SB Nation Dallas: All Posts by Chris Whitehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-12-31T10:45:34-06:00https://dallas.sbnation.com/authors/chris-white/rss2012-12-31T10:45:34-06:002012-12-31T10:45:34-06:00Dallas pick Jesse Williams in SB Nation mock draft
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<figcaption>Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Dallas Cowboys will add to their defensive front with Alabama DT Jesse Williams, according to an SB Nation mock draft.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Cowboys</a> will be picking 18th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft after just barely missing out on the playoff picture. With plenty of holes on the 8-8 squad, there will be plenty of options for them to pursue in the draft, and SB Nation's latest <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2012/12/31/3820618/2013-nfl-mock-draft">2013 NFL Mock Draft </a>has them going for a big one, the nose tackle position.</p>
<p>Josh Brent may never play again after his involvement in the death of teammate <span>Jerry Brown</span>, and the rest of the team's options could probably do with a boost, so SBN's mock has the Cowboys going for Alabama DT Jesse Williams:</p>
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<p>Nose tackle <span>Jay Ratliff</span> played in just six games this season and may be due for a more rotational role for the Cowboys. With <span>Josh Brent's</span> playing future looking bleak, Williams could be a great two-down player for the Cowboys, while Ratliff plays inside on third-down passing situations.</p>
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<p>The big Australian nose tackle originally played for Arizona Western College before moving to Alabama and anchoring the front for the Crimson Tide's 3-4 defense the past two seasons. He helped to lead the Tide to a national championship in 2011 and will be looking for another one this year against Notre Dame.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-cowboys/2012/12/31/3821628/2013-nfl-mock-draft-cowboys-jesse-williamsChris White2012-12-31T07:00:26-06:002012-12-31T07:00:26-06:00Ok. State heavy favorite in Heart of Dallas Bowl
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<p>The Oklahoma State Cowboys are currently a 17-point favorite over the Purdue Boilermakers going into the Heart of Dallas Bowl.</p> <p>Unsurprisingly, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/purdue-boilermakers">Purdue Boilermakers</a> aren't getting much love from oddsmakers going into the Heart of Dallas Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Though the opening odds have been shaved down a bit in Purdue's favor, the<a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/purdue-oklahoma-state-odds-january-1-2013"> Cowboys are currently still a 17-point favorite</a>.</p>
<p>Looking at the statistics for both teams, it's easy to see why the Boilermakers are such heavy underdogs. Though the Cowboys only finished with one more win than Purdue over the season, the Cowboys had a far superior offense with 44.7 points per game compare to Purdue's 29.9 points per game. Defensively, the two teams were similar.</p>
<p>The Cowboys also had the disadvantage of playing in the loaded Big 12 conference -- with teams like Texas, Baylor and Kansas State -- while the Boilermakers had to deal with the relatively more tame Big Ten.</p>
<p>The full odds and lines for every Bowl Game can be found over at <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/">Odds Shark</a>.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/12/31/3811744/2013-heart-of-dallas-bowl-oklahoma-state-purdue-odds-spreadChris White2012-12-17T10:02:44-06:002012-12-17T10:02:44-06:00Fractured finger doesn't slow Dez Bryant
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<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dez Bryant had a great game against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite playing with a fractured finger.</p> <p><span>Dez Bryant</span> fractured his finger during last week's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> and it came out shortly after that he would need surgery on the finger. Fortunately for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a>, he wasn't slowed down by the injured finger during Dallas' big win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> on Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>Bryant put together a four-catch game for 59 yards, a 24-yard touchdown among them. He has been one of the brightest stars for the team in their late season resurgence, catching eight touchdowns during the 5-1 run that has put them right back in the thick of things in the NFC East.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2012/12/dez-bryant-comes-to-play-fractured-finger-and-all.html">He impressed his teammates with the big performance</a> through injury. After the game, tight end <span>Jason Witten</span> said, "He really stepped up, and he’s a big-time player, and I think he showed it tonight. He’s in the fraternity of tough guys. That’s not easy to do what he did."</p>
<p>Bryant will eventually need to have surgery, but as long as he keeps putting performances up like he did Sunday, he'll probably remain on the Cowboys starting unit.</p>
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<br>Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2012/12/dez-bryant-comes-to-play-fractured-finger-and-all.html#storylink=cpy</div>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-cowboys/2012/12/17/3776468/cowboys-vs-steelers-2012-dez-bryantChris White2012-12-10T11:00:17-06:002012-12-10T11:00:17-06:00Cowboys pondering immobilizing players cars
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<p>The Dallas Cowboys could put into place a mandate requiring that players use electronic devices that would immobilize their cars if intoxicated, according to Cowboys consultant Calvin Hill.</p> <p>Since <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> nose tackle <span>Josh Brent</span> was arrested following a car crash that killed linebacker Jerry Brown Jr., Calvin Hill has been pondering ways to make the team's players more safe.</p>
