Pigskin Podcast

Coming next week: Seth Jungman from Double T Nation will talk with us about Texas Tech and the Big XII, and Dave Cariello from Canal Street Chronicles will share his insights on the New Orleans Saints.

Don't miss 'em!

By Joel Hammond
JHammond@pigskinpodcast.com

In yesterday's blog, I explicated exactly why I think the Cowboys will fall flat on their face in 2008, a year in which fans and media alike have big expectations for "America's Team."

They won't fail because of talent.

I added up Dallas' totals from ESPN.com's positional power rankings (Insider content, so you'll have to trust me), and they averaged a 5.67 in nine categories: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, secondary and special teams.

Thanks to more server issues, the link is after the jump.

But first things first:

Tomorrow: More from me on the NFL.

Next week: Seth Jungman from Double T Nation on the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and another guest and show to be determined.

Be sure to tune in!

One last quick note: If you haven't heard or seen, check out the first digital sports daily newspaper, The Sporting News Today. You can subscribe, for free, at that link.

By Joel Hammond
JHammond@pigskinpodcast.com

Let's get this out of the way now: I've never been a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Whether it was my uncles' obnoxious ways of supporting them when the family all still lived in the same town, or their dominance of Green Bay - until 1996, of course! - I hated 'em.

I don't hate the team nearly as much now as I did then, despite Dallas' Thursday night win last season; actually, I kind of like Tony Romo -- I especially like his girlfriend -- and I've long defended Terrell Owens against his naysayers. (At one point, I urged the Pack to sign T.O.)

By Andy Barch
ABarch@pigskinpodcast.com

Months ago, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Jeremy Shockey would be traded during the offseason. Suddenly, those rumors died after the draft, until the Giants and Saints finally pulled the trigger on the deal, which has sent -- pun intended -- shockwaves throughout the NFC South.

There isn't a defense in that division capable of stopping an offense that has suddenly turned into an INCREDIBLE juggernaut. You think Atlanta has the dogs -- pun un-intended, I swear! -- on defense to run with the Saints' offense? Not a chance! Name more than three guys on their first team and I'll be surprised. The Buccaneers, despite what happened last year, don't have the personnel to keep up with the Saints now, and the Panthers, well ... those kitties will need all nine lives in their two games this season against that Saint offense. 

We're honored to have Phil Steele, author of Phil Steele's College Football Preview magazines, on to chat about the landscape of college football as media days kick off and before practices begin in a couple weeks.

Phil, Andy Barch and Brian George tackle surprise teams, Clemson, the Heisman, the Big XII, Ohio State and non-BCS upstarts.

Be sure to tune in!

Direct download [4.3 MB]

Don't forget: Phil Steele. Tomorrow morning.

Listen, or we'll fight.

THE PROS

ESPN.com's NFL Power Rankings.

Big news over the last couple of days: Washington acquires Jason Taylor. ... Saints trade for Jeremy Shockey. ... Chad Johnson will be in camp (was there any doubt?). ... Plaxico Burress will report to camp.

Today, Erik continues his Browns preview.

Tomorrow: We're excited to have Phil Steele on the show to talk college football. Steele produces one of the best -- according to his research, the most accurate cumulatively over the last nine years -- college football preview magazines on the market. Be sure to tune in!

The Browns are 4-4 after parts one and two of my look at their 2008 season. On to games 9-13.

Brian and Joel discuss the impact of some first-rounders' possible absence from training camp will have on their respective teams, and later are joined by Adam Tracey of WindyCityGridiron.com to talk about the Bears' offensive issues and other NFC North and NFL issues.

Direct download [3.2 MB]

Pigskin Podcast producer and co-founder Nick Seuberling is a dad.

Nick's wife, Sara, gave birth to twins -- Aly and Ben -- on Friday afternoon.

Congratulations, Nick and Sara!

I was very tempted to go on another tirade about Brett Favre, but since both Andy Barch and I have already done so, I figured I'd go in another direction:

In Tuesday's dropback, we linked to a story picking an NFL game per week to which the author was looking forward.

Using that as a springboard, I thought I'd pick some games I'm looking forward to, either for the subplots, the competition or both.