MikeDoocy's Blog

Several outlets are reporting that Adam "Pacman" Jones has been fully reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  No surprise here.  Pacman's been able to practice and play in the pre-season games.  Since joining the Cowboys,  he has managed to avoid being arrested.  That's something he failed to do six times in the past three years or so.

   More details to come..we'll see what Jerry and the boys have to say about it before tonight's exhibition finale at Texas Stadium.

   Hope you can join us for the "Dash for Dignity," coming up in October.  It's a 5K run/walk benefitting the Citizens Development Center of Dallas.  That's a tremendous facility that helps persons with disabilities, providing employment.  I"m proud to be involved.  Here are the paticulars.

DASH FOR DIGNITY/5K RUN AND WALK

OCTOBER 11/WHITE ROCK LAKE

CALL 214 637 2911 or CDCDALLAS.ORG

THANKS!

  The Summer games are FINALLY over.  Don't get me wrong.  I enjoyed them as much as the next guy.   Loved the Phelps story in the pool,  the Bolt story on the track and the exploits of the Redeem Team on the hardwood.

    But Parker's Nastia Liukin stole the show in my book.   I hadn't heard of her until a few weeks before the Olympics started.   It was then that our FOX 4 cameras filmed Nastia at her gym in Plano preparing for the games.  It was clear that this young lady was really something special.

     Then, last week I was on hand at DFW airport to cover Liukin's homecoming.  She showed the grace and composure of the champion she is.  Five medals in Beijing, including the all-around gold for Nastia.   And now,  a lifetime full of memories.

  Back at the Ballpark on a Thursday night that marks the end of the Rangers/Yankees series.  Haven't heard the attendance yet..but the crowd looks bigger than in any of the first three games.   Rangers will need to rally to win the series,  trailing 2-0 midway through.

   You try to be objective (at least I do) in this job.   But when a guy like David Murphy gets  hurt,  I can't help but feel for the young man.  Here's a guy who  struggled through a largely undistinguished minor league career.   He ends up with the Rangers this season and somehow puts together a season that has him in the Rookie of the Year discussion.  Whenever you talk to him,  it's obvious he appreciates the opportunity to play at this level.    Now, he'll be out several weeks with that strained knee.

    Murphy has meant so much to this team.   He's emblematic of the "never say die" attitude that the club has become known for.  Here's hoping that attitude will help him during a swift recovery.

   I don't know..maybe this Ranger team is poised to make a wildcard run.  But even if it doesn't,  looking back at this precise moment might be enough to make fans hopeful about the future.

   Coming off the Byrd walk-off Monday night,  there's another big crowd here for the Yankee game tonight.   Some people in the house are even Ranger fans.    A Josh Hamilton  homer has set the pace for a 5-1 lead midway through this game.

    A win tonight could move Texas to within 4 games of the wildcard lead.

It's been a while since Rangers Ballpark was THE place to be on August 5th.  Tonight, even in the heat,  it is. 

 Hey, I'm back from Oxnard following a quick and busy week at Cowboys training camp.  Tried to get a run in at White Rock Saturday.  "Tried" is the operative word.   I got spoiled jogging in 60 degree weather out west.  Gonna take awhile to get used to this stuff (do we ever get used to it?)

   Anyway...my top five moments from a week at camp.

5) Jerry Jones admitting to me that he may be putting his head coach in an uncomfortable position by retaining Jason Garrett as his obvious successor.

4) Michael Irvin's presence at camp.  Love him or hate him,  the playmaker is still one of the most popular Cowboys ever.  And the fan response in Oxnard showed it.  Watching Irvin work after practice with young receivers was truly special.

3) Tank Johnson mingling with disabled fans.  To see a guy that size,  with that "reputation" show a softer side, that's an eye-opener.  Tank's new personality was one of the real talking points of my week in Oxnard.  Can his play make a similar impact?

2)  Flozell Adams(Michigan State) giving me a hard time for wearing my Hawkeye visor.  It's the first time Flo's ever spoken to me.  What a moment.

1)  The Quake Aftershock.  Coach Wade Phillips joked that it must have just been Leonard Davis walking by.   But Oxnard felt the effects of the 5.4 quake south of L.A.  Not much to it, really.  But for me it was a first.  And hopefully a last.

SPORTS SUNDAY TONIGHT AT 10 WITH MORE CAMP COVERAGE.  MY CONVERSATION WITH DEMARCUS WARE AND MORE..TONIGHT!!!

 Just one practice here today..and it's looking like the big "news" might involve Tony Romo's main squeeze.

   Some celebrity websites are publishing photos of Romo w/ Jessica Simpson heading out to dinner here last night.    Could a Jessica visit to camp follow today?   If so, it will create the second tremor of the week.

   As far as football goes..I had a chance to sit down with NT Tank Johnson last night for an interview.  Tank's personality transformation has been noticed by many here.   Joining the Cowboys last year following his suspension,  Johnson was quite guarded.  This camp he has opened up to fans and media.   He's shown some personality and intelligence.  See what you think as we air the interview with Tank tonight at 9 on FOX 4 News.

  At 11:44 am Oxnard time,  photographer Chris Hanks and I were setting up for an outdoor interview with Cowboys TE Jason Witten.  We were sitting down for a moment,  when I felt a bit dizzy.  Ten seconds of this feeling passed before I realized that we'd felt the effects of an earthquake.  Seconds later, we learned that a 5.4 quake had hit south of LA.

  Thankfully,  no major damage.  And in Oxnard,  absolutely no ill effects.   But I must say,  having never felt a quake's aftermath...this was strange.   Terrell Owens came out of his room..asking what was going on.  Roy Williams,  a California native,  knew immediately.  He was doing an interview next to us when it hit.

   The Cowboys went on with their afternoon practice, of course.  Defensive end Chris Canty had some fun with the media after practice, saying that he "somehow mustered up the courage to show up for practice,  in spite of the ground moving."    We know, Chris.  It wasn't that big of a deal.   But for those of us who had never felt it,  it was really odd.

   The big football note of the day--Terence Newman out three weeks with the groin injury.

  Two practices tomorrow.

--Cornerback Terence Newman missed the afternoon practice with a strained groin. Wade Phillips doesn't think it's serious.   Newman walked off the field and before reporters could get two words out said.."save it!"

--Michael Irvin spent almost an hour schooling young receivers after the PM workout.  He worked closely with Isiah Stanback.   Irvin loves his raw talent.   Could Irvin ever be a coach?  Michael says no...he's strangle somebody..ala Woody Hayes!

--Irvin is looking forward to returning to television as a contributor to NFL Network.  He enjoys his local radio gig...but  this guy's a star who will eventually return as a regular on network TV.

--Seems like the entire Jones family is here.  The kids help Dad run the team,  the grandkids run around during and after practice.  Seemed like about a dozen of them playing on one of the practice fields 'til it was nearly dark.

--Temps were once again in the 70's here today(sorry).  Couldn't help but notice it was 110 degrees in the former campsite of  Wichita Falls.   One Cowboys trainer has told me it's surprising "we never lost a player" practicing in that type of heat.

--Afternoon workout only tomorrow.  You'll hear from Dave Campo,  Zach Thomas, Bradie James and others..plus breaking camp news on FOX 4 at 6,, 9 and 10.

MORNING PRACTICE OBSESRVATIONS.. --It's old home week out here. Michael Irvin's hosting his radio show.  Nate Newton's on hand in some sort of broadcast capacity.

     Each of the former Cowboys spent a moment with a former/current Cowboy coach.  Dave Campo's back coaching the secondary.   19 camps ago,  he was doing the same thing in Austin.  Now after head coaching this team and coordinating several defenses including this one,  Campo's back at his original post.  He tells me he missed the one-on-one teaching that sometimes is missing as a head coach or coordinator.  He likes working with the guys.  And coming from campo..I believe it.

--The T.O./Pacman battle continues.  Tony Romo is noticing,  saying he's heard the battles are reminiscent of  Irvin/Deion training camp showdowns.   Michael agreed when I spoke with him after practice.  Irvin says if he had trained in these beautiful weather conditions,  he never would have broken a sweat at the morning practice.

--Wade speaks at 4:45 (Texas time).  Then the second practice of the day.

 Good early morning from Cowboys camp.  Got the laptop situation figured out..so look for more frequent blogs.

Sunday hilites--

-The Adam Jones/T.O. battle is in full swing, with Owens beating Jones on a couple of deep balls.

-Early practice viewing (and it's very early) shows me that Pacman's most significant contribution to this team might come as a return man.  While his coverage skills could suffer early in the season,  his ability to run really fast with the ball on special teams is a skill that's quickly returning.

-Enjoyed talking with offensive line coach Hudson Houck,  back for his second tour of duty with the Cowboys.  He'll make a good unit even better up front.  Houck,  Dave Campo, Wade Wilson,  Jason Garrett..this coaching staff is truly "throwback Cowboys."  But  it's a staff that brings with it an impressive mix of talent and experience.

-Will Jessica Simpson show up at camp?  Her dad, Joe, says yes.  Mr. Simpson watched yesterday's practice and says Jess will soon do the same.   On Sports Sunday,  I asked Jerry Jones about Romo's celebrity girlfriend and possible distractions.   Jones said when you've dealt with as many off-field problems as he has...something like a quarterback's girlfriend is pretty tame.

--Jones also admitted to me that he may have put head coach Wade Phillips in an awkward position,  by retaining Jason Garrett,  Phillip's obvious eventual successor.  But Jones claims there are no written guarantees that Garrett gets the head coaching job next. 

