NFC North

Examining the NFL Playoffs Through Food

It's that time of year again. Every January my food-perverse mind converts professional football teams into dishes as a way to explore great food from around the country. Last year we enjoyed a lively discussion as different teams jockeyed for a chance to play in the Superbowl, and I'm hoping this y ... More >>

Should the Dallas Cowboys Go Socialist?

Cowboys fans no doubt had high hopes that something would come of that White House petition to remove Jerry Jones as owner of the Cowboys. Alas, the White House removed the petition from its web site, claiming it was because it had nothing to do with the operation of the federal government but reall ... More >>

Forbes Proves it With Science: Cowboys Have the Best Fans

With the start of the NFL season this week, Forbes has been in something of a football-list-making frenzy. We were reminded, for example, that Drew Brees is the league's highest-paid player and that you're very own Dallas Cowboys is the most valuable team in football. This afternoon, Forbes gave Ame ... More >>

At the New Dallas' Red Carpet Premier, Patrick Duffy Will Sign My Step By Step Box Set

I was 6 when Dallas went off the air, so I have been spared thus far, mercifully from everything I hear, from ever having to watch an episode. I haven't been able to maintain the level of ignorance that I would have liked, since on occasion when I've mention my hometown in places that aren't Texas, ... More >>

Introducing the NFL Playoffs of Food

I've been looking forward to this series of posts since mid-fall, when our new Sportatorium folks joined the City of Ate fray. You see, I can think of no more perfect marriage than sports and food. And I consummate this union every year with an annual football-themed degustation. Before you skewer ... More >>

Whitt's End: 9.23.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Doomsday scenario for Monday Night Football: Quarterback Jon Kitna. Running back DeMarco Murray. Receivers Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley and Dwayne Harris. Center Kevin Kowalski. Left guard ... More >>

Betting On the Cowboys is Not a Good idea

But it's probably no better than gambling on any other team, so go ahead and be a homer.

The Road to 8-8: A Week-by-Week Look at the 2011 Cowboys

Because it wouldn't be a newspaper football preview without piss-in-the-wind game predictions.

2011 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Day 7: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. For a couple of anxious minutes last Friday the Cowboys thought they'd signed Nnamdi Asomugha. Then on Monday for a curious second we thought they'd acquired Bears' receiver/returner Devin Hester. Huh is right. DallasCowboys.com sent out a text/Tweet yesterday announcing "Cowboys Si ... More >>

In Defense of ... LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem"

I'm guessing most people who read my "The Problem With..." column think that I loathe all pop music as processed drivel that appeals to the unwashed masses. Well, believe it or not, I actually like a lot of that drivel. Hence this new column, "In Defense of...," which will highlight some ... More >>

2011 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Day 6: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Per the new collective bargaining agreement, the Cowboys are tweaking their San Antonio schedule. Today's padded practice ends at 4:15 p.m. instead of 5:30. Off day is moved from Wednesday to tomorrow. Plan accordingly. 9. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan keeps calling cornerba ... More >>

Whitt's End: 7.29.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *I know one practice doesn't make a career and, as Bill Parcells says, let's hold off on shipping that bust to Canton, but Cowboys' first-round draft pick Tyron Smith looks like a beast ... More >>

The Greatest Individual Playoff Performance in the History of Dallas-Fort Worth Sports. Is Dirk's Dominant?

​The Mavs can play better than they did in Game 1 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals. For the first time in the playoffs they allowed 100 points, 112 to be exact. The Thunder grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and, according to Mavs' coach Rick Carlisle, corralled 13 of the game's 20 loose bal ... More >>

Texas A&M Quarterback Jerrod Johnson Falls From Heisman to Hartford

One thing I will do is admit when I'm wrong. And Aggies fans, I was wrong about this one and y'all were right. Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson was indeed good enough to be a first-round draft pick. In the United Football League. The Hartford Colonials last night made Johnson the firs ... More >>

My Mock NFL Draft: Don't Miss It, Even if Your Wife's in Labor

Tyron Smith: The next Dallas Cowboy?​The Cowboys need help at safety. Their 2010 pass defense was the worst in the 50-year history of the storied franchise and two culprits were Gerald Sensabaugh and Alan Ball. Problem: The Cowboys won't take a safety with the 9th pick in tonight's NFL Draf ... More >>

Barring a Lockout, Here's Who Your Dallas Cowboys Will Play in August

​If the Dallas Cowboys have a training camp this summer, they'll spend it in San Antonio's Alamodome. That's great news for critics who reasoned that last year's 1-7 start that got head coach Wade Phillips fired was a product of a marketing campaign of a preseason that saw them play five game ... More >>

When Underdogs Rule We're Left With March ... Badness

​I picked exactly one team of March Madness' Elite Eight and I long ago lost all of my Final Four (Pittsburgh, Louisville, San Diego State and Washington). But after a weekend of shocking upsets don't tell me your bracket isn't likewise busted. CBS cherishes a Cinderella and Americans ... More >>

March Madness, NFL Style: DeMarcus Ware a Madden Cover Boy?

​While in the midst of a lockout, the NFL owners and players these days can't even agree on what they disagree on. What to do for a football junkie? I know, let's have a March Madness-style tournament, the winner of which gets as his prize: The cover of the Madden 2012 video game. Wait, what? ... More >>

If and When the NFL Returns, Its Returns Will Be Boring

Safety? Jesus doesn't even need a helmet. ​I grew up watching an NFL with kick-offs from the 40-yard line and goal posts positioned in the end zone, so I cherish my modern-day returns. And I know the league has a new focus on health and safety, but I don't like the proposed rule changes bei ... More >>

Jerry Jones Puts On a Show During NFL Labor Negotiations, and Gets Panned

​You've waited for this moment all your life. Practiced. Rehearsed. Trained. Sacrificed. Compromised. Even went to college class, some of the time. But now, on the eve of a major company extending you a lucrative dream job, veteran workers at the company are suddenly urging you not to ac ... More >>

Jerry Jones, in the wake of his 6-10 season and a disastrous Super Bowl, is officially humbled.

Even for Ex-Cowboys who barely played a down on Super Bowl Sundays, the memories don't fade

Welcome, Cheeseheads and Towlettes! Let Us Show You How to Get the True Big D Experience

Maurkice Pouncey's Injury: It Ain't Sexy, But It's Significant

​The Pittsburgh Steelers love to run the ball. Right up the gut and through the heart of their opponents. Always have. Always will. In their proud history the Steelers have boasted centers Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson and now, rookie Maurkice Pouncey. Pittsburgh so loved the Florida li ... More >>

The Super Bowl Prostitute Myth: 100,000 Hookers Won't Be Showing Up in Dallas

Can Dallas Cowboys fans forgive new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan for the sins of his father?

Jerry Jones Says Trash Your NFL Mock Drafts

​What we saw in 2010 were the record number of yards and points allowed by the Dallas Cowboys' defense. We remember the eye-popping, heart-gouging 33 passing touchdowns surrendered. Apparently owner Jerry Jones saw something different. Either that, or the Cowboys have their eye on a cornerbac ... More >>

Steelers 24, Jets 19: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Some of us said all week that with the way the Jets celebrated wildly in New England, it was if they'd already won their Super Bowl. Proved astute right out of the gate as the Steelers set the tone with a 15-play, 66-yard touchdown drive to open the game. The Jets weren't emoti ... More >>

Tony Romo Golf = Bad Decision?

​Last time we saw Tony Romo in action he was sprawled out on his back October 25 at Cowboys Stadium, victim of a vicious sack that resulted in a broken collar bone. Eventually placed on injured reserve, Romo missed the Cowboys' final 10 games of the disastrous season. Even though he's be ... More >>

Look Who's NOT Coming to Dallas for Super Bowl XLV

After a wildly entertaining weekend of the NFL playoffs, the following will not be playing in Arlington on February 6: *Michael Vick *Peyton Manning *Who Dat?! *The Dallas-born Kansas City Chiefs Despite intriguing story lines being buried, that was some damn skippy football. Three wins by ro ... More >>

Cowboys 14, Eagles 13: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​How about a nice round of applause for Sam Merten? Nice job, Sam. Splendid actually. Thank you. And with that ... we now return to your regularly scheduled Sportatorium. 10. A year ago the Cowboys finished the regular season with a win over the Eagles. This year the Cowboys finished the regu ... More >>

