Dallas Cowboys....................34
Arizona Cardinals.................13

Ironic, isn't it? The week I decide not to post a Cowboys Report Card, they lose a game. But it's a new week and the 'Boys came back strong against a relatively weak opponent. While the uniforms are (somewhat) the same, the matchup no longer has the appeal it did when they were division rivals.

Regardless, the Cowboys played exceptionaly well and - for the first time I can remember - did not commit a penalty. Not bad, if you ask me. Furthermore, it appears the team may have a new competition at running back in lieu of Marion Barber's two-game total of 222 yards.

Cowboys Report Card

Passing Offense: B+
Bledsoe was sharp and made a few beautiful throws to Terry Glenn. The consistent Cardinal blitzes got him moving a little too much and he was sacked 3 times and fumbled twice (losing 1). But he showed great poise and led the team well. Jason Witten and Keyshawn Johnson also make clutch receptions, including a TD pass for Keyshawn.

Rushing Offense: A
Welcome to the NFL, Marion Barber! Filling in for the injured Julius Jones, Barber gained 127 yards rushing (and an additional 15 on 2 receptions). It was the most by a Cowboy this season. Barber's 28-yard run was a thing of beauty. Tyson Thompson ran well in his limited role. Anthony Thomas didn't play.

Passing Defense: B+
Greg Ellis had 1.5 sacks as the Cowboy line kept pressure on Josh McCown all day. Although he didn't get a sack himself, Demetrius Ware showed once again why he is one of the front-runners for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anthony Henry and Aaron Glenn both made interceptions, with Henry's going 58 yards for a TD.

Rushing Defense: A
Pretty soon, the other teams in the league will be noticing the 'Boys run defense. While 'Zona is not a very good rushing team, the Cowboys smothered the Cardinals attack. With the exception of Lamont Jordan - in game 4 against the Raiders - they have not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. That includes having faced LaDanian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Clinton Portis and Tiki Barber this year. Against the Cards, they allowed just 49 yards to their running backs and just 71 overall.

Special Teams: B
Not spectacular, but sufficient. Tyson Thompson has turned into a solid kick returner, but the jury's still out regarding Peerless Price. Shaun Suisham made the most of his NFL debut. The only negative was a 32-yard punt return by ex-Cowboy Reggie Swinton.

Coaching: A-
The team looked ready to play. They went to the well once too often in throwing the out-pattern to Johnson. But with Barber making the plays that he did, the offense clicked. Parcells played for the points in both field goal drives, when in the past, he has opted to go for it on 4th down. However, that may have more to do with his new kicker than anything else.

Hopefully, some of you checked out the comic strip Pearls Before Swine. I have discovered another new strip that I'd like to introduce to y'all. It's called Unfit and it's written by Mike Belkin.

The strip centers around a personal trainer, named Mike, who has to deal with a very high maintenance wife, an odd assortment of clients and a pet chicken. As with many comics and cartoons, the chicken is the voice of reason.

Unfit is definitely worth a look.

I put aside my Dallas Cowboys report cards for something far more disturbing.

The hypocrisy is maddening. The anger and bile is burning in my throat.

5 more innocent Jews were blown to bits in Israel yesterday and the World - once again - could care less.

Oh, the White House issued the usual "condemnation". Like every other time, Scott McClellan said, ''The Palestinian Authority needs to do more to end the violence and prevent terrorist attacks from being carried out,'' he said. ''The terrorist attacks that take place only undermine the leadership of President Abbas and undermine his principle of one authority, one law, one gun.''

Yeah, Scott. That's telling them!

To make matters even worse - as if that were possible - the story ran on page 30 of the Chicago Sun-Times. Of course, it would have been bigger news, but they had to make room for a story about King Tut being "a red-wine guy" first (page 22).

To even further nauseate me, the picture that the Sun-Times ran was of the sister of the murderer crying as she held his picture. Because G-d knows, her grief is so much more valid and important than the families of those who happened to want something to eat in the town of Hadera (the blast was at a falafel stand).

The headline states, "Bombing further dampens peace hopes". That's very optimistic. Especially when you consider another story in the paper, "Iran's president says Israel should be 'wiped off the map'".

So you tell me. Who is it Israel is supposed to make peace with? Here are your choices:

A. The homicidal Palestinians
B. The homicidal Iranians
C. All of the above
D. The fact that they have a 50/50 chance of never again seeing a loved one on any given day

Why not just continue condemning the attacks until there are no more Jews left in Israel. It will solve the "Palestinian Issue" once and for all and who knows, maybe it will appease the terrorists.

It worked for Neville Chamberlain, didn't it?

Plus, I bet it would run ahead of ol' King Tut.

