Daily Ticket: The Blog

Monday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 114, Toronto Raptors 96: The Mavs fell behind 22-3, but turned in their biggest comeback of the season to win for the 16th time in their past 17 games.

2. Randy Galloway: The Texas Rangers have worked to develop a franchise that can fill holes in pitching rotations from within, and that is why the Rangers didn't unload prospects in off-season trades.

3. Brandon Webb threw from a mound Sunday and had "zero issues" with his repaired shoulder.

4. Several mock drafts have the Dallas Cowboys taking Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara at No. 9, and Amukamara projects as an immediate starter.

5. NFL Combine notes: Former Southlake Carroll quarterback Greg McElroy reportedly scored 48 out of a possible 50 on the Wonderlic test.

6. A record 23,000 people participated in the Cowtown Marathon. Here is a look at the winners of Sunday's events.

-- David Thomas

Friday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. The Dallas Mavericks sent a message to their players when they did not make a trade on the final day before the trade deadline. "We've got a special group," general manager Donnie Nelson said.

2. Jennifer Floyd Engel: History keeps me from believing that these Mavs are championship contenders.

3. Dallas Stars 4, Detroit Red Wings 1: The Stars ended their five-game losing streak and their seven-game road losing streak.

4. Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is liking what he sees in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

5. Cowboys notes: The Cowboys, who have the ninth overall pick, plan to interview Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.

6. Texas Rangers lefty Matt Harrison carries extra motivation during spring training after being left of the Rangers' postseason roster.

-- David Thomas

Thursday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 118, Utah Jazz 99: Playing a Jazz team that had just traded leading scorer Deron Williams, the Mavs used a big third-quarter run to win for the 14th time in their past 15 games.

2. Randy Galloway: In Jason Garrett's never-ending desire to learn, he spent time with Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

3. Garrett is attending the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and will speak with the media. It is not known whether Jerry Jones will take questions from the media while there.

4. Texas Rangers notes: Elvis Andrus has added 10 pounds and believes the added muscle will help his hitting.

5. New Rangers hitting coach Thad Bosley envisions a team of line-drive power hitters.

6. Athletic departments at many area school districts are facing cuts as state funding is reduced.

-- David Thomas

Wednesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Gil LeBreton: Hired as the Texas Rangers' general manager when he was only 28, Jon Daniels has grown into his job and is worthy of another contract extension.

2. Chris Davis doesn't appear in the first base picture, but he believes he can be an All-Star, even if with another team.

3. New Jersey Devils 1, Dallas Stars 0: Nick Palmieri's deflection with 5:37 to play sent the Stars to their fifth consecutive loss.

4. The Dallas Mavericks, looking like a sure thing to finish among the Western Conference's top four seeds, seek to hold onto their No. 2 seed with the regular season in its final third of the schedule. They host the Utah Jazz tonight (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

5. The NFL combine can be the last chance for some players, and South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders is one of those players.

6. In your feel-good story of the day ... Jordan Johnson, a 30-year-old disabled veteran, was told by doctors she would never run again. On Saturday, she'll take part in the Cowtown 5K.

-- David Thomas

Tuesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Gil LeBreton: It's a whole new story at the catcher position for the Texas Rangers this spring training.

2. Tommy Hunter, who won 13 games last regular season before struggling in the playoffs, is prepared to earn his way back into the starting rotation.

3. Jennifer Floyd Engel: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan can curse all he wants as long as he fixes the defense.

4. Dallas Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk hopes he found the high-impact defenseman his team needs in 25-year-old Alex Goligoski. The Stars received Goligoski from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday in exchange for winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen.

5. Jimmy Burch: Cam Newton, who received his Davey O'Brien Award last night in Fort Worth, has all the makings of a top-of-the-draft quarterback.

6. The Fort Worth Regional Golden Gloves boxing tournament begins tonight at the John Justin Arena. A group of former champions will be honored this week as part of the event's 75th anniversary.

-- David Thomas

Monday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Barely 20, Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500 in only his second career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. He is the race's youngest winner.

