Tag: Anthony Stalter (Page 58 of 133)

      Thanks to Romo’s injury, defense, Cowboys can essentially kiss 2010 season goodbye

      October 26, 2010 /
      ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys lies on the field after a left shoulder injury in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

      It’s usually not wise to pronounce a team’s playoff chances dead after only seven weeks. But an exception can be made for the 2010 Cowboys.

      Tony Romo broke his left clavicle in an embarrassing 41-35 loss to the Giants at home on Monday night. As of this writing there hasn’t been a timetable given for his return, but it’s estimated that he’ll miss anywhere from six to 10 weeks, which means the 1-5 Cowboys can essentially put a bullet in their season.

      Jon Kitna did throw for 187 yards and two touchdowns while subbing for Romo, but after the Giants took a 38-20 lead midway through the third quarter it was evident that the game was well in hand. The ‘Boys scored on a 15-yard Dez Bryant touchdown with 40 seconds remaining to cut the Giants’ lead down to six, but New York dominated the game once Romo left early in the second quarter.

      It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Wade Phillips keeps his job. He’s come under fire for many things over the past few years but the one caveat is that his defensive game plans are usually sound. But the Cowboys’ defensive effort on Monday was atrocious.

      They were left on the field for long periods of time, but as a defense you still have to tackle. You still have to find ways to generate a pass rush and you can’t allow 497 total yards – 200 of which coming on the ground. The Cowboys did pick Eli Manning off three times, but he completed 25-of-35 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns and at one point he completed 18 of his 21 pass attempts. With how easy it was to find space in Dallas’ secondary, receivers Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham must have thought that they were lining up against their scout team.

      The Cowboys faced an uphill climb when Romo was healthy but now that he’s going to miss a big chunk of the season, it’s safe to say that the Cowboys aren’t realistic playoff contenders. The Giants are light years better right now and we’re talking about a team that turned the ball over five times on Monday. I can’t imagine what the score would have been had the Giants not given the Cowboys’ scoring chances throughout the game.

      The Cowboys suffered a tough break when Romo went out, but there’s no excuse for how the defense played tonight. Phillips and company are in for a long rest of the season.

      External Sports, NFL

      It’s high time Jay Cutler learned some humility

      October 25, 2010 /
      CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears waits for a play during a time-out against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      After throwing four interceptions to DeAngelo Hall in the Bears’ 17-14 loss to the Redskins on Sunday, one would have thought that Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler would have shown some respect to the Washington cornerback.

      Then again, if you thought that, then you don’t know Jay Cutler very well.

      “I’ve played against him before, there’s no reason to shy away from him. I mean, that’s hard for me to say throwing four picks at a guy. But I’d still, if we had to play them tomorrow I’d go at him every time, if we could.”

      Hall had this to say on SportsCenter in response to Cutler’s comments:

      “You know what man, Jay’s a little bit, he don’t really understand, I guess, the game, the game of football,” Hall said on Monday. “And in the game of football, you’re gonna see guys several times in their career. You know, he completed four passes against me when I was out in Oakland and he was in Denver on a Monday Night Football game, and I knew leading up to the game he was still feeling good about that. He made some smart, snide comments about that after that game, so I knew definitely he was gonna try to come out there and try me, and it didn’t work for him.”

      Cutler has always been brash and confident – that’s kind of his M.O. He believes that he can get the best of a defense every time and in some respects, quarterbacks have to have that mentality.

      That said, he should learn to show some humility because it would serve him in the long run. You can’t throw four picks to the same guy and then turn around and say that you’d throw on him “every play” if you could. That’s the kind of attitude that got Cutler into trouble in the first place. After the second interception, he should have known that Hall was on top of his game and looked elsewhere. But because he’s so overconfident at times, he kept going at him and it wound up costing the Bears a potential win.

      Look, interceptions are a byproduct of several things – not just the quarterback. The quarterback’s decision making, down and distance, receivers’ route running and pass protection all factor into a pass play. Anyone who studies the Bears knows that not every interception that Cutler has thrown in the last two seasons have been his fault.

      That said: come on already. Cutler has yet to lead a team to the playoffs and maybe there’s a reason for that. I don’t want to get into a debate about how games aren’t won or lost by one player – I know that. But considering he has yet to win anything in his career (college or pro), it’s time for Cutler to learn some humility so that he can become the quarterback that the Bears envisioned he’d be when they traded for him two offseasons ago.

      External Sports, NFL

      Mike Zimmer rips Bobby Petrino, Bobby Petrino backer rips Mike Zimmer, Anthony Stalter rips backer

      October 25, 2010 /
      NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Bobby Petrino stands on the sidelines with Joey Harrington #13 of the Atlanta Falcons after taking him out of the game against the Tennessee Titans during their game at LP Field on October 7, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

      I remember when Bobby Petrino ditched Louisville to join the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. The writers for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution briefly mentioned Petrino’s penchant for leaving teams in the dust for bigger and brighter opportunities, then they moved right into breaking down his offense and how he could transform Michael Vick into an elite quarterback.

