Dallas Sports Fan – Rangers On Cusp Of Division Crown, Banged-Up Cowboys Welcome Washington
October 4, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Free online fishing games can fill some of your time as the real angling season comes to a close, but there are plenty of other options out there if you’re a sports fan in Dallas as the Texas Rangers are closing in on another American League West crown. However, the bigger story may come out of the Cowboys’ camp, as their much-maligned quarterback may have had his biggest game as the leader of “America’s Team”.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers’ magic number is three after a win in Oakland on Wednesday night extended their streak to four, so they could have the division title and postseason spot sewn up by the end of the weekend. After losing their opener in Seattle last Thursday, the Rangers went on win the next two games and now they’re the MLB baseball betting favorites to earn the sweep in Oakland on Thursday afternoon. After Thursday, the Rangers have six games left to end the regular season as Seattle and the Angels come to town, and Texas would rather have their spot in the playoffs wrapped up before the Angels, who trail by five games as of Thursday, come to town.
The Cowboys should have been an easy NFL pick to beat San Francisco last week, but the Cowboys lost Tony Romo to broken ribs and a punctured lung and it looked like it would be a lost cause. But Romo returned to lead the Cowboys to a 27-24 win to take Dallas to 1-1 in a game that many people won’t think was important because it was only Week 2, but this game was huge when it comes to backing Romo, who made some crucial mistakes in Week 1’s loss to the New York Jets. Now, the Cowboys will head into Monday night’s matchup against a 2-0 Washington team that is loaded with confidence, and they’ll do it without Miles Austin, who had three touchdowns against the 49ers, but he also picked up a hamstring injury that may keep him out until Week 6. Even those who play US poker sites online know how much injuries play a role in the NFL, and losing Austin is huge, especially if Dez Bryant (quadriceps) has to sit out, and Felix Jones (shoulder) will be playing hurt. Romo has been fitted with a vest to protect his ribs, but you know the rival Redskins will be going after that part of his body. The offensive line has to protect their quarterback because while Jon Kitna is a good quarterback, Romo gives the Cowboys a real chance to win. It will be interesting to see what the sports betting online odds say about this game.
Dallas Cowboys Update: Cowboys Even Record at 1-1 but Pay a Price
September 20, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
The San Francisco 49ers is already looking much better at the start of this season than they did at any point last year. But a disappointing overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in week two put San Francisco back to 1-1. For the Cowboys, week two was a chance to get the sports betting world back on Dallas’ side and bring its record up to 1-1. By the time the game was over, the Cowboys had brought its record up to 1-1 but had paid a very high price in the process.
In week three, the NFL betting lines will be tough to call as the Cowboys host the high-flying Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, the events of week two may make the sportsbook promo odds-makers jobs a bit easier. The Cowboys suffered some major injuries on offense and, coupled with lingering injuries from training camp, those injuries could put the Cowboys at a distinct disadvantage.
Wide receiver Miles Austin had to leave the game with a hamstring strain in week two. Wide receiver Dez Bryant has a thigh injury he sustained in week one that still has him out of action. Running back Felix Jones has a separated shoulder but is trying to play through the pain and starting center Phil Costa was injured in the week two win over San Francisco and did not finish the game. It is not known if any of these players will be ready for week three against the Washington Redskins or, if they do play, how effective they will be. This makes the NFL pick this week in the Dallas game interesting.
But perhaps the most significant offensive injury of the day was the cracked rib and punctured lung suffered by quarterback Tony Romo. This was a game where Romo was starting to show significant improvement over his embarrassing performance of last week. Romo finished the game, but was in obvious pain as he walked off the field. Romo’s status for week three is also unknown.
No one was really fishing for blame on the Cowboys’ rash of injuries, but head coach Jason Garrett stepped up and took the heat for at least one of the injuries. Miles Austin was already hobbled with his bad hamstring when Garrett called a running play to Austin late in the game. Rather than bringing the wide receiver out of the game and getting him medical attention, Garrett feels that the play he called may have made things worse for the Cowboys’ number one receiver. Now the Cowboys face the prospects of facing the Washington Redskins without the Dallas starting quarterback, running back, both wide receivers and the center.
