"Bullet" Bob finally a Hall of Famer (officially)

It's been long overdue, but today "Bullet" Bob Hayes was selected as part of the 2009 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Hayes was a seniors finalists and the last time he made it as a finalist was in 2004 in Houston.

“We played together in the college all-star game,” former Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach said in a telephone interview. “We were all good athletes, and we were all fast people, and then there was Bob Hayes. But he was not just fast; he was a football player. No one could guard him.”

“I wish he was there,” Staubach said. “We have great faith, so we still believe he knows what’s going on.”

Hayes, the "world's fastest man" and Olympic gold medalist, was difficult (if not impossible) to cover man-to-man.

In a statement, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, "This is a deserving honor for one of the Cowboys' most and truly gifted stars. We all know he changed the game on the field, but he also brought a unique star quality to the NFL that helped make professional football the most popular sport in the world."

Hayes, who averaged 20 yards/reception for his career, had 371 catches for 7414 yards and 71 TDs (which is a Cowboys record).

The other 5 inductees are Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson (both in on their first ballot) and Derrick Thomas, Ralph Wilson and Randall McDaniel.

The future of football on Thanksgiving in Dallas

Roger Goodell has said that both the Dallas Cowboys, who have hosted Thanksgiving games since 1966, and the Detroit Lions, who have hosted Thanksgiving games since 1934, will host Thanksgiving games in 2009.

But beyond 2009, it will be re-evaluated.

"I attended that [Thanksgiving] game [in Detroit] a little over a year ago," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in his state-of-the-league news conference Friday. "I understand it’s a great tradition in Detroit and Dallas. [Moving the game around] is something that our owners have raised from time to time. It will not change for this season. As to whether ownership feels the same, we will discuss it as we get later in the year. We certainly will raise it."

Considering there is now a third Thanksgiving game, which has rotated, I think the Cowboys and even the Lions deserve to keep their Thanksgiving tradition.

Of course, I'm a little biased and like that the Cowboys have an advantage over whatever team has to travel to play 3 days later on Thanksgiving. And the Cowboys get a mini-bye that can be used to get healthy.

Cowboys fine Bennett for video

Martellus Bennett, who recorded a rap video placed on You Tube and subsequently removed, was fined by the Cowboys for the equivalent of 1 game check ($22,647).

In the video, he used a lot of profanity and referenced Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Jerry Jones.

The Cowboys back-up tight end sort-of, kind-of issued an apology.

"Why they hatin' on me, it was just a song. I was only rappin', I didn't do nothin' wrong."

Interesting fact: Instead of recording the initial video, Bennett could have been late to 226 team meetings and have been fined less (226 x $100 = $22,600).

Dan Reeves to be consultant with Cowboys?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has talked to Dan Reeves, who played and was an assistant under legendary coach Tom Landry.

Reeves has a 192-166-2 record as head coach for the Giants, Broncos and Falcons and reached four Super Bowls.

A month ago on KTTB-AM, Reeves discussed the Cowboys' problems.

"They had an awful lot of distractions – things that you don't need to have with a football team, the T.O.'s, the Pacman Jones instances," he said. "You say, well, that doesn't really bother us. But it really does, because that's the focus. "

When Wade Phillips said that he was going to be tougher in 2009, he mentioned that he would seek input from Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer and Marv Levy.

Phillips has been a defensive coordinator under Reeves with the Broncos and Falcons. Phillips is not a head coach, but a great defensive coordinator.

As Gil LeBreton of the Star-Telegram argues, hiring Dan Reeves as a replacement for Wade Phillips would be better. But Reeves influencing the powers to be as a consultant is better than nothing.

Martellus Bennett video - possible fine

Dallas Cowboys TE Martellus Bennett, the Cowboys 2nd-round draft pick in 2008, could be fined for producing a rap video on his Marty B TV channel where he uses profanity and mentions Jerry Jones, Jason Witten and Tony Romo.

Bennett has removed the video, but it can still be seen on You Tube (see below).

"He’s young. It’s pure and simple," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said during the season. "He’s just like my dad told me one time, ’If you’d quit trying to be so funny, you might get something done. Get serious with me, will ya?’ My dad told me that, because I needed to quit screwing around."

Bennett had a decent season (20 receptions and 283 yards) for a rookie.

But he has frustrated the Cowboys with his apparent lack of passion. So much so that Keith Davis, safety and special teams captain, challenged Bennett to a fight.