Tag archives for dallas cowboys

Penis and Shoulder Pads

Penis pics, shoulder pads and very little talk of the team….just another day in Cowboys’ training camp.

Shoulder Pad Gate
Listening to the Cowboys press conference on The Ticket Monday afternoon I was amazed that 90 percent of the questions involved wide receiver Dez Bryant’s refusal to carry fellow wide receiver Roy Williams’ shoulder pads to the locker room — a time honored rookie hazing tradition.

After about 10 questions on ‘shoulder-pad gate’ head coach Wade Phillips told the assembled media they were reading way too much into the situation, and I think he’s right. All this really signals is just how little respect even the rookies have for a poser like Roy Williams, whose potential surpasses his production.

Marty B, guy with iphone.

Martellus Bennett’s Penis Pic
Phillips was also asked about the internet exposing of funny man/tight end Martellus Bennett’s penis.

Marty B’s reps say, “Martellus has been single – openly single – for quite some time.” They went on to tell TMZ.com “…they’re pretty confident the mystery poster is not a bitter ex-GF”.

Let’s see…openly single with no bitter ex-GFs, where does that leave us?

Bryant is the ‘difference maker’ for Cowboys

I got a feeling this is going to be a really, really bad football season for me.

As a non-Cowboys fan living in Dallas — OK, I’m a hater — I’m subject to the winds of unrealistic expectations that usually approach hurricane force this time of year. But the winds are worsening this preseason. It seems as if most fans of ‘America’s Team’ are rotating into their own personal pan-sized Texas tornado; swirling around the nexus of becoming the first team to play the Super Bowl in its own backyard.

I’m gripped with fear because this preseason feels different even to me. I’m scared because I think the Cowboys may even exceed expectations this year.

So I asked myself, “Self, why are you uneasy about 2010 when it’s essentially the same team — plus a few rookies — that got their asses handed to them by the Vikings in the divisional round of the playoffs?” What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I falsely bloviate the evils of the Cowboys and how they don’t deserve the hype this time around? Do I have a fever? Did that rash clear up?

Dez Bryant shirtless

Why can't Dez just play like that?

Dez Bryant
If you’ve read me for any length of time you’ll know that I’m not one for hyperbole. Yet, there are times when you can watch a guy for just a few minutes and tell they’re a player with mad skills. I hate to simplify it by saying something stupid like they got an ‘it’ factor but I’m going to.

Even I, a self-professed Cowboys hater, must admit, Dallas drafted ‘the difference maker’ in this year’s draft; a guy that will not only challenge for a starting spot this year, but, barring injury, will be an NFL super star for the next decade or so.

Dez Bryant slipped to the Cowboys spot in the draft because of his rough childhood, his contact with an agent while in college and his lying about it to NCAA investigators; for all of those reasons, and maybe more, Dez Bryant fell to the Cowboys.

There were whispers that Bryant would be tough to sign. Could Dez Bryant be another Michael Crabtree?

Not only was Bryant in San Antonio for the first day of training camp, he was the first first-round draft pick to complete contract terms.

The rumors and innuendo didn’t seem to bother Bryant, in fact it serves to motivate him.

Bryant vs Roy Williams
Now that Bryant’s in the fold, Dallas will turn its attention to securing a long-term deal for #1 receiver Miles Austin. Where does this leave former #1-in-his-mind-only receiver Roy Williams? No matter how chummy it may look during training camp, Bryant is gunning for Williams’ role.

Forget what the Cowboys say in public about the job is Roy’s to lose, blah, blah blah… The truth is they’re thrilled the mere presence of Bryant is motivating Williams more so than anything else they’ve tried since his failed acquisition.

Dez Bryant will force Roy Williams to work harder and perform better on Sundays and that pisses me off. Dez Bryant’s going to be a beast in this league for years to come and I’m depressed.

Most Valuable Sports Franchises

Forbes released its annual list of the world’s most valuable sports franchises on Wednesday, topping the list — at a net worth of $1.84 billion — is the English Premier League’s soccer/football behemoth Manchester United.

  • Manchester United valued at $1.84 Billion.

