Cowboys Print Playoff Tickets: Swear It's Not Motivational Ploy

((ht: dallasnews.com))

Supposedly, the reason the Dallas Cowboys sent season ticket holders playoff tickets before the season started as a way to increase ticket office efficiency.

And the team swears....that is the only reason they did it.

We aren't sure we believe it, but really they did ship out playoff tickets, including potential NFC Championship game tickets this week.

Team spokesman Rich Dalrymple told amused reporters that it cost less to print the tickets and mail them now instead of trying to rush them through at the end of the year and through the holiday's.

He also said the tickets will not be active UNLESS the team makes the playoffs. Though he didn't mention if those ticket holders were paying for said tickets.

We should also add that the Cowboys haven't made the playoffs since 2009, though they have been close. Many of us remain skeptical that printing tickets in advance will change that streak...

Josh Brent Is Out Of Jail, Would You Hire Him...???

((HT: CBS Dallas/KTVT/WFAA-TV))

Former Dallas Cowboys tackle Josh Brent is now out of jail after his time for serving his conviction for a car crash that killed Cowboys teammate, Jerry Brown.

Brent was convicted back in January of intoxication manslaughter for the December 2012 crash after leaving a nightclub. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years' probation. The sentence is supposed to end in July, and it isn't clear how the rest of the sentence will be served- if at all.

Brent had a blood-alcohol level of 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit for drivers in Texas- .08

Brent faced up to 20 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter, but Jones' mother testified about forgiveness at sentencing.

The next question is that of the Cowboys:

Would you bring Brent back after a suspension (if given) or the completion of the jail term altogether after being charged for intoxication manslaughter...?

Here's the thoughts of the Cowboys at the time the question was asked of the Joneses...

Could Josh Brent Be A Cowboy Again...???

((HT: WFAA-TV))

Here's a question for you...???

Could a convicted felon make a return to the Dallas Cowboys roster...???

Stephen Jones made a public statement saying that bringing Josh Brent back to the roster is a "work in progress" since he would be out of jail around the time that the Cowboys break for training camp.

Here's Joe Trahan to discuss the possibility

Really... the Cowboys are turning into the Raiders...

Cowboys Signing Math Teacher/Football Coach As 3rd QB

((HT: Dallasnews.com/George))

So, the Cowboys tried out David Carr, Tyler Thigpen, Caleb Hanie, and John Skelton on the off-chance that Tony Romo doesn't survive the epidural that he was given earlier Tuesday...

Didn't sign a one of them...

They went after 16-year vet, and two-years removed from the game, Jon Kitna...

Kitna was teaching math and coaching football at his alma mater Tacoma-Lincoln (WA) High School...
See...??? He was back home...
((HT: CBS Sports))


But he had done things for the Cowboys in the past...
((HT: NFL on FOX))


He just hasn't done them since the first term of the current President...

Seat gets hotter for Jason Garrett

Jones (left) and Garrett (Photo courtesy ESPN)

VALLEY RANCH - The circus that is the Dallas Cowboys continues to enjoy the 3-ring spotlight.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones is putting a lot of pressure on head coach Jason Garrett. After the firing of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and the hiring of 4-3 Monte Kiffin, Jones now wants Garrett to relinquish all play calling duties on the Cowboy sideline.

To top that, word out of Valley Ranch is that Jones also wants Garrett to fire his brother - tight ends coach John Garrett.

PFT's Mike Florio has an interesting take on this situation, thinking Jones is wanting to make Garrett so uncomfortable so that he leaves on his own so Jones doesn't have to fire him. He does have a point.

I think Jones is stuck with Garrett, because he hired his golden boy while undercutting Wade Phillips - leaving Garrett to be the heir apparent of America's Team. If Jones fires Garrett, the volatile owner will end up with egg on his face - even more than he normally has.

If Jones forces Garrett to fire his brother, and Jason refuses, then Jones can fire him for conduct unbecoming, etc. etc...apparently J.R. Ewing isn't a part of the only soap opera in Dallas...

Here's what I think. Jones is setting up Garrett to give up all play-calling duties (which wouldn't be a bad thing), and Jones will hire a former/future head coach in waiting as offensive coordinator.

Either way, Garrett's on the way out - whether it's his call or not.

Cowboys LB Killed In Car Crash, Another Arrested For Intoxication Manslaughter

Dallas Cowboys DT Joshua Price-Brent (pictured, right thanks Irving Police Department)

has been charged with intoxication manslaughter by Irving (TX) police after his car flipped the curb while driving at a high rate of speed a little after 2AM local time this morning...

And what does the HQ say about nothing good happening after 1AM...???

Brent was the driver of the car that also had practice squad LB Jerry Brown as passenger. Jones was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

After Brown was pronounced dead, Irving police booked Price-Brent on the Intoxication Manslaughter charge.

Here's an episode of "Inside the Huddle" where Brent was a guest of Jay Ratliff and Matt Barrie last year...
((HT: SportsMedia))


PM UPDATE: Jerry Jones released the following statement:

"We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown. At this time, our hearts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with the members of Jerry's family and all of those who knew him and loved him."

Regrettably, it's not the only time that Brent has been busted for a DUI-related offense...

