Cowboys should learn from last year's Titans

The Dallas Cowboys are slipping into a dangerous area...and I'm not talking about their playoff chances. I am talking about a bigger elephant in the room. I am talking about the relationship between owner, coach, and franchise quarterback. When the relationship (and all it's problems) become bigger than the score, then you're headed for trouble. Titans fans know this all too well. Their message to Jerry Jones...If the head coach does not trust the quarterback then one MUST go. Keeping them both will destroy your team.

On the surface, Cowboys qb Tony Romo and former Titans qb Vince Young have nothing in common. Boy do they. Both qb's started their nfl careers coming off the bench for aging and ineffective veterans. Both had great success early and went to pro bowls. Both have winning records, but neither has a "signature" win. Both have been criticized for a lack of leadership and mental toughness. Both were tabbed as the next great qb to lead their franchise back to the super bowl (Troy Aikman / Steve McNair). And most dangerously...both were protected by the owners who adored them. Vince Young was literally hand picked by owner Bud Adams, and he virtually left then head coach Jeff Fisher helpless with his demand that Young starts no matter what. Young routinely made bone head plays that would cost the Titans the game...then turn around the next week and lead a late drive to win the game. It drove us nuts and fans were split down the middle. Over time Fisher lost trust in Young's inconsistency and the result was a lot of ugly close losses. The locker room was split and everyone suffered. Eventually Bud Adams got rid of Fisher and Young and started anew. The results have been positive so far.

Hopefully Dallas can avoid the same trap, because it sure looked like head coach Jason Garrett played it safe last night in New England. Could it be due to the interceptions that Romo is more than capable of throwing late in games? If it is then there is a problem. Adams would probably tell Jerry Jones to get rid of Garrett, Romo, or both. We know that won't happen..... so get your popcorn ready!

Ozzie keeps it eal

The most annoying thing in sports is the retraction, the public apology. Time after time we see athletes, coaches, and management back track from "controversial" statements they made about one thing or another. The media has so much power...the power to manipulate our perceptions about people. If we are human, then so are the sponsors. No one wants to be attached to controversy and negative publicity. Even if your comments are your honest feelings, if it rubs the public the wrong way then you're toast. So I can understand why so many people do it (retract), even if we know it's just propaganda. That's why I have the utmost respect for (former) Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. Like him or not ...ya boy keeps it 100% real. No warnings, no apologies. When asked why he would not be returning to the White Sox, Ozzie took it to a whole new level.

Most athletes hold out and say the predictable line..."I'm just gonna keep working out and leave that up to my agent." Not Ozzie. Mr. Guillen hit'em with "(Bleep) more years, I want more money. I'm going to die poor with the White Sox. Hell no." Ozzie went on to joke about his son Ozzie Jr having to stop drinking as much and his wife not being able to shop as much. And not only did he not retract or apologize....he really left to go sign with the Marlins. You gotta love it! This spin control world we live in is spinning out of control. So refreshing for someone to be honest, and not apologize for it.

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Unlikely tandem find redemption

Redemption. That feeling you get when you finally overcome, finally exercise that demon. To truly appreciate redemption, you must first go through something. Redemption was the theme in the Cowboys thrilling overtime victory over the 49ers. An unlikely tandem, an odd couple if you will, redeemed themselves on the same play.

Last Monday night Tony Romo was public enemy number one. Fresh off a two turnover fourth quarter meltdown against the Jets, fans and media alike called for Romo's head. With all of the talent that Jerry Jones acquired over the past few years, Romo seems to be the sole scape goat for why the Cowboys have not gotten over the hump. In fairness to his critics, Romo's resume did little to refute....until last Sunday. Romo left the game with what we now know is a cracked rib and punctured lung. After initially sitting out, Tony returned to the game and gutted out a 345 yard, 2 td performance. He also hooked up on a game winning pass to another who sought redemption.

Jesse Holley, you know, that guy who went to....wait....he played for?....no wait...that's Jesse Palmer. (you get my drift). A few short years ago Jesse Holley was selling cell phones for a living. His dream of playing professional football all but dead. It took the most fluke of all fluke scenarios to land a spot in the Cowboys training camp. You've got to give him credit though, he's busted his butt from day one and did whatever the Cowboys needed until he got his big chance. Holly had zero receptions in the nfl before his crucial catches to seal the game. Redemption for two different players in one play. How can you not love that. How bout dem Cowboys?

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Manning injury could hurt coaches

This just in....Peyton Manning has a neck injury. He will not be playing Sunday or for the foreseeable future. With no Manning the afc south has become the nfc west, a bunch of mediocre teams and everyone has a shot. The division winner gets an automatic invite to the playoffs, no matter how terrible they are. This is an exciting time for fans of the Titans, Texans, and Jaguars. At least we can all go into week one thinking our team has a shot. But if you're the head coach of the Jags or Texans, Manning's injury could not have come at a worse time......

