Todd Archer Columns | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas

Top Dallas All-Star moments

02/15/2010

LeBron, D-Wade a duo made in All-Star fantasy heaven
Mostly the NBA All-Star Game is about fantasy. Come see the stars play together in a game that means little to nothing. See Steve Nash set up Dirk Nowitzki one more time. See Amare Stoudemire shoot a 3. See Dwight Howard take an alley oop from Rajon Rondo. See amazing dunks and no-look passes.

02/14/2010

LeBron's former peers trying to get a foot in NBA door

Getty Images

There was a time Mustafa Shakur and Brian Butch walked with LeBron James, before the Cleveland star became a corporation, someone known by his first name only.

Nowitzki's star shines for all to see

Previews: West | East

Contests: 3-point | Dunk | Team shooting

Sherrington: Kids' stuffs don't cut it

Nash exhilarated

Dirk pokes fun at Cuban's play

Blogs: Mavs | Scene

02/12/2010

NBA star Chris Paul had 'Dallas Cowboys sheets on my bed'
If the Western Conference All-Stars need a tour guide Sunday at Cowboys Stadium, Chris Paul is their guy.

02/11/2010

Cowboys' formula to improve is simple: Make yards equal points

Tony Romo's decision making improved in 2009. Now offensive coordinator Jason Garrett hopes to get the team's point totals to match their output in terms of yardage.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

The Cowboys improved vastly in terms of limiting turnovers in 2009. Now, Jason Garrett's goal is to get his offense to score points to match its impressive yardage output, writes Todd Archer.

How much draft credit does Wade deserve?

How important is a first-round pick?

Herm Edwards likes Cowboys as NFC champs in 2010

Former Cowboy Daryle Smith dies at 46

02/08/2010

Drew Brees 'calling' to New Orleans results in title
Since Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans, he has married himself to the city more than just by being the Saints quarterback.

02/01/2010

At the Pro Bowl, there's fun for Cowboys, even in losing
The families of Cowboys players and coaches sat mostly in Sections 121 and 122, tucked into a corner of Sun Life Stadium on Sunday.

01/30/2010

Austin catching on fast to new fame with Cowboys
As he prepared this week for today's Pro Bowl, nothing could take the smile off Miles Austin's face, writes Todd Archer.

01/29/2010

Cowboys' strong '09 finish doesn't cinch Super end to 2010

Miles Austin and the Dallas Cowboys handed New Orleans its first loss of the season, 24-17, on Dec. 19.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

In the regular season, the Cowboys have been close to being the NFL's best, leaving many to believe they are near a ninth Super Bowl, writes Todd Archer. Is it just a tease?

Awards: Best play | Worst plays

Foot surgery for Ware

Jerry Jones: More cowbell (noise)

Romo on Kurt Warner

Phillips cracks up NFC

Good times for Austin

Radio tops Irvin's agenda

Happy 50th, Cowboys

FSSW video: Manster muses on Cowboys

01/28/2010

Cowboys' Tony Romo targets Williams and other topics

Receiver Roy Williams (11) found himself in the background this season when it came to the number of passes he caught (38 for 596 yards) from Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Tony Romo, in Florida for Sunday's Pro Bowl, passed along his thoughts about Roy Williams on Thursday in a Q&A with media.

Off. disappointment: Roy Williams

Def. disappointment: Few turnovers

Sherrington chat: Cowboys

Ware honored to be All-Decade

T.O.: QBs held me back

Happy 50th, Cowboys!

FSSW video from Pro Bowl: Wade Phillips | Terence Newman

01/27/2010

As Cowboys coach, Phillips knows the bar has been set high
If Wade Phillips coaches the duration of his recent contract extension, only Tom Landry will have had a longer tenure with the Cowboys, writes Todd Archer.

Dat Nguyen leaving staff

DeMarcus Ware on All-Decade team

FSSW video: Miles Austin

Awards: Most improved - offense

Awards: Most improved - defense

01/17/2010

Dallas Cowboys offensive line can't withstand the pressure
If you're looking for long, exotic explanations for what happened, there aren't any, writes Todd Archer. "They just played better than us, plain and simple," right tackle Marc Colombo said.

01/14/2010

Bar is still ridiculously high for Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo
Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach did not do Tony Romo any favors.

Little seems different in Dallas Cowboys' preparation

Felix Jones (left) and Tashard Choice enjoy a moment of rest during the Cowboys' practice on Thursday.

There are no “Mission Accomplished” banners greeting visitors to the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility or signs posted on the walls outside the locker room, writes Todd Archer. Success isn’t a wild-card victory over the Eagles.

