Game 3: Cowboys 45, Titans 14 (2-1)

And now, a list of random observations from the Cowboys 45-14 route of the Tennessee Titans.

• This offers further evidence to the premise that the Dallas Cowboys are an elite team. Elite teams have the ability to blow teams out of the water on both sides of the ball. Over 60 minutes yesterday, and over 60 minutes versus the Washington Redskins a few weeks ago, the Cowboys proved to be a team that can obliterate its opponent. This is a very good sign.

• Both are over the top in their conduct, but I must admit that watching Terrell Owens and Pac Man Jones battle yesterday was enjoyable. Neither takes a play off and both compete as hard as anyone. To find out this morning that they had a bet on Saturday that would end up giving Jones the shoes of Owens’ feet, certainly tells us these aren’t the good old days anymore, but I enjoyed the proceedings nevertheless.

• Vince Young will be awesome, I believe. But, I trust fans in Tennessee are not negative today. You wanted the young QB, and now you have him. He is not ready to play. Across the league, there is such a hurry to get the kid out there, whoever he may be. But there is no good reason to send a kid out there when you could still have Steve McNair as your QB. McNair’s exit from Tennessee was embarrassing and he is proving he can still play a little bit. But, in this league, fans want the future to get here so fast that they are willing to tell their current QB to get out of town. Be careful what you wish for.

• If I ever put together an “All British Cigarette” Team, Albert Haynesworth will be my starting DT. That was the biggest pansy move I have seen in some time when he stomped the head of a helmetless Andre Gurode twice on Sunday. I think the suspension should be harsh and send a strong message to anyone who wants to try that again. Gurode is lucky he is not blinded this morning, and I am sure he will always have some nice scars to remind him of his day in Nashville. I can’t remember anything quite like that stunt.

• The Cowboys passing game was very sharp in the first half. Drew Bledsoe shook off a very poor early interception to dazzle the rest of the half with beautiful hookups in the end zone with Terry Glenn twice. He also had a near touchdown with Terrell Owens right before the half. The 2nd half got out of hand so quickly that Bledsoe only attempted 5 passes in the half. But the damage was surely already done. With Witten, Glenn, Owens, and Fasano, this passing game appears dangerous for anyone to defend. Owens demands a double team, and that makes everyone else’s job so much easier.

• Just so we don’t get too positive this morning, I was annoyed by the ability for the Titans to run the ball early in the game. Figuring that the Cowboys knew it was going to be the running of Chris Brown more often than not with Vince making his first start, it was bothersome that the Titans still drove right down the field in that first drive. After that it appeared that they improved in stopping the run, but the key to this thing going where they want it to go will be having a defense who can stack up the run.

• Is Terry Glenn the most underrated receiver in football? I am surely biased, but I think he gets my consideration.

• Despite being on the scene when Ben Troupe caught his touchdown, I thought
Roy Williams was really good again yesterday. He blew up a reverse, destroyed David Givens, and when Vince Young wanted to run the keeper, Roy was there. He is a lightning rod on this blog and all around the Cowboys nation, but it is only fair to recognize his good play and lately he has been real solid.

• Much like many of these observations, the true test will be Sunday in Philadelphia, but the offensive line has stacked up a few real nice performances together. Bledsoe is not getting hit much and the running game is making strides with Julius Jones having holes to work with. His production is dependent on the boys up front, and for the most part, their play has shocked the heck out of me.

• Drew Bledsoe’s block (or lack thereof) on the reverse to Terry Glenn in the 3rd Quarter is enough to make you giggle. Check it out.

• Maybe Flozell Adams is that good.

• So Sam Hurd broke up a catch by Jason Witten, and Kevin Burnett had a perfect form tackle on Terrence Newman’s punt return. These incidents get laughs on Monday during the film review provided you win by 31.

• I believe as a whole, the Cowboys secondary is very good. That goes for Henry, Newman, Williams, Watkins, and Glenn. They really have more quality and depth than nearly anyone in the NFL. That cannot be overestimated.

• Mike Vanderjagt missed a crucial field goal from 26 yards late in the 2nd Quarter. Just when you thought you had nothing to worry about, this guy allows the Titans to remain in the game. Why do I think that this guy will be a roller-coaster ride all season long?

• Tony Siragusa did us all a favor yesterday by not eating any of the Dallas players. Thank you, Tony.

• Tony Romo fans rejoice! He got to play!

• Well, let’s get this thing rolling to Philadelphia. If they win this game, I will forgive the homers for making plans for February. Everything points to a big Philly win, based on the blood-letting theory. If Owens can lead the Cowboys in and out of there with a W, I will be amazingly impressed.