CFZ Sports writers and media pundits covering the Cowboys I trust and those I don't

[SinceDayOne]

Any article or report good or bad about the Cowboys is going to get attention for the reporter. Many (most) in the media will throw out stuff good or bad on the team and players because of the attention it gets. Anything Cowboy sells for the media guys. In far too many cases the accuracy and quality of the piece is secondary.

Personally I think the local media is far too soft on Jerry Jones & Son. Those two cater to the locals by being always available for interviews or quotes. Reporters can most often get a story of some sort fed to them from the Cowboy inner circle. The local media seem reluctant to be too critical of the Joneses in fear of cutting their story supply line.

 

[ksadler1]

Whenever you hear Fisher talk about the Cowboys, assume the opposite. The guy is rarely right.

 

[DallasEast]

No one should trust Skip Bayless as far as they can throw him. Unless they are The Hulk. In that case, I would like to be with them in person when they prove me wrong.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Norm Hitzges was a trusted source and objective reporter before he retired.

Miss Norm and Rhyner. It was a sad day when both those guys hung it up.

 

[Jarntt]

To the no trust list:
Broaddus - it's clear he just makes up half the crap he says and is shameless about it
Patrik "No C" Walker - sugar coats everything and acts like he wants to be friends with all the players and the team and never has anything bad to say. Loses more points for being the thinnest skinned media guy on twitter.

 

[ArtClink]

Man up, Bob. Into which category do you place Jane? Hahaha

Jane is certainly a very talented writer.

 

[RonnieT24]

Interesting write-up. I don't live anywhere within the MetroMess broadcast region. I don't get any of the guys you mention on a regular basis and then mostly in print media. I look for their stuff and pay a little more attention to their material.

I listen to some podcasts (mostly on IHeart) but much of it is just rah rah and no in-depth stuff. I know 105 TheFan isn't on IHeart.

Sometimes I'm a little jealous of you guys getting daily Cowboy info feed. Not enough so to leave the East Texas compound out here in the Big Thicket but just "a little".

Get the Audacy app and you can listen to 105.3 and thousands of other stations nationwide.

 

[Mcsports]

Interesting write-up. I don't live anywhere within the MetroMess broadcast region. I don't get any of the guys you mention on a regular basis and then mostly in print media. I look for their stuff and pay a little more attention to their material.

I listen to some podcasts (mostly on IHeart) but much of it is just rah rah and no in-depth stuff. I know 105 TheFan isn't on IHeart.

Sometimes I'm a little jealous of you guys getting daily Cowboy info feed. Not enough so to leave the East Texas compound out here in the Big Thicket but just "a little".

download Ticket SportsRadio 1310 am /96.7 fm.
They send out a Top 10 of their segments each day. Usually around 10 minutes long each.
Fast forward through commercials. Great way to stay connected.

 

[Bobhaze]

Get the Audacy app and you can listen to 105.3 and thousands of other stations nationwide.

I would add listening to the Ticket 96.7 (as McSports referenced above) which can also be accessed online. I’m personally not a fan of 105.3 because they are the “flagship” station of the Cowboys and as such they never ask the Jones boys tough questions on their multiple radio shows.

 

[jujoboys]

I like Fisher…

lol. I hope you are being sarcastic. That guy links every big name free agent to Dallas every year and we all know how that turns out. That guy's information is probably the least credible among any listed. He doesn't even try to be right. Just link Dallas to a big time trade or free agent and watch his clicks sky rocket. The sad thing is that we bite every time and post his ridiculous stuff.

 

[VaqueroTD]

This is obviously nothing more than my personal opinion. But in today’s glut of sports media that cover the Cowboys almost on an hourly basis, there are some I trust and many I do not. Most of those I trust treat their audience with respect and don’t insult our intelligence. They give credit when it’s earned and also constructively criticize when warranted.

