LoneStarStruck.com - For Die Hard Cowboys Fans - StarStruck

If I ask you which Dallas Cowboy linebacker is popular with the fans, had 14 sacks last season and will be receiving a large contract in the near future, who would that be? The answer is DeMarcus Ware #94!

DeMarcus was born July 31, 1982 in Auburn, Alabama. He attended Auburn High School, which produced other NFL greats like Marcus Washington of the Redskins and New York Giants' Osi Umenyiora. Washington started a celebrity basketball game at the school. All three attend making it quite an event.

DeMarcus's senior year, he won "Most Valuable Wide Receiver", "Most Valuable Linebacker" and "Most Valuable Leadership" awards. His senior season alone, he had 7 sacks!

Be-Ware didn't just excel in football. He was a letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track! I still can't get over him playing wide receiver. I would love to see that!

DeMarcus attended Troy University where he majored in Business Information Systems. Where he really excelled, of course, was on the football field.  Ware's senior year he was the League's Defensive Player of the Year, and he was a finalist for the Hendricks Award. He made his mark in Troy history books with 57 tackles for losses.  He finished his college career with amazing stats: 27.5 sacks, 195 tackles, 74 quarterback hurries, 10 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 1 interception.

Ware began his NFL career when the Cowboys drafted him in the first round with their 11th pick. He proved to all Cowboy fans that Bill Parcells and Jerry Jones had made the right choice when he went up against the Carolina Panthers offense recording 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in one game! Not bad for a Rookie! I think that is the game that fans realized this guy is something special.

In 2006 and 2007, Ware went to the Pro-Bowl, and he also was selected to the All-Pro team. He is the first Cowboy Linebacker named to the All-Pro team since Chuck Howley in 1970. In 2007, Ware also was Co-All Iron Award winner.

DeMarcus had a fantastic year in the 2007 season. Ware became only the second Cowboy to record 14 or more sacks in a season. His stats have improved each year. Staying healthy has certainly helped his total stats, but the rest is talent... and talent alone. In 48 games, he has a total of 215 tackles, 33.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and he has scored 2 touchdowns.

DeMarcus Ware is definitely one of the most popular Cowboys on the team. The fans have respect for him, and he returns the respect by taking the time to spend with his fans anytime he can. He has a myspace page in which he reads his comments. He recently put up his own website and fan club to be more in touch with fans. If you haven't yet, you should check out his website at www.demarcusware94.com. 

I am going to end this with a quote from DeMarcus's website. "When I was young, I was told that I was not big enough and too slow. I worked hard, practiced harder and strived to be the best. Always believe in yourself and you can achieve your dreams." I think he is definitely achieving his dreams so far with the Dallas Cowboys!

Posted by Raina Middleton at 08:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Roy Lee Williams was born August 14, 1980 in Redwood City, California. Roy has been compared to the former Cowboy great Bill Bates. We had no idea that there was a little boy that would grow up to have the same bone jarring hits that Bill Bates was known for and that he would play safety for the Dallas Cowboys.

Roy attended High School at James Logan in Union City, California where he was a gifted athlete that lettered in track but of course excelled in football. Roy played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He was one of the top rated defensive backs his Senior year, recording five interception and 56 tackles. Roy's four years at Logan High School they had a winning record of 38-10.

Roy attended the University of Oklahoma, his Sophomore year, they won the 2000 national championship. He also set a school record for tackles that resulted in loss of yardage the same year. His Junior year at OU, he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top overall defensive player and he also won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. Williams ended his college career in 2001 with one year of eligibility remaining even though he was considered to be one of nations best collegiate players.

In the 2002 NFL draft Roy Williams was picked 8th in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys needed to improve its secondary. With Darren Woodson mentioning it seemed like the perfect fit.

Roy made quite a impact on the club his rookie year. With 5 interceptions, he was among the leaders in total interceptions. Roy did what every rookie must dream of. Roy added the spark that the defense needed. With every hard hit and tackle he gained respect of fans and teammates. Along with the talent he has on the field, he is a natural leader in the locker room. Roy became an intimidating presence in Dallas's Defense. Everywhere you looked their were #31 jerseys, he had become the face of the Dallas Cowboys.

Roy's stats so far in his NFL career are amazing. Roy has had 500 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 38 pass deflections, 19 interceptions, 307 int. yards and 3 defensive touchdowns.

Williams has announced that he will be changing his number to #38 starting the 2008 season. Williams stated the reason he is switching is because that was his number in college and also "8" in the bible signifies a new beginning.
 

Posted by Raina Middleton at 08:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The year 1980 was a great year. I know that because I graduated from High School and my hero, Danny White began his reign as QB of the Dallas Cowboys. Little did we know that the future of the Dallas Cowboys would be put upon the shoulders of a certain baby boy born on April 21st of that year in San Diego, California. His name, Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo.
 
