Whether you're at the end of your coffee, your day, your week or even your rope, welcome to Whitt's End:
*And in the AL West the beat goes on. The Rangers steal headlines with the "blockbuster!" acquisition of Prince Fielder, a guy who will hit homers and set off fireworks and increase attendance and ... The two-time defending division champion A's, meanwhile, quietly acquire Scott Kazmir and Jim Johnson, two arms that will bolster even further their philosophy of pitching, pitching and more pitching. Johnson has 101 saves the last two seasons, most in MLB. Kazmir has re-discovered his fastball at the ripe old age of 29. While the Rangers said goodbye to catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who signed with the Red Sox, the A's will enter '14 without Grant Balfour and Bartolo Colon on their roster. Imagine your team believing it can upgrade from an All-Star closer who converted 44 consecutive saves and an 18-game winner? Knowing the A's, they just got better.
*It's radio ratings you want? It's radio ratings you'll get. November's numbers/analysis will be right here tomorrow. In a specially-wrapped package. Sort of. You'll see. Stay tuned.
*After last night's scary dismantling of the Saints, no doubt the NFC's road to the Super Bowl goes through wet and dreary Seattle. The Seahawks have won 14 straight at home, 8 of those by 20+ points. Russell Wilson is playing at an elite level and they've got physically intimidating athletes all over the defense. That said, they are a very easy team to hate. Earl Thomas gets up and plays a fake banjo after making a hard hit at the end of an 8-yard run. We've mentioned the 8 players suspended for drug use since '11. And then there's Pete Carroll, the most annoyingly arrogant coach in the NFL. Never instructing, he instead spends the game merely reacting. Everyone saw the lucky bounce that turned into a touchdown last night. Clear score, no questions. But as the ref explained the score after reviewing it, Carroll ripped off his headset, leaned dramatically forward and squinted, as if he really, really needed this information. And when the ref signaled what we all already knew - touchdown - Carroll pumped his fist wildly like he was the last one to know. Carroll is the cocky, gum-chomping friend you stopped inviting to parties years ago. Please join me in rooting against him. And, failure Jesus, get loose in the bullpen.
*The crowd roar in Seattle reminded me of a time not that long ago when the NFL had a rule in place that was as weird as allowing smoking on airplanes. Once upon a time, as recently as the '90s, home teams could be penalized for too much crowd noise.
Proof.
*The Cowboys' best player this season? He's over at
NBC 5's Blue Star Blog, waiting for your recognition and approval.
*Icepocalypse II! After last week's swing-and-miss on the "Arctic Blast" that turned out to be merely cold sprinkles, our weatherfolks are at it again. Freezing rain! Snow! "Hard freeze" as soon as Wednesday night. In other words, find your light jacket and keep the umbrella handy. As for the snow chains? Fool us twice, shame on us. Swear I heard this from Fox4's Jennifer Myers on "Good Day" this morning: "This is going to be a big event ... I cannot stress enough, Thursday into Friday follow us until the event, because things could change." The Cowboys will beat the Bears. This is going to be a big event. But I cannot stress this enough, Monday night watch the game, because things could change.
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Hot.
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Not.
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*Remember way back when Aggies were on pins and needles at the possible autograph suspension of Johnny Manziel? Without him, their season -
projected as a Top 7 team with BCS potential - was doomed. With him, their season -
8-4 and headed to the Taxslayer.com Bowl? - was a dud.
*I'm hearing some buzz over the new indoor skydiving joint in Frisco,
iFly. Obviously there are advantages, as in a decreased chance of death compared to real skydiving. And obviously there are drawbacks, as in a decreased chance of death compared to real skydiving. I mean, for me the thrill of skydiving was the unknown, the risk and the adrenalin rush of voluntarily thrusting your life into momentary limbo. iFly looks fun and all, but it'd be like running a marathon ... on an indoor treadmill. Just not the same.
*I've probably already seen Auburn's field-goal return for a game-winning touchdown 50 times. I can't look away. Probably because I've never seen a play like that before, and might not see one ever again.
*You know why girls in boots make us do a double-take? Because girls in boots
want us to do a double-take. It's the simple law of supply and demand.
*Good times for the Great Northwest. Seahawks are monsters. And the Portland Trailblazers are legit. They're 15-3 with wins over the Spurs and the Pacers. LaMarcus Aldridge put up 28-10 last night as Portland gave Indiana only its second loss of the season. How the heck - given Aldridge and NBAers Daniel Gibson and P.J. Tucker - did Rick Barnes not coach the '06 Longhorns past the NCAA Regional Finals?
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*Psst, hey buddy, wanna buy a
watch Coke fridge? We have this perfectly fine Coke box that we purchased for the lobby of Pizza Buzz, then Pepsi comes to us with a bigger, new,
free one. Alas, we're now Coke dealers. Anyone interested, make us an offer. Richie@PizzaBuzz.com.
*Actually heard this from Cris Carter on ESPN's NFL pre-game show last Sunday: "It's not a must win, Boom, but they need to win." If I ever write or utter anything that hollow, feel free to leave and never come back.
*Aaron Rodgers will have his broken collarbone re-examined today. If it's not fully healed, the reeling Packers might just shut him down for the season. In other words, the Cowboys will play their Dec. 15 game against the Packers today in some doctor's office in Wisconsin.
*Speaking of Pizza Buzz, we exceeded our November projections so things are off and running. I'll scale back the bidness promotion because by now you know what we do (deliver hot pizza and cold beer) and you know where to find us (817-849-2211/pizzabuzz.com). As we eye stores 2-3-4 in 2014 there are investment/partnership opportunities available. Again, email me at Richie@PizzaBuzz.com if interested.
*Today? Might jump on the bike with Sybil, as this may be one of our last 70-degree days for a long time. Tonight it's Mavs-Bobcats. Don't be a stranger.