This week, I celebrated the third anniversary of my second life. Stories about about how some heart transplant recipients experience dramatic changes in personalities following their procedures. Some of these changes seem so unusual that it's hard to fathom.

I believe that there are definitely changes in a recipient, but I can't say with any certainty if these changes are a reflection of the donor's organ or the recipient's reaction to the emotional trauma of transplantation.

However, since I have been made an expert through experience, I have to say there have been a number of marked differences in me since the day received my new heart. Recently, a friend of mine asked me what those changes were, so I figured I would post them here:

What I Lost
The desire for fried chicken
Love of teaching
90% of my temper
Anxiety about where loved ones were at all times
Moderate democratic views
Difficulty in taking sides
75% of my laziness
Feeling that just getting by was enough (poor work ethic)
Strong optimism
Excellent short-term memory/math skills
Disorganization
Athleticism (granted I never had THAT much)
Word recollection/public speaking ability (definitely a strong ability)
Youthful exuberance
Desire to watch a lot of TV
Homebodiness
Desire to grow old in Dallas
Weight

What I Gained
Love of guacamole (most important of all if you ask me)
Right-wing political views (it's as if mine eyes have seen the glory)
Desire to write
Desire to run my own business
Organizational skills
Maturity
Stronger religious conviction
Desire to learn/study/understand
Greater appreciation of children (especially my own)
Need to keep the house clean
Desire to go out at night
Appreciation of harder rock music
Greater appreciation of country music
Graying hair
Shorter hair (do I really have a choice?)
Desire to remove California from the US
Strong dislike of all things "Hollywood"
Desire to retire to Key West

I suppose that many of these are due to facing death and maturity. If there is any truth to the theory of taking on characteristics of my donor, it would seem to be my political views, my work ethic and my desire to write.

After writing all this, I still have no concrete answer as to why I've changed. I do like a number of these changes and miss some too. But all in all, I'd say the changes have mostly been positive (certainly since I can breathe).

Dallas Cowboys..................33
New York Giants.................10

I know it's a few days late, but with this being "holiday" time, that's just the way it is.

The Cowboys showed that the Redskins game, as well as the Eagles game, was no fluke. Take away the turnovers and this game would not have been close. Even if the Giants hadn't equaled the 'Boys futility at holding on to the football, the Cowboys demonstrated how good this team has become. The Giants - as well as the Eagles before them - both had their offenses shut down by the Cowboys defense. The Cowboys offense was really only stopped by their own turnovers.

Cowboys Report Card

Passing Offense: A-
While not as spectacular as last week, Bledsoe clearly is in control of the team. He is cool in the pocket and shows the leadership that had been missing from this position in recent years. Buffalo must be kicking themselves right now.

Rushing Offense: C
The current school of thought states that the running game was not effective due to Julius Jones injury. However, they weren't running very well with him in the lineup either. Flozell Adams injury will hamper them even more. As long as they emphasize pass-protection over run-blocking (for good reason), this unit will continue to struggle. On the other hand, Anthony Thomas and Marion Barber made the runs that allowed the team to control the ball for almost 40 minutes.

Passing Defense: B+
I realize that this is a 60 minute game, but take away the last two plays and note that they held the NFL's hottest passer to just 150 yards. The kept Manning from getting into rhythm all day and pressured him well throughout. Demetrius Ware has had a sack in 4 straight games.

Rushing Defense: B+
Tiki Barber was not a factor in the game. That alone is cause for celebration. The Cowboy line kept the running plays between the tackles and the linebackers (Fujita, Singleton, Shanle and James) allowed less than 100 yards for the second week in a row.

Special Teams: D+
Cortez' two missed field goals were costly and if not for the strength of Matt McBriar's leg, the punt that was partially blocked would have been much worse. The highpoint, however, was the 3 kicks Cortez made - including the game winner in overtime.

Coaching: A-
Well designed game plan and outstanding defensive preparation should have led to another blowout win. The turnovers were bad, but the team was well prepared to handle it.

Because of all the Jewish holidays, I haven't had much time to write. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty to say. It's just I haven't had the time.

So, here are a couple of birthday shout-outs (in case I miss them):

Happy Birthday, Ethan, Happy Birthday, Aaron and Happy Birthday, Noah.

Also, I want to wish Greta - over at Hoohah Wife - a Happy First Blogaversary! Stop by and check out her site and wish her well.

Aside from my weekly Cowboy Report Card, I'll probably only post once a week until the holidays end (end of October).

See ya.

Oh, and GO COWBOYS!

Dallas Cowboys..................33
Philadelphia Eagles..............10

I could say the game turned out exactly as I thought, but with the wrong team dominating.

