Another Question

Who was that MSU team and where did they come from? Because they were awesome.

?

In a sportsmanship email I received from the MSU Athletic Department today it quotes the following statistic: 89% of MSU fans in the stands think it is acceptable for fans to yell or chant loudly to make it difficult for the opposing team to communicate. Sure, of course. So what the heck is wrong with that other 11%? Did they not return the survey? Are there actually fans that think you should stay quiet for the opposing team?

"Ochocinco's"

I'm not surprised Chad formerly Johnson would want his face and name on a cereal box. I am surprised that a someone would make a cereal just for him, even for charity. And I think it's hilarious that the charity number listed on the box actually is the number for a phone sex line. Everyone involved claims it's an error, which would seem likely unless you have a particularly disgruntled printer, but I still think it's pretty funny. It does make his Twitter post from Wednesday, "Start your day with a lil suga!!!", particularly unfortunate though.

Comic Cover of the Week: Action Comics #893

War Machine

Iron Man 2 was released today on video. Here's a little somepin' somepin' to get you geeked.

Robin Hood

Saw it this weekend. Crowe looked like a beast.

I knew Stack had posted the trailer for it awhile back, so when I went to the search bar and typed "Robin Hood," it said no post exists. Yet there is an exact post titled "Robin Hood" on Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

NFL Rules

Is there something in the NFL coaches rules that states you have to name your starting QB by a certain day of the week? We discussed this last week. Why would Coach Reid name his starter so soon? Wouldn't it make more sense strategically to wait until...NEVER? Make the other team prepare for two QB's.

Also, I heard Tim Tebow was dropped to 3rd string last week. They made it sound like you actually have to name your QB depth chart, as if you'll be fined by the league if you let the 3rd string QB play before the 2nd string QB (Quinn in this case, I believe).

Can anyone shed light on this?

Faster

Finally, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is doing another action movie:

"Uh-Oh"

I just logged into espn.com. The main page has a "scorecenter" box score of the BGSU/Michigan game. The score is 37-14. I see Robinson isn't the leading Michigan passer. No big deal, he probably shouldn't be playing with that score.

But, I look to the bottom of the box score under the tab "Headlines" and it says " Michigan's QB Denard Robinson injures his left knee."

What?!?!?!

I haven't read the story yet, so I'm crossing my fingers.

?

I don't see a lot of highlights or hit a lot of message boards, so I don't know the answer to this question: Is there a nickname for the Spartan RB tandem of Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker yet? Baker is 5'9" and 199 lbs., Bell is 6'2" and 230 lbs., so I don't know that there's enough of a size difference to go with "Thunder and Lightning," which is somewhat overused anyway. Here's a few ideas:

The Killer Bees
The Terror Twins
The Dynamic Duo (not Batman and Robin)
Flash and Zoom
The Warriors Two
or
Baker and Bell

Ed Hochuli

Did anyone catch the Jets/Pats game Sunday afternoon? Did you see the time where Ed Hochuli dropped his flag and his explanation that there was no flag because the TV put up the yellow flag graphic? Anyway, they showed on the replay Mark Sanchez getting behind center ready to call the play and yelling three times at Hochuli that he dropped his flag. (I'm actually not sure if it was Ed's because normally the referee stands behind the offensive line, but in the explanation Ed referred to himself.)

Before the explanation, I could see this situation developing. It didn't look like there was a penalty on the particular play, but yet the TV put up the flag graphic, however the officials didn't have that look about them as if there was a penalty that needed to be administered. So I waited even more eager because I knew Hochuli was the referee (and his reputation for explaining calls) and was salivating at the possible ways he was going to clarify the tiny confusion.

The reason I was so excited was because 90% of referees would just pick up the flag (wave it above their head) and say "there was no flag on the play" and move on. But this is an Ed Hochuli game. No way he's going to let it go that easy.

So, to the best of my memory, it went something like this:

"There was no flag on the play. My flag fell out of my pocket when I was................................Screw it. I can't do it justice. I found it on You Tube.





From Wikipedia: One of Hochuli's notable explanations came during a 2007 regular season game between the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. While nullifying a holding infraction, he announced through his microphone, "There was no foul on the play. It was not a hold. The defender was just overpowered." Awesome.

