Deep End Sports

Drama at Valley Ranch

2008-12-13T11:49:00.002-06:00

These Cowboys, on the eve of yet another monumental game they must win to salvage their season, give every indication they're spiraling out of control.
Think about all the stuff that's happened this week: The owner running his mouth about the star runner's toughness and back-door meetings between petulant receivers and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Every one of those issues is a systemic problem that accompanies a weak head coach like Wade Phillips.
He has zero control of this team.
None. Nada. Zilch.

Phillips won't agree, but that's too bad. It's the truth. All you have to do is look at this dysfunctional team and how it has played all season to see that.
There hasn't been one major storyline this week involving strategy about how to beat the Giants. These Cowboys have spent the week bickering among themselves, which is what underachieving teams do.
A real head coach would've asserted himself after a tough loss at Pittsburgh and forged an all-for-one mentality built around that quality performance even in defeat. Instead, the Cowboys' clueless coach let the team blow itself up.
The players are mad at Jerry for ripping Marion Barber. Now, you have a team divided. Players have taken sides. You're either a Witten guy or a T.O. guy.
Ridiculous.
But that's what happens when your head coach doesn't command respect.
The players like him – who wouldn't? – but they don't respect him. Or fear him. And they shouldn't.
They do what they want. And say what they want. Repercussions don't exist.
Phillips has no power. Jerry doesn't even bother hiding it anymore. Since Jerry calls all of the shots, why would anyone care what Phillips thinks? Besides, we all know Jason Garrett is going to be the next head coach.
Phillips is a terrific defensive coordinator and a likable person, but he has allowed the players to seize control of this team.
No one is saying he needs to be Bill Parcells, a curmudgeon who bullied everyone and controlled virtually every aspect of the organization.
Phillips, of course, is the exact opposite. No law says you must choose one end of the spectrum or the other.
Successful coaches who have earned Super Bowl rings like Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren, Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden reside somewhere between unyielding disciplinarian and total player's coach.
Phillips acts as though he's afraid of confrontation. He lets situations fester while he ignores them. Or he blames the media.
Let's take this latest embarrassing situation. Several players – offensive and defensive – believe Tony Romo is throwing the ball to Witten because they're the best of friends.
That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
Every quarterback has a favorite receiver because quarterbacks want a guy they trust to be where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there, and they want a guy with great hands.
Witten, the game's best tight end, fits that category.
When this started becoming a media firestorm Thursday morning, Phillips feigned ignorance and blamed the media for creating a controversy.
Whatever.
Instead of addressing it then, he spent valuable preparation time Friday having a 30-minute team meeting about an issue he initially said wasn't important.
And let's not forget what Phillips did to defensive coordinator Brian Stewart this week.
After the Cowboys' embarrassing 20-point loss to St. Louis in October, Phillips stripped Stewart of his play-calling duties, but he refused to say who was calling the defensive signals.
Now that the Cowboys are tied for the lead league in sacks and playing their best defense of the season, Phillips let it slip that he's calling all of defensive plays. Stewart, Phillips said, does a wonderful job of putting the game plan together.
In other words, now that everyone thinks the defense is playing well, it's OK to accept the credit.
What a joke. Considering the head coach, it's hardly surprising.

Deep End Sports: New Time slot forthcoming

2008-10-20T20:19:00.001-05:00

That's right y'all, Train and Cane are moving! We will update you as soon as the new time slot is finalized.

This week: Texas vs. OU, Kimbo who? NFL, MLB, and even more stuff

2008-10-05T20:23:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to dial us up, as we get into it all. Saturday from Noon to 2pm (Central).

Deep End Sports: This week, a BCS shakeup, and more stuff

2008-09-29T21:44:00.002-05:00

This week on the show, we rap about the BCS, the NFL, MLB and even some MMA. Don't miss it!

SHOW BULLETIN: Time Change for Sept. 20th Show

2008-09-18T11:16:00.002-05:00

This week, we go from 10 am (Central) to Noon. Log on, tune in as we talk football and more football. Plus an in depth look at the Big 12,and how it has become the cradle of QBs.

This week on Deep End Sports: Looking back, and ahead

2008-09-15T08:14:00.002-05:00

Last week we told you that Ohio State would get super prospect Terrelle Pryor in at QB to offset the loss of RB Beanie Wells, and to look out for USC RB Joe McKnight and WR Damian Williams. Well, well well. Pryor saw the most action he'd seen all year, and both McKnight and Williams had big games. This is why you need to tune in. We tell you what to look for. This week we preview Georgia and ASU, and Tennessee vs. Florida. Plus we look at the Cowboys vs. Packers.

