penalties or punishments. The NFL is using a very nifty move to get back at those teams that did not comply. "
- tiberyc: "This is not about cheating! This is about 2 owners who were trying to make their respective teams, "winning" teams, and doing whatever it took to try and make that happen."
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The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.
- Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
- Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?
Best game?
There are a lot of good matchups in Week 1 of the NFL's 2011 regular season. Steelers-Ravens, for example, could be a preview of a future AFC playoff game.
Colts without Manning?
Peyton Manning is out for an undetermined amount of time. This could be a prime opportunity for other teams to break Indianapolis' stranglehold on the AFC South.
AFC East
The Patriots responded to their 14-2 record last season by signing or trading for several marquee names. Are they good enough to beat the Jets?
AFC North
The Steelers fell just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, as their vaunted defense wasn't able to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
AFC South
Peyton Manning took a pay cut in order for the Colts to keep some of their key players, but is it enough for Indianapolis to win the AFC South?
AFC West
There's a brewing quarterback controversy in Denver, with Kyle Orton delaying the seemingly inevitable succession of Tim Tebow to the starting job. Can the Broncos compete with Orton?
NFC East
The Eagles made a number of humongous moves this offseason, including trading Kevin Kolb and signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Are they the team to beat in the NFC East?
NFC North
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on an incredible run to a Super Bowl title last year. Are they the favorites in the NFC North once again?
NFC South
The Saints looked to make another deep run at a Super Bowl, but were stunned by the lowly Seahawks. Are they still an elite team?
NFC West
Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
Which team is most likable?
Maybe none of them is your team, but when it comes to the Cowboys, Packers and Steelers, which team do you have the best opinion of?
Which team is least likable?
Does being "America's Team" require that you're universally loved, or at least universally liked? If so, the loser here is presumably out of the running.
Which team has the best fans?
Packers fans have their headgear. Steelers fans have their towels. And Cowboys fans, well, they have 100,000 peers for every home game.
Which team has the richest history?
If you're talking titles, the Packers lead the way. But the Steelers own the most Super Bowl wins, while the Cowboys have the most appearances.
Which team has America's stadium?
If you want to be "America's Team" you need to have a house the country wants to visit, right? Which team's stadium do you most want to see?
Which team is America's Team?
All right, enough of the qualifications. We can debate the merits from now until kickoff Sunday, but which team is really the nation's team?
2. Will Tony Romo excel next season?
The Cowboys put on a pretty impressive second-half performance this season,which could have been even better had Tony Romo been healthy. Now that Romo says he wishes the "season would start today" what do you expect out of the modern face of the Cowboys' franchise in 2011?.
- "Romo is a tad overrated but he is still better than most NFL starters. He is the least of the problems we have right now. How about we fix our defense that gave up all-time highs in yards and points allowed before we worry about the quarterback play?" -- SN commenter thedude0612
The NFC East was a division of surprises and disappointments this season: The Eagles surprised everyone by running roughshod over the league, while the Redskins and Cowboys both failed to live up to expectations. What grade would you give each NFC East team? Cast your vote now!
AFC Grades: East | North | South | West | NFC Grades: North | South | West
Washington Redskins
Donovan McNabb was supposed to bring stability to the quarterback position, but he found himself benched twice in favor of Rex Grossman.
Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo's injury helped lead to Wade Phillips' firing, but replacement Jason Garrett seemed to have Dallas moving in the right direction.
New York Giants
The Giants nearly made the playoffs, but a few big-time mistakes -- like kicking to DeSean Jackson -- gave them an early vacation.
Philadelphia Eagles
There was no quarterback controversy in Philadelphia: Kevin Kolb performed well, but Michael Vick was at an MVP level for most of the season.
Vote: New England Patriots at Chicago Bears
1. Impressed by Patriots' offense or Bears' defense?
2. Bill Belichick in 2010 or Mike Ditka in 1985?
3. Which backfield tandem is better?
4. Is Chicago a better sports town than Boston?
5. Which team will win in Chicago?
Have your say on Patriots at Bears
Vote: New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams
1. Drew Brees' past or Sam Bradford's future?
2. Have the Saints turned the corner?
3. Is Steven Jackson slowing down?
4. Should a 7-9 division champ get in?
5. Which team will win in New Orleans?
Have your say on Rams at Saints
Vote: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
1. Which roster has more talent?
2. Who is the Chiefs' offensive MVP?
3. How good is Matt Cassel?
4. How good is the top-rated defense?
5. Which team will win in San Diego
Have your say on Chiefs at Chargers
Vote: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
1. Will Michael Vick regress as a passer?
2. Has Jason Garrett earned the job?
3. Is Kevin Kolb better than Tony Romo?
4. Would a Cowboys win be an upset?
5. Which team will win in New Jersey?
Have your say on Dolphins at Jets
Vote: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
1. Which season is most on the line?
2. Which coach is better?
3. Can the Dolphins stick with Chad Henne?
4. Is Santonio Holmes' the best WR?
5. Which team will win in Arlington, Texas?
Have your say on Eagles at Cowboys
Vote: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
1. Joe Flacco or Matt Schaub?
2. Would you take great offense over great defense?
3. Can Gary Kubiak save his job?
4. Arian Foster or Ray Rice's career?
5. Which team will win in Houston?
Have your say on Monday Night Football
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