Inspiration is something that we all look for in life and most of the time we take and get our inspiration from what we see the most and for me that is usually an athlete. Today I will not talk about sports but about people that we should look to for inspiration. I have a friend that is on a mission and that mission is to give away 1,000,000 dollars. I have a link to his blog on this very blog. Today after you read my blog, please take a minute to visit his blog. His blog is www.better2give.blogspot.com
I am not asking that you give to his cause although if you feel you should, I am sure he would appreciate the help. What I want you to do is read at least his last 2 post about people who are giving instead of receiving. We are in what people call the season of giving and it is my hope that all of you are touched in some way by the stories and inspired to give this holiday season. I also hope that we don't forget the feeling we got from giving and continue to give year round. Giving doesn't always have to be money but can be time you give to help someone that needs it. And if you lose that inspiration to give, please check back with Better2Give and let it inspire you as it does me.
Thanks for reading and sports will come in my next post I promise.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
All I want for Christmas
I know it seems early to start the Christmas talk but after this weekends college football games, I am on my BCS soap box again. So here is what I want for Christmas:
A PLAYOFF in college football. It seems that the NCAA won't give it to me so I am asking Santa to bring it my way. I have been a good boy and promise to treat it well.
The BSC rankings are out and Michigan has kept the number 2 spot. How? It was a close game and they played well but they lost. Plus their record against ranked teams this year is 1-1. That is right, they have played 12 games and only 2 against ranked teams. Lastly, if Michigan won the bowl game, wouldn't Ohio State have a right to get a split National Title?
Here is what a couple of other teams have done this year compared to Michigan (in the order I think they should be in):
1. Flordia (2-1 vs. ranked teams) and they still have a game against a ranked team (Arkansas) left to play. If they win, they would be 3-1 vs. ranked teams.
2. USC (3-0 vs. ranked teams) and they still have a game against a ranked team (Notre Dame) left to play. If they win, they would be 4-0 vs. ranked teams.
3. Arkansas (2-1 vs. ranked teams) and they still have 2 games against ranked teams (LSU and Florida) left to play. If they win both of those, they would be 4-1 vs. ranked teams.
I refuse to put Notre Dame in the mix because they play the worst schedule and won't join a conf. They have played Army, Navy, Air Force, North Carolina and Stanford. Five of possibly the worst teams to play college football.
For a friend of mine who thinks the Steelers are not only going to make the playoffs but win the Super Bowl, this is what I have to say to you. Get some crazy pills from one of your MD friends and start taking them because it isn't going to happen.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to your comments.
A PLAYOFF in college football. It seems that the NCAA won't give it to me so I am asking Santa to bring it my way. I have been a good boy and promise to treat it well.
The BSC rankings are out and Michigan has kept the number 2 spot. How? It was a close game and they played well but they lost. Plus their record against ranked teams this year is 1-1. That is right, they have played 12 games and only 2 against ranked teams. Lastly, if Michigan won the bowl game, wouldn't Ohio State have a right to get a split National Title?
Here is what a couple of other teams have done this year compared to Michigan (in the order I think they should be in):
1. Flordia (2-1 vs. ranked teams) and they still have a game against a ranked team (Arkansas) left to play. If they win, they would be 3-1 vs. ranked teams.
2. USC (3-0 vs. ranked teams) and they still have a game against a ranked team (Notre Dame) left to play. If they win, they would be 4-0 vs. ranked teams.
3. Arkansas (2-1 vs. ranked teams) and they still have 2 games against ranked teams (LSU and Florida) left to play. If they win both of those, they would be 4-1 vs. ranked teams.
I refuse to put Notre Dame in the mix because they play the worst schedule and won't join a conf. They have played Army, Navy, Air Force, North Carolina and Stanford. Five of possibly the worst teams to play college football.
For a friend of mine who thinks the Steelers are not only going to make the playoffs but win the Super Bowl, this is what I have to say to you. Get some crazy pills from one of your MD friends and start taking them because it isn't going to happen.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to your comments.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
LT
Another great weekend of sports action both in the college ranks as well as the pros. Ohio State and Michigan both won and have set-up a 1 vs. 2 match-up for this upcoming weekend. The BCS rankings got another shock as Texas and Auburn lost while Arkansas made a statement and moved way up in the rankings. Jimmy Johnson padded his lead in the chase and just needs to hold one for one more race to bring home his first NASCAR championship. And lastly the Chargers scored 42 points in the second half to beat the Bengals 49 to 41 on Sunday and that is were my topic for today comes from.
I know their are a lot of great players in the NFL but I think that LT is by far the best of the best. From the RB position, he can take over a game and that was never more evident on Sunday when he got in the end zone 4 times. Right now, he is my MVP for the league. I know some will say Manning and I do think he is second but that for me is a distant second right now. There are still 7 games left in the season and I can change my opinion based on play during those remaining games but for now, I can't pick anyone other than LT.
