National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
After being lambasted by the Philadelphia Eagles 44-6 yesterday, the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from postseason contention with a finishing 9-7 record. It was one of the bigger surprises of the 2008 season considering the Cowboys were preseason favorites (by many fellow sports writers and general football folk alike) to go to Super Bowl XLIII. With arguably more talent than any other team in the NFL, it was almost unfathomable that Dallas played as poorly as they did in the month of December. But this has become the norm for the Cowboys. As much publicity …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
In a surprising turn of events, Adam Jones is back working out with the Dallas Cowboys. He was rumored to be out for the season because of a neck injury (herniated disc) after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers a couple weeks ago, but Adam returned to practice today and is expected to play cornerback and return kicks Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips couldn’t believe it:
“It surprised everybody. He’s got nine lives. Maybe he’s got 18 lives ….. It just wasn’t as bad as we thought. Once it was …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Dallas Cowboys defensive back and kick returner Adam Jones might miss the rest of this 2008 season with what could be a serious neck injury. Reports are that he’s got one or two herniated discs in his neck. Adam was hurt in his first game back from a six game suspension — early in their Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now he’ll miss more time because of this injury, capping what has been his nightmarish return to the NFL. Rumors immediately started that this injury might end Adam’s career, but Cowboys head coach …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo appears ready to return to the starting lineup after missing the past three games with an injury to his throwing hand. Head coach Wade Phillips is optimistic his QB will be ready for Sunday night’s showdown with NFC East division rival Washington:
“He’s throwing with more zip on the ball. He looks more comfortable. He’s getting better and better in getting back to where he was.”
Translation — he’ll play. Tony’s return can’t come too soon for the desperate Cowboys whose problems really began before he was injured. But they’re certainly a …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will be ready to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. At least that’s what a “high-ranking Cowboys source” said today. Tony broke the pinkie finger on his throwing hand in a 30-24 loss at Arizona last weekend and it was initially reported that he would be out for up to a month. Tony didn’t practice today but did throw the ball on the side with good velocity and confidence. Again, that’s according to an unnamed source because part of practice was closed to the media. Tony appeared briefly in …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo fractured a finger on his throwing hand against the Arizona Cardinals yesterday and could be out for up to four weeks. Tony broke his right pinkie on the first play of a disastrous overtime for the Cowboys. They won the toss, then proceeded to go three-and-out and had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown to lose the game. Tony had difficulty gripping the ball and throwing since the injury, but he won’t need surgery. Head coach Wade Phillips was nevertheless optimistic:
“Brad Johnson is going to be playing quarterback …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
With cornerback Terrence Newman still nursing a slightly torn groin muscle, Adam Jones (who didn’t play at all last season) might get his first start for the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow in their season-opener against the Cleveland Browns. Terrence missed most of training camp and the entire preseason because of the injury. He returned to practice last week with limited participation and is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game. Head coach Wade Phillips said Adam would start if Terrence wasn’t in the lineup.
I think Terrence is too valuable to throw out there at less than …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips had his players sign a “no-penalty pledge” this week, promising to play smarter and avoid dumb mistakes. Take LB Kevin Burnett for example. His 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for standing over and taunting N.Y. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs last weekend cost the Cowboys three points (and lightened Kevin’s wallet by $5,000). In a tight game, a mistake like that could be the difference between a win and a loss. Coach Phillips said:
“I want their word that they’re going to try to do the right thing. That’s my …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Defensive tackle Tank Johnson was activated by the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week after serving an eight-game suspension for violating probation on a weapons charge. But he hasn’t been talking to the media all week and he won’t until after the Cowboys game Sunday against the Giants.
This is one action I feel shows that Tank is on the right path. Whether this was his idea or a brainstorm from his agent or the Cowboys media relations department, it’s smart. By talking to the media, he’s only opening the door for potential distractions …read more