Some of the best teachers we will ever have in life are our music teachers. No, I am not speaking of Harry T. Welte of Fort Lee High School (although I really liked him). I am speaking of the guys on our IPods. The artists we grew up and still listen to.
For instance, Professor Thomas Petty said it best for how most Giants fans feel after the playoff loss to the Eagles, "the waiting is that hardest part."
The waiting he speaks of, in this case, is the firing of Tom Coughlin. I know many of you are shocked to hear that I don't think he's a good coach. It's not like I ever mention it in my blogs.
I sat and watched the game yesterday torn. I am a true Giants fan and live and die with them. Been that way a long time and it's a "Hard Habit to Break" (Chicago - one of those numbered albums). But I wore my white Eli jersey and sat in the basement and watched.
First drive - Giants march right down the field and scored. The next three drives - the Giants started on the Philly 49, their own 48 and the Philly 46. The result of those drives? Two three and outs and a five and out. End of the first quarter - 7-0 GMen.
The game was over right then and there. I don't care about anything else that happened. Our defense was stellar and the offense had three great chances and didn't capitalize on any of them. Score three points on one of those drives and David Akers kick is to tie the game, not win it.
Tiki Barber had a great game and did everything he could to continue his career, but how torn could he have been? He was playing to save Coughlin's job and he knew it. He was a true professional and left it all on the field - despite their differences. Thanks Tiki - good night, good luck and Good Morning America.
Look at Jeremy Shockey. He couldn't walk and he was out there killing himself. He has ripped this staff early and often. But he has heart. Now if he can keep his mouth shut...
Eli Manning has been ripped for the last two months, but no one and I mean no one can say anything bad about him for this game. He stood in the pocket and played well enough to win this game. Imagine (John Lennon) if he had his injured left tackle healthy? Sorry Luke Petitgout, we missed you. But you still take too many dumb penalties.
Yesterday (The Beatles) was about the heart and soul of the players on this team. It had absolutely NOTHING to do with the coach and his staff.
How many more undisciplined penalties did they take again? It's the playoffs, don't you think we can stop the false starts by now?
There's one way to stop all the madness and John Mara knows it.
"I'll have something to say during the week, but not right now," Mara said as he exited the locker room after the Giants' 23-20 loss to the Eagles. "Do you think you can wait that long?"
We have waited long enough to hear the words. While we have waited, the Falcons got Bobby Petrino and others are looking for coaches as well.
As the Little River Band told us, it's time for a "Cool Change."
Monday, January 08, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
Classic video of a former top NHL pick
Most of you know that I used to work for the Atlanta Thrashers.
I was on the staff before we had any players. We spent a year searching for the best players for our inaugural draft in 1999.
We had the first pick and chose, from the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League, Patrik Stefan. Nice enough guy but was prone to concussions and just not a great player.
Well, this past summer, general manager Don Waddell traded Stefan to the Dallas Stars for Niko Kapanen. The funny part is that Les Jackson, who is now the assistant general manager with the Stars, was in the same role with us when we pick Stefan. So he should have known better.
He has only played in 28 games this season and has scored four goals and five assists. His best game, of course, was against the Thrashers when he scored and had two assists in Atlanta for a 5-3 Stars win.
Well last night in Edmonton, Stefan had another classic moment. Luckily for him, his team made up for it. You HAVE to watch this video to see it. Have a great weekend!
I was on the staff before we had any players. We spent a year searching for the best players for our inaugural draft in 1999.
We had the first pick and chose, from the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League, Patrik Stefan. Nice enough guy but was prone to concussions and just not a great player.
Well, this past summer, general manager Don Waddell traded Stefan to the Dallas Stars for Niko Kapanen. The funny part is that Les Jackson, who is now the assistant general manager with the Stars, was in the same role with us when we pick Stefan. So he should have known better.
He has only played in 28 games this season and has scored four goals and five assists. His best game, of course, was against the Thrashers when he scored and had two assists in Atlanta for a 5-3 Stars win.
Well last night in Edmonton, Stefan had another classic moment. Luckily for him, his team made up for it. You HAVE to watch this video to see it. Have a great weekend!
Playoff predictions
With the NFL starting its playoffs this weekend. Hard for me not to jump in and give you my picks for the weekend.
On Saturday, the Colts win because they will be the last team with the ball. The Seahawks win because it's a long way to go to win a playoff game, those fans in Seattle rock and Shawn Alexander is still not horrible.
On Sunday, the teacher shows the student he hasn't lost anything as the Patriots will beat the Jets. Game will be close for a while though.
The last game of the week is the one I am dreading. Giants - Eagles. I can live to be a thousand and still every time I hear those words, my first thought is Pisarchik and Herman Edwards. UGH! This time around, I think the Eagles load the box to stop Tiki Barber and make Eli Manning win the game. Can he do it? Sure. Will he do it? Odds aren't good. Everyone thinks he's overrated. Everyone is ripping him. Problem is that the defense hasn't been any better than he has. So between those two factions and wanting Tom Coughlin gone, the Giants will find a way to win this game. Final score - Giants 27 Eagles 23.
Gosh I hope I am wrong ... as much as I love my team. I don't want to think about where in Savannah I am going to watch the Bears-Giants game.
USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt is the one you need to read if you are a gambling soul.
Also - Monday night - Gators vs. Buckeyes. Finally, the main course. Only been one good appetizer in the Fiesta Bowl. I don't see this game being a good one either. Keep hearing that Florida is good and that they are fast. I have watched Florida play. They were lucky to beat Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas. Chris Leak is just average at best and to me is not a great leader. Troy Smith is a great leader with so many weapons to choose from and by the way, they are pretty fast as well.
The bottom line in my pick is that I am not going to bet against a guy who has won a National title as well as a few Division I-AA titles in Jim Tressel.
Ohio State 38, Florida 21.
When this happens, can all of these people in the SEC finally give another conference credit? Doubt it.
On Saturday, the Colts win because they will be the last team with the ball. The Seahawks win because it's a long way to go to win a playoff game, those fans in Seattle rock and Shawn Alexander is still not horrible.
On Sunday, the teacher shows the student he hasn't lost anything as the Patriots will beat the Jets. Game will be close for a while though.
The last game of the week is the one I am dreading. Giants - Eagles. I can live to be a thousand and still every time I hear those words, my first thought is Pisarchik and Herman Edwards. UGH! This time around, I think the Eagles load the box to stop Tiki Barber and make Eli Manning win the game. Can he do it? Sure. Will he do it? Odds aren't good. Everyone thinks he's overrated. Everyone is ripping him. Problem is that the defense hasn't been any better than he has. So between those two factions and wanting Tom Coughlin gone, the Giants will find a way to win this game. Final score - Giants 27 Eagles 23.
Gosh I hope I am wrong ... as much as I love my team. I don't want to think about where in Savannah I am going to watch the Bears-Giants game.
USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt is the one you need to read if you are a gambling soul.
Also - Monday night - Gators vs. Buckeyes. Finally, the main course. Only been one good appetizer in the Fiesta Bowl. I don't see this game being a good one either. Keep hearing that Florida is good and that they are fast. I have watched Florida play. They were lucky to beat Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas. Chris Leak is just average at best and to me is not a great leader. Troy Smith is a great leader with so many weapons to choose from and by the way, they are pretty fast as well.
The bottom line in my pick is that I am not going to bet against a guy who has won a National title as well as a few Division I-AA titles in Jim Tressel.
Ohio State 38, Florida 21.
When this happens, can all of these people in the SEC finally give another conference credit? Doubt it.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Loyalty isn't so easy for many
As the new members of Congress are sworn in Thursday, I can only look forward and hope that the Democrats have learned just a teenie weenie bit about what not to do from their friends on the other side of the aisle.
