Daily Ticket: The Blog

Breakfast Crumbs: Wednesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Los Angeles Angels 5, Texas Rangers 2: It's official -- the Rangers are out of playoff contention. Scott Feldman didn't make it out of the fourth inning for a second consecutive start. Josh Hamilton is done for the year, and Marlon Byrd and Chris Davis suffered injuries last night.

* Jim Reeves: One of the Rangers' biggest moves this off-season will be to determine whether Neftali Feliz can help them more next season as a starter or a reliever.

* Tashard Choice is the Dallas Cowboys' only healthy running back heading into Denver, although Marion Barber could be back for that game.

* Jennifer Floyd Engel: The bus-driving Tony Romo who won Monday night's game won't win games against tougher opposition.

* Cowboys Quick Hits: Mike Jenkins is moving closer to taking over the starting role at right cornerback.

* Behind new quarterback Kyle Orton, the Denver Broncos are a surprising 3-0.

* The number of arrests at Cowboys Stadium was down to 20 for Monday night's game.

* Dallas Stars notes: Having their top minor-league team in Cedar Park is a long-term answer for the Stars.

* Dallas Mavericks notes: Former SMU player Quinton Ross is digging the new digs on his old campus.

* TCU notes: The unbeaten Horned Frogs say they will not take SMU lightly.

* Oklahoma notes: Sooners players don't expect to see the same Miami team that lost to Virginia Tech in pouring rain.

* Today is National Mud Pack Day.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels. They're still playing 'em. Derek Holland (8-12, 6.14), who ended a five-game losing streak last time out, starts for the Rangers. The Angels are starting Matt Palmer (10-2, 4.17) over scheduled starter Jered Weaver. 9 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Tuesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Dallas Cowboys 21, Carolina Panthers 7: Outside of the Panthers' first-half touchdown in their two-minute offense, the Cowboys defense looked dominating, with three sacks and three turnovers. Click here for complete Cowboys coverage.

* Randy Galloway: Tony Romo was conservative, not crazy.

* Jennifer Floyd Engel: The Cowboys' defense was better and can be even better.

* Los Angeles Angels 11, Texas Rangers 0: What a way to go out. The Angels were up 8-0 after four innings and cruised from there to clinch the American League West. One Rangers loss or one Boston Red Sox win officially ends the Rangers' postseason chances.

* Jim Reeves: The 2010 Rangers need what they did not have this season: Josh Hamilton in the lineup every day.

* Free agent-to-be Marlon Byrd wants to play for the Rangers next season, and possibly beyond that.

* Jan Hubbard: The Dallas Mavericks will have at least seven players age 30 or older, but other successful teams have won with thirty-somethings as key players.

* Dirk Nowitzki reports to the Mavs happy after a difficult off-season.

* The Dallas Stars have to decide whether Fabian Brunnstrom goes to the minors or is with the Stars to stay.

* The Texas Longhorns have a list of quality running backs to choose from.

* Texas Tech notes: Coach Mike Leach has banned players from using Twitter after one tweeted a criticism of Leach.

* The Grapevine Mustangs' ending their 16-game losing streak highlighted Week 4 in high school football.

* Two area cowboys won titles at an all-star rodeo.

* Today is Confucius Day.

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The best of what to watch today ...

* Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels. Technically, it's still a September game that means something. This may be the last day we can say that, though. Scott Feldman (17-6, 3.90) gets the start for the Rangers opposite lefty Scott Kazmir (9-9, 5.06). 9 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Monday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Tampa Bay Rays 7, Texas Rangers 6: The Rangers blew a 5-0 lead they held in the eighth inning, and although it's not time to stick a fork in 'em, it is time to pick up the fork and be prepared. Brandon McCarthy allowed two runs -- both unearned -- in 7 2/3 innings before the bullpen blew it.

* Dallas Cowboys-Carolina Panthers tonight. Here are five story lines to watch, five players to watch and a scouting report of the Panthers.

* Gil LeBreton: Where is that vaunted Cowboys defense we heard about in training camp?

* NFL 2-minute drill: It's time to celebrate in Detroit!

