After searching for other places to blog, I returned to FoxSports. Why? I don't know. It still seems like the same ole blog though.

There are those in that "clique" before I left. Yes it's silly to talk about a "clique" or "CLICK".

Only those in this group get numerous comments to their blogs. I need not name them, they are obvious.

This isn't a WHINING POST by any means. I would just like to see more balance. I'd like to see some of the less heralded bloggers and the new bloggers get some comments to keep them here.

I am guilty also. However, if I see a new blogger, I will comment. I don't always have time to post comments because I rarely have time to even write a blog.

I just wanted to rant.

So let's unite as a community of bloggers and keep the ones we have. Plus make the new ones feel welcome ( if you already haven't ).

Thanks Friends,

-88

No elaborate pics, nothing frilly and fancy, just a reason why I'm on a bandwagon this year....enjoy!

"As obscure as it is relevant in todays realm of sports, is the thinking that a team must win it all to have a successful season.  What is considered when a team is honored as having a successful season? Having a terrific win/loss ration during the "primer" run leading up to the important "second season" shouldn't be regarded as a failure if in fact a team struggles and loses in the playoffs.

Yet in a society clamored with the hype also comes the responsibility to live up to the hype. The coaches know it. The players know it. Yeah, even the water boy knows it. Or now should I say the Gatorade boy? And in not being politically incorrect, I won’t shun Gatorade girl.

 Though this attitude has not only permeated the world of sports. Think back to the days when giving 110% actually meant “selling the farm”. Whether it was at home with your families or on the job giving everything you had to meet a company’s expectation were well, just that, expected. That 110% meant something. Does this still important principle hold true today?"    -88

 However true you are to yourself would determine the answer to that very important question. In a world of ever evolving ideas, holding true to the aspects of life that are true to you will get you far. In other words, don’t sell the farm then regret not only the decision, but to whom the farm was sold.

In saying that, I would like to say this. Life in the real world isn't that much different than life in the National Football League. The same 110% effort we grind

out, struggle with; at home with our spouse and kids and our jobs is reflected each Sunday here in the U.S.A. As well as Monday, some Thursdays, and come playoff time, Saturdays. This Sunday is an exception when the NFL will be on display at Wimbley Stadium in London, England. The struggling Dolphins (0-7, worst start in franchise history) are playing a "home game" against the team visiting from the New Jersey area who some dub New York A, the Giants.

Here's a stretch for you guys and gals. Speaking of the Miami Dolphins, is it possible that they are the worst team in the worst division in the history of the NFL? The only sign of life in that division are the SEVEN and ZERO (a franchise first) New England Patriots.

So why would I use a bad segue (my apologies) to introduce the New England Patriots into this conversation? Because I am on the Patriots' bandwagon, of course. To those who remember me and my first rant on FoxSports, I was angered over the offciating in the NFL over the years. For those of you not familiar, I will sum it up for you.

My initial blog (before I had left, then returned with a slightly altered nick) was a rant on bad whistle blowing. It wasn't long after the refs had stole the chance (or many chances) from the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl EXTRA EXRA Large to win the game and for once, hold the Lombardi Trophy. We all know the ending. If not, then Pittsburgh carried the banner that year. However, if you will note in my summarized BIO my rant began back in the snow in New England. Of course, my BIO doesn't say that. Yet, in putting two and two together, one will notice one team, the Oakland Raiders. Another two and two; tuck rule and "no fumble" after the official review prevented the Raiders from advancing, and catapulted New England to new heights.

I'm still cringing. This is very difficult for me to write, trust me. I may be hanged by friends and family. Please call 911 if I haven't returned to FoxSports Blogging in a few weeks. Or, just give KSP the win by forfeit for if I advance, I may have to be reached by séance and spiritually enter gambit to let all you bloggers know what it's like on the other side.

Try new heights to the tune of three Super Bowl rings in as many tries. I wanted badly for the Colts to beat them back in 2005, but it wasn't to be. I wanted Oakland to beat them in 2002. It just wasn't to be.

 During the game against the Raiders, I could feel something brewing inside me that I had never felt before against an AFC team (of course, the Kansas City Chiefs being excluded). I am an AFC guy. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky. Watching football on Sundays meant I had no option but to root for the AFC teams broadcast on NBC affiliate WSAZ out of Huntington, WVA. I rarely watched an NFC team at that time. So growing up in the 80’s and 90’s of course I was a Buffalo Bills fan as well as a proud Bengals, Browns, and Oilers fan. A New England fan, not so much.

  And still to this day a New England fan, not so much. Something changed this year however. First the team acquired Randy Moss for a 3rd round draft pick. What a steal that was. Moss is a native of Rand, WVA. Living in eastern Kentucky, we tend to notice Pro-caliber players who may attend Marshall, WVU, UK, EKU, and the like. So I was a Moss fan from day one with the Minnesota Vikings. He became a phenomenon.

 Loved then hated in Minnesota, Moss moved on to Oakland to play for the Raiders. He once again fell into a love/hate relationship with not only the team, but the higher-ups. As much a talent as Moss is, an infection to a team it seems may be better to describe him. When Moss became a member of the New England Patriots a ring was what he was looking for. Aside from resurrecting his tainted image, Moss also wanted to prove that he still could not be covered one on one. I personally was wanting the infection to spread. And who knows? Maybe it already has behind closed doors.

This year Moss has caught 10 touchdown passes and in the process raised Tom Brady’s career to an unbelievable new level. With 27 touchdown passes in seven, yes seven games, Brady has began the season unlike any quarterback in NFL history. Sure, anyone can just heave the ball into the air long distance style and let Moss do the work. I mean that’s what Randall Cunningham did in Minnesota in Moss’ rookie year, right? True, but Brady also has shown accuracy and precision in his passes and making very few mistakes. In fact he is on pace to shatter many of the NFL records. He already has set a few records. One by being the most accurate passer in 100 pass attempts (79-100) in NFL history.

  But it’s not only Moss. The addition of Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, Sammy Morris, and Adalias Thomas has greatly improved the offense and defense and special teams.

  Have you wondered yet why I haven’t mentioned Bill Belichick? Well, it’s because I have saved the best for last.

  I told my wife about this blogging contest in which she replied, “I hope you win!” She also wondered if I was going to have time to write this blog. How odd is this? While I was typing this at work, she called. Anyway, back to Belichick. I like him about as much as I like working 60 hours this week. As I mentioned earlier though, hard work pays off. A hard work ethic is what Bill Belichick is all about. He gets the most out of every player on his roster. Some would argue that he stretches them too far at times. Such as the time a couple years ago when WR Troy Brown was used in certain defensive formations; Belichick has done nothing but win though.

  So, love them or hate them, that is the question. Honestly I despise this team. Yet I will say that I am on their bandwagon. Why you may ask. As the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them!” I wouldn’t go that far. However, any team that Moss is playing for…I like. What I like most though is that it’s possible that before season’s end Moss will have infected the locker-room with his disdain for certain players, certain plays, and even Belichick himself. One could only hope.

  Yes, I am on the New England Patriots’ bandwagon. But I am only being drug along behind on a string. I am hoping this team will go 16-0 in the regular season. No team in NFL history has done that except the 1972 Dolphins. Yes, I am on the New England Patriots’ bandwagon, but I hope they choke in the playoffs. I cannot see myself rooting for this team to do anything otherwise. Do I think this 2007-2008 version of the New England Patriots can go undefeated…sure. They do however have some tough games ahead of them. A date at the Colts on November 4th looms large. Possibly the only game after that which could be a challenge for the Patriots is the trip to Baltimore on December 3rd.

Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. This team shows that 110% each week. They bring their “A” game to every game. I’m not convinced yet if they brought their “C” game it would have any bearing on the outcome of the game. Yes, they may not cover the spread, but they could still win by a touchdown or more.

Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Just like some of my favorite teams in the past, I am on the Patriots bandwagon. The Minnesota Vikings cruised through the regular season in 1998. A team carried by Randall Cunningham, Moss, and Cris Carter though stumbled in the NFC Championship game at Atlanta.

  Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Belichick has pride. That is unmistakable. If there is anyone out there that thinks the Patriots will not go for the 16-0 record under Belichick’s watch, well then they are wrong. Did I mention “Bill Gate”? It has been termed many ways. Belichick cheated. No getting away with it Bill.

 Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. What other team in the league has the arsenals on offense, the players like Asante Samuel, Adalius Thomas, Teddy Bruski, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymore, Rodney Harrison and the like on defense? No other team has. They begin to remind me of the 2006 version of The Ohio State Buckeyes. Invincible all season, yet in the face of adversity playing the Florida Gators in the BCS National Championship game, well, they choked. I have to be on the Patriots’ bandwagon.

