Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Swann Song

It appears inevitable now that # 88 will get the endorsement of the Republican committee and roll to an easy primary victory. This process was speeded up last week by a big snafu in the campaign of Bill Scranton. You may remember this country club, pro -choice, jerk of a son of former liberal Republican Gov. Bill Scranton, Sr. who tried to screw Goldwater at the '64 convention and did screw Reagan at the '76 convention.As Dan and Paul will recall, young Billy boy ran for Guv before in 1986 at which time he was defeated by pro -life Democrat Bob Casey who I voted for twice. Casey ran a great campaign ad showing a long haired, hippy-looking young Maharishi Scranton sitting around a camp fire at some commune singing Kumbaya and inferring that he was probably smoking dope too. Now I guess he figures that he can play Chip Oliver and try to sack Lynn in the primary. Unfortunately, the guru's campaign has had its share of trouble and after last week is searching for its third campaign manager. This is because campaign manager #2 put his foot in his mouth by calling Mr. Swann " the rich white guy in the campaign." Billy did the right thing and fired him immediately but it was too late. The Scranton plan before this media blunder was to convince the Committee to declare an open primary. Such a pipe dream is now dead in the water, as is Billy's campaign. Back to this ridiculous comment, it reeks of Liberal elitism, and if I was black I would be very angry. Such a comment supports the Liberal plantation mentality that only whites can ever succeed professionally and financially and therefore by virtue of his success Lynn Swann must be white. This guy needs to read my earlier comment on color blindness. It further supports the notion that blacks should kept down on the "plantation" and remain solely dependent on the federal government because they cannot succeed on their own as whites can. Unbelievably, a writer for the Daily News who happens to be black defended Sranton and tried to isolate him from his campaign manager's comment. Of course, toward the end of the article he finally discloses that he worked on Scranton's '86 campaign. Once again, we see the old double standard, even a Republican can get away with a racist comment so long as he's a liberal. Anyway it's Lynn against Fat Eddie. In an effort to avoid potential hanging chads and recounts in the general election, I propose the following. Let's have both men run the old " Superstars" obstacle course and we'll spot Fat Eddie a 60 second lead. This way the clock will decide the outcome and not the captive media. Go Lynn and go Steelers !

State of the Union

This was not just a home run but a grand slam for the Prez. Final score : W 4 Liberals 0. We have the Dems on the edge of the cliff, let's not let the moderate Republicans prevent us from pushing them over.

Premature death in NFL players

I can't say that this surprises me, and it certainly raises questions about what to do as a society. If we are sure that this is accurate information, and is strictly related to weight (or BMI), should the NFL set up guidelines on maximum weight based on height? If it doesn't, should Congress (heaven forbid!)? This brings up the question of what is appropriate intervention and what is nanny-state hectoring. We have plenty of the latter, but I am not so sure that this is just a nanny-state, do-gooder matter.

I think that Greg Aiello needs to shut up - he should take his cue from Paul Tagliabue and say something considerably less dismissive. Also, the league needs to take a long, hard look at supplements (including, but not limited to, steroids) that contribute to the large size of the linemen.

Thanks to Dan Gray for the link (via e-mail); here's hoping Big Dan will start blogging again soon.

Bummer

Brucie didn't win the Corvette:

1st Place – 1966 Nassau Blue Corvette Convertible — Ticket # 25321 Janet Curtin – Sylvan Beach, NY
2nd Place - $1000 – Ticket # 41327 Linda Rudd – Culpepper, Virginia
3rd Place - $500 – Ticket # 09999 Phil Vescio – Rome, NY

I was looking forward to making the delivery personally. Oh well, maybe next year...

Google in Tiananmen Square

I haven't heard much from the rest of the QS (nor have I written myself) about Google's decision to enter the Chinese market by selling its soul. Here's a good rant about that decision:

I have a simple question:

The apartheid government in South Africa, in 1986 (i.e. 20 years ago today) asks internet search engines operating in South Africa to block any sites regarding anyone named Mandela, the African National Congress, the notion of democracy, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or even the Declaration of Independence. Google rolls over like a cheap whore and says "Yes master! You're in charge!" and then tells the rest of us "hey, we're only complying with local laws and customs."


Yet another example of how the Commies don't feel the moral outrage of the lefties in this country. This would not have been possible in South Africa in the apartheid era, in Central America if the country had a right-wing military government, etc. But doing business with totalitarians - so long as they're leftists - is okey-dokey. I am glad the blogosphere is not taking this as lightly as the MSM. The author quoted above has some suggestions for Google alternatives, if you are so inclined.

Monday, January 30, 2006

The evening

I took Dom to the gym where we lifted weights and did some stair climbing. Came home for the real exercise: chasing Gabey. His favorite thing to do is what he calls "running me". He invites me or Angela into the game with the question "Do you wanna run me?" He then starts running in circles in our bedroom, making a circuit around the bed and through the walk-through closet. It has a certain Looney Tunes character to it, as stopping and reversing course still seems to work with near perfection to "catch" Gabey. He laughs and screams the entire time. Great fun!

Now I have to get to sleep - couldn't get to sleep until after 1 last night and I am dragging, particularly after "running" Gabe. Have a good night, QSers.

TGS citation - I'm famous!

Thanks, Bruce! That was a treat, seeing my name in The Gold Sheet when I got home today, rifled through the mail, and tossed the boring stuff off to the side. I was wondering how Bruce would pull it off - dividing it over two weeks, using this down weekend for the NFL to spice things up. Good move, Brucie.

I was reading after having grabbed a bag of chips - no lunch today, so I was looking for a little snack before dinner. Gabe followed close behind, and had his little arm down deep into the bag (these were Baked Lay's, so he didn't get greasy, thank goodness). He would pull out a handful of chips, stuff them into his mouth, and let the overflow fall onto the rug. Time to vacuum the carpet!

By the way, I spent about 8 hours yesterday getting a Windows computer onto the home network. It took me about 10 minutes to get the Macintosh on line. This is typical of my experience with the two platforms. Then, having gotten it on line, I couldn't get the site that Luca wanted to play on (Toon Town) to work properly. It took me swapping out the monitor, playing with all sorts of settings, etc. to get it to work. And to get it on the network, I had to turn off encryption, which opens me up to all sorts of viruses and lack of security. Oh boy! I am going to try to re-encrypt the network tonight and see if I can restore some level of security.

I have also fallen down on posting Dom's comics - there are plenty in the pipeline, and I will get them up later.

UPDATE: I had to break for dinner and wasn't able to include this Dom & Emmy story from after school today. They got great grades on a bunch of mid-terms that they had taken last week, and were asking Angela what they would get by way of reward for their performance. Angela offered them our undying love and devotion. Dom said he was thinking more along the line of money - cash, no checks. Having been tipped off to this conversation by Angela, when I got home and they asked me what they would get, I answered "our undying love and devotion". "No fair! That's what Mommy said!" "Okay, I'll pay your tuition for the next semester". They weren't too thrilled with our initial offers, but I am sure we will reward them appropriately... eventually!

88 in '06

Visit the Swann Blog and support the man who did as much as any other individual to deny the Cowboys two Super Bowl titles!

Mark buys his computer

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, "Who's on First?" might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT*

ABBOTT: Super-Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: I mean your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W".

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "w" if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

...(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super-Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on "START".......

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Sorry for the Light Blogging!

Hi Guys,

Sorry I haven't blogged much lately, but being an entrepreneur is a full-time, 'round the clock gig! And I had a friend visiting me from Tampa all week.

I am starting a Prosperity Class at Unity Church tomorrow, which promises to be great! Knowing the personalities on this site as I do, I am sure many of you are heaving a disapproving sigh (with the possible exception of Mark). No, I haven't renounced Catholicism (although I have little regard for Church leadership, or lack thereof in the wake of the scandals); just opening up to another avenue of personal growth, with a spiritual twist. I believe we are all co-Creators with God, and this class will help me tap into that on a deeper level.