* SMU is next up on TCU's schedule, and the unbeaten Horned Frogs are remembering it was SMU that gave them their only loss in 2005.

* Today is TCU athletic director Danny Morrison's last day on the job. Oddly enough, he'll spend tonight at the Cowboys-Panthers game, then start his new job tomorrow as the Panthers' president.

* Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin is out for the season with a knee injury.

* Jimmy Burch: At 3-0, Texas A&M gets its first big test when it plays Arkansas on Saturday in Arlington.

* Texas Tech coach Mike Leach says his Red Raiders (2-2) will bounce back from road losses to Texas and Houston.

* Cowboys radio play-by-play guy Brad Sham will be busy today fulfilling faith and football duties on Yom Kippur.

* Buckshots: Readers say Tony Romo needs to turn around his turnover problem and his cap around.

* With the season opener near, the Dallas Stars say they know coach Marc Crawford's new system.

* Who's happy this Monday morning: Phil Mickelson (winner of the PGA Tour Championship) and Tiger Woods (winner of the FedEx Cup). ... Jimmie Johnson (winner of NASCAR's Chase race at Dover). ... Tony Schumacher (winner of the NHRA's Top Fuel event in NASCAR). ... And the New York Yankees (winners of 100 games, the A.L. East and homefield advantage).

* Did you know that today is National Ask A Stupid Question Day? And if that was a stupid question, that's OK today.

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The best of what to watch today ...

* Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, still looking for their first home win in the history of Cowboys Stadium, host a Panthers team that made the playoffs last season but is 0-2 this season and has been outscored 66-30. 7:30 p.m., ESPN, KTXA/Channel 21.

* Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels. One loss to the Angels during this four-game homestand and the Rangers are officially eliminated from the division race. Tommy Hunter (9-4, 3.67) pitches for the Rangers. The Angels go with right-hander Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.46). 9 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Friday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Randy Galloway: Jimmy Johnson believes without a doubt that Tony Romo can "be a big winner in this league."

* The Dallas Cowboys' cornerbacks were picked on last week, and they know the Carolina Panthers will be coming at them Monday night.

* Cowboys notes: Jason Witten is the latest player to say the team has not lost confidence in Romo.

* Ray Buck: ESPN will take a more subtle approach than NBC for the second game at Cowboys Stadium. (Do you think ESPN knows the stadium is in Arlington?)

* The Cowboys and the city of Arlington decide to limit Party Passes to 15,000 for future games.

* Oakland Athletics 12, Texas Rangers 3: Scott Feldman says he "stunk" in seeing his eight-game road winning streak end. With two starts remaining, Feldman no longer has a shot at 20 wins.

* Nolan Ryan could be a part of one of the groups bidding to buy the Rangers.

* Rangers Mailbag: Beat writer Jeff Wilson answers' readers questions, including one from a reader who has a roster suggestion from his cat.

* Gil LeBreton: Wanna talk about respect for the TCU Horned Frogs? Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says Saturday's home game against the Frogs will let his team "check the oil and see where we are as a program."

* The TCU-Clemson game will be "televised" on the Internet.

* Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston stays out of the spotlight, but he's in the middle of the Longhorns' defensive plans.

* Baylor senior linebacker Joe Pawelek -- rated as a top-five linebacker prospect by Mel Kiper Jr. -- is one of the Bears' best leaders.

* South Carolina 16, Mississippi 10: The fourth-ranked Rebels fall to Steve Spurrier's team.

* The Dallas Stars have a reliable backup goalie in Alex Auld.

* Former Stars coach Dave Tippett replaces Wayne Gretzky behind the Phoenix Coyotes' bench.

* Dallas Mavericks notes: In Drew Gooden, the Mavs have one of those faster, smaller, more athletic centers that's all the rage in the NBA these days.

* Gary West: Stolis Winner should be visiting the winner's circle in Lone Star Park's Fall Meeting of Champions.

* A Q&A with Fort Worth native Spencer Massey in advance of this weekend's NHRA event in Ennis.

* Today is National Comic Book Day.

* It's Friday in CrumbsLand, so it's our day to celebrate all that is great about '80s music. On the stage today for us is Donna Summer with "She Works Hard for the Money."

