A few things jumped out at me as I watched the Cowboys and Broncos today (which Denver won in OT, 24-21 after Ron Dayne’s long run set up a Jason Elam FG):
1. In the first half, Denver punted and the ball bounced around at the 1 yard line. The initial call was a touchback, but after a few commercials, we found out that Shanahan wanted to challenge the call. So we go to ANOTHER set of commercials and come back to find out that the call was overturned. A couple of years ago, the NFL changed the rules so that the clock would run, even if players went out of bounds, for a good portion of each half. This rule was designed to make the games shorter, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed, the games aren’t any shorter. They are still running 3+ hours. What we get are more commercials, and no one needs that.
2. Denver MLB Al Wilson stops Dallas RB Marion Barber on a 3rd and 1 at midfield and begins to celebrate. Only he didn’t stop him. Barber keeps his feet moving and neither of his knees touch the ground. His second effort gets the Cowboys a first down and Wilson looks like a fool.
3. In the 4th quarter, Dallas safety Roy Williams covers Denver TE Jeb Putzier on a pass play. Putzier makes the catch and Williams sort of runs past him, waving his hands to indicate that the pass is incomplete. As the replay eventually shows, the catch was clearly made and Putzier is able to get up and gain another six yards while Williams, who should know better, looks like a fool.
4. The Cowgirls’ short shorts are getting shorter. This one is not a complaint.