Odds of that happening are about the same as Nick Saban going to Alabama. Whoops - did I just say that?? Silly me.
What I don't understand is why people are that upset about what Saban did. He didn't do anything different than a politician who controls the fate of our government and our world. Ol' Nick is just a football coach.
WHAT? Just a football coach? And I guess your mom is just a mom....???
Ya know what kids, I am over the coaching garbage. Last time I checked, Saban wasn't leaving Michigan State either and that was three jobs ago. He wanted to go back to a college lifestyle. Some are better in college than the pros and Nick knew it. He also knew $32 million doesn't grow on trees. It is what it is. Leave it alone.
I will say this for Saban - he will go at a minimum of 8-4 next season. He will also land a top 15 recruiting class with five weeks to go this year. Give him four years and Tommy Tuberville will be sweating a little bit down the road when Saban wins a National title before him.
If you want to scream, how about screaming about how Mike Shula helped turn a program around while on probation. Just when they are about to come out of their sanctions, after he got a nice contract extension last year, he gets kicked to the curb.
Loyalty works both ways. And it doesn't work well in either direction these days.
Heck, the only place I have seen loyalty lately is with Nancy Pelosi, the new Speaker of the House (I get ill every time I type those words together!). She backed John Murtha for her second in command when she knew that Steny Hoyer would kick his ass. But she stayed with him and lost her first battle on the Hill. Her only mistake was that she lost a battle inside her own party. Good start Nancy! Think the people that backed Steny are huge fans of you now? But you did stay true to your friend and for that you should get a little bit of kudos.
So, when the new members get sworn in, remember their fresh, smiling faces. For life will change for them starting tomorrow. Hopefully, they can stay loyal to their beliefs and constituents. It's a lot easier said than done.
Odds of that happening are about the same as Nick Saban going to Alabama. Whoops - did I just say that?? Silly me.
What I don't understand is why people are that upset about what Saban did. He didn't do anything different than a politician who controls the fate of our government and our world. Ol' Nick is just a football coach.
WHAT? Just a football coach? And I guess your mom is just a mom....???
Ya know what kids, I am over the coaching garbage. Last time I checked, Saban wasn't leaving Michigan State either and that was three jobs ago. He wanted to go back to a college lifestyle. Some are better in college than the pros and Nick knew it. He also knew $32 million doesn't grow on trees. It is what it is. Leave it alone.
I will say this for Saban - he will go at a minimum of 8-4 next season. He will also land a top 15 recruiting class with five weeks to go this year. Give him four years and Tommy Tuberville will be sweating a little bit down the road when Saban wins a National title before him.
If you want to scream, how about screaming about how Mike Shula helped turn a program around while on probation. Just when they are about to come out of their sanctions, after he got a nice contract extension last year, he gets kicked to the curb.
Loyalty works both ways. And it doesn't work well in either direction these days.
Heck, the only place I have seen loyalty lately is with Nancy Pelosi, the new Speaker of the House (I get ill every time I type those words together!). She backed John Murtha for her second in command when she knew that Steny Hoyer would kick his ass. But she stayed with him and lost her first battle on the Hill. Her only mistake was that she lost a battle inside her own party. Good start Nancy! Think the people that backed Steny are huge fans of you now? But you did stay true to your friend and for that you should get a little bit of kudos.
So, when the new members get sworn in, remember their fresh, smiling faces. For life will change for them starting tomorrow. Hopefully, they can stay loyal to their beliefs and constituents. It's a lot easier said than done.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
What's right and what's wrong with our world...
Good morning all - I had an idea of what I was going to blog about, but then I came into the office and totally changed my mind.
Why or what changed my mind? Two very simple things.
First, I heard that The Home Depot and Bob Nardelli came to a "mutual agreement" for him to step down. He will do so with a $210 million package.
Wow. Wouldn't it be great to work for a company for seven years and totally under perform and still get a nice hefty pay-out? It's $30 million for each year he worked. AND that has nothing to do with all the money the Home Depot paid him to work during that time.
Funny part is that people are talking about Home Depot stock going up this morning based on Nardelli leaving. To quote Yakov Smirnov, "What a country!"
Hey Iraqi people ... President Bush may be wrong in how he is handling it, but damn, doesn't this make you want this Democracy stuff?
On the other side of the coin is what is good in the world. Last night in Detroit, the Red Wings retired Steve Yzerman's 19 jersey. Only the sixth jersey to ever be raised to the rafters of Joe Louis Arena. (TRIVIA TIME - can you name the other five?)
The 41-year old Yzerman spent his whole career with the Red Wings - it spanned 22 seasons and three Stanley Cups. But it also spanned a lot more off of the ice. If you watched the ceremony, you saw the true man. He was humble. He was nervous as heck. He took a sip of water a few times and his hand was shaking each time. He was thankful. He was THE captain of the Red Wings and will always be known that way.
But he spoke of his family. Not only his wife and daughters, but his Red Wing family that helped raise him from youth to the man he is now. He may not look like it now, but he is still the scrawny kid that the Red Wings drafted out of the Peterborough Petes.
Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press talks about how the city said thank you. Eric Adelson of ESPN the Magazine tells a story of how he gave back to his community on more than one occasion.
He is as a good a person in sports as there is. I met Yzerman a long time ago when I was at the Lansing State Journal as a young writer, he was as decent to me as can be. I know I am a bit biased, but hockey players are by far, the best athletes to deal with. They are the most humble. They are the most approachable. And they never, ever forget where they come from.
Yzerman took a job with the Red Wings organization in the front office and will be there for life if the Ilitch family owns the team. It's not a $210 million buy out, but it ain't bad for a kid from Canada.
Maybe guys like Nardelli need to go to Peterborough or Flin Flon, Manitoba for a while? Won't help them get high stock prices, but it might just raise their stock in the bigger game called life.
As if that weren't enough - Nick Saban leaves the Dolphins to take over the job at Alabama. For the last two weeks he has said, "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." Guess $35-40 million changed his mind. Or was it the decision of who was going to be his quarterback next year: Harrington or Culpepper.
Now, I will be the first to say he made the right choice. He is a very good college coach and a very average pro coach. But the way he handled this was horrible. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut and say, "No comment."
Either way, the SEC just got stronger again. Betcha Jimbo Fisher leaves LSU to follow along.
Why or what changed my mind? Two very simple things.
First, I heard that The Home Depot and Bob Nardelli came to a "mutual agreement" for him to step down. He will do so with a $210 million package.
Wow. Wouldn't it be great to work for a company for seven years and totally under perform and still get a nice hefty pay-out? It's $30 million for each year he worked. AND that has nothing to do with all the money the Home Depot paid him to work during that time.
Funny part is that people are talking about Home Depot stock going up this morning based on Nardelli leaving. To quote Yakov Smirnov, "What a country!"
Hey Iraqi people ... President Bush may be wrong in how he is handling it, but damn, doesn't this make you want this Democracy stuff?
On the other side of the coin is what is good in the world. Last night in Detroit, the Red Wings retired Steve Yzerman's 19 jersey. Only the sixth jersey to ever be raised to the rafters of Joe Louis Arena. (TRIVIA TIME - can you name the other five?)
The 41-year old Yzerman spent his whole career with the Red Wings - it spanned 22 seasons and three Stanley Cups. But it also spanned a lot more off of the ice. If you watched the ceremony, you saw the true man. He was humble. He was nervous as heck. He took a sip of water a few times and his hand was shaking each time. He was thankful. He was THE captain of the Red Wings and will always be known that way.