TUBE TOPPERS

The best of what to watch today ...

* Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers. Rangers starter Derek Holland (7-12, 6.17) is 0-5 with a 12.38 ERA in his past five starts. He has allowed at least five earned runs in each of them. The Rays start right-hander James Shields (10-11, 4.09). 7 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

* Missouri at Nevada. Missouri (3-0) wraps up non-conference play against the Wolf Pack (0-2). You might want to watch early, because the Tigers defeated Nevada 69-17 last year. 8 p.m., ESPN.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Thursday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Texas Rangers 9, Oakland Athletics 8: Hank Blalock homered and drove in four runs, while Tommy Hunter struggled his way to his third win in four decisions. Hunter allowed seven runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Rangers picked up a game on the Los Angeles Angels and trail by 6 1/2 games with 11 remaining.

* Jim Reeves: Ron Washington goes from almost fired to Manager of the Year candidate.

* Ian Kinsler wants 30-30 this season and more consistency next season.

* Marion Barber's status for the Dallas Cowboys' next game remains a mystery.

* Randy Galloway: Even with Tony Turnover, Jason Garrett's offense is off to a good start.

* After catching one pass for 18 yards against the New York Giants, Roy Williams again faces questions about his No. 1 receiver status.

* Flozell Adams got himself into a fine mess with that trip of Justin Tuck.

* Jimmy Burch: Texas A&M's offense is off to a good start.

* TCU notes: Quarterback Andy Dalton is spreading the wealth among his receivers.

* Texas A&M notes: Freshman Sean Porter is earning playing time at linebacker.

* Florida quarterback Tim Tebow -- the '07 Heisman Trophy winner -- is No. 1 in the first weekly Heisman Trophy poll.

* The Dallas Stars' Steve Ott is as annoying as coach Marc Crawford was when he played.

* A Q&A with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana.

* Anthony Andro: Juan Pablo Montoya is off to a good start in his first NASCAR Chase.

* "Off to a good start" seems to be the theme of today's sports section.

* The Burleson Elks are winning old school with their wing T offense.

* Carlos Mendez: Jim Tressel's book, The Winners Manual, has helped Southlake Carroll coach Hal Wasson refocus his Dragons. I've read a little over half of the book. Perhaps when I finish I'll be able to refocus the world's most unread blog.

* Today is National Cherries Jubilee Day.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics. Day game! Scott Feldman (17-5, 3.62) goes for his ninth consecutive road victory. Oakland turns to rookie Brett Anderson (10-10, 4.21). 2:35 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

* The Colony at Denton Guyer. I've seen Denton Guyer, the state's second-ranked Class 4A team, and the Wildcats are loaded. 7 p.m., KTXA/Channel 21.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Wednesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Oakland Athletics 9, Texas Rangers 1: Another one-run game for the Rangers. That makes six times in nine games that they have scored one run or fewer.

* Gil LeBreton: The Rangers did the right thing by allowing Kevin Millwood to pitch enough innings to kick in a $12 million option for next season.

* Rangers notes: Eddie Guardado says he may hang up the spikes after this season.

* Justin Smoak is lighting it up in the Baseball World Cup, hitting .368 with nine home runs in 10 games.

* As far as the Dallas Cowboys are concerned, this is a good time to have the winless Carolina Panthers coming to town.

* Cowboys Quick Hits: Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are ready to fill in for Marion Barber.

* It's time for ... the Dallas Cowboys of Arlington.

* After having two reconstructive knee surgeries, TCU senior running back Joseph Turner wants to make the most out of his final season.

* Oklahoma notes: Bob Stoops speaks on the return of Sam Bradford, but he doesn't say much.

* Baylor notes: Lessons were learned from the loss to Connecticut.

* Dan Fouts has been selected to receive the Davey O'Brien Legends Award.

* Dallas Stars notes: The Stars have veteran depth at goalie.

* Dallas Mavericks notes: Players are prepared for games with replacement refs.

* A Q&A with former Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann, founder of Coach for America and crusader against domestic abuse. On a side note, Ehrmann is featured in the book Season of Life. I highly recommend that book.

