Even Jones Realizes Cowboys Running Out of Time

By JAIME ARON - AP Pro Football Writer

Say this about the Dallas Cowboys — they're consistent.

For the fourth Monday this season, they talked about needing to stop making stupid penalties, pointed out things they're doing well despite losing and vowed to keep fighting to turn things around.

The only thing missing was the disclaimer there's still plenty of time left.

At 1-4, even ever-optimistic owner Jerry Jones realizes how long the comeback trail is getting.

Receiver Miles Austin was the latest player to point an incriminating finger at himself. He said repeatedly he feels awful for drawing a celebration penalty by leapfrogging a teammate in the end zone against Minnesota on Sunday. It came a week after a similar violation fueled another close loss.

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1.03.01

Hook 'em Horns Drew Flag for Cowboys, Not Leapfrog

The touchdown-celebration penalty the Dallas Cowboys received Sunday wasn't for Miles Austin leapfrogging Roy Williams in the end zone,

It was against receiver Sam Hurd for flashing a University of Texas "Hook 'em Horns" hand gesture along with Williams. That's what Carl Johnson, the league's vice president of officiating, told Cowboys coach Wade Phillips on Monday.

Austin was announced as being guilty during Dallas' 24-21 loss to Minnesota. Phillips said an official on the sideline also told him it was Austin's fault.

The bigger issue for the Cowboys is that this was the second straight week they've been flagged for an excessive celebration. Phillips said players were told Monday not to do anything except head for the sideline.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy E. Williams (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown as teammate Miles Austin jumps over him during the first quarter of their NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy King)

Dallas Cowboys Update

By Ryan Cook

Mall of America Field has always been well known for its hostile fans, and although the Dallas Cowboys are more than familiar with this fact following their trip to Minnesota last season, it was evident from the very beginning on Sunday that Tony Romo and Wade Phillips' offense were in for a tough day.

On the scoreboard, Dallas fared quite nicely. The end result was far from impressive for the Cowboys, but as the 21-24 scoreline suggests, the Boys in Blue did give it there all.

But like the Cowboys so clearly knew heading into Week 6's blockbuster matchup, one team was a surefire pick to wind up as the ultimate loser.

Unfortunately for Cowboy fans, their team felt the wrath of Minnesota yet again. Given that the scoreline wasn't as big a blowout as it was back in January, Dallas now find themselves in a 1-4 hole that is looking near impossible to climb out of.

To be perfectly frank here, if the Texas Rangers weren't doing so well in the ALCS against the New York Yankees, we would all be hearing a lot more verbal concern in regards to America's team.

Still, sooner or later, the Cowboys are going to cop the criticism they deserve. While most analysts have already written the Cowboys out of postseason action, many people are yet to criticize Dallas, even though the realistic thought would be to jump on the hate bandwagon as soon as possible.

On the positive side for Jerry Jones, Tony Romo played a decent game. As untimely as his two interceptions were, Romo's 220 yards and three touchdowns acted as one of the sole reasons for the Cowboys potential win chances.

In the coming weeks, the Cowboys face tough tests against the likes of the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. Both of these games are doable, but with a performance like Sunday Night, the Cowboys aren't exactly winning themselves any favoritism votes right now.

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1.03.01

Ankle Still an Issue for Favre

Brett Favre said during the ESPY awards show on Wednesday night in Los Angeles that he would "love to play" for the Minnesota Vikings this season but still hasn't decided if he will return because his surgically repaired left ankle continues to give him problems.

"I still have a little bit of time, and believe it or not, (I'm) not completely healthy," Favre said during a backstage interview at the Nokia Theatre that was aired on the ESPN3 website after the show ended. "I guess at 40 I may never be. I'm not getting any younger, but I am working hard trying to feel as best I can. Last year, I felt great. My arm was totally different than it was the year before (in 2008 with the Jets) and that made my decision a little bit easier. But we'll see."