Ware, Ratliff All-Pros

Sensabaugh: 'We'd have to beat ourselves to lose'

Review chat with Souhan, Cowlishaw

How much should Barber play?

Photos: Best of Cowboys '09

01/11/2010

Fan whipping boy Bobby Carpenter on roll with Cowboys

Bobby Carpenter (right) has found a role with the Dallas Cowboys.

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

Bobby Carpenter is the guy you loathe. Admit it, writes Todd Archer. But he and other role players are keys to the Dallas Cowboys' current success.

Photos: Favre | Vikes

Report: Female Cowboys fan assaulted by Eagles fans

Vikings wary of Ware

Sherrington: Boys' Success secret

Cowboy, Viking are workout buddies

Vikings O-line tested

Why Witten could thrive Sunday

01/10/2010

Dallas Cowboys defense is starting to do it all
The Eagles Anthony Spencer had to answer question after question after question about what the Cowboys did to stop their NFC East rival three times, writes Todd Archer – when most teams could not do it once.

01/08/2010

Dallas Cowboys' Phillips coaching style has substance

Dallas' Jason Hatcher celebrates his first sack of the season, in the fourth quarter against Philadelphia.

TOM FOX / DMN

Jason Hatcher's first sack of the season and Anthony Spencer's strong play this season are signs that Wade Phillips' coaching style works, writes Todd Archer.

Romo vs. Philly blitz

Cowboys Stomp video

Checking in with the Eagles

Friday's Cowboys chats

Cowboys updates all day long on blog

01/06/2010

Cowboys' Tony Romo embraces pressure of playoff game

Tony Romo will make his third playoff start Saturday against the Eagles. He is 0-2 in previous postseason games against Seattle and the New York Giants.

DMN FILE PHOTO 2008

Quarterback Tony Romo has proven he can win a big game and play well late in the season. Winning in the playoffs is yet another hurdle, writes Todd Archer.

Gosselin: Why Cowboys can/can't win

Cowboys' coaching game

Bulletin board talk

Equal time for Barber, Jones?

Spitting image draws apology on Eagles' site

More updates on Cowboys blog

01/04/2010

Tony Romo shows he's learned well in Dallas Cowboys' 24-0 win

Tony Romo </strong>passed for 311 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's NFC East title-clinching win.

TOM FOX / DMN

Think of Tony Romo's growth from the last time he ended a season against Philadelphia, writes Todd Archer. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Dallas Cowboys' third drive of the game Sunday against Philadelphia in their 24-0 win.

Photos: Dal-Phi

Romo | Free

DBs | Eagles

Playoffs | Sum

12/31/2009

Reducing picks for Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo was no quick fix

Tony Romo has kept his interceptions to a minimum this season.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

Some assume Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo must have done something different this year. After all, he will have a career-low in interceptions, entering Sunday’s finale against Philadelphia with just eight through his first 15 games. Come up with different formulas, mix different categories, but the difference is simple, writes Todd Archer in his online column.

12/30/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Romo's leadership qualities becoming more evident

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has taken on more of a leadership role this season.

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has grown as a leader this season, writes Todd Archer. Sometimes, that leadership shows up in Romo being more vocal, but mostly it's evident in his daily approach.

Matchup: Eagles at Cowboys

Preview: Eagles at Cowboys

12/29/2009

Pro Bowl selection shows just how far Miles Austin has come

Through 15 games, Miles Austin is the NFL's fifth-leading receiver in terms of yardage.

Getty Images

Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin was at the movies Tuesday when he got a phone call from Jerry Jones informing him that he was one of six Dallas players to be named to the Pro Bowl. Not bad for an undrafted free agent in 2006 who entered this season with 18 career catches for 354 yards, writes Todd Archer.

Pro Bowl rosters (from nfl.com)

12/28/2009

Felix Jones shows worth in Dallas Cowboys' 17-0 win

-Felix Jones rushed 10 times for 58 yards against the Redskins on Sunday.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

Each time Felix Jones touches the ball, he offers a hint of explosion. But against Washington in a 17-0 Dallas Cowboys win, Jones showed the ability to get the between-the-tackle yards, writes Todd Archer.

12/26/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Jenkins succeeding in second season

Mike Jenkins has five interceptions, including this one against Carolina.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

Mike Jenkins will find out Tuesday if he makes his first Pro Bowl, but his second season has been a major success regardless, writes Todd Archer. Jenkins leads the Dallas Cowboys with five interceptions entering tonight's game (7:15 p.m., Ch. 5) at Washington.