Even more awesome is this: I found it!

Rome Take - 9/22/10

Andy Reid Flip Flops

Andy Reid’s flip-flop on his quarterback may be stunning, but his decision’s not. Stunning, because Reid had reiterated just a day earlier than Kevin Kolb was his starter. Something he shouldn’t have done. His mistake is not giving the ball to Michael Vick now, but rather in continuing to say Kevin Kolb was his starter. He shouldn’t have done that. But, starting Michael Vick over Kolb is the right call.

I’ve never understood this notion that guys can’t lose their job to injury. Why not? You go with the guy who gives you best chance to win, not the guy who was supposed to be the guy and then got his bell rung. Is there anyone anywhere, who doesn’t think Vick, who clearly has gotten his freak back, doesn’t give them a better chance to win than Kolb right now? Vick’s explosiveness has returned, he’s making much better decisions with the ball and beating people with his arm as well as his legs. For the first time ever, the guy looks like a quarterback… a quarterback who can run, as opposed to a runner who can sometimes throw. Credit to Reid for not doing what we all thought he would do, the thing he’s always done. Bad break for Kolb but this is the right call. And no, Reid has not lost Kolb because of the way he handled this.. Sure, he should have handled it better, but Kolb’s not going to Pippen Reid if and when he does come back to him. Kolb’s nice but he has three career starts: its’ not like Reid is jerking around Joe Montana in his prime. Kolb will be ready if and when Reid comes back to him. And if he can’t get beyond this, then they were wrong about him in the first place.

Shameful Metaphors

"It's a trap!"

I saw this the other week and thought it was awesome:

Thoughts from Saturday

A few thoughts, observations, and anecdotes from Saturday's MSU-ND game (yeah, I know it's late):

-There was a drunk student in my seat. Not a little drunk, completely blitzed. I don't think he really knew where he was, or even his name. Security did eventually get him to move. I just wanted to make sure I didn't end up standing in vomit all night.

-Joe Montana was sitting a few rows down across the aisle. Lots of people were trying to snap pictures, but as far as I could tell everyone left him alone. I have no idea why he didn't have better seats.

-MSU's secondary is awful. Horrendous. And ND seems to be the only team that can figure that out and keep throwing the ball.

-I expected the game to pick up in the second half after little scoring in the first half.

-Cousins needs to stop showing flashes of being a great QB and just be one. The inconsistency is really frustrating.

-I think both Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell are the real deal.

-I expected MSU to blow the game late in the 4th and again in OT. So did most of the MSU fans. Probably the Domers too.

-No one saw the fake coming. Everyone started screaming then praying Gantt wouldn't drop the pass because he was so wide open.

-The look on the Domers' faces after that TD was priceless. I wouldn't even call it shock, it was more like they couldn't even comprehend what had happened.

-I didn't hear that anyone was questioning the clock until Monday. As far as I can tell no one in the stadium though there was any issue, including the Domers.

-3am is late to get in from a football game.

Comic Cover of the Week: Deadpool Team-Up #889

My Thoughts On Michigan

1. Do I think they are over rated? Yes. I do wish the polls waited two weeks/games before releasing any rankings. Michigan certainly didn't deserve to start the year ranked, heck, may still not deserve to be ranked. But, if the rankings didn't come out until mid-September, after the first two games, Michigan would certainly be in the talks of the Top 25. Because after last season, I don't think anyone expected to see what has taken place from the team or Robinson. But when you have a homerun threat every time he touches the ball, that puts your team in a new category. He's a game changer. And when you have a game changer, he's better than the average team.

2. Did I agree with the predictions before the season that Michigan would probably finish 6-6? Yes. After the first two games, the expectations have changed and 6-6 would not be acceptable. But, I'd still only put them at 7-5 or 8-4 based on the first two games. After the 3rd game and what UMass did, I'd say they are back to 6-6 or 7-5.

3. I don't think I'm going out on a limb nor being a Big Ten or Michigan honk if I say Michigan will beat Bowling Green on Saturday. That puts them at 4-0. Then I'd have to say my expectation or prediction is now 7-5 or 8-4.

