Finish The Fight! Cowboys destroy the Redskins to finish 4-0 in December

Finish The Fight: My 5 Points Cowboys vs Redskins
by. William C. Walker Jr.

Photo: Michael Ainsworth/Staff Photographer

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) is separated by strong safety Barry Church (42) and a referee as he scuffled with Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) during the second half of the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins NFL football game at FedEx Field in Landover, MD, on Dec 28, 2014. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News)

December 29, 2014

No one, I mean no one saw the Cowboys winning 12 games this year.  After a 28-7 half in week one down to the San Francisco 49ers, there's no way you thought Dallas would be the team at 12-4 and San Francisco would be the team finishing 8-8.  Yet that's where we are after the Cowboys rout the Redskins with a 44-17 victory.  Up next the Detroit Lions at the Death Star(AT & T Stadium) to open the playoffs. All year long Jason Garrett has been preaching the mantra "Finish The Fight" so with the last game of the schedule that's what the Cowboys did.  So without further adieu here are my 5 points of Cowboys vs. Redskins.

5. The Starters Play: All week leading up to the game Jason Garrett spoke of how the starters would play this game.  The Cowboys put in the effort that it was business as usual.  Much had been discussed do you risk your starters when there's very little chance you'd move from the 3rd spot.  Surely after the Cowboys start off the game 27-7 scoring on each of their first 5 possessions the starters would sit.  No, Romo and Murray didn't sit until 2 minutes to go in the game.  Initially I'll admit I was screaming "What's Garrett Thinking!?"  But then I flashed back to 2007 when the Cowboys had already locked up home field advantage and were 12-2 going into the last game against Washington.  Leading into that game the Cowboys hadn't been playing their best ball.  The starters played a quarter and Washington killed them. That team went on to be upset by the Giants.  So after remembering all of that I'm completely ok with this team keeping their edge.

4. Record Breakers: After Romo passed Troy Aikman last week to become the Cowboys all-time leader in passing yards.  DeMarco Murray passed Emmitt Smith to own the single season rushing record in Cowboys history with 1845 yards on 393 carries.  If Murray wasn't enough to make Cowboys happy or excited for this new set of triplets.  Let's add Dez Bryant breaking the Cowboys single season touchdown receptions record with 16, after adding 2 more scores.  The combination of Dez and DeMarco continue to make the Cowboys offense a scary proposition for any defense.  Evidence of this was on Dez Bryant's first touchdown when Washington removed the safety over the top, and sent a sold out blitz.  Romo hit Dez on a quick pass that Bryant took for 65 yards.  If teams want to focus on the run, Bryant can burn them with the pass.  If teams want to try and stop the pass then Murray can gash them with the run.  This is the best spot to be leading into the playoffs.

3. Relatively Healthy: Part of the fear and issue that was prevalent going into this game, was the fear of injury.  Thankfully that wasn't a major issue as Dallas escapes relatively healthy.  There were definitely a few scares.  Like DeMarco Murray being blasted on a helmet to helmet hit, or Cole Beasley nearly being decapitated.  Fingers crossed that rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens high ankle sprain isn't too serious because that'd be a big piece.  Also finding out that DT Henry Melton may be out the rest of the season with a knee injury is also troubling.  However the majority of the team is healthy which is the important thing.

2. Defensive Dominance:  Lost in all the talk of the starters playing, and the offensive dominance that's been on display is the play of this defense.  Yesterday the Cowboys over-achieving unit shined again.  After giving up a touchdown on a 69 yard screen play to DeSean Jackson the defense destroyed Washington.  Once again the defense came up with 4 turnovers, 2 interceptions by Bruce Carter, and 2 forced fumbles one that was returned for a touchdown.  I love the way the offense has been playing, but this D that could barely get sacks or turnovers has been doing both this month.  Which brings me to my last point.

1. December to Remember: The Cowboys finish the month of December at 4-0!  For years not even going back to the Parcells era Dallas has been struggling in the month of December.  Now it could've been the fact that entering December at 8-4 Dallas was set to have to win each game just to possibly make the playoffs.  But no one could've seen the dominance that they've displayed in each game this month.  The Cowboys offense becomes the first team in franchise history to score at least 5 touchdowns in 4 consecutive games.  The Cowboys have outscored opponents 165-79 this month the defense has forced 3 or more turnovers in each of the last 4 games.  Finally the Cowboys are entering the playoffs with a freight train of momentum not seen since the dynasty of the 90s. Now a lot of my family and friends have told me to calm down in regards to my expectations for the Cowboys this postseason.  I'm not going to guarantee that the Boys are going to win it all, but there's this crazy feeling I have about this team that I haven't had in a long time.  So with the playoffs about to be underway let's go Cowboys FINISH THE FIGHT!

My Christmas Must-Sees

My Christmas Must-Sees
by. William C. Walker Jr.

December 24, 2014

Christmas is without a doubt by far my favorite holiday.  It's not even close Thanksgiving is cool, New Year's is fun and who doesn't like a good BBQ on the 4th of July. But Christmas is the holiday that is the absolute best. So with less than 24 hours to go before the big day, I decided to share my top 5 must see Christmas movies.  These aren't the best movies in the world, though they are pretty great. These are the movies that I look forward to seeing every Christmas. Doesn't matter how many times I've seen them, they just put a smile on my face and puts me in the mood for the holiday.  So grab a bowl of popcorn and take a look at my list, see if your movie made the cut.

5. Elf (2003)- I was supremely tempted to put Home Alone here which is a movie me and brothers watched over and over again. But no I decided to put Will Ferrell's instant classic.  Just as Ferrell was breaking into super stardom we got this gem. Directed by Jon Favreau, Will Ferrell played Buddy a human child raised by elves after stowing away in Santa's slay.  I defy anyone to watch this movie and not laugh hysterically as Ferrell a grown man sits on Bob Newhart's lap.  With a mix of Ferrell's man-child antics and old school Christmas sentiment that would fit perfectly in Christmas specials from back in the day Elf is pure gold.

4. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)- This was a really weird movie to me as a kid.  Yet I remember loving it when I watched it, and it's stuck with me.  Tim Burton seemed to make up a kids movie that wasn't sugary sweet or corny.  The concept itself was totally unique and something you'd never seen before.  Before Pixar completely took over the animation game we got this awesome movie.  Lead by a crazy character like Jack Skeleton the Pumpkin King and official head of Halloween town.  Like most Disney movies of course it had musical numbers that stay with you, and Danny Elfman a constant Burton collaborator provided some musical diamonds.  I remember loving Beetlejuice and Burton wrote a story that took that same aesthetic and put into a Christmas story.

3. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)/Scrooged(1988) - Okay I'm cheating a little bit here but seeing how these two movies are both a re-telling of Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.  Besides there are a ton of Christmas Carol remakes and reduxes yet these two are a cut above.  First off the Muppets alone always made me laugh.  I remember watching reruns of their old TV show on TNT.  As well as remembering how much I loved The Muppets Take Manhattan or the Great Muppet Caper. Yet by far The Muppet Christmas Carol is the best to me.  Putting the Muppets in the perfect roles like Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, the two old guys as Marley & Marley.  Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, I just remember cracking up constantly at the crazy antics.  All the while keeping the complete essence of Dickens classic.

First off Bill Murray is flat out awesome period.  So how could you not like Richard Donner's modern take (at least for the 80s) on A Christmas Carol?  Murray plays a TV executive Frank Cross that's lost his way during the Christmas season.  What makes the story even more great is how Cross's story intersects while his network prepares for a live Christmas broadcast of A Christmas Carol.  It's just hilarious to watch Murray go through the day losing it as the various ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future present themselves.  I watch Scrooged every year and thanks to Netflix the tradition stays alive.  Plus what network would actually run a Promo like the one below? LOL!

2. A Christmas Story(1983)- Come on now you can't make a Christmas movie list and not include this movie.  TBS shows this thing for 24 hours starting at midnight on Christmas Eve.  You know what? I'm not mad at them, you can't tell me a person that doesn't know where lines like "You'll shoot your eye out!", "Oh Fudge", or "I double dog dare you" come from.  It's instantly quotable and a movie that's safe for everyone in the family to see.  Plus it's just a movie that no matter how old I get instantly reminds me of what it's like to be a kid wanting your parents to get a certain toy. Plus the feeling of being mad when you open the box to get an ugly sweater.

1. Die Hard (1988)- Look I know many may say that A Christmas Story should've been tops on my list. But let's face it Die Hard isn't just a great Christmas movie, it's one of the greatest action movies of all time! This movie set the gold standard for terrorist/hostage action the fact that it takes place during Christmas is just a bonus!  But what doesn't say holiday cheer like a dead bad guy dressed as Santa and dropped through an elevator shaft.  Nothing makes you appreciate the family more than seeing an estranged husband beat to heck and bloody coming to his wife's rescue. Come on they even incorporate holiday sleigh bells into the score!  Yes that's right Die Hard is the number 1 Christmas movie.

So there you have it my Christmas must-see movies.  Let me know what you think agree disagree?  What's your Christmas must-sees?

Honorable Mentions: As said before Home Alone, Gremlins another one that was so close to making the cut, It's A Wonderful Life, Batman Returns it's Batman at Christmas time come on, Mickey's Christmas Carol, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

How The East Was Won! My 5 Points

My 5 Points: Cowboys vs. Colts
by. William C. Walker Jr.

December 21, 2014

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!! After three straight years of going into the last game of the season with a chance to win the NFC East.  The Dallas Cowboys finally completed the task, and did before the last game of the season.  As soon as the Pigeons of Philadelphia (aka Eagles) wet the bed in a loss to the Washington Redskins Saturday night the stage was set for Sunday.  Win and the Cowboys would be in the postseason and win the NFC East for the first time since 2009. Sit back and let's take a look at my 5 points of the Cowboys vs Colts.

5. All On The Line: With DeMarco Murray having a broken left hand, more than ever the offensive line had to perform at a high level.  That's exactly what this young group did.  Even though the Cowboys only averaged 3 yards a carry they stuck with their game plan of a balanced attack.  Romo by the way had all day to sit back and pick the Colts defense apart.  Week after week this offensive line continues to cement their claim as being the best in the league.  Now with a chance at a playoff run they could add to the resume.

4. Defensive Dominance: Part of the reason the Cowboys continue to shock naysayers this season rest upon this defense.  This unheralded unit saved their best performance for last.  Facing the league's leader in passing yards and touchdowns Colts qb Andrew Luck the defense dominated.  At one point in the first half Tony Romo had more touchdown passes then Luck had completions.  Similar to the start last week in Philadelphia the defense forced the Colts to consecutive 3 & outs.  The Cowboys roared to a 21-0 lead, unlike in Philly there was no comeback.  If the defense can continue to raise their game to match the offense's level this team can make serious noise in the playoffs.

3. DeMarco All Guts: With a chance to clinch the NFC East DeMarco Murray refused not to play.  Just have surgery on his broken left hand on Monday, Murray could've elected to sit this game out.  He didn't and while he didn't rush for over a hundred yards for only the 4th time this season, he did add a score.  As well as in spite of his broken hand was instrumental during blitz pick-ups assisting Romo in having one of his best days ever.  If anyone ever questions DeMarco's heart of passion for the game, have that person committed because they're insane.

2. Pick Your Poison: With the Colts selling out determined to stop the run, they continued to leave themselves vulnerable to the pass.  Romo happily accepted the challenge, but this passing attack is becoming more than simply Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.  While both of those superstars did reach the end zone.  Teams are going to having to take account of blitz beater Cole Beasley who got into the end zone for the 4th time in the last 3 games. After slowing down after a hot start to the season Terrance Williams re-emerged as a deep threat also scoring twice.  This offensive is going to be hard to stop with the multitude of weapons at Tony Romo's disposal.

1. ROMO ON FIRE!: Tony Romo may not have thrown for a ton of yards, but this arguably could have been his best game ever.  Add in the fact that with this game he's become the all time leading passer in franchise history.  He didn't have his second incomplete pass until the 4th quarter. Romo finished the game 18-20 218 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Setting a new career high with 15 straight completions, he was one completion away from breaking Kurt Warner's completion percentage record.  Romo has said that his best football is ahead of him, with performances like this it doesn't seem like he's lying.  Even more encouraging was the movement he continued to display looking the healthiest he's been all year.  When nothing was there multiple times Romo escaped the pocket to gain yards.  This was things he couldn't do only a few weeks ago.  Every loss that the Cowboys have suffered this season has stemmed from Romo's health.  The first game to San Francisco, being knocked out in the Monday night game vs Washington, unable to play against Arizona, and finally on Thanksgiving playing on only 2 days rest against Philadelphia.  If the Cowboys choose to rest Romo next week against the Redskins I like the thought of a Tony Romo with an extra week of rest entering the PLAYOFFS!

during the first half of their NFL football game in Arlington on Dec 21, 2014. Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a touchdown in front of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler

Bonus Point: December Boys!: A lot was made of the Cowboys December slump.  Even facing a horrible Chicago Bears team people doubted the team.  After being embarrassed on Thanksgiving by the Philadelphia Eagles again more doubt.  Finally with a chance to win the NFC East thanks to an Eagles loss, there were those that doubted the Cowboys to beat the Colts.  After all the doubts the COWBOYS are 3-0 in DECEMBER!!!!!!!

Not Funny: How Sony's decision to cancel theatrical release of The Interview sends a bad message

Not Funny
by. William C. Walker Jr.

December 17, 2014

So yeah that happened today.  Sony actually cancelled the theatrical release of The Interview, after terrorists threatened a 9/11 like attack if the movie was released.  For weeks now we've all looked at the reports of leaked emails between Sony executives and employees.  Some reports contained some funny/interesting insights into movies that could've been.  Petty snipes and jabs at well-known celebrities and exposures of employees personal conversations.  I'll admit I was devouring every tidbit that was released in regards to Sony's plans for the Spider-Man franchise.  One such detail that I pray would come true which was allowing Marvel Studios to take over the story development.  But I'm going off on a tangent.  Let me get back on track in regards to what this post was about.  Sony's decision to cancel the release of The Interview.  The comedy directed and starring Seth Rogen and James Franco.  I could not disagree more with Sony's decision here, it's kind of sad to be honest.  I'm not saying that because The Interview looks like some great piece of celluloid artistry.  It's just the fact that they've actually caved in to terrorism.  I'm not saying you shouldn't use common sense, even though I feel like common sense is lost on many in this country at times.  When someone is talking about 9/11 like attacks it's hard to ignore.  Especially when just a couple years ago there was a horrible movie theater attack in Colorado at the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises.  So it's not outside the realm of possibility that something could happen.  But what's the message you're now sending to any group that wants to strike fear or put a stop to free speech?

Look I get it I feel like this was more a financial decision rather than a safety one.  If movie chains didn't think that the threat was going to keep customer's away from seeing The Hobbit, or if The Interview was guaranteed to make 100 million this weekend trust me this movie would have opened.  So what would happen in the future when say a film maker wants to make a true depiction of what takes place inside North Korea.  Say a Saving Private Ryan like look at the harsh realities inside a seriously poor country being run by psychopath that had his own uncle executed.  Will anyone even dare make a film like this?  If this is the reaction chances are slim to none.  But let's just get away from North Korea all together.  Soon the film Selma will be released.  The movie depicts the actions and life of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement taking place in Selma, Alabama.  Now let's say some white supremacist group doesn't what people to view this film.  So they threaten to shed blood to all those that want to attend it's premiere.  Will theaters react the same way and pull the film. The crazy thing to me is there are journalist that work in war torn or totalitarian countries. Where their lives are literally on the line in trying to report on atrocities of those in power.  Yet that threat doesn't stop them from doing their job.  I mean could you imagine if this year they decided to cancel The Boston Marathon after the bombing last year.  Wasn't the theme and point of the marathon this year showing those that tried to spread fear and panic, that we would not live in fear. Again I know it's crazy to get so serious about a stoner comedy like The Interview, but the cowering to terrorist demands isn't anything to take lightly.  Part of the beauty of America is the fact that we celebrate freedom.   If there can be a horrible TV show that parodies a Black Jesus living in the hood facing ghetto situations.  How can you not have a movie that's a pure comedy be released?  I'll be honest I really didn't have a desire to see the movie when I first saw the preview.  Except when a group of criminals come out to try and tell me what I can or can't do in a FREE COUNTRY, it made me like I"m seeing this movie.  Look if you feel nervous about going to the movies because of a threat that makes sense.  It's just the message that's being sent is that if you don't like something make a threat of violence, then you'll get what you want.  That's something that seriously is not funny.

