The Sean Taylor story is sad but the more compelling Sports figure death has just occurred.
Evel Knievel - dead at 69...
Whoda thunk he would live this long? I tell you what though, he was fucking awesome back in the 1970's. Evel MADE Wide World of Sports. Those Sunday afternoons in the summer we were glued to the TV.
I even had a white HUFFY bike with a red, white and blue stripes and stars and a motorcycle padded seat. It was awesome. I remember going to the park and jumping cans and whiping out dramatically - just like Evel.
I say they should take his ashes and sprinkle them in the Snake River in Idaho, the site of his ill fated rocket launch.... (I always wondered, how the fuck was he going to land in that thing - nose first like a lawn dart? He woulda been dead instantly. Maybe that was the goal.)
My youth and the idols thereof are slowy dying off....
Friday, November 30, 2007
NFL Network is here to stay...
I hate to say it but from what I saw last night - the NFL Network will do nothing but grow in importance. Within 10 years, the NFL Network will have the bulk of the games and the traditional networks will get the scraps.
ESPN started this 15 or so yrs ago by starting to air Sunday night games. These games were usually shitty teams, Detroit, Atlanta, Cleveland, San Diego, Minnesota, that weren't normally aired and they put out the game. The Sunday games got progressively better AND better hyped by ESPN. ESPN has had the Monday night game for a couple years now and they do what they do. They won't shut up about the damn game. They start Monday Night Countdown at 3pm for an 8 pm game EVERY week. The games have sucked (ex: Pitt v Miami) but people watch. Over 200 million households have cable and thus ESPN, so you are, in essence, paying to watch the game.
The NFL network started a few years ago and the wife's stepfather watches it 22 hrs a day. He loves it. NFL all day and all night. Now they have started airing a couple games. Games picked at the begining of the season so it is "kinda" the luck of the draw. They had no idea that Green Bay and Dallas would both be 10-1 this late in the season. They were probably licking their chops in the board room of their $10Billion company and saying HELL YEA... Around 31 million people have the NFL network, mostly Dish/satellite customers. So, what did people have to do last night? Either find a buddy that has the dish OR go to a Bar and watch it.
I was coming home after 3 days in Valdosta and called Money about the game. Sure, come on over to his local sports bar. Well we sit down, begin to order a beer but first ask, where is the Dallas game. Waitress said, "Our cheapass boss didn't pay the additional $5 per month so we don't have the Network" We got up, apologized, and left. (There goes another one, she was thinking). We go to the new Taco Mac on Chastain. We thought, this is a new bar-no one will know about it, well, we were dead wrong. That place was packed and not prepared for the people. It was then off to Sidelines, we got a table and girl took our order finally... Took 20-30 minutes to get a bucket of Bud. That's 5 beers in a bucket-add ice, and it proved to be an ordeal. We witnessed 1 table get up and walk out without ever being served. Needless to say, they were not prepared either.
If this was any indication, I bet the Bars got more business than they ever dreamed of. When we left in the 3rd period we spied at least 10 kids under 10 still at the bar.
I think we can say - the NFL Network will continue to grow and this is just our 1st indication. I have said it before, and think it could be more of a reality - if most of the games aren't going to be on the NFL Network, they will be Pay-Per-View. That's it... Get ready...
College football may be on this path with more and more people getting the College Ticket so you can see all the Big 10 games or WAC or ACC or whatever. Dickboy bought it when he lived here so he could see Mich St games... Pay Per View. This is gonna suck.
I already hate myself because I will be the old guy telling the young kids "Son, I remember when we only got 3 channels and watching the Super Bowl was FREE."
ESPN started this 15 or so yrs ago by starting to air Sunday night games. These games were usually shitty teams, Detroit, Atlanta, Cleveland, San Diego, Minnesota, that weren't normally aired and they put out the game. The Sunday games got progressively better AND better hyped by ESPN. ESPN has had the Monday night game for a couple years now and they do what they do. They won't shut up about the damn game. They start Monday Night Countdown at 3pm for an 8 pm game EVERY week. The games have sucked (ex: Pitt v Miami) but people watch. Over 200 million households have cable and thus ESPN, so you are, in essence, paying to watch the game.
The NFL network started a few years ago and the wife's stepfather watches it 22 hrs a day. He loves it. NFL all day and all night. Now they have started airing a couple games. Games picked at the begining of the season so it is "kinda" the luck of the draw. They had no idea that Green Bay and Dallas would both be 10-1 this late in the season. They were probably licking their chops in the board room of their $10Billion company and saying HELL YEA... Around 31 million people have the NFL network, mostly Dish/satellite customers. So, what did people have to do last night? Either find a buddy that has the dish OR go to a Bar and watch it.
I was coming home after 3 days in Valdosta and called Money about the game. Sure, come on over to his local sports bar. Well we sit down, begin to order a beer but first ask, where is the Dallas game. Waitress said, "Our cheapass boss didn't pay the additional $5 per month so we don't have the Network" We got up, apologized, and left. (There goes another one, she was thinking). We go to the new Taco Mac on Chastain. We thought, this is a new bar-no one will know about it, well, we were dead wrong. That place was packed and not prepared for the people. It was then off to Sidelines, we got a table and girl took our order finally... Took 20-30 minutes to get a bucket of Bud. That's 5 beers in a bucket-add ice, and it proved to be an ordeal. We witnessed 1 table get up and walk out without ever being served. Needless to say, they were not prepared either.
If this was any indication, I bet the Bars got more business than they ever dreamed of. When we left in the 3rd period we spied at least 10 kids under 10 still at the bar.
I think we can say - the NFL Network will continue to grow and this is just our 1st indication. I have said it before, and think it could be more of a reality - if most of the games aren't going to be on the NFL Network, they will be Pay-Per-View. That's it... Get ready...
College football may be on this path with more and more people getting the College Ticket so you can see all the Big 10 games or WAC or ACC or whatever. Dickboy bought it when he lived here so he could see Mich St games... Pay Per View. This is gonna suck.
I already hate myself because I will be the old guy telling the young kids "Son, I remember when we only got 3 channels and watching the Super Bowl was FREE."
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
7-2 in ACC/Big 10 Challenge
WoW. The ACC is totally dominating the ACC / Big 10 Challenge again this year: 5 to 1.
My beloved Tigers took on the Perdon'ts (new word stolen from Colin Cowherd) and we were able to give up the lead just to come back and win with less than 1 min left. Clemson is now on a 6 year winning streak in this matchup. Pretty soon we will be playing the Indianas...
Unfortunately I missed the end of the game. I went out to dinner here in Valdosta and I was pleasantly surprised "The Blue Cafe" on N. Patterson St. hand an excellent, yet small, menu. I start with an appetizer of a Bud and a Jack Daniels Single Barrel on the rocks (Hopefully this is one of the bottles of Jack that Russ bathed in on his tour of the distillery). Now warmed up, I ordered the grilled chicken breast with a pommegranite/mango chutney and a Stella. YUM... The sides were small, mexican corn and limas with red pepper, so I mixed them together and made an excellent succotash - sufferin succotash. After dinner I inquired about a Port for dessert, ummm, that was too much to ask. This quaint little place did not have and the bartender looked at me like a deer in headlights. OK, how about a Grand Maunyea. What? Some Grand Mar-in-er, oh yea, we got that. Idiot.
Stopped at the 7-11 and got a couple 22oz beers and watched the 1st half of the game. As the 2nd half began i was getting tired but wanted to ensure I got a good night sleep. Took a Melatonin around the 6 minute mark and that was it. Done. Out. Holy Shit. I slept hard, woke up at 3 to turn off the lights and tv and didn't wake up again until 7:30... I needed that.
Waking up to another victory was nice as well.
My beloved Tigers took on the Perdon'ts (new word stolen from Colin Cowherd) and we were able to give up the lead just to come back and win with less than 1 min left. Clemson is now on a 6 year winning streak in this matchup. Pretty soon we will be playing the Indianas...
Unfortunately I missed the end of the game. I went out to dinner here in Valdosta and I was pleasantly surprised "The Blue Cafe" on N. Patterson St. hand an excellent, yet small, menu. I start with an appetizer of a Bud and a Jack Daniels Single Barrel on the rocks (Hopefully this is one of the bottles of Jack that Russ bathed in on his tour of the distillery). Now warmed up, I ordered the grilled chicken breast with a pommegranite/mango chutney and a Stella. YUM... The sides were small, mexican corn and limas with red pepper, so I mixed them together and made an excellent succotash - sufferin succotash. After dinner I inquired about a Port for dessert, ummm, that was too much to ask. This quaint little place did not have and the bartender looked at me like a deer in headlights. OK, how about a Grand Maunyea. What? Some Grand Mar-in-er, oh yea, we got that. Idiot.
Stopped at the 7-11 and got a couple 22oz beers and watched the 1st half of the game. As the 2nd half began i was getting tired but wanted to ensure I got a good night sleep. Took a Melatonin around the 6 minute mark and that was it. Done. Out. Holy Shit. I slept hard, woke up at 3 to turn off the lights and tv and didn't wake up again until 7:30... I needed that.
Waking up to another victory was nice as well.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
5 more years......
Well, visor boy, got a big raise and contract extension last year after breaking the 4 year string of losing to the hated Tigers. Now it's Tommy's turn. Congrats to Tommy Bowden. Good for him. Not sure how I feel about a 5 yr extension (i was thinking more like 3 with some stiff expectations) but this wasn't my call.
I like Tommy. Houston Nutt would have fit in nicely. That UConn coach would be good too. I don't dislike change but I don't want to settle... If we can do better - we should. Keeping Tommy now shifts the scruitiny to the OC... We continually tried to pass against BC when they have the worst rushing defense in the country. We continually passed vs the coots when their rushing defense has looked terrible in previous games. We tried to run all day vs. the N.A.T.S. and they stopped us and we stopped trying to pass once our receivers proved they couldn't catch that day. We do need something to change. I want an OC that has aspirations of becoming a Head Coach - someone who will go for the jugular.
We'll see what the off season brings...
I like Tommy. Houston Nutt would have fit in nicely. That UConn coach would be good too. I don't dislike change but I don't want to settle... If we can do better - we should. Keeping Tommy now shifts the scruitiny to the OC... We continually tried to pass against BC when they have the worst rushing defense in the country. We continually passed vs the coots when their rushing defense has looked terrible in previous games. We tried to run all day vs. the N.A.T.S. and they stopped us and we stopped trying to pass once our receivers proved they couldn't catch that day. We do need something to change. I want an OC that has aspirations of becoming a Head Coach - someone who will go for the jugular.
We'll see what the off season brings...
Monday, November 26, 2007
A New Steak Starts...
What a game Saturday night. The Clemson Tigers almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory BUT were able to drive the ball, in a terrible clock management 2-Minute Offense, and kick a field goal as time expired...
Clemson 23 - Carolina 21
Thank you Jesus, Allah, Jim Jones, Charles Manson, David Koresh, Hare Krishna, and Buddah....
The well chronicled rivalry between Clemson and Carolina has another chapter complete. Visor Boy won the coaching battle but, my opinion, the Tigers were a better team. Visor Boy is frustrated with his team's effort but Carolina has some exceptional players: Norwood, Boyd, that wide receiver #11, and even Blake Mitchell, but they didn't have the full package. Injuries hurt their secondary and we picked it apart on the final drive. #11 surpassed Sterling Sharpe's receiving record of 74 and I thought Bob Davie wanted to blow the guy. Aaron Kelly set the Clemson single season receiving record of 80 (and he has >1000 yds) and the announcers didn't even mention it. Way to go AK80. Maybe Davie was auditioning to be the new lamecock coach once visor boy leaves.
CAROLina hasn't beaten Clemson in back to back years since the 3 game skid from 1968-70 and we kept that streak alive. Clemson is 10-1 in Columbia since 1989, no home field advantage there. Clemson had won 4 in a row up until the 2006 loss and now the new streak begins. I will concede 1 loss every 5 years. But in other rivalries: Georgia has won 7 in a row against the North Avenue Trade School (Ga. Tech) and Aubur has now won 6 in a row vs. Alabama, Texas A&M finally beat Texas, I learned the Army v. Navy rivalry is almost 50-50, and who really cared about Missouri v. Kansas?-especially since Oklahoma is going to beat the shit out of Mizz in the championship game. I also learned this week why the Big 10's season is already over - there is 2" of snow on the ground in Detroit... No wonder they are done by the middle of Nov. Another 55 days off for Ohio State and they will get their ass whipped again.
The game almost gave me a heart attack but I will take the Win over our hated rivals. The Bowl selection is next. We should get a decent bowl but will wait and see where it all shakes out. Carolina is not ineligible for a bowl but I would be very disappointed if Clemson risked a losing season by going into a Bowl game at .500. This is how we know there are too many Bowls. Southern Mississippi has already been invited to the Papa John's Bowl. They have a winning record - that should be the minimal criteria: 7-5 gets you in, 6-6 doesn't. After we whipped Carolina's ass twice in the same game, in the fight and on the scoreboard a few years back; Clemson was 6-5 and used a self-imposed sanction against itself and declined all Bowl invitations. Carolina did the same. Pride and Self - Respect lived that year, let's see what happens this year.
Clemson 23 - Carolina 21
Thank you Jesus, Allah, Jim Jones, Charles Manson, David Koresh, Hare Krishna, and Buddah....
The well chronicled rivalry between Clemson and Carolina has another chapter complete. Visor Boy won the coaching battle but, my opinion, the Tigers were a better team. Visor Boy is frustrated with his team's effort but Carolina has some exceptional players: Norwood, Boyd, that wide receiver #11, and even Blake Mitchell, but they didn't have the full package. Injuries hurt their secondary and we picked it apart on the final drive. #11 surpassed Sterling Sharpe's receiving record of 74 and I thought Bob Davie wanted to blow the guy. Aaron Kelly set the Clemson single season receiving record of 80 (and he has >1000 yds) and the announcers didn't even mention it. Way to go AK80. Maybe Davie was auditioning to be the new lamecock coach once visor boy leaves.
CAROLina hasn't beaten Clemson in back to back years since the 3 game skid from 1968-70 and we kept that streak alive. Clemson is 10-1 in Columbia since 1989, no home field advantage there. Clemson had won 4 in a row up until the 2006 loss and now the new streak begins. I will concede 1 loss every 5 years. But in other rivalries: Georgia has won 7 in a row against the North Avenue Trade School (Ga. Tech) and Aubur has now won 6 in a row vs. Alabama, Texas A&M finally beat Texas, I learned the Army v. Navy rivalry is almost 50-50, and who really cared about Missouri v. Kansas?-especially since Oklahoma is going to beat the shit out of Mizz in the championship game. I also learned this week why the Big 10's season is already over - there is 2" of snow on the ground in Detroit... No wonder they are done by the middle of Nov. Another 55 days off for Ohio State and they will get their ass whipped again.
The game almost gave me a heart attack but I will take the Win over our hated rivals. The Bowl selection is next. We should get a decent bowl but will wait and see where it all shakes out. Carolina is not ineligible for a bowl but I would be very disappointed if Clemson risked a losing season by going into a Bowl game at .500. This is how we know there are too many Bowls. Southern Mississippi has already been invited to the Papa John's Bowl. They have a winning record - that should be the minimal criteria: 7-5 gets you in, 6-6 doesn't. After we whipped Carolina's ass twice in the same game, in the fight and on the scoreboard a few years back; Clemson was 6-5 and used a self-imposed sanction against itself and declined all Bowl invitations. Carolina did the same. Pride and Self - Respect lived that year, let's see what happens this year.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Bulletin Board Material....
Normally I do the shit talking but in this case I will let my coach... I was in Aiken today enjoying my Thanksgiving Day when I read the Aiken Standard newspaper. The Sports page was literally 3 pages long but it was ALL about the Clemson/Carolina game. (Aiken has always been a neutral to USC leaning city in the state, close to Columbia but rural enough to have somewhat of a Clemson following.)
I cannot remember the headline but it was something like "Bowden wants rivalry nationally recognized." I thought this was an interesting headline, so I read it. It spoke of the fact that the Clemson vs. Carolina rivalry game is just not as big a game as Michigan vs. Ohio St. / Ga. v. Fla. / Auburn v. Ala. / Fla. v. Fla. St. and he would like it to get to that level. (So do I.)
Then I read about his reasoning... He stated when he came to Clemson he was told he had to HATE USC and everything about them... (an understood philosophy - visor boy was told the same thing about Clemson). Tommy said because of this he originally wanted USC to come into the game with an 0-10 record and he would have a chance to make them 0-11. He stateed that HE NO LONGER FEELS THIS WAY. He stated that the only way that this rivalry will gain in popularity and importance on a National stage is if BOTH teams are playing at a high level. Unfortunately, this is not the case....