* Today is National Checkers Day.

TUBE TOPPERS

The best of what to watch ...

* Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics. It's not a big game, but Tommy "Big Game" Hunter (8-4, 3.25) goes for the Rangers. The A's start rookie Clay Mortensen (2-2, 6.12), who is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his past two starts. 9 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Tuesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Texas Rangers 10, Oakland Athletics 3: Monday night -- 10 runs. Sept. 13-20 -- 9 runs. And Kevin Millwood pitched seven innings to earn the win and a $12 million contract for next year.

* Millwood and Scott Feldman are the only two pitchers who have locked up spots in the Rangers' 2010 rotation.

* Jennifer Floyd Engel: In search of the person running the Rangers.

* Former agent Dennis Gilbert has been identified as one of the bidders for the Rangers.

* Blame us for the loss, Cowboys defenders say.

* Cowboys notes: Don't blame Tony Romo for the loss, Cowboys players say.

* Jim Reeves: There's no need for Chicken Little to show up at Valley Ranch.

* Arlington mayor Robert Cluck says because of crowd-control problems at Sunday's game, the Cowboys should not sell more than 10,000 standing room only tickets for future games.

* Troy Aikman says Romo has what it takes to bounce back from Sunday's stinko performance.

* Dallas Mavericks notes: Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion are back together. Plus, the Mavs have some new unis.

* Dallas Stars notes: Three exhibition games in three days will test players' conditioning.

* Texas notes: Redshirt freshman Tre Newton is listed as starting running back for Saturday's game against UTEP.

* Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford threw in Monday's practice, but on a very limited basis.

* Texas A&M notes: Receiver Jeff Fuller is out 4-6 weeks with a cracked fibula.

* Texas Tech notes: Coach Mike Leach praised the performance of quarterback Taylor Potts against Texas.

* Indianapolis Colts 27, Miami Dolphins 23: This is incredible -- the Dolphins held the ball for more than 45 minutes and lost.

* High school football 2-minute drill: Many teams are beginning district play, including Arlington Martin after its near upset of Cedar Hill.

* This 46-year-old saddle bronc rider is still going strong.

* Today is Elephant Appreciation Day. But you probably already knew that.

TUBE TOPPERS

The best of what to watch today ...

* Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics. Brandon McCarthy (7-3, 4.97) lasted only three innings last week against the A's. Oakland rookie right-hander Trevor Cahill (9-12, 4.54) has won three consecutive decisions, including throwing seven innings of one-hit ball in Arlington. 9 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

New York's take on Giants-Cowboys

A look at Giants-Cowboys from the Giants' side of things:

* Justin Tuck classified Flozell Adams' trip that injured him as "bush league" and Brandon Jacobs was upset when he says Marc Colombo shoved him during postgame handshakes. (From the New York Daily News.)

* Jacobs on Colombo: “I’d better not see him anywhere. ... I just want to let him know that was a very disrespectful thing to do to somebody.” (From The (Newark) Star-Ledger.)

* Giants coach Tom Coughlin on Cowboys Stadium: "The stadium is obviously a beautiful place to play. The crowd was in to it.” (From the New York Times.)

* Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce: "We appreciate 100,000 people cheering us on. We enjoyed watching ourselves on the TV." Also: place-kicker Lawrence Tynes chased down the ball from his game-winning field goal. (From the New York Times.)

* New York Daily News columnist Filip Bondy: "... the owner ends up building a palace for jesters, for a group of players who can't hang onto the football when it really counts - against their toughest rivals, before the largest regular-season crowd in league history and during the national, prime-time debut of opulent Cowboys Stadium. For all his riches, Jones is stuck with a quarterback, Tony Romo, who can't get out of his own way and a defense unable to keep up with a determined corps of Giant receivers.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Monday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* New York Giants 33, Dallas Cowboys 31: Lawrence Tynes' 37-yard field goal on the final play of the game spoiled the opening of Cowboys Stadium, which was filled with an NFL regular-season record crowd of 105,121. Complete Giants-Cowboys coverage.

* Randy Galloway: Put the blame for this loss squarely on Tony Romo, Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick.