Those I don’t trust seem to think Cowboys fans are mostly middle schoolers capable only of clicking constantly on a story based on how wild it seems to be or how blue the kool aid can be. They are usually willing to lose their credibility and objectivity by kissing up to the Jones family or willing to put out “team approved” story lines about what’s happening at the Star.

THOSE I TRUST (and why)

• Jon Machota- covers the Cowboys for the Athletic and his work is fact based, uses actual quotes, understands how the cap works, is not a sensationalist and is not afraid to ask a tough question to the Jones.
• David Moore- a traditional beat writer for the DMN who just reports the facts. He’s knowledgeable, fair, but also doesn’t drink the team koolaid. He’s respected by the players and team for being fair and is usually the first reporter called on by Mike Mac at his pressers.
• Bob Sturm- a radio host for Dallas’ best sports talk radio station “The Ticket”. He is very knowledgeable about the game, studies Cowboys game film diligently and writes a Substack column on-line about his film study. Not afraid to call the Jones boys out or give them credit as well.
• Troy Aikman- does a very interesting 15 min spot on “The Ticket” usually the Tuesday after games. He is completely objective and fair to all teams, coaches and players. He has been one of the fairest and best critics of the Jones front office. He is very knowledgeable of the NFL and how the game has evolved. Fans who don’t like him seem to expect him to be “pro-Cowboys” in his commentary role which would be completely inappropriate.

THOSE I DON’T TRUST (and why)

• Skip Bayless- a sports huckster rather than journalist; Bayless lost all credibility with me when he was covering the Cowboys in the 90s for the old Dallas Times Herald newspaper. He wrote about hearing “rumors” that Troy Aikman was gay, and never produced a shred of anything to back his story. He made it up to sell papers. His pathetic TV show is basically the “National Enquirer“ of sports. He has ZERO credibility with players and coaches. Ask Charles Haley what he thinks of him. Or Troy.
• Mickey Spagnola- because he is employed by the Cowboys, “never is heard a discouraging word” about the team. His articles are usually the fluffiest of team fluff although occasionally he writes an ok piece. I can forgive him for his team loyalty because of his employer but his famous rude and condescending attitude to other people covering the Cowboys makes him one of the biggest jerks in Dallas.
• Mike Fisher- a guy who used to be a pretty good sports writer has slowly turned into a Skip Bayless wannabe. His off-season stuff is usually pure click bait with more gossip and innuendo than fact. It’s kind of sad because at one time he was pretty good.

There are more on my TRUST and DON’T TRUST list. I’m sure many will disagree which is cool.
Who do you trust and not trust? And why?

Not to be the old fuddy dud…. But am I the only one who misses the days when we had two major newspapers in Dallas? Writers like JJT, Goose, Archer, etc…. Local TV guys like Dale Hansen fighting Barry Switzer. And Radio shows that you were loyal to because you enjoyed Randy Galloway or Norm Hitzges that much?

 

[Bobhaze]

Not to be the old fuddy dud…. But am I the only one who misses the days when we had two major newspapers in Dallas? Writers like JJT, Goose, Archer, etc…. Local TV guys like Dale Hansen fighting Barry Switzer. And Radio shows that you were loyal to because you enjoyed Randy Galloway or Norm Hitzges that much?

I miss those days too. The Ticket’s Craig Miller, who co-hosts the Ticket’s morning show, is the closest thing to Galloway, Dale Hansen and Norm. He absolutely destroys the Cowboys kool aid being served by the Jones boys.

After the 2022 season, Miller jokingly said he was coming out with a new book entitled, “Guide to Never Buying Into the Cowboys Again”, a very funny take on how the Jones constantly sell their product.

 

[McKDaddy]

Troy Aikman- does a very interesting 15 min spot on “The Ticket” usually the Tuesday after games. He is completely objective and fair to all teams, coaches and players. He has been one of the fairest and best critics of the Jones front office. He is very knowledgeable of the NFL and how the game has evolved. Fans who don’t like him seem to expect him to be “pro-Cowboys” in his commentary role which would be completely inappropriate.

For the life of me, I have never understood why some Cowboy fans can't understand this.

He walks the line between not being overly complimentary unless clearly warranted while also criticizing when warranted as well as you can when speaking to an audience from all over the landscape.

It's not hard to figure out what he really thinks. If the media is hyping up someone or something that he isn't on board with, he will not make definitive statements even when pressured to go along. In short, he has integrity and is all about trying to get things as accurately as possible.

 

[Diehardblues]

Any article or report good or bad about the Cowboys is going to get attention for the reporter. Many (most) in the media will throw out stuff good or bad on the team and players because of the attention it gets. Anything Cowboy sells for the media guys. In far too many cases the accuracy and quality of the piece is secondary.

Personally I think the local media is far too soft on Jerry Jones & Son. Those two cater to the locals by being always available for interviews or quotes. Reporters can most often get a story of some sort fed to them from the Cowboy inner circle. The local media seem reluctant to be too critical of the Joneses in fear of cutting their story supply line.

I don’t know who you have followed over the years but there’s been some very critical local media members like Dale Hansen and Randy Galloway. Hansen was booted off radio broadcast of the Cowboys games because of his harsh criticism when Jimmy departed which he maintained until he retired a couple years ago. Hansen the sports anchor on WFAA TV for over 30 years after Verne Lunquist moved on to CBS was the most popular watched in DFW area.


Galloway also had the most popular radio show and columnist for DMN & Ft Worth Star Telegram. There’s been many others. And current beat writers and local columnist which you won’t see at Cowboys broadcast very often. Jean Jacque Taylor of Star Telegram and Tim Cowlishaw of DMN steadily rip our ownership to name a few.

There has been many others . If you are not in the local market following them or subscribing to these local publication newspapers then you might not ever hear or read them as the Dallas Cowboys don’t allow most of them at news conferences.

Drew Pearson and Charlie Waters radio show were huge critics. It was believed for years why Jethro refused inducting Drew into ROH. It wasn’t until Jethro wanted Staubach to become head of North Texas SB committee that Jethro finally inducted Drew by the insistence of Roger. Drew has been less critical since.

To suggest there’s no local criticism of our ownership isn’t totally incorrect and probably an indicator you aren’t following all of the local criticism. While the Cowboys have maintained their popularity and support locally our owner Jethro was still named the most hated sports personality in Dallas.

Yes, there is a group of coverage from some local columnist and media members which aren’t confrontational or consistent critics in order to gain more access. Most of which we don’t hold much validity .

 

[Diehardblues]

No one should trust Skip Bayless as far as they can throw him. Unless they are The Hulk. In that case, I would like to be with them in person when they prove me wrong.

Skippy has had a hard-on for Cowboys since he was run out of Dallas after being let go by newspaper. He not a Cowboy fan. He once was.

 

[Bobhaze]

Skippy has had a hard-on for Cowboys since he was run out of Dallas after being let go by newspaper. He not a Cowboy fan. He once was.

I don’t think Skip would be safe should he ever return to Dallas. Charles Haley and Troy in particular might have to be restrained from rearranging his face.

 

[Diehardblues]

Interesting write-up. I don't live anywhere within the MetroMess broadcast region. I don't get any of the guys you mention on a regular basis and then mostly in print media. I look for their stuff and pay a little more attention to their material.

I listen to some podcasts (mostly on IHeart) but much of it is just rah rah and no in-depth stuff. I know 105 TheFan isn't on IHeart.

Sometimes I'm a little jealous of you guys getting daily Cowboy info feed. Not enough so to leave the East Texas compound out here in the Big Thicket but just "a little".

FYI… WFAA news are avail online free. Joe Trahan who took over sports anchor for Dale Hansen isn’t as colorful but has followed much in his fashion with just criticism.