Wow.

That was perhaps the finest the Cowboys have played in 10 years. Especially when you consider the quality of the opponent. As they did last week (against Kansas City), the Iggles came out of the gate looking like a deer in headlights. But unlike last week, they faced a stronger defense (whoda thunk it) that stopped any chance of a comeback.

Aside from 2 or 3 plays, the 'Boys played as perfect a game as they could have hoped for. Next week, they host the very hot New York Giants, who are coming off of a bye week. That game may be a better indicator of just how far along this team is.

I was very surprised with Andy Reid. While I've hidden my disdain for the Iggles, I like Reid. But leaving his franchise quarterback in - when he was clearly hurting - with the outcome already well decided, was very short-sighted.

Cowboys Report Card

Passing Offense: A
Bledsoe looked cool and in control the entire game. From my vantage point (on my couches 50-yard-line), I saw him throw only 2 poor passes. Sure doesn't make me miss Quincy Carter). Terry Glenn, Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton made plays all day long.

Rushing Offense: B+
Julius Jones made a couple of nice runs and left after halftime - due a mild injury. Due to the large lead, Parcells opted to play Dallas-native Tyrone Thompson the rest of the way. All he did was lead the club with 75 yards in 2 quarters.

Passing Defense: A
The line harassed and hobbled McNabb all day long and the backs blanketed Owens and the rest of the receivers. Except for one breakdown in coverage - which should have cost them a touchdown had the ball been thrown better - the defense was outstanding.

Rushing Defense: A+
After allowing just 8 yards in the first half, the defense loosened up a bit and gave up 10 yards in the second half. Bradie James - filling in for the injured Dat Nguyen - played outstanding in both run and pass coverage.

Passing Defense: A
They made Terrell Owens a non-factor and for the first time this year, did not let up a play of more than 25 yards. The fact that there were no interceptions says more about McNabb than about the Cowboy's D.

Special Teams: A+
Both Crayton and Thompson lit up the crowd with their speed and agility. Thompson's 40-yard-return on the opening kick set the pace for the entire game. Cortez made every kick he attempted and McBriar didn't have his first punt until the 4th quarter.

Coaching: A
The Cowboys finally opened up their playbook and attacked the vaunted Iggle defense. Parcells stayed aggressive the entire game. The only thing holding back an A+ was the boneheaded call on 4th and goal on the 1-yard-line. Going for it was fine, but calling the same play that failed at two crucial times last week was just dumb.

It's been real busy with the High Holidays here (otherwise known as Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur). So, I'll just keep it short...

25 years ago, it was Doonesbury...

20 years ago, it was Bloom County...

15 years ago, it was Calvin & Hobbes...

10 years ago, it was Dilbert...

5 years ago, it was Sherman's Lagoon...

and today, the unquestioned leader in the comics pages (as far as I'm concerned) is...

Pearls Before Swine.

Pearls offers the simplicity of B.C. mixed with the biting sarcasm of Bloom County and the sadistic approach of the Far Side.

Never has something so simple been so gosh darn enjoyable.

Oakland Raiders...........19
Dallas Cowboys............13

The good news is that this wasn't the ugliest lost I've seen, but it does rank (really rank) up there. Lot's of blame to throw around, but none more than to the coaches, who appeared to be ready to play the wrong team this week.

Well, at least Larry Allen didn't try to kill the kicker this week.

Cowboys Report Card

Passing Offense: D
Bledsoe was harassed all game long. Take away Crayton's TD fluke and the one long pass to Glenn, then Drew only threw for 92 yards. Yech.

Rushing Offense: C-
Never made a difference in the game, no matter how many times they tried. One bright spot is the emergence of Tyrone Thompson.

Passing Defense: C
They got burned early by Moss, but after that, they played better. Still, the lack of turnovers hurt.

Rushing Defense: D
Credit the Raiders for recognizing a Cowboy shortcoming. Taking a queue from Joe Gibbs playbook, they played the misdirection to perfection. Also, with the threat of another big play from Moss, the safeties were forced to play back.

Special Teams: D+
Jose Cortez finally kicked a field goal and Matt McBriar continues to punt very well, but the coverage teams were awful. Letting up 2 long returns kept them from establishing any momentum.

Coaching: D
Mike Zimmer made up for the early defensive alignment mistakes. However, the defense never were able to contain a running back who came into the game averaging under 3.5 yards per carry. The play calling on offense was offensive. Even though establishing a running game is the key to Sean Payton's offence, the Cowboys never adjusted. Plus, taking a time-out with 2 minutes to go - when the game clock had stopped anyway, was suicidal. It left them without a last opportunity.