A Night of Chutes and Ladders
October 31, 2009 by Cody Dunlap · 1 Comment
Remember how the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Washington Wizards the other night? The Lakers probably would have liked to play that team.
I understand the Lakers were without Pau Gasol. But that was one of the most impressive wins I can remember for the Mavericks against the Lake Show, especially at the Staples Center.
On the other surface, the Stars continued their woeful play at home with a disheartening 6-5 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers.
Yes, the Stars managed to fight back and earn a point. That doesn’t matter. A home game against the Florida Panthers has to be two points. Are the Sharks going to give a point away there? I don’t think so.
Each game in more detail after the jump.
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The “Bleak” State of Dallas Sports?
October 25, 2009 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
“All of your teams…kinda suck.”
A familiar refrain I hear uttered here in Cutler-world, referring to the curious state of Dallas sports.
There are worse places for sports fans right now (Sorry Buffalo. I know you’re going to have a ton of sympathy for a Dallas fan complaining about his team’s misfortunes.). That much I grant you.
But where exactly can we, the humble Dallas Sports Fans, look to for optimism in these gray days?
Dallas Sports Offseason Report
July 31, 2009 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
NFL betting inches closer with the Hall of Fame Game just over a week away, and Cowboys fans can’t wait for the preseason to start. Let’s catch up with America’s team and our other Dallas sports teams in the offseason.
Interestingly enough, retired Cowboy Michael Irvin seems to be grabbing more headlines than the current roster this offseason, and he did so again when the Cowboys kicked off training camp this week. Responding to criticism of Tony Romo, he asked if Cowboy supporters really want Romo gone:
“Can we get Drew Bledsoe back out here [for] just a week so you guys can really fall back in love with Tony?” asked Irvin, a man with the gift of both Hall of Fame grab and gab. “Let’s put Drew Bledsoe back out here, because sometimes when you have a pretty girl for awhile, you forget how pretty she is. But when you throw the ugly girl next to her, you say, ‘No, I’m really doing well.’ Maybe we need to bring Drew out so we know we’re really doing well.”
Needless to say, fans are concerned about Romo after he reportedly sailed passes over receivers’ heads to start camp. But Roy Williams should be in better shape and Felix Jones could be dangerous catching passes out of the backfield. Plus we all know what Jason Witten can do.
Nothing major to report on the defensive side of the football for Dallas, though it’s worth remembering that a healthy Terence Newman could do wonders for the Cowboys’ pass defense this season.
While the Cowboys and NCAA football betting darling Texas Longhorns are getting the major press, the Mavericks quietly had their busiest week since free agency started, making a pair of solid depth signings. On July 26, a report indicated the Mavs had signed veteran forward Drew Gooden to a one-year deal. He’s now playing for his sixth team in the last seven years but can still contribute double-digit points most nights.
Two days later, the Mavs bolstered their three-point shooting by signing Tim Thomas. He’s a 36 per cent career three-point shooter and shot 41.3 per cent from beyond the arc in 2008-2009 with the Bulls, Knicks and Clippers.
The Mavs may be a ragtag bunch in the 2009-10 season but their playoff hopes look solid. I’d rank them about eighth in the West in my early NBA predictions.
Dallas Stars
There’s nothing to report on the hockey front, though I’m betting management in Columbus is making a strong push to sign longtime Star defenseman Sergei Zubov to a deal.
Allen Americans send Justin Bowers to Phoenix Coyotes NHL rookie camps
July 29, 2009 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
Star center Bowers asked to join Coyotes’ camp
ALLEN, TX – The Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League announced that center Justin Bowers will attend the National Hockey League rookie camp of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Bowers first heard about the Coyotes’ interest from Americans Head Coach and General Manger Dwight Mullins. “I was immediately excited. When you get invited to your first NHL camp, it’s huge,” the Nova Scotia native said.
Bowers is looking forward to getting a chance to compete with players of NHL caliber. “I’ll be with other draft picks and players they’ve invested money in. It’ll be my chance to show them what I’ve got,” the 24-year-old said.
Mullins believes that Bowers’ passion for hockey will intensify after the camp. “Justin has such a competitive drive and he loves to play. This happening for him will only fuel that fire,” the head coach said.
Bowers is the second Allen American to receive an invitation to a NHL rookie camp. Goalie Chris Whitley will be going to play with the Stanley Cup Finalist Detroit Red Wings in September.
Bowers isn’t nervous yet. “I’m sure I will be [nervous], but I like to think of myself as a confident hockey player. I’m going to go there and play my game. I’m sure nerves will be part of it, but, as of right now, I’m just looking forward to it.”
Bowers racked up 15 goals and 30 assists in 44 games for the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL last year. He also played a total of 27 games in the American Hockey League with the Lake Erie Monsters and Quad City Flames. The forward is six feet tall and weighs 186 pounds.
The Americans begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. Season tickets are on sale now, and corporate partnerships are also available. For information, call 972.912.1000 or visit allenamericans.com. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.
picture credit: copyright 2009@proactimage.com
–AMERICANS–
Dallas Sports Offseason Update
July 23, 2009 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
It’s almost NFL betting time and you can feel it in the Texas air, can’t you? Training camps are on the verge of kicking into overdrive, and the NHL and NBA camps aren’t far behind. Let’s check in with our Dallas teams.
