Saints vs Colts at the Superbowl

This has been an aggravating day. The Jets lost, and then the massive upset with the Vikings losing as well.

Considering how the Jets played against the Chargers last week it is no major shock that they lost today. They played a poor game, and let the Colts control the tempo of the game. Much of the loss can be blamed on the inexperience of quarterback Sanchez (though the late hit he took in the second half that the refs ignored didn't help). Given the added experience of another season Sanchez will likely grow into a NFL quarterback of contention, but this was not his post-season. A shame though, since he looked ready to go all the way in the first half.

More upseting is the loss of the Vikings. Even with the 2 interceptions of Farve, the only conclusion has to be that the rest of the offense let him down. The flurry of fumbles cost the Vikings 3 chances to score and win the game. Not to mention several questionable penalties, and a couple that were just blatantly bad plays.

Farve took hits all game long. He was being hit like a ping pong ball. And the game surely would have been different if he was getting more protection. Still, you have to admire his resolve to stay in the game and keep going. His will and the defense made all the differnce.

But you just have to be pissed off when you consider that the Viking s controlled the ball over 35 minutes of the game before overtime. They cleared over 450 yards in over 75 plays and held the Saints for about 77 yards in the second half. To say the Vikings dominated the game in all but the score would be an understatement.

So looking forward what can we see?

The Colts will be the favorites. I'd say by 7 maybe 10 points. They are more experienced, have been in the big game before, and looked more in control than when compared to the Saints today. Given that this is the first time that the Saints have made it to the Super Bowl, and that alone is motivation to win.

While I will of course watch the game, I really could care less who wins. Neither the Saints nor Colts are teams I ever have cared about. They are not major teams that have hordes of fans, like say the Giants, Dallas, even Miami. But they are more followed than the Browns (outside of Cleveland), the Lions, or say the Jaguars. Still, I have no motivation to pick either for the win.

I imagine the Super Bowl this year will be a blowout game. Not quite as bad as the Bears vs the Patriots (a 46-10 rout that was just embarrassing to watch). But it won't be close either.

In a way it will be the perfect game to symbolize the year that has passed. Fewer Super Bowl commercials with less flair. Lesser teams that have smaller followings. A promise of a new chapter for one team, with a far more experienced team waiting for the chance to pounce. Plus fans that will watch just because they have no better option available.

Indeed, Super Bowl XLIV (44 if you don't recall Roman numerals) is exactly what 2009 was. At least this year we can look forward to the World Cup (though the US won't come close to winning that either).

Jets vs. Chargers - halftime

Ok, so the game is nothing like the complete embarassment that the Vikings gave the Cowboys. But that was somewhat expected (that it would be a different game, not the score).

The Jets look horrible. Sanchez looks like he is being out thought and outclassed. His plays are just that bad. Not to mention his REALLY bad choice of spiking the ball with 55 seconds in the 2nd half. He did have a timeout available, and why he didn't use it makes no sense.

But I think the really big play of the game so far has to be the penalty of the 2nd half. Chargers had the ball and made a pass. It was about 10:30 in the 2nd quarter. The Chargers (I forget the players) catch the ball in the air, comes down with both feet, is hit by the Jets player and drops the ball. The jets player then goes on to recover the ball. It is called an incomplete pass.

What was the ref smoking. If this were a play by the sideline, where the ball was caught and both feet were in it would have been called a completed pass. If the play was in the middle of the field and the Charger just dropped the ball after this catch it would have been a fumble. But how this was not a completed pass I don't understand. Control, both feet on the ground, what else does it take to make a completion.

But that is the nature of the game so far. I believe there have been some 8 or 9 penalties, most being technical and stupid, between both teams. But this, plus the inexperience of Sanchez have led to a game that is a bit plodding and lopsided towards the Chargers favor.

The fact that it took 5 possesions before the Jets made a first down says a lot about wehat the outcome may be in this game. It may just be 7 - 0 Chargers favor at the half but it looks like the game is over. The Jets need to run the ball and make short completions. Sanchez needs to think about what he is doing.

Between bad plays, bad punts, bad time management, and refs with lopsided penalties that don't exist the game appears headed for an outcome not unlike the 34 - 3 landslide for the Vikings. I'd say that if the Jets don't get their collective heads out of their asses the game will be 28 - 7.

But if Sanchex can calm down, and if Rivas can make a couple of plays like the final seconds of the 2nd half (running back a failed wide field goal attempt, made it to the 35), we could see a football game. We might see a score of 14 - 24 or 10 - 27 with either team winning.

The Giants are out of it so the default for me is to see the Jets win. But so far I don't see how they can. But that's just half-time chatter.

Fall 2008 broadcast television season

Next week starts the new television season. New shows and many old ones will be back, seeking to gain your attention. Now I rarely watch broadcast television these days because the general tone is mind-numbing programs meant to keep you in one place while you get to see the television commercials that are the real important point. But what will this season bring?

Well on Monday the big winner is the return of the Sarah Connor Chronicles. The continuation of the Terminator movies in a TV format. This should also receive and give a boost to the up-coming Terminator movie that takes place after the machines have made their first strike.

Of course there is Monday Night Football. Or you can watch celebrities dance.

For Tuesday hands-down House is the winner. This show has a great lead actors, intelligent writing, and is bitingly sarcastic. All winning parts in a television show to me. But this might be a bit too high-brow for some.

That means in the same time slot you can get comatose watching the new version of 90210 – which I despise – or families taking on questions about each other in a ‘revisioned’ family-safe version of the Dating Game. I’d rather watch the original Dating Game re-runs than these 2.

After that you have the choice of going to sleep, watching more celebrities dance, or try on The Menatlist. The Menatlist is basically a broadcast version of Monk, without the neurosis and adding in a lot more guilt. It may be good, but I always tend to prefer the originals to copycats.

Wednesday is the perfect night to work overtime, learn how to play GO, or revisit the coma inducing qualities that television writers these days excel at. Maybe if you are a complete car fanatic you might want to watch one episode of the new Knight Rider program. But I would suggest reading Wuthering Heights. You’ll get the same type of thrill.

On Thursday there is the chance to see CSI. With the addition of Laurence Fishburne there are so many interesting storylines that can be tapped into, especially if he becomes a serial murderer. But before that comes on, you can always have a late dinner.

Still some just will insist on watching TV from 8 til 9. So that means Ugly Betty or Smallville. But really, why not catch up on politics, or learn about investing. You’ll do better and save more brain cells.

On Friday you have just enough time to see Everybody Hates Chris, get dressed, and go out for the night. If you are sitting in the home and watching the drivel on TV this night you have to be 80. It’s the perfect time to go to the gym and excercise off the extra pounds you gained mind-melding with the couch earlier in the week.

Saturday you can watch college football, or fix the house like your significant other has been bugging you about. Again if you are in during this night you really have no life. Go bowling, or watch the grass grow if you hate football.

Sunday has 60 minutes and Sunday Night Football. The Simpson’s are too old, King of the Hill is not worth missing the opening kick off, Family Guy is good but can be caught on re-runs at Cartoon Network, and American Dad is too on and off.

Now later in the season Lost will return. I don’t see the excitement. Scrubs should be worth the time even on a new channel. Fear anything on the CW, and CBS as no winners coming in late.

24 is sure to be a great television show, and well worth the time. American Idol will sadly return to lower the collective IQ’s of America. Such is the fate of ‘reality TV’. Law & Order is a constant comfort, and a safe bet.

So this is my suggestion overall. Stop watching so much television. If 5 or 6 days out of the week you are watching broadcast TV you are in trouble. But if you have to watch something try this.

Monday – football of course.
Tuesday – Eureka
Wednesday – Mythbusters
Thursday – read a book, go out, or catch up on politics until time for CSI
Friday – Just go out
Saturday – enjoy real life, maybe have friends over for football and poker
Sunday – football and get some sleep.

Now this is not the perfect schedule. There is too much football. But it’s about as much television as anyone really needs. If you want to round out the missing or in-between hours I suggest the news.

Potential football stars that already shine

Football is an America standard. Its fans are at least as passionate as any baseball fan, devoted more than in basketball, and the most intense game for players from the earliest grades. Fathers rarely stand prouder than when their son throws the winning touchdown pass, or catches it – even though if after that moment a television camera is on hand and the player calls out to mom.

Such is the phenom of football. Such is America.

So there should be no surprise that I mention Oaks Christian High School. Never heard of it? It’s a private high school that in 2006 had Jimmy Clausen, the best in the nation’s high schools as quarterback who then went to Notre Dame, Marc Tyler, now at USC, and another 9 players that are now in Division 1 schools. Oaks Christian may be a private school but it has groomed many gridiron heroes.

Still if you are not familiar with this school I doubt you will continue to be unaware of it. That’s because there are 3 players whose future holds the torches of their fathers before them. The sons are Trevor Gretsky, Nick Montana, and Trey Smith. Yep, dad for these 3 are Wayne Gretsky, Joe Montana, and Will Smith.

Now if you were paying attention to this high school earlier you might have noticed that the elder Smith and Gretsky appear at these games. In fact the helicopter used by Will Smith to get to one of his son's games may have been hard to miss. It might not be eco-friendly, but I’d have been damn proud to see my dad fly in just to watch me play.

But if you are expecting to catch the games, the sons, or their famous fathers and family on Access Hollywood or the various celebrity rags you’re going to wait a long time. The school has banned Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight, and security is on a constant watch for paparazzi. And in case there are any real media hoping to capture the son of one of the best Black actors in this generation, or arguably any, he is a media blackout. Trey is off-limits to all media.

Now I applaud Will Smith’s decision. There is enough pressure in high school, and it’s amped up being in football. Add to that the fact that recruiters and scouts are at all the games and it’s a boiler. No need for the added scrutiny of mobs of reporters and camera toting yahoos.

But I understand Wayne Gretsky allowing his son to be photographed. His son is good (though not at hockey which he doesn’t play at all) and with the schools reputation for top division schools getting used to the media is part of the drill. [I believe that all their sons are too young and will not include their photos. Were they in movies or television and thus the public eye already I would have a different opinion.]

So expect to hear more in the next couple of years about college and the names Gretsky, Montana, and Smith. And for the football fans, Gretsky – quarterback JV, Montana – quarterback new to team, Smith – receiver JV.

As for me, I wish the kids good luck. And most of all I want to mention the son and father currently ignored by the media frenzy on the famous fathers. The son is Tony Macarena who is the Varsity quarterback for Oaks Christian. Tony is 5’ 11” in the class of 2009. I believe he is looking to go to Fresno State. His father is Sergio Macarena. He should be applauded for the fact he has a son going to college and an excellent athlete – in that order. And it should be noted that the elder Macarena “lifts furniture” for a living. If nothing else he deserves a mention for that.

Roger Clemens vs. Congress - 2.13.2008.1

Is it just me, or do most agree that the current Congressional inquiry on steroids in baseball a waste of money and time. I mean I really don’t care if Roger Clemens used steroids or not. It doesn’t change a thing in the world nor improve my life at all.

This is going to cost the American public tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars. It’s taken multiple days so far, and who knows how many more in the future. In the end, nothing dramatic will change. There might be a few notations in the stats, and maybe a player or 2 will be denied entry into the baseball Hall of Fame. And life as well as the MLB will continue unabated.

This is not worthy of the attention it is garnering. It’s not worth the money. It’s really pointless for Congress to delve into this. It’s an internal baseball issue, one that fans can address by refusing to go to games until assurances can be made that every player is steroids free. But the actual fact is most fans don’t care. They just want to be entertained.

If Roger Clemens goes to jail, there will still be steroids in baseball. If he does not go to jail, there will be steroids in baseball. There is too much money at stake for there not to be steroids in baseball, football, basketball and every other professional sport that exists today (with the exception of perhaps curling). That is a reality that invalidates all the hoopla that is surrounding the Congressional hearing today.

But the news is wasting our time covering every word. Congressman Waxman is again involved in an action that serves no purpose beyond wasting the taxpayers’ money. [If I recall correctly Congressman Waxman was involved in the investigation of Alberto Gonzalez and the firing of attorneys that had positions at the pleasure of the President. At the end of that waste of money and time in 2007, the conclusion was that no law was broken – as that was impossible to break a law - and that the individuals were still fired. No change except for spending my taxes and the time that was not spent on important issues like Darfur, or the Child Soldier Prevention Act.]

Am I wrong? Do you care about this? Will this affect your lives in any manner? I really would like to hear a justification for this waste.

New York Giants are going to the Super Bowl

Wow, what a close game. The New York Giants did it in overtime. After field goal kicker Tynes screwed up multiple attempts to win the game in regular time the playoff game went into overtime.

It was looking bad when Green Bay had the possession of the ball until Webster made a critical interception for the Giants. This lead to Tynes having another, and the longest, field goal attempt. 47 yards. The pit of my stomach felt empty considering his earlier attempts.

But he made the kick, with barely enough height to cross the bar. Now the Giants will be making it to the Super Bowl! I am pleased, especially with all those that thought they couldn’t do it.

Do I expect the Giants to win? Always. I can’t bet on their games because everyone knows I always bet for them. The Super Bowl will be no different.

So I congratulate the New York Giants on their win today, in the 3rd most cold football game on record.

Go Giants!