Jere Lehtinen Finishes Hit On Daniel Alfredsson

Jere Lehtinen followed through with a check on Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson during a second period Senator power play that ended the game for the Gothenburg, Sweden native.   The hit was not intentionally aggressive.  It was simply the level of play one would expect in a physical NHL game.  Despite the profanities mouthed by Ottawa head coach Craig Hartsburg, the near side NHL linesman immediately waived off any notion of a boarding call as play continued.  After the puck was cleared; however, play was stopped to allow Ottawa’s trainer to tend to an Alfredsson who was struggling to pull himself up off the ice.

Dallas Stars forward Jere Lehtinen has only logged 194 career penalty minutes.  More importantly, the Dallas Stars forward has yet to log a single penalty minute during the 2008-09 season.  He is not an overly physical player nor is he known for putting game ending hits on opposing players.  So why did the simple act of finishing a hit draw such disbelief from Ottawa head coach Craig Hartsburg?  No one wants to see an injury take place during a game.  But just because a player is shaken up as a result of a completed check, does that mean there has to be an insinuation of foul play?  It shouldn’t as players like Jere Lehtinen are simply trying to contribute to their team by playing an energetic role when the game calls for it.

The Ottawa Senators emerged from tonight’s game victorious in a 5-4 overtime win.  Unfortunately, Daniel Alfredsson did not return to the game due to an upper body injury suffered from the hit.

Baltimore Ravens Win Over Dallas Cowboys in Last Game at Texas Stadium

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the final game ever at Texas Stadium despite a stand out performace from rookie running back Tashard Choice. With a number of former Cowboy greats on hand including Roger Staubach and Emmit Smith, the Dallas Cowboys were handed a bitter defeat to close out Texas Stadium for good.

The game started with the Baltimore Ravens kicking off. Dallas Cowboys running back Tashard Choice, who got the start over Marion Barber, had a couple of nice runs, but the drive was cut short with an Ed Reed interception on Tony Romo.

Demarcus Ware and the Dallas Cowboys defense quickly responded with his twentieth sack of the season on rookie Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who fumbled, which the Greg Ellis of the Cowboys recovered. Several plays later, Tashard Choice ran in for the touchdown, followed by a Nick Folk conversion to give the Dallas Cowboys a 7-0 lead.

On the next drive, Dallas Cowboys free safety Keith Davis gave up a major pass interference penalty to bring the Ravens to inside the 10-yard line. Luckily for the Cowboys, the Ravens were only able to come away with a field goal.

Led by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the Baltimore Ravens defense was able to hold the Cowboys scoreless for the remainder of the half, while the Ravens offense was able to score on two more field goals, one coming off a second Ed Reed pick on Tony Romo.

Tony Romo had an extremely forgettable first half, but Tashard Choice showed weaknesses in the powerful Ravens defense. The Dallas Cowboys defense, led by Demarcus Ware and Terrance Newman, both of whom had impressive first halves, were certainly holding the Baltimore Ravens offense, but the Cowboys needed a better offensive performance if the Cowboys were to send Texas Stadium off on a high note.

The second half did not start will for the Cowboys with the Ravens defense still holding the Cowboys offense scoreless. The Ravens increased their lead when Joe Flacco connected with Derrick Mason for a touchdown. The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver was injured early on in the game, but managed to tough through a painful shoulder injury to keep Baltimore in the first half, and build on their lead in the second.

The Dallas Cowboys began to build some momentum at the end of the third quarter with the impressive running of rookie running back Tashard Choice. Tony Romo also began to pick up his game connecting with Roy Williams several times to keep drives alive. The Cowboys were finally able to score again with a Nick Folk field goal early in the fourth.

After the Dallas field goal, Joe Flacco was able to lead the Ravens offense on a critical drive that ran a significant amount of time off the clock. Willis McGahee made several critical runs, but a Bradie James late hit on McGahee, along with several other penalties, brought the Ravens into field goal range, which the Ravens were quick to capitalize on and increase their lead by 3 to bring the game to 19-10 Ravens with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter.

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys offense took the field with six and a half minutes remaining and with all three timeouts. After several good runs from Tashard Choice, Jason Witten made an excellent and critical catch to bring the Cowboys to the Baltimore 21-yard line. Patrick Crayton followed this with another critical catch to keep the drive alive with the Cowboy at first and goal on the 7-yard line. After an incompletion, Tony Romo was able to connect with Terrell Owens for a touchdown. With the Nick Folk extra point, the Dallas Cowboys trailed the Baltimore Ravens by two with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing kick off, the Ravens fumbled but recovered and Joe Flacco took the field with a two point lead and 3:42 left in the game. Willis McGahee broke for a 77-yard touchdown that took the energy out of Texas Stadium.

The Cowboys, down by nine drove down to respond, a Patrick Crayton catch brought the Cowboys into Ravens teritory, but Tony Romo was sacked on the next play, which brought o the two-minute warning.

On the other side of the two-minute warning, Tony Romo completed to Terrell Owens, with Tashard Choice, who had an excellent game all day, converting the first down. Two plays later, Jason Witten was open in the end-zone and Tony Romo connected to bring the Cowboys back within two with three timeouts left.

Before the Cowboys kicked off, John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, called a time out to determine the Dallas strategy. Nick Folk kicked the ball deep, and Joe Flacco again took the field with a two point lead and no time outs. On the first play, Le’Ron McClain then went 82 yards for a touchdown.

Adam “Pacman” Jones, who came back from a possible career ending injury, took the kick off to the 50, where Flozell “I could not get the snap count right if you put a gun to my head” Adams was called for a false start, as per usual in these situations. Tony Romo was unable to lead the Dallas offense to another score, and the Baltimore Ravens remain the only team that the Dallas Cowboys have never defeated, albeit only in three tries.

While the Baltimore Ravens now have control over their playoff destiny, the Dallas Cowboys will travel to the Philadelphia Eagles for a must-win game next Sunday.

While Dallas does not control it’s own playoff destiny, there is one positive coming from the loss. Tashard Choice has certainly proven himself in the absence of Marion Barber and should grow to be an excellent running back in the years to come. That being said, every true Dallas Cowboys fan will be sincerely disgusted with the embarrassing loss that does not do justice to the Cowboy greats in attendance. If only Texas Stadium could be sent off in a more deserving way.

Dallas Cowboys Blog

TCU and NFL Legend Sammy Baugh dies at age 94

In an era when football teams rushed the ball nearly every down, “Slingin” Sammy Baugh revolutionised the position of quarterback and the way offenses were run. This Renaissance man of football died Wednesday in Rotan, Tx at the age of 94.

Baugh is known as one of the greatest collegiate quarterbacks, throwing 587 passes for 39 touchdowns in his career at TCU. He was a two time All-American and lead the Horned Frogs the first of their two National Championships in 1935. Baugh played with the Horned Frogs in the inaugural Cotton Bowl and was the first Cotton Bowl MVP. In 1936, Baugh finished fourth in Heisman voting.

Baugh also played third base for the TCU Baseball Team, where he was given his nickname “Slingin’” Sammy.

Baugh played in the NFL for 15 years with the Washington Redskins and now has his number 33 retired and is included in the teams Ring of Fame.

On the TCU campus, the school’s flag was flown at half mast Thursday to honor the late Baugh. Baugh’s death sparked a new wave of school spirit across the campus in this down time between the college football regular season and number 11 TCU’s upcoming post-season match, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, against the number 9 Boise State Broncos.

Sports Agent Corner: Gary Glick on Marlon Lucky, the policy of the Army, and the BCS

The Sports Agent Corner will be a bi-weekly feature here at Dallas Sports Fans featuring Dallas-based sports agent Gary Glick, who is the President and Founder of Synergy Sports Inc., and, at least this year, a profoundly sad Texas A&M fan. Gary Glick has worked recently with former Big 12 standouts Maurice Purify, Marcellus Rivers, and Dwayne Blakely.

We started the Sports Agent Corner over at Midwest Sports Fans, but now that DSF is up and running, it makes a lot more sense being here.

Dallas Sports Fans: Are you a proponent of the BCS or in favor of a playoff?

Gary Glick: Hell yes to a playoff.

This year more than any I recall seems to support a playoff. It’s a shame that part of the ranking system seems to be based on the timing of a team’s loss. There are some very good “1-loss” teams this year that will get no chance to play for a Championship including USC and the University of Texas (as an Aggie I cant believe I am saying that).

It might be different if EVERY other level of college football did not have a working playoff system. It also seems to make financial sense if you look at the success of the NCAA basketball playoffs (March Madness).

DSF: How has the new coaching staff at Nebraska, led by Bo Pellini, affected Marlon Lucky this season?

Gary Glick: The first thing to say is that Coach Pelini has made huge strides in his first season taking Nebraska to a Bowl game. From an outsider’s perspective, it didn’t seem that Marlon Lucky was utilized as well as his talents would have warranted. Marlon is a quick, tough RB with great hands out of the backfield. He definitely has NFL talent. I know it is tough for a good RB to alternate or to “ride the pine” because most say they have to get into a groove and actually get better as the game goes on and the defenses weaken.

On the other hand, at the end of the season, Marlon Lucky had an injury which may have contributed to the lack of playing time.

DSF: Do you think Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach made a good decision to stay at Texas Tech?

