Future Great Sports Writer

So that you may say I knew him when read the following and take note!
For the rest of this week, and hopefully a bit longer you should really read posts by Rich Resch about the Football Giants and New England Patriots as they head to the Super Bowl.
Rich is a very good writer and an excellent analyst.
Don't take my word for it - go ahead and link over to the Giants Football Blog and see for yourself.
I don't always agree with his thoughts since I am a Giants fan and therefore don't like any other team.  But I have never fully disagreed with them either.  He has a way of pointing out the good and bad of a team that makes the reader sit up and take note.  (That also pisses me off when he proves me wrong but don't tell him that.)
One of these days a smart national media corporation will spot this diamond in the rough, or is it raw and snap him up.  But until then you will have to seek his posts out
As of this moment he has analyzed the two teams' Quarterbacks; Offensive Lines; and Running Backs.  I assume that the defense will be up shortly and perhaps special teams.
I am sure by game time he will have finished his total team analysis and given his thoughtful opinion on the outcome.
Naturally I have no idea what that is since he is only my son and therefore hardly tells me anything but...
If you can you should also link on over to his internet radio show which is live on Tuesday evenings at 9pm and archived for your listening pleasure any other time.
Enjoy his writing and enjoy the game.
GO BIG BLUE!

Off on a Slight Tangent

This is sort of a political post but not fully.
My family has had season tickets to the football Giants since 1939 and we have suffered through the various indignities of awful teams with worse coaches and unbelievably stupid plays made by idiots on the field.  But we have also been witness to fantastic championship seasons as well.
But throughout our tenure as holders of these tickets we have been subjected to the constant indignity of management.  From the statement by the now dead former owner of the team, Wellington Mara commenting on the fact that he did not want a dome (or rather to pay for a dome) on his now demolished but then new stadium that "My fans like to sit in the element."  Of course the unfeeling jerk himself sat in a climate controlled suite while his fans shivered and got pneumonia!
My dad who is still very much alive at the wonderfully vibrant age of 92 was the first owner of the expensive and socially useless tickets.
A few years ago he decided that the long trek to the Meadowlands of the Garden State of NJ (permanent home of one James Hoffa) from his home in Queens New York was just not worth the time.  He asked my brother if he would like the tickets and transferred ownership over to him.
The Mara family used the transfer of ownership to screw our family out of our tenure and we lost our shot at purchasing overpriced extra Super Bowl tickets as result.  The money grubbing owners of the team said that we were not season ticket holders for a long period of time and therefore were not entitled to a fairer consideration.  We lost many shots in a lottery to gain entry into the next championship game as a result.
The fact that the so-called sport was merely a business to these wealthy scions of the game hit home at that time. And it was further cemented when the new useless stadium in a very cold and snowy northern city of the NFL was built, once again without an expensive dome but with many enclosed suites for the millionaires.
But security after the 9-11 terror attacks has been the greatest bone of contention for many and may be considered bordering on the unbelievably stupid.
Instead of going after terrorists the Bush administration started us on a path of colors and security levels meant to make us feel safe.
This moronic system that has nothing to do with security and everything to do with getting votes by scaring white people in to thinking every dark skinned person is out to get them.  This started a path toward stadium security that now has some places demanding water bottles have caps in place while others demanding them be removed before entering!
DOES ANYONE REALLY BELIEVE THAT A POLAND SPRINGS WATER BOTTLE WILL BE USED IN THE NEXT ATTACK ON AMERICA?
But not to worry because terrorist factions from who the hell knows where can now buy advertising time on American television (most likely on Fox) and spin the news any way they like since the Bush administration made certain that the once fair and balanced Supreme Court of the United States would join in the political BS of the radical right.
Sports used to be fun and unimpaired by the day to day machinations of the fools on the hill in DC but that ship has sailed.
If you wish to see a game in person you had better check with homeland security first as to what type of food and drink is deemed safe to bring with you into your local park or you may end up in Gitmo!

