Below You will find the January Schedule for the Dallas Stars, including the TV Channel, TV Time and Day / Date.

Dallas Stars at St. Louis Blues
Day / Date: Sunday January 2 2011
TV Time: 5:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks
Day / Date: Wednesday January 5 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs New York Rangers
Day / Date: Friday January 7 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild
Day / Date: Sunday January 9 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers
Day / Date: Tuesday January 11 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Atlanta Thrashers
Day / Date: Saturday January 15 2011
TV Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs LA Kings
Day / Date: Monday January 17 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: TSN2, Versus (HD)

Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers
Day / Date: Thursday January 20 2011
TV Time: 7:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames
Day / Date: Friday January 21 2011
TV Time: 8:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks
Day / Date: Monday January 24 2011
TV Time: 9:00 PM Central Time
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW

Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers
Day / Date: Wednesday January 26 2011
TV Time: 6:30 PM Central Time
TV Channel: TSN, Fox Sports SW

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.

Mavs 94, Lakers 80 – There was never a point in this game (except for maybe the 10-0 run in the 2nd half) where the Mavs weren’t in control. Pretty much from the opening tip, the Mavs controlled the tempo of the game.

Dirk may have been a little off in the first half,  but there’s a reason the Mavs made their run when he got hot in the third quarter. Herr (or is it Hair?) Dirk finished with 21 points and ten rebounds, including 10-11 from the free throw line.

Not a great game in the scoring department for Jason Kidd, although he did add 11 assists. Jason Terry had a strong effort off the bench, pouring in 16 including three 3-pointers.

All of those numbers are great. The three faces of this team each did what they needed to do in order for the Mavs to pick up the win.

But the most impressive effort was from the newest face: Shawn Marion.

I’m not totally sure I buy into the plus/minus stat for basketball, but ESPN does feature it in its postgame box score, so they obviously buy into it enough to put it on there. I do love it for hockey, but I’m a little unsure of its use in a basketball stat sheet.

The point is this: Shawn Marion led the Mavs in +/- tonight with a +37. So the Dallas Mavericks outscored the Los Angeles Lakers by 37 points when Shawn Marion was on the floor.

I’ve already forgotten what the Mavs traded to get him.

I vote the Mavs start wearing those new blue alternate jerseys more often. In fact, I would be completely fine with just having the two jerseys that looked like tonight’s. Wear the green at home and blue on the road. I’ve never cared for the real jerseys anyway. Change the blues to say ‘Dallas’ in that font, and everything is all good.

If nothing else, they sure looked a lot better than the Silver Disaster.

Finally, it’s not often the Mavs get to throw in Matt Carroll and Rodrigue Beaubois against the Lakers. It’s easy to see what everybody likes about Roddy. He’s only 21 but he looks smooth and in control of the game. Maybe it was only two minutes. Maybe I can’t find anything truly negative to write about this game.

Whatever it is, I think Beaubois looks like a player. He sure looks fast enough.

Panthers 6, Stars 5 (SO) – If only the Dallas Stars could play every game on the road, they’d be unstoppable. Because when they’re at home, they’re a disaster.

Tonight’s game continued an extremely disheartening trend for the Dallas Stars: they just don’t play well at home. In six games at home this year, there has been one good game – the 6-0 blowout of the Predators.

Other than that you’re looking at the team’s only two regulation losses, two shootout losses and an overtime win against the worst team in hockey.

Yet on the road, this team finds a way to get it done. While they dropped an overtime game to the Kings last week, they bookended that with impressive wins at Anaheim and St. Louis. I’m not quite sure what this team needs to do, because they clearly have the talent to skate with good teams. The early Canadian road trip and win in Chicago proves that.

But until this team figures out how to play at home, they won’t be much higher than the middle of the conference. Perhaps all they need is Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen to come back and teach the kids how to play at home.

Tonight’s game could have been one of many others. Get down early, but manage to find a way to scratch and claw back to pick up a point.

That strategy is fine on the road. If the Stars pick up at least a point in 30 of their road games, that would be great. Assuming wins in 20-23 of those, that comes out to about 50-53 points. That would be great. Anything above 50 points through the NHL road schedule should be met with celebration.

But right now it looks like the Stars won’t be able to get more than about 40-45 at home. That won’t get it done.

The most frustrating part of the Stars’ season? It’s clear they have talent. But they can’t turn that into consistent winning efforts every night.

I’m excited about the season. The Stars have a chance to do some great things, but I’m beginning to get a little worried that this team can’t get two points when it needs them.

Jet pic: nba.com

Dirk pic: nachodonut.com

Silver Unis pic: usatoday.com

Morrow pic: hfboards.com

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?

The Cowboys are bordering on irrelevancy, if they’re not already there. Not for their lack of trying, especially with a couple of bizarre stories coming from the Ranch this week.

Jerruh mentioned that the Cowboys had “a significant offer for a key player that we turned down.” The story today was that Cincinnati desired DSF favorite Martellus Bennett. True or not, why even bring it up? Maybe it’s just another ploy by Jerruh to get in the news.

The other national story out of Valley Ranch? Patrick Crayton griping for lack of playing time. I know I’m not the first person to look at this – Mike Fisher has a great take at bloggingtheboys.com – but if Crayton can’t see why he’s getting benched, he needs someone to give him a swift kick in the rear end. There’s a reason why I didn’t write anything about the Chiefs game. He needs to figure that out. Cowboys? Decidedly mediocre.

The Stars. Honestly, I think the Stars have a chance for a very good season. There is a lot of talent on this team. The problem is that a lot of it is injured. Modano, Lehtinen and Richards are all key factors; I know Mo and Jere are up there on the age factor, but this team needs them. Richards had a strong game tonight against the Blues; two assists is a nice way to get back in the fold after an injury, especially setting up the first two goals of the game.

Still, 5-2-4 through the first eleven games is nothing to sneeze at, especially with all the injuries. James Neal looks fantastic, Loui Eriksson already has five goals and the greatness that is Brendan Morrow is back flying around the ice. Get everyone back from injury, and this team might have something. Marc Crawford might have been just what this franchise needed. Stars? Could be great. More time needed.

The other resident of the AAC, the Mavericks, may have some buzz. Considering after the first ten games last year that Cuban’s bunch seemed headed for the lottery, to be coming off a trip to the Western Semis is actually a pretty good spot.

Looking through the West, San Antonio has to be the favorite. Duncan is still Duncan, DeJuan Blair was a steal of a draft pick and Richard Jefferson was a steal of a trade. Lots of larceny down there in San Antone. (Antonio McDyess was a nice pickup too.) I’m not totally sold on the Lakers, especially sans Ariza. Artest may look good on paper, but I’m reserving judgment on him. Plus, Year-After Syndrome could easily rear its ugly head.

Who else is there? Houston had a nice year last year, but take a look at the roster and see how many players you know. Maybe a trade of Damp’s expiring contract gets the Mavs into the upper crust of teams. But right now, Mavericks? Very good, but just short of championship contender. Ultimately irrelevant barring a trade.

For the owner-starved Rangers, things are actually looking a lot better than they were after the season ended. It looks like a new man in charge will be selected by the end of November. While that doesn’t mean they’ll take over by the time the season starts, it’s definitely an improvement over the gloom-and-doom scenario I discussed earlier this year.

Ben Sheets looks like he’s going to be out there on some mound in 2010. Odds are (hopefully) it will be for the Rangers. Nelson Cruz tragically seems like a player with a distinct possibility of being traded, which is not the end of the world if Jon Daniels acquires the proper player(s) for him. Personally, I think that would be a big mistake, save for a fleecing for a Grienke-level pitcher. Rangers? A crucial offseason. The next step is the hardest.

So there you have it. Are things as bleak as they seem? Perhaps to an outsider. Things are looking up, however. The Stars have yet to lose in regulation on the road in seven contests, a good sign for a team still missing a couple of players. The Mavericks could make a huge trade by using Erick Dampier’s Expiring Contract as a trade chip.

The Rangers need to find a quality hitting coach, but a rotation with Sheets, Feldman, Millwood, Hunter and Holland could be pretty solid, with McCarthy and Nippert waiting in the wings at the major league level along with Feliz and Hurley at AAA. Justin Smoak will make his Rangers debut next year, probably sooner rather than later. Don’t rule out Kasey Kiker from making a major league impact as well.

As for the Cowboys? The importance of tomorrow’s game cannot be overstated. A win tomorrow moves the Cowboys towards the upper echelon of the league. The upcoming schedule is not as daunting as once seemed; 4-2 could easily become 8-3. Most (if not all) of the Cowboys’ injured players seem to be ready to go tomorrow, setting the stage for what should be quite a contest.

But a slip tomorrow puts the Cowboys at 3-3 and in a hole that might be too deep to escape from. Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Green Bay and San Francisco all look to be potential wild card teams. Even Seattle could make things interesting. Putting yourself ahead of one of those teams is critical if you hope to make the playoffs.

Things could look a lot better two weeks from now. The Stars could get on a run and establish themselves as a Western Conference contender. The Mavericks have several early games against potential Western Conference contenders (@LAL, @LAC, v. UTAH, @NO, v. HOU, @SA all in the first eight games). Go 4-2 through that stretch and the Mavs will be in a good early position.

And, of course, the Cowboys could get a win tomorrow. That will make everything better.

Kinda suck? Maybe for the unaware. For us Dallas fans, though, things could be back to normal pretty quickly.

Dallas Cowboys

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.

Dallas Mavericks

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, 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 Cowboys

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 4^th 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.”

Dallas Mavericks

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.

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.

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.

Best Sports Video Game – Honorable Mention:

Mario Tennis (N64) – A game so easy to pick up and play, it’s amazing it took so long to think of it. Mario and friends play tennis. What could be easier? Still fun no matter how much graphics change things. One of the best sports video games, but not quite reaching that upper echelon of “best sports video games” that the games on the list reached. Sometimes could play a little too slow.

Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf (NES) – An obscure game that consumed my youth on the NES. Was it the best sports video game ever? Far from it. Two courses and four characters? Not exactly a whole lot of depth to the game. But golf games have always been pretty simple and I enjoy them quite a bit. But since I played this game so much in my memory, it’s on the list. Barely.

