Watching since 1964

Andy Roth, expecting us to believe your above statements is insulting to our intelligence. Not that you care. Since there is no excuse for Schopp being rude to callers year after year and you allowing it, your above statements are not surprising though. Don't blame anything else on declining afternoon listenership except the lead host's behavior.

Collectively I would guess a fair amount of listeners and ex-listeners (I'm in that category) have emailed WGR 55 management with complaints during Schopp's tenure there. It obviously hasn't improved the quality of the show or how their lead host treats the listeners. However, if advertisers were contacted consistently with complaints, I believe then you'd see some sort of improvement. Like a number of other Bills fans, I own a business and I'd never want to advertise on that show simply because of his lack of respect for the listeners/callers, my potential customers. Nothing personal towards Schopp, just business. WGR has failed to sell me on their product, so their advertisers have one less person to buy their products and/or services, and WGR 55 has one less potential advertiser. I would think a lot of other business owners out there feel the same way.

From http://mikeschopp.com/ Mike Schopp.com SPORTS TALK FOR SMART PEOPLE The Lowdown: Mike Schopp - a Grand Island native - has quickly established himself as one of the nation's top sports talkshow hosts. In radio since 1995, Mike's successes along with with his immense sports knowledge and witty humor have earned him many local listeners.

I think we asked for the 21st pick and Philly said "not for what we saw on film!" I think they put it in nicer terms, but it may be close to their reaction. If the shoe was on the other foot and Philly was trading Peters to us, how many people would have said that the 28th overall, a 4th and a 6th is alot to give up for a guy who played like Peters did in '08. Plus what we'd have to pay a guy who right now can't be counted on as a true all-pro performer in the future.

Sad to say right now IMHO it appears to me at least that those in leadership roles in this franchise are living proof of its not what you know, its who you know.

I agree, calling opponents was very odd.

I found it interesting the 'Boys called opponents for advice regarding Owens. By RICK HERRINand CLARENCE E. HILL JR. rickherrin@star-telegram.comchill@star-telegram.com Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says at the top of his list regarding Terrell Owens’ release was that it was good for Tony Romo. Jones calls it being "Romo-friendly." What Jones means is that he wants to allow his Pro Bowl quarterback the opportunity to use all his weapons, rather than maintain a heavy commitment to Owens. Removing Owens allows Romo to utilize his strengths of moving in the pocket and spreading the ball around. Jones is looking for the emergence of Roy Williams as the No. 1 receiver and a breakout season from Miles Austin. "I do believe where we are at Tony’s options, where to get the ball and where to go, I do think this is going in the direction of Romo-friendly," Jones said in an interview Tuesday on The Fan 105.3 FM. "Rest assured, that was one of the first things I had at the top of my list was this decision is good for Tony." Before Owens’ release, Jones not only consulted members of the organization but other teams who defended against him. Last season Owens struggled getting off the line of scrimmage against press coverage. http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/1250748.html

If I remember correctly, Galloway was furious, along with Peter King and many others, when '2' called Werder, a very respected reporter, a liar over and over on national tv when Werder reported that 2 accused Romo and Whitten of conspiring together to keep the football away from him. Bottom line, for everyone sake including 2's, I hope he does great things on and off the field while he plays for this team.

No, Dallas is certainly not better off today without Parcells. In simple terms, The Big Tuna was defeated by a pasty white big mouth bass (JJ)!

