Syracuse on national TV tonite for I believe their only appearance...against Washington. Both teams rolling out new QB's, Syracuse rolling out some ugly new unis. Took the number off the helmets, and replaced it with a GIANT block S. And the numbers are still navy with no outline on the orange jerseys, which are putrid.
Here's hoping the Cuse gets it right this year...they made some small steps forward in the solid Big East last year.
Here's also what I am NOT looking forward to one bit---Colin Cowherd AND Chris Spielman in the booth. That is an impending train wreck, it's too bad Sean McDonough is going to get stuck with those 2 no-talent 1-clowns. I can't say enough how much I detest Cowherd. He's Jim Rome minus good guests with a terrible voice.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica
We are at Threat Level Midnight for the participants in the upcoming RAFFLE (Ravenna Area Fantasy Football League) draft, held annually at someone's house in Ravenna.
This year's lineup has a bit of some shuffling, with newcomers Dave Smith, Tommy DeCamp, Trevor Torres, and host Andy Emery entering the fray. In previous years, the day has been long and fueled by adult beverages. This year? Toss in a golf outing for St. Catherine's in the morning, and you are looking at the beginning of a looong Saturday afternoon and some potential misdemeanors on Saturday night.
With no further ado, might as well break out what I see going down. With multiple new people coupled with the day's activities, there should be a lot of questionable decisions made and I'll be there to laugh at all of them.
2-round Mock draft to follow, actual draft may end up on this site next week.
1 Tommy/Trevor ---- LT
2 Helly ---- Jax
3 Justin ---- S Alexander
4 Skot ---- B Westbrook
5 A Emery ---- LJ
6 N Wyant ---- Addai
7 J Emery---- Manning
8 D Smith ---- Bush
9 Al-abama ---- Gore
10 BP ----Wee Willie
11 BB ----Maroney
12 Tim/Wes ---- Rudi
13 Tim/Wes ---- T Henry
14 BB ---- McGahee
15 BP ---- Steve Smith
16 Al-lendale ---- Ronnie Brown
17 D Smith--Marvelous Marvin
18 J Emery----Mo Jones-Drew
19 N Wyant--Ocho Cinco
20 A Emery---Edge James
21 Skot ----McNabb
22 Justin---Portis
23 Helly---Cadillac
24 Trevor/Tom ---- T Brady
This year's lineup has a bit of some shuffling, with newcomers Dave Smith, Tommy DeCamp, Trevor Torres, and host Andy Emery entering the fray. In previous years, the day has been long and fueled by adult beverages. This year? Toss in a golf outing for St. Catherine's in the morning, and you are looking at the beginning of a looong Saturday afternoon and some potential misdemeanors on Saturday night.
With no further ado, might as well break out what I see going down. With multiple new people coupled with the day's activities, there should be a lot of questionable decisions made and I'll be there to laugh at all of them.
2-round Mock draft to follow, actual draft may end up on this site next week.
1 Tommy/Trevor ---- LT
2 Helly ---- Jax
3 Justin ---- S Alexander
4 Skot ---- B Westbrook
5 A Emery ---- LJ
6 N Wyant ---- Addai
7 J Emery---- Manning
8 D Smith ---- Bush
9 Al-abama ---- Gore
10 BP ----Wee Willie
11 BB ----Maroney
12 Tim/Wes ---- Rudi
13 Tim/Wes ---- T Henry
14 BB ---- McGahee
15 BP ---- Steve Smith
16 Al-lendale ---- Ronnie Brown
17 D Smith--Marvelous Marvin
18 J Emery----Mo Jones-Drew
19 N Wyant--Ocho Cinco
20 A Emery---Edge James
21 Skot ----McNabb
22 Justin---Portis
23 Helly---Cadillac
24 Trevor/Tom ---- T Brady
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Me and TV
I'm going to start writing posts about TV shows that I've seen or enjoy. I don't watch a whole lot of TV that isn't sports-related, but the girl and I have a few shows that are must-views during the week.
The first that I'll talk about (being engaged and all) is Bridezillas. Shown on the WE network. BZ is now in its 4th season of recording the goings-on of insane women.
