(Reuters) -
According to data released on Wednesday, Sept. 9th, 2011, via Forbes, the Dallas Cowboys will end 2011 as the NFL's most valuable team for a fifth consecutive year.

The Cowboys lead the way with an overall value of $1.85 billion, two percent higher than in 2011.
The average NFL team is now worth $1.04 billion.

English Premier League soccer champions Manchester United, however, retain the title as the world's most valuable sports team, according to a Forbes report earlier this year. The Red Devils, who have an estimated 333 million fans around the world, topped the list with a worth of $1.86 billion, just ahead of the Dallas Cowboys.

The 10 most valuable NFL teams for 2011:
1. Dallas Cowboys, $1.850 billion
2. Washington Redskins, $1.555 billion
3. New England Patriots, $1.400 billion
4. New York Giants, $1.300 billion
5. New York Jets, $1,223 billion
6. Houston Texans, $1,202 billion
7. Philadelphia Eagles, $1,164 billion
8. Chicago Bears, $1,093 billion
9. Green Bay Packers, $1,089 billion
10. Baltimore Ravens, $1,088 billion

TONY ROMO: Goes from "cluck" to "clutch"!

TONY ROMO: Goes from "cluck" to "clutch"!
Finally a clutch player???

Could this be the Tony Romo that I and many others have long been waiting to show up!?! Tony sucks up his injuries tonight and helps lead the 'Boys to victory despite the poor play from Dallas players on offense, defense and special teams. Finally Romo takes his team by the hand and starts acting like a real leader and demands better performance from his team-mates! Every player who screwed up received a strongly worded lecture from the Dallas QB/Leader tonight...especially Costa (C) and the receivers who dropped numerous passes or ran incorrect routes. This new attitude by Romo could be what will ignite the team to a better season this year; the best scenario that took place was in seeing Romo mature into a leader (he played cheerleader as well when players did well). This was a fun and exciting game to watch as Dallas beats Washington by a score of 18-16 via kicker Dan Bailey's leg; yes, the Cowboys won with nothing but field goals on this eve...maybe not the prettiest win, but nonetheless a check in the "W" column which is what will count after the 16-game season comes to a head.

WTG Cowboys!

{ Note/Warning to Cowboy haters: as a long-time Dallas Cowboy fanatic, I reserve the right to poke (pardon the pun) fun at my 'Boys. All others be cautioned not to try this without retaliation from me and/or other Cowboy fans in the family or my other Dallas Cowboy circle(s). J.K. - or- not! }

Michael Vick's complaints about refs: IMO, I'm not buying it!

DeAngelo Hall is hungry for "ribs": Tony Roma's? Nope, Tony Romo's!

"Football 101" (unwritten rule) basically dictates that players

go after opposing player's injuries.
I clearly understand that and have long seen it done.
However, IMO, I believe it shows a lack of sportsmanship
somehow when a player is as vocal & blatant about doing such a thing as
Hall said this past week about going after Romo.
Leave the planned antics understood, private and to yourself.
I just hope Romo is really ready to play if he starts on Monday night...
not just ready for any possible antics, but to avoid further injury(s).
Just saying...

An NHL Legend retires: Mke Modano officially retires as a Dallas Star!

.

For certain...we will miss you, Mike!
Thanks for helping our Stars win the Stanley Cup (1999).
Happy retirement.
We look forward to your nom into the NHL Hall of Fame
when your turn comes up.

MAYWEATHER V/PACQUIAO: If they decided to fight now! IMO!

ESPiN NEWS: Get rid of Craig James already!!!

The continuing shortfalls of the Big XII: PAC 12 changes their mind! Aggies still hell bent on SEC w/Mizzou maybe in tow!