We Dem Boyz! My 5 Points

My 5 Points: Cowboys vs. Eagles
by William C. Walker Jr.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) celebrates a touchdown after Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) scored in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of play at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, on Sunday, December 14, 2014. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)

December 15, 2014

As painful and agonizing was the loss to the Eagles on Thanksgiving, tonight it was just as equally euphoric and joyous! I hate the Eagles, hate them with a passion so deep it's beyond subterranean.  So going into this game 17 days after the Eagles win, I was so fired up.  Fired up because the loser of this game was going to need serious help to get into the playoffs.  So before I explode here are my 5 POINTS ON THE COWBOYS WIN OVER THE EAGLES!

5. A Perfect Start: From the opening kickoff you couldn't have asked for a better start if you're a Cowboys fan.  The Eagles have the best special teams in the league 10 touchdowns this season on returns.  So it's not surprising that Dallas would try to limit the Eagles chances, but the very first kickoff goes so short that Dallas actually recovered the ball.  Next a great pass to Dez Bryant who is a MAN amongst boys, Dallas 7-0.  Next the defense forces a 3 & out boom Dallas 14-0, next another 3 and out Dallas 21-0.  Dallas came out to dominate and that's what they did early.

4. TRASH THE ZONE: Look the defense put in a great performance to start the game.  They also put up a great defensive performance at the end of the game.  But in-between it was flat out awful, and it started with the ZONE!!! Look the Cowboys can't play zone they don't have the personnel for it plain and simple.  Once Dallas went up by 21 they had the Eagles in a 3rd & 7 next Eagles tight-end Brent Celek found a hole in the zone coverage and got a big first down.  Mark Sanchez with no pressure was able to pick apart the zone easily finding wide open receivers.  Going forward Dallas either needs to seriously repair their zone coverage or dump all together. I vote for the latter.

3. The Real Mark Sanchez Stood Up: Now once Dallas realized the zone was not working after they gave up 24 unanswered points.  The Cowboys offense re-took the lead at 28-24.  Next the defense re-emerged thanks to the help of Mark Butt Fumble Sanchez.  The Eagles lead the league in turnovers.  I don't care how fast your offense score, if you're turning the ball over you will lose.  That's what Mark Sanchez does best.  After Dallas scored and took the lead at the end of the 3rd Quarter Sanchez throws a horrible pass that gets picked off by safety J.J. Wilcox.  Holding the ball to long once Dallas switched to Man lead to Sanchez eating the turf over and over again.  Finally with the game on the line down by 8 what's next for Mr. Sanchez another pick to Bruce Carter to end the game.  That made the 4th turnover of the game which Dallas was able to get 17 points from!

2. The Road Warriors: Dallas is the only team in the NFL that is now undefeated on the road!  With the win in Philly this team moves to 7-0.  There's a toughness to this team that hasn't been there in years past.  Even after blowing a 21-0 lead giving up 24 unanswered, last year this would've been another example of Dallas pathetically snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  But this team rose up reloaded and "Finished The Fight" which has been head coach Jason Garrett's mantra this year. Tony Romo has now thrown 21 TD to 1 interception while on the road!  With play like that at the QB position there's no wonder your team is 7-0 on the road.  Now if they can bottle the effort and execution that they display on the road to use at home this team can make some noise!

1. DEZ BRYANT!!!: With the Eagles D keying on DeMarco Murray all night long Dez Bryant stepped up in a huge way.  Six catches 114 yards and 3 touchdowns!  Dez Bryant beat Eagles corner back Brandon Fletcher like a runaway slave!  When the Cowboys were down it was big plays to Dez Bryant that got the Cowboys back into the game.  Dez sent a message tonight to the entire league.  If you want to load up the box and try to stop DeMarco Murray he will burn you over the top.  Single coverage is nowhere near enough to stop this man!  Bryant now has 13 touchdowns on the season a career high.  Without a doubt a new contract is on the way!  Dez has established himself as the clear number two wide receiver in the league behind only Detroit's Calvin Johnson, but look out Calvin.  DEZ IS COMING!

Bonus Point: 2-0 IN DECEMBER: The Cowboys are 2 wins or 1 win and 1 Eagles loss away from clinching the NFC East!  After the last 3 years of 8-8 and collapsing in the month of December.  The Cowboys are now 2-0 in the month with 2 games to go.  The thing is after losing to Philly on Thanksgiving they had to win out to get in the playoffs.  One can hope the injury to RT Doug Free isn't too serious, because finally this team is healthy for the final stretch.  So the Cowboys have 2 more games in December and hopefully will lead to some games in January!

Worst Thanksgiving Ever

Worst Thanksgiving Ever
by William C. Walker Jr.

November 28, 2014

Note to self if you have to watch a Cowboys game on Thanksgiving do it in a positive environment.  I can remember times that I've seen Dallas lose on Thanksgiving. But I can't think of one that has made me so sick to my stomach as the loss they took yesterday. Maybe the infamous snow game when Leon Lett lost the game by chasing the ball after the defense just blocked a field goal  versus the Miami Dolphins.  As horrible as that was it pales in comparison to what I had to deal with Thursday.  Ordinarily this is where I would hit my 5 points. But seeing how I'd barely feel like go over that horrendous game again I'll just express what made this Thanksgiving so awful.

I'm an extremely supertisious person when it comes to my sports. The Cowboys especially , I had already confirmed that I would spend Thanksgiving with my beautiful fiancée. Throughout the season for the majority of the Cowboys wins I had been apart from my Dad & brother (the power trio of Cowboys fans). So it didn't matter to me that I'd miss my Mom's tour de force of a meal. Now seeing how 3 of the Boys losses have come while I've watched the game in Pottstown, PA I was definitely hesistant to watch the game there. But my fiancée had said how we would go down to her dad's in Bowie, MD. Problem solved I wouldn't have to watch the game in Pottstown plus I wouldn't be surrounded by Pigeon fans so the environment would be copacetic.  Now unfortunately my car hasn't been in the best shape. Needs wheel alignment & it's leaking antifreeze as well as the fact that my fiancée has to work on Friday in Philadelphia so no overnight stay. So when I wake up Thanksgiving morning and my love says "I don't feel comfortable going to my Dad's let's stay here". My brain immediately went to RED FLAG number 1. But I shrugged it off said it's ok those earlier losses while here won't matter stop being silly.  As the day commenced & the family scrambled to get dinner ready apprehension started to eat at me. What if they lose today? There's no team I hate more with a passion that burns deep to the core of my soul than the Philadelphia Eagles. Banish the thought from my mind I thought to myself. But as the game approached & we hadn't eaten yet since not everyone was there RED FLAG number 2.  I tried again to shrug it off no big deal.  Yet once the pregame showed the players doing warm ups I saw the Cowboys weren't rocking the beautiful home white jerseys but the road blues. RED FLAG number 3 I loved the blue jerseys but they're bad luck I'm sorry there's no way around it! At this point I'm completely on edge. What proceeded to commence was the worse football Dallas has played since week 1. What made it worse is I couldn't express the full range of disgust or emotion I was feeling while surrounded by my fiancée's family. I held it together for as long as I could. Then her uncle goes on to praise Mark Butt Fumble Sanchez as of he were the second coming of Norm Van Brocklin. On how the Jets did him wrong. GIVE ME A BREAK! Next he continued on to blame Romo for the recent futility in the Cowboys records. That's when I lost it. For the next 5 minutes I went on full on rant on how the hell could you blame Romo for Dallas lack of playoff success. Granted he's made mistakes but Romo doesn't play defense when the D allowed the Giants to score with less than a minute in the 1st half to tie the game at 14, instead of going in with a touchdown lead at halftime in '07. I guess it was Romo's fault when Patrick Crayton stopped running his route which would've been a go ahead TD, or on 3rd & 10 when he hit Crayton right in the hands for another wide open TD. How bout in '09 when the defense didn't bother to show up versus Minnesota and I guess Romo was supposed to block for himself when Minnesota's d-line abused an injured Marc Columbo & young Doug Free.  Needless to say cordial went out the door after my rant the only miracle was that I kept it clean.

