TONY RO-MOST UNDERRATED QUARTERBACK OF ALL TIME

October 25, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

The most heavily criticized, overly scrutinized athlete in sports today is undoubtedly Tony Romo. Playing quarterback for America’s Team sets an almost unreachable precedent, year in and year out the expectations are simple… Superbowl or bust!! Although Romo has yet to deliver a world championship the idea that he isn’t an “elite” quarterback is absurd!

The recent shortcomings of the team around him make people forget he’s statistically the best pass thrower in Cowboys history. Not only does he own the record books in Dallas he also has a career quarterback rating of 96.4 which is fourth all time! Higher than Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Dan Marino. QBR is an accumulation of all statistical categories, and a much better gauge of indiviual performance than team oriented achievements like Super Bowls.

Prior to the start of this season former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Ron Joworski ranked every QB in the league from best to worst. A list where Tony Romo was #15. While such disrespect is expected from a former Philadelphia Eagle even someone with a lifetime of hatred towards America’s Team should be able to suppress their emotions to make a more legitimate assessment. After one year of success Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, and Colin Kaepernick are better than Romo? Seriously? Jay Cutler? The same Jay Cutler who hasn’t surpassed 4000 yards in a season since 2008? Matt Schaub ranked ninth!!?? The credibility of any list is completely lost when Matt Schuab is top ten, and Matt Ryan ranks higher than Drew Brees.

Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger, and Eli Manning aren’t statistically better than Tony but are consistently ranked higher because of their championship rings. I’m not trying to negate the influence of championships on individual player evaluation but it simply isn’t the end all be all. How can that much emphasis be placed on a single game? Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer, and Jim Plunkett don’t exactly make up the Mt.Rushmore of NFL quarterbacks. They were all mediocre players who benefited from being on exceptional teams. Their Superbowl victories certainly don’t make them better than all time greats like Marino, Moon, or Tarkenton who’ve never won the big game.

“Romophobics” like to mention his short comings in big games as the reason why he cant be considered elite. Last years week 17 loss to the Redskins with the division title and a postseason appearance on the line. The interception thrown while down three points with two minutes left against the undefeated Denver Broncos in week 4. The infamous botched hold on a field goal attempt to win a playoff game against the Seahawks. In each case Tony has been the fall guy for mistakes made elsewhere within the team. The Cowboys defense gave up 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns to rookie Alfred Morris in last years winner take all game for the division. The interception thrown against Denver came in a game where the defense gave up fifty-one points, seven more than the Broncos league leading average of 44 ppg. Its virtually impossible to win a game if your defense surrenders 200 rushing yards or 51 points no matter who your quarterback is! In the case of the botched hold Tony had been promoted to starting QB eight weeks earlier, meaning his status as the holder on field goals should have also changed.

Not only is Tony Romo one of the best to play the position both presently and of all time he’s a prototype for the quarterback of the future. Lightning quick release, pinpoint accuracy, great mobility, and a sixth sense for avoiding pressure in the pocket. As defensive players continue to evolve becoming faster and more athletic the statuesque quarterbacks of yeateryear become obsolete. Being a “mobile” quarterback traditionally meant your legs had to make up for what your arm lacked. In this case his scrambling ability actually enhances the Cowboys passing game by extending plays leading to big gains down field.

Romo currently has America’s Team atop the NFC East with a 4-3 record (3-0 in the division), but realistically no amount of regular season success will get him the respect he deserves. He simply needs to win the big one! At the end of his career he’ll certainly have the stats to be inducted into the hall of fame, but a Superbowl title (preferrably accompanied by an MVP) will get him in on the first ballot!

PUBLISHED 10/23/13
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/tony-romo-underrated_b_4144224.html

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DALLAS COWBOYS AND INDIANS

October 22, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

I hate the Washington Redskins. It’s almost like an unwritten rule that as a die hard Cowboys fan I must have deep and unwavering hatred for those God awful burgundy and mustard jerseys. And I most certainly do! I hate the team, its players, fans, coaches, stadium, I pretty much hate them in every capacity. This division rivalry features two of the most passionate fan bases in pro sports so the intensity is warranted, but recently I’ve begun to hate the franchise for an entirely different reason.