But he spoke of his family. Not only his wife and daughters, but his Red Wing family that helped raise him from youth to the man he is now. He may not look like it now, but he is still the scrawny kid that the Red Wings drafted out of the Peterborough Petes.
Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press talks about how the city said thank you. Eric Adelson of ESPN the Magazine tells a story of how he gave back to his community on more than one occasion.
He is as a good a person in sports as there is. I met Yzerman a long time ago when I was at the Lansing State Journal as a young writer, he was as decent to me as can be. I know I am a bit biased, but hockey players are by far, the best athletes to deal with. They are the most humble. They are the most approachable. And they never, ever forget where they come from.
Yzerman took a job with the Red Wings organization in the front office and will be there for life if the Ilitch family owns the team. It's not a $210 million buy out, but it ain't bad for a kid from Canada.
Maybe guys like Nardelli need to go to Peterborough or Flin Flon, Manitoba for a while? Won't help them get high stock prices, but it might just raise their stock in the bigger game called life.
As if that weren't enough - Nick Saban leaves the Dolphins to take over the job at Alabama. For the last two weeks he has said, "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." Guess $35-40 million changed his mind. Or was it the decision of who was going to be his quarterback next year: Harrington or Culpepper.
Now, I will be the first to say he made the right choice. He is a very good college coach and a very average pro coach. But the way he handled this was horrible. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut and say, "No comment."
Either way, the SEC just got stronger again. Betcha Jimbo Fisher leaves LSU to follow along.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
And a little conference will lead them...
For those waking up this morning and turning on ESPN and seeing the score of the Fiesta Bowl, you may be shocked by the score. But anyone who watched the game will say the same thing have, "you don't understand, the score still doesn't do justice to how great a game it was."
When it comes on ESPN Classic this week, and I am telling you it will, if you like college football in the least, you have to watch this game. Pat Forde of ESPN.com writes a great piece about the Cinderella story Broncos.
The roller coaster of emotions in the last five minutes of the game and the overtime were just astounding. I have had people calling and emailing to talk about the game and ask if I stayed up to 1:30 A.M. ET to watch the end. I am so glad I did.
For those who haven't seen it - two of the greatest gadget plays EVER run by Boise State. Wasn't incredible that they worked, was incredible that they worked on a Bob Stoops defense.
And to top it all of Ian Johnson of Boise State asked his cheerleader girlfriend to marry him on Fox after the win. What would he had done if they had lost?
Good for him and good for them. Odds are that this game is 10 times better than the one we will see in the same building next Monday night.
When it comes on ESPN Classic this week, and I am telling you it will, if you like college football in the least, you have to watch this game. Pat Forde of ESPN.com writes a great piece about the Cinderella story Broncos.
The roller coaster of emotions in the last five minutes of the game and the overtime were just astounding. I have had people calling and emailing to talk about the game and ask if I stayed up to 1:30 A.M. ET to watch the end. I am so glad I did.
For those who haven't seen it - two of the greatest gadget plays EVER run by Boise State. Wasn't incredible that they worked, was incredible that they worked on a Bob Stoops defense.
And to top it all of Ian Johnson of Boise State asked his cheerleader girlfriend to marry him on Fox after the win. What would he had done if they had lost?
Good for him and good for them. Odds are that this game is 10 times better than the one we will see in the same building next Monday night.
Monday, January 01, 2007
2000 and heaven for Jets fans...
Hope everyone had a healthy, safe and happy start to the New Year.
Couple of quick New Year's hits on this holiday:
Congrats to all of the Gang Green Jet fans - who would have bet that this team would have made the playoffs this year? Just crazy. The Man-Genius is pretty good and Steve Serby thinks this is only the beginning. By the way, in ten years we will look back on last year's draft and see that DeBrickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold were two of the best picks EVER for this franchise.
With the Giants in the playoffs - you would think I would be happy. However, this just give the Giants a chance to keep their coach. And most of you know how I feel about him. What's ever worse is that I am going to guarantee a victory over the Eagles. Why would I do that? Why would I think this team has a chance to win? Easy - it has NOTHING to do with football and everything to do with Murphy's Law.
The second weekend in January, we have a bat-mizvah in Savannah for my wife's cousin. SO, I know that the game would be in the middle of the ceremony or party or something. Most of you who know me, know that I will be in the doghouse because if it follows suit, I will be watching the game somewhere.
So PLEASE Andy Reid - have your team ready and blow us out. Save my marriage and fire my coach at the same time.
On the happy note of the Giants world - Tiki Barber is supposed to sign a $10 million - four year deal with ABC News/ESPN. Best week of the year last week and he's still leaving on his terms. Good for you Tiki! Good for you!
Look for Alabama to sign Nick Saban to a huge deal by the end of the week. My guess is 10 years - $45-50 million. He always wanted to be a pro head coach - but I think he has realized that it's not all that's it's cracked up to be. Plus I think he learned a big lesson when he picked Dante Culpepper instead of Drew Brees. Go back to college and recruiting Nick - it's what you are good at.
By the way, now that Denny Green is fired in Arizona, look for Pete Carroll to give the NFL one last chance. If anyone knows Carroll personally, please call him and tell him to stay. Start with the Saban analogy and then look at Steve Spurrier. I know it looks good on paper with a new building in the desert Pete - but I have two words for you: Bidwell family. Enough said.
Denny - you are who we thought you were. A bad NFL coach, but a great video clip waiting to happen.
Hey Jim Mora - nice having you in Atlanta. Good luck on your next coaching job. By the way, tell your dad he was right, Vick is a coach killer. So far two for two. But he does sell a lot of jersey's and he puts butts in seats for Arthur Blank. The AJC's Jeff Schultz sums up the players bad effort to save their coach.
Speaking of which, Mr. Blank please stay in your box until the game is over. Why on earth would you be speaking to your coach during a game? Last time I checked, you built a winner in Home Depot, not in the NFL. Until you do, stay up in the box, please.
Also why didn't Rich McKay announce the firing instead of Blank? Anyone wondering why McKay isn't on the hot seat? Mora was his coach and John Abraham for a first round pick? Hey Jets - steal of the century!
Bill Cowher please stay. Great job having your team ready to win a game for pride! Will miss you on the sidelines. Class act. How about coaching the Falcons? Maybe you can kick Vick's butt into shape. Just a pipedream ... I know.
If Brett Favre decides to retire, what a way to go. And take Rex Grossman with you, please. Could you imagine Favre on that Bears team... probably be undefeated.
Mike Shanahan felt like garbage after the loss at home in overtime to San Francisco kept him out of the playoffs. I can't even fathom what must be going through his head with the loss of Darrent Williams. Just sickening.
Talk about interesting playoff note to watch - Colts defense cannot stop the run and the Chiefs Larry Johnson is the league's 2nd best running back. Colts haven't lost at home this year. This should be good.
My Super Bowl pick is easy, as in the Big Easy of New Orleans versus Marty ball of the San Diego Chargers. Even Marty cannot screw this one up, could he?
YouTube have any full length video's of Saddam's hanging yet? Will check tomorrow - you know someone will put it up there.
Happy happy joy joy to you and yours.
Couple of quick New Year's hits on this holiday:
Congrats to all of the Gang Green Jet fans - who would have bet that this team would have made the playoffs this year? Just crazy. The Man-Genius is pretty good and Steve Serby thinks this is only the beginning. By the way, in ten years we will look back on last year's draft and see that DeBrickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold were two of the best picks EVER for this franchise.
With the Giants in the playoffs - you would think I would be happy. However, this just give the Giants a chance to keep their coach. And most of you know how I feel about him. What's ever worse is that I am going to guarantee a victory over the Eagles. Why would I do that? Why would I think this team has a chance to win? Easy - it has NOTHING to do with football and everything to do with Murphy's Law.
