Cowboys Tidbits: Mutton Hunting As The Rams Come To Town

The St. Louis Football Rams are coming to town 3:15 local time on Sunday, and the Cowboys need to be prepared.

I was reminded on Twitter by BTB member @elFURIOSOpozo, unfortunately, of what happened the last time the two teams faced off. I had wiped it from my memory.

In 2008, before I had DirecTV and Sunday Ticket (which by the way is ridiculously priced these days) I would go to a local DC sports bar to watch the non-nationally televised Cowboys games; decked out in full team regalia. In Week Six of that season, the Cowboys rolled into Arizona sitting at 4-1, but left with injuries to Tony Romo, Mat McBriar and Felix Jones, as well as a heartbreaking loss. Before the game, cornerback Pacman Jones was fighting with his bodyguard, and after he would be suspended for four games. Jerry Jones would respond to all the negative energy by trading for WR Roy Williams.

Yeah.

All of that steamrolled into Week Seven, when the Cowboys traveled to the Edward Jones Dome and played perhaps one of their most embarrassing games of recent memory. Brad Johnson was supposed to be the ultimate backup QB. The Cardinals game was supposed to just be a hiccup on a team too talented to lose to the lowly Rams. Dallas raced out to an early 7-0 lead on a Marion Barber one-yard score... and then watched St. Louis rattle off 34 consecutive points. The Cowboys were 8 point favorites on the road and suffered the ultimate indignation; being removed from the broadcast by Fox with MOST OF THE FOURTH QUARTER REMAINING!

The Rams wouldn't win another game that season and would finish 2-14. It was an unforgivable defeat at the hands of one of the league's worst teams.

And here we are, in Week Seven, 2011. Dallas is playing one of the league's worst teams in the St. Louis Rams as 12 point favorites at home. I hope this version of the Cowboys is better prepared than the 2008 version.

Follow the jump for the latest links on the Cowboys.

Hatcher Out Another Week | Star-Telegram

Injured DE Jason Hatcher (calf) says he wanted to play against the Pats, but the trainers said no. They are saying no again, but Hatcher vows to be back to 100% for the first Eagles tilt of the season. Marcus Spears is starting in his place and registered a big sack on Pats QB Tom Brady last Sunday.

Report: Rams' Sam Bradford expected to start against Cowboys | DMN

Not much of a high ankle sprain, huh? A lot different for a pocket quarterback than a running back, but it will be interesting seeing him step up in the pocket.

Video: Bruce Carter in the locker room after first professional practice | DallasCowboys.com

"I know all the plays, it's just a matter of getting out there on the field." - B. Carter

Jason Garrett says team is not beholden to its draft picks | Dallas Morning News

I mean, that's cool and all, not to be tied to a player just because of his draft status. It would have been nice if they had drafted players capable of sticking, though. Just saying. Recently released sixth-round pick Dwayne Harris cleared waivers and is now on the practice squad, taking the place of TE Martin Rucker who signed with Jacksonville yesterday.

Holland has slimmed down, happy to be back | Star Telegram

"Don’t burn any bridges," Holland said, laughing. "It’s a business. it’s nothing personal. So they went another direction. All you can do is try to take your business elsewhere. If they call back, all you can do is come back with a smile.

Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray: "I know I'm ready" (DMN) | Cowboys RB Tashard Choice: "I ain't got to say nothing" (DMN)

DMN used two short articles to say that the running backs are looking forward to getting more snaps. Saved you the clicks. Just kidding, there are a couple more quotes in there than that.

Cowboys-Pats Game Drew Highest TV Rating In Two Years | NBC Dallas-Ft. Worth

Stephen Jackson is pumped for the Cowboys | Turf Show Times

Yay!