the score

I think we finally saw Vince Young sweat.

Forget the last-minute Rose Bowl prance into the end zone. This wasn’t as easy, but it sure seemed to mean more to the man who sees himself as snubbed by the guys who pretend to be his hometown team. No sir, Vince doesn’t take kindly to being excluded.

With his Tennessee Oilers, ur, Titans needing two touchdowns to pull it out, Vince was just warming up. Sure he got a little help from the sure hands of a beefed-up Ahmad Hall from the Longhorn glory days. Vince then ran for a couple of yards to secure a first down, before handing off the ball to let someone else score. Twice. After the second one, Vince let out a huge puff of air. This wasn’t as easy as college. The guys trying to rip him apart were bigger, faster than in the Big 12. Vince had something to prove

Then the Vince folks in Austin know so well came out of the closet nationwide to reveal his Teflon coating. Zip. Thirty-nine yards. Untouched. Anointed as the next God of professional football. The guy people want to touch in hopes that some of that greatness can rub off. Read More | Comment »

I'll admit I'd gotten burned out on my Dallas Cowboys blog. It seemed like I've been making the same lame jokes and obvious observations all season.

But last night, just like Ebenezer Scrooge, I was visited by three ghosts, but these spirits weren't concerned with the Christmas spirit. They were here to give me enough one-liners to fulfill the word count for my blog entry this week.

The following interview taught me two meaningful lessons: 1) Making obvious observations and lame jokes is what sports writing is all about and 2) They put the expiration date on cough syrup for a very good reason.

Read More | Comment »

Pound Deuce McAllister between the tackles 26 times for 136 yards. Sprint Reggie Bush around the ends for 168 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. Allow Drew Brees to relax into an efficient passing groove. Limit one of the league's top rushers, Frank Gore, to 40 ground yards and no touchdowns. Force an opposing quarterback into ill-advised throws, two of which are picked off by cornerback Mike McKenzie. Kick long and accurately, rack up return yards, and eat clock like popcorn shrimp in a runaway 34-10 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. It might be difficult for the New Orleans Saints to best the Dallas Cowboys this coming Sunday short the injured WR Joe Horn and the suspended DT Hollis Thomas, but best believe that all hired hands available will be gunning for that damned blue star. Read More | Comment »

Yes, Longhorn fans, it’s cringe-worthy indeed to see the very same Oklahoma Sooners that your team so soundly thrashed this year waltz into a BCS bowl game against mighty mighty Boise State. Can we only dream of a potato-lover’s upset? Take heart. In the back of his mind, Bob Stoops, when not obsessing over the Oregon win the refs robbed him of, has a festering sore that is Mack Brown. Two losses in a row, Bob. Just pretend it doesn’t bother you. We believe you. Honest, we do. Yes, the Okies topped Nebraska, another loser to Texas, in the just-doesn't-matter Big 12 Championship game. Neither team looked like a contender.

None of this excuses the Horns’ season-ending collapse, which was a train wreck from which it’s hard to look away, but do look. Look to the future. All the way to the National Football League where former University of Texas players are everywhere and kicking ass:

+ Cedric Benson is starting and scoring for da Chicago Bears, who clinched the NFC North this weekend.

+ Phil Dawson kicked a field goal in overtime to seal the Cleveland Brown’s win over the Chief.

+ Roy Williams became the first Detroit Lions receiver with more than 1,000 yards since Johnnie Morton in 2001. Oh, and he likes to hang with teammates DE Cory Redding, DT Shaun Rogers, and OT Jonathan Scott.

+ Vince Young (oh, we miss you, Vince …) is slowly making believers of Nashville Titans fans with his second straight come-from-behind victory.

+ Chris Simms is the second-best former UT QB in the NFL even when he’s not playing. There are two of them? I still can’t believe it.

+ Vince’s favorite throwing target of late? Ahmad Hall. (Am I the only one who keeps wanting to call him Ahmad Brooks?) Of course, Vince can also aim for tight end Bo Scaife.

+ Quentin Jammer is a tackling machine for the 10-2 San Diego Chargers. Read More | 4 Comments »

With the previous week's last-second heartwrenching loss to the Buffalo Bills and last Sunday's dismal effort in a 26-11 defeat by the New York Jets; even I, Mr. Superdiehardfan, can safely call this year a bust and start looking toward next year's draft and off-season maneuverings. So, glass-half-full time. The Texans 2006 draft class is the strongest in the league. Straight up. Gary Kubiak's squad currently resides at 3-8, but he did his job when it came to drafting a solid core for Houston's hopefully bright future. In hindsight, not re-signing David Carr and drafting hometown hero Vince Young would have not only made the team a mint in jersey and ticket sales (and I guarantee you all those empty, paid-for seats at Reliant on Sundays would be filled), it would have been the best football decision as well. Read More | Comment »