Big Blue Bust

This year's football is through
It is finally done
The playoffs continue
But the wrong team has won

No more Sundays to waste
But I need some strong mints
To clear this bad taste
And say adieu to the Jints

Giant Stupidity

The football Giants have been winning regularly and doing so without 2 of the 3 marquee players from that winning drive in Super Bowl XLII.
David Tyree, who arguably made the greatest catch in Super Bowl history is out for the year due to a lack of luck. He sustained an unfortunate injury that impeded his play.
Plaxico Burress, who caught the winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl is also out for the year (and beyond?) due to a lack of brains. He sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound from his own illegal and concealed weapon while out clubbing one night.
Thankfully Eli Manning is still playing with the same boyish grin and on-field intensity that has marked his recent success.
There are reports that one or more other Giant players were present at the trigger pulling party and if so they may also face charges. Hopefully they will be found to be innocent bystanders and the team will only lose the soon to be former wide receiver.
It never ceases to amaze me how so many professional athletes crash and burn. Many of them have nothing if not for sports and yet given the obscene and as far as I am concerned undeserved sums of money they get they reach for the self destruct button.
Most of us would almost kill to have their money if not talent to play a game and get paid to do so. But too many of them just don't understand that with the fame and fortune comes the responsibility to walk the line and follow the rules.
In New York we know of the sad tales of Darryl and Dwight but if you wish to add all the 'roid users to your list of idiots you would need a longer blog.
I naively hope that this will be the last time the headlines have to report a stupid act by an athlete.
So the Giants only have one out of those three players left from their championship game. In baseball one out of three is not bad but...
Nevertheless I miss Tyree and the chance to hear the fans cheer him once more for that catch. I will also miss Plaxico, at least the on-field version we knew. Perhaps he can open up a canine obedience school with Michael Vick. As for Eli I really think another ring would balance out his hand beautifully.

Blue vs. Green?

As of this moment there is a possibility that the two downstate New York area football teams could meet in the Super Bowl. Buffalo is actually the only New York team but they have a slim chance of reaching this year's Super party. Now many things could happen to change an all NY final but both teams are on a roll so as a New Yorker I like the idea. What I don't like is the need for a label.

These days when you pick up the sports section you see someone spouting the phrase Subway Series. This obviously stems from Baseball games played between the New York Mets from Queens and that other team that plays in the Bronx.

But for the record the moniker should not be used for any meeting between the two football franchises for many simple reasons. First and foremost is the fact that even though they both have New York in their names and on their uniforms and on their helmets and on those invoices for vastly over-proced tickets and unfair PSLs NEITHER TEAM PLAYS IN NEW YORK. Their home field is, currently Giant's Stadium in beautiful downtown East Rutherford, New Jersey. Did this piece of information escape the brains of the sports writers?

But if you wish to ignore that blatant error how about the fact that there is no subway in New Jersey and even if there were one the TWO TEAMS PLAY IN THE STADIUM.

Sorry, I don't mean to yell but really!

The last problem with calling a meeting in Super Bowl XLIII between the Giants and the Jets a Subway Series is that the game is to be played in Tampa! Does Tampa have a subway? I think not.

Of course the two teams will have to get there somehow and since they will both be starting from the Meadowlands how about giving it the nickname, "The Turnpike to I-95 Series?"

Don't like that?

Well then since so many New Yorkers seem to spend their last days in the Sunshine State how about "The New York Retirement Preview Bowl?" Too long? Well we all like acronyms so just call it the NYRP Bowl.

I think I have the best idea. Let's wait to see who gets inand then call it, are you ready for this SUPER BOWL XLIII. Radical! And may the best team in the AFC play the Giants.

Sports and the Gambling Refs!!!

I know it will seem like a biased piece but so what, it's my blog and I'll rant if I want to, rant if I want to, rant if I want to. You would rant too if it happened to you! (Sorry Leslie.)