      Not too long after Petrino left Atlanta in the middle of the night to go “Call Hogs” in Arkansas, those same writers ripped him for being a coward. He kind of has that way about him.

      When he’s on your side (no matter how briefly), you want to overlook his many weaknesses. But as soon as he shows you his true colors, you hope he never wins another game.

      Mike Zimmer, who was the Falcons’ defensive coordinator in Atlanta when Petrino performed his disappearing act, had some not-so-nice things to say about his former boss in a recent interview.

      “I never even was there,” said Zimmer. “When a coach quits in the middle of the year and ruins a bunch of people’s families and doesn’t have enough guts to at least finish out the year … I am not a part of that.

      “You can put that in the Arkansas News-Gazette. I don’t really give a (hooey). I am serious. He is a coward. Put that in quotes.”

      “Most people in football have enough courage about them and enough fight to stick through something and not quit halfway through the year. It is cowardly,” said Zimmer. “He came in and said he resigned, he would talk to us all at a later date, walked out of the office and no one has ever talked to him since. Not that anybody wanted to.

      “He’s a gutless (expletive). Quote that. I don’t give a (hooey).”

      If you’re abreast of the situation, then you know that Zimmer spoke the truth. But apparently at least one writer in Arkansas is still blinded by Petrino’s lore and took exception to Zimmer’s comments.

      These are excerpts from an article by Jim Harris of ArkansasSports360.com in reference to Zimmer’s comments:

      Zimmer said earlier this week that Petrino ruined lives when he abruptly left Atlanta for Arkansas with three games left in the 2007 season. Please.

      Zimmer’s had a very difficult four years of his life, both on the field and off it. Some of it tragic. His parting with Petrino was not among the tragic occurrences, as Zimmer had a contract and also was able to find work with Cincinnati.

      Lives were ruined by Hurricane Katrina. Lives are ruined daily in Haiti, in the aftermath of an earthquake and now a cholera epidemic in a country with no money.

      Harris’ mention of how Zimmer has “had a very difficult four years of his life” is in reference to the defensive coordinator finding his wife Vikki dead in their home in the middle of the football season. And while Harris has a good point about Hurricane Katrina and Haiti, let’s not mince words here.

      I’m willing to bet that Harris doesn’t know Zimmer personally, so how would he know if the situation ruined Zimmer’s life or not? Besides, isn’t Harris being a little too literal here? I’m sure Zimmer would say that Hurricane Katrina was a bigger deal than Petrino leaving Atlanta, but the situation still affected his life in a profound way. It essentially cost him his job with the Falcons and while he still wound up on his feet in Cincinnati a year later, that doesn’t mean that Harris has the right to downplay the situation and go with the standard “life is bigger than sports” anecdote that some writers use these days.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Week 7 Picks & Predictions

      October 22, 2010 /
      SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 3: Quarterback Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers celebrates a Charger touchdown play against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 3, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 41-10. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

      A 2-2 Sunday in Week 6 has left me starring at a losing record this season in the NFL. While I hit the Eagles and Vikings last Sunday, the Bears and Raiders left me hanging with their horrendous efforts against the Seahawks and 49ers, respectively.

      Maybe this is the week it all turns around for good and I can start sleeping at night again. That losing record haunts my dreams…

      Browns (1-5) @ Saints (4-2), 1:00PM ET
      Despite a wide array of injuries, the Saints’ dominated a Tampa team last Sunday that had been playing with a lot of confidence. Maybe New Orleans has found a way to overcome all the injuries and will start to turn it on. Either way, the Browns are banged up themselves and don’t have the luxury of having Drew Brees under center to right the ship. I was impressed with Colt McCoy’s NFL debut last Sunday in Pittsburgh, but he may be without Josh Cribbs (head) and Mohammad Massaquoi (head) this Sunday, which is a problem considering Cleveland was already thin at receiver. The Browns will try to win this game on the ground with Peyton Hillis, but I think their defense will be on the field for long stretches of time and the Saints’ offense will kick it into high gear at some point. New Orleans rolls again this week.
      THE PICK: SAINTS -13

      49ers (1-5) @ Panthers (0-5), 1:00PM ET
      Sorry for my bluntness, but I don’t like the Panthers. I think they rival the Bills for being the worst team in the league and whether it’s Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen that takes the snaps, I think they have a good chance of losing every Sunday. That said, I don’t trust the 49ers as far as I can throw them. Their first win came against an Oakland team last Sunday that actually may have been trying to lose based on the effort they gave. I don’t think San Fran is well coached, I don’t think they play disciplined football and I don’t trust Mike Singletary’s in-game decision-making. So while it pains me to take Carolina, I think they get their first win this week and Vegas burns those that are hoping back onto the 49ers’ shaky bandwagon.
      THE PICK: PANTHERS +2

      Patriots (4-1) @ Chargers (2-4), 4:15PM
      Before making my picks each week, I scour locate all the traps. And this, my friends, is a trap. Why in God’s name would anyone take a 2-4 San Diego team playing a 4-1 New England squad that just beat the Ravens? Because the Chargers are 2-0 at home? Not buying it. Antonio Gates is hurt and may not play and the Chargers were just dominated by the Rams. There’s simply no reason to take the Bolts this week, which is exactly why I’m taking the Bolts this week….and for a more logical take on the game: The Chargers have looked like a completely different team at home this year and Philip Rivers should take advantage of a suspect New England secondary. It’s tough for East Coast teams to travel cross-country and win on the road, and no team will travel farther than the Pats this weekend. The depleted Chargers win and cover.
      THE PICK: CHARGERS –3

      Giants (4-2) @ Cowboys (1-4), 8:30PM ET, Monday
      Speaking of traps…The Giants have won three in a row and have been awfully impressive on both sides of the ball the past three weeks. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have shot themselves in the foot at every opportunity and have essentially become a joke. With that in mind, what better time for Dallas to wake up then against a division rival on national television? Expect the unexpected every week in the NFL. Everyone is expecting the ‘Boys to lay an egg and embarrass themselves on Monday night, but I actually think the opposite plays out. I think the Cowboys put together their best performance of the season and make people consider whether or not they can climb back into the NFC East race. (Then they’ll promptly lose next week by committing 17 penalties and turning the ball over six times and then they’ll go back to being a joke.)
      THE PICK: COWBOYS -3

      Season Record: 9-10-1

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 College Football Week 8 Picks

      October 22, 2010 /
      DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Jeremy Beal and Jamarkus McFarland of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate a quarterback sack against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

      Thanks to Wisconsin’s domination of Ohio State last Saturday night, I missed out on my first 4-0 week in college football. No matter, I’ll gladly take 3-1 to give me a winning record on the year. (Crap, I said that too loud, didn’t I? I did, I did say that too loud. The college football gods are going to be annnngry…)

      Utah (love them Utes), Boise State and Hawaii were all winners in Week 7, while those douche Buckeyes were my only loser. Week 8 picks are below.

      Colorado State @ Utah, 6:00PM ET
      I may take the Utes every week from here on out. They’ve covered in five of their first six games (their only blemish was a push) and you never have to worry about a letdown because, well, it’s Utah. If the Utes don’t blow everyone out by 60, then they look weak in the eyes of BCS voters because of the conference they play in (although that won’t be a problem next year when they join the Pac-12). The Rams are 0-3 on the road, where they’ve allowed an average of 43.7 points per game and have scored just 14.3 PPG. Utah, on the other hand, is averaging 40.3 PPG at home this season and has allowed just 12.3 PPG. Thirty and a half points is a steep number to lay, but the Utes have been covering big point spreads all season (albeit, this will be the biggest since they were a 29-point favorite over San Jose State on September 25, a game in which they won, 56-3).
      THE PICK: UTAH –30.5

      UAB @ Mississippi State, 7:00PM ET
      After beating Florida last Saturday to improve to 5-2 on the year, Mississippi State earned its way into the top-25 this week. That said, this has letdown written all over it. The Bulldogs are in the midst of their SEC schedule and now have to play a 2-4 UAB team at home. With games against Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss coming up over the next month, it’ll be easy to overlook a Blazers squad that hasn’t won on the road yet. It would make one team’s entire season to beat a ranked foe on their home field. The other team has its sites on tougher challenges down the road. I’m taking the former, which is also getting 19.5 points.
      THE PICK: UAB +19.5

      North Carolina @ Miami, 7:30PM ET
      I could be falling into a trap here, but isn’t North Carolina being undervalued a bit in this game? Both teams are 4-2 with identical 2-1 records in the ACC and the Tar Heels have won four straight despite having two NCAA investigations hanging over their heads. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are only two weeks removed from laying an egg against Florida State at home and managed to beat Duke by just two touchdowns (well, two touchdowns and one two-point conversion, as the score was 28-13) despite the Blue Devils’ seven turnovers. Again, I may be falling into a trap here and it wouldn’t surprise me if it was 58-0 Miami at halftime because of this, but I’ll gladly take the 6.5 points with the hotter team right now.
      THE PICK: NORTH CAROLINA +6.5

      Oklahoma @ Missouri, 8:00PM ET
      I know I’m going to piss off the MIZZOU faithful here, but I don’t think the Tigers are good enough to be ranked No. 11 in the BCS Standings. The AP has it right with ranking them at No.18, which is more than fair considering this team was fortunate that San Diego State didn’t beat them in their home stadium a month ago. The Sooners have won seven straight against the Tigers and 19 of 20 in the series, with MIZZOU’s lone victory coming in 1998. Oklahoma has had a tendency this year of letting opponents hang around, but if Missouri can’t establish its running game, the Sooners will start to pull away in the second half. This one will be tight, but I think OU will use the diss from the AP (which has the Sooners ranked third) as motivation to come out on top.
      THE PICK: OKLAHOMA –3

      Season Record: 11-9

      College Football, External Sports

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