Thoughts

So here's what happened. I was enjoying my 5 hour slumber, minding my own business. At one point I was conscious of my movement as I rolled over onto my stomach. My body was hence contorted in a horizontal ladder climbing pose if that helps you visualize. I had an arm over my head and a leg rotated up and out, bent at the knee. As I settled into the position described, I had a euphoric feeling that this position in which my body found itself was the position of legend. Try all I like, I would never find something so comfortable. Instead of any feeling of panic or anxiety over the fact that this would be my only chance for such luxury, I lost myself in the moment. My body melted into the mattress; I was one with my bed.

Though this sounds as if it were drawn out over time, the entire thing happened in a matter of merely one second.

The following second my alarm sounded...

What a week for football. 8 games decided by 3 points or less, one of which was in overtime. That and one game which came down to a final play, but there is more details on that coming up.

I offer my half-hearted congrats to Peyton Manning for setting the record for passing touchdowns in a season. As mentioned before, I like Peyton, but I idolize Dan Marino (previous holder of the record).

Controversy strikes! My apologies to the Chicago Bears for getting screwed out of the game against my Lions. The Bears lost the game 19-13, though on their final possession threw a pass to the end zone which was caught for what I would have considered a touchdown. I'm of the school of fan who awards touchdowns to receivers who catch the ball in the end zone by establishing possession and getting two feet in bounds. Apparently I am more lenient than the referees in that game.

The news in Detroit is that you will never make Lions fans happy. You lose and they (though used to it) are bitter. You win and they wish you'd lost for better draft position. I overheard a woman trying to explain to her young children that she was upset with the Lions for not taking a dive in that game in order to ensure a better draft pick. Do you think your 6 year old would really comprehend that idea? Is sandbagging for a draft pick a lesson you want to teach your child? Mind you I am not trying to tell her how to raise her children, but it did appear to be a silly conversation.

One more week. One week in which you will see most teams play like they did back in August. Starting QBs if they play at all will only play a series. Key players may take the week off to rest up for the playoffs. Only the few teams who are still in the hunt will actually play this weekend. For those of you who will be ending your fantasy season in week 17, have a stellar week. I'm glad our league ended when it did (Did I mention I won?).

It was nice to be in attendance for a Pistons win last night over anyone, but especially the Nets. For any of you who are actually New Jersey fans, first let me say how sorry I am for that fact, but also allow me to share this: Vince looked nasty last night. I think you'll be quite happy with his performance. The important thing, however, is that Half Man + Half Amazing still = a loss to the Pistons. He played very well and should have made you all proud until he quit. He "suddenly" got a cramp or something similar in what appeared to be his hamstring. Instead of taking his lumps and losing graciously he left the game and was worked on by the trainer for the last few minutes. Sure, he could actually have been hurt...maybe I'm biased, but it sure looked like he was fine until the proverbial nail was in the coffin.

Last season the Pistons were the first team to hold Jason Kidd scoreless at any point in his career. You may not agree, but I find some comfort in the fact that last night Kidd had 2 points. Each point represents made free throws he attempted as penalty to the Pistons for technical fouls. Take out some poor officiating and maybe Kidd goes scoreless again.

Enough about the actual game...I have a rant about Palace management.

I am not sure if it there was some special occasion at the Palace last night, but there appeared to be an unusual amount of handicapped people at the game. I saw one blind kid, a handful of mentally handicapped children and a large group of physically handicapped children (many in wheelchairs) lined the court to greet the Pistons at the beginning of the game with high-fives. That is merely a point of fact, I mean it with no ill intent. If this is the case, please explain to me why the house band (I believe their name is the Sun Messengers) decided it was a good time to play their Black Eyed Peas cover which cross-breeds the edited and unedited versions of the song "Let's Get it Started"? "Let's get it started, ha. Let's get retarded in here! Let's get it started, ha. Let's get retarded in here!" Maybe I'm too sensitive about that, but I felt it a little too inappropriate when I heard them play it at the game last week when I didn't see any handicapped attendees.

Some kid held up this sign, it was easily my favorite : "The Nets got Pist.on".

What is worse than staying awake to try and watch the whole game and falling asleep with roughly 4.5 minutes left in a game where the team you want to lose falls apart and gives up an 11 point lead to lose in the final 4 minutes of the game? Nothing. Nothing is worse than that. No, not even nuclear winter. How do you like these apples: more posting about the Patriots...THEY LOST TO THE DOLPHINS! Brady's "errant pass"...you know, the one that BLEW THE GAME, at least opened the door for me to win my fantasy match up this week putting me in the championship this coming weekend. My thanks to miamidolphins.com for such appropriate photos.

I would think the big news this week is the injury. Terrell Owens underwent surgery today on his right ankle to repair ligament damage. Rumor has it he should be able to play from February 6 if the Eagles can get there. Unable to score points as they were this week will certainly not help them make it to the Super Bowl. Were they that shook up at T.O. getting hurt? I could show you a picture of his ankle injury...or another of Tom Brady getting sacked.

Do I have to address the Lions/Vikings game? Can't I just pretend it never happened? Is it so wrong to do that? Or can I just change the details in my memory? How is this for a change: In my version, Nick Harris (P) does NOT think the long snapper will get a "do-over" and actually tries to make a football play instead of waiting to get tackled THEN throws the ball. Was he serious? This is live, Nick. I know the Lions don't score many touchdowns, but when they do, it is customary to attempt the extra point. Sure, on the time previous they tried for a two point conversion (and succeeded), but now it's time to kick it. Yes blame the long snapper. It was a terrible snap that bounced to the holder (Harris), but do not give him the sole blame. Was this the first time this has happened in the history of the game? No. Teams actually practice the scenario of a missed snap. If you are not going to place the ball for the PAT try, then stand up and either try to run the ball or throw it into the end zone. I'm getting a little too worked up over here...

Peyton has moved up to now only 1 touchdown pass shy of tying Dan Marino's record set back in 1984. Hype Manning all you like, given the option between the two, I take Marino any day of the week. Sure I'm biased. Sure Dan Marino is my all-time favorite NFL player. I still think he did more with less and made it more fun to watch than Peyton does now.

Jaguars are holding press conferences to explain that their player was not actually intending to hurt Packers' receiver Robert Ferguson. Donovin Darius was fined $75,000 by the league for the hit pictured, which left Ferguson temporarily paralyzed. Reports say he regained feeling in his legs while being treated at the hospital. I am not meaning to make light of the situation when I point out that I believe this is why the league outlawed head tackling in the first place. I never want to see a player seriously injured, Ferguson is no exception. Hopefully his recovery will be full and timely.

It was truly a fun week football-wise. Steelers almost losing to the Giants, Patriots squandering an 11 point lead in 4 minutes, Falcons beating Carolina in OT, Lions' near comeback against the Vikings, did I mention the Pats/Dolphins game yet?

Can you think of any better way...

...to embarrass your little sister?

I can't wait. There is no point. Why hold off until the end when you can jump on the bandwagon and slander Jake Plummer for his "action" in week 14? Heckled by a fan after throwing another interception in this run away disaster of a season, Plummer decided he'd take matters into his own...finger.

Here, a comment on the Pats. Enjoy it...
The Patriots made many of their supporters doubters in week 14 by giving up 28 points to the Cincinnati Bengals. People who were earlier on the New England fan bus are now questioning the Pats ability to defend.

In related news more and more people are turning their heads to the Steelers as Super Bowl favorites. The credit is not going to Ben Roethlisberger. The credit isn't going to anyone actually. I am not sure if anyone cares who gets the credit, as long as someone is picking up the slack. Game in game out that is the motto in Pittsburgh. Good for them.
I still like the Eagles come Super Bowl time.

Giants continue to let Eli lose. Some people are complaining, they want Warner back in the lineup. My words to them are simple and few, "Joey Harrington."

I did find the best place to watch Monday Night Football (details may or may not come in a later post) and it was actually a fun game to watch...kinda. I was going to comment on the two teams playing without their stars, but can we even call McNair the star Quarterback in Tennessee anymore? I didn't think so either.

Things got off to a bad start Friday afternoon as I began my excursion. I had a 7pm flight so I did the smart thing and left work at 4 in hopes of making decent time by hopefully beating the traffic. This plan was met with construction and bumper to bumper traffic.

I was thrilled.

Good thing I left early, however. I eventually made my way into the airport and found out that the gate from which I was set to depart was the furthest away from where I came in. I can use the exercise so I hoofed it to the gate and see "NY, La Guardia" on the monitor. Now last time I had checked New York was not on the way from Detroit to Orlando, but maybe they moved it. My gate was moved to right next to where I entered the airport. I make the trek back and wait in line to ask for my exit row seat.

Upon my asking, the woman behind the counter tells me that there are no empty seats available period, including exit row. She says she will write down my seat number and let me know if anything comes up...how kind of her. Much to my surprise I was soon paged back to the counter. She hands me a new boarding pass marked "01 B". My only guess here is that there were openings in first class and they were trying to fit standby passengers on the flight. Why not bump and existing passenger to first class and let someone standby take his seat in economy? I like it.

This was only my second experience in first class and my first on this particular airline. As it turns out, this airline likes to flood your body with booze. Who knew?

=> Read more!

Now, I know I am late with this post. I have been relatively busy recently. There is my excuse.

That aside, I managed to grab my camera on the morning of December the first before I headed off to work and took a few shots of my "first snow".

Ok, having lived in Michigan for the better part of my short life and in Pennsylvania for the rest, I've been through a snow fall or two. It even snowed the night before Thanksgiving, just three weeks ago. The snow flakes on the morning of December 1 were the first while I was living at my condo*.

The pictures are of the gazebo located right next to my building. When I opened my garage I thought it looked nice in the morning snow and decided to capture the moment. Sure it's lost on you all, but it was nice for me, so BACK OFF! I am still adjusting to this whole "owning my own home" thing. Please, be patient with me.

(*Due to my ankle injury I could not drive and had moved back in with my parents for about three weeks time which included the day of the earlier snow fall.)

I'm going to get to the good stuff early this week so you can skip the rest if you so feel the need. You're welcome in advance.

The team to beat this year is the Philadelphia Eagles. What happened against the Steelers a few weeks ago to give the 'Birds their only loss of the season is certainly an anomaly. Say all you want about record numbers for Peyton Manning folks, I'll take Andy Reid's corps. What is the x-factor? Defense. Indianapolis may have the "Edge" on offense, but in a head to head match up I like Philadelphia. The only question becomes: Will the Eagles simply beat themselves in the NFC Championship? Give McNabb two out of the three Stokley/Wayne/Harrison to accompany TO and we'll again say goodbye to current record holders.

Are the Atlanta Falcons officially the most overrated 9-3 team? Blanked by the Bucs? They have serious Jekyll and Hyde issues in Atlanta that might need some attention from the front office. Is it chemistry? Do they not like each other? Would moving a few players around make a team that's rough around the edges play more cohesively? More consistently? I think it is safe to expect an early exit by the Falcons from the playoffs this year.

I continue to support the program in San Diego as they keep rolling, but I just cannot see them being too successful this post season. To me the Chargers are just a good mediocre team beating mediocre good teams right now. As much as I would rather see them play in February in the place of Colts/Pats, I won't hold my breath.

I look at the success some rookie quarterbacks have had in this league recently (Ben Roethlisberger/Chocolate Krenzel this year, David Carr a few years ago) and I like to think I can look forward to some rookie success by a new Lions quarterback next season. I'm sorry Joey, it is time I went public. Yes, you won in Arizona this week. Yes sometimes they simply drop the passes (Roy Williams), but you just seem preoccupied up there, buddy. Love life got you down? 90% of the women in Detroit would have your children. AND, if you start winning 90% of the men would too! What can we do? I am afraid it is entirely out of our control and we're forced to wait out your contract.

Sorry, I need a moment....

Ok, I'm better now.

So other than that no two teams combined for over 100 points, does that make week 13 a disappointment?

And wouldn't you know it: We finally had an exciting Monday Night game. What is a shame, however, is that the game sucked until 85% of the viewing audience gave up on it and went to bed. Go figure.

It has been called into question why I leave the New England Patriots out of my week end comments. I want to set the record straight that the only reason they are excluded is because they are boring.

I wrote that they beat the record for wins, I wrote that they were beaten by the Pittsburgh Giant-killers. I feel as though I mentioned that they have a potent passing offense that holds threat of the "big play" more than any other offense in the league.

I leave them out the rest of the time because they are not flashy. They don't do any fun end-zone dances. Their games do not get exciting in the last few minutes. They are not a part of games with 13 touchdowns scored. They are quiet. They go out and win. I do give them that, but they do it with no style. I refuse to say they look good doin' it.

This may seem like an endorsement for the team in disguise, but understand it is not. Many people look at the characteristics listed above in a positive fashion. Many say that they are signs of winners, of championship ball clubs. So what.

I am a Detroit Lions fan through and through. I need flashy. My team will not make the playoffs this season. Please put teams together who will be fun to watch. The New England Patriots...are...BORING.

There was more action in week 12, which is nice to see. I will admit, however, that my attention on football this past Sunday was lessened after the "Thursday Incident."

I think it is safe to say that I jinxed the Lions. It was my "Any Given Thursday" post that was intended to motivate the team, not demoralize them. It will be nice to be in the record books with Peyton Manning as one of the teams to help pad his stats...

Imagine eight weeks ago. You look at the upcoming schedule and you see Buffalo at Seattle. How many points do you favor Seattle by? 408?
Bills 38 - Seahawks 9.

Monday night Mark Bulger went 35-53 for 447 yards with 2 touchdowns. Brett Favre (in his record 200th consecutive start) was 18-27 for 215 and 3tds. Those numbers do not portray a 45-17 shellacking that the Rams took at the hand of the Packers. I do not like the Packers, but I do have a tremendous amount of respect for how Favre leads his team.

It was nice of Denver to play host to the Snow Bowl on Sunday as conditions were a little...precipitous. As the Broncos have rolled through this season, they hit a road block in the form of visiting Oakland Raiders. If anyone saw the catch Jerry Porter made over his outside shoulder at the end of the first half then you can share in my desire to see that in a highlight reel.

Congrats to those Dolphins down in Miami for winning their second game against a San Francisco team that could not have tried harder to lose. 4 fumbles? Did Tim Rattay start Miami's defense in his fantasy league this week?

In week 12 the real winners were the fans. I forget now which player it was, but I would like to thank whoever it was for celebrating his touchdown by parking it like it was hot.

I guess I can close with a comment on Cleveland v. Cincinnati. Not a big game. Not much happened aside from the 13 touchdowns and five field goals. Cleveland scored 48 points and gained 462 yards, and lost. I don't even know where to start...

I would also like to thank Jeremy Shockey for making himself look like an idiot again by catching 2 passes for 31 yards. His 26 yard catch was followed by a flapping of his arms as if he was Terrell Owens. Jeremy, don't taunt the team that is kicking your [expletive deleted]!

And can I say how perturbed I am for not being able to find a shot of Shockey mid-flap?!?!