The Nuns and Priests taught me for years that money was evil and that it was impossible for a rich man to go to heaven, so I am just undoing that negative programming....not big fans of Capitalism, some of the Clergy! Maybe I am alone in this assessment, but it was my experience in the Catholic School System. For years I harbored a secret fear that my Dad was going to hell for being a successful, hard-working Surgeon! Obviously, my Dad is an awesome guy who is headed straight up someday (hopefully a looooong way off), so I eventually got over it.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted and invite all of you to my Mercedes Car presentation this Spring when Arbonne hands me the keys to that beautiful machine. Until then, Godspeed and good blogging!

Back from ATL...



Prairie View A&M ready to high-step at the Georgia Dome...



Sorry for being out of the loop the past few days, have just completed another whirlwind, ninja-trip deluxe the past few days, in Chicago on Thursday and then to Atlanta for two nights beginning Friday, where my wife joined me for the Battle of the Bands at the Georgia Dome!

This was all good fun, though I had to cram in almost all of the TGS work before I left, and then finish up today, as I flew back to LAX (because it is closer to work) this morning. My wife returned to Orange County, satisfied like me after watching the greatest show on earth yesterday.

Unlike the "Drumline" movie, they don't pick an official winner at the Battle of the Bands, instead letting the 10 bands put on a show for the better part of 3 hours. The entertainment is of course top-rate, as the 65,000 or so other fans at the Georgia Dome could attest, but part of the fun is the also pre-Battle "warm up," where the Dome thumps with the sound of hip-hop, with the soulful crowd providing a colorful accomplice to the proceedings. A local disc jockey was the host of the event (thankfully, it wasn't Andrew Young, who nonetheless gave a welcoming speech), and the DJ spiced up things between acts, with a couple of "mixmasters" enaging in an "old school vs. new school" thump-off, with the fans as the judges. When all was said and done, The Dome rocked and thumped for a good 4 hours (including the pre-show warm-up), and all seemed to have a grand time.

My unofficial winner was the "Sonic Boom of the South" from Jackson State, which I thought outperformed even the majestic Florida A&M and the exciting Prairie View. A&M's choreography, however, remains a sight to behold, while from a pure "drumline" perspective, Prairie View's drum corps is unmatched. All ten bands were outstanding, however, with a surprisingly good showing from Virginia State, as well as Clark Atlanta University.

The rest of the Atlanta trip was good fun, as we were blessed with good weather this year after last year's ice storm postponed the show and forced us to miss. I strolled a bit around Georgia Tech on Friday, before my wife's flight arrived (I came in early Fri. morning from Chicago), and did a radio show while sitting in a booth (such as it is) while munching on a chili dog at the famous Varsity drive-in right across from Tech. We visited Stone Mountain and the Confederate War Memorial on Saturday morning (hopefully pictures to come soon), which will not score me many points with the liberal crowd in West L.A. But since I have never been to Mount Rushmore, I have to satisfy my curiosity for such things with Stone Mountain, which, ironically, was dedicated by none other than Spiro Agnew in 1970. A couple of dinners at the best B-B-Q in the world, Dreamland (in Roswell), was another highlight. Along with the Waffle House breakfast on Saturday morning, my meals went Varsity-Dreamland-Waffle House-Varsity-Dreamland for two days running. I might not eat for another week.

Atlanta is a very cool city, though its traffic problems can take a lot of the fun away. Still, one of my favorite places, and the "Battle" is one of our favorite events.

Also fortunate to visit my other favorite city on Thursday. The Chicago trip was quick, just to say hello to Natalie and to watch the Ramblers play a hoops game. Funny Natalie stories to be relayed when time permits. The Ramblers, however, disappointed me when losing a close but exciting decision vs. the Fighting Phoenix of UW-Green Bay. Still, the atmosphere in the Gentile Center was very lively, and for a crowd of 2200 or so, it was pretty loud, drums beating like Prairie View's. Loyola seems to have a good time with the whole Jesuit thing, with many more references to the Jesuits than I hear at the west coast schools of the same such as Santa Clara, USF, LMU, and USD. There was a "Jesuit Jam" party for students after the game, they honored a young Jesuit priest before the game (as apparently they do every game), and they spiced up each timeout with some funny Jesuit trivia, such as "true or false, St. Ignatius Loyola had cosmetic surgery."








Majak Kou (left) and Blake Schilb...Loyola's dynamite backcourt


At least Loyola bounced back to beat a capable Detroit on Saturday, and the Ramblers, if they don't win the Horizon tourney, still have an NIT shot with their 12-7 mark. They could use the freshman guard, J.R. Blount, to get healthy and back on the court in a hurry, and the interior game is still very spotty, despite the best efforts of workhorse, but undersized, freshman power forward Leon Young (from Lakewood, CA, believe it or not). But the Blake Schilb-Majak Kou backcourt is lethal, and the 6-5 Kou has really stepped up his game lately. The man is not afraid to shoot, and the 6-7 Schilb is a great college player, a rare big point guard, very unselfish, but with a lot of game. They have a shot in the Horizon Tournament because of these explosive and exciting guards.

With Santa Clara enduring a difficult season, at least the Ramblers and Big West-leading UC Irvine (Big Dance-bound for the first time ever?) are giving me something to cheer about!

Computer suggestion

As a long-time user of both Windows computers and Apple computers, I can say without fear of contradiction that there is no comparison. Apple computers are better values, easier to use, and you will enjoy using it more.

If you are afraid of making the switch, read this and this. It's not a big deal, and you will be happy once it's done. The computers last for years (my biggest problem has been getting rid of - or putting into alternate service - older computers that continue to work fine) and are much more pleasant to use than Windows machines.

I have one Windows machine so that the kids can play certain PC games, but if it weren't for that, I wouldn't have one. For most applications other than games, they have Mac versions (or similar software that is usually better), or you can use the Windows version running Virtual PC. In the near future, with Apple using Intel processors, the games will be fully available on both platforms, so even that will disappear.

Dom was born in a "Cherries Jubilee" City!






















...Mark and I were born in a Spumoni City!

St. Mary Magdalen Parish and NHL

Sorry, I haven't been bloggin lately guys, but my computer to paraphrase Chevy Chase is " on the fritz". I'm in the market for a new computer and welcome your suggestions. Anyway, I read Doc Paul's request and I'm only too happy to tell the story of Don Saleski's enrolling in the parish. At the time this was definitely an NHL parish, already boasting the Watson brothers of Smithers ,B.C.

I was a sophomore then in the Spring of '74 and my religion teacher was Fr. Thiers, (a truly great priest) known as "Thiersy" to his friends. He was in the rectory office when Don and his wife came to enroll. While taking down information from the couple Thiersy asked " Big Bird" what he did for a living and he replied " I play hockey". Thiersy was stunned to hear this, so he asked a second time stating emphatically " no really, what do you do for a living." When Saleski gave him the same answer, Thiersy responded " oh, of course" and completed the application process. He told us in class a few weeks later that he had no idea who " Big Bird" was, who the Flyers were, or what Don was talking about. Believe me the story was lot funnier when Thiersy told it than it is in print. Paul can appreciate it, because he knows the guy. Probably Daria too.

Another great parish NHL story occurred the day after the Flyers lost Game 6 to the Islanders in 1980. That was the game where the Islanders "scored" in OT to win the Cup. The goal was allowed even though Butch Goring was 6 feet offsides. Much to our chagrin, but I'm sure to the absolute delight of Louden Wainwright, III. That was the call that prompted Ed Snider to say "the ref should be shot".

Anyway Paul and I are walking out of 10:30 Mass the very next morning, and there was Jimmy Watson and his wife as they were every week. Paul and I approached him and we spoke about the game for 10 minutes. Can you imagine any athlete today talking to the fans for free, let alone the day after their team lost the championship on a terrible call. I don't think so. Nevertheless, let me end on these two great hockey memories on a positive note. To quote the great Gene Hart, "good night, good hockey."

St. Joe 47 Penn 44

A super City Series win for the Hawks who trailed by 5 but then reeled off the last 8 points of the game. Matty Goukas nailed a clutch three, Cliff Anderson threw down a monster slam, and Jameer hit three free throws. The beginning of the game was great, as both crowds were allowed to throw streamers onto the court after their team's first basket. This is a great Palsetra tradition, but in recent years it has been discontinued because it will result in a delay of game call.