Short Skirt/Long Jacket (or the Chuck theme)

Rome Take - 9/15/10

Rainey Not Easy On Urb

Florida Gators burner Chris Rainey is the guy Urb is trying mold into Percy Harvin 2.0. He shows up everywhere; the backfield…the slot…out wide…and in his new position, the slammer. Rainey was arrested on a charge of aggravated stalking after he sent a woman a text that said…wait for it…. “Time to die.” What? That’s illegal now? You can’t do that?

Seriously, you actually looked down at that text after thumbing it out and still hit send. Time to die?! You shouldn’t be sending women text messages that sound like Steven Seagal movies. You didn’t send her…. “Trust me, you’re not hard to kill,” you’re on ‘deadly ground’ and you’re “Marked for death” follow up texts, did you? Your problem now, Rainey, is the police are ‘out for justice.’ Especially after you reportedly sent her a text while she was with them, saying, “Wait and see what happens when they leave.” What happens is, they go to right your apartment and throw on the silver bracelets. That’s what happens. Pretty smooth start for the 2010 Gators; they can’t execute a snap in the opener. They struggle again in Week 2. And then their biggest game breaker gets tossed in the cooler. Time to update Urb’s scorecard in Gainesville; 2 National Titles…3 BCS appearances…one cheesy SI cover…and 29 players facing charges during his tenure. You had already blown by Mark Richt on the field and now you’re trying to run him down off it as well. Winning the BCS title good; winning the SEC criminal title bad. I can’t imagine players send women ‘Time to die’ texts is going to be good for Urb’s ticker.

Rome Take - 9/16/10

Lucky Number 30 For Urb

We covered Florida Gator Chris Rainey’s arrest earlier in the week. That’s the 30th arrest of the Urb Meyer era in Gainesville. And Urb has just about enough of his players getting hammered by the heat, “I’m real upset about it.” Real upset that your guys can’t stay down, or real upset that people are cracking on you for running a dirty program: “We do our best to win games. Dirty program? It’s not a dirty program. We follow the rules and some guys make mistakes and we gotta correct those mistakes. We follow the rules and we do it the right way at Florida and we have to do a better job of correcting some of the people making mistakes.” Look, you may follow the NCAA rules, but your players aren’t following the rules of society.

Not if 30 of them are getting arrested in 5 years, they’re not. Fine, you’re not running a dirty program; would you prefer rogue or are we just splitting hairs now? And stop calling arrests, mistakes. A mistake is forgetting to set your alarm clock, or getting off on the wrong off ramp. An arrest is an arrest. And 30 of them in five years is about 25 too many. Mark Richt thinks this has gotten away from you Urb, and the people cracking on you for it aren’t the problem, the guys getting arrested are.

Happy 25th

Mario is 25 years old. Wow.

The Light House

It was only a matter of time in my opinion. The "Big House" is finally getting lit up. They will copycat the Sparty's and play under the lights against the Irish next fall.

Still the Man

Sam Merrill

Rooting for #5

I hate to admit it, but I'm rooting against Shaun Hill in his first start for the Lions on Sunday. I am an unabashed Drew Stanton fan and want him to get the snaps. Heck, I'd trade Lions wins, as rare as they are, for Stanton's success. So let's hope for a heavy blitz package from Philly.

Comic Cover of the Week: 25 to Life #1

Rome Take - 9/10/10

NFL Players Show Solidarity

I understood the players show of solidarity on the field before the game. Just don’t expect the fans to, because most of them don’t. The players were looking to send a message to the owners, we’re unified, we’re strong, we’re focused, we’re informed and we’re ready to battle. They were also looking to let the fans know, there’s a problem here, but we’re not it. We’re not looking to strike; they’re want to lock us out and break us down. Good idea. Too bad it backfired.

You can be “Right” but in the fans eyes, you’re almost always wrong. They don’t want to know the issues. They don’t care about the issues. In fact, there’s nothing they hate more than Millionaires v. Billionaires fighting over something they themselves will never see in a million lifetimes. They want to know one thing that after another crummy week, punching the clock, having their boss and their better halves ride them that they can settle in for few pops on Sunday and enjoy the game. And after grinding through the entire offseason, the last thing they want is for you to remind them, on the field, in the first game of the year, of what they’re about to get ripped from them next year. The players may think the fans should care, but they don’t. I don’t begrudge the players what they make, if I could do what they do, I’d want mine too, and trust me so would every single one of you listening. But that’s the problem; the fans can’t do what the players can do, which is causing the resentment. And the only thing they hate more that what the players make is thinking the players are complaining they don’t make enough. Bottom line; fight for what you think is right; just don’t expect the fans to understand, because they don’t. And never will.

