Showing posts with label joe paterno. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joe paterno. Show all posts
Friday, January 16, 2015
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Reflections on a Day in State College
[Two of my friends, silver fox and Arkansas Fred, went to State College yesterday to pay their respects to the late Joe Paterno, along with Arkansas Fred's dad. I have known them since high school. I roomed with Arkansas Fred for three years at Penn State, and he was also my PSU season-ticket partner for two years. I did not accompany them, so silver fox was kind enough to recount the experience.]
Yesterday, arkansas fred, his dad, and I made the trek to State College to pay our final respects to Joe Paterno. As we left arkasas fred's house in the early morning darkness, I wasn't really sure what to expect both emotionally or from the scene in State College.
We arrived in town about 8:30 a.m., parked the car, and headed to the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. The cold, dreary, gray weather reflected the mood. As we approached the center, we came upon an already long line stretching from the center and down the campus sidewalks. Some mourners sniffled and fought back tears, others stared blankly or stood quietly, others talked quietly to each other. News cameras and photographers documented the scene. We took our place in line and waited for our few moments with Joe. A few students passed out hot chocolate and collected donations for THON.
After about an hour and 45 minutes in line, we stood in front of Joe's casket. We each took our brief private moment with Joe, paying our respects and saying goodbye. As the line exited the building, Joe's son Scott stood and greeted every single person. One middle-aged lady was crying, and he just said "come here" and hugged her. We each offered our condolences to him and went back out into the cold State College morning.
From there we strolled up and down College Ave., stopping in stores and taking in the tributes that were posted in nearly every shop window. One had a picture of Joe leading the Nittany Lions onto the field, flanked by two other pictures of the legendary coach, with a a sign that simply read "Thanks Joe! We'll Remember." The student bookstore sign read "Coach Paterno The Greatest Ever" on one side and "Joe Pa will be with us forever" on the other. Other stores painted Coach's image on their windows or had signs that read some of his quotes, my favorite being one that talked about him wanting to be remembered more for making Penn State a better place than how good a football coach he was. Mission accomplished, Joe.
From there we ate some lunch, stopped by the mural with the freshly painted halo over Joe's head, and headed home. We stopped by the statue at the stadium, which was surrounded by a crowd as it has been for the past three days now, and we took in the hundreds of mementos that surrounded the base of the statue and covered the walls surrounding the statue. It turned into a very therapeutic day. Seeing the love and the tributes, being around so many people who were feeling the way you were, it made you feel a little better.
I feel better realizing that it doesn't matter what his legacy is to others. Because I know what it is to me. It doesn't matter what someone who has no connection to Joe, to Penn State, or to the state of Pennsylvania thinks. Because I know what everyone who has one or more of those connections thinks. I know those who were impacted by Joe either directly or indirectly, those are the people that understand, and those are the people who matter. Those are the people who will carry on and pass on Joe's values and Joe's lessons. And that is his legacy.
Yesterday, arkansas fred, his dad, and I made the trek to State College to pay our final respects to Joe Paterno. As we left arkasas fred's house in the early morning darkness, I wasn't really sure what to expect both emotionally or from the scene in State College.
We arrived in town about 8:30 a.m., parked the car, and headed to the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. The cold, dreary, gray weather reflected the mood. As we approached the center, we came upon an already long line stretching from the center and down the campus sidewalks. Some mourners sniffled and fought back tears, others stared blankly or stood quietly, others talked quietly to each other. News cameras and photographers documented the scene. We took our place in line and waited for our few moments with Joe. A few students passed out hot chocolate and collected donations for THON.
After about an hour and 45 minutes in line, we stood in front of Joe's casket. We each took our brief private moment with Joe, paying our respects and saying goodbye. As the line exited the building, Joe's son Scott stood and greeted every single person. One middle-aged lady was crying, and he just said "come here" and hugged her. We each offered our condolences to him and went back out into the cold State College morning.
From there we strolled up and down College Ave., stopping in stores and taking in the tributes that were posted in nearly every shop window. One had a picture of Joe leading the Nittany Lions onto the field, flanked by two other pictures of the legendary coach, with a a sign that simply read "Thanks Joe! We'll Remember." The student bookstore sign read "Coach Paterno The Greatest Ever" on one side and "Joe Pa will be with us forever" on the other. Other stores painted Coach's image on their windows or had signs that read some of his quotes, my favorite being one that talked about him wanting to be remembered more for making Penn State a better place than how good a football coach he was. Mission accomplished, Joe.
From there we ate some lunch, stopped by the mural with the freshly painted halo over Joe's head, and headed home. We stopped by the statue at the stadium, which was surrounded by a crowd as it has been for the past three days now, and we took in the hundreds of mementos that surrounded the base of the statue and covered the walls surrounding the statue. It turned into a very therapeutic day. Seeing the love and the tributes, being around so many people who were feeling the way you were, it made you feel a little better.
I feel better realizing that it doesn't matter what his legacy is to others. Because I know what it is to me. It doesn't matter what someone who has no connection to Joe, to Penn State, or to the state of Pennsylvania thinks. Because I know what everyone who has one or more of those connections thinks. I know those who were impacted by Joe either directly or indirectly, those are the people that understand, and those are the people who matter. Those are the people who will carry on and pass on Joe's values and Joe's lessons. And that is his legacy.
Monday, January 23, 2012
A Moment of Silence on Joe Paterno
I'm not writing a memorial or my own personal obituary on the passing of Joe Paterno, and no one is more shocked about that revelation than me. I've spent my entire life prior to November as a Penn Stater who idolized Joe Paterno — long before I attended Penn State's University Park campus for four years.
I met him as a child at a luncheon, taking a picture with the legendary coach and getting his autograph. I saw him Saturday after Saturday from the moment I remember having the ability to see things, and I always envisioned him living forever. Then, as I got older and wiser and discovered that no one can outrun death, I always imagined him dying on the field on game day, most likely in Beaver Stadium in front 110,000 people who flocked to State College in large part because of him.
As we all know, things did not end that way. After the scandal broke and he was summarily fired, I think everyone knew he'd be gone in a matter of months, if not sooner. Unsurprisingly, that's what happened, an old man left with his legacy tarnished and his health failing him deciding it was time to hang the black shoes up.
Given my own history as a Penn State graduate and lifelong Nittany Lion, I thought I'd have something profound to say, or at least something heartfelt and earnest like I did when the great Harry Kalas passed away. But as I've read the obituaries, the good and the bad, I'm left with nothing more to invest emotionally in this whole entire mess. I don't want to write a glowing tribute to the man I knew for the majority of my life, and I don't want to downplay his great deeds nor his fatal downfall. Truth be told, I don't want to think about Joe Paterno at all right now, as selfish as that sounds.
I've been a part of Penn State my entire life and continue to be a part of the university. I should have something to say about the most important man in Penn State history. But words fail me. I've been thinking about Penn State and Joe Paterno and a horrifying scandal too much as it is. I just don't have any energy left. In time, maybe that will change. In fact, I imagine it probably will.
But today, I'm left with nothing to add, nothing to share, nothing to say. Joe Paterno is dead, and all I can contribute is a moment of silence.
I met him as a child at a luncheon, taking a picture with the legendary coach and getting his autograph. I saw him Saturday after Saturday from the moment I remember having the ability to see things, and I always envisioned him living forever. Then, as I got older and wiser and discovered that no one can outrun death, I always imagined him dying on the field on game day, most likely in Beaver Stadium in front 110,000 people who flocked to State College in large part because of him.
As we all know, things did not end that way. After the scandal broke and he was summarily fired, I think everyone knew he'd be gone in a matter of months, if not sooner. Unsurprisingly, that's what happened, an old man left with his legacy tarnished and his health failing him deciding it was time to hang the black shoes up.
Given my own history as a Penn State graduate and lifelong Nittany Lion, I thought I'd have something profound to say, or at least something heartfelt and earnest like I did when the great Harry Kalas passed away. But as I've read the obituaries, the good and the bad, I'm left with nothing more to invest emotionally in this whole entire mess. I don't want to write a glowing tribute to the man I knew for the majority of my life, and I don't want to downplay his great deeds nor his fatal downfall. Truth be told, I don't want to think about Joe Paterno at all right now, as selfish as that sounds.
I've been a part of Penn State my entire life and continue to be a part of the university. I should have something to say about the most important man in Penn State history. But words fail me. I've been thinking about Penn State and Joe Paterno and a horrifying scandal too much as it is. I just don't have any energy left. In time, maybe that will change. In fact, I imagine it probably will.
But today, I'm left with nothing to add, nothing to share, nothing to say. Joe Paterno is dead, and all I can contribute is a moment of silence.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Saddened, Disgusted, Heartbroken and Distraught
That's how I feel about my university right now. I've spent my entire life admiring Pennsylvania State University for its integrity, loyalty and dedication to molding young adults into leaders, an ideal encapsulated by head football coach Joe Paterno.
I've never honestly felt anything but pride for my alma mater — before, during and after I was a student there. It's the only school I applied to, the only place I wanted to go. Sure, there were times I was angry with some policies, disappointed with athletic results and frustrated with administrators, but I always could take pride in the way the university went about its business.
Now that entire feeling has been shattered. One disturbing, disgusting old man betrayed the trust of children under the guise of help, and the actions of this one horrible human being — and no matter how great of a coach Jerry Sandusky was, anyone who disagrees that he is an absolute monster is as sick as he is — have snowballed into a complete catastrophe.
Right now, people want heads to roll, and rightfully so. I am as big of a Penn State supporter as there's ever been, but I just cannot fathom anyone surviving this. Forget whether the allegations are true or false for a minute, as hard as that is to do. Just think of the simple fact that not a single one of these men named in the investigation reported potential child abuse to police. That is despicable and unforgivable.
Tim Curley and Gary Schultz should have been fired immediately. Joe Paterno and Mike McQueary should be the next ones to step down. And frankly, Graham Spanier should not be far behind, not after declaring his unwavering support for those indicted on perjury charges.
Forget what the minimum legal guidelines are. By all accounts, Paterno and McQueary met those standards, for which they should be credited. But the fact of the matter is everyone involved knew something inappropriate occurred between Sandusky and a minor, and none of them went to the police. Neither McQueary nor Paterno ever followed up with Curley and Schultz after essentially nothing was done. You can provide lip service all you want to protecting children is of utmost importance, but the fact of the matter is it wasn't to any of these men in this case. If it was, all of them would have went police immediately — not just one of them, but all of them. Yet no one did.
I can't even begin to tell you how heartbroken I am for the children and families that have had to go through this. They are the most important entities here, the people my university completely and utterly failed to protect. They must live with the deplorable events for the rest of their lives.
Selfishly, I'm also heartbroken for Penn State and its countless alumni all over the world. Everything we have been led to believe has now been irreversibly tarnished. Pride is no longer the first thing we think of when we think about our university.
I have tickets to senior day against Nebraska, a huge game between two ranked teams with giant conference implications. Just a few days ago, I couldn't have been more excited to go. Now I don't even want to make the trip because I'm so ashamed of the actions from high-ranking officials at my alma mater, members of the coaching staff included. It just feels wrong to support anything Penn State right now, a sad reaction indeed.
No one is without guilt here if any ounce of this is true, and it seems pretty clear that's the case. After 50-plus years of the "success with honor" motto being a staple of Penn State football and the university as a whole, it's all come crashing down.
There is no honor to be had here, and there won't be for some time. This won't be going away anytime soon. And as a once-proud alum, I am saddened, disgusted, heartbroken and distraught. Imagine how those innocent young boys and their families must feel.
I've never honestly felt anything but pride for my alma mater — before, during and after I was a student there. It's the only school I applied to, the only place I wanted to go. Sure, there were times I was angry with some policies, disappointed with athletic results and frustrated with administrators, but I always could take pride in the way the university went about its business.
Now that entire feeling has been shattered. One disturbing, disgusting old man betrayed the trust of children under the guise of help, and the actions of this one horrible human being — and no matter how great of a coach Jerry Sandusky was, anyone who disagrees that he is an absolute monster is as sick as he is — have snowballed into a complete catastrophe.
Right now, people want heads to roll, and rightfully so. I am as big of a Penn State supporter as there's ever been, but I just cannot fathom anyone surviving this. Forget whether the allegations are true or false for a minute, as hard as that is to do. Just think of the simple fact that not a single one of these men named in the investigation reported potential child abuse to police. That is despicable and unforgivable.