How beautifully righteous it was for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Terrance Copper to haul in a Drew Brees Hail Mary at the close of the first half of a 31-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Take that, Alfred Jenkins! Take that Steve Bartkowski! And to push Falcons quarterback Michael Vick so far into frustration that he would wind up having to catch media heat for flipping off his own disgruntled home crowd is something that makes Saints fandom a pleasure, albeit at times a vengeful pleasure. Yes, we are still indeed paying back punches landed more than 25 years ago, and if you are even thinking that I’m alone on that, please reference a sign held up at the Georgia Dome on Sunday by a visiting Saints fan that read, “Tickets, $100. Hotel, $200. Teaching my kids to hate the Falcons, Priceless.” Read More | Comment »

   Despite falling behind 14-0 early in the first quarter due to two 83-yard TD receptions by the Bills No. 83, Lee Evans, the Texans played solid football for three-plus quarters and were one first down or one defensive stop from victory in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The win would have given the Texans two straight victories, three in a row at home, and a 4-3 record over their past seven games. This would have a been a huge step toward respectability for a franchise that desperately needs some. Read More | Comment »

Please tell me that New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas, who just last week I had hoped to return quickly from injury, didn’t allow Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson to torch him for six catches, 190 yards, and three touchdowns. Please follow that up by telling me that Saints running back Deuce McAllister didn’t carry the ball a measly 10 times for 40 yards in a 31-16 home loss. I really don’t want to know that rookie sensation Marques Colston had to be carted off of the field with a high ankle sprain. And please spare me the news that the Saints are no longer the sole leaders of the NFC South.

For more on the Saints and the LSU Tigers ... Read More | Comment »

Read More | Comment »

I wasn't particularly wondering what porn star Adriana Sage's NFL predictions are, but nonetheless, she offers them up. (It's OK to click on the link; there are no dirty pictures on it.) Read More | Comment »

1. Should the NFL continue to consider beating the Cardinals as an actual win? Why or why not?

2. In the same light, should losing to the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday count as a loss?

3. Does the sweet musk of success make Peyton Manning more sexually attractive than poor, poor Matt Leinart? If not, why is Manning on so many more commercials? Discuss loudly at the nearest sports bar.

4. Write a short response paper detailing whether the Cardinals should be moved to the European or the Arena football league. Bonus: Whatever happened to the XFL?

5. In a fully developed essay, describe why, after the terrible seasons, countless drug charges, and those Jerry Jones Papa John's commercials you've endured throughout the years, it was this moment that finally made you ashamed to be a Cowboys fan. Read More | Comment »

Hello. Any Texans fans out there? Am I last the last one? Apparently the fine folks at our local CBS affiliate aren't big fans as they chose to show golden boy Vince Young and his Tennessee Oilers almost beat the Baltimore Ravens instead of the Texans winning their third game of the season 13-10 over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Surprising? No. Annoying? Yes. And since the Texans aren't broadcast locally on the radio either I was forced to purchase the NFL Field Pass and hang out within listening distance of my computer for the duration of the game. At least my bedroom is clean now. Looks like CBS will be broadcasting the Titans game this upcoming Sunday as well so I guess the VY fans win.

For more on the actual game ... Read More | Comment »

The New Orleans Saints went up to Pittsburgh and allowed Willie Parker to conjure breakaway images of Barry Sanders as the first running back in quite some time to rack up multiple runs of more than 70 yards in a single game. Aside from a solid effort from Shane Shanle, the Saints’ linebackers were nowhere to be found and defensive back Jason Craft might as well have been a figment of our imagination as all he did was make us wish that regular cornerback Fred Thomas returns as quickly as possible from a pulled hamstring. Again, coach Sean Payton refused to let running back Deuce McAllister carry the load in protecting a lead, instead giving rookie Reggie Bush yet another chance to hurt his team with a costly fumble. Quarterback Drew Brees made a valiant effort in attempting to lead the offense down the field for a late, game-tying touchdown. But wide receiver Terrance Copper compounded a crucial drop with a crushing fumble and the Saints yielded a 38-31 loss to the reeling Steelers. Rookie wide receiver Marques Colston continued to amaze with yet another stellar performance that now has him leading the entire NFL with 869 yards receiving. Meanwhile kicker John Carney better still be thinking long and hard about that 32 yard field goal that he hooked wide left.

For more on UT football, LSU football, and high school football ... Read More | Comment »

Are my eyes deceiving me? Did the New Orleans Saints defense really hold the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a mere 68 yards rushing Sunday afternoon? It’s been quite some time since the Saints defense has been known as a run-stuffing force, if it’s ever been known as such. But sure enough, on the road no less, they made Cadillac Williams look like a Geo Metro. A pair of touchdown passes to Joey Galloway at the end of the first half certainly gave Saints doubters reasons to grumble, but the Bucs were shut down and shut out over the full course of the second half as the Saints put the finishing touches on a 31-17 victory.

