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Here is a complete list of the Cowboys' 2008 opponents:
Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Information from dallascowboys.com
The Washington Redskins absolutely dominated the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday during a 27-6 routing that had the Cowboys ending their regular season on a sour note.
For the Redskins it was their fourth straight victory as they continue to play inspired football since the death of Sean Taylor. On the flip side, the Cowboys continued their string of uninspired football and many are fearful of their latest efforts, and what seems like an overall complacency that has set in.
In their last three games, the team has scored only 32 total points after averaging 30 points or more for the first 13 games of the season. They have now lost two of their last three games, with both losses coming against NFC East rivals. At a time when most teams are playing their best football of the season, the Cowboys are playing their worst. They now head into their bye week wondering what happened to the team that was once considered the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl only three weeks ago.
Dallas fans hoped to see Jason Witten and Tony Romo set new franchise and NFL records, but instead were treated to some less notable records instead. They set the franchise record for worst rushing yards (-1) and worst total yards (147). They allowed an aging and unproductive Clinton Portis to become the first running back to rush for 100 yards this season.
For the first time this season, the Cowboys looked frustrated, angry and bewildered by their lackluster play during their last three games. Tony Romo finally had the smile wiped off of his face as he threw his helmet in disgust as his frustration clearly got the best of him.
Even Wade Phillips admitted to playing "uninspired" football. "I told our guys and I feel this way, the word for us is 'uninspired,'" Phillips said. The trouble with playing uninspired football in the NFL, is that it often leads to disappointment and heartbreak.
Maybe it was Patrick Crayton who said it best...
"We were very, very uninspired," Crayton said. "You don't ever want to play like that. Yeah, people said we had nothing to play for, but I don't ever like to lose and we did have something to play for. We had a chance to go 14-2 and have the best (regular-season) record in franchise history. We can't play like this. But we've got two weeks to get it right."
The Cowboys were without Andre Gurode, Terrell Owens and Terrence Newman, who were all nursing injuries, but most of their starters were in the game throughout most of the damage inflicted by the Redskins. Marion Barber fell 19 yards short of his first 1,000 yards rushing season, and Jason Witten fell four catches short of breaking the NFL record for catches by a tightend. Terry Glenn started the game for the first time this season, but was hit hard and often and had no catches on the day.
Well, the Cowboys now have two weeks to figure things out and try to find something positive that they can take from this game. Ironically, these same Redskins could face the Cowboys again in the Playoffs. The Cowboys need to get healthy and do some serious soul searching. Wade Phillips who has never won a post season game in his career, must get this team firing on all cylinders before we face the best the NFC has to offer. The Cowboys season is far from over, but they need to start playing football like they did at the start of the season if they want to advance.
I know everyone probably has a bad taste in their mouth from the loss to the Redskins and the lackluster performance the Cowboys showed on Sunday. Are they really in trouble? Are they really incapable of playing the kind of football we have gotten used to this season? I think not!!
The Redskin are playing with emotion with the loss of their teammate, Sean T (RIP). They were also fighting for their lives as a loss would have ended their season. On the other hand our boys were playing just the opposite. No inspiration, no passion, and no love for the game. You play to win the game!I do believe all the talk of the game ”not meaning anything” did slip into the back of their heads. As much as they didn’t think it would, its only human nature. The Redskins came, and hit them in the mouth and they didn’t seem to care. Lack of focus...
Now, on the bright side. That was one game, a horrible one for Cowboy fans, but just one game. The Cowboys are 13-3. The regular season is over, the playoffs are upon us and our boys are in the dance. At the end of the day that is what u hope for all season. Twelve teams have the same opportunity to hold the Lombardi Trophy at seasons end. It doesn’t matter if u are 9-7, 13-3, or even 16-0. Some are favored and some are not, but everyone’s record today is 0 and 0. Just a reminder… every NFC playoff team ended the regular season with a loss except the Skins. They needed that win just to make it.
The Cowboys have 2 weeks to get healthy and refocus to play with passion. They are still the team to beat in the NFC... Go Cowboys!
Come out and support the Cowboys next Saturday, January 5th, for a Cowboy Bonfire & Pep Rally at Bill Bates Cowboy Ranch. The celebration kicks off at 6pm-10pm, with live music, food, a bonfire, and tons of Cowboys fans. Bill Bates will be there along with other Cowboys personalities.
Tickets are only $20, but they are limited. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Ron Springs & Everson Walls Gift for Life Foundation. Get your tickets NOW!
Visit http://www.billbatescowboyranch.com/ for complete details.
The Dallas Cowboys have nothing to play for as it relates to their playoff positioning for the season when they meet the Redskins at FedEx Field in the regular season finale. They have already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with Green Bay's loss to Chicago last week. However, a win would set a new franchise record for most wins in a season, and it is always sweet to beat the Redskins. A Dallas win would probably knock the Redskins out of the playoffs as well.
The Cowboys will be resting a lot of their starters, and even the ones that do play probably won't see more than a half of game action, but that still doesn't mean that we won't be trying to win this game. Wade Phillips has continued all week the importance of winning this game all week, so it should be very competitive.
You have to applaud the Redskins after the death of Shawn Taylor. After a loss in the first game after his death, they have one three straight games, and if they get into the playoffs, can become a very dangerous team.
Terry Glenn could come back for this game, but with nothing to play for, he probably won't play for very long if he gets in.
With this game being meaningless in the standings for the Cowboys, starting nose tackle Jay Ratliff (knee), starting cornerback Terence Newman (knee), and starting center Andre Gurode (knee) are all out. Starting wide Receiver Terrell Owens (ankle), and cornerback Pat Watkins (ankle) are also out. Terry Glenn (knee) is listed as probable, but it will depend on the weather conditions on whether or not he will play.
It will be a short one this week folks. It is the last game of the regular season against the Redskins. Its one of those games that does not mean anything to Cowboys, but the Redskins can gain something.
I am one of those who say rest the starters for the playoffs. I mean if the game means nothing to the Cowboys why take the risk of a starter getting hurt. I would rest Terry Glenn also.
Sometimes you have to think one game ahead. I know everyone wants the Cowboys to win and
I think the second string is capable of beating the Redskin starters. So good luck to the Boys!
Enjoy the playoffs…………Travis
Well, here we are - the last game of the regular season. I’ve always hated this week. Another football season close to an end. Just the playoffs and the Super Bowl and then long months without the crunch and groans of football. Sigh. But I digress.
We play the Redskins this week. While we are playing out the season nice and comfy, knowing that our football life continues beyond this week - everybody cheer! - the Redskins need to win or they get to go home and watch us on HDTV.
We will not be playing at full strength. Owens, Gurode, Newman, Ratliff and Watkins are all injured and not expected to play at all. Romo is expected to start but Johnson will get some playing time this week. Wonder of wonders, Glenn may play depending on field conditions. He’s practiced with the first team this week. Did you know that Witten could become the second tight end in NFL history to catch 100 balls in a season? He only needs six catches. That is an amazing feat. I hope he gets it. What a feather in his cap that would be.
As a side note, Crayton got a contract extension last night that will keep him in Dallas a few more years. YEAH! He’s played very well this season and deserves whatever Jerry wants to give him.
I want to wish everyone a bright and special New Year!
As we reported here on this site last week, Patrick Crayton was next in line for a contract extension. Today both sides agreed in principle on a new 4-year extension that will pay Crayton $14 million dollars and includes a $6 million dollar signing bonus.