The second weekend in January, we have a bat-mizvah in Savannah for my wife's cousin. SO, I know that the game would be in the middle of the ceremony or party or something. Most of you who know me, know that I will be in the doghouse because if it follows suit, I will be watching the game somewhere.
So PLEASE Andy Reid - have your team ready and blow us out. Save my marriage and fire my coach at the same time.
On the happy note of the Giants world - Tiki Barber is supposed to sign a $10 million - four year deal with ABC News/ESPN. Best week of the year last week and he's still leaving on his terms. Good for you Tiki! Good for you!
Look for Alabama to sign Nick Saban to a huge deal by the end of the week. My guess is 10 years - $45-50 million. He always wanted to be a pro head coach - but I think he has realized that it's not all that's it's cracked up to be. Plus I think he learned a big lesson when he picked Dante Culpepper instead of Drew Brees. Go back to college and recruiting Nick - it's what you are good at.
By the way, now that Denny Green is fired in Arizona, look for Pete Carroll to give the NFL one last chance. If anyone knows Carroll personally, please call him and tell him to stay. Start with the Saban analogy and then look at Steve Spurrier. I know it looks good on paper with a new building in the desert Pete - but I have two words for you: Bidwell family. Enough said.
Denny - you are who we thought you were. A bad NFL coach, but a great video clip waiting to happen.
Hey Jim Mora - nice having you in Atlanta. Good luck on your next coaching job. By the way, tell your dad he was right, Vick is a coach killer. So far two for two. But he does sell a lot of jersey's and he puts butts in seats for Arthur Blank. The AJC's Jeff Schultz sums up the players bad effort to save their coach.
Speaking of which, Mr. Blank please stay in your box until the game is over. Why on earth would you be speaking to your coach during a game? Last time I checked, you built a winner in Home Depot, not in the NFL. Until you do, stay up in the box, please.
Also why didn't Rich McKay announce the firing instead of Blank? Anyone wondering why McKay isn't on the hot seat? Mora was his coach and John Abraham for a first round pick? Hey Jets - steal of the century!
Bill Cowher please stay. Great job having your team ready to win a game for pride! Will miss you on the sidelines. Class act. How about coaching the Falcons? Maybe you can kick Vick's butt into shape. Just a pipedream ... I know.
If Brett Favre decides to retire, what a way to go. And take Rex Grossman with you, please. Could you imagine Favre on that Bears team... probably be undefeated.
Mike Shanahan felt like garbage after the loss at home in overtime to San Francisco kept him out of the playoffs. I can't even fathom what must be going through his head with the loss of Darrent Williams. Just sickening.
Talk about interesting playoff note to watch - Colts defense cannot stop the run and the Chiefs Larry Johnson is the league's 2nd best running back. Colts haven't lost at home this year. This should be good.
My Super Bowl pick is easy, as in the Big Easy of New Orleans versus Marty ball of the San Diego Chargers. Even Marty cannot screw this one up, could he?
YouTube have any full length video's of Saddam's hanging yet? Will check tomorrow - you know someone will put it up there.
Happy happy joy joy to you and yours.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Bowl picks...
My thoughts on a few games...
LSU 9 Notre Dame
USC 1 Michigan
West Va 10 ½ Ga. Tech
Va. Tech 2 ½ Georgia
Ohio State 7 ½ Florida
Here's your happy thoughts for the New Year...
My new hero is Jibbs from St. Louis - check him out with a classic tune from childhood turned into a hip hop classic!
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.32/title.jibbs-chain-hang-low
Also - can't bring in the New Year without some good vodka - get the best in Van Gogh! Check out the recipies for great martini's and so much more.
http://www.vangoghvodka.com/van_gogh_vodka.htm
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.32/title.jibbs-chain-hang-low
Also - can't bring in the New Year without some good vodka - get the best in Van Gogh! Check out the recipies for great martini's and so much more.
http://www.vangoghvodka.com/van_gogh_vodka.htm
Earthshaking news from San Francisco and it's not the earth moving...
Let's start this post with a simple request from me to baseball owners: NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER AGAIN cry poverty.
Barry Zito signed a 7-year $126 million dollar deal with the San Francisco Giants.
STOP - go back and re-read the last sentence.
The former Oakland A's pitcher went 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA last season and has a 102-63 career record with a 3.55 ERA. He won the 2002 AL Cy Young Award after going 23-5. Not bad numbers. But are you kidding me with this contract?
First, a guy who plays every five or so days gets roughly $18 million a year? Throughout his career, he has pitched about 35 games a year. If he does that for the Giants, that will be $514,285.71 per start. That's a lot of sushi for Peter Magowan's team to sell at the ballpark to pay that deal off.
Then take into account a 7-year deal. There is precedence as to why you shouldn't give a pitcher a deal like this. Actually, there are two deals to look at - the largest contract for a pitcher was Mike Hampton's $121 million, eight-year deal with the Colorado Rockies before the 2001 season. Now pitching for the Atlanta Braves, he has averaged a 10-9 record with a 4.63 ERA since signing his deal.
Kevin Brown received a $105 million deal from 1999-2005 from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also had access to a private plane to fly him back and forth to his home near Macon, GA. He did a little better than Hampton, he averaged an 11-6 record with a 3.55 ERA.
The New York Mets were the lead dog in the race for Zito, but even GM Omar Minaya wouldn't give Zito more than five-years. "I could not recommend to our ownership crossing the barrier of five years," Minaya said yesterday on a conference call. "Our final - first, really - offer was for five years. We were going to be aggressive on the AAV (average annual value), but we wouldn't go seven years."
Pitchers are not always like fine wine and age well. Roger Clemens is the exception to the rule. When and where he signs - Clemens may look like a steal compared to Zito's deal. Big money is on the Yankees to get him, but keep an eye on Boston. Be a great way to end his first ballot Hall of Fame career where he started.
The big winner on this deal, besides Zito, is his agent Scott Boras. Is there a big contract in baseball that gets done without this guy? Between Zito and his Boston deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka, we won't need to hold a benefit for him again this year.
The funniest part of this deal is that the ink isn't dry on the contract and people are already saying that the Giants still can't improve their spot in the NL West. SI.com's Jacob Luft predicts that the Giants will still finish fourth in their division.
Bottom line of all of this is simple - if you have a kid who is left-handed, tape a baseball to his hand at a young age and make him a pitcher. Heck, anyone who doubts me can check out Bruce Hurst. Was the ying to Clemens yang with the Red Sox's in the 80's. He signed a nice contract with the San Diego Padres and finished his career with a 145-113 record with a 3.92 ERA.
Quick hits from elsewhere....
Kudos to Rutgers for winning their first bowl game ever and finishing the year with a 11-2 record. If you went to Vegas to start the year and told any sportsbook that this would happen, you would have made a lot of money. Of course, you would have had to wait for them to stop laughing at you.
Please Texas Tech, win a game for all of us. It's a nice story that Bobby Knight is going to win 880 games and break the record, but please don't tell me the warm fuzzy story about Knight. No one can sell that story to any of us.
Saddam Hussein is supposed to be hanged at some point soon. Think we can carry that live on Fox News or CNN? Would definitely get better rankings than that OJ "If I Did It" stuff.
Mike Tyson was arrested for DUI and cocaine possession. At least he's consistent - ya have to give him that. Sad, just sad.
Barry Zito signed a 7-year $126 million dollar deal with the San Francisco Giants.
STOP - go back and re-read the last sentence.
The former Oakland A's pitcher went 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA last season and has a 102-63 career record with a 3.55 ERA. He won the 2002 AL Cy Young Award after going 23-5. Not bad numbers. But are you kidding me with this contract?