In some positive Dallas Cowboys’ injury news, cornerback Terence Newman says that he will be able to play in week three against the Redskins. Newman has been out since August 3rd when he suffered a pulled groin muscle. Newman Twittered that his recovery is complete and he is ready to join the team for this important divisional game.
Dallas Cowboys Update: Romo Still Has Team’s Confidence
September 13, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
The sports betting world watched as the Dallas Cowboys almost pulled off the win over the New York Jets on opening weekend in the new Meadowlands. But quarterback Tony Romo’s two costly turnovers late in the game were the difference as the Cowboys lost 27-24. Rather than a barrage of questions and criticisms about Romo coming from the Cowboys’ locker room, there was nothing but a stream of praise.
Veteran tight end Jason Witten says that the team knows what Romo is capable of and that the Jets game was just a bad night. Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones said that the team showed the promise of a good season in that one game and that he thinks Dallas will be a playoff contender this season.
The Cowboys performed better than expected as the defensive secondary held up to the Jets’ passing game and the Dallas receivers were able to navigate through Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. The young offensive line played well and that could affect a lot of NFL betting lines for the rest of the season. Romo did play well until the last nine minutes of the game when he gave up a fumble and threw an interception. But the Cowboys did have a lot of good things to take from that game without having to do much fishing for positives.
Second-year wide receiver Dez Bryant was injured late in the game against the Jets which prompted some interesting rumors to start swirling around the Cowboys. Bryant is expected to play in week two, but the lack of depth in the Cowboys’ receiving corps has caused some people to speculate that Dallas my sign veteran wide receiver Terrell Owens for a second stint with the team. The Cowboys have not made any comment on Owens, but he would be a welcome addition to a receiving corps that has lost a lot of depth over the past couple of years.
NFL fans in Dallas like to see the team make smart personnel moves in a time when there is so much uncertainty on the field. That is why the recent announcement of a contract extension for veteran tight end Jason Witten was welcome news to Cowboys’ fans. Witten is one of the leaders of the team on and off the field, and his hard work was rewarded with a five-year contract extension worth a reported $37 million. According to sources close to Witten, that will insure that the Cowboys’ tight end finishes his career in Dallas.
The betonline.com reviews of the new Dallas defense under new coordinator Rob Ryan are promising. Most Cowboys fans will admit that Ryan does not have much to work with, but he had all of his components working at high efficiency against the New York Jets offense. The Cowboys weak secondary was bent, but it did not break. The defensive line allowed some big running plays, but it was able to control the line of scrimmage for much of the game and put pressure on New York quarterback Mark Sanchez. The fans got to see a more aggressive Dallas defense that gives promise to a new season.
Dallas Sports Fan – Rangers Face Huge Week, Cowboys Prepare For Regular Season
September 1, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
While fishing fans get ready for the final long weekend of the summer, most sports betting players will be gearing up for a big week when it comes to the Texas Rangers, who are about to embark on a road trip that could make or break their season. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys will line up for their preseason finale on Thursday night.
Texas Rangers
While the Rangers are still the MLB betting favorites to take the American League West, they can’t take their foot off the gas yet as they’re only up on the Los Angeles Angels by 3.5 games after winning two of three against the Angels last weekend. The Rangers followed up that series by splitting the first two games of their series at home against Tampa Bay, with the finale going off on Thursday night. It won’t get any easier over the next week as well as the Rangers will board a plane after the Tampa Bay game and head straight to Boston for a crucial three-game set against the Red Sox in a clash of two teams with real aspirations of claiming the American League pennant. Then, the Rangers will head to Tampa Bay for another meeting with the Rays, and they can’t afford to slip up with the Angels hot on their heels.