Crayton has made it clear throughout the season that he had no intentions of playing for any other team besides the Cowboys. When rumors began to surface that he might join Bill Parcells in Miami at the end of the season, he immediately refuted the rumors and said "This is the only place I want to be."
Patrick Crayton has done a fine job filling in for an injured Terry Glenn and has 48 catches for 689 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
The Cowboys season finale will take place this Sunday at 3:15 p.m. central time, in Washington. Yes, the time has been changed, hopefully that will allow more regions to tune in to the final game of what has been an exciting record-breaking year for the Dallas Cowboys.
A lot of people believe the Cowboys can take it easy for this game, and some want the Cowboys to go full force. Personally, I'd rest the starters. Especially with the injuries we've encountered in the last two games, it's just not worth the risk. I think Wade and Jerry agree with that theory.
Rumors are that Romo will take limited snaps and is expected to hand the ball over to Brad Johnson early in the game. Terrell Owens is of course out for this game, Sam Hurd will start in his place. The biggest news of the week though - Terry Glenn's return! Glenn practiced with full pads 
today. He may come out a little rusty, but to know he is eligible to play makes me feel a little better about Terrell Owens absence this week.
Others are speculating Marion Barber to sit out for most of the game and let the 'starter' Julius Jones play almost a full game. Wade Phillips and crew have used both Jones and Barber all season, but differently than Bill Parcells did last year. They have split drives instead of downs for most games. Its been interesting, but despite Jones' starting status, Barber has been more of a star. This was proven when Barber was recently awarded his first Pro Bowl nod.
I'm actually looking forward to seeing some of our backups play. It's good to see what you have and I believe we have excellent depth all around this team. Of course, we wouldn't be where we are - Home Field Advantage, First-Round Bye, No. 1 Seed in the NFC, etc. - without the starters who have been shining all year long. Take a break guys, we need you to rest up for the playoffs. We believe this is the year, we break that 5-time super bowl champs tie, and go all the way for #6!
Hello Cowboys fans and Lonestarstruck lovers!
I wanted to take this opportunity to wish a very Merry Christmas to Kelly and her family. Kelly (Starstruck) is an amazing lady with talent like I've never seen. Her passion for The Dallas Cowboys shows in every thing she creates. She does so much for Cowboys fans and puts so many hours of work into this blog site and the graphics she creates. I am constantly in awe of Kelly.
We've been so fortunate lately to begin to really acquire some good writing on here. It's a terrific group of people. I am so pleased for Kelly's sake that this site is becoming so successful and attracting such awesome people. It's Kelly's standard of excellence that has set the bar and is bringing these great people her way.
I met Kelly on myspace just a little less than 2 years ago and I have grown to know her and love her as a very very close friend. I can't express my affection for her in words. We have a deep love for our boys (we each have an only child) and we have a ridiculous love for The Dallas Cowboys. In having that in common, we had a foundation to build a beautiful friendship and mutual respect for each other. I feel incredibly blessed to be closing out 2007 with Kelly as a daily part of my life.
I know you all appreciate her as much as I do so if you would just shout out in the comments here and let her know, it will mean the world to her.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO MY SWEET PRECIOUS FRIEND.
I can't wait to see what you're going to come up with next. It just keeps getting better all the time.
GO COWBOYS! and GO LONESTARSTRUCK.COM
This year has definitely been one to remember. Not only has the team been successful, but so has this website I created only a year ago. Maybe they go hand in hand, maybe the team's success has lead to the success of many things, whatever it is - I am thankful. I am so glad to be a part of this
place for Cowboys fans to come together.
I think a lot of us feel the same, this year has been different. We have been able to communicate with Cowboys fans across the nation, even across the world! Whether you believe it or not, the fans make a great difference in the world of sports. We all share a great passion for the silver and blue and we couldn't be more proud of our 'Boys.
No matter where the future takes us, we will stand behind this great team like we always have. They have great potential to go all the way, but I say lets take it one game at a time.
From everyone here at lonestarstruck.com, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and look forward to the great years ahead for this phenomenal team.
What a nice Christmas present, huh Cowboys fans! With Green Bay's loss to Chicago today, the Cowboys have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. No matter the outcome of week 16's games, the Cowboys will have the comfort knowing they will be home because they defeated the Packers back in November.
Dallas has not been the No. 1 Seed in the NFC since 1995, which is also the last time they won a Super Bowl. Coincidence? Only time will tell!
Following the last game of the regular season next week, the Cowboys won't play again until January 12-13 for the NFC Divisional round. This will give some of our recently banged up players a chance to rest up and get ready.
"This weekend's results give me a great feeling of pride in the job that has been done by our players and our coaching staff," Jerry Jones said in a statement. "I am particularly pleased for the Dallas Cowboys fans who have given us so much support. They are truly deserving of being able to share in the experience of bringing NFL playoff football back to Texas Stadium. We know that our home crowd will make a positive difference in the outcome of our games in January."
Way to go Cowboys!
Hey everyone! Sorry I'm late. I caught a bug at the worst possible time! I'm all better now and back on my mission: annoying the world one person at a time! 
I must have been real good this year. I'm slowly checking off items on my wish list! Play-off tickets have arrived and things are looking real good on the remaining wishes! THANKS, SANTA!! I will take a LOT of pictures to share here! Be sure to stay tuned!
There's nothing I can say about the Cowboys that hasn't been said here already.
All I have to say is Way to go, Cowboys and GO CHICAGO!
YA KNOW?! hehe!
Ya'll have a fantastic holiday. See ya Wednesday!
Tony Romo showed no ill effects of his right thumb injury that he sustained last week against the Eagles, as the Cowboys hung on for a 20-13 win against the Panthers to improve to 13-2 on the season. Carolina dropped to 6-9 and was eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. With the win, the Cowboys move just one step away from clinching home-field advantage in the NFC Playoffs. A Green Bay loss against either the Bears on Sunday or the Lions on the following Sunday clinches it, as well as a Dallas win against the Redskins in the final game of the regular season.
The Cowboys got off to a fast start early on. On their second drive of the game, Tony Romo led Dallas on a long 13-play drive that was capped off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens to give the Cowboys a 7-0 lead early.
Then it was the Marion Barber Show early in the 2nd quarter. He chewed up 63 yards on an 80-yard drive that ended in a Marion Barber 5-yard touchdown plunge to extend the Dallas lead to 14-0. However, on the previous play, Terrell Owens was injured on a first down catch at the Carolina 5. He has a high ankle sprain. X-Rays were negative and an MRI is scheduled for Sunday. He may not be ready next week, but could return for the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
The Panthers struck back quickly though, as former Cowboys backup quarterback Matt Moore found Dante Rosario for 13 yards and then after a 39-yard run from DeAngelo Williams, found Steve Smith in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the Cowboys lead to 14-7.
The Cowboys tacked on a field to make it 17-7 at halftime. The Cowboys missed an opportunity to make it even bigger as they didn't have enough time to get their field goal unit on the field with no timeouts left.
In the 2nd half, the offenses were stagnant and the defense tightened. Carolina outscored Dallas 6-3 in the 2nd half, but it wasn't enough. Two first downs by Marion Barber III sealed the 20-13 win for Dallas.
Tony Romo looked more like himself against Carolina, completing 28/42 passes for 257 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.
Marion Barber III had a season-high in rushing. He carried the ball 22 times for 110 yards while Julius Jones ran it 9 times for just 25 yards. It is becoming clearer every week that Marion Barber is our true starter in the backfield, despite only being in the game on every other offensive possession.
