Ha! Ha! Ha! Whooo!

Appalachian State 34

Michigan 32

So That Happened

Wow. I don't know what to say. Except 51 days! You can't tell me that had nothing to do with this. When did I know in the game that we were in trouble? When Ginn Jr. was limping to the locker room. Our one true speed threat sent to the sidelines. Credit to Florida for having a solid game plan, and executing. I didn't see a blow out like this. I have a few questions though. What happened to the run? Our defense gave the offense chances to get back into it in the second half, but nothing happened. This sucks. I expect this when I watch the Cubs. I don't with the Buckeyes. They were not prepared. They played flat the whole game. Now I'm rambling. Thank goodness I bought a new TV, or it would be in pieces. This isn't as bad as NLCS, but it comes close. I still don't know what happened. Thanks for ruining a wonderful night my sister and I planned to have.

Ok, I think I've changed my mind a little. I don't think this is close to the NLCS. First off I've witnessed the Buckeyes winning not only a great game against Michigan but the National Title just three years ago. Also, the Buckeyes didn't just show up at all. Have you ever seen a dominating team like that just not show up? I think I would be more upset if the Buckeyes played well and then lost in some close game. I'm still pissed that they laid an egg an a half, but after the first 20 seconds or so you saw it coming. The Buckeyes were never in it. Am I still baffled? Absolutely. I just think the disappointment has dissipated some now that my head is clear. It simply came down to Florida playing the game of their lives and The Ohio State University playing the absolute worst game of their lives.

The Big Game

Over a month and half ago I was completely confident that The Ohio State Buckeyes could beat the Florida Gators. Watching the Florida vs. Arkansas game I saw a young team that made a lot of mistakes both on the field and by the coaches. Now, I'm not so confident. Why, you might ask have I now lost that confidence? Because it's been over a month and a half! It's been 51 days since the Buckeyes have played an opponent. 51 days! Anything can happen with that kind of layoff. It's ridiculous. Still I will be sitting on my couch with my sister while the Buckeyes hopefully prove they are the better team in glorious HD!

I'm Back!

After a disappointing season last year in the office football pool, I'm back. I dominated this week with a 14-2 record. I was actually kicking myself for the two games I missed, because those were the two I changed when I reviewed my picks. Not only does this fatten my wallet a little, but puts me in the running for the year end pool. This is the year. Unless I let this all go to my head and tank the rest of the year.

So-so Bowl Ramblings and Questions

So much happened in Super Bowl XL, yet it was such an ugly game. The Steelers did barely enough to win, and the Seahawks did just enough to lose. How many big plays did the Seahawks have called back because of penalties (real and imaginary)?

It should be said that though I had money on the Steelers I was rooting for the Seahawks. I always root for the underdog. That really screwed up my watching the game. My heart and wallet were tearing me in two. At least they would’ve if it wasn’t such a frustrating game.

Did the team even let you back into the locker room Mr. Stevens?

I was disappointed when I went online to vote for the MVP and Referee wasn’t listed as an option.

How was Randall El able to keep playing after that hit he took on that kick return?

I’m pretty excited about the potential of the new reality TV show, Knight School on ESPN. I think it would’ve been better if it took place about ten years ago.

Why in the post-game coverage did nobody mention Holmgren not shaking Cower’s hand after the game? Sure, you got slightly screwed by the refs Mr. Holmgren, but that’s not Cower’s fault.

The local news on ABC just spent ten minutes explaining their move to HD television. I love local news!

I have never witnessed so much man-love for an athlete as I have for Bettis?

Am I the only one that thinks the Diet Pepsi slogan “,Brown and Bubbly,” is umm…ill conceived?

Was anyone else annoyed in the ESPN phone commercial that Juan Pierre stole base going left to right? Yeah. I thought I was the only one.

I can’t wait till NFL films makes this game seem more exciting.

Ramblings (Sports Edition)

I had an expletive filled morning this Sunday. Why? The first thing I did this morning was get online to see if Furcal had decided if he was going to play for the Braves, Dodgers, or Cubs. I honestly thought he was coming to the Cubs. They offered 5 years for 50 million. The Braves couldn’t and wouldn’t cough up that much particularly for that many years. I didn’t think any player would go to a team that just signed a GM less than a month ago and still didn’t have a manager. I was wrong. Furcal chose the $13 million a year contract over the only team he’s ever known (Braves) and a team that offered him more years and supposedly has two of his friends on the team (Cubs). How the hell do the Cubs lose out to the Dodgers? The damn Dodgers! Furcal was the one player the Cubs could not afford to lose. He was exactly what they needed. How can they overpay for middle relief but not the best lead off hitter on the free agent market. Also, I thought Dusty Baker was supposed to be a draw for free agents. Not a single top line free agent has joined the Cubs. Dusty it’s time. I’m completely frustrated by this. It’s like losing the cute girl to the guy still living with his parents

Here are a few things and people that need to be done with. They’ve run their course, and it is time to say farewell. Save what’s left of your dignity. Don’t make us kick you out the door.