Tim Curley and Gary Schultz should have been fired immediately. Joe Paterno and Mike McQueary should be the next ones to step down. And frankly, Graham Spanier should not be far behind, not after declaring his unwavering support for those indicted on perjury charges.
Forget what the minimum legal guidelines are. By all accounts, Paterno and McQueary met those standards, for which they should be credited. But the fact of the matter is everyone involved knew something inappropriate occurred between Sandusky and a minor, and none of them went to the police. Neither McQueary nor Paterno ever followed up with Curley and Schultz after essentially nothing was done. You can provide lip service all you want to protecting children is of utmost importance, but the fact of the matter is it wasn't to any of these men in this case. If it was, all of them would have went police immediately — not just one of them, but all of them. Yet no one did.
I can't even begin to tell you how heartbroken I am for the children and families that have had to go through this. They are the most important entities here, the people my university completely and utterly failed to protect. They must live with the deplorable events for the rest of their lives.
Selfishly, I'm also heartbroken for Penn State and its countless alumni all over the world. Everything we have been led to believe has now been irreversibly tarnished. Pride is no longer the first thing we think of when we think about our university.
I have tickets to senior day against Nebraska, a huge game between two ranked teams with giant conference implications. Just a few days ago, I couldn't have been more excited to go. Now I don't even want to make the trip because I'm so ashamed of the actions from high-ranking officials at my alma mater, members of the coaching staff included. It just feels wrong to support anything Penn State right now, a sad reaction indeed.
No one is without guilt here if any ounce of this is true, and it seems pretty clear that's the case. After 50-plus years of the "success with honor" motto being a staple of Penn State football and the university as a whole, it's all come crashing down.
There is no honor to be had here, and there won't be for some time. This won't be going away anytime soon. And as a once-proud alum, I am saddened, disgusted, heartbroken and distraught. Imagine how those innocent young boys and their families must feel.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Happy Birthday, Joe
Today, legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno turns 84. He is the all-time leader in major college football victories, the only man to reach 400, and there's never been a hint of a major NCAA violation in his 45 seasons as head coach.
He's won two national championships, had five undefeated seasons, donated millions of dollars to the university and helped shape the lives of countless young men. For all I care, he could coach until he's 100 years old. He's earned the right.
Happy birthday, Joe.
He's won two national championships, had five undefeated seasons, donated millions of dollars to the university and helped shape the lives of countless young men. For all I care, he could coach until he's 100 years old. He's earned the right.
Happy birthday, Joe.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
400 Wins and Why I No Longer Enjoy the NFL
On Saturday afternoon, I watched Penn State come storming back from a 21-0 deficit to defeat Northwestern 35-21 and give legendary head coach Joe Paterno his 400th career victory.
It was one of the most entertaining games I've ever witnessed — an incredible comeback with hard hitting and huge momentum swings. There wasn't a single flag thrown for an illegal hit to the head, and it was one of the most enjoyable games I've ever watched.
Then on Sunday, I went to the Eagles-Colts game at Lincoln Financial Field, witnessing the Eagles finally defeating Peyton Manning in a 26-24 thriller. Yet it was one of the least enjoyable viewing experiences of my entire life, and it was 100 percent due to the referees wielding entirely too much power on the outcome of the game — most notably two personal foul penalties on the Eagles, one for hitting a defenseless receiver that actually was in the process of catching the ball and the other for Trent Cole grazing Peyton Manning on the back of his helmet.
Both plays led to Colts touchdowns, and one extended a crucial late-game drive on 4th and 18 on a play that would have pretty much iced the game. It was completely and utterly disgusting, the exact reason I am really beginning to hate the NFL.
Now listen, I completely understand the concern over head injuries and the NFL's desire to protect its players, but enough is enough. The absurdity of penalties and fines is reaching all new levels of insanity. Essentially, defensive players aren't allowed to do anything. On the Austin Collie play, Quintin Mikell cleanly hit Collie shoulder to shoulder, never once lowering his head or even hitting Collie with his helmet. Kurt Coleman also did not lead with his head, did not launch himself and went in shoulder first. Unfortunately, due to the impact of Mikell's hit, Collie's head collided with Coleman's head. Collie had the ball on a big gain. Mikell and Coleman simply made a play and knocked the ball loose. It was deemed a penalty because Collie's head dropped and hit into Coleman's. It was a truly horrific call. Both hits were clean, and even the NFL said so, not fining or suspending Coleman for the helmet-to-helmet contact because he didn't initiate it. But still, it was called a penalty, and the Colts scored shortly thereafter.
Then, with the game on the line, the Colts faced a 4th-and-18 with 3:36 remaining and the Eagles holding a 9-point lead. Trent Cole came flying in, slapped toward the ball in Manning's hand, grazed the back of his god damn helmet, then stripped the ball and the game was pretty much over. Except it wasn't, because grazing even the back of a quarterback's head is a penalty in the NFL. Instead of the Eagles having the ball and the game essentially over, the Colts got a first down and wound up scoring a touchdown to make it a 2-point game. I'm sorry, but the referees just shouldn't make that call, not with the game on the line and a 4th and 18 staring the Colts in the face and Cole literally doing nothing more than grazing the back of Peyton's head. But that's the NFL we live in. And it's absolutely disgusting. Defense is completely outlawed these days, and it's making me sick to my stomach. If you're not allowed to hit a receiver that is in the process of catching a pass and not allowed to even touch a quarterback pretty much anywhere, you might as well take off the pads, give everyone flags and change the name of the league to the NFFL — National Flag Football League.
How is it that Saturday after Saturday I can watch college football game after college football game and rarely see these penalties called, yet each and every Sunday, I'm forced to watch yet another penalty called on a clean play? I don't watch football to see yellow flags and men in zebra stripes. I watch football to see big plays, big hits and the best athletes in the world. Anymore, I can't do that watching the NFL. The referees determine too much of what goes on these days. And it's completely ruining my viewing experience. Maybe the NFL should take a long, hard look at what college football is doing, how the NCAA referees generally try to let the players decide the game, and take notes. Because these days, Saturdays are way more enjoyable than Sundays.
Not that I was altogether enjoying myself early on on Saturday. Penn State fell behind Northwestern 21-0 in the first half, and it could have been worst. The Wildcats missed a field goal that would have made it 24-0. The NIttany Lions looked lifeless. The offense was stagnant, moving the ball but then stalling, and the defense was getting eaten alive by Dan Persa. Robert Bolden played the first two series, decently moving the offense but then failing to get any points. Matt McGloin then came in to relieve him and didn't fare any better. This game had blowout written all over it, and after three unsuccessful drives with McGloin at the helm, I was calling for Bolden the rest of the way.
Good thing I'm not the coach. Because despite my protests, Matt McGloin trotted back out there for his fourth series with Penn State trailing 21-0. There were just 50 seconds remaining in the half, the Nittany Lions sat at their own 9-yard line, and they had just one timeout. It looked like they were going to go into halftime with no points and down three touchdowns, and I was already telling my dad that the score would be 35-3 before the third quarter even reached the halfway point. I mean, Northwestern wasn't just dominating, they were doing it in spectacular fashion as well.
Then something crazy happened. With the offensive line suddenly looking the way you expect a Penn State offensive line to look, Evan Royster picked up 7 yards on first down. Then McGloin hit Derek Moye for 9 more, and Evan Royster for another 7 yards after an incomplete pass. There were 35 seconds remaining as Penn State faced a 3rd and 3 at their own 32. They went with a draw play, content to get this thing to halftime if it was sniffed out, but hoping to bust one. That's exactly what happened, as Stephfon Green exploded for 21 yards. Then McGloin hit Graham Zug for a 20 yards, and Joe Suhey for 20 more. All the sudden Penn State was at the Northwestern 7 with 8 seconds remaining. Then bam, McGloin connects with Brett Brackett on an incredible catch by the senior wideout, and all the sudden a game that was a 21-0 rout that felt like 50-0 became a two-touchdown game. Just like that.
At first, I didn't think there was any way Brackett actually got his foot down. But he did. Incredibly. And Penn went into the locker room with life. That can be a scary thing at Beaver Stadium, especially with an electric atmosphere anticipating Joe Paterno's milestone 400th win. And it proved to be the drive that changed the game.
Clearly confident, Penn State came out in the 3rd quarter as a completely different team. The move to McGloin sparked something, and whatever the coaches said and did at halftime worked to perfection. The Nittany Lions completely flipped the script, taking command of the game. They scored touchdowns on all three possessions in the 3rd to take the lead and never looked back. The defense was flying around the field, showing the tenacity that has been the staple of so many Penn State defenses before, something that has been sorely missing this year. And the offense just exploded. Including the final drive of the first half, Penn State scored on five straight possessions, and each score was a touchdown.
The offensive line played by far its best game of the season, completely blowing Northwestern off the ball and opening huge holes for Evan Royster and Silas Redd. And the senior-freshman duo took full advantage. Royster finished with 134 yards on 25 carries, and scored a touchdown on a 13-yard catch. Redd added 131 yards on the ground himself on just 11 carries — an absurd 11.9 average — including a 4-yard touchdown run, and displayed the incredible talent and skill that have many people projecting him as the next great Penn State tailback. Derek Moye continued to pace the Lions in the receiving game, hauling in 5 catches for 85 yards and a score. Joe Suhey added six catches for 67 yards, and Nate Cadogan — offensive lineman turned tight end out of necessity — caught a 3-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the third quarter to make it a one-score game.
As good as all those players were, and as dominant as the offensive line was, the biggest spark that turned the game around was the commitment to stick with McGloin. I don't want to take anything away from Robert Bolden. I like him, and I think he does have a bright future. But there's just something different about this team when McGloin is under center. He's fiery, intense, whereas Bolden is stoic, quiet, emotionless. Maybe it's the fact that McGloin is a little older and been in the program a little longer, but the kid is very clearly a leader. He doesn't have the arm strength, the speed, the raw talent of Bolden, but he has something perhaps even more important in college football. He has command and the respect of his teammates. He is a leader.
And on Saturday, he led Penn State back from a 21-point deficit to get win No. 400 for Paterno by completing 18 of 29 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. No one knows what the future has in store for Bolden and McGloin, but it's clear that right now, McGloin is the best option for the Nittany Lions at quarterback. He will most certainly be the starter the rest of the way.
It wasn't all offense that turned the tides in this game either. After getting embarrassed in the first half, the Penn State defense came out as a completely different group in the 2nd. They absolutely smothered Northwestern and adjusted to the tremendous play of Dan Persa. Sean Stanley made some huge plays, and everyone really picked it up. But there was one player more than any other that stood out.
Two season ago, Mike Mauti was a promising young linebacker expected to be the next great one at Linebacker U. Then he missed last season to an ACL injury, and for a lot this year has struggled to regain his top speed. Well on Saturday, that speed returned. Mauti was a monster in the second half, flying all over the field and disrupting play after play. It was easily his most impressive game of the season, and perhaps the best game of his college career. Without him, there's no telling how the game would have went. The Wildcats were scoring so easily in the first half that it was almost comical. Mauti clearly wasn't laughing, and he decided to change things in the second half.
It was a performance worthy of Linebacker U lore, and it can only be a good sign for Mauti moving forward. Next year, I expect him to be fully recovered and contending for a spot on the All-Big Ten team.
The best part of the entire victory was the way it played out. Down 21-0 in the game and struggling for a good part of the year, it would have been easy for Penn State to just roll over and die. But these players couldn't do that, not with Joe Paterno on the sidelines and on the verge of a milestone. You can say what you want about Paterno's age, his diminished role, the game passing him by. But you can't deny that his players truly love him and truly want to win for him. That's what happened on Saturday night. They knew they couldn't let Coach Paterno down, and they didn't. It was his 400th win, and it couldn't have come in better fashion.
"Let's go beat Ohio State!"
That was fun, and more often than not in my lifetime, being a Penn State fan has be fun. And that's all been due to Joe Paterno and the program, the atmosphere, the community he's built at Penn State. He won't be with us forever. He has far fewer years ahead of him than he has behind him. But as long he's living and breathing and healthy enough to be on those sidelines, he should be, no matter what anyone else says. We are Penn State because Joe Paterno is Penn State. Saturday was proof of that. I hope he lives forever. I really do.
