Break Out The Violins...

So as we all know, Silverback was supremely honored yesterday as the AP's Defensive Player of the Year. And of course, as with every time an award like that is announced, some people have been expressing their opinions that certain other Defensive players got "slighted" in the voting. Namely, I'm talking about Demarcus Ware and Ed Reed, the 2nd and 3rd place finishers respectively (if my memory serves...which it usually does not).

First, as I was getting myself ready for work this morning (aka going through my typical primping routine), I heard Scott Van Pelt proclaim, "How did Ed Reed only finish 3rd?" Then, as I was working on this morning's joke of a post, I saw this article flat out saying, albeit weakly, that DeMarcus Ware got robbed.

Ok, listen, I understand that each have legitimate claims. After all, DeMarcus Ware led the league with 20 sacks and Ed Reed was the league's INT leader with 9, a couple of which he ran back for six points. But here's the deal - Silverback didn't just dominate ONE category, he dominated EVERYTHING.

Let me just read you his numbers...
101 total tackles.

16 sacks, and let's just say he could've had more if not for some factors I will not mention again lest I sound like a broken record...

7 forced fumbles. Let me just say that again...SEVEN. FORCED. FUMBLES!

A safety, which neither Ware nor Reed had...

And a pick. Sure, it was just one, but pass rushing linebackers typically don't have too many opportunities for interceptions. So he got the one he was given.

Plus, let's not forget, he led the NFL's top defense, missing only one game all year despite getting double teamed and what not on just about every down.

The best case can be made for Ware, 'cause, you know, he did have 20 sacks, 84 tackles and 6 forced fumbles. But let's face it, the Cowboys defense wasn't exactly dominant and as we all know, they didn't even make the playoffs. Not to mention, he wasn't cut three times before he even became a starter. In fact, both he and Ed Reed were both former 1st round picks.

And speaking of Reed, and his 41 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 9 picks - obviously, that's not exactly garbage. He would've been a fine choice as well. But while Reed dominated the secondary, this wasn't AP Defensive Back of the Year, it was Defensive PLAYER of the Year. So, to me, the choice makes sense.

Bottom line - Silverback was a force in almost every facet of the number 1 defense and his numbers show it. The writers could've voted for either him, Ware or Reed, or even Troy for that matter, and they would've been plenty justified. It just so happened that more writers voted for Silverback. So what are you gonna do? To the victor go the spoils.

Besides, these guys are all just lucky that Shaun Rogers wasn't nominated. I think we all know he would've crushed it. Ridiculous. Browns are the best team in the league...not.

PS - If anyone who hasn't been part of Meeting People Is Easy in the past wants to be on this week's panel, shoot my ass a hot email and let me know - onefortheotherthumb@gmail.com. Rock.

We've Got That Whole Cowboy Thing Going...

MY favorite Cowboy. Check that link if you don't get the post title...

So what are we really dealing with here, with Dallas on the horizon?

The bad news is that Tony Romo's allegedly healthy, and the Cowboys Defense trails only our Steelers in the total sacks category with 40 (we have 42).

The good news is that Felix Jones, Marion Barber and NFL sack leader, Demarcus Ware (15 total) are hurt. Of course, that news isn't that good, because Barber and Ware are just "day-to-day." But both just got hurt last Thursday, so maybe that means something, maybe it doesn't.

Either way, let's size up these Cryboys...

We'll start on Defense. After all, it wins championships, as you may have heard. The Cowgirls D is giving up an average of about 22 points, 100 yards rushing and 200 yards passing per game. Compare that with our Defense, which is giving up an average of only 14 points, 71 rushing yards and 147 passing yards per game. Clearly we've got the competitive advantage. But their Defense, unfortunately, won't be facing ours. They'll be facing our Offense. The same one that's ranked 24th overall in total Offense, and yet still averages 107 rushing yards, 227 passing yards and 23 points per game. It's also the same one that's allowed 36 sacks. So I really can't definitively say how I feel about that. The Cowboys, as Domski eloquently puts it, "bring the heat." And we haven't really been blocking "the heat." Recipe for success? Who knows. Either way, I thought "the heat" was another way of referring to Gonorrhea. Am I wrong, Domski?

Now, what about Offense? With Tony Romo under center, the Dallas Douchebags (I don't even see the need to be cute about it anymore) are 7-2, averaging about 29 points and 284 yards passing per game, which includes six 300 yard passing games by Romo. Of course, some of that could be skewed by the fact that they played the Browns, Bengals, 49ers and Seachickens. But nevertheless, those are the stats. And while the Cowboys running game, in theory, could also be strong if Barber plays, the fact is, our Defense is murdering everyone. We're only giving up 71 yards rushing per game and we've already seen the likes of the Giants three-headed monster, Joseph Addai, the MJD/Fred Taylor show, LT, Portis and SAMMY MORRIS! Ok, so that last one was a joke. But "down" years or not, the rest of them are some good backs. Simply put, they have a good Offense, we have a good Defense. I like ice cream sandwiches, you like ice cream sandwiches.

So what does it all mean, then?

Frankly, I don't have a clue. I don't size up games based on numbers. Every game is a big one. And this one's no different. It certainly isn't going to be easy on us. But it may not be as difficult as some of the talking heads would have you believe.

I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

PS - speaking of Cowboys-Steelers, check this out...

Click here for Super Bowl X in clips of 10 minutes. It's pretty awesome, actually.

Oh, and one more thing - the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth this weekend (albeit not the one that counts) with a win and a Patriots and Dolphins loss. So we've got that going for us...which is nice.