Patrick Crayton reeled in 7 catches for 65 yards while Jason Witten caught 6 passes for 53 yards. Before leaving the game with a high ankle sprain, Terrell Owens had 5 receptions for 48 yards and a TD.
Nick Folk was 2/2 on field goals in the game. He connected from 42 and 23 yards out. He was also 2/2 on extra points.
The Dallas defense is improving regularly every week now. Again they were stifling, even without Roy Williams or backup safety Pat Watkins. Terence Newman was even hurt for much of that game as well. They held Carolina to just 216 yards of total offense. The defense recorded 5 sacks. DeMarcus Ware had 2 sacks, while Greg Ellis and Tank Johnson recorded 1 sack each, although Tank was called for leading with his helmet. Chris Canty and Jay Ratliff each got credit for 0.5 sack each. Anthony Henry made the only interception for the Cowboys in the game.
In addition to Terrell Owens' s injury, Terence Newman, Bradie James, and Jay Ratliff were also injured. Although all three returned to the game, Terence Newman did not look like himself for the rest of the game.
So with only one game left in the regular season, the Cowboys will still maintain their lead over the Packers in the race for home-field advantage. It was a little closer than I would've liked it to be, but a win is a win. The final game of the regular season is at Washington on December 30. If we get help from the Bears this Sunday we won't have to worry about winning that game, which would be nice to rest a lot of the starters that have been injured the last couple of weeks.
HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!
Last night's 20-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers was bittersweet for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys went into the game with numerous injuries already, including those to Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode, free safety Pat Watkins, and running back Tyson Thompson.
Additionally the team had Tony Romo, Chris Canty and Sal Fasano who were each recovering from injuries sustained in the loss against the Eagles the week prior.
In yesterday's contest, All Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens suffered a high ankle sprain that could force him to miss considerable time. The recovery time for these types of injuries is usually 3-4 weeks which could put T.O. at risk for missing the first playoff game.
The team isn't saying much right now, but they are clearly concerned and have Owens scheduled for an MRI later today. X-rays that were taken last night were negative which means that there is no breaks or fractures. Keep checking back as Lone Star Struck will monitor the situation closely and update his status as we receive more information.
On another note...
Roy Williams was informed that his next horse collar tackle WILL result in a multi-game suspension lasting 2-3 games or possibly longer. Unless Roy Williams is willing to change his tactics, relying on him as a key player may prove to be a bad decision by the organization. Some already feel that Williams may never be able to adapt and that he is already hurting the team with his numerous penalties.
Anyone who thinks Jessica Simpson is the reason the cowboys lost last week’s game, needs to purchase the book FOOTBALL FOR DUMMIES. I mean saying Jessica is the reason is like saying Jack Nicholson is the reason the Lakers are losing. I am also wondering how many people out there actually think Tony Romo stops what he is doing on the field to stop and look for Jessica. If there is anyone who thinks that, you are an idiot.
The media starts this crap because they do not have anything else better to write about. You know that the network has people looking in the stands for celebrities. If they spot someone then they jump on it like a dog on a bone. The reason the Cowboys lost was because they did not execute the plays. I also think it was Romo’s thumb not his girlfriend. He may miss T.O., but he does not miss Jason Witten very often. I hope that we can bounce back tonight against the Panthers. In addition, does anyone know where Jessica is sitting? GO COWBOYS
Travis
The Dallas Cowboys look to get back to their winning ways as they travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
After the Cowboys' 10-6 loss to the Eagles last Sunday, the Cowboys found themselves with the same record as the Green Bay Packers in the race for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Cowboys can still clinch home-field advantage with a win and a Green Bay loss on Sunday this week. Don't count on Green Bay losing though, so the best thing that we can do is to win out now. This game may seem easy, but don't forget that the Panthers upset the Seahawks last week.
The Cowboys may need to rely more on the running game this week, especially with the injury to Romo's right thumb.
Look for Cory Procter to get the start under center for this game with Andre Gurode out due to a knee sprain.
Dallas' main challenge on defense will be containing Steve Smith. Terence Newman will have his hands full in this game.
Safety Roy Williams is suspended for this game for the horse-collar tackle that he made on McNabb last week, his backup Pat Watkins is out with an ankle injury, but I don't see that affecting us that much in this game. Carolina has very little offense.
Terrell Owens has been quiet in his last two games, recording 21 yards and 37 yards. Somehow the Cowboys need to find a way to get him more involved.
For the first time in 17 games, Romo failed to throw a touchdown pass, setting a Cowboys record.
The Cowboys got bit hard by the injury bug last week. Starting center Andre Gurode (knee), backup safety Pat Watkins (ankle), and wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) are out. Chris Canty (knee), Marc Colombo (ankle), Anthony Fasano (head), and Tony Romo (thumb) all practiced all week and are listed as probable.
Well, hasn’t this been an interesting week? I am still not over our loss to THAT team. Especially since I made a bet with someone on MySpace. I’ve had to send flower comments all week. Of course that was my idea. I thought daily flowers would be cute. It’s becoming slow torture but I only have to do it two more days.
Romo had a terrible game but I am chalking it up to his hand injury. Thank God it wasn’t worse. Our trip to the Super Bowl would have taken a major detour. T.O. made some comments about Jessica being at the game. I don’t know if she was a distraction or not. But if Romo looked up at her once or mentioned her name while he was in uniform, Jerry should have her banned from the building.
Roy Williams got suspended for a horse collar on McNabb. My first reaction was the suspension was excessive because nobody got hurt. After I took off my Cowboys tinted glasses and looked at it like someone who doesn’t bleed blue and silver, I was all right with it. Let’s look at the facts. The rule was put in place because of Roy. It should be called the “you can’t tackle like this because of Roy” rule. It was made because Roy broke T.O.’s leg when he was an Eagle. [I still get a chuckle about that. You know that T.O. gives Roy a dirty look any time that leg hurts him.] If ever there was a player or team that Roy was going to get suspended for horse collaring, this was it. A perfect storm as they say.
On a brighter note, 11 players are going to the Pro Bowl! Congratulations! We are so proud of you!
Tony Romo, quarterback
Marion Barber, running back
Terrell Owens, wide receiver
Jason Witten, tight end
DeMarcus Ware, linebacker
Nick Folk, kicker
Flozell Adams, offensive tackle
Leonard Davis, guard
Andre Gurode, center
Ken Hamlin, safety
Terence Newman, cornerback
Tomorrow we play Carolina. They are 6 - 8 and their playoff hopes are slim at best. Their job this week will be to be spoilers and add to our loss total. I’m sure everyone knows we are playing for home field. We can’t afford losses.
I don’t post again until next Friday. Everyone please enjoy your holidays and be safe.
When I started watching football you knew who the coaches were. What coach belonged with what team. It was easy because they didn't change. When you said Tom Landry or Don Shula you thought of the Cowboys and the Dolphins. The same way with the players! Granted there were players that were traded, but it was nothing compared to how players switch teams now with free agency. There was loyalty to the team. It seemed like the coaches and players had that loyalty that we the fans still have.
When Roy Williams was drafted by the Cowboys I was so happy. I had watched all of his Oklahoma games so I knew what a gifted player he was. After his first few games I thought to myself that he would be a career Cowboy, even though I realized that the league was changing. It had become more of a "What can the team do for me" attitude. The players now have no expectation of finishing their careers with the team that originally signed them.