The Hawks are now 3 - 0 in the Big 5 with only 3 - 0 'Nova standing between them and the Big 5 title. The " Holy War " is on February 7. Put the women and children away. You heard it here first Hawks 61 Nova 60 !

The Big 5 - 0

The Big 5 the greatest one city tradition of college hoops celebrated its 50th anniversary this weekend with a gala on Friday night and an awards ceremony at halftime of last night's Hawks - Penn game. It brought back great memories and it was fun to see such stalwarts as : Danny Kelly, Mat Goukas, Clifford Anderson, Howard Porter, Chris Ford, Roland "Fatty" Taylor, Stan Pawlak, Johnny Baum, and Hal Lear. Not to mention the coaches, among them : Dr. Jack Ramsey, Jack McKinney, Paul Westhead, Jimmy Lynam, Jack Kraft, Don Casey, Chuck Daley, Dick Harter, Bob Weinhauer, and Rollie Massimino.

Al Meltzer, the emcee for the event said it best when he stated that the happiest times in his life were when he was broadcasting Big 5 doubleheaders on Channel 17. I agree, as I was glued to the TV to watch these Wednesday and Saturday night clashes. The best was when the first game would feature a Big 5 team against a ranked national opponent followed by a City Series game in the night cap. The atmosphere at the Palestra was electric. Here's to 50 more !

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Scene from Saturday night Mass

I have been taking Dom and Emmy to Saturday evening Mass, so that I am free to take Luca to hockey on Sunday mornings and Angela is free to go to 8 am Mass on Sunday without having to take the two little guys. So I am at Mass at St. Mary's in Cortland tonight, and after Communion, the choir, which is seated in the pews rather than the choir loft, launches into a Negro spiritual. It began with keyboard accompaniment, but ended a capella. In one of those uncomfortable moments after they had concluded the song, some attendees clapped while others, not feeling applause to be appropriate (such as me), just sat there.

So on the way back to the car, Dom and Em are commenting on this. Dom says something like: "A Negro spiritual... that's what we need, a chocolate Cortland!" He is really impressed with Ray Nagin - especially the hand gestures!

Let other blogs take on Islamo-Fascism

This blog will keep its eyes on the number two threat to world peace: ill-tempered octopi.

Friday, January 27, 2006

A Hawks' History

Jack McKinney has authored a book on the history of St. Joe's hoops. His son, John, was a classmate of mine until Jack left for Portland. I remember seeing him again during the 1977 Finals when the Trail Blazers took the Selfish Sixers in 6 (ahead 2-0 in the Finals, some players were griping about playing time and shooting opportunities).

He and I were friends, but for some reason we seemed to get into a fistfight about once a year. I don't remember what any of them were about, but I guess that's what little boys did back then (now you'd be facing a lawsuit). I also remember that he was very fair-skinned and had some sort of skin condition that made his skin really itchy, and he had to wear mittens to bed to prevent himself from scratching his skin open. Okay, too much information! I'll stop now.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Dr. Sanity on Political Paranoia

I have really come to like the analysis and writing of Pat Santy, whose blog is named "Dr. Sanity", a nice play on her surname and her profession (psychiatrist). I think she is dead on in her diagnosis of the paranoia of the Left, manifest as the Bush Derangement Syndrome. I have read (and linked above to) Part 1; I am moving on to Part 2 now.

Dom's Comics #2



A not-so-subtle dig at dad's football-watching ways!

Super Bowl Thoughts

Brucie: Some musings on why the Steelers opened as 3 1/2 point favorites...

First, there is the AFC factor. It is probably not terribly controversial to assert that throughout the season, football fans looked at the best the AFC had to offer and came up with at least four teams (Pats, Broncs, Colts, Steelers) that could be conference champions and who would be favored to beat anyone the NFC could offer. The NFC had the Seahawks, who emerged as the best team, and a collection of this-and-that, none of whom seemed to be legitimate conference champions, let alone be able to compete with the best of the AFC. So when Pittsburgh emerged from the AFC, I think they benefited from this notion that if they were good enough to represent a conference with the defending champ Patriots, the almost unbeaten Colts, and the tough-at-home Broncos, there must be something to them.

Next I think they benefit from not having been overexposed. I haven't seen them play a lot this year, and the thing that impressed me was the team speed, particularly on defense. Maybe my mind is stuck on the image of the Steelers as the big, bad, smash-mouth team that even had 260-pound LBs for gosh sakes, but to see them fly around the field on defense was a real eye-opener. (OK, I'll admit to a senior moment: I am blanking on the huge LB, who, I am embarrassed to admit, played for the Eagles - I am sure it'll come to me, but right now, all I can come up with is his first beginning with "L").

(UPDATE: I got it: Levon Kirkland)

I also remember thinking that Roethlisberger was decidedly unimpressive in the post-season last year (which is true), so seeing him perform so well this year makes fans think that last year was much more than a fluke or a rookie aberration.

Finally, there is the dominance of the NFC by the Eagles over the past four years. Without them in the title game, it seems as if Seattle is getting in on the cheap, without having had to dethrone the champs. Moreover, aside from Shawn Alexander, who has name recognition on the Seahawks? Matt Hasselbeck is viewed with suspicion, and the rest of the club is a big unknown. The Steelers, by contrast, at least conjure up images of Super Bowl victories, even if they are 26 years old.

So I think you put that all together and in the betting public's eye, the Steelers are the favorites. I think they will win, but it wouldn't shock the heck out of me should Seattle win. Anyway, that's my best effort at explaining why the game opened with a decidedly pro-Pittsburgh line. Oh, that and Rush Limbaugh is a Steelers fan!

I am a Chevrolet Corvette!

That was fun....thanks Paulie!

You're a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. You're all about winning the race and getting the job done. While you have a practical everyday side, you get wild when anyone pushes your pedal. You hate to lose, but you hardly ever do.

What kind of sports car are you?

I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!



You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.


Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Dom's Comic Creations, Volume I

No doubt inspired by the King of All Christmas Gifts, the complete "Calvin and Hobbes" three-volume - and about 40 pound - set (which he has read in its entirety already), Dom is back to creating comic strips. He used to do this sporadically, with the central character a dude he called "Mr. Weenie", who was a walking hot dog in a bun with a tongue that hung out of his mouth. Mr. Weenie makes some appearances in Dom's current creations, but he is just one of many characters. I will post these comics daily, giving Dom some room to get ahead of the posting schedule.

Here's his inaugural effort for the Quad Squad, the one that Angela rates the best (click on the comic strip for a full scale image):

Nashville Memories



Easily the greatest day of my manhood: marrying Angela and posing with these beautiful young ladies!

PS: I am in the process of scanning in old photos and I am beginning with the Wedding Album - expect more Marshall girl shots later!

Abortion "humor"

Give Greg Gutfeld credit; he's fearless. Here he makes abortion related jokes that the pro-choicers will no doubt find to be decidedly unfunny. Here's one that gets in a Kennedy jab as well:

After a couple has sex, the woman turns to the man and says, "If i get pregnant, what should we call the baby?"

"A fetus!" he bellows before erratically speeding off to his home in Hyannisport, Mass.


If you can stand it, click on the title for more.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Bloc Quebecois!



That name sounds meaner than it probably is...



I'm almost ready to move to Alberta, guys, where I can get far away from the unholy liberal alliance of the tribe and bloods in West LA, and the tidal wave of illegals streaming in from Mexico (I read recently where English is not the first language spoken in almost 50% of the homes in L.A., a number that will continue to rise).

At least my home deep in the shrinking slice of heaven called South Orange County remains insulated...for now, at least.

Should I choose Calgary or Edmonton? Flames or Oilers? Stampeders or Eskimos?

(Frankly, I would prefer a little further west in B.C., and Vancouver, which is really one of the nicest cities I have ever visited).

Meanwhile, I still nominate Don Cherry for Prime Minister of Canada (check out one of those early January Don Cherry Coach's Corners I highlighted yesterday, where a Newfoundland politico suggested the same thing!).

