40 Acres Sports

Boise State QB Jared Zabransky will be on the cover of NCAA Football 08. My ERTS stock immediately dropped.

[tag]Vince Young[/tag] had an incredible rookie season in the NFL and Titans and Longhorns fans weren’t the only ones to notice. NFL free agents suddenly see Tennessee as an attractive destination again, and VY is a big reason for that:

The Titans see Vince Young as a free agent magnet. As Young mingled with players from around the league at the Pro Bowl, some of them whispered in his ear: “Pssst. Hey rook, tell the Titans to call my agent. I’d love to play with you. I like what you guys have going on there in Tennessee.” Young was flattered, though it’s unclear if he passed the word from some of the unrestricted free agents he wouldn’t name.

No signings the first day for the Titans and the biggest news could be a couple of subtractions. Pacman Jones’ future with the team is definitely in doubt and running back Travis Henry is likely to be released in a cost-cutting move. The team needs to address the defensive end, cornerback and wide receiver positions if possible this offseason.

This week the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to move the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic out of Dallas. Beginning in 2009, the game won’t be played at the Cotton Bowl but instead at the brand new home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington.

The city of Dallas still claims they want to put the whopping $50 million into the aging stadium for renovations and modernization, but what’s the point now? They’re willing to put $50 million into the place just to keep one game (Prairie View A&M versus Grambling doesn’t count) there for maybe five or six more years but Mayor Laura Miller fought hard against $325 million of tax money it would’ve taken to get the new Cowboys’ stadium in downtown Dallas. What kind of sense does that make?

Now that the Cotton Bowl game is gone it won’t be long before the Red River Rivalry leaves the fairgrounds for a better facility and more money. The game will be in Dallas through 2010 but odds are good that both Texas and [tag]Oklahoma[/tag] will seriously discuss exploring other options after that point.

Will the possible renovations to the Cotton Bowl be enough? Will Texas and OU try to keep tradition intact and the game in Dallas? Or will the two schools turn the game into a home and home series? Make your vote on what should be done in the poll below.

John Chiles looked good in first two spring practices, is there a battle brewing for the backup QB spot?

The Cotton Bowl is leaving Dallas for Jerry World in Arlington. Could TX/OU be next?

Apparently new Texas QB commit [tag]Riley Dodge[/tag] doesn’t just rely on his athleticism or arm strength to win football games, he’s got a secret weapon. And since it helped him out in the state title game, Riley figured he’d use it in his everyday life:

Watch the video on this post if you don’t know the back story. (via)

Brian Robison put up incredible numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine yesterday. Good showing from Tim Crowder too.

Texas picked up commitments number thirteen and fourteen for 2008 on Saturday as running back [tag]Tre Newton[/tag] and quarterback/athlete Riley Dodge told Mack Brown they’d be Longhorns. Both players of course have pretty good football bloodlines, Riley is the son of former Longhorn QB and current North Texas coach Todd Dodge and Tre is the son of former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton. Neither player has ever lost a high school football game.

Newton is a big time running back who has great speed and size, lots of natural ability and big upside as well. Dodge is an athletic QB but might be more likely to end up as either a wide receiver or defensive back as a Longhorn. Both players are on schedule to graduate in December and be on campus in the spring. Video of each is posted below.

Tre Newton’s incredible 74-yard touchdown against Austin Westlake:

Riley Dodge leaves it all on the field in the same game:

Report on Drew Kelson’s intelligence and his move back to safety. The position change should be good for him & the team.

Ramonce Taylor can’t juke the questions from NFL scouts. The balancing excuse sounds like more BS to me.