Slow Down Playa, Not Yet

I love the talk around town about the Houston Texans. Yea, we're riding high in Houston and deservedly so. With two great wins over the Colts and Redskins the Texans are 2-0 and looking like a real football team. Like every week though a new challenge arises as the Dallas Cowboys gallop into town.  With the Cowboys getting off to an 0-2 start and playing mistake filled football, the Texans definitely look like they have the upper hand. But as Nate Dogg said, "hold up " ! That's right everybody pump ya brakes a little, I'll tell u why this is not a for sure Texans win.

The Texans Offense, as we know is a high-powered versatile group. Matt Schaub is playing as well as any quarterback in the league if not better. Andre is just being Andre, going about business as usual being the All-Pro he is and showing why he is the best receiver in football. Foster has been steady and has helped the Texans have a consistent running game, which in turn has helped get more balls to Walters and the Tight Ends. What the Texans will face though is a Cowboy defense that is ranked 10th in the NFL. That's with the blown assignments and bad tackling displayed thus far. On third down opponents are just 4-24 against them, and they have only given up 127 yards rushing in two games. I'm sure by now I've gotten your attention, if not, then you're as blind  as Stevie Wonder  blindfolded  at midnight sitting  in the middle of a black hole singing "Blame It On The Sun. How about blame it on your ignorance ! And I'll be the first to say it because I believe it, the only thing that matters is wins and losses not stats or numbers. However some stats and numbers do hold true and the Cowboys defense validates that some.

The Cowboys offense isn't too shabby either. They are 4th behind the league leading Texans' offense, mainly because they have been  a predominantly  passing offense do to a sub par run game that's only cranked out 139 yards. Let's not forget this is the same group, with the exception of Dez Bryant who won the NFC East,  pounded Philly in the playoffs, before losing to Minnesota. So needless to say there is some history there. The Texans defense is ranked 31st in the league. Although they have allowed only 62 yards rushing, the defense has given up a crazy 822 yards passing. Damn ! Besides the low rushing total, a more crucial stat is that offenses are only 6-22 against them. This  is another reason why the Texans offense has so many opportunities to score and was key to the comeback last week. This match up could pose some problems for the Texans defense though. Even though the Cowboys offense plays right into their hands not being able to run the ball,  the Texans pass defense looks more suspect than Elton John at this point. Don't know how that's possible but somehow it is.

Numbers wise the Cowboys look to have the upper hand, but as I've always said numbers don't mean jack, unless you're on Westheimer collecting your money. The Texans have momentum coming off two very good wins, but the Cowboys are in a hole and coming into week three with a must win attitude. Look for Dallas to pump fake the Texans early with a few runs, they will most likely take the Andy Reid approach early and set up the run with the pass and balance it out from there. I hope Schaub gets plenty of rest and massages this week. The Cowboys defense will bring the pressure and with Duane Brown facing suspension, DeMarcus Ware could have a huge game. The Texans should come out with a good mix of run and pass. They should definitely take advantage of the Cowboys safeties Sensabaugh and Ball because they are liabilities in coverage. The Texans Tight Ends should have a big day when matched up against them. Out on the islands will be a little tougher with Newman and Jenkins. If Andre is full speed he should be fine, Walters and Anderson could have a hard time but need to step up. In the words of PE,  Don't..Don't..Don't believe the hype ! Not just yet anyway.

Setup

Many of you that have come to know me understand that I am Marcus, aka "CT", or conspiracy theorist. Seems to be more proof of that theory coming to the forefront everyday. Or in college football's case, every weekend. Don't act like you guys don't know what I'm talking about. Boise State moving up to the #3 spot after beating Virginia Tech Monday. The Blue Broncos have complained every year about why they can not crack into the BCS National Championship. To their defense, they have had 8 10 win seasons the last 10 years. They won the WAC 6 years in a row from 2002-2008, and finished in the top 25 5 times since 2002. But what does Boise State's high-ranking and their one game against a serious opponent do ?In my opinion, it spreads Blue Bronco poo all over the rankings and college football, and the BCS members are dumping it on everyone.

I feel this is the NCAA's way of sorta appeasing the Broncos. Think about it, they have won consistently the last 10 years, but can never reach the pinnacle game in college football. Because their conference is so weak, it factors into the complex computerized formula used by the BCS. Which of course lowers their rankings and puts Boise State where they have been every year, second fiddle. So here's the plan, why not start them high ? Based on the conference drop off they face , we know they'll win so they will stay right where they are. Or, if Alabama or Ohio State loses then they are sure to move up !

I'm sorry, but this is all bologna. Yes, Boise State has a good team, but honestly could they face the kind of talent weekend and week out like the SEC and Big 12 ? No ! It's easy to get up for a game against a top ranked opponent once during the season. How about an entire season ?  This whole top 5 ranking is set up so they can finally get to the National Championship game. And honestly I find the whole thing pathetic. Tell you what BCS and NCAA members, tell Boise to move into the PAC 10 or Big 12 then holla at me about where they should be ranked after a couple season's there. Now before, I would say it's not their fault they are in little league division. However, with all these colleges rotating  conferences like the stage rotation at treasures, that's not an excuse anymore. Put them somewhere legit, where the competition is a grind every week. Because I assure you, LA Tech and Idaho are no difference makers in college football. Sorry.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm telling you if this plan doesn't happen like the BCS and NCAA hopes, look out everybody ! The major schools will come down hard on them. Heads will be called for, secret bro meetings will escalate, and somebody is gonna be mad as hell for possibly missing out on a big pay-day at the end of the year. I'm sure the BCS and NCAA won't care though. There is always a setup, behind the setup.

It Is what It Is

As we get closer to the end of preseason, and thank god for that, it comes time for rosters to be trimmed and time for   coaches and players to get ready for another long NFL season. Before I continue with that, I do want to express my disappointment in GM Mike Holmgren. I understand Holmgren likes to do things his way and have total control. He's always been that way during his career. But the way he has treated Hall Of Fame running back Jim Brown is offensive and just disrespectful. Brown has been the face of the Cleveland Browns organization for some time now. Even when he passes on he will be the first person and  topic discussed anytime The Cleveland Browns are brought up.  Holmgren removed Brown from the  advisor position to  Owner Randy Lerner and issued an ultimatum which defines his role  in plain terms, to show your face, sign autographs, be a mascot for The Cleveland Browns and Holmgren controls it all. Holmgren also had  the nerve to want him to be present with him come time for the Ring of Honor ceremony that will be held this year. As Jim Brown said it, "one monkey don't stop the show" and "I emphatically do not need validation from any man". I applaud this decision and agree with Mr. Brown completely. As men we have control over what our legacy will be and what type of person we want to be. No one is perfect and never will be, but it you are a stand up person, respectful, do your job to the best of your abilities, and stand firm in your beliefs, especially of self, there is no award, no Hall, or Ring of  Honor that will validate a man more that.

Moving forward, I do not understand the out burst made by Matt Leinart. As a former first round pick who was projected to be the future of the Arizona Cardinals organization, he has not been all that was expected of him. He has not proven himself to be a starter in this league. So much, the Cards are still begging Kurt Warner to come out of retirement to play quarterback again. He has shown no quarterback awareness, no ability to be precise in his reads, and definitely does not have the X factor the be a great NFL quarterback.

His argument of  not being demoted is, his play speaks for itself. To some degree he has a point. His Qb rating is 110.3, he is 19 of 23 for 161 yards a touchdown and no interceptions. The key stat though, he's been sacked 4 times. Derek Anderson has attempted 53 passes and only been sacked once. Whether Leinart wants to believe that or not, that makes a huge difference during games with an attempt to sack ratio like that.

He also brought up that it must be something not "football related" that got him demoted. No, it's pretty much all football related. As he said himself, his play speaks for itself, and it hasn't been very good. Along with that, it's preseason, of course in position battles coaches want to see all the players they are considering, especially if it's to be a starter in that position. But in typical USC fashion, he thinks he is entitled to the job. He might consider the fact  he's been a back up his entire career.

To be honest, he is what I thought he was, a great college quarterback. He has not shown me anything other than that. Until he does that's all he will be. So stop crying Matt.  Don't pull the "coach doesn't like me" card as to why you got demoted. Here's a dose of reality, maybe, just maybe, you suck. Sorry bro.