2. The Texas Rangers liked their offense last season, but they believe this year's has more depth and versatility.

3. Gil LeBreton: Josh Hamilton is the Metroplex's best sports bargain. Let's enjoy it while we can.

4. West 148, East 143: Kobe Bryant scored 37 points in winning his record-tying fourth NBA All-Star Game MVP award.

5. Cam Newton, who will be in Fort Worth tonight to receive his Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, will be one of the most intriguing names available at the NFL Draft.

6. Texas' first loss in the Big 12 basketball race is a game coach Rick Barnes said his team will learn from.

-- David Thomas

Friday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 112, Phoenix Suns 106: Dirk Nowitzki scored 35 points as the Mavs won their final game before the All-Star break. The Mavs enter the break having won 13 of 14.

2. Randy Galloway: Someone in our Thursday section said that we deserve another Super Bowl? Not until we get some answers from Roger Goodell and Jerry Jones.

3. Rob Ryan, the Dallas Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, finally had a chance to meet with the local media, and he did not disappoint.

4. Gil LeBreton: The uniform and equipment are in Michael Young's locker, ready for him to report to spring training. He'll be here, and he'll be happy to be here.

5. Neftali Feliz hopes to make the move from bullpen to starting rotation just as C.J. Wilson did last season.

6. TCU released its non-conference football schedule, and among the five games are three home games (Louisiana-Monroe, Portland State, SMU) and a game at Cowboys Stadium (BYU). The only real travel game is in Waco, against Baylor.

-- David Thomas

Thursday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Dallas Mavericks 116, Sacramento Kings 100: Roddy Beaubois was solid -- but tired -- in his return, and Jason Kidd's 3-point shooting -- he made 6 of 7 -- carried the Mavs to their 12th win in their past 13 games. The Mavs are in Phoenix tonight to take on the Suns in their final game before the All-Star break (9:30 p.m., TNT).

2. Calgary Flames 4, Dallas Stars 2: The Stars were tied 2-2 entering the third period but allowed two goals and dropped to 2-8-1 over their past 11 games.

3. Randy Galloway: The starting rotation remains the Texas Rangers' biggest question heading into spring training.

4. One of those rotation answers could come from free-agent acquisition Brandon Webb if he can be healthy and productive this spring.

5. Rangers update: General manager Jon Daniels said there is nothing new concerning the Rangers' attempts to satisfy Michael Young's trade request.

6. Jennifer Floyd Engel: Super Bowl XLV was not as big of a failure as it is being made out to be, and the NFL will bring the Super Bowl back to Arlington.

-- David Thomas

Wednesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. The Texas Rangers do not believe they will be able to trade Michael Young before spring training begins this weekend and expect him to be in uniform with the rest of the position players.

2. Edmonton Oilers 4, Dallas Stars 1: The last-place Oilers knocked the Stars into a three-way tie for second place in the Pacific Division. The Stars are 2-7-1 in their past 10 games.

3. The Texas Brahmas and Allen Americans have given the Metroplex a minor-league hockey rivalry in line with the Fort Worth-Dallas rivalries of years gone by.

4. Mac Engel: Roddy Beaubois makes his long-anticipated return for the Dallas Mavericks tonight when they face the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest).

5. Jennifer Floyd Engel: The media to-do over the Pro Football Hall of Fame election process shows the hypocritical side of journalists.

6. The Fans' Insider:  A fans-perspective Q&A on the NFL labor situation.

-- David Thomas

 

Tuesday's Pick 6

Six links to click before heading to the water cooler:

1. Ray Buck: Michael Young is in line to be yet another local athlete that did not receive the treatment he deserved.

2. Zach Johnson, the reigning champion of the Crowne Plaza Invitation at Colonial, visited Colonial Country Club on Monday and for the first time saw his name on the Wall of Champions.

3. Roddy Beaubois is a possibility to play in the Dallas Mavericks' game Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings.

4. As a 6-foot-10 small forward Peja Stojakovic adds even more flexibility to a team that already was exercising plenty of flexibility.

5. Saturday's Iron Cowboy event at Cowboys Stadium will feature some of the top bull riders -- and bulls.

6. Girls Basketball Insider: Just making the playoffs isn't enough for this season's Trimble Tech team.

-- David Thomas