The biggest storyline around camp these days is the pressure mounting on Tony Romo. With no more Jessica Simpson, he has no more excuses. As great as his numbers can be, he’s 5-10 in December and January and that has to change if the Cowboys want to make the playoffs. Unfortunately for Romo, he still may not have a true No. 1 wideout to throw to this season unless Roy Williams really steps up his play.
However, if the stars align, you just never know – Tony Romo could have a secondary receiving option in Jesse Holley, winner of Michael Irvin’s reality TV show 4th and Long. He’s a huge offshore sportsbook underdog to make the team but he’s big, reasonably fast and has Irvin’s confidence. To quote No. 88 on Holley: “Outside of Roy Williams, I’m not looking at a guy that is head and shoulders above Jesse.”
Not much happened for the Mavs in the last week, but hoops betting fans should keep an eye on second-round pick Ahmad Nivins. He’s impressing in the summer league with his rebounding ability and strength. While his speed and athleticism leave a bit to be desired, he’s thought to have an NBA-ready build already, so he could see more than a few minutes for the Mavs this season.
Dallas Stars
The quiet, deer-in-the-headlights offseason continues in Dallas and the Stars are tough to forecast for next year. The bad news: it looks more likely every day that longtime defensive workhorse and power-play quarterback Sergei Zubov is leaving for greener pastures. He’s 39 years old but can still help a team’s offense when healthy. The good news: Dallas finally has a backup for Marty Turco in net, as they brought in Alex Auld. Auld is a capable backup who can handle starting duties for stretches too. However, with no major acquisitions yet, you have to wonder if the Stars can ice a team worth the ticket price per head in 2009.
ESPN announces plans to come to Dallas
July 20, 2009 by Cody Dunlap · 1 Comment
According to multiple sources, ESPN has announced a plan to launch localized sites in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York similar to the site already launched to cover Chicago sports. Details can be found here.
I have a bit of a mixed reaction to this story. First of all, I think that more coverage of Dallas sports teams is a good thing. There are a ton of voracious sports fans in this city, and I think that more coverage can be beneficial to fans who are looking for more coverage of our teams. ESPN Dallas is supposedly going to be launched sometime this fall, and I think that if it is similar to ESPN Chicago, it won’t fail miserably.
However, there are plenty of reservations I have when hearing about this move. One of the problems with ESPN Chicago is that, especially early in its lifespan, it didn’t seem like the reporters were actually doing any groundbreaking reporting; they were simply regurgitating what they found on other websites and putting all of that information in one place for Chicago sports fans. If that happens in ESPN Dallas, I think it will fail. New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are big enough markets to draw enough curious interest to sustain itself simply by regurgitation. If ESPN Dallas hopes to survive, I think that they must come up with original content people aren’t going to find in other places. Unfortunately for Dallas fans, that could mean more Ed Werder and Skip Bayless, since they have some experience in the area. Although it also could mean more Matt Mosley, which I would be all for.
And of course there’s the apocalyptic feelings of some blogs that ESPN is eventually going to have an outpost everywhere. I would be more concerned about this, but I kind of already figured it was going to happen anyway, so whatever. Besides, people get their sports news from ESPN most of the time anyway. If the coverage is better than what we have, I’m all for it. If the coverage of Dallas sports does not improve, I probably won’t acknowledge that ESPN Dallas exists.
No pressure, Worldwide Leader.
The Top Ten: Best Sports Video Games
July 20, 2009 by Cody Dunlap · 11 Comments
With the release of Madden ‘10 looming on the horizon and NCAA Football ‘10 still fresh on the shelves, it seemed like the perfect time to break out a list. What list? The ten best sports video games ever conceived by mankind.
There are no fancy ranking systems or formulas to determine which of these is the best sports video game; purely my own personal experience and bias. If you don’t like my choices, post your own in the comments. Before we get to the list, though, we’ve got a few games that didn’t quite make the cut for best sports video game. And just as a point: racing games were not included for consideration. Read more
Dallas Sports Offseason Update
July 16, 2009 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
As the British Open odds steal attention across the pond, the Lone Star State has other things on its mined – namely, the offseasons for the Mavs, Cowboys and Stars. We still have a few months before the seasons start but there’s never a true resting period in the offseason. Let’s catch up with our Dallas teams.
No major waves to report, but we do know the Mavs are trying to land a big man, and you probably shouldn’t bet against it at your offshore sportsbook. Though Mark Cuban quashed rumors of Dallas trying to acquire Glen “Big Baby” Davis from Boston, the Mavs gave restricted free agent Marcin Gortat a five-year, $34 million offer only to see the Magic match it. It’s safe to say the Mavs aren’t satisfied with Erick Dampier and they may try to unload his expiring contract (he has two years left but the last year isn’t guaranteed).
Meanwhile, Mavs first-round pick Rodrigue Beaubois is staying in Texas. Some sports predictions had him bolting for Europe, but he signed his rookie contract, guaranteeing him roughly $1.9 million over two years.
