Just Wondering... with Norm Hitzges

Today on Just Wondering, Norm wakes up and chooses violence — politely — by asking Cowboy fans a simple, soul-shaking question: Do you realize how catastrophically important tonight’s game is?Win, and hope survives. Lose, and we’re talking mock drafts, emotional support queso, and whether tanking is a strategy or a coping mechanism.Norm also wonders how in the name of burnt orange pride we’ve arrived at mid-November with three Texas teams staring at the college football playoffs… and Texas isn’t one of them. Yes, the Longhorn fans may need emotional support brisket, because the math ain't mathing, and penalties, missed throws, dropped passes and shattered expectations are starting to feel like a seasonal allergy.But hey — hope springs eternal. Or irrational. Same thing. ⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00:00 — “Tonight Determines Your Mood Until March”00:00:33 — The Always Classy Sponsor Break00:01:38 — Why Beating the Raiders Isn’t Optional00:03:12 — 3–6–1: The Number That Breaks Cowboy Hope00:03:59 — Oh Good, Vegas Isn’t THAT Bad (Which Is Worse)00:05:19 — Geno Smith: Still Throwing Touchdowns, Still Throwing Picks00:06:46 — “Hey Rookie, Block… Please?”00:07:33 — Why This Win Matters More Than Your Blood Pressure Does00:08:20 — Ah Yes, College Football: Where Pain Lives00:09:33 — A Texas Cream for Texas Bruises (Literal Ones)00:10:16 — The Playoff Math No Longhorn Fan Wants to Hear00:11:49 — UNT?? Yep. UNT. Let That Sink In.00:12:33 — Texas: The Team That Keeps Beating… Texas00:13:20 — Solid Defense, Offense Still Loading…00:14:11 — Hope Is Now an If-Statement00:14:24 — Sponsor Break Part II: Steak and Retirement Dreams00:14:46 — How to Never Miss an Episode (And Help a Longhorn Grieve)00:15:41 — Stolen Water Media: Still Wondering With You

Norm Hitzges is just wondering what’s next for the Dallas Mavericks after the Luka and Nico departures—and how colleges keep cutting massive checks to fired football coaches. From rebuilding around Cooper Flagg and Derek Lively to jaw-dropping buyouts like Jimbo Fisher’s $77 million payday, Norm breaks down how sports franchises and universities handle their biggest (and priciest) mistakes. The Mavs may be starting from scratch, but at least no one’s getting $50 million to not show up to work. Chapters:00:00:00 – What’s Next for the Mavericks?00:01:27 – Time to Rebuild: Cooper Flagg and the New Core00:02:14 – Trading Anthony Davis and the Future of Kyrie & Klay00:03:35 – The Mavericks’ Most Tradable Players00:04:56 – The Blueprint for a New Dallas Era00:05:44 – Sponsors: Bob’s Steak & Chop House & Full Moon Healing Balm00:06:56 – The Wild World of College Coaching Buyouts00:08:47 – How Schools Pay Fired Coaches Millions00:09:38 – Taxpayers, Boosters, and Big Checks00:10:40 – Why Nothing Will Change00:11:44 – Closing Thoughts: Just Wondering Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges is just wondering if the Mavericks fan base can finally start to heal now that GM Nico Harrison is gone. From trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers to the injuries that derailed the dream, Norm dives into how one decision turned Dallas upside down. He revisits the highs of Nico’s tenure—the Finals run, savvy trades, and gutsy calls—and the crash that followed. Now, with Luka thriving in Los Angeles and Dallas reeling, Norm asks: was Nico truly the villain… or just the fall guy? Chapters:00:00:01 – The Nico Era Ends00:01:21 – “Fire Nico” and the Fallout00:02:10 – The Doncic Trade Backlash00:03:49 – Injuries, Frustrations, and Fan Fury00:05:15 – Remembering Nico’s Wins00:07:30 – The Trade That Broke Dallas00:08:24 – Where Do the Mavs Go From Here?00:09:17 – Sponsors: Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Full Moon Healing Balm00:11:49 – Closing Thoughts: Just Wondering  Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

