Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End:
*Although it's a risk, I'm not too concerned about the Dallas Cowboys losing restricted free-agent receiver Miles Austin. They didn't place the franchise tag on him yesterday, so a long-term contract is on hold while the NFL today embarks on life without a salary cap for the first time since 1994. If a team offers Austin a contract, the Cowboys can match the deal or accept 1st- and 3rd-round draft choices as compensation. A productive, No. 1 receiver is worth that. Or, anyone out there think he is just a one-hit wonder?
*From the world of radio, I hear that 103.3 FM ESPN is giving up on live, local night programming. In the immediate future anyway, 6-10 p.m. will be filled by regurgitated Randy Galloway, Dallas Mavericks' games or college basketball.
*Why I hate ice skating: The following passage actually appeared on today's front sports page of Dallas' Only Daily: "her expressions saucy and playful ... the result was no surprise, but the tears came anyway." Vomitvomitvomitvomitvomitvomit. Vomit.
*For the first time since 2007 the nation's official drought map doesn't include Texas. Anyone remember when we were rationing water? Seems like three decades ago, not just three years.
*When I first heard news that Josh Hamilton injured his shoulder diving for a pop-up at Spring Training, my first reaction was "Oh, shit!" Second reaction: "Why are the Rangers allowing him to dive after anything at this point?"
*In my continuing quest to try new things, go different places and generally be friggin' weird, last night I went to the The Palladium and saw Tegan and Sara. I thought they were lesbian sisters, but turns out they're just sisters that happen to be lesbian. Make sense? They were decent. The crowd, as you might expect, was fascinating.
*Hot.
*Not.
*Funny that we're somehow surprised and shocked when something with killer in its name, er, kills. Killer Whale, right? Killer bees. We lock up killer humans, but we try to play with killer whales. Gawd, we're dumb sometimes.
*The NBA is seriously banning new Mav Caron Butler from chewing straws on the court? If you wanna get rich quick, get to work on inventing chewing gum that's hard, bendy and tastes like plastic.
*And now, this week's breath of fresh sunshine. Take it away, Mr. Reznor.
*Former Ticket voice Tommy Daniels and current hotass Erin Marie Garrett are a part of the new Allen Americans hockey extravaganza. Tonight the Americans play live on Time Warner Cable Channel 185. Even if you don't like hockey - or Allen - it's worth the trip up 75 to see Erin's on-ice, intermission promotions.
*I'm officially old, white and outta touch: Confirmation? When the Mavs' Dirk Nowitzki gave a shout-out to "Jigga Man" after the Lakers game, I had to ask who the hell he was talking about. My apologies, Beyonce.
*Good news: I'm on vacation next week. Gotta find somebody else to kick around until March 8.
