Mention the Dallas Cowboys in any circle, and the conversation is sure to get heated. The Cowboys (and perhaps the Patriots) are the most loved and most hated team in the NFL. While Dallas has taken great strides in cleaning up the "character issues" of the '90's, there is still a false perception of thuggery and criminal behavior, where once again, as in the '90's, the inmates are running the asylum. The truth is, this misconception couldn't be farther from the truth.

Foundation Of The Modern Misconception

During the 1990's the Dallas Cowboys rivaled the soap opera show Dallas for most intense drama. The most flamboyant Cowboy of all - Michael Irvin - made J.R. Ewing look comparatively tame and innocent. There were story lines of sex, drugs, attempted murder and murder for hire allegations that made it quite embarrassing to be a Cowboy fan.

Fans saw Irvin, the Cowboys' All-Pro receiver and a married man, charged with felony drug possession. They saw a man purported to be Irvin on secretly recorded videotape, talking about buying and using drugs. They read about an extortionist who, alleging that Irvin owed him money for drugs, threatened to blow up the offices of Irvin's attorney.

And then, in the story's darkest twist, fans learned that a Dallas police officer was accused of soliciting Irvin's murder after the football star reportedly threatened the officer's girlfriend (a stripper), a potential witness against him.

There was "The White House," code among the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990's for a house nearby their practice facility where some partook in illegal activities. "We got a little place over here where we're running some #### in and out, trying to be responsible," as Nate Newton said, "and we're criticized for that, too."

Remember this all came on the coat tails of Jerry Jones firing Tom Landry, one of the most revered members of the Cowboys franchise. As the story goes, Mr. Landry was playing golf in Austin when he received the news via telephone from a friend who had heard on the radio that Landry was fired and that he was replaced by University Of Miami coach Jimmy Johnson.

Personally, I struggled with the questions like "What does a city gain if it wins a Super Bowl but loses its soul? Do we forgive Irvin and forget because he catches passes and wins games?

A Change In Course

In May of 1997 Former Dallas Cowboys star Calvin Hill and his wife Janet were hired by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as consultants for the team, which was in dire need of image reshaping. This came on the heels of when, from October 1995 to November 1996, five Cowboys players were suspended by the NFL for a total of seven times for alcohol or substance abuse.

The Hills, parents of NBA model citizen and superstar Grant Hill, agreed to be consultants after a nationwide search by Jones. Mrs. Hill was vice president of the corporate consulting firm Alexander & Associates in Washington, D.C., which she founded.

Mr. Hill, formerly a vice president for the Baltimore Orioles, was an independent consultant. Mr Hill was also a consultant to the Cleveland Browns. As a consultant with the Cleveland, he helped form a group of Cleveland Browns' players to control and eliminate drug and alcohol related problems. Mr. Hill has written several articles on sports and academia for national publications, makes appearances at university campuses and business firms, throughout the United States. He addresses several topics including the problem of drugs and alcohol and the work needed in this area, and the important relationship of sports and academia.

As consultants they devised a wide-range plan that called for hiring of additional managers and staff. It was the Hills' job to create a support system that would try to teach players how to keep their personal lives safer and saner. They created a number of programs including family assistance, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, and career counseling. Calvin was enthusiastic about the Cowboys' future a year later, when he spoke to The Hartford Courant: "When I went to Dallas, I was expecting a team full of characters....what I found was a team of character. People tend to let a couple of incidents color the perception....Fame is a microscope, and with the Cowboys, it's an electron microscope."

The Cowboys clearly needed to assist players who were dealing poorly with fame and fortune. The Hills' work with the team is part of a larger trend towards support programs in college and professional sports. "I wish I could tell each guy here to put all the money away for a couple of years until they figure out what to do with it," he said in the Hartford Courant; "The problem is, these young men are socialized a certain way ... and then they are given more money than they ever could have envisioned. They get all that money and fame too quickly, before they know how to handle it," he continued. The personal problems professional athletes face are well known to the Hills, not only because of Calvin's experiences in the NFL, but because of their son Grant's career in the NBA. Speaking of Grant's entry into professional basketball in the Dallas Morning News, Calvin remembered, "We were scared to death ... because we know what's out there."

A New Direction

The Cowboys organization, unlike every other NFL team, has the infrastructure in place to handle NFL malcontents. Calvin Hill serves in that capacity, and given Dallas' success rate with not only keeping these guys out of trouble but getting them to be productive on the field, I'd say he's doing a pretty good job. No player on the Dallas Cowboys roster has been in legal trouble, as a Dallas Cowboy. NO other team in the NFL can say that.

The image and success Calvin Hill has brought to Dallas has been tested repeatedly by Jerry Jones. Before the Hills ever came to Dallas, Jones had a penchant for taking on basket cases, beginning with the remolding of Charles Haley. After having a falling out with the 49ers head coach George Seifert and a physical confrontation with then 49ers QB Steve Young, Haley was traded to Dallas - the only team willing to take on Haley and his violent temper - in the 1992 off-season. With the Cowboys he became a model citizen and team leader while winning three more Super Bowl rings over the next four seasons in 1992, 1993, and 1995.

Calvin Hill's work had an impact on the Cowboys draft choices also. Randy Moss grew up a Cowboys fan and wanted to play for the Cowboys. The Cowboys wanted Moss, but due to many off-field incidents of their own, Jerry Jones did not feel they could draft Moss. Michael Irvin even called to apologize to Moss, because Irvin's own off-field problems were a main reason Moss was not drafted by Dallas.

Since that draft, Moss has made a history out of beating up on the Cowboys. Before he was drafted, Randy Moss had stood outside the D/FW Marriott following his pre-draft visit to the Cowboys and vowed to make every team that passed on him pay. Perhaps Jerry Jones should have listened. Jones and the Cowboys chose not to take a chance on Moss, given their success with avoiding character issue baggage. Perhaps the greatest thrill in Moss' career come from torching Dallas at every opportunity. He seems to have his best games living up to that pre-draft vow.