Through today's progress, the PAC 12 decided on Tuesday, 9-21-11, it prefers to stay with just 12 teams. The SEC is still welcoming to A&M and now rumors have it that Missouri U may also be SEC bound.
OU (Prez Boren) announced also on Tuesday that they (OU) are reconsidering staying in the Big XII to try and keep it in tact. However, OU wants some conditions met:

1) The removal of Big XII Commissioner Dan Bebee
(which I totally agree with and have long wanted myself)
Mainly due to Dan's lack of fighting to keep
Nebraska and Texas A&M in the Big XII.
Most Big XII school presidents feel the same way as Boren
regarding Beebe's lack of concern towards both schools and want his removal.
Dan ignored the frustrations and concerns of both universities.
2) Restrictions on Texas' Longhorn Network;
that UT capitulate on network and not show high school
content/including highlights and no second conference game.
(the following is an excerpt from NewsOK read more, click on title):

The impression has been that Texas, via Beebe, has run roughshod over the Big 12. The source said Beebe made the decision that appeasing Texas was the Big 12's best hope for stability. “He made the wrong decision,” the source said. Instead, that led to instability, with the departure of Nebraska and now A&M.
The source said Big 12 presidents view Beebe as a commissioner serving only one school, Texas. They lay Nebraska's departure in June 2010 at the feet of Beebe.
“When a commissioner has a tin ear to what's happening in Nebraska and doesn't get himself up there…” the source said.
Ironically, the source said, Texas supported another candidate for commissioner four years ago, when Beebe was hired, while OU supported Beebe.
The source also said Beebe left items off the conference agenda that could have helped corral The Longhorn Network, such as a conference game being televised.
“The best commissioner's a consensus builder,” the source said. “We need a consensus-builder commissioner.
“You take the Big Ten, SEC, the Pac-12, their conference office runs circles around our conference in capability, not to mention bias. This commissioner totally cost us Texas A&M.”
The source said that OU could even push for revenue-sharing of individual networks. Texas is reaping more than $12 million a year from its ESPN contract with the Longhorn Network.
“What if we share a small percentage?” the source asked. “That's a real strong show of support. Where's anybody going to go in any other conference that doesn't want all your network? Wouldn't it be a nice show of good faith?
“It would be making sure the conference was even-handed and stable.
“It's true there's some things in favor of the Pac-12. Plain stability. We don't want to have to do this every year. What do we do? What do we do?”

The continuing shortfalls of the Big XII: Look out Pac 12 and SEC!

NOTHING ELSE LEFT TO BE SAID...

UT's new offensive system: Meet their new QB!

The continuing shortfalls of the Big XII: Bevo's "very own" Network: Big XII Commish keeps kissing "bevo butt"!

The continuing shortfalls of the Big XII: Aggies ready to go east: 'horns still a "thorn" for Big XII!

The continuing shortfalls of the Big XII: Baylor "holds A&M hostage"!

"We're (A&M) being held hostage!"..."and Baylor is the 'ringleader'!"
That is what a source close to TEXAS A&M said
during a BIG XII conference call today.

Latest: Wednesday, September 07, 2011:

As the SEC "officially and unanimously consents" to allow TEXAS A&M to join their conference today as the 13th member of the storied conference, BAYLOR threatens A&M with possible "legal action"! That threat goes forward if they (A&M) continue with plans to move eastward and "if" Oklahoma decides to abandon ship as well.

Update: Thursday, September 08, 2011:

In this latest of Big XII Conference "team shifting" news, thus far UT and TEXAS TECH have agreed to waive their rights and allow TEXAS A&M to move to the SEC without seeking legal action. OU is still not saying what their intentions are as far as seeking another conference as well which could be the PAC 12; they will make their decision public within two weeks.
If the Longhorns decide to follow suit and go to the PAC 12, they would have to give up their new 'Longhorn Network'. The PAC 12 currently gives equal power and money to each of their universities (big or small). If a super-conference were to form into a PAC 16, UT would be equal to everyone else; all teams would have the same revenue cut and voting power. The UT hay-day of being the "big fish in a small pond" would be over and they would just be another fish in the water. That is the way a conference should be for all to have a shot at being successful! TEXAS TECH and OK ST are rumored to go westward to the PAC 12, as well if OU decides to make the move to that legendary conference.

Texas Tech Game: Sept. 03, 2011: Alex, Dora & Sara.

FANTASTIC GAME!

