SPORTSDAY

09/06/2008

Dallas Cowboys' greatest obstacles are history, high expectations
The first test comes today in Cleveland. And yet the Dallas Cowboys can't receive a passing grade for at least 17 more weeks.

09/02/2008

Dallas Cowboys are loaded, but will they win when stakes are raised?
Losing a starting guard and three wide receivers to injuries in the final three preseason games is far from ideal. But it's not something that should cripple the Dallas Cowboys in 2008.

08/28/2008

2008 featured a summer of love for sports fans

Getty Images

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was a smash hit in the Home Run Derby in New York.

It's time to acknowledge the most incredible sports summer. Ever. Let columnist Tim Cowlishaw count the ways, in reverse order of importance, significance, amazement, whatever.
Blog: Tim Cowlishaw

08/26/2008

Charitable causes always get Tony Stewart revved up

AP

Tony Stewart has yet to win a Sprint Cup race this season, but he's a leader when it comes to raising money for charity.

If Tony Stewart isn't the most charity-friendly driver in NASCAR's top series, he's in the lead pack, writes Tim Cowlishaw. Stewart raised in excess of $217,000 by watching fans drive race cars Tuesday at Texas Motor Speedway, then providing "ride-alongs" in which the paying customer becomes Stewart's passenger for three laps.
Blog: Tim Cowlishaw

08/25/2008

Dallas Cowboys' Pro Bowl credentials are deceiving

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

Cowboys running back Marion Barber made the Pro Bowl last season despite not rushing for 1,000 yards.

The Dallas Cowboys have to be considered the favorites in the NFC. How could they not be with their 13 returning Pro Bowl players? But looks can be deceiving, writes Tim Cowlishaw, who says the 2007 Cowboys should be viewed as a seven- or eight-Pro Bowl-player team.
Blogs: Tim Cowlishaw | Dallas Cowboys

08/23/2008

Upshaw's death could affect NFL harmony
For those of you who have followed the National Football League only for the past 20 years, start preparing yourself for a rude awakening.

Barber the finisher could be special as Dallas Cowboys starter

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Marion Barber carried 13 times for 75 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 23-22 win against the Texans.

Throughout his three-year NFL career, Marion Barber has been a finisher. It's his opportunity to be a starter - at last - that makes one pause to consider just how special the possibilities could be, writes Tim Cowlishaw.
Video: Recap
 Photos: Cowboys 23, Texans 22
Blogs: Dallas Cowboys | Cowlishaw

08/20/2008

College football brings season of surprises

Getty Images

Former Highland Park star Matthew Stafford has Georgia in the preseason spotlight.

In less than 10 days, another glorious college football season gets into full swing, writes columnist Tim Cowlishaw. There are inequities in the college system, but there is an ongoing transfer of power that makes it so intriguing.
Blogs: Colleges | Cowlishaw

08/18/2008

Texas Rangers still lag in arms race

AP

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington saw Luis Mendoza and his other starters struggle in a crucial series in Boston.

The Texas Rangers went to Boston a week ago and got swept to cap a 1-5 road trip. And the starting pitching was unwatchable. So, columnist Tim Cowlishaw asks, how can you look at that and think, "Oh, a tweak here and there, and the pitching will be competitive in 2009?"
Blogs: Cowlishaw | Texas Rangers

08/15/2008

Olympics don't rate with everyone; bring on the NFL
Are you all about Michael Phelps this weekend? Sorry, I'm all about JaMarcus Russell.

08/10/2008

Dallas Cowboys' defense messy, but it can be cleaned up 

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Safety Roy Williams tries to plead his case with an official after the Dallas Cowboys were flagged for pass interference.

Hidden inside a not-so-impressive body of work in Saturday night's 31-17 loss, the Dallas Cowboys' defense got big plays from three players who either weren't here a year ago or stand to be significantly more productive in 2008, writes DMN columnist Tim Cowlishaw.
 Video: Game recap
 Photos: Saturday's game
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

08/08/2008

Dallas Cowboys not getting ahead of themselves

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones (left) has learned not to get too worked up over preseason games.