In 2003 the Cowboys went 10-6 with Quincy Carter as the starting quarterback and got back in the playoffs in Bill Parcells’ first year in Dallas. Carter passed for 3,305 yards with 17 touchdowns as the Cowboys advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Carter, a 2nd round draft pick in 2001, was released by Coach Bill Parcells - for what is believed to be a failed in house drug test - under Dallas' strict code of conduct policy. Carter could not be trusted with the leadership of the team. Strike one, you're out.

NFL Crime Blotter

In February 2007 ProFootballTalk.com began tracking NFL players, coaches and team reps arrests and incidents with what is called their "Turd Watch".

Turd Watch is a device for tracking and publicizing player arrests and convictions. Though some might find the name to be unpleasant, NFL scouts, coaches, players, and agents commonly use the term "turd" in reference to guys who are, well, turds. Take a look at the results - warning - the number of incidents is shocking:

7/16/08: Broncos CB Carl Paymah is convicted of DUI and careless driving.

7/10/08: Jaguars WR Matt Jones is arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance.

7/9/08: Pats RB Kevin Faulk pleads no contest to marijuana possession.

7/7/08: Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu pleads guilty to DUI.

6/30/08: Pats DB Willie Andrews is arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

6/28/08: Ravens DB Derrick Martin is arrested for possession of marijuana.

6/27/08: Bills RB Marshawn #### pleads guilty to failure to exercise due care, avoiding charges of hit-and-run.

6/24/08: Cardinals OL Brandon Keith pleads guilty to misdemeanor rioting and interference with official acts.

6/24/08: It is reported for the first time that Broncos WR Brandon Marshall was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery on March 6.

6/24/08: It is reported for the first time that LB Jordon Dizon was arrested six days before the draft for su####ion of DUI; he was drafted by the Lions six days later.

6/23/08: Panthers WR Dwayne Jarrett pleads guilty to driving while impaired.

6/22/08: Titans DE Jevon Kearse is arrested for DUI.

6/21/08: Giants DB Geoffrey Pope is detained for questioning regarding potential felony battery charges. (On June 23, Pope was cleared of all charges.)

6/18/08: Cardinals RB J.J. Arrington is arrested for disorderly conduct.

6/15/08: Falcons S Daren Stone is arrested for DUI.

6/13/08: Titans WR Brandon Jones is arrested for misdemeanor possession of an unlawful firearm.

6/7/08: Bears RB Cedric Benson is arrested for DUI.

5/30/08: Jaguars S Gerald Sensabaugh is arrested for reckless driving; he was doing wheelies on a motorcycle.

5/24/08: 49ers LB Ezra Butler is arrested for DUI and possession of marijuana.

5/20/08: Saints DE Charles Grant is indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor fighting.

5/10/08: Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu is arrested for su####ion of DUI.

5/3/08: Falcons LB Michael Boley is arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery.

5/3/08: Bears RB Cedric Benson is arrested for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors.

4/27/08: Patriots OL Nick Kaczur is arrested for illegal prescription of painkillers.

4/27/08: The Cardinals draft OT Brandon Keith with three pending misdemeanors – disorderly conduct, rioting, and interfering with officials.

4/27/08: The Titans draft LB Stanford Keglar with three pending misdemeanors — battery, false informing, and disorderly conduct.

4/27/08: The Eagles draft CB Jack Ikegwuonu with a pending misdemeanor (criminal trespass) and a pending felony (residential burglary).

4/27/08: The Bengals draft DT Jason Shirley despite three pending misdemeanors — hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent or higher.

4/26/08: The Chargers draft LB DeJuan Tribble despite a pending misdemeanor charge of assault and battery and a pending felony charge of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

4/26/08: The Lions draft OT Gosder Cherilus despite a pending misdemeanor charge of assault and battery and a pending felony charge of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

4/26/08: Lions S Kalvin Pearson is arrested for felony aggravated battery of a female, felony domestic battery by strangulation, and misdemeanor obstruction or opposing of an officer.

4/21/08: Seahawks DT Rocky Bernard is arrested for investigation of domestic violence assault, a misdemeanor.

4/20/08: Colts RB Kenton Keith is arrested on four misdemeanors — public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

4/13/08: 49ers CB Donald Strickland has been arrested for misdemeanor public intoxication and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

4/11/08: Dolphins FB Regan Mauia is arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery.

4/9/08: Eagles DT Mike Patterson is found guilty of careless driving: likely to endanger a person.

4/3/08: Browns CB Kenny Wright is arrested and charged with unlawful restraint, evading arrest and fleeing, and possession of marijuana.

4/3/08: Bengals WR Chris Henry is arrested for assault and criminal damaging.

3/28/08: Giants LB Antonio Pierce pleads guilty to animal neglect.

3/19/08: Steelers WR Cedrick Wilson is arrested for simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct.

3/16/08: Texans WR Jacoby Jones is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

3/15/08: Titans RB Lendale White is cited for destruction of property, disobedience to a lawful order, and interference and resisting.

3/12/08: Packers LB Nick Barnett pleads no contest to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

3/11/08: Titans assistant coach Chuck Cecil pleads guilty to reckless driving.

3/11/08: Panthers WR Dwayne Jarrett is arrested for misdemeanor driving while impaired.

3/8/08: Steelers LB James Harrison is arrested for misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief.

3/1/08: Browns CB Kenny Wright is charged with possession of marijuana.

3/1/08: Broncos DT Marcus Thomas is arrested for felony cocaine possession.

2/24/08: Vikings LT Bryant McKinnie is arrested for felony aggravated battery, misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest without violence.

2/22/08: Patriots RB Kevin Faulk is charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.

2/19/08: Raiders CB Fabian Washington is arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery.

2/19/08: Broncos RB Andre Hall is arrested for driving on a revoked license, a misdemeanor.

2/17/08: Texans WR Jerome Mathis is arrested for choking his pregnant girlfriend, a misdemeanor.

2/16/08: Eagles DT Mike Patterson is arrested and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession, driving while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and careless driving: likely to endager a person.

2/15/08: Bills WR Roscoe Parrish is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

2/15/08: Titans CB Pacman Jones pleads guilty to felony obstruction of a police officer.

2/5/08: Pats DB Willie Andrews is arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, a felony.

2/1/08: Dolphins linebacker Matt Roth is charged with misdemeanor public intoxication.

2/1/08: Giants defensive end Adrian Awasom is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

1/22/08: Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder is charged with misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident.

1/15/08: Jaguars defensive end Brett Hawkins is arrested for DUI.

1/11/08: Broncos tight end Daniel Graham is arrested for misdemeanor harassment.

12/29/07: Ravens safety Gerome Sapp is charged with misdemeanor assault.

12/28/07: Jaguars offensive lineman Stocker McDougle is arrested and charged with felony battery on a person over the age of 65 and misdemeanor touch-strike battery.

12/28/07: Seahawks radio analyst Warren Moon is arrested for su####ion of misdemeanor DUI and driving on a suspended license.

12/25/07: Dolphins assistant coach Mike Dumas is arrested for simple battery.

12/26/07: Vikings defensive end Darrion Scott is arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

12/13/07: Vikings safety Dwight Smith is arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and obstructing traffic.

12/8/07: Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun is cited for misdemeanor assault.

12/6/07: Bucs assistant coach Dwayne Stukes is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

12/1/07: Broncos QB Darrell Hackney is arrested for su####ion of misdemeanor DUI.

11/29/07: Texans OL Chester Pitts is charged with felony evading of police.

11/19/07: Bucs LB Cato June is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

11/3/07: Jaguars OL Richard Collier is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

11/3/07: Jaguars LB Justin Durant is charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest without violence.

10/23/07: Rams OL Claude Terrell is arrested for misdemeanor assault.

10/22/07: Broncos WR Brandon Marshall is arrested for su####ion of DUI.

10/16/07: Rams TE Dominique Byrd pleads no contest to DUI charges.

10/15/07: Bills DE Anthony Hargove pleads guilty to disorderly conduct charges.

10/12/07: Redskins OL Kili Lefotu is arrested and charged with simple assault, public drunkenness, and destruction of property.

10/11/07: Steelers RB Najeh Davenport is charged with domestic violence, endangering children, and unlawful restraint, all misdemeanors.

10/9/07: Packers LB Nick Barnett is charged with two counts of disorderly conduct arising from a prior arrest for one count of disorderly conduct.

10/4/07: Bears LB Lance Briggs pleads guilty to misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident.

9/29/07: Jaguars tackle Khalif Barnes is charged with misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident.

9/25/07: Falcons quarterback Mike Vick is indicted for beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting; both are felonies.

9/15/07: Titans assistant coach Chuck Cecil is charged with DUI, a misdemeanor.

9/5/07: Browns CB Leigh Bodden is charged with aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors.

8/27/07: Falcons QB Mike Vick pleads guilty to one count of felony conspiracy to engage in illegal gambling and dog fighting.

8/27/07: Bears LB Lance Briggs is charged with misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident.

8/23/07: Buccaneers WR David Boston is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

8/17/07: Vikings DT Fred Evans pleads guilty to two felony charges.

8/13/07: Vikings sign DT Fred Evans while he is still facing misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing, and "multiple" felony counts of resisting arrest with violence and battery on a police officer

8/6/07: Seahawks radio analyst Warren Moon pleads guilty to negligent driving.

8/5/07: Bills DE Anthony Hargrove is arrested and charged with misdemeanor harassment, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest.

7/26/07: Panthers OL Jeremy Bridges is arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault.

7/24/07: It is first reported that Dolphins WR Kelly Campbell was arrested and charged with felony marijuana possession, felony Ecstasy possession, and a misdemeanor charge of providing false information to a police officer.

7/23/07: It is first reported that Falcons CB Jimmy Williams was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession in early June.

7/19/07: Falcons QB Michael Vick is charged with conspiracy to maintain an interstate gambling enterprise, conspiracy to sponsor animal fighting, and conspiracy to transport dogs for dog fighting.

7/14/07: Dolphins WR Chis Chambers is charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving, and speeding.

7/12/07: Jaguars OT Khalif Barnes pleads no contest to DUI charges.

7/6/07: Chargers LB Anthony Waters is charged with misdemeanor simple assault and battery.

7/5/07: Raiders DE Bryant McNeal is arrested on charges of felony fraud against a pawn broker, and misdemeanor fraudulent check writing.

6/28/07: Rams DT Claude Wroten is arrested for misdemeanor property damage.

6/26/07: It is revealed that Dolphins DT Fred Evans was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession on February 10, 2007, and later pleaded no contest to the charges.

6/22/07: Dolphins DT Fred Evans is arrested on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing, and "multiple" felony counts of resisting arrest with violence and battery on a police officer.

6/20/07: Titans CB Pacman Jones is charged with two counts of felony coercion. (The 14 points replace the 13 points that the Titans got when police recommended that Jones be charged with two misdemeanors and one felony in connection with the Las Vegas strip club incident.)

6/17/07: Bengals RB Quincy Wilson is arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

6/17/07: Packers LB Nick Barnett is arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

6/16/07: Browns WR Mike Mason is arrested and charged with aggravated disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business, all of which are misdemeanors.

5/30/07: Dolphins LB Joey Porter pleads no contest to misdemeanor battery charges.

5/25/07: Broncos WR David Kircus has a charge of violent crime added to his existing assault charges.

5/21/07: Broncos WR David Kircus is charged with felony assault.

5/20/07: Jets CB Justin Miller is arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault.

5/18/07: Bengals LB A.J. Nicholson is arrested and charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault after allegedly punching a woman in the eye.

5/10/07: Steelers LB Richard Seigler is arrested and charged with three felonies relating to allegedly acting as a pimp.

5/10/07: Ravens QB Steve McNair is arrested and charged under Tennessee's "DUI owner" law, a misdemeanor.