On this episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges sits down with longtime Texas Rangers beat reporter Evan Grant to examine one of the most pivotal offseasons the franchise has faced in years. With Bruce Bochy and Mike Maddox gone, Skip Schumacher stepping in, and payroll reductions looming, the Rangers must decide whether they are still building to contend—or preparing to reset. Evan offers candid insight into the front office’s thinking, the financial squeeze tied to TV revenue losses, and what roster changes may look like—from Adolis García and Jonah Heim, to a potential move involving Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, or even Jacob deGrom. They also tackle whether the Rangers’ offensive philosophy has stalled, how Josh Jung and Jake Burger fit into the new approach, and whether the organization can finally develop its own pitching. Along the way: cat diplomacy, rescue dogs, and a little baseball soul-searching. A thoughtful and revealing conversation for any Rangers fan wondering what comes next.   Chapters 00:00:00 – Norm Sets the Stage: GM Meetings, Offseason Uncertainty 00:00:33 – Title Sponsor: Fluent Financial 00:01:35 – Introducing Evan Grant: Perspective from Decades on the Rangers Beat 00:02:32 – Bruce Bochy’s Exit: Mutual Decision or Push Out the Door? 00:03:54 – The Loss of Mike Maddox and What “Respect” Means in Baseball 00:06:28 – Will Coaching Changes Actually Hurt the 2026 Team? 00:07:57 – The Real Issue: Payroll Cuts and Financial Restraints 00:09:49 – TV Revenue Decline and Attendance Drop: The Business Side 00:10:57 – Who Goes? The Cases of García, Heim, and Semien 00:12:53 – Could Seager or deGrom Be Moved? Trade Value vs. Reality 00:13:36 – Competing While Cutting Costs: Does the Plan Make Sense? 00:15:05 – Rebuilding the Offense: From Swinging Big to Contact & Situational Hitting 00:16:38 – The Josh Jung Question: Bounce Back or Plateau? 00:18:44 – Plate Discipline Problems: “If You Don’t Walk, You Better Rake” 00:20:14 – Skip Schumacher’s Offensive Philosophy: No More Lazy At-Bats 00:21:06 – Why the Rangers Have Struggled to Develop Pitching for 30 Years 00:22:38 – And Now… The Cats. Yes, the Cats. 00:24:14 – A Menagerie at Home: Rescues All Around 00:24:45 – A Final Exchange of Respect, Friendship, and Baseball Curiosity 00:25:05 – Bob’s Steak & Chop House Message 00:26:23 – Full Moon Healing Balm Message 00:27:04 – Thanks to Sponsors & Production Team 00:28:19 – Closing Notes: “This is a Stolen Water Media Production”   Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw Instagram: sunsetloungedfw Tiktok: sunsetloungedfw X: SunsetLoungeDFW FB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Today, Norm takes a deep breath, stares directly into the abyss, and asks the question Cowboys fans probably should be asking: how exactly is Dallas going to pay for anyone next season? With the salary cap projected at $307 million and the Cowboys already basically using that to cover nine players and a pile of dead money, things are… well… tight.Norm breaks down the massive cap hits coming for Dak, CeeDee, Diggs, Quinn Williams, and more, while explaining why the Cowboys’ options range from “painful” to “oh no.” He also reflects on the tragic death of Marshawn Nealon — a moment that reminds us the sport we obsess over is still played by human beings with struggles bigger than the scoreboard.It’s a sobering episode, a little biting, a little grim, and very Norm. Chapters00:00 – Today’s Question: How Do the Cowboys Pay Anyone Next Year?01:21 – The Tragic Story of Marshawn Nealon02:55 – The Salary Cap Is a Monster and It Is Hungry04:27 – The Contracts That Ate the Payroll05:05 – $307 Million Cap vs. $273 Million Already Spoken For06:58 – So… Who Gets Cut? (Spoiler: There Are No Good Answers)07:15 – Restructuring = The Credit Card Bill Comes Later08:12 – And Oh Yes — Key Free Agents Still Need Paying08:58 – The Cowboys’ Plan: Pretend It’s a Problem for Future Cowboys09:38 – Closing Thoughts: Tomorrow Always Comes, Eventually

Norm is back and just thrilled to talk about the Rangers losing yet another franchise brain and the Cowboys turning Monday Night Football into a group exercise in “How Not to Football.” We break down Mike Maddox walking out the same door Bochy did, the Cowboys somehow forgetting that tackling is part of the sport, and Dallas making trade deadline moves like they just discovered Monopoly money. Pull up a chair. Grab a coffee. Maybe something stronger. Let’s wonder together. Chapters 00:00:00 – The Rangers’ Great Exit Interview Season00:01:29 – Maddox Leaves, Angels Laugh, Rangers Cry00:02:59 – Reminder: This Man Fixed the Entire Pitching Culture00:04:26 – Bullpen Held Together With Duct Tape and Hope00:06:46 – Maddox to a Division Rival, Because That’s Fun00:08:48 – Cowboys Grade the Cardinals Game: F as in… Yeah. That.00:10:23 – Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Bland: The Crime Scene Tape Game00:11:20 – “We Don’t Sack, We Get Sacked” — Cowboys OL Edition00:12:00 – Cowboys Trade for Quinn & the Salary Cap Panic Button00:13:33 – So Was DT the Problem? (Spoiler: No.)00:14:22 – Another Trade, Another Shrug, Another Why?00:15:55 – We’ve Seen This Movie Before and It Was Straight to DVD00:16:49 – The Cowboys Remaining Schedule: Pray. Hard. Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm’s got a Monday doubleheader: first, a public-service announcement that the “2–5” Arizona Cardinals are the most annoying good bad team you’ll see all year; second, a therapy session about the Rangers’ brain drain—Bruce Bochy already gone, and now pitching whisperer Mike Maddux exits stage left to Anaheim. We break down why Jacoby “No Picks” Brissett is the exact backup QB you don’t want to face, why this is a must-win that won’t feel like one, and how Maddux turned duct tape and journeymen into league-best ERA magic…which Texas now has to replace. Bring antacids. Chapters 00:00:01 Trap Game Monday: “Underestimate Arizona at Your Peril”00:00:27 Ad Break: Turn Your Nest Egg into a Stress Check00:01:27 Best 2–5 Team Alive: One-Point Differential, Real Problems00:02:56 The Nerd Stuff: +3:00 TOP, Run Game, and a Secondary on Clearance00:03:35 Kyler Mystery Theater → Trade Deadline Smoke00:04:26 Meet the Villain: Jacoby “Low-Pick” Brissett00:05:08 1.4% INT Rate vs. Dak Reality Check00:06:15 Must-Win Math: Playoff Hopes Need This One00:06:55 Ad Break: Bob’s—Because Anxiety Pairs Well with Wagyu00:07:40 Full Moon PSA: Blotch Today, Gone Tomorrow00:08:55 Rangers Exit Wounds: Bochy’s Door, Maddux Follows00:09:39 Why the Angels Just Got Smarter (And That Stings)00:10:29 Receipts: ERA Freefall to World Series in Two Years00:11:51 Round Two Magic: Title in ’23, Triaging ’2500:12:53 Nine Closers, 26 Arms, League-Best ERA—Somehow00:13:47 So…Why Did He Leave? And Why It Hurts Right Now00:14:40 How to Keep Norm in Your Feed (Do the Follow Thing)00:15:35 SWM Stamp: Credits & Exit Music Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm rolls into Halloween wondering what the Cowboys should really do at the trade deadline: buy band-aids for a busted defense or stockpile draft picks and live to fight another day. Along the way, he side-eyes Jerry Jones’ “hundred-billion-dollar” gas talk, floats some pragmatic (and spicy) trade chips, and delivers the line of the day on Mozzie Smith and a steak dinner. Then it’s off to college football, where buyouts balloon, coaches vanish by mid-October, and LSU’s governor casually workshops a hiring process that sounds more like a rally than a search committee. Norm wraps with a Texas-sized hypothetical that would set Austin—and the internet—on fire. Smart, punchy, and just the right amount of “you can’t make this up.” Chapters 00:00 — Trick or Trade?01:23 — Jerry’s Gas & the Distraction Index02:54 — Offense Elite, Defense… Not So Much04:45 — Sell Mode SZN06:16 — The Mozzie & Bob’s Special08:02 — Sponsor Break: Bob’s Steak & Chop House08:39 — Sponsor Break: Full Moon Healing Balm09:24 — Coaching Carousel Goes Brrr11:17 — LSU: Governance, But Make It Wild12:52 — Imagine This in Texas13:55 — Sponsor Tag14:16 — Credits & Follow Reminders Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw Instagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges sits down with billionaire entrepreneur and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for an unfiltered conversation about life after selling the team, walking away from Shark Tank, and why business still feels like the ultimate sport. Cuban opens up about family life, his growing company Cost Plus Drugs, and his view of American politics—spoiler: he’s not a fan of either party.In classic Norm fashion, the chat flows from heartfelt reflections to sharp insight, with plenty of humor along the way. From fake pharmaceutical studies to pitch emails gone wrong, this is Mark Cuban at his candid best — confident, self-aware, and always one step ahead.🕒 Chapters 00:00:00 – Norm Wonders What’s on Mark Cuban’s Mind00:01:23 – From Broadcast.com to the Mavericks: The Billionaire’s Origin Story00:02:55 – Life After Selling the Mavs: Freedom, Family, and Sleep00:04:22 – No Regrets, Just Road Trips and Parenting Wins00:05:14 – The Next Mavs Arena: Keeping It in Dallas00:06:19 – Could Mark Buy Another Team? Maybe in Pittsburgh?00:08:09 – Cuban on Business Addiction and the Thrill of the Game00:09:20 – The Funniest Pitch He Ever Got: Afro Basketball Helmets00:13:13 – Cost Plus Drugs: Taking on the Pharmaceutical Middlemen00:15:36 – When Big Pharma Fights Back (and Fakes Studies)00:16:39 – On TrumpRx and Working with Anyone Who Helps Patients00:16:57 – Would Mark Cuban Ever Run for President?00:17:27 – Politics Today: “Both Parties Are a Mess”00:18:55 – Why Government Shutdowns Are a Symptom, Not a Solution00:19:58 – Cuban on Trump, Taxes, and Tough Talk at the Border00:22:34 – Will He Sell the Rest of the Mavericks?00:23:27 – What Still Bothers Him About Leaving Basketball Operations00:24:04 – Why He’ll Never Retire: “Business Is the Ultimate Sport”00:26:53 – Just Wondering Goes to TV: Thursdays at 7:30 on Channel 27Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges breaks down the Cowboys’ embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos — a game so one-sided it has him wondering if Dallas will ever beat Denver again. With sharp insight and signature wit, Norm dissects how the Cowboys collapsed on both sides of the ball, from a defense that forgot how to tackle to a rookie corner who got picked apart all afternoon.He dives into Dak Prescott’s rough outing, the defense’s seven explosive plays allowed, and a mysterious injury story surrounding Trayvon Diggs that just doesn’t add up. It’s classic Norm — honest, funny, and brutally insightful about the state of America’s Team. 🕒 Chapters00:00:01 – Will the Cowboys Ever Beat Denver Again?00:01:25 – A Mile-High Meltdown: Total Team Collapse00:02:09 – Broncos Game Plan: Run Fast, Pick on the Rookie00:03:38 – Bo Nix Looks Like a Pro, Dak Looks Like a Target00:04:25 – Seven Big Plays, Zero Answers from the Defense00:05:24 – The 30-Year Curse Continues00:06:52 – What’s Really Going On with Trayvon Diggs?00:08:15 – Jerry, Stephen, and the Mystery of the Missing Transparency00:10:14 – The $97 Million Question: What Do You Do with Diggs?00:11:55 – Norm’s Final Word: Something Smells Fishy in Dallas Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm laces up his hiking boots for one of the Cowboys’ toughest climbs yet — a trip to Denver, where the air is thin and the pass rush is thick. In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm breaks down the brutal matchup between Dallas and the Broncos, spotlighting