So I am looking to be in the States in November, and aim to attend either the Cowboys' game at NYG on November 14, or the home game against Detroit.

If someone more knowledgeable than I could tell me how early in advance tickets should be purchased, how much tickets will cost, and where to buy tickets from I would greatly appreciate it.

Also from where would I buy tickets to the Notre Dame- Navy game in Yankee Stadium? That whole process seems overly complex.

27. Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The release of Flozell Adams points to left tackle in the first round but there's no way a guy like Bruce Campbell would be ready early. Bryant positions the Cowboys to move away from Roy Williams in a year. In the second round, Dallas selects Campbell and sits him for a year.(Previous pick: Bruce Campbell; second round: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland)

27. Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Everyone projects Bryant much higher than this but he has baggage and some risk. The Cowboys could want an offensive tackle like Bruce Campbell here but the athletic grade on Bryant might be too good to turn down. A year from now, the Cowboys could be done with Roy Williams.

Golden Tate, WR Notre Dame: Despite being in South Bend for the past three years of law school, since the moment I arrived my attitude towards Notre Dame football has been one of smug indifference: "And what, precisely, do you offer that I do not already have?" In the fall of my 1L year, I went to the season opener and, with the Irish trailing Georgia Tech 26-3 early in the 4th quarter, left early to make sure I arrived back home for kickoff of the Texas-Arkansas State game on pay-per-view. I did not attend a single minute of a single game the rest of that season, or either of the next two. (As much as anything, covering Texas and CFB from afar meant I was either traveling or parked in front of a TV most every Saturday.)

All of which is to say: I did not walk up to Golden Tate's media session a fanboy. He'd impressed me quite a bit when I'd caught him on TV, but I was wholly indifferent when he began to talk with us.

But by the time he was finished, I was pretty well floored. Bear in mind that even while most of these kids make good impressions on you up close, it's not because they 'wow' you -- they just seem like good kids, really. So I'm really saying something when I say that Golden Tate was an actual treat. I loved him. He's very, very intelligent, and he handled the media as well as Tim Tebow, except there wasn't anything polished about it. He was natural, and charismatic -- not just smooth.

He made me (and everyone else) genuinely laugh three or four times. He was refreshingly candid and insightful. He didn't shy away from any tough questions, mixed in dabs of self-deprecation and confidence at all the right moments, and generally charmed the pants off of the group from start to finish. When it was all over, I texted an ND friend of mine: "Your boy Golden Tate is awesome. He's gonna get paid on his interviews alone."

And then two days later he ran the third-best 40 time at the Combine. Hello, first round. Bank on it.

Guess which team comes in at #1?

"I think the real question is, should he be finishing rather than beginning?" Jones said in an interview on KRLD on Thursday. "In his Pro Bowl year, where he had his best year is finishing the game. If you recall, Julius Jones started the game. We injected the quickness of his speed there early. That would be the issue."

Barber should remain the starter, but backup running backs Felix Jones and Tashard Choice need more carries.

I really like Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison, but I disagree with their feeling that Tony Romo can't take a day off to attend a benefit in Las Vegas on a long weekend after a resounding win. One day. And it was not a day, from all accounts, with any debauchery involved.
Dungy and Harrison feel it's a bad example to set for the other players, that the leader of the team is jetting off to Vegas on a day off, especially when the team has such a bad record in recent Decembers. I just don't buy it. He was back in the building for treatment Saturday morning after 24 hours in Vegas.

"We're playing the same coverages we play on third [down]; we're not executing them in the two-minute," Phillips said. "Now whether it's a mentality that we're softer, that's what we're trying to work out. I mean, we're trying to get that done."

...

"he plans to emphasize two-minute defense even more during bye-week practices."

...

"I think we could play really dominating defense if we could clean that up," said Phillips, whose unit ranks 21st in total defense (357.8 yards per game) and 28th against the pass (251.4).

That’s right.
It now appears that rookie Cowboys kicker, David Buehler, has replaced Chuck Norris as the baddest man alive.
In case you didn’t know:
David Buehler can slam a revolving door.
David Buehler counted to infinity—twice.
David Buehler doesn’t get frostbite. He bites frost.
You get the point.

Matt Jones is still waiting for his second chance
By MJD

Just days after one NFL team gave out the ultimate second chance, another former high draft pick is working out and wondering when he'll get his.

That would be former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones, who David Quinones of the Miami Herald caught up with this weekend. Jones has spent $20,000 at the IMG training academy -- not the first expensive habit Jones has had -- to help get his body and his mind right for the 2009 season. That is, if anyone will give him a job.

It's a phone call I'd have thought Jones would've gotten by now. He caught 65 balls in just 12 games for a team that was not gifted in the area of passing. His 65 catches led the team, despite the fact that he only played 75 percent of the season for the Jags. That's production. Those are the numbers of a quality player; a player on the rise.

The character questions continue to bite him, though. As you probably know, Jones was arrested on a charge of cocaine possession in July of 2008, and then violated the terms of his probation by testing positive for alcohol.

After that, the Jags released him. He hasn't gotten a nibble from another team yet, but he's working hard to stay ready. From the Herald:

The [IMG] facility's staff has brought in 15 NFL players, including Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie(notes) and Fabian Washington(notes), to help Jones simulate the camp time he is missing. When the academy hosted 20 NBA draftees, Jones stepped onto the hardwood and fit right in. Between trying to sell his Jacksonville home and workouts with former Super Bowl receiver Ricky Proehl(notes), Jones is trying to focus on his game during a time when other players prepare with two-a-days.

"It's close. We're out running and doing routes from 10:30 [a.m.] to 2:30 in the heat,'' Jones said. "But nothing is camp.''

Surely, someone could use him. It's not hard to think of teams who need help at the receiver position, and it's not hard to think of guys in the NFL who have done worse than Jones. Some team would be wise to embrace this season of second chances and give Jones a call.

Sweet style huh...

After months of rumors that the Giants were poised to lock up quarterback Eli Manning for the long haul, it finally has happened.

According to Jay Glazer of FOX, Manning and the team are on the verge of agreeing to a six-year extension worth $97.5 million.

Glazer reports that the deal includes $35 million in guaranteed money.

Factoring in the $9.4 million in base salary that Manning already was due to earn in 2009, the annual average of the seven-year, $106.9 million arrangement is $15.2 million.

Though Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers will earn more this season under his one-year franchise tender, Manning's contract represents the biggest multi-year average that any NFL player has received.

On the surface, Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's seven-year, $100 million deal comes close, but the reality is that it's only (only?) a four-year, $48 million package. And the $102 million deal given last year to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger covers eight seasons.

As our own Tom Curran pointed out last month, the Manning deal likely will be the first big-money domino to fall in an ongoing string of record-setting quarterback contracts.

Next up? Philip Rivers. Then Tom Brady. Then Eli's big brother, again.

to wide receiver Sam Hurd, maybe it's Westbrook that should consider studying Jones.

"He's 10 times better than Brian Westbrook," Hurd said. "And I like Brian Westbrook. I've always liked him. He's a great player. I mean, awesome.

"But Felix, man. Like I always say, I ain't ever seen nothing like Felix Jones."

That might qualify as hyperbole at this stage, but Hurd isn't alone in his high opinion of the second-year tailback from Arkansas.

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Dallas Cowboys
Training camp site: San Antonio

Campfires: The one legitimate camp battle that will take place features second-year cornerbacks Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins. Terence Newman's the obvious starter, but Scandrick, a fifth-round choice, will challenge Jenkins, a first-round pick. Scandrick was the more complete player his rookie season, but Jenkins has vowed to win the job -- via his blog.