Favre, who was honored with the "Best Play" award for his last-second touchdown pass to Greg Lewis that lifted the Vikings over San Francisco in Week 3 last season, underwent surgery to repair a partially torn biceps in May 2009 and eventually decided to end his retirement and sign a two-year contract with the Vikings. This spring, Favre underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and has been throwing with receivers at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Miss., as he tries to decide whether to play a 20th season.

Favre made it clear in his interview that he has the desire to play but wants to make sure physically he feels all right.

"It starts with the ankle," he said. "This coming Friday will be eight weeks (since the surgery), and I had hoped it would be a little bit better at this point. I can walk fine, but you don't walk in football.

"Then it kind of works from there up. If you wake up in the morning and your feet hurt, it kind of makes the rest of your body hurt, and if you've been sacked 700 times, that usually adds to it."

Favre did not mention his future while making two appearances on stage during the program, once to present the Arthur Ashe Courage award and the other time to receive the "Best Play" honor.

In addition to his appearance at the ESPYs, Favre also will be in the spotlight for a wide-ranging interview he did that will appear in the upcoming edition of Men's Journal. Favre talked to the reporter from the magazine in April.

Included was Favre's first in-depth explanation about the interception he threw late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game in New Orleans. The pass - on which Favre said receiver Sidney Rice didn't do what he expected - ended the Vikings' drive in Saints territory with the score tied. New Orleans won, 31-28, in overtime.

"Playing another year probably isn't going to make a difference (for his body); the damage has already been done," Favre told Stephen Rodrick of Men's Journal.

10 Decisions ESPN Should Show Next

By Lance Pauker

Last Thursday at 9 p.m. EST, the atmosphere suddenly and inexplicably exploded. It was later found that this cataclysmic event was caused by a little-known special held on ESPN about some guy named LeBron James. Apparently he's a big deal or something. Jim Gray was there, so it must have been pretty important.

The event had even higher ratings than Jim Rome Is Burning, something previously thought impossible by that German Octopus dude, who is apparently a more reliable prophet than Dan Gilbert. Because the LeBron reality show was a bigger hit than "Dream Job," ESPN's previous crack at reality TV, it has been rumored that the sports media giant is looking for new "decisions" to air.

These rumors can by no means be confirmed, but someone from somewhere tweeted something that seemed important, so I figured I may include it. Without further ado, here are the 10 decisions that ESPN should show next.

NFL Notebook for May 1

Cowboys' Bryant is Over Interview Controversy

IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys rookie receiver Dez Bryant says he's done talking about being asked by Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland in a pre-draft interview if his mother was ever a prostitute.

After his first workout with the Cowboys during a rookie minicamp Friday, Bryant repeatedly said he didn't want to talk about his interview with Ireland and the controversy that has followed.

"I don't want to talk about it. I just want to talk about the Cowboys and what I'm doing. I put that in the past," Bryant said. "I'm just going to move on, I really don't even want to speak on it anymore. I feel fine, things are great. I'm just looking ahead now."

Bears Sign Peppers; Rolle Becomes Richest Safety

By RACHEL COHEN AP Sports Writer

The Chicago Bears were big spenders as NFL teams entered the free agency period unconstrained by a salary cap, signing top prize Julius Peppers.

The New York Giants also got in on the action Friday, making Pro Bowler Antrel Rolle the richest safety in the league in the waning hours of the opening day of free agency.

Miami and Atlanta were also active, with the Dolphins agreeing to terms with Rolle's former Arizona teammate, linebacker Karlos Dansby, and the Falcons and cornerback Dunta Robinson also coming to terms.

The Bears also added running back Chester Taylor from Minnesota and blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna from San Diego.

Wild Card Game: Eagles at Vikings

The Vikings finished with a 10-6 record while the Eagles finished 9-6-1, and scraped into the playoffs with a huge upset over the Cowboys. And that is why I want the Vikings to win... but I will try to be unbiased.