His follow up column. He said JJ's son pushed for Owen's release... I like how JJ's kid handled Tuna! ________________________________________________________ Posted on Sun, Mar. 08, 2009 Stephen Jones waiting in wings to take over Dallas Cowboys RANDY GALLOWAY rgalloway@star-telegram.com Just when we think Jerry Jones is hopelessly lost in his own football world, listening only to the voices in his head, along comes a jolt that suggests that change is slowly, real slowly, coming to Valley Ranch. Last week’s "jolt" was the sudden departure of Eldorado Owens, something that shocked even Eldo. But Jerry was "listening." Listening to 44-year-old Stephen Jones, who within the Dallas Cowboys’ organization carries the titles of chief operating officer, executive vice president and director of player personnel. But don’t think nepotism. "I said it when he was 25-26 years old, and nothing has changed," noted former head coach Jimmy Johnson a couple of weeks ago. "Stephen is a good one. A real good one." Or as Larry Lacewell, the team’s former personnel director once told me, "Stephen Jones is brilliant." There will come a time when Stephen takes over the Cowboys. He will be the next Jerry. But for now, as Jerry seeks opinions from within the organization, and throughout the NFL (no matter what you think, Jerry does ample homework on all decisions), the common doubt is while he listens a lot, does he really hear what is being said? In the case of Stephen, the answer is yes. Jerry hears Stephen. That doesn’t mean, of course, he always agrees, or follows up on what he hears. All evidence suggests, however, that Stephen was the driving force in bringing his father around to the thought that it was time for the Cowboys to move on without the Owens’ locker room influence. Since Jerry hates "Valley Ranch sources," I will quote "someone who knows," as telling me Friday, "There is nothing Jerry hates worse than giving up on one of his projects. We saw that with Pacman [Jones] when he got into trouble and Jerry still brought him back. Terrell Owens, of course, was Jerry’s biggest project. "What made Jerry such a financial success in his oil business days was he wouldn’t give up on a project. He’d keep on drilling. I thought he would keep on drilling with Owens." What changed his mind? "Jerry listened to the opinion of Stephen," added Mr. Someone Who Knows. "Stephen never comes off as half-cocked or emotional. When Stephen feels strongly about something, you can bet it’s a well-presented case." There were media reports in February that No. 1 son was campaigning his father to dump Owens. Jerry would later deny there was a difference of opinions. But that could be word games. Jerry might have been on the fence about what to do, but two different voices have told me Stephen privately pushed his father to dump Owens. There is a tendency, at least for me, to sometimes think of Stephen as the outgoing youngster who is fiercely loyal to his father (I’ve heard the wrath more than once after an unfavorable column). But Stephen now has 19 years in nothing but the football business. This is no kid. "The joke is that Jerry was an outsider who wants to be a football guy," said another former Valley Ranch employee. "But Stephen IS a football guy. He grew up in the business of running the Cowboys. What he does within the organization, how many hats he wears, is incredible. He is the port in the storm for the front office. Just a real nice and smart young man who gets it. He really gets it." Asking around last week, I wanted to hear how Stephen differs from Jerry, personality-wise, on a day-to-day basis at Valley Ranch. A few comments follow: "Stephen knows Jerry really enjoys being the face of the team, and he’s happy for his father. Jerry has his ego, good and bad. But if Stephen has an ego, I’ve never seen it surface. He’s very well-grounded." "Stephen realizes his dad’s weak points, but he also understands his dad’s strengths. And more than anything, he worships Jerry." "Jerry can be hardheaded, to say the least. Stephen is much more open-minded." "Jerry can handle confrontation, but he’s more of a negotiator. Now, Stephen, you don’t push him. I remember one day when Big Bill [Parcells] was on one of his hell-on-wheels tears. He was telling some staff members to stay out of the training room. When Stephen walked in, Bill told him, 'I don’t want you in the training room, either.’ "Stephen looked hard at him, and said, 'As long as we own this team, I’ll come in here any damn time I please.’ It was the end of that discussion." The day will come when Jerry retires. That’s when Stephen will take over. Until then, the son’s influence is a growing positive at Valley Ranch. http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/column...ry/1245141.html