Wondering if Bloc Quebecois is preparing Rejean Houle to lead their new government if and when they secede?...

Small Broncos fans gives review of Sunday's performance



The father of this little tyke, Stephen Green, is the main blogger over at VodkaPundit, and is worth reading.

Alberta: My Kind of Province

28-0 sweep for the Conservatives in the province of Alberta, that reddest of red provinces. Not as convincing a victory as I would have liked, but I'll take it.

Monday's election gave the Conservatives 124 seats, below the 155 needed to form a majority. The ruling Liberals won 103 seats while the left-leaning New Democratic Party won 29 seats. The Bloc Quebecois, which campaigns only in the French-speaking province of Quebec, won 51 seats.


Steve Harper now gets to play Mulroney to W's Reagan. Here's hoping that on domestic issues, Harper gets closer to Mulroney than W has gotten to Reagan's vision of a smaller, less intrusive government.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Civic Pride

This guy didn't take kindly to a Denver newsman's calling Pittsburgh "butt ugly", so he did a little profile of Denver. Bruce, if you can stand one more reference to yesterday's game, watch and enjoy!

Big Bird (aka The Pride of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan)

I'm not sure when the Big Bird went with the perm, but it doesn't appear to have been during the Stanley Cup campaigns. Maybe I will look him up at his place of business and e-mail him personally - some questions cry out for an answer.

PS: Mark has a great Don Saleski story about when he registered at St. Mary Magdalen's Parish and had to deal with a sports-illiterate priest (Fr. George Thiers) who was a high school teacher of Mark's at the time, and who later taught me (and, I think, Carolyn). Fr. Thiers was otherwise a brilliant guy. Mark - you need to post the story!

UPDATE: Here's a quote from Don Cherry that gives a clue as to the timing of Saleski's perm:

Don Cherry on Don Saleski, who he coached in Colorado:

"I remember taking a look at him and saying ‘Anyone who perms his hair has got to go’. So we sent him to Fort Worth."

UPDATE 2: Saleski played in Fort Worth in 1979-1980, so we can narrow it down to 1975-1979 ("Grapes" Cherry became the head coach of the Colorado Rockies - I love typing that name in regard to a hockey team - in 1979).

Happy Birthday Chris M...and Don Cherry-isms!



To any DiGis who might see young Chris Manning in the near future, please pass along birthday wishes from Uncle Brucie and Aunt Dolores.

As for Big Ed and Carolyn, all I can say is bravo! That was one of the coolest birthday gifts ever. Actually, the one thing that brought a smile to my face yesterday was reading about young Chris' hockey birthday adventure. That boy is always wonderfully happy, even on a bad day, I suppose, and to envision his added joy at heading up to see the Devils and Islanders with papa for his birthday really warmed my insides, which needed some warming yesterday. I assume Big Ed got quite a kick out of the day, too.

I can remember going to the Meadowlands to watch the Devils several times in the short while I worked in New York for Dean Witter, and also whenever I would have to go back to Manhattan. This was hardly top-level entertainment in those days, but for me it was almost heaven. I'd ride a bus from the Port Authority terminal out to the Meadowlands, usually with about 15 or 20 of the same hockey degenerates, and I could walk up and buy a great ticket, which didn't cost much (they really used to crack down on scalpers at the Devils games, but I don't suspect there were many of them in the mid '80s anyway for a game vs. the Whalers, when it would have definitely been a buyer's market). Those were the days the Devils were really bad and would draw about 6000 per game, and it was much easier than getting tickets to watch the Rangers (which I did a few times), and more convenient than going out to the island to watch the Islanders (which I never did). It was no problem buying tickets right behind the goal, behind the plexiglass. Hardly anyone would be in the section, and when I would ask for tickets down low, the ticket seller would often have a clever response. "We can put you so far down there that you can open the door for the goal judge without getting up from your seat" or "You can almost tap Chico (Resch, then at the end of the line as the Devils' beleaguered GK) on the shoulder from this seat." Safe to say it would not be as easy to walk up and buy those same seats today.

As for Don Cherry, reference the attached link in the title, and when you have a moment, check out some of the video highlights from his coach's corner show on Hockey Night in Canada. Talk about colorful! The January 21 piece is a classic, espcially at the end, when Cherry rails against the Canadian athletes who are balking at carrying the good 'ol maple leaf flag at the Winter Olympics. You tell 'em, Don!

Maple Leafs and Canucks...



Okay, I suppose there was some good news over the weekend if the Libs really got kicked in the pants north of the border. There is hope yet.

Now, what I really want to see is Don Cherry (pictured debating Pat Quinn in studio a few years ago) being named Prime Minsiter!

By the way, Paul, that 1974 Flyers photo seemed to show Don Saleski in pre-perm days. When did Saleski get the perm?

Welcome to Bruce's nightmare

Broncos lose AFC Championship Game - at home, no less.

TGS takes an 0-for-2 in the NFL.

Kobe scores 81, grabbing the headlines.

If Keith Olbermann wins an award, or Dolores bans blogging, or the Canadian Libs have a good showing, then the loss will be complete.

Canuckistan

I think the untold story of this election (the outcome of which, I hasten to add, is not decided until the votes are counted) is the role of a fearsome blogger, Captain Ed, whose specific story about today's election is linked above (permalinks, LB, permalinks!). He, a Minnesotan, broke the story of the scandal-plagued Liberal Party of Canada, and did a lot of the investigative leg-work that the Canadian legacy media wouldn't. He was dogged, and his hard work led to the Libs' slide in the polls and ultimately this election.

Pretty neat how a lone blogger can change the course of a country's - and possibly the world's - history, eh?

(Notice that little Canadian humor there at the end?)

Playoff data, and other notes...

Shouldn't be too hard to put together some numbers on regular playoff games vs. the Super Bowl. For my stories in TGS over the past few weeks, I compiled all sorts of numbers, though I'll have to do some extra mixing and matching. Off the top of my head, it seems as if at least half of the overall playoff games are decided by double-digit margins. In recent years, the better games seem to have come in the wild card round, though that wasn't necessarily the case this season. And, in a departure from the '80s and early '90s, the Super Bolws have become better games in recent years, though like all mini-trends that could turn around on a dime.

The division round seemed to be a little more competitive this season than the wild card games or the conference title matchups, but even in that 2nd round, 2 of the 4 games were decided by double-digit margins.

Whatever, I am "footballed out," and look forward to focusing full attention on college (not NBA) hoops and baseball, and, what the heck, even the Winter Olympics in the coming weeks and months. The latter should at least get me watching hockey again. As a last personal thought on Denver's loss yesterday, a part of me feels good that the "fan" in me still cares about wins and losses. Though the emotional ups and downs I used to experience following the Broncos have long since disappeared, they still seem to be the only pro sports team still capable of stirring my passions. It changed some after winning those Super Bowls in the late '90s, and probably for the better (for me). Now I just feel good, for whatever reasons stir sports fans, when Denver wins, but the losses don't linger.

The Broncos have turned out to be a good team to support for the past several decades, too. Ever since that first winning season in 1973, Denver has mostly been in the hunt, with only a handful of sub-.500 years (6-8 in '75, 2-7 in the strike year of '82, which as a byproduct gave the Broncos a high-enough draft pick to trade for Elway, 5-11 in 1990, 7-9 in 1994, after which Wade Phillips was fired and Shanahan was hired, and 6-10 in 1999, the year after the two Super Bowls). That's only five sub-.500 campaigns in 33 seasons, only 4 in the last 30, and the byproduct of two of those seasons helped Denver land Elway and Shanahan. Even if they haven't won more than two Super Bowls, that's quite a good mark, and the Broncos are usually in the hunt, and I go into most seasons thinking the team has a legitimate shot. In an era of parity, such consistency is unique, and it is all the more special for old-time fans who remember the dark early days of the AFL. Long ago, Lou Saban at least got the Broncos moving in the right direction, and Ralston, Miller, Reeves, and Shanahan (not Phillips, though he did get the Broncos into the wild card for 1 of his 2 years as coach) all did a little more than their predecessors.