I have to love this team. They have the tools they need to get the job done. This team possesses the will to win. They own the players that have the will to win. This team is comprised of winners. Are they a surprise team this year? I think so. Everyone knew they had the potential to be good heading into the season. Did anyone think this team could be great? I did. The greatest team in the history of the game? I did.

My wife was lying in the bed with me when I heard the news of the trade for Moss. I turned to her and said, “#$%%, I hate that team! Now they will be unstoppable!”

Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Go Pats!

-88

True story here. One night as some of my co-workers and I were sitting outside the hospital on break we saw in the distance two people walking alongside the road. Not knowing where they were headed on this foggy Summer night, we dismissed the idea that we had even acknowledged their existence. We continued the usual co-worker conversation between nurses, lab technicians, X-ray technicians, and the like.( For those of you not privy to such information; aggravating patients wanting their pain medication two hours early, annoying family members insisting their diagnosis of the illness must be noted on the chart, and of course, the "closeness" noted between THE couple of the week highlights the conversations of most hospital workers taking breaks on the nightshift.) 

 Yet, on that night the two we could barely distinguish just moments earlier had made their way to the entrance of the hospital Emergency Room. "Long walk to visit a patient!" One co-worker said.

"I bet I will see him in the ER waiting room, then in one of the ER Bays needing treatment." I thought quietly to myself. For I knew who one of the guys were; what we as Medical Professionals like to refer to as "Regulars", or "Frequent Flyers".

Sure enough, when I returned to the lab there were orders there for the basic lab work done in ER. A CBC ( Complete Blood Count ) to check for infection, anemia, hydration, etc. A BMP ( Basic Metabolic Panel ) to check a patient’s electrolytes, kidney function, lung function, etc. Just routine labs, it was just a routine phlebotomy.

 What was not routine however was the patient's status when I opened the door of the room the patient occupied in this state of "EMERGENCY". Writhing in pain, twisting, groaning, complaining, "Help me stop this pain! God, I can't take this! Can't they give me anything for this pain?"

  "Didn't I just see you walking toward the hospital with this other guy?" He replied, No. "You seemed to be fine just 10 minutes ago" I thought. Of course, the previous conversation did not occur, for I am a Medical Professional. I had to treat the situation as a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. And it was, for him at least. More the case of a MEDICAL NECESSITY. He had to get that prescription of pain medication. 

 In the medical field, especially in Emergency Rooms across the nation, similar events take place every day, every hour, every minute, and every second.  Although it is not my job as a member of the Laboratory Team to make these decisions, doctors and nurses have to deal with these types of issues and treat patients accordingly.

 So exactly how do we know when it’s a real emergency? Good question. The fact is, it’s about a 50/50 guestimation. The usual suspects we know of. They give themselves away by making their third trip to the ER, that week. The new generation “frequent flyers” however trick us. We aren’t aware of their wiliness until after the fact.

 Don’t get me wrong though, you do have your bona fide Medical Necessity patients. These are the backbone of the hospital. They are at the hospital because they need to be. When they arrive at the door, you know what you have in front of you.

 As crazy a tie-in as it seems, the above are what we like to call in the medical field, your “Knowns”. They are a given. They are your New England Patriots. They are your Indianapolis Colts. They are your Baltimore Ravens. Like last year, this years versions of the aforementioned teams are a given. They will bring it every week. They will win a lot of games. They will make the playoffs.

  One could come to the conclusion that these teams should called be the “regulars” or the “frequent flyers” but that has been reserved for my newly noted term, Medical Emergency Pretenders. Yes, these teams don’t seem to bring it every week. These teams give their fans fits of rage and feelings of euphoria. Or both at the same time. On the same play, nevertheless. They are the new generation of pretenders in that just when you had discharged them, here they are back in the ER two or three days later with the same scenario. Complaining of the same symptoms. On the pain scale of 0 – 10, with 10 being the worst pain imaginable ( i.e. getting hit by a semi and living, falling from an 8 story building and living), they will tell you, “ 9, 10 when it’s at it’s worst”.

  Let’s take for example the current AFC West leading Kansas City Chiefs. When they began the season 0-2, scoring 13 points total in the two losses on the road at Houston and at Chicago, many naysayers were calling this possibly the worst offensive team in history. Since they let Trent Green go many said, Damon Huard just couldn’t get the job done in KC. And when the critics weren’t kicking Huard (who did have less than 200 yards passing in both games) they were beating up on Larry Johnson. But why wouldn’t they? Johnson, who carried, literally the team last year is gearing up to do it again this year. However, the team cannot rely on Larry Johnson to do it all, so they brought back KC’s favorite son Priest Holmes to help LJ with the load and sent Michael Bennett to the Bucs.

 Although the team sits at 3-3 now after the unimpressive start, they are as much pretenders as those who come through the ER, by ambulance for kicks, complaining of abdominal pain. Get this Chiefs team an Abdominal Series, STAT! Yeah, coach Herman Edward’s squad have gone 3-1 since, but scoring 13 at home in a win against Minnesota (2-3), and winning at home against Cincinnati (1-4) is not that impressive. What is impressive though is going to San Diego and handing the struggling-at-the-time Chargers (3-3) a 30-16 Loss. Their remaining schedule however is stockpiled with playoff teams. Green Bay, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Detroit highlights their non-division slate. 26-22. That’s the record of the teams remaining on their schedule, including divisional foes Denver twice, revenge-minded San Diego, and at improving Oakland. They proved to me they can’t beat an elite team for they lost at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1). Larry Johnson gained 12 yards rushing in that game, and the team scored 7 points.

 Pack it up Kansas City, your season’s over and you have ten games to go. You can whine, fake cry, and scream for pain medication all you want. But you are a definite Medical Emergency Pretender.

 As bad as the Chiefs have looked at times this year, no team has needed a resuscitation as badly as the 1-4 New Orleans Saints. They remind me of the kind that complain that they can’t catch their breaths, but fail to tell you they keep holding it just the same. What began September 6th and ended October 7th was a stretch of 4 consecutive losses to start the season, and proved that this team needed to be on the ventilator as much as it needed to breathe on its own. Their only close game was a home game they lost to Carolina by 3, 13-16. Before that they gave up 103 points in the first three losses. Ugly on the field and ugly on the scoreboard. They did though travel to the great Northeast and beat a questionable Seattle team.

 For a team that led the league in scoring last year, scoring seems to be a problem this year. 10, 14, 12, 13...the numbers they put up in their first four losses. Scoring 28 at Seattle in the win was pretty impressive however. Maybe this team has gotten on track after they woke from the nightmare that was adjusting their game without the services of Deuce McCallister, the heart and soul of the once dynamic offense. Reggie Bush inherited the full-time position at tailback and only time will tell if he can stand up to the grind of a 16 game season. He has looked better recently though, tallying 97 yards rushing in the win at Seattle.

With some luck, more luck, and better play this years Saints team can turn their season around. I think it started with getting that first win. The Pro-Bowl QB Drew Brees though has to figure into the equation also and make better decisions. Being in the NFC South Division doesn’t hurt things either. This division literally has a different winner each season. Can the Saints make it back to back division champs? I think so. They have a favorable schedule in which the combined records of their remaining opponents is 25-32. This team could conceivably go 10-6. Anything is possible these days. Crazy as it sounds after an 0-4 start, it’s just as possible as it could be probable.

Consider there is only one team remaining on their schedule that has grounded itself with an identity and as a force. That would be the Jacksonville Jaguars. And the Saints get to play them in the Superdome. So what if they are 0-2 in the division? They still get to play Atlanta twice; as well as home games against lowly St. Louis, and unstable teams such as Arizona and Philadelphia.

While looking at their remaining road schedule, it’s not unfathomable that the team can go 9-2 the rest of the way. Playing at San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago means this team has a chance. This team has hope. This team may need the ventilator to keep them alive, but can breathe on its own if indeed it has found an identity once more. What more does the team have to lose? They closed the season last year turning blue, but caught a second wind in the playoffs and made it to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Chicago Bears. Has this team loaded with playmakers and coached by a savvy Sean Payton caught its first breath of air this year? I think so. We won’t call this team Pretenders. No, not with a division crown that could seemingly be theirs. They still get to play Tampa Bay at home. They still have life left in them. Their season is just starting.

A Saint’s team that has everything to gain by diagnosing the problems, knowing the symptoms, and getting to that Emergency Room like a man with his umm, member, caught in the fly of his Levi’s can’t be called Pretenders. No, this team is what I would term a Medical Emergency Contender.

Gear up New Orleans! You’re in for one heck of a ride. Gear up Saints! You’ve got work to get done and you have 11 games to prove to the Nation of Haters that YOU will go 10-6; win the division, make the NFL Playoffs!Take a deep breath. Relax. Look at what you can accomplish as Contenders!

Unfortunately, not all the teams that are on this early "bubble" of contention will fare as well as the New Orleans Saints. Let us take a breif look at a few other teams coming off of a win last week. Let the stats do the talking and the Medical Emergency Pretenders do the walking.

