Tough Luck Philly style!

Having caught the final period of the Dallas-Phoenix matchup last night I was very happy to see rook goalie Mike Smith get a shutout for his first win. The Stars showing no signs of fatigue as they handled an injury-riddled Coyote team 4-0. The Stars now improve to 7-1 and sole possession of first place in the Pacific.

Monday night while the rest of the world watches the Cowboys and Giants battle, I will make every effort to sneak downstairs and get some good Stars-Canucks pictures. From where I sit Mike Modano appears to be skating like a reborn man now that the 'C' is being worn on Brendan Morrow.

I'm not sure what is ailing Philly fans more. The fact that your Eagles pulled a Notre Dame and had a 52 yard score with 34 seconds left only to lose to an ex-Cowboy on a 62 yard field goal as time ran out. Did anyone notice Cowboy radio guy Brad Sham was the play-by-play guy in the booth. Conspiracy I tell you!

That loss hurt, but is it as bad as seeing Bobby Clarke resign his position as Flyer GM as manager Ken Hitchcock gets the axe? In the land of brotherly love, we have come a long way from the days of Broad Street domination and victory. A long haul may await.

Only in the NFL: How can Pittsburgh look so good last week, and lose in OT this week in Hotlanta? How do my Vikings look so good in Seattle? How do the Cardinals lack any punch at all in Oakland? How do the Chargers let one get away in KC? What the hell is Jake Delhomme doing getting picked off when a field goal is all you need for overtime? One of the wackiest weeks in the NFL that I can remember. Ronde Barber and Hines Ward made many fantasy geeks happy this week, including me...

To the old timers out there: As Kenny Rogers helped the Tigers even things at one-all in Detroit tonight, did all that muttering muttering to himself bring back memories of Mark Fidrych? To the yonger set this was a rookie in 1976 who packed 50,000 on the road and into Tiger season for one summer, amassed a record of 19-9 and a 2.34 ERA. All he did was talk to the ball, and to himself, and win. While I won't forget the acrimony Kenny left behind in Texas in 2005 what he has done in the postseason has been impressive. There's your kudos Mr. Rogers.

Celebrity sightings: I spoke briefly with Kameron Loe at Friday's Stars game. He was in good spirits. Earlier today two busloads of visitors centered on Las Colinas to watch football. Part of the entourage included Joe Theismann and Cowboy rookie Bobby Carpenter. I used to watch his Dad as an Oiler and Giant. The son laughed and called me old. Hey, age is just a number! A spirited but fun bunch of New Yorkers were in town to gear up for tomorrow night at Texas Stadium.

My take on Monday night's Cowboy-Giant game is as follows. If Julius and Marion can get yardage on the ground, they will free Drew Bledsoe up to throw patterns in the flat. Can Drew go deep? I believe not. If Dallas cannot handle Michael Strahan up front, it may be a long night for the Cowboys. Eli Manning will have a tough go of it initially, yet I fear that just like the Monday nighter last year against the Redskins, I foresee some late heroics from Manning to Jeremy Shockey and the Giants stun Dallas 24-20. Tiki Barber will flirt with 100 yards but no more. Terrell Owens will be a royal pain on the bench and the cameras and commentators will have lots of fodder. Look for the Cowboy special teams to have a big night, especially on punt returns!

Here's to Monday. Make it a great week!

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will