Gary Glick: From a personal standpoint, he is a coach I love to hate. He also gives some of the best interviews of any coach in the nation, so if he left he would be missed.

He is a hero in Lubbock and with the right contract, he may be satisfied to stay and try to make Tech into a National Champion; although recruiting in Washington would seem less competitive than competing for recruits against UT, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, etc…

DSF: What are your thoughts on the return of Pacman Jones to the Cowboys?

Gary Glick: I was against him going to the Cowboys in the first place and I was even more against his return. I remember the Cowboys as America’s Team and although not perfect, they had kind of a clean image. In any sport, but especially with the Cowboys, I hate to see the “win at all costs” mentality. As I have said in the past, I believe everyone deserves a second chance but Pacman has had 13 brushes with the law in the short time he has been in the NFL including the latest incident which got him suspended…AGAIN. If a team owner has to hire guards (babysitters) to make sure a player doesn’t get into trouble, that would seem to indicate a problem.

The Cowboys have a core of really good, clean players on defense. I have listened to them on various sports talk shows and they seem to be REAL people that stay out of trouble. I was hesitant about the decision the Cowboys made to sign Tank Johnson but he really seems to have turned it around. Pacman on the other hand has been given enough chances.

DSF: What are your thoughts on the army’s policy concerning players being forced to serve and not play upon graduation?

Gary Glick: First, I am a big proponent of the Army as my cousin in Alabama, Brent Williford, has served two tours in Iraq. Clearly, the players who are in the Army know the policies of the Army before they sign. It is a requirement to give a certain period of time as a commitment to the Army for paying for school, etc. All of that is understood and as long as the policy is consistent, there is no problem.

With that being said, as you know, I represent Owen Tolson, the Punter for Army who was sensational and invited to the NFL Combine. During the time we were working with Owen Tolson, we were informed by the Army that for these players, their “Army commitments” could be served during the off-season by serving as Army recruiters.

With this information, Owen trained every day, was successful in a College Senior All Star game, and was made offers by the Giants and the Lions and seemed to be headed for success. Likewise, Caleb Campbell, a Safety for Army, was signed by the Detroit Lions.

Apparently, during all of this, the Army changed the policy or interpreted it differently and required both players to serve out their two year commitments, thereby giving up any hopes of the NFL for at least 2 years.

Personally, I was outraged because these two young players had worked their butts off based on the Army’s representations they would be allowed to play. It seems like the fair thing to do was to “Grandfather” these players in and allow them to play and to serve the Army in the capacity they were told they’d be allowed to. The Army could then enforce the policy from 2008 forward.

What do you think?

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(If you would like to view past Sports Agent Corner posts with Gary Glick, hop on over to the Sports Agent Corner page at Midwest Sports Fans. Eventually we’ll get all of those posts over here.)

Adam Pacman Jones will Play Against the Baltimore Ravens

After it was thought the his season was done, it appears that Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones will play on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. Jones had suffered a herniated disk in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers almost two weeks ago.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips announced on Wednesday that the controversial Jones would play against the Baltimore Ravens. Adam “Pacman” Jones hurt his back in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he scrambled to recover a muffed punt and was pulled out of the resulting dog pile awkwardly by a Steelers player. Jones played the rest of the game against Pittsburgh.

Adam “Pacman” Jones has certainly had an interesting season. Jones was reinstated to the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell shortly before the first game of the season. He then went on to play in 6 games before he was once again suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, for a fight that took place in a Dallas hotel. The game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was Jones’ first game back from the suspension.

Jones had missed the entire 2007 NFL season after several arrests and investigations, including one involving a shooting at a Las Vegas men’s club.

Other injury issues affecting the Dallas Cowboys, who have lost a large number of players to injury throughout the season include strong safety Roy Williams and rookie running back Felix Jones, who were both ruled out for the rest of the season.

In addition to Adam “Pacman” Jones, it is expected that starting quarterback Tony Romo, who suffered a back strain against the New York Giants, will play against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Dallas Stars Part Ways With Sean Avery

Hand picked by Brett Hull, Sean Avery came to the Dallas Stars for the 2008/2009 NHL season under a contract with $15.5 million in incentives over four years. His arrival to Dallas, however, came under scrutiny by fans and players alike. For the 28 year old Canadian born forward, the Dallas Stars would be his fourth team in seven years in the NHL. For the Dallas Stars, his 23 games would prove to be an expensive miscalculation that unsettled the locker room and caused an embarrassing situation for the entire NHL.

Sean Avery likes controversy. Almost as if he sponsored it, DMagazine played up Sean Avery as the most hated player in the NHL in its November 2008 issue. In a league where enforcers and instigators are part of the game, however Avery took the role beyond the limits. Known for on-ice commentary that crossed personal lines, Sean Avery was closely watched by officials and NHL management alike. After a 2007 incident in which he purposely screened New Jersey goal tender Martin Brodier, the league actually created a rule which sought to prevent the incident from happening again. It is known as The Avery Rule. So why would a skilled and fairly clean cut team such as the Dallas Stars take the risk?

After losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the 2007 season Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Stars were on the prowl for chemistry changers. Bret Hull, a previous teammate and roommate of the feisty Avery, convinced owner Tom Hicks that Sean Avery possessed the character and drive needed by the team.

Dallas Stars fans appreciate players who bring excitement to the game. Whether it be a Brendon Morrow, who balances the role of leader and tough guy, or a Steve Ott, who combines goal scoring and a shake it up style of play, the crowd always comes alive when the glass shakes or the gloves are dropped. As a two-time leader in penalty minutes in the NHL, Sean Avery’s arrival gave rise to one question, “Doesn’t the team already have the role of instigator covered?” After quickly crossing the 400 penalty minute line in November of a lack luster season, it became evident the Dallas Stars probably need a few more pucks in the net and a fewer minutes in the penalty box.

Whether it be his “no show” appearances at a Dallas Stars Fall fundraiser lunch or his penalty minute collection in the first half of the season, rumors in Big D were that Avery was even less of a hit in the locker room than he was for the fans at The American Airlines Center. So on December 2, when Sean Avery decided to solicit a group of reporters in Calgary, Alberta to make derogatory comments about Flames defensemen Dion Phaneauf’s girlfriend, both the NHL and The Dallas Stars organization said enough. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman immediately handed down a 6 game suspension which ended on December 13th, 2008. Midday on December 14th, The Dallas Stars announced that they would be ending their relationship with Sean Avery.
The question at hand is not whether Sean Avery would go or not; the question is what to do with him? If the team decided to try and break their contract based on a conduct clause, they might face legal ramifications down the line that would further distract both players and management. A second option would be to hope his contract is bought out–but who wants a behavior problem at this point in the season. Another option is to send him to the minors to let him mix it up with young players fresh out of the Canadian Western Junior Leagues. The upside is that for every game he missed in the minor leagues, the Dallas Stars would not have to pay him and perhaps he would go away.
The bottom line is that Tom Hicks and The Dallas Stars showed professionalism and class on multiple fronts as they dealt with Sean Avery. First, they took care of the problem quickly. Second, they chose not to disrespect Sean Avery, which would do nothing but add fuel to a fire. They made neutral to favorable statements in the press and wished him personal and professional success as he transitioned to his next role in professional hockey.

What I don’t think Sean Avery realizes is what he has done. There are fans who feel that off-ice commentary should not warrant being suspended or kicked off of a team. After all, when compared with the deeds of proverbial losers such as Todd Bertuzzi and Eddie Shore, Sean Avery’s mere words do not even belong in the same ball park.

What Sean Avery doesn’t realize is that he did not just piss off some suits, a referee, fans, or another player. His actions have put friend and NHL great Brett Hull on the hot seat. It has caused fans to question Brett Hull’s capabilities as a general manager. I would think that the two people active in NHL management that would be on the “respect at whatever cost” list would be Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull. They were both great players and have great potential in management. In many respects, they made the luxury of playing in the NHL a possibility through their accomplishments. Having disrespected 50% of that list is the negative statistic that Sean Avery should really think about!

Loui Eriksson and Dallas Stars Win Over Phoenix Coyotes

The Dallas Stars were able to hold on for an overtime win on Tuesday against the Phoenix Coyotes. Loui Eriksson, who has gone six games without a goal, scored both goals for the Stars.

Dallas jumped out to a quick first period lead with a goal coming in the third minute from Loui Eriksson. The game remained scoreless until Phoenix Coyotes wing Todd Fedoruk netted the equalizer at 10:51 in the third period, off a Peter Mueller rebound. With no one scoring the go ahead the game went to overtime.

3:39 into overtime, Loui Eriksson took a pass from Mike Ribeiro and put the rebound of his first shot past Phoenix Coyotes goalie Ilja Bryzgalov, who had 28 saves on the night.

Marty Turco, who made a season high 37 saves on Friday against Detroit, had 22 saves against Phoenix.

Tuesday’s game was the first the Dallas Stars played after announcing on Monday that controversial forward Sean Avery would no longer be a part of the team. Sean Avery had been banned for six games after off-color remarks regarding an ex-girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert. Tuesday’s against Phoenix would have been his first game back with the Dallas Stars.

In addition to the loss of Sean Avery, the Dallas Stars have been ravaged by injuries this season and were without Jere Lehtinen, Steve Ott, Stephan Robidas, Joel Lundgvist, Sergei Zhubov, and captain Brendan Morrow.

The Stars face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

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