Al Bello/Getty Images
Dallas needs Roy Williams to improve upon his first season with the Cowboys.
It might be interesting to keep your eye on the situation at left guard, where Kyle Kosier will try to hold off Montrae Holland and last year's fill-in, Cory Procter. Kosier has more experience, but Holland might have more athletic ability.

The running back rotation also will be intriguing to watch. The Cowboys have hinted about starting Felix Jones and returning Marion Barber to his cleanup role. I'm not sure it's the right way to go, but the Cowboys will certainly take a long look at it. Also take a look at the competition for the No. 2 receiver spot. Miles Austin appears to have the inside track, but Patrick Crayton's not ready to concede.

Camp will be a downer if ... Tony Romo and Roy Williams can't get on the same page. They had their moments during offseason workouts, but they didn't wow anyone. Perhaps Williams' dedication to weightlifting and conditioning will pay off.

I think the Cowboys also need Anthony Spencer to make a strong move at outside linebacker. If he doesn't take the next step or he ends up with another injury, it would certainly be a downer.

Camp will be a success if ... Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett's able to implement a more balanced offense that utilizes the Cowboys' depth at running back. Garrett's under a lot of pressure to live up to his immense paycheck.

Division Camp Previews
• Tuesday: NFC North | AFC North
• Wednesday: NFC East | AFC East
• Thursday: NFC South | AFC South
• Friday: NFC West | AFC West

MORE
• Camp battles: AFC | NFC
• Schedule: Training camp dates


Success also means strong performances from free-agent additions Igor Olshansky and Keith Brooking. The Cowboys need Brooking to be an upgrade over Zach Thomas, who never looked totally comfortable at his inside linebacker spot in the vaunted Wade Phillips 3-4. One more thing: The Cowboys need to agree to an extension with DeMarcus Ware. That would help alleviate any potential tension with the team's best player.

Surprise, surprise: I think Sam Hurd will have an outstanding camp and could actually challenge for the No. 2 receiver role. He really impressed me during OTAs -- when he wasn't working with the trainers.

1. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
The most prolific tight end in league history belongs at the top of this list. The nine-time Pro Bowler led all tight ends in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,058) and touchdowns (10) last season, and he continues to be the standard for the position. A precise route runner with exceptional hands, Gonzalez is a dominant playmaker over the middle of the field. Although he isn't considered a speed merchant at this stage of his career, he still made 10 receptions over 20 yards last season while facing a steady diet of bracket or double coverage. In addition, the 12-year pro topped the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season and the fourth time in his illustrious career. With no other tight ends able to match his production or consistency, Gonzalez unquestionably remains the best at his position.

2. Jason Witten, Cowboys
The four-time Pro Bowler is arguably the NFL's most complete tight end. Witten is a skillful receiver with outstanding hands and route-running ability. Although he's often the No. 2 option in Dallas' passing game, the six-year veteran has perennially ranked among the reception leaders at tight end. He has five straight seasons with 60 or more receptions and has eight 100-yard receiving days in his career. While Witten is lauded for his receiving skills, he's also regarded as an outstanding run blocker. He excels at doing the dirty work on the edges and is one of the few players on this list who could be considered a throwback tight end.

By Matt Mosley

Before a toe injury ended his 2008 season, Cowboys rookie running back Felix Jones had already become a dynamic presence in the offense. Questions still remain why offensive coordinator Jason Garrett wasn't using Jones more, but he'll be able to make up for that in 2009.

The Cowboys selected Jones No. 22 overall in the '08 draft because they thought he'd be a better complementary player to starter Marion Barber than Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall. Jones had to play second-fiddle to Darren McFadden at Arkansas, but he was still one of the most explosive players in the nation.

Jones made the most of his limited playing time in '08, averaging 8.9 yards on 30 carries and returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. He also had three touchdown runs of 20 yards or more, including a 60-yarder at Lambeau Field.

