Whether you're at the end of your coffee, your day, your week or even your rope, welcome to Whitt's End:
*This morning the Cowboys woke up for the first time this season without at least a share of first place in the NFC East. Still think they'll play in their third consecutive NFC East Championship Game, this year's version on Dec. 29 against the Eagles at AT&T Stadium. The Giants? I know they've won four in a row, but the string of quarterbacks they've faced? Josh Freeman (Vikings), Matt Barkley (Eagles), Terrelle Pryor (Raiders) and Scott Tolzien (Packers). Not convinced they're making some magical run.
*Mavs lost an entertaining, close game to the Heat Friday night, making it five straight losses to Miami since Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
They'll also go at least 1,000 days between playoff-game wins since their title triumph on June 12, 2011.
*Yep, that familiar voice in an unfamiliar place Saturday afternoon was Mark Elfenbein on 103.3 FM ESPN. Nothing concrete or long-term yet, but my good friend Elf will start doing weekends, fill-ins and holidays. With previous tours at The Ticket and The Fan, he's now hit for the Metroplex radio cycle.
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The San Francisco Bat Kid will restore your hope in this cold, cruel world. Well done, 5-year-old cancer survivor Miles Scott. Bravo, Make-a-Wish. And kudos to the 13,000 "volunteers" who showed up to make that the best goose-bumpy moment of 2013.
*Was watching footballs college and pro over the weekend and had this thought: Why are there no black kickers? Before you spout off "Reggie Roby!", I'm talking kickers, place-kickers, the guys you don't see most of the game who then trot out and decide outcomes in the final seconds.
Kickers. Couldn't name any. Not one. I was sure I was missing at least a couple.
But, actually, there've only been four in the history of the NFL. Explanation, please?
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Hot (Raquel Welch, age 73).
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Not (Everybody else, age 73).
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*Sometimes you go on TV, get involved in a discussion and make a weird face. Despite my grimacesmirksmilefrown, I enjoyed (won?) the debate with NBC 5's Pat Doney and David Watkins.
*Can't believe it's already been 14 years since the
A&M bonfire tragedy. 12 Aggies died in that fire on Nov. 18, 1999.
*Sounds like a Disney movie, but it's real.
Grinnell College's (sounds made-up) Jack Taylor (sooo fake) hit 24 3-pointers and scored 109 points (yeah, riiiiight) in a legit Division III college basketball game Sunday. Wouldn't believe a word of it ... had he not scored 138 in a game last season. Most amazing thing about yesterday's performance: The 5-foot-10 white guard only played 29 minutes.
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Yes, Cowboys fans, that was Will Allen making a key interception for Pittsburgh in yesterday's victory over the Lions. He started the first two games for Dallas and then ... sorry, you can't convince me he's not better than Jeff Heath.
*A male lion killed a female lion Sunday at the Dallas zoo. And we're supposed to be surprised. To me there's always been something really wrong about animals in captivity. Apparently they agree.
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*Worst thing I saw all weekend: Steelers' throwback uniforms.
*Best thing I saw all weekend: Jenny Anchondo, Fiona Gorostiza, Sybil Summers, Monika Diaz, Susy Solis and Jasmine Sadry sitting at my dinner table.
*Jimmie Johnson won his 6th NASCAR championship. I guess. Who knows? NASCAR's points system is so complicated not even the likes of Eddie Gossage can clearly explain it. Hard to be enthralled in the drama when you are clueless about the plot. Is Johnson the best driver? Maybe. But I still say in NASCAR the worst driver in the best car will beat the best driver in the worst car. For parity's sake, make Johnson drive for the last-place team next season and let's see just how magical he is.
*If you, like me, root for the Cowboys and Longhorns it was a tough week. Outscored and embarrassed by a combined 87-30. But it could've been worse. Could be a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.
What an absolute kick to the crotch.
*Today? Pizza Buzz by day, Sixers-Mavs and Patriots-Panthers by night. Don't be a stranger.