Blue Man Who?

Well in case you are not aware the 2010 America's Got Talent finals are tommorow night. Here is your winner (my prediction). If you like a blue man group or just something different, check them out

And the Magician who should have finished 2nd but somehow couldn't crack the top 4 seen here. Both are worth your time and and as they say...a headline show in vegas.

RE: Two Thoughts

How badly did NBC want Nick Montana to lead a comeback over Michigan? You see, Nick Montana is the son of Joe Montana, who played for Notre Dame about 30 years ago. (Joe went on to the NFL and won a Super Bowl or two.) You know the media would have loooooooooved that story. Too bad he sucks.

I could have handled a UM loss, but not if it meant Montana would be the story.

Observation

It's a bad sign when the entire crowd yells in pain at the replay of the play you were injured on. Just ask Leonard Weaver.

Awful

If what Calvin Johnson just did isn't a TD catch by rule, then the rule is garbage.

Fairy Tales

A few days ago, with the USA-Russia FIBA quarterfinal game approaching, Coach K had some smack talk of his own:

"You know, he coaches the Russian team, so he probably has that viewpoint, and his eyes are clearer now because there are no tears in them," Krzyzewski said.

"And we've addressed that that game was played 38 years ago, and five of these guys are 21. So I don't think they remember it as well. It is what it is. It'll be a negative from the way the U.S. looks at it forever, and should be. And it'll be in some ways a positive for those who believe in fairy tales," Krzyzewski said.

Nice Rack!!!

With the football season starting that also means hunting season is right around the corner. I finally broke down and bought a digital trail camera, way better than the previous trail camera that took that thing we called film. Nothing like some nice racks to get the buck fever started.

If you are having trouble seeing it, you will get a closer view on my wall this winter.

Two Thoughts

1. Why does everyone play such soft coverage in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter when up by less than a TD? ND against UM is a perfect example. ND had held UM scoreless for seven consecutive possessions. So with a little over three minutes left and up by four they back off UM's receivers and let them march down to the red zone and eventually score the winning touchdown. Obviously Denard Robinson was playing well, but he didn't have to stretch himself much to hit WRs who have five yards (or more) of space around them. But everyone does this. I wish I had some numbers to work with, but I'm sure that approach greatly increases the likelihood of the opposing team scoring versus playing straight defense (based on many hours of observation). So why do it?

2. I get that being a color commentator can be a challenging job, and it's easy to talk about star players, but I think these guys are getting out of hand. Yes, Denard Robinson is making big plays. Yes, Terrelle Pryor is good. I get it. I'm watching the game, I can see the guys playing. No need to sound like you're running down to the locker room after the game to get a signed jersey. Is that too much to ask of a professional?

Seriously?

I have to call foul on the Notre Dame color commentator. He claimed that one of the ND players was so good he'd be seeing regular action on a Big Ten team, but was struggling to get snaps at ND. Really? Notre Dame's talent is far above the level of Big Ten teams? Is that why they fired their last coach? Is that why they regularly lose to Michigan and Michigan State? Come on.

VT Falls

VT needs to retire those uniforms pronto after following up a loss to Boise State with a loss to James Madison. Not just the one guy, the whole team, not that it's much more embarrassing. Probably isn't a great development for Boise State either.

UPDATE: Okay, the picture I saw online lied, the Hokies were wearing something close to their traditional uniforms today, excepting a white helmet, so I suppose the only offense was wearing white at home.

Craig Ferguson's 2009 9/11 Monologue

Top 10 Plays in Michigan Stadium History...

as voted by fans.



I'm proud to say I witnessed 3 of the top 5 plays at "The Big House."

Kickoff

The NFL season kicks off tonight with a rematch of last year's NFC Championship game, the Saints versus the Vikings. As Brett Favre is approximately 150 years old and is now serving as my starting fantasy quarterback, do you think he'll last more than four plays?