After Terrell Owens’ departure, wide receivers are the focus of the Cowboys camp and questions abound. First off, can Roy Williams re-establish himself as a legit No. 1 NFL receiver? He worked hard with Tony Romo this offseason, so they should have better chemistry entering 2009. He’s also in much better shape than he was last season.
Since there’s a big drop-off after Williams, you have to wonder if, amazingly, Michael Irvin’s reality show 4th and Long could actually impact the Cowboys’ roster. Receivers Andrew Hawkins and Jesse Holley are in the final four and both failed NFL tryouts in the past. However, Hawkins has Canadian Football League experience and his cousin, Geroy Simon, is a CFL All-Star wideout, so you just never know. If ever there was an opening to make the Cowboys’ receiving corps, now’s the time.
Dallas Stars
The Stars are the quietest of the Dallas teams this week, but there’s some good news to report; Brenden Morrow, the team captain and lifeblood of the franchise, is reportedly back to full health. He hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in November but the rehab has worked and he expects to be ready to start 2009. I’m betting management in Dallas won’t stop Morrow from rushing back after seeing its team flop without him.
Dallas Stars release 2009-2010 schedule
July 16, 2009 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
Yesterday the Dallas Stars released their schedule for the 2009-2010 season, as they hope to rebound from a highly disappointing 08-09 campaign. You can check out the full schedule here. A few noteworthy aspects:
- After opening at home against Nashville October 3, the Stars have a tough first road trip: at Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Fortunately the games are spread out over the course of six days.
- Stars fans won’t get to see two of the most dynamic players in hockey, as Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin won’t make trips to the AAC this year. The Stars play both teams back to back in March on the road.
- The Winter Olympics will be held next year in Vancouver from Feb. 14-28, putting the NHL on a two-week hiatus. The Games might be welcome for the Stars, as they play four of their last five games before the break and three of their first five after the break on the road.
- The longest home stand comes in the middle of March – when the Stars are home for six straight from March 12 to March 21. The Stars have two four-game home stands and three three-game home stands.
- The longest road trip comes in December, as the Stars will play five straight away from home December 8-17. The Stars also have two four-game trips and six three-game trips.
Last year, for what it’s worth, the schedule seemed to be much more balanced. The Stars had four three-game homestands and four three-game road trip.
One four-game home stand. One four-game road trip.
One six-game home stand. One five-game road trip. (The Stars went 2-8-1 in these eleven games)
It’s hard to properly judge the Stars based on last season because of the staggering amount of injuries. I don’t think the Stars will have quite the poor record they did last season, but I also think they don’t have much room for error. With Tom Hicks having well-documented financial problems, this seems to be a team that will have to hope for a lot of internal improvement. If Marty Turco has the kind of season he had in 2007-2008 and Morrow and Richards are both healthy and productive, this team could make some noise. Otherwise, it could be another long year.
Morrow pic: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/05/05/stars-sharks.html
Dallas Sports Offseason Update
July 10, 2009 by Guest Contributor · Leave a Comment
Dallas Sports Offseason Report
As UFC 100 betting grabs most of the sports headlines entering the weekend, Dallas’ top sports teams continue to retool and prepare for their upcoming season. Let’s check in with the Mavericks, Cowboys and Stars to see what’s new.
The Mavs are easily the busiest of all Dallas teams in the front office of late. First, they retained point guard Jason Kidd by signing him to a new three-year contract worth over $25 million. The deal pays Kidd through his 39th birthday. While Kidd’s 9.0 points per game was the lowest average of his career, his 40.6 three-point percentage was his second best single-season mark and his 8.7 assists fit his normal lofty standards.
The Mavs also just completed a multi-team trade that could significantly change the hoops betting landscape next season. While the biggest name moving in the deal may be Hedo Turkolgu going to Toronto, the Mavs make the biggest roster shakeup of any team involved. Dallas says goodbye to Jerry Stackhouse (going to Memphis), Devean George (Toronto) and Antoine Wright (Toronto). On the way to Dallas are Shawn Marion, the centerpiece of the deal, Kris Humphries, Nathan Jawai and Greg Buckner. It’s safe to say the Mavs will look very different on opening night of the 2009-10 season, and offshore sportsbook odds makers have taken notice.
Nothing major to report for the ’Boys, though their summer of offense experimentation continues. The latest idea: using Marion Barber and Felix Jones in the same backfield. The plan would extend beyond two-back sets, possibly spreading Jones wide, though his pass-catching ability wasn’t tested last season. The plan sounds reminiscent of New Orleans’ use of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush a couple of seasons ago.
Dallas Stars
For the most part, the Stars have sat idle as other teams spend like crazy this NHL offseason. The Stars lost the Jonas Gustavsson sweepstakes to the Toronto Maple Leafs, meaning Marty Turco looks safe to retain the No. 1 goaltending job next season. Jere Lehtinen will be a Dallas Star for at least one more season; he signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal just before unrestricted free agency began on July 1. One of my main sports predictions for the season: If the Stars fall out of the playoff race come winter, I’m betting management trades Lehtinen to a contender.
