Dallas Cowboys Update: Troubles Mount for Dez Bryant

The sports betting world was curious as to why the Dallas Cowboys took Dez Bryant in the 2010 draft. Dallas did not need a wide receiver, and concerns over Bryant’s character caused him to be available at pick number 24 in the first round. But the Cowboys took Bryant, and now they are living with the consequences.

As the March Madness betting wraps up, sportsbook promo experts are watching Dez Bryant’s jewelry bill climb. The most recent estimates have Bryant’s unpaid debt at a little over $800,000. With no income coming in due to the lockout, and much of Bryant’s remaining money tied up in homes and more jewelry, the Cowboys are afraid of what Bryant may do next. But the nightmare doesn’t stop there. It gets worse.

News is starting to come in to the betting services that most of that jewelry debt, cash gifts and loans, was accumulated while Bryant was a member of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy claims that he and his staff had no idea what Bryant was up to. The coach also added that it is sad to watch the public downfall of Dez Bryant. Many sports experts are saying that it would have been impossible for the Oklahoma State football coaching staff to miss almost $800,000 in jewelry, especially with the way that Bryant likes to flash his gold around. The NCAA is investigating, but results of the investigation will not be known for a very long time.

As an example of opportunity knocking for the Dallas Cowboys, please direct your attention to the case of veteran free safety Michael Huff. The Oakland Raiders did not offer Huff a contract prior to the lockout, so that makes Huff a free agent. The Cowboys could desperately use the services of a player like Huff. He is a smart safety that can hit and cover deep. But, to this point, the Cowboys have not indicated any interest in Huff. The lockout is preventing the Cowboys from working Huff out or signing him to a contract, but there is nothing to prevent the Cowboys from admitting that Huff would be a good fit for the team. Since the Cowboys allowed Bob Sanders to go to San Diego, it would make sense to put in a bid on Huff when the Cowboys have a chance. But, to this point, the Cowboys have not said a word.

The Dallas Cowboys have made some moves in trying to suppress the uprising that was caused when it was rumored that Auburn quarterback Cam Newton could be a Cowboy when the draft is over. The Cowboys have almost three dozen college prospects visiting the Dallas practice facility this week, but Cam Newton will not be invited. The Cowboys are hoping that this puts the rumors of the departure of current starting quarterback Tony Romo to rest.

Some players of interest that are visiting Valley Ranch this week include the four top offensive tackle prospects in Tyron Smith, Anthony Castonzo, Nate Solder and Gabe Carimi. Cowboys fans are hoping that this means the Cowboys will finally address the gaping holes in the offensive line before the 2011 season gets underway.

Dallas Cowboys Update: Crayton Finally Moved

Dallas Cowboys Update: Crayton Finally Moved

In a move that the betting world was expecting for some time, the Dallas Cowboys moved wide receiver Patrick Crayton. It was originally thought that the Cowboys       would simply cut Crayton prior to the start of the regular season, but in a move of respect the Cowboys traded Crayton to the San Diego Chargers.

The NFL betting experts are calling San Diego a Super Bowl contender this year, and with the status of superstar receiver Vincent Jackson up in the air, acquiring Crayton makes sense for the Chargers. If Jackson does come back this season for the Chargers, then San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers will have two good targets to throw to.

The move helps solidify the places of rookie receivers Dez Bryant and Kevin Ogletree on the Cowboys’ roster. Bryant was a huge factor in the NCAA football betting that went on last season, and now that he is cleared to play in the opening game against the Washington Redskins, Bryant looks to make an impact at the pro level as well. Ogletree is a developing rookie that is making a name for himself on special teams.

The Cowboys look to be beaten up on the offensive line as they enter the opening week of the season. Most notable is the injury to starting right tackle Marc Colombo who has been sidelined for weeks with a bad knee. Also on the shelf is guard Kyle Kosier who has been fighting a knee injury all training camp.

Neither offensive lineman practiced early this week, and Colombo’s status for the opening game has been in doubt for at least two weeks. Without two of their starting five offensive linemen in place for the season opener, and the guard spot left open by the release of Flozell Adams still a sore spot for the Cowboys, that could leave a huge door open for the Washington Redskins on opening day.

The football betting world is familiar with final cut-down day in the NFL preseason. It is the single most brutal day in training camp as teams have to cut down from 75 players to 53 in one day. One of the players the Cowboys let go was nose tackle Junior Saivii. Some observers of the team thought Saivii was a lock to make the team because he is the only other true nose tackle on the team besides starter Jay Ratliff. As Ratliff’s back-up last season, Saivii would come in on third down and special teams plays to help give Ratliff a rest. But with Saivii gone, the Cowboys now need to get creative.

Defensive lineman Marcus Spears could be called in to play nose tackle from time to time as well as rookie Josh Brent. Spears has very little experience at nose tackle and almost none at the pro level. If Ratliff gets injured this season, it is doubtful that the Cowboys would turn the nose tackle position over to Brent, or permanently move Spears to the middle. In that scenario, Saivii could find himself back on the Cowboys roster playing nose tackle.

Preseason: Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers

Wade Phillips will match up against his old team when the Dallas Cowboys face the San Diego Chargers in the 2010 NFL Preseason. This will be the Cowboys only meeting with the Chargers this year unless the 2 teams meet up in the post season. The Chargers running game has become stagnant since ex Cowboys Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner took over as head coach. The main reason for this was the decline in the play of  Ladainian Tomlinson and Norv Turner’s focus on the passing game because of it. Well Ladainian is gone now and there has been a lot of fantasy football buzz around incoming rookie replacement Ryan Matthews.

The Cowboys lost to the Oakland Raiders in 17-9 in last weeks preseason game, however the Cowboys were winning up until the end of the game when the field was full of replacement players. However the lack of touchdowns by the Cowboys is a bit worrisome, especially when you take into account the recent trouble the team has had at the kicker position. However current Cowboys kicker David Buehler has proved that he deserves a chance this year. Hopefully Jason Garrett can figure out a red zone scheme that doesn’t involve throwing 3 straight times on the 2 yard line. Below is the Cowboys at Chargers TV Time, TV Channel, Kickoff and other information.

Preseason Week 1: Dallas Cowboys vs San Diego Chargers – TV Channel – TV Time
Cowboys at Chargers Day / Date: Saturday – August 21, 2010
Cowboys at Chargers Location: San Diego – Qualcomm Stadium
Cowboys at Chargers TV Channel: CBS 11
Cowboys at Chargers TV Time: 8:00PM Central Time