First, a guy who plays every five or so days gets roughly $18 million a year? Throughout his career, he has pitched about 35 games a year. If he does that for the Giants, that will be $514,285.71 per start. That's a lot of sushi for Peter Magowan's team to sell at the ballpark to pay that deal off.
Then take into account a 7-year deal. There is precedence as to why you shouldn't give a pitcher a deal like this. Actually, there are two deals to look at - the largest contract for a pitcher was Mike Hampton's $121 million, eight-year deal with the Colorado Rockies before the 2001 season. Now pitching for the Atlanta Braves, he has averaged a 10-9 record with a 4.63 ERA since signing his deal.
Kevin Brown received a $105 million deal from 1999-2005 from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also had access to a private plane to fly him back and forth to his home near Macon, GA. He did a little better than Hampton, he averaged an 11-6 record with a 3.55 ERA.
The New York Mets were the lead dog in the race for Zito, but even GM Omar Minaya wouldn't give Zito more than five-years. "I could not recommend to our ownership crossing the barrier of five years," Minaya said yesterday on a conference call. "Our final - first, really - offer was for five years. We were going to be aggressive on the AAV (average annual value), but we wouldn't go seven years."
Pitchers are not always like fine wine and age well. Roger Clemens is the exception to the rule. When and where he signs - Clemens may look like a steal compared to Zito's deal. Big money is on the Yankees to get him, but keep an eye on Boston. Be a great way to end his first ballot Hall of Fame career where he started.
The big winner on this deal, besides Zito, is his agent Scott Boras. Is there a big contract in baseball that gets done without this guy? Between Zito and his Boston deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka, we won't need to hold a benefit for him again this year.
The funniest part of this deal is that the ink isn't dry on the contract and people are already saying that the Giants still can't improve their spot in the NL West. SI.com's Jacob Luft predicts that the Giants will still finish fourth in their division.
Bottom line of all of this is simple - if you have a kid who is left-handed, tape a baseball to his hand at a young age and make him a pitcher. Heck, anyone who doubts me can check out Bruce Hurst. Was the ying to Clemens yang with the Red Sox's in the 80's. He signed a nice contract with the San Diego Padres and finished his career with a 145-113 record with a 3.92 ERA.
Quick hits from elsewhere....
Kudos to Rutgers for winning their first bowl game ever and finishing the year with a 11-2 record. If you went to Vegas to start the year and told any sportsbook that this would happen, you would have made a lot of money. Of course, you would have had to wait for them to stop laughing at you.
Please Texas Tech, win a game for all of us. It's a nice story that Bobby Knight is going to win 880 games and break the record, but please don't tell me the warm fuzzy story about Knight. No one can sell that story to any of us.
Saddam Hussein is supposed to be hanged at some point soon. Think we can carry that live on Fox News or CNN? Would definitely get better rankings than that OJ "If I Did It" stuff.
Mike Tyson was arrested for DUI and cocaine possession. At least he's consistent - ya have to give him that. Sad, just sad.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Marching towards 2007
Want to take a second and say thanks for stopping by this year to keep up with me, the family and all kinds of wacky things along the way.
I know I get a little incensed over certain sports things from time to time and I appreciate your indulgence.
Over the next year, I will keep up with my posts about many different topics. One of the topics I will be speaking about is my new world at GCI Group. I am part of a global public relations company that is filled with tons of great people. I honestly haven't been surrounded by such good people since my days at USA Today and I am having a blast working on all different kinds of accounts.
Best part of my gig is that I get to work on our Digital Media practice and get to work with Paul Walker. He has his own blog about Digital Media and all the great things going on in the DM world called The Zone Read. Check it out when you get a chance.
So - if anyone out there needs any PR services - we are your folks. Offices around the world with wonderful people and great capabilities.
That's it for now. I am going to try and update the posts on a daily basis - so check me out and let your friends in on this crazy world. If you have topics for me - let me know what you want to talk about.
Until then - wishing you and yours a wonderful, safe, healthy and peaceful New Year.
I know I get a little incensed over certain sports things from time to time and I appreciate your indulgence.
Over the next year, I will keep up with my posts about many different topics. One of the topics I will be speaking about is my new world at GCI Group. I am part of a global public relations company that is filled with tons of great people. I honestly haven't been surrounded by such good people since my days at USA Today and I am having a blast working on all different kinds of accounts.
Best part of my gig is that I get to work on our Digital Media practice and get to work with Paul Walker. He has his own blog about Digital Media and all the great things going on in the DM world called The Zone Read. Check it out when you get a chance.
So - if anyone out there needs any PR services - we are your folks. Offices around the world with wonderful people and great capabilities.
That's it for now. I am going to try and update the posts on a daily basis - so check me out and let your friends in on this crazy world. If you have topics for me - let me know what you want to talk about.
Until then - wishing you and yours a wonderful, safe, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Passing of a hero
As a political junkie, there's no way I can go through the day without mentioning the passing of former President Gerald Ford.
He was, as Bo Schembechler would say, a "Michigan Man." But he was more than that. He was the man who lead our country out of scandal and out of war. He was as Tom Brokaw called him, "an uncomplicated man."
Think about this - he wasn't "chosen" by the American people to be the Vice-President nor was he "chosen" to be the President. He was thrust into both roles by scandal and he did his best to get us through Watergate and the end of Vietnam. He made the hard decision to pardon former President Richard Nixon and was highly criticized for his decision. The only shame of his life was that he lost his chance to earn his OWN presidency to Jimmy Carter. Many historians blame the pardon for the loss. They also look back on that decision and give Ford tons of credit for the pardon and how it helped heal the country from its wounds of Watergate. Who knows how things could have been different had Ford beaten Carter in 1976. I do know that a better, more respected man would have been in the Oval Office from my view of history.
They say that things happen in three's - so here's my question - who is the third "Michigan Man" to follow Bo and Ford to the Big House in the sky?
Not to worry boys, Michigan should beat up on USC in the Rose Bowl. Enjoy the view....
He was, as Bo Schembechler would say, a "Michigan Man." But he was more than that. He was the man who lead our country out of scandal and out of war. He was as Tom Brokaw called him, "an uncomplicated man."
Think about this - he wasn't "chosen" by the American people to be the Vice-President nor was he "chosen" to be the President. He was thrust into both roles by scandal and he did his best to get us through Watergate and the end of Vietnam. He made the hard decision to pardon former President Richard Nixon and was highly criticized for his decision. The only shame of his life was that he lost his chance to earn his OWN presidency to Jimmy Carter. Many historians blame the pardon for the loss. They also look back on that decision and give Ford tons of credit for the pardon and how it helped heal the country from its wounds of Watergate. Who knows how things could have been different had Ford beaten Carter in 1976. I do know that a better, more respected man would have been in the Oval Office from my view of history.
They say that things happen in three's - so here's my question - who is the third "Michigan Man" to follow Bo and Ford to the Big House in the sky?
Not to worry boys, Michigan should beat up on USC in the Rose Bowl. Enjoy the view....
Just when you think it's safe to go back in the water...
For those of you who enjoy watching train wrecks, this is your lucky week!
The New York Football Giants are at it one last time under the leadership (or lack there of) of Tom Coughlin. With one week to go in the season, he takes away the play calling abilities of John Hufnagel, the offensive coordinator. Let's stop and think about this for a minute. The ship is sinking - it's been just a brutal month and a half, yet if you win the last game of the year vs. the lowly Washington Redskins on Saturday night, you still get in the playoffs.
"John Hufnagel is not a scapegoat here," Coughlin said after practice to the . "He is not. But we need a change, we need a spark, and that's the way it goes. How can you look at the production of Sunday and not think that, OK, there's some issue here?"