a defense that leads the league in sacks and a young quarterback, Bo Nix, who’s learning how to win ugly. With stats, storytelling, and a dash of nostalgia, Norm revisits the Cowboys’ last win in Denver — thirty-three years ago — complete with Jimmy Johnson’s halftime rage and a Charles Haley scolding for the ages. This one’s a mix of history, humor, and a hard look at what it’ll take for Dallas to exorcise three decades of Mile High misery. Chapters 00:00:00 - Can the Cowboys Finally Beat Denver?00:01:23 - Why the Broncos Might Be the NFL’s Scariest Defense00:03:08 - Bo Nix: The Rookie Who Won’t Blink00:04:41 - Close Calls and Narrow Escapes: How Denver Stays Dangerous00:05:36 - The Formula: Sacks, Ground Game, and Grit00:06:25 - Dallas’ Path to Victory: Keep Dak Upright and Hope00:09:25 - Flashback to 1992: The Last Time Dallas Won in Denver00:11:56 - Jimmy Johnson’s Bathroom Breakdown (and Why It Worked)00:13:34 - Emmitt, Aikman, and a One-Point Escape in the Mountains00:14:21 - Thirty Years of Mile High Heartache Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges grabs a bat, a calculator, and a fainting couch to process Shohei Ohtani’s “are-you-kidding-me” clincher: six scoreless with 10 punchouts and three moonshots to broom Milwaukee and send the Dodgers to the Fall Classic. Greatest single game by any pro ballplayer… ever? Norm makes the case—with tape-measure receipts, history comps, and a reminder why the Dodgers cut a $700M check without blinking. Then it’s why L.A.’s rotation is a cheat code (Snell? Glasnow? Yamamoto? …Ohtani?), how they steamrolled the league’s big winners, and why Toronto should keep the champagne on ice. Come for the stats; stay for the gentle sarcasm and the sound of baseball writers rewriting their “best ever” lists in real time.Chapters00:00 - “Today I’m Just Wondering: Can One Game Break Baseball?”00:22 - Sponsor Pit Stop: Fluent Financial keeps the lights on01:27 - The Case Opens: Was this the greatest game by a single player?02:11 - Shohei the Pitcher: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 10 K—no notes03:01 - Shohei the Destroyer: Homer… homer… homer03:59 - Tape-Measure Theater: 446', 469', 427'—ballistics report04:54 - The Résumé Flex: Back-to-back MVP, league leads, and laughter at “overpaid”06:10 - Why L.A.’s Terrifying: Name an ace—any ace06:57 - Bracket Body Count: Brewers, Phils, Yankees—good night and good luck07:42 - Why the Dodgers Are Heavy Favorites (and why Vegas isn’t nuts)08:24 - Bob’s Steak & Chop House Intermission (because ribeyes beat analytics)09:38 - Balm Break & Closing Credits: Norm signs off, Ohtani still ridiculous

Norm Hitzges wakes up on a Monday just wondering if Jerry Jones might’ve accidentally told the truth. After the Cowboys outgunned the Commanders in a game that went from “uh oh” to “oh wow” in three plays, Norm takes us through the anatomy of a good ol’ fashioned Dallas redemption arc — complete with Dak Prescott magic, George Pickens highlights, and the Cowboys briefly looking like they actually practiced defense.But don’t worry — college football’s here to ruin the mood. Norm dives into the firing frenzy across the NCAA, where coaches are being tossed out faster than empty beer cups at the Cotton Bowl. Between NIL chaos, impatient alumni, and point spreads deciding careers, it’s a brave new world where winning the game isn’t enough — you’d better cover, too.So pour yourself some coffee (or something stronger), and join Norm as he unpacks why the Cowboys’ season might not be dead yet — and why every college football coach probably needs a therapist on payroll. ⏱️ Chapters00:00:00 – 🏈 Just Wondering… if Jerry Jones Might’ve Been Right for Once00:01:19 – 😬 When a Timeout Actually Works (Cowboys vs. Logic)00:02:55 – 💥 The 81-Yard Gut Punch That Broke the Commanders’ Spirit00:03:40 – 🤯 Dan Quinn, Meet Existential Crisis on the Sideline00:04:22 – 🔥 Javante Williams and Dak Prescott: The Offense That’s Cooking with Gasoline00:05:00 – 📊 3–3–1: Not Terrible, Not Great, but Definitely “Still in It”00:05:52 – 🥩 Steak, Seafood, and a Side of Skin Cream: The Mid-Show Sponsor Buffet00:07:07 – 🎓 College Football’s New Motto: Win Fast or Pack Fast00:07:56 – 🚪 Eight Coaches Fired Before Halloween: A Modern Record!00:09:46 – 🏟️ The Field Goal That Made Vegas Happy and Alumni Happier00:10:39 – 💸 When Covering the Spread Covers Your Contract00:12:25 – 💼 Pressure, Point Spreads, and the Perils of Coaching in 202500:13:22 – 🎙️ Norm’s Closing Thoughts: Still Wondering, Still Watching, Still Smirking Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm takes a long, exasperated look at what used to be the pride of the NFL — the NFC East — and now looks more like a neighborhood HOA argument with shoulder pads. The Eagles can’t stop anyone, the Commanders forgot how to command, the Giants exist (barely), and Jerry Jones is out here celebrating 83 with optimism so strong it might need to be drug-tested.But Norm doesn’t stop at the gridiron. He pivots to the Mavericks, where predictions are as shaky as Kyrie’s return date and everyone’s pretending Klay Thompson is still Klay Thompson. Through stats, sarcasm, and a lifetime of knowing better, Norm dissects how Texas sports teams always manage to make things… interesting, if not good.Because when the Cowboys’ best defensive play is Jerry’s public relations, and the Mavericks’ best hope is a teenager named Cooper, you just have to laugh — and then wonder, as Norm does, what on earth happened to winning. ⏱️ Chapters00:00:05 – 💰 Sponsor Time: Because Someone Has to Win at Something00:01:09 – 🏈 The NFC East: From Beast to Barely Functional00:01:47 – 🦅 Philly’s Gone from Flying High to Flapping Around00:03:12 – 🪄 Washington’s Magic Trick: Turning Wins into Yardage Deficits00:03:57 – 🎂 Jerry Jones Turns 83 and Still Thinks They’re “In It”00:04:34 – 🤡 Mathematically Possible, Emotionally Impossible: The Cowboys’ Hopeful Math00:05:23 – 💭 Four Teams, One Dumpster Fire: The NFC East in a Nutshell00:06:03 – 🥩 Steaks, Shrimp, and Skin Cream: Norm’s Half-Time Show00:07:26 – 🏀 The Mavericks: Experts Predict Meh, Norm Predicts Maybe00:09:06 – 🦵 Injuries, Excuses, and the Kyrie Question Mark00:09:52 – 🧢 Cooper Flagg: The Teenager Who Might Save Dallas Basketball00:10:38 – 🎯 Klay Thompson: The Ghost of Three-Points Past00:11:18 – 🔮 Norm’s Prediction: Depth, Hope, and the Eternal Dallas “If”00:12:01 – 💼 Sponsor Wrap-Up: Fluent Finances and Fluent Sarcasm00:12:23 – 🎙️ Norm’s Parting Words: Still Wondering, Still Watching, Still SighingCheck us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

In this Episode of Just Wondering, Norm tackles a frustrating reality for Cowboys fans: Dak Prescott might be having the best season of his career… and it still might not matter.With surgical precision (and a dash of disbelief), Norm dissects how the Cowboys’ historically bad defense is wasting an MVP-caliber performance from Dak — a quarterback now rivaling Aikman, Romo, and Staubach in the record books. He also zooms out to explore wasted potential across the sports landscape — from the Texas Rangers’ pitching perfection with no playoffs to college football chaos, where high expectations and the transfer portal are chewing up coaches faster than you can say “buyout.”Smart, sarcastic, and packed with stats, this episode is a masterclass in how great seasons get squandered — and what it says about modern sports.⏱️ Chapters00:00:00 - Wasting Seasons: Setting the Scene00:01:20 - Rangers Pitching Greatness, Offensive Misery00:02:03 - Dak Prescott’s Best Season Yet00:03:46 - The Cowboys’ Defensive Collapse00:05:23 - Can the Cowboys Be Fixed?00:06:46 - Dak’s Legacy & Hall of Fame Talk00:07:30 - A Lone Star Offense Surrounded by Chaos00:08:26 - Are We Watching a Hall of Famer in Real Time?00:08:52 - College Football Coaching Carnage00:12:00 - The $49 Million Buyout Club00:12:51 - NIL, Portals & the New Coaching Pressure Cooker00:13:37 - Playoff Dreams Already Dead00:14:26 - The SEC Cannibalization Schedule00:15:17 - Why Rankings Are About to Explode00:16:09 - Wrap-Up: Expect the Unexpected  Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

