I was thinking about this for some reason today... maybe it's because there may actually be light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe it's because we've only got a year left of what will almost certainly go down as one of the worst tenures in the White House. (Yeah, we know, people said similar things about Truman, but you know what... they also said that about Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, James Buchanan, and Ulysses S. Grant).
Anyway, I'm watching it, and looking back four plus years later, Bush looks utterly ridiculous in that flight suit. Maybe at the time it didn't seem so ridiculous, but now it looks silly. Sort of like a 5 year old girl dressing up as a princess.
The coverage of the event is interesting. I don't really know how to describe it. Things seem deceptively quiet, sort of like being in the eye of a hurricane. No matter, here is Bush saying Mission Accomplished. Just a bit outside...
29.11.07
24.11.07
College Football Thoughts - Notre Dame vs Stanford
For some reason, the Notre Dame v. Stanford game is on ESPN as I write this. The two teams are 5-17 combined. Considering the slate of games today, I would rank this one some where in the 30s in terms of games that I'd actually want to watch.
It's one thing for Notre Dame to have their TV contract with NBC. But is ESPN really pulling the ratings that would justify Notre Dame and Stanford? Just quickly looking at the list of games today, here are games that are just as 'good' or better as the ND/Stanford match up:
Duke/UNC
Maryland/NC State
Wake/Vandy
Oregon/UCLA (which is on ABC but we ain't getting it here in the Midwest)
Oklahoma/Oklahoma State (which I can't find on TV)
More interesting than anything else - I'm assuming that the ESPN bean-counters believe or can prove that ND will pull better ratings than any of those games above (though I think that Big12 game might be tough to get on ESPN because of conference TV deals).
Needless to say, we're not watching the ND/Stanford game.
It doesn't happen often, but Paul McGuire has moved into Ron Santo territory - he's so bad, he's great. Rarely do announcers regress to the point where they become so annoying and so lame and so bad that they actually become ironic. Anyway, I think Paul McGuire has reached the point where there a situation where Paul McGuire wouldn't be fun to have around.
I know this isn't football related, but what's the point of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge? We all know the ACC will go 6-3 or something... so who cares?
I could name four SEC games alone that have been more fun to watch than every NFL game this year. So when Bill Simmons goes on about how this is a great NFL season, he's clearly not watching college football.
I'm still amazed that 10 Big Ten teams are bowl eligible - sure only 8 are guaranteed a bowl, but 10 teams from the Big Ten could be playing in a bowl this season. And amazingly, Illinois has a decent shot at making the BCS - they sit 17th right now but look as if they'll move to 14 or 15th tomorrow. Taking away the six conference winners that leaves 4 at large spots - Hawaii looks like they're all but in one of the BCS games at this point, and Georgia is in, which then cuts it down to two at large spots. I can't see two teams from the Big East or ACC making the BCS. And with Oregon losing it's going to be tough for the Pac-10 to get two teams in the BCS. So right now: Arizona State, Kansas/Missouri/Oklahoma, and Illinois fighting for those last two spots. I can't see a situation where the Big 12 doesn't get two teams in... so really it's down to Arizona State and Illinois (and maybe Virgina Tech/BC loser) fighting for that last spot. I guess Arizona State gets the nod over Illinois since they only have two losses to Illinois three and the Fiesta Bowl would take them before Illinois - but man oh man, is this crazy or what? Notre Dame picked a bad year to stink since all they had to do was be okay to make the BCS - seriously, an 8-4 ND team would be BCSing this year.
BCS Prediction:
Ohio State vs Georgia
At this point why not?
Why Georgia... check this out -- Georgia will finish 10-2 and third in the SEC. Right now they're 7th in the BCS. They'll pass Arizona State and I also think they'll pass LSU and the loser of the Missouri/Kansas game. That would put them in 4th place in the BCS. Let's say the winner of the Missouri/Kansas game loses to Oklahoma next week AND West Virginia trips up... AND Tennessee beats LSU next week. Wouldn't that put Georgia in the BCS Championship? What a crazy and amazing college football season.