Dusty Baker (see above)

Chris Berman: For the last 10 years Berman has been a shell of what he was. Now he’s more important than the sports he covers. At least in his mind he is. His nicknames used to be cute. His “Back, back, back” homerun call was never good. This made all the more evident during the Home Run Derby. Is there any reason to do a HR call at the Derby? I mean other than to hear yourself talk. (Scott Van Pelt though has grown on me. He’s my current favorite anchor. Yes, part of that is because he’s bald.)

ESPN also needs to put to rest that “I love…” song about football. When Coors stops using it in their commercials that should be a sign. I like football but I hate the marketing of it.

The Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials with McNab's Mom have to go.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Notre Dame/Ohio State Fiesta Bowl draws a bigger TV audience than Texas/USC national championship game. All the BCS bowls do seem to have some great games this season.

Isn’t it time to give quarterback, Brad Johnson, some credit? He’s not flashy or have that strong of an arm, but he wins. If I had a choice between Vick or Johnson, I’d pick Vick to sell tickets, and Johnson to win games.

With the fire sale going on with the Florida Marlins it must suck to be Marlin fan. That is if there are any. Shouldn’t there really be regulations against such things. I can understand a small market team trading their top star before his contract is up because they can’t afford to sign him. But, to get rid of nearly everyone is ridiculous and not fan friendly. Can they ever expect to win fans back? Of course it seems that’s their idea. The only baseball that should in Florida is spring training anyway.

It's About Time!

This has been an awful season for me in the NFL office pool. I haven't come close to being in the running for the weekly cash prize. I'm sure this has been than case with many out there because this has been a crazy season. Finally, I'm in the running this week. How is it that I finally picked correctly this past week? I didn't think about it. Trying to get off work early, and before traffic hit, I just made my picks an left. I never second guessed or even really thought about it. Now it's me and some other guy I've never met vying for the cash. For me to win I need the Colts to win. That seems easy enough. The problem is I need the combined score to be 55 points or higher. I think I'm screwed.

The thing is I'm not a huge NFL guy. I like college football much more than pro. But, since I have money on the games I'm flipping through every game, watching the ticker, and biting my nails during OT's. It makes me wonder sometimes where the NFL would be if the game wasn't so gambling friendly.

Yes, I realize that posting on this topic has drastically reduced my chances of winning. My blog is my own SI or Madden cover jinx.

Ramblings

First off, did anyone happen to see the simulated press conference Sportscenter had for the Red Sox. They had Steve Phillips playing the roll of GM, and he fielded questions from ESPN analysts about what decisions the Red Sox are facing this off season. Monday, they are doing the same thing with the Yankees. I know there have been numerous complaints about ESPN being bias toward the Red Sox and Yankees, but I was never really bothered by it. That is until now. Being a “National” sports network, if you do this for two teams, you need to do this for all the teams. I’m not speaking of just the Cubs either. From Houston to Kansas City, they should all be covered. Actually, the whole thing was just painful to watch. Maybe it’s a good idea they didn’t do this for all teams.

Some of my favorite sounds:
-The laugh my nieces make when I chase them around.
-The sound of the bell when Ohio State has their opponent facing 3rd down. Sure I expect
AC/DC’s Hells Bells to follow, but I also expect the Buckeyes to force a fourth down.
-The sound of my iBook starting

I once went out with a girl whose family had a pet baboon. How do you legally own a pet baboon? The girl ended up being rather crazy. I don’t know why I was surprised by that.

Why is it every supposed good football match-up always end up in a blowout. The Miami/ V. Tech game being another example.

I’ve recently been playing Resident Evil 4 on the PS2. I got it because it was thoroughly praised by the press. I’m about halfway through and I’m fairly under whelmed. It might be the most overrated game of the year. Yes, it looks outstanding. Yes, the story’s pretty cool. I find myself constantly frustrated rather than challenged by the difficult parts of the game. Also, I should be able to run. Really, if I’m facing some giant troll like creature, I should be able to do more than just walk. I know most will give this game of the year, but they’re wrong. The game of the year is a toss up between God of War and Shadow of the Colossus.

I’m a bit of a hypochondriac.

A “bit” is an understatement.