He was busted while at the University of Illinois in 2009 for DUI, driving on a suspended license and speeding. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine. As part of the plea bargain for agreeing to the DUI charge, prosecutors dropped an aggravated DUI/no valid driver's license charge.

Here's the first press conference from the Irving PD with Public Information Officer John Argumaniz...
((HT: KTVT-TV Dallas))

Report: Sean Payton is a Coaching Free Agent

((ht: schefter/ESPN.com))

Well, this should be interesting. And amazingly, the news that the NFL voided suspended Saints head coach Sean Payton's contract should make the folks in New Orleans nervous.

Very nervous.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the extension Payton signed over a year ago, was cancelled by the league quietly and with some questions still remaining. Perhaps the biggest being "Can they legally do it?"

Schefter says the question is more about a clause that would let Payton leave if Saints GM Mickey Loomis got suspended, fired or quit.

Interesting.

Read Schefter's always insightful column RIGHT HERE

What should concern Saints fans is the REAL possibility Payton has coached his last game in New Orleans.

Payton's family lives in the Dallas area and there is a REAL possibility the Dallas job is going to be open at the end of the season. Jason Garrett has done little to inspire the Cowboys, owner Jerry Jones or a fanbase with growing anger.

And Payton would be a perfect fit.

We'll see how this plays out, but considering Payton isn't gonna coach in 2012 and Jerry Jones has no qualms about throwing money in people's faces, we would not be surprised to see Payton on the sideline in Jerry World for the 2013 season.

Rappin' Jerry... A New Career Move...???

((HT: The Loomis Agency))

The HQ can't figure out of this is funny, or some other emotion that would send us cowering in a corner...

Watch and decide for yourself...


Is "Oh...Good...Lord..." enough of a start...???

Jerry Jones talks smack about NY Giants, NY Media's heads implode

Jerry/Post-plastique

((ht: espn.com))

Really?

Guess it really doesn't take much to move the center of the media universe (New York) off the Olympics and MLB Trade Deadline and on to football.

The reason they are freaking out: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the masses assembled at his teams training camp that "Ya'll should come to that stadium and watch us beat the Giants' ass".

Oh my Goo-wad!

You'd think Jones said "Your mother smells of Eldeberry" or something.

Of course our friends at the 4-letter have joined the frenzy, aghast the Jones would ever utter such a thing.

Read the "jab" story from ESPN.com RIGHT HERE

The NY Daily News chimes in RIGHT HERE

Oh, that Jerry, he's so brash.

Okay...lighten up Frances!

So what.

He's allowed to talk smack. We don't care. Really. What! Is Big Pussy gonna come from New Jersey and "Ice" him or something?

So what? Dallas wants to knock off the Super Bowl champs. Who doesn't? Sure, we could care less about either of these two teams, the only reason we mention it is because we laughed more at the reaction then the comment.

So buckle up little buckaroo, when Dallas heads to New Jersey to play "Los Gigantes", the hype machine will be in "Full Force". You can bet money that will be the FOX National Game, if not all over NBC.

Just thought we'd share.

Atlanta and others plot strategy to get in on College Playoff orgy

The non-NCAA Football Championship Trophy

((ht: ajc.com))

So...the players are lining up to pay tribute to the rich kids of college football.

On the heels of Tuesday's announcement that all 11 conference president representatives and Notre Dame have agreed to move College Football to a 4-team playoff, comes word of cities wanting a piece of the action.

The plan is for 6-Bowl games to rotate as hosts for the 2-semifinal games and a "New" game to be played at a yet to be determined site and city.

Oh...did we mention that "New" game will go to the highest bidder?

On the heels of that announcement that at least one potential site is interested in hosting either that "New" game or one of the semi-finals.

That city is Atlanta. Which to those who follow college football, should not come as a surprise.

The new game and system will be in place for the 2014 season. And several cities are expected to go for a piece of the pie.

Jacksonville has already said they are in. And the expectation is that Jerry Jones is preparing to offer up Jerry World for the game too.

We have no firsthand knowledge, but will wager a guess that Phoenix, Los Angeles and others will throw their names in the hat too.

You can read about Atlanta's plan RIGHT HERE

We think the game is all but a lock for Dallas and Jerry World. This would be the "Marquee" event that the Dallas Cowboys owner has been drooling for. And Jerry usually gets what Jerry wants.

Atlanta will be taken seriously...and should. They may make it to a semi-final if for no other reason than the Chick-fil a Bowl's ability to produce yearly sell-outs and make money.

Not to go on too much of a rant here, but we (me) aren't as big a fan of this "New" system as most Sports Writers seem to be. Yeah, sure, it is a step up over the crappy-ass cartel known as the BCS, but in reality, there is little different.

Everyone seems to forget they already held their version of a "Championship" game for the past umpteen years. But it was a bizarre combination of polls that chose those two teams. And it was often wrong.

Now we are just adding two more teams to the mix. Which doesn't really change much. It just adds two more opportunities for teams to complain.

Yeah, sure, we get that there isn't a perfect system to find the best team. But this folks, ain't it. You could convince me of an 8-team playoff. But 4....uh...no.

Your Boise States and pretty much any team that isn't in the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12 or SEC still has no chance of getting into this mix.

And we still think...until convinced otherwise that this was done ONLY...because the commissioners of those conferences realized just how much money could be made by created a totally new game.

Because this is what it is all about: