Why you shouldn’t be surprised that Dallas and Minnesota are struggling, why the NFL’s Breast Cancer ribboned balls are not something to complain over, and what in the world has happened to San Diego? This is Double Coverage.  Week cinco.  Not to be confused with Ocho-Cinco

MIKE KAYE

Last week’s columns, part 1 and part 2 can be found here and here.

1. I have a problem with the way people are so shocked that the Vikings and Cowboys are both 1-3. Why? Isn’t the old adage, “Anyone can beat anyone at any time or place” or something similar to that? Yes, the media wants to say “The Cowboys are beating themselves” or “The Vikings are poor in the game plan department,” but it is simply not the case.

In my opinion the Cowboys are the most talented team not called the Packers in the NFC, but they are not the best orchestrated or the most confident or most fluid team in the conference and its not even close in any of those categories. Sports people like to talk about potential, but that word does not mean anything unless it is fulfilled. The Vikings are too old to be talked about as having potential and they seem to get significantly older as the weeks go on.

The league has a salary cap to try and ensure fairness and luckily, while Jerry Jones and Zigi Wulf tried to pile on talent over the years through free agency and trades, the spurge has not worked. I feel that both of these teams are misrepresented and are actually switched between the two perception-wise. The Cowboys are the poorly coached team not the Vikes, Minnesota has the diva, playboy (too soon?) quarterback not Dallas…These teams are set to fail by the egos running and literally running with the franchises.

2. Tuesday morning, Mr. Elizabeth (Tim) Hasselbeck put out a claim that QB’s do not like the Breast Cancer Awareness balls as they are slippery. I’m pretty sure the only credible source T.H. has is his much more talented brother so I’m assuming Matt is the one with the problem. First off, the only difference in the ball is it has a pink ribbon emblem. Second off, way to be negative about something so positive that NFL is doing… And third, who gives a crap about what Tim or his “sources” think? The NFL is doing something in a time when everything is going wrong with their PR.  Something that makes them look good. Why slander that in any aspect? If I’m the NFL, I’m calling ESPN and making them have a sit-down with “Timmay!”

Quick Hits:
- Randy Moss is pissed at being snubbed by the Cowboys. Wow! Talk about trying to make a game of two 1-3 teams meaningful. To be honest this is as meaningful a game as any — to the NFC North and East — that Brad Childress and Wade Philips can get. I would guarantee the loser drops their coach within the next two weeks. Hello Leslie Frazier or Jason Garrett.

- How sad are the Chargers right now? Their Special Teams have been absolutely terrible and now they are cutting ties to Shawn Merriman. I understand the latter occurrence because the guy is a pain in the butt but there is no reason ST should look that bad. I think AJ Smith is wondering why he didn’t lie to coverage ace Kasim Osgood about possibly having a bigger role on offense to keep him with the Bolts.

- Is it just me or are there more injuries then there have been in years, especially to important players? In a league where they want to add two more grueling regular season games, the owners need to take into account the amount of concussions and torn ligaments being reported weekly. This is the well being of humans that we are talking about. Even though our technology is better than it was in the 60s, guys today are much bigger and hit significantly harder than their predecessors.  Also they move much faster. Stuff happens, but adding to that plight is just irresponsible.

Photo: AP

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