I was in Cancun for a wedding this past Wednesday through Sunday.
Was I going to try and find a way to watch the Jets-Bengals playoff game on Saturday? You know I was.
Did I find it? I did, at a bar in the resort I was staying at. They showed it on a large projection screen, and only the commercials were in Spanish (though I think I'd rather have heard the game in Spanish than having to listen to Gibbs and Theismann.)
Did I feel guilty about watching football while in the tropics? Nope. Especially because it rained in Cancun on Saturday. A perfect excuse to sit inside drinking beers with lime in it and taking celebratory shots of tequila.
Was this the type of game we were hoping the Jets would consistently play all year? Yes, yes it was. Run the ball effectively. Just enough good play out of the QB. No turnovers. Stifling defense. Solid special teams.
Are we Jets fans feeling good about our team? You better believe it. Love the way they're playing now, and love what it means for the next couple of years, what with all the young players and the favorable system that Rex Ryan brings. There's no reason besides bad luck with injuries that the defense and run game won't continue to be good.
Can they beat the Chargers? Sure. It's not a terrible matchup for the Jets. The Chargers can't run the ball and don't have a particularly great defense. If the pass rush gets to Rivers and the offense doesn't turn it over, it's a winnable game.
Are we being set up for a horrible letdown? Of course we are. This is still the Jets. We'll talk ourselves into being able to beat the Chargers. Then we'll go out and lose 42-10.
Does that matter? Not really. This is about as good an end to the year as we can hope for. In fact, getting blown out of the playoffs might be a good thing for the team - more motivation and less overconfidence going into next year.
Will I remember that during the inevitable letdown so I won't be cursing and yelling and saying things most vile? What do you think?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A tale of two halves
In the words of Les Grossman, a nutless monkey could do my current position. The "Man" tells me I'm an IC Specialist. The eye tells me I pick up boxes and files and move them from point A to point B. Needless to say, I have tons of free time and have used it to listen to countless books on my mp3/iPod.
As Kris tackles the greatest films of all time, I've started to tackle some of the literary classics. Recently I listened to Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" with the famous first chapter that has been paraphrased by countless people since...
Needless to say, Saturday's #12 Georgetown vs. #13 Connecticut was a tale of two halves and I saw it as such thanks to the magic that is the Digital Video Recorder.
After letting the youngest watch three hours of educational TV, or whatever kept her from making the most noise and running me up a wall, I took over the tube for the 12 noon start for an early jump on the Big East title.
I've seen as much of the Hoyas this year as possible and it's clear to me that Greg Monroe will be a quality NBA pro. He won't be a superstar, but I can see him doing what another recent G'Town big is doing. Last year, Jeff Green averaged 16 ppg, 6 rbns and 2 assists. His numbers are down this year, but that's about where I see Monroe.
The problem the Hoyas have is Chris Wright is a junior leader, yet plays like a stupid freshman for at least 5 minutes of every game. Even when he's scoring 30 against Harvard or putting up 20+ to take down a scrappy St. John's team, he makes too many dumb plays to be a positive difference maker. Early on against the Huskies, he took a couple of stupid shots and made a silly pass and UConn will make you pay.
Watching UConn for the first time reminds me of a typical well-recruited but young team. Jim Calhoun has a ton of talent that wants to play a structured street ball game. They want to press, run after every change of possession and attack the glass. They're a poor shooting team, whether it's from behind the arc or from the stripe. Nevertheless, if you get caught up trying to run with them you'll fall behind quickly.
That's what happened to the Hoyas. There are no seniors on this team, so no one to explain that while we can run with teams, to run with the Huskies falls into their game plan. I was waiting for my wife to finish getting dressed and saw my boys fall down by 15 at the break. I then set it to record and left to go shopping and eat a lot of meat at Golden Corral.
I returned to listen to Dick Vitale stop slurping UConn and start marveling the breakout performance of Austin Freeman. The 6-4 junior guard supposedly slimmed down this year and it's helped his shooting. On this afternoon, he was left open on Town's basic screen hand-off at the wing. It's a shot that's always there in this modified Princeton offense and for some reason, UConn never closed out on the shooter.
Maybe they got comfortable with such a big lead (They led by as many as 19 in the first half). Maybe they didn't think Freeman would hit the shot (which is silly after he had nailed the first two). Maybe, despite the fact they block a lot of shots, UConn is just not a great defensive team (that's my opinion). Either way, Freeman got hot and for a long portion of the second half was outscoring the entire Husky squad.
With the Hoyas hanging onto a 1-point lead, the final 40 seconds should just be it's own highlight. Probably cut it down to the final 20 cuz UConn had a couple of chances but couldn't hit either open look. End result was a quality win, the Hoyas' third victory over a Top 20 team this year and likely enough to stay in the Top 15 when the polls come out on Monday.
As Kris tackles the greatest films of all time, I've started to tackle some of the literary classics. Recently I listened to Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" with the famous first chapter that has been paraphrased by countless people since...
Needless to say, Saturday's #12 Georgetown vs. #13 Connecticut was a tale of two halves and I saw it as such thanks to the magic that is the Digital Video Recorder.
After letting the youngest watch three hours of educational TV, or whatever kept her from making the most noise and running me up a wall, I took over the tube for the 12 noon start for an early jump on the Big East title.
I've seen as much of the Hoyas this year as possible and it's clear to me that Greg Monroe will be a quality NBA pro. He won't be a superstar, but I can see him doing what another recent G'Town big is doing. Last year, Jeff Green averaged 16 ppg, 6 rbns and 2 assists. His numbers are down this year, but that's about where I see Monroe.
The problem the Hoyas have is Chris Wright is a junior leader, yet plays like a stupid freshman for at least 5 minutes of every game. Even when he's scoring 30 against Harvard or putting up 20+ to take down a scrappy St. John's team, he makes too many dumb plays to be a positive difference maker. Early on against the Huskies, he took a couple of stupid shots and made a silly pass and UConn will make you pay.
Watching UConn for the first time reminds me of a typical well-recruited but young team. Jim Calhoun has a ton of talent that wants to play a structured street ball game. They want to press, run after every change of possession and attack the glass. They're a poor shooting team, whether it's from behind the arc or from the stripe. Nevertheless, if you get caught up trying to run with them you'll fall behind quickly.
That's what happened to the Hoyas. There are no seniors on this team, so no one to explain that while we can run with teams, to run with the Huskies falls into their game plan. I was waiting for my wife to finish getting dressed and saw my boys fall down by 15 at the break. I then set it to record and left to go shopping and eat a lot of meat at Golden Corral.
I returned to listen to Dick Vitale stop slurping UConn and start marveling the breakout performance of Austin Freeman. The 6-4 junior guard supposedly slimmed down this year and it's helped his shooting. On this afternoon, he was left open on Town's basic screen hand-off at the wing. It's a shot that's always there in this modified Princeton offense and for some reason, UConn never closed out on the shooter.
Maybe they got comfortable with such a big lead (They led by as many as 19 in the first half). Maybe they didn't think Freeman would hit the shot (which is silly after he had nailed the first two). Maybe, despite the fact they block a lot of shots, UConn is just not a great defensive team (that's my opinion). Either way, Freeman got hot and for a long portion of the second half was outscoring the entire Husky squad.
With the Hoyas hanging onto a 1-point lead, the final 40 seconds should just be it's own highlight. Probably cut it down to the final 20 cuz UConn had a couple of chances but couldn't hit either open look. End result was a quality win, the Hoyas' third victory over a Top 20 team this year and likely enough to stay in the Top 15 when the polls come out on Monday.
An ideal movie night
While our fat friend has started an admirable journey through classic films with pedigree, I have my own little aside into the business that is show. At least for one evening.
With two little girls running around and a wife who works an overnight weekend shift, you can imagine just how much time I have. Yet alone the time to watch what I want when I want to watch it. My current situation has allowed me to see films like the first two Cheetah Girls movies (Remember Raven Symone from the final years of the Cosby Show? Combine her with the girls from 3LW, a short-lived R&B group and you have proof that Whitney Houston didn't blow all her money away since she was a producer).
Houston was also a producer on both film adaptations of The Princess Diaries, the vehicle that got Anne Hathaway's career moving and reminded America that Julie Andrews is still kicking ad vital.
And sadly, I've seen all three High School Musicals. I can only say this — if you want a quick laugh, watch any of the basketball scenes from any of the films. The fictional high school in New Mexico wins back-to-back state championships with the dreamy Zak Efron as the star. Only Efron can't play a lick of basketball. I mean he looks bad just shooting unguarded...
But I digress...
Needless to say, the opportunities I get to watch a film I actually like are few and far between. So on Friday night when I was able to get my 2-year old asleep and looked up, I was shocked to see that there were three films on my expansive list of films I love.
I'll start with the selection from Starz - The Count of Monte Cristo starring Jim Caviezel and a standout performance by one of the most underrated actors of our time, Guy Pearce. First the film, an adaptation of the book by Alexande Dumas. The fat Frenchman also wrote The Man in the Iron Mask and The Three Musketeers, but this is the best story of the three in my opinion. When I was working at the University of South Carolina, I went on a book splurge.
While sleeping behind the couch on the floor, I read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy (in 2000 before the films came out) and The Count. The movie takes a slightly different but well conceived path than the book. It's a tale of a decent guy who gets railroaded and betrayed by a "friend" and ends up doing 13 years in a French prison. He escapes with a treasure map to countless cash and revenge on his mind.
The director, Kevin Reynolds, has a hit or miss resume but he did a really good job with this unlike Waterworld. It helps when you have a great story, quality actors and Pearce doing what he does like in LA Confidential, Memento and The Hurt Locker.
Bravo was showing Fight Club and that's one of my all-time favorites. I just finished that book and David Fincher, who also gave up Se7en, The Game (with Sean Penn and Michael Douglas) and Panic Room, really hit a home run. Going in reverse-order (film to book), I now see what they were working with and admire the ability to bring such a complex story to the screen and do it so well. It's the little touches, like the splices of Tyler (Brad Pitt) before he's introduced. An absolute classic.
Finally, TV Land was showing Groundhog Day, the tour de force of Bill Murray's career. Harold Ramis, who according to IMDb.com has talked everyone into doing Ghostbusters III, directed this absolutely perfect film. You get all sides of Murray. You get Andie McDowell, who is a classic beauty. You get an absolutely perfect film from start to finish.
So there you have it, all three films on one night and both kids asleep so I can flip without having to stop on Nick Jr. or PBS Sprout.
----------------
Now playing: ESPN 980 - January 7 2010 The Tony Kornheiser Show Part 2
via FoxyTunes
With two little girls running around and a wife who works an overnight weekend shift, you can imagine just how much time I have. Yet alone the time to watch what I want when I want to watch it. My current situation has allowed me to see films like the first two Cheetah Girls movies (Remember Raven Symone from the final years of the Cosby Show? Combine her with the girls from 3LW, a short-lived R&B group and you have proof that Whitney Houston didn't blow all her money away since she was a producer).
Houston was also a producer on both film adaptations of The Princess Diaries, the vehicle that got Anne Hathaway's career moving and reminded America that Julie Andrews is still kicking ad vital.
And sadly, I've seen all three High School Musicals. I can only say this — if you want a quick laugh, watch any of the basketball scenes from any of the films. The fictional high school in New Mexico wins back-to-back state championships with the dreamy Zak Efron as the star. Only Efron can't play a lick of basketball. I mean he looks bad just shooting unguarded...
But I digress...
Needless to say, the opportunities I get to watch a film I actually like are few and far between. So on Friday night when I was able to get my 2-year old asleep and looked up, I was shocked to see that there were three films on my expansive list of films I love.
I'll start with the selection from Starz - The Count of Monte Cristo starring Jim Caviezel and a standout performance by one of the most underrated actors of our time, Guy Pearce. First the film, an adaptation of the book by Alexande Dumas. The fat Frenchman also wrote The Man in the Iron Mask and The Three Musketeers, but this is the best story of the three in my opinion. When I was working at the University of South Carolina, I went on a book splurge.
While sleeping behind the couch on the floor, I read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy (in 2000 before the films came out) and The Count. The movie takes a slightly different but well conceived path than the book. It's a tale of a decent guy who gets railroaded and betrayed by a "friend" and ends up doing 13 years in a French prison. He escapes with a treasure map to countless cash and revenge on his mind.
The director, Kevin Reynolds, has a hit or miss resume but he did a really good job with this unlike Waterworld. It helps when you have a great story, quality actors and Pearce doing what he does like in LA Confidential, Memento and The Hurt Locker.
Bravo was showing Fight Club and that's one of my all-time favorites. I just finished that book and David Fincher, who also gave up Se7en, The Game (with Sean Penn and Michael Douglas) and Panic Room, really hit a home run. Going in reverse-order (film to book), I now see what they were working with and admire the ability to bring such a complex story to the screen and do it so well. It's the little touches, like the splices of Tyler (Brad Pitt) before he's introduced. An absolute classic.
Finally, TV Land was showing Groundhog Day, the tour de force of Bill Murray's career. Harold Ramis, who according to IMDb.com has talked everyone into doing Ghostbusters III, directed this absolutely perfect film. You get all sides of Murray. You get Andie McDowell, who is a classic beauty. You get an absolutely perfect film from start to finish.
So there you have it, all three films on one night and both kids asleep so I can flip without having to stop on Nick Jr. or PBS Sprout.
----------------
Now playing: ESPN 980 - January 7 2010 The Tony Kornheiser Show Part 2
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
My New Journey
No this isn’t some big new years resolution or anything, just me trying to accomplish something. Well this isn’t even accomplishing, just doing something fun. As some of you know I am a big fan of movie making. In some respects I can be considered a bit of a movie snob, not so much of an art house goon like my friend Dan. But I wouldn’t be caught dead seeing a Transformer movie, or anything else starring Megan Fox.
Okay, I know you are saying to yourself what is this fat man talking about. I have always been a fan of old time movies as well. Television channels like Fox Movie and Turner Movie classics have helped me watch some of these great old time movies but not enough. I have always wanted to go back and watch the movies that won the Academy Award for best picture, but its hard to always find when these movies can be on these channels.
This Christmas not really wanting or needing anything I decided to get a Netflix subscription. With that subscription I have decided to embark on that journey of watching every Academy Award winning film. Now I have seen in full and more than once 29 of the 81 films so I have a bunch to see, most of which are from the 20s-60s. I have decided to try and go in order as best as Netflix could fulfill that request for me.
Be sure to check in early and often this year as I will be giving a full review of each movie. Now some of the first few reviews may boar some because some of the movies may not be that interesting. However there are some real intriguing movies early on like; All Quiet on the Western Front, Mutiny on the Bounty, and Gone with the Wind. Then there are also movies like How Green was my Valley which famously beat out Citizen Kane for best picture in 1941 (these two movies I will watch together). And then there are some absolute classics; Cassablanca, From Here to Eternity, On the Waterfront, Ben-Hur, Westside Story and Lawrence of Arabia.
The first two movies up are the 2nd and 3rd winners. From 1929 the first musical to win, The Broadway Melody and next will be an adaptation from the great novel 1930’s All Quiet on the Western Front.
Broadway Melody
The first musical, and only second picture, to win the Academy Award for best film, this tells the story of two sisters who come to New York to star on Broadway. They come at the behest of a singer/songwriter who wants to marry the older more talented sister but winds up vying for the affection of the younger taller, blonder, more beautiful sister.
It is so interesting to watch movies from the older era because of the lack of camera movement and shots. There were probably only 3 types of camera shots in the entire movie. This makes editing more important, you cant stick with a shot too long otherwise it gets boring. This makes long scenes in one set location somewhat difficult. However the director in this movie helps that a long by having a lot of character movement throughout the scenes.
The movie seems really provocative for its time. There is a lot of men and women together, dancing and kissing and obvious sexual innuendo of women sleeping with different men. Also there are several scenes in Broadway dressing rooms and bathrooms of women changing and wearing very little clothing.
The movie has a decent story, one that could likely be told in a movie today. There isn’t much action, it is more song and dialogue driven but in its era I can see how it works. Overall I would give it a 6 of 10. It is worth watching if you are really into old movies but isn’t something that you would re-watch or use to teach anyone about filmmaking.
Okay, I know you are saying to yourself what is this fat man talking about. I have always been a fan of old time movies as well. Television channels like Fox Movie and Turner Movie classics have helped me watch some of these great old time movies but not enough. I have always wanted to go back and watch the movies that won the Academy Award for best picture, but its hard to always find when these movies can be on these channels.
This Christmas not really wanting or needing anything I decided to get a Netflix subscription. With that subscription I have decided to embark on that journey of watching every Academy Award winning film. Now I have seen in full and more than once 29 of the 81 films so I have a bunch to see, most of which are from the 20s-60s. I have decided to try and go in order as best as Netflix could fulfill that request for me.
Be sure to check in early and often this year as I will be giving a full review of each movie. Now some of the first few reviews may boar some because some of the movies may not be that interesting. However there are some real intriguing movies early on like; All Quiet on the Western Front, Mutiny on the Bounty, and Gone with the Wind. Then there are also movies like How Green was my Valley which famously beat out Citizen Kane for best picture in 1941 (these two movies I will watch together). And then there are some absolute classics; Cassablanca, From Here to Eternity, On the Waterfront, Ben-Hur, Westside Story and Lawrence of Arabia.
The first two movies up are the 2nd and 3rd winners. From 1929 the first musical to win, The Broadway Melody and next will be an adaptation from the great novel 1930’s All Quiet on the Western Front.
Broadway Melody
The first musical, and only second picture, to win the Academy Award for best film, this tells the story of two sisters who come to New York to star on Broadway. They come at the behest of a singer/songwriter who wants to marry the older more talented sister but winds up vying for the affection of the younger taller, blonder, more beautiful sister.
It is so interesting to watch movies from the older era because of the lack of camera movement and shots. There were probably only 3 types of camera shots in the entire movie. This makes editing more important, you cant stick with a shot too long otherwise it gets boring. This makes long scenes in one set location somewhat difficult. However the director in this movie helps that a long by having a lot of character movement throughout the scenes.
The movie seems really provocative for its time. There is a lot of men and women together, dancing and kissing and obvious sexual innuendo of women sleeping with different men. Also there are several scenes in Broadway dressing rooms and bathrooms of women changing and wearing very little clothing.
The movie has a decent story, one that could likely be told in a movie today. There isn’t much action, it is more song and dialogue driven but in its era I can see how it works. Overall I would give it a 6 of 10. It is worth watching if you are really into old movies but isn’t something that you would re-watch or use to teach anyone about filmmaking.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 17 2009
Well, that was an ass-whoopin' if I ever saw one.
The Bengals definitely did not want to play this game. As soon as Brad Smith broke off that long run to set up the first TD and the defense smacked them around early, the Bengals packed it in, if any of them bothered to get up for it all.
And now the rematch next week in the playoffs.
It's definitely been an unlikely path to the playoffs for this Jets team. Looked good, looked horrible, looked okay, blew a couple, and looked good again.
I don't want to hear about how they somehow don't "deserve" to make it over teams like Pittsburgh or Houston or Denver. All those teams were just as inconsistent and lost just as many games they shouldn't have as the Jets did. It's not like the Steelers were a "better" 9-7 than the Jets - they lost to Oakland and Cleveland in consecutive weeks, as well as losing to the Bears and Chiefs, who stunk this year.
Yeah, the Jets got a little lucky to play Indy and Cincy when those teams didn't have much to play for. But they got unlucky against Atlanta in that the field goal unit kept f'ing things up. And against Buffalo where Sanchez threw 75 interceptions.
The AFC wasn't all that good this year below Indy and SD and occasionally the Pats. The Jets were just okay enough to get in. I'm okay with it.
Will they beat the Bengals again next week? It's possible, especially with all the injuries Cincinnati has. And a team like the Jets that relies on defense and the run game always has a chance to win playoff games on the road.
If they manage to beat the Bengals, will they beat the Chargers or Colts on the road the following week? Not bloody likely. But they can give either of those teams a good game, and even making it that far with a rookie head coach and QB is about as good an outcome as we could hope for.
You want a team like this to get a taste of the playoffs. Because this is a team that appears to be gearing up to make a serious run over the next two years or so. It's good to get all the principals, especially Ryan and Sanchez, some playoff experience, so if they make it next year with a better, more consistent team, the pressure/hype/etc. won't be new.
For now, though, I'll enjoy a 37-0 prime time decimation of any team. The Jets don't get too many games like that, kicking that much ass when it counts, so I'll enjoy it regardless of circumstances.
Oh, and I'll also be in Cancun next Saturday. So there's a good chance I'll enjoy that game regardless of the outcome. If the Jets win, I'll be really happy. If they lose, I'll go back to my all inclusive resort and keep drinking.
Either way, I win (well, except for my liver.)
The Bengals definitely did not want to play this game. As soon as Brad Smith broke off that long run to set up the first TD and the defense smacked them around early, the Bengals packed it in, if any of them bothered to get up for it all.
And now the rematch next week in the playoffs.
It's definitely been an unlikely path to the playoffs for this Jets team. Looked good, looked horrible, looked okay, blew a couple, and looked good again.
I don't want to hear about how they somehow don't "deserve" to make it over teams like Pittsburgh or Houston or Denver. All those teams were just as inconsistent and lost just as many games they shouldn't have as the Jets did. It's not like the Steelers were a "better" 9-7 than the Jets - they lost to Oakland and Cleveland in consecutive weeks, as well as losing to the Bears and Chiefs, who stunk this year.
Yeah, the Jets got a little lucky to play Indy and Cincy when those teams didn't have much to play for. But they got unlucky against Atlanta in that the field goal unit kept f'ing things up. And against Buffalo where Sanchez threw 75 interceptions.
The AFC wasn't all that good this year below Indy and SD and occasionally the Pats. The Jets were just okay enough to get in. I'm okay with it.
Will they beat the Bengals again next week? It's possible, especially with all the injuries Cincinnati has. And a team like the Jets that relies on defense and the run game always has a chance to win playoff games on the road.
If they manage to beat the Bengals, will they beat the Chargers or Colts on the road the following week? Not bloody likely. But they can give either of those teams a good game, and even making it that far with a rookie head coach and QB is about as good an outcome as we could hope for.
You want a team like this to get a taste of the playoffs. Because this is a team that appears to be gearing up to make a serious run over the next two years or so. It's good to get all the principals, especially Ryan and Sanchez, some playoff experience, so if they make it next year with a better, more consistent team, the pressure/hype/etc. won't be new.
For now, though, I'll enjoy a 37-0 prime time decimation of any team. The Jets don't get too many games like that, kicking that much ass when it counts, so I'll enjoy it regardless of circumstances.
Oh, and I'll also be in Cancun next Saturday. So there's a good chance I'll enjoy that game regardless of the outcome. If the Jets win, I'll be really happy. If they lose, I'll go back to my all inclusive resort and keep drinking.
Either way, I win (well, except for my liver.)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Aughts have Ended
I want to say I had a dumb debate with Josh over the summer if this really is the end of this decade, it may have been someone else. Well, it is. The decade goes from 00-09, just like the 90’s went from 90-99. Whomever I had the argument with was saying that 2000 didn’t belong in the aught or some shit, because there was no year 0 so the decade went from 1-10, then 11-20 and so on. Well, that stupidity aside, as this decade comes to a close you are bound to see many lists and things to help define a decade which so far has yet to be defined by cynics.
We have already addressed movies of the decade in a post a few months ago. The other day a friend of mine brought up the query, what is the song of this decade? Well like any of these sorts of questions you cant necessarily say just one song defined a decade. Looking back as long as commercial music has been in the mainstream (1950’s-present) each decade has a myriad of songs that mark the time. I can only think of one decade where the defining song is fairly inarguable and that is the 90’s with Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit.” (Of course that statement will now spawn massive arguments)
This decade feels so segmented to me. People claim to have eclectic taste in music, but they really don’t. Part of that is because the music isn’t all that different. This is the “American Idol”/boy band generation; manufactured musical artists who have no creativity or artistic talent made to sound good through advance recording techniques and packaged marketing. They are like the Frankenstein’s of music world.
To quote my favorite artist in a poignant song written in 2007, Radio Nowhere:
I was spinnin' 'round a dead dial
Just another lost number in a file
Dancin' down a dark hole
Just searchin' for a world with some soul
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out there?
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I know there are quality artists out there, but you do really have to dig nowadays. And I mean come on people, I am a busy person. I got emails to send, text messages to receive, Bret Michaels dating shows to watch and internet porn to download.
However, there are still some songs that have resonated through this decade of decadence, ipods, octomoms, terrorism, Omorosa, war and of course “Change we can Believe in.”
I decided to do more of an informal poll of friends and acquaintances and see what they said. The thing that kept coming up the most were certain artists but not necessarily a certain song. So maybe this is the decade of artists and not songs, who knows. Those artists that came up repeatedly were Eminem, Outkast, Coldplay, Jay-Z and Foo Fighters. I was left to my own devices to decide which songs would be placed as the quintessential songs of this decade though most of them were the most popular of these artists.
“Lose Yourself” Eminem- The top selling artist of the decade was clearly more popular on the front end than the back end. He went through as swoon of personal problems which limited his artistry in the middle part of the decade. In 2004 he released a semi autobiographical movie, “8 Mile”, which featured Lose Yourself. A song about the characters inner conflict about rising up and performing to the best of his ability rather than giving into his fears. It is a rap ballad of a personal nature and is Eminem to the core.
“Hey Ya” Oukast- One of the most intriguing and experimental mainstream hip hop artists. The duel album SpeakerBox and the Love Below was a daring experiment by a group who didn’t need to take the chance. The bombastic outrageous personality of Big Boi and the classic styling and flow of Andre 3000 make this song a certain type of classic hip hop party anthem of a generation.
“Clocks” Coldplay- I think this is a no talent song by a group of no talent ass clowns. But is seems to resonate as the pop/rock song of this decade which I guess says a lot about popular music of this era. Maybe this is the most defining song of this decade, a sad terrible definition.
“99 Problems” or “Empire State of Mind” Jay-Z- While Eminem was the best selling rap artist (and overall artist) of the decade, Jay-Z may be its most important. 99 Problems was a creative production using the combination of the era’s foremost artist and the genre and generations best producer Rik Rubin. It a classic rock rif with a new school flow. The latter song was released right near then end of the decade but is proving to may be his biggest hit yet, and this during a decade in which he retired. Empire has became a new wave anthem for the City that never sleeps and was featured prominently during the Yankees world series championship and subsequent parade.
Foo Fighters- I couldn’t come up with a Foo Fighters song to put here but they are clearly the best rock and roll band of the decade which makes them essential to this list. While most other bands will fade into the ether, 30 years from now people will still be listening to the Foo Fighters. What’s amazing is the fact that Dave Grohl has been in the most important rock group of back to back decades, yet doesn’t always get the credit he so richly deserves.
We have already addressed movies of the decade in a post a few months ago. The other day a friend of mine brought up the query, what is the song of this decade? Well like any of these sorts of questions you cant necessarily say just one song defined a decade. Looking back as long as commercial music has been in the mainstream (1950’s-present) each decade has a myriad of songs that mark the time. I can only think of one decade where the defining song is fairly inarguable and that is the 90’s with Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit.” (Of course that statement will now spawn massive arguments)
This decade feels so segmented to me. People claim to have eclectic taste in music, but they really don’t. Part of that is because the music isn’t all that different. This is the “American Idol”/boy band generation; manufactured musical artists who have no creativity or artistic talent made to sound good through advance recording techniques and packaged marketing. They are like the Frankenstein’s of music world.
To quote my favorite artist in a poignant song written in 2007, Radio Nowhere:
I was spinnin' 'round a dead dial
Just another lost number in a file
Dancin' down a dark hole
Just searchin' for a world with some soul
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?
Is there anybody alive out there?
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I just want to hear some rhythm
I know there are quality artists out there, but you do really have to dig nowadays. And I mean come on people, I am a busy person. I got emails to send, text messages to receive, Bret Michaels dating shows to watch and internet porn to download.
However, there are still some songs that have resonated through this decade of decadence, ipods, octomoms, terrorism, Omorosa, war and of course “Change we can Believe in.”
I decided to do more of an informal poll of friends and acquaintances and see what they said. The thing that kept coming up the most were certain artists but not necessarily a certain song. So maybe this is the decade of artists and not songs, who knows. Those artists that came up repeatedly were Eminem, Outkast, Coldplay, Jay-Z and Foo Fighters. I was left to my own devices to decide which songs would be placed as the quintessential songs of this decade though most of them were the most popular of these artists.
“Lose Yourself” Eminem- The top selling artist of the decade was clearly more popular on the front end than the back end. He went through as swoon of personal problems which limited his artistry in the middle part of the decade. In 2004 he released a semi autobiographical movie, “8 Mile”, which featured Lose Yourself. A song about the characters inner conflict about rising up and performing to the best of his ability rather than giving into his fears. It is a rap ballad of a personal nature and is Eminem to the core.
“Hey Ya” Oukast- One of the most intriguing and experimental mainstream hip hop artists. The duel album SpeakerBox and the Love Below was a daring experiment by a group who didn’t need to take the chance. The bombastic outrageous personality of Big Boi and the classic styling and flow of Andre 3000 make this song a certain type of classic hip hop party anthem of a generation.
“Clocks” Coldplay- I think this is a no talent song by a group of no talent ass clowns. But is seems to resonate as the pop/rock song of this decade which I guess says a lot about popular music of this era. Maybe this is the most defining song of this decade, a sad terrible definition.
“99 Problems” or “Empire State of Mind” Jay-Z- While Eminem was the best selling rap artist (and overall artist) of the decade, Jay-Z may be its most important. 99 Problems was a creative production using the combination of the era’s foremost artist and the genre and generations best producer Rik Rubin. It a classic rock rif with a new school flow. The latter song was released right near then end of the decade but is proving to may be his biggest hit yet, and this during a decade in which he retired. Empire has became a new wave anthem for the City that never sleeps and was featured prominently during the Yankees world series championship and subsequent parade.
Foo Fighters- I couldn’t come up with a Foo Fighters song to put here but they are clearly the best rock and roll band of the decade which makes them essential to this list. While most other bands will fade into the ether, 30 years from now people will still be listening to the Foo Fighters. What’s amazing is the fact that Dave Grohl has been in the most important rock group of back to back decades, yet doesn’t always get the credit he so richly deserves.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 16 2009
This is the time of year where we're thankful for the good people, friends and family, in our lives.
I was taking a train from northern Illinois back to Chicago while the Jets-Colts game was on. I didn't have to worry about knowing what was going on, though, since I was getting regular updates from Matt, Greg, and my brother Eric, who all knew I was on a train.