Tony Romo is a third generation Mexican-American on his father's side and Polish-German on his Mother's side. As an adolescent Tony's grandfather emigrated to San Antonio, Texas. He believes Tony's success is an example of the possibilities that can happen living in the United States.
 
Tony was born in San Diego where his father was serving in the military, but his family returned to their home in Burlington, Wisconsin when he was 2 years old. He played quarterback his junior and senior years in High School where he made the All Racine County football team.
 
Tony Romo attended college at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois majoring in business. In 1999, his first year of collegiate football he only played in three games but his stats were good and he was red shirted as a true freshman. His sophomore year is when he kicked it into gear and ranked second in Division 1-AA in passing efficiency.
 
On December 19, 2002 Tony Romo was the first player in Eastern Illinois and Ohio Valley Conference history to win the Walter Payton Award given annually to the nation's top player. Tony finished his career holding school and conference records with 85 touchdown passes and 8,212 passing yards. Tony's senior year he racked up 3,149 total yards in offense and ranked third in conference history. Along with the Walter Payton Award he earned consensus All America honors. He was also selected All Ohio Valley Conference and was named OVC player of the Year for the third straight year.
 
To begin his career in the NFL Tony attended the 2003 NFL Scouting Combine hoping to impress scouts. Despite intriguing some he went undrafted during the 2003 draft. However, Sean Payton, the Cowboys assistant head coach/QB coach at the time, had assured Tony that the Cowboys were interested and shortly after was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent. 
 
Entering the 2003 training camp he was  third on the Cowboys' depth chart behind Quincy Carter and Chad Hutchinson. In 2004, the Cowboys released Hutchinson and signed veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde and traded a 3rd round draft pick to the Houston Texans for quarterback Drew Henson. Tony faced being cut from the roster until Quincy Carter was released  because of   allegations of substance abuse. After Vinny's Testaverde's time in Dallas ended in 2005, the Cowboys signed another veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe, making him the 8th starting quarterback of the Cowboys since 2000. All along the real deal was standing on the sidelines carrying his clipboard, with his cap on backwards, smiling and learning everything he could, waiting for his chance.
 
In 2005 and 2006 pre-season Tony Romo looked pretty good, a lot of fans were wondering why weren't we giving him a chance to play. Apparently Sean Payton was thinking the same thing because he offered a third round draft pick for Tony, but Jerry Jones refused. Thank you Jerry!
 
Finally to a happy roaring Cowboy crowd, Tony Romo started his legacy by replacing Drew  Bledsoe for the start of the second half during a Monday Night Football game on October 23, 2006. Two days later Bill Parcells announced that Tony Romo would be the starting quarterback for their next game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday Night Football. Tony led the Cowboys to a win in his first game as a starter, 35-14 and was Sunday Night Football's "Rock Star of the Game".  But his first pass and touchdown came three weeks before playing against the Texans when his first NFL pass resulted in a 33 yard completion to Sam Hurd and in the same game he threw his first touchdown pass to guess who, that's right Mr. Terrell Owens.
 
Tony had played in just eight games as a starter when it was announced that Tony would be attending the 2007 Pro Bowl.
 
With success comes the talk of contracts, big contracts. Jerry Jones opted to let the unproven quarterback play unsigned to begin his first year in charge, just to make sure he was worth a huge commitment. Tony answered quickly becoming the NFC's offensive player of the month in September and Dallas finished October as the No. 1 offense in the conference.  Jerry Jones didn't wait until the offseason to sign his quarterback of the future to a six-year $67.5 million contract extension, $30 million of which is guaranteed. The deal includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. Tony replied, "I'm going to be with the Cowboys the rest of my career. I love it! It is a great feeling you have when the organization and the people stand behind you and you can be the quarterback for a long, long time. It makes you feel good as a person and a player."
 
Tony has stepped into the role of quarterback of "America's Team" very nicely. He has already dated country star Carrie Underwood, been linked in the tabloids with Britney Spears, and is currently dating Jessica Simpson. "It comes with the territory, I guess," Tony replied when asked about the huge interest in his love life.
 
With Tony as our quarterback Cowboy fans know we have the leadership and talent to win another Super Bowl. That is what Tony's legacy will depend on. To be a Hall of Fame Quarterback in the NFL and especially of the Dallas Cowboys, a Super Bowl ring must be worn.

One of the things that make fans and players like Tony is his personality, so I am going to let Tony end this article with one of his famous quotes. "You try to work hard and get better each week. I play the game with passion. I enjoy the game. It's a lot of fun when I'm out there. That's the way I play. For some reason, people like that." 

