Its understandable if you missed the Dallas Cowboys story last week. Between the Cubs World Series title and the election, a lot has been happening. But that doesnt make this story any less notable.During the most recent NFL owners meetings, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones approached the leagues top investigator, Lisa Friel, and raised his voice at her while discussing Ezekiel Elliott, the rookie running back who is being investigated by the NFL for alleged domestic violence, according to several people who witnessed the encounter.Jones said he recognized that investigations were her bread and butter and ended the conversation with: Your bread and butter is going to get both of us thrown out on the street, according to ESPN The Magazine reporter Seth Wickersham, who witnessed the encounter, which was reported by Outside the Lines. Other witnesses downplayed Jones intensity.A public relations person immediately led Jones out of the hotel bar. An NFL spokesperson said there arent any rules against this kind of interaction.But that doesnt mean it isnt problematic.Its unsettling that Jones thinks he can lobby Friel on Elliotts behalf in an informal setting. On one hand, you cant blame him -- the league has been completely inconsistent in handing down penalties related to domestic violence accusation. The NFL has used mitigating factors to reduce suspensions, and it never has used aggravating factors to increase a punishment.The NFLs disciplinary process isnt a court of law, but players and fans should be able to have confidence that the case is at least getting a clear-eyed look. Jones actions undermined any appearance of an unbiased review.Jones should respect the process. But the NFL should make sure the process is one to respect.The owners meetings took place a week before new information emerged on former Giants kicker Josh Brown. Brown had been suspended for only one game after a domestic violence arrest last year. The punishment fell well short of the six-game minimum suspension called for in the NFLs 2014 Personal Conduct Policy.In a document released later, Brown admitted to domestic abuse against his wife. It was information the investigation didnt initially have, but it echoed statements his wife made to police when she called 911. Brown was released by the Giants on Oct. 25.Elliotts case is very different. Hes hasnt been arrested, nor has he had charges filed against him. According to a July 22 police report, Elliotts girlfriend claimed he assaulted her and said she had pain in her right wrist and a red mark. Four witnesses to the incident said they did not observe an assault, and police directed his girlfriend to the prosecutors office.USA Today reported Nov. 4 that the same woman called police in Florida in February with similar allegations.The NFL said in July that it would review the allegations against Elliott under its personal conduct policy.In any review, players should be able to expect a resolution in a reasonable amount of time. Friel will sort through the evidence she can gather. Her group will make a recommendation, and commissioner Roger Goodell will review it.But Jones actions seem to imply that Friels investigative work is detrimental to the league. Elliott is one of the brightest young stars in the NFL. If he were to receive a suspension, and the 6-1 Cowboys were to lose him for any length of time, it could affect the teams NFC East standings and their shot at the playoffs. That could take money out of Jones pocket.Friel is no shrinking violet. Jones type of persuasion isnt likely to have an effect on her investigation. She was at the meeting to give owners a presentation on her work -- work that apparently isnt fully appreciated by all 31 owners.Jones doesnt understand punishing a marquee player because he doesnt see the NFLs problem with domestic violence. He praised Greg Hardys leadership during a season when these photos of Hardys ex-girlfriend were published. If Hardy had played better, if he hadnt stormed into a special teams huddle and knocked a clipboard out of a coachs hands, its possible that hed still be in a Dallas uniform.Is that the NFLs bread and butter?Although there are still serious problems with the investigations, at least the NFL is making a serious and sustained effort to impose discipline so fans dont have to justify cheering for a player like Hardy.Jones should at the very least understand that and show some respect for the woman who represents that effort. Kyle Singler Thunder Jersey . 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"I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. D.J. Augustin Thunder Jersey . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111.The Detroit Tigers have returned to the No. 1 ranking in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, remaining ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers and overtaking the Pittsburgh Pirates. While the Tigers have been ranked second seven times this season, they were the last team to be ranked on top before St. Louis went on a two-month run at the top, a run that ended last week. Detroit has been slugging, with an .803 OPS the best in baseball since the break, which is a nice complement to a pitching staff that has a 2.17 ERA, also best in baseball, in that same time frame. The Texas Rangers, adding right fielder Alex Rios and winning 12 of their last 13 games, made a big jump in the rankings, up from 10th to fourth. Five wins in the last six games, along with an improving young ppitching staff, resulted in the New York Mets moving up from 23rd to 17th.dddddddddddd Respectable play, including an 8-6 record in the last 14 games, helped lift the Milwaukee Brewers from 28th to 22nd, the highest the Brewers have been ranked since Week Four (the same time that the Tigers were last ranked on top). Going the wrong way, the Tampa Bay Rays have lost five in a row, falling from a season-high fifth to 10th in the rankings. The Toronto Blue Jays are hanging around at 24th; its tough to gain ground with a 5.43 ERA, worst in the American League, since the All-Star break. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '