SPORTSDAY

08/28/2008

Out pattern: Dallas Cowboys' rash of receiver injuries worrisome

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Sam Hurd (left) sprained an ankle in Thursday's preseason finale, leaving Dallas with two healthy wideouts.

Sam Hurd sprained his left ankle on the Dallas Cowboys' first possession of Thursday's 16-10 win over Minnesota. Suddenly, Dallas is down to two healthy receivers: Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. That, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor, is a scary situation.
Cowboys win preseason finale
 Photos: Cowboys-Vikings
Video: Recap | Fans
Blogs: Taylor | Cowboys

08/29/2008

Dallas Cowboys were no easy assignment for 'Hard Knocks'
Turns out this season's Hard Knocks has been the hardest ever to produce. That's what NFL Films guru Steve Sabol was saying Friday over the phone.

08/28/2008

He's back, man: Dallas Cowboys CB Jones reinstated

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Adam Jones was reinstated 17 months after being suspended for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

The NFL reinstated Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones on Thursday, bringing an end to months of wondering. Jones and the Dallas Cowboys hope it's the start of a fruitful relationship, beginning with the Sept. 7 season opener at Cleveland.
Cowboys win preseason finale
 Photos: Cowboys-Vikings
Video: Recap | Fans
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys win lackluster preseason finale, 16-10

JOHN F. RHODES / DMN

Dallas running back Tashard Choice head for the end zone during the first half.

Terrell Owens and freshly reinstated Adam Jones didn't even bother to put on their football pants for the Dallas Cowboys' final preseason game Thursday night, a 16-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings that amounted to a glorified tryout for both teams.
Tell Us: Grade the Cowboys' performance
Tell Us: Did you like what you saw in preseason?
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys acquire guard from Broncos
The Dallas Cowboys' receiving corps suffered another blow Thursday when Sam Hurd sprained his left ankle in the first quarter against Minnesota.

NFL teams shouldn't sweat as much as players over final cuts

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Wide receiver Danny Amendola is vying for one of the final spots on the Cowboys' roster.

The final cutdown day is allegedly an excruciating process for NFL teams. Or is it? The Cowboys have to cut 18 players by Saturday. And beat writer Todd Archer believes the team knows who those 18 players are – and has known for quite some time.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

A big game for Dallas Cowboys hopefuls

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Dallas Cowboys receiver Danny Amendola (left), talking with Adam Jones, gets his last chance to impress coaches tonight.

For some, tonight's preseason finale between the Cowboys and Vikings is just another boring affair that will have little or no impact on the regular season. For others, such as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Danny Amendola, it means everything.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

08/26/2008

Romo-to-Owens connection goes long way for Dallas Cowboys

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (left) and Terrell Owens connected on 10 touchdown passes of 21 yards or longer last season.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is not worried about missing Terrell Owens against Houston on a deep pass, writes Todd Archer. "I feel like the best thing that happens to me are the mistakes that I make," Romo said, "because very seldom do I make the same mistake twice."
Blog: Dallas Cowboys
Video: Phillips on practice

08/27/2008

It's more than an exhibition for Dallas Cowboys' televison crew
Once the regular season starts, the networks take over production of games. But that doesn't mean the Cowboys' television staff is done working.

Long shot was the only shot for 'Hard Knocks'
If Todd Lowber believes any publicity is good publicity, the free-agent wide receiver has got to be basking in the Hard Knocks spotlight. On the other hand, how much abuse should a man with a dream have to take? Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett on Lowber: "The ultimate project."

Ex-Dallas Cowboy Bob Hayes re-nominated for Hall of Fame

DMN file

Former Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes caught 371 passes for a franchise-record 71 touchdowns.

Bob Hayes didn't give many defensive backs a second chance in his days as a game-breaking wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. But the Pro Football Hall of Fame has decided to give Hayes a second chance.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys crack down on Texas Stadium tailgating

DMN File

Fans parking in the blue lots can no longer pull up early, throw out a grill, plop down some chairs, and pump up their pride wherever they want.
Link: New tailgating rules
Cowboys stadium coverage

08/26/2008

Bartel to start in Dallas Cowboys' preseason finale
If quarterback Richard Bartel is to do better than make the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad in 2008, he has to prove it Thursday night. Bartel said he will start the preseason finale against Minnesota at Texas Stadium.

Hard Knocks: Star treatment for Dallas Cowboys' Carpenter?
Getting star treatment – or at least as close to star treatment as anyone can get on this ensemble show – should be linebacker Bobby Carpenter.

08/27/2008

Spears may finally emerge for Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Spears is finally playing like a No. 1 pick, according to Jean-Jacques Taylor. He's had the best training camp of any defensive player. Now he just has to take it into the regular season.

08/26/2008

Kosier injury is latest test of Dallas Cowboys' depth

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Dallas Cowboys left guard Kyle Kosier has started between Andre Gurode and Flozell Adams for two seasons.

Propped up by two crutches, Kyle Kosier couldn't believe he'll miss four to six weeks with a hairline fracture in his right foot. Pat McQuistan, Joe Berger and Cory Procter will all play left guard in Thursday's preseason finale for the Dallas Cowboys against Minnesota.
Video: Injuries
Chat: Archer (8/25)
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

08/25/2008

Dallas Cowboys chat: Kosier injury, kick coverage are sore spots

AP

Houston's Andre Davis burned the Cowboys for a 68-yard return on the opening kickoff Friday.

The Cowboys finally got their first preseason victory Friday, but not everything was positive. The offensive line took a hit when Kyle Kosier was injured and the kick coverage units continued to struggle. Todd Archer addressed those issues and much more in Monday's chat.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Kickoffs targeted by Dallas Cowboys' Folk
Nick Folk is just about ready for the regular season. The second-year kicker has made all six field goal attempts in the preseason but said Monday he needs work on his kickoffs.

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

Texas Stadium injury threatens career of Texans' Willams
Texans receiver Harry Williams, who injured his neck and spine in Friday's preseason game against the Cowboys, will probably never play football again, team doctors said Monday.

08/24/2008

Dallas Cowboys' Ellis keeps applying the pressure

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis (left) had a stretch of 10 sacks over an eight-game span last season.

The 2007 season was a magical one for Greg Ellis. The big question for the 33-year old Ellis now: Can he have another double-digit sack season? Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart believes he can.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Baby daughter brings a rush of joy to Dallas Cowboys' Ware, wife

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware gets a big smile from his daughter Marley after a practice in Oxnard, Calif.

On the field, Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware plays at a Pro Bowl level. Off the field, he's a father to 6-month-old daughter Marley, who changes his disposition from a game-face scowl to a smile. Times are fun for Ware and his wife Taniqua.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

08/23/2008

Dallas Cowboys' Kosier could miss 6 weeks
The Dallas Cowboys have not needed to re-shuffle their starting offensive line because of injury in three seasons, but that will change.

Former Dallas Cowboy Frank Cornish dies at 40

AP

Frank Cornish (left) and teammate Brian Nielsen during a trip to London in August of 1993.

Frank Cornish IV, who played on two Super Bowl-winning teams with the Dallas Cowboys, died in his sleep at his Southlake home Friday night. He was 40. Cornish, an offensive lineman, played with the Cowboys on Super Bowl-winning teams in 1992 and 1993, starting five games.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

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

Five key issues
The first-team offense and defense performed much better in the Cowboys' preseason home opener Friday night against Houston.

08/22/2008

Getting results: Dallas Cowboys deny Texans, 23-22

G.J. MCCARTHY / DMN

Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton (right) is congratulated by Jason Witten after scoring a first-quarter touchdown.

Through the first two preseason games, Wade Phillips was not into results, just evaluation. On Friday, the Dallas Cowboys got the result - reclaiming the Governor's Cup with a 23-22 win against Houston at Texas Stadium - and Phillips and the coaches were able to do more evaluating.
Video: Recap
 Photos: Cowboys-Texans
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Felix Jones bottled up in home debut for Dallas Cowboys
The Houston Texans weren't about to let Felix Jones dazzle in his home debut. Jones, the Dallas Cowboys' first-round draft pick, didn't play in the first half. When he finally got on the field, he couldn't get anything going.

Texans receiver hospitalized after injury
Houston Texans wide receiver Harry Williams will undergo spine surgery this weekend at Presbyterian Hospital after suffering a neck injury in the team's loss to the Cowboys on Friday night.

Lions sign former Dallas Cowboys QB Henson
he Detroit Lions have signed former Cowboys quarterback Drew Henson, a high school and college standout who has struggled at the professional level in baseball and football.

08/21/2008

Spark needed from Dallas Cowboys' starters tonight

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Cowboys tight end Jason Witten says the team's starters need to play better in the preseason.

The Dallas Cowboys don't need to turn in a Super Bowl-winning performance tonight (7 p.m., Ch. 11) against Houston, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor. It's just another preseason game. But is it too much to ask the starters to perform as though they'll be ready for the regular season?
Video: Cowboys-Texans preview
Blogs: Dallas Cowboys

It's an exhibition, and Dallas Cowboys, Texans hope to show something
The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans will both have a sense of urgency in tonight's preseason game at Texas Stadium. Both teams are expected to play their starters for three quarters.

Barbers - Dallas' Marion and Houston's Dominique - meet for first time in NFL
Today will be special for the Barber family. Cowboys running back Marion Barber will see his brother, Texans safety Dominique Barber, across the line of scrimmage for the first time in an NFL game.

Dallas Cowboys' Jones to open at corner vs. Texans

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Adam Jones (right), who worked against Terrell Owens for much of training camp, is scheduled to start Friday against Houston.

As Adam Jones has grown more comfortable with the Dallas Cowboys' system, his workload has increased. The coaching staff believes he's ready for some heavy lifting. Coach Wade Phillips said Jones will start at left cornerback in Friday's preseason game against Houston.
Video: Cowboys report | Fans enjoy open practice
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

08/20/2008

Surgery sidelines Dallas Cowboys linebacker Spencer
The Dallas Cowboys' received another blow to the linebacker position when Anthony Spencer underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday morning. He is expected to miss two to four weeks.