No other way to describe it this was an outright awesome day - an awesome evening!!! It started off slightly overcast as we made our 2 hr. drive north bound towards the "Hub City". The anticipation increased as we neared our destination known to Tech fans everywhere simply as - "The Jones" (a.k.a. "The Hole"). We found parking first as the entire Tech campus was crowded with fans making their way to the stadium. Every available parking lot was getting full and some already overflowing with tail-gaters. No doubt many of them spent the night or arrived early in the a.m. This game was slated for a 6 PM kick-off but you would think otherwise as the place was so crowded so early; but that is typical for a Texas Tech game. People arrive early and for certain they stay late. We always try to get to Lubbock early for the best parking and to find the best place with the best "eats". We were a bit melancholy since we were unable to have more family members/friends join us so we (3) decided to eat at Mesquites Bar-B-Que; a small lil' dive that we last ate at when we were accompanied by more family members for a Tech v/Baylor game (11-19-98). The grub was ok, but this post is not meant to be a critique of the food; the ambiance was nice/the service slow, but that is all I will add. We made our (foot) trek to "The Jones" and the excitement once again grew. The stadium looked nice and the newer additions to the east-side along with the new HD jumbo tron took our breath away. The place was so nice - though smaller than other division I football venues - this one is cozy and it is OURS and we do PROTECT IT!
The game started off slow and remained as such until half-time. I am not sure if our Red Raiders were just bored - LOL- though I would hate to be narcissistic and a bad sport (pardon the pun) and propose such a thing and dare risk making Texas St players/fans upset. It was what it was. Our Red Raiders did not start playing as we are accustomed to them doing so until the second half. The second half is when their (Red Raiders) spread offense truly showed itself and when their "air raid" came alive and our guys in scarlet and black started "putting a hurt" to the Bobcats. We did have the misfortune of having several Texas St fans around us. I only say it that way because they were vocally belligerent upon arrival and I said as such to a couple of them sitting behind us. As big as the stadium is and as many fans as it holds, we were seated in an area with too many of them; not something I would usually complain about except these 'cat fans were very obnoxious to the point of being disrespectful. Clearly they were not familiar with Red Raider football or Texas Tech tradition. Boy, were they in for a surprise after our respective teams returned from half-time as Tech is more of a second half team and "Raider-Power" would grow louder and prouder. The typical west Texas weather helped rid us Tech fans of the antagonistic 'cat fans who were clad in maroon and gold. As the ominous-looking clouds rolled in from the north with shades of black and brown, as they were filled with dirt, the fans who traveled from San Marcos ran for shelter. Die-hard Tech fans remained, but we were paying attention to the weather band which did not denote this as an emergency or cause for clearing the stadium. Those of us who remained were better off seated for better security because the area below was at ground level and it was just going to allow the dirty wind to tunnel and make things worse; the entire ground area below the stadium is one huge, open, and long concrete hallway which contains several food and merchandise vendors and rest facilities from the south to the north end; as I said - one big tunnel.
The weather not just rid us of negative fans, but it made for a nice breeze the entire time. It remained overcast until the sun gave up trying to rear its ugly face, and the moon finally took over but just by a bit as the clouds remained mostly prominent through-out the evening skyline. We had tiny droplets of rain every so often but only enough to make those annoying mud spots on our vehicles but still welcome enough as they added to the cool temps.
Our Red Raiders came out victorious (50-10) on this awesome football eve. Their (Red Raiders) play complimented the nice weather and it was all reminiscent of better times (before the Coach Leach / Tx Tech Admin fiasco) and how nice autumn nights usually give way to football and allow for a nice time to be had by all. We stayed until the school songs were performed and all the glorious pomp and circumstance ended. The two university bands courted one another at the north end where the visitors sit. No animosity spewed. Each band was mindful of the other and it capped off our night.
We had a light snack before we made our way back home. The drive was nice. I took over for Sara in Tahoka and found some nice music to keep us entertained. I was thankful for the good time we had and though we did miss having more loved ones join us, we remained aware how lucky we were at having had this chance to see this game in person. We all remain positive that the opportunity for another game will happen in on us and we will return to see another game in person with more family/friends with us and the weather will be as cooperative and gentle as it was on this beautiful, breezy night.