My View of the Dallas Cowboys Top 50 No. 41-45

Number 45- Ralph Neely
The two time Pro Bowler, four time All Pro selection, was selected to the '60s All Decade Team. Thankfully Neely signed with the Cowboys after his rights where traded from Baltimore, even though he was originally drafted in the AFL to the Houston Oilers. One of the greatest offensive tackles to suit up for the Cowboys, Neely missed Super Bowl VI due to injury but came back strong until he retired after the 'Boys beat the Broncos in Super Bowl XII.








Number 44- Pat Donovan
The four time Pro Bowler was the player that replaced Ralph Neely at the left tackle position after his retirement. Arguable the best tackle in the Cowboys history, Donovan was the fourth round pick of one of the greatest 'Boys draft classes of all time.











Number 43- Flozell Adams
Another great left tackle in a long line of tackles in Cowboys history. Adams could be the greatest tackle in the 'Boys history. The only knock on Flozell is the fact that he commits more false start penalties than anyone else in the league. A great physical specimen Adams only has his concentration to blame for him not being up higher on this list.









Number 42- Leon Lett
The two time Pro Bowler is best known for his two plays that have become infamous to Dallas fans. Outside of his substance abuse problems, Lett was a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball. Lett is considered one of the greatest defensive tackles in club history.









Number 41- Mark Tuinei
Tuinei was a two time Pro Bowler in 1994 and 1995. A switchover from defensive tackle to offensive left tackle, Tuinei was another great left tackle for the Cowboys following Neely and Donovan. Tuinei was forced into retirement by injuries and was found dead in his car in 1999 from an accidental overdose of herion, alcohol, and ecstasy. He is best known for his great battles with some of the greatest pass rushers of the late '80s and early '90s.

My View of the Dallas Cowboys Top 50 No. 46-50

Number 50- Mark Stepnoski

The five time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1990s All Decade Team, Stepnoski is probably the greatest center to wear a Cowboys jersey and was taken in the same draft as Troy Aikman. He was a big part of the Cowboys success in the early '90s and helped block for Emmitt Smith. Even though he left for free agency after the 1994 season, he came back from 1999 until 2001. A solid pick for the last of the Top 50.








Number 49- Tony Romo
Romo is the current starting quaterback. If he leads this team to the Super Bowl before his career is up, he will easily move up on this list. Already has made 2 Pro Bowls and still has many good years left in him. A stud of a celebrity quaterback that has been linked to the likes of Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson. A true underdog story after going from an Undrafted Free Agent in 2003 to the starting quaterback of the Dallas Cowboys. He owns Cowboy record of single season passing yards(4,211 in 2207), completions (335 in 2007), and touchdowns (36 in 2007).


Number 48- Bill Bates
The ultimate scrapper on special teams, Bates made up for lack of size and speed with his heart. A Pro Bowler as a special teams specialist in 1984, he was not the typical super talent. Most recently Bates has been seen as the defensive backs coach on Michael Irvin's reality show "4th and Long." He only started three seasons of his forteen with the Cowboys but won over the hearts of all Cowboys fans in his long career.






Number 47- Walt Garrison
Another fan favorite because of his tough style, Garrison made the 1972 Pro Bowl. The Cowboy's 6th leading rusher also was professional cowboy in the rodeo and was a six time world champion.










Number 46- Terrell Owens
Owens was selected to one Pro Bowl in his short stint in Dallas and holds the single season touch down receptions with 15 in 2007. Outside of his off the field distractions, Owens has to be one considered one of the greatest talents to wear the star one his helmet. He had 1,000 yard seasons in all three of his seasons with the Cowboys and is 8th in Cowboys history in receiving yards with 3,576 and is 7th in the 'Boys history with 28 touch down catches.

Cowboys Starting Lineup... From My Eyes Part 2

Welcome to the defensive side of the Dallas Cowboys team this season. This is how I see and interperet the starting defense.

DE- Marcus Spears- Not the most gifted defensive end we have ever had but he brings a big body and good consistency. A fan favorite without a doubt.

DE- Igor Olshansky- The free agent end from the San Diego Chargers is the replacement for the departed Chris Canty. Igor is a beast without a doubt and could be considered an upgrade from the athletic Canty.