In 2002 we didn't have much of a team point blank! Roy Williams was the only marketable asset Jerry Jones had. Before you knew it everywhere you looked were #31 jersey's. With every hard hit and tackle, Roy's popularity grew.
When the NFL banned the horse collar tackle, I knew it would be hard for him to learn not to grab at the jersey. I mean it is a habit, something he has always used. I agree with the NFL that it is too dangerous and should be banned, but I have seen Roy start to go for it and then take his hands down so many times. I can see how hard it is for him.
Then I hear that they want him to watch the hard hits. Come on!!!! I agree with the horse collar but not the hard hits nonsense! Look at Bill Bates. #40 was one of the most hard hitting's Cowboys I can remember and I am sure there are plenty more.
Now that the rules have changed on him and he is having trouble adjusting to the new rules and system. Some fans even want him out, They say " Maybe he shouldn't be a cowboy anymore" "Maybe he needs to find a new system" Ouch! That breaks my heart! LOYALTY! This is all I know, that is what my Dad taught me about football and I will stand by Roy and any other Cowboys in the future. Maybe I am old school, maybe I need to change my outlook on football, but then that would mean giving up what I love about football and the one thing my Dad taught me "Stand by the team you love" and Roy is a part of that team.
Contributed by Raina Middleton
Philadelphia beat Dallas 10-6 on Sunday, December 16, 2007. We all know this. Some of us have gotten drunk over it, some have cried over it. Some might have even bashed TV sets because of it, but one thing is certain: there is NO other team we, as Cowboys fans, hate as badly to see our guys lose to.
Last week I wrote about why so many people love the Dallas Cowboys; this week I’m going to look at a couple of the (many, many) reasons we hate the Eagles…
There is the obvious reason and that is Tim Hauck’s tackle of Michael Irvin on October 10, 1999, a tackle that severely injured Irvin’s spinal cord and, ultimately, led to his retirement from football. None of us will ever forgive the Eagles for this (or their fans who cheered as our “Playmaker” lay on the ground). And there are people, I am sure, who will say, “Well, it’s not the Eagles fault…surely you can’t blame the entire team. Or their fans.” And our rejoinder is, first, “Yes it is the Eagle’s fault” and, second, “Yes, yes we do blame the entire team. And we hate them and their fans even more for it than we already did.”
And how about T.O.’s first game as an Eagle wide receiver? You know, the Monday night 2004 game that started with a skit from Desperate Housewife Nicolette Sheridan, who dropped her towel and jumped into T.O.’s arms? And that wasn’t even the most nauseating event of the night….oh no…the worst was the pounding the ‘Boys took (at home, no less), losing 21-49. Jeez that game was a gem…do you remember how bad we hated T.O. then? The times they sure have a-changed.
And then there’s last Christmas, and I’m not gonna recap THAT because I am sure it is still wretched and ugly in the minds of Cowboys fans. We got our revenge, though….the Eagles are officially out of the play-off race for 2007…and if the Cowboys had not beaten them earlier this year, I would not be able to make that statement.
And, speaking of that win in November, that game was only the second time the Cowboys have beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia since 1998, and, now that we have head coach Wade Phillips (a former Eagle’s defensive coordinator), not to mention Romo, T.O., Barber III, Witten, Ware, and a host of others, things are looking up, WAY up. The team is clicking, yes it is… As Timbuk3 said in that 80’s song, “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades….”
There are few football rivalries that are as bitter as the one between the Cowboys and the Eagles. We know this. We accept this. We teach this to our children so they will grow up to be Philly haters, too (God, PLEASE don’t let them be Eagles fans just to spite us)…I have already begun to instruct my two-year-old little girl, Morgan, on the fine art of being an Eagle hater. Last Sunday, as I yelled “Philly Sucks!” at the TV (but I didn’t cuss, no, not even a little…OK a little), my sweet little girl stood beside me, yelling the same words I did, in toddlerese, no less, but still the same thing.... “Pilly Suckie! Pilly Suckie!” That’s my girl…
With the Christmas season upon us, I feel it's only fitting for me to give a special holiday shoutout to my favorite sports network, ESPN.
Now, most of you know that I'm a huge supporter of ESPN. Let's be real. These people don't care that Dallas has run away with their division. They don't care that Dallas has clinched a first round bye for the first time since 1995. 
No, they'd rather dangle the meat in front of the tiger to see what kind of reaction they can get out of players and fans alike.
They'd rather scrutinize Terence Newman for his sarcastic comments leading up to their game against Detroit.
Mike Ditka would rather predict when he thinks T.O. will stab his team in the back than acknowledge that he's had a career best year.
And now, they'd rather call T.O. a distraction for poking a little fun at Jessica Simpson than talk about the upcoming game against Carolina.
If there's one thing I've learned from being a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan for 18 years (that's right, I've been a fan since birth), it's that everything the Dallas Cowboys do will always be under a constant microscope and criticism, regardless of the circumstance.
So from me and my fellow Cowboys fans, Merry Christmas ESPN, and thank you for yet another year of biased reporting. We'll see you in Tempe.
Roy Williams is getting a lot of ink these days, but most of it is not due in great part to his performance. In fact, quite the contrary.
Where do I begin... well as most of you know by now Roy Williams had been suspended one game and fined for his horse collar tackle on Donovan McNabb last Sunday in the loss against the Eagles. Williams immediately appealed the decision and today the NFL released this statement while denying his appeal...
"Commissioner (Roger) Goodell has denied the appeal of the one-game suspension of Roy Williams," the NFL said in a statement. "The horse-collar tackling technique is prohibited because the Competition Committee and the clubs have determined that it presents an unacceptable risk to player safety. Rules that protect and advance player safety must be enforced in a way that will deter violations and prevent injuries from occurring."
His coaches and teammates ought to be fed up, too. The NFL fined him twice this season and warned him in writing after the last one, and still he acted recklessly.
Today, Terrell Owens had a press conference and spent a great deal of it being very critical not only of the particular play, but also of his teammate Roy Williams.
"Roy Williams is a quality player, but he has to understand that he is not helping his team with those types of penalties. He has to start playing by the rules. Our team is heading into the playoffs and we need Roy to get it together."
You can listen to the complete press conference here.
Donovan McNabb had this to say on the illegal tackle by Roy Williams...
"It is dangerous and I've kind of seen it first hand happen to (Terrell Owens)," McNabb said. "I remember when it happened and I actually thought it was worse than what it was -- a broken ankle. It's a play where you're kind of defenseless because you think you've passed a guy and then all of a sudden he kind of yanks you back. Your feet are up under you. You get bent back in an awkward position. Anything can break. In that situation, you just kind of watch the film and feel truly blessed that he didn't grab my ankle. With him pulling me back and grabbing my ankle, you never know what could have happened. I was able to get my feet from up under me and put myself in a position where I could fall safely."
Like T.O. said, it's time for everyone on the team to focus 24/7. We already had a heartbreaking end to a season last year, we dont need another. He said everyone needs to set their sites on Arizona. (That's where the Super Bowl is this season)
Williams leads the team with 65 solo tackles and is second in total tackles with 83, so his absence will be a stiff blow to the Cowboys, especially because of the timing.
12 and 2, NFC Division Champs, First round bye in the Playoffs and a Great Chance for home field throughout the playoffs still in the mix. I find myself taking a deep breath despite the loss to the Eagles, (which was a very tough pill to swallow.) The only thing worrying me coming out of a 10 to 6 loss to the Eagles was the injuries to a number of key players for the Cowboys.
Romo suffered a right thumb contusion, and left Sundays game with his right hand heavily bandaged, but said he would be "fine" for Saturdays game against the Panthers. If his bruised thumb still affects him It would be wise to concentrate more on running the ball.
The Pro Bowl Center Gurode left the game Sunday with a sprained left knee. Gurode had and MRI done on his knee Monday and was waiting for results to come in later Monday evening. Nothing has came in as of yet on the status of Gurode at this time. We just need to hope that Gurode will return to the Field for the Panthers game on Saturday. If we are having to rely mostly on the run, then Gurode will defiantly be needed going up against the Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins who is one the best at his position.
Phillips said Canty had just a sprained knee and could be ready to play this week.
Fasano suffered a mild concussion Sunday afternoon, but Phillips stated that it isn't anything serious and would be ready to play on Saturday.
Watkins might not be ready to play this week, Phillips termed his injury just a "regular ankle sprain" that doesn't appear to be a long-term setback.
The Cowboys still have plenty of things to be optimistic about regardless of their bad day Sunday. Terry Glenn is Hopeful to return to the lineup on Saturday. And Everyone including myself have been eagerly anticipating his return. With his presence on the field he is going to open up this offense to a whole other level.
Things are still on the UP and UP for the Boyz. We as Fans just need to brush off this past game and be hopeful for everyone to be healthy and ready to go on game day. I don't feel like this is the December slide that most have been worrying about. I feel like this is going to be a December To Remember for the rest of our Die Hard Cowboys Lives. So lets all take a deep breath and get pumped up for Saturday. Go Cowboys!!!!
What a magical year for the Dallas Cowboys. America's Team will be sending 11 of its top players to Hawaii to be honored at the Pro Bowl. This will tie the franchise record which was set back during the 90s dynasty years.
STARTERS
Flozell Adams, offensive tackle
Leonard Davis, guard
Andre Gurode, center
Jason Witten, tight end
Terrell Owens, wide receiver
DeMarcus Ware, linebacker
Nick Folk, kicker
BACKUPS
Tony Romo, quarterback
Marion Barber, running back
Ken Hamlin, safety
Terence Newman, cornerback
The NFL took swift action on Cowboys safety Roy Williams and suspended him for one game without pay today, for his horse collar penalty on Sunday.
Roy Williams committed the penalty while taking down Donvan McNabb during the Cowboy's loss to the Eagles. It is his third horse collar penalty of the year, and this time it is going to cost him $37,000.
This couldn't have come at a worse time for the Cowboys who will probably be without the services of Pat Watkins on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Watkins sustained a mild concussion and isn't expected to play.
Wade Phillips had this to say about it...
“To me, if you tackle a guy from behind like that and you’re not falling on his legs, you’re not hurting anybody,” Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. “So what’s wrong with it? Now, if you’re falling on his legs, like he did before, then that’s one thing. But that’s the rule and we need to abide by it. He is just going to have to learn to do it different. He passed it up a couple times in that game.”
“He’s real strong, especially with his hands. You go to your strength, so he’s going to grab somebody with his hands. And the way it is now, they tape those jerseys in the back, so you can’t grab them, you can’t hold on to them. The only thing you can grab is something behind him. And he’s coming from behind, he has to learn to lay out. But what he’s used to doing is grabbing them, because he’s so strong with his hands. He hasn’t been able to break that habit obviously.”
Williams can, and probably will appeal it which may allow him to play on Saturday, but no decision has been made yet.
Well, it's the holiday season and i am so thankful for what we have as Cowboys fans and I hope that that all of you guys are too. So many times fans in all sports have a good team and they get caught up in worrying if their team might be good enough to make it to the championship or Super Bowl, that they forgot to enjoy the ride.
Just a few years ago we had a team that was heading nowhere. QB's in and out of the lineup, no running game, no defense, always keeping an eye out for the top players in college to see who was best to impact our team. Right now, our biggest issues or some injuries and the battle to get homefield away from Green Bay.
What we do have is an awsome team with a 12-2 record. Two very winable games would give the 'Boys their best regular season record ever. From Roger to Troy to Romo. We now have a QB we can count on again. Barber and Jones seem to work well together. Although I like Barber's style much more. The most consistent TE in the league in Witten and Owens is now a real team player, maybe for the first time in his career. Pro Bowlers all over the place.....offense, defense, and special teams.
Yes, we will make the playoffs and we will need to play well in every game to make the Super Bowl. I believe the we can win the Super Bowl even if we face the Patriots. Super bowl or no Super Bowl, lets not forget to enjoy the ride.
The Dallas Cowboys offense was stagnant the whole game, and although the defense kept them in the game, Romo couldn't get the ball into the end zone, and Dallas lost 10-6. Before this game, Tony Romo passed for a touchdown in a team record 17 straight games. With the Seattle loss, the Cowboys still clinch a bye, but are now tied with the Packers for the best record in the NFC, making these final two games of the regular season extremely crucial to win.
The Cowboys took a 3-0 lead off of an Eagles fumble after Tony Romo threw an interception in the end zone. It was a 33-yard field goal from Nick Folk.
Before the half, Donovan McNabb found a wide open Reggie Brown in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown catch to give the Eagles a 7-3 lead heading into halftime.
The Dallas offense didn't get any better as the game went along. Romo drove down the field but had to settle for a 23-yard Nick Folk field goal to cut the Philly lead to 7-6, but an injured right thumb on Romo's throwing hand may have prevented him from throwing the ball accurately all day, as Romo was only 13/36 for 214 yards with 0 TD's and 3 INT's. The Eagles went on to win the game 10-6.
Injuries were a big part of the day for the Cowboys. In addition to Romo's thumb, which he will have on MRI for on Monday, Chris Canty, Andre Gurode, and Pat Watkins all went down with injuries. Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano were playing with injuries too. Until today the Cowboys were completely healthy with the exception of Terry Glenn, who might come back next week, so this really hurts.
The Cowboys' running attack never got going. Marion Barber III and Julius Jones each carried the ball 7 times, for 32 and 5 yards respectively.
Jason Witten had another big game, catching 8 passes for 113 yards. Terrell Owens was again shutdown, catching 2 balls for 37 yards. Patrick Crayton made 2 receptions for 54 yards.
Nick Folk connected on both of his field goal attempts, making a 33 and 23-yarder.
The Dallas defense kept us in the game all day long, coming up with huge stops throughout the game. Bradie James, DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, and Anthony Spencer each had a sack. Spencer also forced a fumble that was recovered by Marion Barber III.
What a demoralizing game this was to watch. The good news is that we hold the tiebreaker over the Packers and that we still control our own destiny. The defense looked a lot better in this game but the offense sputtered. The final two games of the season are virtual must-wins now if the Cowboys are to have home-field throughout the playoffs, and it looks like we will have some injuries to deal with. Our final two games are both on tyhe road at carolina and then at Washington. Hopefully we can bounce back from this and treat it as a learning experience, entering the playoffs on a roll.
The Dallas Cowboys will play their final home game of the regular season when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Texas Stadium on Sunday. With a win, the Cowboys can clinch a 1st-round bye in the playoffs, and coupled with a Green Bay loss can seal home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Eagles seek revenge after the Cowboys demolished them 38-17 in the first game their year. An Eagles loss eliminates them from playoff contention.
After a sub-par effort on defense last week against the Lions, the Cowboys look to bounce back agtainst an Eagles offense that has really shown no consistency all year.