Comic Cover of the Week: Amazing Spider-Man #641

Labor Day Weekend errr Draft Weekend

I haven't heard anyone else saying the draft party is somewhere else so here is the details...

6:30PM - My Place
There will be a nice assortment of MAN FOOD, if you would like to bring something you are welcome to do so however, make sure it is in the MAN FOOD category. 2 examples that will be there...Hot Wings & Jalapenos filled with cream cheese wrapped in BACON. Don't Let me down men.

Also on a less man theme the women and children are welcome. Also if you have/want computer access and have a labtop bring one. One will be on site.

Finally, don't forget your Matt Millen Skills.

Prepared

I've sent out the draft information to a few of you so it's available. I'm also bringing hard copies of some of the resources so we have something to pass around. See you on Sunday.

Divided

I think I was right that the Big Ten was going to screw up the divisions. Here they are, as announced yesterday:

Division 1
MSU
UM
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern

Division 2
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Wisconsin

UPDATE: My first impression of this was negative, and after dwelling on it all it's still negative. Swap MSU and UM with Wisconsin and Illinois and you have two perfect divisions. As it stands now, both Michigan teams are at least 300 miles away from every other team in the division. And I hate that MSU is in a division with Nebraska. Hate it. At least MSU plays OSU and Wisconsin in 2011 and 2012, so they're maintaining some games I really like to see. But no Penn State. This could have been much better.

Comic Cover of the Week: Iron Man: Legacy #6

C stands for Confusion

One day I wore the hat on the right while on Cass City grounds. A Cass City staff member (and JV baseball coach, whom also played college football at Albion or something like that) saw me wearing that hat and said, "You're coming around here with THAT hat on?"

Then, another time I wore that same hat while at school in Caro. Another teacher gave basically the same response.

I guess I didn't realize how similiar the Central Michigan colors AND logo were to Caro and Cass City High School. Oh wait, that's right, not at all similar. Let's see...Caro has no maroon at all, so yeah, I guess it does somewhat resemble CMU. And CMU has just one C on the front of the hat, so I guess Cass City just ignores that other C on their gear. Maybe Cass City is one word. Casscity. That makes more sense.

Now I see the confusion.

"ZIMBA!"

With the early retirement incentive across the state of michigan for educators, Middle School guidance counselor Shelda Rea jumped at the opportunity.

Her replacement? Caro's new varsity football head coach (he's currently 1-0), Kraig Houthoof. Awesome.

I'm actually looking forward to school starting.

Same Division, Final Game

It doesn't happen often, but I'm almost completely in agreement with Lynn Henning. I write "almost" because I'm not near as certain as Henning (...Michigan is sure to return soon enough to its old glory...)
that it is a foregone conclusion that Michigan will return to form.

Draft Prep

Here's a few links to help with your fantasy draft preparation:

1. Rotter's Top 300 from FoxSports. We will use this as our default ranking list.

2. Rotter's Tier Rankings.

3. Funston's Big Board.

4. ESPN's Top 200.

5. ESPN's Cheat Sheets.

6. ESPN's Projections.

Rivalry Weekends?

I didn't actually have many worries about the Big (12) Ten's upcoming divisional split and schedule adjustments. Sure, it was going to be complicated and some things were going to be lost, but I figured the conference would get it mostly right. But after the talk over the past week, like these comments by Michigan AD Dave Brandon, I am concerned. It's starting to feel like 50/50 that they won't completely screw up. And that's a bad place to be.

One additional thought for UM: Before you permanently set the divisions to protect your title game with OSU, maybe you should, you know, win a few games? As they say in the financial ads, past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.

A Voice In The Dark

Comic Cover of the Week: Science Dog Special #1

Quote of the Day

Chad Johnson has been fined again. I really feel for him:

"Dear NFL I apologize for tweeting during the game but that was 2 monthsof my Bugatti payments you just took from me,I won't do it again," he wrote.

Draft Day

As our normal fantasy football draft is fast approaching, do we have a time and place set? It seems to me that the Sunday evening before Labor Day at one of the CC residences would be our traditional setting.

Also, if you haven't signed up yet *cough* Big Daddy *cough* then click on this link.

Bears?

