fancygens.com
As opposed to previous polls, this week’s version asks which of the following question is the most important on Saturday.
I will choose not to comment on Owens’ comments regarding Jessica Simpson. You can watch E! Online for that news. And while you’re there, you can also get caught up on Jamie Lynn Spears’ pregnancy, relevant to me only because we no longer allow our seven-year-old to watch her television show.
Roy Williams’ suspension is, however, subject to our discussion here. The NFL has upheld its previous decision:
Whatever Roy Williams and his representatives were selling Wednesday in New York, the NFL wasn’t buying.
The one-game suspension sticks.
The NFL made this official early Wednesday afternoon, denying Williams’ appeal of the one-game suspension levied on Monday after his third violation of the “horse-collar” tackle rule this year and the fourth in two years.
The Cowboys’ starting strong safety will miss Saturday’s game at Carolina, without pay, costing him his $35,000 game check and keeping him away from The Ranch until Sunday for dragging down Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb from behind in last Sunday’s 10-6 loss to the Eagles at Texas Stadium
After hearing Williams’ appeal Wednesday morning, the NFL released this statement:
“Commissioner (Roger) Goodell has denied the appeal of the one-game suspension of Roy Williams. The ‘horse-collar’ tackling technique is prohibited because the Competition Committee and the clubs have determined that it presents an unacceptable risk to player safety. Rules that protect and advance player safety must be enforced in a way that will deter violations and prevent injuries from occurring.”
Kevin Sherrington had a column the other day that I tend to agree with these days:
Just in case you thought anyone was picking on your favorite Dallas Cowboy, the NFL targeted signature defensive moves long before Roy Williams perfected the horse-collar.
Fred Williamson’s hammer and Deacon Jones’ head slap are illegal, and Samson went back to his cell after hanging a nasty clothesline in The Longest Yard.
Unless he gets a reprieve from the NFL on Wednesday, Williams will likewise sit out Saturday’s game at Carolina, and deservedly so.
How bad has this week been for No. 31? On Sunday, he’s flagged for his collar of Donovan McNabb. Monday, he’s fined $35,000 and benched.
And Tuesday, he learns that 11 Cowboys have been selected as Pro Bowl starters or reserves, and he’s not one of them.
The omission lends some credibility to his reputation as a safety that can’t cover anymore, and now the NFL isn’t so crazy about the way he tackles, either.
His coaches and teammates ought to be fed up, too. The NFL fined him twice this season and warned him in writing after the last one, and still he acted recklessly.
Even if Williams’ career clearly isn’t headed in the right direction, the Cowboys desperately need him.
He’s not so far removed from the safety that Darren Woodson once described as the best football player he’d ever seen.
Romo’s thumb provides some better news, though:
When Wade Phillips went to practice Wednesday, he did not expect Tony Romo to throw any passes because of an injured right thumb.
Not only did Romo take part in a full practice, he was able to make all of the throws, which led Phillips to believe Romo will play Saturday at Carolina.
During the portion of practice that was open to the media, Romo appeared to be cautious with his passes. Phillips said Romo did not take a snap from center, working only from the shotgun.
Romo felt a little pain on his follow through, said Phillips, who added, “he seemed pretty accurate as far as throwing the football.”