I admit it. Sometimes I will watch wrasslin’ every now and then. In fact I still daydream sometimes about being a professional wrestler. Even though Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat was my favorite wrestler when I was a kid, I’d want to be a heel. It’s always more fun to play the bad guy.

I went to a party Saturday night where a grown man took the game Celebrity too seriously. That always makes for an awkward moment.

For some reason today the theme song to 3-2-1 Contact popped into my brain. “Contact…is the answer…to the question…” The Bloodhound Gang was another thing that made me want to become a P.I. I still remember that one of the clues was written out on a belt, but to read it the gang had to wrap it around a cane.

My Favorite Games

Watching ESPN Classic this weekend I got to thinking. If they let me choose five games of any sport to air, what would they be? I placed a few rules in to narrow it down. First, it had to take place while I was still alive. Second, I had to have actually seen the game and not some highlight package or retrospective. Third, this is a personal list and not a historical list. Again, they are in no particular order.

May 6, 1998: Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs:

Kerry Wood’s 20 strikeout game. I remember rushing home to watch the game. The phenom Wood was pitching and I wanted to see the hope of the future pitch. He had been recently called up about a month ago from the minors. There was debate about if he was ready for the big leagues. What wasn’t up for debate was his stuff. You know in the first inning when a pitcher is on his game. Watching the break on Wood’s curve and slider was evidence enough that it would be a long day for the Astros. It was actually a 2 hour and 19 minute day, but I’m sure it felt longer than that. After watching that game I actually had hope for the Cubs. I don’t know what I was thinking.

October 15, 1988: World Series: Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:

This is perhaps the greatest postseason HR in my lifetime. I still get goose bumps when I see highlights. With the underdog Dodgers down by one run in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs and a man on, who is sent to the plate but the gimp Gibson. With two bad knees he hobbled to the plate. Who knew he would smack the game winning HR off the unhittable Eckersley? I’m certain nobody did, not even Lasorda. I remember watching with my Dad as he rounded the bases and pumping his fist. It’s one of those moments that proved how great and improbably baseball can be. This game also had Canseco hitting a moon shot grand slam that dented one of the cameras in the bleachers.

Jan. 1, 1997: Rose Bowl: Ohio State 20, Arizona State 17:

I was debating between this game and the National Championship game in 2000 as my Ohio State game. It’s a really tough choice, but for sentimentality reasons I’m going with this one. Ohio State’s bid for a National Championship was cut short once again by Michigan. Still the Buckeyes were able to go to the “grand daddy of them all.” My Dad and I watched, and rode the rollercoaster of emotion in this game. From the go ahead TD on the “Baby Face” Germaine pass to Stanley, to the gut punch as the Sun Devil’s Jake Plummer ran into the end zone with 1:40 left in the game. I was nearly in tears as I watched the Buckeyes with 1:19 left, march down the field and score the game winning moments. It’s one of those great father/son sporting moments for me.

January 3, 1993: Playoffs: Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Oilers:

The greatest comeback in NFL history. At least that’s what they always say on NFL films. It was really amazing to see a backup quarterback take a team down 35-3 early in the second half to a 41-38 OT victory. I would have never believed it myself, if I hadn’t have seen it. Years later when the Oilers became the Titans they would enact their revenge with the Music City Miracle.

October 5, 2003: NLDS: Chicago cubs vs. Atlanta Braves:

For first time in my life I got to see the Cubs win a playoff series. The fact that they did it against the dreaded Atlanta Braves was just icing. Being a Cubs fan, I waited for the inevitable collapse to happen. It didn’t happen as Wood shut down the Braves for eight innings, and Borowski closed out the ninth. For days I was riding that baseball bliss till the inevitable finally happened. Shudder. So close. So close.

Ramblings

First off, some have asked why would my brother Ben refer to himself as Ben I. The reason is that I have two brothers named Ben. No, my mother didn’t run out of names. The other Ben is my step-brother. As stated before in this blog, my family doesn’t really view each other as step-siblings or half-siblings. We are in fact one big happy family, usually. To help identify which Ben had gotten in trouble we came up with Ben I. and Ben K. The letter obviously being the first in their last name. Yes, Ben K. fought against this since Ben K. quickly turned to Ben Gay. Now that the sophomoric version has become history, he’s accepted the Ben K. name. To finally differentiate the two:

This is Ben I.












This is Ben K.









Once more, Ben I.












Ben K.












As for my Halloween costume I “mailed it in” and just went as giant Brad. Of course this meant I had to constantly explain why I was carrying a helicopter, and had army men dangling from string. I feel like I let myself down. At least it was somewhat original, which is more than I can say for the multiple pimps, playmates, and sexy angels/devils that were in attendance at the party.

