"Tuesday night wrap-up"

NFL
Guess what? TO's back in the headlines. Guess again. Did he sprain his wrist at a rodeo? Nope. Did he miss practice because his bike got a flat tire? Nice try.

The truth is that TO's first children's book is coming out. Tomorrow "Little T Learns to Share" will hit bookstores, and I'm sure parents will skip work to pick it up for their kids. And, luckily, it won't be TO's last children's book either. You only have to wait until spring for "Little T Learns What Not to Say," and next fall - providing all hell doesn't break loose - "Little T Learns to Say I'm Sorry" comes out.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these books seem not just geared toward children, but also to a certain wide receiver in the NFL.

Maybe the message sent will work. Wouldn't that be something?

NBA
At halftime of the Houston-San Antonio contest Tuesday night the Rockets seemed well on their way to proving that they might just challenge the Spurs (and Mavericks) for supremacy in the Southwest Division. Then they forgot how to score in the second half. Houston scored 19 points in the third quarter and nine - that's three 3-pointers - in the fourth. The Spurs scored 28 in the third. For all you mathematicians... OK, you get the point.

The Rockets aren't there yet. But they're climbing.

In the other Tuesday Night Showdown Out West, the Jazz improved to an astounding 7-1 after whipping the Clippers. Who would have expected this? Jerry Sloan is simply an amazing coach who gets the most out of his players. And it certainly helps to have a guy on the bench who can consistently put up 20 points (Matt Harpring).

And, yes, Mehmet Okur - who the Pistons let slip away a couple years back - is having a heck of a year. His ability to shoot the 3-pointer creates all kinds of problems for opposing big men. I'm saying this right now: The Utah Jazz will win the Northwest Division. Sure it's early, but Denver (3-3) hasn't looked that impressive and Minnesota, Seattle and Portland aren't going anywhere (except Seattle, in 2010, to Oklahoma City).

That division is Utah's to lose.

All right, I'm out. Enjoy another Mac dandy tonight on ESPN2 (who scheduled these games????)