It feels dumb saying I didn’t realize how unbelievably offensive the name “Redskins” actually is until now, but it’s true. Prior to the recent media attention that’s arisen the thought had never once crossed my mind. While tradition is in no way an excuse for bigotry or racism, it’s the historic significance of the team which lead me to ignore such a blatant display of prejudice. They’ve been the Redskins for as long as I’ve been alive! And even 50 years before that! But society has changed drastically since then, and its an unacceptable representation for an American franchise in 2013. Although, it is understandable how such an issue could go unnoticed for so long.

How ironic is it that the team representing our nation’s capital would use a name and logo with such oppressive implications towards Native Americans. “Redskin” specifically refers to race or complexion, which makes it much more offensive than names like Florida State Seminoles, Chicago Blackhawks, Cleveland Indians, or my beloved Atlanta Braves. Though it is believed by many that all such names should be removed from pro and college sports, the distinction between the name Redskins and all others is obvious.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated, amongst others, has actually stopped using the name ‘Redskins’ all together. Honestly it’s a trend we should all follow. It’s naive to think the National Football League would change the name of one of its most profitable franchises simply because it’s the morally correct thing to do. As long as selling the team’s merchandise provides such a lucrative source of income for the NFL things will continue to be business as usual, despite how ridiculously offensive it is to refer to a team using a racial slur. Perhaps if enough people demonstrate some form of protest, whether it be no longer using the name, or refusing to buy merchandise we can put enough pressure on the league to make a change.

I honestly feel terrible for the fans, the real life long die hards! The ones who sacrifice so much time and hard-earned money season after season in support of their favorite team. To now have to sit by and watch that team be portrayed in such a negative light must be excruciating. The name is more a product of ignorance than of racism or malicious intent, but the franchise is still accountable, and the fans will ultimately suffer for it. Eventually the name must be changed to something more appropriate. Wasington Pigskins maybe? The “D.C. Reds”? Call em The Hogs? Probably all terrible suggestions, but at this point any name would be better than the one Washington’s football team is currently using.

PUBLISHED: 9/23/13
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/dallas-cowboys-indians_b_3962631.html

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SAINTS OR SINNERS

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Once one of the saddest franchises in NFL history, the New Orleans Saints used the addition of QB Drew Brees and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to rally them to the pinnacle of football glory. In 2010 they won the Superbowl and seemed to right the wrongs of 30 years of mediocrity. But what was a story of tremendous retribution has recently been tainted by some disturbing allegations.

Former Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams renowned for his “win by all costs” mentality may have cost the organization its integrity. From 2009 — 2011 he implemented a pay-to-injure program which awarded $1,000 for forcing an opposing player to the sideline, and $1,500 for removing him from the game completely. The NFL is one of the most dangerous and physically demanding professional sports leagues in the world, but there is an element of “controlled rage” amongst the carnage. Pain and intimidation are the building blocks of the sport, but only when displayed tastefully. The sportsmanship and camaraderie of the league creates an unwritten code of ethics. One that ensures no malicious intent be present while competing. Mr. Williams and the Saints have completely violated this code.

Nevermind the salary cap, and violations of the NFL constitution, cash incentives for purposely injuring opponents is simply and utterly despicable. A total disregard of the values and tradition of the sport. In a league where 90 percent of contracts aren’t guaranteed how could one player so willingly jeopardize the livelihood of another?

Of the twenty seven players accused of participating, Linebacker Johnathan Vilma is taking most of the scrutiny. During the 2010 NFC Championship game he allegedly placed a personal $10,000 bounty on the head of Vikings QB Brett Farve. Following a suspiciously illegal looking hit from Anthony Hargrove in the third quarter Favre was actually forced to leave the game due to an ankle injury. Hargrove was then overheard on the sideline yelling “Favre is out of the game! Favre is done! FAVRE IS DONE!” Hargrove denies ever being paid for the hit, but warranted skepticism still lingers.

As a fan I don’t want players of that caliber wearing my team’s jersey. You should be giving maximum effort on every play simply for the sake of winning! I don’t like the idea of Injurious intent or questionable cash incentives being the motivation for athletes I root for. Why is $1,500 enough to inspire such ill will anyway? The multi-million dollar contracts and signing bonuses aren’t enough?

The target on QB Drew Brees’ back will now undeniably be larger than ever, so how karma plans on punishing them might be a bit more interesting.

PUBLISHED 3/23/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/new-orleans-saints-bounties_b_1356142.html

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