So while I escaped the horror of that terrible game I missed being at home with my family. I know that me being there had nothing to do with Dallas's loss. More of the effects of the short week, as the Cowboys D looked gassed after the Eagles first series.  As well as the fact that the o-line chose this week to put in their worse performance of the year. No I know it had nothing to do with me being in Pottstown. So while I love my fiancée and her family next year I will not be watching the game there!

A Sad Reality

A Sad Reality
by. William C. Walker Jr.

November 27, 2014

Monday the nation learned whether or not the grand jury would indict Ferguson MO. police officer Darren Wilson.  The man that fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown.  While many in the media and around the country speculated on what the outcome would be, in the black community we already knew the outcome.  So when the announcement was made that the grand jury would not indict Wilson it was hardly earth shattering news.  Unfortunately to me and many in the black community this is what we expected to hear.  What would have been earth shattering news would have been if Wilson was indicted.  As anger inducing as the result was the feeling is beyond anger it's just a profound sadness.  Sad that we live in a time where it continues to be okay to murder black men.  As a black man in this country it's sad to me that I have to live in fear that at any moment my life or if I have a son his life could be in jeopardy.  I know many will say in the case of Michael Brown that he was a criminal, that's why the police were confronting him in the first place.  True Brown had robbed a convenience store of some cigars, but did that really constitute him being shot in the streets like an animal?  I'm sad because when being pulled over for whatever the reason I have to be extremely mindful of my hand placement, the words I choose when speaking to an officer and not moving suddenly.  For it's become evident to me in this country that regardless of what I've done as a black man in this country I'm a walking target.

It's a sad reality when you see footage of our people destroying are own community.  While I fully agree with the anger and outrage, I'd much rather see positive protest that have been taking place all across the country.  But we live in a sad reality where the media would rather show the same acts of violence on a loop, as opposed to constantly stream a peaceful march.  It's hard to feel anything but sadness when you constantly see the killing of unarmed black children.  Beyond race just the fact that police feel the need to use excessive force in these instances every time.  We're getting to the point when you're so tired of hearing these stories of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, and so many more.  Where the common denominator in the situation is that the person is black unarmed, and rarely do you see the perpetrator see justice.  What makes this so sad is the fact that officer Wilson won't even see the inside of a courtroom.  My brother is a lawyer and he often told us how his law professor's said the running joke in the law community is that you can get an indictment of a ham sandwich.  That's to the level of difficulty on how it is to get an actual indictment.  An indictment isn't an admission of guilt it's not a trial. It's simply saying there's enough evidence to go to trial.  Regardless of the multiple accounts from various witnesses that tell differing stories.  You can't tell me that you couldn't even take this to trial and allow Wilson's attorney to do the job of proving his innocence.  It's a continuing message to Officer Wilson and his ilk that you did nothing wrong.  An unarmed man lost his life, and there was nothing wrong with what you did.  So why would any officer or person with a gun think twice when confronted by an unarmed black man?

It's sad to me is when you see stories of a white assailant going on shooting rampages, they're actually taken into custody such as shooting that took place in Colorado.  When if ever there was a cause for lethal force that would be it.  Yet people who don't even have a weapon are gunned down.  Out of all the tools in an officer's arsenal pepper spray, mace, tazer, a baton, the weapon he had to choose was a gun and fire it 10 times.  I put my trust in God and remain hopeful that he'll continue to watch over me.  I pray that he'll continue to watch over my children.  It makes me sad that if I'm blessed with a son that I'll have to sit him down and have a discussion with him on how he has to protect himself when out in the world.  Because it doesn't seem to matter whether he's doing what's right.  Doesn't matter whether he's holding a pack of skittles, or weating a hoody.  It doesn't seem to matter what he's doing when it's so evidently clear that anyone can have just cause to shoot and killed a boy or man of color.  So I want us feel this sadness and turn it into motivation to continue to speak out against injustice.  To continue to march peacefully and let our voices be heard on how things need to change.  How black men don't need to be treated like animals hunted and killed for no reason.  For if we continue to be silent and sit idly by the sad reality is that in the end none of this will change.

A Clean Sweep My 5 Points from Cowboys vs. Giants

My 5 Points: Cowboys vs. Giants
by. William C. Walker Jr.

Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs behind the block by wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) in the third quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, November 23, 2014. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

November 25, 2014

I apologize for the tardiness on my latest 5 point review of the Cowboys vs. Giants.  If you missed the game I'm sure you've seen the high-lights on what was a surprisingly close game.  Entering in the game on a 5 game losing streak were the Giants, and the Cowboys were coming off the bye.  Even though it was a division game and a rivalry in prime-time, many didn't expect the game we saw.  Without further adieu here are my 5 points on Cowboys vs. Giants.

5. That Catch: Despite the vast majority of media reports on the amazing Odell Beckham Jr. catch Dallas did win the game.  But I'd be lying if I didn't say that catch by Beckham was amazing.  The fact that NBC had a great video package of Beckham making the catches in pregame, then two plays later Beckham makes the same catch.  Flat out brilliant and a sight to behold, even though I'll argue it was more offensive pass interference than defensive.  That still doesn't take away that guy caught the ball with 3 FINGERS.  I'm just happy that Dallas won't have to see Beckham again until next year.

4. 2nd Half Defense: The Cowboys defense in the first half was horrendous.  There's no other way to describe it, the Giants at one point during the first half was 7 for 7 on 3rd down.  Odell Beckham Jr. was a one man wrecking crew against the secondary, and for the life of me Dallas refused to double him.  Whatever adjustments or words Rod Marinelli had for his defense it worked.  While the New York offense racked up 21 points in the first half they were held to only 7 in the 2nd.  A defense that refused to make plays came up with pressure.  Even though everyone will remember Beckham's spectacular catch no play was bigger than Barry Church's interception when New York was at the Dallas 18 yard line.  Eli Manning threw a horrible pass missing a wide open receiver with the ball tipped to Church who returned it to the 50 yard line. The icing on the cake was comeback player of the year Rolando McClain stop Rashad Jennings from picking up the first down on 4 & 2 to end the game.

3. The O-line Shines: Once again Dallas's young offensive line puts in a stellar performance.  None was more evident than on the Cowboy's last drive with just under 3 minutes and 80 yards to go.  The line gave Romo all day to pick apart the Giants secondary.  The highlights were clearly when on 2 separate plays where Romo nearly had 7 seconds to find a receiver.  You heard me right, 7 SECONDS. That's practically unheard of, and when you have receivers like Dez Bryant and Jason Witten asking defenders to cover them for 7 seconds is darn near impossible.  As if the pass rush wasn't beautiful enough they continued to open up wide lanes for DeMarco Murray to run through.

