Gutted!

My, My, My.

The Football gods giveth. (Final Play against San Diego)

The Football gods taketh away. (Final 4 minutes versus Washington)

That one smarts. And the Cowboys are 1-1.

I was about to blog my little heart out about the unbelievable night Roy Williams was having. Williams was playing phenomenally, and through 1 game and 56 minutes of the next, it was all good with Roy stepping up and making play after play. But, a game is not 56 minutes long. It is 60, and sadly enough for the Boys, Roy Williams was in on both bombs to Santana Moss. His coverage was late, and with help from Aaron Glenn will be seen as the goat on those fateful plays.

But, let’s not forget that this game was over when Drew Bledsoe hit Keyshawn Johnson on 3rd down and the Redskins had just spent the last of their timeouts. From there, it was over. But, hold everything, Penalty on Flozell Adams. Not good timing, Flo. Talk about a game losing flag.

From there, you had the 70 yard touchdown to Moss, on a classic 2 play drive. And then, after Tyson Thompson’s big return to mid field, Sean Taylor hits Patrick Crayton so hard his family hurt, and saved another 1st down that would have helped put the Cowboys in range for a winning FG.

This one lingers for a while, so it is important that you make San Francisco pay on Sunday.

Clarence Hill’s game summary of the 4 minute collapse …

Cowboys drop the ball at their own party …

And then Brunell dropped back. And Santana Moss went long. And Parcells, the gruff, platinum-haired Cowboys coach, began employing some of the most questionable strategy imaginable in the final minutes. He did not nurse a 13-0 lead in the final four minutes; he neglected it until it frittered away to a sea of boos.
After Brunell converted a fourth-and-15, 39-yard touchdown strike to Moss -- a game-over down if Brunell had not completed that pass -- Parcells suddenly was not interested in killing the clock and going home.

Four of the next six Dallas plays were stop-the-clock passes, including an errant first-down throw by Drew Bledsoe immediately after Brunell made it a game, with the Redskins trailing, 13-7.

Wilbon on Brunell …

But Gibbs's faith in Brunell seemed justified Monday night. After quite a few bad throws and five-yard flips that count for completions but nothing more, Brunell started to catch fire late -- very late. He had that great running-right, throwing-right pass that resulted in a 41-yard gain to Moss that served as a flashback to his glory days in Jacksonville, when he led the Jaguars to two AFC championship games. And on third and 27, after being thrown to the ground like a rag doll by the Cowboys' Roy Williams, Brunell dashed 25 yards and gave up his body to try and make a first down with his team down two scores late. Nobody ever said Brunell's spirit isn't willing; it just wasn't very wise after what we saw from him last season to presume he could find his old form.

One other thing about last night while I am still fired up. In March, The Cowboys signed Anthony Henry to a 5-year, $25 million contract with an $11 million signing bonus . In 2003, The Cowboys drafted Terrence Newman, then signed him to a 7-year, $33 million contract with a $13 million signing bonus . Which of those two players was covering Santana Moss, the only legitimate deep threat for the Redskins last night on the two touchdowns? Neither. That’s right. Aaron Glenn, the third corner was “covering” him. That is like Erick Dampier taking the final shot of a playoff game.

The Stars play a home game tonight against Edmonton which will be televised on Channel 27. I am all for televising everything, but that seems like odd strategy for selling tickets. But, nevertheless, I am pleased to watch hockey again. In related news, HDNet has released its NHL schedule for High Definition broadcasts…Sounds good to me…

Is it gay to grab Dan’s knee on live television?