* Gil LeBreton: The Cowboys don't have this stadium closing/opening thing down.

* Los Angeles Angels 10, Texas Rangers 5: Just up Randol Mill Road from the Cowboys, the Rangers' make-or-break nine-game homestand ended with a 2-7 record and the Rangers' playoff bandwagon broken down.

* Rangers notes: Michael Young returned from injury too early, but he calls it was a risk worth taking.

* The tag team of Rangers announcers Josh Lewin and Tom Grieve try to offer something for the baseball diehard and the casual fan, too.

* Fans took advantage of a rare MLB-NFL doubleheader yesterday in Arlington.

* TCU coach Gary Patterson says he's never completely happy with a game, and Saturday's 56-21 win over Texas State left him plenty of things to be unhappy about.

* Jimmy Burch: Big 12 stocks to buy, sell and hold in mid-September.

* With the NHRA coming to Texas Motorplex this week, Ashley Force Hood is a threat to win the Funny Car championship.

* Buckshots: The word "choke" keeps showing up in readers' thoughts on the Rangers.

* Who is celebrating this Monday morning: Mark Martin, who won the first race in NASCAR's Chase for the Cup. ... Jay Haas, who won the PGA Champions Tour's Greater Hickory Classic for the second time. ... Na Yeon Choi, who lost a seven-shot lead but still won the LPGA's Samsung World Championship.

* Today is World Gratitude Day.

TUBE TOPPERS

The best of what to watch today ...

* Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins. Peyton Manning goes for win No. 119 as the Colts' starting quarterback. That would break his tie with Johnny Unitas atop the franchise's list. 7:30 p.m., ESPN.

* Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics. The only magic number involving this one: 4 1/3. That is how many innings Rangers starter Kevin Millwood (10-10, 3.94) needs to pitch to kick in a $12 million option for next year. Oakland starts Edgar Gonzalez (0-2, 4.74), who held the Rangers to one run in four innings Tuesday. 9 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Friday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* What chance the Texas Rangers have at making the playoffs will be known for sure by the time this weekend's three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels ends. If not before.

* Randy Galloway: Tom Hicks says his finances are doing well in Liverpool. It's not so sunny here for the Rangers.

* The Rangers signed 44th pick Tanner Scheppers, and the pitcher appears on the fast track to Arlington.

* The Dallas Cowboys are getting what they wanted from new safety Gerald Sensabaugh.

* Cowboys notes: Cowboys Stadium's roof and end-zone doors will be open for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

* Ray Buck: NBC is treating Sunday night's game as "almost a mini-Super Bowl."

* Among the new stadium's suite owners: Prince Bandar bin Sultan of Saudia Arabia.

* Ever wondered what the NFL's rules are concerning domed stadiums? Wonder no more.

* Gil LeBreton: After receiving treatment for cancer, Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage is back in the public eye.

* The Chase for the Cup begins this weekend with the top driver again chasing Jimmie Johnson.

* Your feel-good story for this morning: The Tennessean on how Vince Young showed up for "Dear Dads Breakfast" at the school of the late Steve McNair's sons.

* Stars coach Marc Crawford is a details guy. Read this story for the details on that.

* The TCU Hall of Fame has added its six newest members.

* North Texas' game at Alabama will feel like a Southlake Carroll reunion.

* Texas defensive end Sergio Kindle is making a difference with things that aren't appearing in the box scores.

* Oklahoma freshman linebacker Ronnell Lewis is a "freak of nature."

* Gary West: Seven horses are set for Saturday's all-important Louisiana Super Derby.

* Pickin' & Grinnin': Some sports humor columnist guy picks NFL games each week.

* A Q&A with UFC president Dana White.

* Today is National Cheeseburger Day.

* This week's '80s music selection is a tribute to the late Patrick Swayze, with "She's Like the Wind."

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers. To kick off a big series, the Rangers hand the ball to Tommy "Big Game" Hunter (8-3, 3.23). The Angels counter with Scott Kazmir (8-8, 5.32). Kazmir has made three starts for the Angels since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays. Kazmir is 1-1 with a 1.86 ERA in those three games. 7 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas