BLOG POST: Mavs prove they can get it done without Dirk Nowitzki

: Washington Wizards v/s Dallas Mavericks October 9, 2009 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Still doubting the Dallas Mavericks even after defeating the Los Angles Lakers in the season opener?   Didn’t think so.   Dallas looked solid in what seemed to have been a statement victory at the Staples Center against the Lake show, who looked impressive early on, but the Mavericks, without Dirk Nowitzki is what stole the spot-light on Tuesday night, as the Mavericks won 99-91.

You probably thought that the Nowitizkless Mavericks would struggle.   There is no blaming on that, as there would be logical reasoning to think that.  Not on Tuesday night though.   The Mavericks sent a message to the Lakers, and they made it clear.    — Dallas made it clear to the Lakers, who went out and did all that off-season shopping, as they acquired: Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard, (Howard), who whined his way out of the Magic’s franchise.    Winning without the one time NBA Regular Season MVP (2007), and one time NBA Champion (2011).    The big question here is can Dallas continue to do it without Nowitzki, until he returns to action?

Tune in to find out if the Mavericks really have this identity.

If there’s anything to make of this team, if anything after one-game, it’s that they look a lot better than they did on last-season’s late opener due to the lockout on Christmas day vs. the Miami Heat.

Thomas Brunt is the sports-editor for his high school newspaper: “The Hawk”, he also blogs on the Dallas Cowboys for Blue Star Ranch blog, follow his personal Twitter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him you’re sports-questions here: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com    it should also be noted that Thomas enjoys covering an array of different sports, and does enjoy the privilege of sitting in the press-box for his high school’s  football games. 

Are the Cowboys the NFL’s definition of Inconsistent?

 The Cowboys need to regroup, and they need to regroup fast, they don’t have much time for it either.   — Their is plenty of  reasons for Cowboys fans to worry right now, as they will be facing a red-hot Atlanta Falcons team, who can’t be stopped, even on a bad day for Ryan, who two weeks ago, threw what would seem to be three costly picks against a bad Oakland Raiders team.

 — That should make some red-flags pop up for Garrett and the Boys.   The Cowboys are going to have to dig deep, or maybe they won’t need to.   Wishful thinking, right?

Maybe not, but come on, this is the Dallas Cowboys we are refereeing to.

 —- Need I remind you all that they aren’t  exactly Captain Consistency?   It’s been a while since they played a full impressive game, and it all goes back to the Meadowlands in week one at the Giants.   — Fast-Forward to now and look at them.   Tell me this is a different team.

If  there’s anything that can be said for sure about Dallas thus far, it’s that they are a surprise, really more than anything each week, but in this league, you can’t rely on some flashes of greatness.  Especially when playing an undefeated team.

An undefeated team like Atlanta, who has been exactly what the Cowboys aspire to be: consistent, yes, excluding that near loss to a certain Bay-Area football team.    — Atlanta is a team that seems to finally be hatching, and for Dallas this isn’t good.

—  Don’t get me mixed up though, it’s good that Dallas, as of these past two games has been playing some solid teams.   — Hey, who knows, maybe Dallas will learn something from playing these teams.     Maybe  that’s just wishful Jerry Jones thinking.   Catch the Cowboys not playing some of their best football, and Atlanta could.. Oh wait, never-mind  about that catching the Cowboys not playing their “A game” thing.

Maybe the Cowboys are making it to hard on themselves.  No, that can’t possibly be it.  This team is all about inconsistency.    Tony Romo? Check, Dez Bryant? Check, Dan Bailey, Check.   This is what I thought, and feared for all the others in the Cowboys fan community.

—

I want to take a closer look at this team, and ask something, are they really beating the team’s they’re supposed to?  Well, let’s take a look and see.    Dallas managed to defeat Tampa-Bay, but only with the inconsistencies that they’ve been playing with all season long.    They won, but barley, and only by the hair of  one’s hairy chin-chin against a struggling Carolina Panthers team, 16-14.      — So what’s to make of  this team, what’s their true identity?

 Does this answer anything?:  Their the Dallas Cowboys, and they are the league’s definition of “Inconsistent”.