Tony Romo's first full season as a starter has been nothing short of spectacular. He has shown time and time again that he can lead his team down the field in crucial situations of the game. Last week against the Lions, he led the Cowboys down the field to 2 touchdowns to end the half, the second one being the game-winner to Jason Witten.
After catching only 3 passes for 21 yards against Detroit, look for Terrell Owens to become a more active player in this game, especially against his former team.
Wide receiverTerry Glenn is still out, but ran routes in practice this week. He could return next Saturday against the Panthers. Cornerback Terence Newman is questionable with a knee and toe injury, but Wade Phillips seems confident that he will be able to play. Wide receiver Patrick Crayton and right tackle Marc Colombo are both probable with ankle injuries.
I vividly remember the day, Saturday April 20, 2002. The day Roy Williams became a Dallas Cowboy. Now, myself not really being a big college fan at the time, I had heard through NFL Draft Analysts how Dallas was targeting either Roy Williams that day or Ed Reed. Most analysts stated that Roy Williams was the bigger and better suited safety, noting nothing about his coverage skills at that point. I even remember one analyst stating that Roy Williams was a shoe in Hall of Famer whether Dallas got him or not. He has Ronnie Lott's box presence and ferrosciousness and could cover out of the slot, so said one NFL scout. So then came Dallas pick #6 in which Dallas traded down 2 places with Kansas City and then selected DB Oklahoma Roy Williams with the 8th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. I was elated and ecstatic! We already had Woody back there and adding Roy Williams? Damn, I immediately had visions of having the best 2 safety tandem in the NFL by far.
Fast forward to 2005. Roy Williams has been everything I expected. A big stout safety who is considered a spark plug on a good defense. Roy excelled his first 4 years in the league. Even starting for the # 1 defense in the league in 2003 and making his first pro bowl. He had at least one bone crunching hit in every game and led the league in interceptions as a rookie in 2002. You can safely say and argue the fact that from 2002-2005, Roy was the Cowboy's best and most marketable player. His #31 jersey sold like hotcake's and could be easily seen in Texas Stadium every Sunday afternoon. I myself was even guilty of this feat. I saved up $300.00 in 2003 to get my authentic Roy Williams throwback from the Cowboys pro-shop. It was my most prized possession for quite awhile.
The decline. I really didn't want to believe that Roy's skills were suspect. The big warning came in 2004 when Woody went down a had to retire. Roy was exposed! He couldn't cover the deep receiver. Although Roy had great 2004 and 2005 campaigns, Roy gave opposing defenses an attack plan. Even though Roy was exposed, he was still that bone crunching hitter. He still instilled fear in opposing wide receivers that came over the middle. That just hasn't been the case lately.
Fast forward to this season. Up until this year, I had been the biggest Roy Williams supporter. This season he has not only been suspect in coverage but he has suffered when playing in the box against the run. The last two weeks I have seen Roy take two bad angles on huge TD runs by the Packers and Lions. I even remember seeing Roy stiffed arm badly by an opposing RB earlier in the year. I don't want to think that his skills as a football player are on the decline because he is only 27 years old and at times this season he has looked like he is 37 back there. So what's wrong with Roy Williams you say? I have the answer or answers...........read on.
Answer # 1. Confidence. Most people who have ever played the game of American football will tell you that confidence in one's own abilities is a big factor on how the athlete plays. Lately I believe that Roy has began to question his own abilities. His ability to not only cover but to hit as well. I believe he has began to hear and believe all the naysayers and boo-birds in the media and at games and it has begun to cast doubt. Once that doubt sets in, the player becomes vulnerable and susceptible to mistakes and that's exactly what's been happening lately to Roy.
Answer # 2. Fame and money. The say that Fame and Money changes a person for the worse. Roy just signed a 4 year extension in 2006 making him the highest paid safety in the league. Players become totally entrenched in things on the outside and forget the things that made them rich and famous in the first place like playing football. I believe this answer is common for many athletes in the NFL today. I honestly believe that more than half of all NFL players are in it more for the money than for the love of the game. They start to forget how hard and grueling the road to the NFL was. It's not an easy task people. Roy is a humanitarian. He spends alot of time helping charities and foundations he has set-up. Hey you all have seen those United Way commercials. I believe this answer does not apply to Roy for that fact, but hey I could always be wrong.
Answer # 3. He just doesn't want to be a Cowboy. I know this is a little far fetched and out there but anything's possible. The only reason I bring this answer up is because I have tried to keep an eye on Roy this year seeing what he does on every play. There are times in the game when the defense comes up with a big play and Roy has no reaction. Like he doesn't care. I have seen this reaction a few times. Roy, at least to my knowledge, has always been an emotional player. Every time he made a big hit or big play in the past, he has always shown alot of emotion. Same when someone else on defense had a big play. You would always see Roy be one of the first players to show some congrats. Haven't seen that lately as well.
So there you have it. Some of you might agree with what I have to say and some of you may not. I honestly believe that if Roy was playing the way we are used to seeing Roy Williams play in previous years, this defense would be special. I have always been a great Roy Williams supporter but lately, like this whole season, its been hard to defend the guy. I would love nothing more than to have Roy turn around and start hitting some people like he used to. During the Green Bay game a few weeks ago I saw a flash of the old Roy when he came up on a running play and decleated Ryan Grant at the line after he was stood up by Canty. That was the old Roy I came to love watch play. The only time this season I saw Roy knock someone silly. Anyone out there know where that Roy is?
Contributed by Fred the Fredooch
Well Cowboy fans it is the last home game of the regular season. The Cowboys are 12-1, doing the best I have seen in a long time. While looking at the Cowboys website there was a poll that asked, “What is the biggest key to beating Philly”? A) Fast start on offense. B) No turnovers. C) Pressure McNabb. D) Stop Westbrook. I took the poll. The majority of the people chose “D” I have to agree with them. While not having any turnovers helps the game plan. It seems to me that when Romo and company score first they never seem to look back. (“A” was my second choice) Pressure McNabb? Please, it seems to me he has turned out like Randall Cunningham once they came back from an injury they were not the same. It is as they forgot how to scramble. Therefore, I do not think McNabb will be a factor at all in this game; however, Westbrook to me is the only weapon the Eagles have.
So how do the Cowboys beat Philly? The offense has to score first. The defense has to stop Westbrook and let Philly know they have no chance to win this game. So like T.O. I will have my popcorn ready, along with a broom to watch the Cowboys sweep Philly as they did the Giants and get that first round bye.
As for Keyshawn Johnson, It is clear to me that he is still upset because T.O. replaced him. I heard Keyshawn say something about 28 dropped passes. Well I really get pissed off when people in a position like Keyshawn state a statistic and do not follow it up. Therefore, Mr. Johnson let me correct you on the correct stats. It is true T.O. led the NFL in dropped passes last season. He also led with most catches and the most THROWN to. Now with that said Mr. Johnson you need to have your staff get the stats right before you on national TV and dog the person who replaced you and is doing a better job at it than you did. So T.O. if you read this do not pay any attention to Keyshawn just send him a bag of popcorn and a box of Kleenex.
The Dallas Morning News is reporting that nose tackle Jay Ratliff has signed a five-year contract extension worth $20.5 million. The Dallas Cowboys acted quickly on Ratliff, who was scheduled to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Ratliff is in the midst of a fine season since he took over for the injured Jason Ferguson at nose tackle. He currently has 25 tackles and leads the team with 13 quarterback pressures. Despite being smaller than most nose tackles, Ratliff makes up for his lack of size with his quick bursts and hard-hitting style. He has becomes one of the leaders on defense.
Ratliff joins Tony Romo as the latest players to sign extensions this season. Jerry Jones is quietly going about his business of ensuring that he retains his top players. Rumor has it that Patrick Crayton is next in line for an extension.
Things continue to look up for the Silver and Blue!
Well, it’s that time. Round 2 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Of all the division games, this is the one that I have the strongest feelings about. Maybe because I was born in Philadelphia and spent years fighting with the whole city because I wore Cowboys blue on Sunday. Okay, maybe not the whole city. Just my family and friends who are all Eagles fans. I was the only one with any common sense.
This Sunday, the Eagles fly into Dallas with a broken wing. At 5-8, they have the worst record in the East and are technically out of the playoffs. *wild cheering* The Cowboys, on the other hand, are riding the wave of their best season ever at 12-1 and are the
NFC EAST CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Clap your hands! Stomp your feet!*
Say it loud! Say it proud!
I don’t know about you but I will be sitting in front of the television at 4:15pm with some nice hot popcorn and watching the show!
GO COWBOYS!
The rumors are true! Terry Glenn has been out on the practice field this week. He practiced Wednesday and Thursday, running routes without pads or even a jersey. He has been ruled out for Sunday, but according to the Star-Telegram he was quoted saying, "Don't rule me out! Don't rule me out!"
I doubt we will see him play this Sunday, but if all goes well he may make an appearance in Carolina. The predictions are that we won't see him until the playoffs. Either way, its great to see him back on his feet.
In other injury news, Terence Newman returned to full practice on Thursday, after spending Wednesday in the workout room. He had sprained his toe in last week's game against the Lions.
Patrick Crayton also returned to practice Wednesday, he sprained his foot in Detroit and had been seen wearing a walking boot on Monday.
Thinking back to the past few seasons and comparing them with this season, the thing I'm most excited about as I watch the Dallas Cowboys is THEIR excitement! I cannot tell you how great it is as a fan to watch my Cowboys play with actual smiles on their faces, and not just the players - the coaches too. How great is it to see the Cowboys score a touchdown or make a good play and, as the cameras pan over to Wade Phillips, to see him literally jumping for joy and giving high-fives (sometimes painful ones) to his football team?
Not to take anything away from any of our talented, well-known past coaches, who will remain nameless, (starts with P - ends with arcells) but come ON now? So much of how our guys feel is a direct reflection from the men on the sidelines who hold so much of the power.
I don't know about you, but I feel good when I'm around people who seem happy and excited and I feel bad when I'm around people who suck the positivity out of the atmosphere. It's easier for our guys to have fun when the coaching staff shows excitement and gives proper attention to good plays and touchdowns.
It's so nice to see the Dallas Cowboys winning, but to me it's even better to see them winning and having fun! They are happy to be on the field and doing what they love, scoring points, and making great plays. Give credit to all the coaches on the sidelines for providing a great atmosphere, and motivating the team so that they can play and perform beyond their expectations.
Personally, I REALLY want our guys to go to the Super Bowl and winning another ring would be fantastic. But honestly, I feel like I can wait for the huge accolades because I'm having so much fun as a fan again. I want this feeling to last forever! Long live the Cowboys and cheers to our Boys having fun on the football field again!
Contributed by Jen Gunter
To be a champion caliber team you must be consistent in all phrases of the game. We all know about Dallas's offense, Tony Romo with all his weapons, Barber and Jones's running attack behind our fantastic offensive line. The defense is getting more respect and recognition as they improve every week (not counting the Lions game.) Phrase three is Special teams. I don't feel like our kick return team gets the credit they deserve.
Miles Austin in his second year makes you sit on the edge of your seat every time he gets the ball. His long return is sixty yards. I just know he is going to break one all the way. Austin is averaging twenty-six yards on eighteen returns.
Tyson Thompson shows he is a talent with his return ability also. Tyson's average is a little lower than Austin's at twenty-three.six, but his long return is seventy-two yards.
I look forward to seeing rookie Isaiah Stanback come back from his injury. I have to agree with the Cowboy staff that Stanback is exciting to watch. His long kick return is thirty-five yards but he has only had three returns with a average of twenty-six yards.
Between these three and more recently Miles Austin, the Cowboys have had good field position on most possessions. Of course, it would be a dream come true if we only had punt returns meaning our defense didn't allow a score! WOW!
With Patrick Crayton and Terence Newman returning punts, we haven't had stunning returns but, they average twelve yards per return that equals our opponents. Even though we haven't returned a punt or kick return for a score with all the talent we have on special teams it will come. They are saving it for the playoffs!
Although special teams need to improve in some areas they show improvement each week just as the offense and defense.
What I respect about the 2007 Cowboys is the way coach Phillips has blended all three phases to work together as a team. The media and fans shine the light on certain players but, they know that it takes every player in the locker room to win and that is why we are the NFC East Champs!
Contributed by Raina Middleton
Someone once said, “It doesn’t matter what happens in a game, as long as you win it with eighteen seconds left.” OK, so maybe I made that up, but in reality, the only thing that matters is that final push to victory. Last Sunday, while fans, coaches, and teammates all held their collective breaths, Tony Romo and Jason Witten proved, once again, that you don’t mess with Texas…especially not the (unquestionably) talented and (possibly) charmed faction of it that is the Dallas Cowboys.
What is it about the Cowboys that makes so many people care about their game? Is it the talent of its players, the productiveness of its coaching staff, the beauty of its cheerleaders? Is the fact that the Cowboys hail from Texas, a place where people have hearts as big as the state itself? I think the key lies in this… it lies in the fact that the Cowboys offer us a sense of familiarity, of home, of family.
Those of us who are children of the 1970’s still remember, I’m sure, how the Cowboys were the name on everyone’s lips. Due to the popularity of the team, many TV markets broadcasted Cowboys games. Nowadays, and depending on where you live, you may rarely or, even worse, never, have that privilege. For me, growing up in a small town on the outskirts of Myrtle Beach, SC, some of the only memories I have of my family being together are Sunday afternoons gathered in front of the television, eating Pizza Hut pizza that my Dad had to drive to get, and watching Cowboys games. The rivalry of the 1970’s era between the Cowboys and the Steelers brought some heated moments in our den, as I always pulled for the Cowboys and my closest sister, just to spite me, I am convinced, cheered for the Steelers.
For me, now, thirty years later, Sundays are sacred, not for any religious reason, but because of what we have deemed “family day.” My husband, our two-year old baby girl, and I, along with a few friends (hers and ours) sit in our den, eat lots of 
finger foods, and watch a ton of football (yes, my toddler LOVES football. Be jealous, be VERY jealous). Because we are in South Carolina and, therefore, subjected to Panthers game via our local market, we get Direct TV and the Sunday NFL Ticket so we (hopefully) never have to watch crappy football. We have four televisions set up in our den, and, regardless of what other games may be on at the time, the Cowboys game always gets the prime big-screen spotlight.
Flashback to last Sunday’s game: as the final minute played out, I could hardly bear to watch. Forget the fact that I play fantasy football and this was the first week of our league’s play-offs; forget the fact that I was playing my husband for the opportunity to move to the next round; forget even that I had the supreme providence to draft both T.O (in the third round, can you believe it?) and Romo (I took him in the 5th—all the guys said I “reached,” but who would accuse me of that now?)—all I cared about was a Cowboys WIN.
I had my hands over my eyes, so I missed Romo’s touchdown throw to Witten, but what I couldn’t miss was hearing Morgan, my little girl, jumping up and down and yelling, “Go, go, GO Cows!” as they scored the winning touchdown (I am convinced that this is why they won, by the way).
I watched my daughter, and it hit me that at the tender age of two she is experiencing what I have waited 37 years for—the best Cowboys season ever. For some reason this seems especially important, and gives me hope for her future as she continues to grow up a Cowboys fan. As I tucked her into her crib that night, she said, “Mommy, Morgan, Cows,” toddler slang for “Mommy and Morgan had a really good time watching the Cowboys today.” It was a family day that surpassed any of the ones of my childhood…
Hey Everyone! How 'bout 'em!?
"Wooohooo!!!" sums it up, huh?
Sorry this is getting to you late. It's a long story and I blame Mother Nature. We went from 80 degrees to 40 with fog then lightning, rain, hail, 70 degrees, thunder sleet and 40 degrees again... all within like 5 days. I know weird stuff is happening all over. Be safe out there, okay?
If you have game day plans, please consider the weather! Leave early, plan to be late AND I recommend you stock up on that product made by a teacher. Airborne, is it? That stadium is going to be filled with people that look like me! AACHOO!! Thankfully, at the moment, forecast for Sunday is nice but on the cool side.
The Eagles come to Dallas this weekend. I don't have much to say about this game. Everyone knows the Eagles are not ready to play the Cowboys on Sunday. Pluck the Eagles sums up how I feel. Cowboys win... by A LOT. Sure, Philly will TRY. They might begin to talk a good game but I think they give up in the 3rd. This is the game that should be fun for fans AND players.
Did you follow the recent poll here about the last four games? I visit often to see how you are voting. Be sure to vote on the most recent poll about the Head Coaches! Grab a graphic on your way out. If you haven't seen the new ones YOU NEED TO! They are really cool! My favorite:
PLUCK THE EAGLES!
My season prediction record this season is: 125-83. It's not looking good! HA! My fantasy teams, what's left of them, are still holding on. I started out with 4 teams. I'm down to three. I didn't make the play-offs in the league that mattered (aka: money involved). I'm alive and kickin' at FOXSports and I should move on to play at least one more. The best I can do is 3rd. Tough competition! At my 1st Yahoo League, the best I can do is 3rd place. The 2nd Yahoo league is still holding onto that lead! I had a good lead going but... I'm in 1st by two points! YIKES!!
I want to wish you all the best of luck as we go into the final weeks of the regular season! Watch those schedules. You need to get your playoff fantasy teams ready or/and get your predictions in on time! If your leagues and predicting friends are anything like mine, "Rules are Rules." *smile*
Ya'll have a good one! Enjoy the game Sunday!
GO COWBOYS!!!
I am truly at a loss for words when I see what I saw on NFL Live this afternoon. I'm sure we've all seen it already. Keyshawn Johnson, the former "accomplished" NFL receiver, took unjustified shots at Terrell Owens for some extremely general comments he made about Bill Parcells. 
After being blindsided by Keyshawn's ridiculous comments, Terrell Owens defended himself and his team. But already, TO is being made out by ESPN to be a coach killer and a team destroyer, again.
This is simply preposterous. Keyshawn Johnson? THE Keyshawn Johnson is telling an NFL player to "let it go?" The Keyshawn Johnson that wrote the book entitled Throw Me the Damn Ball? The Keyshawn Johnson who was constantly at his former coach Jon Gruden's throat? The Keyshawn Johnson who was suspended by his team for half the year because he wouldn't shut up? It's simply unbelievable that anyone with those types of accolades would criticize another NFL player for simply defending his current team and embracing his coach.
Now I'm sure many of you think that the reason Keyshawn is trying to put TO in his place is because of his deep respect and friendship with Bill Parcells. And you very well might be right. But Bill Parcells must have thought the world of Keyshawn, releasing him at the end of the 2006 season, and bringing in none other than Terrell Owens to take his place.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers must have thought alot of Keyshawn, especially after his half-year suspension. They traded him to Dallas in return for Joey Galloway. The Buccaneers certainly ridded themselves of a problem with that trade, and got a pretty good player in return.
The Carolina Panthers must have thought alot of Keyshawn Johnson. I remember Keyshawn covering the 2007 NFL draft, constantly talking about how excited he was for the upcoming season. Then when Carolina selected USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett with their second round pick, Keyshawn raved about him and talked about how much of an honor it would be to "teach the kid the ropes." The Panthers obviously wanted no part of that, releasing Keyshawn the next week.
So Keyshawn Johnson, shut your mouth. You fit in extremely well with the rest of ESPN's sorry cast of "analysts" who sit there with smirks on their faces and act like they know what they're talking about. You can sit on your couch with your popcorn and watch the best wide receiver in the league make your career as well as your analysis look like a joke.
No worries TO, I got your back.
Extras
*Regarding the game on Sunday, I'm going to steal a page out of John Madden's book by simply saying "Great players, on a great team, making great plays." Enough said.
When you see children shopping in the toy department of your favorite store, you see their eyes light up, a smile spreads across their face, and you can feel their happiness and excitement. I told my husband that I wish I was a kid again as we watched the kids showing us their wish list. I realized we are only children once.
As adults we have so much going on in our lives, raising our kids, making our bills each month, pleasing our bosses and the list goes on and on, with all these responsibilities it is hard to take the time to see little things in our lives that are there everyday we just overlook them.
In October, my family and I went to the Tulsa State Fair. While we were watching the kids having fun on the rides my nephew covered my eyes, as he lifted his hands he told me to look straight ahead. I couldn't believe it, before in the distance was a Dallas Cowboy semi-truck and trailer. Something you don't see often in Oklahoma. I was excited to see that famous blue and silver logo on the truck but, as we walked around the cab of the truck I realized the trailer was made into a Pro-Shop! I was in heaven!
Anything you could want Dallas Cowboy's was there, Romo jerseys, foam fingers, t-shirts, pens, baby bottles, posters, key chains and autographed pictures. The entire trailer was packed full of items. I wanted one of everything, of course I had spent most of my money on corn dogs, so I couldn't afford much. I settled for a couple of things and carried them around proudly all day at the Fair. I even forgot about my family standing behind me with smiles on their faces as they watched me.
My husband told me I looked like a kid in a candy store. Right then I realized, wow - we can feel like kids again. All we have to do is notice all the things that make us happy in life. I know for all of us one of those things is definitely our NFC EAST CHAMPS DALLAS COWBOYS!
Contributed by Raina Middleton
The Cowboys signed rookie cornerback Alan Ball to the 53-man roster yesterday and waived nose tackle Remi Ayodele. Ayodele has been inactive since Tank Johnson was signed, which also happens to the last time the Cowboys made a roster move. This year the Cowboys have only made 10 roster changes, compared with last years 53 at this point of the season.
With Terence Newman's season long leg injury, Ball will hopefully provide a decent backup if needed. Ball had a decent preseason but a minor knee injury kept him from the team and left him on the practice squad.
Signing the seventh round pick rookie also gives the Cowboys the rights to him. If practice squad players are not signed, they become free agents after the season.
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Have a wonderful remainder of the week. GO COWBOYS!!!!
How about the one for WOW!
With Sunday's heart stopping victory, The Cowboys brought home the NFC East Title for the first time since 1998. It most definitely wasn't a pretty win and there may have been a little help from Lady Luck, But A Win is a Win. I'll take it anyway they can get it.
Then theres the one for WADE!
Head Coach Wade Phillips has taken full blame for the flat per