Excitebike (NES) – Excitebike has gotten quite a bit more pub recently after being rereleased on the Game Boy Advance and spawning its own “Excite series.” I don’t have very many memories of this game, but if Matt Lawrence vouches for it, well then, by God, it’s good enough for me.

Best Sports Video Game – The List

10th Best Sports Video Game

Major League Baseball featuring Ken Griffey Jr. (N64) – The Nintendo 64, for my money, is the best video game system of all-time. I do have a bias, as that system is the one I grew up playing, but it was a system full of great games. One of which happens to be this title, released in 1998. This is not a straight baseball simulation, which does hurt its standing. But a simple hitting graphic (put the circle around the box) led to some fun play and the 10th best sports video game on this list. Graphics aren’t that great, but you can get through a whole season with stats (that was a big deal once) and all of the ballparks are included. And pitch speeds range from 47 mph to 106! What’s more fun than that?

9th Best Sports Video Game

FIFA Soccer Series (XBOX 360, PS3) – I greatly enjoy soccer. I played it for most of my life, and I enjoy watching it. FIFA is a fantastic game, especially if played on a huge HD screen. This may seem a little low with all of that taken into account, but to me, it’s a game that I could always find a way to put down. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I’m not that good. One of the best sports games out there, but I suppose I prefer to just watch people who are better at it than me.

8th Best Sports Video Game

Tecmo Bowl (NES) – The sequel to this game, Tecmo Super Bowl, might actually be the game that’s played more today, I’m putting Tecmo Bowl on this list because it created the sequel. (After all, without Tecmo Bowl, there’s no Tecmo Super Bowl.) One of the best sports video games along with the oldest in our top ten, Tecmo Bowl had four plays per team. Bo Jackson had one. Talk about injustices.

7th Best Sports Video Game

NFL Blitz (PlayStation) – Check your expectations of a realistic game at the door. On this list, NFL Blitz stands up with the best of them for simple, pure fun among the best sports video games ever. Put in some cheat codes (or agree to not have any) and just go to town. Penalties? Pssh. We don’t need no stinkin’ penalties. An added bonus: A great announcer. IS THAT LEGAL???!!!

6th Best Sports Video Game

Madden NFL series (All systems) – The Madden games are great, but they’ve gone downhill over the last couple of years after EA Sports bought the exclusive license for the NFL and the NFLPA. (Related story – this is why The Show is the only baseball game worth getting) When EA had some competition, there wasn’t much argument over who had the best game. So why did they even have to buy the rights in the first place? Why am I asking questions of myself? Am I going crazy? Still excellent games, though, and worthy of this spot on the list of best sports video games.

5th Best Sports Video Game

Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey (N64) – There have been quite a few arcade-style games in this list of the best sports video games. Why is that? They’re fun. This one is another sports video game that is just fun. Get the game fired up, pick a team, pick a line of three players from that team, and you’re on your way. Power shots? Check. Power checks? Check. An overly excited announcer? Check. (See a pattern here? I’m a sucker for over-the-top announcers.) Put it all together and you have an awesome game. It’s so simple!

4th Best Sports Video Game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour Series (All systems) – As far as golf games go, you can’t get any better than these. This latest entry on to our list of best sports video games ever has such a multitude of features that “completing the game” is a task equal to that of most adventure games. Some of the best courses in the world are on these games, and if there’s a golfer you want to play as, just pick one, and he or she is probably in there. A series that continues to get better in every way.

3rd Best Sports Video Game

NBA Jam (SEGA Genesis) – The original arcade sports game. I don’t care what the facts say; this was it. 2-on-2 action complete with eight pointers, HE’S ON FIRE!!!!!, and even players who were left out (MJ). Arcade sports games dream of becoming NBA Jam. In fact, I’d argue that NBA Jam is still on top of the list of basketball video games, 15 years after its release. Boomshackalacka.

2nd Best Sports Video Game

MVP Baseball 2005 (XBOX, PS2, GameCube) – The last EA Sports baseball game, and quite possibly the deepest sports game ever created. I’m still trying to unlock all the created players and uniforms, four years after this game was released. Near the top of the best sports video game list because you could have a dynasty featuring a major-league team and its top three minor league affliates. Also – you could be an owner and build up your team from minor-league level to Yankees-level cash cow. Practice modes, plus tons of unlockable players, uniforms and stadiums.

Best Sports Video Game

NHL ’94 (Sega Genesis) – If you haven’t played this game, you’re missing out. The best sports video game ever, hands down. Realistic (and fun) gameplay, you could play through a whole season with stats, crash through the glass, and one-time a shot past the goalie. For those lucky enough to still have a Genesis, this game must be in your collection, no matter what.

So there you have it. There are still great sports games out there, but some of the better ones have been around quite awhile.

PICS:

Gretzky cover: http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/boxshot.php?pid=199279

Blitz cover: http://www.vgmuseum.com/scans/psx.html

NHL ’94 shot: http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=445412

Griffey cover: http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/boxshot.php?pid=197847

Dallas Mavericks

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.

Dallas Cowboys

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.

• 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