DT- Jay Ratliff- Considered a top 5 tackle in the league, Ratliff had a break out year last season and is a monster in the middle.

LOLB- Anthony Spencer- The heir to the departed Greg Ellis. Some say he will be an upgrade to the position even though Ellis brought knowledge and leadership to the table. Spencer is one of our many line backer first round picks of the recent years.

MLB- Bradie James- The unquestioned leader of a really good defense. James is really good backer and shows tremendous leadership on and off the field. A crowd favorite and a great guy in the community.

MLB- Keith Brooking- Another veteran brought in after we lose a backer. Brooking will replace Zach Thomas who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the off season. Brooking was cut by the Atlanta Falcons who are moving forward with a new and younger defense.

ROLB- DeMarcus Ware- Last seasons sack leader with 20, Ware could be considered the best line backer in the league and is a nightmare for offensive coordintors and left takles throughout the entire league.

CB- Terence Newman- Could be one of the best cover corners in the league and has GREAT speed. Without a doubt the best defensive back on the roster and should have another good year.

CB- Orlando Scandrick or Mike Jenkins- This one is without a doubt the biggest position battle in the 'Boys camp this year. Both draft picks last year, Scandrick in the 4th and Jenkins in the 1st. Both had good years last year and both made the desicion to trade Anthony Henry this offseason for Jon Kitna easy.

FS- Ken Hamlin- Could be the Cowboys second best d-back this season and is thought to be the key in the new look defensive back field. Decent in coverage and can absolutly put the hammer down on recievers crossing over the middle and running backs out of the backfield.

SS- Gerald Sensabaugh- Replacement for the departed Roy Williams to Cincinatti this offseason. Sensabaugh is considered to be an upgrade and should have a decent year this season.





Now for a bonus; the special teams.


K- Nick Folk- A great field goal kicker coming off of an injury this past season. Should have another really good season.


P- Matt McBriar- Without a doubt the best punter in the game, at worst the second best. The only question is will he come back the same guy after the injury in overtime to the eventual NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals.


KR- Felix Jones- Had a great inpact last season before being unjured. Returned a kickoff last season and could have a few next season.


PR- Could be done by commity. Anything will be an upgrade over the failed experiment of Adam Jones last season.

Cowboys Starting Lineup... From My Eyes

I'm really excited about this up coming Cowboys season. By no means is this the most talented Cowboys team ever but they have enough pieces and hopefully a new chemistry to take the Lombardi Trophy back to Texas. Here's the break down of the starting offense with a few side notes for impact players who won't start.

QB- Tony Romo- The only question is if he will cut down on his mental mistakes with out Big-Play receiver Terrell Owens.

HB- Marion Barber- Hopefully this healthy Marion the Barbarian will truck stick his way to another big season. Speedy Felix Jones and all around Tashard Choice should round out one of the best running trios in the league.

FB- Deon Anderson- Not the best full back in the league but he is still a decent player and probably the best full back since the Moose.

WR- Roy E. Williams- Now the 'Boys No. 1 receiver, he should have a bigger year this year with a full offseason to work in the offense and more time to get a mental link with Romo.

WR- Patrick Crayton- Not a true No. 2 receiver but he should do very well in the offense while he is being left alone while defenses focus on Witten and Williams. Sam Hurd and Miles Austin are being looked at to round out an unproven receiver core. They have potential and may have break out years.

TE- Jason Witten- Arguably the best tight end in the league. I actually think he will have his first 100+ catch season. With a weapon of his caliber, the other offensive players should see alot more situations to help them accelerate this team.

TE- Martellus Bennett- A tight end who could be the most althetic player at his positoin to play for the Cowboys and should have a break out year as well.

LT- Flozell Adams- A great player of his position. The only thing anyone has bad to say about Flo is his mental lapses that results in False Start penalties.

LG- Kyle Kosier- A decent player at his position. The least you hear about him the better he plays. The only time his named is called is for a mistake.

C- Andre Gurode- Maybe the'Boys best offensive lineman. Really great at his postion and really started to shine after the Albert Haynesworth incedent.

RG- Leonard Davis- Possibly the most talented lineman on the starting line. Can play four positions on the line and is a great right guard.