Dallas Cowboys
If you make NFL picks, the third game of the preseason is the game you should watch as teams gave their starters as much work as they’ll receive before the regular season kicks off next week. The Cowboys came away with a 23-17 win in Minnesota, a place that has given them all kinds of trouble in the regular season, so hopefully, they’ll have some confidence for their next trip to the Midwest. Tony Romo was 15-of-20 for 141 yards, while Dez Bryant had five catches for 67 yards, and it isn’t a stretch to think that Bryant could be the breakout player of the year if Romo can stay healthy. Some NFL fans and analysts are skeptical of Bryant because of a few off-field problems, but Bryant is incredibly talented and has the potential to be the Cowboys’ No.1 receiver at some point this year, even with Miles Austin and tight end Jason Witten on the field. The Cowboys will wrap up their preseason in Miami as they look to fill out their roster, so don’t expect to see the starters on the field for very long, at most, a series or two. Look for the center position to be an area of focus as Dallas released Pro Bowler Andre Gurode, and since the Cowboys have to keep Romo on the field after last year’s broken clavicle, the line will be a crucial element of their sports betting odds.
Dallas Cowboys Update: Are the Cowboys Ready for the Regular Season?
August 30, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
The sports betting world is split on the prospects of the Dallas Cowboys this season. The optimistic Cowboys’ fans point to an improved offense and top prospects at the defensive line. But detractors may have a more powerful argument as the Cowboys made some moves this week that removed some experience and size from the roster that may have been sorely needed for the upcoming season.
Two areas of issue for the Cowboys last year were the offensive line and defensive secondary. Prior to the final week of the preseason, the Cowboys released veteran center Andre Gurode and replaced him with second-year backup Phil Costa. The Cowboys have transformed their offensive line from a larger veteran unit to a smaller and younger group. Two of the starting offensive linemen for the Cowboys are rookies with two veterans and the second-year Costa at center. The Dallas line also got smaller with the changes and that may not help in the quest to keep quarterback Tony Romo healthy.
The Cowboys’ defense is not showing any real signs of improvement under new coordinator Rob Ryan’s new system. The secondary still looks out of position and has a tendency to get beat on long plays. In true Ryan fashion, the defensive coordinator says that he can see improvement and is not interested in whether or not the football betting online public can see it. But if the Cowboys are playing at full speed right now to implement the new defense, it is not showing up in the game stats. Once again, Ryan says that stats do not concern him and that Cowboys’ fans will be happy with what they see when the season starts.
The Cowboys coaching staff and management may have confidence in the team’s plans, but all of the changes in the Dallas lineup have some of the NFL players in the Cowboys wondering what is going on. The release of veteran Gurode seemed to hit a nerve with some players as veteran safety Gerald Sensabaugh was quoted as saying “Guys are getting moved around and I don’t know why.” On the heels of a bitter lockout, Sensabaugh commented on the “cutthroat” nature of football as a business. It seems that some players have still not forgiven the owners for the events that occurred this summer.
Cowboys fans may remember all of the legal problems that followed second-year receiver Dez Bryant in the off-season. With veteran wide receiver Roy Williams being released during the off-season, Bryant now finds himself as the number two receiver on the roster and he is taking his position seriously. The NFL betting picks often report on the challenges players face, but conquering those challenges sometimes gets lost. While Bryant has not completely turned a corner yet, he is working to be a better teammate and player to help the Cowboys win a championship.
After a little drama in the off-season that involved everything from golf to bass fishing to getting married, quarterback Tony Romo has said that he is ready for the season to start and is excited to get going. For a moment in the preseason, it looked like backup Stephen McGee may start to get first-team snaps in practice. But Romo is the starter and he is looking forward to the challenges this season has to offer.
Dallas Cowboys Update: How Did the Cowboys Do in Free Agency?
August 2, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
At 6:00 PM EST on Friday July 29, all chaos broke loose in the NFL free agency market as teams only had a few days to sign players. The sports betting experts were watching to see where key free agents such as Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha would end up, and Cowboys fans were hoping that the Dallas Cowboys would improve their defense in some way on the open market.