In a league that requires coaches to win now, Jack Del Rio of Jacksonville and Gary Kubiak of Houston consistently underachieve....and manage to keep their jobs! This year (like the last several) the Houston Texans are the sexy pick to make the playoffs. Gary Kubiak has a veteran qb, and arguably the best 1-2 combo at running back and wide receiver. They have a ton of high draft picks on defense but could never beat Manning when it counted. This year Houston (and Kubiak specifically) have NO excuse. If the Texans don't get it done Kubiak will most certainly be fired.

How Jack Del Rio has managed to keep his job is beyond belief. In his eight years as head coach he has two playoff appearances and no division titles. He cut his starting quarterback just under a week ago and the replacement quarterback has had zero nfl success. If Del Rio's plan backfires and they Jaguars miss the playoffs again he will get sent packing too. Peyton Manning will not be there as a built in excuse this year. follow @plcolter

Karma signs Tiki Barber

Former nfl running back Tiki Barber wants another shot in the nfl. Barber's agent expressed his confusion on why no one invited his client to training camp. Really? I can think of several off the top of my head but lets just say that karma is a you know what.

The last time we saw Barber in an nfl uniform he was announcing his retirement...and it was the middle of the season! Talk about a distraction. Barber talked openly (after losses) about his plans to go into broadcasting after the season. On the way out of the door he threw the quarterback and head coach under the bus. The Giants won the super bowl the next year by the way.

Now let's not forget his attempts at broadcasting failed miserably, and Barber seems to land himself in one public relations nightmare after another. Who wants a 36 year old running back with all that baggage? Let's say your ex left you then hit rock bottom. Only after hitting rock bottom they ask you to come back... would you honestly be interested? Hell no! Hey Tiki, your age and time out of the league was probably the biggest factor....but the way you treated people and burned bridges got you no favors. It's not always what you do, it's how you do it. We all had to learn that lesson at some point in our lives. Hopefully Tiki Barber learns from this.

Michigan's Hokekeeps it real

Michigan's new head coach Brady Hoke had an impressive debut as the Wolverines beat Western Michigan 34-10. More impressive was Hoke's post game comments. Anyone who just saw the score and highlights would have thought that Michigan dominated this game. Hoke cleared that up real quick.

When asked about the overall performance of his defense, one that forced three turnovers and returned two for touchdowns Hoke stated "We're a long way away from being any kind of defense that we want to represent Michigan with". Wow...but he's absolutely right. I watched the game, and Western Michigan marched up and down the field on Michigan. The Broncos bailed out the Wolverines by shooting themselves in the foot several times in the first half. A picked up block here, a made field goal there, and we would still be waiting on the game to resume from the weather delay. The Wolverines were fortunate and to their credit, capitalized on the Broncos' misfortunes. Saturday was a great start, but Brady Hoke is right, Michigan still has a ways to go.

Tressel's hiring stinks to high heaven

Ex Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel just got a job in the NFL? Jim Tressel, as in Terrelle Pryor's head coach? The same Terrelle Pryor that has to serve a five game suspension for something he did at Ohio State, with Jim Tressel? A blind man can see the hypocrisy! And you wonder why players spout such venom at commissioner Goodell. The whole suspension of Pryor made no sense, and the hiring of Tressel is even more mind boggling. Commissioner Goodell has preached this clean up the league banter for a while now, so I can't wait to hear his comment on the matter. When it all boils down, the players get the short end of the stick.

When I think about the Chris Webber's and Reggie Bush's of the world I realize that history continues to repeat itself. The Fab Five's record was erased and their final four banners taken down after revolutionizing the profile and marketability of Michigan. They also went to two straight ncaa finals, mostly because of Webber. Now he is just an afterthought in Ann Arbor, and that's a shame. Michigan's head coach went to the west coach and is continuing to coach. Reggie Bush brought a Heisman trophy and national championship to USC, but was thrown under the bus when his scandal broke. His coach, Pete Carrol, fled the scene and got a raise to coach the Seahawks. I ain't hatin on the coaches, but what about the players? It's not like these athletes are cheating on the field to our knowledge. These athletes earned those on field accolades with their own blood, sweat, and tears. Players, coaches, we're all human and we all make mistakes. So if the player is punished, how does the coach get a pass? Let's hear it Mr. Goodell.

Message to CJ...shh

In the famous words of my uncle Joe"Never let the right hand know what the left hand is doing". Translation, someone needs to ban Chris Johnson from Twitter until he reaches a deal with the Titans. Every time CJ opens his mouth about his contract or defends his money demands, he makes it harder to accept a lesser deal with any dignity. Hey CJ...shh.