In this thought-provoking episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges tackles the harsh reality facing the Dallas Cowboys: a team with the league’s top offense — and the worst defense money can buy.After another collapse against Carolina, Norm breaks down how the Cowboys’ inability to make stops has forced Dak Prescott and company into weekly shootouts just to stay alive. He calls out the painful “Revenge of Rico Dowdle,” who ran wild against his former team, and questions how long this all-offense formula can hold up.Then, Norm shifts gears ⛳ to discuss Tiger Woods’ latest surgery and what it means for the golf legend’s uncertain future. With seven back surgeries, two Achilles repairs, and only three wins since 2014, is this the twilight of Tiger’s playing days — or the setup for one final miracle comeback? ⏱️ Chapters00:00 – 🏈 Must the Cowboys Score 30+ to Win?01:26 – ⚖️ Stats That Don’t Add Up: #1 Offense, #32 Defense02:13 – 💀 Defense Collapses, Game Slips Away in Carolina04:14 – 🔁 The Revenge of Rico Dowdle05:45 – 📉 A Running Game Gone Missing06:36 – 🚨 Warning: Score in the 30s or Plan to Lose07:31 – 🐅 A Legend Fades: Tiger Woods and the Toll of Time10:18 – 🏆 From 82 Wins to What’s Next? Tiger’s Uncertain FutureCheck us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges is back and wondering—do Cowboys fans really know who’s holding this team together behind the scenes? This episode starts with some well-deserved love for two unsung heroes: offensive line coach Connor Riley and receivers coach Junior Adams, who somehow turned a patchwork lineup of backups into a 37–22 beatdown of the Jets.Norm dives into the brilliance (and borderline wizardry) it takes to coach your ninth-best offensive lineman into keeping Dak Prescott upright and your sixth-string wideout into looking like a first-round pick. It’s football analysis meets admiration—and maybe just a little disbelief.Then, just when things seem serious, we get a left turn into The Case of the Accidental Finger—Jerry Jones’ now-infamous “wrong hand gesture” incident that cost him $250,000 and a permanent spot in meme history. Norm breaks it down with equal parts humor and side-eye, questioning just how “accidental” that finger really was.From X’s and O’s to oops and oh-nos, this one’s classic Norm: sharp, funny, and straight to the point (no pun intended). ⏱️ Chapters:00:00 - Who the Heck Are Connor Riley and Junior Adams?01:25 - Fluent Financial: Because You Deserve a Smarter Game Plan02:09 - Four Starters Out, No Problem03:02 - Meet Connor Riley: The Lineman Whisperer03:53 - Coaching the 9th-Best Guy Into an MVP Moment04:40 - Junior Adams and the Rise of the Forgotten Receivers05:33 - Ryan Flournoy’s Big Day and the Art of Coaching Nobodies06:41 - Jerry Jones and the Case of the Accidental Finger09:00 - “I Put Up the Wrong Show of Hand” — Sure, Jerry11:03 - The $250,000 Middle Finger Heard ‘Round the World11:54 - Scotch, Fines, and a Perry Mason Callback12:42 - Fluent Financial & Bob’s Steakhouse: The True Power Couple13:17 - Closing Thoughts: Cowboys, Coaching, and Comic ReliefCheck us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges is wondering — and not quietly — how the Texas Rangers went from World Series champs to looking like they misplaced their offense in a junk drawer.In this episode, Norm breaks down the mess General Manager Chris Young finds himself in: a team that can pitch but can’t hit, an owner allergic to the luxury tax, and a farm system that’s about as fertile as a parking lot. He calls it “the box,” and Chris Young is stuck squarely inside it, armed with little more than duct tape, prayer, and a spreadsheet labeled “2026: Good Luck.”Norm walks through the impossible math of building a contender without money, prospects, or trade bait — and still finds time to hype a Mavericks rookie who might be the best thing to hit Dallas since Luka’s step-back three. It’s classic Norm: sharp, funny, a little grumpy, and all truth.⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - The General Manager in the Box (And No, There’s No Key)01:22 - Luxury Tax or Luxury Trap?02:49 - How to Go 81–81 With the Best Pitching in Baseball03:35 - Six Players, $144 Million, and No Room Left for Snacks05:30 - The Farm System: Where Hope Goes to Retire07:05 - Trade Season: Who’s Buying This Junk Drawer?08:36 - Two Holes, One Rotation, and a Whole Lot of “Good Luck”09:26 - If Chris Young Pulls This Off, Just Hand Him the GM of the Year Trophy12:18 - Super Cooper: The Mavs Rookie Who Might Save Dallas Sports13:49 - A 6’8” Point Guard and a Glimmer of Hope14:46 - Don’t Stop Believing (Unless You’re the Rangers’ Payroll Department) Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges is fresh from MetLife Stadium — and if you’re a Jets fan, you might want to cover your eyes. In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm breaks down the Cowboys’ 37–22 beatdown of the New York Jets with all the charm, humor, and brutal honesty we’ve come to love.From wearing his buddy’s Jets shirt (for “diplomatic reasons”) to watching fans file out of the stadium like it was a funeral, Norm captures every ounce of the chaos — the fumbles, the flags, the failed faith, and yes, the guy whose jersey literally read HOPELESS.Between analyzing Dak Prescott’s precision, Ryan Flournoy’s breakout, and the Jets’ knack for self-sabotage, Norm still finds time to drop a few gems about steak, skincare, and retirement — because balance is key.It’s sports talk meets storytelling, with a dash of snark and a whole lot of truth. ⏱️ Chapters:00:00 - Jets Bench Views and Questionable Wardrobe Choices01:33 - Fluent Financial Wants You to Retire Happier Than a Jets Fan03:53 - A Win So Good It Felt Wrong to Complain04:38 - Dallas Dominates While Missing Half Its Offense05:26 - The Jets Find New Ways to Lose (Again)06:45 - Third-and-One? Nah, Let’s Settle for Three!07:29 - Fumbles, Flags, and Fading Faith08:43 - Backup to Breakout: Ryan Flournoy’s Big Moment09:31 - “Don’t Stop Believing” (Except Maybe If You’re a Jets Fan)10:36 - The Guy in the HOPELESS Jersey: A Mood11:25 - Cowboys Climb, Jets Slide, and Norm Heads Home SmilingCheck us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfwInstagram: sunsetloungedfwTiktok: sunsetloungedfwX: SunsetLoungeDFWFB: Sunset Lounge DFW

Norm Hitzges dives headfirst into the misery that is New York Jets football—an endless carousel of quarterbacks, penalties, and heartbreak—now handed to new head coach Aaron Glenn. Can the former undersized cornerback bring real change, or is this franchise doomed by history?Along the way, Norm contrasts the Jets’ struggles with the Dallas Cowboys’ potential this season, offering sharp takes on what both teams’ futures may hold. And just when the gridiron talk gets heavy, Norm pivots to baseball to unpack Bruce Bochy’s surprise exit from the Texas Rangers—why it happened, what it means, and how the team moves forward.It’s classic Norm: insightful, blunt, and packed with stories only he can tell.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 - Cowboys Questions, Jets Misery01:27 - Aaron Glenn: The Little Cornerback Who Could03:49 - Jets History: 55 Years of Frustration05:25 - Stat Sheet of Sadness07:02 - Can They Run Their Way Out?08:41 - Wide Receiver Wasteland09:33 - Vegas Knows Best11:03 - Bochy Walks Away12:28 - Did the Rangers Waste a Season?14:05 - Looking Ahead, But Missing Bochy