<p>Hill, a consultant for the Cowboys with the role of administering off-the-field support programs, put forth one idea that could stop future drunk-driving incidents from occurring. He threw out the idea of <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2F2012%2F12%2F09%2Fdallas-cowboys-mull-safekey-josh-brent-jerry-brown-intoxication-manslaughter%2F1757019%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fdallas.sbnation.com%2Ffrontrunners_paradise%2F2012%2F12%2F10%2F3750876%2Fdallas-cowboys-immobilizing-cars-josh-brent" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">mandating that Cowboys players would have to use electronic devices inside of their cars which would immobilize the vehicles if the driver was impaired</a>.</p>
<p>It's not known whether or not the NFL Players Association would allow such a mandate to go into effect. The NFL does have programs in place to stop drunk driving, including a program that allows players to call for rides when they can't drive safely.</p>
<p>Hill also said that the team could use a program developed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which are already in use by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/frontrunners_paradise/2012/12/10/3750876/dallas-cowboys-immobilizing-cars-josh-brentChris White2012-12-10T10:42:08-06:002012-12-10T10:42:08-06:00Purdue has new coach prior to Heart of Dallas bowl
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<p>The Purdue Boilermakers have a new head coach in Darrell Hazell, but he will not be coaching them in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.</p> <p>Purdue's coaching search following their firing of Danny Hope on Nov. 25 is over, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/purdue-hires-football-coach-darrell-143254840--ncaaf.html">as the team announced that they would be bringing in Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell for next year</a>.</p>
<p>A former disciple of Jim Tressel, Hazell spent two years with Kent State and turned heads with an improved 5-7 record in 2011 and an 11-2 record in 2012, leading the Golden Flashes to their first winning season since 2001. He was a win away from being in a BCS game, which would have been the first one ever for a MAC school.</p>
<p>His resume was good enough for Purdue to sign him to what is reportedly a six-year deal worth $12 million.</p>
<p>Hazell will not actually be coaching the Boilermakers during the Heart of Dallas Bowl. He will be with Kent State for one final game after leading them to the GoDaddy.com Bowl, where they will play Arkansas State. Patrick Higgins has been named the interim coach for Purdue against Oklahoma State on Jan. 1.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/12/10/3750814/darell-hazell-purdue-coachChris White2012-12-09T07:02:29-06:002012-12-09T07:02:29-06:00Dallas Marathon weather, road closures and more
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<p>The Dallas Marathon will kick off on Sunday, and there is good weather being forecasted.</p> <p>The Dallas Marathon, the first of a three-race series called the Texas Marathons, will begin on Sunday. The first leg of the race will go for 26.2 miles and will be followed by the Houston Marathon and the Austin Marathon. Getting an official time from the race can qualify you for the famous Boston Marathon in Massachusetts.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/Dallas+TX+USTX0327:1:US">The Weather Channel </a>is projecting very good weather for the first leg of the marathon on Sunday, with 75 degree temperatures being overshadowed only by a very small chance of rain and wind. A detailed map of all of the road closures that will be caused by the marathon <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/dallas/road-closures">here</a>.</p>
<p>The marathon will officially begin on Sunday at 8:05 a.m. CT, with the start line closing at 8:45. Registration for people who want to run, donations to the race and everything else regarding the marathon can be found on the<a href="http://www.dallasmarathon.com/"> official Dallas Marathon website.</a></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/12/9/3740240/2012-dallas-marathon-weather-road-closuresChris White2012-12-09T07:00:17-06:002012-12-09T07:00:17-06:00Cowboys vs. Bengals: Preview, game time and more
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<figcaption>Tom Pennington</figcaption>
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<p>The Dallas Cowboys will head to Ohio to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in a key game for both teams' playoff hopes.</p> <p>If the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they're going to need to start winning games with a bit more consistency. They beat the bottom-feeding <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> for the second time this season last weekend, and are currently 6-6 and in second place in the NFC East behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>. Their next test will be a tough one, heading to Ohio to meet the high-flying <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>.</p>
<p>Cincinnati has done well to prove that last season's playoff appearance was not a fluke, with <span>Andy Dalton</span> leading the team to a 7-5 record thus far. They have won their last four games and are only sitting two games back of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> in the AFC Central division, which makes this a key game in the playoff race for both teams.</p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time</b>: Sunday, Noon CT</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: Paul Brown Stadium</p>
<p><b>TV Schedule</b>: FOX</p>
<p><b>TV Distribution Map</b>: <a href="http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/">The506.com</a></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-cowboys/2012/12/9/3725184/bengals-cowboys-2012-schedule-game-time-tv-injury-updatesChris White2012-11-27T07:01:10-06:002012-11-27T07:01:10-06:00Cowboys face Eagles for second time on Sunday