While I was shopping earlier in the week at Target I picked up some Coke Zero. It was on sale and the box had a football theme, so since I need large amounts of caffeine to function at work I figured I couldn't lose. I saw this after I had the pop at home:


While I'm impressed that different cans are being printed for different regions (I assume), I sure could do without the Bears logo every time I open a can. However, I suppose it might be better than being of reminded of the Lions every day.

Silent Star Wars

Via Millionaire Playboy:

Maybe Ron Artest Isn't So Bad

Note to self, don't wear red.



I've actually been to a bull fight in "May-he-co" about 20 years ago. I think that crowd split faster than the Red Sea.

Twisted

Disclaimer: I nearly cried, puked, fainted, and dropped to the fetal position all at the same time reading this story, especially this portion, taken from the Huron Daily Tribune:

In February 2007, Ryan Welshans told Huron County Circuit Court Judge M. Richard Knoblock he was aware of the court order when he left his Bad Axe apartment to grab the mail on Feb. 3, 2006, leaving Stardust Welshans inside the apartment alone with their newborn. Welshans said he believes his wife threw the child onto the bed and the baby hit the wall. The child, just less than a month old at the time of the abuse, suffered life-threatening injuries. The baby was hospitalized at Hurley Medical Center, suffering from a depressed fractured skull, multiple rib fractures, clavicle fracture, multiple skull fractures and had multiple areas of bleeding on the brain. A doctor who treated the child at Hurley reported to authorities he felt the injuries “were not induced by one single event, but the injuries occurred at different times.”

The reports from the physician also noted the scrotum area of the child also was swollen and bruised when the child was admitted to the hospital.

Initially, Welshans admitted he had thrown the infant, causing the child’s injuries. He later denied any involvement, telling police Stardust had thrown the child. Welshans did, however, admit to police that he grabbed the infant’s scrotum, squeezing/twisting it out of frustration, causing the child’s injury.

Of Course He's Back

Is there anything more predictable than Brett Favre's unpredictability? Is he the only one who didn't know he'd be back in a Vikings uniform by August?

Comic Cover of the Week: Batman Beyond #3

Mad Hatters

I found a fascinating article in the Wall Street Journal the other day that I thought I'd share. It discusses the confusion of the young about proper hat-wearing etiquette now that hats are making a comeback. "Hats" as in fedoras (you know, Indiana Jones) and the like, not baseball caps, which never left. Since hats have been out of style for over a generation, kids don't know how to wear them because they have no one to teach them. Add to that the fact that many are wearing hats to be trendy and so are unwilling to take them off and diminish they're style and you have the makings of a bit of a mess. Said one of the men interviewed: "I said 'I'm not wearing a baseball cap or a ski hat, I'm wearing an $80 fedora!" Well, if it's $80 it's a cheap fedora, but you still get the point.

While I find the social commentary about information and being lost between generations and strange disappearance of hats (which I've seen chalked up to car seats with high backs, low car roofs, dirty hippies and their long hair, and JFK) interesting, I read the article because I'm a fan of hats, fedoras in particular. Places like CC and Davenport aren't exactly on the bleeding edge of style (I'm sure that comes as a shock), so I can't really wear one without looking like an eccentric weirdo (This would be a good time to chime in, "Look like!?!"), but it warms my heart to see men starting to bring hats back. I have to admit to sharing some of the confusion about etiquette and protocol. If you've only worn a baseball cap, which you can wear nearly anywhere, and you only take it off during the national anthem, how do you know how to treat a real hat? Anyway, I'm not looking for a return to suit, tie, and fedoras for work as I would quite literally die of heat stroke, but I would like to see the trend of greater acceptance of real hats continue.

Not a Tail

I ran across this article on gay marriage the other day, which I found quite interesting. Here's the first sentence:

Abraham Lincoln once asked how many legs a dog has if we call a tail a leg. The answer, he said, is four: calling a tail a leg does not make it so. We chuckle and move on.

It also had a line that I got quite a kick out of: "First, human beings have a powerful hankering to engage in sexual intercourse."

Fireworks 2010

If you weren't able to make it to the cottage for "the best year yet," no problem.

