IRVING, Texas - When the Cowboys benched their starting running back just before the playoff game in January, they did it to reward Marion Barber.

When they let Julius Jones go without a fight in free agency, they did it because of Marion Barber.

And when they drafted Felix Jones instead of Rashard Mendenhall, who many believe was rated higher on their draft board, the Cowboys also did it because of Marion Barber.

The Cowboys obviously believe Marion Barber is a huge part of their plans, not just for this year, but the future.

So why isn't he here?

It's another case of the media trying to blow something out of proportion just to sell newspapers.

The intensity of the Patriots' spying controversy became more acute when the Boston Herald reported that the team had taped a walk-through of the St. Louis Rams before Super Bowl XXXVI. After the commissioner acknowledged that no such tape has come forward, the newspaper issued an apology on Tuesday night.

For starters, Jenkins isn't even the team's top draft pick; the Cowboys took running back Felix Jones with the 21st selection.

Jenkins isn't expected to start, with the Cowboys already having Terence Newman and Anthony Henry as a starting combination for the last three seasons.

And if that's not enough, Jenkins isn't even the most recognized of the new cornerbacks. That distinction will undoubtedly go to Adam "Pacman" Jones, whom the Cowboys officially traded for during the draft. If and when Jones is reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the 2007 for a stem of off-the-field incidents, he will likely become the center of attention, not just at cornerback, but ranking right up there with Tony Romo and Terrell Owens.

So that pushes Jenkins down yet another spot down on the cornerback depth chart.

See what weed does to people?

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A memorabilia dealer who profited from O.J. Simpson for many years is the latest former crony to write a tell-all book, this one alleging a groggy Simpson, high on marijuana, confessed to killing his ex-wife after he was acquitted.

Mike Gilbert also claims he helped his former friend wiggle out of the murder charges by suggesting how to bloat his hands so they wouldn't fit the notorious bloody gloves.

Ivan Maisel and Mark Schlabach break down three things that could have an impact on the Big 12 Conference race in 2008.

Ivan Maisel

1. Texas may be trying to figure out who will run and catch the ball this fall, but the offensive line will be deep, deep, deep. That's great news for quarterback Colt McCoy, because the Longhorns finished next to last in the Big 12 in sacks allowed last season with 25. The line is a year older, stronger and smarter.

2. Michael Crabtree, despite what you may have thought, didn't have the only breakout year among Big 12 freshman receivers. Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State caught 43 passes for 622 yards and six touchdowns. Bryant is big (6-2, 210) and will be the go-to guy for Zac Robinson now that Adarius Bowman is gone. That is, if the Cowboys find someone who will do for him what he did for Bowman -- keep the secondary honest.

3. Kansas has three issues to overcome this season, in ascending order of difficulty: self-satisfaction after going 12-1 and finishing No. 7; being the hunted instead of the hunter; and a schedule that includes South Florida, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas, four bowl teams that the Jayhawks didn't play on their road to 2007 glory.

Mark Schlabach

1. Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops wants his offense to play faster. It's hard to believe the Sooners can get much faster after leading the country with 80 touchdowns last season. But QB Sam Bradford will operate out of a no-huddle offense this coming season after throwing 36 TDs and only eight interceptions in 2007.

2. Kansas and Missouri came out of nowhere to contend for the Big 12 title last season. Will both teams be able to keep pace without several of their star players? The Jayhawks lost tailback Brandon McAnderson, All-America cornerback Aqib Talib and tackle Anthony Collins. The Tigers lost RB Tony Temple, center Adam Spieker and tight end Martin Rucker. Which team will adjust faster?

3. With QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree returning, Texas Tech might be even better on offense than it was a year ago. Red Raiders coach Mike Leach believes a handful of juco transfers will make his defense up front, giving them a legitimate chance to compete for a Big 12 South title.

Ivan Maisel

1. Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to win its fourth consecutive championship. The Buckeyes are loaded on both sides of the line. Yet all anyone wants to know is whether the name "Terrelle Pryor" will be recognized by anyone outside of Columbus in October. Will offensive coordinator Jim Bollman create a Tebow-like package of plays for Pryor? Or does Pryor disappear until he learns starter Todd Boeckman's playbook?

MR. Monday usually tries to steer clear of the grassy knoll, sports fans, but this spring it's becoming a little hard. Mr. Monday keeps seeing visions of shady men in black suits trying to manipulate some of his favorite things.

Two of our nation's great institutions have a shadow of a doubt rolling over them. Both are them are run by power-hungry little men, with short haircuts and strange accents. Both of these men choose their words very carefully, but still can't control some loose cannons in their organization.