Sometimes it's the little things. This story won't make it on an Oprah special, but it was heartwarming to me nonetheless. All my people taking care of me, making sure I knew what was going on with the Jets game I couldn't watch. Aaaaw.
Anyway, for once the Jets got lucky all the way around. Everyone they needed to lose lost. The Colts pulled the starters, and the Jets had played well enough up to that point that they were able to take advantage and win the game.
And now it's simple: win against the Bengals and make the playoffs. Lose and they don't make it.
The game's at home. Last game in the Meadowlands ever. Last game of this entire NFL regular season. Prime time Sunday night. The Bengals don't have anything really to play for. The Jets have a good enough defense to beat good teams, let alone a team with not much to play for.
This is one of those games where it helps to have a great run game and great defense. Don't turn the ball over. Grind the win out. Figure the Bengals stop giving a crap around the 3rd quarter, if not earlier.
Or, you know, do what the Cowboys did last year and get walloped by 35 points or whatever.
Either way, all things considered, it's fitting that the season comes down like this. Maybe it shouldn't have had to, considering the 3 or 4 games the team should have won if the QB wasn't such a turnover machine. But the QB is a rookie. The head coach is a rookie.
It won't be a losing season. The defense is great, and just about every important piece will be back next year. The offensive line has been pretty good, and they'll all be back. Between Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene, and Leon Washington, the run game should be good again next year. G-d willing, Sanchez improves next year.
So this is where my mind is at - of course I want them to win. Of course it will suck if they lose, especially if they do that classic lose-in-the-last-minute Jets special.
But it won't be the end of the world. This isn't the last shot for this group. It's just the beginning.
Anyone buying that? No? Yeah, me neither. Never mind. I'm going to go prepare my liver for the drinking and crying on Sunday.
I was taking a train from northern Illinois back to Chicago while the Jets-Colts game was on. I didn't have to worry about knowing what was going on, though, since I was getting regular updates from Matt, Greg, and my brother Eric, who all knew I was on a train.
Sometimes it's the little things. This story won't make it on an Oprah special, but it was heartwarming to me nonetheless. All my people taking care of me, making sure I knew what was going on with the Jets game I couldn't watch. Aaaaw.
Anyway, for once the Jets got lucky all the way around. Everyone they needed to lose lost. The Colts pulled the starters, and the Jets had played well enough up to that point that they were able to take advantage and win the game.
And now it's simple: win against the Bengals and make the playoffs. Lose and they don't make it.
The game's at home. Last game in the Meadowlands ever. Last game of this entire NFL regular season. Prime time Sunday night. The Bengals don't have anything really to play for. The Jets have a good enough defense to beat good teams, let alone a team with not much to play for.
This is one of those games where it helps to have a great run game and great defense. Don't turn the ball over. Grind the win out. Figure the Bengals stop giving a crap around the 3rd quarter, if not earlier.
Or, you know, do what the Cowboys did last year and get walloped by 35 points or whatever.
Either way, all things considered, it's fitting that the season comes down like this. Maybe it shouldn't have had to, considering the 3 or 4 games the team should have won if the QB wasn't such a turnover machine. But the QB is a rookie. The head coach is a rookie.
It won't be a losing season. The defense is great, and just about every important piece will be back next year. The offensive line has been pretty good, and they'll all be back. Between Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene, and Leon Washington, the run game should be good again next year. G-d willing, Sanchez improves next year.
So this is where my mind is at - of course I want them to win. Of course it will suck if they lose, especially if they do that classic lose-in-the-last-minute Jets special.
But it won't be the end of the world. This isn't the last shot for this group. It's just the beginning.
Anyone buying that? No? Yeah, me neither. Never mind. I'm going to go prepare my liver for the drinking and crying on Sunday.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 14 2009
I'll be honest - it was cold in Chicago. I was out late on Saturday. The Jets were starting Kellen Clemens. And playing the miserable Bucs.
I didn't leave my apartment so I could watch this game at a bar.
I stayed home and watched the Red Zone Channel (still the awesomest thing in home NFL viewing.)
I'm not sorry about that decision.
The Jets did what they were supposed to do - rely on the defense and the run game and conservative play calling. Make no big mistakes and beat a bad team physically.
That's what they were supposed to do. They did it. Good.
I'm of two minds about the team at this point in the year. I am happy that the team has the number one rush offense and the number one defense. That is what the team set out to do before the season started, and they achieved it. However, that makes it all the more frustrating that they are 7-6 instead of 9-4 or so (I figure the Buffalo and Jacksonville games both should have been wins.)
Anyway, the last three games aren't particularly easy. Atlanta next week. They're banged up, but just played a pretty good game against the Saints. Then the Colts, and then the Bengals.
Best case for the Jets in order to win out would be for the Colts to lose their next game so they wouldn't be trying for a perfect season anymore, and for the Bengals to have locked up their playoff seed prior to the last game, so they don't play their starters the full game.
Not that likely that they'll win out - it's hard to win 6 games in a row in the NFL. Still possible, though. It's also still possible that they can go 10-6 and miss the playoffs (that's what they get for losing to the goddamn Dolphins twice.)
I think when it's all said and done this year, I'll be okay with it if they finish 8-8 or better. Rookie coach, rookie QB, a couple of tough injuires, and something to build on for next year.
I think I'll even be okay if they finish 10-6 and end up missing the playoffs. It'd be annoying, but not devastating. Mostly because I'm already resigned to the idea that they're not making it.
Which, by the way, is what Jets fans never seem to learn - you can't get your expectations crushed if you don't have any in the first place. That's where we always get in trouble - allowing a couple of good games early in the year to raise expectations.
Right now, I'm in the right place. I expect the Jets to miss the playoffs. I expect they will lose at least one of the last three, if not more. If they do, whatever. If they win out, then, hey, lucky me, I get to be unexpectedly happy.
A little unexpected happiness this time of year never hurt anyone, right?
I didn't leave my apartment so I could watch this game at a bar.
I stayed home and watched the Red Zone Channel (still the awesomest thing in home NFL viewing.)
I'm not sorry about that decision.
The Jets did what they were supposed to do - rely on the defense and the run game and conservative play calling. Make no big mistakes and beat a bad team physically.
That's what they were supposed to do. They did it. Good.
I'm of two minds about the team at this point in the year. I am happy that the team has the number one rush offense and the number one defense. That is what the team set out to do before the season started, and they achieved it. However, that makes it all the more frustrating that they are 7-6 instead of 9-4 or so (I figure the Buffalo and Jacksonville games both should have been wins.)
Anyway, the last three games aren't particularly easy. Atlanta next week. They're banged up, but just played a pretty good game against the Saints. Then the Colts, and then the Bengals.
Best case for the Jets in order to win out would be for the Colts to lose their next game so they wouldn't be trying for a perfect season anymore, and for the Bengals to have locked up their playoff seed prior to the last game, so they don't play their starters the full game.
Not that likely that they'll win out - it's hard to win 6 games in a row in the NFL. Still possible, though. It's also still possible that they can go 10-6 and miss the playoffs (that's what they get for losing to the goddamn Dolphins twice.)
I think when it's all said and done this year, I'll be okay with it if they finish 8-8 or better. Rookie coach, rookie QB, a couple of tough injuires, and something to build on for next year.
I think I'll even be okay if they finish 10-6 and end up missing the playoffs. It'd be annoying, but not devastating. Mostly because I'm already resigned to the idea that they're not making it.
Which, by the way, is what Jets fans never seem to learn - you can't get your expectations crushed if you don't have any in the first place. That's where we always get in trouble - allowing a couple of good games early in the year to raise expectations.
Right now, I'm in the right place. I expect the Jets to miss the playoffs. I expect they will lose at least one of the last three, if not more. If they do, whatever. If they win out, then, hey, lucky me, I get to be unexpectedly happy.
A little unexpected happiness this time of year never hurt anyone, right?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 13 2009
We all know where this is going, right?
Of course the Jets beat the Bills on Thursday night, to get the team back to 6-6.
Of course the Pats, Steelers, and Ravens all lost.
Of course the Jets are going to find a way to get really close to making the playoffs and then blow it spectacularly.
Maybe it'll be by losing to Tampa next week. Maybe it'll be losing to a banged up Falcons team at home in a couple of weeks. Maybe it'll be winning the next three and blowing the last game against Cincinnati's backups to fall just short.
We know this is coming. This is how this always works. There is no other way for this to play out. These are the Jets. They're not going to just lose the last four, go 6-10 and make the last couple of weeks easy, if a bit sad, for the fans.
No. We are going to get simultaneously kicked in the stomach and punched in the balls. Or vice versa. Or both.
Anyway, until then, it was a decent win against the Bills. Should have been bigger, but Sanchez missed Cotchery in the end zone once, and Braylon Edwards let a perfect bomb hit him in the face.
The defense was outstanding, except for the one drive where Marshawn Lynch had two big runs in a row. Sanchez played better. The running game was unstoppable. The offensive play calling was only occasionally retarded. The kick coverage was good (no small thing against the Bills, who always seem to kill us on kicks one game a year.)
If there's any real positivity to take out of this season, it's that the defense has been pretty consistently good (last drive in the Miami and Jacksonville games aside.) That means that Rex Ryan's system isn't a fluke. Get a few more of "his" guys in there, especially in the secondary (Kerry Rhodes and Lito Sheppard aren't playing very well) and it can be even better next year.
Also, despite some bumpy games early on, the offensive line has played generally well. I'd be somewhat concerned about Faneca and Woody's age, but other than that you have to be pleased.
And, if Sanchez gets a bit better next year, too, then this turns into an interesting, possibly contending, team.
But this is optimism for next year. And this isn't August. So for now we have to embrace the approaching doom.
And embrace it we shall. Do your worst.
Of course the Jets beat the Bills on Thursday night, to get the team back to 6-6.
Of course the Pats, Steelers, and Ravens all lost.
Of course the Jets are going to find a way to get really close to making the playoffs and then blow it spectacularly.
Maybe it'll be by losing to Tampa next week. Maybe it'll be losing to a banged up Falcons team at home in a couple of weeks. Maybe it'll be winning the next three and blowing the last game against Cincinnati's backups to fall just short.
We know this is coming. This is how this always works. There is no other way for this to play out. These are the Jets. They're not going to just lose the last four, go 6-10 and make the last couple of weeks easy, if a bit sad, for the fans.
No. We are going to get simultaneously kicked in the stomach and punched in the balls. Or vice versa. Or both.
Anyway, until then, it was a decent win against the Bills. Should have been bigger, but Sanchez missed Cotchery in the end zone once, and Braylon Edwards let a perfect bomb hit him in the face.
The defense was outstanding, except for the one drive where Marshawn Lynch had two big runs in a row. Sanchez played better. The running game was unstoppable. The offensive play calling was only occasionally retarded. The kick coverage was good (no small thing against the Bills, who always seem to kill us on kicks one game a year.)
If there's any real positivity to take out of this season, it's that the defense has been pretty consistently good (last drive in the Miami and Jacksonville games aside.) That means that Rex Ryan's system isn't a fluke. Get a few more of "his" guys in there, especially in the secondary (Kerry Rhodes and Lito Sheppard aren't playing very well) and it can be even better next year.
Also, despite some bumpy games early on, the offensive line has played generally well. I'd be somewhat concerned about Faneca and Woody's age, but other than that you have to be pleased.
And, if Sanchez gets a bit better next year, too, then this turns into an interesting, possibly contending, team.
But this is optimism for next year. And this isn't August. So for now we have to embrace the approaching doom.
And embrace it we shall. Do your worst.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 12 2009
So I realize that I didn't write anything after the week 11 loss to the Patriots. I guess it just didn't seem worth it. Didn't really have another "man, this team sucks and why do I bother rooting for them" post in me. Another "Mark Sanchez is a turnover machine" game. Fine, whatever.
As for the win against Carolina, the best thing about it was that I was there. In terms of a football game, it was sloppy, and probably the least inspiring win I can think of. The Jets tried to give it to Carolina, turning the ball over often. Luckily, Carolina turned it over even more, and the defense managed to play a really stellar game (for the most part.)
But let's talk about being there, since it will be my final game at Giants Stadium. They move to the new building next year, and I won't be in Jersey for either of the last two home games. So this was it for me.
Many of the games I've gone to have been on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, since that is the Sunday during the season when I am always home.
Never, though, has the weather been this perfect. Unseasonably perfect. It was in the low 50s, and sunny. It was actually pleasant to be outside.
Also, major props to my friend Jared, who has a great tailgating setup. A highlight were the sliders and the breakfast sausage that had marinated overnight in maple syrup (off the charcoal grill, and even better than you think.)
The atmosphere was relaxed. I was with friends I've known forever. We ate, had a few drinks, threw a football around, and made fun of people (particularly each other.)
The seats were great. 50 yard line, 2 rows from the top of the stadium. You can see every thing that happens from up there, see plays as they develop, see the open receivers that your rookie QB inevitably missed.
The game wasn't particularly tense. The Jets were more or less in control the whole game, despite the turnovers keeping it closer than it should have been. So we were relaxed in the seats, cracking a few jokes, complaining about our team, and throwing paper airplanes.
It was a perfect cap to my week back home. It was a perfect personal send-off to seeing the Jets at Giants Stadium - a win, but not one I could feel all that good about.
The team is 5-6. The next two games are Buffalo and Tampa Bay, which are winnable, even for a majorly flawed team like the Jets. At 7-6 they'd be in the mix for the playoffs. Then, of course, they'll blow it, but that's how this team always is. Give you a bit of hope, snatch it away so that you promise you'll never get roped in again, win a bit so you get roped in again, and then be left ultimately and in retrospect inevitably disappointed.
It's a lifetime of frustrating mediocrity, being a Jets fan. But at least it's a comfortable frustration.
As for the win against Carolina, the best thing about it was that I was there. In terms of a football game, it was sloppy, and probably the least inspiring win I can think of. The Jets tried to give it to Carolina, turning the ball over often. Luckily, Carolina turned it over even more, and the defense managed to play a really stellar game (for the most part.)
But let's talk about being there, since it will be my final game at Giants Stadium. They move to the new building next year, and I won't be in Jersey for either of the last two home games. So this was it for me.
Many of the games I've gone to have been on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, since that is the Sunday during the season when I am always home.
Never, though, has the weather been this perfect. Unseasonably perfect. It was in the low 50s, and sunny. It was actually pleasant to be outside.
Also, major props to my friend Jared, who has a great tailgating setup. A highlight were the sliders and the breakfast sausage that had marinated overnight in maple syrup (off the charcoal grill, and even better than you think.)
The atmosphere was relaxed. I was with friends I've known forever. We ate, had a few drinks, threw a football around, and made fun of people (particularly each other.)
The seats were great. 50 yard line, 2 rows from the top of the stadium. You can see every thing that happens from up there, see plays as they develop, see the open receivers that your rookie QB inevitably missed.
The game wasn't particularly tense. The Jets were more or less in control the whole game, despite the turnovers keeping it closer than it should have been. So we were relaxed in the seats, cracking a few jokes, complaining about our team, and throwing paper airplanes.
It was a perfect cap to my week back home. It was a perfect personal send-off to seeing the Jets at Giants Stadium - a win, but not one I could feel all that good about.
The team is 5-6. The next two games are Buffalo and Tampa Bay, which are winnable, even for a majorly flawed team like the Jets. At 7-6 they'd be in the mix for the playoffs. Then, of course, they'll blow it, but that's how this team always is. Give you a bit of hope, snatch it away so that you promise you'll never get roped in again, win a bit so you get roped in again, and then be left ultimately and in retrospect inevitably disappointed.
It's a lifetime of frustrating mediocrity, being a Jets fan. But at least it's a comfortable frustration.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
G-Men are nothing to be thankful for
I meant to write this Sunday night, when I realized exactly what had happened.
That the team I have loved for more than two decades, longer than I've respected my sister and with more passion than I feel for most of my so-called friends...they are a shell of what they were.
And the sad thing is I still expect them to finish this season at 10-6, which means a likely playoff spot and I have no desire for either of those things to happen. I'm not opening rooting for Denver on Turkey Day(Night), but I'm not cheering as loudly for the Boys in Blue.
And that's cuz I don't know who they are anymore.
It's pretty simple. I've lived all my life with a Giants team that does two things well, year in and year out. Whether good or bad, they run the ball and they play defense. That's been the staple, even with Ray Handley era.
(OK, looking back it wasn't like that during the Handley era. But they did have Rodney Hampton and the year after they fired the bum, Dan Reeves coached the top-ranked defense in the league and made the playoffs with an 11-5 record.)
The point is the staple was still founded in running the ball and playing killer defense. So this year should have been more of the same. Needless to say, it's not. We're suddenly a pass-first team that can't stop full backs off tackle.
It's a disturbing feeling and frustrating beyond belief. I write this with a lot less anger than before, but it could rise up easily. Thinking about the fact that a playoff spot could save the jobs of both coordinators...
OK, here's the problem with Kevin B. Gilbride. He's been our offensive coordinator for long enough that he should have figured out a way TO SCORE IN THE RED ZONE!!! I mean, it took him 27 games to realize that Kevin Boss is 6-foot-7, 255 pounds, catches passes and plays on the same team as your quarterback, Elisha Manning.
Seriously, if I see another run up the middle on a 2nd-and-goal from the 4-yard line I might beat up one of my daughters. This team made it's bread and butter going off-tackle, to the edges with pulling guards and counter plays. They are not and have never been a true power-football team. As big as Brandon Jacobs is, he's not great running in a straight line. Bradshaw is the better back for that straight bull-rush crap, but despite fans being able to see that live Gilbride can't see that on film.
The things that Dan Sheridan doesn't seem to see on film are mounting by the day. How long did it take to realize that C.C. Brown was not the answer at safety once Kenny Phillips went down? How many times is he going to blitz quick-release quarterbacks and leave his depleted and young secondary in confusing coverages? How many zone blitz packages with Justin Tuck guarding some back out of the backfield instead of rushing the passer, like it wasn't Kiwanuka who trained to play OLB? When does he realize that run blitzing without making sure the A and B gaps are covered ARE CRAZY? How many sad state running backs are going to gash us up the middle in between the tackles for huge yards, meaning not only were our linebackers out of position but the secondary was either in overpursuit or out of position due to poor planning? How many times are teams going to come out of halftime and drive right down the field on us?
Since the Saints debacle, the Giants have allowed all of their opponents to score in third quarter. That means that teams are going into the locker room, coming back with adjustments and finding the end zone. Why come we're not making adjustments to prevent that from happening?
I won't continue to harp on Sheridan, who clearly is overmatched as a coordinator and should be replaced. I won't take GM Jerry Reese to task on that because that's an internal decision. You should want to promote from within and keep it in the family. But the one thing I can get on him about is the kicking game.
(Are you serious? Are you really upset about that?)
To quote The Devil in "Bill & Ted's, Part II" - DAMN RIGHT!!!
Jeff Feagles is a Hall of Fame punter. He was a great directional punter and was great at pinning teams deep within their own 20 yard line for a long time. It seems that time has past. Either Tom Coughlin has little to no faith in our special teams coverage (with good reason) or Feagles has lost his touch but there are too many punts going out of bounds near midfield. That's why the Giants defense is 2nd in the league in yards allowed and 23rd in points. The old Giant teams under Parcells relied on field position and Feagles is not helping that cause.
And I think I need not mention Mr. Tynes. Yes, he was the kicker on the Super Bowl team. Yes, he was injured last year and probably shouldn't lose his job due to injury. Yes, Art Carney, he of Honeymooners fame, was a great kicker for us last year until we needed him in the playoffs and I wasn't critical of taking Tynes back this year. HOWEVER, he wasn't a great kicker in the Super Bowl season. Let's not forget how many kicks it took to beat Green Bay to reach Glendale, AZ. He's erratic on kickoffs with some flying out of the endzone and others barely reaching the 15-yard line. All of that leads to field position and teams starting drives on the 40 instead of the 20. It might not seem like much, but it's 2 first downs that an offense doesn't have to worry about...
My frustration level with this team has subsided immensely since the win over Atlanta. I'm sure those feeling will surface tonight and as the season progresses. Looking at the schedule, it's hard not to see 10-6. It's also pretty easy to see a complete breakdown and end up 7-9 or 8-8, which would be completely frustrating. It would also be par for the course for this season.
That the team I have loved for more than two decades, longer than I've respected my sister and with more passion than I feel for most of my so-called friends...they are a shell of what they were.
And the sad thing is I still expect them to finish this season at 10-6, which means a likely playoff spot and I have no desire for either of those things to happen. I'm not opening rooting for Denver on Turkey Day(Night), but I'm not cheering as loudly for the Boys in Blue.
And that's cuz I don't know who they are anymore.
It's pretty simple. I've lived all my life with a Giants team that does two things well, year in and year out. Whether good or bad, they run the ball and they play defense. That's been the staple, even with Ray Handley era.
(OK, looking back it wasn't like that during the Handley era. But they did have Rodney Hampton and the year after they fired the bum, Dan Reeves coached the top-ranked defense in the league and made the playoffs with an 11-5 record.)
The point is the staple was still founded in running the ball and playing killer defense. So this year should have been more of the same. Needless to say, it's not. We're suddenly a pass-first team that can't stop full backs off tackle.
It's a disturbing feeling and frustrating beyond belief. I write this with a lot less anger than before, but it could rise up easily. Thinking about the fact that a playoff spot could save the jobs of both coordinators...
OK, here's the problem with Kevin B. Gilbride. He's been our offensive coordinator for long enough that he should have figured out a way TO SCORE IN THE RED ZONE!!! I mean, it took him 27 games to realize that Kevin Boss is 6-foot-7, 255 pounds, catches passes and plays on the same team as your quarterback, Elisha Manning.
Seriously, if I see another run up the middle on a 2nd-and-goal from the 4-yard line I might beat up one of my daughters. This team made it's bread and butter going off-tackle, to the edges with pulling guards and counter plays. They are not and have never been a true power-football team. As big as Brandon Jacobs is, he's not great running in a straight line. Bradshaw is the better back for that straight bull-rush crap, but despite fans being able to see that live Gilbride can't see that on film.
The things that Dan Sheridan doesn't seem to see on film are mounting by the day. How long did it take to realize that C.C. Brown was not the answer at safety once Kenny Phillips went down? How many times is he going to blitz quick-release quarterbacks and leave his depleted and young secondary in confusing coverages? How many zone blitz packages with Justin Tuck guarding some back out of the backfield instead of rushing the passer, like it wasn't Kiwanuka who trained to play OLB? When does he realize that run blitzing without making sure the A and B gaps are covered ARE CRAZY? How many sad state running backs are going to gash us up the middle in between the tackles for huge yards, meaning not only were our linebackers out of position but the secondary was either in overpursuit or out of position due to poor planning? How many times are teams going to come out of halftime and drive right down the field on us?
