Cowboys vs. Bucs

After watching the Cowboys win yesterday, I got to thinking, did they just win or did they beat the Bucs?  Dallas played about as good as they can in the first half yesterday, just pushing the Bucs all over the field and dominated them.  However, in the second half, it was a different story.  The Cowboys looked like they have the prior games, not aggressive, timid, and with no energy. 

The defense played fairly well all game, but I am not sure that was because of their doing or just how poor the Tampa is!  On the other hand the Cowboy offense looked as good as it has all season in the first half, but seemed to lack any sense of urgency or energy in the second half.  The offensive play calling seemed to become ultra conservative, and playing to not lose, rather than playing to win.

Dallas does not have a kick them when their down attitude, which I believe you need to win championships.  New England, Green Bay, and even New Orleans have that swagger, that step on your throat until you tap out behavior.  Dallas plays soft.  They do not put someone away, and that is the personality of the coach. 

Jason Garrett is a very nice man and obviously football smart, but the team is to nice, and laid-back.  Dallas does not play aggressive and want to pummel opponents for 60 minutes.  Dallas has lost 3 games with double digit leads in the 4th quarter by either poor play calling, poor defense, or horrible game management.  I can only hope since this is Garrett's first head coaching job, he will learn quick, and learn from his mistakes, otherwise we are in for another few years of no playoff football.

College Football Recruiting in Texas

It has been announced that both Taylor Bible, from Denton, and Darius White, of Fort Worth are leaving UT to get a new start elsewhere.  White was a Parade All-American when coming out of high school and Bible was rated the 12th best defensive tackle in the nation.  They both were part of the highly touted 2010 football class and thought to be one of the best recruiting classes ever in Texas.

With these two young men deciding to search for other options, although the mecca for high school football stars in Texas, it is very apparent that UT, is not the best place for the best players.  Texas does an excellent job in coaching kids up, and even if you are the top player at your position coming out of high school, there is no guarantee you will see the field at UT.  I remember hearing about both players, and couldn't wait to watch them at Texas.  This year, until now, I had forgotten they were there. 

High school recruits and their families must be prepared for such a situation when they are considering the school the athlete will attend.  They must decide when choosing, if the school is where they want to be, or is the football opportunity the most important thing.  College is about learning, not athletics.  A sport is the mechanism that may get a student athlete recognized by a school, but ultimately it is the academics that should keep a student there. 

I do not know what the situation is for either player, but most likely it is about playing time,or the lack of it.  Sometimes it is about character, work ethic, or academics, but remember, there is always some one who will be bigger, stronger, and faster than you coming in and wanting your playing time.  Bigger is not always better when it comes to selecting your college/university.

The Mavs Make Their Moves

The Mavs have made some transactions recently that have helped their team to stay in contention, but not enough to my satisfaction.  Yes they added Lamar Odom to replace Tyson Chandler.  He may be as physical, but certainly a better scorer in the post.  Yesterday the Mavs added Vince Carter, who is 34 and will be 35 in January, to play small forward.  Ok, so now we have Shawn Marion and Carter for the 3 position,  both late in their career, and then they still have Jason Kidd at point guard.  At 38, Kidd, who will be 39 this season, is not my ideal point guard for this team at this time.  I am ready to see new blood, and I am still holding out hope the Mavs trade for Deron Williams. 

The Mavs need some youth.  They must start planning for the future, and with Odom now here, and some nice veteran pieces, they can mold this team to contend annually if they now add a point guard.  Kidd cannot play the majority of the minutes any longer, we saw that in the playoffs.  Coach Carlisle used him very wisely, with him and J J Barea last season.  Now that Barea is gone, we need a young, experienced point guard to take the rings of this team.  The Mavs don't have another point guard listed on their roster at this time, and no other guards I would trust to partner with Kidd.  Hopefully Mark Cuban and his money will find us another addition in the next day or so to continue the team's success.  Oh by the way I hear there is this guy in New Orleans the Mavs just might want to take a run at.  Just saying!

Texas Playoffs, Finals

Well, I was 12-6 this last week in predicting the winners.  Not bad for my first public predictions.  So here is my write-ups and picks for next weekend.

1A DI Stamford vs. Mason
Last week I missed on both of these teams.  Both teams won big, and continued to have their way in the playoffs.  Stamford beat Mart, who was going to be my winner in this division, and Mason beat Garrison huge.  Mason is only giving up 10 points a game in the playoffs.  I am going with Mason.

1A DII Munday vs. Tenaha
Munday is averaging 56 points per game and Tenaha is averaging 59 points for the playoffs.  Tenaha has been more consistent on defense, so I am picking Tenaha in a shootout.

2A DI Melissa vs. Hempstead
I picked Tatum to win this division, however Hempstead beat them last week.  Hempstead seems to have had an easier time getting to this point than Melissa.  All but one of Melissa's games have been fairly close, whereas Hempstead has had two shutouts.  I like Melissa's offense; I have seen it first hand.  I like the numbers Hemsptead has put up defensively, and defense wins championships.  I am picking Hempstead in a close one.

2A DII Cisco va. Refugio
This game is going to be a good game.  These are two evenly matched teams.  Both have scored points through out the playoffs, but also have had a tendency to give up some as well.  I feel it is Refugio's game, but very close.

