Ball Control you Cannot Stop

Happy Monday from the land of the newly defeated. Where the trauma drama cries 'Grassy Knoll' theories any time the local boys suffer a home defeat. When the words 'Springs' and 'Sharpie' come into the conversation just like ten years ago on a Monday night in Seattle, Wa.

Place me among the shocked. I really believed the Dallas Cowboys were strong enough and good enough to take care of the Washington Redskins, eleven point spread or not! Alas, I forgot just how poorly the Cowboys are when they allow a QB and a running back to throw and pass for over 100 yards in a given game: 0-5 of recent times. Clinton Portis had another 100 yard game. I credit the Redskins for superb ball control. Keeping the offense on the field for over 38 minutes is something Bill Parcells would have been proud of!

What I could not figure out is why Jason Garrett abandoned the running game and Marion Barber! Terrell Owens had more touches than The Barbarian or Felix Jones which made the Master's head scratch. Santana Moss had another great afternoon with the clutch catches. The Cowboys to me looked tentative. When the flag came for having 12 men on the field, I knew it was curtains for the local guys. Jason Campbell continues to keep getting better and better. Jim Zorn called a really smart game plan. Dallas now falls to 3-1 and Cincy is in town next Sunday. Washington now improves to 6-13 against the Silver and Blue since Dan Snyder took over the reins in 1999. Did anyone notice the irony of the final score? Clinton Portis over Marion Barber (26-24)?

Brett Favre saves his best for last. SIX TD passes in a 56-35 pasting of the Cardinals! I actually remember the last game New York was this effective. It was in 1985 in a 62-28 drilling of the Buccaneers. On the flip I remember in 1979 (9/9/79 to be precise) a game against the Patriots in New England where the Jets were manhandled 56-3. If the throwback uni's were what The New York Titans wore back in the days of Maynard, Ewbank, and Grantham, I got one word for you-UGLY!!!

As I type this, there is a rain delay in the Windy City as the White Sox try to get a makeup game in with the Tigers. Chicago a half game behind the Twinkies. Should the Chisox get this game in and win tomorrow will be a one game playoff, a 163rd game to determine who will travel to Tampa Bay starting Thursday. Anaheim will host Boston starting Weds, The Dodgers and Cubbies will play one another while the Phillies and Brewers will face off. First appearance since 1982 for the Brew Crew, back in the days of Harvey Kuenn's Wallbangers...

Matt Walbeck and Art Howe will not be back with the Rangers in 2009. Jim Colborn goes back to Pacific Rim operations. For now, it appears that Jon Daniels and Ron Washington stay at their positions after a 79-83 season, four better than 2007. Congrats to Josh Hamilton for regaining the rbi lead, depending on what Justin Morneau does in the event of said one game playoff...Back in April I wanted the Cubs and Tigers to do battle, just like in 1908 and 1945. Now let it be the Cubs and Red Sox. If the White Sox make the playoffs it will mark the first time since 1906 that both south siders are in at the same time. In that case I won't mind a 'Subway Series within the Loop'. Panis and anger in New York as the Mets fall short again. The last person I want to be today is Omar Minaya. I have to believe his job might be on the line. If I am Willie Randolph, I'd call Omar at 3am and tell him how sorry he was :)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the best record on Monday Night Football, period! They have won 13 straight appearances at home. Overall the record is 22-5. I can remember two of their home losses going back to 10/23/78 when Earl Campbell ran like crazy in the rain for a 24-17 victory and again on 10/20/80 when Jim Plunkett and Raymond Chester made the Terrible Towels non-existent in a 45-34 defeat. As I prepare to watch this matchup, I remind you that Hank Williams has now been a part of the Monday Night package for 20 years, retroactive to 9/11/89. A thrilling 27-24 Giant victory at the gun on a field goal by Raul Allegre. That was the night we learned Frank Gifford would be a daddy at sixty...

Oklahoma now #1. Alabama #2. Texas #5. Four Big 12 teams comprise the top ten in the current AP polls. Texas-OU will happen on October 11th. This Saturday the Longhorns travel to Boulder to play Colorado. I smell a trap game. Don't be shocked if the Texas makes the mistake of looking ahead. Still can't believe that Georgia blew it to the Crimson Tide!

Dallas Stars play in Colorado before continuing their home swing of exhibition play Thursday and Sunday with the improving Blackhawks and Oilers. October tenth it starts for real. I can't wait! Final cuts to the roster will be made by Sunday.

September now but a memory.

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will