Ten Items Worth a Look-See: Mavs, Stars, Cowboys, Rangers and Fox News Pundit Says Michael Vick "Should Have Been Executed"

The fans gave him a break, and even President Obama applauded Vick's return to the NFL. Tucker Carlson of Fox News? Not so much.​10. Mark Teixeira says teammate Andy Pettitte's "probably leaning toward retirement," which is good news for the Texas Rangers and everyone else aiming to win the AL pen ... More >>

Whitt's End: 12.17.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Tony Romo took girlfriend Candice Crawford to the top of Reunion Tower last night to celebrate her 24th birthday. And then, yep, he popped the question. Very cliched and Dallasy of him, but cool. ... More >>

Go For Two

Eagles 30, Cowboys 27: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. DeSean Jackson is fun to watch, and so easy to hate. After his 91-yard catch-and-run touchdown he stopped at the 1 and slowly fell backward into the end zone. Where's George Teague when you need him? 9. At 4-9 the Cowboys are officially losers (for the first time since '04) and  ... More >>

The Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving: My Top 10 All-Time Turkey Games

​It was 16 years ago today that a red-headed backup quarterback from Princeton authored one of the most amazing holiday scripts in Dallas Cowboys' history. Thanksgiving Day, 1994. With Troy Aikman and Rodney Peete out with injuries, Dallas' third-stringer stepped in and promptly fell behind t ... More >>

Cowboys 33, Giants 20: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. It took all of one play to smack you in the kisser with the fact that these were not your same ol' Stumbledoofus Cowboys. Bruised ribs and all, cornerback Terence Newman tackled Mario Manningham for a 2-yard loss after a catch on New York's first play. Against the Packers last week ... More >>

Good-Bye Wade Phillips: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Good to the last drop, hours after being fired Monday, Wade showed up at Cowboys Stadium for a previously scheduled charity event. He's a better man than me for dang sure. 9. Lose some games? Jerry Jones has been down that road. But lose gobs of TV viewers? Heads will roll. The Cowboys' ... More >>

Packers 45, Cowboys 7: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. As of now, Wade Phillips has his regularly scheduled press conference today at 4 p.m. from Valley Ranch. But stay tuned. 9. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff vomited near the bench in the fourth quarter. Fans beat him to it hours earlier. 8. Seven points. Four turnovers. A 38-point defeat that fel ... More >>

Dallas Cowboys' 2009 Draft Class = The Really Dirty Dozen

​At the time - April 30, 2009 - I called the Dallas Cowboys' draft class of 2009 a "dirty dozen." And, no, it was a compliment. Fast-forward to today and, unfortunately, it's uglier than ever. Making room on the roster for a tight end in light of another injury to another tight end (Martellus ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 5

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a tradema ... More >>

Whitt's End: 10.1.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Sobering number right outta the gate: Since July 1 the Texas Rangers are 42-40. Are we fooling ourselves thinking they're an elite team that can actually win a playoff series against one of the ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 3

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings - if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademarke ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 2

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings - if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademarke ... More >>

Dan Hampton Says Your Dallas Cowboys are Gay. I think.

Haven't thought about Dan Hampton in a while. Some of you may not have ever heard of him. Hampton, a defensive tackle, played at Arkansas and then was a member of the famed 1985 Chicago Bears and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's always had a big mouth, we just haven't heard i ... More >>

Rookie Receiver Dez Bryant Has The Talent To Take The Cowboys To The Championship. But Does He Also Possess The Temperament To Push Them Into Chaos?

Mike Modano: OUR Star Could Become THEIR Star

​After saying that he's 75-percent leaning toward not retiring and playing hockey again next season, all-time star of the Dallas Stars Mike Modano is now thinking the unthinkable - putting on the sweater of another team. Mike Modano, Detroit Red Wings? Criiiiiiiiiiinge. It's still a situ ... More >>

The Top 10 Greatest Coaches in the History of Ever

Tom Landry's Statue​John Wooden had three golden rules that, come to think of it, would make us all better humans: Be on time. Don't curse. Never criticize your friends. The legendary UCLA basketball coach left our planet a worse place over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy of 10 national ... More >>

Mom Jeans

See celebrity moms strut their stuff

Fit to be fried

Idaho's potato king accuses a dead Dallas oilman and his sons of a multimillion-dollar scam