Romo or Roddick? who gets it worse

I watched the Cowboys defeat the Giants last night with some Cowboy fans and you would not know that the Cowboys were winning.  The one thing I love about having so much useless sports knowledge is that once in a while it becomes useful.  They both were ranting after Romo threw his customary interception that led to the Giants first score.  I quickly told them that Romo over the last 3 starts against the Giants has thrown for over 900 yards, 9 touchdowns, and only 1 interception in those games prior to last night.  He has averaged 30 plus points a game in the losses and has gone toe to toe with Eli Manning.  Yes he threw that horrible pass to Austin that may have led the Cowboys on a run to the Super Bowl and not Eli but,he is not the reason they have failed in recent years.  Maybe this is his year for redemption. They shrugged off the knowledge and continued to complain about his performance.  They even missed his first two touchdown passes afterwards.
Andy Roddick has been killed over the last decade because of the dominance of Federer.  He is Patrick Ewing of the tennis world. Yes he has won one major title. Ewing has a college title.  (could easily had 3 titles). Patrick Ewings nemesis was of course Micheal Jordan. Ewing was criticized quite heavily for not winning when Jordan retired and was criticized for several playoff failures.  Even though no one critcized Ewing's heart or hunger or effort, He just never won.  Andy Roddick played with heart, passion, fire, hunger, but no matter what he did, he could beat Federer when it mattered.  He played the greatest match I have ever seen in Wimbeldon a couple of years ago against Federer.  He did everything anyone imagined that he could do in a match.  He played harder than I have ever seen him play. Both he and Ewing were heavily critcized in the media because of the way they answered the same tired questions about why they could not overcome Jordan or Federer.  3 of Roddicks losses in the finals of grand slams were to Federer. He just came out at the wrong time.  Hell even the day he loses his final match, Roddick is upstaged when Federer loses to Berdych. 
The reason he and Romo are easy to compare is both men come across as men who dont take their professions seriuosly.  Micheal Jordan is an adequate golfer but you knew that basketball was his profession.  He practiced hard. He played hard. You never questioned his desire or motivation on the court.  Yes they tried to when he went to the casino after a playoff game. What they dont tell you is the game after the casino, he scored 37 points. He was still Micheal Jordan.  Romo and Roddick are not known for on the field pursuits.  People talk about who they are dating more than their performance on the field. Roddick has had his fair share of Hollywood starlets. Romo too.  Most people feel that Roddick is more interested in being a showman than a winner.  Even though Roddick has 62 titles.  Only Federer has more in his era.  Even though he has won the second most matches in his era.  He was once the Number 1 player in the world.  He cannot do enough to please anyone.  When lead America to the Davis title, most people thought he was on the verge of something special in his career.  His critics will say that he got satisfied and never did enough to be a great like Agassi or Sampras.  What people don't talk enough about is he tried everything to beat Federer and maintain top status.  He lost weight, served and volleyed, tried to hit his serve harder and softer. Even superman has kryptonite right?  Romo gets the same rips because he has no rings and Eli has two.  Romo is blamed for collapses in the regular season and the fact that Dallas has only one playoff win since he became starter.  Romo has been beaten up in football toughest division for years and no one cares what the excuses are.  He didn't play defensive back last year when they collapsed in the fourth quarter 3 times or messed up the Arizona game when the Cowboys made a field goal and iced their own kicker.  I believe Romo's arm was in a sling at that time.  I remember the botched field goal in Seattle.  He dropped the ball.  Cowboy fans seem to have this doom is impending attitude when he has the ball in his hands.  Last year he and Drew Brees were the only quarterbacks to carve up the vaunted 49er defense.  When the Saints were unbeaten in 2009 he proclaimed that they were going to go to New Orleans and beat the Saints ending their unbeaten season. He did.  He has more games of brilliance than most but he has not won.  Lebron James did not win either till this year. Lebron and Tony Romo were probably in the same boat until this year. 
So who is the correct answer?  Roddick had people in tears when he retired. If Romo retired today most Cowboy fans would rejoice.  The answer clearly is Romo.  No Cowboy fan today is proclaiming the Cowboys are the team to beat.  They are all saying the same thing. They are saying we will see what happens in Seattle. Can you imagine if Tebow had gone to the Cowboys? That would be must see tv.  America will miss Andy Roddick.  He carried our flag well for a decade. He has had a good career.  He did not win like Agassi, Courier or Sampras, but he had the same burdens that they had.  The only difference is that they had each other to lean on.  Roddick had no one.  Romo is quarterbacking the Dallas Cowboys who had Troy Aikman and the large shadow of Roger Staubach looming over his every performance.  A super ring quiets eveyone.  Ask Trent Dilfer.....

