Cowboy Nation: 4th and Long edition

4th and Long edition

Michael Irving and Monday Night Football.  Two statements that seem to go together.  Just when Cowboy fans thought the best thing in the summer months were training camp and pre-season, here comes #88.  The Playmaker's new show "4th and Long" brings the spirit of competition to six wide receivers and six defensive backs.  I'll admit, I though this was going to be just as embarrassing as all those cocaine arrests that Mike had to endure late in his career.  But with the help of Bill Bates and Joe Avezanno, Mike has turned this "Reality Show" into a true drive to the dream of becoming a Dallas Cowboy.  Once more, he removes the stigma of "Reality Show" in the first episode, stating that this is a "Football Tryout Camp, don't give me that (expletive) about a reality show".  Each week the competitors are graced with the presence of Cowboy greatness.  Tony Dorsett, Roger Staubach and Daryl "The Moose" Johnston drop by with their own words of wisdom and specific drills.  Not to mention the original #88, Drew Person, who shared a poignant story of not being drafted, and finding the fire to be the best.  There is even an episode where Mike's "home" team heads up against Jerry Rice's team of rivals (rejects from the previous episodes).  

This series provide fire for those who are waiting for the season to begin.  I admit that I've had to record this show and watch it in the middle of the day, because watching it at it's regular time gets me too juiced up that I can't sleep.  That's not to say that the competition isn't lacking, as a matter of fact, any fan of football that has any eye for talent can see right away who are the contenders, and who are the pretenders.  By far, the best choice from either the WRs or DBs is Andrew Hawkins.  He has speed, he has toughness, and even for his size, he has that no quit, take no prisoners attitude that a real football player is made of.  And all of that remains on the field, off the field a modest, team type player, that has no pre-madonna perceptions, and does not talk trash.  Ahmaad Smith is another story, the obvious best of a weak bunch of DBs, his game is in his mouth.  There is not an episode that Smith is not talking trash, unfortunately for Smith sometimes what he says is geared to make him look good, but is not what actually happens.  That being said he is the best pure hitter in the bunch, and probably has the most strength of all the DBs.  Jesse Holley is another strong WR.  Great size and strength, he is probably the best possession type receiver in the group.  Holley reminds me of Marion Barber, not in strength or toughness, but in hair styles.  Then there is Montrell Jones.  Every time he is interviewed on the show, there is a caption below him that reads, "derailed by women and weed."  As funny as that sounds, he is also derailed by what Jay Novachek calls laziness.  Irvin calls Jones a "pure beast", and is impressed by Montrell's ability to plow through defenders.  Jones had a rough beginning, spreading his breakfast, lunch and possible previous dinner all over the Cotton Bowl.  Training for the fourth quarter was brutal, and Jones was the most effected.  Mike made a point of calling him overweight and unprepared, but Jones proved his worth in the later episodes and would wake up before the other contestants to run the field. After these four footballs players, there was nothing left but chumps.  

From the start, Moses Washington was flawed.  He could not handle the trash talk, he seemed puzzled by it and emotionally hurt.  He could not compete with the receivers, and his last name is Washington, which for me should have an immediate elimination.  But there was worse talent in the bunch.  For instance, Stephen Andrews, who was so horrible, I could not find a picture of the guy to write chump on.  This only added to the enjoyment level, because even those who know very little about football could enjoy the difference in talent.  There were those who stood out, like my choice to win it all, Andrew Hawkins, and those who were beaten and pummeled to the ground, like "MoWash".  

See full episodes here.  Have questions?  I'll answer them on my next Cowboy Nation.  DallasCowboyNation@gmail.com

 

Andrew Hawkins