FanHouse NateNewton

It was of little surprise Monday when Texas coach Mack Brown named redshirt freshman running back Tre' Newton as the starter for Saturday's UTEP game.

Newton gave the second-ranked Longhorns everything they had been looking for in a tailback for the last two seasons during Saturday's win over Texas Tech, picking up difficult yards and moving the chains. Filling in for injured starter Vondrell McGee in the second half, Newton rushed for 88 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries.

His 18 carries for 81 yards in the second half proved pivotal in keeping Texas Tech's explosive offense off the field as the Longhorns escaped with a 34-24 win. It was the inability of the Longhorns backs to pick up critical yards late that paved the way for their upset loss to Tech last season.

For the Dallas Cowboys, a team that entered 2008 with Super Bowl expectations only to finish the year with nine wins and no playoffs, there haven't been many changes this offseason. The defensive coordinator and special teams coach were fired and Pacman Jones was released.

Other than that, though, not much has changed. Not 'til combine week, anyway. Jerry Jones slapped his coaching staff with a gag order -- nobody can talk to the media "independently" -- because, as the Dallas Morning News' Todd Archer writes, the Cowboys owner "has been upset with what he feels have been inaccurate stories this offseason."

Former San Francisco Giants first baseman and Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda was arrested by California Highway Patrol on Tuesday afternoon. The 69-year-old Cepeda was pulled over for doing 83 in a 65mph zone when the CHP officer noticed a marijuana smell in the vehicle.

The officer called for a K-9 unit, and the officers found marijuana, a bindle containing a white substance believed to be either methamphetamine or cocaine, and a syringe, [Sgt. Wulf] Corrington said.

Cepeda was cooperative during the stop and showed no signs of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time, authorities said. He was booked at Solano County Jail on suspicion of speeding, possession of marijuana while driving, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cepeda posted a $10,000 bond and promised to appear in court. Believe it or not, this is not Orlando's first brush with the law because of drugs. Back in '75 he spent 10 months after being convicted for smuggling marijuana. He is believed to be the inspiration for Nate Newton. OK, not really. But Cepeda proves that just because you're old doesn't mean you can't party.