I watched two games this weekend, the Mets against Atlanta in baseball and the Rangers against the Devils in hockey. Both games featured calls that should, if it really mattered cause the ref or umpire who made the call to be barred for life from their respective game and even investigated for gambling and other crimes.

In the Mets game with bases loaded and nobody out the Mets were losing to the hated Atlanta Braves and thier cadre of "in the pocket" umpires by 3 runs. A short fly ball to center dropped in and two runs would score and a rally would be under way. But wait, this is Atlanta and everyone knows they are good so the umpire called the fly ball single an out and even a double play when one of the runners who saw the ball drop in was caught off base. A long argument ensued and when the corrupt umpire realized that the replay would show his ridiculously bought and paid for call as a clear as day bull shit call he reversed his decision. BUT he only allowed the Mets one run instead of the two that surely would have scored had he been a legitimate employee and not a gambling umpire and the rally was effectively over. The Mets lost the game failing to go ahead in the inning and the umpire collected his pay, secure in the knowledge that noone would ever find out he was in the pocket of the Braves.

In the hockey game that appeared to be important between the New York Rangers and the home New Jersey Devils the game was tied late in the third period. The Rangers needed a win in regulation time to go ahead of the Devils and get home ice advantage over, you guessed it, the Devils in the playoffs. A devil skater shot the puck from his ice out of the rink to avoid Rangers pressure with around 4 minutes left in the game. This is by rule a penalty and the Rangers would have a golden chance to win the game. However the 3 referees and umpires officiating the game chose not to call the obvious penalty against the home team and let the game continue. Seconds later a Ranger player was called for a penalty against the skater who got the puck that had left the ice area. In effect the Rangers were penalized for the infraction by the Devils.Will either of these obviously corrupt or in the very least inept refs be punished?

Do pigs fly?

There will be no action against these men and their bookies count on it.

Several years ago the New York Giants in football failed to get into the playoffs because a corrupt gambling ref mad a ridiculously obvious bad call. The Giant fans were audibly upset but to no avail as the hated "Americas Team" (Crock of shit) Dallas Cowboys enjoyed another playoff run and the New York Team went home to lick their wounds. It made the back page headlines but so what? It wasn't until several months after the season ended that a tiny article way back in the double digit pages of the paper announed that a football ref was indited for gambling that Giant fans realized they were scammed and the Dallas Cowboys had used their money wisely. Did anything change? Of course not.

When will professional sports realize their problem and get rid of these piece of shit phoneys?

Obviously never. The fans are the only ones who can make them change. Demand that refs and umps be vetted out and any obvious bullshit calls be investigated. If criminal charges should be brought do so and make the games that reap so much money as to be obscene at least be played on a level and fair playing field!

For anyone who likes their sports
Their friends and all their cohorts
We must all try to dump
A corrupt evil ump
They’re like pimples and real ugly warts.

Two Terms Fit the Super Moment

Did you ever hear of the Yiddish phrase, "Kin Ahora?" How about the universal one, "Be careful what you wish for?" No they do not mean the same thing but they both fit what just transpired in the National Football League playoffs.
The New England Patriots fell victim to the first phrase, 'Kin Ahora.' The words mean, "May you be spared from the evil eye."
You are tempting fate when you guarantee that which is out of your control such as a perfect 19 & 0 season when there is still one game left to play.
Every Jewish mother has said those words after hearing praise for their children. It is usually followed by, "Pooh, pooh, pooh."
"Oy Mrs. Schwartz your son is so smart. He'll be tops in his class."
"Kin Ahora, pooh pooh pooh. What are you talking about? The other children are so much better."
Mrs. Schwartz secretly agrees but is afraid that the fates will hear the spoken praise and jealously turn on her son.

The arrogance of a front runner, even if it is not overt always causes them problems. Anytime someone thinks something is a foregone conclusion the odds are the conclusion will be gone for good.

In the post season run for the Super Bowl ring this year every team that played the New York Giants made it known in some way shape or form that they were happy to do so. Ronde barber of the Tampa Bay Bucaneers felt confident that his team would get past the Giants because they played and won ugly and their quarterback, Eli Manning was erratic. Eli was closer to erotic as far as Giant fans were concerned and he swatted away the Bucs and headed for Dallas. Hey Ronde, be careful what you wish for!
In Dallas the former America's team and especially their unbelievably annoying and arrogant owner, Jerry Jones not only guaranteed a victory but went so far as to purchase and hand out tickets to the National Football Conference Championship game against the Green Bay Packers to be played in Dallas. Yeah Jerry listen, about that? You sort of have to win first. And quarterback Tony Romo was so confident that his cowboys would win their third game against the underdog Giants that he spent a week in Cancun with his main squeeze Jessica Simpson rather than practice up for the game. That's Kin Ahora 2 - Romo and Jones nothing.
The frozen tundra that is Green Bay was a terrible place to face the rejuvenated and loved Brett Farve. The football world was actually looking forward to a meeting between Favre and Brady in the Super Bowl. A monumental game with the old master looking for just one more championship against the new guard marching toward a dynasty. Green Bay was at least a little worried about the Giants. They found out that Eli Manning enjoyed watching 'Seinfeld' reruns while relaxing in his hotel room before road games so they pre-empted all of them. There would be no rest for the weary Eli. The announcers were certain the Giants would falter in this latest version of the ice bowl. The original fittingly pitted Dallas against the Pack and was won by the home team.
But this time it was the old guard that faltered and the field goal kicker for New York, Lawrence Tynes, after missing two earlier field goal attempts did what no other kicker had done all season. He kicked a field goal from 47 yards out to win the game in overtime and send the team into Super Bowl XLII.
Everyone in New England rejoiced at the matchup. They got what they wished for. They were playing a team they had beaten a month earlier in New York. And while outwardly the Patriots and former beloved defensive coach of the Giants Bill Bellichik spoke highly of the team their confidence could only be expressed as through the roof.
Their Kin Ahora moment came when their owner, Robert Kraft attempted to trademark the term 19 & 0!
Hey Robert, Patent This!
So the Super Bowl is over and the celebrations begin. The Giants are the second Wild Card team to win the Bowl but the first to do it as the road team (Pittsburgh as a wild card team was the 'home team' for SB XL.) The Giants won eleven games in a row on the road, an NFL record. Their young QB already has double digit fourth quarter comeback victories under his belt. They are on top of the world. And since they are the third youngest team in the league everyone is looking forward to several years of championships.
Kin Ahora, pooh pooh pooh!

Super Bowl XLII Head Games

There are 12 days until this year's Super Bowl as I write this and the papers are filled with the rumor that Tom Brady's foot is in a walking cast. There is even a video on the internet showing the QB limping outside of his girl friend Gisele Bundchen's apartment. Are we sure the limp was caused on the football field?
Nevertheless the possibility that he could be injured and not able to play up to his record breaking abilities is both a shame and a tempting thought to New York Giant and Miami Dolphin fans.
However before printing up the 18 & 1 signs and featuring Eli in the "I'm going to Disney ad" there is one very important point to remember. Football is filled with strategy and "psyche you out" mental games.
The Pats are obviously hoping that the Giants will prepare for the game with an eye toward a back-up QB and not work as hard because they think Brady will be a spectator. Then at game time Willis Reed, I mean Tom Brady will come running onto the field and do a head flip. The game will essentially be over and Bellichik will smile a quiet 'gotcha.'
If the Jints are smart, and contrary to many people's beliefs including mine they seem to be, then they should prepare hard and expect a Brady at 110%. Injuries are never quite as bad when the championship is on the line. And let's face it, even if he is a little banged up he has the entire Spring and half a Summer to enjoy recuperating.