SPORTSDAY

Posted by Gary @ 11:48 PM Thu, Apr 12, 2007

Calvin,

From your post it looks like you did not like Bledsoe due to a personal agenda...

-Gary

Posted by Mike Engleman @ 12:33 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

So you're saying that his failure to get along with and trust TO as a receiver was the deserved reason for his benching. Please list the names of Cowboys whom you believe admire TO. Please list the number of drops and the game situations when he made those drops during the Cowboy's 2006 season. Please tell us all what you think TO's future is with the Cowboys. Thank you.

Posted by Kyle Lang @ 12:56 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

I don't think T.O. or Terry Glenn had anything to do with Bledsoe's demotion. The man couldn't get the ball out. He was slow with the ball and his feet were slow and he had become a turnover waiting to happen. I wish Drew well, but the game has passed him by. Linking T.O. and Terry Glenn to this is way too sensationalistic. It would make a good headline, but that's it.

Posted by Maverick @ 5:00 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Finally, a smart reporter! Although I despise TO, if the man says I'm open at the goal line and the boys upstairs confirms it, throw him the damn ball! Not only could Bledsoe not move, throw, or improvise, he was selfish! I remember the text message he sent TO to "Stay with me". Yeah, right. Sounds like a politician to me: two faced and no results!

Posted by John in Chesapeake, VA @ 5:57 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

I don't normally comment on the blog, but had to respond to Calvin's comments. I try not to monday morning QB, but the reality here is we really don't know if the switch to Romo was a good one. Nobody will ever know. Bledsoe was 3-2 as a starter in 2006 and Romo was 6-5. Not sure who should be blamed for the 1st Giants loss. Romo threw a ton of INTs trying to force the ball to TO, just as Bledsoe did trying to stay loyal to TG. Bledsoe is a classy guy who, given the circumstances, handled himself very well. He is still convinced the team would have had a better record in 2006 and would have done better in the playoffs, had he remained the starter. Do we have indisputable evidence that says otherwise?

Posted by RT @ 6:29 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Thanks for this. While my overall opinion of Bledsoe and the way he handled himself and his situation with the Cowboys is very positive, I think that it's time to puncture the "Saint Drew" myth, as well.

Posted by Tom @ 7:28 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

I haven't watched the Cowboys since the "Toupe from Arkansas" went down to Austin and fired the coach. So, I don't know anything about Bledsoe, but you say he failed to get along with Terrel Owens. Let's see, I think you could fill several stadiums with the people who don't get along with that guy. Owens is scarry weird. Since the Landry days there have been way to many "Terrel Owens" and very few "Drew Bledsoes". You need to change your perspective on what is important. No one in their right mind thinks anyone needs to get along with Owens.

Posted by Lunging Wolf @ 8:07 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Okay, at the risk of sounding critical, this is what you guys are supposed to be doing. Only problem is, this story is about 5 months late. I, as a fan, would like more stuff like this. In other words, the truth. This is the real reason behind the move. It was probably the straw that broke the Camel's back, for Bill. And in case no one picked up on it, Parcells backed T.O. on that day.

Posted by kirkules @ 8:22 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Did you really need to write this crap? Bledsoe played his heart out everytime he was on the field for Dallas. Now he retires with no press conference, and no adoring fans. At least let him have a couple days of dignity.

Posted by Larry @ 9:59 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

HEY, THERE ARE TWO BLEDSOE'S. The one who had a great career and established himself as a class guy with a lot of character, and the one Calvin writes about, a guy whose pride was larger than his talent. A guy who could not accept less than being #1. A guy who basically was an all-pro on the NFL sulking team after his demotion. He was of no help to Romo or anyone else on the team after he was benched. Understandably? Maybe so, but Calvin got it right.

Posted by LL from Austin @ 10:03 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Dude...totally uncalled for at this juncture...and I am a hard a ..

Posted by Jeff @ 10:11 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Calvin,

What's the point in writing this now? Seriously. You may have lost some respect for Drew Bledsoe, but I think some of the more faithful readers of this blog probably just lost some respect for you.

How can you blame him for his reaction after the Giants game? I bet if your DMN bosses fired you for this reckless and careless post you might have a similar one.

Posted by Mikey @ 10:53 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Bledsoe and TO didn't have to get along, but they did have to play together. This is why Bledsoe was benched:

"It was too many mistakes . . . too much improvising. The ball should have gone to the other side. That is where the design of the play was. That is where the coverage was. The ball should have gone to the other side." - Parcells

Posted by S L @ 11:54 AM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

It's exactly what we all saw on TV - Bledsoe was engaged when he was a starter, completely disengaged once benched. Like a spoiled kid. "Bad decision" says it all - yes, he has to believe in himself or he would never have been as good as he was, but that went too far. And as I've said before, his pouty prima dona behavior and Parcells' protection of him led directly to the season ending gaffe - the backup QB should have been the holder, not the starter. And if he wasn't in that role because he either refused or Parcells couldn't bear to ask him, that is all you need to know about a backup who really isn't. There is no room for selfishness on a football team. It's too bad it is how his career ends, but it's his career and it ended under his control, at least in terms of his attitude and level of support for his teammates.

Posted by Chris from Phoenix @ 12:02 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

I appreciate the even-handed criticism that Calvin brought. You never hear anything remotely close to this from the stay-puff marshmallow media in Phoenix. Keep it up, Bloggers!

Posted by Larry @ 1:16 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Maverick, I get the distince impression you didnt care much for Mr. Bledsoe. I could be wrong.

Posted by Maureen @ 1:24 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

I don't drop in here as much as I used to, but I see that DMN writers are still as classless & useless as always. BTW, how are your circulation numbers lately? Calvin--Drew Bledsoe has more class in his little toenail than you will ever have in your lifetime. Gee, imagine, he was upset after a game in which he was benched (no other players in history have ever been emotional after a game), & for that you trash him for life. His public statements have always been, until the last, classy & supportive of Romo. You might want to take some lessons--both on trying to show class & think about retiring. Both moves would help your paper immensely.

Posted by NYS_Al @ 2:42 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

I am glad this is finally out...you could see Bledsoe ignoring TO many times when it came to passing, up to and including the Giants game.

No guarantee TO would catch it though.

Posted by Lunging Wolf @ 2:53 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Allow me to clarify. What I meant by I would like to see more stories like this is stories from events on the sidelines. From the locker room. We see what happens in the games, what we need is what the TV doesn't show you.

Posted by Fleet @ 3:11 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

To all the Bledsoe apologists, this wasn't the only time that Bledsoe's dependence on Terry Glenn cost the Cowboys a game. In Oakland in 2005, Bledsoe forced a pass to TG on 4th down in the redzone at the end of the game. Jason Witten was wide open on the other side of the field. If a QB refuses to see the entire field, he can't help his team win, no matter who the other options are. However, the timing of Calvin's post could've been better.

Posted by Barry @ 3:38 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

I find it incredibly hard to believe that Bledsoe or any NFL quarterback would say, “I’m throwing the ball to Terry” regardless of whether T.O. was open. And I'd love to know the source of that information.

Posted by Timothy @ 3:53 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

T. Owens led the NFL in drops, no wonder his own quarterback did not have confidence in him at a critical point in a division game.

As far as asking Bledsoe about the decision to demote him, what did you really think he would say?

How about this:

Editor of Dallas Morning News: "Calvin, we are replacing you with Ed Werder."

JJ Taylor: "Calvin, what do you think of this decision to demote you?"

Calvin Watkins: "It's the right thing to do. It should have been done months ago."

Posted by ernest t bass @ 5:08 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Calvin Watkins' reporting frequently arrives with a bitter tone. Instead of appearing grateful for not having to cover a more suitable beat (like high school sports) he appears to feel disrespected that he has not been given Star Columnist status. Mr. Watkins is probably a very nice guy and good colleague but, as a Belo customer for many years, I'd prefer someone covering the Cowboys who is enthusiastic and professional enough to censor his own biases.

Posted by Maverick @ 7:18 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Jeff, actually, Calvin Watkins has gained my respect considering who he works with, that's saying a lot. He has the foresight to see what most of you missed.
An aging statue who doesn't have the diplomatic panache as Romo does. Now, wouldn't you think Romo would tend to act this way due to his age. Certainly not. Romo is smart enough to figure out that one has to listen to the other party in communication. Something Bledsoe has failed to do. And he was to set the example and failed miserably on many levels. So, yes Larry, I don't like the guy. He let two young QB's get the best of him. Basically, he let history repeat itself. Astalavista, Baby!

Posted by Larry @ 8:13 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

MAVERICK, actually I agree with you on Bledsoe. I was just kicking your tires.
CALVIN, this is what happens when you report the truth as you did. You get a lot of backlash, but I very much respect what you did.
MAUREEN, most of us really appreciate that you dont "drop in here" as much as you used to.
TOM, so Landry's firing has caused you to not watch the cowboys since 1989? Thats kinda sad.
Why are you even on this blog?

Posted by Chuck @ 9:53 PM Fri, Apr 13, 2007

"During a timeout late in the first half of that game, Owens came to the sidelines and told Bledsoe he was getting open near the goal line. Bledsoe ignored the pleas and said “I’m throwing the ball to Terry.”

Calvin, did you actually hear this conversation? It sounds like it might have been reported to you by TO himself.

Posted by Coyote @ 9:16 AM Sat, Apr 14, 2007

MAUREEN - Please do drop in more often ! Your comments are great at stiring people out of their sence of comfort when nobody has to worry about the Cowboys loosing next Sunday.

Posted by Garey @ 9:42 AM Sat, Apr 14, 2007

A journeyman QB (whom was probably as good as Dandy Don) that carried his teams as far as his talent, and theirs, could take them. In the end, he was replaced by juniors (as most journeymen are) that had exhibited more promise. That happens to most all of us. But to jump on him (at this late stage) as a malcontent is ridiculous and without merit. You, not Drew, are the one that "stinks".

Posted by Maverick @ 5:10 PM Sat, Apr 14, 2007

As someone who frequents this blog, I'm seeing Calvin rising to the top. Clearly way ahead of all the rest, including frumpboy and Timmy. However, I will have to give Tim one street cred. He liked Calvin Johnson as a first pick. I could be wrong, but I believe he wrote about that after I informed the blog numerous times CJ is the man. Then, fortunately, he caught on. Now, if we can get him rolling (Tim), and have frumpboy tag along, we may have a blog yet. I see no hope for Frenchie (Jacques) at this stage. We need people who are PASSIONATE about the Boys, but able to tell the truth from all angles..even if it hurts.
As for Maureen, keep plugging away. Good to know there is a female version of me here! :)

Posted by Roger @ 5:43 PM Sat, Apr 14, 2007

Mr. Watkins comments sure polarized the fan base. Cowboy fans should remember one thing. One of these players is still on the team the other is not. Parcells brought Bledsoe to team. Now neither him nor Bledsoe is on the team. Two years ago the comment was made that Bledsoe was the lightning rod for the team. Two years later those words are so prophetic. Both the coach and the quaterback left something to be desired upon their departures, Let's just hope we are not saying the same thing when TO leaves.