Daily Ticket: The Blog

Breakfast Crumbs: Friday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* And, just like that, with one unexpected win in Detroit, the Dallas Stars are tied for seventh place in the Western Conference.

* Former Dallas Cowboys players are talking. Are current players listening?

* Martellus Bennett, $22,000 later, apologizes for his bad rap with another bad rap.

* Charean Williams mentioned (third item) a Pittsburgh Post-Gazettestory on Steelers long-snapper Jared Tekofsky, of Justin Northwest High and TCU. Through the magic of links, here is that story.

* Thursday's NBA highlight: San Antonio Spurs 114, Phoenix Suns 104 -- Manu Ginobili: 30 points (including 18-of-18 free throws) and nine rebounds. Tony Parker: 26 points. Tim Duncan: 20 and 16. Spurs: Another win.

* Thursday's NHL highlight: New Jersey Devils 4, Boston Bruins 3 (OT) -- Former Star Jamie Langenbrunner scored his second goal 1:11 into overtime. The Devils led 2-0 entering the third period, but allowed three consecutive goals and needed Patrik Elias' goal with 1:45 left in regulation to force overtime.

* Today is National Inane Answering Message Day. Sorry, gotta go make a phone call.

* This week's choice from the unending archive of great '80s music is "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon with Chevy Chase helping out.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Australian Open: Serena Williams vs. Dinara Safina. Actually, this takes place early, early Saturday morning, but I'm not waking up at 1 a.m. tomorrow just to blog that you should watch the women's final. Williams goes for her 10th grand slam, Safina her first. The winner also walks away with the No. 1 world ranking. 2:30 a.m., ESPN.

DISCUSSION QUESTION OF THE DAY

Our go! staff played the Super Bowl on Madden NFL 09, with the Cardinals winning 42-10. What is your prediction for the real game? I'm taking Pittsburgh 23-14.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Thursday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* I've been experiencing all kinds of problems this morning trying to get these Crumbs posted. Now I know how the Golden State Warriors felt last night against the Dallas Mavericks.

* That Dallas Cowboys locker room sure is a mess.

* Kurt Warner will become the second quarterback to start a Super Bowl for two different teams. Who was the first? There's a Cowboys connection. Click here and read the answer in the headline.

* Speaking of former Cowboys, Dennis Thurman and Anthony Lynn have been hired as assistant coaches with the New York Jets.

* Wednesday's NBA highlight: Philadelphia 76ers 95, Houston Rockets 93 -- Andre Iguodala hit a jumped with 36 seconds left to five the Sixers the win after they had trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Iguodala scored 20 points.

* Wednesday's NHL highlight: Calgary Flames 5, Buffalo Sabres 2 -- Michael Cammalleri scored a hat trick for the Flames. Cammalleri has eight goals over his past four games.

* Today is National Corn Chip Day.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings. The Stars have won only three of their last 15 games in Detroit, but the Central Division-leading Red Wings have lost three consecutive games. 6:30 p.m., FSN Southwest.

DISCUSSION QUESTION OF THE DAY

We'll get your Super Bowl predictions tomorrow, but do you think this will be a good game?

-- David Thomas

An amazing (and nonchalant) buzzer beater

Breakfast Crumbs: Wednesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Martellus Bennett, Martellus Bennett. Please report immediately to Principal Phillips' office.

* Dallas Stars 2, Atlanta Thrashers 0: That 35 on Marty Turco's sweater now also stands for his number of career shutouts. Good way to start a stretch with 11 of 16 games at home. Playoff update: Four teams are tied for seventh place in the Western Conference with 51 points each. The Stars are two points back, and they are only four points out of fifth place.

* This little factoid won't end the recession, but it is interesting to note that nine of the 10 NBA teams that played last night scored at least 100 points.

* Speaking of scoring, didn't Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff learn anything about not running up the score from that Covenant girls basketball coach? The Sabres beat the Edmonton Oilers 10-2 last night.

* Tuesday's NBA highlight: Charlotte Bobcats 117, Los Angeles Lakers 110 (2OT) -- Boris Diaw scored 23 points and had nine rebounds and nine assists for the Bobcats, who have won five of their past six games against the Lakers. Kobe Bryant scored 38 points for Los Angeles before fouling out of a game for the first time this season.

* Tuesday's NHL highlight: Boston Bruins 3, Washington Wizards 2 -- In a matchup of the Eastern Conference's top two teams, David Krejci scored the game-winner with 3:05 left in overtime.

* Today is National Kazoo Day, National Clash Day and National Rattle Snake Round-Up Day. If you're looking for a good icy day time-killer, write a sentence using "kazoo, "clash" and "rattle snake round-up." Feel free to share with the class in the Comments section below.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors allow a league-worst 116.2 points per game, and the Mavericks have allowed at least 124 points in two of their past three games. 8 p.m. KTXA/Ch. 21 and ESPN.

DISCUSSION QUESTION OF THE DAY

Martellus Bennett: better freestyle rapper or tight end?

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Tuesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* The CrumbsLand ISD is open today despite the bad weather. Buses are running as scheduled.

* If you think about it, Terrell Owens and reality television kind of deserve each other, don't they?

* The story of the 100-0 high school girls basketball game won't go away, but the winning coach has been told to go away.

* Monday's NBA highlight: Phoenix Suns 103, Washington Wizards 87 -- Shaquille O'Neal made a rare back-to-back appearance and scored 29 points and had eight rebounds in 36 minutes. O'Neal even was 9-for-10 at the free throw line!!! He played 38 minutes Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks and had 19 points and 11 minutes. The Wizards, at 9-35, now have the NBA's worst record.