What many believe is Dallas' Super Bowl road begins tonight (9 p.m., Ch. 11) in San Diego, writes Tim Cowlishaw. Jerry Jones thought that's where a trip to San Diego was taking him after a preseason win over the Chargers in 1989. Dallas finished 1-15 in 1989. Jones has since learned not to overcelebrate the preseason.
Blogs: Dallas Cowboys | Tim Cowlishaw

08/05/2008

Crayton is one No. 2 wide receiver Dallas Cowboys can count on

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Patrick Crayton caught 50 passes for 697 yards and scored seven times in 15 games in 2007.

Patrick Crayton is the Dallas Cowboys' No. 2 wide receiver. If you think it's a gamble to pin your hopes on a seventh-round pick as the second option at wide receiver, think again, writes DMN columnist Tim Cowlishaw.
 Photos: uesday's practice
Blogs: Cowboys | Kevin Burnett

Romo determined to take Dallas Cowboys higher

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) has put many players, such as Adam Jones, at ease.

If there is a polar opposite to the firestorm that's about to explode in Green Bay's training camp, it must be here on the edge of the Oxnard plain, writes columnist Tim Cowlishaw. At the heart of the calm is quarterback Tony Romo.
Video: Camp report
Photos: Monday
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

08/04/2008

Opposite-field shots: Some player moves tough to take

AP

New York Yankees Pudge Rodriguez (left) and Alex Rodriguez were once hometown heroes with the Texas Rangers.

With former Texas Rangers hero Ivan Rodriguez wearing New York Yankees pinstripes in Arlington tonight (7:05 p.m. Ch. 27), columnist Tim Cowlishaw analyzes the most disconcerting, most disturbing, just downright strangest sights in uniform for local fans this decade.
 Tell Us: Most unusual?
Blog: Tim Cowlishaw

08/02/2008

Pitching makes it hard to see Texas Rangers in wild-card race

JOHN F. RHODES / DMN

Tommy Hunter, who made his major league debut Friday, was the 13th starter used by the Rangers this season.

No team competing in a wild-card race has ever showcased as many pitching prospects as the Texas Rangers. But are the Rangers really in a wild-card race? Ian Kinsler insists they are. Who am I to doubt him, writes Tim Cowlishaw, after watching Texas rally from a 6-0 deficit for a 9-8 win over Toronto on Friday?
 Photos
Rangers rally
Pitching, bullpen coaches fired
Blog: Texas Rangers

07/31/2008

Playoff berth isn't a given for Dallas Mavericks

MIKE STONE / DMN

Ron Artest (right) will be taking on Josh Howard and the Dallas Mavericks more often as a member of the Houston Rockets.

Ron Artest, the highly talented but controversial forward, joins Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady in Houston, writes columnist Tim Cowlishaw. It's a move that establishes the Rockets as very real NBA title contenders. It also establishes the Dallas Mavericks as the third-best team in Texas.
 Tell Us: Playoff-bound?
Blog: Dallas Mavericks

07/27/2008

Sprint Cup race at Indy turned out to be the pits

Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson (right) celebrates his victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his wife, Chandra.

For the 15th time, NASCAR came to this nation's most storied auto racing facility. NASCAR knew it was going to be bad, writes columnist Tim Cowlishaw. And yet what unfolded Sunday afternoon – very slowly, I might add – surprised everyone.

07/20/2008

NBA title won't come sooner in Oklahoma

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

When Kevin Durant (center) and his teammates take on Jason Terry and the Mavericks, the trip will be a little shorter.

As a native son, it is past time to welcome our neighbors to the north to the NBA, writes columnist Tim Cowlishaw about Oklahoma City's new basketball team. One word of warning: Don't expect a winner anytime soon.

07/19/2008

Potential roadblocks loom for Dallas Cowboys

Getty Images

If Tony Romo, Marion Barber and Jason Witten (from left) aren't celebrating a Super Bowl berth in January, the team will consider the season a failure.

With many important and long overdue things finally in place – a franchise quarterback, a lockdown secondary, a wrecking ball for Texas Stadium – it's still wise to proceed with caution as the Dallas Cowboys go west for training camp, writes DMN columnist Tim Cowlishaw.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

07/16/2008

Big spenders now taking over in National League

Getty Images

When the Cubs went on a spending spree that included the acquisition of Alfonso Soriano two off-seasons back, they set in motion a change in the National League financial landscape.

A fundamental shift in how teams operate is under way and, of all teams, the Chicago Cubs are largely responsible for a new era in National League ball, writes DMN columnist Tim Cowlishaw.
Blog: Texas Rangers

07/13/2008

Error goes to Yankees for tearing down their stadium

AP

Yankee Stadium (left) will be replaced by the stadium being built next to it.

They are throwing a big party in the Bronx this week, giving Yankee Stadium its final All-Star showcase. The shame of it is that there is no reason to say goodbye, writes columnist Tim Cowlishaw. It needs updating, not destroying.
Blog: Texas Rangers

07/12/2008

What are the Packers thinking?

AP

Brett Favre's career totals include 61,655 passing yards, 442 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 85.7.

DMN columnist Tim Cowlishaw writes: "Initially, I was shocked mostly by the reaction of the media and football fans to Brett Favre's desire to return to the NFL. But the Packers' ridiculous response has blown it away. What in the world is Green Bay thinking?"
 Packers GM, coach say it's time to move on
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

07/09/2008

Texas Rangers send a message with 5-4 win over Angels

JOHN F. RHODES / DMN

Teammates celebrate with Josh Hamilton (left) after his walk-off home run for the Texas Rangers.

In the end, a walk-off two-run homer by Josh Hamilton off of the Los Angeles Angels' save machine, Francisco Rodriguez, touches off a home-plate celebration, writes DMN columnist Tim Cowlishaw. It's incredible, despite what their manager says.
Photos: Texas-LA
Blog: Texas Rangers
Audio: Home-run call from KRLD-AM 1080
 Video: Watch the home run (from MLB.com)

07/08/2008

At midway point, Kyle Busch is best athlete of 2008

Getty Images

With half the season to go, Kyle Busch has already won six races.

Who has been the dominant athlete of 2008? Don't count the Patriots' Tom Brady and Randy Moss. For the most part, their accomplishments belonged to 2007. Tim Cowlishaw has a name for you. How about NASCAR's Kyle Busch?
 Tell Us: Most dominant athlete of 2008?

07/06/2008

Texas Rangers' Hamilton too good to be true

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton leads the majors with 94 RBIs.

The first player interviewed on TBS' All-Star Game selection show was Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton. "I should be dead right now or in jail," he said. You don't hear those words uttered by many first-time All-Star selections. But Hamilton is no ordinary All-Star, writes columnist Tim Cowlishaw.
• Hamilton in HR derby
• Rangers have four All-Stars
 Blog: Texas Rangers

07/02/2008

It's time for NL to adopt the DH

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

The designated hitter rule has allowed Milton Bradley to be a regular in the Texas Rangers' lineup.

The annual pummeling of the National League in interleague play is complete. All that is left is the annual pummeling of the NL in the All-Star Game. If the tide is to turn, one significant change must be made, writes Tim Cowlishaw: The NL must adopt the designated hitter rule.
Blog: Texas Rangers

08/03/2008

Tim Cowlishaw blog: NFC East: Dallas Cowboys won't be threatened

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

It's Wade Phillips' first game at Texas Stadium as coach of the Cowboys.

For the latest opinions about sports in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (and beyond) on dallasnews.com, go to our Tim Cowlishaw Blog.