5/5/07: Jaguars CB Ahmad Carroll is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ecstasy, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

5/4/07: Bengals DE Frostee Rucker pleads guilty to misdemeanor charges of false imprisonment and vandalism.

5/2/07: The New Orleans Saints sign defensive tackle Water Thomas despite a pending felony charge of conspiracy to commit robbery.

5/1/07: Bears DT Tank Johnson pleads guilty of misdemeanor possession of a firearm without a valid identification card.

4/29/07: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign TE Jerramy Stevens with two misdemeanor charges pending against him.

4/29/07: The San Francisco 49ers draft CB Tarell Brown with misdemeanor weapons charges from September 2006 pending against him.

4/26/07: It is reported for the first time that Falcons QB Mike Vick was charged with misdemeanor trespassing in February 2007.

4/19/07: Vikings CB Ronyell Whitaker is arrested and charged with misdemeanor careless driving and DUI.

4/15/07: Vikings CB Cedric Griffin is arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

4/6/07: Seahawks radio analyst Warren Moon is arrested on su####ion of DUI.

4/1/07: Bucs OT Anthony Davis is arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

3/31/07: Colts DE Darrell Reid is arrested and charged with su####ion of possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, obstruction, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

3/30/07: Buccaneers RB Lionel Gates is arrested and charged with three felonies -- assault of a pregnant woman, burglary of an occupied dwelling, and criminal mischief of more than $1,000.

3/26/07: Broncos WR Brandon Marshall is arrested on su####ion of misdemeanor false imprisonment and domestic violence.

3/26/07: Police recommend that Titans CB Pacman Jones be charged with misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor threat to life, and felony coercion.

3/25/07: Panthers G D'Anthony Batiste is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and improper window tinting.

3/25/07: Free-agent CB Dexter Reid is arrested and charged with misdemeanor gun charges and felony marijuana charges.

3/21/07: Raiders RB Dominic Rhodes pleads guilty to reckless driving.

3/21/07: Bengals WR Chris Henry is charged with driving on a suspended license, failing to wear a seat belt, and failing to use a turn signal.

3/19/07: Jaguars S Gerald Sensabaugh is arrested and charged with speeding and carrying arms, both misdemeanors.

3/19/07: Saints LB E.J. Kuale is arrested and charged with felony weapons possession and misdemeanor marijuana possession.

3/18/07: Dolphins LB Joey Porter is charged with misdemeanor battery after allegedly punching Bengals tackle Levi Jones in the face.

3/13/07: Free-agent TE Jerramy Stevens is arrested and charged with DUI and marijuana possession.

3/10/07: Jaguars WR Charles Sharon is arrested and charged with grand theft of a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm; both are felonies.

3/9/07: Titans CB Pacman Jones was arrested on felony obstruction charges, two misdemeanor obstruction charges, and misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2006 but failed to disclose the arrests; they were first reported in March 2007.

3/9/07: Cardinals assistant coach Richie Anderson is arrested on misdemeanor charges of solicitation of prostitution.

3/9/07: Bengals CB Deltha O'Neal pleads guilty to reckless driving.

3/9/07: Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph enters a diversion program on marijuana charges.

3/9/07: Raiders sign RB Dominic Rhodes while criminal charges are pending.

3/7/07: Rams TE Dominique Byrd is arrested for DUI.

3/6/07: Bengals LB A.J. Nicholson pleads no contest to burglary and grand theft charges.

3/5/07: Steelers CB Deshea Townsend is charged with simple assault.

2/23/07: Colts RB Dominic Rhodes is charged with a total of two misdemeanors for his February 20 DUI incident.

2/21/07: Bengals LB Odell Thurman pleads no contest to drunk driving charges.

2/20/07: Colts RB Dominic Rhodes is arrested for misdemeanor DUI.

2/19/07: Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux is arrested and charged with felony animal abuse.

2/14/07: Chiefs DE Jared Allen pleads no contest to drunken driving.

2/8/07: Bears DT Tank Johnson pleads guilty to probation violation.

2/7/07: Chargers S Terrence Kiel pleads guilty to a felony and misdemeanor charge.

2/6/07: Titans DB Cortland Finnegan pleads guilty to reckless driving charges.

If you'll notice, there is ONE Team missing. One team which failed to gain the notoriety brought on by a shameful arrest or conviction. Who could that be?? Well I'll be damned, if it aint those wily, slick and crafty Dallas Cowboys. Who would have guessed it??



Last Chance Stop

Is it really any wonder that players on their last straw are eager to go to Dallas and save their career? The success stories are many, and the failure rate is almost non existent. Demetrius Underwood is the only failure, if you can call it that. To this day he still has a severe mental disorder, and played his short career while being diagnosed with a Bipolar disorder.

The finest example of success is Deion Sanders. Sanders voted the 1994 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year and recorded an interception in the 49ers 49-26 win over the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. After the season, Jerry Rice and Sanders publicly feuded — Rice fumed at the idea that the media felt Sanders was the missing link to the 49ers Super Bowl run and that it was not giving credit to the other 52 men in the locker room. This ultimately resulted in Sanders feeling unappreciated by the 49ers organization and he opted to leave the team.

After his public dispute with Jerry Rice, and the 49ers, and not feeling valued by the franchise, Cowboys' owner Jones brought Sanders' "Prime Time" show to Dallas.

During his time in Dallas, Sanders not only found happiness, but found himself as well as finding God.

As I stated above, the Cowboys, unlike every other NFL team, has the infrastructure in place to handle NFL malcontents. Calvin Hill serves in that capacity, and given Dallas' success rate with not only keeping these guys out of trouble but getting them to be productive on the field, I'd say he's doing a pretty good job. No player on the Dallas Cowboys roster has been in legal trouble, as a Dallas Cowboy. Can any other team in the league say that?

Police Blotter Reference Link from ProFootballTalk.com

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Given all of the negative headlines that we are rapidly being subjected to by some modern day athletes (on an almost daily basis), please take a moment to absorb an enlightening story that calls upon that inner child in all of us. The old school concept of playing the game for the love of the game.

