Link of the Day: Sports Blog Network Gives Bloggers Many Opportunities

Dallas Sports Fans was launched with one goal in mind, to provide a forum for all fans of local Dallas sports teams and all sports fans in the Dallas area. Being relatively new to the blogosphere, my expectations were pretty low, and I expected that for the first few months, we would be struggling to find readers

However, thanks to the help of several powerful sports blogs networks, I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of traffic driven to Dallas Sports Fans. One of these networks is the Sports Blog Network.

According to the About page on the Sports Blog Network’s website:

Sports Blog Net is currently built on the principal of making all blogs in the network as successful as possible. Both in terms of money and traffic. We want sports fans to Discover, Read, Write, and Build.

• Read all the quality blogs in the network
• Write for a blog in the network
• Discover new blogs
• Build a new free sports blog
• Join the network as an additional revenue and traffic source for your sports blog

Our goals are to get all the small blogs out to the masses, give new bloggers the ability to get the exposure they are looking for, and give sports fans a destination that they want to visit everyday.

We at Dallas Sports Fans are excited about the opportunity to work with the Sports Blog Network and other affiliated blogs. Networks such as the Sports Blog Network are a great way for a new blogger to quickly build a following and begin creating revenue to open up more opportunities to get involved in the active community of online sports fans.

In an effort to build relationships with other sports blogs and provide readers with the best content online, DSF will also start offering the Link of the Day postings. LOTD posts are simply a way to say thank you to all the other sports bloggers that have helped us and continue to help us build a fan base.

Here are some other great posts that you should check out:

How Darren Sproles overcame long odds to become a successful player with the San Diego Chargers (Midwest Sports Fans)

The flaws in the BCS extend to politics, with Sarah Palin winning the election due to the BCS formula (Midwest Sports Fans)

Does the Florida National Championship deserve an asterik? (No Guts, No Glory)

Will Former Ranger Milton Bradley be successful with the Chicago Cubs? (Kornheiser’s Cartel)

Possible Rashad Evans/ Rampage Jackson fight for UFC 100 (Fight Ticker)

That’s all for now, but check back frequently as we are hoping to find plenty more nuggets of sports gold to share with all of our loyal fans.

Adam Pacman Jones Video | “I Like Strip Clubs”

Here’s a shocker. Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Pacman Jones enjoys going to strip clubs. Who knew?

In a recent interview with James Brown from The NFL Today, former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones elaborated on his love of strip clubs saying, “I like-a de scrip clubs.”

For those who have not been following the career of this upstanding citizen, strip clubs, or “scrips clubs” as Pacman so eloquently put it, are the preferred venue for Pacman Jones’ particular choice of tomfoolery, namely shootings.

Pacman Jones was investigated in TWO shooting incidents, both of which took place in or around strip clubs, one in Las Vegas and another in Atlanta.

For those of you who missed the interview, feel free to pause and enjoy Pacman Jones in all his glory as he elaborates on his preference for strip clubs.

This is just further proof that the signing of Pacman Jones by the Dallas Cowboys ranks as one of the dumbest decisions ever made in history. How is it that a player with a reputation such as Pacman’s can be signed by a team with such a high profile as the Dallas Cowboys. It would be hilarious if it were not so sad.

There were a number of interesting quotes from Pacman during the interview. Here is just a sample:

“Scrip clubs are like regular clubs. But you know I haven’t been in a scrip club in, what, two years now, a year and a half . . . almost three years, whatever it is. I haven’t been in a scrip club since that incident. You know, I live and I learn. You know, I like-a de scrip clubs.”

When asked about the recently publicized shooting incident outside of an Atlanta “scrip” club:
“There is no truth… truth… truff, to none of the story.”

When asked if he believed Jerry Jones would give him another chance with the Dallas Cowboys:
“Yeah, I do.”

What is most shocking in all of this is that Pacman believes Jerry Jones would actually allow him back. Yet, when I stop to think, Jerry Jones actually WOULD let him back on the team. I am genuinely scared that Jerry Jones is not done with Pacman.

