Cooley's comments on Romo

Cooley responded to criticism of his radio comments in which he celebrated Dallas' epic collapse in Week 4, writing on his blog that he shows "no remorse in cheering against another team, especially the Cowboys."

“While I feel an honest respect for all NFL players, I show no remorse in cheering against another team, especially the Cowboys. If it sounded like I was delighted by Tony Romo's failure last week, I was.”

In his blog post titled "Reigniting a Rivalry," Cooley writes that his comments made on 106.7 The Fan in Washington have "received 15 times the 15 minutes of fame it deserved."

"In a league full of glad-handing and ass slapping between competing teams, I actually care about the organization and fan base that has supported me throughout my 8-year career," Cooley wrote. "While I feel an honest respect for all NFL players, I show no remorse in cheering against another team, especially the Cowboys. If it sounded like I was delighted by Tony Romo's failure last week, I was."

In Sunday's loss to the Lions, two Romo interceptions were returned for touchdowns in the second half as Dallas blew a 27-3 lead on the way to a 34-30 loss to the Lions. In his radio appearance, Cooley said that it was "amazing to watch him choke like that."

Cooley writes that he doesn't plan on changing. " ... as a player who has decided to share my real personality with the fan base, I make a clear choice with expressing my political incorrectness as an entertaining attempt to engage as a real person," he wrote. "I will not apologize if my sense of humor and hint of sarcasm is difficult to ascertain by the more serious NFL supporters. I will never make an apology to any offended Dallas fans and I expect every Redskin fan to cheer at the folly of a Cowboy."

He also writes that he's surprised that his celebration of Romo's failure offended so many. " ... I have to say that the peculiar defense of 'America's quarterback' has completely blown me away. From genius talking heads like (ESPN's) Skip Bayless and former Maryland great Norman Esiason to the bible thumping twitter bullies, it's very clear that a cult like group of Dallas supporters has emerged to stand in defense of the epic Tony Romo. To them, my tongue-and-cheek opinions scream sacrilege and idiocy. It's a funny thing, the way simple lighthearted banter can change gears so quickly, but that's part of the amazing world of sports fanatics. You don't want me to be boring, but as soon as I'm entertaining I'm crossing a line. You can't have it both ways."

He also thanks select followers on Twitter for their "clumsy charm and the outpouring of the appalling tweets (that) has inspired me to feed the fire of an NFL rivalry that seems in need the more flame."

LOVE IT!!! Love that he takes a jab at Bayless and Norman Esiason (two people I find very annoying). Also loved that he said that people don't want him to be boring but once he gets entertaining, he's crossing a line and that fans can't have it both ways. Finally, love that he is trying to reignite a rivalry. He is simply saying what we all feel. Romo did blow it and it was fun to watch as a Skins fan. I actually listened to interview on the LaVar and Dukes show the other day and thought it was funny that he would take on Romo in an MMA match.

Hi, Mr. Suh. May I call you Ndamukong? Actually, I better not because I have no idea how to pronounce your name. Anyway, if you are ready to sack, I am your man. Please tell your rookie friend, Nick Fairley is it? It's fine if he wants in on the action as well. See you Monday!!!

Caps season set to begin

Now for something we can ALL agree on. The Caps open up their season tomorrow night at home against the Hurricanes. The time is now. There are no more "ifs," "ands," or "buts." It is Stanley Cup or nothing. There is a lot riding on this team. Expectations have grown in each of the past 3 seasons and there was a big let down last season in not even really competing in the second round of the playoffs against Tampa Bay.

Boudreau's job is on the line. Even Ovechkin has to showcase and validate his star status and role as captain. The core group (Ovie, Semin, Backstrom, Green) is no longer young. They are a veteran group now and they have to understand that the window is closing. The Caps did add some physicality this offseason with the additions of Troy Brouwer and Joel Ward. These guys should be able to create more havoc up front and disrupt goalies/defenders allowing more opportunities for the skill players like Semin and Backstrom. Those guys should be able to crash the net more and get some garbage goals as well.

The Caps also added some veteran leadership with the return of local boy Jeff Halpern and Roman Hamerlik.

On paper, it is a talented bunch. ESPN had them ranked at #3 in their preseason power rankings. The thing is on paper means nothing. They have to produce and can't think about playoff time in April. It has to be one game at a time. Will be interesting to watch the approach of this team and see if they are more focused and business like this season. That is what I am expecting. Will also be interesting to see their style of hockey. Two years ago, it was basically run and gun and we will give up plenty of goals but we are going to outscore you. Last season, the focus was on defense and a cost of us scoring our own goals. Will be interesting the style this season. In any case, the Cup is the only option this season. Anything else is tremendous failure and will most likely bring about change in the offseason.