And while DMN and Star Telegram only allow a couple free views a month online their monthly subscription is very affordable. Just a few dollars a month. Much less than delivered at your door which is ridiculously high but DMN Sports Day is still recognized as one of the best sports pages in the country.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I've always been a fan of Todd Archer..

Started with DMN. Moved to ESPN and is still there. He's a beat reporter, but occasionally writes some in-depth stories.

 

[TexasBacon]

I think you can tell the good writers/pundits by the circles they all run in. I really like Jeff Cavanaugh, David Helman, and guys like that. They are pretty unbias and don't sugar coat stuff. They seem to have the respect of Todd Archer and writers like him who do their job well. Jeff has a good podcast with former player Jesse Holley, they have been just blasting the Jones' ineptitude for some time. I bet many on this board don't like Jeff and Helman because they have been somewhat pro-Dak, but lately have been more in the "good NFL teams don't let a franchise QB walk without a replacement" camp.

 

[Whyjerry]

This is obviously nothing more than my personal opinion. But in today’s glut of sports media that cover the Cowboys almost on an hourly basis, there are some I trust and many I do not. Most of those I trust treat their audience with respect and don’t insult our intelligence. They give credit when it’s earned and also constructively criticize when warranted.

Those I don’t trust seem to think Cowboys fans are mostly middle schoolers capable only of clicking constantly on a story based on how wild it seems to be or how blue the kool aid can be. They are usually willing to lose their credibility and objectivity by kissing up to the Jones family or willing to put out “team approved” story lines about what’s happening at the Star.

THOSE I TRUST (and why)

• Jon Machota- covers the Cowboys for the Athletic and his work is fact based, uses actual quotes, understands how the cap works, is not a sensationalist and is not afraid to ask a tough question to the Jones.
• David Moore- a traditional beat writer for the DMN who just reports the facts. He’s knowledgeable, fair, but also doesn’t drink the team koolaid. He’s respected by the players and team for being fair and is usually the first reporter called on by Mike Mac at his pressers.
• Bob Sturm- a radio host for Dallas’ best sports talk radio station “The Ticket”. He is very knowledgeable about the game, studies Cowboys game film diligently and writes a Substack column on-line about his film study. Not afraid to call the Jones boys out or give them credit as well.
• Troy Aikman- does a very interesting 15 min spot on “The Ticket” usually the Tuesday after games. He is completely objective and fair to all teams, coaches and players. He has been one of the fairest and best critics of the Jones front office. He is very knowledgeable of the NFL and how the game has evolved. Fans who don’t like him seem to expect him to be “pro-Cowboys” in his commentary role which would be completely inappropriate.

THOSE I DON’T TRUST (and why)

• Skip Bayless- a sports huckster rather than journalist; Bayless lost all credibility with me when he was covering the Cowboys in the 90s for the old Dallas Times Herald newspaper. He wrote about hearing “rumors” that Troy Aikman was gay, and never produced a shred of anything to back his story. He made it up to sell papers. His pathetic TV show is basically the “National Enquirer“ of sports. He has ZERO credibility with players and coaches. Ask Charles Haley what he thinks of him. Or Troy.
• Mickey Spagnola- because he is employed by the Cowboys, “never is heard a discouraging word” about the team. His articles are usually the fluffiest of team fluff although occasionally he writes an ok piece. I can forgive him for his team loyalty because of his employer but his famous rude and condescending attitude to other people covering the Cowboys makes him one of the biggest jerks in Dallas.
• Mike Fisher- a guy who used to be a pretty good sports writer has slowly turned into a Skip Bayless wannabe. His off-season stuff is usually pure click bait with more gossip and innuendo than fact. It’s kind of sad because at one time he was pretty good.

There are more on my TRUST and DON’T TRUST list. I’m sure many will disagree which is cool.
Who do you trust and not trust? And why?

This list is spot on. Fisher and Skip are slime balls. Mickey is just a nasty old bought and paid for homer. Sturm is my favorite. Guy knows the game.