This week on Deep End Sports: College Football wrapup and NFL week one preview

2008-09-03T19:03:00.002-05:00

Check out the show this week as the crew gets into football, college and pro.

The show

2008-08-21T16:00:00.002-05:00

check us out this saturday 1pm est 10am pst

This week on Deep End Sports: It's wide ass open y'all!

2008-08-08T13:47:00.003-05:00

We'll touch on the farce that is NFL pre-season football, Brett Favre, MLB and Chuck Haley's propensity for automated fun, so be sure to tune in at the regular time: noon-2pm Central.

Deep End Sports kicks off August

2008-07-31T09:01:00.003-05:00

The Deep End Boys usher in August with NFL training camp updates, and a discussion on the MLB pennant chase focusing on the best teams in th A.L., as well as Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban's attempt to buy the Cubs. On at a special time this week: 9 am (Central) to 11 am.

This week on Deep End Sports: NFL Preview '08, pt. II

2008-07-17T09:11:00.002-05:00

Last week was widely regarded as the best program ever in the history of the show, this week will be even better as the crew looks at the NFC for 2008.

The Deep End Crew's AFC predictions

2008-07-13T19:28:00.002-05:00

Here's who the Deep End Crew picked to rep the AFC in the Super Bowl:

Johnny Cane: San Diego

L-Train: Jacksonville

Steve West: New England

Coming next week: The NFC

This week on Deep End Sports: NFL Preview '08

2008-07-06T15:25:00.003-05:00

This week on Deep End Sports: Train and Cane preview the upcoming NFL season, with in depth analysis of all 16 AFC teams.

This week on Deep End Sports: Special guest Lincoln Coleman

2008-06-30T11:06:00.003-05:00

Back at it again y'all, LTrain and JCane tryin' to get this thing right. This week on the show: Former Dallas Cowboy (yes, he played on the 1993 Super Bowl team) RB Lincoln Coleman will be on the show to discuss being recruited by Notre Dame, playing for the Super Bowl Champion Cowboys, and his involvement in National Minor League Football. Listen on line at www.blogtalkradio.com/CB-20 or call the listenerline at 646-200-4035, from noon to 2 pm. Central Time.

This week on Deep End Sports: Special guest Rickey Dixon

2008-06-24T20:57:00.003-05:00

Damn right, former OU Sooner, Cincinnati Bengal, and Los Angeles Raider DB Rickey Dixon will be Train and Cane's guest on the show this week. Topics include: His OU days, Sooner coach Barry Switzer, playing in two National Championship games, Super Bowl 22, and his involvement in National Minor League Football, a new spring football league set to begin play in 2009.

Deep End Sports National Championship game predictions

2008-06-22T22:44:00.002-05:00

For posterity's sake, let's get these in print:

L-Train: USC vs. Ohio State - Rematch of early regular season game

Johnny Cane: Georgia vs. USC - Newcomer (UGA) vs. Regular (USC)

Steve West: Oklahoma vs. USC - Classic matchup, should be closer than 2004

We'll see how this shakes out.

The D.E.S. Crew adds a news/sports desk correspondant

2008-06-22T22:41:00.001-05:00

That's right y'all, Deep End Sports has added Steve West to the crew, for our 20,40 and top o'the hour sports updates. Welcome aboard Steve-O!

This week on Deep End Sports: College Football Preview '08

2008-06-17T10:36:00.003-05:00

That's right, y'all, it's about that time, so be sure to tune in on Saturday at noon CST, for Train and Cane's 2008 College football preview. With complete analysis of the Top 10 teams, an up close look at the nation's best division: the Big 12 South, and Cane and Train's players to watch. Also a report on the Texas Longhorns from our Austin area insider. Exclusively on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ , the home of Deep End Sports.

Deep End Sports: Who are these guys?

2008-06-13T09:47:00.003-05:00

Deep End Sports is the official blog of the internet talk radio show Deep End Sports with Train and Cane which airs on Saturdays on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ from noon to 2 p.m., CST. Based in Dallas, Texas, the show not only touches on Dallas area sports, but also gives a national perspective as well. Topics include: The NFL, NBA, MLB, the NCAA, Golf, the NHL, Horse Racing, Track and Field, Sports Entertainment and MMA. With nationwide contributors and the occaisional big name guest, the D.E.S. crew is all over the place. From coast to coast, on the world wide web, Deep End Sports goes deep. Your erstwhile hosts, L-Train and Johnny Cane, provide an informative and sometimes raw, take on sports and pop culture.