SO with that change - your last chance to save your job, who do you turn the play calling over to? Is there some genius on your staff that can all of a sudden right the ship? What is the name of this evil genius?? Tell me - please!!
Kevin Gilbride.
C'mon. Seriously. C'mon.
Water coming in on all sides of the boat and you hand the biggest bucket to a guy who is more famous for getting punched on the sidelines by Buddy Ryan than anything he has ever done in football.
The NY Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano calls the move a "desperate one." Bob Glauber of Newsday says that Coughlin should call the plays himself. Gary Myers of the NY Daily News calls it "panicking."
And by the way, for those of you who don't know, Gilbride has been Eli's quarterback coach for the last few years. Anyone besides me now see why Eli is having issues?
"If were going to turn this thing around, it's going to be a matter of the players doing it ourselves," Manning said. "We've got to step up and we've got to execute the game plan, no matter what it is."
"I think he's an excellent game-day coach and, as I said, I've been with him when we've been very successful and it was, to me, a natural progression," Coughlin said. "If I wasn't going to do it or if I was going to do it in some capacity, Kevin would have been very much involved in it anyway."
Well - here it is, the hail mary before the game thrown by Coughlin. For all of our sakes boys, just drop it and let's change the world for the better!
This ship has not only sunk, it has sailed....check out Paul Schwartz's column in the NY Post speaking about the changes that need to be made.
The New York Football Giants are at it one last time under the leadership (or lack there of) of Tom Coughlin. With one week to go in the season, he takes away the play calling abilities of John Hufnagel, the offensive coordinator. Let's stop and think about this for a minute. The ship is sinking - it's been just a brutal month and a half, yet if you win the last game of the year vs. the lowly Washington Redskins on Saturday night, you still get in the playoffs.
"John Hufnagel is not a scapegoat here," Coughlin said after practice to the . "He is not. But we need a change, we need a spark, and that's the way it goes. How can you look at the production of Sunday and not think that, OK, there's some issue here?"
SO with that change - your last chance to save your job, who do you turn the play calling over to? Is there some genius on your staff that can all of a sudden right the ship? What is the name of this evil genius?? Tell me - please!!
Kevin Gilbride.
C'mon. Seriously. C'mon.
Water coming in on all sides of the boat and you hand the biggest bucket to a guy who is more famous for getting punched on the sidelines by Buddy Ryan than anything he has ever done in football.
The NY Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano calls the move a "desperate one." Bob Glauber of Newsday says that Coughlin should call the plays himself. Gary Myers of the NY Daily News calls it "panicking."
And by the way, for those of you who don't know, Gilbride has been Eli's quarterback coach for the last few years. Anyone besides me now see why Eli is having issues?
"If were going to turn this thing around, it's going to be a matter of the players doing it ourselves," Manning said. "We've got to step up and we've got to execute the game plan, no matter what it is."
"I think he's an excellent game-day coach and, as I said, I've been with him when we've been very successful and it was, to me, a natural progression," Coughlin said. "If I wasn't going to do it or if I was going to do it in some capacity, Kevin would have been very much involved in it anyway."
Well - here it is, the hail mary before the game thrown by Coughlin. For all of our sakes boys, just drop it and let's change the world for the better!
This ship has not only sunk, it has sailed....check out Paul Schwartz's column in the NY Post speaking about the changes that need to be made.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
THE PRICE IS WEIS!!!!
I have been waiting a long, long time and in the NY Daily News on Tuesday, Gary Myers said what I have been thinking about my beloved Giants ... read his column .
If this wasn't enough, I went to the NY Post to read Steve Serby and he agrees with Myers and me. Read his column.
They need to do three simple things to change our franchise into a winner (in this order):
1 - Fire Tom Coughlin!!!!!!!
2 - Hire Scott Pioli from New England as their new GM.
3 - Hire Charlie Weis from Notre Dame as their new head coach.
With those three moves, we head back in the right direction. PLEASE Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch - PLEASE just do it!! It will cost a couple of bucks - but a few titles will make it back for you!
If this wasn't enough, I went to the NY Post to read Steve Serby and he agrees with Myers and me. Read his column.
They need to do three simple things to change our franchise into a winner (in this order):
1 - Fire Tom Coughlin!!!!!!!
2 - Hire Scott Pioli from New England as their new GM.
3 - Hire Charlie Weis from Notre Dame as their new head coach.
With those three moves, we head back in the right direction. PLEASE Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch - PLEASE just do it!! It will cost a couple of bucks - but a few titles will make it back for you!
Merry New Year!!!
Hi kids - just got back from a week in West Palm Beach with the family. What a great time. We stayed at the Breakers and I have to tell you - it is by far the most kid friendly place I have EVER been.
Every restaurant, every room, every thing is open to kids. Now, you may not want to take them to everything, but it's awfully nice to know that you can.
For those with kids, I don't have to explain how you need another week off after taking a 4-year-old and an 18 month-old away for a week. For those without kids, I cannot even explain how absolutely draining it is. Every second of every day there - it was non-stop craziness. First day we got there Abbie decided to wake up at 5:55 a.m. - because she wanted to go stick her piggies in the ocean. I tried to explain that the ocean is still sleeping and won't be up for a few hours ... she didn't go for it. Have to try though...
Both kids loved the beach. My little one was a terror. She sat on the shore waiting for the waves and she kept getting knocked over by them and she was laughing her butt off the whole time. Sand in her hair and mouth and she is sitting there cracking up. No doubt in my mind, she is the one to make my life crazy when she gets older.
Just like last year, we were there at the same time that Matt Lauer and his family were there. He seems nice enough, but his wife seems very cold and distant. They just had their third kid and they had a baby nurse and nanny with them. Funny, you would think on a big property like the Breakers you'd never see the same people over and over. Well, we kept running into Matt everywhere. They had the bungalow at the pool right next to us. They had the room right down the hall from my in-laws. Just funny stuff.
Anyway, back in Atlanta, rumor has it that it may snow this week here. Always funny to watch a snowstorm in a city so not prepared for it.
Hope all's well in your neck of the woods. Got some great holiday cards and we are going to be hanging here for Rookie's Night (New Year's Eve to those who go out). Peach Bowl on the 30th with Georgia playing Virginia Tech - the Nunnally's will be here for the game. He will be a tad outnumbered by the folks wearing Red and Black - but bless his heart, he will be Hokie Hokie Hi'ing until his hearts content!
My only wish for the New Year, besides health and happiness is simple: please, please, please - FIRE TOM COUGHLIN!!!
Be well and I hope to get to see y'all in the New Year!
Every restaurant, every room, every thing is open to kids. Now, you may not want to take them to everything, but it's awfully nice to know that you can.
For those with kids, I don't have to explain how you need another week off after taking a 4-year-old and an 18 month-old away for a week. For those without kids, I cannot even explain how absolutely draining it is. Every second of every day there - it was non-stop craziness. First day we got there Abbie decided to wake up at 5:55 a.m. - because she wanted to go stick her piggies in the ocean. I tried to explain that the ocean is still sleeping and won't be up for a few hours ... she didn't go for it. Have to try though...
Both kids loved the beach. My little one was a terror. She sat on the shore waiting for the waves and she kept getting knocked over by them and she was laughing her butt off the whole time. Sand in her hair and mouth and she is sitting there cracking up. No doubt in my mind, she is the one to make my life crazy when she gets older.
Just like last year, we were there at the same time that Matt Lauer and his family were there. He seems nice enough, but his wife seems very cold and distant. They just had their third kid and they had a baby nurse and nanny with them. Funny, you would think on a big property like the Breakers you'd never see the same people over and over. Well, we kept running into Matt everywhere. They had the bungalow at the pool right next to us. They had the room right down the hall from my in-laws. Just funny stuff.