Lets be honest, fans don't personally care how much players make. If Johnson would not have told us that he was making a little over a million dollars this year we wouldn't have asked or cared. As long as you're playing good, we're good. Johnson publicly rejected a contract that makes him the highest paid running back in the league. Of course you look greedy! How about you say nothing. How about a simple no comment. That way if the Titans call your bluff (which they did) you can take a lesser deal and still keep your (misguided) dignity. Latest reports are that talks are finally progressing. Message to CJ, we can care less if you take a lesser deal. Just get it done and get on the field. In the mean time, shh.

Jesse Holly turns reality into dream

I was watching the Cowboys game last weekend and saw Jesse Holly catch a pass from Tony Romo. Jesse Holly? You mean the dude that won Michael Irvin's reality show is still with the Cowboys? That was a couple of years ago, I guess somebody forgot to tell Holly that dreams don't come true. Many people define luck as the place where preparation meets opportunity. If that's true then Jesse Holly is the luckiest man in the world.

Lets be real, the show Fourth and Long was not designed to find the Cowboys a receiver or corner back. That show was designed to get Michael Irvin some notoriety and money. The winner is a mere afterthought, as with every reality show. All one million of them. But not Jesse Holly, only a spot in training camp was guaranteed. Yeah, ok the first season I thought he made the practice squad to save face for the show. But now? This is the nfl we're talking about and Jerry Jones is serious about winning so Holly must be good. Think of the wide receivers that left Dallas since Holly came on board: Roy Williams, Sam Hurd, Patrick Crayton, and Terrell Owens. Kevin Ogletree better step his game up. How can you not root for a guy like Holly? I saw him return a punt for a touchdown last year for goodness sake. This guy will not go away. Keep living that dream Jesse.

Cowboys defense catch a break

Last week the Dallas Cowboys defense looked like it was playing flag football, people just running around grabbing at Charger running backs and receivers. Last night the Cowboys gave up gaping holes to Adrian Peterson on the way to giving up 442 total yards. The Cowboys were in the Chargers game until the end and beat Minnesota. My point? Yes the defense is struggling and still learning but fear not, for the football gods have smiled upon you.

If the Cowboys make the playoffs this year, the schedule might get team mvp honors. The first four quarterbacks the Cowboys will face are Mark Sanchez, Alex Smith (ha!), Rex Grossman or John Beck (double ha!!) and Matthew Stafford (if he's not injured...again). With the exception of maybe Stafford, none of these guys are in a system that puts up yards and points. At best they may score 28 points or so, but that's on a great day.

That plays right into the hands of the Cowboys, whose strength is their offense. Tony Romo looks healthy and sharp. Dez Bryant looks every bit as explosive, but more polished this preseason. And Felix Jones has been running like a man possessed. I like the Cowboys chances in all four games if they turn into shootouts. A lucky bounce here, a turn over there, and the Cowboys should be 3-1 at worst going into their week 5 bye. Calm down Cowboys fans, the defense will gel eventually. The offense can carry the first month at least.

Titans hope Bears game is not rehearsal

Preseason game number 3. The infamous "dress rehearsal" game. The only preseason game worth watching if you want to see what your team will look like week 1. This could be a scary thought for the Tennessee Titans, who will be without their best two players this weekend against the Bears. All world running back CJ2K is holding out with no sign of returning. Troubled budding star Kenny Britt is not only facing a possible suspension from the league, he is also nursing a hamstring injury that has virtually derailed his entire training camp. It is a very realistic possibility the Titans could be without both in Jacksonville, so get to know Jaime Harper and Damian Williams.

Rookie running back Jaime Harper will start for the second straight week, and has made the most of his opportunities. Against the Rams starting defense Harper racked up 83 yards and a touchdown in one half, giving him 2 in as many games. Harper has great vision and may leap frog second string running back Javon Ringer when he returns from injury. Second year wide receiver Damian Williams will start for the second straight week as well. Williams is also seeing an increase in reps with the starting unit. I'm rooting for Williams, I would like so see the Titans get younger and more explosive at wide receiver. We got rid of grandaddy Moss,and Justin Gage and Nate Washington are looking older and slower by the play. As frightening as this may sound, the starting offense we see Saturday will most likely be the one we see in Jacksonville. Harper, Williams, lets see what you got.

Tattoogate not a big deal

Tattoogate. Racism, social class, freedom of expression. Calm down people! Why is everyone coming down so hard on Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson? The only thing he did was ask his future franchise quarterback Cam Newton to stay away from tattoos and piercings. Let's not forget this is a business for Jerry Richardson, and Newton is an employee. Look around most places of employment, you can pretty much guess a person's stature at a company by the way they present themselves to you. People with a higher pay scale are generally held to a stricter standard when it comes to appearance. Cam Newton is not just the quarterback. He is the new face of the franchise.

As a business man, I want my product to appeal to the widest possible market. It's just plain business. Yes Cam Newton is black. Yes Jeremy Shockey is white and covered with tattoos. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. Every team in the league should hold their franchise qb to a higher standard than their back up tight end. I believe a clean cut tattoo free look would benefit Newton as well, we all know he's no stranger to a bad public image. As we all do on our jobs, we concede parts of ourselves in order to do what we have to do. I urge Cam Newton to do the same. And yes, I have a tattoo.

Collins signing a red flag for Colts

There's an old saying that implies there is a little bit of truth in every joke. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsey recently tweeted that he was in Brett Favre country looking to sign him. He later stated it was a joke, but he wasn't playin y'all. Indy just signed 38 year old retired veteran qb Kerry Collins to presumably start while Peyton Manning recovers from neck surgery. Why? Why would you bring in a beaten down qb that does not know your system with two weeks left until the regular season? You do that when you have serious doubts about your starter's long term availability.

Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne has already vocalized his displeasure with the move stating "We don't even know him, we ain't vanilla man, we ain't no simple offense. "So for him (Collins) to come in here and be the starter, I don't see it. I think that's a step back." A step back, really?Current pre season starter Curtis Painter has been horrible, and has a career qb rating of 9.8. So what gives? Collins retired because he did not want to baby sit rookie qb Jake Locker in Tennessee. I can not see him untiring just to hold another clip board. Manning may be looking at missing much more than week 1. I applaud the Colts for being proactive because Collins is a serviceable backup, but if Manning misses any significant time the Colts are done.

Should Goodell suspend Britt? Can he?

Can Roger Goodell suspend players for transgressions made during the lockout? Tennessee's Kenny Britt and Tampa Bay's Aqib Talib certainly hope not. Both are scheduled to meet with Goodell this week to discuss the matter, and both can be considered repeat offenders. Talib was suspended for a game last year for an altercation with a cab driver. Britt has 12 career touchdowns and 7 (reported) arrests since being drafted in 2009. This case is different, these incidents occurred while they were not employed by the nfl. Their employers forbid them from being paid, coming to the facility, or look for other opportunities. Let's put this double standard into an every day life situation.

Let's say your girlfriend, boyfiend, mate, whatever publicly brakes up with you. They forbid you to call them or visit them, and they refuse to contact you or visit you for three months. As time goes on you begin to see other people until boom, one day you reconcile with your ex. Can they turn around and accuse you of cheating when you were "technically" broken up? Any sane person would say of course not! Message to Mr. Goodell, the nflpa is on record they are ready to appeal if suspensions are handed out and quite frankly you cant afford any more negative publicity. With so few incidents occurring this off season Goodell needs to leave it at a lecture and stern warning. In this case it was wrong thing, right time.

Fitzgerald deal could spell doom for Titans

The 25 day standoff between all pro running back Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans took another strange twist yesterday, and it had nothing to do with Johnson visiting Nashville over the weekend. All pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald just inked an eight year deal worth up to 120 million dollars, 50 million guaranteed. The deal will average just over 15 million a year, which makes Fitzgerald's per year salary fifth highest in the league. What does that spell for Titans fans? Trouble.

Johnson recently scoffed at the notion of becoming the highest paid running back in the league. Johnson insists that he is a play maker (which he is) and deserves to be paid like one of the elite players in the league. Last week we laughed when Johnson demanded 13 (guaranteed) million dollars over the first three years. But 13 mill from the Titans? Should someone remind Johnson this is the same team that literally locked Steve McNair out of the training room as they plotted to trade him to Baltimore. He was owed a salary similar to Johnson's request. Franchise leading rusher Eddie George was sent packing for pennies by comparison. And who could forget Randall Godfrey, the linebacker who gave the Titans back a million dollars in a restructured deal. This was mutually agreed upon to re-sign key players for the up coming season. Godfrey was to receive the money on the back end of the deal. Two weeks later they cut him and kept the money. History tells us the Titans can and will play hard ball. It's a foregone conclusion that Johnson will use Fitzgerald's contract as a bargaining tool. We as Titans fans desperately want Johnson on the field week one, but neither side is willing to budge. Thanks Larry Fitzgerald, Thanks for nothing.

Rookie qb class impressed

I know I know it's just the pre season, but did you get a chance to check out any of the rookie qb's in action last week? Very impressive I must say. This goes beyond x's and o's (although all five qb's combined for zero interceptions), they all seemed to pass the eyeball test. They looked like they belonged in an nfl huddle. Newton looked like a number one pick, firing accurate nfl caliber passes. Jake Locker lead two Titan scoring drives, and showed great poise while turning a busted play into a 45 yard td. Ryan Mallett was groomed to be an nfl qb from his freshman year at Michigan. With his talent and Belichick's guidance, the Patriots could be in good hands beyond Brady.

