Dallas Sports Blog

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You, the Dallas Cowboys fan, just want to win.

I think Tony Romo is an elite quarterback and in the NFL you control the clock on the ground and you put points on the board through the air. I get that. But it's becoming apparent that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett makes me pass-happy sad.

In last Sunday's loss in Green Bay, the Cowboys handed the ball to a running back 11 times. Eleven.

Considering Phillips' training camp desire to be a Top 10 rushing team and the quality trio of running backs and Dallas' mammoth, Earth-moving offensive line, the early abandonment of the running game is inexcusable.

Call it premature evacuation.

​I like the football played by Dallas Cowboys' offensive linemen Leonard Davis and Marc Colombo. Even like their music, in the form of Free Reign.

But will I like their food?

Today - right about now as a matter of fact - a new Smashburger (owned by Davis and Colombo) opens in Addison on Belt Line Road. Looks like a place for hearty, but not necessarily heart-healthy appetites.

Don't know if I'll be able to watch when Texas Stadium's memories are reduced to mush.

​Spent yesterday afternoon out at Cowboys Stadium, where about 30 mayors - from Southlake to Sunnyvale - convened for an update as to the goings-on about Super Bowl XLV. By the way, 445 days and counting ...

I was there hounding Roger Staubach about an upcoming Dallas Observer cover story and, to be honest, I'm never comfortable in a room with that many politicians. But I did have an interesting chat with Irving grand poobah Herbert Gears, who isn't exactly shedding a tear over the impending doom of Texas Stadium.

"At this point we're trying to maximize our exposure and our revenue from the event," Gears told me.

The "event" of course, is the imploding of the house built by Tex Schramm, Tom Landry and, obviously, God.

Prepare to cringe. 

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In the wake of Packers 17, Cowboys 7, King has a message for Dallas fans:

Step away from the ledge.

​Sportatorium lifetime member Scott can be a dork. His "Roy Williams ... this or that" rants are as legendary as they are ludicrous.

But every once in a while he delivers.

Like Sunday, when he was at Lambeau Field in Green Bay and snapped some pics of the Cowboys' carnage.

Props to you Scott. Now get back to your regularly scheduled insanity.

Scott

What's stranger: That the Cowboys lost in Green Bay or that Carly Patterson is still signing autographs?

​10. I said on Sunday's pre-game show on 105.3 The Fan that the only way the Dallas Cowboys could lose to the Green Bay Packers was to commit 3-plus turnovers. The Cowboys committed three turnovers. Add to that 10 penalties, dropped passes, a missed field goal and a couple injuries and - presto - stinko.

9. If I were truly astute, I should've also pointed out that another way to lose an NFL game is to not score any points until 38 seconds remain.

8. First time in the 50-year history of the Cowboys that the score after three quarters was 3-0. The game was as boring as it was ugly. And from there it got progressively worse.

7. Nick Folk is starting to worry me. His missed 38-yard field goal on the game's first drive set the tone and gave Green Bay hope. The Cowboys just aren't good enough to give away points.

6. Been talking since training camp about the lack of depth along Dallas' offensive line. During its 6-2 run, the Cowboys were lucky. But with Doug Free and Cory Procter in the game yesterday, you see how quickly things can get ugly.

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Bad news?

Or good news?

To me, Hamlin is the weakest link among Dallas' 24 starters (including kickers). The drop-off from Hamlin to Patrick Watkins is smaller than from any other starter to any other backup. He doesn't make plays. He doesn't even make tackles. Much less interceptions.

Given his three sacks and game-saving play in Philadelphia, you could make an argument for Victor Butler taking snaps away from Anthony Spencer. Maybe you'd survive with the loss of Marion Barber with Tashard Choice, granted.

Since Deion isn't the MVP, then who?

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Wade Phillips is Coach of the Year, Tony Romo's in the Pro Bowl, Keith Brooking is Badass of the Decade and you've got the Cowboys penciled in for Super Bowl XLIV February 7 in Miami.

Question: Who gets the credit?

Even Philly fans liked Dallas last night.