GameDay: Dal-Was

12/25/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Spencer is making an impact when it counts

Anthony Spencer (left) has had at least six tackles in each of his last six games.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

Anthony Spencer has turned the corner, writes Todd Archer. All it took was time. Now the Dallas Cowboys are getting the player they thought they took in the first round (No. 26 overall) in 2007.

12/21/2009

No surprise: Suisham in, Folk out as kicker for Dallas Cowboys

Shaun Suisham, who kicked against Dallas while playing for Washington earlier this year, is joining the Cowboys in time to kick against the Redskins on Sunday.

TOM FOX / DMN

The Dallas Cowboys have made a change at kicker, bringing back Shaun Suisham and cutting the slumping Nick Folk.

Blog: Dallas Cowboys

12/20/2009

Confident Romo leads Dallas Cowboys to 24-17 victory,

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo eludes New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper.

G.J. McCARTHY / DMN

With a season on the line and an unflattering perception of who he was and who he can be as a quarterback on the line, Tony Romo directed the Dallas Cowboys to a 24-17 win against New Orleans Saturday night, writes Todd Archer.

Photos: Dal-NO

12/18/2009

Without touchdowns, Dallas Cowboys can't keep up with the Saints

Roy Williams (right) and the Dallas Cowboys should be eyeing the end zone often on Saturday.

TOM FOX / DMN

The theory is sound when you’re playing against an offense that is testing the boundaries of absurdity in the NFL. Hold on to the ball, run the clock, don’t let the other team have it. It’s an adult version of keep away. Welcome to the conundrum the Cowboys face entering Saturday’s game at New Orleans, writes Todd Archer.

12/13/2009

No upper hand for D in Dallas Cowboys' 20-17 loss

San Diego's Antonio Gates scores a touchdown to cap a frustrating drive for the Dallas Cowboys' defense.

TOM FOX / DMN

In a game that was billed as Norv Turner's offense against Wade Phillips' defense, the offense won, writes Todd Archer. Turner toyed with the Cowboys' defense, using Wade Phillips' tenure as the San Diego coordinator against the Cowboys.

Photos: Dal-SD

12/10/2009

Phillips needs to wade into uncharted territory and guarantee December success for Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have been stuck in a December funk for a long time, whether Wade Phillips wants to admit it or not, writes Todd Archer.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Todd Archer writes that Wade Phillips needs to step out of character and guarantee that the Dallas Cowboys will begin winning in December. Phillips needs to provide a defining moment like coach Jim Fassel did for the New York Giants' NFC champion team in 2000. Phillips has nothing to lose.

12/08/2009

Dallas Cowboys must fix whatever is holding field goal operation back

Washington's Fred Smoot celebrates a missed field goal attempt by Dallas' Nick Folk (6). Folk has missed eight attempts this season.

RON T. ENNIS / Special to DMN

Done correctly, it looks so easy. Snap. Hold. Kick. It all happens in a little more than a second. But for the Dallas Cowboys, the field goal operation has been anything but easy of late, writes Todd Archer.

Newsletter: Inside the Dallas Cowboys

12/06/2009

Dallas Cowboys must put this ugly loss behind them

Tony Romo (left) and Wade Phillips saw another December defeat in Giants Stadium on Sunday.

TOM FOX / DMN

The Dallas Cowboys left Giants Stadium with a loss – a painful 31-24 defeat Sunday that continued their December woes. To make sure there is a playoff game here or anywhere, the Cowboys need to move on, writes Todd Archer.

Photos: Dal-NYG

Phillips defends record after comments

12/03/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Wade Phillips knows coaching success is a subjective topic

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Wade Phillips is still working on becoming a great head coach, which is why the Dallas Cowboys have not picked up the 2010 option or give him an extension, writes Todd Archer.

Blog: Cowboys

11/26/2009

Romo, Witten endure pain, thrive in Dallas Cowboys' 24-7 win

Jason Witten (right) is off and running for some of his 107 yards receiving.

TOM FOX / DMN

Tony Romo and Jason Witten fought through the aches and pains Thursday for the three hours and 11 minutes it took for the Cowboys to beat Oakland, 24-7, writes Todd Archer.

Photos: Cowboys-Raiders

11/25/2009

Grandparents' love written all over Dallas Cowboys' Ogletree

Kevin Ogletree has tattoos on his arms in remembrance of his grandparents, Lawrence and Patricia Rossianno, who raised him.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH

The tattoos on Kevin Ogletree's arms tell a story, writes Todd Archer. The angel on the inside of his left arm is for his grandmother, Patricia Rossianno. On his right forearm is a portrait of his grandfather, Lawrence. The Rossiannos raised the Dallas Cowboys' rookie receiver after his parents split up.

Chat replay: Gerry Fraley

GameDay

11/22/2009

Defense dominant in Dallas Cowboys' 7-6 win

Jay Ratliff gets hold of Washington's Jason Campbell during Sunday's game.

TOM FOX / DMN

Anthony Spencer came up with the game-clinching interception against Washington in the Dallas Cowboys' 7-6 win. It was the perfect conclusion to a near-perfect day for a defense that did not allow a touchdown for the first time this season, writes Todd Archer.

Photos: Cowboys-Redskins

11/19/2009

Dallas Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins learns the art of game film

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Mike Jenkins has started eight games this season and leads the Cowboys with three interceptions. Jenkins puts most of his improvement in his second year on his preparation, writes Todd Archer.

Blog: Cowboys

11/15/2009

Best, worst of Roy Williams shows in Dallas Cowboys' 17-7 loss

Roy Williams had five catches for 105 yards for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

TOM FOX / DMN

Roy Williams caught a 9-yard touchdown pass with 38 seconds left. It helped the Dallas Cowboys avoid their first shutout since 2003 in the 17-7 loss, but there was no celebration.

11/12/2009

Romo, Ratliff are Dallas Cowboys' midseason MVPs

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Before the Dallas Cowboys begin the second half of the season at Green Bay, Todd Archer hands out some first-half awards.

Blog: Dallas Cowboys

11/07/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Romo battling perception that he's not a big-game QB

Tony Romo was sacked three times, threw an interception and had a fumble returned for a touchdown in last year's season-ending 44-6 loss at Philadelphia.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Tony Romo left Philadelphia after last December's season-ending 44-6 loss having difficulty breathing, the result of a cracked rib. Now, Romo returns to Lincoln Financial Field fighting the perception that he has not won a big game like the Cowboys will play Sunday night against the Eagles, writes Todd Archer.

Archives: Philly 44, Dallas 6

McNabb rolling

GameDay: Dallas-Phil.

11/05/2009

Drop the idea that Roy Williams is causing turmoil for Dallas Cowboys

Expected to be the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver, Roy Williams has only 13 receptions in six games.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Because of what the Dallas Cowboys gave up and paid for receiver Roy Williams, he will be the target of criticism. His numbers should be better. But Williams' comments - if you took them as a slap against Tony Romo – and his on-field work are not a problem right now, writes Todd Archer.

Williams stats

Cowboys-Eagles preview

11/01/2009

Crayton shows punt return prowess in Dallas Cowboys' 38-17 win

Patrick Crayton (84) dodges Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan on his way to a third-quarter touchdown on an 82-yard punt return.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

One week after picking up the first punt return for a touchdown in his career, Crayton came up with the second in as many weeks in the Dallas Cowboys' 38-17 win against Seattle, writes Todd Archer.

Blog: Taylor

Photos: Cowboys-Seahawks

Results: Week 8

10/29/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Spears focused on having his best season

Dallas' Marcus Spears, a first-round draft pick in 2005, is on pace for a career-high 56 tackles.

RON T. ENNIS / Special to DMN

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Marcus Spears nine spots after Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who signed a six-year, $78 million contract extension this week. The team has not talked to Spears about an extension, but he's not thinking about that anyway. Spears, writes Todd Archer, is focused on having the best season of his career.

Spears' stats

10/25/2009

Romo magical, efficient in Dallas Cowboys' 37-21 win

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo looks for room to run against the Atlanta Falcons.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

The difference between a great play and a bad play in the NFL is as thin as a shoelace. On Sunday, Tony Romo was at his Romo best in a 37-21 win for the Dallas Cowboys over the Atlanta Falcons.

Photos: Dal.-Atl.

10/22/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Crayton knows the business side of NFL

Receiver Patrick Crayton has been replaced as the Cowboys' punt returner.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

It has not been a good two weeks for Dallas Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton. He lost his punt return job to Allen Rossum and his starting wide receiver spot to Miles Austin. But the NFL is a business, writes Todd Archer, and Crayton gets it.

Crayton's stats

10/19/2009

Dallas Cowboys entering a critical stretch

Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles lost at Oakland, 13-9.

The Cowboys had one of their best weekends of the season and did not even play Sunday as the Giants, Eagles and Redskins all lost, writes Todd Archer. Now the Cowboys encounter a run of five straight NFC opponents.