Posted by Raina Middleton at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Linebacker Zack Thomas is back in Texas after he was released by the Miami Dolphins on Valentines Day. Zach was just one of the many released by Bill Parcells as he makes massive changes in the sunshine state. The Dolphins drafted Thomas in 1996 in the 5th round. The 7 time Pro Bowler had been a work horse in their defense for 12 years. He has recorded over 1,800 tackles in his career.
 
Thomas is 1 of 3 players to record 100 or more tackles in each of his first ten seasons in the NFL. Thomas is currently ranking 4th all time in tackles behind Randy Gradishar, Jesse Tuggle and Junior Seau. He has more tackles than any linebacker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
 
For those who are thinking about his age, I started looking into what he did the last couple of years. In September Oliver Hoyte, who was let go to make room on the roster, coincidentally gave Thomas a concussion which led him to miss most of the season because of migraines and concussions. Playing only five games he was able to rack up 52 total tackles. In 2006 his total tackles were consistent with years past with 165. Through the years his stats have remained the same.
 
Born a Texan, Zach played his college career at Texas Tech where he was a three year starter as linebacker. Thomas has won numerous awards during both his college and professional career.
 
After receiving contract offers from New Orleans and New England he made the decision to move home to Texas and become a Dallas Cowboy.

Posted by Raina Middleton at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

After watching a repeat of the Super bowl on the NFL Network it showed the Patriots fans after the loss. I am not a Patriot fan by any means but  the pain on the fans faces made me feel for them.  It reminded me of one of the games that tore my heart out. Every loss hurts, but there are certain losses that you will never forget! 

In 1983, we played the Washington Redskins in the NFC Championship game. This game bothered me more than any other and  it  wasn't  even a close game. Danny White was knocked out of the game by Dexter Manly. After "the catch" game the year before I wanted them to go to the Super Bowl so bad. This team had been to the playoffs every year. They deserved it. And everyone knew if Danny White didn't get to the Super Bowl he wouldn't be remembered as a top quarterback. I wanted that for him but, everyone was right. When you talk about Dallas Cowboy Quarterbacks  you think of Stauback and Aikman. A Super Bowl win defines a Hall of Fame player. So after that blow out loss it broke my heart I cried and cried. It took awhile for me to get over it. Everyone says "Why that game?"  I don't know it wasn't a great game. It wasn't close and we didn't lose in the final seconds. But that is my heartbreaker!

The great snow game on Thanksgiving against Miami was the second game that tore me up. It was a great game, the snow made it even more dramatic. But, we all know what happened in the final seconds on special teams don't we? I think the reason it was so painful was seeing poor Leon Lett on the sidelines after he made that costly mistake. He was crying and wanted to be anywhere but there.  I just knew Jimmy Johnson was going to lay into him but, he was actually kind in the following interviews. I was at a friend's house who are Chief fans but cheer for the Cowboys. I was standing and cheering thinking we had it won and I missed the Lett play. I saw the look on my friend's face, and knew something really bad happened. I am thinking what could happen as I turn and see the replay. I couldn't speak, all I could do was cuddle up in my husband's arms and cry.   Thank goodness my friends are football fanatics also so they understood the tears. I will always have a special place for Leon Lett after that game.

So I am wondering what game/games are your Heartbreaker! I know you have one let's hear it!

Posted by Raina Middleton at 08:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

They come  into our lives on a weekly basis. We watch every game, every play, every move they make. We check to see if they are going to be interviewed on any local or national television show. We search the web for articles and new pictures we haven't seen. They are plastered all over our walls with pictures and posters. We wear T-shirts, caps, jackets any thing we can find that has a star on it and is blue and silver. I even dress my teddy bears in Cowboy clothes. So with the Cowboys being in our lives 24/7 they are a part of our family. They are heroes to us! But how many of us have had the opportunity to meet them in person?
 
One of the biggest Cowboy fans on myspace, Stargazzing, had the opportunity to meet the great Randy White. She posted pictures and I could feel how nervous she was! So that made me remember the opportunities that I have had in my life to meet my three heroes. Two are Dallas Cowboys and one is just a cowboy!
 
In the 80's I had the biggest crush on the Dallas Cowboy Quarterback at the time #11 Danny White. I thought he could walk on water. I never missed a game. I was lucky enough to attend a game in 1983. Which was amazing! But, there was more to come for me during the offseason, I found out that Danny was singing at a big club in Tulsa. I was so excited. I had already bought his album (yes album) and listened to it every day. I lacked two months of being 21, the legal age to be able to enter a night club. But my amazing Dad was friends with the manager of the club and before I knew it I was sitting with my Dad, Mom, and my future husband in the second row of tables in front of the stage. The manager and her husband joined us and we were having a great time. I had my camera in hand ready for the show then  someone grabs my arm and says, "Come with me." I look up and see a security guard. Oh crap! I thought I was busted for not being 21. He leads me to a door, as it opens, who do I see sitting on a couch waiting to take the stage but, Danny! He smiled and said, "Hi, I hear you are a fan." All I could do is shake my head. I couldn't speak, I started shaking. I had a shirt made that read "I love Danny" on the front. Someone pointed that out to him and he smiled and winked at me. I thought I was going to faint! He signed my shirt and gave me  a big hug and thanked me for the support. When I got back to table everyone was laughing and I still couldn't speak. All I could think was I didn't have my camera with me, lol!
 