As much as I enjoyed the tremendous victory for Penn State, I couldn't find myself sharing those same feelings on Sunday. Sure, things started out great. We got down to the Linc nice and early, had a great tailgate that included an odd yet incredible combination of a flask of whiskey and a Jewish pickle, and the Eagles even jumped out to a 13-0 lead. But settling for field goals followed by the worst officiated NFL game I've ever been at soured my experience, even with the Eagles holding on for a 26-24 win to defeat Peyton Manning for the first time in history, culminated to put a damper on the game.
Michael Vick was outstanding yet again, throwing for 218 yards and a score on 17 of 29 passing, and adding 74 yards on the ground including a huge 32-yarder and a score. The Eagles remain perfect in games Vick has started and finished, and the man has still not turned the ball over.
DeSean Jackson returned in style, repeatedly burning the Colts' secondary, hauling in 7 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. LeSean McCoy continued his impressive season, gaining 95 yards on 16 carries, including a 62-yarder. And the offense generally moved the ball at will, even with a lack of running plays called at times and the early struggles in the red zone.
Defensively, the Eagles were equally impressive. Yes, they gave up 24 points, but two of those touchdowns were hugely aided by the aforementioned horrendous calls. Dmitri Patterson played admirably in his first career start, and Kurt Coleman was impressive in relief of the injured Nate Allen. And Asante Samuel made the two biggest plays on gifts from Peyton, intercepting Manning twice, on the first and last drives of the night for the Colts. His first led to a David Akers field goal to put the Eagles up 10-0, and his second came on the final pass of the night by Manning, sealing the victory.
As great as it was to see all the playmakers doing what's expected, and as awesome as it was to see Mike Vick outplay Manning, I was really aggravated the entire game. The Colts were gift-wrapped two touchdowns thanks to those two personal foul penalties, and neither penalty was so egregious that it warranted a call. Yes, Collie got injured on one, but the hits were neither illegal or unnecessary. When the flag came out on that play, I lost my god damn mind and officially declared my hatred for the NFL. I still love football and wouldn't dare miss a Birds game, but I really don't and can't enjoy it anymore. I'm a defensive-minded guy. My favorite players have always been big hitters and big-play defenders. Now those guys are no longer allowed to do their jobs, and it makes me sick. I can honestly say that for the first time in my life, I didn't truly enjoy being at the stadium for an Eagles win. I was happy they won, don't get me wrong. But I was just so disgusted by the officiating that I almost wish I hadn't been there.
Football is contact sport. People are going to get hurt. It sucks when it happens, but it's part of the game. Always has been. Always will be. All the fines and rule changes in the world won't change that. All they'll do is continue to ruin my and so many other fans' enjoyment of the game we love so much. Shame on you, Roger Goodell and the NFL. Shame on you.
It was one of the most entertaining games I've ever witnessed — an incredible comeback with hard hitting and huge momentum swings. There wasn't a single flag thrown for an illegal hit to the head, and it was one of the most enjoyable games I've ever watched.
Then on Sunday, I went to the Eagles-Colts game at Lincoln Financial Field, witnessing the Eagles finally defeating Peyton Manning in a 26-24 thriller. Yet it was one of the least enjoyable viewing experiences of my entire life, and it was 100 percent due to the referees wielding entirely too much power on the outcome of the game — most notably two personal foul penalties on the Eagles, one for hitting a defenseless receiver that actually was in the process of catching the ball and the other for Trent Cole grazing Peyton Manning on the back of his helmet.
Both plays led to Colts touchdowns, and one extended a crucial late-game drive on 4th and 18 on a play that would have pretty much iced the game. It was completely and utterly disgusting, the exact reason I am really beginning to hate the NFL.
Now listen, I completely understand the concern over head injuries and the NFL's desire to protect its players, but enough is enough. The absurdity of penalties and fines is reaching all new levels of insanity. Essentially, defensive players aren't allowed to do anything. On the Austin Collie play, Quintin Mikell cleanly hit Collie shoulder to shoulder, never once lowering his head or even hitting Collie with his helmet. Kurt Coleman also did not lead with his head, did not launch himself and went in shoulder first. Unfortunately, due to the impact of Mikell's hit, Collie's head collided with Coleman's head. Collie had the ball on a big gain. Mikell and Coleman simply made a play and knocked the ball loose. It was deemed a penalty because Collie's head dropped and hit into Coleman's. It was a truly horrific call. Both hits were clean, and even the NFL said so, not fining or suspending Coleman for the helmet-to-helmet contact because he didn't initiate it. But still, it was called a penalty, and the Colts scored shortly thereafter.
Then, with the game on the line, the Colts faced a 4th-and-18 with 3:36 remaining and the Eagles holding a 9-point lead. Trent Cole came flying in, slapped toward the ball in Manning's hand, grazed the back of his god damn helmet, then stripped the ball and the game was pretty much over. Except it wasn't, because grazing even the back of a quarterback's head is a penalty in the NFL. Instead of the Eagles having the ball and the game essentially over, the Colts got a first down and wound up scoring a touchdown to make it a 2-point game. I'm sorry, but the referees just shouldn't make that call, not with the game on the line and a 4th and 18 staring the Colts in the face and Cole literally doing nothing more than grazing the back of Peyton's head. But that's the NFL we live in. And it's absolutely disgusting. Defense is completely outlawed these days, and it's making me sick to my stomach. If you're not allowed to hit a receiver that is in the process of catching a pass and not allowed to even touch a quarterback pretty much anywhere, you might as well take off the pads, give everyone flags and change the name of the league to the NFFL — National Flag Football League.
How is it that Saturday after Saturday I can watch college football game after college football game and rarely see these penalties called, yet each and every Sunday, I'm forced to watch yet another penalty called on a clean play? I don't watch football to see yellow flags and men in zebra stripes. I watch football to see big plays, big hits and the best athletes in the world. Anymore, I can't do that watching the NFL. The referees determine too much of what goes on these days. And it's completely ruining my viewing experience. Maybe the NFL should take a long, hard look at what college football is doing, how the NCAA referees generally try to let the players decide the game, and take notes. Because these days, Saturdays are way more enjoyable than Sundays.
Not that I was altogether enjoying myself early on on Saturday. Penn State fell behind Northwestern 21-0 in the first half, and it could have been worst. The Wildcats missed a field goal that would have made it 24-0. The NIttany Lions looked lifeless. The offense was stagnant, moving the ball but then stalling, and the defense was getting eaten alive by Dan Persa. Robert Bolden played the first two series, decently moving the offense but then failing to get any points. Matt McGloin then came in to relieve him and didn't fare any better. This game had blowout written all over it, and after three unsuccessful drives with McGloin at the helm, I was calling for Bolden the rest of the way.
Good thing I'm not the coach. Because despite my protests, Matt McGloin trotted back out there for his fourth series with Penn State trailing 21-0. There were just 50 seconds remaining in the half, the Nittany Lions sat at their own 9-yard line, and they had just one timeout. It looked like they were going to go into halftime with no points and down three touchdowns, and I was already telling my dad that the score would be 35-3 before the third quarter even reached the halfway point. I mean, Northwestern wasn't just dominating, they were doing it in spectacular fashion as well.
Then something crazy happened. With the offensive line suddenly looking the way you expect a Penn State offensive line to look, Evan Royster picked up 7 yards on first down. Then McGloin hit Derek Moye for 9 more, and Evan Royster for another 7 yards after an incomplete pass. There were 35 seconds remaining as Penn State faced a 3rd and 3 at their own 32. They went with a draw play, content to get this thing to halftime if it was sniffed out, but hoping to bust one. That's exactly what happened, as Stephfon Green exploded for 21 yards. Then McGloin hit Graham Zug for a 20 yards, and Joe Suhey for 20 more. All the sudden Penn State was at the Northwestern 7 with 8 seconds remaining. Then bam, McGloin connects with Brett Brackett on an incredible catch by the senior wideout, and all the sudden a game that was a 21-0 rout that felt like 50-0 became a two-touchdown game. Just like that.
At first, I didn't think there was any way Brackett actually got his foot down. But he did. Incredibly. And Penn went into the locker room with life. That can be a scary thing at Beaver Stadium, especially with an electric atmosphere anticipating Joe Paterno's milestone 400th win. And it proved to be the drive that changed the game.
Clearly confident, Penn State came out in the 3rd quarter as a completely different team. The move to McGloin sparked something, and whatever the coaches said and did at halftime worked to perfection. The Nittany Lions completely flipped the script, taking command of the game. They scored touchdowns on all three possessions in the 3rd to take the lead and never looked back. The defense was flying around the field, showing the tenacity that has been the staple of so many Penn State defenses before, something that has been sorely missing this year. And the offense just exploded. Including the final drive of the first half, Penn State scored on five straight possessions, and each score was a touchdown.
The offensive line played by far its best game of the season, completely blowing Northwestern off the ball and opening huge holes for Evan Royster and Silas Redd. And the senior-freshman duo took full advantage. Royster finished with 134 yards on 25 carries, and scored a touchdown on a 13-yard catch. Redd added 131 yards on the ground himself on just 11 carries — an absurd 11.9 average — including a 4-yard touchdown run, and displayed the incredible talent and skill that have many people projecting him as the next great Penn State tailback. Derek Moye continued to pace the Lions in the receiving game, hauling in 5 catches for 85 yards and a score. Joe Suhey added six catches for 67 yards, and Nate Cadogan — offensive lineman turned tight end out of necessity — caught a 3-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the third quarter to make it a one-score game.
As good as all those players were, and as dominant as the offensive line was, the biggest spark that turned the game around was the commitment to stick with McGloin. I don't want to take anything away from Robert Bolden. I like him, and I think he does have a bright future. But there's just something different about this team when McGloin is under center. He's fiery, intense, whereas Bolden is stoic, quiet, emotionless. Maybe it's the fact that McGloin is a little older and been in the program a little longer, but the kid is very clearly a leader. He doesn't have the arm strength, the speed, the raw talent of Bolden, but he has something perhaps even more important in college football. He has command and the respect of his teammates. He is a leader.
And on Saturday, he led Penn State back from a 21-point deficit to get win No. 400 for Paterno by completing 18 of 29 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. No one knows what the future has in store for Bolden and McGloin, but it's clear that right now, McGloin is the best option for the Nittany Lions at quarterback. He will most certainly be the starter the rest of the way.
It wasn't all offense that turned the tides in this game either. After getting embarrassed in the first half, the Penn State defense came out as a completely different group in the 2nd. They absolutely smothered Northwestern and adjusted to the tremendous play of Dan Persa. Sean Stanley made some huge plays, and everyone really picked it up. But there was one player more than any other that stood out.
Two season ago, Mike Mauti was a promising young linebacker expected to be the next great one at Linebacker U. Then he missed last season to an ACL injury, and for a lot this year has struggled to regain his top speed. Well on Saturday, that speed returned. Mauti was a monster in the second half, flying all over the field and disrupting play after play. It was easily his most impressive game of the season, and perhaps the best game of his college career. Without him, there's no telling how the game would have went. The Wildcats were scoring so easily in the first half that it was almost comical. Mauti clearly wasn't laughing, and he decided to change things in the second half.
It was a performance worthy of Linebacker U lore, and it can only be a good sign for Mauti moving forward. Next year, I expect him to be fully recovered and contending for a spot on the All-Big Ten team.
The best part of the entire victory was the way it played out. Down 21-0 in the game and struggling for a good part of the year, it would have been easy for Penn State to just roll over and die. But these players couldn't do that, not with Joe Paterno on the sidelines and on the verge of a milestone. You can say what you want about Paterno's age, his diminished role, the game passing him by. But you can't deny that his players truly love him and truly want to win for him. That's what happened on Saturday night. They knew they couldn't let Coach Paterno down, and they didn't. It was his 400th win, and it couldn't have come in better fashion.
"Let's go beat Ohio State!"
That was fun, and more often than not in my lifetime, being a Penn State fan has be fun. And that's all been due to Joe Paterno and the program, the atmosphere, the community he's built at Penn State. He won't be with us forever. He has far fewer years ahead of him than he has behind him. But as long he's living and breathing and healthy enough to be on those sidelines, he should be, no matter what anyone else says. We are Penn State because Joe Paterno is Penn State. Saturday was proof of that. I hope he lives forever. I really do.
As much as I enjoyed the tremendous victory for Penn State, I couldn't find myself sharing those same feelings on Sunday. Sure, things started out great. We got down to the Linc nice and early, had a great tailgate that included an odd yet incredible combination of a flask of whiskey and a Jewish pickle, and the Eagles even jumped out to a 13-0 lead. But settling for field goals followed by the worst officiated NFL game I've ever been at soured my experience, even with the Eagles holding on for a 26-24 win to defeat Peyton Manning for the first time in history, culminated to put a damper on the game.
Michael Vick was outstanding yet again, throwing for 218 yards and a score on 17 of 29 passing, and adding 74 yards on the ground including a huge 32-yarder and a score. The Eagles remain perfect in games Vick has started and finished, and the man has still not turned the ball over.
DeSean Jackson returned in style, repeatedly burning the Colts' secondary, hauling in 7 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. LeSean McCoy continued his impressive season, gaining 95 yards on 16 carries, including a 62-yarder. And the offense generally moved the ball at will, even with a lack of running plays called at times and the early struggles in the red zone.
Defensively, the Eagles were equally impressive. Yes, they gave up 24 points, but two of those touchdowns were hugely aided by the aforementioned horrendous calls. Dmitri Patterson played admirably in his first career start, and Kurt Coleman was impressive in relief of the injured Nate Allen. And Asante Samuel made the two biggest plays on gifts from Peyton, intercepting Manning twice, on the first and last drives of the night for the Colts. His first led to a David Akers field goal to put the Eagles up 10-0, and his second came on the final pass of the night by Manning, sealing the victory.
As great as it was to see all the playmakers doing what's expected, and as awesome as it was to see Mike Vick outplay Manning, I was really aggravated the entire game. The Colts were gift-wrapped two touchdowns thanks to those two personal foul penalties, and neither penalty was so egregious that it warranted a call. Yes, Collie got injured on one, but the hits were neither illegal or unnecessary. When the flag came out on that play, I lost my god damn mind and officially declared my hatred for the NFL. I still love football and wouldn't dare miss a Birds game, but I really don't and can't enjoy it anymore. I'm a defensive-minded guy. My favorite players have always been big hitters and big-play defenders. Now those guys are no longer allowed to do their jobs, and it makes me sick. I can honestly say that for the first time in my life, I didn't truly enjoy being at the stadium for an Eagles win. I was happy they won, don't get me wrong. But I was just so disgusted by the officiating that I almost wish I hadn't been there.
Football is contact sport. People are going to get hurt. It sucks when it happens, but it's part of the game. Always has been. Always will be. All the fines and rule changes in the world won't change that. All they'll do is continue to ruin my and so many other fans' enjoyment of the game we love so much. Shame on you, Roger Goodell and the NFL. Shame on you.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Time to Make the Donuts Links
I work right next to a Dunkin Donuts. Well, not right next to one, because my office is on the top floor, but connected to my building is a Dunkin Donuts — though you have to go outside to get there.
I see this Dunkin Donuts every day. I go in there quite often, usually for coffee and sometimes for a breakfast sandwich or bagel. Bu I rarely ever go in there and, you know, buy a donut. Which is crazy. Who doesn't love donuts? No one, that's who. So finally, today, I put my foot down and said, "Hey, asshole, get some freakin donuts today." And I did. And they were delicious. I think I'd make a good cop.
Links …
-The Phils lost yet again last night, but Juan Castro and Chase Utley sure did turn one hell of a double play, via meech.
The Phils have now lost three in a row with last night's 6-2 loss, and sit a half game behind — GASP! — the New York Mets. No cause for concern just yet, as this is a 162-game season and the Phils have the most talent in the division, however, this pitching is scary. Sure, things will settle down in the rotation once J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton return and they ship Kyle Kendrick off to Japan for real this time, but the bullpen looks shaky (I'm looking at you, Danys Baez), Cole still isn't right and Jamie Moyer is nearly 50 years old. I think the Phils may have to make more pitching moves this year than they have the past couple of seasons. Not bigger ones, mind you, because I don't see them getting a Cliff Lee or anything like that, but more moves along the lines of adding guys like Scott Eyre for that pen. And Pedro. I fully expect this team to sign Pedro after the all-star break. Should be interesting. As for the Mets, enjoy it while it lasts. You'll be back at the bottom in no time.
-Huge, huge, huge blow for the Flyers — Ian Laperriere is likely done for the season.
Word from the Flyers is Laperriere has a brain contusion and mild concussion. With the team already losing Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne, this may be just too much to overcome. In fact, I'm going to have to agree with Matt P. and say Laperriere's loss is an even bigger one than Carter's or Gagne's. That may sound strange, especially given Carter was this team's leading goal-scorer and both he and Gagne are top-line forwards who play both ways, in all situations. But as Matt points out, Ian is vital on the penalty kill, and he and Blair Betts have been by far the best penalty killing duo I've seen all season, for any team. Their play, both even strength and especially on the PK, was as big a reason as any that the Flyers beat the Devils.
No matter if they face the Caps or Bruins next round, the chances for victory just got that much slimmer. The Flyers are down a full line's worth of players, and more importantly for a team that takes a lot of penalties, down three of their penalty killers. No one expected much from this team in the playoffs, but after all that has transpired around them, with the Flyers themselves looking really good, the hopes were steadily beginning to climb. This brings us all back down a peg. They'll need Brian Boucher to continue playing out of his mind to even begin to think they can overcome these losses. Hopefully he will. Another tough break. Wish Ian the best, and man, you can't not respect that guy. What a warrior. He will be missed more than anyone could have possibly imagined back in September.
-Arizona is racist.
-HoopsHype: Also racist:
- 30 draft choices.
- 26 black draft choices.
- 4 white draft choices.
- Of the four white draft choices, we already know the Motiejunas and Bargnani comparison. The others?
- Cole Aldrich is compared with Joel Przybilla, who happens to be white.
- Gordon Hayward is compared with Mike Miller, who also happens to be white.
- Luke Babbitt is compared with Adam Morrison, who not only happens to be white, but also happens to be a legendary draft bust. Seriously, why would you compare him to Adam Morrison? Is there no other white guy? Why not suggest that the team should just pass on their pick, Vikings-style?
- Of the 26 black draft choices, all of their comparators happened to be black with the exception of one: Greg Monroe is compared with Brad Miller. Miller, you officially have street credibility.
Smooth, HoopsHype. Smooth.
-Proof that Shaquille O'Neal was skinny and unstoppable once upon a time.
-And Jeff Ireland is beyond an asshole.
-I saw this on Saturday as I was watching the draft:
Unfortunately, I didn't hear what he said to Jaws that required the broadcasted apology, but I found it hilarious. Hilarious for a couple of reasons: One, Matt Millen is so retarded that he can't even speak without screwing things up; and two, why the hell would they talk to Matt Millen about the NFL draft and draft picks? He is, quite possibly (definitely), the worst general manager and drafter in the history of the NFL. Maybe in the history of sports. His opinions hold absolutely no credibility. None whatsoever. You might as well just have an ape there throwing feces on everyone. You'd get the same value out of that.
I will say this though: Matt Millen is a very articulate and very cool guy. I met him at Penn State. Being an alum, he came back to school and spoke to a bunch of journalism students, myself included, and never dodged a single question or sugar-coated an answer — and this was at the time he and the Lions were catching heat for hiring Steve Mariucci without going through the proper Rooney rule process. Great guy who was a great football player: All-American at Penn State, multiple-time Super Bowl winning linebacker in the NFL with San Francisco and Oakland. And he was even a really good announcer before he became the worst GM of all time. But he was an awful GM and awful talent evaluator. He should be nowhere near the NFL draft.
I don't have a problem with him calling games. He knows how to analyze the game and knows what's going on. He just can't evaluate talent. I watched him, after the apology, call the Penn State Blue-White game with Kirk Herbstreit during the afternoon. He did a fine job. But please, no draft.
On a side note, the Penn State quarterbacks looked like shit in a scrimmage with no blitzes. Not good. And Joe Pa is still the man. He dropped a couple of great nuggets when he was in the booth during the second quarter. One of them was, in reference to Bobby Bowden's forced resignation, Joe said, "I told Bobby, you gotta stay one more year. Bobby said, 'Joe, we got these trustees.' I used to go out and do fundraising for the school and board members, and I always used tell them: I want your money but I don't want your two cents." Classic. He also discussed the scheduling against Alabama, talking about how it was supposed to be earlier, but Bama's AD called Joe and asked if they could push it back because Alabama wasn't so good at the time. Joe said, "Had I known they were going to be this good, National Champions, I would have to told him to go find another sucker!" Even at 83 years old, the guy still has it. And he was ripping on Millen mercilessly. It was great. I hope Joe Paterno lives forever.
-Ziller's take on the rumored return of Larry Brown to the Sixers:
Brown is a defensive mastermind. His Bobcats finished first in defensive efficiency this season. Every team Brown has taken over since the late 1990s -- with the exception of the Knicks -- has improved on defense in his first season. The Bobcats were among the league's worst defenses under Sam Vincent in 2007-08, but improved to No. 7 in Brown's first season despite personnel changes which were limited to a Boris Diaw and Raja Bell-for-Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley swap. The Bobcats picked up two top-notch defenders (Tyson Chandler and Stephen Jackson) on the way to the league's top defense this season.
In Brown's first stint with Philadelphia, the 76ers were in the top five in defense in every season but his first. Brown has always been known as a meddling coach, one who pushes for personnel moves behind the scenes. It tends to work for him -- he knows what type of players he needs to run his system. (Passionate defenders, wings who'd rather drive than shoot and smart point guards who don't make careless mistakes.) The Bobcats were full of Larry Brown players, with Jackson, Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton sticking out.
But the 76ers have the make-up for success under Brown, too. Andre Iguodala is among the league's best perimeter defenders -- strong, agile, athletic. Samuel Dalembert is a consistently great defensive rebounder, and a serious shotblocker. Thaddeus Young has all the tools, and Jrue Holiday, the 19-year-old point guard, has a great head for the game. Marreese Speights will not among Brown's favorites, in all likelihood, and one could see a despairing Elton Brand and Brown coming to loggerheads over minutes and role. But the core of the team is, or should be, Iguodala, Young and Holiday. (I can't decide whether Brown would love Lou Williams -- the coach adores Mike Bibby and Chauncey Billups -- or would fine him for every three-pointer attempted.)
I'd be completely fine with this. I loved Larry Brown when he was here, and his Sixers teams were by far the most exciting of my lifetime. And shit, if the only way to get him is to make him GM too, I'm down. Ed Stefanski has been a disaster. Though Brown shipping off young players and acquiring veterans on a whim does scare me. But sure as shit beats the current status quo.
-Read the playoff talking points. It's Shoals at his best.
-Jorge Posada is a giant bowl of asshole — I've never in my life seen a catcher complain to umpires more in my life than Jorge did when he was batting last year in the World Series — but this interview with him discussing the pitchers he's "caught" over the years is pretty damn interesting. I put caught in quotes because Jorge is one of the single worst defensive catchers ever. What Phillies (or Yankees) fan could ever forget his "passed balls" game against the Phillies?
-Hi, remember him? Jameer Nelson would like to reintroduce himself.
-insane:
-Wysh has Mike Richards sixth on his Conn Smythe watch, which is a little funny to me. Richards certainly played great in the first round against Jersey, everything you expect of him, but if you watched that series closely, you know Claude Giroux was the best skater and Brian Boucher the most valuable guy. Richards wouldn't even be the most valuable guy on the Flyers thus far, let alone the playoffs, at least in my opinion. Though, like I said, he has played great. The Flyers are going to need him to continue that for sure.
-A very fair and accurate analysis of Andre Iguodala's season. The guy is a good basketball player. Though I will point out, he's criticized for his leadership, ego, shot selection, contract, body language, wardrobe, rejecting the nickname "Iggy," free throws and not being a superstar for good reason. But he is a really good player that probably gets a bad rap because of his contract. I know I'm guilty of it. But that's what comes with the territory when you get superstar bucks.
-Jeff Ireland's other questions:
“If you were born white, which race would be most prejudiced against?”
Hilarious list.
-Michael Strahan is helping Jon Runyan raise money for his congressional campaign.
Something seems terribly wrong about this.