Seeing highlights from the Florida and Virginia Tech games, I thought I was watching “Any Given Sunday.” The Nike designers need to lay off the LSD. Who the hell thinks these are cool?

I hate to admit it but I actually got a little misty eyed as I finished the game Shadow of the Colossus. I don’t want to give anything away, but the ending is rather satisfying, even if it is a very Japanese ending.

So, the Cubs have re-signed Rusch and picked up the options on 2B Walker and P Williamson. The option on Burnitz was not picked up. Other than the Walker option, everything is going as I planned.

Even with all those different pens out on the market, I still comeback to the standard Paper Mate. It’s like an old reliable friend.


I forgot to change my clock for daylight savings, and still showed up on time for work rather than an hour early.

I find it odd that we are getting out of work early for Halloween, though it makes sense for those who want to spend it with their kids.

Why I Love Football Season:

It’s not the great match-ups. It’s not the 60 yard bomb. It’s not the crack of the helmets. It’s not the cheerleaders. It’s not watching the Cowboys choke. It’s not listening to the unintentional comedy of ESPN’s Sunday night commentators. I love football season for the Weekly NFL Office Pool. I get to line my pockets with my coworker’s money. I try not to plan on winning the $500 bucks I usually do every season, but it’s difficult when you’re this good. I laugh at those who submit multiple entries. I scoff at those who go to ESPN.com to see who the experts pick. There’s a simple formula to use that will at least give yourself a chance to win, but I’m not going to share. Daddy’s saving for the Xbox 360 so he needs the paper. That’s how I roll.

Ramblings

I previously admitted that I wanted to see the Dukes of Hazzard movie. Last night I was looking forward to it, this morning not so much. So what happened between when I went to bed and woke up? For those of you who are thinking I had brief moment of sanity, perhaps it was that. Perhaps it was a fear that all the cool jumps were already in the trailer. Most likely I finally realized I would better support the industry by paying to see Broken Flowers than the Duke Boys.
VS

It’s really not that tough of a call.

On the lot where we film there is a commissary, or as we like to call it commiscary. They recently added a café called “Sauce.” Clearly someone should be fired over what could be the dumbest name ever.

Every Tuesday night at 10:58pm I thank FX for “Rescue Me.” The fact that this season begins right after the Shield season is over, so makes up for these 13 ep seasons. You should absolutely be watching this show.

Being a fan of the video games, this summer has been absolutely horrible. I have not bought a single game during that time. Of course, from now till the end of the year they flood the market. Four “I Will Buy The Day They Come Out” locks:

Burnout Revenge
We Love Katamari
SOCOM 3 U.S. Navy SEALs
Prince of Persia 3

There are a few other “maybes” like Darkwatch. I won’t even begin with the introduction of the Xbox 360 later in the year.

There is no reason Oklahoma should be ranked above Virginia Tech, Ohio State, or even Iowa. And considering Texas always loses to the Sooners, why should they ever be ranked above Oklahoma? The Big 12 is not what it once was. This is another example of why preseason rankings are crap.

Today, that team that plays ball on the Northside of Chicago get back three players today: Nomar, Wood, and Williamson. I actually think Williamson will be the more important player if they get back into the Wild Card Race. But they won’t. I offer you up three examples of why they won’t:

1. Tuesday night, Jeromy Burnitz was picked off first on a ball that got by the catcher. It’s a dumb move, but what makes it worse is that THE BASES WERE LOADED!

2. Wednesday, their pitchers forgot to cover first base on three ground balls. THREE!

3. Then, with the score tied in the ninth, Barrett the catcher had a pitch roll away from him. The Phills' Jimmy Rollins, who was on third, came down the line. The smart thing would’ve been for Barrett to run at Rollins, who was trapped. Instead, Barrett threw wide of third, and Rollins scored the winning run standing up.

Damn it feels good to be a Cubs fan.

Things I’m “loving on” right now:

1. Purell Hand Sanitzer-because the flu has shown up in the office early this year.

2. Calling the perfect PA play in NCAA Football 2006 so your tight end is wide open down the side lines.

3. Opening the mail box and seeing those Netflix envelopes.

4. That one hour every Friday on the Dan Patrick Show when he’s joined by Keith Olbermann.

5. MLB Baseball on XM radio.

That which is “wheels off:”

1. Those who come in sick with the flu.

2. Watching your Tight End drop the pass after you called the perfect play.

3. The decline of the youth of the World made evident while playing Halo 2 online.

4. For reasons unknown I have a subscription to Entreprenuer Magazine. Since, I haven’t had a drink in four years, I can’t blame it on that.

5. Nobody seems to remember the Truffle Shuffle.