Quarterback Comparison

Name	QB Rating	Comp-Att	Comp %	Yards	TD-Int	Fumbles
Donovan McNabb	86.4	345-571	60.4%	3,916	23-11	7
Gus Frerotte	73.7	178-301	59.1%	2,157	12-15	4

McNabb is the better QB.

Rushing Comparison

Name	Carries	Yards	TDs	Catches	Yards	TDs
Brian Westbrook	233	936	9	54	402	5
Adrian Peterson	363	1,760	10	21	125	0

Westbrook is more versatile, however Peterson is invaluable as a rusher. I would pick Peterson between the two.

Receiving Comparison

Name	Catches	Yards	TDs	Fumbles
DeSean Jackson	62	912	2	1
Hank Baskett	33	440	3	1
Kevin Curtis	33	390	2	0
Bernard Berrian	48	964	7	0
Bobby Wade	53	645	2	2
Visanthe Shiancoe	42	596	7	0

Vikings have the the better receivers, more impact players who score touchdowns and get the needed yardage.

Defense Comparison

Name	Tackles	Sacks	Ints-TD	Deflections
Asante Samuel	36	5.0	4-1	24
Darren Howard	26	10.0	1-0	3
Quintin Mikell	93	2.0	3-0	9
Jared Allen	54	14.5	0-0	3
Antoine Winfield	95	2.0	2-0	11
Kevin Williams	61	8.5	0-0	5

Jared Allen also has two safeties.

Forecast: Eagles or Vikings... Vikings or Eagles... This one is a tough decision. Will Peterson or McNabb dominate? What if they both do? What defense will step up? I like the Vikings pass rush over the Eagles. Let's go with the Vikings on this one, but a close game, with a score of 37-35.

Home Field

NFL Playoffs 2009

How will the playoffs go? Well... let's see the obvious.

• Titans will be one and done.
• Vikings will drop the wild-card game, thus sending the Eagles to play against the Giants.
• Arizona will also will be one and done.
• Panthers take out the Falcons.
• Giants vs. the Eagles... I will take the Giants, although I am tempted to pick the Eagles.
• Ravens vs. Dolphins... I am trying to care. Ravens have a better team. Ravens.
• Colts vs. Chargers... Chargers.

That's going to be the extent for now. I'm still sick from the Cowboys loss.

Home Field

Game 16: NY Giants vs. Vikings

The Giants have clinched a bye... they are 12-3 and this game means something... to the Vikings. The Vikings, who are 9-6, need a win to clinch a playoff birth. A loss would give a lot of ground to the Bears, who are also looking at this game in need of the playoffs.

Quarterback Comparison

Name	QB Rating	Comp-Att	Comp %	Yards	TD-Int	Fumbles
Eli Manning	86.9	278-460	60.4%	3,119	21-10	5
Gus Frerotte	73.7	178-301	59.1%	2,157	12-15	4

Manning is the better QB, as Frerotte has more interceptions and TDs.

Rushing Comparison

Name	Carries	Yards	TDs	Catches	Yards	TDs
Brandon Jacobs	219	1,089	15	6	36	0
Derrick Ward	167	948	2	39	370	0
Adrian Peterson	342	1,657	9	21	125	0

The first two are the Giants and Peterson, as you should know, is a Viking. Comparing one back to another, the Vikings have the better back, but the Giants have the better rushing game.

Receiving Comparison

Name	Catches	Yards	TDs	Fumbles
Amani Toomer	46	564	4	1
Steve Smith	55	554	1	1
Domenik Hixon	39	534	1	0
Bernard Berrian	44	883	6	0
Visanthe Shiancoe	40	582	7	0
Bobby Wade	49	547	2	2

I would have to say that the Vikings appear to have the better receivers... at least on paper. Manning almost has 1,000 yards more passing that Frerotte, so I would've pegged them to have the better numbers. Interesting...