-Great T-shirt:
-John Wall:
-Lots of big hits videos from Orson, including the time Reggie Brown almost died:
-Irchiro pitching back in 1996 and throwing 90 (also, a Hideki Matsui sighting):
No links necessary: Daryll Clark signed with the Redskins, Chester product Tyreke Evans will rightfully be named Rookie of the Year, and as everyone in the world knows, Ryan Howard got paid.
I see this Dunkin Donuts every day. I go in there quite often, usually for coffee and sometimes for a breakfast sandwich or bagel. Bu I rarely ever go in there and, you know, buy a donut. Which is crazy. Who doesn't love donuts? No one, that's who. So finally, today, I put my foot down and said, "Hey, asshole, get some freakin donuts today." And I did. And they were delicious. I think I'd make a good cop.
Links …
-The Phils lost yet again last night, but Juan Castro and Chase Utley sure did turn one hell of a double play, via meech.
The Phils have now lost three in a row with last night's 6-2 loss, and sit a half game behind — GASP! — the New York Mets. No cause for concern just yet, as this is a 162-game season and the Phils have the most talent in the division, however, this pitching is scary. Sure, things will settle down in the rotation once J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton return and they ship Kyle Kendrick off to Japan for real this time, but the bullpen looks shaky (I'm looking at you, Danys Baez), Cole still isn't right and Jamie Moyer is nearly 50 years old. I think the Phils may have to make more pitching moves this year than they have the past couple of seasons. Not bigger ones, mind you, because I don't see them getting a Cliff Lee or anything like that, but more moves along the lines of adding guys like Scott Eyre for that pen. And Pedro. I fully expect this team to sign Pedro after the all-star break. Should be interesting. As for the Mets, enjoy it while it lasts. You'll be back at the bottom in no time.
-Huge, huge, huge blow for the Flyers — Ian Laperriere is likely done for the season.
Word from the Flyers is Laperriere has a brain contusion and mild concussion. With the team already losing Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne, this may be just too much to overcome. In fact, I'm going to have to agree with Matt P. and say Laperriere's loss is an even bigger one than Carter's or Gagne's. That may sound strange, especially given Carter was this team's leading goal-scorer and both he and Gagne are top-line forwards who play both ways, in all situations. But as Matt points out, Ian is vital on the penalty kill, and he and Blair Betts have been by far the best penalty killing duo I've seen all season, for any team. Their play, both even strength and especially on the PK, was as big a reason as any that the Flyers beat the Devils.
No matter if they face the Caps or Bruins next round, the chances for victory just got that much slimmer. The Flyers are down a full line's worth of players, and more importantly for a team that takes a lot of penalties, down three of their penalty killers. No one expected much from this team in the playoffs, but after all that has transpired around them, with the Flyers themselves looking really good, the hopes were steadily beginning to climb. This brings us all back down a peg. They'll need Brian Boucher to continue playing out of his mind to even begin to think they can overcome these losses. Hopefully he will. Another tough break. Wish Ian the best, and man, you can't not respect that guy. What a warrior. He will be missed more than anyone could have possibly imagined back in September.
-Arizona is racist.
-HoopsHype: Also racist:
- 30 draft choices.
- 26 black draft choices.
- 4 white draft choices.
- Of the four white draft choices, we already know the Motiejunas and Bargnani comparison. The others?
- Cole Aldrich is compared with Joel Przybilla, who happens to be white.
- Gordon Hayward is compared with Mike Miller, who also happens to be white.
- Luke Babbitt is compared with Adam Morrison, who not only happens to be white, but also happens to be a legendary draft bust. Seriously, why would you compare him to Adam Morrison? Is there no other white guy? Why not suggest that the team should just pass on their pick, Vikings-style?
- Of the 26 black draft choices, all of their comparators happened to be black with the exception of one: Greg Monroe is compared with Brad Miller. Miller, you officially have street credibility.
Smooth, HoopsHype. Smooth.
-Proof that Shaquille O'Neal was skinny and unstoppable once upon a time.
-And Jeff Ireland is beyond an asshole.
-I saw this on Saturday as I was watching the draft:
Unfortunately, I didn't hear what he said to Jaws that required the broadcasted apology, but I found it hilarious. Hilarious for a couple of reasons: One, Matt Millen is so retarded that he can't even speak without screwing things up; and two, why the hell would they talk to Matt Millen about the NFL draft and draft picks? He is, quite possibly (definitely), the worst general manager and drafter in the history of the NFL. Maybe in the history of sports. His opinions hold absolutely no credibility. None whatsoever. You might as well just have an ape there throwing feces on everyone. You'd get the same value out of that.
I will say this though: Matt Millen is a very articulate and very cool guy. I met him at Penn State. Being an alum, he came back to school and spoke to a bunch of journalism students, myself included, and never dodged a single question or sugar-coated an answer — and this was at the time he and the Lions were catching heat for hiring Steve Mariucci without going through the proper Rooney rule process. Great guy who was a great football player: All-American at Penn State, multiple-time Super Bowl winning linebacker in the NFL with San Francisco and Oakland. And he was even a really good announcer before he became the worst GM of all time. But he was an awful GM and awful talent evaluator. He should be nowhere near the NFL draft.
I don't have a problem with him calling games. He knows how to analyze the game and knows what's going on. He just can't evaluate talent. I watched him, after the apology, call the Penn State Blue-White game with Kirk Herbstreit during the afternoon. He did a fine job. But please, no draft.
On a side note, the Penn State quarterbacks looked like shit in a scrimmage with no blitzes. Not good. And Joe Pa is still the man. He dropped a couple of great nuggets when he was in the booth during the second quarter. One of them was, in reference to Bobby Bowden's forced resignation, Joe said, "I told Bobby, you gotta stay one more year. Bobby said, 'Joe, we got these trustees.' I used to go out and do fundraising for the school and board members, and I always used tell them: I want your money but I don't want your two cents." Classic. He also discussed the scheduling against Alabama, talking about how it was supposed to be earlier, but Bama's AD called Joe and asked if they could push it back because Alabama wasn't so good at the time. Joe said, "Had I known they were going to be this good, National Champions, I would have to told him to go find another sucker!" Even at 83 years old, the guy still has it. And he was ripping on Millen mercilessly. It was great. I hope Joe Paterno lives forever.
-Ziller's take on the rumored return of Larry Brown to the Sixers:
Brown is a defensive mastermind. His Bobcats finished first in defensive efficiency this season. Every team Brown has taken over since the late 1990s -- with the exception of the Knicks -- has improved on defense in his first season. The Bobcats were among the league's worst defenses under Sam Vincent in 2007-08, but improved to No. 7 in Brown's first season despite personnel changes which were limited to a Boris Diaw and Raja Bell-for-Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley swap. The Bobcats picked up two top-notch defenders (Tyson Chandler and Stephen Jackson) on the way to the league's top defense this season.
In Brown's first stint with Philadelphia, the 76ers were in the top five in defense in every season but his first. Brown has always been known as a meddling coach, one who pushes for personnel moves behind the scenes. It tends to work for him -- he knows what type of players he needs to run his system. (Passionate defenders, wings who'd rather drive than shoot and smart point guards who don't make careless mistakes.) The Bobcats were full of Larry Brown players, with Jackson, Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton sticking out.
But the 76ers have the make-up for success under Brown, too. Andre Iguodala is among the league's best perimeter defenders -- strong, agile, athletic. Samuel Dalembert is a consistently great defensive rebounder, and a serious shotblocker. Thaddeus Young has all the tools, and Jrue Holiday, the 19-year-old point guard, has a great head for the game. Marreese Speights will not among Brown's favorites, in all likelihood, and one could see a despairing Elton Brand and Brown coming to loggerheads over minutes and role. But the core of the team is, or should be, Iguodala, Young and Holiday. (I can't decide whether Brown would love Lou Williams -- the coach adores Mike Bibby and Chauncey Billups -- or would fine him for every three-pointer attempted.)
I'd be completely fine with this. I loved Larry Brown when he was here, and his Sixers teams were by far the most exciting of my lifetime. And shit, if the only way to get him is to make him GM too, I'm down. Ed Stefanski has been a disaster. Though Brown shipping off young players and acquiring veterans on a whim does scare me. But sure as shit beats the current status quo.
-Read the playoff talking points. It's Shoals at his best.
-Jorge Posada is a giant bowl of asshole — I've never in my life seen a catcher complain to umpires more in my life than Jorge did when he was batting last year in the World Series — but this interview with him discussing the pitchers he's "caught" over the years is pretty damn interesting. I put caught in quotes because Jorge is one of the single worst defensive catchers ever. What Phillies (or Yankees) fan could ever forget his "passed balls" game against the Phillies?
-Hi, remember him? Jameer Nelson would like to reintroduce himself.
-insane:
-Wysh has Mike Richards sixth on his Conn Smythe watch, which is a little funny to me. Richards certainly played great in the first round against Jersey, everything you expect of him, but if you watched that series closely, you know Claude Giroux was the best skater and Brian Boucher the most valuable guy. Richards wouldn't even be the most valuable guy on the Flyers thus far, let alone the playoffs, at least in my opinion. Though, like I said, he has played great. The Flyers are going to need him to continue that for sure.
-A very fair and accurate analysis of Andre Iguodala's season. The guy is a good basketball player. Though I will point out, he's criticized for his leadership, ego, shot selection, contract, body language, wardrobe, rejecting the nickname "Iggy," free throws and not being a superstar for good reason. But he is a really good player that probably gets a bad rap because of his contract. I know I'm guilty of it. But that's what comes with the territory when you get superstar bucks.
-Jeff Ireland's other questions:
“If you were born white, which race would be most prejudiced against?”
Hilarious list.
-Michael Strahan is helping Jon Runyan raise money for his congressional campaign.
Something seems terribly wrong about this.
-Great T-shirt:
-John Wall:
-Lots of big hits videos from Orson, including the time Reggie Brown almost died:
-Irchiro pitching back in 1996 and throwing 90 (also, a Hideki Matsui sighting):
No links necessary: Daryll Clark signed with the Redskins, Chester product Tyreke Evans will rightfully be named Rookie of the Year, and as everyone in the world knows, Ryan Howard got paid.
Friday, October 23, 2009
SEPTA Makes Me Angry Links
Oh, how I loathe you SEPTA. So very much. Last week you force me to cram on a train so filled with people that no one could move. Sure, I could have waited for another train, that surely would have been just as crowded, but I had already waited 15 minutes and couldn't afford to wait another 15 and still hope to get to work at a reasonable time.
Then, today, you decide to pull out your worst. At first, you were doing so well. When I got on the el at the Girard stop, the trains were running on time and not remotely close to overcrowded. It seemed like I was destined for a smooth ride to work. Oh how you fooled me again, SEPTA. Because between 8th and 11th street, you stopped, mid-tunnel, for no good reason. Then finally, the train inched toward 11th, finally getting there … and sitting. A solid 5 minutes, with the conductor announcing anyone looking to get to 30th street should get off at 11th or 13th and get on the trolleys. Then another 2 minutes wait before getting to 13th, where the el stopped again. Waiting a minute, the conductor then said anyone looking to get to City Hall should get off here, at 13th street. Fuck. I transfer at City Hall to pick up the Broad Street Line, a free interchange. It's not free coming from 13th. So I had to walk, haggle with the guy in the booth to let me on without costing me another token because, fuck that noise, tokens cost money. It's not my fault SEPTA sucks and dicked me over from getting to City Hall.
Thankfully he agreed, but it took some convincing. Good thing about a dozen or so other angry Philadelphians were directly behind me to corroborate my story. My reward for this entirely too long and inconvenient journey? A full day of work. I hate SEPTA.
Links …
-We Run L.A.
-Who was dumber last night: Mike Scioscia or Joe Girardi?
-What each NFL quarterback leads the league in.
-No matter what you feel about these guys, this video is awesome:
-I hate the Lakers, but this is funny:
-Lil Penny would be proud:
-Some love for Marreese Speights, via TrueHoop:
1. Marreese Speights, Philadelphia - 13.5 Diamond (15.9 mpg, .537 Win%)
Of our 10 top prospects, Speights' Diamond Rating is just eighth. That's partially because he did see regular action off the bench for the 76ers last season, playing more than 15 minutes per game between both frontcourt positions. However, what lifts Speights atop this list is his combination of productivity, youth (he was 21 as a rookie) and physical talent. These are reflected in the impressive comparisons SCHOENE offers for Speights--LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson and Shawn Marion top the list. Speights' campaign is off to a solid start. So far during the preseason, he's averaging 24.5 points and 14.8 rebounds per 40 minutes.
