things from thin air

Uh, not much of a game last night, sorry to any OSU fans. Up 10-0, and then giving up 31 straight points...this was supposed to be a game, not a charity exhibition. Not too much stuck out of this game for me, I wasn't watching it very closely. Except this-the guy that blocked the field goal for LSU, Ricky Jean-Francois, was talking to someone during the trophy ceremony and they mentioned he was suspended for the 1st 12 games this year. Immediately I perked up on the couch and I'm pretty sure I gave my confused dog face to the TV, "rrruh??"-that means he missed the season, kids. He showed up for the SEC Championship game and the BCS title game...that's it. I know college football is a sham, but this is a bit much for even me. The kid can miss the whole season for academic/disciplinary reasons but it's okay to play in the really big games? Nice message to the rest of the kids. Anyone want to bet me that kid is in jail in the next 5 years? Now I have a reason to hate LSU, perfect. I'm not saying OSU coach Jim Tressel would've done anything different, hell, he had Maurice Clarett win him a national title, but this is still pretty sad, at least in my eyes.
Does anyone else think the Devil is looking at Roger Clemens' press conference yesterday and thinking, "Dude, that is fucked up!". I know there are many writers and radio-screamers out there giving all sorts of opinions on this latest episode. The articles on espn.com right now are pretty good, especially by Shaun Assel and Jemele Hill. I'm offended for Clemens former trainer, and good ol' Rog is being who we from New England knew he was all along-just a snake oil salesman only concerned with his own legacy and name. You stay classy Roger, and I can't wait to see you fumble and sweat like McGwire in front of Congress. Oh, and keep messing with the IRS and FBI, they love that. Ask Barry Bonds. They only spent 4 years tracking down Bonds, how long do you think they'd bat you around? I'm reminded of a long time ago when I went to a baseball card show at the Sheraton Tara in Nashua, NH-people were lined up out the front door to get your autograph, for a mere $35 (we're talking late 80's here people, think of how much that is to a 12/13 yr. old). I wouldn't wait in line for that. I've got 2 autographs in my life, Carlton Fisk (a complete jackass to an 11 yr. old me) and Jerry Rice (one of the nicest people I've ever met), and I'm keeping them forever. Kids don't forget, Rocket, and this one, along with numerous others from that time and place, never will forget what a schmuck you were, how you bailed on your obligations and how you were one of the first "it's all about me" guys we'd ever see on our teams.
Every kid gets to see one now, in every city with a team. You know what the real funny thing is when guys like Clemens leave? Your team wins-addition by subtraction. It's the same reason I'm thrilled the Yankees paid A-Rod for the next 10 years. Think he'd ever hit the other way to move a guy from 1st to 3rd? Me neither. Jeter? Kind of been his M.O. since day 1 in The Show.
So ESPN is also bringing up some old stuff and trying to pass it off as new....they are claming Jacksonville Jaguar Paul Spicer is giving the Patriots bulletin board material, with something he said in September. That's kind of sad, don't you think. The Patriots don't need bulletin board material from anyone. Besides, Bill Belichick already had that up in the locker room. ESPN is running along a very thin line of journalism, and this, in my estimation, is crossing over it. You report the news, you do not invent it, or become involved in it.
Did anyone catch the Celtics at the Lakers a few days ago? I didn't, but I saw pictures, and boy was it scary. The Lakers decided to pay tribute to some of their older teams by playing in the old uniforms, and the noteworthy thing was the early 80 short-shorts. I will never love Michael Jordan, but I am thrilled that he brought about the baggy short look. I can't even imagine wearing nut-huggers now, they'd feel like boxer briefs. I may not have a whole bunch of business to show, but I for damn sure don't need it out there in HD. Yikes!!! The worst part of this whole thing is that after the game Kobe Bryant stated that he "felt violated". Uh, Kobester, just a lil' friendly advice from a stocky, bald white guy with no vertical leap-take it if you'd like, leave it if you don't-maybe someone who has been accused of sodomy/rape, settled a lawsuit out of court, and bought his wife (that he definitely cheated on) an 8-carat diamond "apology" ring shouldn't be using phrases like "I felt violated". Just file that one away, for future reference.
As for the playoffs over the weekend (do you hear me yelling that, NCAA?), I thought the games were pretty good, but none really intrigued me, nor surprised me. Yes, I went 2-2 in my picks. I personally blame Chris Brown for me going 2-2, and Santana Moss for me not going 3-1. There, I said it. Kidding, kind of. My recaps:
Washington @ Seattle-the biggest thing that I noticed, and I'm wondering if I was the only one, was how freakin' long it took for the ball to get from Todd Collins' hand to his receivers! I felt like I was watching reruns of old Chiefs games with Steve DeBerg. John Grisham wrote novels on 10 yard out routes from the far hash. Everytime Collins threw to the far side of the field I kept waiting for the ball to be pick-6'ed. But this is not to lay all blame at the feet (er, arm) of Todd Collins of Walpole, MA. Nope. He had receivers who apparently forgot that they need to look the ball in, as I saw at least 5 drops, in the hands. And Santana Moss, you make me kind of nauseous. How could you not go after that ball? But don't you worry, he wasn't the only one all weekend to play it weak at the WR spot. Kudos to Seattle's D, they showed up large, harassed Collins all day, and held Clinton Portis in check, they earned the win.
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh-I told anyone that would listen or read this that Jacksonville would win. I thought they'd win more convincingly, but thanks to some Gawd-Awful play calling on both sides, it was much closer than it should've been. Jacksonville was up 18 when they decided they were a reincarnation of the old Houston Oilers and got pass-happy. I beg of you to try that this weekend at New England, Asante Samuel would love another playoff TD. And I give credit when it's due, and in Pittsburgh's case, it was due until 2:56 to go in the game. The Steelers saw that they needed to quick pass to get back into the game, and they did that all the way into leading the game. Of course, going for 2 from 12 yards out isn't exactly a great idea, but that's why Omar Tomlin (or is it Mike Epps, I can't keep track of the coach/actor) gets paid the big bucks and I write a blog that 7 people read. But I digress. Pittsburgh had the ball on 3rd and 6, and the call was a QB sweep with Ben Roethlisberger. Uh, just a quick note here, this isn't the 2nd version of Tecmo Bowl when you could run "QB Sweep" with QB Eagles from the shotgun. MMkay? You have a QB that's played a damn fine 2nd half with quick passes, and that's the call from the booth? Did you hit your head, OC Bruce Arians? Did you mistake Big Ben for Slash?? If you had an 8 yard curl to Hines Ward, or Heath Miller, we're discussing your team in the next round. Instead, that play went nowhere, a punt, and then David Garrard kicked it into gear on 4th and 2 play, rumbling for 32 yards setting up the game winning FG. The only other thing that gets me creased about this game is reading how the Offensive Line for the Steelers didn't play well, giving up 6 sacks and no huge holes for the running game. Hold on just a second, here. Did anyone stating this watch the game? BR held onto the ball way too long on at least 3 of those sacks, and backup RB Najeh Davenport did his best pre-week 10 Laurence Maroney impression dancing in the hole. I thought Jacksonville played really well up front, but let's not annoint them with Holy Water just yet (a Parcells reference for you!).
NY Giants @ Tampa Bay-I blew this one, and knew it about halfway thru the 1st quarter. Tampa Bay had a great year, but they have no real speed on offense to stretch the opposing defense. Other than Joey Galloway, who was hurt early, there was nothing. I think their longest play of the game was a 14 yard completion to TE Alex Smith. Without any other threat, NYG could play zone, knowing that no play would go for 20 yards. So it's like playing in confined space. And nice job by the Giants O-Line, they dominated and gave Eli Manning plenty of time to pick apart the Tampa 2 defense. This was a really good job of play calling by Kevin Gilbride, he kept TB on their heels all day, and even went 3-wide on occasion. Eli looked great, and I honestly give the Giants quite a chance to go down to Dallas and beat the Cowboys and Jessica Simpson's boyfriend.
Tennessee @ San Diego-I was right about this one, but I'm not happy about it. Tennessee had this game all but wrapped up in the first half, and then Chris Brown did it again! Just outside the 10, on their way to at least a field goal, he decided to jump over no one. Lights Out/Juiced Up Shawn Merriman hit Brown and caused a fumble. So instead of it being potentially 10-0 and getting to watch Philip Rivers crap himself, I get to watch that clown gain momentum for the 2nd half. And he certainly did just that, Rivers came out like his hair was on fire in the 3rd quarter, throwing for 137 yards. And Tennessee managed to have some gaping holes in their secondary. I'm pretty sure that won't happen in Indy this weekend, but I've been known to be wrong before. Other than awful quarterbacking for most of this game, I will contend that the Titans had a shot, 2 plays killed them. That's how perfect they have to be. And please, Jeff Fisher, get Vince Young an average #1 WR. If Ocho Stinko wants to come to Nashville, pay Cincy the 2nd round pick. It will make a difference, and put a lil' crazy back into the locker room now that Pacman is gone.
The best part about the playoffs so far for me has been the commentary of Boomer Esiason. He's the only one taking anyone to task and refuses to kiss anyone's rear. That's not only to be respected, it's to be commended. He took Pittsburgh out to the woodshed by stating that they'd be sick with themselves the day after their game, and the more he talked, you could see Bill Cowher's chin protude out in front of the camera.

I assure you, tomorrow will not be about sports, it will be about what is going on in some parts of this crazy country....