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UPDATE: Hate Chat is on hiatus in August while Jen covers the Olympics. Be sure and check out her blog, Jen and Charean's Excellent Adventure, for the latest from Beijing.
The Little Ball of Hate offers her unusual take on the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, Stars and other North Texas teams from 1 to 1:30 each Tuesday. POST QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 10 of 221 (Page 1 of 23)Submitted by Michael from Las Cruces, NM
Q: Hi Jen, A few questions...Your thoughts on the Terry Glenn departure? I like him a lot and hate to see him go. From all accounts, Glenn was still a speedster, had good hands, and knew his routes. I understand we have a plethora of young bodies at the position but nothing proven. Continuing with the theme of departures, how are the Cowboys doing in replacing Keith Davis and Jason Ferguson? Davis' departure hit hard as well because of what he brought to the Special Teams squad. Finally, while I agree with your assessment on Zach Thomas having minimal impact, I am hoping we are both proved wrong. I haven't heard anything about him so far in this training camp. I realize his signing made way for the departure of Akin Ayodele but I liked Ayodele's work ethic and improvement. Any signs of Zach's age showing and are we just one neck sprain away from being vulnerable at this position?
Answered 07/29/08 13:56:40 by Jennifer Engel
A: I also liked TGlenn and hated to see him go and hope a few young kids step in enough so we are not talking about what a mistake the Cowboys made in a couple of months. As for Ferguson, I think his departure has been handled by Tank. Keith Davis is another guy who while big is not irreplaceable. You usually find a crazy young kid willing to blow people up on coverage teams.Submitted by James from St. Louis
Q: Hello Jennifer, Although a first round pick Carpenter has seemingly disappeared. I remember his effort/tackles in the Seattle playoff loss and thought he was coming around. Was this a Bill blunder rewarding nepotism or does Bobby having something which has remained untapped? I have heard him in interviews and sounds like a good guy. Speaking of first rounders give us an update on Marcus Spears, Anthony Spencer and Ms. Roy Williams. Can any of them turn into a Ken Norton Jr.? It is my understanding it took Norton four to five seasons to distinguish himself.
Answered 07/29/08 13:53:53 by Jennifer Engel
A: For a long time, I thought Carpenter had just fallen into Big Bill's doghouse. He seemed to have trouble getting in under Coach Wade as well. So I am starting to think it may be Carpenter or him in a 4-3 but this is probably the season when we need to see something from him.Submitted by Justin from
Q: We all know preseason football is kind of a beating, but is there anything we can gleam about this team from the exhibition games? Is there anything or anyone specific you're going to be watching as this team prepares for the real season?
Answered 07/29/08 13:51:41 by Jennifer Engel
A: Brad Johnson, I want to see if he's up to steering the ship for a half or a game or two just in case. I also want to see Adam Jones, how much rust exists. And, yes, I want to see how Pat Crayton bounces back from his playoff disaster.Submitted by Mike from
Q: Where do you think the bar is set in order for Wade Phillips to keep his job? Does he have to get the Super Bowl to keep his job or would just getting to the NFL title game suffice? Will Jerry basically do anything to ensure that Garrett doesn't leave to be a head coach elsewhere?
Answered 07/29/08 13:46:00 by Jennifer Engel
A: He has to get to a Super Bowl. I know Owner Jones has denied this, said he has not even thought about this and I am pretty sure he is fibbing. He has a bar for this season. He established it with the money he spent this offseason. And I still argue that even a Super Bowl berth is not guaranteed to save Wade.Submitted by John from
Q: Which rookie do you think will make a bigger impact this year, Felix Jones or Mike Jenkins? I guess they are both going to be back-ups, but do you foresee either of them being important pieces to the puzzle in their first year?
Answered 07/29/08 13:42:38 by Jennifer Engel
A: FJones because a) His return ability b)What is the very likely possibility the Cowboys use him in the passing game c)They are going to need a back to help/complement/give rest to Marion Barber.Submitted by Craig from
Q: So what exactly happened at the end with Terry Glenn? It seemed like Glenn was finally willing to accept the split contract, but Jerry pulled the offer at the last minute. Why the change of heart from Jerry after he pumped up Glenn all offseason? It just seemed odd especially with the Cowboys precarious situation at WR.
Answered 07/29/08 13:38:57 by Jennifer Engel
A: This was about money for a long time. In the end, though, I think the Cowboys did not trust his knee to be ready and they feared being right back where they were a year ago which was counting on him to be there and being disappointed when he wasn't.Submitted by Jordan from
Q: It seems like a lot of people are high on Tank Johnson now that he's had a full offseason of training. Do you think he's a guy who can make a big impact in his first full year with the team? It would be nice if guys like Tank and Jason Hatcher could make big jumps this year to supplement very good defensive linemen such as Ratliff and Canty.
Answered 07/29/08 13:37:57 by Jennifer Engel
A: Yes, I think Tank has potential to be really good this year. He was not himself last year, with good reason. He was trying to go from suspended to playing, a 4-3 to a 3-4, and on and on. And what is really exciting is, if he develops, this may free up Ratliff to play on an end if Spears struggles. It just gives them lots of options. Good gosh, am I positive or what?Submitted by Kevin from
Q: Last year, special teams was clearly a weakness for the Cowboys? Do you think they will be better in that area or will the loss of their best special teams player, Keith Davis, make the unit even more shaky? Do you expect Felix and Adam Jones to make a big impact on the return game?
Answered 07/29/08 13:32:47 by Jennifer Engel
A: I disagree a little on specials teams being a weakness. Obviously, with McBriar at punter, there were good spots. But the returns were a little, OK, a lot weak which is a big reason why FJones and AJones are here. I see them immediately improving that part of the game. And, hey, maybe Roy Willy can earn some of his money being a big hitter on coverage teams.Submitted by Jason from
Q: With the trade deadline only a few days away, do you foresee the Rangers making any moves or will they stand pat with what they have? I am sure they would love to add some starting pitching for now and the future, but that's probably going to be hard to do. Well at least, we get to watch another year of Kevin Millwood. What a bust that guy has turned out to be.
Answered 07/29/08 13:30:46 by Jennifer Engel
A: I was starting to think you were crazy Jason, with talk of looking forward to another year of Millwood. He has been disappointing, not quite a bust but frustrating in that he has failed to deliver on expectations. He is probably a No. 2 or 3 being paid ace dollars. And starting pitching may be available but the established guys will be crazy expensive and anybody else may just take a little bit longer to get to Arlington.Submitted by Robert from
Q: What do you think about the possibility of Mark Cuban buying the Cubs? Do you think he's got a legit chance or will the stodgy baseball owners try to keep Cuban out? Would Cuban buying the Cubs impact the way he runs the Mavs in any way?
Answered 07/29/08 13:27:02 by Jennifer Engel
A: I hate the idea of Cuban buying the Cubs. And I have told him this. I like him being a MFFL, not a MFFL-CFFL because one of the best attributes as an owner is how much he cares, how little things matter, how he's available. Plus, I worry about him selling. I know he has said he would not but ... who knows. Of course, the baseball owners and Bud Selig are likely to screw it up and not let him into their screwed up fraternity for fear he might point out that the emperor has no clothes.