Defense Comparison

Name	Tackles	Sacks	Ints-TD	Deflections
Antonio Pierce	90	1.0	0-0	2
Justin Tuck	64	12.0	1-1	1
Corey Webster	50	1.0	3-0	23
Chad Greenway	108	5.0	0-0	5
Jared Allen	50	14.5	0-0	3
Kevin Williams	58	8.5	0-0	5

Aaron Ross also has three interceptions for the Giants, with one returned for a TD. Jared Allen has two safeties for the Vikings. I do question the pass defense for the Vikings. There aren't any strong standouts when you look at the numbers. Antoine Winfield does have 10 deflections and Cedric Griffin adds 14 more. There isn't anyone with more than 2 interceptions, though and the Vikings haven't returned a pick for a touch.

Intangibles: 1) Home Game to the Vikings. 2) Frerotte's 15 interceptions gives a passing defense edge to the Giants. I am sure if I thought hard enough, I could come up with more, but those two were the only ones to pop up off the top of my head.

Forecast: I like the Giants in this one. They don't have much to play for, but I do not think they will let this one simply slide for the Vikings. It is almost like they can flex their playoff muscles heading into the bye. Score: 31-20.

Home Field

Game 15: Falcons vs. Vikings

The Falcons and Vikings are both 9-5 as they head into this game in Minnesota. The Falcons lost the last time they met, getting torn up 34-3 in Minnesota during the 2007 season. The Vikings have won their last four games and six of their last seven since they had a bye week. And the loss was to Tampa Bay... huh? I guess that was a fluke loss. It happens sometimes.

Quarterback Comparison

Name	QB Rating	Comp-Att	Comp %	Yards	TD-Int	Fumbles
Matt Ryan	90.0	242-389	62.2%	3,146	14-9	5
Gus Frerotte	73.7	178-301	59.1%	2,157	12-15	4

The Falcons have the best rushing offense in the NFL and the 5th best offense overall. The Vikings have the #3 rushing offense, but the passing game ranks them at 26th in the NFL, pulling the overall offense to 17th overall.

Rushing Comparison

Name	Carries	Yards	TDs	Catches	Yards	TDs
Michael Turner	332	1,421	15	6	41	0
Adrian Peterson	320	1,581	9	19	109	0

The Vikings have the better running back. Barely. It seems rather disappointing that the runningbacks aren't used as much as receivers...

Receiving Comparison

Name	Catches	Yards	TDs	Fumbles
Roddy White	82	1,310	6	1
Michael Jenkins	42	644	3	0
Harry Douglas	21	310	1	0
Bernard Berrian	42	865	6	0
Bobby Wade	44	509	2	2
Visanthe Shiancoe	33	446	5	0

Roddy White is a threat, needless to say, as he piles on some yardage and has 82 catches, averaging close to 6 catches per game. If the Falcons win this game, it would be due to White grabbing 6 to 7 catches and piling up close to 100 yards of offense. The somewhat upsetting thing is that besides White and Jenkins, the Falcons do not have much of any other targets out there. Douglas has 21 catches and Jerious Norwood has 33 catches, which means they get a couple thrown their way per game. The Vikings utilize Berrian and Wade as their targets, Berrian getting the meat of the yardage while Wade settles for an average of 11 1/2 yards per catch. Berrian is the bigger threat.

Defense Comparison

Name	Tackles	Sacks	Ints-TD	Deflections
John Abraham	33	15.5	0-0	1
Chris Houston	55	0.0	2-1	14
Erik Coleman	81	0.0	3-0	0
Jared Allen	48	14.5	0-0	3
Antoine Winfield	80	2.0	2-0	10
Chad Greenway	101	5.0	0-0	5

Jared Allen has caused two safeties this season... There was also a Kevin Williams on the Vikings who was noteworthy. He has 8.5 sacks. My concern is this: The Falcons have a pretty bad looking defense right now. They rank 23rd, whereas the Vikings rank 8th in the NFL. Here's how the game is going to look:

The Falcons depend on their running game to set up the passing game. If they can establish the rush early, they should score a few points. The Vikings also depend on their running game, but they don't have the receivers that Atlanta has, so they just about solely depend on the run with a pass mixed in here and there. Then they turn the ball over to the defense and hope that they can hold their opponents to a minimum amount of points so that they [the Vikings] can win. So the key match up really is the Vikings defense vs the Falcons offense. Based on what I see here, the Vikings are going to score their points regardless...
Forecast: Well, who is going to win in the Vikings D and the Falcons O? I honestly feel that it is going to be a close game, decided by a touchdown or less... I like the Falcons in this one. I can't put my reason for why I believe that will be the case, maybe it is the passing game plus their rushing game... not really sure. Score: 20-17

Home Field

Game 12: Bears vs. Vikings

The Packers lost on Monday night. What that means now is the winner of this game between the Bears and Vikings will take first place in the division and, at worst, the loser moves into a tie for second. Either way, these are two first place teams vying for an inside track to the division title.

Note: If you want me to check your team and see what the forecast for them would be, feel free to message me. I am willing to add a third game each week... first come first served.

Bears to Watch:

• Kyle Orton: 88.1 QB Rating; 182-299 (60.9%) for 2,049 yards and 11 TDs, 4 Ints, and 4 lost fumbles.
• Matt Forte: 225 carries for 909 yards and 6 TDs.
• Greg Olson: 33 catches for 391 yards with 2 TDs and 2 lost fumbles.
• Rashied Davis: 30 catches for 379 yards and 2 TDs.
• Devin Hester: 31 catches for 375 yards, 2 TDs, and 29 KR for 631 yards.
• Charles Tillman: 14 deflections and 3 Ints (one for a TD).
• Kevin Payne: 3 Ints and one sack.
• Lance Briggs: 79 tackles, 1/2 sack and 3 Ints.

The Bears won the first game between the two in a scoring frenzy game 48-41. I don't think we can expect the same thing happen twice... so maybe a lower scoring affair this time around would be very likely, maybe the winning team scoring 31 points or so...

Vikings to Watch:

• Gus Frerotte: 75.0 QB Rating; 155-266 (58.3%) for 1,877 yards and 11 TDs, 12 Ints, and 1 lost fumble.
• Adrian Peterson: 242 carries for 1,180 yards with 8 TDs and 3 lost fumbles.
• Bernard Berrian: 34 catches for 673 yards with 4 TDs.
• Bobby Wade: 39 catches for 408 yards and 1 TD.
• Visanthe Shiancoe: 26 catches for 353 yards with 4 TDs.
• Kevin Williams: 44 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 5 deflections.
• Jared Allen: 32 tackles, 8 sacks, 3 deflections, and 2 safeties.

The two seem pretty evenly matched. This game is going to be played in Minnesota, so an intangible goes into the Vikings favor. The Vikings have also won three of the last four, topping Green Bay in one of those games. The Bears have recently lost to the Packers. Forecast: I can't let my wife see this. Why? She's a Bears fan. She seems to take things personal when I say that her team is going to lose... and the Bears are going to lose this game. The Vikings have to many intangibles in their favor, plus they have the stronger running game... Bears drop this one, 31-19.

Home Plate

Pre-Season Game 4: Cowboys vs. Vikings

The Final Preseason game. I just want to remind everyone, these games to really count for squat. Dallas fans are always trying to make a mountain out of a preseason mole hill. And I can't figure out why. Oh well... so long as there are sports, there will be people to watch and criticize.

Anyway, this game should look pretty much like a warm-up the opening day. The Cowboys looked like they were really putting a lot of things together against the Texans. They now have a 1-2 preseason record. They have given up 76 points and only scored 53.

People also make a big hoopla about Romo not winning a playoff game. And do you know what I think of that? I simply say that he will. And he will win several in one post-season. Will it happen this year? Who really knows. It could. "Experts" believe that the Cowboys can take it all. And why would I ever disagree with experts. I mean, they NAILED the NBA Finals.