It's one thing for Notre Dame to have their TV contract with NBC. But is ESPN really pulling the ratings that would justify Notre Dame and Stanford? Just quickly looking at the list of games today, here are games that are just as 'good' or better as the ND/Stanford match up:
Duke/UNC
Maryland/NC State
Wake/Vandy
Oregon/UCLA (which is on ABC but we ain't getting it here in the Midwest)
Oklahoma/Oklahoma State (which I can't find on TV)
More interesting than anything else - I'm assuming that the ESPN bean-counters believe or can prove that ND will pull better ratings than any of those games above (though I think that Big12 game might be tough to get on ESPN because of conference TV deals).
Needless to say, we're not watching the ND/Stanford game.
It doesn't happen often, but Paul McGuire has moved into Ron Santo territory - he's so bad, he's great. Rarely do announcers regress to the point where they become so annoying and so lame and so bad that they actually become ironic. Anyway, I think Paul McGuire has reached the point where there a situation where Paul McGuire wouldn't be fun to have around.
I know this isn't football related, but what's the point of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge? We all know the ACC will go 6-3 or something... so who cares?
I could name four SEC games alone that have been more fun to watch than every NFL game this year. So when Bill Simmons goes on about how this is a great NFL season, he's clearly not watching college football.
I'm still amazed that 10 Big Ten teams are bowl eligible - sure only 8 are guaranteed a bowl, but 10 teams from the Big Ten could be playing in a bowl this season. And amazingly, Illinois has a decent shot at making the BCS - they sit 17th right now but look as if they'll move to 14 or 15th tomorrow. Taking away the six conference winners that leaves 4 at large spots - Hawaii looks like they're all but in one of the BCS games at this point, and Georgia is in, which then cuts it down to two at large spots. I can't see two teams from the Big East or ACC making the BCS. And with Oregon losing it's going to be tough for the Pac-10 to get two teams in the BCS. So right now: Arizona State, Kansas/Missouri/Oklahoma, and Illinois fighting for those last two spots. I can't see a situation where the Big 12 doesn't get two teams in... so really it's down to Arizona State and Illinois (and maybe Virgina Tech/BC loser) fighting for that last spot. I guess Arizona State gets the nod over Illinois since they only have two losses to Illinois three and the Fiesta Bowl would take them before Illinois - but man oh man, is this crazy or what? Notre Dame picked a bad year to stink since all they had to do was be okay to make the BCS - seriously, an 8-4 ND team would be BCSing this year.
BCS Prediction:
Ohio State vs Georgia
At this point why not?
Why Georgia... check this out -- Georgia will finish 10-2 and third in the SEC. Right now they're 7th in the BCS. They'll pass Arizona State and I also think they'll pass LSU and the loser of the Missouri/Kansas game. That would put them in 4th place in the BCS. Let's say the winner of the Missouri/Kansas game loses to Oklahoma next week AND West Virginia trips up... AND Tennessee beats LSU next week. Wouldn't that put Georgia in the BCS Championship? What a crazy and amazing college football season.
9.11.07
Poor Bill Simmons
Good Lord I feel bad for Bill Simmons. After reading this "We wish we were Jay Marriotti" entry from Kissing Suzy Kolber we really feel for the guy. He's getting blasted just because he was born in New England. All the guy did was grow up in Boston/New England, root for those Boston teams, cheer for them, give his heart and soul for those teams. Now, everyone wants to rip him because he's a Boston fan.
Since he's a pretty good writer, Simmons got a break and then got lucky when ESPN.com picked him up.
Six years after ESPN picks him up, three Boston teams are really, really good. And this pisses everyone off, and everyone takes it out on him because he roots for those teams. Either we have completely forgotten what the point of the Sports Guy was, to write from the prespective of a fan, or we're just really jealous (and petty) that we aren't from Boston right now.
Is it Bill's fault that the entire Red Sox Nation bullshit thing is out of control? Is it his fault that millions of rich white kids who grew up in subdivisions and never went to baseball games thus never having a team became Red Sox fans in college because it was 'cool' - just like doing E and Eminem once was? Is it Simmons' fault that Tom Brady and probably that entire line backing corps probably injects HGH and that the Pats head coach may be the most unlikable American that doesn't live on Mass Ave in Northwest DC? Is it Bill's fault that the Celtics got KG because the Bulls were to fucking scared too trade away Gordon AND Deng?
Was Simmons' column today outrageous? Yes. But he’s a Boston fan, he’s suppose to feel that way. He is suppose to feel that the refs are screwing over his team. As fans, we all feel this way. Just like I thought the Bears were getting hosed by the refs in the Eagles game and the fact that it came down to a 97 yard drive was and still is ridiculous in my mind (The Bears should have won by 17 points if the refs were even half way decent in that game). And how Josh Paul did drop that third strike in Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS. This may be viewed as an outrageous claim. I am fully aware of that - but I still think the Bears got screwed and that AJ was totally doing the right thing.
But let’s not forget, if you watched the Pats/Colts game the refs were brutal. Those two pass interference calls on the Pats early in the game were totally made up. And that Faulk play was a mugging. Does that make up for the 2002 Super Bowl when the refs let the Pats get away with mugging the Rams? No. But it was a poorly refereed game.
If it was John Clayton or Gary Smith or Sal Paolantonio writing what Simmons’ wrote then I’d have a problem. But he’s just a Boston fan. And if he was from Chicago, I'd enjoy the guy even more than I do now (assuming that he wasn't a Cubs fan).
And if he was from Philly they'd love him… wait forget that, they’d boo the shit out of him and then cry about how they should have the best sport writers* of all time but bad luck took him away.
And remember, it's a free Internets column. Not reading it is always an option. I stopped reading it half way though.
* not sportswriter/jorunalist
Since he's a pretty good writer, Simmons got a break and then got lucky when ESPN.com picked him up.
Six years after ESPN picks him up, three Boston teams are really, really good. And this pisses everyone off, and everyone takes it out on him because he roots for those teams. Either we have completely forgotten what the point of the Sports Guy was, to write from the prespective of a fan, or we're just really jealous (and petty) that we aren't from Boston right now.
Is it Bill's fault that the entire Red Sox Nation bullshit thing is out of control? Is it his fault that millions of rich white kids who grew up in subdivisions and never went to baseball games thus never having a team became Red Sox fans in college because it was 'cool' - just like doing E and Eminem once was? Is it Simmons' fault that Tom Brady and probably that entire line backing corps probably injects HGH and that the Pats head coach may be the most unlikable American that doesn't live on Mass Ave in Northwest DC? Is it Bill's fault that the Celtics got KG because the Bulls were to fucking scared too trade away Gordon AND Deng?
Was Simmons' column today outrageous? Yes. But he’s a Boston fan, he’s suppose to feel that way. He is suppose to feel that the refs are screwing over his team. As fans, we all feel this way. Just like I thought the Bears were getting hosed by the refs in the Eagles game and the fact that it came down to a 97 yard drive was and still is ridiculous in my mind (The Bears should have won by 17 points if the refs were even half way decent in that game). And how Josh Paul did drop that third strike in Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS. This may be viewed as an outrageous claim. I am fully aware of that - but I still think the Bears got screwed and that AJ was totally doing the right thing.
But let’s not forget, if you watched the Pats/Colts game the refs were brutal. Those two pass interference calls on the Pats early in the game were totally made up. And that Faulk play was a mugging. Does that make up for the 2002 Super Bowl when the refs let the Pats get away with mugging the Rams? No. But it was a poorly refereed game.