Comic Cover of the Week: Superman #702

Take It From Me

Comic Cover of Last Week: Gorilla-Man #2

Three-peat

Would there be a better owner for the Pistons than Mike Ilitch? I can't say I support moving the team downtown, because at least I might go to the Palace to watch a game where I'm not interested in ever setting foot in Detroit ever again, but overall I can't think of a better move for the fans.

Conditioned

I'd wager few people have ever been as happy to practice as Albert Haynesworth was today. Haynesworth missed an embarrassing ten practices because he was unable to pass a conditioning test until Saturday. Do you think your teammates will ever let you live a thing like that down?

Quote of the Day

Pedro Martinez

But, oh, on the mound.

"That's business," he said. "I'm in a jungle, and I consider myself a lion. So I'm going to kill you if I'm hungry. And I was always hungry to win."

Newsboys - Born Again

Fritz's next challenge to the band.



Sorry, couldn't get the official music video.

Down Memory Lane

I decided to click on the year "2005" of the Blog Archive, just to relive some of the previous posts. I barely scrolled down and found this. Look familiar? Guess I should start using labels.

Thor Trailer

UPDATE: Well, the trailer is gone, but you can see some pictures here if you're interested.

UPDATE 2: From a different site.

The Joker

Jack's house. I knocked on his door, but he said "Go sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here!" Then he slammed the door in my face.

Yes, that is a tennis court.

My Car

Don't take away my man card, but I don't know anything about this ride. I believe it's a Bugatti. It just looked really nice parked on some street in LA called Rodeo Drive. A street slightly different than Main St. in CC. If you can fill me in on more car details, please do. I heard it has two V-8 engines, speedometer said 280 MPH (I guess that's fast).

UPDATE: According to this site, it's pretty fast and expensive.

Comic Cover of the Week: Action Comics #891

Draft Day

Does the weekend of Labor Day work as fantasy draft day for everyone who plans to be there? I'm planning to be around this weekend and next week, so we could discuss it then if anyone has other ideas.

Avengers Assemble

Here's a photo (from Marvel.com) of the cast of The Avengers from the Marvel movie panel at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend:


Is it just me, or does Robert Downey Jr. always look like he's having a blast when he's involved in this sort of thing?

DC Universe Online Trailer

"I call it Vera."

My new car:

"Whosoever holds this hammer..."

I don't know if Marvel's upcoming film Thor is going to be a success like Iron Man, but based on the picture below from USA Today (via Spinoff Online) Chris Hemsworth is sure taking it seriously:


Those are some pretty serious guns. For reference, here's what he looked like before he was cast as Thor:

Comic Cover of the Week: Batman Beyond #2

Big (12) Ten Championship Game Site

Angelique S. Chengelis has a short article in the News discussing venues, Ford Field specifically, that could host the eventual conference championship game. Despite the obvious drawback of being in Detroit, I think Ford Field has proven to be a viable location of major events, but I had a few other thoughts:

-Chengelis thinks it's a no-brainer that the game should be played indoors given that it would be the first week in December. I'm not so sure. I wouldn't want it to always be played at Soldier or Lambeau, but what better way to live up to the conference's reputation for toughness and smash mouth football than playing in freezing temperatures? Show those hothouse flower teams down South how it's done.

-Rotating the game between a few different locations makes sense once you've determined the locations. I don't think I'd want the game to be tied to any particular stadium, even Ford Field.

-The Metrodome shouldn't be an option because the Metrodome sucks. It's not as bad for football, but still... it sucks.

-I'd rather the game not be played on a college field.

Coming to Detroit

Next month Superman is coming to Detroit. Not literally, though for all I know there may be someone walking around Detroit in a Superman costume in August. The comics have Superman currently walking across America and he's making a stop in Motown. Which I guess is safe if you're the Man of Steel, it's just a little dicey for the rest of us.


Any thoughts as to what he should encounter? A former mayor on the way to prison? The post-apocalyptic scene that makes up much of Detroit? Maybe he could give a pep talk to the Lions?

Blood Stone

It's been a while since I wanted to play a Bond game. Could this be the one?

The Bard's Song

Get Fuzzy on Soccer

All last weeks strips were on soccer, all hilarious.