Then again, Louis Amundson is on this list, so take that for what it's worth.
-Hilarious:
-Cool list of college football players related to past college football players, via The Wiz. Stunning to me: Paul Posluszny's brother plays at Notre Dame. Needless to say, he's nowhere near as good as Poz.
-Penn State plays Michigan in the Big House this weekend. The Matador says Penn State will win. I hope he's right.
The Big House hasn't treated Penn State too well, but there's no doubt in my mind the Nittany Lions are the better team. Evan Royster, Stephfon Green, Derek Moye, Andrew Quarless, Graham Zug and Chaz Powell provide formidable weapons for Daryll Clark and the offensive line has been steadily improving every game since the loss to Iowa. Defensively, Michigan hasn't face anyone as deep or talented as Penn State. I expect Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu to clog up the middle, and for Bowman, Lee and company to keep the running game in check. That will put all the pressure on Tate Forcier, a freshman prone to mistakes going against a terrifying front 7. I think Penn State should win. And win rather easily. Yet I am terrified of this game. Because it's Michigan. And it's in the Big House. And things just don't normally go our way out there. Let's change that this season.
-Apparently, Mike Richards and the Philadelphia media do not get along.
-The race of the Calder Trophy is going to be "bizonkers", and yes, James van Rimesdyk gets a mention.
-I cannot get enough Mottrams in my life, even if they are dirty Redskins fans and hate Philadelphia. This is why.
-Daulerio kinda, sorta emerges from his silence, but not really. I don't know, but even if, as he stated, "shit went kaplooey" yesterday and he is out today, he should have found a way to show up on Deadspin the past two days, especially after all the ruckus that was going on. Just my opinion. But hey, good to see you're still alive.
-This made me laugh:
God damn, I hate Russell Martin.
-I pretty much love any any commercial with Jeff Van Gundy:
-The NBA season is coming. Here's an interesting, thought-provoking look at the maturation of an NBA fan and his anticipation of growing older with another NBA season and the changed perspective of his appreciation of the game. Or something like that.
-Joe Posnanski's article on Joe Paterno is awesome.
-Chan Ho Park is happy to finally be going to the World Series:
-Five reasons the Dodgers lost to the Phils again in the NLCS:
5. The better team won again: No matter what Kemp's pride tells him, there's no shame in losing to this Phillies team. They're nowhere near a flash-in-the-pan and Dodgers GM Ned Colletti would be well served to see how Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro turned a great homegrown core into a team with a shot at winning back-to-back titles.
But if there's anything for Dodgers fans to be bitter about, it's over the fact that the Phillies dominated the between-NLCS improvement battle. Give me Lee, Raul Ibanez(notes) and Pedro Martinez(notes) over Hudson, Padilla, Randy Wolf(notes) and Jim Thome(notes) any day.
You're true, 'Duk. You're true.
-Nova players got dunks:
-I enjoyed this article by Bob Ford, especially this part:
Just as they did in 2008, the Dodgers took the five-game dismissal with a cool aplomb, which partly explains why they keep getting dismissed. Back home, where the fans are already more interested in how Kobe will blend with Andrew Bynum, there's no retribution from the town that put the LA in la-di-dah.
What would fans in Philadelphia call a good team that kept getting close but never reached the final goal? Oh, that's right. The Eagles.
Oh, snap!
-Man, talk about a rough week for Dionte Christmas. First, he gets waived by the Sixers (should have kept him and gotten rid of Willie Green). Then, he gets arrested:
Christmas was stopped by Highway Patrol Officers Dave Marcellino and Ivan Rosado on Nedro Avenue near Broad Street about 7:30 p.m. for driving erratically in a car with heavily tinted windows, said Highway Patrol Capt. Michael Cochrane.
Christmas was driving without a license, and the officers found a Hi-Point 9mm semiautomatic handgun under the driver's seat, Cochrane said. The weapon was loaded with seven rounds.
Christmas was taken to the 35th District's headquarters, at Broad Street and Champlost Avenue in Ogontz, where he was expected to be charged with a felony weapons offense, police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said.
Police later learned that the car Christmas had been driving belonged to Sixer forward/center Marreese Speights, Cochrane said. The 9mm apparently also was registered to Speights, he said.
North Philly is rough, don't get me wrong, but does Marreese Speights really need to be carrying those guns? He can't possibly live up there, can he? And why was he letting Dionte drive his car, especially without a license? Talk about a shitty week.
That really sucks for Dionte. I'm a big fan, and I always like to see good things happen for the Temple guys. Unfortunately, that's not the case right now for Dionte. Best of luck, and I really hope everything works out for the guy.
As far as the weekend goes, well, there's not a whole lot. The World Series doesn't start until Wednesday, and let's be honest, that's the only thing that really matters at this point. Thankfully, we are spared from watching the Eagles until Monday night, so we can all relax a little on Sunday. There are two Flyers games, both home. On Saturday night, they take on Florida and follow up with San Jose Sunday.
But the most important matchup of the weekend is Penn State at Michigan. Arkansas Fred is making the trip out to Ann Arbor to take in the game. Hopefully he will report back to me on it, if not actually post something. But I doubt it. He's a busy man now that he's no longer free.
The Nittany Lions are the superior team talent-wise. It all comes down to execution. It'd be nice to finally get back-to-back wins against the Wolverines, something Penn State hasn't done in forever. Hopefully they'll make it happen.
And as always, LET'S GO PHILS!!!!!!!
Then, today, you decide to pull out your worst. At first, you were doing so well. When I got on the el at the Girard stop, the trains were running on time and not remotely close to overcrowded. It seemed like I was destined for a smooth ride to work. Oh how you fooled me again, SEPTA. Because between 8th and 11th street, you stopped, mid-tunnel, for no good reason. Then finally, the train inched toward 11th, finally getting there … and sitting. A solid 5 minutes, with the conductor announcing anyone looking to get to 30th street should get off at 11th or 13th and get on the trolleys. Then another 2 minutes wait before getting to 13th, where the el stopped again. Waiting a minute, the conductor then said anyone looking to get to City Hall should get off here, at 13th street. Fuck. I transfer at City Hall to pick up the Broad Street Line, a free interchange. It's not free coming from 13th. So I had to walk, haggle with the guy in the booth to let me on without costing me another token because, fuck that noise, tokens cost money. It's not my fault SEPTA sucks and dicked me over from getting to City Hall.
Thankfully he agreed, but it took some convincing. Good thing about a dozen or so other angry Philadelphians were directly behind me to corroborate my story. My reward for this entirely too long and inconvenient journey? A full day of work. I hate SEPTA.
Links …
-We Run L.A.
-Who was dumber last night: Mike Scioscia or Joe Girardi?
-What each NFL quarterback leads the league in.
-No matter what you feel about these guys, this video is awesome:
-I hate the Lakers, but this is funny:
-Lil Penny would be proud:
-Some love for Marreese Speights, via TrueHoop:
1. Marreese Speights, Philadelphia - 13.5 Diamond (15.9 mpg, .537 Win%)
Of our 10 top prospects, Speights' Diamond Rating is just eighth. That's partially because he did see regular action off the bench for the 76ers last season, playing more than 15 minutes per game between both frontcourt positions. However, what lifts Speights atop this list is his combination of productivity, youth (he was 21 as a rookie) and physical talent. These are reflected in the impressive comparisons SCHOENE offers for Speights--LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson and Shawn Marion top the list. Speights' campaign is off to a solid start. So far during the preseason, he's averaging 24.5 points and 14.8 rebounds per 40 minutes.
Then again, Louis Amundson is on this list, so take that for what it's worth.
-Hilarious:
-Cool list of college football players related to past college football players, via The Wiz. Stunning to me: Paul Posluszny's brother plays at Notre Dame. Needless to say, he's nowhere near as good as Poz.
-Penn State plays Michigan in the Big House this weekend. The Matador says Penn State will win. I hope he's right.
The Big House hasn't treated Penn State too well, but there's no doubt in my mind the Nittany Lions are the better team. Evan Royster, Stephfon Green, Derek Moye, Andrew Quarless, Graham Zug and Chaz Powell provide formidable weapons for Daryll Clark and the offensive line has been steadily improving every game since the loss to Iowa. Defensively, Michigan hasn't face anyone as deep or talented as Penn State. I expect Jared Odrick and Ollie Ogbu to clog up the middle, and for Bowman, Lee and company to keep the running game in check. That will put all the pressure on Tate Forcier, a freshman prone to mistakes going against a terrifying front 7. I think Penn State should win. And win rather easily. Yet I am terrified of this game. Because it's Michigan. And it's in the Big House. And things just don't normally go our way out there. Let's change that this season.
-Apparently, Mike Richards and the Philadelphia media do not get along.
-The race of the Calder Trophy is going to be "bizonkers", and yes, James van Rimesdyk gets a mention.
-I cannot get enough Mottrams in my life, even if they are dirty Redskins fans and hate Philadelphia. This is why.
-Daulerio kinda, sorta emerges from his silence, but not really. I don't know, but even if, as he stated, "shit went kaplooey" yesterday and he is out today, he should have found a way to show up on Deadspin the past two days, especially after all the ruckus that was going on. Just my opinion. But hey, good to see you're still alive.
-This made me laugh:
God damn, I hate Russell Martin.
-I pretty much love any any commercial with Jeff Van Gundy:
-The NBA season is coming. Here's an interesting, thought-provoking look at the maturation of an NBA fan and his anticipation of growing older with another NBA season and the changed perspective of his appreciation of the game. Or something like that.
-Joe Posnanski's article on Joe Paterno is awesome.
-Chan Ho Park is happy to finally be going to the World Series:
-Five reasons the Dodgers lost to the Phils again in the NLCS:
5. The better team won again: No matter what Kemp's pride tells him, there's no shame in losing to this Phillies team. They're nowhere near a flash-in-the-pan and Dodgers GM Ned Colletti would be well served to see how Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro turned a great homegrown core into a team with a shot at winning back-to-back titles.
But if there's anything for Dodgers fans to be bitter about, it's over the fact that the Phillies dominated the between-NLCS improvement battle. Give me Lee, Raul Ibanez(notes) and Pedro Martinez(notes) over Hudson, Padilla, Randy Wolf(notes) and Jim Thome(notes) any day.
You're true, 'Duk. You're true.
-Nova players got dunks:
-I enjoyed this article by Bob Ford, especially this part:
Just as they did in 2008, the Dodgers took the five-game dismissal with a cool aplomb, which partly explains why they keep getting dismissed. Back home, where the fans are already more interested in how Kobe will blend with Andrew Bynum, there's no retribution from the town that put the LA in la-di-dah.
What would fans in Philadelphia call a good team that kept getting close but never reached the final goal? Oh, that's right. The Eagles.
Oh, snap!
-Man, talk about a rough week for Dionte Christmas. First, he gets waived by the Sixers (should have kept him and gotten rid of Willie Green). Then, he gets arrested:
Christmas was stopped by Highway Patrol Officers Dave Marcellino and Ivan Rosado on Nedro Avenue near Broad Street about 7:30 p.m. for driving erratically in a car with heavily tinted windows, said Highway Patrol Capt. Michael Cochrane.
Christmas was driving without a license, and the officers found a Hi-Point 9mm semiautomatic handgun under the driver's seat, Cochrane said. The weapon was loaded with seven rounds.
Christmas was taken to the 35th District's headquarters, at Broad Street and Champlost Avenue in Ogontz, where he was expected to be charged with a felony weapons offense, police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said.
Police later learned that the car Christmas had been driving belonged to Sixer forward/center Marreese Speights, Cochrane said. The 9mm apparently also was registered to Speights, he said.
North Philly is rough, don't get me wrong, but does Marreese Speights really need to be carrying those guns? He can't possibly live up there, can he? And why was he letting Dionte drive his car, especially without a license? Talk about a shitty week.
That really sucks for Dionte. I'm a big fan, and I always like to see good things happen for the Temple guys. Unfortunately, that's not the case right now for Dionte. Best of luck, and I really hope everything works out for the guy.
