Spring Fever: The Heat of an indefinite Lockout brings random NFL thoughts...

First I would like to recognize the accomplishments of the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks.  It was been quite a show watching these teams make it to the NBA Finals and I believe it will be a fantastic match-up.  

With that said I must admit a dark secret to the blog world right here live on a Dallas Cowboys news posting site!  I am not a Mavericks fan.  In fact, I often root against the Mavericks, but I must admit that I have garnered a whole new respect for that basketball team.  They have a ton of hungry veterans led by the best (offensive) player in basketball- Dirk.  And you have to respect their explosiveness late in games.  Those comebacks against OKC almost looked orchestrated they were so on point.  

But the Miami Heat will win this NBA championship.  Why?  Because they do it the old fashioned way. They do it the gritty, nasty way.  They play lockdown defense.  Every one his hustling, including the superstars.  And they have the best all around player in LeBron James, another top 5 player in D-Wade, and Chris Bosh who has been playing lights out as of late. They have great offensive players and championship defense. Miami made a comeback of their own but I don't think there was ever a doubt after they cut it to 9 with under three minutes left remaining in the game.  The only thing I could think was, "This is happenning..."  And it did happen. D-Wade and Lebron (top 5 each) took over in the 4th and that was it. But even more importantly than that, this team is a unit.  It is truly them against the world thanks to all the Lebron/Heat Haters. 

As far as Lebron James is concerned, there is no doubt he is the best, right now.  But he's not way out in front the best player in the league and he can be over taken.  When Michael Jordan played, he was untouchable.  Everyone in the league/world/universe (thanks Space Jam) knew Michael was the best.  LeBron is great, but he is not that.  (Scottie Pippen must be sippin some of that hatorade and vodka...scrumtious.) 

But what is the real reason behind the Lebron love/hate relationship? I don't think it's any secret that support for LeBron (just like the President) is drawn approximately down racial and political lines.  I will admit that LeBron thinks very highly of himself, but it only seems to rub certain people the wrong way.  It's crazy even when I watch ESPN and I see the people that talk the most crap about LeBron James are all white and the people who respect and support Lebron are all black.  Or is that just a ploy by ESPN reinforce racial separtism in our subconscious?  Ok, j/k I don't want a law suit.

Anyway here are some random thoughts about the Draft, the Cowboys, and the NFL, enyoy.

• Cam Newton is physically gifted enough to be a top quarterback in this league.  The only issue will be how he deals with failure.  He has to be prepared to hear the boos.  In fact, he should ignore all opinions about his performance until he makes a Pro-Bowl or All-Pro team.  Just keep your head down and get better at your craft.  He has to tell himself that the fans don't matter for a while.  The only thing that matters is me getting better and my team winning games.  Period. 

• Not stoked about Cowboys draft but maybe that's a good thing.  We were stoked last year and you see what it got us, 6-10.  I think the Cowboys were determined to create competition more than anything.  I don't think Jason Garret was happy in general with his running game.  The production in the red zone, goal line, and short yardage needed to improve and I think Garrett understood that. Of course it appears on it's face that the Cowboys don't need any offensive help, but it's the between the lines plays that their concerned about and not just yardage.  There were a lot of plays left on the field last year with Marion Barber being brought down in the backfield on short yardage situations, and Felix Jones's complete inability to avoid tacklers.  Even Tashard Choice is more slippery than a complete explosive back.  And the Line could not fire off quick enough to catch some of the guys that were bursting into the backfield.   I think Garrett simply watched flm and determined what his team needed.  Young explosive lineman (3 of them to be exact) and a running back.  I don't disagree.

• I am disappointed that we didn't make more of a splash on defense though.  Bruce Carter is another weakside backer w/ coverage skills in the mold of Brooking and Sean Lee but who is going to push Bradie James.  Maybe their counting on James to last for a few more years.  And No defensive lineman?  At all?  That's puzzling.  And no Ahmad Black?!  I think he was worth taking a flyer on in the 5th round.  I am 100% positive that he'll be better than the Thomas kid we selected.  But overall I'd give the draft about a B.  It wasn't supposed to be sexy, but the Cowboys could have better served some needs on defense.  I hope Rob Ryan is like the Wizard of Oz, but smoke and mirrors can only hide the truth for so long. 

• Finally, Brandon Lloyd better than Greg Jennings on NFL's top 100?       That's preposterous.  Maybe they're just giving credit and respect for having Brett Favre and Aaron Rogers.  But not better!