The Cowboys are toying around with the idea of starting Jones and letting Barber return to the closing role that he filled when Julius Jones was still on the roster. The thought is that Jones and Tashard Choice could hurt defenses with their speed and quickness, allowing Barber to come in and punish defenders with his battering style.

Jones is an instinctive back who could easily reach 800 yards rushing with somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 to 15 carries a game. And I also think he can help make up for the loss of Terrell Owens by contributing to the passing game. With LeSean McCoy (Philly) and Andre Brown (New York) entering the division, you have some talented young backs. But Jones has a chance to make a major breakthrough now that he's completely healthy.

In fact, let's make him my breakout player of the year in the NFC East. Now we're anxious to see what SportsNation thinks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. COWBOYS

Tony Romo
Jon Kitna
Stephen McGee
Rudy Carpenter

There has been plenty of focus around Tony Romo's off-field action, but he's been pretty good on it. At least during the regular season. He's got the numbers and individual accolades (Pro Bowl berths in 2006 and 2007), but not the respect earned through playoff success. This year he also has no T.O., which Dallas hopes will allow him to lead more effectively. If Romo gets injured, this year they traded for backup Jon Kitna as a strong No. 2 — especially from the character POV. Kitna is one of the tougher, more well-respected players in football and should prove a great outlet for Romo as he seeks to take control of the Dallas locker room.

Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
After a season that was historically disappointing, the Cowboys cleaned house of "bad character" guys. Gone are Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones, and that guy whose initials are T and O. Also gone are veterans Roy Williams (the safety) and Greg Ellis. Not gone is Wade Philips, who gets a chance to coach on the Cowboys hot seat for a third season. Dallas finishes above .500 and earns a Wild Card as one of three NFC East teams to make the playoffs. The Cowboys average 23.0 points per game (#9) and allow 20.3 points (#14) against a schedule featuring seven games against 2008 playoff teams.

Absolute Record:11-5

Most Significant Newcomer: Keith Brooking, LB - Last year, Dallas plugged veteran Zach Thomas into the middle linebacker spot and, while he put up big tackle numbers, he struggled in Wade's system. Keith Brooking may seem like a similar player, yet should be an upgrade over Thomas. Wade was defensive coordinator and interim head coach with Brooking in Atlanta so Brooking knows the system well. The Cowboys need a veteran to speak out and show some leadership, both on the field and in the locker room, which Brooking has done in the past.

Biggest Strength: Running Backs - One of the new fads in the NFL is the duel-threat running back system. The Cowboys have a triple threat with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Barber is a bruiser as well as a great pass catcher, who can help Dallas close out games late in fourth with his ability to break tackles. Felix Jones, the team's 2008 first round pick, is the homerun threat with a ton of speed and game-breaking ability. Tashard Choice is somewhere in between as a solid all-around back. Dallas needs to trust its running backs to guide the offense, which should take pressure off of quarterback Tony Romo and the passing game. The projections see Barber, Jones and Choice combine for 2,657 total yards and 21 touchdowns on 490 touches. Even more touches would be better for the team.

Most Exploitable Weakness: Secondary - Even benefitting from one of the league's best pass rushes last year, secondary was the Cowboys biggest problem area and it appears to be that way again in 2009. Dallas replaced mostly-ineffective safeties Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin with Gerald Sensabaugh and a year older version of Ken Hamlin. Then, the team traded starting corner Anthony Henry to Detroit, leaving Dallas with five possible players, none with more than one year of NFL experience, competing to take Henry's place opposite Terrance Newman. Sensabaugh is a slight upgrade and there is a pretty good chance that at least one of the five kids sticks as an NFL-caliber starting cornerback; however, the Cowboys still have a long way to go before the level of play in their secondary can match the rest of the roster.

Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Martellus Bennett, TE - It seems that every skill position, non-starter on the Cowboys' offense could be a fantasy sleeper. Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and Miles Austin are candidates, but Jones isn't enough of a threat to catch the ball and Choice and Austin each have two players with much better talent in front of them. Martellus Bennett may also have great talent ahead of him on the depth chart in Jason Witten, the top ranked fantasy tight end in the league, yet he should still see his share of looks. Dallas will work two tight end sets into the playbook to both aid its talented running game and get Bennett's blend of size and athleticism on the field. He had 20 catches for 283 yards last year. We assume he will top that, which would already rank Bennett in front of several of the NFL's starting tight ends.

Closest Game: @New York Giants (Week 13) - This will be the last time ever the Cowboys visit Giants Stadium. Tony Romo is 5-9 in December. This game is the start of a December (and January) stretch featuring all three divisional opponents, as well as the Saints, and Chargers - all of whom we project as .500 or better teams. Winning in New York, or at least playing very well in New York could be the start of a run similar to the Giants' of 2007.

Fantasy Notables: Tony Romo (6) 3,664 yards, 22 TDs, 17 INTs; Marion Barber (23) 1,212 total yards, 8 TDs; Felix Jones (48) 666 toal yards, 7 TDs; Tashard Choice (51) 754 total yards, 5 TDs; Roy Williams (21) 73 receptions, 994 yards, 6 TDs; Patrick Crayton (65) 32 receptions, 455 yards, 3 TDs; Jason Witten (1) 84 recpetions, 1,051 yards, 6 TDs; Nick Folk (6) 38/38 XPs, 28/33 FGs

Projected 2009 Results:Week Opponent Win% Avg Score
1 @Tampa Bay Buccaneers 68 28-23
2 New York Giants 57 21-17
3 Carolina Panthers 56 25-21
4 @Denver Broncos 75 30-23
5 @Kansas City Chiefs 76 27-19
7 Atlanta Falcons 53 22-20
8 Seattle Seahawks 78 25-14
9 @Philadelphia Eagles 40 14-19
10 @Green Bay Packers 68 24-20
11 Washington Redskins 60 21-16
12 Oakland Raiders 65 28-21
13 @New York Giants 41 19-23
14 San Diego Chargers 60 27-22
15 @New Orleans Saints 45 24-28
16 @Washington Redskins 49 17-19
17 Philadelphia Eagles 34 16-19

(From Whatif Sports)

Position Name OVR SPD ACC
QB T. Romo 87 73 80
QB J. Kitna 68
QB S. McGee 59

RB M. Barber 88 85 93
RB F. Jones 78 96 97
RB T. Choice 76 88 93

FB D. Anderson 76

WR R. Williams 84 86 85
WR P. Crayton 73 85 87
WR M. Austin 71 91 92
WR S. Hurd 65 83 85
WR I. Stanbeck 63 88 87

TE J. Witten 97 75 79
TE M. Bennett 75 78 80

OL A. Gurode 93
OL L. Davis 92
OL F. Adams 88
OL K. Kosier 83
OL M. Colombo 81
OL D. Free 71
OL M. Holland 71
OL P. McQuistan 69
OL R. Brewster 67
OL C. Procter 64
OL M. Spanos 56

DL J. Ratliff 87
DL I. Olshansky 80
DL M. Spears 71
DL J. Siavii 63
DL J. Hatcher 59
DL T. Anderson 58
DL M. Dixon 48

LB D. Ware 98 86 97
LB K. Brooking 86 72 82
LB B. James 82 74 79
LB G. Ellis 80 74 86
LB A. Spencer 72 73 88
LB B. Carpenter 62 77 85
LB V. Butler 55 79 84
LB J. Williams 54 87 90

CB T. Newman 88 97 97
CB M. Jenkins 73 88 95
CB O. Scandrick 71 95 97
CB D. Smith 67 85 91
CB A. Ball 45 83 90

S K. Hamlin 84 84 87
S G. Sensabaugh 73 83 87
S M. Hamlin 68 77 81
S P. Watkins 67 83 90
S D. Smith 67 85 91
S T. Battle 59 88 86
S C. Brown 58 91 93

K N. Folk 87

P M. McBriar 95

For a discussion about T.O. and Tony Romo, ESPN.com called upon two of its most divisive newsroom personalities: John "The Professor" Clayton and me. Will Romo be better off without the most polarizing player in the league, or will the Cowboys' offense sputter without T.O.'s production?

