Day 17: Cowboys Stadium, Delhomme, Atlanta Braves and more

HEADLINES

1) Two games down at the New Cowboy Stadium and not one punt has hit the video board. Did everyone make too big of a deal out of this situation?

Ben: Absolutely they did. It was a preseason game, and a kick happened to go to high. The reason the NFL required height is set at what it is, is because typically punts don't reach that high. The Cowboys complied and now, it's time to move on.

Boz: Yes. I'm glad that they at least looked into the problem and put a rule into place for what happens if the ball does hit the video board since we have seen that it is possible. However, everyone has made a huge deal over nothing. Both games have been on national television and with every punt the camera follows the ball all the way up to the video board to see how close it comes to hitting it, which I think it rediculous. Do I think that not one ball will hit the video board this season...no. Do I think people are making too big of a deal over a replayed punt...yes.

2) Jake Delhomme threw two interceptions as the defending NFC South Champions lost to the Cowboys and fell 0-3. How close is John Fox to pulling the plug on Delhomme?

Ben: Think it's close, but it won't be all Delhomme's fault. At least one of his interceptions last night was not his fault, and the real issue with Carolina has been defense, and running game -- or lack thereof on both accounts.

Last night the Cowboys were terrible offensively, and yet, still put up two scores on the Panthers defense. And, while the Cowboys defense has potentially to be good, it had been pretty terrible as well the first 2 games of the season, and Carolina did, essentially, nothing to exploit the issues. They have two pretty good running backs, and they haven't even given them a chance to be successfuly.

So, while Jake Delhomme has been bad, and deserves a lot of the blame, he is not the sole reason they are 0-3. They have to look all over that locker room to point fingers.

Boz: Not very close with the reason being they don't have anyone else on their roster that could play quarterback better than a bad Jake Delhomme. They could try to trade for Jeff Garcia or Tavaris Jackson, but they better beat Cleveland to the punch. They won't give up on the quarterback that has taken them to the Super Bowl and countless playoff appearances. Neither interception was really his fault last night and their usually strong running game wasn't helping Delhomme's cause at all last night. Jake will at least remain under center for the Panthers for the rest of the season.

3) Without noticing, the red hot Atlanta Braves have won 15 of 17 games and have crept within two games of the Colorado Rockies in the wild card? Are you giving the Braves a chance to win the NL Wild Card?

Ben: Yes. Any team coached by Bobby Cox has a chance. With Cox leading the way, and the starting pitching that the Braves have got most of the season, you have to think of them as threats to catch Colorado. The Rockies have been up and down in recent weeks, and while I think it's an outside shot, I like what the Braves have, and think they've got a legit shot to push ahead coming down the stretch.

Boz: The Braves are still a long shot with only six games remaining in the schedule but I still look at them as a viable threat to the Rockies. They have two more games at home against the Marlins before finishing with four games at home against the Natinals. The Rockies have two more games at home against the Brewers before having to play a three-game set at Chavez Ravine against the Dodgers. The Rockies have the two-game lead but the Braves have the much more favorable schedule. Which makes for a very entertaining last week of the season. IWhatever happens, it's fun to watching Bobby Cox put his team in a playoff race once again.

4) USC tailback Stafon Johnson needed to have emergency surgery to repair a crushed neck and larnyx after his hand slipped off the bar when bench pressing 275 pounds. He's now awake and communicating via writing and hand signals. How scary is an injury like this?

Ben: This is scary, dangerous, and threating. I'm glad to hear he's doing better, and has made it through what most would assume to be the toughest part, but it just speaks volumes to how dangerous football is. Not only on the field could Johnson suffer a serious injury (knee, ankle, head, etc) but in preperation for the game you can be injuried in a significant way.

Not only that, but bench press is something that everyone does, and doesn't think twice about. There are plenty of times where I've benched without a spotter (no where near 275 pounds), and it makes my spine tingle to think of what would have happened had this situation occured one of those times I was without help.....No blog, that's for sure.

Boz: This is a really scary situation for Johnson. I know that drop the bar or have their hand slip off the bar but it usually lands on their chest, which can handle that type of force better than the neck can. When something like this happens, your mind doesn't even think about football and just hopes that this young man will be able to speak regularly again. I first hope that Johnson heals 100% and can live a normal life again, and then I hope that he can resume chasing his dream of playing in the NFL once again. Prayers from the Sports Desk go out to Stafon Johnson.

TOSS-UP

1) Which player who will be out for the next three weeks is a bigger loss to their team? Frank Gore or Dwight Freeney?

Ben: Frank Gore. The Colts defense is pretty bad with, or without Dwight in the lineup. The 9ers need to keep Gore on the field so that Shaun Hill doesn't have to win games. Gore has allowed Mike Singletary to run the team like he wants, without him, the 9ers are in trouble.

Boz: FRANK GORE. The best thing that the 49ers do as an offense is run the football and Frank Gore was very good at it. They now turn to rookie Glen Coffee to handle the carries and if Coffee doesn't turn out 100-yard games then it puts a lot of pressure on Shaun Hill and the passing game. Freeney is an important part of the defense but with Peyton Manning under center, the Colts could outscore any team in the next couple weeks.

2) Who is the better freshman quarterback? Matt Barkley or Tate Forcier?

Ben: Matt Barkely. If you would have asked who is the better athlete, Tate Forcier would be the obvious answer. But, as far as QB's go, I will rarely put a quarterback that runs the spread offense ahead of a quarterback that runs a pro-style offense. Barkley's reads are tougher,  his throws are most likely tougher, and his playbook is most likely tougher. All of those things make him a better QB now, and in the long run.

Boz: TATE FORCIER. Forcier has to do a lot more with less talent surrounding him. Barkley has about three running backs that could rush for 100 yards every week if they would get all the carries. Forcier doesn't have the same weapons and is still producing 30 points almost every game. He's also more of a threat to run the ball, unlike Barkley.

3) What's the more intriguing game this weekend? USC at California or Oklahoma at Miami?

Ben: Oklahoma at Miami. The trouncing that Oregon just put on Cal makes the game this weekend seem boring. USC is going to win and it could be bad. Oklahoma v. Miami on the other hand, interesting. Bradford  could be back, Miami is coming off their first loss, Oklahoma is trying to get back after losing to BYU, and Miami is trying to beat another big name school in their march back to the top of college football. That sounds interesting to me.

Boz: USC AT CALIFORNIA. The Oklahoma/Miami game has BCS Championship hopes on the line but the USC/Cal game not only has BCS Championship hopes on the line but it is a conference game as well. If the Bears could knock it off the Trojans it could be the first time that USC has two loses in the Pac-10 since I can remember.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: On this date 17 years ago, Magic Johnson announced he would return to basketball. Although his intentions ended up to be false, as he never returned to the hardwood, it is still a great story to know that Magic is still with us, and around the game. I rarely got to see Magic play, but he was one of the most interesting players in the history of the game, and still seems to be a great ambassador for the game of basketball and the LA Lakers.

Boz: Happy 43rd Birthday to Hersey Hawkins. The Chicago, Ill., native and Bradley Brave alum has scored 14,470 career points and ranks 15th all-time in career three-point field goals made. He played in one NBA Final in 1996 against his home-town Bulls. However, he all know how that ended up.