Lone Star Struck

Defensive stars Jay Ratliff and DeMarcus Ware were named to the All-Pro Team earlier this week. The Associated Press names 12 players to the NFC team. This is Ratliff’s first time to be named the honor and Ware’s fourth time. Center Andre Gurode was named to the 2nd All-Pro Team.

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Cowboys Defensive line coach Todd Grantham has accepted a job as the defensive coordinator for the University of Georgia. The Cowboys have already found their replacement, former assistant coach Paul Pasqualoni. Pasqualoni, who was on the Dallas coaching staff from 2005-2007, was recently let go by the Miami Dolphins and was readily available. Both coaches are expected to travel to Minnesota this weekend.

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The Cowboys injured starting running back (knee) Marion Barber practiced Thursday and was expected to practice Friday as well. Coach Phillips was encouraged by Marion’s progress and will be monitoring him close up until game time to decide whether he will be effective enough to play in Sunday’s game.

Also, Pat Watkins who has been out for a month practiced fully this week and has a good chance to return to the field this week.

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The Cowboys practiced in Cowboys Stadium on Thursday due to the weather conditions, and I have to say it was a great idea to blast crowd noise to prepare the players for Minnesota. They overcame the noise in New Orleans and Minnesota will be just as loud, if not worse. I think the Cowboys and fans alike have learned a lot about the effect of crowd noise level this season.

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With all the trash talk going on lately, mostly from our opponents I’d like to through this at ya, from Gerald Sensabaugh in response to Favre saying he’d be shocked if Minnesota didn’t win:

“We’d have to beat ourselves to lose. The way we’re playing right now, I don’t think we can be beat.”

Personally I liked it better when our ‘Boys were keeping their mouths shut until the job was done, but hey we’ve heard worse things coming from cocky Dallas players in the past… ha ha.

On another note: Is anyone else sick and tired of hearing about Romo facing his childhood hero?

As the Cowboys brace themselves for the storm raging in New Orleans, they will have to make do without several of their key players.

Head coach Wade Phillips said DeMarcus Ware’s sprained neck is “a lot better” today after injuring it in the fourth quarter against the Chargers, and he is now listed as day-to-day. That said, despite being closely monitored, it’s still unlikely that he will play on Sunday. Rookie Victor Butler will get plenty of playing time in his absence.

Starting safety Ken Hamlin (high ankle sprain) will try to work himself back to practice this week, but it’s still uncertain if he’ll be ready for Saturday’s game at the Big Easy.

Cowboys beat writer Josh Ellis tells us that the Cowboys will be without tight end Martellus Bennett again this week, as he has yet to pass the necessary tests to be cleared of concussion-like symptoms. Under the NFL’s new concussion guidelines, a player must wait one week to return after passing a brain injury test. Since he hadn’t been given the green light by Saturday, the Cowboys can already rule him out for the Saints game.

Pat Watkins suffered a sprained PCL while diving for a tackle on the Cowboys’ first kickoff of the game on Sunday. It’s a similar injury to the one running back Felix Jones had earlier this year. He will miss 2-3 weeks and could miss the rest of the season.

The Cowboys announced that Daughtry will be performing during the halftime show at the Thanksgiving Day game. The game will be Thursday, Nov. 26 against the Oakland Raiders. Daughtry is a rock band from North Carolina lead by frontman Chris Daughtry.

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Felix Jones will return to kickoff returns this weekend as Allen Rossum has been sidelined for two to four weeks with a hamstring injury. Rossum injured his leg last week in his Cowboys debut.

Patrick Crayton will take on punt return duties once again.

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Former Cowboy Julius Jones is excited to return to Dallas to face his old teammates.

“It’s always good for me to see some of the guys that I played with down there. Bradie James, (Terence) Newman, Jason Witten, it’ll be good to see them before the game. And then beat them up during the game and then talk to them afterwards.”

Yeah, good luck with that Julius!

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DeMarcus Ware is being compared to hall of famer Lawrenece Taylor by none other than Bill Belichick.

I can’t imagine DeMarcus Ware hindering any team’s defense,” Belichick said during his daily press conference with New England reporters. “The guy’s one of the best players in the league. It’s like when we had Lawrence Taylor with the Giants. That guy was a force on every play. The offense had to account for him on every play. I think he helped our team defense probably as much as any player I ever coached.”

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Patrick Crayton has commented about his demotion as starting wide receiver. He had this to say yesterday (Thursday):

“I’ve still got (the chip),” Crayton said Thursday, glancing at his left shoulder. “It just got a little bigger last week. It’s going to stay there. It’s a permanent fixture there.”

Crayton referring to his punt return for a touchdown last Sunday:

“However they come my way, I’ve got to maximize them. I’ve got to squeeze 100 percent of the juice out of it.”

Before last week’s game, after learning of his demotion:

“I had a dropped pass and a muffed punt,” he said. “And the other guy had 250 yards.”

About the notion that he should start ahead of Roy Williams:

“When you give up a first, a third and a sixth and pay a guy that much, he has to play.”

Well, what do you expect him to say? He got demoted, the younger, faster guy got the job. As long as he gives 100% on the field, I don’t really care what he says to the media.

Gerald Sensabaugh is out indefinitely after having surgery to repair his broken thumb. Sensabaugh will likely miss 2-4 weeks. Pat Watkins will be called upon to fill in at safety.

Center Andre Gurode underwent an MRI Monday after spraining his right knee during the game last Sunday. According several sources the sprain isn’t anything to be concerned about, however the Cowboys could rest Gurode this Sunday with a bye to follow.

Roy Williams could miss Sunday’s game after a rib injury that sidelined him for the final drive of the game.

“Never in my life have I been hit like that, from Pop Warner through my six years in the league. I’m 5,200 feet above sea level with asthma so I was obviously hurting.”

Coach Phillips said during a press conference that Williams suffered three bruised ribs and cartilage damage. If Williams sits out, the Cowboys could activate rookie Kevin Ogletree, who turned heads in his very impressive preseason performance.

The Cowboys cut running back Chauncey Washington on Monday. While it hasn’t been formally announced most sources believe Felix Jones will not play in Week 5. Marion Barber should be okay to play after experiencing tightness in his previously injured quad.

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I don’t think I have to remind you how deadly injuries are to a team, especially one that needs to toughen up and fix mistakes all over the board. Let’s hope these key players can heal fast, and get back in action ASAP. Luckily the Cowboys have a bye week following this next game against the Kansas City Chiefs to rest, heal and get their minds straight and get focused.

Gerald Sensabaugh has been fined by the NFL for a horse collar tackle during last Sunday’s game.

Josh Ellis reports,

Safety Gerald Sensabaugh received notice Wednesday of a $5,000 fine for a horse collar tackle in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay.

Though no flag was thrown, the league’s official review concluded the first-year Cowboy had illegally pulled down Bucs running back Cadillac Williams from behind. Sensabaugh said he thought it was a legal tackle because he had grabbed Williams’ jersey, not the inside of his pads.

I clearly remember the play, and I even questioned if it was a horse collar during our live game chat. Seems a little harsh to fine someone $5,000 when no penalty was called, and no one was hurt.

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Tony Romo has been nominated for the NFL’s FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week Award. You can vote up until Friday at 11 a.m. CST. Place your votes – http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=players-air-and-ground. Romo is up against Drew Brees and Joe Flacco.

Oddly enough former Cowboy Julius Jones is up for the ‘Ground’ award, along with Thomas Jones and Adrian Peterson.

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Linebacker Stephen Hodge had microfracture surgery on his left knee while linebacker Brandon Williams is expected to have his reconstructive knee surgery within the next couple of weeks.

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Felix oh Felix! Please stay healthy!

Felix Jones was limited in play during last Sunday’s game due to a bruised thigh, and will possibly be limited this week as well. Here is what has been posted on the Cowboys official website.

RB Felix Jones – quad (9/13) – Although he continued to play, Jones was limited after suffering a quad injury during a big tackle in the first quarter. The Cowboys held him out of some third-down plays and replaced him in the second half with Miles Austin on one kickoff return.

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Have you heard what Brandon Jacobs said yet?

“No question,” he replied. “I hate the Cowboys with a bloody passion.”

I asked him what the difference between a “regular passion” and a “bloody passion” was.

“You want to go into the game as being assassins,” he said, referring to the feelings of bloody passion, “instead of tough football players in a game like that.”

He most likely heard what DeMarcus Ware said, “I hate those New York Giants!”

Nothing like some good old fashioned division rivalry trash talk! Bring on those Giants!

The Cowboys trimmed their roster on Saturday to the mandatory 53 players, but after 24 hours several players cleared waivers and eight of the players were signed to the practice squad.

Practice squad players are WR Jesse Holley, OG Travis Bright, QB Rudy Carpenter, TE Scott Chandler, FB Julius Crosslin, DE Marcus Dixon, WR Manuel Johnson, and CB Mike Mickens.

Safety Marvin White was claimed off waivers from Cinncinati. White was drafted in 2007 and has started 13 games in the past two seasons.

In addition, Cowboys draftee safety DeAngelo Smith who didn’t make the final cut, was claimed off the waivers by the Browns on Sunday.

Forbes released a list of their annual rankings among sports teams and the Dallas Cowboys topped the chart.

The Cowboys are worth $1.65 billion, the most of any U.S.-based sports franchise, according to Forbes magazine’s annual rankings. Only Manchester United of the English Premier League is worth more worldwide, $1.87 billion.

The Cowboys lead the rankings for the third straight year and are worth $100 million more than the runner-up Washington Redskins. New England is third at $1.361 billion, followed by the New York Giants ($1.183 billion) and Jets ($1.170 billion).

Now let the haters try to claim the Cowboys aren’t America’s Team!

Around the League

Chargers star Shawne Merriman was arrested Sunday after his girlfriend, Tila Tequila, accused Merriman of choking and retraining her as she was attempting to leave his home. Merriman has been released and the Chargers say they will monitor the situation and let legal process run its course.

The Patriots have traded 5-time Pro Bowler defensive lineman Richard Seymour to the Raiders for their first round pick in 2011.

The New York Giants released veteran WR David Tyree on Saturday. Tyree is best known for the remarkable catch that helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII over the Patriots two years ago.

With just mere hours until teams need to cut rosters to 53 for the season, Dallas and Wade Phillips will have some tough choices to make. I dont envy Phillips or any head coach this time of year for what they must do in cutting the fat and forming a team that will start the season. But like it or not, it is part of the job and part of the business.

Rookie Linebacker Stephen Hodge is one of those players fighting for a roster spot. However for Hodge his chances are slim and the options that the coaching staff have for him will result in another tough decision no matter what they choose. During the offseason Hodge had his knee scoped and has not been able to practice much because of it. That makes it tough for someone to make a team if he cant be evaluated properly. His persistent swelling in his knee is really complicating matters. Dallas can protect his rights by placing him on injured reserve and shutting him down for the season in hopes that he can be ready for next season. They can take a chance and release him hoping no other team picks him up, and then resign him to the practice squad. But because there are a few other injured players Dallas is waiting on, the chances of Hodge making the roster is slim. This is the tough side of the business.

Now on the other hand Dallas claimed Linebacker Curtis Johnson off waivers after the Colts cut him because of an injured hamstring and there is a good chance he will make the 53 man roster without ever getting on the field for the Cowboys because of the injury. He will not play in Fridays last preseason game. They really like the former Colt who played as a 4-3 defensive end but will be converted to an outside linebacker in the 3-4. “We knew about him coming out of college” Phillips said of Johnson who played 7 games with the colts last season. There is no way Dallas would pickup an injured player a few days before cuts if they didnt know what they where getting. They are high on his special teams abilities and after putting LB Brandon Williams on injured reserve, and LB Jason Williams nursing a high ankle sprain that will keep him out 4-6 weeks, Johnson should be back soon and should make the roster.

Wide Receiver Travis Wilson who has been on injured reserve was released and given an injury settlement… Backup offensive lineman Cory Proctor’s roster spot may be in jeopardy after Dallas signed 5 year veteran Duke Preston who plays the same positions. And it was Preston during practice snapping to Quarterback John Kitna not Proctor who didnt even get any work in during the drill… Fourth round pick Quarterback Stephen McGee is also sitting on that bubble. He is nursing a strained MCL and has been considered OK at best when he is able to participate and healthy. One thing going for him is the fourth round choice the Cowboys used on him, that may get him a spot for a little while anyway.

Lets see what happens in the next few days when the fat is cut, because a lot of the guys we have been watching in preseason wont be there for long, and you know there will be some surprises.

Duke Preston is on his way to Dallas, and pending a physical could be the team’s new backup center behind Andre Gurode as reported by Nick Eatman on the Cowboys’ official site.

Preston was released by Green Bay on Tuesday after being with the team since March. The veteran could provide depth to the O-line as he can play center, tackle and guard. Preston spent the last four years with Buffalo.

Possibly one of the biggest battles this preseason has been (as expected) between Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick at cornerback. Wade Phillips said both are doing so well and it’s a tough decision, one that he probably won’t make until the season opener. Scandrick is expected to start this Saturday and Jenkins in the final preseason game.

Now here’s a doozy… Bobby Carpenter did not participate in practice today. According to Tim MacMahon at DMN Carpenter got poison ivy in his eye and it was swelled shut.

Roy Williams continues to receive criticism from the media, including former Cowboy greats, but he isn’t letting it get to him.

“It doesn’t fuel me. Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Darren Woodson — I love it, I appreciate it.

“I appreciate it because if you sit around and have to hear how good you are all the dang time, you have to have that Jerry Rice mind-set of, ‘I’m not good enough.

“When I have guys, especially NFL greats and the greatest that played here in Dallas, saying that I can’t get the job done, and I’m not a No. 1, it makes me feel good.

“It makes me want to go out there and prove to them and everybody else across the world who listens to those guys because, obviously, everybody thinks they know it all, that I can do my job.”

According to a USA TODAY article, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke up about Tony Romo:

“Contrary to some, I think he’s a natural leader.”

“I think his leadership role will naturally foment; his position and his talent at that position, and him exerting leadership is a big ingredient to us winning. … His awareness of his leadership responsibility is encouraging.”

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Martellus Bennett speaks up about the team and his youtube channel MartyBTv. Bennett says the locker room was never split and a lot of the rumors just weren’t true. He says this is “a whole new team and a whole new season”.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4316554&categoryid=2459789

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The DMN reported that litigations for the roof collapse from May 2nd are about to begin. Rich Behm has hired a high profile Dallas lawyer who admitted they have no plans to sue the Cowboys, and in fact can’t sue the Cowboys because of the workers’ compensation has received. Behm’s lawyer will be going after the company who built the structure that collapsed and left Behm paralyzed from the waist down.

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Former Cowboy Greg Ellis has caused a stir once again this time from the Michael Irvin Show on ESPN radio. Ellis reportedly claimed that DeMarcus Ware would come off the field so that Ellis could get playing time. Here is what Ellis said:

“It’s a disgrace when DeMarcus Ware comes off the field just so I can get in the game and when the coaches tell him to come on the field, he tries to hide so I can play. And you’re telling me we’re trying to win the Super Bowl?”

“He would say, ‘G, come on.’ And I would tell him, ‘No, DeMarcus, go ahead, man. You’re coming up on your contract year. Don’t mess that stuff up. Go ahead and do you, and we’re just going to do what the coaches, or whoever the powers that be, what they want to do.’”

DeMarcus Ware was on the The Ticket this morning and of course they brought up Ellis’ comments. Ware responded:

“You know, I just think that everybody got an ample amount of playing time, for what it was worth. At the end of the day, if I was off the field, there was a reason why I was off the field. Maybe Greg rushed the passer better against a certain guy. But I think at the end of the day, the time that guys got is how it is.”

Ware is just a great guy, what else can you say.

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Now for some awesome news for Cowboys fans:

The website StudyofSports.com based out of Arlington is giving tickets away to the Dallas Cowboys home opener on September 20th versus the New York Giants.

