Bowled Over And Liking It!

And a belated Happy New Year to each and every one of you! The past 10 days have been a hodgepodge of stuff between work and play. I begin with a resolution that I hope I can make happen in 2005: Lose weight, keep it off and feel great! I'll keep you posted. Thanks to Santa for knowing I was a good adult in 2004. In retrospect...

The day after X-Mas marked my 7th visit to Texas Stadium and watching the Pokes eke out a 13-10 win. It never ceases to amaze me how diverse the legion of Cowboy fans are. Never mind a 6-10 season (or the perceived fair-weathered stereotype) once inside the stadium it is a feeling of nostalgia and ongoing potential. If Drew Brees doesn't come to Texas may Tony Romo get the nod in 2005.

I want to give a special thanks to the good people at Oak Ridge School in Arlington, Texas. Over a 3 day period last week, some 32 teams (male and female) competed in a basketball tournament. Teams came from Missouri, Tennessee, and New Mexico. It was a thrill to broadcast a total of 14 games with Illusion Sports as we were given the royal treatment by so many.

Some great hardwood was played and Chance Talbert for the Owls was unstoppable! SPECIAL Thanks to Coach Kenny Yates, Don Elder, William Talbert, and Bill Franey for their comments and hospitality. For 16 years the Oak Ridge has been a holiday staple. May the amount of teams involved increase to 64...

How many look at last night's OU debacle and wonder aloud,'That's alot of lost recruits headed for Texas or out of state'. The Rose Bowl finish was one of the best I have ever witnessed with exception of the 1975 affair when Pat Haden clicked with John McKay Jr for an 18-17 win on Ohio State. Vince Young was THE MAN!

For a fantastic finish, does anything top what we saw Iowa do to LSU? Nick Saban will regret leaving Bayou country. He had it good there. Anyone who has a short memory, I remind you that once upon a time Pete Carroll had rotten luck with the Patriots and Jets some 12 years ago.

This weekend the NFL starts it's playoff run. Are you aware that this Jets-Chargers matchup is the FIRST TIME two AFL originals hook up and duke it out? San Diego is one dark horse team I would keep an eye on if the Pats or Steel Crew are to be upended.

New Year's Eve I am watching the TV countdown on NBC, ABC, and CBS. I note that Motley Crue, Billy Idol, and Duran Duran are performing. A pleasant reminder of just how good the music from the 80's was. Vince Neil even got away with an F bomb on Jay Leno before the censors could delete it. Oh well...

The Master is so sure that 2005 will be a special year for the Texas Rangers that he went ahead and renewed/secured himself a full season of tickets to be in attendance at Ameriquest. The big story in 2005 will be the emergence of Chris Young and how well Sandy Alomar Jr works the staff. I also predict big things for Ian Kinsler...

Remember what I told you a few weeks ago:IF Carlos Beltran remains an Astro, Roger Clemens comes back one more year! You heard it here first! In light of an NHL strike, I think I have a good title if it were to become a movie. Can you say,"The Fandom Of The Puckera"? I knew you could.

Later today I resume coverage of high school hockey for Highland Park with Mansfield and Arlington Martin possibly joining the mix. Tomorrow we start covering district play for the Girls Scots of basketball. Note to Matt McKay, and Dave Burl(spelled correctly?)-Football is safe...for now(smile).

Tomorrow is also a birthday for Dear Ole Dad! Happy 66th Pops, you skinny son of a gun.

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will