BZ gives a brief background on the relationship, and then during an episode, goes back and forth between 2 relationships prior to the wedding day. The less interesting couples/uninteresting women get 1 episode, while the more entertaining couples get up to 3 episodes.
Somehow they continually manage to compile a Murderers' Row of women who are completely self-obsessed with how they can make everyone around them succumb to their demands in the week leading up to their wedding day. Most of the humor usually comes from the brides' preparation for the wedding and what they view as "essential", as well as the obvious embarrassing moments during the bachelorette party and other stressful moments leading up to the wedding.
I think that Kristen enjoys watching it for the train wreck factor. She enjoys doing what many girls do--pick apart the decisions surrounding the wedding as well as the lack of good judgment displayed by the brides. She also will let me know that if she acts like many of the women, that I can kick her in the butt and/or smash her over the head with a blunt object to snap her back to the real world.
Personally, I actually enjoy viewing many episodes because the women involved are off the deep end. The grooms are usually nothing more than a necessary accessory, an incredibly small sliver of their dream rather than the person that they want to share the special day with. Mostly, parents are a checkbook, friends are dress-fillers, and in-laws are portrayed as evil incarnate.
There are women on the show that I simply cannot stand because their reality is completely unwatchable. It angers me to see some of these people and what they think they "need" to make the day happen.
The show has been a Sunday evening staple for us over the past few years and at times makes me laugh out loud. On a 1-10 scale, I give the show a solid 6.5. It's smartly narrated and edited, and the grooms mostly come off as the logical one in the relationship, which I obviously enjoy.
The first that I'll talk about (being engaged and all) is Bridezillas. Shown on the WE network. BZ is now in its 4th season of recording the goings-on of insane women.
BZ gives a brief background on the relationship, and then during an episode, goes back and forth between 2 relationships prior to the wedding day. The less interesting couples/uninteresting women get 1 episode, while the more entertaining couples get up to 3 episodes.
Somehow they continually manage to compile a Murderers' Row of women who are completely self-obsessed with how they can make everyone around them succumb to their demands in the week leading up to their wedding day. Most of the humor usually comes from the brides' preparation for the wedding and what they view as "essential", as well as the obvious embarrassing moments during the bachelorette party and other stressful moments leading up to the wedding.
I think that Kristen enjoys watching it for the train wreck factor. She enjoys doing what many girls do--pick apart the decisions surrounding the wedding as well as the lack of good judgment displayed by the brides. She also will let me know that if she acts like many of the women, that I can kick her in the butt and/or smash her over the head with a blunt object to snap her back to the real world.
Personally, I actually enjoy viewing many episodes because the women involved are off the deep end. The grooms are usually nothing more than a necessary accessory, an incredibly small sliver of their dream rather than the person that they want to share the special day with. Mostly, parents are a checkbook, friends are dress-fillers, and in-laws are portrayed as evil incarnate.
There are women on the show that I simply cannot stand because their reality is completely unwatchable. It angers me to see some of these people and what they think they "need" to make the day happen.
The show has been a Sunday evening staple for us over the past few years and at times makes me laugh out loud. On a 1-10 scale, I give the show a solid 6.5. It's smartly narrated and edited, and the grooms mostly come off as the logical one in the relationship, which I obviously enjoy.
Pistons in August
The D signed Jarvis Hayes, a 4-year backup forward from the Wizards, to a deal this week. Hayes averaged about 8 points a game off the bench for the Wiz last season. The move bolsters the bench and gives them another perimeter player...but is a bit odd, considering the drafting of Arron Afflallo, who was supposedly "that guy" to do what Hayes does. That now gives them a lot of perimeter options...but unfortunately, puts Nazr squarely in the middle of their starting lineup next season, alongside disgruntled Rasheed.
That gives them 14 guaranteed contracts at this point, and since an NBA team only carries 15 players on their everyday roster...it looks as though 2nd-round pick Sammy Mejia, a point guard who played great in the Vegas Summer League, may not be in the Pistons' plans this year, especially since suck-a Will Blalock, first round pick 2 years ago, is one of the guaranteed contracts as well.