2. Dez & DeMarco!: Out of the Cowboys 53 offensive plays Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray accounted for 36 touches.  This dynamic duo has been the one two punch that's been leading this offense.  DeMarco Murray is on pace to finish the season with over 1900 yards rushing.  Breaking Emmitt Smith's single season franchise record.  What makes this so great is that when teams decide to put 8 in the box, it gives Dez Bryant the chance to exploit one on one match-ups.  With both players in a contract year the two continue to excel.  Murray has now crossed the century mark in rushing for the 10th time out of 11 games.  Not to be outdone Dez now has 13 touchdowns in the last 16 games dating back to last season.  They're not Emmitt Smith or Michael Irvin but with this play these two have a chance to write their own history.

1. Romo at his Best: Tony Romo at the age of 34 with a bad back is playing the best football of his career.  With his masterful drive for the game winning score.  Going 6 for 6 for over 60 yards and a 13 yard touchdown strike to Dez Bryant.  Despite the perception of Tony Romo not being clutch or always coming up short in the big moments.  With the win over the Giants Romo has now become the current quarterback with the most 4th quarter comeback victories since he took over the starting QB job in 2006.  I don't know where this season is going to end but I know the more that Romo plays like this, the greater the chance that this team will be playing in late January.

Bad Judge

Bad Judge
by William C. Walker Jr.

November 19, 2014


No I'm not talking about the recently cancelled NBC sitcom starring Kate Walsh.  Though seeing the reason for the cancellation was since nobody watched the show you probably didn't think of that. No the Bad Judge I'm referencing is the self appointed judge & jury of the NFL Roger Goodell.  In the wake of the Adrian Peterson suspension yesterday. I felt compelled to write about current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  Particularly how this man has chosen to set himself up as judge and jury over NFL players. For years he's operated with a blatant disregard to due process. This isn't an issue that bothered Goodell until the criticism grew loud enough.  I'd give him credit for being a tough commish who simply lays down the law. Except I wouldn't even go as far as calling him a strong leader.  Someone that sways the way the wind blows in my mind can't be deemed a strong leader.  Time & time again Goodell has shown that he reacts as opposed to acting.

The Ray Rice incident and following Peterson case have just shine a light on how inept, incompetent, and arrogant a commish that Goodell has become.  Well before the video of what took place inside that elevator, Goodell could have made the punishment significant & clear. I'll give acknowledgement that Goodell was like most in society. Out of sight out of mind in regards to domestic violence. Even though he had clear video of Rice dragging an unconscious Janay Palmer from the elevator.  As well as Rice himself telling you he hit his then fiancée in the face.  Roger Goodell chose to hand out a 2 game suspension.  Before the swell of public outrage Goodell & the league actually tried to defend the punishment.  Their defense that Rice hadn't been convicted of anything, again I'd take it as valid if Goodell in the past didn't so easily disregard that fact when doling out punishment before.  It wasn't until the voices got louder where he admitted that he erred in judgement. Then again this is what happens when you don't actually stand for anything, & just take pride in having all control.  The NFL institutes a tougher domestic violence policy.  Rice having already been punished escapes the new mandates.  Now comes the full video released by TMZ. The public goes berserk! So what does as the wind blows Goodell do?  The answer indefinitely suspend Rice of course, even if you wanted to retroactively implement the new domestic violence policy. Ray Rice would be a first time offender.  The second video didn't change what had already taken place.

My issue with Goodell isn't just his complete arrogance in how he does his job. But the flat out hypocrisy. This man has blatantly been caught lying. I'm not talking about him claiming that he never saw the full video until TMZ broke the story (though I have a hard time buying that).  I looked at that tale like maybe he set himself up like a political figure. One that delegates to staffers that way when they're busted he's built in plausible deniability or the way a mob boss would operate.  The practice could seem valid maybe even intelligent, makes it easy to admit ignorance.  Here's the rub during the Bounty Gate scandal Goodell suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton for a year. When Payton claimed ignorance, Goodell's response "Ignorance is no defense". I guess what Goodell meant was it's not a valid defense except when it applies to him. For when reporters pointed out the commish's words in the matter Goodell ignored the comparison. There's the hypocrisy that makes me sick.  Even if you wanted to say ok you get a pass on the video. But when the player tells you to your face what he did.  Then you have multiple sources come out & confirm that Ray Rice told Goodell he hit Palmer in the face, you've lost the argument.  I go back to when Mike Vick got in trouble.  Part of Goodell's reasoning for be so harsh in his punishment was the fact that Vick lied to him.  So this man doesn't want to be lied to yet it's completely cool for him to do so.

At this time many were calling for Goodell's head. I was not one of them. So what's changed?  In the wake of the Peterson judgement.  I see the same man who wants to set himself above others and lay in judgement.  Now you'll have plenty say well Peterson wasn't really punished he was still getting paid.  Okay fine then why not say all that money you were paid pay it back?  Those 9 games would be even more than the 6 he has to pay now for missing the remainder of the season.

I'd love for the independent investigator of the Ray Rice incident present the evidence of Goodell's lies. I'd love for owners to vote to boot him.  I'd want Goodell to get a taste of his own medicine as the owners allowed public opinion to sway their judgement.  Apparently the way Goodell allows it to sway his.  Only problem is Goodell is at the head of a business that's making then billions so his job is probably safe. For as much talk of how people are concerned for societal ills it takes a backseat to the almighty dollar.  Let's be honest a trained monkey could run this league and make money or perhaps a Robot.

The Final 6: A quick look at Dallas Final 6 opponents

The Final 6
by. William C. Walker Jr.

November 16, 2014


With Dallas off this week with the bye I felt like it was a perfect time to breakdown their final 6 opponents and how Dallas matches up against them.  The Cowboys bye couldn't have come at a better time in my opinion.  It gives the team a better chance to get key players healthy before the final push to try and make the playoffs.  It also sets the stage for the Cowboys to re-establish that winning formula they had during their 6 game winning streak. The question is can history repeat itself, can the Boys finish on a 6 game roll?  Let's take a look at the Cowboys final 6 opponents.

@New York Giants (3-6): Regardless on what happens during Sunday's game versus the San Francisco 49ers this is a dangerous opponent.  Eli Manning seems to save his best for Dallas.  Even if the Giants are out of it at this point they'd love nothing more to try and throw a wrench in Dallas's plan to win the East.  I still feel like this is a win especially with Dallas having 2 weeks to prepare them.  The loss on Monday Night against the Redskins should've taught this team to take no team lightly.  That could explain why Romo played against lowly Jacksonville, even into the the middle of the 4th quarter (EVEN THOUGH I WAS SCREAMING AT GARRETT'S STUPIDITY).  Granted it had more to do with the terrible play of Brandon Weeden, but Dallas is taking each game seriously which is the way it should be.

Philadelphia Eagles (7-2): This is the big one!  Showdown in BIG D on Thanksgiving day no less.  A lot of factors go into this game.  One of which is how will the defense handle Chip Kelly's offense in year 2.  As bad as the Dallas defense was last year and it was historically bad, they seemed to play their best against Philly.  Will Mark (Butt Fumble) Sanchez continue to thrive in this offense.  This year the no name defense has been the biggest surprise on the team this year.  With DT Henry Melton getting into shape, DT Tyrone Crawford coming back off injury, and rookie DE Demarcus Lawrence showing promise this D may continue to surprise.  I'll give the Eagles a definite edge over Dallas in the special teams department.  The match-up I can't wait to see is Dallas's offensive line versus Philadelphia's defensive line.

@Chicago Bears (3-6): By the time the Cowboys play the Bears they could be mailing it in at this point.  After the debacle in Green Bay head coach Marc Tressman is officially on the hot seat.  While Jay Cutler continues to be a turnover machine.  As lousy as Cutler has been it doesn't even come close to how awful the Bears defense has played.  Long gone are the Monsters of the Midway seeing how this defense has given up back to back 50 pt games.  Again I don't look for Dallas to overlook any opponent and this is a team that embarrassed the Boys last year, but I don't expect history to repeat itself.