C'mon Carolina get better.... That's his message.... He wants you to put this on the Bulletin Board. This year we did not have to have an email campaign or worry about the game being picked up by ESPN but there has been years that "we" didn't know if the game would be aired... We need the Country to see this game as the Rivalry that it is. Danny Ford's infamous quote (no not, "You dumb sonsabitches," on national tv vs. Maryland.) "It's Just A Game - a game that affects EVERYONE in the state of South Carolina." is a great moniker for the game. Except for the ass whipping game (I won't mention the score) the last few games have been close and good entertainment.
We need people all over the country to care about this game and how it will affect their teams' Bowl Births - not just because people tune in just because they Hate Visor Boy.
I cannot remember the headline but it was something like "Bowden wants rivalry nationally recognized." I thought this was an interesting headline, so I read it. It spoke of the fact that the Clemson vs. Carolina rivalry game is just not as big a game as Michigan vs. Ohio St. / Ga. v. Fla. / Auburn v. Ala. / Fla. v. Fla. St. and he would like it to get to that level. (So do I.)
Then I read about his reasoning... He stated when he came to Clemson he was told he had to HATE USC and everything about them... (an understood philosophy - visor boy was told the same thing about Clemson). Tommy said because of this he originally wanted USC to come into the game with an 0-10 record and he would have a chance to make them 0-11. He stateed that HE NO LONGER FEELS THIS WAY. He stated that the only way that this rivalry will gain in popularity and importance on a National stage is if BOTH teams are playing at a high level. Unfortunately, this is not the case....
C'mon Carolina get better.... That's his message.... He wants you to put this on the Bulletin Board. This year we did not have to have an email campaign or worry about the game being picked up by ESPN but there has been years that "we" didn't know if the game would be aired... We need the Country to see this game as the Rivalry that it is. Danny Ford's infamous quote (no not, "You dumb sonsabitches," on national tv vs. Maryland.) "It's Just A Game - a game that affects EVERYONE in the state of South Carolina." is a great moniker for the game. Except for the ass whipping game (I won't mention the score) the last few games have been close and good entertainment.
We need people all over the country to care about this game and how it will affect their teams' Bowl Births - not just because people tune in just because they Hate Visor Boy.
Reese just BUSTED Holtz....
DAMN... Normally the pussies from ESPN go out of their way not to offend each other but it is 1/2 time at USC v. Az St. Reese Davis, Mark May and Holtz were telling what they were thankful for on this day.
Mark May had some good points, blah blah, I hate him.
Holtz then took over and he thanked GOD that he was at ESPN and allowed to stay apart of the game. Then he stated he was thankful that his son, Skip, was still in coaching at East Carolina and I had no idea that ECU had only been to 1 previous Bowl Game but may make it to one this year. (Good for ECU, Go butt Pirates. Those people are crazy. They should be in the Big East not Conf USA - what a waste.)
Reese Davis then BLASTS Holtz and says - well one thing you should be thankful for working here is you do not go home with another LOSS... Ohhhh SNAP. Was that a shot at Holtz or at USC or B O T H.?.?.? Poor old man... USC almost killed him...
Just think of the jokes and commentary we would have if SKIP Holtz would have taken over for his father as was originally dreamed by the Carolina faithful... (He got fired to save his daddy's job, yeah yeah, but that was the plan.
Mark May had some good points, blah blah, I hate him.
Holtz then took over and he thanked GOD that he was at ESPN and allowed to stay apart of the game. Then he stated he was thankful that his son, Skip, was still in coaching at East Carolina and I had no idea that ECU had only been to 1 previous Bowl Game but may make it to one this year. (Good for ECU, Go butt Pirates. Those people are crazy. They should be in the Big East not Conf USA - what a waste.)
Reese Davis then BLASTS Holtz and says - well one thing you should be thankful for working here is you do not go home with another LOSS... Ohhhh SNAP. Was that a shot at Holtz or at USC or B O T H.?.?.? Poor old man... USC almost killed him...
Just think of the jokes and commentary we would have if SKIP Holtz would have taken over for his father as was originally dreamed by the Carolina faithful... (He got fired to save his daddy's job, yeah yeah, but that was the plan.
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