Anyway, off the soapbox. Minnesota is also 1-2 and has scored 50 points while giving up 61 points. Minnesota lost game 3 of the preseason, while the Cowboys won their first one in game 3. But, you have too think about this: would the Cowboys have won if the game was tied and went into overtime? Tough to say, really. The reserves were playing. And when you think about all that, would it have really mattered? No. It still is preseason.

Forecast: I think the Cowboys are going to win this one. Their first team is better and if the first team plays throughout, which they won't, then the Cowboys will win. The thing to think about here is this is the last game both teams before making the final cuts. They have to audition the players they are looking at to see who to keep and who to cut loose. And that means there will be mismatches out there and those are going to be exploited to the nth degree. And even with that to think about, the Cowboys will still be the favorite in my book, based on the last game the Vikings played (a 12-10 loss to Pittsburgh). Cowboys win this one by a 24-16.

Home Plate

Sports Picks up to Halloween

Sports Picks up to Halloween

Friday
Stars (5-3-1) vs. Oilers (3-6-1)
Stars beat Oilers earlier this month in Edmonton. Look to see them do it again but in Dallas. Stars 4-2.

Saturday
Stars (5-3-1) vs. Coyotes (4-6-1)
Should be a good game. Dallas will be playing a back-to-back and Tyson Nash looks really good. Coyotes and Stars tie: 3-3

FC Dallas (13-10-11) vs. Rapids (13-7-13)
The records are actually Wins-Draws-Loses, by the way. In the point system, Dallas is ahead of them by 3 points. They are playing here, and honestly, the Rapids just stink on the road (3-4-9) with a winning percentage of .313. Dallas, however, has a winning percentage of .656 at home. Dallas is going to tear them a new head: 3-1. Yes, that’s tearing a new head in the world of Soccer.

Sunday
Cowboys (4-3) vs. Cardinals (2-4)
As far as points scored, Dallas doesn’t look all that bad. But, I am not all that impressed personally. The reason the ‘boys have won what they have is because the defense is stellar. The defense, however, seems to give up with the remainder of the 4th quarter to go… it varies game to game. I think that Dallas’ offense will be average at best during this game and Arizona will be held down a bit. Josh McCown has shown spark with a 2-1 mark in his last three and the game the Cards lost was by 4 to Carolina (4-2). I think if Arizona is in the game going into the final quarter, they realistically have a chance. And looking at the Cowboys season, they more than likely will be very much into the game at that point in time. The problem with Arizona is the rushing game. Arizona has not had a leading rusher over 54 yards. So the Cowboys will be thinking pass on just about every down and that will hurt Arizona’s chances in the long “run.” (Pun not intended, but in a way, it is) Cowboys take this one: 20-17.

Panthers (4-2) vs. Vikings (2-4)
In what is shaping up to be a very good division for the NFC South, Carolina stands as third. Delhomme, Foster, and Peppers are on the injured list. Delhomme is the one I am concerned about. Vikes are 0-3 on the road and Cats are 2-1 at home. Cats are coming off a well needed bye, and that will give them the well needed edge. Culpepper throws an interception 6% of the time. So, for every 20 passes, 1 is a pick. For every touchdown he throws, he connects twice to his opponent. Panthers 24-20.

Bears (3-3) vs. Lions (3-3)
The battle for the top. At least in their division. Chicago gives up only 11 points a game. Bears, however, are 0-2 on the road this year. The Liars, I mean Lions, are 2-1 at home. Where is Barry? On average, the Bears give up 15 points a game on the road. The two have played already this year, Bears destroying Detroit 38-6. Well, I don’t see that this time, but I do see the Bears taking this one. Look for Jones to be Barry re-incarnated. The guy has 3 games already over 130 yards! I think he takes that Pink Floyd song a little seriously (Run! Run! Run…). The thing, though is the Bears passing game… or lack there of. Bears win this one: 20-10.