@Philadelphia Eagles (7-2): Eagles part II! Based on what happens in the 1st game will make the rubber match even more important.  The winner of the 1st game could put a strangle hold on the division.  The loser of the 1st game will be extremely desperate to win this game.  The solace I take with this being Dallas 3rd on the road game in a 4 week stretch, is the fact that Dallas seems to play best on the road.  I don't know if it's the emphasis on executing in a hostile environment but the Cowboys are the only team in the NFL to not have lost a game on the road.  If they want to win this division they'll have to keep the success on the road going.

Indianapolis Colts (6-3): The second of the Cowboys tough remaining opponents.  Andrew Luck is playing at an MVP level.  The Colts however I will say don't look like the same team on the road. Top corner Vonte Davis should be back and healthy for this game.  DeMarco Murray and the run game will be the best defense by keeping Andrew Luck on the sideline.  Even if the Cowboys get 10 wins this year that may not be enough to get into the playoffs. So this game against a tough opponent will be huge.

@Washington Redskins (3-6): RGIII is back but it didn't make much difference last week.  The Redskins aren't a good team plain and simple. It made little difference when the teams met in Dallas on Monday Night.  The Cowboys didn't play their best and they paid the price.  Jim Haslett's defense was a definite issue for Tony Romo and the rest of the offense.  For the past 3 years the Cowboys have faced an NFC East rival with the division on the line.  It's safe to say that the Skins won't be competing for the division.  But depending on how they and the Eagles do in this final stretch this game could still mean something.  I look for the Cowboys to get their revenge in this one.

What's In A Name? My interesting conversation in regards to Blackish and black film

What's In A Name?
by. William C. Walker Jr.

November 14, 2014

I had a very interesting conversation at work today.  Two of my co-workers were discussing the ABC show Black-ish (full disclosure which I love).  One of my co-workers didn't want to give the show a chance due to the clips they've seen and the name of the show.  Many have had an immediate perception of what the show would be about.  She explained how she didn't want to watch a show that perpetuates the black stereotype.  That was the initial spark of our conversation that went from TV shows about African-Americans to movies.  I'll come back to movies in a moment I just wanted to stay on Blackish.  I brought up the show today while I was getting my haircut.  The barbershop you can guarantee will always be a location filled with spirited debate and various opinions.  So while there were some that found the show funny, of course there were those that had the same issue with the show's concept.  In particular my excellent barber which after the conversation today I'm calling Conspiracy Brotha.  Point is he's actually seen the show and while he admitted to chuckling at some of the jokes, he felt like the show dealt unnecessarily with race.  It was a similar feeling that my co-worker had.  I understand their feeling and point yes in a perfect world no one would see color but just people for who they are.  Even the Cosby Show which is the pinnacle of what many African-Americans rate black sitcoms against.  Didn't shy away from nor ignore race entirely, they always presented black culture, in terms of art, music and family.  A discussion in an episode of wanting one of their children to go to an HBCU (historically black college & university) led to a spin-off A Different World.  A show that definitely didn't shy away from the black college experience.  That's when I brought up what the show Blackish is even about.  More than race I find it to be about a family, in particular about how one generation differs in how they raise their kids from the way they were raised.  In terms of race I enjoy the concept and approach that the show takes with it being that no one can define what is black.  The title itself is Blackish which even when I hear that term I never thought of it in a negative way. But as an adjective like blueish or grayish when you're vague or describing something that's not completely one thing.  This family is diverse in personality and not easily identified or defined like how we are as a people.

Back to my conversation with my co-worker as we moved onto films.  In particular the recent Oscar winning film 12 Years A Slave.  I recall as 12 Years A Slave was being released the same year as Lee Daniel's The Butler.  No less than a year after Django Unchained.  It led to many African-Americans asking why do black actors & actresses always get accolades for portraying slaves?  Why do we have another movie about slavery?  I brought up the point how many movies do we really have about slavery?  There's not very many outside of Roots.  Especially one that sheds such an extensive light on the dark time in history such as 12 Years A Slave.  I mean there's countless films based on World War II and the holocaust.  Yet I never hear a contingent of the Jewish people complain about actors or actresses getting these roles.  So why do we do it?   I found it interesting when she explained it was more of why do all black movies have to be about race, as if that's all black films are about.  I think there's a multitude of black centered films that are not about racism or race.  However the films we do get still I think are important.  My thoughts are racism and race relations in this country is a subject that we still grapple with.  In part to me because slavery/racism is an issue that's never been truly addressed.  It's hard to let go when it seems so much to me that when you bring up blacks treatment from the past; you hear people say "get over it".  This is apart of our history and it's important to me to acknowledge and see how far we've come.   Add in that even though slavery was over a long time ago African-Americans didn't even have a right to vote until the 1960s.  1965 to be more precise which is when the Voting Rights Act was passed.  That's only 49 years ago!!!!!!!! Even after that they were still treated like second class citizens.   Today we still have issues such as Ferguson Mo. Michael Brown, before that Trayvon Martin, and even before that Oscar Grant.  It was only 6 years ago that this country elected the 1st Black President and he's half white. I think Chris Rock's joke was right when he said that I don't think black people will have arrived until we have had a bad black president.  As funny as that sounds it's true to me.  I look at athletics when for so long blacks were excluded from professional sports, now it's common place to see them.  You have great black quarterbacks like Warren Moon and in his earlier career Michael Vick to really bad quarterbacks like Jamarcus Russell and Josh Freeman.  Black history itself isn't even fully taught in schools except for some of the same figures and even the large moments are glossed over.

Back to Conspiracy Brotha and what's in a name?  To his defense he explained how his issue with the title Blackish, is how words can have different meanings.  That the portrayal of this black family could subliminally influence how people view us.  A further example he wanted to use to make his point was the Netflix Show Orange Is The New Black.  Saying "See how they say orange is the new black.  Meaning new black is that which is in prison which is where blacks are."  I checked out at that point because whatever valid point you were trying to make was negated at that point after that insane theory.  Even after I explained to him the title came more from the FASHION term THE NEW BLACK! Example fashion experts would say blue is the new black this season.  Seeing how the show is about a Yuppie white woman sentenced to prison where the standard uniform is ORANGE.  But that seemed too logical for Conspiracy Brotha and wasn't acknowledged.  I'm not saying that media and entertainment don't try to subliminally influence a person's perception of things.  But this is one I don't see.  I actually appreciate the show's depiction of this Black family. Like the Cosby Show where you have two parents that are very successful and raising their family.  I'll take more issue with a show like Black Jesus which is so offensive it made my head hurt the one time I actually tried to watch.  Especially with it's depiction of African-Americans with most hood and menstrual like performances.  Point is Blackish regardless of how you feel about the name is a hilarious show, and it's title shouldn't turn you off from giving it a chance.  Let me know what you think agree, disagree?  I'm always up for a conversation with even as animated as things can get was honestly what I had today and that's always a good thing.

 

Show Me The Money: In A Contract Year Dez deserves to be paid

Show Me The Money
by William C. Walker Jr.

November 12, 2014

With the Cowboys on a bye this week it gave me a number of topics to write about.  Starting with Dez Bryant's contract situation.  Now in his 4th year Bryant has improved with each passing season. With this being the final year of his rookie contract it's safe to say he's outperformed it. Unfortunately a deal wasn't reached in the off-season and no signs yet that a deal is imminent.  Today when being questioned by reporters Bryant explained briefly his feelings on the matter.  One of Dez's high-lighted statements "Don't test my loyalty".  That could be taken a variety of ways mainly it's telling the Cowboys Dez wants to be in Dallas, but wanting to be there and wanting to be paid accordingly are mutually exclusive.  The schism between the two sides appears to be centered on the amount of guaranteed money the team is offering.  That amount reportedly is $20 million.  Now don't get me wrong $20 million isn't a small chunk of change.  In fact it's the same guarantee amount that starting left tackle Tyron Smith received when he signed his 10 year contract worth $110 million.  A similar 10 year deal is being offered to Dez Bryant.  If signed it could make him the top paid wide receiver in the league.  Seems like a fair deal no brainer right?  Problem is NFL contracts aren't guaranteed, it sounds nice I'll get over $100 million over 10 years.  Except if a players play declines or a team doesn't want to actually pay that large sum one year, the team can simply cut the player and be off the hook.  Worse yet when you play a sport where your career could be over in an instant (see the New York Giants running back David Wilson) the money you signed for goes away just like your career. It's the reason more and more players and agents stress guaranteed money.  The team wants to guarantee as little as possible while the player wants the largest guarantee possible.  I know what you're thinking but Tyron Smith signed that deal.  Here's the difference Tyron Smith plays left tackle, a position that like quarterback are the only positions on the team that typically will see the majority of their contract.

There's another reason Dez has yet to actually sign his contract, and ownership/management has no one to blame but themselves.  You see Jerry Jones the GM has a track record of greatly rewarding his players come contract time.  The bad thing is those contracts usually blew up in the teams face.  That however is not Dez's problem.  He's been the good soldier watching as his teammates hit the jackpot. A book could be written on the number of horrible deals that Jerry Jones has inked.  But here are just a few examples in no particular order Jay Ratliff, Ken Hamlin, Miles Austin, Joey Galloway and Sean Lee (YES I INCLUDED INJURY PRONE LEE).  All of those players at one point did display great talent while with Dallas.  So why are the Cowboys suddenly becoming cheap with one of their stars?  After being burned multiple times on those deals the team seems to finally be trying to show some fiscal responsibility.  Realizing they needed to get younger and build through the draft rather than overpay to keep aging stars.  It's the reason that Dallas let hall of famer Demarcus Ware and pro bowler Jason Hatcher go.  Even though both were very skilled and continuing to thrive in their new homes, the two players were on the wrong side of 30.  Each of the players Dallas has paid in the past did display talent.  In reality Jones awarded these contracts with a very small sample size.  The way Dez Bryant looks at it is that's not my problem, I'd imagine him saying "you've paid players in the past now it's my turn".  In comparison Dez has a supremely legitimate point he's been with the Cowboys for 4 years starting in 2010.  With each passing year since then his numbers have improved in yards, receptions and touchdowns. Right now he's arguably the second best receiver in the league behind Detroit's Calvin Johnson, and Dez wants to be paid like it.  The aforementioned Johnson received a contract with 48 million guaranteed.  The other hindrance for the Boys is they've got another superstar to sign currently the league's leading rusher DeMarco Murray.  Running backs like wide receivers can be at times deemed expendable arguably even more so with the way offense gear more towards the pass these days.  This year however Murray is proving to be the engine that makes this Cowboys go.

In the end Jones and the Cowboys have some serious issues to deal with.  But most importantly they can't allow a player like Dez Bryant to walk.  Of course they could always use the franchise tag which would guarantee Bryant a one year deal of $12 million dollars.  However Bryant has already voiced his displeasure with that notion.  That brings the fear that based on principal he could choose to sit out forcing the teams hand, knowing that if released or allowed to hit free agency there'd be at least 30 other teams ready to back up the Brinks truck.  I think if the Boys can get Dez a guarantee sum of around $27-30 million maybe they'll be able to lock him up.  Then again this is the GM Jerry Jones, and while some of his moves are starting to pan out.  I still feel like at any given moment he could do something stupid and the Cowboys will be the ones to suffer the price.  Even still it's time to show Dez the money.

Come on now you know I had to include this CLIP

America's Team Has a Jolly Ole Time in London England My 5 Points

My 5 Points: Cowboys vs. Jaguars
by William C. Walker Jr.

G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Johnathan Cyprien on his way to a touchdown during the first half of their game Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Wembley Stadium in London. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News)

November 10, 2014

After the horrendous showing last week by Brandon Weeden, Cowboys fans had to be jumping for joy to see Tony Romo back at quarterback.  A lot of questions had been asked about the Cowboys this week.  The number one question was should Romo play this game?  Romo silenced the doubters with a great welcome back performance in London, England. The Cowboys get back on track with the win and move to 7-3 going into the bye, here are my 5 Points of Cowboys vs. Jaguars.

5. Special Teams not Special: With a dominating performance there isn't too much negative you can take from the game. However for the 2nd straight week the Cowboys allowed a Dan Bailey field goal to be blocked.  On an attempted punt from out of the end zone linebacker Kyle Wilbur gets called for a hold that results in a safety.  None of these miscues cost Dallas in the end, but the special teams for Dallas has been lacking this year.  It's an issue you hope gets cleaned up for the rest of the season.

4. Another Game Another 100: DeMarco Murray for the 9th time this year rushes for over 100 yards. With the performance against Jacksonville DeMarco is the first Cowboy since Emmitt Smith in 1999 to have 9 100 yard rushing games. Falling a mere 21 yards shy from rushing for 100 yards last week versus Arizona caused Murray to miss out on 10 straight 100 yard rushing games.  The last 3 games Murray has yet to get over 20 carries, which is good in sparing him some wear.  Yet it's still mind boggling when the team is 18-1 when Murray gets 20 carries or more.  The lower carry count can continue as long as Murray remains effective and the centerpiece for the offense. With the offensive line healthy again and Romo still healing look for Murray's heavy workload to pick up.

3. Romo barely touched: In spite of the 1-8 record going into the game, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense were 3rd in the NFL in sacking the quarterback.  That's a legitimate cause for concern when you have a quarterback with two small fractures in his back.  With right tackle Doug Free and left guard Ron Leary back from injury the offensive line shined.  Romo stood upright for the majority of the game.  Constantly having a clean pocket to throw from, Jacksonville didn't get a sack until the 4th Quarter once the game was already out of hand.  Why Romo was still in the game with a 4 score lead is puzzling, but props to the O-line for keeping Romo generally unscathed.

2. Pay the Man: Dez Bryant is in a contract year, if he continues to put in performances like he did Sunday he won't be without a new contract for long.  After only getting 5 catches for 45 yards and 2 touchdowns over the last 2 games, Bryant surpassed those numbers in the 1st half alone.  Dez finished with 6 grabs for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The X-Factor was in full effect in London.  On Dez's first catch he showed why he's a beast, catching the ball 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage Bryant cut up field breaking tackles for a 35 yard touchdown.  Bryant's second touchdown was just as spectacular, with only 31 seconds left in the 1st half Romo threw a bomb deep to Dez that had his man beat.  Bryant made the catch again breaking tackles to take it for a 68 yard score to give Dallas a 24-7 lead at the half.  Bryant told Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin this week that he was going to set the league on fire in the 2nd half of this season, looks like Bryant's on his way to backing up his words.

1. Welcome Back Romo!: A question had been asked after Romo had got hurt in the Redskins game.  Was a 70% Romo better than a 100% Brandon Weeden?  The answer after Weedon's first start was yes, after Romo's game in London the answer was a 100%, stone cold lock, resounding YES.  Romo showed the contrast to Weeden the entire game.  Evading pass rushers stepping up in the pocket, surveying the field and hitting the open man.  With limited amount of practice this week Romo came back with a great performance.  He showed a little bit of rust on the Cowboys first drive missing a wide open Jason Witten for a touchdown by overthrowing him by an eyelash. That with a bit of an under throw to Terrance Williams in the 3rd quarter were Romo's only poor throws.  The difference with Romo back under center was crystal clear.  If teams want to stack 8 or 9 in the box with Romo under center to stop Murray, you'll be sure that he'll make them pay.  Especially with Dez Bryant on the outside and Jason Witten still making plays in the red zone. Romo finished the day going 20-27 for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns.

What a great way to go into the bye. The Cowboys are 7-3 and back on track, Romo improves to 7-1 since the first game of the season.  If the Cowboys can keep this formula look for the Boys to finish off the month of November strong.

The Runaways: The Postmortem of Election 2014

The Runaways
by William C. Walker Jr.

November 7, 2014


Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.