The class overall benefited from a wacky 2010 season, pairing Locker and Ponder with the best running backs in the business. Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson are in their prime and can carry a team. Look what Big Ben did with a running game. And it's not like DeAngelo Williams (Newton) and Maurice Jones-Drew (Gabbert) are slouches either. Every qb will be afforded the luxury of a productive running game. With the exception of Newton maybe, every qb will have a veteran ahead of them on the depth chart to start the season. That should also be beneficial to their development. If their week one pre season performance was a glimpse into the future, then this qb oriented league will be left in good hands.

New look Titans make good impression

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the new look Tennessee Titans made a good one in front of their hometown fans last night. Kudos to owner Bud Adams for parting ways with Jeff Fisher and Vince Young. Their drama was bigger than the entire franchise and I believe they loved every minute of it. It was draining to watch as a fan so I can imagine the kind of toll it took on the team. Matt Hasselbeck is old, but he is a winner and a leader. And say what you want, it was good to see a Titan qb stand in the pocket and go through his reads. Jake Locker had a near flawless debut, showing some athleticism and confidence while leading two touchdown drives.

The Titans vowed to beef up the defensive line and it's paying early returns. It was a couple of freshly added 300 pounders who stuffed Minnesota on third and one. Their pressure also lead to two turnovers. And tight end Jared Cook, who was stuck in Fisher's dog his first two years, showed what he can do when given the chance to compete. Cook made several nice catches, and was wide open on several other plays. It was an all around good performance and much needed positive viewing experience for the fans. I know it was just a pre season game but a bad first impression would have been hard to overcome. Especially for this franchise.

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No more drama for Titans

The one word that would consistently describe the Tennessee Titans over the past few years is drama. Drama drama drama! If it's not Pac Man Jones then it's Albert Haynesworth. If it's not Haynesworth then it's Vince Young. Then you have Kenny Britt and well, you get the idea. There has been plenty of drama for the "new look" Titans already, and we're just a couple of weeks into the season. Courtland Finnegan's disappearance over the weekend was just another weird episode for the team that attracts weird episodes.

Something different happened this time. Someone actually stepped up and took accountability for their actions. Props to Courtland Finnegan for admitting to lying about leaving the team because of his contract. It's the first time in forever that someone said "I messed up". Hopefully the team and the media will take Finnegan's apology on it's merit (with a fine of course) so they can get back to football. The front office should follow suit and do the right thing by CJ. Everyone knows what he means to the team and he is one of only a few stars who literally outplayed their contract. The season opener is around the corner, time is of the essence. Get your schemes installed, get CJ his paper, and get back to just football. No more time for drama.

Remember the Titans?

Remember the Tennessee Titans? You know... the franchise known for their blue collar work ethic, likable players, and great home field advantage? Those Titans consistently beat teams with better players because they removed the "I" from team. Those Titans were fun to watch because you knew we had a chance with the ball in number 9's hands. Steve McNair, Eddie George, Frank Wycheck, and Bruce Matthews were all great. They also smiled. The Titans had a humbleness about them that made them easy to root for. That was then. Next up was Pac Man Jones, Albert Haynesworth, Vince Young, and Kenny Britt. Not only do the Titans of today bear no resemblance to the team that won us over, this franchise is now unrecognizable.

If you moved to Nashville or followed the Titans post Steve McNair, you see a far different picture. You see a picture of a team that stomps on the head of a helmet-less player. You see night club beatings, high speed chases, and strip club shootings. You see quarterbacks feuding with coaches and players feuding with management. Most of all, you see dysfunction running rampant. You see a team that has become a shell of it's former self. Case in point, only The Titans could find a way to not use a healthy Randy Moss on a team with no receivers.

Rookie head coach Mike Munchak has his work cut out for him. His two best players are holding out for new contracts and their foolish hard line stance with Chris Johnson is putting the team further in the hole. Just another sign of a lack of leadership on all levels. Hopefully the Johnson holdout will be resolved and Jake Locker can hit the field sooner than later. Titans fans are ready for new memories.

Was Lebron defending Tebow or himself?

Wow. Someone really ticked LeBron James off yesterday, to the point that he had to come to the defense of an innocent and persecuted man. ESPN NFL analyst Merril Hodge voiced his opinion on Tim Tebow's ability to be a championship caliber NFL quarterback. Although the criticism aimed at Tebow was harsh it was just that, an opinion. It appeared the mild mannered golden boy from Florida took it all in stride with a simple tweet to let Mr. Hodge know that word had gotten back. So why did James seem to take the criticism of Tebow so personal? It sounded to me like LeBron was not defending Tebow at all. He was defending himself.

Remove Tim Tebow from this direct quote "He's a hard worker, a student of the game, a natural born leader and most of all a WINNER!! It takes time and he'll be nice." LeBron is talking about himself, to remind us of all the things that made us crown him "King James". A reminder that winning championships take time. Another direct quote from James "Guys get on that tv and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!" This is LeBron's advise to everyone who criticized his epic meltdown in the Finals. Face it LeBron, you choked and got criticized for it. Tim Tebow has weaknesses that are being criticized. It's sports. It's life.

Are the Eagles the new Heat?

The Philadelphia Eagles have steamrolled through free agency, adding marquee acquisition after marquee acquisition. Not one, but two pro bowl corners. Throw in a pro bowl defensive end and back up qb that's been a pro bowler himself, and you have the making of the nfl's version of the Miami Heat. Mark my words, the Eagles will be hated this season.

It is only human to root for David. If we're just watching a game that we have no rooting interest in, we generally root for the underdog. So you can imagine how we feel when you tell us that you're going to win it all. The Eagles have all but said "Hey...y'all know we bout to win it all right?" Yes I know that Rex Ryan put people off with his bold predictions last year but this will be worse, much worse. Every hated team needs a lightning rod, a controversial figure if you will. The Heat had LeBron James. The Eagles have that in Michael Vick. Desean Jackson and newly acquired Vince Young have been no stranger to negative press either. The Eagles have put themselves in the super bowl or bust category, and there will be millions of fans outside of Pennsylvania that hope they bust.

Britt or Bryant? That is the question

He's an explosive young wide receiver with freakish speed, power, and athleticism. He's a late first round draft pick with top five talent. His electrifying play making ability will leave you pumping your fist, and his lack of good judgement off the field will leave you scratching your head. People in the great state of Texas will immediately think I'm speaking about their second year wonder Dez Bryant. Others in the Music City will think I'm speaking of Tennessee's Kenny Britt. They're both right.

Dez Bryant of the Cowboys and Kenny Britt of the Titans are at a crossroads. Both had memorable moments on the field in 2010 and forgettable moments during the 4 1/2 month lockout. Britt and Bryant (ironically sounds like a law firm) combined for 15 touchdowns and at least six run ins with either metro police, mall security, or the DA's office. The 15 touchdowns are even more impressive when you consider that neither player even sniffed a full 16 game season. Their respective nagging injuries were attributed to coming into camp out of shape last year.

OK, even if we do chalk up the lack of conditioning and off field issues to young men attempting to find their way in life, what cannot be excused is their lack of focus when it comes to preparation. Bryant was often fined for being late, and was even caught on occasion "sleeping on the job". Britt often displayed an aloof attitude that told the Titans brass that he could care less about becoming the best player on the field, let alone the best player in the league. What frustrates the heck out of everyone is that Britt and Bryant have the physical tools to become the Rice / Irving of their generation. That is, if someone can get them to care. This season will be vital for both as veteran receivers on their respective teams were sent packing to make way for these two budding stars to shine. How bright or long that shine lasts is totally up to them.

Pay C.J.

The Tennessee Titans are probably the happiest team in the league to see the nfl resume business. The term "rebuilding mode" is an understatement for a team that has a new head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and starting quarterback. Who that quarterback is remains a mystery after first round draft pick Jake Locker was brought in to replace first round draft bust Vince Young. Incumbent backup Kerry Collins chose to retire, and third stringer Rusty Smith is just plain terrible. You would think the Titans most pressing issue would be to bring in a veteran backup right? Wrong.

The Titans have a major problem on their hands if they do not take care of their dread head highlight reel Chris Johnson. Johnson held out last year for more money and the Titans applied a band aid. This time Johnson has all the leverage, and will have every reason to hold out. CJ to this point is very fortunate to have avoided the major injury that could set a career back. He has the most rushing yards since entering the league, and has proved durable in the Titans run first system. Johnson should look no further than Green Bay's Javon Walker, who reported to work against his better judgement while negotiating an extension. Walker suffered a major knee injury and soon faded from memory all together. Johnson also knows the Titans must spend more money under the new CBA. And let's be honest, nobody has mistaken the Titans for being Nostradamus when it comes to evaluating first round talent. Pac Man Jones, Vince Young, Kenny Britt? Two of the players are no longer on the team and Britt has one cleat out of the door. The Titans are not putting away cap room for another blockbuster deal anytime soon.

Look CJ, the time is now to get your money. What are the chances of another 300 plus attempt season with no injuries. Regardless of the quarterback (an over the hill veteran or inexperienced rookie) the offense will do nothing without you in the lineup. The fans will quickly lose interest as you are now the sole bankable commodity. The time is now. The Titans must pay CJ.

King James: Most hated role model

I was listening to the Stephen A. Smith show today and he was talking about the Miami Heat's big three and their defensive dominance in their game 1 victory over Dallas. During the rant Mr. Smith referred to the big three as role models. It immediately hit me wrong, but why? Upon further review I completely agree with Stephen A's assessment. If you look beyond the surface the Miami Heat, and LeBron James in particular, are role models. That makes King James one of the most hated role model in the world.