As I look ahead to next year, for Denver things look optimistic as usual. The core of the team figures to stay intact, and Shanahan has generally done an admirable job in the free agent market. Plummer seems set for another few years of being an effective QB, and I suspect Ashley Lelie, based on a couple of those catches yesterday, is about ready to burst upon the scene as a primo wideout. Bailey should still be a difference maker on defense, and who knows, maybe the searing memory of the Steeler loss will fuel Denver in 2006, much like that playoff loss to the Jags nine years ago seemed to fuel the '97 and '98 Super Bowl winners. Gary Kubiak's apparent hiring by the Texans as their head coach is a potential concern, since he had much to do with Plummer's turnaround this seaosn. Also, I long suspected Kubiak was being groomed to eventually replace Shanahan, but Mike is a long way from retiring. That appears to be a minor issue, however. Otherwise, I'd say things are looking pretty good for next year. Not sure where the ride will end in 2006, but it should be fun.

(More notes on the mostly-obscure NFL coaching hires coming soon).

Still, glad yesterday is over, and the capper for a miserable sports day was watching the most selfish, egotistical athlete of our generation, Kobe, drill the Raptors for 81 last night. Never mind the accomplishment, which in an era of team sports might have been a low point, Kobe calling for the ball, shooting at will, badgering refs for not calling fouls, badgering teammates for not passing him the ball, and all the while Toronto doing nothing special to either deny Kobe the ball, or help out on him defensively.

In a league full of egomaniacs, Kobe is singular, and to think that a player could be so marginalized amongst his mostly primadonna peers, because he is SUCH a primadonna, is almost mind-boggling. Kobe lives in his own little world, his comments narcissistic beyond belief. I can't believe some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth, and Phil Jackson's book (which I read on the tarmac at Atlanta Airport during an ice storm last January) confirmed the unbelievable nightmare of dealing with this guy an everyday basis. His post-game press conference last night was sickening, made more so by the fawning L.A. sports anchors. "Kobe seems in awe of himself!," said one excitedly, but it was not said in a derogatory way. The star-gazing, hero-worshipping L.A. crowd exacerbates the whole thing even more, feeding his already over-saturated ego. Remember, these are the same star-gazing fans that gave him a standing ovation last year in his first L.A. game after the rape charges.

We know that NBA players cannot stand him, and the chance of another star player ever wishing to play with him are almost nil. He treats people with disdain, there are many nightmarish stories about the personal behavior of Kobe and his wife, and their treatment of employees, etc. As Phil Jackson said in his book, Kobe is "disconnected." The only good thing about him might have been Jelly Bean Joe and the Philadelphia connection, but natives of the Quaker City and its environs should hardly consider him one of their own, given that he spent most of his youth in Italy, and his short stay Phila was just a pit stop for his climb to the top of ego-domain. He has no use for Philly any longer, and for him it might as well have been New Yropk, Chicago, or Detroit. Cities and locales don't matter, unless it's L.A., for Kobe is about Kobe, always has been, always will.

I'm not sure if he's still estanged from Jelly Bean Joe or not (I know that he was for a while, and might still be), so if any of the Philly bloggers have a soft spot for Kobe just because of Jelly Bean Joe, you might want to reconsider. The new Lakers can beat woeful teams like the Raptors, and Kobe can score all the points he wants, but they are no longer a title contender mainly because of this insufferable egomaniac.

O Canada!

The Great White North has finally had it, and is moving to the right! Is there hope for the Americas after all?

On Conference Championship Games

Bruce, you raise an interesting point on Conference Championship games. They once were the province of some of the most memorable games ever played, yet the past several years they have been getting less so. I'm not sure I understand why.

I remember having a discussion of this kind back in medical school, where it was framed as "Why are so many Super Bowls such lopsided games while so many playoff games are so memorable?" One guy had what I thought was probably the correct answer: there is only one SB each year, but there are many playoff games. We remember all the Super Bowls, but forget about the playoff clunkers. In our memories, the great playoff games live on, and so we think that the playoffs produce better games than does the Super Bowl. However, on a percentage basis, this is probably not the case.

I wonder if we can subject that hypothesis to statistical scrutiny. It would be interesting to see what percentage of post-season, non-SB games are decided by <7, 7-13, and 14 or more, and compare that to the Super Bowl outcomes. Bruce, are you up for this?

Sunday, January 22, 2006

The Dessert Cart Rolls On

Must watch video from SNL!

Post 400

The Quad Squad hits the big 4-oh-oh with this post...

I was very disappointed in today's games. Championship game day is what I consider the true football fan's most delightful day: two games, not as over-hyped as the Super Bowl, and the prospect of awesome games. Today's games left me flat: no real drama, not much to get excited about (except maybe that turning over of the no-touchback call that went against the Steelers - boy, am I straining to find something memorable from today!).

Here's hoping that the Football Gods reward us with a Top Ten SB after these yawner conference title games.

Not that my opinion matters...

as I took the oh-fer this weekend too. About the only game I got right in the post-season was the Giants' loss in Round One. I might have hit a couple of others, but mostly I stunk.

So take this with a HUGE grain of salt, but I like the Steelers in the Super Bowl. Big Ben has been mighty impressive, and the Steelers defense has been flying around the field, disrupting offenses with ease. I tip my hat to the Seahawks, who have shown a lot this year, but I don't think they measure up to the Steelers.

So, fans in Seattle, be happy: I am picking the Steelers! Final score: 26-17.

Maybe I did get something right, after all...

As I grasp for straws at this lost football weekend, at least I can harken back to the cover story for last week's TGS, when I reminded readers that the conference title games are often lacking in drama, and indeed have become more of a haven for one-sided games than Super Bowls.

Today's romps mark the 4th straight season that both the AFC and NFC title games have been decided by double-digit margins. Also, as the story mentioned, road teams have been succeeding, sometimes by hefty margins, in conference title games, and Pittsburgh did it again today, marking the 9th straight season at least one road team has won in the conference championship tilts.

Now, if I just would have stopped there, and forgot about picking the games this weekend...

I'm wrong again...

So much for my line prediction (based on TGS ratings, it came out pick'em). Steelers opened up 3-point favorites, then the line shot up to 3 1/2 and 4. I know Pittsburgh looked awfully good today, but wasn't anybody watching the Seahawks?

Need some help, guys...



Well, so much for the Carolina selection.

Any early Steelers-Seahawks ideas? Super Bowl might as well be pick'em, because I don't think either will be favored by more than 2. Seattle might open minus 1 1/2, but I'm just guessing.

My opinions were quite poor this weekend, so I'm listening to all ideas on the Super Bowl. The floor is open to debate!

Shout out to nephew Chris Manning


Ed Van Impe, Bill Clement, Keith Allen, Ed Snider, Bobby Clarke, Fred Shero, ?, Gary Dornhoefer, Joe Watson
?, Terry Crisp, Simon Nolet, Bob Kelly, Rick MacLeish, Barry Ashbee, Bill Barber, Bill Flett, ? Mike Nikolyk
?, Andre Dupont, Ross Lonsberry, Dave Schultz, ?Jimmy Watson, ?Orest Kindrachuk, Bobby Taylor, Don Saleski, Tom Bladon
Can't find: Bernie Parent (!) - good thing they found him for the playoffs!

Happy Tenth Birthday, Decade Old Boy!

Carolyn called me to let me know about his awesome day yesterday:

It started with his scoring a hat trick in his hockey game in the morning, then hopping into the car not knowing what the rush was that his parents were insisting on as he changed out of his hockey uni and into his civvies. When they got to the car, he was presented with an envelope containing two tickets to the Devils-Islanders game. Not the usual present for a young Philly fan, but no less exciting.

With two hours to get to the Meadowlands, Papa Ed drove in a manner some would call illegal, but others (such as I) would call appropriate under the circumstances. Having made it in time for the opening face-off, they settled in to watch a thriller: tied in regulation, tied after OT, and still tied after three penalty shots apiece. On the fifth set of penalty shots, the issue was finally decided in the Devils' favor.