If it was John Clayton or Gary Smith or Sal Paolantonio writing what Simmons’ wrote then I’d have a problem. But he’s just a Boston fan. And if he was from Chicago, I'd enjoy the guy even more than I do now (assuming that he wasn't a Cubs fan).
And if he was from Philly they'd love him… wait forget that, they’d boo the shit out of him and then cry about how they should have the best sport writers* of all time but bad luck took him away.
And remember, it's a free Internets column. Not reading it is always an option. I stopped reading it half way though.
* not sportswriter/jorunalist
2.11.07
Niner Pickers
Picks… because we’re bored.
BILLS (+1) over Bengals
If the Bills were in the NFC the good people of Buffalo could be buying playoff tickets.
Broncos (+3) over LIONS
Ugh… I the Broncos are just good enough to lose. Meanwhile the Lions are a pretty pitiful team. In fact, they might be the poster child of the quality of the 2007 season. They’re 5-2 and maybe looked impressive in one of those wins.
TITANS (-4) over Panthers
Then again, the Titans seem like they’ll be the team that goes 10-6 but 4-12 against the spread.
CHIEFS (-2) over Packers
KC at home… KC at home… How many bad interceptions does Favre throw this game? Three? Four?
Chargers (-7) over VIKINGS
It’s going to be hard for the Chargers to get a bye at this point, but they are setting themselves up to peak at just the right time. The week before they play the Pats or Colts.
Niners (+3.5) over FALCONS
Hey look, it’s the third game, already!, on the schedule that you won’t catch me watching!
SAINTS (-3) over Jags
In this crazy NFC world that we live in, the Saints are suddenly not only back in a divisional race, but who’s to say they couldn’t go to the Super Bowl? Other than some talking heads, who’s to say they can’t? Who? Who? Who? Oh, and since it was the NFL, yet another positive ‘roid test this week. This time it was Marcus Stroud on the Jags. Yet that barely made ESPN’s front page. Meanwhile, Mike Cameroon apparently hangs out with Mike Vick.
Redskins (-3.5) over JETS
The Jets suck.
Cardinals (+3.5) over BUCS
The forth game that we won’t be watching.
BROWNS (-1) over Seahawks
Seriously, the crisis in the NFC is nearing White House action. It wouldn’t shock me if the winners of the NFC West and South had 8-8 records.
COLTS (+5.5) over Patriots
In the grand scheme of things, this really isn’t that big of a game. But it’s nice to know that they’re playing it in Indy for the first time in like six years. Since this is the only game that really matters this week, a few more thoughts:
- We’re thoroughly enjoying the Patriots running up the score.
- The Pats D hasn't played all that great this year. Just a thought.
- What has gotten into Tom Brady? Does he want to go down as the greatest Quarterback of all time or something? We admitted before the season started that Peyton was the greatest of all time. Peyton had won the Super Bowl. And sure, while his playoff record and stats are nothing to write home about; the way Manning dominates a game, from his vision to his pre-snap bullshit, no one we’ve seen is like him. (fyi: Manning has the lowest QB rating for a Super Bowl winner or maybe it was for a QB Super Bowl MVP… no matter it’s like 65). But no Tom Brady seems set on throwing as many touchdowns as Barry Bonds had taters in a season.
- Why don’t the Colts get more love? Because they only win by 20? Weird. And if they win, everyone and their mother will crown them the greatest team of all time.
- One of these two teams will not make it back to the AFC Championship game. So enjoy this one.
Texans (+3) over RAIDERS
Five games no one wants to see.
Cowboys (-3) over EAGLES
If you’re Andy Reid are you relieved that your kids are going to jail? Is there a reason Andy Reid didn’t resign as coach a year ago? Two years ago? Did he not know about his kids being junkies? Did he put football in front of family? I mean there are like a million questions to this entire situation aren’t there? And while we’re asking questions, after last weekend I think McNabb is right about those black QB stuff. If Donny was the one getting lap dances from Britney, would there be any doubt that he’d be getting killed by ever single media member in the world?
Ravens (+9) over STEELERS
The over/under is 36… so apparently the Steelers are suppose to win 24-10 or 24-13. I’ll take the points.
Season:
61-55
BILLS (+1) over Bengals
If the Bills were in the NFC the good people of Buffalo could be buying playoff tickets.
Broncos (+3) over LIONS
Ugh… I the Broncos are just good enough to lose. Meanwhile the Lions are a pretty pitiful team. In fact, they might be the poster child of the quality of the 2007 season. They’re 5-2 and maybe looked impressive in one of those wins.
TITANS (-4) over Panthers
Then again, the Titans seem like they’ll be the team that goes 10-6 but 4-12 against the spread.
CHIEFS (-2) over Packers
KC at home… KC at home… How many bad interceptions does Favre throw this game? Three? Four?
Chargers (-7) over VIKINGS
It’s going to be hard for the Chargers to get a bye at this point, but they are setting themselves up to peak at just the right time. The week before they play the Pats or Colts.
Niners (+3.5) over FALCONS
Hey look, it’s the third game, already!, on the schedule that you won’t catch me watching!
SAINTS (-3) over Jags
In this crazy NFC world that we live in, the Saints are suddenly not only back in a divisional race, but who’s to say they couldn’t go to the Super Bowl? Other than some talking heads, who’s to say they can’t? Who? Who? Who? Oh, and since it was the NFL, yet another positive ‘roid test this week. This time it was Marcus Stroud on the Jags. Yet that barely made ESPN’s front page. Meanwhile, Mike Cameroon apparently hangs out with Mike Vick.
Redskins (-3.5) over JETS
The Jets suck.
Cardinals (+3.5) over BUCS
The forth game that we won’t be watching.
BROWNS (-1) over Seahawks
Seriously, the crisis in the NFC is nearing White House action. It wouldn’t shock me if the winners of the NFC West and South had 8-8 records.
COLTS (+5.5) over Patriots
In the grand scheme of things, this really isn’t that big of a game. But it’s nice to know that they’re playing it in Indy for the first time in like six years. Since this is the only game that really matters this week, a few more thoughts:
- We’re thoroughly enjoying the Patriots running up the score.
- The Pats D hasn't played all that great this year. Just a thought.
- What has gotten into Tom Brady? Does he want to go down as the greatest Quarterback of all time or something? We admitted before the season started that Peyton was the greatest of all time. Peyton had won the Super Bowl. And sure, while his playoff record and stats are nothing to write home about; the way Manning dominates a game, from his vision to his pre-snap bullshit, no one we’ve seen is like him. (fyi: Manning has the lowest QB rating for a Super Bowl winner or maybe it was for a QB Super Bowl MVP… no matter it’s like 65). But no Tom Brady seems set on throwing as many touchdowns as Barry Bonds had taters in a season.
- Why don’t the Colts get more love? Because they only win by 20? Weird. And if they win, everyone and their mother will crown them the greatest team of all time.
- One of these two teams will not make it back to the AFC Championship game. So enjoy this one.
Texans (+3) over RAIDERS
Five games no one wants to see.
Cowboys (-3) over EAGLES
If you’re Andy Reid are you relieved that your kids are going to jail? Is there a reason Andy Reid didn’t resign as coach a year ago? Two years ago? Did he not know about his kids being junkies? Did he put football in front of family? I mean there are like a million questions to this entire situation aren’t there? And while we’re asking questions, after last weekend I think McNabb is right about those black QB stuff. If Donny was the one getting lap dances from Britney, would there be any doubt that he’d be getting killed by ever single media member in the world?
Ravens (+9) over STEELERS
The over/under is 36… so apparently the Steelers are suppose to win 24-10 or 24-13. I’ll take the points.
Season:
61-55
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