Lockhart Line 1.31 Sports NBA: Lakers vs. Celtics halftime report NFL: Pro-Bowl preview

Lockdawg swaps some Sunday spit on the oldest and best NBA rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, at halftime Celtics lead LA 52-47 setting up a big second half. Lockdawg also previews the NFL Pro-bowl and this year's game comes ahead of the Superbowl and sets the stage for the big game in a new way. Be on the look out for some of the Cowboys that will perform like Tony Romo, Wade Phillips and De' Marcus Ware

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Lockhart Line: Dallas vs Minnesota.. End game report...Minnesota defeats Dallas 34-3

Lockhart Line Dallas vs Minnesota end game report... Brett Farve throws 4 TDs and Minnesota defeats Dallas 34-3, to end the dream season of the Cowboys. Lockdawg sends the Cowboys off into the off-season still pondering the future of coach Wade Phillips. Looks ahead to next weekend's NFC Championship match-up in New Orleans with the Saints and Vikings for a trip to the Superbowl!!

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See you next season Cowboys!!!

Lockhart Line Dallas vs Minnesota halftime report...Minnesota leads 17-3

Dallas vs. Minnesota halftime report...Minnesota leads 17-3 Doom and gloom for the Dallas Cowboys as they shoot themselves in the foot and are failing to live up to the hype after a forgettable half of football Dallas has to find a way to re-group in the second half if they are to keep the dream season alive.

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Lockhart Line 12.10 Lockhart Line 12.10 Lockdawg speaks on the latest news in sports

Lockdawg swaps some spit on the latest local DFW NBA (Dallas Mavericks) and NFL (Dallas Cowboys) news

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...err technical difficulties...here's part II

The Lockhart Line 12.3 - Lockdawg talks sports news of the day

12.3 Lockdawg swaps spit with the people on the recent woes of Tiger Woods the resurgent and "suddenly sound" Dallas Mavericks and special shout out to Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys!!

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Cowboys outlast Chiefs 26-20 in OT

The Dallas Cowboys have a new No. 1 receiver and his name is Miles Austin. Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense got going it in second half as Dallas torched the Kansas City secondary, finally sealing the victory with a spectacular 60-yard touchdown score by Miles Austin for the overtime win 26-20 at Arrowhead Stadium.

No Roy Williams, no Felix Jones, no problem. Right? Not so fast.

Playing against the winless Chiefs (0-5) on the road on a cold windy day, the Chiefs benefited early from Cowboys (3-2) miscues in the first half.

After Cowboys kicker Nick Folk, missed a 40-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter, the Chiefs failed to move the ball down the field and had to punt. But, thanks to a muffed punt from Patrick "thumbs" Crayton, the Chiefs were back in business at the Dallas 23-yard line on the next play.

The Dallas defense pestered Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel all day and sacked him on second down for a big loss. Then the defense was able to hold strong on third and 15 forcing Kansas City to kick a field goal early in the second quarter for a 3-0 lead.

Then on the ensuing drive the Cowboys stumbled and fumbled the snap from Gurode to Romo on second down. The Chiefs recovered inside the Cowboys 20-yard line after a brief run back by safety M. Brown.

A befuddled Cowboys defense lost contain on Matt Cassel on third and goal from the Cowboys one-yard line. Cassel took advantage of the extra step then heaved a throw across his body and found the venerable Mike Vrabel wide open in the endzone for a touchdown and 10-0 lead.

The Cowboys offense was having another Sunday meltdown when suddenly things started to click just before the half.

With 5:34 remaining in the second quarter Romo started to get his rhythm. Tony found fourth-year receiver Miles Austin (10 catches, 250 yards, 2 TDs) on two pretty passes during drive for 18 and 20 yards respectfully but Austin could not hold on to a sure touchdown pass at the two-minute warning and the Cowboys would ultimately settle for a field goal and go into the half down seven points, 10-3.

Read more at Bleacher Report

DEN-DAL: Denver Dumps Dallas...

The Denver Broncos played with the stamina of a champion against a stout Dallas defense rallying to score 17 unanswered points, and the only points of the second half with the final 10 coming in the fourth quarter at home to win the game 17-10 and remain unbeaten.
The game was a defensive slugfest for most of the afternoon and was finally broken open by the Broncos when Kyle Orton connected on a 51-yard touchdown strike to brazen and brash wide-receiver Brandon Marshall giving Denver their only lead of the game with 1:46 on the clock.
The Dallas Cowboys (2-2) arrived at Invesco Field to face the Broncos (4-0) with many unanswered questions about the mindset of their quarterback. They will leave with many of the same questions.
Staring a chance to overcome another forgettable Sunday afternoon Romo (25-42 255 yds, INT, 0 TDs) watched his chance at redemption fall harmlessly through the outstretched arms of Sam Hurd in the back of the endzone on a desperation fourth and goal play from the Denver 2-yard line with :01 remaining.