This is the story of an NFL player that will someday (whether it be sooner or beit later is yet to be determined) leave behind an incredible legacy as great as the game he loves. Dan Campbell - Former tight end for Texas A&M University, Former tight end for the New York Giants, former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and current tight end for the Detroit Lions - is a nine year veteran of the NFL. Although Dan The Man is hardly a household name, he's been a perennial blocker for several years and one of the iron men of the trenches.

2002 was his best year with the Giants. Campbell's blocking was instrumental in the career-years of both Kerry Collins and Tiki Barber (1,387 rushing yards, a career-high and the second best total in Giants history). Despite the addition of Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey, Campbell started all 16 games and caught 20 passes for 155 yards (a 7.8 yard average) and a touchdown.

After four years with the Giants, Dan joined Dallas as an unrestricted free agent. In his first of three season with the Cowboys, he appeared in 15 games with eight starts. Hauled in 20 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown. Was selected to the USA Today All-Joe team for his unselfish blocking and clutch receptions. In 2005 he was elected offensive team captain by his teammates. Selected to receive the Cowboys 2005 Ed Block Courage Award after recovering from an appendectomy (July 27) the day the team reported to training camp.

Campbell, known as one of the NFL’s premier blocking tight ends, proved his ability to stretch the field in the Lions’ offense in 2006. He is considered to be one of the most technically sound blocking tight ends in the entire league, and is continuing to grow as a pass catcher. He signed a five-year deal with Detroit March 14, 2006

So now I've painted a picture, a resume of a man who has sustained numerous injuries yet through strenuous and dedicated rehab, has remained a part of the league. Campbell is the epitome of the alpha male iron man.

Campbell has developed a bad right elbow. Most any other player would have retired from the painful injury. Not Dan. He had surgery and returned - as usual - earlier than normal. Re-injured the elbow, had a 2nd elbow surgery, and returned again, as always - early.

Understand, I've always admired Dan Campbell as one of the unsung heroes of the NFL. The man is unselfishly building a legacy as a blocker along the lines of a Daryl "Moose" Johnston or a Mack Strong.

Campbell amazed coaches, players and fans by returning to the NFL following that 2nd surgery. Have no doubt that I was in awe to hear of his return again to the Lion's training camp in 2007. The man simply refused to quit.

Then it happened AGAIN. I remember that day - September 23, 2007 when ESPN released the following report: "The Detroit Lions have placed starting tight end Dan Campbell, who sustained an elbow injury in last Sunday's overtime victory against the Minnesota Vikings, on injured reserve, ending his 2007 season."

All heroes have a weakness, Superman had kryptonite. Achilles had his heel. Campbell came to terms with his elbow being his own Achilles' heel. What I have learned now, is that before Detroit had time to put Campbell on injured reserve, back on September 23rd of '07, Campbell had already had a radical THIRD surgery, two days earlier on September 21st. An elbow specialist reattached the triceps tendon -- what was left of it, anyway.

With very little tendon left in his right elbow, following the three surgeries, Campbell's playing days were obviously over. This is where Dan's story takes a bazaar turn. Dan, facing the fact that his playing days were obviously at end, opted for something radical on that Friday in September. Dan had the surgeon reinforce his elbow with, get this, an Achilles tendon, from an actual dead body - a cadaver.

Now I don't believe you could find another person willing to go through such goulish experimental extremes to remain in the NFL - except Dan Campbell.

"I said, 'Get it fixed. I don't care what it takes,' " Campbell said. "I did have some questions about, 'Well, how does that work?' You hear about transplants, different organs or stuff like that.

Campbell caught only one pass for one yard last year before going on injured reserve. After this latest surgery, he wasn't allowed to lift weights until February 2008. He lost about 25 pounds. He has gained back about 15, putting him at about 255, where he might stay.

"I still feel strong enough and explosive enough, but I actually feel a little faster," Campbell said. "So I kind of like it. I don't know yet. I haven't decided."

Campbell hopes to be ready for training camp; failing that, he said, he definitely would be ready for the season opener Sept. 7 at Atlanta. He laughs at jokes like this: Hey, now the Lions can fudge the injury report : Campbell, questionable (Achilles).

"I'm having a good time with it," Campbell said. "The joke's going to be on everybody else when I come back playing. I'm excited."

In the age of steroids, trade demands, arrests and Show Me The Money, Dan Campbell is a quiet unsung feel good story in the making. Truly a breath of fresh air in this era of character issues gone wild.

So when you're looking over the 2008 NFL schedule, circling those must see games, be sure to circle Sunday September 7, 2008. It's the Week One match-up featuring Detroit @ Atlanta, but more importantly it's the return of Dan Campbell, and his new Achilles' elbow.

As everyone should be aware by now, the NFL 2008 season schedule is up and posted on NFL.com. Here's a look at the strength of schedule analysis based on opponents 2007 win/loss records. The Pittsburgh Steelers - who face the challenge of overcoming the toughest schedule in the NFL - will face each team in the AFC South and the NFC East, arguably the two toughest divisions in the league that total 8 teams without a losing record in 2007. Only 4 of the Steelers 16 games are against sub-.500 teams, that being the division games against the Ravens and the Bengals.

The 18 and Uh-Oh Patriots receive the NFL version of a cake walk, playing only 5 games against teams that finished 2007 with a .500 or better record. Looking at the Patriots schedule it's very possible to finish the season 14-2 with home field advantage throughout the playoffs, again.



STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE, BASED ON OPPONENTS 2007 RECORDS

Team . ... ... ... Opp. 2007 Win%
Steelers ... ... ... ... .598

Colts ... ... ... . . . ....594

Jaguars ... ... . .. ....559

Vikings ... . .. ... ... ..551

Ravens ... ... . .. ... .551

Titans ... . .. . .. ... . .551

Bengals . .. ... . . .. .547

Texans . .. ... . .. ... .547

Browns .. . . .. ... ....547

Lions .. . .. . ... .. . ...543

Bears . .. . .. . .. . .. .531

Packers . .. .. . . .. ..531

Redskins . . . .. . ...523

Cowboys . . . . . . ...523

Eagles . . . . .. .. . ...520

Giants . . . .. . .. . ....520

Rams . . . . .. .. . . ...488

49ers . . . . . . ... ... .484

Seahawks ;;;;.. ..;..477
; ;;
Buccaneers .... .. .469

Falcons .. .. .. ... .. .469

Cardinals ..... ... .. .465

Dolphins .... .. . ... .465

Panthers ... .. .. ... .465

Jets ... ... .. .. ... .... .457

Chiefs ... .... .. . ... .453

Bills ... ... ..... ... ... .449

Saints ..... ... ... ... .449

Broncos ..... ... ... .445

Raiders ..... .. . ... .438

Chargers ..... .. .. .422

Patriots ... .. ... ... .387


MidniteCowboy's Pre-Draft Predictions:

AFC DIVISION CHAMPIONS:

AFC East - New England Patriots 14-2

AFC North - Cleveland Browns 10-6

AFC South - Indianapolis Colts 11-5

AFC West - San Diego Chargers 13-3


NFC DIVISION CHAMPIONS:

NFC East - Dallas Cowboys 11-5

NFC North - Minnesota Vikings 11-5

NFC South - New Orleans Saints 9-7

NFC West - Seattle Seahawks 12-4

Easy MoneyE - Easy Money... ... .
In the age where Spygate opportunities and security technologies are bumping heads, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin discussed the topic of gameplan secrets in the Internet age during Tuesday’s media breakfast at the NFL owners’ meeting in Florida.

Tomlin created a buzz of inquiries from reporters when he stated that he's found a Steelers 2004 Playbook for sale on eBay! Trying to smokescreen the story, Tomlin quickly tried to change the subject stating that the Cleveland Browns are the favorites in the AFC North for the upcoming season.

The reporters didn't bite or change direction of the questioning. They were wondering just how is it that something as valuable as an NFL team's playbook was taken without notice. That 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers team followed up on a dismal 6-10 season of '03 by going 15-1 in regular season and making it all the way to the AFC Championship Game where they faced... The New England Patriots. The Patriots won convincingly 41-27.

... ...

I did track down the 2004 Steelers Playbook listing on eBay. Upon investigation, it has actually been converted to a PDF file (Adobe Acrobat). A download file that's sent electronically to the winning bidder. The book/file is not copy written and is now Public Domain. Public Domain does not mean no one owns it - it means everyone owns it. Public domain comprises copyright-free works: anyone can use them in any way and for any purpose. Download it, upload it, burn it to CD, alter it, even sell it.

Anyone who is an avid eBay user can tell you that over 5,000 hits to a $10 dollar item is quite remarkable. For the last few days, the saga of the missing playbook - be it lost or stolen - has drawn the interest of newspaper editors across the country.

The story didn't end here. At least not for me. After a bit of investigating I have found numerous football playbooks from High School to NCAA, and all the way up to the NFL level. All absolutely free and available as files on the Internet. The only cost is the time invested to search and find. Scroll down in the above auction and just look at all the public domain file playbooks this guy is selling! Look at his feedback and you see he's making a killing. There are people making a living at selling what is totally free, if you know where to look. Ridiculously Easy Money!

So save your $10 bucks Steelers fans. Go to this site and download your free copy of the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers Playbook. Perhaps you'll choose to make a buck or two on eBay with it. Once again I am sharing the website location of a public domain file. I do not claim this file to be my own property.

The internet fodder linking the troubled Adam Jones & the Dallas Cowboys refuses to die. In fact the story is growing legs and gaining credibility. Here in Dallas, the two local sports yakety-yack stations - 1310 The Ticket as well as 103.3 ESPN - are mentioning the ongoing talks involving Pacman, his agent, the Cowboys and the Titans.

... .

Ten days ago the rumor was squashed when Jerry Jones Jones stated publicly that There were no ongoing talks and reiterated that talks with another team's player who's under contract was a clear violation of league rules. Tennessee at that time had not granted permission.

... ... ... ... ... .. .
... ... ... ... ... ... .A suspended Adam Jones keepin' it real and mentoring N.Y. Knicks Zach
... ... ... ... ... .Randolph and Eddy Curry on the art of image management at the professional.
... ... ... ... ... .level. Obviously this tutoring has transpired to make the Knicks a more respected ... ... ... ... ... ... organization on and off the floor as well. Just have to wonder - Where's Isiah Thomas?

Fast forward to yesterday - Rototimes.com reports That not only have the Titans granted permission, but that all of the afore mentioned parties were actually involved. As the story goes, the Cowboys and Pacman have agreed to a contract figure. This now only leaves the issue of Tennessee and Dallas settling on a compensatory draft pick, rumored to be a 4th or 5th round pick.

... ... ... ... ... ..
... ... ... But wait... Isn't there still the sticky issue of whether or not Jones will ever be reinstated?

It was printed in The Tennessean back on March 8, that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he has no plans to review Jones’ suspension again until closer to the opening of training camps. You would have to assume Jerry Jones, given his status, MUST be getting some kind of nod or wink from Goodell to even proceed. Else why would Dallas make necessary adjustments to the roster and allocate Salary Cap numbers for a player that is currently banished from the league?

Throw in the fact that Manny Arora, Adam Jones' agent, is persistently pleading to Goodell to reach a decision sooner regarding the troubled cornerback. Pacman's stock is trading just a hair above Enron's now, and by mid-July it will be worth far less.



... ... ..Forgive me if my keyboard shorts out. It's all these tears I cry for poor ol' PacMan...
An actual copy of the Pacman Jones Ad that he purchased April 20th, 2007 in The Tennessean.
Pardon me if I believe his actions speak much louder and clearer than his printed words.

I've yet to address the issue of Adam Jones' countless assaults on society. He's not a cancer to a team as much as he's been a cancer and clearly dangerous threat to society in general. I don't want him and his entourage anywhere near Dallas County and near my family.

... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Advertisement for one of Adam Jones' many "Make it rain"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... episodes - most of which take place in strip joints - which
... ... ... ... ... ... ... have led to numerous brawls, shootings and serious injurues

Love or hate the Cowboys, you can't help but be aware of the strides that the organization has made in the last 10 years concerning criminal character issues. Personally the risk is tremendous and the statement it makes is that increasing the Cowboy's chances of winning a Championship outweighs the risks. I would personally be very disappointed if this rumor grew to fruition.

 




REFERENCE:

http://www.rototimes.com/nfl/player/5769

The often controversial DeAngelo Hall woke up in his hotel room yesterday morning to find missed calls and text messages on his cell phone. The subject matter? A possible trade that would send him to the Giants.

Hall had well documented trouble getting along with Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino last year. Hall's feud with Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith, a former friend, exploded with three penalties on Carolina's game-winning drive, after which Hall got into a shouting match with Petrino on the sideline. It resulted in a fine, a benching for the first quarter of the following week's game and cemented Hall's reputation to many NFL fans and media as being a hothead.

... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... .. DeAngelo Hall delivers a controversial late hit on Kitna in November 2006


Hall had insisted that he wanted to stay in Atlanta, until his feelings were hurt when he found out from friends that his name was mentioned by the Falcons as being available for trade offers.

What a difference a day makes. Now he is throwing a major temper tantrum and demanding a trade.

... ... ... ..
... ... ... ... Fantasy: Hall claiming to "own" Ocho Cinco in a 2007 preseason game.
... ... ... ... Reality: Chad went for 83 yards on five catches and a touchdown. I can
... ... ... .. .only assume Hall immediately shaved his dome after the game.


"I wanted to stay," he said. "I don't want to stay now. It's a little bit of a betrayal. I feel like these guys kind of stabbed me in the back." ...You know what? I'll go anywhere, anywhere they want me," Hall said Friday. "And that's the thing. It's hard to play or be a part of an organization that doesn't want you, so I just want to go somewhere that wants me."

A real tear jerker huh? With remarks like that, you can pretty much assume that the 24 year old has punched his ticket out of Atlanta. Giants were reported to have offered a first round draft pick for the prima donna cornerback.

... ... ... ...
.. .. .. .. .. .. Hall being owned by T.O. in 2006. One of T.O.'s two touchdown catches
... ... ... ... ..against DeAngelo in a 100+ yard receiving game by Terrell Owens.


We will probably hear where he lands as soon as Friday, when the new league year begins and trades are once again permitted to be made. The question is if he'll wind up with the Giants or one of several other teams who were quickly rumored to be interested in acquiring him. The Redskins, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Cowboys were mentioned by yesterday afternoon. Those teams' possible interest means the Giants might be forced to sweeten the trade offer. If so, they could be willing to part with another draft pick from the later rounds. Expect a bidding war to emerge as this story grows.

Isn't this one of those bidding wars that you'd love to be able to watch on Ebay!


.


.


.

While reading the the current state of affairs at Camp Cowboy, aka Jerry World, It becomes quite puzzling to sort out the hidden messages. Is Wade Phillips good-as-gone? Jason Garrett - a lock to become an NFL head coach in the not too distant future - was instrumental in placing some of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff in place before the arrival of head coach Wade Phillips.

The now Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart was one of only a few assistants brought on board the Cowboys ship by Wade Phillips. He's Wade's guy. Now I'm reading that multiple sources say the Cowboys Have offered Dom Capers a job as the defensive coordinator or a defensive consultant.

Capers is a respected defensive coach who has been a head coach for Houston and Carolina. But he's had more success as a coordinator.

Capers, who gave Stewart his first NFL job with the Houston Texans in 2002, asked the Cowboys' coordinator Brian Stewart if Capers' presence on the staff would bother him.

A day later, sources said, Stewart told Capers that indeed he would be uncomfortable if the veteran coach joined the organization. Capers, according to sources, told Stewart he would pass on the opportunity to join the team.

When Capers informed the Cowboys of his decision, the club talked him into coming to Valley Ranch on Tuesday for an interview.

If he accepts a position, sources said, Capers is leaning toward the consultant role. Now what makes this story most interesting was Jason Garrett's head coaching offers a few weeks ago. Jerry Jones offered Garret approximately $3 million dollars a year - roughly the same salary as Wade Phillips - to remain in Dallas. Is Wade good-as-gone? Capers was Jason Garrett's choice to be his defensive coordinator if Garrett became the head coach in Baltimore or Atlanta.









Bob Seger's lyrics keep playing in my mind. I picture Wade Phillips talking to Jones:




Tell me quick said old mcfee (Phillips)
Whats this all have to do with me?
Ive spent all my time at sea a loner.

Is there something else I should know?
Something hidden down below the level of your conversation?
Well he turned away before the answer
Though I yelled aloud he refused to hear
It became to clear
So it went as we put out
I was left in constant doubt
Everything I asked about seemed private

Are Wade Phillips' days as Head Coach of the Cowboys numbered? Is he as good as gone in Dallas?

Giant's assistant coach Mike Sullivan visited an old college football buddy Lieutenant colonel Greg Gadson at Walter Reed Army Medical Center back in June. He presented him with a No. 98 Giants jersey, Gadson's own name on the back, signed by several Giants players. Gadson used to wear No. 98 for the Army football team.

He was a commander of a 400 man battalion and was with the Second Battalion and 32nd Field Artillery, on his way back from a memorial service for two soldiers from his brigade when he lost both his legs to a roadside bomb in Bahgdad on May 7th, 2007.

Gadson remembers the blast and thinking he didn't have his rifle. He remembers his first sergeant resuscitating him as he almost bled to death - he needed 70 pints of blood that first night alone - and he remembers hearing the helicopter coming to evacuate him, but little else until weeks later in Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Doctors had to amputate his left leg after infection caused his arteries to collapse. They were able to save his badly damaged right leg, but Lt. Col. Gadson and his wife decided his quality of life would be better without it. He said his healing sped up very quickly after it was gone and he was finally able to leave intensive care.