--Two practices Monday..and all of the coverage on FOX 4 News at 6, 9 and 10.

Good morning on another perfect weather Saturday here in Cali.   Continued lap-top glitches are preventing more frequent blogs.  But I get the feeling you're somehow managing.

  Friday camp observations:

--Player reaction varied regarding the Terry Glenn release.   Terrell Owens made a point of saying the team's receiving corps was just fine without Glenn last year.   On the other hand,  Jason Witten seemed genuinely concerned.  And Roy Williams was stunned when I informed him of the release.

--Interesting that Tony Romo wasn't made available to the media following the team's first practice.  This guy's the focal point of this franchise,  as popular as any player I've covered in 14 plus years of following this team.  My sense is that the p.r. guys wanted to save Romo the trouble of having to respond to the Glenn story while it was still so fresh.  Romo's a huge Glenn fan, and can't be happy about the move. 

--More on Roy..his mood seemed almost playful with the media after practice.  I asked him about a "rough" off-season.  He pressed me for details,  but not in the defensive way we've grown to expect.   I have a feeling Dave Campo's addition to this coaching staff could mean a better year ahead for Roy,  who continues to make the Pro Bowl in spite of nearly constant criticism from media and fans.

--It's hard to escape the presence of HBO's "Hard Knocks" crews here.  They get unlimited access.   The cameras and mic's were right in Jerry's face as he appeared to be making the final sideline phone calls regarding the Glenn release.   You don't think Jerry would orchestrate the Glenn story just to provide an interesting narrative to showcase "G.M. Jerry"  do you?  Me neither.

--Two practices Saturday,  with newly signedfirst round pickes Jones and Jenkins expected for the afternoon session.

--Sports Sunday features Jerry Jones live,  Max Morgan with Troy Aikman,  and a sit-down conversation with a yet to be determined Cowboy.    See you soon.

  Good morning from lovely Oxnard California.   I arrived with photojournalist Chris Hanks early Thursday afternoon,  and we quickly made our way to Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station for the Cowboys arrival.    A glitch in my laptop prevented me from blogging sooner.

    In a brief chat with Tony Romo,  the Cowboys QB talked about the excitement of returning to California.  Last time the Cowboys trained here,  Romo was an afterthought. Now, he's the face of America's Team.  And he's loving every minute of it.

   One guy not appearing to love his role right now is head coach Wade Phillips.  Wade was testy at the opening news conference Thursday.   He apparently feels that he's been unfairly criticized for his team's poor play down the stretch which resulted in a one and done playoff loss to the Giants.   But make no mistake.  Wade's also irritated by suggestions that this is his last year as Cowboys head coach, no matter what.  I happen to agree with the theory that says that this will be Jason Garrett's team next year,  even if Dallas wins the Super Bowl.   And heaven help Wade if this year's team gets off to a poor start.   The coach-in-waiting is only a headset away.

    Friday's schedule includes "opening ceremonies"  and the first practice from 4-6pm Texas time.  Look for my reports for the next week or so on FOX 4 News at 6, 9 and 10, plus frequent camp contributions to the Good Day broadcast. 

   Heading west tomorrow to cover the first week of  Cowboys training camp.  This will be my 15th Cowboys camp.  I've seen this thing through the Austin, Wichita Falls, San Antonio and Oxnard days.   The club's returning to the River Ridge facility in California because of a scheduling conflict at the AlamoDome. 

   You'll get tired of hearing this,  but the weather in the Oxnard area is perfect this time of year. Typically 75-80 degrees during the "heat" of the day ,  and cool at night.  I might even need a sweater for the 9/10pm broadcasts.

    Photojournalist Chris Hanks and I look forward to bringing you all of the sights and sounds of what should be a fascinating camp.  I'll be blogging several times a day with updates.

   Good evening from the Ballpark..where the Rangers tonight open the biggest series of the season so far.  I would have bet big money against ANY series in July actually meaning something for this team.   But credit manager Ron Washington for cleaning up his club-house and credit his players for figuring out a way to keep this thing interesting.

    Texas starts the series 7.5 games behind the Angels in the AL West.  Anaheim's pitching  has  come together, and this team is the best road club in baseball.  It's gonna be nearly impossible for anybody catch this team, let alone the Rangers.

   But usually by this time of the year, with Cowboys camp looming,  local baseball has already become an afterthought.  It's refreshing that these games still hold genunine interest.  If you can call any 93 degree night refreshing.

   A visit to the Ranger clubhouse finds a loose bunch right now,  and for good reason.  With four all-stars,  and a few other guys having all-star calibre seasons,  there's plenty of reason for back-slapping and joke-telling.    But this Ranger team is no joke,  and as the All-Star game approaches credit the folks here on Ballpark Way with taking a huge step in the right direction during the season's first half.