Also interesting to me at least is the Big Tuna is getting blamed still (allegedly) by JJ for failure in the Big D. RANDY GALLOWAY rgalloway@star-telegram.com Let us give thanks for the departure of Terrell Owens' ego Gone, but certainly never forgotten: Terrell Eldorado Owens, the name given to him by his mother at birth, departed our local football world, peacefully it seemed, in the dead of night, the month of March, the year 2009. The final termination papers will show the deceased suffered from severe head rot, which is certainly not to be confused with stupid. This man was borderline brilliant, not to mention extremely charismatic and a born leader. Mr. Owens, however, was also an idiot. Or as a friend of Eldo delicately said it Thursday, "Terrell is not a bad guy, he’s just troubled." As we had already been advised in Mr. Owens previous NFL homes, namely the 49ers and the Eagles, others in the locker room also become "troubled" once they are exposed to Eldorado’s daily dose of self-serving personality. Recruiting mindless followers in the locker room is a talent as immense as what his football ability once was. In other words, this sucker wrecks a team. All of Philly laughs now. But all of the NFL was already laughing at the state of the Cowboys. Count me, however, among the surprised — no, make that shocked — when Jerry Jones delivered the decision Wednesday night that enough was indeed enough. Publicly admitting this kind of huge mistake, and then eliminating the problem, is not a path I figured Jones would follow. At least not for the 2009 season. Then, why now? It has been suggested, including in this newspaper, that Owens’ butt is now on the street mainly because of what was seen on the field last season. It was indeed obvious that age was chipping away at Owens’ talent level. He was not the same receiver. In fact, what Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson did to Owens on Sunday night, Sept. 21, exposed this slippage. Woodson jammed Eldo at the line of scrimmage. Yes, a safety was "over the top," as the excuse makers would say, but that safety was 20 yards deep. Owens, however, couldn’t move past Woodson. For most of the rest of last season, except for a brain-dead game plan by the 49ers’ coaches, Owens became a Tarzan in body only. He was Jane when 180-pound corners slapped him around at the line. Gonna blow, told you so. Told you so every day the last three years, or ever since Jerry made the mistake of signing this guy. Eldo is now gone, gone, gone. What does that mean for the ’09 season and beyond? The Eldo lovers immediately put the evil eye on Tony Romo. No excuses for Romo, that’s their tribute to the departed Owens. I disagree. There were already no excuses for Romo, who forfeited any alibi the second he opened his mouth after that December debacle in Philly. Tony has many QB issues beyond the presence of Owens, although without doubt he shed a back-stabbing, fake friend, piece of shoe leather with this guy gone. Jerry won’t admit it, and didn’t Thursday, but in junking Owens he eliminated the main source for the toxic chemical spill in the locker room last season. Jones, of course, remains in denial about chemistry issues on his team, telling the NFL Network this: "I look at this as more a strategic move relative to personnel than I do something wrong with Terrell Owens." What followed was a bunch of double talk. Look, as Jerry well knows, the Cowboys could have lived with Owens for another season, even with his talent slippage, his salary, and Jones’ desire to try and salvage the Roy (Uno Uno) Williams trade. What had to change, however, and what Jerry won’t admit he changed, was the toxic environment in the locker room, something that Owens had spilled into the lap of Romo. See Philly. See San Fran. They know this story. When it came down to a 35-year old receiver or a quarterback who for better or worse will decide the future course of your franchise, well, there is no decision. Eldo had to go. Again, court me as shocked that Jerry actually did it. Let’s call this a case of right thinking by Jerry Jones, the owner. But the Cowboys are still dealing with Jerry Jones, the general manager/head coach. And Wade Phillips, the defensive coordinator with the imaginary title of head coach. Based on what was seen last season, we can now question this team’s overrated talent level in multiple areas, but until the day comes that Jerry finds himself a real head coach, then steps back and allows that head coach to rule in the locker room, the Cowboys will forever remain the failure they’ve been. Big Bill punted it, you say? Over four seasons, Parcells had a quarterback with talent for exactly half a season. As long as Jerry continues to call Big Bill a failure at Valley Ranch, which he does regularly, and as long as the likes of Wade Phillips are his idea of a head coach, all hope is lost. Owens was a Jones mistake from the day Eldo arrived. But correcting one blunder this week doesn’t save Jerry from himself. Randy Galloway’s Galloway and Co. and be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays on ESPN/103.3 FM. http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/column...ry/1242440.html

If someone tuned in 6 months from now, nothing will have changed. If anything it will be worse. Until there is a management shake-up at WGR and they hire people at the top with a clue, their performance sadly mirrors OBD.