Probably my favorite:

Comic Cover of the Week: Daredevil #508

Quote of the Day

In one of those weird ironies of nature, being surrounded by a bunch of soapy-sponge-wielding attractive University of Alabama female zoology students in wet t-shirts is an excellent plot device for a late night cinemax movie when the subject "victim" getting a bath is a sensitive-yet-jocular ski instructor, but it's terrifying if you're a brown pelican.

-Jonah Goldberg, post on The Corner

You think?

The lead from an AP article on Terrell Owens: "Terrell Owens says he’s concerned teams are swayed by the perception that he’s a troublemaker and that’s why none have signed the free-agent receiver." Really, you think just maybe that might have something to do with it?

Cop Out

Okay, I may have have taken a shot at Bill Simmons the other day, and I still think his judgment is suspect after all the World Cup love, but sometimes he really nails a point. A quote from his pre-"LeBronocalypse" column, as linked by Stephen Spruiell at The Corner:

I think it's a cop-out. Any super-competitive person would rather beat Dwyane Wade than play with him. Don't you want to find the Ali to your Frazier and have that rival pull the greatness out of you? That's why I'm holding out hope that LeBron signs with New York or Chicago (or stays in Cleveland), because he'd be saying, "Fine. Kobe, Dwight and Melo all have their teams. Wade and Bosh have their team. The Celtics are still there. Durant's team is coming. I'm gonna go out and build MY team, and I'm kicking all their asses." That's what Jordan would have done. Hell, that's what Kobe would have done.

In May, after the Cavs were ousted in the conference semifinals, I wrote that LeBron was facing one of the greatest sports decisions ever: "winning (Chicago), loyalty (Cleveland) or a chance at immortality (New York)."

I never thought he would pick "HELP!"

There's also this observation on Cleveland fans and Bill's feelings towards LeBron:

This stomach-punch moment? Calculated. By a local kid they loved, defended and revered.

It would be unforgivable. Repeat: unforgivable. I don't have a dog in this race -- as a Celtics fan, I wanted to see him go anywhere but Chicago -- but LeBron doing this show after what happened in the 2010 playoffs actually turned me against him. No small feat. I was one of his biggest defenders. Not anymore.

Comic Cover of the Week: Shadowland #1

Comic Cover of the Week Runner-Up: G0DLAND #32

Baseball Stadium Tour

Matt Stairs is cheating. Not only is he getting to all the baseball stadiums, he's PLAYING for all the different baseball stadiums. He's played for 12 different teams in his career. Twelve. He played for three different teams in the year 2006 alone. Larry Brown thinks that's ridiculous. Last night he hit his 20th career pinch hit homerun, which ties the record.

RE: Kitten Cannon

From Adam's post, I smashed your 896 ft (24 degree incline) record.

1262 ft (20 degree incline)

Decisions, Decisions

So, LeBron James' future plans are going to be announced tomorrow night. On ESPN. This is everything I hate about the NBA. Okay, not quite everything: Apparently the money raised from the advertising during the 60-min (!) special is going to charity. But still, here's lots of ego, hype, and, uh, no basketball. I understand why people are interested since this is a relatively rare event in the sports business, but it seems to me like a line is being crossed that we're going to regret later. And ESPN is complicit, as they have been all along with LeBron. Remember his high school game on ESPN? Maybe they should get his official sponsorship?

Quote of the "Day"...sort of

After reading Adam's post of Bill Simmons: World Cup's 20 Questions:

Question No. 13: If you could change anything about soccer, what would it be?


I hate how teams milk leads in the last 15-20 minutes by faking injuries and taking forever to sub players. When that Ghana player had to be carried off on a stretcher at the tail end of the America game, then hopped off like nothing ever happened as soon as the stretcher was out of bounds, I thought that was appalling. Actually, it made me want to go to war with Ghana. I wanted to invade them. I'm not even kidding. That's another great thing about the World Cup: Name another sport in which you genuinely want to invade other countries when you lose.

Nightfall

1812 Overture

Quote of the Day

About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.

-Calvin Coolidge, Address at the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dre Bly returns...

...to the Lions with a two-year deal. I didn't know the Lions were in the market for a locker room cancer.

Kitten Cannon

Now this is a timewaster. My best score so far is 896 ft (that was at 24 degrees inclination). Via Jonah Goldberg's G-file.

Sigh

Well, I can officially say I've lost all respect for Bill Simmons.