NFL Week 9 thread

[IllMil]

The audio from the tirade would seem to support what all the Cowboys players are saying. Much ado about nothing, IMO.

His tirade emcompassed more than the 30-second audio clip, right? Have we heard audio of what he was saying to Witten and Ware? Or any of the others?

Eh, I've just always thought that stuff gets blown way out of proportion. I don't think it has any negative impact on the Cowboys. These guys are constantly together for half a year, for years, they're going to yell at each other. When it gets caught on camera and you play for America's team, it becomes exaggerating into the biggest deal ever. Witten probably stopped thinking about it an hour later.

 

[JackReacher]

The audio from the tirade would seem to support what all the Cowboys players are saying. Much ado about nothing, IMO.

His tirade emcompassed more than the 30-second audio clip, right? Have we heard audio of what he was saying to Witten and Ware? Or any of the others?

Eh, I've just always thought that stuff gets blown way out of proportion. I don't think it has any negative impact on the Cowboys. These guys are constantly together for half a year, for years, they're going to yell at each other. When it gets caught on camera and you play for America's team, it becomes exaggerating into the biggest deal ever. Witten probably stopped thinking about it an hour later.

The point is, the audio doesn't support much at all, if anything.

 

[nmmetsfan]

IllMil, that argument with Witten as the Cowboys were losing the game is Code Blue baggage. A screaming fit with a coach I could take in stride, but one with another star player is real trouble.

Because players never get in an argument. It's no secret that Dez isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but Sunday's deal was blown way out of proportion. I'd be frustrated too if my team blew a game like that one. Cowboys fans could only hope the other players care that much about winning.

It's the first I've seen him act like that in four seasons. If it becomes a pattern like T.O., flame away.

I'm sure the other players do care that much about winning. They just act like adults when doing so.

It's pretty well established he's immature. I look at his upbringing and give him a little leeway. If he doesn't learn from it and continues to act this way moving forward, like I said, flame away.

 

[JackReacher]

He's been in the league 4 years.

Speaking of, he's in line for a new deal next year. That should be interesting.

 

[Dick Whitman]

In today's who-gives-a-**** update, Jerry Jones said that Deion Sanders would have been able to cover Calvin Johnson. Apparently, this passes for a controversy, because I've seen it as a headline at about five sports sites this morning already.

I can't wait to hear today what Calvin Johnson has to say about this incredibly incendiary declaration by the owner of a team he doesn't play for!

 

[nmmetsfan]

He's been in the league 4 years.

Speaking of, he's in line for a new deal next year. That should be interesting.

Unless something changes this season (like if the outbursts become a theme, which they haven't been in four season), I'd have no issues giving him top 5 money at his position.

 

[NDJournalist]

IllMil, that argument with Witten as the Cowboys were losing the game is Code Blue baggage. A screaming fit with a coach I could take in stride, but one with another star player is real trouble.

Because players never get in an argument. It's no secret that Dez isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but Sunday's deal was blown way out of proportion. I'd be frustrated too if my team blew a game like that one. Cowboys fans could only hope the other players care that much about winning.

It's the first I've seen him act like that in four seasons. If it becomes a pattern like T.O., flame away.

I'm sure the other players do care that much about winning. They just act like adults when doing so.

It's pretty well established he's immature. I look at his upbringing and give him a little leeway. If he doesn't learn from it and continues to act this way moving forward, like I said, flame away.

Pretty much established? How? Because he refused to be hazed in rookie training camp?

 

[LongTimeListener]

The unpaid $600,000 jewelry bill had something to do with it too.

 

[nmmetsfan]

Lying about hanging out with Deion Sanders. Not paying for jewelry and getting sued. Hitting his mother. Need I go on?

 

[IllMil]

That mother story smelled like bull**** the first time I heard it. She seems like a true upstanding citizen. Sounded more to me like a "give me some money or I'm saying you did this" piece. Then going back on it 24 hours later.

 

[H.L. Mencken]

In today's who-gives-a-**** update, Jerry Jones said that Deion Sanders would have been able to cover Calvin Johnson. Apparently, this passes for a controversy, because I've seen it as a headline at about five sports sites this morning already.

I can't wait to hear today what Calvin Johnson has to say about this incredibly incendiary declaration by the owner of a team he doesn't play for!

Don't confuse "controversy" with "click bait."

 

[joe king]

Dez Bryant is a really good receiver, incredibly gifted physically, but the whole comparison to Calvin Johnson thing is laughable.

