Dallas Cowboys Update: Super Bowl Seat-gate Gets Ugly
February 16, 2011 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
The sports betting world was not completely shocked when Jerry Jones displayed the ultimate in greed by selling tickets to Super Bowl XLV for seats that did not exist. But, even for Jones, it was being a little too greedy. While the sports world is distracted with NCAA basketball betting, the fans who were wrong by Jones and the NFL are striking back.
As the 2011 NHL trade deadline approaches, the deadline for Jerry Jones and the NFL to plead their case in court is also on the horizon. The 5dimes sports insiders have found out that there is a lawsuit starting among the 400 fans who were sold tickets for the game to seats that did not exist. Even though the fans were refunded triple the face value of their tickets, they are still looking for more from Jones and the NFL. The average cost of the tickets were $800 each, and it isn’t just the ones left out of the game that are suing. Joining the shut out fans are fans that bought tickets for those last minute seats that they felt were inadequate. The fans suing because of inadequate seats are a clear case of piling on and probably stand no chance of winning anything. But the fans that bought tickets to phantom seats could be in for a head to head battle with Jerry Jones and the NFL.
The lack of a collective bargaining agreement could derail this year’s NFL draft, but if the draft goes off as scheduled then it will be interesting to see who the Cowboys take at number nine. Draft experts around the country are unable to come to a consensus as to what player, or even what position, the Cowboys would consider a priority in the first round.
The lack of protection for quarterbacks Tony Romo and Jon Kitna in 2010, along with the limited running game, would suggest that the Cowboys may be looking at an offensive lineman in the first round. Some candidates include Tyron Smith of Southern California and Anthony Castonzo of Boston College.
The Cowboys defense also has some huge holes left behind by the departure of key players such as Ken Hamlin. Dallas was never really able to put two quality cornerbacks on the field at one time, and that may cause a cornerback to be taken in the first round. Some possible selections would be Prince Amukamara of Nebraska and Patrick Peterson of LSU. Amukamara may not be on the board by the ninth pick, so if the Cowboys trade up in the draft it could be to get Amukamara.
What about the pass rush? The Cowboys could not get a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterback all season long. Once you get past DeMarcus Ware, there are not a lot of options for defensive pressure. That could bring someone like Alabama’s Marcell Dareus to the Cowboys in the first round.
For a team that entered the preseason last year with a consensus Super Bowl contender, the Cowboys suddenly have a lot of holes in their roster. In 2010, the Cowboys refused to address their roster problems and preferred to smile and tow the company line. After missing the playoffs in 2010, the company line may be changing.
Dallas Cowboys News: Ken Hamlin Finds a Home
June 22, 2010 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Betting on World Cup was almost easier than figuring out where former Dallas Cowboys defensive back Ken Hamlin would wind up. After weeks of no news on the new employer for the Pro Bowl safety, it has been reported that Hamlin has signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Even with his declining numbers in 2009, betting people know that Hamlin in the same secondary as Ed Reed could bolster an already strong Baltimore defense. Hamlin was dropped from the Cowboys roster after a 2009 season that saw 74 tackles with no interceptions or broken up plays.
The oil drilling craze that seems to be sweeping the country has taken hold in Arlington, Texas as well. Betting on NFL games requires considering conditions such as rain, snow and high winds. The city of Arlington recently approved an urban oil well to be built only 3,000 feet from Cowboy Stadium. A second well is being considered. Residents are concerned about having an oil well so close to homes, schools, a hospital and the stadium. Could oil slicks be the new concern for offensive and defensive coordinators?