The Cleveland Browns:

You've had a good run through 6 games. Any Browns fan will gladly accept a  3-3 start from such a bad team for so long. You almost feel you have to blame someone on this team. So yes, Derek Anderson came walking through them ER doors. He came confidently. He was only there to have a 4 inch gash above his right eye be stitched. He has lifted the team on his shoulders like a bag of saline. Which is about the equivalent of how far this team will go. Just a few electrolyes. That's all this team is. They have to get some meat on that defense. It's great to score 41 on Miami's defense. It's not so great to allow 31 points to Miami's offense.

You have a decent non-divisional schedule ahead of you. All I need to say is next opponent is at 0-6 St. Louis. Starting here your next opponents have a combined record of 22-34. That's a great sign for this offense.

But you never made it to the ER doors Anderson. You were dreaming of a season ending 11-5 record. Back to reality. You are in the AFC North. You go 8-8 and miss the NFL Playoffs.

Cleveland Browns you are discharged. Dare I say that you are a Medical Emergency Pretender?

Browns fans: You guys and gals are not alone! Doesn't that make you all feel better? The passionate fans of The Minnesota Vikings will be holding back the tears at seasons end also. Cheer while your team has Adrian Peterson. He may not be there long. There is hope, but slim my friends.

Minnesota's opponents over the next 11 weeks are a combined 33-27.Yes, you will hang around the cellar dwellars in the NFC and stay in the dark too long. You may find what you were looking for over the last 3 games of the seaon. But it will be too late. Like Peterson himself, you Vikings are the little boys that stick the beans up their noses and scare the parents. You seek medical attention. You don't find any.

Minnesota Vikings: hold your collective heads high for you are Medical Emergency Pretenders!

Man, I've been rough on these teams!  Can we find any team with a win last week that could get some medical attention? Get some love from the nursing staff? Sure we can. There's a team in Jacksonville that has come through the ER with a UTI. The team requests no treatment. Just a little some'n some'n to ease the pain. Just a little annoyance they boast!

The Jaguars have an archrival. Why couldn't a Jaguar tear into a helpless Colt? There is no reason they can't. Jack Del Rio has his team right where he wants it. Being 4-1 and residing behind the AFC South leading Indianapolis (5-0) is quite alright with them. They know they can beat them. They have the momentum. They have won 4 in a row. They have the Colts coming to their house this Sunday.

The Jags are nasty. They have a nasty defense that has given up 13, 7, 14, 7, and 17 points over 5 games. They know they are nasty! But still yet they find gentleness and kindness as they take the Colts to the ER. Severely wounded and bleeding profusely, the Colts knew what was coming. The Colts could not stop what was coming. The Jags themselves only reside in the waiting room. They hear the opponent will make it through. They don't hesitate to get up and leave.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, despite the fact that your opponents over the next 11 weeks have a combined record of 30-24, at seasons end you will have that impressive resume and an 11-5 record. Go ahead and admit this team into in the NFL Playoffs. For you, my friends, are Medical Emergency Contenders!

For whatever reason, the Jaguars stop at the door of the ER and notice a familiar foe. A team patiently waiting to see if their opponent is alright after the thrashing they laid upon them this coming Sunday. Why do the Jaguars even stop to acknowledge their in-state rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Maybe the Jaguars wonder if the Detroit Lions are alright themselves. The nasty Jags do not. These Jags want the Bucs to know they own the state.

It becomes a stare down for the first minute or so, but Tampa Bay does not back down. They have the same number of wins as the Jags. But they have that one extra loss the Jags can hang their hats on for now. Marked long ago before training camp, was the date October 28, 2007. Bragging rights on the line. These Buccaneers host this same nasty Jacksonville team.

Tampa Bay walks away from the ER knowing the Lions were just a tune-up for the upcoming Jags. Just one of three teams left on the Bucs schedule that has a record above .500. This team knows they face opponents each week that combine to have a losing record with 30 losses scattered among them.

Tampa fans thought it had lost a valuable limb that could not be replaced the last time they visited this ER. Another Cadillac injury. Those common MVAs ( Motor Vehicle Accidents) happen all the time. The Bucs don't hesitate to grab Michael Bennett from the Chiefs. The Bucs know that they lead the NFC South and want to cling to that lead so this I say to them:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you pirates of the south, you will be stealing your place in the NFL Playoffs. You guys, you are officially Medical Emergency Contenders!

-88