Missing History

Well, half the country missed NFL history tonight, all because the NFL and several large cable companies can’t figure out how to make nice.

Michael Vick became the single-season record-holder for most yards rushing by a QB and Morten Anderson become the all-time scorer in league history.

And, most importantly, the Cowboys won.

[cross-posted at PoliBlog: Deportes]

On the BCS

Does the BCS work? It may stink, but it works. So I argue here.

TO has Issues

Via the Star-Telegram: Feeling betrayed and lonely, T.O. airs out his concerns

Locker room snitches, beware.

A frustrated Terrell Owens is coming after you.

But not until after the season, because things are going well and he doesn’t want to be a “distraction” during the Cowboys playoff run.

Confused?

Welcome to the splintered world of the Cowboys’ petulant receiver, who has “$25 million reasons to live,” but admits he “felt like he was kind of faking it” on the field.

“Enough is enough,” Owens said during a 30-minute interview Wednesday. “It gets to the point where it’s like, ‘When is it going to stop?’ I will confront the snitches when the time is right.

Owens clearly has some psychological problems and a need like no other to be in the spotlight. It is getting to point of being pathetic, I fear.

[Cross-posted at PoliBlog: Deportes]

Landis Wins the Tour

American Landis wins Tour de France

Floyd Landis won the Tour de France on Sunday, keeping cycling’s most prestigious title in American hands for the eighth straight year.

And, no doubt, the French are so pleased.

This is really a remarkable story, given that Landis has trouble walking, yet just won the Tour de France–and that after making up a seeming insurmountable gap a few days ago (via SI):

“disaster” struck Wednesday in Stage 16 in the Alps.

Landis allowed Pereiro to take the yellow jersey as the race left the Pyrenees at the end of the second week to conserve energy for the three crucial stages in the Alps. That strategy seemed to backfire after Landis lost the jersey in a second Alpine stage at La Toussuire, dropping from first to 11th — 8 minutes, 8 seconds behind Pereiro.

Yet, Landis was able to make that up in one day and go on to win.

(x-posted at PoliBlog)

Witten Signs Extension with Dallas

Via the AP: Witten agrees to seven-year, $29 million deal with Cowboys

Dallas tight end and two-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten agreed to a seven year, $29 million contract with the Cowboys on Saturday.

The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus, a guaranteed $6 million option bonus next March on top of a $500,000 base salary this season, team officials said.

Good deal.

James discussed Witten, and his productivity, in detail here.

So Much for the CFL Experiment

Via the AP: Ricky Williams breaks arm in Argonauts’ win

(x-posted at PoliBlog)

Culpepper Cleared

Via the Strib: Charges dropped against Culpepper in Viking boat scandal; case against Williams moves forward.

That sigh of relieve you heard was from the Miami coaching staff.

Tags to Retire

As had been speculated a few weeks now, Paul Tagliabue is set to retire.

He will leave in July.

JJ on TO

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram asks: What Would Jimmy Do?

“I don’t mind a little tension on a good team,” Johnson said. “But on a struggling team, it will destroy you. And in the long run on any kind of team, it’s not good.

“With Terrell, he’s going to be disruptive. He’s going to be yelling at Drew [Bledsoe], he’s going to divide your locker room. It may be sooner, it may be later, but it will be a negative for your team.

“If you want his talent, you’ve also got to be willing to accept that.”

Concludes columnist Randy Galloway:

Only the desperate would dare do this.

ESPN Radio makes it sound like Dallas is about to take the plunge on Owens.