Well it’s now officially the end of the 2008 season. The Pro Bowl was played yesterday and to the surprise of few, Larry Fitzgerald was named the MVP. What also wasn’t a surprise was the tiny effect that Cowboys players had in the game. That is with the exception of DeMarcus Ware, who managed to get an arm around Jay Cutlers’ leg and disrupt his pitch. The force of Ware tugging on the quarterbacks legs gave the ball just enough motion for Julius Peppers to tip the ball up and come down with it for a nice interception.
I couldn’t help but ponder the obvious there as I saw a tandem that could possibly be on the Cowboys roster next year. I’m not saying it’s likely, but Peppers and Ware managed to work nicely together on a play, and it kind of reminded me of a time when Ellis stopped complaining long enough to make a play opposite Ware.
Would be nice to get two dominant pass rushers on the outside every down.
During the game, former Giants running back Tiki Barber was playing reporter on both sidelines as he caught up with players like Jason Witten, who again said no changes are needed in Dallas, but that better execution by the players is what is missing. He found Kurt Warner and tried to ask about his future in the NFL, but the answer remains the same; he doesn’t know yet.
Another reporter there tried to get an interview with Baltimore’s Ray Lewis, but when Lewis told her he wouldn’t talk about his status as a free agent, that interview lost it’s appeal. Barber wasn’t able to get to him either, but he did manage to get to Anquan “Q” Boldin to ask him about his well publicized dispute with the front office of the Arizona Cardinals.
He wanted to make it clear that his beef with the team was only toward the front office, not the fans and not the players. He even added that he could see himself playing for the Cards next year too, though we all know what it’ll take for him to do that.
Enough of us know that that we were treated to a special display of what a good teammate is when Fitzgerald was interviewed near the end of the game by Barber. Apparently, Larry is willing to have his deal restructured, if that’s what it takes, so that Q can get the contract he not only does deserve, and feels he deserves, but according to him was promised he would get … last year.
And it just wouldn’t be a game with Cowboys playing if good old Flozell Adams didn’t get at least one penalty for off sides. Then again, I’m not sure who that was since I couldn’t tell who moved and there were two jerseys sporting the number 76 on the NFC’s offensive line.
What I did see was a series of plays where players trusted each other and played together. It’s an admirable part of the Pro Bowl for Cowboys fans to see so many egos, so many stars; work together in sync the way the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl teams did all day. Maybe the five Cowboys on the field today learned enough about team work to come home and spread it around. Wouldn’t that be nice.