As far as the weekend goes, well, there's not a whole lot. The World Series doesn't start until Wednesday, and let's be honest, that's the only thing that really matters at this point. Thankfully, we are spared from watching the Eagles until Monday night, so we can all relax a little on Sunday. There are two Flyers games, both home. On Saturday night, they take on Florida and follow up with San Jose Sunday.
But the most important matchup of the weekend is Penn State at Michigan. Arkansas Fred is making the trip out to Ann Arbor to take in the game. Hopefully he will report back to me on it, if not actually post something. But I doubt it. He's a busy man now that he's no longer free.
The Nittany Lions are the superior team talent-wise. It all comes down to execution. It'd be nice to finally get back-to-back wins against the Wolverines, something Penn State hasn't done in forever. Hopefully they'll make it happen.
And as always, LET'S GO PHILS!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I'm So Tired I Can't Link
Today saw the triumphant return of The Charles in all his lack of capitalization glory, who's been too busy with things such as work and school and work and living. Sorry excuses for his absence if you ask me. Either way, good to have him back. I'm tired of carrying this thing all by lonesome, though I highly doubt this will be a regular occurrence. Looks like you're stuck with me, suckers.
Anyway, I've been so freakin tired the past two weeks. I'm not really sure why. But yesterday, it finally caught up to me. The man who usually never slumbers before midnight barely made it through the end of game 1 yesterday. During those final four innings, I was nodding off here and there throughout. By the time the second game rolled around, I was down for the count. So I'm working on about 10 and half hours of sleep here, and I'm still dead tired. I think something might be wrong with me, and I don't just mean mentally. How do I become a professional mattress tester?
That has to be a real job, right? I mean, how else do they know if a mattress is comfortable to sleep on unless, you know, someone sleeps on it? If there are any mattress companies out there reading this right now, just know, I'm offering my services as a professional mattress tester. You know where to find me.
Now let's link …
-I missed it yesterday, but my roommate told me about this ESPN story on Jayson Werth. Good read:
Werth can't recall the precise sequence and declines to identify the player who engaged him in conversation. But he was standing at second base when an unnamed Tampa Bay Ray sidled up and asked a question that told him all he needed to know about Philadelphia's impact on opposing psyches.
"One of their infielders came up to me and said, 'Do you like it here?'" Werth recalls. "He was so distraught in the middle of the game about the people in this town, and I knew then that we had them.
"They were so rattled, because they didn't feel like they could even walk down the street. They were uncomfortable just being in Philadelphia. Look at Evan Longoria -- he didn't get a hit the whole World Series. [Longoria actually went 1-for-20.] I'm not saying it's because of what the fans did. But I'm not saying it wasn't, either."
…
"It's like Pat Burrell told me: 'If we can win here, it'll be better than anywhere,'" Werth says.
What a great find by Pat Gillick. Where would the Phillies be right now without Jayson Werth. Whether it was stealing second and third off Billy Wagner two years ago, five-tooling his way into an everyday player last year en route to a World Series title, or stealing home and becoming an all-star, the guy has simply been amazing. It's hard not to love what Jayson Werth brings to the table.
-I think the Phillies played the Dolphins or something yesterday.
-Because The700Level posted it:
-One vote for the wildcat and one vote against.
-Former Penn State receiver Jordan Norwood has been added to the Eagles practice squad.
Excellent college player. Entirely too small for the NFL.
-JVR is making his case to earn a spot on the Flyers' opening day roster. He scored two goals last night against the Red Wings.
-Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman are hurting, and there's no guarantee they'll be ready to play Saturday against Iowa in the Big Ten opener. However, I'd be stunned if both aren't out there. Night game, game day in town, revenge on the mind. Something tells me they'll be ready to go.
-Remembering Charles Barkley.
-Another local product on SLAM's Fresh 10 — 2012 in Amile Jefferson, the 6'7" forward from Friends Central:
9 Amile Jefferson 6-7 PF/SF Friends Central (PA) Slender forward has surprising toughness to go with skills and athleticism.
Haven't seen the kid play, but I sure plan on it now.
-Dwight Howard vs. Dwight Schrute, via Ball Don't Lie:
-In typical Duke fashion, watch Grant Hill unsuccessfully try to take a charge against Andre Iguodala:
-All the Phillies injury updates you can handle.
-Joe Paterno was made for TV:
-Updated news on Bowman/Lee: Apparently, Bowman will play, but it seems Lee won't.
-Filthy:
-Puck Daddy's Flyers preview:
Introducing ... (Potential Breakout Player): Forward Claude Giroux(notes) scored 27 points in 42 games last season, which is tip of the iceberg stuff for the 21-year-old forward. He's going to get serious time with some seriously good offensive players this season -- it's been mostly Briere in the preseason -- and Giroux sounds like he's past his rookie jitters.
Also keep an eye on James Van Riemsdyk(notes), a forward with some stunning raw talent who could finally make an impact this season. Plus, he's from Jersey. Around Exit 114 on the Parkway.
…
All that said: They're on a short list for the Stanley Cup this season.
-The world needs more Messi:
-Sean Salisbury would like A.J.'s job, thank you very much. Seriously, go read that.
-Updated definitions of the bases.
-Cole Hamels, despite his pedestrian overall numbers, is all sorts of good again:
However, his mediocre results earlier in the season belied his stellar components, and as a result he's finishing strong, with a 2.22 ERA and 46 strikeouts against just 11 walks in his last seven starts.
-The headline says it all: Temple, Wacho Center to host NCAAs in 2013. That would be first- and second-round games on March 22 and 24, 2013. Yes, we're less than four years away from 2013.
-Hilarious picture of Dr. J and Larry Bird.
The Phillies' magic number is 5. Let's just get this over with and start the playoffs already.
Oh, and tonight the Man v. Food Philadelphia episode premiers, where the host takes on a mammoth Tony Luke's cheesesteak.
Anyway, I've been so freakin tired the past two weeks. I'm not really sure why. But yesterday, it finally caught up to me. The man who usually never slumbers before midnight barely made it through the end of game 1 yesterday. During those final four innings, I was nodding off here and there throughout. By the time the second game rolled around, I was down for the count. So I'm working on about 10 and half hours of sleep here, and I'm still dead tired. I think something might be wrong with me, and I don't just mean mentally. How do I become a professional mattress tester?
That has to be a real job, right? I mean, how else do they know if a mattress is comfortable to sleep on unless, you know, someone sleeps on it? If there are any mattress companies out there reading this right now, just know, I'm offering my services as a professional mattress tester. You know where to find me.
Now let's link …
-I missed it yesterday, but my roommate told me about this ESPN story on Jayson Werth. Good read:
Werth can't recall the precise sequence and declines to identify the player who engaged him in conversation. But he was standing at second base when an unnamed Tampa Bay Ray sidled up and asked a question that told him all he needed to know about Philadelphia's impact on opposing psyches.
"One of their infielders came up to me and said, 'Do you like it here?'" Werth recalls. "He was so distraught in the middle of the game about the people in this town, and I knew then that we had them.
"They were so rattled, because they didn't feel like they could even walk down the street. They were uncomfortable just being in Philadelphia. Look at Evan Longoria -- he didn't get a hit the whole World Series. [Longoria actually went 1-for-20.] I'm not saying it's because of what the fans did. But I'm not saying it wasn't, either."
…
"It's like Pat Burrell told me: 'If we can win here, it'll be better than anywhere,'" Werth says.
What a great find by Pat Gillick. Where would the Phillies be right now without Jayson Werth. Whether it was stealing second and third off Billy Wagner two years ago, five-tooling his way into an everyday player last year en route to a World Series title, or stealing home and becoming an all-star, the guy has simply been amazing. It's hard not to love what Jayson Werth brings to the table.
-I think the Phillies played the Dolphins or something yesterday.
-Because The700Level posted it:
-One vote for the wildcat and one vote against.
-Former Penn State receiver Jordan Norwood has been added to the Eagles practice squad.
Excellent college player. Entirely too small for the NFL.
-JVR is making his case to earn a spot on the Flyers' opening day roster. He scored two goals last night against the Red Wings.
-Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman are hurting, and there's no guarantee they'll be ready to play Saturday against Iowa in the Big Ten opener. However, I'd be stunned if both aren't out there. Night game, game day in town, revenge on the mind. Something tells me they'll be ready to go.
-Remembering Charles Barkley.
-Another local product on SLAM's Fresh 10 — 2012 in Amile Jefferson, the 6'7" forward from Friends Central:
9 Amile Jefferson 6-7 PF/SF Friends Central (PA) Slender forward has surprising toughness to go with skills and athleticism.
Haven't seen the kid play, but I sure plan on it now.
-Dwight Howard vs. Dwight Schrute, via Ball Don't Lie:
-In typical Duke fashion, watch Grant Hill unsuccessfully try to take a charge against Andre Iguodala:
-All the Phillies injury updates you can handle.
-Joe Paterno was made for TV:
-Updated news on Bowman/Lee: Apparently, Bowman will play, but it seems Lee won't.
-Filthy:
-Puck Daddy's Flyers preview:
Introducing ... (Potential Breakout Player): Forward Claude Giroux(notes) scored 27 points in 42 games last season, which is tip of the iceberg stuff for the 21-year-old forward. He's going to get serious time with some seriously good offensive players this season -- it's been mostly Briere in the preseason -- and Giroux sounds like he's past his rookie jitters.
Also keep an eye on James Van Riemsdyk(notes), a forward with some stunning raw talent who could finally make an impact this season. Plus, he's from Jersey. Around Exit 114 on the Parkway.
…
All that said: They're on a short list for the Stanley Cup this season.
-The world needs more Messi:
-Sean Salisbury would like A.J.'s job, thank you very much. Seriously, go read that.
-Updated definitions of the bases.
-Cole Hamels, despite his pedestrian overall numbers, is all sorts of good again:
However, his mediocre results earlier in the season belied his stellar components, and as a result he's finishing strong, with a 2.22 ERA and 46 strikeouts against just 11 walks in his last seven starts.
-The headline says it all: Temple, Wacho Center to host NCAAs in 2013. That would be first- and second-round games on March 22 and 24, 2013. Yes, we're less than four years away from 2013.
-Hilarious picture of Dr. J and Larry Bird.
The Phillies' magic number is 5. Let's just get this over with and start the playoffs already.
Oh, and tonight the Man v. Food Philadelphia episode premiers, where the host takes on a mammoth Tony Luke's cheesesteak.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Bowden & FSU Want Everything Paterno & PSU Have
First, Bobby Bowden petitioned the NCAA to accept his 28 wins at Samford, not a Division I school, and won his appeal to try to outlast Joe Paterno in the quest as the all-time winningest coach in major college football, which is bullshit.
Then, with 14 wins in jeopardy of being taken away due to academic fraud involving numerous Florida State football players, Bowden and FSU are trying to force 22 victories he earned as coach at South Georgia Junior College from 1956-58 to count toward the record. Again, pathetic. Childish. And insane.
Now, Bowden and Florida State are going after more that Paterno and Penn State have: the whiteout:
It appears Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles are taking one of Penn State’s home game rituals–the white-out. The school will introduce their all white uniforms for a home game against the University of South Florida on September 26th. The school is asking all students and fans to wear white to the game. Since white isn’t the school color, the bookstore is conveniently selling the official white-out t-shirts.
This school and this man are so desperate to get what Penn State has that they are changing their uniforms so as to copy a new Penn State tradition. Last time I checked, the Seminoles' colors are maroon and gold, not white. Penn State, conversely, is actually blue and white. Yeah, a whiteout makes a lot of sense there, Florida State.
For a man who is supposedly good friends with Joe Paterno, the longer these two men live, Bobby Bowden seems like nothing short of a jealous child who desperately wants to have any and all bragging rights on Paterno, while Paterno calmly goes about his business, proving his critics wrong and worrying only about his school, his family and his players … you know, the things that really should matter.
Then, with 14 wins in jeopardy of being taken away due to academic fraud involving numerous Florida State football players, Bowden and FSU are trying to force 22 victories he earned as coach at South Georgia Junior College from 1956-58 to count toward the record. Again, pathetic. Childish. And insane.
Now, Bowden and Florida State are going after more that Paterno and Penn State have: the whiteout:
It appears Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles are taking one of Penn State’s home game rituals–the white-out. The school will introduce their all white uniforms for a home game against the University of South Florida on September 26th. The school is asking all students and fans to wear white to the game. Since white isn’t the school color, the bookstore is conveniently selling the official white-out t-shirts.