Those 14 contracts also don't include C-Webb, who claims to still be wide open as to his plans for next season. There aren't many options remaining for free-agent moves at this time...I was kind of hoping they would have signed someone like Scot Pollard, who signed with the Celtics earlier this week, to give them another veteran post player. Hopefully the signing of Hayes means that Tey-Tey will continue to be played at the 4, which made the Pistons fun to watch last season. Hayes can also defend bigger players, and Amir Johnson is another 6-9 athletic forward who can do the same thign.
I'm hoping Dice is able to give them some big (24+) minutes a game consistently next season...which may be hoping for a lot, since he hasn't averaged more than 23 minutes a game since the 2000-01 season.
Also, Rodney Stuckey has taken Stinky Ben's uniform number 3...which will inevitably lead to many people taping over the Wallace on the back of their jerseys and replacing it with Stuckey's name....I'm just looking forward to the first Stuckey Bowl/Ed reference getting worked into a Pistons telecast.
That gives them 14 guaranteed contracts at this point, and since an NBA team only carries 15 players on their everyday roster...it looks as though 2nd-round pick Sammy Mejia, a point guard who played great in the Vegas Summer League, may not be in the Pistons' plans this year, especially since suck-a Will Blalock, first round pick 2 years ago, is one of the guaranteed contracts as well.
Those 14 contracts also don't include C-Webb, who claims to still be wide open as to his plans for next season. There aren't many options remaining for free-agent moves at this time...I was kind of hoping they would have signed someone like Scot Pollard, who signed with the Celtics earlier this week, to give them another veteran post player. Hopefully the signing of Hayes means that Tey-Tey will continue to be played at the 4, which made the Pistons fun to watch last season. Hayes can also defend bigger players, and Amir Johnson is another 6-9 athletic forward who can do the same thign.
I'm hoping Dice is able to give them some big (24+) minutes a game consistently next season...which may be hoping for a lot, since he hasn't averaged more than 23 minutes a game since the 2000-01 season.
Also, Rodney Stuckey has taken Stinky Ben's uniform number 3...which will inevitably lead to many people taping over the Wallace on the back of their jerseys and replacing it with Stuckey's name....I'm just looking forward to the first Stuckey Bowl/Ed reference getting worked into a Pistons telecast.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Boys of Summer
"Summers Fly, Winters Walk"
That was a title of one of the many Peanuts books that I used to read as a kid, and a line that has stuck with me throughout the years. I believe that Linus told that to Charlie Brown after lamenting the inevitable back to school drudgery.
That quote seems to be in the front of my brain right now after thinking about where this summer has sprinted away to. Sure, we are currently enjoying/enduring record heat here in Cincy, where we are threatening the all-time record of 17 consecutive days of high temps over the 90-degree mark.
After spending virtually the entire month of June in West Michigan and many of the following days in July in gyms reffing, it's hard to think about the onrushing school year starting without getting back home for 9 at the Creeks or a G&L special.
Days like today make me think about all those Pubfish Thursday nites over the past few summers. At the time, they seemed as if every summer would be spent golfing, playing softball, drinking, and being with friends. Now, those nights seem to be long, long gone, especially living away from home.
Here's hoping that the RAFFLE draft will be a great one and everyone appreciates what they have while thinking about the times I've had with the people reading this during many of the summers which have flown by our eyes.
That was a title of one of the many Peanuts books that I used to read as a kid, and a line that has stuck with me throughout the years. I believe that Linus told that to Charlie Brown after lamenting the inevitable back to school drudgery.
That quote seems to be in the front of my brain right now after thinking about where this summer has sprinted away to. Sure, we are currently enjoying/enduring record heat here in Cincy, where we are threatening the all-time record of 17 consecutive days of high temps over the 90-degree mark.
After spending virtually the entire month of June in West Michigan and many of the following days in July in gyms reffing, it's hard to think about the onrushing school year starting without getting back home for 9 at the Creeks or a G&L special.
Days like today make me think about all those Pubfish Thursday nites over the past few summers. At the time, they seemed as if every summer would be spent golfing, playing softball, drinking, and being with friends. Now, those nights seem to be long, long gone, especially living away from home.