Sorry to all that who read for the short post today, I was out of town all weekend and didn't get to see as much sports as I would have liked. I can tell you that my U10 boys soccer team that I coach was at a tournament in Indiana and they won the tournament. We went 4-0 and only had one goal scored against us in those for games. My wife's 13 year old was also playing on a U14 team at the same tournament and they too won their age group at the tournament. So I saw great sports by some of the athletes we may someday see playing in the college ranks as well as the pros.
I know their are a lot of great players in the NFL but I think that LT is by far the best of the best. From the RB position, he can take over a game and that was never more evident on Sunday when he got in the end zone 4 times. Right now, he is my MVP for the league. I know some will say Manning and I do think he is second but that for me is a distant second right now. There are still 7 games left in the season and I can change my opinion based on play during those remaining games but for now, I can't pick anyone other than LT.
Sorry to all that who read for the short post today, I was out of town all weekend and didn't get to see as much sports as I would have liked. I can tell you that my U10 boys soccer team that I coach was at a tournament in Indiana and they won the tournament. We went 4-0 and only had one goal scored against us in those for games. My wife's 13 year old was also playing on a U14 team at the same tournament and they too won their age group at the tournament. So I saw great sports by some of the athletes we may someday see playing in the college ranks as well as the pros.
Friday, November 10, 2006
What now?
With Louisville losing last night, it looks like we are going to have a one loss team playing for the National Title. Anyone want to guess who that team will be? I don't want to guess but being a SEC fan, I want Florida playing for the title. They play in what people say is the toughest conf. and I agree. If they can get by either Arkansas or Auburn in the SEC championship game, who can say they don't belong. However, who can say that Texas, USC, Notre Dame, Auburn or even Cal don't belong. Guess we get to see how bad the BCS system is again. But wait, we have maybe a perfect Rutgers to throw in the mix. They play in a BCS conf. and may be perfect for the year. What do we do now? Again, I can't answer that under the current system. I can say and will continue to say we need a PLAYOFF and we need it now. Until we get that, we will always question who is the best team in college football. If anyone from the BCS committee is reading this and I doubt they are, listen to the public and the media. Get a PLAYOFF now. I am not sure there is anything else we can do but voice our opinion until they listen.
What are your thoughts on the BCS system and who do you think should play for the title? Let me know and we can discuss in my next post.
Off topic thought to ponder over the weekend:
Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
What are your thoughts on the BCS system and who do you think should play for the title? Let me know and we can discuss in my next post.
Off topic thought to ponder over the weekend:
Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Sad day in college football
I would like to send my prayers out to the family, friends and teammates of Miami football player Bryan Pata. I didn't know him personally nor did many of the people that will write about him in the coming days but that doesn't mean we can't express our thoughts and send out prayers for all who did know him.
I also feel that this tragic event with all the other on and off field issues they have had will be hard for this team to overcome. Not because they don't want to overcome it but because they are between the ages of 18 and 22. I was that age once and I don't think that I could have put 100% effort into a game like football if I had lost a friend.
Response to comments: I have had a couple of people respond to my Ritz vs. Town House post. First let me say that Saltine crackers are so 70's and 80's. The last time I ate a saltine cracker, I was listening to Hart and you still had to brake the crackers apart yourself. If you want a plain cracker for soup or chili go with the oyster cracker. There is a lot less mess and work involved with oyster crackers. For those who prefer Ritz, you have no taste buds and don't know what you are talking about. Sorry
Soap Box Topic for the day:
I want to say that college football is my favorite college sport and ranks right behind pro football in my list of sports but we have way to much college football on T.V. now. Did you realize that we now have games on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and even Sunday. Is the demand for college football games that high? I say no. Plus aren't these kids student athletes. If they are playing games on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are they not missing class? If they aren't in class how are they going to make the grades to stay on the team? Stupid question I know because most get help. Good topic for another day. I blame these games on the NCAA and the schools. They continue to say that it is about the student athletes but with games during the week, it tells me it is about the money. Much like the Bowl games but again another topic for another day. Bottom line, put the college games back on Saturday and if you want a good game on a different day, use Thursday.
As Jim Rome says
OUT!!
I also feel that this tragic event with all the other on and off field issues they have had will be hard for this team to overcome. Not because they don't want to overcome it but because they are between the ages of 18 and 22. I was that age once and I don't think that I could have put 100% effort into a game like football if I had lost a friend.
