Ballzy

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [2:53] discuss the national sports news of the week: the Mavs’ controversial acquisition of Kyrie Irving. David calls it an even bigger risk than Roy Tarpley. Evan says he’s conflicted about what he concedes is a good basketball move. Kevin expects Irving to be on his best behavior, because he doesn’t have any more leverage. [25:35] Evan gives his five topics of spring for the Rangers. [47:50] The guys make their Super Bowl picks and discuss the elevation of Brian Schottenheimer to Cowboys offensive coordinator.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [7:09] the overhaul of the Cowboys’ offensive staff and what it means for quarterback Dak Prescott. Evan says the fortunes of Dak and Mike McCarthy are now intertwined. Kevin says that if Dak has another year like the last one, chances are neither will be back in 2024. Evan tells us [29:10] that Corey Seager has never looked happier as a Ranger, using an elephant metaphor in the process and prompting Kevin to ask if Seager’s behind all the shenanigans out at the Dallas Zoo. The guys seem eager to get to the bottom of the mystery. [40:42] David describes an NBA culture in which it’s OK for an opposing coach to chirp at an opposing superstar, even if it results in Luka Doncic going off for 53 points. David and Kevin discuss the limited options for the Mavs before the trade deadline and what that portends for their playoff hopes as well as Luka’s contentment.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant [5:14] discuss the Cowboys’ 19-12 loss to the 49ers in the divisional round playoff, prolonging a streak of 27 years without an appearance in the NFC title game. Kevin says that if you’d told him before the game the Cowboys’ defense would hold the 49ers to 19 points, he’d have booked a flight to Philadelphia for the conference championship game. [23:00] The guys consider four key Cowboys — Mike McCarthy, Dan Quinn, Kellen Moore and Dak Prescott — and answer the questions of whether each will/should be back. What went wrong with Dak this year? How can he be fixed? All that and more in this special all-Cowboys, all-the-time podcast.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and David Moore discuss [00:29] the Cowboys’ surprising dominance of QB Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Monday’s wild card game. Kevin says Dak Prescott’s performance is repeatable against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round, if only because he went back to being the quarterback we knew before this season. David says last year’s playoff loss to the Niners was a focus and motivation for the Cowboys the past 11 months and should be a factor now. [20:45] Evan Grant joined the conversation to talk about Brett Maher and kickers suffering from the yips, Saturday Night Live and also who didn’t return his calls this week. [41:21] Evan then commandeered the mic to catch up on some Rangers news, such as the ongoing search for a left fielder and the bullpen without Brett Martin.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [5:00] the Cowboys’ miserable loss to Washington and what that portends for a rematch with Tampa Bay. The guys take positions on their biggest concerns. David says if the Cowboys lose, any questions about Mike McCarthy’s status depend on the degree of embarrassment. If it’s anything like the loss to Washington, Kevin says, Jerry Jones better make sure Sean Payton hasn’t signed any papers with Denver. Evan says Jerry probably already has Payton on hold. [33:30] The guys ponder the question of whether it would have been better if TCU had lost to Michigan in the semis than to endure a historic blowout against Georgia. Sonny Dykes has to figure out a way to sell the ending of what had been a magical season.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and Evan Grant discuss [4:04] the traumatic event of Monday night’s game between Buffalo and Cincinnati, when the Bills' Damar Hamlin collapsed after suffering sudden cardiac arrest. Kevin tells about his brother’s recovery from SCA as well as the case of Detroit’s Chuck Hughes, an Abilene and UTEP alum and the only NFL player ever to die on a football field. [37:57] Evan and Kevin talk about the prospects of a six-man rotation. Evan wonders if the Rangers could flip Jake Odorizzi for a left fielder. [49:20] And Evan speculates on whether his beloved Georgia Bulldogs can stop the freight train that’s become of the little engine that could, TCU. For all of their differences, Evan notes, both programs are led by quarterbacks with unlikely stories.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant wish you happy holidays, and we'll be back next year, or next week, for a full package of Cowboys, Rangers, Mavs and the first round of the College Football Playoff. 

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [5:04] Evan’s work with utters as well as the Cowboys’ utter failure in the second half against Jacksonville and what it means going forward. Say what you want about Dak Prescott’s issues, Kevin says, but the Cowboys’ transcendent player is Micah Parsons, and if he’s not great, the Cowboys suffer. David says the Cowboys need to beat the Eagles if for no other reason than to get their heads right for a playoff push.[25:18] Evan and Kevin discuss the Rangers’ outfield and the difference Michael Conforto could make. [38:00] And it’s Christmas and Hanukkah wishes for all of our faithful listeners.