​10. Lots of heroes Sunday night in Philly, but the biggest - smallest - play was made by rookie linebacker Victor Butler. With the Eagles down 7 and facing third-and-10 from Dallas' 33, Donovan McNabb scrambled right into what seemed to be an open field for a good 10 to 20 yards. Butler, however, dove and clipped McNabb's right toe, sending him sprawling for a 1-yard sack. The Eagles settled for a field goal and never ran another offensive play.

9. To be fair, you cannot underestimate the absence of Eagles' running back Brian Westbrook. Dallas' defense was superb in limiting the Eagles to only two 20+-yard plays, but Philly playing without its most consistent, versatile weapon certainly helped.

8. Did I wake up in a bizarro universe or did Andy Reid just get out-coached by Wade Phillips? The decision to kick a field goal down 7 with four minutes remaining and having no timeouts is one we'd barbecue Phillips for.

7. John Madden was a legend and all, but I like me some Cris Collinsworth as NBC's analyst.

6. Has there ever been a more over-blown, under-delivering story than Michael Vick's return to the NFL? Off the field there was no picketing or boycotts or dropped sponsors. And on the field Vick's about as impactful as Stephen McGee. Last night he had 1 carry for 2 yards. Yawn.

Uh-oh. Get me re-write!

​It was just one week ago that - despite his mediocre production - I was publicly defending Dallas Cowboys' receiver Roy Williams. My reasoning? He was a better teammate than the dearly departed Terrell Owens.

"A stand-up guy," I wrote. "Good character."

Eff me.

You guys watch the games. You see what's going on, and what isn't. For whatever reason - I blame Roy - Williams is about as connected as Jessica Simpson to quarterback Tony Romo.

But, yesterday at Valley Ranch, after weeks of planting his cleats firmly on moral high ground, Williams decided to go all T.O.

Prepare to cringe ...

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But what about ...

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So I ask you, what the hell is going on here?

It may sound like nitpicking on a team that's won three in a row heading into Sunday night's showdown against the Eagles, but to win in Philly and into December the Cowboys will need Williams to produce. Maybe not as a touchdown-making game-breaker (Miles Austin) or as quarterback Tony Romo's security blanky (Jason Witten), but at the very least as a big target with soft hands who can consistently catch the chain-moving 7-yard slant.

Right?

Williams has been thrown to 37 times this season. He's caught only 14 passes. That's the worst ratio (37 percent) of any NFL receiver. Included in that is an abysmal 3 of 15 on third down. Witten, on the other hand, has caught 37 of the 45 thrown his way, highlighted by 8 of 8 on third down.

Who's a fault here, Roy or Romo?

Dallas Cowboys photo

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9. Halloween hangover. The end of Daylight Savings Time. Whatever. Something weird was going on at Cowboys Stadium, for I coulda swore I saw Bobby Carpenter make a play. A sack even. His first in 37 games.

8. From their neon green uniform trim, to open receivers falling down, to back-to-back defensive offside penalties to having 12 men in the huddle, the Seahawks, well, um, they suck.

7. On a perfect day, I thought it was a strange decision to not open the roof. Owner Jerry Jones said it was to minimize the effects of the sun. With the glass doors open at each end, it felt kinda like having the moon roof tilted open but the convertible closed up top.

6. Saw a lanky kid I thought I recognized meandering through the west plaza Sunday morning before the game. And when he finally came over to our 105.3 The Fan radio booth, I recognized the guy in the No. 28 Felix Jones jersey as none other than Texas Rangers' pitcher Derek Holland.

​Since the day he arrived at Valley Ranch in 1989 Jerry Jones has been in charge of well, you remember, everything from socks and jocks.

But this morning on his weekly visit with me and Newy Scruggs on 105.3 The Fan Jerry - more unequivocal, more crystal clear and more adamant than ever - reiterated that the flow chart of authority at Valley Ranch begins and ends with him. And, yes, that includes playing time, depth charts and everything in the front office and in between the lines.

I asked a rudimentary question of Jones: If a player needs to be demoted it's ultimately the head coach's decision, right?

Oh, Jerry?

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But this year - horrible for both as of yet - I'll take Williams. Notsamuch because of his sterling substance, but his stand-up style.

Up in Buffalo Owens has 18 catches for 242 yards and a lone touchdown. Williams has 12 catches for 230 yards and a touchdown. Neither are impact players or - let's face it - even the No. 1 receivers on their respective teams.

But let's look at how each player is handling his declining results.

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One thing Jerry's proven over his tenure is that he isn't afraid to overpay - for anything from players to stadiums.

But it got me to thinking: Other than the two knuckleheads that inexplicably handed me paying gigs, what are the worst deals ever done in this area?

Cha. Ching.

​I was only half-kidding when I wrote after yesterday's game that ...

3. Credit to the Cowboys' pass rush. They sacked Matt Ryan four times after he had been nabbed only twice entering today. Seems like a good week for DeMarcus Ware to nudge owner Jerry Jones about those contract extension talks.

But looks like it's the real deal. The Cowboys have announced a press conference for 4:30 p.m. at Valley Ranch. My guess is that DeMarcus Ware is about to become a very rich man.

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In a word: Loved it.

And not just the toned female physiques running around in their bras and panties. (Though, if you haven't seen Erin Marie Garrett in and/or out of "uniform", I'd consider you edit your bucket list right friggin' pronto.) It was closer to football - not to mention much more violent - than I ever imagined.

I'll have a full column in this week's Dallas Observer.

But guess who I bumped into at the Desire game? That's right, your favorite reality-show winner, Cowboys' practice squad receiver Jesse Holley.

Why the hell was he there? A tryout? Nope, a temptress ...

Now he's got the grabs to supplement the groupies.

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Who knew?

Wade Phillips' job insecurity. Jason Garrett's credibility. The Terrell Owens supporters. Tony Romo's playmaking.

Don't look now, but the undrafted receiver from Monmouth took care of all those and more the last two weeks of the Dallas Cowboys' season. And he's done it with a single Super Power:

"Speed," owner Jerry Jones said of Austin before Sunday's 37-21 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

With another six catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns, Austin now has the most dynamic, productive two-game stretch in the history of the franchise: 16 catches, 421 yards, 4 touchdowns.

"Want me to say I told you so?" quarterback Tony Romo joked after the game. "Miles is a great weapon. He's really worked hard. It was just a matter of time before he got his opportunities and now he's showing everyone what he can do."

Added offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, "We're only scratching the surface with Miles."

Follow-up question: Is Miles a two-hit wonder, the guy who managed only 5 catches for 81 yards in the first four games and who inexplicably fumbled the ball in the open field on Sunday? Or, suddenly, is he the best Cowboys' receiver since Michael Irvin?

AP

Not a one-hit wonder after all.

​10. Linebacker Keith Brooking's performance and passion is refreshing. The way he was running past and taunting Atlanta's bench and his old Falcons' teammates after big plays today, he's quickly become the Cowboys' version of Brian Dawkins. All great teams have one.

9. A 16-point blowout of a quality opponent is nice. But you can't discount the fact that the Cowboys had a big advantage coming off their bye week. They are now 16-5 all-time off the bye, including wins in eight of their last nine.

8. Another giant game from Miles Austin (6-171-2). Are you the least bit bothered that the dude facially resembles A-Rod?

7. I don't think it's too early for this: The Cowboys' No. 1 receiver is Miles Austin and their best cornerback is Mike Jenkins. Any argument?

6. Maybe I somehow missed this, but where are the banners for the Cowboys' five Super Bowl championships hanging in Cowboys Stadium? Don't tell me someone forgot them in Texas Stadium.

So, Miles Austin has a great, record-setting perfrmance. Obviously, common sense says he's promoted and, in turn, Patrick Crayton gets demoted.

Fundamental leadership says you inform your employees of their roles and their positions. So, Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, surely you told Crayton about his demotion.

Right? ...

Texas beats OU, even in the girls' bathroom. 

And the delicious conclusion of Parts 2 and 3 ...

​Jason Witten will never say it, so I'll do it for him:

Gimme the damn ball! Especially in the red zone!!

I generally support Dallas Cowboys' offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, but this is getting ridiculous. When the red-head calls plays in the red zone it makes Cowboys' fans red-faced.

Why?

Because the Cowboys have scored only two touchdowns in their last nine trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line. And (hat tip to the Dallas' Only Daily's David Moore) in the last three games, Witten has been thrown to in the red zone a whopping 0 times. That's zero. As in never.

As in, Jason Garrett, that's inexcusable.

