I got to thinking today, that since the series was suspended for about 9 years, because the Jackrabbits wished to move to Division I, and the Coyotes decided to stay Division II and become the "Princeton of the Prarie". (PS. How hilarious is that phrase now?)
Anyway...as I was saying, since the series had been suspended for a while, and since SDSU had been winning most of the matchups before they quit playing(USD won just 2 of the last 10 before the move up in class)...it has probably been quite a while since the coyotes had beaten the Jackrabbits at football.
I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable about professional football. (The National Football League, not the Premier League, I don't know much about soccer).
What I mean is, although I'm no super fan (I don't download video from the league, I don't 're-watch' games to break down film, and I'm not 100% certain who is on my team's practice squad.
However, I'm pretty well versed in all the schemes and trends of the league. I know the difference between a "pistol" set and a "shotgun" set. I know the difference between the 3-4 and the 4-3. I know the preferred personnel to run either scheme.
I understand the difference between a shovel pass and a screen pass. I can name pretty much every player on my favorite team's roster (the chargers, and don't laugh at me, it's not polite). In addition, I can probably name the 3 deep depth chart at just about every position on the team (although that's difficult with the injuries they have had).
When I watch the games I concentrate on what's happening as it unfolds, not just the result of the play. I notice the play-action fake... I notice the crucial block that gets a guy through a crease for a gain instead of a loss...I notice the qb staring down a wr before an interception, and I notice alot of near misses:...near tackles, near sacks, near catches, near fumbles.
I enjoy the strategy of the game, always have. When I was a teen and you coach play the "coach mode" or "strategy mode" (I can't remember what it's called now) of tecmo bowl, where you just call the plays and watch...I was the only guy I knew who liked that. I played like 4 full seasons of the doomed EA Sports NFL Head Coach Video game. And that game sucked...but it was what I wanted. (I actually bought the second version of the game, too).
In the 1990 season (when I was 20 years old and in college), when the pre-season booklets came out with the NFL Schedules...I filled out the Division winners, and the AFC and NFC Champion, and the Super Bowl champion. (I missed one Division winner, but I can't remember who it was). I predicted the Giants against the Bills in the Super Bowl back in August, and I was right.
But I don't understand the NFL today.
There is literally nothing you can count on.
Week in and week out, there are things happening that don't make sense.
For example: This past weekend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (one of the worst teams in the league) played in Seattle against the Seahawks (one of the best teams in the league). The Seahawks also boast one of the league's best home field advantages, a great defense, and insane atmosphere to play football in...so easy win for Seattle, right?
Wrong. They did win. But it wasn't easy. They had to battle back from behind (2 touchdowns behind), in the 2nd half to put the game into overtime.
This isn't uncommon. It's the norm.
The NFL does NOT make sense.
Let's take the Indianapolis Colts season so far. Week one: they beat the Raiders (OK, the Raiders aren't great, but they won) Week two: they lose to the Dolphins (wait a sec... maybe the Colts aren't so good) Week three: they beat the 49ers 27-7 (the niners were regarded as one of the league's top teams) Week four: they beat the Jags (OK, so the Colts are pretty good) Week five: they beat the Seahwaks (wait a second...the Seahawks are also very good) Week six: they lose to the Chargers, only scoring 9 points (The Chargers are a .500 team, right) Week seven: they beat the previously unbeaten Broncos (Wait...the Chargers just beat them right) Week eight: they play the struggling Texans, and barely win... coming back from a 21-3 deficit at the half.
Does this team make any sense at all?
The Chiefs are 9-0. (They went 2-14 last year) But they are 9-0. (Of course they play against back up quarterbacks nearly every week...and they haven't won impressively, except maybe against the Jags and the Raiders, but they are 9-0).
2 Weeks ago, Nick Foles, the Quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, posted a QB rating of 46 and only completed 37% of his passes....against a Dallas Cowboys defense that had already given up 400 yards passing 4 different times this season. (So he must stink then, right?)
So last week, against the Raiders...he goes out and throws 7 Touchdown passes, completing 78% of his passes, and posts a QB rating of 158.3. (Which is basically a perfect score in QB Rating)
What I'm saying is... I don't know anything.
The game is too complex. There are too many moving parts. There are too many "almost" plays...in each and every game, for it to be predictable in any way, shape, or form.
So next time you hear someone complaining about their coach's play calling...just shake your head and agree. Because someone who spends a few hours on Sunday afternoon must certainly know more who lives and breathes the game his entire life, right?
It's just not a simple game. You can't predict what will happen.
I've always loved this little story/parable. I thought I'd share it, since I haven't blogged anything in forever.
Two monks were on a pilgrimage. One day, they came to a deep river. At the edge of the river, a young woman sat weeping, because she was afraid to cross the river without help. She begged the two monks to help her. The younger monk turned his back. The members of their order were forbidden to touch a woman.
But the older monk picked up the woman without a word and carried her across the river. He put her down on the far side and continued his journey. The younger monk came after him, scolding him and berating him for breaking his vows. He went on this way for a long time.
Finally, at the end of the day the older monk turned to the younger one. "I only carried her across the river. You have been carrying her all day."
Well actually, I should say "These Guys" because they are kind of grown up men now.
You know, the guys responsible for this:
I think we can all just cut Hanson a break, for a number of reasons:
1. First of all, MMMBop is one of the catchiest tunes of all time.
2. It's not Hanson's fault that they were young when they recorded it.
3. I mean, that song is really catchy isn't it.... if you watched the video, you're humming it right now, aren't you. You know you are.
4. Did you know that Hanson is STILL together? And putting out new music?
Check out their webpage: They are actually on tour: Right Now
5. Did you know, that they've made SIX studio albums, and that they are still recording?
6. Their newest album"Anthem" was released this past June.
7. The first single "Get the Girl Back" actually cracked the VH1 Top 20 countdown a couple of weeks ago.
Speaking of which... how do the Hanson Brothers sound these days?
Actually, I gotta say...they sound pretty good.
8. That "MMMBop" was one catchy song wasn't it? " I mean, between you and me, don't go spreading the word or anything, and I'm not proud of it or nothing....but that MMMBop, was one of the better pop songs I've heard. Just don't admit that to anyone else.
9. Did you know the Hanson brothers make their own beer? Well, they do. MMMHops from the guys who created MMMBop.
10. So next time you hear someone rag on Hanson, or what a travesty it was for those young "kids" to dare to have a hit song, or what a piece of crap it was... You know in your heart, they are closet MMMBop fans, just like the rest of us. They just want you to think they don't like it, out of some sort of twisted superiority complex.
So, next time you hear "MMMBop" or "Get the Girl Back" on the radio, go ahead and turn it up, and don't worry about who can hear it.
Go see them in concert, buy a poster or a t-shirt, download the new album, purchase a sixer of MMMHops...wear your Hanson Badge with pride..because, there's really nothing to be ashamed of anyway.
This isn't really a live blog...not like I normally do.
I just watched the game on my DVR, with a pen and notebook, and jotted down some comments, some of which are snarky, along the way.
I'm a terrible Chargers homer, and most of my comments are based as such. I don't even pretend to be "journalistic". Just a doofus with a keyboard.
Dennis Leary does the intro welcoming us to Monday Night Football on Thursday night. Which I loved.
Wonder if Dennis ever thought he'd be doing stuff like this back when he was doing this for a living:
(warning: inappropriate language...and alot of it)
Chris "Boomer" Berman is announcing this game, with Trent Dilfer as the color guy. Boomer is sporting some sort of strange plaid suit jacket...although the plaid stripes are Charger Blue.
and the Camera goes to NEW San Diego Chargers Head Coach Mike "Dammit Jim, I'm a Coach, not a Doctor!" McCoy. He's looking sporty in a Chargers Visor. Graphic Says: 2nd youngest Head Coach in the NFL. I'm actually excited for the McCoy era, as a fan.
Next up, NEW Chicago Bears Head Coach Marc Trestman...Trestman looks kinda like a computer nerd (and yes, the irony of someone who works as a Technology Director calling someone a computer nerd is not lost on me....I'm just saying).
Soldier Field playing Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" before opening Kickoff. Nice Touch.
Devin Hester with a great return to the 37 yard line, and we are underway.
Jay Cutler has his "douche face" in Midseason form as he takes the field. Never really like Cutler, but I used to really despise the guy. Now that he's on the Bears, I really don't care so much. I think the thing that bugs me the most is just the way the guy looks.
Ladies and Gentlemen... it's Jay Cutler!
Cutler just has the look of the guy who got a brand new Trans Am from his parents when he passed his drivers exam. I have no qualms about his abilities as a quarterback, the guy can sling it, and he's played behind some terrible o-lines. Honestly, I don't even think his reputation would be so bad if he didn't look so.... douchey.
Jay Cutler doesn't care what you think.
He's just got one of those faces, ya know? Like one of the cool kids, who thinks it's fun to pick on the underprivileged.
Note: I'm not saying he is this way at all, I don't know the guy, or even know anyone who knows him, or ... you get the point. He just LOOKS that way. He's got a douche face. So tonight, I will call him that.
Douche Face drops back to pass and is sacked and fumbles. Bears recover.
Second pass, and the Douchemeister is sacked again...it's 4th and 24 for the Bears, and the Chargers D Line looks good, Corey Leguit is a beast-like person out there.
Chargers go no huddle right away.
Graphic Alert: Philip Rivers has the 7th most wins of active quarterbacks. That's a bit surprising.
The Bears hold at midfield, but the protection for Rivers was pretty good.
Douche Face retakes the field. And Matt Forte breaks a long, long, run down the lest sideline. Douche Face then throws a TD pass to Brandon Marshall and it's 7-0 Bears. (Take that, dude who keeps calling me douche face!)
That was an impressive long drive by the Bears.
And now, it's Rivers turn to get sacked. Rookie Right Tackle DJ Fluker was abused on that play. GREAT story on Fluker in the San Diego Union Tribune. Really rooting for him, very uplifting story.
Then Rivers is intercepted...on a play where the Chargers WR (Keenan Allen) is tripped and taken down by the Chicago defensive back...pretty obvious PI call there, in my opinion (and my opinion is biased).
-The Play is under review...the ball may have hit the ground. Oh it did. Replay confirms. The Ref in the booth with Boomer and Dilfer also says this will be overturned...and the play is upheld. Of Course. So it's a Pass Interference No Call followed by a non-interception that is ruled an interception... I see how it is.
Douchey McDoucherton takes the field and immediately throws and INT to Donald Butler. To be honest, I was expecting some sort of reveral on that, as no Charger touched intended WR Brandon Marshall, and Butler didnt' come close to touching the ground with the ball.
A classic sideline Douche Face on return from commercial.
Bolts come out in no huddle, and run the ball 4 straight times with Ryan Mathews...who is running hard, and wasn't injured on any of the 4 plays.
Max Starks gives up a sack and Rivers fumbles, the Bears recover. Of course they do...because if we sack their QB and he fumbles, they pick it up and advance the ball a few yards... however, if they sack our qb our Charger players are perfectly happy to let the other team jump on the ball. The Bears are just mean.
Forte scores and it's 14-0 to nothing and Cutler sends me a text that says "Who's the douche now?" (This MAY NOT have actually happened).
-and the Chargers defense looked BAD on that drive.
-and the O-Line looked bad on that last drive too.
Bears...after a bit of a rocky start, look pretty good.
Then, Richard Goodman muffs the kickoff, and spins around looking for it, he can't find it...and finally takes a knee about .374 or a second before a Bear takes his head off... you can't make this stuff up. Goodman better pick it up, he hasn't looked good this pre-season.
and the first Quarter mercifully ends.
-The Chargers start the 2nd quarter with some more no huddle, after the 1st down.
-When Rivers has time to throw, he's so good. Staying no huddle for now.
It takes a full quarter for Boomer to mention that both starting WR's for the Chargers are out. Donario Alexander tore his ACL, and Malcom Floyd hurt his knee this week..
-and then Jeromy Clary gives up a sack.... that's 3 different Offensive Linemen already. Bill S. Preston, Esquire would proclaim "Most Non-Triumphant".
A Manti Te'o sighting... on the sideline, in a book. Sprained foot. The Chargers seem to always be among the most injured teams in the NFL. It's something I pretty much count on. Year in and Year out.
Backups in for both teams at the skill positions now.
The Bears Special Teams look phenomenal.
-the Chargers, not so much.
First a terrible return, then catch a break on a penalty that forces a re-kick.
And then, Keenan Allen (Rookie WR who looks promising) fumbles the return...and of course, the Bears recover. Like I said before, the Bears are mean.
The Bolts get the ball back, and Clipboard Jesus (Charlie Whitehurst) has taken the field! Perhaps he shall lead us to salvation. Probably Not. But "Clipboard Jesus" has to be the greatest nickname in the history of the NFL... or at least top 3. It's up there with "Night Train" Lane, and "Slingin" Sammy Baugh.
"No...Guys... Seriously...Why do they call me Clipboard Jesus?"
And Jesus does not save on this occasion. Whitehurst fumbles his first snap after entering the game, and of course the Bears recover, because...you know the rule... the Bears are mean.
So, as a Chargers fan...we've had 4 Turnovers already and there's 5 mins to play in the first half.
To sum it up in one word, that one word would be "Atrocious".
-another FG by Robbie Gould and it's 20-0 Bears.
Douche Face and Computer Nerd are really kinda rubbing it in, don't ya think?
And the Savior is resurrected! Whithurst leads the Bolts down the field ( kind of impressively) and Fozzy Whitaker runs it in for a TD. 20-7 Bears. Clipboard Jesus not only led the Chargers down the field for a Touchdown on that drive... he didn't spike himself.
Now watch the Bears return this Kickoff for a TD.
-OK, he only got to the 24, and there's a penalty for being offsides, on the Chargers of course...so they take over on the 29. The Bears have owned Field Position in this game. Hell, they've owned pretty much everything. They take a knee, and it's halftime.
Yikes, that was depressing. Not even gonna lie, I know it's preseason, and the games don't matter, and teams don't gameplan (much), but that was depressing.
The 2nd Half is ready to go...a bunch of FNG's and people just trying to make the roster.
-Pre-season football...it's Fabulous!
Clipboard Jesus back out with the backup Offensive line who were terrible last week.
MLB Jon Bostic of the Bears just DESTROYED Mike Willie of the Chargers. Just crushed it.
-that hit was clean and brutal. Willies ears gotta be ringing after that one.
The Bears fumble a punt return, and the Chargers recover. That's just not something I'm accustomed to seeing. And the fun of backups playing continues... 2 fumbled punts by backup returners already, and we're just into the 3rd quarter folks.
You know I'm not holding a clipboard in any of these pictures, right?
Clipboard Jesus finds salvation in the End Zone with a strike to LaDarius Green for a TD. Green had a TD last week too, and he's one Charger who has actually looked good this preseason (and in camp too, from reports).
And the Bears almost return the Kickoff for a Touchdown. I was one too early on my prediction...Nice hustle by someone on the Bolts to catch him, I'm too lazy to look it up. Michael Bush runs the ball in for the Bears, and it's 27 to 14.
-and the Chargers return their kickoff, comparatively, to the 13 yard line.
After a Charger punt, a random Boomer quote, "#1 punting to #11". OK. Thanks for that Boom.
2 straight plays with Bears penalties. Backup Football Rules! 4th and 32 for the Bears.
CBJ (Clipboard Jesus, I'm getting tired of typing that out...it's really not any shorter than Charlie Whitehurst), throws another Touchdown pass. He's playing much better tonight than last week, and it's 21-27.
-I hope next possession, Rookie QB Brad Sorensen gets in.
Another Kick Return for the Bears out past the 30 yard line. I am not joking. It's like the teams are playing 2 different games on Special Teams.
DJ Smith has looked pretty solid at ILB for the Bolts. Something to keep an eye on, especially with Te'o's injury.
You gotta love the Bears fans, it's 3rd quarter, in the pre-season...and they are cheering on their backups, doing the wave...Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego would be half empty by now. Soldier Field is Rocking.
And another Manti Te'o segment, because we haven't heard anything about this kid, and his personal life. And we certainly need a 2nd segment on a player not playing tonight because of precautionary measures.
And Sorensen takes the Field! Yes! I like this kid from Southern Utah. I watched him almost lead his Thunderbirds to a miraculous comeback against my SDSU Jackrabbits a few years back. He looked good last week.
And the Bears, block a punt. You can't make this stuff up. Don't forget our recurring theme tonight...The Bears are mean.
Man, the Bears hit hard! Both on Defense, and Special Teams. Just some big shots going on out there.
Sorensen and Ed "Rock" Baker lead the Chargers on a nice drive, and Sorensen throws a TD pass to Mike Willie and it's 28-30. I have to say, the Bolts Backups look much better tonight than last week, when Seattle just took it to them.
But the Special Teams have been atrocious, in about every conceivable way, both games this PS. Hold your breathe, there is a Kickoff coming.
Anyone out there seen the new television series on FX, "The Bridge"?
It's just my humble "Sports Doofus" Opinion, but you should really check it out.
The Bridge airs Wednesdays at 9 pm Central.
The Bridge is actually based off of a Danish/Swedish TV series called Bron.
Here is a brief breakdown of what "The Bridge" is about, according to Wikipedia: The Bridge follows two police detectives – one Mexican, one American – and their joint effort to investigate a serial killer menacing both nations along the Texas–Chihuahua border.[1] Their investigation is complicated by the rampant corruption and general apathy among the Mexican authorities and the violence of the powerful borderland drug cartels.[2] The show title refers to the Bridge of the Americas that serves as a border crossing between El Paso, Texas and Juárez, Chihuahua, the setting of the series.[2]
There have only been two episodes so far, but they have got me completely hooked already. Both lead actors are very good. Diane Kruger (famous from the "National Treasure" movies) plays the American Detective, Sonya Cross, who has Asperger syndrome. Her counterpart, Demian Bichir (who was nominated for an Academy Award for A Better Life), plays the Mexican Detective, Marco Ruiz.
Detectives Cross and Ruiz are the centerpiece of this show.
The give and take between these two vastly different detectives: Mexican and American, Male and Female, Veteran and Youngster, Laid Back and Aspergers... really makes the show enjoyable. The supporting actors (Ted Levine, Matthew Lillard, Annabeth Gish) are all solid as well, and did Lyle Lovett make a surprise appearance as an attorney in episode two? Yes, he did. Lillard is particularly enjoyable in his role as a "down on his luck" alcoholic reporter, who has apparently drank himself from the New York Times to the local El Paso newspaper.
It's a good show, and it's good on many levels. It's a murder mystery, it's a statement on race relations, it's a statement on living (and working) with a behavior disorder, it's all of these things.
Anyway, if you are like me, and enjoy good television series with strong writing and good performances, you should watch The Bridge. I think you'll like it.
If you want to catch up on the first two episodes, you can watch them online HERE.