This school and this man are so desperate to get what Penn State has that they are changing their uniforms so as to copy a new Penn State tradition. Last time I checked, the Seminoles' colors are maroon and gold, not white. Penn State, conversely, is actually blue and white. Yeah, a whiteout makes a lot of sense there, Florida State.
For a man who is supposedly good friends with Joe Paterno, the longer these two men live, Bobby Bowden seems like nothing short of a jealous child who desperately wants to have any and all bragging rights on Paterno, while Paterno calmly goes about his business, proving his critics wrong and worrying only about his school, his family and his players … you know, the things that really should matter.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
I Thought Yesterday Was Wednesday Links
Wanna know just how stupid I am? All day yesterday, I thought it was Wednesday. I'm not making this up. I was wondering where the KSK This Week In F—k You was and everything.
Turns out, it was Tuesday. Apparently, today is Wednesday. That sucks. And I'm an idiot. Here's some Wednesday links …
-I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Inquirer columnist John Gonzalez. Sometimes, I enjoy reading him. Other times, I think his columns are complete garbage. One thing I do know, his column today is one of the most insightful and well-written columns I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and read it. He makes the best points you will read about Saturday's tragic murder outside McFadden's.
-Naturally, the Philadelphia newspapers are all over Jim Johnson's passing.
Check out the coverage here, here, here and here, among other places on Philly.com.
-This guy should tutor L.J. Smith. Think about it.
-You know Jim Johnson was the man when Big Daddy Drew says kinds words about him:
(Oh, and Jim Johnson died today. Jim Johnson was awesome. Take a cue Favre about learning how to exit the stage gracefully.)
-More on Jim Johnson:
Up until now coordinators have been shut out of the Hall of Fame, but if they ever break down that wall, Johnson is one of the first who should be considered.
-Carlos Carrasco, who was supposed to start today, Lou Marson and Jason Donald have been scratched from the lineup. Yeah, sounds like a trade to me.
-Joe Paterno: much classier than Bobby Bowden:
Bowden is clearly obsessed with the number, but not the other parts of what will add up to his legacy as a football coach. Paterno, in contrast, could care less, and said the same thing when he sat behind Bowden in the count just a few years ago. His name is on the library at Penn State. His team has been the case study for the "Grand Experiment," Paterno's attempt to fuse academics and athletics that has Penn State's football players consistently ranked at the top of the Big Ten in graduation rates. (Northwestern's usually first, but they're also Northwestern.) His contributions to the university extend far beyond the football field …
Even if the NCAA decides to recognize the wins, what Joe Paterno has in the win column on and off the field puts him ahead of Bowden in ways a win column can't ever quantify, and that is a score Paterno likely cares about more than any simple count of wins and losses.
-He's not blowing saves, but yeah, Brad Lidge still sucks.
Made me nervous there last night.
-Kevin Garnett. In high school. Just because.
Enjoy that. Trade talks are brewing.
Turns out, it was Tuesday. Apparently, today is Wednesday. That sucks. And I'm an idiot. Here's some Wednesday links …
-I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Inquirer columnist John Gonzalez. Sometimes, I enjoy reading him. Other times, I think his columns are complete garbage. One thing I do know, his column today is one of the most insightful and well-written columns I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and read it. He makes the best points you will read about Saturday's tragic murder outside McFadden's.
-Naturally, the Philadelphia newspapers are all over Jim Johnson's passing.
Check out the coverage here, here, here and here, among other places on Philly.com.
-This guy should tutor L.J. Smith. Think about it.
-You know Jim Johnson was the man when Big Daddy Drew says kinds words about him:
(Oh, and Jim Johnson died today. Jim Johnson was awesome. Take a cue Favre about learning how to exit the stage gracefully.)
-More on Jim Johnson:
Up until now coordinators have been shut out of the Hall of Fame, but if they ever break down that wall, Johnson is one of the first who should be considered.
-Carlos Carrasco, who was supposed to start today, Lou Marson and Jason Donald have been scratched from the lineup. Yeah, sounds like a trade to me.
-Joe Paterno: much classier than Bobby Bowden:
Bowden is clearly obsessed with the number, but not the other parts of what will add up to his legacy as a football coach. Paterno, in contrast, could care less, and said the same thing when he sat behind Bowden in the count just a few years ago. His name is on the library at Penn State. His team has been the case study for the "Grand Experiment," Paterno's attempt to fuse academics and athletics that has Penn State's football players consistently ranked at the top of the Big Ten in graduation rates. (Northwestern's usually first, but they're also Northwestern.) His contributions to the university extend far beyond the football field …
Even if the NCAA decides to recognize the wins, what Joe Paterno has in the win column on and off the field puts him ahead of Bowden in ways a win column can't ever quantify, and that is a score Paterno likely cares about more than any simple count of wins and losses.
-He's not blowing saves, but yeah, Brad Lidge still sucks.
Made me nervous there last night.
-Kevin Garnett. In high school. Just because.
Enjoy that. Trade talks are brewing.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Paterno Jumping for Joy on Repaired Leg
In case you haven't heard, the NCAA denied Florida State's appeal and is still seeking to force the Florida State football program to vacate 14 wins — thus taking away 14 victories from Bobby Bowden, who with those wins, sits just one behind Joe Paterno in all-time victories.
Well, despite what he may say on camera, you have to figure Paterno is ecstatic to go from a one-game lead to a 15-game lead.
In fact, Spencer Hall heard he gave Bobby a call:
Paterno: Nah, but I appreciate the concern, Bobby. Hey, look at me, I’m just talkin’ all over the place here. Just wanted to let you know that I’m real sorry to hear about the NCAA shooting down your appeal to vacate the wins. I hope this doesn’t affect our friendship, as would sit fifteen games behind me on the all-time wins list, and that’s with your wins from Samson College throw in there. (giggles)
Bowden: THAT’S SAM-FAHD, you dago sonofabitch! It’s one of the finest academic institutions in Buh-mingham, Alabama!
Paterno: I’m sure they gotta lot of ‘em. I’ll tell ‘em that when I go to my next Brown alumni meeting. Anyway, I gotta get crackin’ here. There’s stuff I gotta do, like take my vitamins, go for a walk, and enjoy the view from 15 wins ahead of you.
Bowden: I hope you trip on your momma’s dick, cripple. WE WILL RISE AGAIN!!!
Paterno: It sounded better when you said it at Gettysburg. You have a nice day, Bobby. Have 15 of them in a row, on me.
Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Well, despite what he may say on camera, you have to figure Paterno is ecstatic to go from a one-game lead to a 15-game lead.
In fact, Spencer Hall heard he gave Bobby a call:
Paterno: Nah, but I appreciate the concern, Bobby. Hey, look at me, I’m just talkin’ all over the place here. Just wanted to let you know that I’m real sorry to hear about the NCAA shooting down your appeal to vacate the wins. I hope this doesn’t affect our friendship, as would sit fifteen games behind me on the all-time wins list, and that’s with your wins from Samson College throw in there. (giggles)
Bowden: THAT’S SAM-FAHD, you dago sonofabitch! It’s one of the finest academic institutions in Buh-mingham, Alabama!
Paterno: I’m sure they gotta lot of ‘em. I’ll tell ‘em that when I go to my next Brown alumni meeting. Anyway, I gotta get crackin’ here. There’s stuff I gotta do, like take my vitamins, go for a walk, and enjoy the view from 15 wins ahead of you.
Bowden: I hope you trip on your momma’s dick, cripple. WE WILL RISE AGAIN!!!
Paterno: It sounded better when you said it at Gettysburg. You have a nice day, Bobby. Have 15 of them in a row, on me.
Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Procrastination Leads to Links
I've been completely bombarded at work this week, and it isn't going to stop any time soon. So finally, after two and half days of nonstop working, I'm saying, "Screw it," and taking a little break, deadlines be damned. (I have a lot of very fast-approaching deadlines and zero desire to work on them.)
Without question, this will come back to bite me in the ass, making me hate my life in the coming days. But hey, that's just par for the course in my world. Why do something now when you can do it later?
On to the links …
-Jayson Werth wasn't the only one stealing bases last night:
-Yeah, fuck doctors.
-Florida State and Bobby Bowden seem to have their priorities all mixed up:
While Bowden will undoubtedly insist the academic scandal never be mentioned when his grandkids are in the house, I guarantee you Paterno doesn't care about the record for his grandkids. If Paterno ever wants to impress his grandchildren all he has to do is walk down Curtin Road just past the Forum on his way to Rec Hall. Stop right between the two and point to the building on the left where giant letters spell out "PATERNO LIBRARY". That's a legacy for an old football coach to be proud of.
Good luck in your appeal, Bobby. You make me sick.
-Yesterday, my roommate told me Mike Missanelli got into with Skip Bayless on the radio. Here it is.
-Nothing like a fight after time expires:
-Danny Granger deservedly won the NBA's Most Improved Player award.
-Things really got wild in Dallas at the end of game 4.
-Zolecki has some more details about Werth's feat last night and the Phillies' new lineup. I like this quote the best:
Asked if Manuel would keep the same lineup today against Dodgers lefthander Randy Wolf, Manuel said, "You don't throw the winning ticket away, do you?"
-Get your own piece of old Yankee Stadium:
- George Costanza's bomb-proof desk: $10,000
-Shawn Andrews has some awful friends.
-The best of Leon courtesy of The Angry T:
-The All-NBA Teams were announced. Oddly, Sammy Dalembert's name is nowhere to be found. Surely this is a mistake.
-NBA stars separated at birth from other notable people, courtesy of HHR.
-LeBron wasn't the only one all sorts of dominant in high school. Witness Kobe during his Lower Merion days:
-Shoals drops a ridiculously awesome video and announces officially the new basketball blog for The Sporting News, The Baseline.
-Kenny Stabler makes it happen.
-The NBA's other most improved entities, via BallHype.
Tonight we got old man Moyer taking on former Phil and the man behind the only "fan group" I've ever respected, Randy Wolf.
And don't forget, Caps-Penguins, Ovechkin-Crosby, game 7, tonight.
Work blows.
Without question, this will come back to bite me in the ass, making me hate my life in the coming days. But hey, that's just par for the course in my world. Why do something now when you can do it later?
On to the links …
-Jayson Werth wasn't the only one stealing bases last night:
-Yeah, fuck doctors.
-Florida State and Bobby Bowden seem to have their priorities all mixed up:
While Bowden will undoubtedly insist the academic scandal never be mentioned when his grandkids are in the house, I guarantee you Paterno doesn't care about the record for his grandkids. If Paterno ever wants to impress his grandchildren all he has to do is walk down Curtin Road just past the Forum on his way to Rec Hall. Stop right between the two and point to the building on the left where giant letters spell out "PATERNO LIBRARY". That's a legacy for an old football coach to be proud of.
Good luck in your appeal, Bobby. You make me sick.
-Yesterday, my roommate told me Mike Missanelli got into with Skip Bayless on the radio. Here it is.
-Nothing like a fight after time expires:
-Danny Granger deservedly won the NBA's Most Improved Player award.
-Things really got wild in Dallas at the end of game 4.
-Zolecki has some more details about Werth's feat last night and the Phillies' new lineup. I like this quote the best:
Asked if Manuel would keep the same lineup today against Dodgers lefthander Randy Wolf, Manuel said, "You don't throw the winning ticket away, do you?"
-Get your own piece of old Yankee Stadium:
- George Costanza's bomb-proof desk: $10,000
-Shawn Andrews has some awful friends.
-The best of Leon courtesy of The Angry T:
-The All-NBA Teams were announced. Oddly, Sammy Dalembert's name is nowhere to be found. Surely this is a mistake.
-NBA stars separated at birth from other notable people, courtesy of HHR.
-LeBron wasn't the only one all sorts of dominant in high school. Witness Kobe during his Lower Merion days:
-Shoals drops a ridiculously awesome video and announces officially the new basketball blog for The Sporting News, The Baseline.
-Kenny Stabler makes it happen.
-The NBA's other most improved entities, via BallHype.
Tonight we got old man Moyer taking on former Phil and the man behind the only "fan group" I've ever respected, Randy Wolf.
And don't forget, Caps-Penguins, Ovechkin-Crosby, game 7, tonight.
Work blows.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