* Today is Punch the Clock Day, Chocolate Cake Day and Thomas Crapper Day. Although, to be fair, some sources indicate Thomas Crapper Day was Jan. 17. Crapper, who invented the toilet, died Jan. 27, 1910, so we'll go with today as the special occasion.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Atlanta Thrashers at Dallas Stars. The Stars begin their post All-Star break push for a playoff spot against a team they 9-1 against all-time. The Thrashers, who are in last place in the Southeast Division, have won three of their past four games.

DISCUSSION QUESTION OF THE DAY

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that Dan Reeves is considering a consultant's role with the Dallas Cowboys. Let's pretend that you get the job over Reeves. What is your first advice to Jerry Jones as consultant?

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Monday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Boston Celtics 124, Dallas Mavericks 100: The Mavs go on national television and look like the "-allas" teams of old. Where was the D? The Celtics scored 74 points in the first half and had 103 points after the third quarter.

* Never thought I'd see the day when we would be asking you what lessons the Dallas Cowboys could learn from the Arizona Cardinals. Positive lessons, anyway.

* The winner of the Professional Bull Riders event in Dallas: Ryan Dirteater. There has to be a better last name for a bull rider.

* Not sure I'll want to pay full price to read why Joe Torre wrote that New York Yankees players called Alex Rodriguez "A-Fraud." But I would check it out from the library.

* Sunday's NHL highlight: East 12, West 11 (SO) -- The Montreal Canadiens' Alex Kovalev earned All-Star Game MVP honors after scoring two goals in regulation and another in the first shootout in All-Star Game history.

* Sunday's NBA highlight: Los Angeles Lakers 99, San Antonio Spurs 85 -- Kobe Bryant scored 22 points before sitting out the fourth quarter, with the Lakers winning in a rout. The Spurs' loss was only their fourth in their past 18 games.

* Today is Australia Day. On this date in 1788, the First Fleet landed in Port Jackson. I know this isn't Friday, but we're pulling out this old music video and dedicating it to all those celebrating Australia Day.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Oklahoma Sooners at Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball: The sixth-ranked Sooners are led by Blake Griffin, who is averaging 22.2 points and 13.8 assists per game and has recorded 16 double-doubles. Oklahoma is 19-1 and 5-0 in the Big 12. Oklahoma State is 13-5 and 2-2.

DISCUSSION QUESTION OF THE DAY

Should the Texas Rangers sign free-agent Ben Sheets despite concerns over his elbow?

-- David Thomas

NHL All-Star Game: Celebrity sightings!

The stars were out in Montreal last night for the NHL All-Star Game:

It's David Boreanaz, star of that hit TV show!

And look, there's Marc-Andre Grondin!

Is that Lauren Holly from TV's Picket Fences?!

And look, it's Danny Boome! I can't believe he made it!

Wow! Gary Bettman!

Photo of the day

Anybody need a used car? Anyone?

Checking the climate

ON FIRE
The good news is Michael Irvin is making a reality TV show. The bad news is the show isn’t about him 15 years ago when it would have been much, much more interesting.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have won five games in the month of January, eclipsing their November and December total of four. Now they’re well on their way to catching the Lakers for the top seed in the West. What’s 26.5 games back in January anyway?

WARMING UP
Jose Canseco failed to knock out Danny “Boom Boom” Bonaduce in their “celebrity” boxing match. But the future looks bright for Canseco. Next up, a tell-all book claiming that 80 percent of the Partridge family was on steroids and an ultimate fighting match with Greg Brady.

COLD STREAK

The Rangers have reportedly been shopping catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia this offseason. And it’s apparent now the team has no plans to keep him and his 14-letter last name after seeing the size of the names on the backs of the Rangers new uniforms.

The Rangers also unveiled their new batting helmets which are metallic blue in the front and fade to red in the back, successfully pulling off the 8-year-old’s bicycle helmet look.

LeBron James dreams of playing for the Cleveland Browns — at least according to his latest commercial. He’d certainly be an upgrade at tight end over Kellen Winslow Jr.

FROZEN TUNDRA
Joe Torre’s chances of being asked to throw out the first pitch at new Yankee Stadium took a slight hit after he ripped team officials and many players in his new book called The Yankee Years.

One of the stunning revelations in Torre’s book is that he says that many of his former players were prima donnas. Maybe he was just misquoted by author Tom Verducci. Torre probably said that he managed a pre-Madonna Alex Rodriguez.

Fitzgerald and Boldin have been ‘Show’ toppers

Cardinals wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin arguably have put on a greater show this season than The Greatest Show on Turf teams in St. Louis that Kurt Warner led to two Super Bowl appearances. Those Rams teams were known for the big plays in the passing game made by wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. How the performances of Fitzgerald and Boldin this season compare with those of Bruce and Holt in Warner’s other two Super Bowl seasons:
1999 SUPER BOWL XXXIV
Isaac Bruce: 77 rec., 1,165 yds., 12 TDs
Torry Holt: 52 rec., 788 yds., 6 TDs
Totals: 129 rec., 1,953 yds., 18 TDs
How they did in the Super Bowl: Holt caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Bruce caught six passes for 162 yards, including the game-winning 73-yard touchdown in a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
2001 SUPER BOWL XXXVI
Isaac Bruce: 64 rec., 1,106 yds., 6 TDs
Torry Holt: 81 rec., 1,363 yds., 7 TDs
Totals: 145 rec., 2,469 yds., 13 TDs
How they did in the Super Bowl: Bruce caught five passes for 56 yards and Holt caught five passes for 49 yards. Neither scored in a 20-17 loss to the New England Patriots.
2008 SUPER BOWL XLIII
Anquan Boldin: 89 rec., 1,038 yds., 11 TDs
Larry Fitzgerald: 96 rec., 1,431 yds., 12 TDs
Totals: 185 rec., 2,469 yds., 23 TDs

-- Scott McCoy
(Photo: Allsport/Al Bello)