Okay, we have one Baseball position in this series...Outfield...I've noticed, the biggest factor for the most part seems to be offensive numbers...well, except when 3B...Read More
Hello and welcome to another Wednesday of deep thoughts. Last week, I was battling a bit of melancholy brought on by the holiday season. A funny thing happened at work. Our Christmas party was going to be during lunch at a nice local restaurant. I did not like the fact that we were not having any type of gift exchange, so I suggested that we do a White Elephant exchange. I guess I made a big deal about the spirit of Christmas, because I am now the Christmas Chancellor; December Events Coordinator. No, the job does not come with a pay raise. We had a great time and I found the perfect gift. No more holiday blues; it just does not fit my new job.
The hat was too small, but I think I will keep the Christmas tie.
So, have you ever seen Tick -Tac-Strip? Meredith is newly married and her husband was pleased that they got my gift.
Did you happen to catch the skit about Tebow on SNL? If you did not, here it is. There was a time that I never missed SNL, but I have to admit that I am no longer a regular viewer. I thought the skit was funny. I loved that Jesus said if he is the son of God then Tom Brady must be his nephew. As funny as this is, the implication of Bill Bellichick being the devil was hysterical. The truth is it is good to laugh at ourselves. The purpose of SNL is to poke fun of societal issues and Tim Tebow should feel honored that SNL felt he was relevant enough to do a skit about him. Of course, Pat Robertson was outraged with this skit and felt that it was "anti-Christain bigotry that is disgusting". I am sorry Pat. I don't see that. What I find disgusting that an 81 year old guy would have to make statements like this in order to be relevant. What I see from Tim Tebow is that he is doing his best to figure out how to be an NFL QB and win games. Is he a bit over the top with his posing? Probably, but so what? From what I can tell, he is sincere in his beliefs and walks the talk that he espouses. Denver lost last week, but many teams have lost to this Patriot offense.
It is interesting, teams in the NFL seem to be try to either try to outscore everyone or they play conservative offense and try to pitch a shutout each game. The Packers, Pats and Saints are talented enough to outscore most teams, but as the Packers found out, if you don't play defense you will eventually lose. This year will be a very interesting playoff season. The 49ers, Ravens and Steelers will try to win with D while most of the other playoff teams appear to take an offensive approach. It would seem that the teams bent on defense would do best at home in the elements. But team health may prove to be the determine factor in who wins. The Chargers and Eagles still have a slim hope to make the playoffs and if history tells us anything, this is the type of team that just might win it all. Come to think of it, the Cardinals also have an outside chance. Of course, I will hope that my Cowboys get on a good streak, but with the Eagles and Giants left, I am thinking not.
The fact that Wade Phillips was not able to coach last weekend sort of got hidden. He had a "medical procedure" and was not present at the Texans game. Perhaps the Texans were due for a loss, but not having Phillips might have made a difference. With all of the injuries that the Texans have had this year, it is amazing that they have had as much success as they have. Or maybe it was just too much Cam Newton? This was one terrific play! I know that the Texans hope that Wade Phillips is back next week. The guy may not be a great head coach, but he can sure coach defense.
Last weekend, Texas high school football played their championship games at Cowboys Stadium. I watched several of the games and saw some very talented kids playing at a high level. After the last game, there was a mishap that will talked about for many years. I am not sure what happened, but somehow one of the weighted end zone pylons found its way onto the accelerator of an electric golf cart. Thankfully nobody was seriously injured...so we can enjoy this video.
One of the games that I got to watch was the 3A game between Argyle and Wimberley. I had a small rooting interest in this one as a buddy has a nephew playing for Argyle. You may remember Jon Aune that played QB for Texas back in the day. His nephew plays QB for Argyle and on the last play of the day had a nifty scramble to avoid the rush and uncorked what looked to be a game tying TD. Take a few minutes of your life and watch this video, in particular .45 to .50. The play that is made is worthy of any NFL player. To think that this kid made this play on the last play in the championship game? I am sure we will hear from him again.
That's all the sports I have, but I do have a few funny videos:
Now I know why Rudolph had a red nose.
Wow...this has something for everyone.
You probably won't understand a word, but sometimes words are overrated...
This has been a very fun year at the Gab. I have not said this recently, but thanks to Sully, Felber and Kyle for making this site a reality.
That's all I have for this week, but I will leave you with a bit of Jack Handey:
"If I come back as an animal in my next lifetime, I hope it's some type of parasite, because this is the part where I take it EASY!"