The contest runs from July 1 – August 31, 2009. The winner will be announced on September 4th.

Please visit their website for details and instructions on how to enter their contest. Here is the link:

Dallas Cowboys Ticket Give-Away!

Our great Jason Witten will be honored by a hospital in his home state. Witten made a donation of $200,000 to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee. The Emergency Department will be renamed and the waiting room has been redecorated in his honor. Witten and his lovely wife Michelle are expected to be present at the ceremony.

The King of Pop Michael Jackson who left this earth yesterday had a connection with our Dallas Cowboys. If you remember the nineties Super Bowls you remember Michael Jackson performed the halftime show for Super Bowl XXVII. The Cowboys played the Bills at the Rose Bowl and the final score was 52-17.

There will be no new Ring of Honor inductees this season.

At the Texas Stadium tree transfer this morning, Jerry Jones said there would be no new members added to the Ring of Honor at Cowboys Stadium this season.”We of course are excited about what we’re doing in the Ring of Honor. We won’t be doing anything in the Ring of Honor this year as far as any new inductees,” Jones said. “But it’ll be every bit as emphasized in the new stadium as it was in Texas Stadium.”Currently the Ring has 17 members. A spokesman for the venue hinted the team would wait to unveil many of the building’s “bells and whistles” at the regular season opener Sept. 20. No new Cowboys have been enshrined since 2005, when Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin were honored together at halftime of a game against the Washington Redskins.- Josh Ellis of dallascowboys.com

Defensive tackle La’Roi Glover announced his retirement this week. The 6-time Pro Bowler played for Dallas from 2002-2005. He led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2000 and finished his career with 83.5, tied for 37th on the all-time list. He was tied for fifth among active players.

Public tours of the new Cowboys Stadium begin today. Stadium tours, at $15 for adults and $12 for children, will be conducted every half-hour and last up to 75 minutes. The tour includes the high-tech scoreboard control room, the press box, the Cowboys’ locker room and limited field access.

Check out this cool article about Cowboys great Randy White as he talks about charity and football: Cowboys legend White talks charity, football

Is anyone else becoming concerned about the health of wide receivers Sam Hurd and Miles Austin? I read on Matt Mosley’s blog on ESPN that Austin did light running because of a hamstring injury while Hurd is still missing time because of a quad injury. We all know that both players were out last season but we are relying on them this upcoming season more than ever. I hope they can heal and get back to work fast!

No need to worry about those Pacman Jones rumors from earlier this week. Even though Pacman still lives and Texas, that doesn’t suggest he’s coming back. Plus Jerry Jones said Monday afternoon, “I have no plans to bring Adam back.” Even though we know how Jerry can easily change his mind I don’t think this is one of those occasions.

I wonder if the young DB’s took that Pacman nonsense to heart because they had a hell of a practice today. As previously reported by Rob V., the defense has been extremely impressive. Everywhere I look for Cowboys news is reporting that the defense was on fire today. Now that’s news I like to report!

I continue to read wonderful things of Martellus Bennett’s talent. Word is that Bennett will be incorporated more in two tight end sets this season, as the Cowboys plan the 22-year old a bigger role. His speed and strength continues to impress and draw attention. However, he will still be second string behind veteran Jason Witten.

Cowboys fans aren’t as patient as DeMarcus Ware regarding a new contract and securing the priceless player for years to come. Jerry made a comment about Ware’s future deal as posted on ESPN last week:

…the Cowboys don’t necessarily have to get something done with Ware because of the potential of an uncapped year in 2010. But Jones said Thursday that he’s not factoring that into negotiations with Ware.

“I don’t think that’s a factor,” said Jones. “We’ve already made plans to get things done.”

That’s good news, I guess.

Cowboys Stadium will host it’s first event this Saturday. George Strait and Reba McEntire will be in concert at the billion dollar home of the Dallas Cowboys. If you are a Cowboys fan and a country music fan this is the perfect opportunity to visit the new stadium. Tickets are still available, click here for prices.

NFL.com lists the “Top 10 players not in the Hall of Fame” and has former Cowboys wide receiver “Bullet” Bob Hayes ranked at number 5. Someone should tell them he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year and will be inducted on August 8.

