There is still hope for star-helmet melodrama, though, according to the Dallas Morning News:

"Folks in the know at NFL Films are remaining unusually tight-lipped about the series opener. There has been a lot of speculation that the Terry Glenn-Jerry Jones saga would eat up some minutes. But if it does, Films is not saying. Then again, Films has until this afternoon to deliver a finished product to HBO."

However there weren't be a lot of hotshot quarterback dimwit arm candy, according to the Star Telegram:

If viewers are tuning in wanting to see the Jessica Simpson-Tony Romo soap opera, they are going to be disappointed. The producers say they don’t have any footage of Jessica, because she has not been at the Residence Inn complex where the team is staying.

Despite teasing the show by saying the cameras would chase the story lines when the deal was struck with the Cowboys, [HBO Sports President Ross] Greenburg sounds much different now.

“She hasn’t shown up and we’re not out there as E! Television Network looking for her.”

Wouldn't it be great if Romo dumped Jessica Simpson and did so by having her summoned then asked her to turn in her playbook?

Anyway, do something worthwhile with yourselves tonight. Eat a healthy meal or something. Take a cold shower.

And, of course, thank you for your continued support of Deadspin.

Lights, camera...business as usual for the Cowboys [Dallas Morning News]
It's a 'Hard Knocks' Life For Cowboys [Star-Telegram]

If you can stomach the pain, short-term and long-term, you can get a Cowboys tattoo for the opening credits of HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Neither the Cowboys nor HBO will pay for it, it's not their fault if it turns out poorly, you have to be "physically fit" and ... you have to be a white guy. Not a bad gig for half a second of air time. Worth looking into.

Free Cowboys Tattoo. Any Takers? [Merkin Sports]

But there is some bad news for those who hoped that Tony Romo's blue icing-swallowing jinx, Jessica Simpson, would pop up in episodes — it's not going to happen. So says HBO president Ross Greenburg and NFL Films guru Steve Sabol to a roomful of Cowboys' reporters:

This is not the E Television Network," HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said with a somewhat straight face. "This is HBO and HBO Sports. We're doing it for the avid football fan that used to watch Inside the NFL."

NFL Films president Steve Sabol said Jess wouldn't be a major part of the show "unless she's out there running 7-on-7 drills."

Yes, you got that? The show is not called "Hard Knockers" for a reason, you tabloid trash-digesting philistines.

HBO Exec: Jess Will Not Be A Hard Knocks Star [DallasCowboys Blog]

Anyway, First And 10 Inches brings us this clip from the show, featuring various Chiefs players displaying just how butch and alpha male an NFL locker room really is. Somebody should hire one of these guys for a fantasy football draft.

Justifably Omitted [First And 10 Inches]