Anyway, back in Atlanta, rumor has it that it may snow this week here. Always funny to watch a snowstorm in a city so not prepared for it.
Hope all's well in your neck of the woods. Got some great holiday cards and we are going to be hanging here for Rookie's Night (New Year's Eve to those who go out). Peach Bowl on the 30th with Georgia playing Virginia Tech - the Nunnally's will be here for the game. He will be a tad outnumbered by the folks wearing Red and Black - but bless his heart, he will be Hokie Hokie Hi'ing until his hearts content!
My only wish for the New Year, besides health and happiness is simple: please, please, please - FIRE TOM COUGHLIN!!!
Be well and I hope to get to see y'all in the New Year!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Where is Jim Croce when I need him???
When I was growing up, my mom got me into music. Whatever she had, I listened to. It was great breaking out the 8-track tapes (showing my age).
One of my favorite musicians still to this day is Jim Croce. He died in a plane crash in September of 1973. I was 5-years-old and I remember my mom being upset about his death.
Why do I mention this? I know some of you ask what the point is of me mentioning this. Well, I am sitting here overlooking the East River in Manhattan and I can't get one of his songs out of my head.
Well things were spinnin round me
And all my thoughts were cloudy
And I had begun to doubt all the things that were me
Been in so many places
You know Ive run so many races
And looked into the empty faces of the people of the night
And something is just not right, cause I know
That I gotta get out of here
Im so alone
Dont you know that I gotta get out of here
cause new yorks not my home
Though all the streets are crowded
Theres somethin strange about it
I lived there bout a year and I never once felt at home
I thought Id make the big time
I learned a lot of lessons awful quick
And now Im tellin you
That they were not the nice kind
And its been so long since I have felt fine, thats the reason
That I gotta get out of here
Im so alone
Dont you know that I gotta get out of here
cause new yorks not my home
I am from here, but it's just not my home. I look around and it's funny. I enjoy my time here, but I am thinking about getting on my FAVORITE airline, Delta, and heading back to Atlanta.
If we had laid odds on it when I was in high school - you would have lost a lot of money if you would have bet on me NOT living here.
I am sure my wife is laughing her ass off reading this - I am still known as the "Damn Yankee" to my father-in-law and that's fine with me. As long as I am allowed to live in Dixie - call me whatever you want.
Suffice to say, I have gone from Jim Croce to Neil Young ... Southern Man!
How bizarre...
One of my favorite musicians still to this day is Jim Croce. He died in a plane crash in September of 1973. I was 5-years-old and I remember my mom being upset about his death.
Why do I mention this? I know some of you ask what the point is of me mentioning this. Well, I am sitting here overlooking the East River in Manhattan and I can't get one of his songs out of my head.
Well things were spinnin round me
And all my thoughts were cloudy
And I had begun to doubt all the things that were me
Been in so many places
You know Ive run so many races
And looked into the empty faces of the people of the night
And something is just not right, cause I know
That I gotta get out of here
Im so alone
Dont you know that I gotta get out of here
cause new yorks not my home
Though all the streets are crowded
Theres somethin strange about it
I lived there bout a year and I never once felt at home
I thought Id make the big time
I learned a lot of lessons awful quick
And now Im tellin you
That they were not the nice kind
And its been so long since I have felt fine, thats the reason
That I gotta get out of here
Im so alone
Dont you know that I gotta get out of here
cause new yorks not my home
I am from here, but it's just not my home. I look around and it's funny. I enjoy my time here, but I am thinking about getting on my FAVORITE airline, Delta, and heading back to Atlanta.
If we had laid odds on it when I was in high school - you would have lost a lot of money if you would have bet on me NOT living here.
I am sure my wife is laughing her ass off reading this - I am still known as the "Damn Yankee" to my father-in-law and that's fine with me. As long as I am allowed to live in Dixie - call me whatever you want.
Suffice to say, I have gone from Jim Croce to Neil Young ... Southern Man!
How bizarre...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Back in the saddle again
Flew in beautiful downtown Newark, N.J. yesterday and boy were my arms tired...
Actually, was on a flight from Orlando to Newark and the flight was jammed. I was in a window seat in the back of the bus. In front of me, a 5-year-old girl and her dad sat right in front of me and put his seat all the way back. Next to me was a woman from Greece that elbowed me for the whole flight. Behind me was a 4-year-old boy who kicked my seat the entire flight.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, one airline can make a difference - good ol' Continental.
We did get in 30 minutes early, which would have been great if you didn't have to wait an hour for our bags. What a joke.
Finally, I made my way through the Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan. Funny, haven't been here in a while, but my juices get flowing when I get back here. I think I can do it for a week at a time, but I cannot imagine living here again. It's not a knock against my home part of the country, I have just seen the other side of the fence and I like it a lot more.
The guy driving me to the hotel was from Pakistan and he was screaming and cursing and flipping people off left, right and center. Made me laugh.
Staying at the Roger Smith Hotel - not a bad joint. Cheapest room I could find - $290 a night. Just nuts.
Weather is in the 50s and is nice out. Here till Thursday. I am sure I will have some things to spout off about while I am here.
Check back....
Actually, was on a flight from Orlando to Newark and the flight was jammed. I was in a window seat in the back of the bus. In front of me, a 5-year-old girl and her dad sat right in front of me and put his seat all the way back. Next to me was a woman from Greece that elbowed me for the whole flight. Behind me was a 4-year-old boy who kicked my seat the entire flight.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, one airline can make a difference - good ol' Continental.
We did get in 30 minutes early, which would have been great if you didn't have to wait an hour for our bags. What a joke.
Finally, I made my way through the Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan. Funny, haven't been here in a while, but my juices get flowing when I get back here. I think I can do it for a week at a time, but I cannot imagine living here again. It's not a knock against my home part of the country, I have just seen the other side of the fence and I like it a lot more.
The guy driving me to the hotel was from Pakistan and he was screaming and cursing and flipping people off left, right and center. Made me laugh.
Staying at the Roger Smith Hotel - not a bad joint. Cheapest room I could find - $290 a night. Just nuts.
Weather is in the 50s and is nice out. Here till Thursday. I am sure I will have some things to spout off about while I am here.
Check back....
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Time for some fun ....
You have to go try this out ... the winning score so far is 323.4.
Let me know if you can beat it....
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mkos/pinguin.swf
Let me know if you can beat it....
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mkos/pinguin.swf
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Sign the apocalypse is near
As most of you may know I am 38 years old.
As most of you may also know I am originally from Fort Lee, N.J.
I am very proud of both facts. I am very fortunate to be able to have grown up in a wonderful part of the world and although it’s been a while since I have lived there, there are days when I long for the George Washington Bridge.
While I feel that way, most people pick on my home state. Honestly, I do it as well. Start the laughter at Newark and work your way down. But it’s still where I am from.
One of the things that most people used to laugh at is the State University of New Jersey. I call it SUNJY but most call it Rutgers. When I was growing up, it was a nice little state school in East and New Brunswick. For those of you familiar with the N.J. Turnpike – exit 9. Most of my friends wanted out of N.J. and certainly we didn’t want to go to Rutgers. It was the laughing stock of college athletics and it was in a city where Johnson and Johnson dominate everything.
For all these years, Rutgers has been the athletic joke of our state. Now some of you wisenheimers would say that the Giants can also be part of that conversation, but trust me, it’s not even close.
Then, out of nowhere, comes Greg Schiano.
For those who have been under a rock, he is Rutgers football coach. He was an assistant at the University of Miami before coming to N.J.