Prior to any considerations over World Cup final betting, the Dallas Cowboys remember when their practice facility collapsed causing serious injury to several members of the staff. Summit Structures based out of Allentown, PA had constructed the facility, and the company recently declared bankruptcy due to lawsuits stemming from the disaster. Two Cowboy staff members, special teams coach Joe DeCamillis and scout Rich Behm, reached out-of-court settlements with the bankrupt company. The terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
In surprise revelation to Cowboy fans and the coaching staff, Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff announced that he has been in tremendous pain with bad elbows for at least two seasons. Ratliff was found to have bone spurs in his elbows, and he kept it quiet so that the staff would not diminish his playing time. The Pro Bowler had surgery in the off-season, and earlier this week he was able to bench press without pain for the first time in two years. Now that the Cowboys know about the problem, they have announced that Ratliff should be ready to go in time for training camp.
The reasoning behind keeping wide receiver Patrick Crayton is starting to become apparent as OTAs and mini-camp come to an end. Crayton has sat out optional and then mandatory work-outs to protest what appeared to be his diminished role in the Cowboys’ offense. But ever since minicamp started, Crayton has been with the team and very quiet. It could be that he has been watching the struggles of receiver Roy Williams and Crayton may be starting to understand why the Cowboys have refused to cut or trade him. Williams is showing problems in running routes, fighting for the ball and getting open.
Crayton could be elevated to third on the depth chart behind the number one receiver Miles Austin and rookie Dez Bryant. Williams had been working as the slot receiver with Bryant and Austin the wide receivers on the outside. But Williams’ struggles may force the Cowboys to make a change.
Dallas Cowboys Report: Making Room for the 2010 Draft
April 7, 2010 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Dallas Cowboys Report: Making Room for the Draft
While the whole world is calculating the Tiger Woods Masters odds, the Dallas Cowboys are making moves that they believe the online sports betting community will smile on. Some of the Cowboys, that had less than stellar seasons in 2009, are working hard at the Cowboys’ training facility to make things better in 2010. A team of veterans that begins their workouts in April is showing dedication to the coming season and makes for a promising Dallas Cowboys report.
The Cowboys finally released offensive lineman Flozell Adams, and they also let safety Ken Hamlin go as well. If you do any basketball betting then you know how important defensive continuity is to a sports team. Adams was becoming a revolving door that was allowing defenders past him on key plays. He was ineffective during the run, and he was inconsistent in general.
Ken Hamlin was burned more than once for big plays in critical games, especially the last Cowboy playoff game in 2009 against Minnesota. Releasing Hamlin was not a surprise, and it opens up a much needed roster spot in the Dallas secondary.
It is unlikely that the Cowboys will fill the two new roster openings with free agents. That is mostly because there are not a lot of quality free agents available at safety and offensive line, and the draft is brimming with talent that can help the Cowboys. There is a lot of talk in Dallas about Southern California safety Taylor Mays which could lead to Mays being the Cowboys first pick in the draft and 27th overall.
As the NHL betting picks up for the playoffs, some of the Dallas Cowboys are already hard at work in Valley Ranch trying to get ready for a run in 2010. Among those getting prepared months early are QB Tony Romo and WR Roy Williams. When the Cowboys cut Terrell Owens at the end of the 2008 season it was made pretty clear that one of the reasons was to open up the team more for Romo to be in charge. In 2009 it looked like Romo was uncomfortable in the pocket, and if it were not for WR Miles Austin and that awesome Dallas running game the 2009 season could have been much worse.
Romo and Williams are working together in April to build chemistry and to build confidence. Williams has been talking to the media about his new attitude and the enthusiasm he has to built a positive rapport not only with Romo, but with Austin as well. Romo is just trying to become that Dallas Cowboys QB that fans want, and he is working hard to get himself there.
Do not look for the Cowboys to make many changes at defense aside from safety, mostly because there is no need to. With Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears up front on defense, it is unlikely that the Cowboys will be getting dominated on defense in 2010.
Right now the Cowboys are 12 to 1 favorites to win Super Bowl XLV. With the right changes on the offensive line and some chemistry between Romo and all of his receivers, the Cowboys will be a definite threat to win in 2010.