Since the Saints debacle, the Giants have allowed all of their opponents to score in third quarter. That means that teams are going into the locker room, coming back with adjustments and finding the end zone. Why come we're not making adjustments to prevent that from happening?
I won't continue to harp on Sheridan, who clearly is overmatched as a coordinator and should be replaced. I won't take GM Jerry Reese to task on that because that's an internal decision. You should want to promote from within and keep it in the family. But the one thing I can get on him about is the kicking game.
(Are you serious? Are you really upset about that?)
To quote The Devil in "Bill & Ted's, Part II" - DAMN RIGHT!!!
Jeff Feagles is a Hall of Fame punter. He was a great directional punter and was great at pinning teams deep within their own 20 yard line for a long time. It seems that time has past. Either Tom Coughlin has little to no faith in our special teams coverage (with good reason) or Feagles has lost his touch but there are too many punts going out of bounds near midfield. That's why the Giants defense is 2nd in the league in yards allowed and 23rd in points. The old Giant teams under Parcells relied on field position and Feagles is not helping that cause.
And I think I need not mention Mr. Tynes. Yes, he was the kicker on the Super Bowl team. Yes, he was injured last year and probably shouldn't lose his job due to injury. Yes, Art Carney, he of Honeymooners fame, was a great kicker for us last year until we needed him in the playoffs and I wasn't critical of taking Tynes back this year. HOWEVER, he wasn't a great kicker in the Super Bowl season. Let's not forget how many kicks it took to beat Green Bay to reach Glendale, AZ. He's erratic on kickoffs with some flying out of the endzone and others barely reaching the 15-yard line. All of that leads to field position and teams starting drives on the 40 instead of the 20. It might not seem like much, but it's 2 first downs that an offense doesn't have to worry about...
My frustration level with this team has subsided immensely since the win over Atlanta. I'm sure those feeling will surface tonight and as the season progresses. Looking at the schedule, it's hard not to see 10-6. It's also pretty easy to see a complete breakdown and end up 7-9 or 8-8, which would be completely frustrating. It would also be par for the course for this season.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Here Come the Warm Jets: Week 10 2009
I just had a really enjoyable weekend.
On Friday night, we had a surprise party for my friend Gabe's 30th birthday. He was actually surprised! Then, later, some of our friends decided to race for some reason. As you might expect when inebriated 30+ guys start running in the street, someone took a spill and cut up his palms. That was hilarious. And bloody. And hilarious.
On Saturday, the weather was absolutely gorgeous in Chicago. It was 65 degrees or so. In November! I spent a large part of the day wandering around the Logan Square and Palmer Square neighborhood with a friend of mine and her dog, looking at interesting old houses. Later that night, I was in an improv show that went really well - good crowd, funny show, fun all around. After the show I went drinking with friends well into the wee hours of the morning. We closed down a 3am bar, and kept on going. And I even remember how I got home! Awesome.
So am I going to let another painfully awful Jets loss ruin it for me?
Nope.
Not even going to worry about it. Didn't expect them to win. Didn't expect them to hold on to the lead after they scored the late TD and missed the two pointer. Didn't expect them to play a complete game in all phases even after a bye week.
I expect good things out of the rest of my life. I tried to expect good things out of the Jets - but where does that ever get me? No more expectations.
It's supposed to be kind of a wash of a year anyway. Rookie head coach. Rookie QB. New defense. And, despite some signs to the contrary in the first few games, that is what we got. 7-9 or 8-8 is now likely. Fine. Whatever.
Just like I didn't let the Jags loss ruin last weekend, I'm not going to let the inevitable Pats ass stomp ruin my Thanksgiving week back home.
Go ahead, Jets, lose. Lose all the rest of the games this year. See if I care.
On Friday night, we had a surprise party for my friend Gabe's 30th birthday. He was actually surprised! Then, later, some of our friends decided to race for some reason. As you might expect when inebriated 30+ guys start running in the street, someone took a spill and cut up his palms. That was hilarious. And bloody. And hilarious.
On Saturday, the weather was absolutely gorgeous in Chicago. It was 65 degrees or so. In November! I spent a large part of the day wandering around the Logan Square and Palmer Square neighborhood with a friend of mine and her dog, looking at interesting old houses. Later that night, I was in an improv show that went really well - good crowd, funny show, fun all around. After the show I went drinking with friends well into the wee hours of the morning. We closed down a 3am bar, and kept on going. And I even remember how I got home! Awesome.
So am I going to let another painfully awful Jets loss ruin it for me?
Nope.
Not even going to worry about it. Didn't expect them to win. Didn't expect them to hold on to the lead after they scored the late TD and missed the two pointer. Didn't expect them to play a complete game in all phases even after a bye week.
I expect good things out of the rest of my life. I tried to expect good things out of the Jets - but where does that ever get me? No more expectations.
It's supposed to be kind of a wash of a year anyway. Rookie head coach. Rookie QB. New defense. And, despite some signs to the contrary in the first few games, that is what we got. 7-9 or 8-8 is now likely. Fine. Whatever.
Just like I didn't let the Jags loss ruin last weekend, I'm not going to let the inevitable Pats ass stomp ruin my Thanksgiving week back home.
Go ahead, Jets, lose. Lose all the rest of the games this year. See if I care.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 8 2009
Warning - if you are sensitive to profanity, you're going to want to stop reading now.
I'm not kidding. There's going to be a lot of it. A lot.
I'll wait until you all leave.
(waits. pours drink. stirs slowly. takes sip. looks around. takes off glasses. cleans glasses. puts glasses back on. take another sip.)
Okay, now that all our fucking nancy readers have left:
Are you fucking kidding me? Did the Jets just fucking lose to Ted motherfucking Ginn motherfucking Jr.?
Ted fucking Ginn? Really? Fuck me. Fuck me in the face with a fucking giant fucking turkey leg. Fuck me in the ear with a fucking allen wrench. Fuck me sideways with a spiked bat.
I mean, come the fuck on.
The fucking defense plays out of their fucking minds. Fucked the Wildcat in it's Wildcat ass. The fucking offense played good enough to win. Not fucking great, mind you, but good the fuck enough.
But no, they have to go let motherfucking Ted Ginn run two kicks back for fucking scores. Not one, but fucking TWO.
This fucking team makes me fucking sick. I'm fucking glad they're going on a bye. They need to go the fuck away for a while and figure some shit out. And the whole team needs to shut the fuck up. Stop talking shit and start fucking winning.
While they figure out what the fuck they need to do start winning winnable fucking games, they need to leave me the fuck alone. My fucking stomach can't take much fucking more of this shit.
Fuck.
I'm not kidding. There's going to be a lot of it. A lot.
I'll wait until you all leave.
(waits. pours drink. stirs slowly. takes sip. looks around. takes off glasses. cleans glasses. puts glasses back on. take another sip.)
Okay, now that all our fucking nancy readers have left:
Are you fucking kidding me? Did the Jets just fucking lose to Ted motherfucking Ginn motherfucking Jr.?
Ted fucking Ginn? Really? Fuck me. Fuck me in the face with a fucking giant fucking turkey leg. Fuck me in the ear with a fucking allen wrench. Fuck me sideways with a spiked bat.
I mean, come the fuck on.
The fucking defense plays out of their fucking minds. Fucked the Wildcat in it's Wildcat ass. The fucking offense played good enough to win. Not fucking great, mind you, but good the fuck enough.
But no, they have to go let motherfucking Ted Ginn run two kicks back for fucking scores. Not one, but fucking TWO.
This fucking team makes me fucking sick. I'm fucking glad they're going on a bye. They need to go the fuck away for a while and figure some shit out. And the whole team needs to shut the fuck up. Stop talking shit and start fucking winning.
While they figure out what the fuck they need to do start winning winnable fucking games, they need to leave me the fuck alone. My fucking stomach can't take much fucking more of this shit.
Fuck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