He has brought Rutgers to back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in school history and most of his team is underclassmen. He was one 52-yard field goal from going to a BCS game, but lost in triple overtime to West Virginia on the road.
What Schiano has done is unfathomable. The game versus Louisville was insane - ESPN national television coverage and a packed house where people were paying $500 for a ticket. No one ever would pay .05 for a ticket before and now it’s as hot as can be.
So, back to the apocalypse. Why is it here, you are asking?
The headline off of ESPN.com says it all, “Schiano tells Miami he's not leaving Rutgers”
Are you serious?? Read it again. Maybe my eyes are messed up. He wants to STAY!!!???
"We just need to keep moving forward. There are people committed at Rutgers to taking it to the level we're talking about. That's what's important to me. We're just scratching the surface here at Rutgers," Schiano said. "The sky's the limit. We're going to do great things here. We haven't done it yet. The seniors have laid the foundation for really, really big things. We've recruited really great young guys in this program and this is home."
This is HOME??? Are you kidding me? Is this real? Is this a joke?? He wants to stay??
We are talking about the “U” as all the alumni call it and he wants to stay.
Good for him.
Better yet, good for Rutgers and all of us folks from Jersey. Now we can go back to picking on Newark!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Bye bye Coughlin ... bye bye Coughlin, we hate to see you stay....
Sharing some thoughts….
After going to see the SEC championship game, I am convinced that Florida should get a shot at Ohio State. My reasoning? Nothing better than shutting up a bunch of obnoxious, little whiny fans than getting their asses handed to them on national television. Be careful what you wish for Gators.
I also think that Chris Leak is the better version of Reggie Ball. The difference – Leak has people that bail his butt out ever week. He is one of the worst quarterbacks to have a chance to win a national title. Sorta like David Woodley of the Dolphins in the Super Bowl. By the way, the year after that Super Bowl, the Dolphins drafted some guy named Marino. Leak won't be that lucky.
Hey Tim Tebow, I can’t wait to see you start next year. You’re going to be good, but someone is going to plant their helmet between your numbers on your back because of how you jump up and down like a little boy and wave your arms. Be better to watch you during your junior year after you mature a tad. But then again, you are acting like most Gator fans.
For those Michigan fans who disagree, you did have your chance and you did a great job. But to me, if you don’t win your conference championship, how can you be the second best team? Heck if Oklahoma did get jobbed by officials in the Oregon game, they would have a stronger argument than both you and Florida.
Why I love Bob Stoops? Have you heard him say thing one about being jobbed since the Oregon game? With that being the case Urban Meyer and Lloyd Carr – just shut up. If either one of you REALLY cared, you would be leading the charge of getting us a plus one game.
And I don’t want to hear a university president say ANYTHING until they figure out that if you take the top four teams and use the bowl system as is – you don’t need any more games or days! For example - the top team Ohio State would host the fourth ranked team, LSU, in the Rose Bowl. Then the second ranked team in Florida would play the third ranked team in the Orange Bowl. From there - the BCS title game is the winners the following Saturday. I would rather have the fight between four and five then two and three. Plus - we get to see it on the field instead of on a computer screen.
Has anyone ever heard this presidents complain how much time basketball players miss during March Madness?
Speaking of madness, watching the Giants-Cowboys game is making me laugh. How many more dumb penalties can the Giants take? How many more stupid play calls can the offense make? How many times can the Giants defense play five yards off a receiver when they are in a third and three? I don’t want to read about Eli this week – he did everything he could and it’s not his fault. None of this has been his fault. He hasn’t played well – but if you watched the game you know whose fault it is.
How many more days until the Giants fire Tom Coughlin? If there is a man upstairs controlling the universe – I hope we lose every game till he’s gone. Matter of fact, I started a new blog called "Fire Tom Coughlin Now" check it out at http://firetomcoughlinnow.blogspot.com/
I am going to post it on the Giants web site and then email the Mara's and Tisch's until it's done! Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch - you fathers are rolling in their graves with what has gone on this year. Stop the lunacy now!
Wonder where Mike Vanderjagt is? Wonder what he is doing right now? Peyton’s old idiot kicker deserves this as much as anyone. Would love to buy him a drink or two right now and then put him on television again.
Honestly, I am more upset about Rutgers losing to West Virginia than I am about the Giants loss. At least the Giants could get a better draft pick…..
Those kids at Rutgers deserve more than the Texas Bowl. Just would have been classic to see a Wake Forest-Rutgers Orange Bowl. What kind of odds do you think you could have gotten on that at the start of the season?
After going to see the SEC championship game, I am convinced that Florida should get a shot at Ohio State. My reasoning? Nothing better than shutting up a bunch of obnoxious, little whiny fans than getting their asses handed to them on national television. Be careful what you wish for Gators.
I also think that Chris Leak is the better version of Reggie Ball. The difference – Leak has people that bail his butt out ever week. He is one of the worst quarterbacks to have a chance to win a national title. Sorta like David Woodley of the Dolphins in the Super Bowl. By the way, the year after that Super Bowl, the Dolphins drafted some guy named Marino. Leak won't be that lucky.
Hey Tim Tebow, I can’t wait to see you start next year. You’re going to be good, but someone is going to plant their helmet between your numbers on your back because of how you jump up and down like a little boy and wave your arms. Be better to watch you during your junior year after you mature a tad. But then again, you are acting like most Gator fans.
For those Michigan fans who disagree, you did have your chance and you did a great job. But to me, if you don’t win your conference championship, how can you be the second best team? Heck if Oklahoma did get jobbed by officials in the Oregon game, they would have a stronger argument than both you and Florida.
Why I love Bob Stoops? Have you heard him say thing one about being jobbed since the Oregon game? With that being the case Urban Meyer and Lloyd Carr – just shut up. If either one of you REALLY cared, you would be leading the charge of getting us a plus one game.
And I don’t want to hear a university president say ANYTHING until they figure out that if you take the top four teams and use the bowl system as is – you don’t need any more games or days! For example - the top team Ohio State would host the fourth ranked team, LSU, in the Rose Bowl. Then the second ranked team in Florida would play the third ranked team in the Orange Bowl. From there - the BCS title game is the winners the following Saturday. I would rather have the fight between four and five then two and three. Plus - we get to see it on the field instead of on a computer screen.
Has anyone ever heard this presidents complain how much time basketball players miss during March Madness?
Speaking of madness, watching the Giants-Cowboys game is making me laugh. How many more dumb penalties can the Giants take? How many more stupid play calls can the offense make? How many times can the Giants defense play five yards off a receiver when they are in a third and three? I don’t want to read about Eli this week – he did everything he could and it’s not his fault. None of this has been his fault. He hasn’t played well – but if you watched the game you know whose fault it is.
How many more days until the Giants fire Tom Coughlin? If there is a man upstairs controlling the universe – I hope we lose every game till he’s gone. Matter of fact, I started a new blog called "Fire Tom Coughlin Now" check it out at http://firetomcoughlinnow.blogspot.com/
I am going to post it on the Giants web site and then email the Mara's and Tisch's until it's done! Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch - you fathers are rolling in their graves with what has gone on this year. Stop the lunacy now!
Wonder where Mike Vanderjagt is? Wonder what he is doing right now? Peyton’s old idiot kicker deserves this as much as anyone. Would love to buy him a drink or two right now and then put him on television again.
Honestly, I am more upset about Rutgers losing to West Virginia than I am about the Giants loss. At least the Giants could get a better draft pick…..
Those kids at Rutgers deserve more than the Texas Bowl. Just would have been classic to see a Wake Forest-Rutgers Orange Bowl. What kind of odds do you think you could have gotten on that at the start of the season?
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