"If your kid makes one of those little homemade guitars out of a cigar box and rubber bands, don't let him just play it once or twice and then throw it away. Make him practice on it, every day, for about three hours a day. Later, he'll thank you."
That's all I have for today, but feel free to leave a few deep thoughts of your own.
So this past week I went silent...I haven't posted a blog since last Monday Moaning...I did little on Twitter or Facebook...Just needed a bit of a break...Plus it's been busy here...These couple weeks are busy at the Fish House, so I've been trying to get more sleep instead of being up until 2:00AM and then getting up with the kids at 6:30AM...
Then there's getting ready for Christmas...And we had a birthday last week...It's already been a year since this picture was taken of my baby girl laying on my chest the night she was born...
Now look at here swinging in the cool December air...
Here she is busting a move with Frosty the Snowman...
Sometimes blogging just has to take a backseat to shit like that...Now let's get into some sports...We'll start with the shitty Browns...Yeah, they lost again Sunday, in OT to Arizona...Whatever...I want to talk about how Mike Holmgren has been doing his job as President of the Browns...For guy making nearly 10 million dollars a year, he really sucks...Twice he has addressed the media this year...Both times after the media and fans have raised their voices about where is this guy, what is he doing, and why is he on radio shows in Seattle instead of Cleveland...
In his press conference last week he informed us that "NO ONE" on the Browns medical staff, or coaching staff knew that Colt McCoy had his brain caved in by James Harrison..."No One saw him get hit in the head." How is it that the Browns staff are the only people on Earth who didn't see that hit!?! I guess they all have their heads up their asses!
Then Fatty Holmgren got pissy with the media for questioning him, and what he's doing...Earlier that day, long time Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw took Holmgren to task, saying that it doesn't matter who's in charge, "it's business as usual." He also eluded to what many of us think...Fatty is just collecting a check...And that was mild compared to what some of the radio guys were saying...So fatty got pissed at the media and said, "You're either with us, or you're not, so remember that when you come looking for extra playoff tickets."
WHAT!?! How the fuck is this guy talking about playoffs!?! This team is so far from that it's unreal...And you know what Fatty...It's the media's job to question you...And true fans should question you...True fans get pissed after watching a team suck year after year...No one is going to kneel down and kiss your ring...Why? Because you didn't win it here fat fuck!
-So how about those Packers...My pal Ryan has been harping on me all year to write up some love for his Packers...So I was watching them play the Chiefs Sunday, and planning on hyping a perfect season...But then, I noticed after every play that a guy made a first down, he was doing that stupid, hand gesture, showing he did his job...I already hated the Clay Matthews Jr. sack celebration, so now I was getting annoyed, and rooting against them...I didn't actually think the Chiefs would hold on, but damn...They D'ed up big time...Kept Rogers uncomfortable all day, and their offense just kept plugging away at that weak Packers defense...And the '72 Dolphins rejoiced!
- Then there was Jesus Tebow...Now last time I checked the Scripture, Jesus was the son of God...Tebow, I may give the Holy Spirit...But Sunday he, and his Broncos teammates, saw God...Tom fucking Brady...He's gotta be the closest thing to the almighty...All he does his shine up his Super Bowl rings, and MVP's...Sling it like a cock-strong, mother fucker...Win...And speaking of cock-strong, he created life with not only a hot actress, but also his super model wife...Shit, he sounds like the Holy Trinity to me!
Yeah, it's nice to see Tebow, Denver, and the Tebow followers, get a dose of reality! If your boy Timmy is such a miracle worker, and has the ear of God, then why is he wasting his time with Football...Go cure Cancer with your magical powers!
-Christmas time means something else besides, shopping, and gifts, and parties...It means here comes the non-stop 3 week parade of College Football Bowl Games...This week we get into the madness with plenty of average teams going at it to make a few extra bucks...I'm dogging on them, but I'll be watching a bit of Florida Int. vs. Marshall on Tuesday night...
-Now with it being Christmas time, we here a lot of the same old songs...And I love the classics, but I thought I'd share a few from one of my favorite bands...You don't think of Pearl Jam as a Christmas tune band, bu they do some good ones...Some unique tunes...I hope you enjoy...
Hello and welcome to another Wednesday of deep thoughts. I have to be honest, this is one of those days that I wish I did not have to write a blog. As the year draws to a close, I fight just a bit of the melancholy bug. Christmas is a wonderful time of year. But as most of us realize, Christmas is for kids. I cannot believe how long ago it was that I awaited with such impatient excitement for the big day to arrive. About the middle of December, we would get out of school. Those few weeks of Christmas vacation seemed like months. Each day was filled with conversation about a certain big guy and how our behavior would determine the gifts we might receive. Each night there was always a Christmas show to watch. The Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman were some of our favorites As I grew older, I had a younger brother and sister that forced me to hold onto the discussion of Santa. There truly is a magical sense of intrigue for a household that contains a believing youngster. Of course that time passed and I then had kids of my own. I found the magic returned with our first daughter. My wife and I spent much time preparing our home each year for Christmas. This was a truly special time and it will always be something I remember. Watching my kids grow up and slowly mature beyond the time for magical beliefs was tough. Now, each year I do my duty to string lights and put up a tree, but it is just not the same... Those of you that still have kids that believe, allow them this magic as long as possible. I promise you will miss the excited twinkle in their eyes more than you can possibly imagine.
One thing about Christmas that has not changed is the music. I have to say that my all time favorite Christmas song is appropriately known as The Christmas Song. I tried for an hour to embed a version, but was not successful. If any of you can drop in Diana Krall singing I will be most appreciative. The best I seem to be able to do is do provide a few links:
These lyrics capture what Christmas means to me...tiny tots with their eyes all aglow, will find it hard to sleep tonight. This song was written in 1944 by Mel Torme, but the words are timeless. Kids from 1 to 92 can appreciate what the spirit of Christmas is, but only real kids truly have eyes all aglow.
Some expected the furor over Albert Pujols leaving to quickly die down. Albert's wife Deidre had other designs. Deidre Pujols has grown tired of all of the hate that has been directed at the Pujols family since Albert decided to leave St. Louis. Ms. Pujols had several things to say during a radio interview this week. The Cards never offered a guaranteed 10 year contract and the Pujols family was stunned when the Cardinals begun the negotiations with a 5 year, $130 million offer. This offer apparently caught Albert off guard as he believed the Cards stated goal of keeping Albert a Cardinal for life. I found the discussion about Arte Moreno very interesting. Here is how Moreno was described: Moreno was aggressive, and used a personal approach to negotiations, the former Cardinals first baseman said, "We just heard something that was different from business." The fans of St. Louis have long been known as great baseball fans. It appears that the Cardinal brass have not communicated exactly how the negotiations went and I think it is clear why. They Cards don't want to bear the wrath of the Cardinal faithful. Instead, the wave of hate has been directed to the Pujols' family. The couple acknowledged Saturday afternoon that local support for their St. Louis-based Pujols Family Foundation has already eroded. Deidre said she has "never seen hatred spread so fast, and I understand why. Let me say that Albert and I never, not one time, intended to leave the city." It is seems that this card was misplayed...
Oh Ryan, how could you? I am sure that many baseball fans had this reaction when it was learned that Braun tested positive for peds. Interesting thing, how did this positive test come to light? There is one good thing about this positive test, critics can no longer say that baseball is not catching their best players. What a shame though...I guess we will never again see the best players not suspected of "artificial" help.
Did you know that MLB's new labor agreement has new rule changes coming next year?
- expanded video to assist umpires with fair/foul balls and potential trapped plays.
- expansion of the time for the All Star break.
- allowing teams from the same division to meet in the playoffs before the league championship series.
- a ban on players getting tattoos with corporate logos.
- the possibility of players wearing microphones during games.
I give up. I have been converted to whatever Tebow is doing in Denver. I have never been a Tebow fan and felt that he would have limited success in the NFL. I was wrong. For all that Tim Tebow cannot do as a QB, he can win. It should be noted that he also has a pretty good defense. How I wish what he has could be bottled and sent to Dallas. Dallas has invented new ways to lose games this year. The loss to the Giants was another notch in the failing December report card for Tony Romo. Many fans will blame this loss on Romo for not being able to find a wide open Miles Austin on a crucial third down play that would have given Dallas a first down and almost assuredly guaranteed Dallas a win. I have a different take on this game. Dallas had a 12 point lead with 5 minutes to go. Rob Ryan's defense was unable to stop Eli and the Giants from scoring, twice. Dallas had zero sacks in this game and each time Ryan dialed up pressure, Eli burned the Dallas defense. It is okay though as Jerry has promised that Jason Garrett's job is not in jeopardy...yet.
Oh and congrats to Harvey's Cardinals for beating the 49ers from San Franciso. I have to admit that they are playing pretty well. If they ever find a QB, they could actually do some damage.
