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WHAT'S BUGGIN'?

NBA veterans becoming castoffs. In is the dazzling, marketable 21-year-old. Out is the grizzled veteran who was so four years ago. It's trendy these days to clamor over guys like Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. They dunk. They smile. They show their bling. I'm excited about them, too, but that doesn't mean I'll cast off truly great players who can still win. Numerous media outlets act as if certain guys have lost their chance to carry the league. Tim Duncan? He's more relic than renaissance man to some. Sure, Duncan's game defines boring, but Mr. Snore has a strong chance to lead his team to another NBA Finals appearance. His fourth. Beat that, LeBron James. Yet you hardly hear Duncan's name anymore. Kevin Garnett? The only conversations his name ignites are the ones about trades to the Los Angeles Lakers or the New York Knicks. Same with Allen Iverson. Tracy McGrady isn't the name he once was. Players uphold the star image for awhile, but they become old news faster than a shot-clock violation. I appreciate the youth movement as much as the next 25-year-old. Despite the bold new stars, let us not look to the future so fast that we bypass a batch of dynamic players who still help embody the league's success.

Jeremy Fowler

WHO'S BETTER

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo or Drew Bledsoe?

Romo might not be Mr. Right the Cowboys have been looking for since Troy Aikman retired. But he fits as Mr. Right Now.

One start doesn't make a season or a career for a quarterback. Still, Romo showed flashes of why coach Bill Parcells finally pulled the plug on cement-footed Bledsoe last week against the Carolina Panthers. Romo looked at home in the pocket against the Panthers and was able to scramble or evade oncoming tacklers long enough to find open receivers. And he didn't make too many mistakes (one boneheaded pick can be forgiven). With Romo at the helm, the Cowboys can actually send out more than two receivers on pass patterns, forsaking the extra protection Bledsoe needed to get off his passes.

Romo might not be Hall of Fame material, but he certainly has the skills, spunk and leadership qualities to pump some life into Dallas' stagnating offense.

Bledsoe is better suited for the sidelines where he can serve as a tutor to Romo, and where the 14-year veteran won't have to worry about getting sacked 10 times a game.

Mike Garcia

5 THINGS

Humpy Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway in Atlanta, gives us five things you don't want to do if you're a driver in a NASCAR race:

1. Turn left - unless you are at Sears Point or Watkins Glen.

2. Forget to go to the bathroom before the race.

3. Engage in anything other than present-moment thinking.

4. Throw duct tape or roll bar padding out the window in hopes of fooling NASCAR into dropping the yellow flag.

5. Use improper English over the short wave radio; avid race fans have scanners.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FACE TIME

University of Arkansas-Little Rock sophomore defender Heather Pittman, a product of La Cueva High School, was named Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year at the league's annual awards banquet last week. Pittman has started all 19 games for the Trojans this season after transferring from the University of New Mexico. She helped UALR to its first Sun Belt Conference tournament berth since the 2003 season. "Heather has been awesome this season. This is probably, overall, the best defense we've had since I've been here and Heather is the middle player of our defense and the organizer," said UALR head coach Greg Hess in a news release. "Heather plays the ball well, is smart, tough and hard to get around. It's nice that she has gotten one year of experience under her belt and I can't wait to coach her for two more years."

In her first season at UALR, Pittman has helped the Trojans lower their goals against average from 2.97 in 2005 to 2.25 this season, while registering four shutouts. Offensively, Pittman has 15 shots, five of which came on goal, and one assist this season.

SPOTLIGHT

Downtown Albuquerque billiards establishment Carom Club was named No. 2 in the 18th annual 2006 Billiards Digest Top-10 New Rooms Architecture and Design award. The Carom Club is owned by Albuquerque resident Ramona Biddle, a Women's Professional Billiards Association touring pro (No. 53 in the world), and husband, Anthony. The Carom Club opened in March and is billed as an upscale billiards parlor, restaurant and bar. It is located at the corner of Third Street and Central Avenue. It features 17 pool tables over its 9,500 sqare feet.

The Carom Club also was recently voted as the `best night spot' in downtown Albuquerque by an area business group.

WEEK'S WEIRDEST

Think you've got the fastest dachshund in Albuquerque.

Well, then this hot-diggity dash is made for you.

Wienerschnitzel, the world's largest hot dog chain, is sponsoring the 2006 Albuquerque Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, a 50-foot dachshund sprint to the finish line.

The two-day event will be held Nov. 13-14. On Nov. 13, the preliminary heats will take place at University of New Mexico's Tennis Complex south of University Stadium. Registration is at 5 p.m. with the first pre-trial race beginning at 6 p.m. The final race will be held on Nov. 14, at halftime of the men's basketball game at The Pit featuring the University of New Mexico vs. University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

There is no cost to participate in the race.

The champion's owner receives a $250 prize and a trip for two (plus dog) to San Diego, to compete in the Wienerschnitzel Wiener National Finals in December at the Holiday Bowl Big Bay Balloon Parade.

WHAT'S IN/OUT

IN

Lobos' Angela Hartill

Chargers' LaDanian Tomlinson

NBA: Keeping your cool

Louisville's BCS title hopes

OUT

Lobos' Jamaal Smith

Chargers' Shawne Merriman

NBA: Whining at the refs

Michigan/Ohio State loser