LeBron James is the most polarizing figure in sports. Either you love him or you hate him. Let's not fool ourselves, people do not hate the Heat. They hate the King! And King James has flourished under the the pressure all year . I agree with the masses that LeBron should have handled "The Decision" better, but his actions since then are deserving of role model status. We all praise people who say "there is no I in team, and "all these athletes do now a days is chase the money". LeBron did neither, choosing to take less money for a chance to win multiple championships. Dan Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers owner, took several personal shots at LeBron upon his free agency exit. King James took the high road and turned the other cheek. LeBron faced questions about his loyalty and character off the court, and his failure to close out close games on the court. As the season progressed we witnessed LeBron James fight through adversity, become a go to guy, and lead his team to the NBA finals. All with the entire world rooting against him. I would love for my children to fight through adversity, turn the other cheek, put goals before money, and to do it even if only a few want them to succeed. I am rooting for King James to win now, I root for role models.

De ja vu for Thunder

Stop me if you've heard this. Oklahoma City blew a double digit forth quarter lead to lose in overtime. For those that were not fortunate enough to closely follow the Thunder's series with the Grizzlies, please do not be stunned by last night's meltdown. In game three of the Western Conference semi-finals against Memphis, Oklahoma City lost in the exact same fashion. The Thunder dominated the first three quarters, leading by 13 heading into the fourth. The Grizzlies outscored Oklahoma City 23-10 to force overtime and 15-7 to close it out. The Grizzlies' "stunning" comeback was aided by an overly aggressive Russell Westbrook and overly timid Kevin Durant. Westbrook continually dribbled the air out of the ball, forcing tough shots against a collapsing defense. Durant never asserted himself, settling for "cop out" three point attempts that failed miserably.

So last night when the Mavs went on their first 7-0 run late in the fouth, I got thatfunny feeling that Okc was going to lose. The normally rowdy crowd at Oklahoma City Arena must have felt it too, because their collective nervous energy shot through my screen like a missile. Durant was aggressive and confident for the first thirty six minutes of last night's game, and Westbrook was calm and wise with his decision making. Then came the fourth quarter. Once Dirk started to get things rolling, it seemed as though the budding super stars for the Thunder reverted to old bad habits. Westbrook went back to his school yard one on one mentality, while Durant timidly hid behind the three point line, hoping to reap the scraps rather than attack as he did all game. The Thunder will not lose this series to the Mavericks because of talent, that's a good thing. They will lose because of immaturity. Time and experience will cure that.

Moon should blame Young, not racism

When I read Warren Moon's allegations of racism toward Cam Newton, I had mixed emotions. On one hand I do feel that Cam Newton is being unfairly critisized, but not because of race. It's because of Vince Young, and Young just happens to be black. It's human nature to draw on past experiences when judging anything or any one, and Cam Newton looks and sounds exactly like Young did a few years ago. The similarites do not stop there. Young, like Newton, came out of nowhere in 2005 to lead the Texas Longhorns to an undefeated season and national championship. Young was the centerpiece of a high powered spread offense, shattering records on his way to becoming the Davey O'Brian Award winner and heisman trophy runner up. Young was an electrifying runner with a cannon for an arm and a million dollar smile. Young was drafted number three to the Tennessee Titans and quickly flamed out. Young's on and off field behavior showed an imature young man that was given way to much to soon. For all of Young's talent and charisma, he could never lead his team in the playoffs. When I personally look at Cam Newton, I see Vince Young reincarnated. As I Titans fan that traslates to red flags and alarms going off in my head. Whether the critisim is Vince Young based or racially based it's still unfortunate. Hopefully Cam Newton will land in the right situation and blossom into a franchise quarterback and face of the nfl. If nothing else, he has the smile.

VCU vindicates Selection Committee

Last Sunday I wondered who felt worse. Colorado, Virginia Tech, or Virginia Commonwealth? The annual unveiling of the ncaa championship tournament was met with harsh criticism when the selection committee awarded VCU a tournament bid over their better known bubble counter parts. Experts from every national media outlet blasted the committee, some even called for a complete overhaul of it's members. Six days and two VCU wins later the committee must be smiling, even if only to themselves.

Virginia Commonwealth just put the finishing touches on a second round thumping of Georgetown, handing the Hoyas their worst tournament loss in fifteen years. Two days earlier VCU knocked off another "big conference" school when they beat USC in the first round. The committee's first and second round pairings have lead to numerous buzzer beaters and another memorable tournament run so far. No one could blame the selection committee for feeling like telling the world "I told you so". Luckily for them, VCU did it for them.

Michigan's Q rating soars

Remember the University of Michigan? You know, the team from up north with the rich tradition in academics and athletics? The big school with the big stadium from the big ten has roamed the college landscape in obscurity the past several years. Gone were the Lloyd Carr's, Charles Woodson's, and Chris Weber's of the world. Gone were the championship runs, let alone championship titles. And gone was the national interest in the football and basketball program. The maize and blue M was fading, a loss to Appalachian State was the last national image of the casual fan. Michigan was just another team in college sports, until a documentary put them back in the spotlight.