Rookie wide receiver Marques Colston solidified his track toward an All-Pro season with 11 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. And quarterback Drew Brees followed up his worst game of the season with what might as well be considered a flawless effort. Unfortunately the Saints rushing attack suffered through a game more miserable than that of the Bucs, but when we’ve got former LSU dynamo Devery Henderson hauling in long touchdown passes almost at will, who’s counting? Now back on top of the NFC South division at 6-2, the Pittsburgh Steelers loom within their own quarters as the Saints’ next challenge.

For more on UT footbal, LSU football, and high school football ... Read More | Comment »

I was needlessly afraid of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As John Razook revealed in his blog, I was among the Longhorn faithful who weren’t all that faithful. Who can blame us? After all, my nickname of the Horns of recent vintage had been the Wifebeaters. (“We promise we won’t lose to Oklahoma again this year, honey …” BAM!) But it’s time to face the facts: the Horns see themselves as winners, and that’s half the battle. To be surprised at this victory is to believe the timing of Saddam Hussein’s death sentence right before elections is a coincidence.

It’s clear Texas will finish the regular season undefeated in the Big 12. I’m still not convinced they’re National Champ material minus Vince Young, but they believe, dammit, they believe. Lifelong Horns fans like yours truly need only look at one gaudy stat: 21 straight conference wins. That matches 21 straight Southwest Conference victories during the last glory days of the program from ’68 to ’71. Gulp. These guys are for real. Bring on that Nebraska rematch. An Ohio State do-over? Crazier things have happened, and the Horns, with ultra-confident Colt McCoy cocked and loaded, might just pull it off if given the chance. Read More | Comment »

This Sunday didn't count, right? Don't tell me they're actually going to record the results of those games, like for real.

If you accidentally turned off the Cowboys/Redskins game in the last few seconds, mistakenly thinking Mike Vanderjagt would make that chip-in field goal and would limp on to a marginally deserved victory, it's probably best if you stop reading this blog right now.
Just when you thought the Cowboys had managed to lose in every possible way, they've figured out how to throw a game away after the clock's run out. All that's left is for them to lose games they've already won or get beat by teams they haven't played, and they'll be an unstoppable draft-picking machine. Let's see the Raiders match my new projected Cowboys record of 0 and 53.
Read More | 1 Comment »

This Sunday's game against the Panthers was like my dream come true, complete with the disturbing gay undertones. Seriously, what was going on with Bill Parcells playing Seven Minutes in Heaven on the sidelines this week? Sure scoring 25 points for a come-from-behind win is exciting, but I haven't seen that many awkward old-man kisses handed out since my grandpa was in town. The real credit for the win goes to the Dallas defense, which allowed only 204 yards and 16 first downs, and the Julius Jones/Marion Barber double team, which combined rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Drew Bledsoe, for his part, has not yet figured out how to throw an interception from the sidelines. Read More | 1 Comment »

The Houston Texans may have to come to terms with the fact that David Carr is not the franchise QB that they have been counting on him to be. After re-signing Carr in the offseason and thereby passing up Vince Young, Jay Cutler, and Matt Leinart in the draft, the Texans placed all their hopes in Carr and the tutelage of first-year head coach Gary Kubiak. While Carr's play has improved under Kubiak, he is still prone to turning over the ball, the most heinous sin an NFL QB can commit. Carr turned the ball over three times last Sunday, including a crushing fumble with eight seconds left in the first half that Tony Brown ran 40 yards into the end zone.

Replacing Carr in the third quarter of the Texans 28-22 loss to VY and the displaced Oilers, Sage Rosenfels completed 18 of 25 for 186 yards and three TD passes. Read More | Comment »

The New Orleans Saints typically don’t fare well in games following a bye week. The extra preparation time tends to give both coaches and players just enough rope to hang themselves. Sunday against the visiting Baltimore Ravens, the Saints did everything they could in an all-out attempt to shed their newfound reputation as a surging division leader. Running back Reggie Bush not only coughed up an early fumble, but also threw an interception on a halfback pass play that fooled not a single Ravens defensive player. Quarterback Drew Brees suffered through what Saints fans can only hope was his worst game of the season, throwing not just one, but two interceptions that were returned for 12-yard touchdowns by Ravens defensive backs. Why head coach Sean Payton decided it would be wise to underutilize running back Deuce McAllister in favor of trick plays and ill-advised passes up field only shows that the Saints went into the game with a lack of confidence.

For more on the Saints, UT football, and high school football ... Read More | Comment »

Houston 27, Jacksonville 7. Those are really the only numbers that count at the end of the day, but if you were to glance at the box score you would see that the final score accurately reflects Houston’s utter statistical dominance of the visiting Jacksonville Jaquars with the Texans playing their best all-around game of Gary Kubiak's coaching tenure.

The most promising breakthrough for the Texans on Sunday was the emergence of an actual running game. Rookie Wali Lundy ran for 93 yards and one TD, averaging 4.9 per carry – far surpassing any previous effort by the Texans as of date – and most likely securing him a start next week against the Titans. Read More | Comment »