What kind of influence would this have on the Dallas Cowboys locker room. The Dallas Cowboys handling of Pacman Jones has been completely ridiculous so far. Signing him was an embarrassment, but what was even dumber was that his locker was next to another bad boy of the NFL, Tank Johnson. According to Mickey Spagnola in an interview with 1310 The Ticket, this area of the locker room was referred to as “Cell Block D,” further proof that truth, or “truff” as Pacman puts it, is always better than fiction.

Given the recent collapse of the Dallas Cowboys, it is clear that Pacman Jones has no place with the team. I am a firm believer in second chances, however with Pacman’s history, and a lack of real, progressive change, as evidenced by his fight with security at a Dallas hotel, it is clear that Pacman Jones has a lot to work on before he can even begin to focus on an athletic career. I sincerely wish him the best of luck and genuinely hope that he gets his life in order, but it is time for the Cowboys and Pacman to part ways.

Is Tony Romo the Reason for the Dallas Cowboys Losses?

I have a theory about guys. I admit it’s still a new theory, but the more I ponder it, the more it rings true. The theory is simple, sophomoric even. In every group of guys, there is “That Guy.” You know the one I am talking about. The loud-mouthed, immature douche bag that thinks it is absolutely hilarious to “man-check” his supposed friends.

Every group has one. Whenever you see three or more guys gathered you know, at some point or another, one of those guys will reach out give a little tap. This tap is not friendly and encouraging, but rather the most vile and underhanded blow to the most sensitive of regions.

The situation always plays out the same. The douche will wait until his friends are engrossed in a conversation, or focused on an attractive female who has just walked by, or merely looking the other way. Then comes the strike. With a swing of the arm and snap of the wrist, the victim is rolling on the floor in agony, waiting for the dreaded “stomach feeling” that comes after every nut shot. The attacker meanwhile, is laughing uproariously while the rest of the group looks on in horror and shock.

For those who are still unsure as to what I am talking about when I refer to the dreaded “Man Check,” I offer an example of the lowest of blows.

As I pondered this theory, I realized its implications. The Man-Check guy is not just an annoying friend. He is a cancer of the worst kind. A scourge to the unity of a close group of friends that, if left unchecked (no pun intended) can tear apart even a group of close-knit friends.

The implications in professional sports are simply frightening. If in every group of males, there is that one guy, what havoc could he do to an entire season? What would happen if the Dallas Cowboys Man-Check guy were allowed to roam free, spreading a reign of terror throughout the team? More importantly, who is the Dallas Cowboys Man-Check guy?

This is a question that requires plenty of thought, for the answer is not obvious. As I wonder, it is clear that the Dallas Cowboys season was not lost due to poor coaching or poor on-field performance. It is so clear now what happened. The Man-Check player in the Dallas Cowboys had free reign in 2008 and was able to completely destroy any team moral, resulting in in fighting and a lack of cohesion on the field.

But who was this dastardly villain of the worst sort. I am quick to blame Pacman or Tank Johnson, but that is too easy. Their trouble making is more blatant and open. Guns and strippers are their modus operandi. No, the lowest of villains is not so apparent. He lies in wait, disguising himself as a productive member of the team, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

As outsiders to the day-to-day workings of the Dallas Cowboys, we will never know for certain whom this harbinger of pain and misery is, but with a little deductive reasoning, I am confident that we can eliminate several characters and eventually hypothesize who the villain is.

Right of the bat we can eliminate any loud mouthed, high profile characters. Pacman and Tank are right out of the mix. Terrell Owens, for the first time in his life, is uninvolved in the shenanigans being discussed. It’s too easy for him. TO likes public attention. Besides the nut tap is too basic for him. No real creativity. Why nut tap when you could accuse others of favoritism?

It’s not TO.

Roy Williams is too new. He’d get knocked out for even thinking of nut tapping someone. The same is true for Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Jason Witten leads by example, as do Demarcus Ware and Zach Thomas. They would never even dream of performing a man-check. Plus, given their overall size and demeanor, they are unlikely to ever be victims either.

Bradie James can’t, as he is too busy keeping the fans in line with a swift and sure right hook to the glasses.
In looking throughout the roster no one stands out as culpable. Barbie Carpenter would be hung from a goalpost if he tried it. Marion Barber is too quiet. The receivers are too busy whining about their catches and the offensive lineman would never get the timing down. Flozell Adams would always swing too early and either have his tap blocked or would miss completely.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is no man-check guy for the Dallas Cowboys. But wait; there is one person I have not named. Someone who can rest assured that there would never be any retaliation within the team. Someone who is popular enough to get close to every member of the team, yet still be distant enough due to flaky, game losing performances.

This person has an axe to grind. With the pressure of the entire team on him at all times, it is clear that this individual has plenty of frustration that needs an outlet. That’s right. Tony Romo has more than enough motivation to nut tap everyone who crosses him.

It’s perfect. A high profile quarterback with plenty of spotlight and a celebrity girlfriend. No one outside the team would ever suspect Tony Romo, and with numerous individuals within the team complaining about his decision-making and supposed favoritism, Romo has more than enough targets.

It’s so clear now. All of Terrell Owens whining and moaning of favoritism is not an actual complaint. He is trying to draw attention to Romo’s vicious attacks without actually going public with his accusations.

No wonder the offensive line won’t block for him. Why would you protect someone who constantly gives you a quick man-check?

2008 was not a disaster due to any lack of preparation or on-field performance. It was a clear statement that Tony Romo unleashed a reign of terror not seen since the days of Attila the Hun. The Dallas Cowboys lack of production on offense was a concerted effort to get Tony Romo knocked out of games. It was a push to remove the protective covering on any starting quarterback so retribution could be doled out and Tony Romo could be stopped. If only Ed Werder would have covered this story. Maybe the Dallas Cowboys season could have been saved.

A New Kick on an Old DFW Tradition

Question. What was one of the most successful Dallas sports franchises to play in Reunion Arena?

This team was around long before the Stars dropped the “North” and migrated south. And the Maverick’s past drops them out of the conversation. One of the most victorious teams in Dallas history was the Dallas Sidekicks.

While professional soccer has always struggled in the United States, every young soccer player in DFW grew up wanting to be legendary Sidekick forward Tatu, and ceremoniously throw their jersey into the crowd after scoring a goal.

After 20 years of winning soccer, the Sidekicks “suspended operations” in 2004 but have yet, and probably will never, return to the turf, or the hearts, of Dallas.

There is hope however for the long lost Sidekicks fan found now in North Richland Hills known as the Texas Outlaws. While this isn’t big time Reunion Arena ( in it’s prime) soccer, the new NYTEX Sports Center is a good fit for the up and coming sports franchise in North Texas. And for a real late 90′s flashback, the Outlaws showcase indoor soccer veteran Patrick Shamu, made famous with the sidekicks for his unbelievable ball handling skills,and classic back flip after every goal he scored.

The Outlaws are also coached by long time Sidekicks assistant Cesar Cervin.

If this story is too good to be true, it gets a little better. Tonight at 7:15, the Outlaws play long time rival of the Sidekicks the Monterey La Raza, in a rematch of sorts of the 2000 WISL Finals. There are also rumors that the San Diego Shockers, another former rival of the Sidekicks, might join the new effort to keep professional indoor soccer alive, the PASL.

While the Outlaws have traded the Sidekicks famous purple for a more Texas red and blue, fans can now relive old memories in North Richland Hills.

Eagles-Giants NFC Divisional Round Preview and Prediction

For the record, I am not a Cowboys fan. I’m not one of those haters that actively roots for the Cowboys to lose and that wouldn’t even urinate on Jerry Jones if he were on fire — and believe me, they’re out there in hordes — but I do somewhat enjoy the ridiculous ebb and flow and overreaction of Cowboys fans and the media here in Dallas to everything that goes on at Valley Ranch.

Why am I prefacing this post in such a manner? Well, because I just want to make it very clear that I have no inherent passion for the upcoming Eagles-Giants NFC Divisional Round playoff game this weekend, outside of just the normal interest that a football fan would have. However, the thought of writing an Eagles-Giants preview on Dallas Sports Fans, and rubbing a little more salt in the wounds of the Cowboys 2008 season, was just too delicious a thought to pass up.

(This just in: apparently, the Dallas Cowboys did not make the playoffs in 2008. Multiple media sources are reporting that the team’s prodigious hopes coming into the year went down in an infamous blaze of gory in Philadelphia two weekends ago. Can anyone else confirm this? Where is Randy Galloway when you need him…)

Robert may restrict my admin access after this post.

Anyway, before we go any further, below is a quick breakdown of this weekend’s Eagles-Giants NFC Divisional Round playoff game, in which both teams have a chance to do something that the Cowboys do not: advance to the NFC Championship game next weekend.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1) at New York Giants (12-4)

• Sunday, January 11, 2009
• TV Schedule: 1:00 ET on FOX
• Announcer Pairing: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
• Point Spread: New York Giants -4 1/2
• Over-Under Odds: 40

(Info for this game, and this weekend’s other games provided by the NFL Divisional Round Playoff TV Schedule post at MSF.)

Let’s run down some of the quick keys to the game real game, taken straight off the top of my head:

First, it is imperative that the Giants be able to establish a consistent passing game. Eli Manning and the passing attack of the Giants has been wildly inconsistent since Plaxico Burress was suspended following the infamous incident in which he shot himself in the leg. If you haven’t seen the hidden camera footage of the incident, or the untold story of how Plaxico was actually trying to shoot Tiki Barber, reported by Flash Sports Tonight, it’s rather interesting:

(BTW, if you can’t see the video, just head over to the FST website and watch it there.)

Anyway, guys like Domenik Hixon and Amani Toomer are going to have step up and give Eli Manning consistent targets on 3rd down — and catch the ball. Hixon has had trouble shaking the dropsies, and will need to correct that for the Giants to be able to threaten the Eagles defense in multiple ways. We know the Giants will be able to run the ball, and they have Brandon Jacobs back healthy and ready to play, but they will need balance against the Eagles D and Jim Johnson, who are playing at an extremely high level right now.

On the flip side, Philadelphia’s offense needs to be balanced as well. It goes without saying that Brian Westbrook needs to stay healthy and play the entire game for Philly to have a chance. He is the motor that makes the Eagles go and provides a dynamic threat to any defense. But he can’t beat a team like the Giants all by himself. The Eagles will throw the ball, and they will throw it a lot, and they need to threaten the Giants downfield to open up the inside running and short passes to Westbrook out of the backfield. For this to happen, Donovan McNabb needs to be accurate and they need a big game from DeSean Jackson.

A couple quick links to give you more info and better analysis that I’m capable of providing:

Giants-Eagles Preview — (Pat Kirwan, NFL.com)

Giants D-Line must pressure McNabb — (Thomas George, NFL.com)

And now, before I give you my prediction, chime in with yours:

[poll id="4"]

(And for the record, if you vote for the Cowboys, you are either an idiot, Jessica Simpson, or Jerry Jones. Honestly, I’m not sure which of those three I would rather be — or which one would do a better job of running the team.)

Sounds like another poll to me!

[poll id="5"]

This is the joy of having admin access and posting before Robert even wakes up. This post will go live before he can edit this post.

Okay, I’m done playing around. Time to offer up a prediction that you can take to the bank to be absolutely and terribly wrong.

The Giants have been an outstanding team all year long, and obviously have the better pedigree having won the Super Bowl last year. Philadelphia always seems to be that team that is just dangerous enough to win some games in the playoffs, but never can quite get over the hump. I like how Philly’s D is playing, and the fact that Brian Westbrook appears healthy and is providing that dynamic running/receiving threat gives them a fighting chance.

But I’m going with the defending champs. Having Brandon Jacobs back means that the great trio of Jacobs-Ward-Bradshaw and can pound away at the Eagles D and take some pressure off of Eli Manning and his undermanned received corps. I think the threat of the run, combined with play-action, will allow Eli to spread the ball around effectively to Hixon, Toomer, Steve Smith, and Kevin Boss.

I agree with Pat Kirwan of NFL.com and pretty much everyone else who thinks that this game will go down the final drive and be an outstanding, exciting viewing experience. In the end, I like the Giants to make the one or two plays that will decide the game, and to ride their running back trio into the NFC Championship game next week.

New York Giants 24 | Philadelphia Eagles 20 | Dallas Cowboys 0

Maybe next year Cowboys fans. But this weekend, you’ll have to watch the two best, most consistent, and most well-run franchises in the NFC East duke it out. And it should be one hell of a game to watch.

Dallas Cowboys Release Adam “Pacman” Jones after Allegations of Atlanta Shooting

Today the Dallas Cowboys released the troubled cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones after just one season with the team. The Cowboys will not suffer a salary cap hit, and will receive two draft picks from the Tennesee Titans, Jones’ former team.

Adam Jones, who had been suspended for all of last season, was reinstated to the league at the beginning of this season after being involved in a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club, however he was suspended again after a fight in a Dallas hotel.

The release of Adam “Pacman” Jones, apparently comes after the Cowboys recieved information that the player was allegedly involved in a second shooting incident, this time in the Atlanta area. According to ESPN, Jones allegedly ordered the shooting of a man outside of an Atlanta strip club. While charges have never been filed, a witness said that Jones had a dispute with the victim and ordered the hit. Police are not actively investigating the case.

This history, coupled with a lack of production on the field, was apparently too much for the Cowboys. Pacman was supposed to be a play-maker for the Dallas Cowboys and provide a strong cornerback presence along with a dangerous punt and kick return game. Instead, the result was a six game suspension and less than 100 yards in returns for the season.

It is amazing that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys would wait this long to cut Pacman. The man was simply a liability. His cornerback play was average, and his off-field behavior was an embarrassment to the team. I seriously doubt that the Cowboys locker room benefited at all from his presence.

This begs an important question. Why does Jerry Jones insist on taking in troubled players in the hopes he and the Dallas Cowboys organization can change them. Adam “Pacman” Jones is just one of a number of idiots who have been brought in to the team. Terrell Owens, while he has been productive at times, is still causing plenty of turmoil within the team. Tank Johnson made a fool of himself in Philadelphia with a temper tantrum that would disgust a 4 year old.

Looking back over the 2008 Dallas Cowboys season, one of the many problems with this team was the unity and focus. Deon Anderson and Flozell Adams got into a fight, Terrell Owens complained about favoritism, and Bradie James assaulted a fan. It is clear that the attitude in this team was not a positive one, focused on winning a championship, or even representing the Star well. Instead, players were selfish and spoiled, more focused on having a good time and getting a paycheck. That Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips could allow such an attitude to prevail is disgraceful.

The Dallas Cowboys have always been America’s team. With players like Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, and a coach like Tom Landry, who dripped of sportsmanship, it is a complete embarrassment that Pacman Jones was even allowed to wear a Dallas Cowboys uniform.

Jerry Jones needs to evaluate his decision making. What made the Dallas Cowboys great was not winning, but winning with class. Tom Landry fostered an attitude of sportsmanship. The Dallas Cowboys are great because of a long-built and hard-earned reputation that can easily be lost in the next couple of years.

This is not an angry rant about how Jerry Jones treated Tom Landry, but Jerry Jones needs to remember the Dallas Cowboys of the past. It is important to find not only talented players. Players with a dedication to winning. Yes, Adam “Pacman” Jones is a talented individual, but his attitude for the past few years has been nothing short of complete selfishness. He should have never been picked up, and certainly never been reinstated after the 6 game suspension.

What will benefit the Cowboys most this season is a change in attitude. No longer should a player like Adam “Pacman” Jones be allowed on the team. Instead we need players committed to representing themselves and their team. Players who will leave it all on the field and take each loss hard. Players who hate to lose, but more importantly, players who hate the thought that they might embarrass the team. Behavior such as the type exhibited by Adam “Pacman” Jones should not be tolerated. Winning is important, but it is not everything. Playing with class is.

Mike Modano Lone Dallas Star in 2009 All-Star Game

38-year-old Mike Modano will be the only representative of the Dallas Stars on the Western Conference All-Star team this year.

Mike Modano has 26 points in 38 games, divided evenly at 13 between goals and assists. He is tied for second in goals with James Neal and is fourth on the team in points behind Brad Richards, Mike Ribiero, and goals leader Loui Eriksson.

Modano has played a critical role for the Dallas Stars as a veteran with the absence of captain and leader Brenden Morrow to a near season ending knee surgery. Mike Modano took the helm as the teams leader during the Sean Avery saga, and has played with a passion that has not been seen since his younger days. His play in the first half of this season, along with Eriksson, has brought the Dallas Stars out of the Western Conference cellar and put them back in the playoff hunt.

The Western starters for the 2009 All-Star game are Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks, Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews, Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks, Brian Campbell of the Blackhawks, and Scott Niedermayer of the Ducks. The starting goalie for the West is the Ducks J. S. Giguere, despite missing around a month of the season for family reasons.

The starters for the Eastern Conference are Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Alexei Kovalev, Andrei Markov, and Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadians. The starting goalie for the East is the Habs Carey Price.

Syndey Crosby lead the league in All-Star votes with 1,713,02.

The 2009 NHL All-Star game will be on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.

Mark Cuban Comments on Buying the Cubs

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is thought of by many to be a big spender. It comes as no surprise then that in 2007, Cuban put up his hand to buy the struggling Chicago Cubs franchise. Now basically out of the running, Cuban recently explained his attitude towards buying the Chicago Cubs on his blog, blogmaverick.com.

First the backstory…

Mark Cuban is no stranger to MLB, as he has previously stated his interest in owning an MLB franchise. He expressed interest in the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise, but never made any substantial moves. In 2007 however, Cuban put his hand up in the race to purchase the Chicago Cubs after the sale of the franchise to Sam Zell. In July, Cuban sent an application to MLB. In October of that year, Cuban stated that he would more than likely make a bid on the Cubs, which he did in July of 2008, when Cuban made an offer on the Cubs of $1.3 billion. Mark Cuban was later taken out of the running when he was indicted on insider trading charges.

In January 2009, Cuban explained his reasoning behind the move for the Cubs on his blog. Cuban explained that his goal was not to outspend major contenders such as the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees, but rather make the Cubs a leading National League team while keeping them in the second tier of payroll spending. This would have allowed him to invest in scouting and the Chicago Cubs farm system. Cuban sought to create a winning team while establishing a solid infrastructure for developing talent within the franchise.

Cuban explains that the economic crisis was a major hindrance to his purchase of the team. With a number of franchises struggling during the recession, it is no surprise that Mark Cuban, or any other owner or potential owner would rethink any major investment. Nevertheless, Cuban has asked for an extension on consideration for his bid, in hopes that he can still become a part of the Chicago Cubs franchise.

Professional sports is ultimately a business, and the reality is owners, much to the frustration of fans, often care more about the bottom line than fielding a competitive team. However, Mark Cuban is not merely an owner, but also a fan. Cuban has reinvigorated the Mavericks organization and built a competitive team. This has led to an increased fan base and a larger source of revenue for Cuban and the Mavericks.

Ultimately, a figure like Cuban is good for sports. Don’t get me wrong, I hate it when Cuban gets vocal regarding games or refs. In some cases he is an obnoxious fan with too much money. However, Cuban puts that money to good use and it has proven especially beneficial to the NBA.

Imagine having a vocal owner in MLB who cared about fielding a competitive team. Cuban is a lightning rod for publicity and would greatly enhance the competitive atmosphere in Chicago and in the National League. It is a certainty that an owner like Cuban would create more publicity for MLB and help to grow a large fan base, which would in turn drive revenue through ticket sales and merchandise sales. More importantly however, the quality of the game would be improved with more competitive teams developing talent in house. It is possible that big spenders such as Steinbrenner with the Yankees would no longer have such a dominance over the league, and more Cinderella stories would rise to the top.

Ultimately, the recent history of MLB is one of steroids, controversy, and owner greed. The integrity of the game has been called into question repeatedly, and fans are tuning out in increasing numbers. The league needs a boost of energy to regain it’s status as the pinnacle of American sport. Perhaps Mark Cuban is just the shot in the arm needed to revitalize MLB and get fans back in the seats.

Are Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson Married? Who Cares?

While on my morning commute, as I switched through stations, I came across 107.5 FM in Dallas. They were discussing a rumor floating around that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had married his girlfriend, singer Jessica Simpson.

This is not the first time a rumor involving Tony Romo’s nuptials has been spread throughout the metroplex. In 2007, rumors abounded that Tony Romo and singer Carrie Underwood, of American Idol fame, had tied the knot.

In 2008, another rumor spread that Tony Romo had married his new girlfriend, Jessica Simpson. This rumor was allegedly confirmed by Jessica’s mother who said “Jessica is already married to Tony. What are you talking about?”

Later Jessica mysteriously commented, “Well, I guess if my mom said it, it must be true.”

While this rumor was later proven to be just that, a rumor, TMZ reported in October that Romo and Simpson were extremely serious, and were considering a 2009 wedding. This has given rise to the latest Tony Romo marriage rumor that I heard this morning.

While in all likelihood this recent rumor, like all the others, is false, the thought of a Romo, Simpson wedding is a scary thought for most Cowboys fans. There is a growing suspicion that Jessica is a major factor in Romo’s on field performance, and that the Cowboy’s quarterback would be a better player if he were to break things off with Daisy Duke.

I, for one, am sick of these rumors and the controversy over this relationship. Tony Romo is a professional in the NFL. He got there through hard work and dedication. To think that he would let himself get distracted over a girl is kind of ridiculous in my mind.

Romo is entitled to a personal life. Every NFL player has a personal life, and every NFL player has distractions coming from their personal life, no matter if their wife or girlfriend is a college sweetheart, or untalented singer with a less talented sister who makes Milli Vanilli look like the Vatican Choir. But to think that a celebrity girlfriend would ruin an entire team’s season is laughable.

Yes, Tony Romo performs poorly at the end of the season. Yes, the 2008 Dallas Cowboys season ended in complete disaster. However, this debacle did not come about because of one relationship. There were numerous on-the-field issues that hurt the team far more than Jessica Simpson.

Terrell Owens was taking plays off. Jason Witten was playing injured. The offensive line was without Kyle Kosier and simply was not giving Romo the protection he needed. Without a strong running game due to injuries to Felix Jones and Marion Barber, the Cowboys had to use their passing attack, and with the O-Line not performing as well as they are capable, Romo was pressured and forced to make rushed throws and poor decisions.

None of this had anything to do with Tony Romo’s girlfriend, unless of course she took a crowbar to Marion Barber and Felix Jones, which I did not see reported on TMZ.

James Neal Scores Shootout Win Against Vancouver

Coming off a bruising road trip loss in Edmonton, The Dallas Stars rely on a combination of veterans and youth to steal a shootout win in Vancouver.

After being down by two goals in the first period, The Dallas Stars came back to tie up the game in the second period with a clock racing power play pass by Jere Lehtinen to Stars forward Mike Ribiero who buried it for the goal. From there, the game remained at 2 a side throughout regulation play and overtime. Though over a period of tied hockey seems boring, the game featured incredible goal tending performances by both Marty Turco and Jason Labarbera. On one third period play, Labarbera literally robbed Mike Ribiero of a goal line opportunity.

After making it through the first three shooters in the shootout, Mike Modano found himself in a “must score” situation. And that he did which opened the shootout to a sudden death situation. After Vancouver’s Alex Burrows was stopped by Turco, James Neal pulled through under pressure to provide the game winning goals.

With two goals by Mike Modano, one by Ribiero, and a game winner by James Neal, the Dallas Stars showed how they can combine both veteran and rookie talent to bring home a win on the road.

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