Monday Night Football at its greatest

I hate MNF.  Who can turn it off and just go straight to sleep?  Well after last night, I can tell you there are people in Dallas and Philly walking around in a daze, unable to function this morning.  WHAT A GAME!!!!!!

Bonehead DeSean Jackson gets to see that non-touchdown a thousand more times in his life.  What a first half TO had!!!  Romo had his standard interception (he has one every game, it is the price we pay for the thrills he gives us) and made me laugh when he said in his press conference “We seemed unstoppable until I gave up the pick and the fumble”.  Hey at least he can laugh at himself.

Like most fans, I wish we had seen a stronger defensive game but to give credit, Philly had the offensive going full blast last night.  Our defense did make great adjustments in the second half and was able to get some strong pressure on McNabb.  I thought it was funny that Wade had to start defending Roy Williams (who I am sorry broke an arm) right in the press conference. Guess he knows what the Dallas fans will be fussing over first.

Just a great game.  I enjoyed watching the first half with CT, who doesn’t quite know all the rules yet, but can sit there and scream with me “Run Felix Run!!!!”.  Life is good when you have a kid who can watch the game with you and enjoy it.

A few random thoughts

Time to free associate. 

I am loving watching the men’s swimming events.  Ok yes there are some nice hard bodies to admire.  But there is some wonderful emotion.  I watched the relay race the other night where the US men beat the French team who were expected to win.  Yeah I’m never too fond of the French attitude (same as they don’t like the US attitude which means it evens out) but I don’t like trash talking when it comes to the Olympics. 

I don’t like the idea that the Chinese are apparently tricking around the rules to have wins on their home turf.  The IOC is wrong to have not addressed the issue of the Chinese girls’ ages before the competition started.  The Chinese girls out performed the US girls (in an absolute way) but it doesn’t seem like it was a level playing field.   After reading about what gymnastics can do to underdeveloped bones and joints, I think the rule is probably for the best but no matter what it has to be a level field.  Of course the stories of how the girls are pulled from their families at such a young age, how they are forced to participate, and the story goes on.  Committment to a sport should come from personal desire and should be a choice. 

My heart continues to break for the missing Caylee.  I keep looking every day for updates. 

I’m interested in hearing how the Bigfoot DNA tests come out.  I’m doubtful that a Bigfoot has been found but at least they are doing tests to see what it is really. 

I hate training new employees.  I hate hiring new employees.  So many can fake their way through an interview and it isn’t until you see a person in action that you learn anything.  I hired a new woman last week and she had 4 days to train with the outgoing person (who I will miss greatly, she was fantastic to work with).  Today the new woman kept getting lost in her notes.  She would skip ahead and then fall back to try to repeat something already done.  She can’t focus on the task.  I’m hopeful this is nerves and that after she has been through the routines, she will grow comfortable and settle in.  However, I might be dead before I see that.

Oh back to the Olympics, I really like the design of the Water Cube.  It is a cool looking building. 

First of high school football starts Saturday.  We have to drive an hour and a half to a scrimmage game.  Poor WT, he is a little unsure of himself going to defense.  I’m excited about it.  I love defensive players.  It is always so exciting to see a great sack.

Exciting news!!!!

I don’t think I’m authorized to say who, so I won’t.  But when our new offices have their grand opening, I will get to meet one of my big all time sports heros.  It is so exciting.  So if you know me, and you know my favorite sports team and then think about the greatest names associated with it, you will be able to have a good shot at guessing it.

Random thoughts after last night’s games

KB finished her season last night and her team is 1-9.  Sounds disappointing but considering the league just about forced a parent to coach, we only had one pitcher (so no relief) and many other factors, it wasn’t bad.  The girls had fun and of course that is what matters the most.

CT’s team is still undefeated.  They won 4 games in a preseason tournament, 9 games so far in the regular season and will be definitely in the district playoffs.  He has awesome coaches and a really great team, who have been exceptionally nice to the rookie.

Neither kid has had a hit at the plate but that’s ok.  Life goes on.

The X pissed me off.  He has not been to all the games, meaning it has been my pocketbook funding our kids’ trips to the concession stands all season long.  Last night he was there and he refused to buy food for KB, who was hungry.  But that’s ok, I pointed her in the direction of a smart guy who had free puppies to give away.  She kept begging him for another puppy.  Now mind you, we have one at our house and he has 3 at his house, so honestly the kids have not been dog-deprived.  She carried one toward me in the stands and without her saying a word to ask, I said NO.  The parents around me just died laughing.  Its ok, because sooner or later, all of their kids did the same thing.

WT started football conditioning camp.  I guess it went ok, he only threw up 5 times.  But he will definitely be in better shape for it when two-a-days start up.  He told me last night that he does like working out, just a lot more with others.  I really hope he can feel this way a lot longer than just during his school years.

 

Pacman news

Tank to Commish: ‘Please, let (Pacman) play’

By JAIME ARON
AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas — Tank Johnson looked into the camera and sent a message to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, loudly, clearly and with a big smile: “Roger, please, let him play! From Tank. Thanks, buddy.”

“Him,” of course, is Adam “Pacman” Jones.

Jones still can’t set foot on team property, much less join his new teammates for organized team activities being held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Goodell could give permission for either of those without fully welcoming him back to the league — sort of like he did with Johnson last year. Goodell let Johnson practice about a month after being signed, three weeks before his suspension ended.