Here's hoping that the RAFFLE draft will be a great one and everyone appreciates what they have while thinking about the times I've had with the people reading this during many of the summers which have flown by our eyes.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
beisbol
For the first time this decade, the Astros are not in a playoff race. Their best rookie, Hunter Pence, is on the DL, Brad Lidge has been a complete roller-coaster, Jason Jennings, acquired in an off-season trade from Colorado has been extra-mediocre, and Lance Berkman is having one of his worst statistical seasons of his career despite the giant insurance policy in the lineup known as Carlos Lee.
There is definitely the potential for light at the end of the 2007 tunnel, however. Biggio and Bagwell have giant contract numbers which end this year, so hopefully the Astros can go out and get a legit, mid-level starter to complement Roy O and Wandy.
Tigers and Cubs seem to be headed directly toward post-season berths, which make everyone reading this happy baseball fans, including giant Cub fan Kristen.
There is definitely the potential for light at the end of the 2007 tunnel, however. Biggio and Bagwell have giant contract numbers which end this year, so hopefully the Astros can go out and get a legit, mid-level starter to complement Roy O and Wandy.
Tigers and Cubs seem to be headed directly toward post-season berths, which make everyone reading this happy baseball fans, including giant Cub fan Kristen.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Rock & Roll!!
Ahhh...there's nothing like a good ol' fundraiser. Whether it's a bake sale, car wash, or working a concession stand at a national rock-music tour filled with bands I've never heard of, fundraisers can be a great way for teammates to bond over some good old-fashioned work.
This was certainly the case yesterday, as Kristen and I (along with members of our women's basketball team) got to see the Vans Warped Tour up close and personal. Over 30 bands played on numerous stages, each (of course) plastered with corporate names at a concert which originally was rather sponsor-free in its early stages. Of course, that was 13 years ago, and now there's money to be made and myspace.com tents to be visited by the scores of Gen Y-ers who descended upon Riverbend yesterday.
At our stand, we sold 20-ounce drinks for $3.50 apiece. While that certainly isn't a bargain, anyone who has attended any pro sport events or concerts are usually prepared for that kind of sticker shock. My shock came in the form of THOUSANDS of kids dressed in different forms of all-black outfits on a steamy 93-degree day. I kind of enjoyed some of the more creative outfits, as many concertgoers chose some resplendent knee-high socks, ultra-short shorts, and mohawks with spikes of hair big enough to play ring toss with. Needless to say, the piercing count was also high, including a guy who had the ubiquitous "spacer" earrings complete with mini-padlocks in each ear. That gave me nightmares.
And it goes without saying that the ink count was also rather high as well. I was surprised to not see a tattooist on-site; what I was NOT surprised to hear was the amount of angry music. I guess I don't understand at all how people can get so angry on such a nice day.
This was certainly the case yesterday, as Kristen and I (along with members of our women's basketball team) got to see the Vans Warped Tour up close and personal. Over 30 bands played on numerous stages, each (of course) plastered with corporate names at a concert which originally was rather sponsor-free in its early stages. Of course, that was 13 years ago, and now there's money to be made and myspace.com tents to be visited by the scores of Gen Y-ers who descended upon Riverbend yesterday.
At our stand, we sold 20-ounce drinks for $3.50 apiece. While that certainly isn't a bargain, anyone who has attended any pro sport events or concerts are usually prepared for that kind of sticker shock. My shock came in the form of THOUSANDS of kids dressed in different forms of all-black outfits on a steamy 93-degree day. I kind of enjoyed some of the more creative outfits, as many concertgoers chose some resplendent knee-high socks, ultra-short shorts, and mohawks with spikes of hair big enough to play ring toss with. Needless to say, the piercing count was also high, including a guy who had the ubiquitous "spacer" earrings complete with mini-padlocks in each ear. That gave me nightmares.
And it goes without saying that the ink count was also rather high as well. I was surprised to not see a tattooist on-site; what I was NOT surprised to hear was the amount of angry music. I guess I don't understand at all how people can get so angry on such a nice day.
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