A look back, if you're scoring at home

[smupony94]

A look back, if you're scoring at home

10:13 PM CST on Thursday, December 25, 2008

I've been arguing about sports for as long as I can remember with my father and my friends and the know-it-alls at the barber shop.

It's what I do. It's what I enjoy most.

These days, I do it with you. The only difference, of course, is that readers tend to keep score.

Since we're nearing the end of the year, I figured it might be fun to revisit some of my bold assertions and proclamations during the year to see how I stacked up.

January: June Jones is the right man to lead the SMU program.

Forget about the dreadful one-win season because Jones demands discipline and quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell progressed steadily under his tutelage.

SMU didn't win more games because they're still learning how to win. Until they do, they will continue experiencing fourth-quarter disappointments.

February: Avery Johnson will be scrutinized after the Jason Kidd trade.

You can't whine about the lack of a point guard, even though Devin Harris was drafted fifth overall, then get demolished in the first round of the playoffs after adding Jason Kidd.

Kidd was supposed to give Johnson a mentally tough point guard he could trust, but Johnson never let go of the reins. And when he benched Kidd for the final seconds of a loss to San Antonio, we all knew his time here was nearing an end.

March: Texas is going to the Final Four.

With D.J. Augustin, A.J. Abrams, a quality bench and a team forged in the rough-and-rugged Big 12, I figured it was time for Rick Barnes to make his second trip to the Final Four. I knew a potential matchup with Memphis would be tough, but the Tigers were even better than I figured. They had too much size and athleticism for UT.

April: The Cowboys will rue the day they drafted Felix Jones.

A month into the season, I devoted an entire column to how badly I missed on this one.

It needs no further discussion.

May: T.O. says he won't be a detriment since he got paid.

Guess I blew this one.

When I looked at the reasons T.O. had been mad in the past, money was at the root of his issues. Once Jerry Jones paid him – $12 million up front – I figured he'd be happy.

A day after Tony Romo directed 18 passes in his direction and Jason Garrett gave him two carries, Owens complained he wasn't involved enough in the offense. And whether you believe the ESPN reports this month that he's jealous of Jason Witten or not, T.O. again has found himself in the midst of controversy.

June: Wade Phillips needs to win a playoff game or we have seen the last of him.

Wade lost me with his lame excuses after the playoff loss to the Giants last season, and I could never get over them. Jerry Jones continues to suggest he has no intention of firing of Phillips but until you hear him say, "Wade is my coach in 2009," you can still dream about Bill Cowher or Mike Holmgren.

July: Sean Avery is just what the Stars need.

This was even worse than my draft-day thoughts on Felix Jones.

August: Green Bay will be better without Brett Favre

The Packers, losers in the NFC Championship game last season, didn't make the playoffs this year.

But that had more to do with a raggedy defense than Aaron Rodgers, who has 25 touchdown passses, 13 interceptions and a 91.2 passer rating. Favre has 21 touchdowns, 19 interceptions and an 84.0 rating.

September: This Cowboys offense is among the best in franchise history

At the time, it seemed like a legitimate comparison. Now it seems incredibly silly to compare this unit to teams with Roger, Drew and Tony or Troy, Michael and Emmitt.

Garrett has to take the hit because he hasn't figured out how to get Terrell Owens and Roy Williams consistently involved in the offense. This unit has looked out of sync against good defenses for weeks.

October: The loss of Tony Romo will galvanize the Cowboys.

I didn't expect Brad Johnson to be great, but I figured he'd play better than he did. And I figured his teammates would elevate their game to help him.

Well, Johnson played poorly and his teammates weren't much better. Johnson did, however, beat Tampa Bay, which might be the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

November: Roy Williams should be the focal point of the Cowboys' offense.

You have to admit, you expected the Cowboys to get much more from Williams than 17 catches and one touchdown.

Ridiculous.

He's too good to be a nonfactor, though this column was really much more about T.O. being unproductive after 13 straight games without a 100-yard performance.

December: Romo gives the Cowboys their best chance to win a playoff game.

I still believe this, even though he played poorly against Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

But I might not have a leg to stand on if he can't beat Philadelphia on Sunday.

[Pony Soup]

Author?

[RGV Pony]

Author?

JJT

[Pony Soup]

Author?

JJT

GBT?

[mr. pony]

DMN JJ Taylor.

[Pony Soup]

DMN JJ Taylor.

THANKS. Not everyone lives in Dallas.

[smupony94]

DMN JJ Taylor.

THANKS. Not everyone lives in Dallas.

And too bad you live in Austin

[Pony Soup]

DMN JJ Taylor.

THANKS. Not everyone lives in Dallas.

And too bad you live in Austin

Who said I live in Austin?

[MrMustang1965]

DMN JJ Taylor.

THANKS. Not everyone lives in Dallas.

And too bad you live in Austin

Who said I live in Austin?

You did. Or at least that's what your profile info at the left of your posts says!

[Pony Soup]

DMN JJ Taylor.

THANKS. Not everyone lives in Dallas.

And too bad you live in Austin

Who said I live in Austin?

You did. Or at least that's what your profile info at the left of your posts says!

Kind of like your user name suggests you went to SMU...?

[MrMustang1965]

DMN JJ Taylor.

THANKS. Not everyone lives in Dallas.

And too bad you live in Austin

Who said I live in Austin?

You did. Or at least that's what your profile info at the left of your posts says!

Kind of like your user name suggests you went to SMU...?

[Pony Soup]

DMN JJ Taylor.

THANKS. Not everyone lives in Dallas.

And too bad you live in Austin

Who said I live in Austin?

You did. Or at least that's what your profile info at the left of your posts says!

Kind of like your user name suggests you went to SMU...?