RT- Marc Colombo- This position is up in the air for me and Colombo may lose this job later in the season.

That rounds out the offense. Tune in tomorow for my look at the defensive side otf the ball.

2nd FF Team!!!!

My second Fantasy Football draft was yesterday and it went a lot better than the last one. I talked a lot of mess to someone in there who just didn't belong there and made the others laugh. So it was more interesting and the people were cooler in this one. My line up is this:

Starters:

QB- Carson Palmer- CIN
RB- Adrian Peterson- MIN
RB- Kevin Smith-DET
WR- Calvin Johnson- DET
WR- Derrick Mason- BAL
WR- Roy E. Williams- DAL
TE- Chris Cooley- WAS
K- Nick Folk- DAL
Def/ST- Cowboys- DAL

Reserves:

QB- Kyle Orton- DEN
RB- Beanie Wells- ARI
WR- Kevin Walter- HOU
TE- Vernon Davis- SF
Def/ST- Packers-GB

Right now I'm in the process of trading Adrian Peterson for a few top performers like Tom Brady and another RB and WR. I'm also in the process of trading for Jason Witten and I will give almost whatever it takes to get him. I'm very happy with my starting line-up right now and I will probably contend in this league even without any trades. Without a doubt this is my best team so far this year with only one more draft coming up on August 2nd, which is my league that I started this year. Top to bottom and barring injures I believe I have a top 2 team. The other guy had an amazing draft and he is in the same division as me... FUN!!!!

Fantasy Football!!!!!

I love this time of year. Football's quickly approaching which means the addiction that is fantasy football is here. I just completed my first of three drafts earlier today and I was pretty well pleased with the outcome. Except for the fact that two of my middle round picks were made for me because my attention was diverted elsewhere (damn neighbor).

My lineup is this:
Starters:

QB- Tony Romo- DAL
RB- Adrian Peterson- MIN
RB- Willie Parker- PIT
WR- Jerricho Cotchery- NYJ
WR- Michael Crabtree- SF
WR- Reggie Wayne- IND
TE- Jason Witten- DAL
K- Stephen Gostkowski- NE
Def/ST- Dallas Cowboys- DAL

Reserves:

QB- Trent Edwards- BUF
RB- Felix Jones- DAL
WR- Lance Moore- NO
WR- Muhsin Muhammad- CAR
TE- Vernon Davis- SF

The two picks that were made for me were Lance Moore and Jerricho Cotchery. I'm not so mad about the Cotchery pick but the Lance Moore pick made me irate. I wouldn't even pick him up as a free agent. He's a one year wonder and filled in for an injury. Vernon Davis was an absolute steal with my last pick but I need to trade him because he has the same bye week as Jason Witten. I already traded Gostkowski for Nick Folk but it has to pass league approval. I offered Cotchery and Moore for Anthony Gonzalez and it may or may not be accepted. But I'm getting rid of those two for a better second receiver. I got really lucky by landing Adrian Peterson because I had the second overall pick and the guy with the first got really stupid and took Drew Brees. Now I'm all for taking productive fantasy QBs in the first round but not over the top five RBs, especially Adrian Peterson.

All in all it was a really good draft and after I trade and pick up another Def/ST I'll be really good and actually have a really great chance to win my league.

Proud day in America!

Can I say that today the being the Fourth Of July that I'm over the top of the Proud to be an American board? The reason?

The past year of American sports has been exceptional on the world stage. Last summer the Basketball team brought home the Gold in the Olympics in an extraordinary way. Michael Phelps brought home 8 gold medals from Beijing. The soccer team went the Conferderation Cup Final where no one thought we would go. Oh and by the way we were up two-nil going into halftime and almost won the whole thing.

But the thing that put me over the top today was seeing Joey Chestnut beat Kobayashi for the third straight year with a record 68 hot dogs. This contest is a great tradition that I watch ever year and wondered when Kobayashi would ever fall when he won six straight Nathan titles, but Mr. Chestnut has brought a new pride of competitive eating back to America and showed that America is still the Hot Dog capitol of the world.

Thank you Joey Chestnut. May you have a long and lustrious career and I pray that you never lose to Kobayashi again.