When the dust settled, the NFL betting lines had definitely changed. But Cowboys fans were left wondering what the plan was at Valley Ranch and if the team was trying to gear up for a Super Bowl run. Last year was the ultimate in disappointment if you are a Cowboys fan. This year there have been some changes, but fans will have to see if it will be enough for the Cowboys to make it to the playoffs in 2011.
The first area to look at to see how the Cowboys did in free agency is to see what kind of activity Dallas had in the NFL open market. With all of the potential help that was out there in the defensive secondary, the Cowboys made no free agent signings. Asomugha, cornerback Antonio Cromartie from the Jets and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Cardinals were all on the open market and none of them went to Dallas. Much to the dismay of Cowboys fans, Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie both went to the Philadelphia Eagles. A change like that in Philly could go a long way to pointing out the inadequacies of the Cowboys’ own defensive secondary.
The Cowboys did manage to keep some key players and prevent them from getting into the open market. Offensive tackle Doug Free was going to be a hot free agent until the Cowboys signed him to a four-year deal. Defensive end Marcus Spears was retained by Dallas, along with offensive guard Kyle Kosier.
The betonline reviews on the players that the Cowboys let go is mixed. Veteran wide receiver Roy Williams never seemed to fit in to the Dallas offense, so letting him go was a natural move. Running back Marion Barber became part of a crowded Dallas backfield and was the odd-man out. Offensive tackle Marc Colombo and defensive end Stephen Bowen could have been contributors to the Cowboys’ success in 2011, but both were allowed to leave the team via free agency.
The one player that has not been signed by the Cowboys, or any other team at this point, that stands out is safety Gerald Sensabaugh. The Dallas Cowboys have continually ignored their weaknesses in the defensive backfield for the past two or three years. When quality players are available in free agency, the Cowboys do no pursue them. When the Cowboys needed a safety or offensive lineman in the 2010 draft, they took wide receiver Dez Bryant instead.
With Sensabaugh still not signed to a contract, it shows that the Cowboys feel that they have a plan in the backfield but they are unwilling to let anyone know what that plan may be. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has his hands full trying to put together a defense that can compete for Dallas. Considering the moves that Dallas made in free agency, Ryan’s job just got more difficult.
Dallas Cowboys Update: Cowboys Start Free Agency in Cap Trouble
July 26, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Sports betting football fans were glad to hear that the lockout is finally over and the players can get back to work. But the NFL betting lines on what free agent pick-ups the Cowboys will make are a little blurry as the Cowboys enter free agency almost $20 million over the cap. That is no small amount of change, and the Cowboys still need to sign players such as right offensive tackle Mark Colombo.
But, in his true NFL maverick fashion, Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones insists that Dallas has plenty of room under the $120 million cap to sign existing free agents, get new free agents and sign draft picks. The Cowboys even figure to be players in the race to sign free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha from the Oakland Raiders.
It is obvious that Jones needs to start making some cuts in order to get under his cap number and still be able to put a competitive team on the field. Some surprising names that have come up in recent rumors are wide receiver Roy Williams and quarterback Tony Romo. But more realistic speculation has Colombo being released and possibly even offensive lineman Doug Free. This will not be an easy time at Valley Ranch as Jerry Jones and his front office have some very difficult decisions to make.
The cloud of bad behavior that has been hanging over Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant seems to have returned. Despite his insistence that all of his past debts have been paid, Bryant and his advisor David Wells are being sued by jeweler Eleow Hunt for almost $600,000 in jewelry, cash advances and tickets to sporting events. Bryant had recently declared that all of his past misgivings are behind him and he is looking forward to the start of the 2011 season. But with a January 2012 court date hanging over his head, Bryant is far from out of the financial woods.
With the lockout over and players preparing to meet with their coaches, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten gave a betonline review of the player-organized workouts. Witten conceded that the players would have benefited from more time with their new coaching staff, but he was also quick to point out that the players learned a lot about working as a team when they ran their own practices.
Witten indicated that the bonding and learning experiences the players had during the lockout will go a long way to helping the coaches to implement new offensive and defensive systems. The players took the time to understand the effectiveness of certain practice drills, and worked on their own systems that they believe will help enhance the new coaching staff’s ideas.
After much speculation as to where the Cowboys will open training camp, the Cowboys announced tentative plans to open camp at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. Dallas has held camp in San Antonio in the past, and the festival-like atmosphere is something that the players and coaches seem to enjoy. Camp opens in San Antonio this Thursday, and the Cowboys will stay in the Alamodome until August 10th.
Dallas Sports Fan – Rangers Kick Off Second Half, Bryant Tells Cowboys Not To Worry
July 14, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
MLB betting players are getting ready for the second half of the baseball season, and Texas is aiming to carry their momentum from the end of the first half over. Meanwhile, while the NFL is no closer to ending the lockout, that doesn’t mean there aren’t stories coming out of the Cowboys’ camp.
The Rangers swept Baltimore and Oakland at home to wrap up the first half, and then they sent five players to Arizona to play in the All-Star Game. Josh Hamilton started in center field, while Adrian Beltre was promoted to start at third base as New York’s Alex Rodriguez pulled out because of a knee injury. Pitchers Alexi Ogando and C.J. Wilson represented the team, as well as veteran Michael Young, and the Rangers made an impact on the game. Hamilton and Beltre got two of the American League’s six hits, while Young struck out in his lone at-bat. Ogando pitched a perfect 0.2 of an inning, but Wilson allowed three runs on three hits, including a homer to Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder, to take the loss as the American League fell 5-1 at Chase Field. The Rangers know how important of an MLB score the All-Star Game can be, as San Francisco earned homefield advantage in last year’s win, and that was a major factor in their World Series victory over Texas. Meanwhile, the Rangers will resume their season on Thursday with a four-game series in Seattle, and then Texas will head to Los Angeles (technically, Anaheim) for three games, and this is a crucial stretch for the Rangers, who lead the West by a game over the Angels and 7.5 games over the Mariners. If they can manage win five of those seven games, Texas’ BetOnline odds to win the West should improve.
The Cowboys, like everyone else, are still waiting to see if a deal can be worked out, but they were in the news for another reason as former Cowboy Deion Sanders claimed that he was worried about former protégé Dez Bryant, who lost a year of NCAA experience for lying about his interaction with Sanders. Bryant was hampered with injuries in his rookie season, but when he was on the field, he proved to be the most impressive receiver on the roster, but he is being sued for jewelry that he allegedly didn’t pay for, and that is just one of the off-field problems that are following the ridiculously talented 22-year-old. Bryant responded by saying no one needs to worry about him, which sounds about right from a 22-year-old, and the Cowboys have to be really patient with Bryant, who is a game-changer when his head is right. If he can stay out of trouble, a healthy and focused Bryant will be a major factor in the Cowboys’ sports betting odds for this season.
Dallas Cowboys Update: Deion Sanders Talks About the Hall of Fame and Dez Bryant
July 12, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
The sports betting world was not surprised when it was announced that former Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders would be inducted into the hall of fame this summer. NFL betting lines experts consider Sanders to be one of the best cornerbacks to ever play the game, and he has the Super Bowl rings to prove it. The sports betting bonus for fans of Deion Sanders is that they finally get to meet Sanders’ long-time agent Eugene Parker. At the induction ceremony, it will be Parker that introduces Sanders and presents “Prime Time” for his induction.
Sanders is more known for his flash and dancing than his play. But anyone that has played with, or against, Deion Sanders knows that there were few cornerbacks better at cutting off his side of the field that Sanders. Sanders finished his 14-year NFL career with 53 interceptions, nine defensive touchdowns and nine kicks returned for a touchdown. He was a six-time first team all-pro and was the 1994 defensive player of the year.