My second hero is just a cowboy, Garth Brooks. I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a few times. I was a member of his fan club. After concerts we got the opportunity to go backstage and have a meet and greet. Our first one was on his bus. Which was pretty cool. Garth has a way of making every fan feel like a friend. He is a fantastic person and he truly cares about each and every one of us. With him I wasn't nervous at all because he makes you feel like you are talking to a friend.
 
I didn't think I could possibly be able to meet my third hero one of the best fullbacks the NFL has ever had, Moose! I knew I wasn't going to be able to go to Dallas and he doesn't sing that I know of, so there was no way I was going to meet him. Then one day on the radio I hear that the Cowboys would be playing in a basketball game for charity in Tulsa. Wow that will be fun I thought so I bought tickets not knowing who would be there.  The day of the game it was all over the radio that "Moose" was playing in the game! I couldn't believe it! I was standing in line before the game to get a autograph and I had to pinch myself. I had cut from the newspaper a picture of his first touchdown so I took it for him to sign, he looked at it and smiled and said he hadn't seen that picture before. He was really sweet. As the game went on you could see he liked to kid around and had a cute personality.
 
So I feel like I have been so lucky. I have had three heroes and I was fortunate enough to meet each. Sometimes you hear about fans being let down by stars and athletes. They blow off the fans, are rude and just won't take the time to interact. I have to say I was worried that I had each of these men up on a pedestal and they might just let me down but, these three men were everything I imagined and more.
 
After seeing Stargazzing pictures I started wondering who lonestarstruck readers have been able to meet. Were you pleased with the meeting or maybe let down? Let's hear about your experience with your heroes.

Contributed by Raina Middleton

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 08:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)

I think all fans have certain things that they do before a game. One of my friends decorate their living room with Chief memorabilia they have collected over the years. They wear their jerseys, pants and caps. They do that every game.

I did the same thing in the 80's and 90's. I was admitted to the hospital a week before the first 90's Super bowl. When I found out I had to stay there during the Super bowl I was frantic. I had a pair of lucky socks that I had worn all season. I just knew we would lose without the help of my socks. So I ask my husband to please bring them to the hospital and he did so that made me feel better. Later that evening my friends show up with a lot of my memorabilia to decorate my hospital room. It looked great. I had other patients, nurses and doctors come in to see the room. And my lucky socks worked we won. I wore those darn socks every game for the next 5 years until they were completely worn out but I couldn't throw them away so I hid them in the back of my sock drawer.

So Saturday night before the Giants game I was looking for something and ala there were my lucky socks, full of holes but, wearable.  So I figure a little more luck can't hurt right so I put them on, walk into the living room and my husband responds, "OMG! I can't believe you are going to wear those!" laughing. I know it had to look a little silly but, we needed the luck I thought. In the first half I told everybody see they are working! At the end of the game I jerked the damn things off and I think somehow over the years the luck vanished.

What I want to know is if I am the only fan that has something they consider to be lucky for game day. Do you do the same thing every game? Come on I admitted it so you can too!

Contributed by Raina Middleton

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (23)

Anyone that knows me knows that I didn't want the Cowboys to pick up TO. I was one of those fans that could not forgive him for the star incident! I just could not let it go. Even when he made touchdowns at the first of the season I had mixed feeling about it.

As the season progressed I saw him becoming a Cowboy. I saw him being a leader on the sidelines. He and Romo have this connection that is amazing! But hard headed me still could not let it go, I still saw a little of that Eagle green on him.  Game by game we saw him making touchdowns with class, giving the ball to fans you can't get better than that.

The green started to fade just a little, but after Sunday's heartbreaking loss the man with class, Mr. Terrell Owens, won me over completely! When I watched his interview I cried right along with him as he defended his QB. The emotion he showed made me see him as all Cowboy and the green was gone. I can't believe I am writing this and I am so happy that all those bad feelings are gone. So I guess this is another good thing that came with the loss.

Cowboy Fans stay true because we had a great season and we have so much to look forward to next season!

Contributed by Raina Middleton

Posted by Raina Middleton at 09:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

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

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 07:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

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

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)