Here's a telling stat in the big-play category. You know how many receptions of 20 or more yards Dez Bryant has this season? Six. That's six as in less than seven (which is how many Cecil freaking Shorts and DeAndre Hopkins have), as in tied for 31st in the league.

Meanwhile, Megatron has 12 -- twice as many. Last season, Johnson had a ridiculous 40 catches of 20 or more yards to Bryant's 19 (which, by the way, was a very good number -- sixth in the NFL, ahead of A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall, Julio Jones and, yes, Cecil freaking Shorts). Demaryius Thomas was second with 29.

 

[Mark2010]

He's very good. Without his baggage, I'd put him behind only Johnson. But the baggage exists, so I think I'd be happier with a slightly less good receiver without it.

This. Is he worth it? Not sure.

 

[nmmetsfan]

Dez Bryant is a really good receiver, incredibly gifted physically, but the whole comparison to Calvin Johnson thing is laughable.

Here's a telling stat in the big-play category. You know how many receptions of 20 or more yards Dez Bryant has this season? Six. That's six as in less than seven (which is how many Cecil freaking Shorts and DeAndre Hopkins have), as in tied for 31st in the league.

Meanwhile, Megatron has 12 -- twice as many. Last season, Johnson had a ridiculous 40 catches of 20 or more yards to Bryant's 19 (which, by the way, was a very good number -- sixth in the NFL, ahead of A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall, Julio Jones and, yes, Cecil freaking Shorts). Demaryius Thomas was second with 29.

Some of that is on the receiver, some of that is on the QB, some of that is on the offensive line.

I don't think any sane person is equating Dez Bryant with Calvin Johnson.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I've seen Deion take Jerry Rice out of a game, so if he can do that, I don't doubt he could do it with Megatron.

What was clear is who couldn't cover Megatron... Anyone on the current Dallas Cowboys team.

 

[IllMil]

I've seen Deion take Jerry Rice out of a game, so if he can do that, I don't doubt he could do it with Megatron.

What was clear is who couldn't cover Megatron... Anyone on the current Dallas Cowboys team.

This is opening up that tired generational debate, but I don't think Jerry Rice is even close to what Megatron is. The guy is 6'5 and 240 pounds and a freak athletically. The league has never seen a guy like this. He is physically better than Randy Moss and has the attitude to go with it. I think he would pretty much have his way one-on-one with anyone who has ever played corner.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I've seen Deion take Jerry Rice out of a game, so if he can do that, I don't doubt he could do it with Megatron.

What was clear is who couldn't cover Megatron... Anyone on the current Dallas Cowboys team.

This is opening up that tired generational debate, but I don't think Jerry Rice is even close to what Megatron is. The guy is 6'5 and 240 pounds and a freak athletically. The league has never seen a guy like this. He is physically better than Randy Moss and has the attitude to go with it. I think he would pretty much have his way one-on-one with anyone who has ever played corner.

Physically? Of course, it's not even close...

But Rice played in an era when cornerbacks were actually allowed to defend and when quarterbacks (maybe Marino did...) didn't throw the ball 40+ times a game regularly.

Rice also could finish. Megatron somehow gets caught inside the 5-yard line quite a bit.

Best since Rice? No question...

 

[Steak Snabler]

Rice was the very definition of "football speed." He ran maybe a 4.6 40, but always seemed to get separation when he needed it.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Rice was the very definition of "football speed." He ran maybe a 4.6 40, but always seemed to get separation when he needed it.

There was a game in the mid 80s where they timed how fast he covered 40 yards during a game and he ran a 4.4 in pads. Not Deion fast, but like you said, he always got separation when he needed it. Who knows why he was so slow at the combine?

 

[joe king]

Rice was the very definition of "football speed." He ran maybe a 4.6 40, but always seemed to get separation when he needed it.

There was a game in the mid 80s where they timed how fast he covered 40 yards during a game and he ran a 4.4 in pads. Not Deion fast, but like you said, he always got separation when he needed it. Who knows why he was so slow at the combine?

Not sure Deion could run 4.4 in pads.

One of the greatest plays I ever saw was in Carolina's 1995 upset of the defending Super Bowl champion 49ers in Candlestick. Rice beat Tyrone Poole on a crossing route, got to the sideline and turned toward the end zone. Poole caught him from behind and punched the ball out his hands and through the end zone for a touchback.

Another came in that same game when Sam Mills ripped the ball out of Brent Jones' hands for a turnover. I mean, Mills didn't pop it loose and fall on it, he just grabbed the ball while it was in Jones' hands and took it from him.