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.