LITTLE ROCK — Cowboys tackling sensitivity
Dallas Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett wants to be more sensitive ... at least concerning public appearances by defensive tackle Josh Brent.
Brent, charged with intoxication manslaughter in the death of practice squad linebacker Jerry Brown, joined the team on the sideline - at the request of teammates but to the surprise of Garrett - for the first half of Sunday’s 27-24 victory against Pittsburgh at Cowboys Stadium.
It marked the team’s first home game since Brown died in a Dec. 8 car crash with Brent at the wheel.
Brent’s presence on the sideline triggered negative feedback from fans and television analysts. CBS analyst Boomer Esiason called it a “disgrace” that Brent was on Dallas’ sideline.
“Football players are an example, and Josh Brent is the worst of those examples,” Esiasonsaid.
Garrett said Brent departed in the third quarter when he learned that his presence was causing a stir.
“It becomes a very sensitive topic to a lot of people when you are in a public place like the game,” Garrett said. “There were no bad intentions.”
Team and league sources say Brent will not be permitted on the sideline for the remainder of the season.
Bad shot
“During a loss to Portland, the Toronto Raptors set an NBA record by going 0 for 20 from three-point range,” writes Bad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald. “When Toronto’s Amir Johnson was ejected, he threw his mouthpiece at the referee. Unsurprisingly, he missed.”
Honeymoon tee time
Rookie Patrick Reed is wrapping up an unforgettable year next week when he marries Justine Karain, who was with him each step this year as his caddie.
Despite having no status, he played 12 times on the PGA Tour, making it through Monday qualifying six times. That didn’t get him anywhere, so he had to go through the final two stages of qualifying school. And despite a slow start in the final stage, he went 68-67-68-67 the last four rounds to barely get his card.
Next up is his Dec. 21 wedding, followed by a cruise from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5.
Reed, however, wants to stay sharp for his rookie debut at the Sony Open in Honolulu, so he’s bringing his clubs with him on the honeymoon.
“They’re going to let me hit balls off a mat and into the ocean,” he said.
Signs of times
Here’s another sign it just isn’t the Kansas City Chiefs’ season:
On top of having the worst record in the NFL (2-12), the Chiefs also have had 41 signs indicating rows and lot numbers stolen from the parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reports the signs weigh about 100 pounds and cost $1,000 each.
They had been removed from light poles and piled on the ground while crews renovated the poles.
The Chiefs reported the theft Tuesday, but police Sgt. Keith Ericsson said it could have occurred gradually over several days.
Quote of the day “I want guys to take good shots. If you’re making it, it’s a good shot.” Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson, on his desire to see forward Marshawn Powell continue shooting three-pointers
Sports, Pages 23 on 12/19/2012