10/17/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Romo still big man on campus

Tony Romo receives the key to the City of Charleston from Mayor John Inyart (right) and Eastern Illinois University President William Perry. The school also retired Romo's No. 17 jersey at Saturday's EIU-Tennessee Tech game.

When Tony Romo arrived at Eastern Illinois in 1998, he drove a Dodge Shadow with creaky doors, writes Todd Archer. Though he arrived via private plane on Saturday to be inducted into the school's Hall of Fame, have his No. 17 retired and receive the key to the city, he's still the same guy.

10/15/2009

Haley's comments: Dallas Cowboys' Ware seizes chance to learn from one of the best

Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware (left), who led the NFL with 20 sacks last season, got his first two of 2009 in Sunday's win over Kansas City.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Imagine you're at work and run into one of the best ever at what you do. Would you quiz that person on the finer points of the job? That's what Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware did when he ran into Charles Haley at Valley Ranch, writes Todd Archer.

Ware's stats

10/14/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Austin has tough act to follow - his own

Miles Austin's 10 catches against Kansas City doubled the total he had in the Cowboys' first four games this season.

RODGER MALLISON / Special to DMN

Now comes the hard part for Miles Austin, writes Todd Archer. The Dallas Cowboys receiver, who had 10 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the overtime win against Kansas City, has to show he can contribute every week.

Austin's stats

10/12/2009

Dallas Cowboys' identity is a muddle after five games
The Cowboys have been a running teams at times, a passing team at times -- a team that is stingy at times and avoids penalties at times. But columnist Todd Archer says the team has been none of those things on a regular basis.

Video: Report

Chat replay: Nichols

10/11/2009

Tony Romo responds to challenge in Dallas Cowboys' win

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo looks for a receiver under a heavy pass rush in the second quarter.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Tony Romo's 60-yard touchdown throw to Miles Austin delivered the Dallas Cowboys a 26-20 overtime victory against Kansas City, writes Todd Archer. The smile that so many say has vanished from Romo's face was back.

Video: Report

Photos: Cowboys-KC

10/08/2009

Dallas Cowboys' Jenkins won't forget past teammates

Mike Jenkins (right) earned the second interception of his NFL career against Carolina.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

Before every game, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins (right) drops to a knee and says a prayer, writes Todd Archer. He remembers Keeley Dorsey. He remembers Javan Camon. And his final thought is of Will Bleakley, his third South Florida teammate to have died in the last two years.

10/05/2009

Dallas Cowboys' 2-2 start leaves plenty of questions

Marion Barber (24) and the Dallas Cowboys’ offense ran effectively in the first quarter.

TOM FOX / DMN

Marion Barber and the Dallas Cowboys ran effectively early, yet the offense failed to score in the last three quarters of Sunday’s loss to Denver. It’s one of many examples of the team struggling to define itself.

Chat: Moore (10/5)

Photos: Dal.-Den.

Dallas Cowboys' Brooking: 'We've got to be desperate'
As the Dallas Cowboys look back and wonder how they lost, 17-10, at Denver, how they fell to 2-2 for the first time under Wade Phillips, how they let a statistical domination get away from them, they can look to Keith Brooking for the answer.

10/01/2009

Mistakes making life harder for Dallas Cowboys' offense

A holding penalty (flag lower right) called on Marc Colombo (75) cost the Cowboys a first down in Monday's game against Carolina.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Imagine where the Dallas Cowboys could be if they could just get out of their own way, writes Todd Archer. Teams have to have a sense when the game is there for the taking. In the last two weeks, the Cowboys have let it slip both times.

09/29/2009

Rush weak? Dallas Cowboys' running back depth being tested

Running back Felix Jones, averaging 10.1 yards per carry, sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Monday night's win.

ROSS HAILEY / Special to DMN

The Dallas Cowboys' running back depth is being tested, writes Todd Archer. Felix Jones sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Monday night's win over Carolina. Marion Barber injured his left quadriceps in Week 2. It's uncertain if either will play Sunday at Denver.

Jones' stats

Chat replay: David Moore on the Cowboys

Newsletter: Inside the Cowboys

Newman's play steals show in Dallas Cowboys' 21-7 win
Terence Newman is the Dallas Cowboys' best corner, and he showed how valuable he can be to a defense that finally got its first turnovers and sacks of the season in a 21-7 win over Carolina on Monday.

09/24/2009

Ellis' absence affecting Dallas Cowboys' pass rush

DeMarcus Ware (left) and others on the Dallas Cowboys defense have found it tough to get to the quarterback.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Through the Dallas Cowboys' two regular-season games, you are seeing the value of departed defender Greg Ellis, writes Todd Archer.