FNG: Season Two
(Friday 10-midnight on The Ticket)

Turley says I never use my blog for anything productive...so I'll change that right now to remind people that Friday Night Gladiators, the Ticket's weekly high school football show (co-hosted by yours truly), gets back up and running August 26th from 10 to midnight. We'll have teams, coaches, scores, and oh so much more. Check it out...

Farewell Jacob...
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The Jacob Rogers era is officially over in Dallas after the Cowboys cut the creampuff/offensive lineman on Wednesday. And this is the guy Big Bill a few weeks ago was trying to say was in the running for the starting right tackle job? Was he trying to fool us or himself?

We've been hearing about Rogers' lack of intensity for awhile. Here's a segment of his 2004 Draft profile on NFL.com:

Negatives: Shows inconsistent intensity and effort (will do enough to get the job done) … Has exceptional skills and the power to dominate, but prefers to outfinesse his opponent rather than maul him (needs to show more aggression in his play) … Has all the tools you want in a quality left tackle, but needs to work on his up-and-down intensity (has the potential to be one of the best left tackles in the game if he can develop a "search-and-destroy" nature).

Hmmm...wonder why Jerry and BIll didn't read this?

Rogers reminds me of a kid I played football with in junior high. His name was Darrell Farmer. Not sure exactly why he wanted to be on the team, because Darrell found every excuse in the world not to play or practice. From being hurt to having equipment problems, you name it, Darrell used it as an excuse. Now I know how much we hated having Darrell Farmer as a teammate in 7th grade...how do you think Jacob Rogers' NFL teammates felt having him around? A big pansy that's just taking up space that other more committed guys could be using to actually help the team. Something tells me not many tears were being shed out at Valley Ranch...

Somehow, Jacob Rogers fell through the cracks that kept other marshmallows like Darrell Farmer from moving very far in football. You've got to give the guy credit: Rogers parlayed his talent all the way to a major college football program (USC). However, I think Rogers may have finally come to end of the line...unless he's a fan of Arena Football?

By the way, Darrell Farmer also had the worst BO in the world, but that is another story...

Does It Really Matter?
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Evidence is mounting against Lance Armstrong that he did use some type of performance-enhancing drug during his first Tour de France win in '99. But you know what, I still don't care because I think what he has accomplished is remarkable. Remember, Armstrong was basically handed a death sentence back in 1996 when he got testicular cancer, which spread to other parts of his body. For anyone to come back from something like that to win one of the most grueling sporting events SEVEN STRAIGHT TIMES is nothing short of a miracle.

The French are still just pissed because the 'dirty American' beat them at their own sport. Shut up, Frenchy, and get back to what you do best: surrendering.

Cowboys 18, Seahawks 10
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Definitely a much better showing for the Dallas Cowboys in their second preseason game of the year.

*We definitely got to see exactly why Dallas chose Demarcus Ware with the 11th pick in the draft. Forced two fumbles, recovered one, had an interception, a sack and three tackles...not a bad night for the rookie. Hopefully we can see Ware on the field soon with fellow rookie Marcus Spears.

*The offense looked a little better from week one. Julius Jones looks like he's ready to go...rookie Marion Barber showed a little something as well. Overall, the quarterbacks were OK...but I still wonder though how long before Drew Henson gets cut and Bill calls up Vinny?

*Jose Cortez all but took the kicking job away from the injured Billy Cundiff with 3 FGs, including two of over 40 yards.

Next up for the Cowboys: preseason game #3 versus Houston Saturday at Texas Stadium...

The Deathmarch Ends At 1-12
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Not that anyone even cares at this point, but your Texas Rangers are right in the crapper these days after that 1-12 road trip. But hey, at least Tom Hicks is still making money with his horrible team. That's good news right?