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<figcaption>Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Dallas Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the first meeting between the two teams, and they will meet for the rematch on Sunday. </p> <p>Less than a month after their first meeting this season, the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Cowboys</a> and <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a> will meet for their second game of the year on Dec. 2. The Cowboys took the first meeting, 38-23, but it will still be a game between two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL.</p>
<p>With the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a> taking control of the NFC East with their win over the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Green Bay Packers</a>, the Cowboys and Eagles are both being left in the dust. Philly (3-8) has just about no chance left to salvage their lost season, and the Cowboys (5-6) are in danger of being left behind by the suddenly hot <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Redskins</a>. Getting a second win over the Eagles will give Dallas an outside chance at a Wild Card spot.</p>
<p>Going into the game, Philly is on a seven-game losing streak and is currently one of the lowest-scoring teams playing in the NFC.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL88E6B4E121781B75&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-cowboys/2012/11/27/3693806/cowboys-vs-eagles-2012-streamChris White2012-11-23T10:30:09-06:002012-11-23T10:30:09-06:00Cowboys vs. Redskins: Dallas needs to be flexible
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<figcaption>Tom Pennington</figcaption>
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<p>If the Dallas Cowboys are going to win games in the second half of the season, Blogging The Boys says they need to show the flexibility that they showed in the second half against the Redskins.</p> <p>Injuries have hit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> fairly hard during the 2012 season, and a lot of shuffling, particularly on the offensive line, was present during their 38-31 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> on Thanksgiving day. The team showed their bruises in the first half as <span>Robert Griffin III</span> ran all over them and took the Skins into the break with a sizable lead. In the second half, the Cowboys managed to pull themselves back into it with a hurry-up offense led by <span>Tony Romo</span> and some solid play from the patchwork O-Line.</p>
<p>Of course, the Cowboys still lost, but the second half showed a lot more promise than anything in the first half indicated they had in them.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/11/23/3680794/the-cowboys-season-summed-up-in-one-play">Cowboys blog Blogging The Boys</a> saw the results that the second half brought for the Cowboys, and came up with a simple conclusion -- the Cowboys need to be a lot more flexible as the season goes along if they want to keep winning football games and perhaps sneak their way back into the playoff picture as the season winds down:</p>
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<p>"However that turns out, I think it is time for the team to focus inward. Don't worry about the standings right now, because this increasingly looks like a .500 team, give or take a win. But even if the playoffs are beginning to look out of reach, there is no reason this season cannot end on an upswing. To do that, it is time to be flexible. Put some different players out there, especially when a starter is struggling a bit. Let Romo speed things up on the field. Take some chances. There is not very much to lose, and with some luck, there may still be something to gain this year."</p>
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<p>Dallas will face another division rival, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, in their next game following their long post-Thanksgiving break on Dec. 2.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-cowboys/2012/11/23/3682214/cowboys-vs-redskins-2012Chris White2012-11-23T08:56:58-06:002012-11-23T08:56:58-06:00TCU vs. Texas: Frogs defense is back in business
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<p>TCU's dominating defense might be on its way back, if recent results are anything to go by. They showed up big time in TCU's 20-13 win over the Texas Longhorns.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/tcu-horned-frogs">TCU Horned Frogs</a> dominated with fantastic defensive performances in their best years of the past decade, but they were missing some of that defensive dominance last season and for large chunks of this year. In recent games, the 20-13 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-longhorns">Texas Longhorns</a> included, that defense has started to rear its head again. TCU's near-miss against the Kansas State Wildcats, where they dominated the game defensively but still barely lost in the end, was another solid, recent example.</p>
<p>Following the Texas game, Horned Frogs blog <a href="http://frogsowar.com">Frogs O War</a> let all of its editors have a take on the game, and <a href="http://www.frogsowar.com/2012/11/22/3681136/tcu-horned-frogs-20-texas-longhorns-13-postgame-analysis">Purple Wimple gave a glowing review of the defensive performance</a> that the Frogs were able to put together:</p>
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<p>Wow<span>—</span> the Purple People Eaters are back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was evident against Kansas State that this defense had begun to be the monster we all missed last season, and at times this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in Austin the monster's growl became a roar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Devonte Fields is not the Big 12 freshman of the year, I'd like to see who is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135250/jason-verrett">Jason Verrett</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114579/elisha-olabode">Elisha Olabode</a> are not first-team Big 12 defensive backs, I'd like to see who is.</p>
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<p>TCU will be returning 10 players on defense next season, so the flashes of brilliance and occasional solid game performances that the unit has put together in 2012 should get even better going into 2013.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2012/11/23/3681900/wvu-tcu-2012-reactionChris White