ESPN aired the movie Fab Five last Sunday, the story of five talented freshmen basketball players for the University of Michigan in the early 90's. Fab five guard and ESPN analyst Jalen Rose did a brilliant job with the piece, and his controversial comments about then Duke player Grant Hill set off a media firestorm. The timing could not have been better. The premier aired on Selection Sunday, the highly watched unveiling of the annual tournament bracket. A few hours earlier, Michigan received an improbable tournament bid. Most experts had Michigan picked to finish last in the big ten this year, primarily because of their youth. Michigan's young and talented team had other plans. The Wolverines followed a week in the public spotlight with an impressive 30 point beat down of Tennessee in the second round of the ncaa tournament, and once again the timing could not have been better.

Up next is Duke, and the ghosts of the Fab Five will once again resurface. Michigan looks to knock off another talented and favored Duke team with their own inexperienced and talented team on Sunday. A victory would surely put Michigan back on the public tongue, but merely being a participant is great for the fans, alumni, and recruiting. Regardless of the score, Michigan's Q rating is sure to win.

Win gives Woodson redemption, hof stamp

For Green Bay Packer's conerback Charles Woodson, next week's super bowl in Dallas will have been eight years in the making. We all remember Woodson's seemingly game clinching sack and forced fumble on New England's Tom Brady in the 2002 playoffs. It seems that Woodson is known more for being victimized by the "tuck rule" than for being one of the special football talents of the past decade. Woodson lead the Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season and national championship in 1997. Woodson also became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman trophy, a feat that remains to this day. And let's not forget that Woodson was also a dangerous receiver, and one of the most feared return men in the nation.

Woodson continued to produce in the nfl, earning defensive rookie of the year honors in 1998. Thirteen years later, Woodson is the reigning defensive player of the year. Throw in seven pro bowl appearances and six all pro selections. The only thing missing from this hall of fame resume is a championship ring.

Titans made right move

Although shocking, the Tennessee Titans made the right move in parting ways with long time head coach Jeff Fisher. After 17 seasons both Fisher and the organization mutually agreed it was time to move on, and I will amen to that. Yes, Fisher lead the transition from Houston to Memphis to Nashville. Yes, Fisher lead the Titans to their lone super bowl appearance. And yes, the Titans have lost at least five games in a row in five of the past seven seasons. The Titans learned from two of their fiercest rivals that change can be a good thing.

Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher went to the playoffs in 10 of his 15 seasons, winning super bowl XL in 2005. In 2007 Cowher stepped away and was replaced by Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator and relative unknown Mike Tomlin. In his second season, Tomlin lead the Steelers to a championship and will be aiming for another next Sunday evening.

Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick took his team to the playoffs in four of his nine seasons. Billick also brought the Ravens their first title in 2000. After a disappointing 07 campaign, the Ravens replaced Billick with Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach and relative unknown John Harbaugh. The Ravens have remained solid under Harbaugh's watch, making the playoffs in each of his first three seasons. The Titans need to do their homework and resist the "inside our organization" mentality that lead to a mediocre team at best the past few years. Change is good, The time was now.

Michigan hoops mirror football program

With all of the hoopla surrounding the University of Michigan's football program this off season, no one has paid attention to little brother. The men's basketball program is without question the younger sibling on campus, and have been so since the fab five unceremoniously bolted for nba stardom in the early 90's. If you look closely at third year coach John Beilein's team, they bear a striking resemblance to this year's football team. Both are streaky and both are consistently inconsistent.

Michigan's football team started the 2010 season 5-0, loss their next three, won the following two, then tanked the last three with a combined score of 137-49. The Wolverine basketball team won their first three, lost the next two, reeled off eight in a row, and are currently in the midst of a six game losing streak. Neither team could or can bounce back from a loss. Rich Rodriguez had a dynamic sophomore in quarterback Denard Robinson, who went on to be the 2010 big ten player of the year. Robinson was the most improved player in the conference, and possibly the entire country. John Beilein has his own sensational sophomore in guard Darius Morris. Like Robinson, Morris improved by leaps and bounds from year one to year two. He is the leading scorer for the Wolverines at just under 16 points a game, and fifth in the nation with seven assists to match.

Of all the similarities, the most alarming is the lack of the success in the conference, and against their rivals in particular. Rodriguez went o for 3 against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State. Beilein already loss to Wisconsin and Ohio State, and will travel to Michigan State on Thursday. Both programs are extremely young, and in some areas extremely talented. But how long do you give a program "rebuilding grace" before losing becomes a fabric of the culture and image of the university? For both the football and basketball teams, time is running out.