Response to comments: I have had a couple of people respond to my Ritz vs. Town House post. First let me say that Saltine crackers are so 70's and 80's. The last time I ate a saltine cracker, I was listening to Hart and you still had to brake the crackers apart yourself. If you want a plain cracker for soup or chili go with the oyster cracker. There is a lot less mess and work involved with oyster crackers. For those who prefer Ritz, you have no taste buds and don't know what you are talking about. Sorry
Soap Box Topic for the day:
I want to say that college football is my favorite college sport and ranks right behind pro football in my list of sports but we have way to much college football on T.V. now. Did you realize that we now have games on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and even Sunday. Is the demand for college football games that high? I say no. Plus aren't these kids student athletes. If they are playing games on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are they not missing class? If they aren't in class how are they going to make the grades to stay on the team? Stupid question I know because most get help. Good topic for another day. I blame these games on the NCAA and the schools. They continue to say that it is about the student athletes but with games during the week, it tells me it is about the money. Much like the Bowl games but again another topic for another day. Bottom line, put the college games back on Saturday and if you want a good game on a different day, use Thursday.
As Jim Rome says
OUT!!
Monday, November 06, 2006
Town House or Ritz crackers
This weekend was filled with great action from beginning to end and I promise I will get to the sports in just a minute. First I would like to talk about Town House and Ritz crackers.
Over the weekend, I made some chili with my wife. While the finishing touches were being put on the chili, we noticed that we were out of crackers. My wife ran to the local store to pick-up some crackers for the meal. She grabbed a box of Ritz in a rush and I have to say that I was disappointed. They are by no means as good as Town House. Flaky and buttery are not two words I would use to describe a Ritz, however, cardboard and plain are two words I would use. Advice to the makers of the Ritz, put some butter in the crackers and make Town House work for their market share. Right now you aren't and I am sure Town House is happy about that fact.
Now on to the sports. This weekend we saw Ohio State and Michigan almost give up their title hopes a game early to the likes of Illinois and Ball State, the Bears perfect season ended by the Dolphins again, the Cowboys lose one of the weirdest games ever, Jimmy Johnson took over the points lead in NASCAR and the Colts made it two in a row vs. the Patriots in Foxboro.
Here are my two topics for the week (soon to be called Soap Box topics):
1. When to bench a starting or back-up QB in the NFL? Not only is this a hard for coaches to do but it is also hard to discuss but I am going to give it a shot. Right now there are 6 teams that have back-up QBs piloting their ships. I think 3 of these teams need to make the decision to keep their back-up as a starter for the rest of the season. Jacksonville, Dallas and Kansas City have back-ups that are playing very well and their teams are winning games. They need to follow the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Going back to the starter only brings back the possibility of losing and sub-par play from that position. Plus all three of these teams have hopes of the playoffs and that means job security for any coach. On the other hand, there is one team in my opinion that needs to put their starter on the bench. The Pittsburgh Steelers are now 2-6 and don't seem to be in the running for a playoff birth. They need to salvage what is left of the season, stop the bleeding and put Big Ben on the bench. He is a turnover machine and continues to put what is one of the best defenses in the league in terrible positions. Prime example was the Oakland game. The defense allowed less than 100 total yards for the game yet they lost. He had a bad off season and has transferred that to the regular season. Do your team, his confidence and the city a favor and put Batch in the game.
2. R E S P E C T, that is what the Colts need. I first want to say that I understand this team has not shown much fight in the playoffs but we don't live in the past and we are not in the playoffs right now so we must focus on what is in front of us. What is in front of us, is a team that is 8-0 and has beaten the likes of Jacksonville (5-3), Denver (6-2) and New England (6-2). Two of these wins coming on the road and back to back. The run defense is at best suspect and teams do try to run the ball a lot against them but they still win. Keeping Peyton on the bench with a good run game doesn't work this year. Every time the offense has the ball this year, they know they need to score and for the most part they have done it. No team has stopped the Colts when they needed to score and win a game and until they lose a game, they have to be the best team in football. However, if you are one who dwells in the past, do you think last years playoff loss had more to do with poor play or the fact that their head coach had just been through the death of his son? With a two game lead in the AFC, looks like we will get another chance to see if teams can travel to Indy in the playoffs and get a win. I say that without a tragic event, the Colts play in the Super Bowl.
Again, thanks for reading and I look forward to any comments or questions.
Over the weekend, I made some chili with my wife. While the finishing touches were being put on the chili, we noticed that we were out of crackers. My wife ran to the local store to pick-up some crackers for the meal. She grabbed a box of Ritz in a rush and I have to say that I was disappointed. They are by no means as good as Town House. Flaky and buttery are not two words I would use to describe a Ritz, however, cardboard and plain are two words I would use. Advice to the makers of the Ritz, put some butter in the crackers and make Town House work for their market share. Right now you aren't and I am sure Town House is happy about that fact.
