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Brouhaha in Big D Texans steaming over Owens' stunt, Cowboys' malaise
CNNSI.com's B. Duane Cross talked with former NFL head coach and current NFL Preview analyst Ron Meyer about several issues and storylines as teams prepare for Week 5: Duane Cross: Coach, how have the Texans taken to Terrell Owens' excessive midfield celebrations and the ensuing controversy after last week's 49ers game in Dallas? Ron Meyer: It's been a brouhaha, to say the least. Everyone feels it was an insult, that Owens was showboating and that the officials blew it by not calling a penalty the first time he did it. But also, to be fair, Emmitt Smith should have been penalized for doing it, too -- and removing his hat. Emmitt should have been flagged as well. You know, the people in Dallas, in the Letters to the Editor in the newspapers, are upset that football has been reduced to this, [and] the demise of the Cowboys, too. Before this season, the Cowboys had allowed just two 200-yard rushers in 40 years; they've allowed two in four games. As for the celebrations, the fans believe that when you get into the end zone, you should act like you've been there before. I respect what San Francisco head coach Steve Mariucci did, though, fining Owens a one-game paycheck and suspending him for a game. Cross: Tampa Bay, coming off a tough loss against the New York Jets, must ratchet itself up for Washington this week. Any lingering effects for the Bucs after last week's loss? Meyer: I talked with [Tampa Bay offensive coordinator] Les Steckel, and he was very excited going into the Jets game. He had the weapons, everything was going along as planned ... right up to Mike Alstott's fumble. And now the officials have admitted they blew the touchdown call when Jacquez Green was ruled down inside the 5-yard line. It's tough to get into the ebb and flow of the game, then an official's call has potentially something to do with the outcome of the game. It was a tough loss for Tampa Bay. Cross: What about Brad Johnson this week? Is this the game where he can lead the Redskins to a victory and quiet some of the quarterback controversy talk? Meyer: Yes. If Washington can handle Tampa Bay's defense -- which I think is the best in the NFL -- it will be a major step forward for Johnson and the Redskins franchise. Cross: Coach, your old team, the Colts, put on an impressive show Monday night against Jacksonville. On Sunday, they travel to face AFC East opponent Buffalo. Any chance for a letdown? Meyer: Even after Monday night's big win, I pick up the paper and see the Bills are favored. The Colts will have to deal with the "Monday night hangover" and the Bills are coming off a bye week. Buffalo has had 14 days to get ready, they are coming off a tough loss against the Jets two weeks ago ... and it's tough to win in Ralph Wilson Stadium. I think this game will be a real head-knocker. But you simply cannot say enough about Peyton Manning. His attention to detail is unbelievable. If there are any young quarterbacks out there, from grade school up through college, watch Manning's mechanics, his ball fakes, his footwork. He's really special. Cross: In Cincinnati, Bruce Coslet stepped down as the Bengals' head coach. Dick LeBeau takes over a team that is really struggling. Was it inevitable that Coslet would be gone? Meyer: I think so. I played high school football against Dick. He's a class guy, and the originator of the zone blitz. I know Dom Capers gets a lot of the credit, but Dick is the one who had it first. Dick is a longtime assistant coach and hopefully he'll do well. I think he'll give [offensive coordinator] Kenny Anderson a few suggestions -- more running plays, more play-action passing, that type of thing -- but I think Dick's been a defensive guy all his life and he'll let Anderson call the plays. Cross: Any upsets lurking on the horizon this week? Meyer: It may not be much of an upset, but I think the New York Giants will knock off Tennessee. I know the Titans are at home, but I think the Giants were a bit embarrassed after losing last week, and will beat Tennessee. Also, I think San Francisco will beat Arizona. The 49ers played well last week, and even without Owens, I like them against the Cardinals. Ron Meyer, a former NFL head coach, is a pro football analyst with CNN/Sports Illustrated and appears weekly on CNN's NFL Preview. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.
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