And because of that, for years, fans have gotten a little paranoid.

The air is heavy with pollen. The American presidential campaign drags on, nearly six months away from the finish. Gas is $4 a gallon and it's not yet summer.

We know what you're thinking: What better time to debate the NFL hierarchy? Welcome to the May 2008 edition of our Power Rankings.

Has it been three months since the New York Giants, who finished ninth in the 2007 final edition of the Power Rankings, completed an unlikely run to the Super Bowl title by upsetting the New England Patriots? Wasn't it just yesterday when the Patriots, our 2007 Power Rankings titlists, were putting the wraps on an unprecedented 16-0 regular season by beating those same Giants?

Just sitting here watching the game and wondering where the great Chris Paul is tonight. The Spurs' strategy seems to be to keep Paul from driving the lane and it is paying off right now. Parker is giving Paul a little lesson right now. Not sure if it will last, but it's fun to watch.

I kind of wondered why I was jumping off of the Roy Williams bandwagon and now I kind of know why. He think the fans don't care about the Dallas Cowboys unless they are winning. I have been a Cowboy fan through thick and thin and I can tell you that a true fan will be there whether you are winning or losing. He better perform this season or he might not have to worry about ANY fans.

Roy says "I'm tired about worrying about the fans," Williams said. "The fans are only around when things are good. I want supporters. At the end of the day, we're human beings, too. Everything can't be perfect, and you can't let your emotions rule over you being a human being. It gets to a point where you are abusing who you really are as a fan."

Imagine this!!! Another Cowboy doing something good.

Last Mother's Day, 12 single moms from the Dallas area thought they were attending a health fair at the headquarters of Cowboys safety Roy Williams' foundation when two stretch Hummer limos pulled up and shuttled them to a posh mall. There they were greeted by Williams who handed out bouquets of flowers before they were treated to new outfits, shoes and makeovers.

This year Williams is planning something bigger with a spa day, where a group of women will be pampered with manicures and massages while their kids will be having fun at a go-kart racing track.

"Sometimes I can go a little crazy, but it just makes me so happy to see their faces," says Williams. "You have to respect the moms for Mother's Day."

Last year, a quartet of USC juniors faced a quandary.

Skip their senior seasons to enter the NFL Draft?

Or remain in school for another year with hopes of improving their stock?

The decision wasn't easy, since all four players figured to at least go on the first day of the draft if not the first round.

But bucking the trend, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, linebacker Keith Rivers, offensive tackle Sam Baker and defensive end Lawrence Jackson chose to stay.

And their patience paid off big.

Coming off banner senior seasons in which they all improved, each was taken in the first round of last month's draft.

By going in round one, the foursome collectively will earn more than $40 million in guaranteed salary on their first NFL contracts.

"I'm hoping everyone who takes a look at this, whether it's our guys or other guys, that they see there is clear information to play that final season," USC coach Pete Carroll told the Los Angeles Times. "They make more money, not to mention that they are more mature to make that first impression."

This past January, Oklahoma had five juniors who encountered the same dilemma.

DALLAS -- In some football reclamation projects, the aged and obsolete are difficult to unearth. At SMU, they decorate the lobby of the Mustangs' football office.

There they are, 10 neatly arranged wooden plaques, representing Chevrolet Player of the Game Scholarships awarded from 1980 to 1984. The names on the plaques, like Eric Dickerson and Lance McIlhenny, might as well be Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski.

The trophy signifying SMU's participation in the "Third Annual Holiday Bowl" comes from a bowl that just celebrated its 30th season.

There are three Southwest Conference championship trophies, looking like avocado-colored appliances waiting for a kitchen redo. SWC football died in 1995.

The Cowboys' new stadium is still more than a year away from completion, but it's not stopping the team from making plans.

The Cowboys announced on Thursday that Notre Dame and Arizona State have agreed to play a game on Oct. 5, 2013 at the new stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The stadium is expected to open in the summer of 2009, and is already set to host events such as Super Bowl XLV following the 2011 NFL season, the annual AT&T Cotton Bowl, the 2009 and 2010 Big XII Championship football games. And just last month, the Cowboys announced a 10-year series between Texas A&M and Arkansas.

Now, the stadium is ready to bring in one of the most recognized college football teams in the country.

Brenden Morrow is Vince Vaughn in Swingers. He's Russell Crowe in LA Confidential. He's Denzel Washington in Cry Freedom.

Brenden Morrow is the next big thing.

A fan of movies with more than 500 titles in his collection, the Dallas Stars captain is a superstar waiting to bust out.