Now on to the sports. This weekend we saw Ohio State and Michigan almost give up their title hopes a game early to the likes of Illinois and Ball State, the Bears perfect season ended by the Dolphins again, the Cowboys lose one of the weirdest games ever, Jimmy Johnson took over the points lead in NASCAR and the Colts made it two in a row vs. the Patriots in Foxboro.
Here are my two topics for the week (soon to be called Soap Box topics):
1. When to bench a starting or back-up QB in the NFL? Not only is this a hard for coaches to do but it is also hard to discuss but I am going to give it a shot. Right now there are 6 teams that have back-up QBs piloting their ships. I think 3 of these teams need to make the decision to keep their back-up as a starter for the rest of the season. Jacksonville, Dallas and Kansas City have back-ups that are playing very well and their teams are winning games. They need to follow the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Going back to the starter only brings back the possibility of losing and sub-par play from that position. Plus all three of these teams have hopes of the playoffs and that means job security for any coach. On the other hand, there is one team in my opinion that needs to put their starter on the bench. The Pittsburgh Steelers are now 2-6 and don't seem to be in the running for a playoff birth. They need to salvage what is left of the season, stop the bleeding and put Big Ben on the bench. He is a turnover machine and continues to put what is one of the best defenses in the league in terrible positions. Prime example was the Oakland game. The defense allowed less than 100 total yards for the game yet they lost. He had a bad off season and has transferred that to the regular season. Do your team, his confidence and the city a favor and put Batch in the game.
2. R E S P E C T, that is what the Colts need. I first want to say that I understand this team has not shown much fight in the playoffs but we don't live in the past and we are not in the playoffs right now so we must focus on what is in front of us. What is in front of us, is a team that is 8-0 and has beaten the likes of Jacksonville (5-3), Denver (6-2) and New England (6-2). Two of these wins coming on the road and back to back. The run defense is at best suspect and teams do try to run the ball a lot against them but they still win. Keeping Peyton on the bench with a good run game doesn't work this year. Every time the offense has the ball this year, they know they need to score and for the most part they have done it. No team has stopped the Colts when they needed to score and win a game and until they lose a game, they have to be the best team in football. However, if you are one who dwells in the past, do you think last years playoff loss had more to do with poor play or the fact that their head coach had just been through the death of his son? With a two game lead in the AFC, looks like we will get another chance to see if teams can travel to Indy in the playoffs and get a win. I say that without a tragic event, the Colts play in the Super Bowl.
Again, thanks for reading and I look forward to any comments or questions.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Louisville 44 West Virginia 34
If you are a fan of college football and you missed the game yesterday between Louisville and West Virginia, you missed a great game. For those of us who did see the game, we were treated to one of the best games this year. But that is not what I wanted to talk about today. I want to talk about the possibility of Louisville running the table and playing for the National Title. Please be prepared for me to talk out of both sides of my mouth in the next couple of sentences. Under the current system, I think that Louisville should play for the title this year. They are in a BCS conf. and will have won all of their games and will be ranked number 2 behind either Ohio State or Michigan. However, if they played any of the 1 loss teams I am about to list would they win the game on a neutral field? I say no and that is why we need a playoff system like all other college or pro sports have currently. Here are the teams:
1. Florida
2. Auburn
3. Texas
4. USC
5. Notre Dame
6. Michigan or Ohio State whichever loses
If we are not going to have a playoff, here is my suggestion to the BCS. Take the conf. champion part out of the equation. There are 4 major bowl games and those 8 teams should be the top 8 teams in the BCS. Another reason the conf. champion should be pulled out of the equation is the ACC this year. The winner of that conf. will be ranked no higher than 12th. Does that team deserve to play in a game for the top 8 teams. Again, I answer that question with a no. So I say either make real changes to the BCS that matter or get ride of the current system and move to a 16 team playoff format. You can use bowl games for the teams that didn't make the playoffs if you want because it is about the money as we all know.
That is my thought for the day. What are your thoughts about the BSC, Louisville or my comments. Let me know and maybe your comments will be addressed in my next post.
1. Florida
2. Auburn
3. Texas
4. USC
5. Notre Dame
6. Michigan or Ohio State whichever loses
If we are not going to have a playoff, here is my suggestion to the BCS. Take the conf. champion part out of the equation. There are 4 major bowl games and those 8 teams should be the top 8 teams in the BCS. Another reason the conf. champion should be pulled out of the equation is the ACC this year. The winner of that conf. will be ranked no higher than 12th. Does that team deserve to play in a game for the top 8 teams. Again, I answer that question with a no. So I say either make real changes to the BCS that matter or get ride of the current system and move to a 16 team playoff format. You can use bowl games for the teams that didn't make the playoffs if you want because it is about the money as we all know.
That is my thought for the day. What are your thoughts about the BSC, Louisville or my comments. Let me know and maybe your comments will be addressed in my next post.
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