Dallas Cowboys Cut: Flozell Adams – Ken Hamlin
April 2, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
The Dallas Cowboys have released, cut and parted ways with the large contracts of OT Flozell “the hotel” Adams and S Ken Hamlin. Looking at the Dallas Cowboys roster makes me worry a little for these positions next year.
Cowboys Roster behind Flozell Adams – Left Tackle
Let’s take a look fo the candidates to replace the released / cut Flozell Adams
- Marc Colombo - The Cowboys could move Colombo over from RT to replace Flozell Adams after his release.
- Doug Free - Doug Free’s great play in the games he started as an injury replacement is most likely what lead the Cowboys to release Flozell Adams. This and the athleticism he displayed during those games makes me think he is a the leading candidate for the LT spot.
- Pat McQuistan - McQuistan is currently listed on the Dallas Cowboys website as the starting LT after the release of Flozell Adams. It may finally be time to see if this high priced backup can do something at LT.
- Draft or Free Agent - You can never discount this option with Jerry Jones, the Cowboys could move up in the draft to find Flozell’s Replacement.
Cowboys Roster behind Ken Hamlin – Safety
The Cowboys have some options and hopefully a plan besides just cutting salary to replace Ken Hamlin after his release.
- Alan Ball - He is 6-1 and 188, he was converted to a corner last season, but would be the #1 candidate to take over for Hamlin barring any free agency signing or draft pick.
- Michael Hamlin - at 6-2 213 he has the size to play, but just like Ball his career is still pretty young so we haven’t seen much out of him.
- Patrick Watkins if Patrick Watkins was going to win a starting safety job for the Cowboys he would have done it by now, I think he will continue to play special teams and star in MartyBTV movies.
- Draft or Free Agency - Unless the Dez Bryant falls to the Cowboys or they move up to take a OT I think the Cowboys will take a Safety in the draft.
Dallas Cowboys: Cowboy Corner – The Offseason
March 4, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
COWBOY CORNER – The Offseason
Cowboys Offseason
Sportsbook Super Bowl Odds (for XLV): Cowboys +1215
NFC Odds (5Dimes Reviews): Cowboys +685
Cowboys Plan To Spend Or Save?
Most fueled by the fact that the salary cap could expire this coming Friday and 2010 could be an uncapped season, there has been a lot of speculation regarding to what the Dallas Cowboys might do.
After all, the Cowboys are usually the big spenders and with an uncapped year, they could be wheeling and dealing.
But for now, a lot of internet betting experts are actually expecting the Cowboys to go in another direction and chop some salary.
The Cowboys have some big names with big price tags that could be set to go. Wide receiver Roy Williams, tackle Flozell Adams and safety Ken Hamlin are among the names to be rumored.
Of the three, Hamlin is the most likely to go.
Williams has a huge contract but a lot of it is already guaranteed. While the recent talk in regards to him is that he won’t even have a starting role next year and that he’ll have to fight for it, it’s unlikely that the Cowboys cut him loose at this point.
Meanwhile, Adams poses another conundrum. There is no question that he is past his prime but the reality is that there isn’t anybody better right now. A lot of people believe that Doug Free could be his successor but at this point, he isn’t the best option. Realistically, though, given the opportunity and playing time, Free could fit the role.
But Hamlin has an ‘x’ on his back. After signing a huge deal a couple of years ago, he simply hasn’t provided the big plays that were expected to come along with it.
The Cowboys don’t have a whole lot of needs areas, which means that a safety could be picked up in the first or second round, and that would likely spell the end of Hamlin in Dallas.
Overall, the Cowboys won’t be a big player in free agency this year and right now, their main and only focus is the 2010 NFL Draft. Vice president Stephen Jones has stated that they won’t be very active – if at all – when free agency opens up on March 5th
It’s good that the Cowboys finally understand the importance of the draft. Considering how complete their roster is, a championship may be in sight with one more infusion quality young prospects.