Colin Powell

I chose that quote from Colin Powell because it seemed like something that Democrats should learn from after being smacked down in the midterms.  Losing more ground in the House of Representatives as well as control of the US Senate.  Low voter turnout is not something new, it's a constant issue especially during midterm elections.  The voter turnout this year was a paltry 37% just for comparison during the 2012 election voter turnout was 58% .  Again this isn't anything new the name of the game during midterms is voter turnout.  Whoever can get out their base has a better chance of winning, this is something that Republicans have had little issue doing.  The lower the turnout the more of the benefit to the GOP.  So why am I bringing all this up and who are the Runaways?  Simple the Democratic party, more specifically candidates that were up for election this past Tuesday.  

Leading into this election you constantly heard how Democrats running for office in the battleground/red states were trying to distance themselves from President Obama.  That's where I feel the mistake was made.  I get it the President's approval rating was low sitting at 41% if trying to sway undecided, or independents an unpopular President is not your best campaign partner.  However I go back to Colin Powell's quote especially the part that says "learning from failure".  During the 2010 midterms the voter turnout was extremely low, and the President did very little campaigning.  I understand he was busy running the country at the time, but his advocacy for candidates could've been huge.  That lesson wasn't learned, instead Democrats ran away from the President like a white chick in a horror movie.  If the important task during a midterm election is getting out your base.  Can someone please explain to me why you wouldn't have the President rallying fellow democrats to get out and vote?  The constituency that helped elect President Obama were made up of a wide array of the electorate. Namely young people, African American, Latino, & women all of which have a track record of not turning out for midterm elections.  It's not that they don't care to vote seeing how those same groups came out in record numbers during the Presidential election of 2008 and 2012.  The issue is that people never seem to grasps the full importance of a midterm election.  When you ask your family or friends did they vote during a midterm?  Do you receive an answer such as "No I voted for the President already"?  The reality that the President isn't the one that actually passes laws, but it's the ones in congress and the senate is completely lost on them.  How much easier would it be to convey the importance of the midterms say I don't know if the President actually tells them this!?

I'll give the GOP credit in regards to their effort.  They try their tried and true tactics of give the President credit for nothing, and blame him for everything.  Isis taking over parts of Iraq as the country descends into chaos, an outcome many predicted once Saddam Hussein was taken out during the Bush Administration; but that's Obama's fault.  A total number of 6 people in America caught Ebola, 3 of the 6 were health workers that went to West Africa to help fight the disease, 2 were nurses that treated; 1 victim that came from West Africa and didn't properly disclose his exposure.  Yet according to the GOP it's the President's fault they got sick.  The Economy seems to be everyone's biggest concern and the Economy is doing well especially in comparison to where it was in 2008.  Unemployment at one point was 10% before the President came into office now it's at 6%.  Gas prices continue to go down.  None of this is acknowledged or mentioned by the GOP.  For them to not make these points are completely understandable.  For the Democrats to not make these points are mind boggling and moronic.  Plenty of political strategists would say "the President's approval rating was an all-time low".  My point again you're not trying to win over independents and undecided you need your base to get out an vote.  Real Clear Politics had a listing of the President's approval rating among Democrats throughout the year.  From the multitude of polls they collected none had the President's approval rating below 70% .  So why not utilize your best weapon in rallying your base!?  

One last time I look at the quote from Colin Powell "learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence".  All 3 were something Democrats failed to do this midterm.  They didn't learn from the mistakes of 2010, they didn't remain loyal to the President and leader of their party, and they weren't persistent in their message. As insane the Republican rhetoric can be they're persistent in spewing it.  Even if you actually cared to get those undecided or independents.  What do you think they're going to think if you have a group screaming at the top of their lungs how horrible the President is; and his own party is terrified to be seen with him?  People will probably go "hey he must be doing a terrible job".  It's infuriating to me that you have a party like the GOP claim they'll end the gridlock in Washington. WHEN THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CAUSED THE GRIDLOCK!  It's like a person that's slammed their brakes in the middle of the highway causing a 50 car pile-up to then want praise and credit for taking their foot off the brake and moving the car down the road.  Yet Democrats allowed them to do so. No reiterating how it was the GOP that literally SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT costing people jobs, and untold amounts of lost revenue, or that they OPPOSE A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE!  No Democrats were too busy running away from the President. Well congratulations you ran away from the President and now the GOP has runaway with the Senate.

No Romo Huge Problem My 5 Points

My 5 Points: Cowboys vs Cardinals
by William C Walker Jr.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Dan Williams (92) during the second quarter of their NFL football game at AT & T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 2, 2014. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News)

November 2, 2014

Going into the game the week began with would or wouldn't quarterback Tony Romo play?  After not practicing all week and it being revealed that Romo suffered two small fractures in his back.  The Cowboys made the wise decision in sitting their franchise quarterback.  In spite of quarterback Brandon Weeden putting in a decent performance, he only put emphasis on why this offense needs Romo. Here are my 5 points from the Cowboys vs Cardinals.

5. Defense Tried: The defense after a pretty poor performance last week against Washington performed admirably.  They started the game off right with a pick six and actually helped Dallas to a 10-0 lead. Henry Melton now getting healthy is starting to show that same Pro Bowl skill he once held in Chicago.  Overall Dallas put decent pressure on Palmer. They kept Dallas in the game having them only down 14-10 with about 8 minutes to go in the 4th Quarter.  They suffered on 3rd downs for the 2nd straight week but for the most part they did their job.

4. Special Teams: The special team play for Dallas has not been great this year.  Dan Bailey is a beast without a doubt, but outside of him there's little to get excited about.  After struggling to move the ball in the 1st half, finally the offense gets into Arizona territory.  Dan Bailey trots on to attempt a chip shot field goal to cut the lead at half-time 14-13.  For some reason an Arizona rusher was allowed to come free and block the kick.  If it wasn't for the hustle of Jason Witten Dallas would've been down 21-10 at the half.  That 3 points however was huge, seeing how Dallas being down by 4 impacted a crucial decision late in the game.


3. The Streak Ends: DeMarco Murray's 100 yard rushing streak finally came to an end.  The Cowboys knew it'd be tough sledding against the Arizona's number 1 rushing defense.  I'll get into later why play at didn't help matters.  The line was missing pieces with Doug Free out for his 2nd straight game, as well as starting left-guard Ronald Leary.  But Murray had a tough time the whole game.  None of this was more evident then on a 4 and inches from the Arizona 34, when a run up the gut was stuffed.  Arizona extends it's own streak of not allowing a 100 yard rusher to 18 games. Well all good things come to an end.

2. More Injury on Defense: Two of the Cowboys best players on defense left the game with injury.  Comeback player of year candidate Rolando McClain and defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford went down in the 4th Quarter. Both have been large part of the defense's resurgence this year.  With linebacker Justin Durant already lost for the season.  Cowboys fans better pray these two are not gone for an extended period of time.  Yes Anthony Hitchens filled in nicely for Durant, and DeMarcus Lawrence had a more than solid debut.  But a thin defense can't afford to miss anymore pieces.


1. Hurry Back Romo: I didn't understand why Romo was allowed back in the game last week after being injured.  After seeing Brandon Weeden play it all makes perfect sense.  I mean seriously after getting all the snaps with the 1st team offense throughout training camp, every Wednesday this season, and finally all this week.  You would think he could've put in a performance better than this.  I thought that you may have been able to get through the next 2 weeks without Romo, with the bye giving him 3 weeks off for the final month of the season.  But this offense can't afford Romo to miss anymore time.  We all fell in love with DeMarco Murray and the run game rightfully so, and Murray is still vital to Dallas' success.  We now have learned that Romo is just as important to this run game.  Don't think for a second Arizona could've jammed 8-9 in the box like they did if you had a quarterback in the game that could actually complete a pass to a WIDE RECEIVER!  Well Dallas falls to 6-3 and second place in the NFC East, with Romo back they should beat Jacksonville in London.  All that matters now is getting to 7-3 going into the bye.