Jones is suspended indefinitely, but Goodell repeatedly has said he’ll review the case before training camp.

“I speak to him on the phone often,” Johnson said. “His head is in the right place. He’s eager to get out here with his teammates. He’s eager to get acclimated to our system. He understands the position he’s in, and he’s ready to prove everyone wrong. … It’s tough when you’ve been through as much as he has in such a short amount of time. He knows it’s his last straw, so he’s going to take extreme caution to everything he does.”

Johnson’s best advice?

“You got to make sure your good decisions outweigh your bad ones,” Johnson said. “I told him, ‘I will be your right hand. Whatever you need, I will be there for you.’”

Speaking from experience, Johnson said it’s important to know the Cowboys have a support system in place.

“I felt like my back was against the wall and the world was against me and there was no one in my corner. I think for him to feel that there’s someone in his corner who is supporting him, who cares about him, who wants to see him succeed — sometimes that’s all you need,” Johnson said.

“Now that I’ve gotten a chance to know him on a personal level, I think he’s definitely matured a lot through this process. I think he’s figured a lot of things out. I think the maturation process for some is slower than others. Mine was a little slower, but now it’s gotten to a point where I can handle myself. And I think Pacman is at that same level.”

“He’s a good guy, a fair guy, and he’s going to do what’s best for this league,” Johnson said of the commissioner…

___

May 28, 2008 – 4:45 p.m. CDT

Copyright 2008, The Associated Press.

————-

I have deleted a lot of the fluff out of that article, but the meat is there.  I really like that the Cowboys are taking chances with people like Tank Johnson and hopefully Pacman Jones.  I’m a believer that many of these boys are given more than their backgrounds ever prepared them for and they enter the league making some horrible life choices.  The thing is that some of them are more than just the results of those choices.  The Cowboys have done a terrific job of helping these boys mature into men with their lives and giving them that chance to show it.  This goes much deeper than just football field.  This is the sort of thing that stays with them the rest of their lives.  There is so much power in the knowledge that someone believed in you enough to invest time, energy and money into helping you overcome your past.  Not all of the boys who enter the Cowboys rehab program come out of it having matured into men but enough have that Calvin Johnson has made differences in lives.  I don’t know that Pacman will be able to play for the Cowboys and if he does that he will make a difference on the field.  But I know that already a difference has started in his life with the knowledge that someone is willing to take a gamble on him.  What he does with this last chance is still an unknown.  But at least someone is offering him a lifeline. 

I know a lot of people have laughed over the gamble.  They laughed when we picked up TO, known locker room destroyer of team spirit.  They laughed when we got Tank Johnson and his arsenal.  Oh well, like I said, the Cowboy organization is more than just a football team and while I may not always like Jerry Jones, I will salute him for realizing that the Cowboys are really the good guys.  Doing the right thing is sometimes just giving a person one more chance at life.

 

Thank you Dallas Stars

It was fun while it lasted.  You guys took the fans to a place we didn’t think we would go this year.

Maybe next year will be the year of the Cup.

My man Tony

Usually I don’t care about a man’s life outside of the football field as long as it doesn’t affect his play.  I don’t believe that Jessica Simpson was a curse to Tony last year.  But I do find her to be a distraction to the fans.  I really don’t need to know that she had a UTI that is believed to be from drinking so much trying to keep up with Tony and the boys.  I don’t need to know that she is worried she is gaining weight from pizza nights with him.   I don’t need to know that she is afraid her little sister is getting married before she is and is showing Tony wedding ring pictures.

What does worry me is that she won’t know to tone it all down once our season begins.  Most of these guys are married and handle it beautifully.  But how many have little drama queen princesses to contend with.  Tony needs a down to earth woman, someone who respects football and isn’t just looking to be the star quarterback’s woman.

Yes I’m available and willing to take care of him.  It is the least I could do for the team. I would offer to take care of Jay Novacek but he is already married and she seems to be doing a good enough job.

Do you believe?

The good news, a 5 hour game with these start times aren’t quite as bad as last night.

Here they are with Dallas times:

Thursday, May 8 — 6:30 p.m., Dallas at Detroit on Versus
Saturday, May 10 — 6 p.m., Dallas at Detroit on Versus
Monday, May 12 — 7 p.m., Detroit at Dallas on Versus
Wednesday, May 14 — 7 p.m., Detroit at Dallas on Versus
*Saturday, May 17 — 12:30 p.m., Dallas at Detroit on NBC
*Monday, May 19 — 7 p.m., Detroit at Dallas on Versus
*Wednesday, May 21 — 6:30 p.m., Dallas at Detroit on Versus

* If necessary

Yes I’m still excited

In looking at this site http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3381643 Dallas and Detroit share the honors of having been part of the most games in the top 10 longest NHL games, tied at 3 games each.  Not bad for a team that transitioned to Dallas 14 years ago.  I know when I was up in Minneapolis a few years ago, I was warned not to mention the Dallas Stars as they were still a little bitter about losing the North Stars to Texas. 

4 OTs

I admit I gave up after the 2nd OT and went to bed but as soon as I woke up this morning, I was checking to see the final conclusion.  OMG, they did it.  I love that this team wasn’t expected to make it out of the first round and here they are going to the finals.  CT was very excited when I gave him the news.

I’m not sure how we will do against the Red Wings but at least we are having fun!