OK. The first thing we do is put the Lions on notice. Two years to clean themselves up enough to be presentable at Thanksgiving dinner. After that we find some other turkeys to bring to the NFL table every year. I nominate the Patriots. If we get lucky we could see some New England snow fall every couple of years.
You think the media is just a little carried away with Tony Romo? These are the same people who spent half a season telling you the Cowboy offensive line was terrible. Funny how those same linemen have improved since Romo arrived. Romo has a hot hand, but you don't judge a guy on four games anymore than you could have judged him on one half against the Giants (which alot of the experts did if you remember). Two things I want to see from Romo. Put the ball a little lower into the receiver and connect on some deep routes. Right now, though, Romo is fun to watch. Reminds me of Sonny Jurgenson. But dating Jessica Simpson? What were his Wonderlic scores?
I believe in charity. I like children. But oh how I hate the NFL half-time shows on Thanksgiving Day. The phony meter pegs the dial to the right. Is it the coreographed routines with the kids, or the cheerleaders, fireworks, fake enthusiastic crowd around the stage, or the horrible musical performances? Carrie Underwood has no credibility to lose, but what in the name of reason is J.C. Fogerty doing at a sham like that?
Along those lines...I've seen the Star Spangled Banner at the Smithsonian. It (or what is left of it) is an enormous garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry at a time when the British fleet bombarded it in 1812. The rockets red glare were real banks of incendiary rockets fired at the buildings in the fort in an attempt to burn it down. We could have lost our independence back to England if not for men like those in that fort that night. Francis Scott Key was surprised and inspired to see that flag still waving. Those men, this country, and that song deserve better than to have it tortured beyond the point of recognition by the likes of Kelly Clarkson trying to imitate Mahalia Jackson. We ought to stand up and sing it ourselves, and think about what it means when we do, or put that tradition to rest. (Down off soapbox now).
The line of Roy WIlliams of the Lions. Five catches for 110 yards in the first quarter, 1 reception for 16 yards over the last three. How does that happen? It was a tantalizing glimpse of how good Williams could be.
I don't have the NFL package that lets me see games like the Chiefs and Broncos last night. On the bright side, I don't get to see or hear Bryant Gumbel. Life has a way of evening things out.
Got to go. Leftovers in the refrigerator calling my name.
Get this: I told my girlfriend I was going to my parents house to eat and I told my parents I was going to my girlfriend's parents house to eat, then I snuck to my buddy's place to watch the football games. It was the perfect plan- except for the games sucking, that is...
Anyway, thought you would appreciate that little story
BTW, loved the Gumbel line (and yes, Romo is already way too over-exposed)
I liked your take on "The Anthem".. The song is a celebration of all the things it took to make this country free,..... it's not an audition for your next CD..... do it with honor and respect, or leave it alone!!
The Dallas O-line is having better luck protecting a QB who is not standing exactly five steps directly behind the center... it's a little easier when the QB helps out...
another solid post.....
Last edited by chuxtory on November 24th at 2:57 PM.
Chux: I can remember when the crowds used to sing it and it was much better. I don't think performers deliberately try to be offensive with how they sing it, but I also think they don't have a clue about the song or what is an appropriate way to present it. The tune makes it tough anyone, as it's supposedly the tune of an old English drinking song.
Ricko-Why Bryant Gumbel? Of all the people they could have gotten, I don't understand why they chose Gumbel unless it was name recognition. He comes across as a very bitter, unhappy person. Just what you look for in a play-by-play announcer.
I would've typed this earlier but I couldn't reach the keyboard because my stomach was in the way. There's just not enough spandex in the world...
Anyway, most excellent post, dudski. I think that'd be great if the stadium announcer said, "Please stand, remove your hats as we honor the flag with YOUR rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. And-a-one, and-a-two..."
Yes, thanks to Cablevision for arguing yet again over a new sports channel contract so we didn't have to suffer Bryant Gumbel. But, was it me or was John Madden and his multi-legged turkey missing?
Hope you had a good holiday...thanks for the chuckle. = )
Dudski, you are so right on, on the Star Spangled Banner. We have a girl at our school that sings before our football games and she tries to match every warble of the nightengale when she sings. THe sad part is she has a good voice as does Kelly Clarkson. Just sing the song!
Romo will come down to reality soon enough and then we will see the media crucify his line instead of put any blame on him. He is living the charmed life right now and Simpson is the cherry on the sundae.
Great wide receivers need great QB's in order to shine. Marvin Harrison has Peyton and Jerry Rice had Young and Montana. Williams has Kitna. Go figure.
Great post Dud, The country is awash in overblown Hallmark pseudo-sentimentality ending in a blizzard of greed, Christmas.
How fitting we start the "Season of Gift Gluttony" with the NFL wallowing in a metaphoric halftime vomitorium.
Why didn't John Mellancamp squawk another phony calculated American themed bombast ending with him, in a suitably denimed Guthriesque pose, carried out of the stadium in a Chevy Gasorado???
Last edited by edhardiman on November 25th at 1:36 PM.