Before Sullivan left the hospital that day in June, he said to Gadson, "What else can we do?"

Greg Gadson said he'd love to take his family to a Giants game.

The tickets were arranged and then the Friday before the game Mike Sullivan called and asked if Gadson would be interested in addressing the team on Saturday night. Gadson's wife Kim drove him to the Giants' hotel. It was the Giants-Redskins game, in Washington, third Sunday of the season, Giants 0-2 by then.

Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, old outside linebacker from Army, spoke to the Giants. And just as no one knew that the Giants would begin a 10-game road winning streak the next day, just as no one knew this could ever become a Super Bowl season, no one in that room including Gadson himself knew that the soldier in the wheelchair was joining the season that night.

Lieutenant colonel Greg Gadson came into the Giants' lives when they were at their most vulnerable, New York having been brutalized by the Cowboys and Packers in its first two regular-season games. Facing another tough matchup with the 2-0 Washington Redskins, the Giants hit the road and filed into their Saturday night team meeting at a D.C.-area hotel expecting some motivational words from coach Tom Coughlin.

Instead they were introduced to Gadson, a former Army teammate of New York receivers coach Mike Sullivan. He spoke to the players for 15 minutes, telling them to appreciate their opportunities as athletes and relating how much football meant to many of the troops stationed abroad. He talked about playing together and the bonds that form among teammates after enduring shared struggles. He reminded them that nothing in life is promised.

"Take nothing for granted," Gadson told the Giants, who gave him a standing ovation when he finished.

The next day, New York trailed 17-3 at halftime and the season seemed to be slipping away. But the Giants rallied for a 24-17 victory, with Burress handing a football to Gadson on the sideline after scoring a touchdown.

That spawned a six-game winning streak, but the Giants survived several potential crises in the second half of the season before qualifying for the playoffs as the NFC's No. 5 seed. When they opened at Tampa Bay in the wild-card round, Gadson was there to witness their 24-14 victory over the Bucs.

Shortly thereafter he was back at Walter Reed Army Hospital outside Washington, D.C. for surgeries on his right arm and what's left of his right leg (His right arm was badly damaged and he needs at least two more surgeries in the next year. He still goes to Walter Reed for therapy every day).He watched the Giants' 21-17 upset of the Cowboys on a TV in his room, screaming them through a gripping defensive stand in the final minutes.

... ... ..

Gadson made it to Lambeau – as one of the team's honorary captains. His 13-year-old son, Jaelen, wheeled him out to midfield for the pregame coin toss, and he and his boy spent the second-coldest game in Green Bay history on the sideline with a group of gritty players who think of Gadson as the team's biggest star.

.... ..

Lieutenant colonel Greg Gadson played at West Point between 1985 and 1988, and one of his teammates was Mike Sullivan, who played cornerback and some safety and is now one of Tom Coughlin's assistants with the Giants. He was there as an honorary co-captain of the Giants, there on the sideline at Lambeau because this Giants' season has become his season now and he wasn't going to watch from some box. This is a Giant at the Super Bowl worth knowing about, as much as any of them.

Original source: MilitarytTmes.com article posted Thursday, September 27, 2007:
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_foot
ballinspire_070925/



Greg and Kim Gadson have a webpage up with contact information and a journal that is updated as often as possible. There's even a guestbook there to sign:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/gregorygadson



For more reading on a similar topic, please read Lisa H's article on another true hero:
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Lisa%20H/200
8/01/25/A_few_good_men

The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. The player named Comeback Player of the Year shows perseverance in overcoming adversity, in the form of not being in the NFL the previous year, a severe injury, or simply poor performance.

My Candidates List:


1) Greg Ellis













Greg Ellis spent close to a year in physical rehab following a near career-ending injury. After missing almost all of last season and the first 3 games of this season, Ellis has 10.5 sacks for the year, 2nd only to Green Bay's Aaron Kampman's 11 sacks. He may well be the sack leader by the end of the season.




2) Brett Favre










Although he's having perhaps the best season of his illustrious career, Brett hesitated for months before making the decision to return in 2007. He made the decision coming off an 8-8 2006 season. 2005 was Favre's worst as a Packer. Favre finished 2005 with a career-worst 29 interceptions as the team went 4-10.


3) Ben Roethlisberger














His horrific motorcycle accident June 12. His emergency appendectomy Sept. 3. His concussion in Atlanta Oct. 22. The hardest hit he ever took in football from Ravens linebacker Bart Scott Nov. 26. But he could have been talking about his season-long performance just as well. It would be awfully hard for him to be worse this year. Given that, he's having a great year and keeping the Steelers in contention for another Super Bowl berth.



Who would you vote for if given the opportunity? Are there others that are worthy of consideration?

Voice your opinion.

... ;;; ... ... ... ...

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..8-0... . ... ..vs ... ... ...7-0

The 7-0 Indianapolis Colts - the defending Super Bowl champions - are riding a 12 game win streak dating back through last season's playoffs. They are undefeated in their last 13 home games at The RCA Dome. The last time the Colts were underdogs at home was Week 15 of the 2001 season, just four weeks after (then) coach Jim Mora made clear that he thought his team had no chance of making the playoffs. It was a game against the Jets, and the Colts lost 29-28. They've been favored in every home game since then. Until now. When you consider the wave of momentum the Colts have been riding since their Super Bowl victory, it begs the question: Just how good are the 8-0 New England Patriots to be considered a 5 1/2 point favorite Sunday at the RCA Dome?

• The Patriots and Colts will face off this week in the first game in NFL history between unbeaten teams with seven or more wins.

The Patriots have won 11 consecutive regular-season games and 13 of their last 14 overall games. New England's only loss over that span was to the Colts in the 2006 AFC Championship. New England is 17-7 against Indianapolis since 1993, and has won 14 of the series' last 19 games, including six of the last nine dating back to the 2000 season.

The Patriots have scored a combined total of 149 points in their last three games