Your reply is silly because you didn't even understand my original post. Plus where did I say Oman is a bust? I mentioned pass catching first and foremost with Hillis. I think Brandon Jacobs proved even last year you keep on the lookout for guys that size who can run. Like we couldn't use a fullback who can do what this kid does. He had over 100 yards rec as a fb against the fins. And how do you know Denver wouldn't have given him more carries as the season progressed in his rookie year even without injuries? We use ML and FJ on the field at the same time. You don't know they wouldn't have just as you don't know Oman would have produced in Denver. I'm not saying he will not go back to fullback, but even then he's proven a weapon. Nothing against Oman I'd like him to succeed because he's on our team, but I don't see him having the success Hillis will have if he stays healthy simply because the physical talent is greater.

I know the draft is always a gamble, but looking at films and the competition they played in college, how is it not obvious Hillis had way more upside than Oman?! Missing on any pick, 6th round etc. IS A gaffe...the Giants and others don't accept 6th rd misses. Plus who couldn't use a talented guy to groom as a an running fullback/backup rb/te etc. Shanahan said this kid could be a Dallas Clark type. We'll see... I like his attitude especially for a 7th rd rook! "The thing that really got me going was the ESPN analysis and they were all saying we shouldn't get off the plane," Hillis said. "That really got me fired up."

I wonder what this guy will do to us? Another gaffe by our front office. If you missed the highlights from a few weeks back, maybe even more impressive than his running is his pass catching. Starts at 3:26 mark. Earlier on in the vid he shows his special teams talent. http://video.aol.com/video-detail/dolphins...s-17/1066442776

He loves to mention that. The need to speaks volumes. Clueless and sad. WGR's management is ultimately at fault of course since they let him treat the listeners this way, so it only encourages him. They refuse to value their listeners and the only way they will get rid of him is if it costs them tangible $$$ or they finally draw a line in the sand and he crosses it. People listening and supporting the shows advertisers only prolongs his time on WGR. So all we can do is not listen plus I think you'd have to get a bunch of people voice their objections to the advertisers.

Thanks all. Good info, looks like we are going to have to grow one. Hopefully from the 2009 draft. Doubt we get surprised by a good free agent C signing here. Sad that OBD has neglected center for so long, I'll stop trying to understand that.

I would think most here were disappointed when OBD refused to make center a priority in the draft since TD's reign was 'toppled . I'd be interested in knowing how the centers drafted in the last 3 years are doing, if anyone has some solid info on them. Thanks.

James Brown from CBS lead off his segment (after Carton played a very funny blooper involving John Clayton!) talking about us and had some great things to say about Buffalo this year. http://www.wfan.com/ It's under 'Boomer and Carton Audio'. No link I had to hit 'download' to play it.

Double non-secret probation completely agree!

I use Firefox just tried it works fine.

Understood, no problem. I just hope they win and stay healthy Sunday.

I understand your points and they are valid of course. But again, I was referring to him not being a starter on a number of teams LAST YEAR. I heard negative comments from people who seem to know O-line LAST YEAR. - So we know preseason don't mean squat...so I am holding off judging his play THIS YEAR until we see some games. Again, I hope he's great.

Bashing Butler are your words, not mine. I don't think he would have started on a number of teams LAST YEAR. Some will agree, some won't. Same old same old. New year obviously..jury's still out on him and others. I hope he succeeds. I hope he becomes an all-pro. He's got the desire and size so that's a start. You shared your opinion, just don't accuse me of bashing someone when you didn't check to see how I project him going forward. You said there are O-line experts 'here' ... So, I welcome all experts opinions ... but to be an expert it is a general rule of thumb you had to have played or coached the game on with a fairly high level of success in the college or the pros to be even considered one.