Read more on Bleacher Report.

Can Garrett's Offense Thrive Without a Deep Threat?

DALLAS - In just two seasons leading the Dallas Cowboys offense, Jason Garrett has proven that with a solid running game and at least one decent deep threat at wide receiver his offensive scheme can be one of the most productive in the league.

The unceremonious dismissal of the Cowboys purest vertical offensive threat, Terrell "the terrible" Owens, earlier this year signified to this observer that change was coming.

Whether it's a change for the better or a change worst is still up for debate.

The aching feeling fans still have in their gut over how last season ended with the 44-3 drubbing at the hands of the hated Philadelphia Eagles will only intensify if the Cowboys do not produce immediately in 2009.

Getting back a healthy Felix Jones at running back will help bolster the backfield and rejuvenate the mid-range passing attack. But, who will step up and help stretch the field 20 yards and beyond?

T. O., as unabashed as he may be about getting the ball thrown his way, with the brash receiver, the Cowboys offense ranked fifth in the league in passing in 2006 and fourth in 2007 respectfully.

Read more at Bleacher Report.

Cowboys feast on Seahawks, 34-9 for third straight win!!

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys(8-4) used a stifling defensive effort and another superb performance from Tony Romo and the rejuvenated offense to carve up the woeful Seattle Seahawks (2-10) 34-9 in the last Thanksgiving Day game played at famed Texas Stadium. The win is their third consecutive victory since Tony Romo returned from a pinkie injury on his throwing hand.

Without their starting quarterback they had only mustered a poor 2-4 record and many had begun to write them off. However, today's dominating win over a hapless and beat up Seahawks team, coupled with last week's victory over the upstart 49ers's and their victory over the hated Redskins, collectively seem to suggest that they are back on track and ready to re-claim their position as the favorite to hoist the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season.

"We have a lot of options in this offense," Romo said. "When you've got that, and your offensive line gives you time, you can just wait a little longer (in the play) for something to develop. I think we did that." (Dallas Cowboys.com)

The stingy Dallas defense was surely up to the challenge of playing on the main stage before the national TV audience on Thanksgiving. And with the entire country watching they turned in one of their best efforts so far this season by not allowing an offense touchdown all day and forcing two turnovers (fumble and interception). "We get a lot of hits on the quarterback. It's something that you have to do, I think, to be able to win. Our pass rush was really good. Hasselbeck had not been sacked that much (12 times). Their team overall had, but he hadn't. I thought we really got after him and got after the passing game." Linebacker DeMarcus Ware had an awesome three sack performance while Bradie James (2), Tank Johnson (1) and Greg Ellis (1) also contributed to the seven sack barrage.



Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, center, is sacked by Dallas linebacker Bradie James, left, during the second quarter.
(November 27, 2008) Associated Press

Ware and the rest of the Cowboys still recognize that they face some very real challenges ahead in December if they are going to realize their goal of reaching the Superbowl. First, things first, they have to get into the playoffs.

"Obviously, this helps out a lot but I think somebody in the locker room said last week, if the season ended today, we're still left out (of the playoffs)," Witten said. "You've got to have that mentality and understand the challenges that are ahead. It's still going to be even tougher as December rolls around." (AP)

But, are they really ready for December? Really? If history is any indication, the answer to that question is a resounding, "NO!!" The Cowboys have not had a winning record in December since the 2001 season. Their brutal upcoming schedule will not be easy. It includes games against the tough Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) on the road, back to back home tilts against the defending champion New York Giants (10-1) and the Ray Lewis led Baltimore Ravens (7-4) before the season finale in Philadelphia against the Eagles (5-6-1). But these Cowboys are up to the challenge and seeking to write a different chapter to their December season this year.


"We've still got to go forward and keep putting together wins to get in the playoffs, "said Tony Romo. "Our confidence level is that on any given Sunday we can compete with the best of anybody. It'll be interesting to see how we do going forward."

HELLO WIN COLUMN!!! Dallas eeks out defensive win against Bucs 13-9.

AP Photo/LM Otero

DALLAS - Whew! The fat lady can rest for another week. The Cowboys(5-3) "D" returned to form to make the difference today and possibly the rest of the season. The stifling "D" earned the hard fought 13 -9 win against the high flying Tampa Buccaneers (5-3) before a capacity crowd at Texas Stadium. It wasn't pretty early or often, but it was pretty effective.

"Coming through at the end, that's what you have to do," Phillips said. "Our defense certainly stepped up today. Our offense had a tough time, but that touchdown before the half was a big, big play." (ESPN.com)



Fast Facts

• Leading by four, the Cowboys stopped a late Buccaneers drive in Dallas territory to hold on and snap their two-game losing skid.

• Brad Johnson went 19-for-33 for 122 yards with 1 TD and no interceptions. He had three interceptions last week against the Rams.

• The Buccaneers had six drives into Dallas territory but come away with only three field goals. Jeff Garcia had 228 passing yards with no TDs or picks in the loss.

• Terrell Owens had five catches for 33 yards. He has only 11 catches and 100 receiving yards in his past three games.

• Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware failed to record a sack, snapping his NFL record-tying streak of 10 games with at least one sack.

-- ESPN research






The last few weeks have been really tough mentally and physically for the players and coaching staff. Getting the hard nosed win helped everyone breathe a much needed sigh of relief. After the defense held Tampa out of the end zone in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter to seal the victory, the Cowboys sideline erupted with elation. But, this veteran team remains poised and optimistic towards the future. "If we allow it to be more than a win, then it can be," linebacker Greg Ellis said. "We have to take the same approach each week, but if we don't build on this, then this one will be just like one of the rest."(dallasnews.com)

ATTENTION DALLAS COWBOYS FANS...STEP AWAY FROM THE LEDGE!!

DALLAS, Texas - The October nightmare that is rapidly becoming the Dallas Cowboys 2008 season keeps getting more outlandish everyday. After suffering a gut wrenching 30-24 overtime defeat on Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys learned that their fortunes on the had taken a significant turn for the worse. The past few years had been kind to the Cowboys injury-wise but the chickens have finally come home to roost.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Yesterday, A*K*A Blue Monday, the Cowboys found out that they would be without the services of starting quarterback Tony Romo for a month with a displaced pinkie fracture on his throwing hand. Although Coach Phillips was not ready to concede that he would be without his starting quarterback that long.



"We don't know how long he'll be out," Phillips said. "It depends how fast that heals, but he did do it on his throwing hand at the end of the game and he obviously had trouble throwing the ball on the last series there in overtime. The next two passes he couldn't grip the ball. He had sprained his finger before (in his career) and he thought that's what it was.

"It's a fracture that needs to heal. I'd say week-to-week right now depending on how quickly he heals. Different people heal differently as far as those things are concerned." (truebluefanclub.com)

Next came the news that rookie running back sensation Felix Jones would be out for at least two weeks with a strained hamstring he suffered in the same game against the Cardinals. He is still pending the results of an MRI.

News that pro-bowl punter Matt McBriar had suffered a fractured bone in his kicking foot on the final play in overtime on Sunday came next. And by all accounts, it appeared that the apocalypse was starting in Big D. McBriar's injury will require surgery causing him to be placed on inactive reserve (IR) essentially ending his season.













ROAD TO THE SUPERBOWL DETOUR AHEAD

If there is anyone outside of the Cowboys locker room that still believes this team is Superbowl ready then they need their heads examined. But, since everyone has jumped off of the bandwagon, there should be plenty of room for the players and coaches to come together and save their season.

Greek philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca once said,"What you think of yourself is much more important than what others think of you."

Tony Romo specifically, has to stop reading the negative stories in the tabloids, newspapers and blog sites which had been largely "lovey dovey" with the guy for most of his short career but have now turned against him and his team. Instead of reading all of the gloom and doom predictions he and the rest of the Cowboys have to turn their entire focus to the real mission at hand, which is winning a Superbowl. It starts right here, and right now!!

Dallas thrwarts valiant Eagles with another historic Monday night at Texas Stadium

IRVING, Texas - Whew! What a game! What a game! The Dallas Cowboys prevailed in an early season epic and proved to be tough enough to defeat a feisty Philadelphia Eagles team 41-37 in the 28th and final Monday night game played at Texas Stadium.

This was a game for the ages, that was electrifying from start to finish.


In his post game news conference, Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips rightfully praised Philadelphia's star quarterback Donovan McNabb. "If anybody thinks Donovan McNabb is too old or can't play anymore then they're absolutely wrong" said Phillips.

Donovan McNabb, now fully recovered from the injuries which plagued him the last two seasons, proved that he is back and better than ever Monday night. When this guy is healthy his value to the Eagles team, is immeasurable. He took on several rushes from the Cowboys defenders and broke tackles like a running back. He remained poised in the pocket and completed precision passes the entire game finishing 25/37 for 281 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles started the scoring early, kicking a short field goal for 3-0 lead after a good drive stalled at the Dallas 16-yard line with an incompletion. Dallas then countered quickly on their first possession with a 72-yard bomb from Romo to a wide open Terrell Owens. Mr."Get ya popcorn ready" ran untouched past the Eagles secondary and Cris Carter in the record books, for second place all time in touchdown receptions with his 131st career touchdown. The catch was the longest of his career as a Cowboy and gave Dallas a quick 7-3 lead. The Dallas defense stiffened again on the next series, holding Philly to another a short field goal to push the game to 7-6.

Just as the first quarter was winding down, the capacity crowd at Texas Stadium was treated and delighted to a majestic kickoff return of 98 yards by rookie Felix Jones an 8 point lead for Dallas at 14- 6.

A weird sequence of miscues by Tony Romo would cost Dallas 14 points. First, after successfully avoiding a would be tackler, Tony Romo threw a very forgettable interception to Eagles cornerback Asanti Samuel. A phantom pass-interference penalty against Anthony Henry, moved the ball inside the Dallas 10 yard line and
the Eagles capitalized quickly. A short touchdown pass from McNabb to Brian Westbrook made it a 14-13 game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dallas was hit with an illegal blocking penalty on the return and was backed up inside it's own five yard line. After taking the snap from center, Romo fumbled the hand off to Barber. The football rolled around in the Cowboys' end zone for an eternity before the Eagles recovered for the touchdown to take a surprising lead, 20-14.

Later in second quarter, Tony Romo shook off his earlier mistakes by leading Dallas on a long touchdown scoring drive of 56 yards. The short touchdown pass to Terrell Owens (132) helped the Cowboys retake the lead briefly, 21-20. Donovan McNabb refused let his team fall too far behind the Cowboys. Midway through the second quarter, McNabb avoided a furious Dallas rush and hit rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson over the middle for a long 61-yard completion and a sure touchdown. Then unexpectedly before, Jackson could cross the goal line, he stupidly threw the ball away behind himself back into the field of play, in a pre-mature touchdown celebration. The play was ruled a touchdown on the field but Dallas smartly challenged. The Cowboys won the challenge because the ball never crossed the goal-line but since the Cowboys didn't pick up the ball, the referee awards the ball to the Eagles at the Dallas one yard line. Thankfully DeSeah, the Eagles score on the next play with short run by Brian Westbrook and they take reclaim the lead, 27-21. The Cowboys and Eagles would trade field goals to wrap up the quarter and end the second highest scoring first half in a Monday night game with a 30-24 score.

The second half stage was set for one of those epic NFC East battles, that hinged on which team blinked first after half-time. When the Dallas offense failed to sustain their opening drive of the half, the Dallas defense stepped up their game. The second half scheme shelved the Philly air and running attacks. The explosive Eagles had scored 24 points in the second quarter, was virtually silent in the third and fourth quarters only scoring seven points.

The Cowboys defense showed a lot moxie tonight. They took all of the Eagles' punches in the first half and then they delivered the final knockout in the second half with stiff hard -nosed championship style defense. They also forced a crucial fumble and turnover on downs to seal the victory. The superb Dallas defense took control of a game that had plenty of ebb and flow until to the end. The Cowboys' fumble recovery of Donovan's only miscue proved to be just what the doctor ordered. On a what looked like a botched reverse play, McNabb short-armed the hand off to Westbrook and Dallas recovered the ball. The late fumble cost the Eagles a sure three points which could have pushed their lead back to six points. Dallas had just cut their lead to only three points after long Nick Folk field goal. The turnover would lead to bruising one yard touchdown run by Marion "the Barbarian" Barber with 4:35 left to play. The pendulum had finally swung to the Cowboys favor, yet the game was far from over. Not until the Cowboys stopped a desperation hook and ladder attempt by the Eagles on 4th 17 with a 1:10 remaining did they have a chance to exhale. Tony Romo salted away clock by taking the victory formation two times. The Cowboys victory moves them to 2-0 on the young season.

Fans were treated to a truly spectacular game Monday night that many will remember for years to come. The win also allowed Dallas to remain even at 2-0 with the defending Superbowl champion New York Giants, in the NFC East division. If these two teams stay healthy, one can only imagine what the final game of the season between these two power houses will be like when they face off for the rematch in Philadelphia.


GO COWBOYS!!