Another list on NFL.com recognized Bradie James in a feature story naming great linebackers.

Bradie James, Dallas — James follows the format of how to ideally play the strong side, inside linebacker position in a 3-4. James is frequently responsible for taking on the lead block and he is a violent knee buckler, whether it’s a guard, fullback or trapping tight end. Besides playing his role responsibly, James also has been Dallas’s top tackler for the past three seasons. He had a career-best 116 tackles last season and he added eight sacks, a very high total for an inside backer.

Around the League

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is scheduled to have surgery on his ankle tomorrow. The procedure is aimed to clean up bone spurs and there is no time table for his expected return.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger limped off the practice field yesterday morning after tweaking his knee. The team declined to comment but indications are its not serious.

While quarterback Kerry Collins holds the reins in Tennessee, Vince Young is looking to take over and return to the field. Young says he wants out of Tennessee if he’s not the starter. Titans coach Jeff Fisher says Young will have to earn the starting role but as of now Collins is the starter.

Although I’m not looking to earn any bad karma, I would just like to say those are three things we should be happy we do not have in Dallas right now - star running back injury, quarterback injury and quarterback controversy.

Former Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart will join the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff this week. Stewart coached the Cowboys defense in 2007 and 2008. He was fired back in January after the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs.

Jerry Jones will be on tonight’s episode of “4th and Long”. According to reports he has high expectations for the winner of the television show. “4th and Long” airs on Spike TV at 9pm central on Mondays.

Still no word on a DeMarcus Ware extension. Some sources are reporting Ware will likely go into training camp without a deal, while Dallas Cowboys official website says Ware is patient and continues to be active and the same team player he always has been.

“I’m a guy that’s always been about hard work, and that’s what’s gotten me where I am right now,” Ware said. “Why would you take some days off or sort of jeopardize the team? If you want to be a team player that’s how you’ve got to do it. Sometimes you’ve got to sacrifice some things and that’s what I’m doing now.”

“My agent and Jerry Jones are handling that and they’re just letting me go out and play like they usually do,” Ware said. “I just let them handle that. And I’ll know when something happens.”

The Bleacher Report had an interesting article entitled, “Five Plays the Dallas Cowboys Offense Would Be Wise to Keep in Their Playbook for 2009“. You can read the article here.

Lone Star Struck is now on youtube. You can view our introduction video here.

Anthony Spencer will be the Cowboys starting strong outside linebacker with Greg Ellis out of the picture. The Cowboys didn’t officially cut Ellis but they gave him permission to seek a trade and sent him home from OTAs. Whether you agree with the move or not, it’s time to let go of Ellis.

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Rodney Hannah has a broken hand and was unable to participate in OTAs. The tight end was on the practice squad in ‘08 and is looking to battle for a spot on the roster behind Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett. Poor Rodney, great athlete but this may hurt him with a fresh rookie tight end competing with him for the spot.

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The Detroit Lions picked up former Cowboy Tra Battle from waivers yesterday. The cornerback will join the team next week for workouts. Obviously the Cowboys didn’t see much in Battle.

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Rookie Asaph Schwapp was arrested last week at Dallas Love Field airport for carrying ninja stars. The young fullback collects martial arts weapons and was said to be very cooperative with police. He’s unlikely to make the team but this story was interesting (or was it).

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Jerry Jones has high expectations from his players as they open up the new stadium this upcoming season.

“This building could have been built for two-thirds of the cost, but it was about expectations. And I expect every player who ever walks on this field to play above their level.”

I think most of the players feel the pressure and expectations that come with beign a Cowboy, plus walking into that new beautiful monster of a stadium, hopefully it gives them ambition and motivation to give %150.

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Here’s an interesting one… A blogger for New York’s Newsday wants his readers to rank the NFC East quarterbacks. Of course most of his reader’s are listing Eli as number one. Give me a break! See the article here. Of course (most) New Yorkers aren’t going to give Tony Romo his due, but you and I and everyone else knows that Eli Manning is not the best quarterback in the NFC East.