The final two divisions are..Afc North and NFC East

I am sorry that is has been a while since my last post.  Life truly is a blessing, but extremely difficult to maintain. I realize that most people will disagree that the two best divisions in football are the NFC East and the AFC north.  I think that the NFC north is quite good. The Packers, Bears, and Lions have a shot to go to the big game and really make noise in the NFC. The AFC West could be good as well, but we don't know what we are going to get from those teams.  The Chiefs have a lot of people coming back, the Chargers are trying to build new chemistry, the Raiders have a new coach and Carson Palmer throws way too many interceptions, and then there is Peyton Manning.  He looked brilliant in his last pre- season game. Too many questions and not enough answers.  The NFC east is loaded (when healthy).   The Giants are the defending Super Bowl Champs and they look to prove that last year was not a case of catching lightning in a bottle.  The Eagles have stars everywhere.  So do the Cowboys. The Redskins are looking forward to a fresh start.  The AFC north is solid with the Steelers, Ravens, and Bengals who all played in the post season last year.  The Browns. like the Redskins are starting a new quarterback, and have high hopes for an improved season. lets analyze shall we.
The AFC North could have had the SuperBowl representative last year if it had not been for a dropped pass and a missed chip shot field goal.  Joe Flacco says he is an elite qb, and it is hard to to disagree since he has been in the post season every year of his career.  He may not be flashy as Brady or Brees and yes he has had brain cramps with horrid performances( see Jacksonville game last year). He does not have to do much. He has a quality running game with Ray Rice. He has quality receivers to throw to.  Anquan Boldin is a matchup nightmare.  The defense is getting a bit older and that may be the liability this season.  Terrell Suggs is out for a while with an injury and he is not someone easily to replace.  Ed Reed is unhappy with contract situation but he will perform.  This teams' only weakness may be covering receivers in this new pass happy league.  Could be a big year for this team if Flacco lives up to his own hype.  Eli said the same thing last year and won his second ring..
The Pittsburgh Steelers too are dealing with injuries and angry players.  Mike Wallace returned to the team finally.  The Steelers have a new offensive coordnator so Wallace is going to need some time to get in to football shape and learn the new plays. The Steelers like the Ravens are smarting from a post season loss that no one still can believe happen.  The Steelers always seem to find a new defensive stud and discover a running back to replace one from the previous year who is hurt or traded away.  This team will start the year without a couple of key cogs in Harrison and Mendenhall.  What I love about the Steelers is that they make no excuses and just play.  I expect no less this season. I don't see glory this year but they will be heard from from every corner of the planet.
The Bengals shocked the world last year and made the post season with a rookie qb.  They can really play some defense and coach Zimmer can really inspire.  Adding Terrence Newman may not be wise but maybe he can reinvent Newman he could be the piece that pushes them ahead of the Steelers. NOT!!!! They let Cedric Benson go.  Why? He was an off field catastrophe we all no that but on the field he was a security blanket for Dalton.  Who does he turn to now?  A.J. Green is quite good but still raw. This team will be in every game they play this year.  You are going to have to play 4 physical quarters of football to beat them.  Without a running game though, they may take a step backwards.They do every other year.  Check out their recent history..
The Browns have a lot to look forward to.  They have two young quarterbacks who can play and are tough.  They drafted Richardson who is really tough. They need help everywhere else.  They have young raw players all over the field.  They have no receivers worth a darn. They have a rugged tough linebacking core but their secondary couldnt cover me. They have a new owner.  thats a bout it.. Cleveland Brown football this year will be a year of wait and see. Josh Cribbs may be enough for me to watch.
The NFC East will be scrutinzed and watch as ever.  The Philadelphia Eagles seem to be the trendy pick. Why? Yes on offense they have a dynamic duo at receiver, a running game that gashes you at least once a game.  They have a tight end who can it all.  The defense is out to prove that last year was a fluke and that the last four games last year are who they really are. They had a guy almost break the sack record and I am sure NNamdi wants to prove he is worth all of the money spent on him.  The key for the Eagles this and every year is the quarterback.  Mike Vick has to stay healthy for 16 games.  If he does the Eagles go to the big game.  If he doesn't Andy Reid will be fired..
The Dallas Cowboys are another trendy pick.  They have a solid running game. A game breaking receiver and tight end. A super stud defensive end who wreaks havoc everywhere. They backup players who are as talented as most starters.  The word that has to describe the Cowboys is Soft.  They are the most injured talent laden team I have ever seen.  Felix Jones always hurt, Miles Austin always hurt, Tony Romo always hurt, Dez Bryant hurt or in trouble with the law. They have no secondary whatsoever.  They got torched by every team in the league last year.  This year, the drafted Claiborne to replace Newman and he is raw.  Mike Jenkins is too small.  I don't know why we talk about this team so much.  They really are all fluff no substance..
The Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III and veryone is all excited that they may have found their qb of the future.  He had a prolific college career but never really won any significant games. Yes he can run and he is wicked fast.  He is truly going to have to be because he is going ot be running for his life in this league and division.  The Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys are licking their chops at the opportunity to smash mr. Griffin. The Redskins have a good line but need a running game to help Griffin.  They 4 backs but none of them are anything special.  Helu and Hightower can go the distance against anyone, Torrain is tough.  When you have 4 backs that means you have none right? Defensively they will be great one week, but can't stop anyone the next.  The swept the Giants last year quite easily. No one know what to expect.  The redskins hope for improvement.
The Giants are my team and I am disgusted with how the world has thrown them under a bridge as a lucky team.  I have never heard of a team that gets no credit for winning a title.  they literlly had to win 6 games in a row against playoff quality teams and palyoff teams to get the big prize and they did.  Eli Manning is crafting a Hall of Fame career and the Giants are out to prove that last year was no fluke.  Defensively they will be better.  They have several d-linemen who fill the roles needed to make them a title contender again.  Yes they lost Manningham and Jacobs on offense but they believe in Barden and Ware to replace those pieces,  The Giants are hungry to knock the Jets off the back page.  I expect great things this year.
AFC North: Ravens 12-4, Steelers 10-6, Bengals 7-9, Browns 4-12
NFC East: Giants: 11-5, Eagles 10-6, Cowboys 9-7, Redskins 6-10
Player To watch AFC North: Joe Flacco.. It is your time to shine
Player to watch NFC East: Mike VIck: If you are Haelthy for regular season, could be special year.