I had decided not to write anymore about the Sandusky situation...until today. Although I hope that Sandusky spends the rest of his miserable life suffering for what he has done, I still find it interesting why he would choose the attorney that is representing him. Why would you do this?
1-800-Reality is a gay sex line. As an attorney, would you not make sure before you said this?
I think Samuel L has the right idea...
That is all I have today, but I will leave you with a bit of Jack Handey:
I'd like to be buried Indian-style, where they put you up on a high rack, above the ground. That way, you could get hit by meteorites and not even feel it.
If you were a poor Indian with no weapons, and a bunch of conquistadors came up to you and asked where the gold was, I don't think it would be a good idea to say, "I swallowed it. So sue me."
Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a few deep thoughts of your own...
Today while I was sitting in the dentist office I was watching Sportscenter and Herm Edwards, Hannah Storm and Adam Scheffter were talking about, you guessed it, Tim Tebow. Scheffter says that not only is Denver caught up in Tebow-mania but the whole country is on-board. First off, I might not represent the entire country, but those I know in it are not Tim Tebow fans, in fact it’s quite the opposite. My dentist, a Falcon season ticket holder is so sick of hearing about Tebow she joked that it makes her wish Favre would come out of retirement. I don’t know if I’d get that carried away but I feel her pain. I don’t know where ESPiN gets its information but the threads I’ve read have not just doubters about his football abilities they’re ticked off by the lack of separation between church and sport and I can’t blame them, this “Touchdown Jesus” mentality is really nauseating.
How many times have we seen a player hit a home run or score a TD and point to the man upstairs then pound his heart with his fist or during an interview proclaim his love for the Lord and thank him for the win, like God is only a fan of his team? That’s what Tebowmania is, and the media is shoveling it down our throats. This kid may be the holiest of Christians, he may tithe half his salary to his church, but when it comes to football and church the only thing they have in common is both are popular on Sunday. If Tebow were to make the playoffs and his team is down by two points and they’re going for a field goal with only four seconds left in the game and while praying his place kicker misses wide right, does that mean Jesus is a fan of the opposition? Maybe the miss is God saying, “sorry kid I can’t give you this one because sometimes the answer is NO”.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for religion, but what’s driving this media frenzy isn’t his spectacular QB play, it’s because he’s unlike any other player because he wears his religion on his sleeve and that’s the wrong reason. Football is a team sport and your team only wins when a lot of things work together and just because the Broncos have been able to pencil in a few wins doesn’t mean that his mediocre skills are being enhanced because he prays, if that’s the case then we should expect the Bronco’s to win out and there goes Green Bay’s perfect season. Something tells me that Aaron Rodgers might have something to say about that and the only thing I’ve seen him do is celebrate a TD using the Discount Double Check, but no praying.
His fandom is so blinded by a few wins they’re forgetting that four of these wins were by a FG, one was by 4 points, 5 of the 6 never had more than 18 points scored, Denver was romped by the Lions and they only scored more than 20 once in a 38-24 win over that offensive power house Oakland. His stats in 11 games – 96/198 for a scorching 48% completion rate and 1,944 yds, 11 TD’s, 2 INT, 4 fumbles and an 83.4 passer rating. These are the numbers for this rising star, pretty mediocre eh? Let’s look at another QB for comparison, I think we can all agree Mark Sanchez is pretty average, nothing spectacular is ever expected from this guy…here’s his numbers – in 13 games, 242/426, 56% completion avg, 2,859 yds, 21 TD’s, 11 picks, 4 fumbles. If you’re Sanchez and look at this you’d probably think the only thing missing is a TD Jesus pose, add that to his repertoire and he just might end up winning the Super Bowl.
There’s someone else out there that might be sick of hearing Tebow’s name thrown around and that’s Cam Newton. If we’re only looking at stats, Newton has an argument too. We know that Carolina is still rebuilding but Newton has certainly demonstrated he’s got game – in 13 games Newton is 270-452 for a 59.7% pass comps, 3,573 yds, 15 TD’s, 16 INT’s and only 3 fumbles for a 81.1 Passer rating. Looking at Sanchez and Newton it would appear the only thing missing is religion, my question – If God has anything to do with what’s going on in Denver why do these two QB’s have better stats? And just for the record, I realize that Tebow played 2 less games, but honestly, would he make up the difference if he had those two starts under his belt? I doubt it. Tebow is hardly a superstar and he doesn’t do it alone but if you watch the highlights you’d swear he was the only guy on the field, well him and the Good Lord.