3. Philadelphia Eagles
Final Score: 71.0
The Eagles didn't get a grade in any category under 8.5. This is a great organization, from owner Jeff Lurie , to the PR staff to the talent and good guys on the playing roster. Andy Reid and his outstanding coaching staff proved to be the difference between the Eagles and rival Giants.

4. New York Giants
Final Score: 69.5
Jerry Reese has done wonders in the draft since taking over for Ernie Accorsi as general manager. The Giants received high marks for head coach, ownership , defense, and quarterback. When it comes to the Mara and Tisch families, everything is touched with class. The Giants die hard fan base and a new stadium helped with the grade for intangibles.

12. Dallas Cowboys
Final Score: 59
Jerry Jones, owner, got a 9.5. Jerry Jones, general manager, got a 2.5. The incredible fan support helped the Boys and the quest for so many free agents to join "America's team" helped Dallas get a 10 for intangibles. Wade Phillips got a 5 while his staff got a 7.

24. Washington Redskins
Final Score: 46.0
I like Jim Zorn's staff with Greg Blache and Joe Bugel. It's Jim Zorn himself that made the ranking plummet. And Dan Snyder. And Vinny Cerato. Even a strong defensive grade couldn't save Washington.

"As always, the Cowboys were one of the most polarizing teams in the field. I had them at No. 11, but Pat Yasinskas had them at No. 3. Seriously. John Clayton has the Cowboys ranked at No. 22. And yes, that's the biggest gap (19 spots) in the voting. If anyone's interested, I'm happy to call up Clayton and ask for an explanation. The Cowboys ended up in the No. 13 spot."

1. San Diego Chargers
Who: QB Philip Rivers; RBs LaDanian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles

Add/subtract: When you have the NFL's top-rated passer and two backs combining for 1,440 rush yards, 81 receptions and 18 TDs, you don't need to add much. The Chargers went big on power, drafting two offensive linemen and two defensive linemen with their first four picks. Of course, getting Shawne Merriman back may be the biggest "add" of all.

Questionable: How much longer can L.T. continue being L.T.? And will Rivers' maturity finally match his talent? Maybe more to the point, if Merriman and that defense start setting up this backfield on short fields, how good can this team be?

The thought: Rivers and the Bolts got a delicious taste of what it feels like when it all comes together. And L.T., one of the great tailbacks in NFL history, has at least one year left, and his understudy would start for more than a few clubs.

2. New York Giants
Who: QB Eli Manning; RBs Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw

Add/subtract: The Giants will miss 1,000-yard back Derrick Ward and WR Plaxico Burress (who they sorely missed last season). But the Giants drafted two WR's (Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden), one TE (Travis Beckum) and an OT (Will Beatty) in the first three rounds to add playmates for an already elite backfield.

Questionable: The Burress aftershocks should be over, but are they?

The thought: This top-10 offense was on a mission to improve its skill positions. It will be difficult to keep it from topping the 427 points it notched last season.

3. Dallas Cowboys
Who: QB Tony Romo; RBs Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice

Add/subtract: Terrell Owens. You decide if that's an addition or not.

Questionable: Can Roy Williams become the deep threat Romo needs to force defenses out of eight-man fronts?

The thought: Romo's passer rating (91.4) was significantly higher than his U.S. Open qualifying score (80), and that's a good thing. Instead of handing clubs to caddies, he'll be handing pigskins to the three-headed monster at tailback. Having all those options will allow Romo to play relaxed and balanced -- and talk to Jason Witten without T.O. getting suspicious