Says head coach Wade Phillips, "We have some concerns."

​One is 24; the other 29.

One is completing 64 percent of his passes with 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions; the other 58 percent with a ratio of 6-to-4. One has a rating of 95; the other 86.

One hails from a major college and is known as calm and cool in the pocket, wise beyond his years; the other an underdog free agent known as one of the most creative ad-libbers in football.

One is No. 11 in this week's NFL Quarterback Rankings; the other No. 12.

One has led his team to a 4-1 record entering Sunday's game at Cowboys Stadium; the other has led his to 3-2.

Neither has won a playoff game.

One is Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan; the other Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo.

So I ask you virtual NFL general manager ...

​Your favorite pinata may be ranked only 17th in NFL quarterback ratings, but Golf Digest says he's the planet's best athlete golfer. That's right, No. 1.

Swing away ...

The NFC Least, if not for just one Sunday.

​Just like that, 3-2 doesn't look so bad.

Bye not playing yesterday, the Dallas Cowboys got better. Head coach Wade Phillips got smarter. Tony Romo became more accurate. Their standing in the NFC greatly improved.

Because while you were at the State Fair or sleeping off your Texas-OU hangover or enjoying the sunny, spectacular Fall weather at the dog park or the hammock or Spearmint Rhino, the Cowboys' NFC East brethren all lost - embarrassingly. The New York Giants surrendered 48 points in a loss at New Orleans. The Philadelphia Eagles somehow lost to the Oakland Raiders. And the Washington Redskins ... my God, those Washington Redskins.

Cowboys' fans, you can bitch and moan and bitch some about your team's deficiencies. But it took one stagnant Sunday to hammer this home - It could be worse.

​What Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants, he usually gets. (Other than, obviously, a playoff win over the last 13 years.) And what Jerry has his eye on - long-term - is Texas-OU.

The game - tomorrow's kickoff is a ridiulously early 11 a.m. - is married to Dallas and the Cotton Bowl through 2015. After that ...

"Well, that would be great," Jones said this morning on 105.3 The Fan of hosting the game in Arlington. "We know the great tradition and certainly we would want to have that game be an away game for both teams and a home game for both teams and you can do that by having it at our stadium."

As for Terrell Owens ever calling Arlington home ...

Every once in a while - not too often, I readily admit - when I smell shit it actually turns out to be shit.

On Tuesday I labeled this Fox/Burger King collaboration the dumbest video in the history of ever.

Don't look now, but Fox/Burger King agree. In the form of ...

Since I'm usually on 105.3 The Fan as part of the Dallas Cowboys pre-game show, I no longer get to partake in Fox NFL Sunday.

My reaction: Praise Allah.

Because after seeing this video and learning that this "The King and Us" series is now a weekly staple, I'm embarrassed for Curt, Terry, Howie, Michael and Jimmy. Well, Terry not so much. But this is ridiculous.

I'm all for push-the-envelope edgy humor and I'm a Family Guy animation groupie, but this is just so ... so ... insanely stupid.

The lowlights ...

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My first reaction to news that the Cowboys had acquired Williams and a 7th-round pick in 2010 from the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 1st, 3rd and 6th in 2009:

Wow, initially that seems like a lot.

(The Lions, by the way, turned those picks into Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew, Penn State receiver Derrick Williams and TCU running back Aaron Brown, all of which are in Detroit's regular playing rotation.)

With Terrell Owens sent packing in the off-season, Williams was supposed to be the man. Hasn't happened. T.O. has been a non-factor in Buffalo, currently 104th in the NFL with a whopping 12 catches. But Williams - signed to a $45 million contract by owner Jerry Jones two days after last October's trade - is even less impactful.

After last year catching only 19 passes and one touchdown in 10 games, this year he's amassed 11 for 214 yards and a score. In other words, Austin basically trumped him with Sunday's historic 10-catch, 250-yard performance.

In 15 games in Dallas, Williams is averaging a whopping 2 catches for 27 yards. In a calendar year as a Cowboy, he has two touchdowns. He has, however, questioned his role. So it's not like he's been totally invisible. 

As I was calculating the futility of Williams' non-production last night I flipped on Monday Night Football and was presented with two words that made me cringe even more: Braylon Edwards.