With SportsDay Insider host Kevin Sherrington out, Evan Grant and David Moore actually get to talk to one another for a change. [00:48] David says of the Cowboys’ most recent escape from a trap game: Don’t focus on how close the game was with the Texans, focus on what happened at the end. He opines on T.Y. Hilton’s arrival and the impact on the OBJ drama. Also: Should we just go ahead and acknowledge there are two more games with the Eagles remaining? If so, what impact does the first one have on the second? [19:00] With the dust of the winter meetings settled, Evan puts the Rangers’ new rotation into perspective and runs through the rest of the winter shopping list. [32:00]  In the wake of Mike Leach’s death, we remember his impact on football, which extends well beyond his time at Texas Tech. And finally, we ask: What message will Texas’ handling of the Chris Beard domestic violence arrest have on the school and its athletic program?

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss [00:14] Odell Beckham Jr.'s courtside visit to the Mavs-Suns game and the chances he signs with the Cowboys. David says if he signs with anyone, it'll be the Cowboys, but at what price? And how much could he play this year? [11:44] Evan says the Rangers weren't rolling the dice with Jacob deGrom, because he's great when healthy. But they won't narrow the gap much with Justin Verlander-less Houston unless they add another starter and bat. [24:40] Not only were the guys surprised that the College Football Playoff committee held TCU at No. 3 after its loss in OT in the Big 12 title game and turning its back on Alabama as a result, they came up with a new word to describe it. Listen to find out.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss a wide swath of hot topics this week, starting [00:50] with the Cowboys' three-game lead-up to a showdown with the Eagles on Christmas Eve. David says the Cowboys are still interested in Odell Beckham Jr. even after the incident in Miami. Kevin says it's not just what he can still do on a field, it's the threat of what he can do that occupies opposing defenses. [20:35] Evan makes a shopping list for the Rangers at the winter meetings next week. Kevin wonders if Chris Young wants to win so badly, he's willing to overpay for Jacob deGrom or Carlos Rodon. [36:30] Kevin and David discuss the impact of Kemba Walker on the dysfunctional Mavs, who can't shoot straight. Or dribble, apparently. And the guys agree that if TCU beats Kansas State in the Big 12 title game Saturday at JerryWorld, the Horned Frogs are in. And if they don't, they're out. 

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and Evan Grant [00:55] discuss the Cowboys' historic win over the Vikings and what it portends. Evan asks Kevin if the Cowboys are closer to the team that dominated the Vikings or the one that blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead against Green Bay. The guys also discuss whether Jerry Jones has any business talking Super Bowl this soon. [21:40] Evan tells us about his visit to Nashville to watch a World Series game with Bruce Bochy, the Rangers' new manager. [30:10] Kevin says he doesn't know if TCU is really one of the four best teams in the nation, but it's certainly the most exciting. Which is a lot more than Texas A&M and Texas can say at this point as Sonny Dykes and the Frogs take center stage in the Lone Star State.

 SportsDay Insider’s Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant [1:20] discuss the Cowboys’ “abominable” loss to the Packers in which David says both the offense and defense failed miserably. Kevin asks if the cold could be blamed for Dak’s miserable start and says Sunday’s game in Minnesota is must-win. [19:55] Evan and Kevin discuss possibilities for the Rangers’ rotation and lineup. Evan outlines the plus and minus of a Jacob deGrom or Carlos Rodon over Nathan Eovaldi and Jameson Taillon. [37:20] Evan asks if Texas should have hired Sonny Dykes when it had the chance, and Kevin says he was more qualified for the job than Steve Sarkisian.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [1:14] the Cowboys' upcoming game in Green Bay and the Packers' disappointing season. Aaron Rodgers has won seven of his last eight games against the Cowboys, but Kevin says if the Cowboys don't win Sunday, we'll need to rethink just how far this team can go. David gauges a possible Odell Beckham Jr. signing, and the guys analyze the impact it would make on CeeDee Lamb. (Spoiler alert: Good impact). [16:32] Evan breaks down the GM meetings and any trade possibilities the Rangers' Chris Young may be considering. [29:18] Kevin says if TCU wins out, it should make the College Football Playoff. [37:12] And David says there's still plenty of time to find chemistry, but it'd be nice if someone took a little of the load off Luka Doncic once in a while.   

SportsDay Insiders' Kevin, David and Evan [1:03] discuss the Cowboys’ win over the Bears and what it means going forward in the season’s second half. David called it Kellen Moore’s best game calling plays this year and wonders if Zeke Elliott’s absence made it easier. Evan says the simple act of Dak Prescott carrying a handful of times makes a difference, and the Cowboys have to balance that along with the shares by Tony Pollard and Zeke. [19:22] Evan says the Rangers have several ways to go with Martin Perez, including a one-year qualifying offer. Kevin says they’ve got to sign Perez to a multi-year deal and tries not to take offense at Evan’s response to his call for the Rangers to trade for Shohei Ohtani. [36:22] And TCU keeps the state’s CFP football hopes alive while Jimbo Fisher may have to settle for finding a quarterback at last.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant [5:05] discuss the Cowboys' win over the Lions and Dak Prescott's in-game progress. David says Dak realized he was forcing the issue and subsequently played to the offense's strengths. Kevin reluctantly says Jerry Jones was right to say Dak should be featured in more RPO, and Kevin goes Jerry one further by saying Kellen Moore should give Dak more bootlegs and rollouts in the red zone. [23:15] Evan and Kevin can't find anything wrong with the hiring of Bruce Bochy, the most accomplished manager in Rangers history. [37:00] And the guys discuss the wide-open Western Conference, the emergence of Christian Wood as a legit second star and what makes Luka Doncic so unique.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and David Moore [00:40] discuss the Cowboys' loss to the Eagles, which fell on the defense in its worst performance this season. Until Dan Quinn's defense gets better at stopping the run, David says, expect the Lions and Bears week to follow the Eagles' game plan. David says Dak Prescott doesn't need to play "hero ball' in his return; expect, instead, more run-pass options and the difference four or five plays a game can make. [20:25] With the Mavs opening Wednesday in Phoenix, the Insiders discuss the new lineup and the adjustment Luka Doncic will have to make without Jalen Brunson next to him. Can they make the conference finals again? David and Kevin discuss the chances.  [31:40] And Kevin counts TCU as a legit  College Football Playoff contender, with David pointing to the Horned Frogs' Nov. 12 game in Austin as a prominent factor for the CFP jury.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [00:35] the Cowboys' big win over the Rams and what beating the defending Super Bowl champs means going forward against the Eagles. David says this is the most balanced offense the Cowboys have demonstrated since Dak Prescott's rookie season. Kevin says they need to maintain it once Dak gets back, which probably won't be this week. [15:05] Evan says the Rangers need to boost their budget considerably if they want to live up to their promise to be contenders next season. [34:35]  And Kevin says he's never seen a Texas-OU game like Saturday's. The Sooners looked completely lost -- something we've seen from the Longhorns occasionally, but rarely OU -- and the Longhorns trotted out the kind of QB the Sooners used to be famous for.   

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and David Moore [1:09] discuss the wide-open state of affairs in the NFC, where the Eagles are the only undefeated team and the Rams, this week's opponent, just got humbled by San Francisco. David credits Cooper Rush for keeping the Cowboys in the race and predicts he'll start against the Rams. David also says Mike McCarthy has learned from past mistakes, and they'll take those lessons under advisement once Dak Prescott returns, possibly against the Eagles. [22:55] It's Texas-OU week, and though neither team is ranked for the first time since 1998, it's still Texas-OU. Greatest annual sporting event in Texas, as Kevin has said and written many, many times. But, if TCU and Oklahoma State are the Big 12's only CFP hopes, Kevin says, it doesn't look good. [36:23] Last but not least, the Rangers managed to avoid making history of a couple types Monday. But, if Aaron Judge hits No. 62 off a Ranger, is that really such a bad thing?

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and Evan Grant [2:49] discuss the Cowboys' win over the Giants on Monday Night Football and what it means going forward. Evan says the Cowboys look like they'll be better than we thought after Dak Prescott broke his thumb. Kevin says the Cowboys' defense is evolving away from a turnover-only unit to a well-rounded bunch that may rank in the NFL's top five. And once Dak returns, they should lean into a more conservative offensive model as a result. [20:13] Evan outlines how many starting pitchers it'll take to fix the Rangers, especially with the Mariners looming as an equal with the Astros. Spend, spend, spend, Evan tells Ray Davis. [35:10] And the fellas provide an early outlook on the Big 12's CFP chances now that Oklahoma has lost once and Texas twice, with Evan calling Oklahoma State the league's best shot.