While all of the positive activity has been swirling around Sanders lately, the hall of fame cornerback took some time to reflect on Cowboys’ second-year receiver Dez Bryant. When Bryant entered the league, Sanders was asked to mentor the young receiver. Bryant first caused a stir when he refused to carry veteran receiver Roy Williams’ pads in training camp which is a common rookie tradition. Then Bryant made headlines in the off-season when he was sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry he never paid for, was thrown out of a Dallas area mall for being disruptive and skipped a meeting with Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones when the lockout was on hold for 24-hours.
Deion Sanders gave up on Bryant and publicly walked away from the young receiver. According to Sanders, the first-round NFL pick in 2010 is surrounded by “yes people” that enable the receiver’s bad behavior. Sanders fears that, unless Bryant makes some changes to his lifestyle, he could headed for more trouble.
It looks like Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones knew exactly what he was doing when he told the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX to start preparing for Cowboys’ training camp. According to sources from both the owners’ side and the players’ side, a new collective bargaining agreement could be in place as soon as July 21. When pressed on the issue by the media, both sides maintain that they are extremely confident that the CBA will be in place in time for training camps.
The only issue holding up the signing of the contract is the length of rookie contracts and the rate of rookie pay. The owners want to limit rookie contracts, and the players are trying to maintain a higher threshold for pay and contract duration. But, both sides say that this issue is not enough to prolong the lockout by more than seven to 10 days. Once the CBA is ratified, the league will open free agency and will expect all players to report to camp.
Dallas Cowboys Update: Cowboys Offense is Ready to Attack
June 21, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Sports betting experts watched as the Dallas Cowboys’ offense functioned effectively last season even though starting quarterback Tony Romo missed most of the season with a broken collarbone. With the changes coming to the Cowboys offense for 2011 which include a return by Romo and the possible exit of running back Marion Barber, online casino wagering football fans are starting to think that the Cowboys have the makings of the best offense in the NFC.
If the Cowboys can get production from last year’s number one pick wide receiver Dez Bryant, then the sportsbook promo crowd is thinking that the Cowboys receiving corps is the best in the NFC. Along with Bryant would be veteran Roy Williams and number one receiver Miles Austin. Tashard Choice and Felix Jones would carry the ball for the Cowboys behind an offensive line that could use a little help. The only place the Cowboys seem vulnerable on offense is at the offensive tackle position. Dallas is hoping that the current roster can help fill in those important spots.
No one is sure when free agency will start up again, but the Philadelphia Eagles have already indicated that they will be making a lot of NFL picks to help bolster Philly’s chances at a playoff spot. The Eagles put the Cowboys and New York Giants on notice that the NFC East will be competitive this year as the Eagles intend to win the division through improving their team in the offseason.
Even though the players are not on the field right now, the media is still evaluating the play from last year and handing out accolades. In a recent USA Today poll of professional football media experts, DeMarcus Ware was voted as the best outside linebacker currently in the league. Ware’s ability to rush the passer and stop the run makes him an all-around linebacker that the rest of the league is taking note of.
While DeMarcus Ware was getting recognized for his play, the rest of the Dallas defense is still on notice about their play last year. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has not had a chance to work extensively with a unit that gave up a lot of points and a lot of yards last year. The weakest point in the Dallas defense is the defensive secondary. It is difficult to dial up a blitz when there is no confidence that the secondary will be able to contain the receivers. The Cowboys drafted some top rated defensive secondary players, but it will be Ryan’s use of his personnel that will determine how successful the defense will be.
As most of the players sit at home and wonder when they will be able to get to the practice field again, players’ representatives and NFL owners try to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement. But it looks like the owners’ coalition is fragmenting as some owners are resisting the terms being discussed and are trying to negotiate with the players on their own. This week is a critical week as Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones and the rest of the NFL owners meet to try and get on the same page and bring the lockout to an end.