3A DII Argyle Wimberley
Once again a very interesting match up.  Two very good evenly balanced teams.  During the playoffs Wimberley is just giving up 14 points per game, but Argyle is averaging 41 points per game on offense.  I would normally go with the better defense, but I feel Argyle can score enough to get by.  Argyle in another close game.

4A DI Hewitt Midway vs. Lake Travis
Wow, what a match up!  Midway has scored over 50 the last two games, and Lake Travis has put up over 40 in all but one playoff game.  Any defense this week?  I am not sure either defense stands a chance next week.  I am picking Lake Travis.

4A DII Aledo vs. Manvel
Is there anyone who can stop Johnathan Grey, except Grey himself?  I think not, a man amongst boys.  Grey will continue his ways and Manvel, although a stout opponent, will fall.  Aledo will win in Grey's last high school game for yet another state championship.

5A D1 South Lake Carroll vs. FB Hightower
SL Carroll is averaging allowing only 15 points per game, while Hightower scores on average 38 in the playoffs.  What is going to give?  I believe in the SLC magic that has been talked about.  I think this is their year. South Lake in a very close, but fairly high scoring game.

5A DII  Spring Dekaney vs. Cibolo Steele
Both Dekaney and Steele broke out and scored over 50 this past week.  However, Dekaney is just giving up just under 15 points per game, while Steele is averaging 12 points on defense.  This may be the best game next weekend.  I expect a slug fest, and low scoring.  I am picking Steele because of the athletes on both sides of the ball.

College Football Playoffs

I have been enjoying watching college football today.  Most are not watching football, because their team isn't playing this week, but there are teams playing in a football playoff game!  As a true college football fan, I like watching football at any level, period.  So it got me thinking, again, what if the FBS had a playoff system , what could it have looked like.

1st Round: Dec. 10, based on BCS standings, played at Home of high seed

1LSU vs. 16Baylor
2Alabama vs 15TCU
3Ok. St. vs 14Clemson
4Stanford vs. 13Mich. St.
5Oregon vs 12Mich.
6Boise St. vs 11Va, Tech.
7Ark. vs.10KSU
8Wisc. vs 10S.Car.

Now that is some very NICE match ups, but oh no, we cannot dare play that.  Week 2 Dec. 17, four bowl games, Cotton, Capital One, Outback, and Orange Bowl.  Week 3 Dec 24 2 more bowl games, Rose and Fiesta, and then the National Championship, Monday  Jan. 2 the Sugar Bowl.  I just cut a week off the the bowl season.  ALL other meaningless bowl games would play as normal.  No school time lost.  No argument by school presidents/chancellors, coaches, conference commissioners can throw out to dispute.  I know, it makes way to much sense.

Where Do The Mavs Go Now?

Goodbye Tyson Chandler!  Goodbye Caron Butler!  Mavs, what are you thinking?   If you listened to the Ben and Skin Show on ESPN 103.3, you new these were potentially coming.  However, did the Mavericks listen?  I am not so sure the Mavs ever really thought these guys would leave for free agency. 

The Mavs may have been interested in Orlando's Dwight Howard, but it looks like he is trying to work a deal with New Jersey.  However, there is a story out today, that the meeting that took place in Miami on Thursday, was against the rules according to Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine.  The Magic are considering filing tampering charges against the Nets, and the Houston Rockets, who were supposedly going to be part of a trade.  Orlando was not made aware of the meeting.

So, Mark Cuban should be on his jet right now headed to Orlando to meet with Howard and his representative(s), along with the Magic.  We obviously have the cap space, and the Mavs should not be waiting on  Deron Williams to become a free agent.  Williams is wanting out of New Jersey if Howard doesn't come there, so get Howard locked in, then, trade for Deron Williams.  Trade next years #1 and give them money, and players, whatever it takes.  Sign them both to long term contracts and have a nucleus for the future.  Give Dirk folks that can help this team continue their success.  Kidd can be a very nice backup, or let him retire/go.  Kidd will be 39 in March.  We have good usable pieces in place to make another run if we do this.  Otherwise, if the Lakers, New Orleans, and Houston get to make the moves that were nixed by the commissioner this morning, then the Mavs will be WAY BEHIND!

Why Doesn't the WAC, MWC and C-USA Just Merge?

Last month is was announced about a collaboration between the MWC and Conference USA for football only.  Now what is that going to do?  So they have 16 plus schools who sponsor football, that still is not going to guarantee they get an automatic bid for the BCS, but it may allow the league, whatever it's going to called to take advantage of television markets they will share..

Now that C-USA has lost SMU, Houston, and UCF to the Big East, and the MWC is losing Boise St. and San Diego St., with the potential of losing AirForce, the teams in the WAC, may be the best option to add to their venture.  In fact I believe if the three merge into one "super conference", they may be able to sway BYU back into the picture.  BYU has it's own tv network as does the MWC.  C-USA has a contract with FSN, and between the tv markets that will be available, the revenue, even though split by more teams, would ultimately be larger.  They surely would reach more homes, allowing for more exposure.  The conference would run from Hawaii to W. Virginia. 

With TCU leaving for the Big 12, and Boise gone, the MWC has no big name team. With the four teams remaining, plus the teams that are already committed to jump to the MWC from the WAC next season, they might as well just merge, and do away with the WAC.  The conference could have as many as 22 teams across the country, assuming all the current teams stay, so four pods, just like the PAC 12 was going to do if they became a 16 team league, which could make it interesting at least.