LETS GO CAPS!!!

ESPN Power Rankings - Week 5

Pack hold on to the top spot.

Pears hold steady at #18.

Skins climb 4 spots to #12.

JMU crushes Richmond

At our homecoming game, the #9 ranked Dukes thrashed the #10 Richmond Spiders 31-7 and improved to 4-1 on the years and jumped two spots to #7. Good solid conference win. Also had to do it with our backup QB as Justin Thorpe received an indefinite suspension for a violation of JMU Athletics policy - apparently he failed a drug test (that's what dubage does to you).

Next up is #19 Maine at home.

GO DUKES!!!

CEAFOD

After some trash talk from Scott and Organized Kaos, my team finally woke up and rallied for our first win of the season. I am 1-3 and right where I need to be to make my move.

After his second straight loss, Deepie (Malcolm Kelly) finds himself at .500 with Scott.

JSR holding steady in second place with a 3-1 record.

Robs and Bears United is undefeated and holding the top spot and looks to be in control right now.

Skins beat the Rams

Much to Robs chagrin, the Skins come back from St. Louis victorious. TREMENDOUS defensive effort as they just dominated the game. Here are my thoughts:

1. DEFENSE: Haven't seen that kind of defense from the Skins in a LONG time. We shut down Jackson holding him to 45 yards on 17 carries. We forced them to pass and we were on Bradford all day recording 7 sacks. Orakpo in on 2.5 of them. Good to see the addition of Bowen in on 1.5 of them and Kerrigan is making a claim to be defensive ROY by getting one sack and getting a forced fumble. Can't say enough about their effort yesterday. They kept the Rams to less than 100 yards total offense until well into the fourth quarter. They also stood tall on a number of occasions when the offense put them in tough spots.

2. Riding the Crazy TO-RAIN!: Torain got his first extended action yesterday and took full advantage. He ran hard all day and finished with 135 yards on 19 carries. Helu and Hightower also contributed giving the Skins nearly 200 rushing yards on the day. Still, Torain was the story as he just pounded the ball when he got in there. Looks like we have a 3 headed monster with our running back corps.

3. Special teams average: Nothing bad but Gano wasn't getting his kicks into the end zone as often. Banks looked like he was doing his ARE impression. Seemed to be doing more hopping than running. Still, they didn't do anything bad so I was fine with them.

4. Rexy struggled: Was okay. Made some solid throws but they were throws most QBs should/would/could make. However, similar to last week, it looked like he had that tentative/scared look late in the game. I really don't like seeing that. Then he make a few really poor decisions that could have cost us the game. The plays that really bothered me included:

- The INT to Laurantis (sp?). Just like last week, he did not pay attention to the LB dropping back in coverage. Again, he threw out to his left and it was an easy shift for the LB and a throw right to him. It was Lee last week and Laurantis this week. Just a terrible decision. He ended up running it down to our 19 yd line but thanks to two sacks from our defense, we were able to take them out of FG range.

- The last drive deep in our territory. We get a couple of first downs and we can run the clock out and close out the game. After two runs, it sets up a 3rd and 3. Moss does a quick button hook right at the first down marker and is wide open. It's a short/easy pass and Rexy sails it well over his head. That was a tough play because we could have gotten a first down and knocked even more time off of the clock. Again, thanks to the defense for stepping up and ending the game.

- Third quarter, Rexy goes play action and rolls out to his left. It's a tough play because he is right handed and going to have to throw across his body. His primary targets were covered and instead of running it or throwing it out of bounds Rexy stops and then awkwardly throws back towards the middle of the field for a near INT.

- The botched snap in shotgun. From all accounts, it seemed as though Montgomery looked back at Rexy and got the okay to snap the ball. When Montgomery put his head down, looked like Rexy was calling an audible after telling Montgomery he was good to snap. Montgomery snapped it to Rexy who wasn't ready but fortunately we were able to cover the ball. Not sure who was at fault but certainly Rexy deserves partial blame.

We won and that is a good thing and at 3-1 I am not looking to make any changes but Rexy certainly needs to improve his game.

The good news is that again, we are 3-1. If someone were to tell me at the beginning of the season that we would be 3-1 after four weeks and heading into the bye week, I would take it in a heartbeat. I feel pretty good about the team and we certainly look like a team that can compete each week. Again, great to come out with a victory and be atop the East.

HAIL SKINS!!!