Thomas Brunt writes and covers sports on his own blog,  he also blogs on the Cowboys for the Blue Ranch Star Blog, follow Thomas’s personal Twitter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him here: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

My Weekly Wrestling Column: Why WWE needs heel characters like Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar’s warm  welcome from many screaming fans in a hot Miami Florida crowd, the day after WrestleMania 28 was a very short lived warm welcome.

The former Undisputed UFC Champion and mega heel in the WWE Universe made it clear that he’s not here for entertainment.  He’s not here for the fans, either.   Than why would Lesnar, who once won the Undisputed WWE Title back in 2002, inside the demonic structure that is Hell In A Cell vs. the Undertaker?

Lesnar, who seems to be in this business, for more of the athletic point of view, as oppose to the entertainment, has made his presence felt everywhere he has been on WWE Television, despite not being on WWE Programming Television since the RAW after SummerSlam.

— Lesnar, who made no mistake showing us that he was indeed a mega-heel by immediately attacking the face of the company, in John Cena, who he F5’ed, and before F5’ing him, the former MMA super-star, and “Wrassler” punched Cena in the face, making him bleed.     — Some argue that’s what started his mega-heel turn.  — Than again, didn’t he leave the company previously a heel, when he feuded with Eddie Guerrero, and than Bill Goldberg?

It may have just been one of those major “Mark Out Moments” for all those Pro-Wrestling fans.

While Brock Lesnar may not be in the business for attention from the fans, or even for the entertainment aspect,  WWE needs heel characters like him, who make the show so entertaining, which it’s ironic, because that’s exactly what he’s not in WWE for.

Thomas Brunt writes about a bunch of sports (yes, even Pro-Wrestling) on this very blog of his, he also blogs on the Dallas Cowboys for the “Blue Star Ranch” blog.  Follow his personal Twitter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him you’re sports-questions: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com 

Key-Dates for current WWE Champion CM Punk

Here are some key dates for CM Punk’s WWE Champion Dates on RAW: 

November 12 ( RAW Before Survivor Series)

November 18 (Survivor Series) Pay-Per-View

November 19 (RAW after Survivor Series Pay-Per-View).

—

December 3  (The Rock scheduled to return, to live WWE Television, according to WrestlingInc.com)

December 31 (RAW): How can they not do something special to get ready for the new year (2013?)  Plus, they’ll be working on the feuds for the Royal-Rumble paper-view.  I just think they would do something special to kick off the new-year by having current champion CM Punk defend his WWE Championship on the last-day of  2012?

 

 

 

NFC East Round-Up Cowboys GameDay Blog

NFC East Roundup

Inspecting Falcons at Eagles:

Take away four turnovers, and the Philadelphia Eagles could be a 5-1 team, that would make things even more interesting here in the NFC East, as that would put the Giants in second at 5-2, the Cowboys at third with a 3-3 record.  The Eagles don’t have the explosiveness that Micheal Vick once provided them a couple of seasons ago, this season Philadelphia hasn’t been playing their best football, as they have turned it over one to many times, leading to their current demise.  It almost seems as if  Vick has lost his football Mojo.   This one is on the quarterback, there is no arguing that, as it shows up in almost every box-score stat for every-game that the Eagles have played this season.   Will Micheal Vick be able to turn it around against an undefeated Atlanta Falcons team today?  Let’s inspect, shall we?

• Offense is key for Atlanta, and that’s why they currently stand at 6-0, but after a lucky a couple of week’s ago vs. the abysmal Oakland Raiders, in which quarterback Matt Ryan threw three interceptions, some are starting to question the Falcon’s legitimacy as an undefeated team.
• Eagles quarterback Micheal Vick has had a very sloppy last-six games, as he has fumbled a grand total of  9 times, in the amount of games that have been played already.  If the Falcons defense can force Vick to cough it up at all today, that could be the difference in the game, as it takes only one mistake.
• Will Philadelphia be able to run the ball successfully (with a running-back)?  Running-back LeSean McCoy has the second most carries in the league, behind Houston’s Arian Foster.

*UPDATE*:  Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passed for three passing touchdowns in the win at Philadelphia.

—–

Redskins at Steelers:

It will interesting to see how Robert Griffin111 stacks up against Dick Leabu’s Steel-Curtain defense.  Leabau has a history of  owning the opposing rookie-quarterback, as he 13-1 against them, the only one being a victor being  Troy Smith.  — Pittsburgh comes into this one needing another win, as they can be 500..

The Redskins, much like the Steelers come into this game one game behind 500., for both teams if they lose, playoffs would seem to be “fools gold” that’s why this one is a game that matters for both-sides.   Robert GriffinIII has made an obvious impact on the team, as they look a lot better than they have in recent seasons, will Pittsburgh’s defense led by defensive coordinator Dick Leabau be able to stop Griffin?

*Update*:

Pittsburgh was able to stop Griffin, who was only 16-37 in the game.

—

Giants at Cowboys:

Things have changed for both teams since they last met.  The Cowboys had the upper-hand, as they were victorious in week one at the Giants, but as I said in my earlier-blog-post, a couple of  key wide-receivers on the Giants weren’t on their A-Game, as they caught them off balance,  Dallas may be lucky to see that happen again today.    Another thing:  The Cowboys are going to have to make more successful red-zone trips, kicker Dan Bailey shouldn’t have to come out  expect for the point-afters, and maybe two field-goals.

 

Cowboys-Giants Cowboys Gameday blog

First of all, the Cowboys are going to have to able to get into the end-zone, they won’t be able to rely on field-goals this time, as they face an offense that’s going to force he Dallas offense to put up 6 points at least a few times.   — Call me Captain Obvious, but we are all aware that Dallas isn’t the most balanced team in the league, this is a key reason they haven’t been able to make red-zone trips occur consistently.   — Speaking of which, that’s the key word right there. “Consistency” this is something the Cowboys need, and in today’s game, make no exception about it.

The last-time these two played in the Meadow-lands in week one, the  Cowboys had some breaks in that victory.  Giants Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks was coming back from a stress-fracture in his foot, which kept him from participating in most of the Giant’s training-camp, and not to mention that Victor Cruz had an off-night, as he three drops, and two penalties.    — Dallas just got lucky in that one, as they can’t have that happen again, Cowboys cornerbacks Brandon Carr, and Morris Clairborine will need to make the adjustments necessary to stop New-York  in this one.   — The best the Cowboys can do, is go out and play their best football.

My Cowboys Fantasy Start E’m of the Day: 

For this week, go ahead with Cowboys tight-end Jason Witten.

My Final Score Prediction:

Giants: 27, Cowboys: 29

Thomas Brunt is an aspiring sports-writer for the city newspaper someday, and is the sports-editor for his high school newspaper:  “The Hawk”, he covers the Dallas Cowboys on this very blog of  his.  Follow his personal Twitter feed (@SPORTSDUDE350) for random rants on: NFL, MLB, NHL, WWE (Yes, I watch Pro-Wrestling, and I write about it, as well.  You may also want to subscribe to this blog  for constant updates in your inbox.  Email me you’re burning-sports-questions: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

Cowboys-Giants blog coverage begins now..

The Dallas Cowboys face NFC East rival, New York Giants on Sunday’s game in Cowboys Stadium, this one would mean a great deal to Dallas, that is if they win, because if they lose, they are 2 games behind the Giants, if they do win than Dallas would have a possible-tie breaker advantage over the Giants, and not to mention a 4-2 record over a 3-4 record.   — Every game counts, that’s certainty the case for this one.  Cowboys Owner/GM Jerry Jones is going to have to hope that his team backs his words up, as the Giant’s told him to suit up and see what happens.    With the Cowboys, a lot of times, you just can’t tell, and this week, despite playing at home, I just don’t see Dallas winning, as they have had problems closing out in close-games, this one has plenty of reason to show to be a close-one, if the Cowboys can prove me wrong, maybe this team is different, but probably not.

———-

Cowboys Keys To Winning: 

• Will the Giants be able to take advantage of  Sean Lee’s absence?
• Will the Cowboys be able to get in the end-zone?
• Will the Cowboys be able to mix it up against the Giant’s defense?

Thomas Brunt writes about whatever sports he wants to whenever on his own blog, subscribe to the blog via email, follow Thomas on Twitter: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

 

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By “Hawk Newspaper” Sports-Editor, Thomas Brunt: 

FORT-WORTH: Birdville torched an absolutely defenseless Saginaw Chisholm Trail team by scoring 56 points first half on the way to a total of 69 total for the game  in a district 6-4A game on Friday night at Chisholm Trail Stadium, Birdville managed to score on seven of their eight offensive possessions in the first half, also scoring on the first play of an offensive drive twice, was Birdville.    

Hawks quarterback Justin Martin, as he has been all season long shredded yet another defense, passing for 237 yards alone in the first half, overall though in though in the first half, the Birdville offense managed to get 402 yards, while Chisholm Trail only picked up 14 yards, and one first down.

The Hawks (9-0, 7-0 in 6-4A) struck first in the game, thanks to a four play drive to open the game out, before anyone in the stands knew it, Birdville running-back Xavier Turner was in the endzone with a five yard rushing touchdown for the first-score of the game, that just being the first of  many times for it occur.

Turner would finish with 15 carries, 116 yards, three rushing touchdowns in the first half, and a receiving touchdown, he would also score the Hawks first three scores of the game.

The second time he scored, it was a 2 yard-run, making the score 14-0, with 4:48 left in the opening quarter, and then on a 58 yard screen-pass from Martin, the damage from Turner stopped there, but not overall from the team, as Steven Neleson returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown three plays after the 58 yard screen-pass touchdown to Turner, the Nelson pick made the score 28-0, this started a scoring-fest for Birdville, who wouldn’t stop really until the fourth-quarter.   Birdville slowed down, as they had more than a commanding lead in the last-quarter of play, as they only scored a field-goal, the Hawks, with much of the scoring coming in the first half, and with the defense stopping Chisholm Trail’s empty tank of offense, the Hawks, like they had two times before this game, shut-out the Rangers, winning this one 69-0.

 

Thomas Brunt is the sports-editor for his High School (Birdville High School)’s  school-paper: “The Hawk”

Follow Thomas’s personal Twitter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him you’re burning-sports-questions: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

Birdville at Chisholm Trail pre-game blog: It’s not going to be pretty..

Fort-Worth:  The 8-0 undefeated Birdville Hawks take on the 1-6 Chisholm Trail Rangers at Chisholm Trail High School, if Birdville wins this one, they will be the  official district champions of district 6-4A.   — On paper, this game would look to be a complete miss-match, as the majority of Chisholm Trail’s roster is made up of Sophomores, this is Chisholm Trail’s first year in existence as a school, it would be a major upset for the Rangers, not only that but HIGHLY unlikely, like I said, expect a blowout, so don’t be surprised to see most of Birdville’s JV to play the second half.

 

My Players To Watch: 

Hawks starting quarterback: Justin Martin, and JV quarterback: Ty Enghledart

Hawks running-back: Xavier Turner, and JV running-back: Conner Gray

Hawks wide-receivers, pretty much all of them..

My Final Score Prediction: 

Birdville: 64, Chisholm Trail:  0

 

Thomas Brunt is the sports-editor of his high-school’s newspaper: “The Hawk”  follow his personal Twiter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

My Thoughts/Predictions for outcome of WWE Championship on Sunday’s PPV

WWE’s “Hell In A Cell” pay-per-view is this Sunday, and with Ryeback being the challenger for Punk’s sought-after WWE Championship, there is no telling what Ryeback is going to do to Punk once they get inside the cell for the main-event.   — WWE likes to make their more dominant characters look strong, and Ryeback is one of their stronger characters, as CM Punk is in his 341rst day and counting of being the WWE Champion.

 

— WWE doesn’t want to have Punk lose the title until January’s  “Royal Rumble” Paper-View against the Rock, which by the way will be held in Phoenix Arizona.   With that being said, losing a match isn’t going to make Ryeback look strong, so maybe there is another way Punk can still retain without making Ryeback look “weak”.   Here are a few thoughts of mine on how they could do that:

 

• As you hopefully know, Paul Heyman announced that he’s planning on forming a tag-team faction with CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Antonio Cesaro.  Lesnar interferes with match, F5ing Ryeback, helping Punk win, but to make Ryeback look strong in this case, just have him shell-shock Punk, and he’ll be down, and out, Ryeback does his “Feed Me More” chants and pounds his chest for signal of dominance over Punk, Lesnar rushes up to the outside of  the cell, brakes it loose, enters the ring, and

  

   CM Punk at a live event in PR. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

  THAN he F5’s Ryeback, Punk is still down and out of it, even after the F5, Lesnar drags one of Punk’s arm’s over Ryeback so the referee can give him the 3 count to retain his WWE Championship, once again.  It should be noted that  this also sets up some story lines for November’s “Survivor Series” Pay-Per-View, such as a Monster-Ryeback-Brock Lesnar feud.

•  CM Punk has Ryeback in on a GTS, but Vince McMahon rushes down to the cell, brakes it open, and demands the referee to end the match, as he reminds the referee who he is, the Chariman of  WWE!  — The pay-per view would still end with Punk retaining, but it would still be making Ryeback look strong, even in a loss.
• Ryeback has had the advantage for the most of this match, with Punk still having his spots in it, but Ryeback is wearing the WWE Champion out, and Heyman, whom is outside of the cell, advises Punk to escape the cell, Heyman unlocks the cell, for Punk, as Heyman is carrying the WWE Title in hands, both Punk and Heyman escape, Punk still remaining the WWE Champion, the pay-per-view ends with Ryeback going after Punk, but Batista returns , this sets up a Survivor Series match between the two.

 

Thomas Brunt is a s sports-nut, as he’s covered an array of sports, including pro-wrestling.  He also likes to write his own scripts, you know, for fun.  Follow Thomas’s personal Twitter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

 

 

Related articles

• The Ryback Predicament (tricycleoffense.com)
• WWE Night Of Champions 2012: John Cena, CM Punk Battle For WWE Championship On Sunday (boston.sbnation.com)

 

Cowboys Beat Blog: Jerry Jones doesn’t seem as confident after losing linebacker Sean Lee

After a 10 minute session with reporters  Wednesday,  Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones shared his thoughts on losing linebacker Sean Lee for the season with a toe-injury.

“They had him playing quarterback back there, so that is going to be an adjustment,”  Jones, said outside his office at valley-ranch.  “His play is obvious.  That is all there.   There is no need to minimize it.”.

Thomas Brunt writes about a whole array of  sports including (Pro Wrestling/WWE), mainly focusing on DFW sports coverage, he is the sports-editor of his high school newspaper, you can give him a follow on Twitter for pointless rants on WWE, TNA, Olympic Wrestling, NFL, College Football, College Basketball, MLB, NHL Golf, etc: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him you’re sports questions, rants, or opinions here: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

Birdville one win away

The Birdville Hawks can be the official district champions of district 6-4A if they beat Chisholm Trail on Friday Night’s game in Fort Worth.

Dallas Cowboys Beat-Blog: Sean Lee of Dallas Cowboys may need season ending surgery

Please note that the following may make you mad, depressed, sad, or all of the above, but you must remember that I am only reporting this stuff, thanks: 

The Dallas Cowboys are afraid that linebacker Sean Lee may need season-ending surgery on his right big toe, according to some other sources.  Lee suffered a sprain on his right toe in the third quarter of  Sunday’s win at Carolina, and was on crutches on Monday.  Cowboys Head-Coach Jason Garrett did not offer an update regarding Lee’s status, as he awaited the results of  an MRI.

After the game, Lee did say he would be OK, but he had a limp and had to wear his tennis shoes instead of dress-shoes with his suit as he walked to the team-bus.

The loss of  Lee will be a huge blow to the Cowboys’  defense.

 

• Lee leaves the team in tackles with 77 stops in the first six games, according to the coach’s film, he also has two tackles for a loss, eight quarterback pressures, one interception, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble.
• It should be noted that Lee almost had a season ending injury last-season, as he had a fractured wrist.

Dan Connor, would most likely replace Lee, accordingly to the current Cowboys’ depth-chart.   — Connor did earn some praise from Cowboys-head coach Jason Garrett after his efforts on Sunday’s game, as he stopped Cam Newton and the Panthers once on third-down, and a pass deflection.      

Thomas Brunt covers the Dallas Cowboys on his own blog, you can follow his personal Twitter feed: @SPORTSDUDE350, send him you’re Cowboys questions: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com

Related articles

• Cowboys fear linebacker Sean Lee needs season-ending surgery on toe (tracking.si.com)

World-Series Notes

Here are my World-Series Predictions, and pre-notes

: 

I’m picking the Detroit Tigers to win the World-Series in six games, as I believe they have the better pitching staff, though it should be noted that both clubs have wonderful pitching-staffs, I still feel Detroit has the upper-hand in this series.  I believe that the reason that both of these teams are is because of PITCHING, and it shows up in the stats, expect these teams to show why they made it here on their pitching, as it should be an interesting series.  — The Giants, as you know, last trip to the  World-Series was 2010 when they defeated the Texas Rangers for the World-Series Trophy, thanks to  the reason they are currently here again, solid pitching.  I predict Buster Posey will hit a home-run in at least 3 of the games in this series.

 

• The Tigers are JUST 26-25 against left-handed pitchers, so it’s much easier for the Giants to go with Bumgarner.
• Game 1 Zito, Game 2 Bumgarner, Game 3 Vogelsong, Game 4 Cain, is the current planned pitching order for the Giants.

 

My Weekly Pro Wrestling Column: Making the Case That Benoit’s Wrestling Career should be remembered..

Can WWE really ignore the wrestling career that Chris Benoit had?  — I mean after all he did, all he gave, he get’s nothing?   I can understand, what he did was messed up, but I believe what he accomplished in the ring should stay only in the ring and

English: Vince McMahon at a WWE Raw event. Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 242007. Taken by me. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

nowhere else, what he did outside of the ring is something that should stay in the ring.

— This was probably just another one of  the Vince McMahon decisions made by the company, meaning he probably told the company to forget about him, as if  he never existed, and I suppose it wouldn’t make sense to pretend that the man who he was outside the ring didn’t  exist, while pretending that the man who did wrestle as the “Canadian Crippler” didn’t exist.  — If  World-Wrestling Entertainment decides to never mention his name again on live-television, for the rest of the

company’s own existence, than that’s their own choice, but I don’t think they realize that in doing this, they are taking a part of one of  Pro Wrestling it’s self’s own greatest wrestlers  in Chris Benoit, if they think that he is a disgrace to all of  WWE fans, they’re wrong about that, though some people don’t know how to separate one thing from another, such as what has already been stated: LEAVE WHAT HE DID IN THE RING.

— The man who killed his wife and kids, and himself was unstable, and who knows, it may very well have been because of his long Pro Wrestling Career, maybe that’s why Vince doesn’t want Benoit to be mentioned ever again, because than people will start blaming him, and pointing their fingers at him, which despite pretending  that (Chris Benoit) never existed, people have already started doing.

— McMahon is trying to cover up for the sake of his own company, in doing this, when there is most likely not any-other way to cover up, and be blamed for Benoit’s death, by having him wrestle as long as he did, well guess what, it’s not Vince’s fault that these guy’s want to wrestle and entertain weekly every Monday/Friday night, they do it because they love it, and Mr.McMahon gave these guys a chance.   —  As said  before the decisions that WWE makes is theirs, and I’m a Pro Wrestling fan, If I’m a true one, I guess I’ll have to stick with it.

Thomas Brunt is a big WWE/Overall Pro Wrestling fan 

Follow his Personal Twitter Feed for Random Tweets on all sports, including Pro Wrestling: @SPORTSDUDE350, email him you’re sports and WWE questions: thesportsguy.brunt2@gmail.com, and you subscribe to this blog via Email.