    No. 1: Manchester United
    Sport: soccer
    Value: $1.83 billion
    Owner: Glazer family
    Revenue: $459 million
  • No. 2: Dallas Cowboys
    Sport: football
    Value: $1.65 billion
    Owner: Jerry Jones
    Revenue: $280 million
  • No. 3: New York Yankees
    Sport: baseball
    Value: $1.6 billion
    Owner: Steinbrenner family
    Revenue: $441 million
  • Patriots QB Tom Brady

    Patriots QB Tom Brady

  • No. 4: Washington Redskins
    Sport: football
    Value: $1.55 billion
    Owner: Daniel Snyder
    Revenue: $345 million
  • No. 5: New England Patriots
    Sport: football
    Value: $1.36 billion
    Owner: Robert Kraft
    Revenue: $302 million
  • No. 6: Real Madrid
    Sport: soccer
    Value: $1.32 billion
    Revenue: $563 million
  • No. 7: New York Giants
    Sport: football
    Value: $1.18 billion
    Owner: John Mara, Steven Tisch
    Revenue: $230 million
  • Cesc Fabregas

    Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas

  • No. 8: Arsenal
    Sport: soccer
    Value: $1.18 billion
    Owner: Stanley Kroenke
    Revenue: $369 million
  • No. 9: New York Jets
    Sport: football
    Value: $1.17 billion
    Owner: Robert Wood Johnson IV
    Revenue: $227 million
  • No. 10: Houston Texans
    Sport: football
    Value: $1.15 billion
    Owner: Robert McNair
    Revenue: $256 million

NFL 2010 Schedule Released

Saints-Vikings open the 2010 NFL Season

Saints-Vikings open the 2010 NFL Season

The NFL released the 2010 season schedule today.

NFL 2010 Schedule Highlights

  1. The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings will open the season Thursday night, Sept. 9, in a rematch of last year’s thrilling NFC Championship game.
  2. In an effort to give more meaning to late season games, all 16 of the final Week 17 games will be divisional games.
  3. The Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals will kick off the exhibition season August 8, in the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, OH.
  4. First Monday night game Cowboys at Redskins on Sept. 12.

See the entire 2010 NFL schedule.

NFC Teams Hold Serve at Home

Brett Favre makes me eat my words
It’s time for me to eat some crow here. Thinking it would become the biggest non-story of the year, I railed on ESPN’s round the clock reporting on Brett Favre during the preseason, boy was I wrong.

You run out of words when trying to describe his greatness this season, so to put it simply, he’s one of those rare players who makes everyone around him better. It’s kind of fun to think about what the Jets would have looked like if Favre wouldv’e stayed in New York. Maybe the Jets would be hosting Indianapolis instead of traveling to Lucas Oil stadium this weekend.

Ray Edwards chases after Tony Romo

Ray Edwards chases after Tony Romo

The key to the Vikings 34-3 drubbing of the Cowboys was their ability to put pressure on Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo. Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards made Cowboys offensive tackle Marc Colombo look more like Dumbo, tying a Viking’s franchise record of three sacks in a game while leading a Minnesota defense that forced two lost fumbles, an interception and six sacks of Tony Romo.

The Cowboys season long trend of not cashing in on scoring opportunities against anyone other than Philadelphia continued against Minnesota, five Dallas drives ending in Minnesota territory amounted to just three points.

Favre finished the day 15/24 for 234 yards and 4 TDs and no INTs. Viking’s wide receiver Sidney Rice was targeted seven times pulling in six catches for 141 yards and 3 TDs.

We’ve got Bush
The re-emergence of Reggie Bush and the Saints physical defense overwhelmed the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals 45-14 Saturday night in New Orleans. Bush scored on a 46-yard run that left the Cardinals headed to the sidelines shaking their heads and looking for their manhood.

Bush and the Saints shook off the notion that rust may have settled in on the team that hadn’t played a good game in over a month. The Saints out-physicaled and out-everythinged Arizona.

Too close for Drew's comfort?

Too close for Drew's comfort?

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after a crushing hit by Saints DE Bobby McCray. Warner returned in the second half but was unable to get his team on the board in the final 30 minutes and when Bush returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown and a 45-14 Saints lead in the 3rd, the game was over.

On the day Bush finished with only 5 rushes but amassed 84 yards and was both punishing and quick. After surrendering a 70-yard touchdown run by Arizona running back Tim Hightower on the game’s initial play, the Saints’ D shut down the high-flying Cardinals offense, allowing only 280 yards the rest of the day.

Not trying to be the sexiest man alive anymore

Brad Pitt's goatee

Brad Pitt's goatee

Brad Pitt sported this janky-ass looking goatee while watching the game at the Super Dome. I know he’s done a lot for the hurricane Katrina relief effort but how about a little relief from that unkempt chin bush?

NFL Divisional Playoffs Preview

I can hardly believe there’s only three more weekends of ‘real’ football left, notice I’m not counting the Pro Bowl as actual football.

Preseason predictions: For the record my preseason Super Bowl picks, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, are done. Also for the record, SI’s Peter King predicted the Patriots and Bears. Ha! What an idiot.

Divisional diversity: It rarely works out this way but one team from each of the NFL’s eight divisions fill out the remaining eight-team field.

A word about momentum: Who has momentum? Who cares? Tell me who’s playing well and how the teams match up and I’ll tell you who’s gonna win. Talking about who has momentum is such a beat down.

The NFL’s Divisional Playoffs Schedule

Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints (-7)
Saturday 4:30 PM ET – Fox

Is Kurt Warner the best playoff quarterback in the history of the NFL? I wouldn’t argue against it.

Last week Arizona eliminated the Packers, who most experts agreed was the best team in the NFC during the second half of the season.

Saints receiver Marques Colston

Saints receiver Marques Colston

New Orleans isn’t playing well, and I’m not just talking about their 3-game losing streak when things may or may not have been of the utmost importance at the end of the season, but also struggling against Atlanta and Washington prior to the losing streak. The Saints haven’t played well since facing the Patriots on that Monday night game in November.

Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who sat out last week’s game to nurse a left ankle and knee injury, is expected to return, giving Warner another offensive weapon against a defense that has given up more points than any other team remaining in the playoffs.

Prediction: Arizona 38, New Orleans 34

Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts (-6.5)
Saturday 8:15 PM ET – CBS

Ok, so he hasn't played but Colts WR Samuel Giguere is huge.

Ok, so he hasn't played but Colts WR Samuel Giguere is huge.

The Colts chose to rest their starters down the stretch so it’s hard to get a feel on how they’re playing. The Ravens, winners of 6 postseason road games since 2000, will present a formidable challenge with a power running game and a bruising defense that held the Colts to just 17 points in a loss at Lucas Oil stadium in November.

It’s strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness, so I’ll take the guy who threw for over 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns, and the organization who has a lot to prove after giving up on a perfect season in favor of a better shot at playoff success.

Prediction: Indianapolis 24, Baltimore 13

Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings (-3)
Sunday 1 PM ET – Fox

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson

This games got the story lines; Tony Romo vs Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson vs the Cowboys defense and America’s team vs America’s Mall.

The Vikings run defense suffered a huge blow when they lost middle linebacker E.J. Henderson, their leading tackler and signal-caller, to a broken leg in November, forcing Minnesota to rely on their All-Pro defensive lineman Jared Allen and Kevin Williams to create stops and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The Cowboys counter with two Pro Bowl blockers and a healthy stable of diverse running backs that average a playoff-best 4.8 yards per rush.

Dallas’ defense appears to be coming together nicely under the direction of head coach Wade Phillips but shutting down sub-par running backs like Clinton Portis, LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver in consecutive weeks doesn’t mean much when the assignment is Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson.

As strange as it sounds to say, I think Favre will struggle against the Cowboys secondary.

Prediction: Dallas 28, Minnesota 27

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers (-7)
Sunday 4:40 PM ET – CBS

This is the week we will be reminded of how the Jets backed into the playoffs as the beneficiaries of fortuitous scheduling. The Chargers, winners of 11 straight, will be in control of this game before the sun sets.

Prediction: San Diego 34, NY 10

NFC Championship – Cardinals @ Cowboys
AFC Championship – Chargers @ Colts

Wild Card Weekend ends on a wild note

How did the highest-scoring playoff game in the history of the NFL end? If you answered on a defensive touchdown in overtime then give yourself a cookie. After all of the dust settled from the wild card weekend match ups, the AFC underdogs reigned, while the NFC favorites held serve at home.

One more bonus question: Name a statistic which was won by every winning team this past weekend? The answer at the end of this story.

NY Jets 24, Cincinnati Bengals 14

Playing to your strengths means doing what you do best and that’s exactly what the Jets did, using their power running game and top-ranked defense to out muscle the Bengals in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati managed just 281 yards of total offense with quarterback Carson Palmer completing 18 of 36 throws for 146 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT, Sanchez was 12 of 15 for 182 and 1 TD. Everyone, including the Bengals, knew the Jets game plan coming into Saturday but Cincinnati was simply overpowered and outplayed.

Felix Jones 3rd Quarter TD sealed the win.

Felix Jones 3rd Quarter TD sealed the win.

Dallas Cowboys 34, Philadelphia Eagles 14

The Cowboys exploded for 27 points in the second quarter and got a 73-yard TD run from Felix Jones in the 3rd to put the game away. The Eagles offered little resistance and were plagued with turnovers (4), penalties (9-112) and an impotent ground game which totaled only 56 yards on 13 attempts.

Baltimore Ravens 33, New England Patriots 14

The Ravens blasted the Patriots with a 83-yard Ray Rice touchdown run on the first play of the game and then the ass kicking really got started for the old, slow Patriots. Tom Brady uncharactersitically turned the ball over three times in the first quarter and it’s clear that New England is no longer good enough to overcome mistakes.

Arizona Cardinal Karlos Dansby celebrates his game winning TD in OT.

Arizona Cardinal Karlos Dansby celebrates his game winning TD in OT.

Arizona 51, Green Bay 45

It was simply the most exciting NFL playoff game in years, and the Cardinals survived 7-straight Packer touchdown drives to win when Karlos Dansby returned a fumble for a TD just minutes into OT.

He who wins the turnover battle wins the game
So what’s the one statistical category that went in favor of each and every winner from the Wild Card Weekend? Turnovers! Here’s the proof:

Cincinnati 2 turnovers, Jets 0 = Jets win
Philadelphia 4 turnovers, Cowboys 1 = Cowboys win
New England 4 turnovers, Ravens 2 = Ravens win
Green Bay 3 turnover, Cardinals 1 = Cardinals win

No brotherly love from these Eagles

It will be deja vu in Dallas tonight when the Cowboys and Eagles square off for the second time in six days. Last week Dallas shut the Eagles out 24-0 and captured the NFC East title, but the stakes are much higher in tonight’s elimination game.

These teams are evenly matched at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end. The Cowboys offensive line is healthier and just plain better than Phillys, while Dallas’ defense is coming off consecutive shut outs. The Eagles may have a slight pissed off factor at play here but it won’t be enough to overcome the Cowboys tonight.

Prediction
Dallas 27, Philadelphia 13

Gay sports fan’s guide to the Eagles hotties

#10 WR DeSean Jackson

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson

#55 LB Stewart Bradley

Stewart Bradley Eagles TE and hottie

Stewart Bradley Eagles TE and hottie


Stewart Bradley modeling

Stewart Bradley modeling

#57 LB Chris Gocong

Eagles LB Chris Gocong

Eagles LB Chris Gocong

#87 TE Brent Celek

Eagles TE Brent Celek showing off his underwear.

Eagles TE Brent Celek showing off his underwear.

#80 WR Kevin Curtis

Eagles WR Kevin Curtis

Eagles WR Kevin Curtis

#82 TE Alex Smith

Eagles TE Alex Smith

Eagles TE Alex Smith

#90 DE Darren Howard

Eagles DE Darren Howard

Eagles DE Darren Howard

#94 DE Jason Babin

Jersey Shore cast member or Eagles DE Jason Babin?

Jersey Shore cast member or Eagles DE Jason Babin?

Gay sports fan’s guide to the Cowboy’s hotties

#4 PK Shaun Suisham

Dallas Cowboys cute PK'er Shaun Suisham

Dallas Cowboys cute PK'er Shaun Suisham

#7 QB Stephen McGee

Cowboys backup QB Stephen McGee

Cowboys backup QB Stephen McGee

#9 QB Tony Romo

Cowboys QB Tony Romo smiling

Cowboys QB Tony Romo smiling

#19 WR Miles Austin

Cowboys WR Miles Austin

Cowboys WR Miles Austin

#56 LB Bradie James

Shirtless Bradie James pulling a sled

Shirtless Bradie James pulling a sled

#82 TE Jason Witten

Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten's got helmet head.

Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten's got helmet head.

#89 TE John Phillips

Cowboys TE John Phillips

Cowboys TE John Phillips

#94 LB DeMarcus Ware

Cowboys Pro Bowl LB DeMarcus Ware

Cowboys Pro Bowl LB DeMarcus Ware

Cowboys New Formula, No Drama

The extent to which the Dallas Cowboys recovered from a disappointing 2008 season is nothing short of remarkable.

The difference between 2008 and 2009 is simple, the Cowboys shed Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Adam ‘PacMan’ Jones and Jessica Simpson. It may sound like a simplified version of events but with Tony Romo and Wade Phillips able to lead without distraction the Cowboys rebounded from losses to San Diego and New York to start December with three straight wins en route to claiming the NFC East title.

I was just about to fire you

I was just about to fire you

It’s refreshing to see Jerry Jones making roster moves based on winning football rather than selling tickets. The truth is without the sabotaging, self-aggrandizing Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson and Adam Jones, the Cowboys are a better team. Jessica was just an ass-whip story that wouldn’t go away.

Minus those distractions Wade Phillips focused his attention on what he does best, defense. Minus those distractions Tony Romo focused on making better decisions and finished the season with 26 TDs and a career low nine interceptions.

Yes, there’s still an overhyped, overpaid, pass dropping wide receiver in town, but to his credit Roy Williams has accepted some of the blame for his chronic under performance and thus the Cowboys roll into the playoffs drama free.

Cowboys vs Eagles headline NFL weekend

Tony and Jason are out for revenge

Tony and Jason are out for revenge

As my momma used to say, “Who would’ve thunk it?”

Just three weeks ago the Cowboys were preparing for what everyone, including myself, thought was a sure beat down from New Orleans. The loss to the Saints would be the catalyst that would surely send the Cowboys into a tale spin, ending only after Dallas was eliminated from the playoffs.

Yet these Cowboys stepped up and beat the Saints and the next week they beat the Redskins. Two road wins in December put an end to talk of another Cowboys’ December collapse.

And so entering the final weekend of the season, Dallas is a win away from capturing their second NFC East title in the past three years.

Eagles TE Brent Celek

Eagles TE Brent Celek

On the other hand, fellow NFC East rival Philadelphia, withstood a number of injuries this season, starting tailback Bryant Westbrook, starting quarterback Donovan McNabb and several offensive lineman have missed several games. Yet amid the upheaval the Eagles cautiously worked their dynamic young play makers, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin, into an offense that had grown increasingly predictable in 2008.

As a result, the Eagles also enter the final weekend of the season just one win away from capturing the NFC East title.

Last year the Cowboys traveled to Philadelphia on the season’s final weekend of the regular season with a chance to secure a playoff bid and were routed 44-6 by the Eagles. So the question remains, are these Cowboys, who this season answered adversity with a renewed focus and determination, any different than last year’s squad that failed miserably at the end?

Absolutely.

What the Cowboys denied last year but recently acknowledged is that the atmosphere created by Terrell Owens’ selfishness was a major factor in their demise last year. So if you believe like I do, that a locker room can benefit greatly by addition through subtraction, then you’ve got a team that isn’t looking to get the season over with but rather, one that’s focused on making a push for the playoffs.

There’s no way Dallas will fall apart like they did in Philly last year, especially considering the Cowboys have only given up 30+ points in a single game to one team this year, against the NY Giants twice.

Philadelphia has big problems on the offensive line, Romo is playing great, the Cowboys offensive line is rolling and the Cowboys defense is peaking at just the right time.

Brent Celek modeling his pouty boy look

Brent Celek modeling his pouty boy look

Hottie Watch – Keep an eye on the tight ends, like I really had to tell you that. Tony Romo’s favorite little buddy All-Pro Jason Whitten and Philadelphia’s Brent Celek are hella fine and they’re having monster years which translates to plenty of face time on TV.

Prediction
Dallas 27 – Philadelphia 20

Other games of importance
New York Jets 27 – Bengals 17
The Jets have proven they can beat any team who doesn’t have anything to play for. Bengals’ starters may play but they will be on the sidelines when the Jets win this one in the second half.

Baltimore 38 – Oakland 17
Flacco will lead the Ravens to their second straight playoff appearance against an Oakland team looking forward to the off season.