Not a bad tenth birthday, pal! In January 1974 (when my tenth birthday occurred), we were coming off a thrilling 5-8-1 Eagles' season, the Sixers stunk, and the Phils, while on an upward trajectory, were still a couple years from reaching the post-season. However, on May 19, 1974, the Flyers won their first ever Stanley Cup. So here's hoping that the spring following your 10th birthday also holds in store a big silver trophy for the Men in Orange & Black.

PS: Please submit any corrections or additions to the identities of the men in the '74 Flyers' team picture in the comments section

A tough day...


Okay, no excuses, I was flat-out wrong on the Denver-Pittsburgh game, exacerbated by the fact I published my Denver selection, and went on countless radio shows touting the pick! And the Carolina selection is not looking too much better, but remember we are still getting some points with the Panthers.

Bad 24 hours overall at TGS, as Mort's widow, Sylvia, passed away last night after a long battle with cancer. Not unexpected, she had been touch-and-go for the last 10 days. We will run a little tribute to her in this week's TGS, as well as the first half of the Super Bowl story. Paul, I moved mention of your name to an earlier part of the story, right before I start to rate the games, which I'll do in reverse order in the Sheet over the next 2 weeks.

As for the AFC title game, Big Ben was simply superb, and the Steeler play-calling was A+, as they came out throwing (as they did at Indy), got that important lead, and simply kept the Bronco pass rush off of Big Ben, which was the key in the game. During the season, the Broncos didn't generate much of a pass rush, except when they blitzed, and today, Lynch and the others were pretty much neutralized. Foxworth was also really exploited in the 2ndary, and Bailey didn't make the big plays I expected. In fact, I was somewhat shocked at Denver's poor pass coverage.

The whole game was inside-out from what I expected. The Steelers jumped out quickly and dictated the tempo, and rendered Denver's offensive balance somewhat useless in the process. I expected just the opposite to happen.

Should have known it wasn't Denver's day when Champ, looking at 6 the other way, botched that pick in the 1st Q, and it ended up a ricochet Steeler completion for a 1st down instead.

Sports losses still wash away easily, however, and I will hardly dwell on this one, as Pittsburgh was simply better today. Denver's AFC title game mark thus falls to 6-2. This one does not hurt as much as that other loss, 10-7 vs. the Bills in the '91 AFC title, when the Broncos could have won. And they had yet to win a Super Bowl at that time, when I was beginning to wonder if I would ever live to see it. Besides, I could be my good friend Greg Pappas, head basketball coach at Hope International, an NAIA school in Fullerton. His Royals fell to 0-17 last night with a 90-65 loss at nearby Vanguard University, and a winless season (ouch!) appears in the offing for Paps.

I can still pop in my DVDs on 1997 & 1998 any time I want to relive a Broncos Super Bowl. Those are still recent enough in the memory banks to keep me satisfied for a long time.

Congratulations to the Men of Steel. They didn't even need Lynn Swann today.

By the way, was that Dan Rooney, or Dan Gray's papa, my favorite horse trainer and Notre Dame alum, Mr. Mike McGee, congratulating Bill Cowher at the end of the game?

A thought on football rules

Brucie:

Here's something that I can't remember having considered previously but which might need a review by the NFL rules committee in light of a sequence in last week's Colts-Steelers game. With ball on the Steelers 1, the Colts were whistled for a false start, moving the ball back to the 6. On the very next play, the Steelers were called offside, but this was marked off as a half-the-distance penalty. So the ball was on the 3.

It just doesn't seem right that these aren't "off-setting penalties", given the nature of the infractions and the sequence on consecutive plays. Maybe you can lobby for the Quad Squad Rule: "When penalties of similar yardage are called on consecutive plays in the red zone, first on the offense and then on the defense, then the net result of these penalties will be to place the ball at the line of scrimmage of the play preceding the first penalty". We could be famous!

Title Tilts

Sorry, Brucie, I picked the wrong road team to win by 17. I was quietly pulling for the Broncos - quietly, because the Broncos are hated by Angela for what they did to the Browns in the '80's. Explaining this dynamic to Emmy, she responded: "Mom, you're such an Italian woman - you hold grudges!" I explained to Emmy that while I was no Broncos' fan, I was hoping for Bruce's sake that they would win. Angela then said: "Well, tell Bruce I feel a little bit bad that his team lost, but not really". So there you have it from the Doc Paul household on the AFC Championship Game.

I thought that Carolina would be the team that came out and played under control, and that the Seahawks would be over-pumped and having to deal with a woozy running back. Less than a quarter into it, Goings' bell has been rung and Seattle is dictating the pace of the game.

Good thing I am a fan and not a bettor! I'll stick to stocks for financial risk-taking (last week from my retirement portfolio I sold 1/3 of my Apple stock @ 86 and another 1/3 @ 82, and I still have 1/3 - my entry price, split-adjusted, was in the low teens. Of course, I should have sold what I held in my personal portfolio, but didn't- d'oh!).

Carolina needs a TD before the half to get back into this game. Here's hoping - not that I am pulling for one side or the other, just that I want to see a great finish. Darn - Steve Smith's punt return was just called back. Back to the game....

WOW! They picked up the flag - I thought it was a weak call, but I don't think I have ever seen that happen. Maybe I will get my hoped-for great game after all.

How 'Bout Those Steelers????!!!!!

Quite an impressive performance, don't you think? It's looking even better for Lynn Swann....

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Silver Anniversaries

I was seventeen years old when the hostages were released and Reagan sworn in on the same day. I experienced a palpable sense of a bright future that day, a far different feeling from the national loser feeling that Jimmy Carter bequeathed the nation. The Kinks' song Catch Me Now I'm Falling summed up the Carter Era as well as anything else:


I remember, when you were down
And you needed a helping hand
I came to feed you
But now that I need you
You won't give me a second glance
Now I'm calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I'm falling

Help me now I'm calling you
Catch me now I'm falling
I'm in your hands, it's up to you
Catch me now I'm falling

I remember when you were down
You would always come running to me
I never denied you and I would guide you
Through all of your difficulties
Now I'm calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I'm falling

Help me now I'm calling you
Catch me now I'm falling
I'm in your hands, it's up to you
Catch me now I'm falling

When you were broke you would come to me
And I would always pull you round
Now I call your office on the telephone
And your secretary tells me that she's sorry,
But, you've gone out of town.

This is Captain America calling
This is Captain America calling

Help me now I'm calling you
Catch me now I'm falling
I'm in your hands, it's up to you
Catch me now I'm falling

Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling

I stood by you through all of your depressions
And I lifted you when you were down
Now it's your chance to do the same for me
I call your office and your secretary tells me
That you've gone out of town

This is Captain America calling
This is Captain America calling

Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling

I was the one who always bailed you out
Of your depressions and your difficulties
I never thought that you would let me down
But the next time you're in trouble
Better not come running to me

Now I'm calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling

Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling



Reagan's inauguration said "Captain America is back - now you all better mind your p's and q's". No more whining, no more malaise, no more excuses. The release of the hostages that same day provided a wonderful exclamation point, and served as a symbol of the renewed sense that America wasn't taking this shit anymore. Sadly, JC's bequest also included the Islamic Republic of Iran; for that smacked behind to have the gall to say anything critical about any of his successors in the arena of public affairs is yet more evidence of his misguided self-regard - and that he gets a platform from which to air it at all bespeaks the cluelessness of the MSM.

It's sad that the fecklessness of this loser 25 years after he left office endangers the entire world's future, and it's hard to believe that he is afforded any respect, rather than be treated as the architect of the regime that may lead us into a full-scare global shooting war with nukes. Thanks, Jimmy!

The original "Glory Roaders"...



While the national and very politcally-correct sports media goes ga-ga for the Glory Road movie, I wonder if one of them will take the time to talk about the 1962-63 Loyola Chicago NCAA winners, who went through everything, if not more, than Texas Western did three years later.

Check out the referenced link, and read the capsules about the NCAA tourney games vs. Mississippi State and Illinois, and then the recounting of the post-title celebrations on the quaint little campus by the lake, and how the various Chicago media outlets of the day covered the events.

I haven't seen Glory Road yet, but I'm hoping there is some mention of George Ireland's 1962-63 Loyola Ramblers somewhere in the movie.

By the way, as I listened and watched the Loyola-Butler game the other night on the internet, Jerry Harkness was the special halftime guest, and stayed with the Loyola announcing team into the 2nd half. I have heard nothing but good things about Harkness, and what a fine gentleman he is, and that certainly was apparent in the interview. Harkness lives in Indianapolis these days, where he owns a couple of sporting goods stores, and occasionally does the after-dinner speaking circuit. He was back at Loyola last week to talk to students about MLK, whom he apparently had met in the '60s, perhaps after King moved to Chicago. Harkness' type of story is one we hear too little of in the media, how he became a successful businessman and credit to society. His story is one that should be told, and one that the hip-hop generation of today could learn from...

Late playoff predictions...

I am worried that Paulie's call on the Carolina-Seattle game might be the correct one. From a Denver point of view, Carolina is the scariest team left in the field. If DeShaun Foster can't go vs. the Seahawks, that could pose a minor problem, but the Panthers have gone to battle with the serviceable Nick Goings before, and they can win with him, even though he doesn't bring quite the dimension to the offense that Foster does.

If Delhomme throws more than 2 picks on Sunday, Carolina is in trouble. But Jake's playoff QB rating is one of the best ever. Short of that sort of implosion, I think the Panthers win.

Speaking of Jakes, Denver will beat Pittsburgh unless Plummer reverts to his old habits. The Broncos match up very well fundamentally with the Steelers because they are stout vs. the run, and have big-play guys in the 2ndary to limit Roethlisberger through the air. Champ is a great matchup on Hines Ward. Denver is a better-balanced team offensively, and look for Shanahan to take advantage of Jake's mobility to diffuse some of the Steeler defensive pressure that rattled Manning last week and devoured Kitna two weeks ago.

The real key will be the pace of the game, however, because if Denver can jump ahead 7-0, or 10-0, it will make Cowher's men play from behind. True, Big Ben was passing the ball effectively early last week at Indy, when the Colts were gearing to stop the run, and Pittsburgh deserves a lot of respect because it proved it was capable of seizing the momentum at Indy with some creative play-calling in the 1st half. Acknowledge that the Men of Steel did rally from a deficit at Cincy in the wild card game. But the Bengals were imposters by the end of the season, and without Carson Palmer, the limited Kitna-led Cincy offense was unable to stem to tide of momentum that shifted to Pittsburgh in the 2nd half. None of that is going to be relevant if the Steelers fall behind in Denver, however, and it will be a bit of a troubling scenario for Pittsburgh if Roethlisberger is forced to throw when the Steelers are trailing in this game. The dynamics change completely, and the Steelers are simply not constructed to play from behind...at a place like Denver, that is.

Denver is getting very little respect from the oddsmakers, or, should I say, the wagering public, which is consistent with the coverage it received the entire season, with almost all of the attention on the Colts. The home-field edge is enormous in Denver, especially this year, which negates some of the Steeler road prowess (acknowledge Pittsburgh has won 15 of its last 17 away, which is awfully impressive). The Broncos are outstanding, and they have been near-flawless since the opener at Miami, losing only a last-second game at the Giants (when the refs helped Eli enormously) and a close one at dangerous Kansas City.

Don't want to look past Pittsburgh, but if it's Broncos-Seahawks in SB XL, Denver will win comfortably. Cannot say the same about Denver-Carolina, which would be a great game. In either case, and even if the Steelers sneak in there, ABC is probably gnashing its teeth for its last Super Bowl, lamenting that more "high-profile" teams aren't in the big game, and that their dreamed-about Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl (Indy-Giants) is no longer possible.

A part of me buys some of that "conspiracy" talk from the Steelers after the Indy game. It doesn't have to be overt, but refs are human, too, and subconsciously the desire to get the Colts and the beloved league poster-child Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl might have slightly (?) influenced Pete Morelli on that atrocious call reversal on Polamalu's pick last week. By comparison, the perception of Jake Plummer, with his mountain-man beard, is probably not "the image" the league wants to promote. Unlike Manning, Plummer's current endoresement value doesn't stretch beyond Arapahoe County, but there is a diamond beneath the rough, because if the Broncos go all the way, Gillette or a razor company would probably pay big bucks for Plummer to shave that beard, and look at the clean-shaven Jake and listen to him talk, and compare him to near-indecipherable drawl of Manning, and Plummer ought to have plenty of commercial upside, too (if his team goes all the way, that is). And by all accounts, Jake is the consummate teammate and leader, enormously popular on the team, and this year's version of Plummer is nothing like the old, erratic Jake from the past. That alone qualifies Shanahan and Gary Kubiak as near-geniuses, especially if they can keep this new and improved Plummer going for two more games.

Let's tee 'em up!...

Gary Sinise -- Celebrity, Great American and Patriot

Kudos to Gary Sinise for using his influence to promote a long-term strategy of freedom in Iraq. Together with Laura Hillenbrand (author of "Seabiscuit"), this forward-thinking actor created "Operation Iraqi Kids" a non-profit organization that addresses the critical educational needs of Iraqi children -- the people who will carry the torch of freedom in future years.

Unlike most America-bashing celebrities, Gary understands the importance of helping today's Iraqi children develop into that country's leaders of tomorrow, thus ensuring that our Soldiers' sacrifices were not in vain.

He's restored my faith that at least one person in Hollywood gets it. Wonder if any of the Tinseltown Hyprocrites who claim to be so concerned with innocent Iraqis will actually put their money where their mouth is by donating school supplies. Not as much fun for them as maligning President Bush, but definitely more constructive.

Sister Mary Elephant

I sent this to my grade school best buddy, Andy Arriviello. I thought you might find it amusing...


Andy:

I think you'll get a kick out of this. I picked up Dom last night after ski club ended, and on the way home was asking him about his day at school. As we talked, I was reminded of the skit "Sister Mary Elephant" from Cheech and Chong. When we got home, I downloaded it from the iTunes Music Store, and we have been playing it over and over, just like you and I used to replay the vinyl album ("Big Bambu" - but that's cheating, because I didn't remember the album name until I looked it up).

Luca laughs uncontrollably when he hears it and has this bad habit of imitating the "Shut up!" scream at full volume. Angela looks at us and wonders what the heck is so funny. Maybe it's a guy thing. Or a Catholic school thing. Or the combination of the two.

One other Cheech and Chong memory: I remember I had a birthday party at my house and we had one of their albums playing. My Uncle Al was hanging out behind the bar, taking it all in. I don't remember the specific skit, but the eff word was about to be uttered, and you alertly got up and turned off the record. Ah, memories!


Funny, but my kids only know of Cheech Marin as the kinda-sorta uncle to the "Spy Kids". Tommy Chong is not on their pop culture radar at all.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Predictions... because I have been so good previously

Heh. Anyway, FWIW, here are some guesses:

Denver 26 Pittsburgh 23: A game for the ages. Dolores will be sweeping Bruce up off the floor after he collapses in excitement and exhaustion.

Carolina 27 Seattle 10: Once again, Fox has his team ready, and with a limited running game, the Seahawks have to rely too much on the pass after falling into early hole.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Beverly Hillbillies/QuadSquad connection...

Here's an interesting bit of Beverly Hillbillies trivia..I work in the building that was pictured as the "Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills," home of Milburn Drysdale and Miss Hathaway!

Maybe that means Mr. Drysdale and Mort Olshan bumped into each other once in a while!

Check out the link to Santa Clara alum Max Baer Jr.'s hotel/casino project in Carson City...

Whatever Became of ... ( TV Sitcom Characters Division )

Whatever became of :

Milburn Drysdale

Miss Hathaway

Mr. Haney

Goober

Uncle Charley

Fred Mertz

Juan Epstein

Chuck Cunningham

Murray the Cop

Latka Gravas

Arnold Jackson

Mr. Drummond

Grady

Bubba

Bentley

Mr. Roper

May they all rest in peace, or at least in syndication.

Only on the QuadSquad!




An American villainess and an American hero: The Madame and Ed Van Impe

(P.S.-Where else but QuadSquad would we ever see these two pictured together?!?!?)

Democrats and the Race Card

The Democrats are at it again spewing charges that Republicans are racists using the MLK holiday as a back drop. As usual the gutless captive media assisted in this heinous scheme.The Madam went so far as to accuse the Republicans of running the House like a plantation, and not a word about it in the captive media.

This woman really makes me laugh. For eight years her husband literally ran the White House like a plantation, screwing interns and renting out bedrooms and she had no problem with it. I suppose she believes that her far left, Socialist views make her the hip hop candidate. I must concede that she is half right. She may not have any hop, but she certainly has huge hips. In fact, they're almost as big as Ted Kennedy's head.

Let's give the lady a history lesson and take a look at some Democrats and their record on race. Shall we start with Robert " KKK" Byrd. Tip O'Neil used to call him "Sheets". How about Al Gore, Sr. and several other Southern Democrats voting against the Civil Rights Act. This legislation only passed because of Republican support. Let's also not forget her husband's lilly white Cabinet which he exclaimed " looked like America." He was right, it looked like Robert Byrd's America.

Now let's look at the facts. The only African American presently sitting on the Supreme Court was nominated by a Republican president. The first African American to serve as Secretary of State was nominated by another Republican president. Ditto for the first black woman to serve as Secretary of State. By contrast, can you name any similar appointments by the first " black" president himself. No you can't ,because there weren't any. How could this be, if the madam was co - president at the time ?

The real racists are elitest Democratic liberals like the Madam who keep blacks on the "plantation" by doling out federal subsidies in return for votes. This system has destroyed the black family and created generations of "economic slaves."

Which party do think Dr. King would agree truly judges people by the content of their character ? The answer is obvious, even though it's the best kept secret in the captive media.

May the madam and her racist friends wake up to Governor - elect Swann in 11/06 and President - elect Rice in 11/08.

More Fearless Predictions

I think I'm 0 for the playoffs but I know you're all waiting for these picks with baited breath. To recap, it was a great weekend of playoff action although I missed a lot of the action because we took the kids skiing to Montage over the holiday weekend. For Daria's benefit, I ordered a Dr. King cake right after New Years and the lady at the bakery laughed at me. Once again I was shut out and had to eat Tastykake.

In any event, it was a tremendous win by the Broncos over the defending champs. It was also a great win by the Steelers, although I believe that the Dungy family tragedy is the real reason the Colts season was ruined. The AFC title game should be great much like the Broncos - Browns title clashes in the late 80s. Interestingly, it will be Duce Staley's fifth consecutive trip to the championship game (3 with the Eagles and 2 with Steelers). Is this a record Uncle Brucie ? If he loses his 5th consecutive championship game will that be a record ? This poor guy is like the Gene Mauch of the NFL.

In the NFC, the Panthers were very impressive. For some reason, the Bears keep losing first round playoff games at home. Also Seattle looked very good in their win over Washington. Now without further ado, here we go.

NFC Championship Game

Carolina 28 Seattle 24 This team is on a roll despite all of the injuries and John Fox is a great coach. The Seahawks have had a great year, but they're not playoff tested.

AFC Championship Game

Denver 21 Pittsburgh 17 A great playoff run by the Steelers, but the Broncos are awesome at home in the playoffs.

PS Don't bet the mortgage.

January 11 - A great date

January 11, 1976

Flyers 4 Soviet Red Army 1

Van Impe flattened Kharlamov and we ran the " great " Soviet army off the ice the same way we ran them off the battle field.


January 11, 1981

Eagles 20 Dallas 7

Wilbert's TD run the greatest single play in NFL history.


January 11, 1998

Mark's birth. PS Broncos 24 Steelers 21 ( we didn't want to forget you Uncle Brucie ).

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Happy Birthday Ben!

It's Ben Franklin's 300th Birthday! Not sure what Philly has planned to honor the occasion (my guess is they will have special events throughout the year, particularly during the summer), but check out this tribute site to an American Pioneer.

Mondo Cool

Jonah Goldberg is always posting time wasters, which I avoid like the plague, as I often get sucked into such things. This one, however, only take a few seconds and is pretty cool. Enjoy!

Really bad actor

There is an unofficial term in the medical world for certain really aggressive tumors that don't portend a good outcome: "bad actors". One of the young faculty members at Vanderbilt went a step further, and when we would be looking at a case showing a really bad form of cancer, he would call it a "William Shatner". The first time he did this, I had to ask why; he answered "It's a really bad actor". So hope and pray that you or a loved one never has a Shatner.

This video clip will demonstrate why. It's a useful corrective to those of us with teen to young adult children who think that music from the 70's and 80's is cool, therefore so must be our other forms of entertainment. Emmy may feel free to play "Renegade" by Styx every morning, but not this!

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Bravo, Bruce!

A fine job - and I see my lobbying got a few things revised. I really can't argue with the final product, and it makes for entertaining reading. Good thing you have a blog to say as much as you want, because even the capsules, as brief and to the point as they are, add up when there are 39 of 'em.

And thanks for the gracious mention. It was a fun project!

Here's the new and updated Super Bowl rankings!


SUPER BOWLS...WE’VE SEEN ‘EM ALL!
by Bruce Marshall, THE GOLD SHEET Associate Editor


John Elway puts an exclamation point on a great career and a great night for the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII...


It’s been said that time flies when you’re having fun...but this is ridiculous!

Yes, it’s hard to believe that THE GOLD SHEET will be celebrating its 50th season of publishing next autumn. It’s also hard for us to believe that the 40th Super Bowl (XL) will be played February 5 in Detroit. It almost seems like yesterday when they were teeing up the first one at the L.A. Coliseum on January 15, 1967...39 years ago.

And we were there!

So, as the Super Bowl prepares for another renewal, we thought it was time to finally put our knowledge of the event to a new use. Since we’ve been around for all of them, we consider ourselves qualified to rate them, from the best game to the worst game...all 39 of ‘em. We admit, such rankings are highly subjective, and there is no real measurement to help categorize the past games in such an endeavor.

Thus, we simply took matters into our own hands, using our own knowledge and recollections of the games, while considering factors such as late-game drama, overall excitement, big plays, memorable or historic performances, etc., and simply rated them as we remembered them. It turned out to be more tedious than we first expected (how can one seriously differentiate between the merits of Super Bowls IX and XXXI, after all?), but a lot of fun, too. Admittedly, many Super Bowls have been duds, but there have been more good ones than many would believe (some of the best taking place in recent years). For the most part, we tried to rank them on the merits of the games themselves, and should not be taken as all-time rankings of the team(s) involved.

So, for better or worse, here goes. We made attempts to lump the games in groups of nine or ten. The worst games, rated from 31-39, generally had no sustained drama whatsoever, often with one of the teams performing abysmally. The games rated from 21-30 also generally had little drama, but most at least had some highlighted performance by an individual or team. In games 11-20, there was usually something compelling about the game, or individual accomplishments therein. The top ten combined many of the qualities that make up memorable games, and generally offered good to very good excitement and drama.

Enjoy!

The top ten Super Bowls:

1-XXXVIII, New England 32 - Carolina 29 (at Houston)...A rare Super Bowl slugfest with a dramatic finish. Though it took a while for this one to warm up (no scoring until late in 1st half), it turned into a real corker, especially a wild 4th Q (perhaps the best 15 minutes in SB history) that featured three lead changes and a total of 37 points. Carolina, which had rallied to take a 22-21 lead on an 85-yard TD pass from Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad with 6:53 to play, fell behind 29-22 on a Tom Brady-Mike Vrabel TD pass and Kevin Faulk 2-point PAT, only to level matters on a Delhomme-Ricky Proehl scoring pass with 1:08 to play. Brady then led a textbook game-winning drive, ending in Adam Vinatieri’s 41-yard FG at the final gun. Both defenses were spent by the end of the game, when the last team with the ball looked like it was going to win. And XXXVIII deserves to be remembered for the great game it was, rather than Janet Jackson’s malfunctioning wardrobe at halftime.

2-XIII, Pittsburgh 35 - Dallas 31 (at Miami)...Long considered the standard by which great Super Bowls should be measured, this one featured great teams, great players, and great plays, though the most-enduring memory of XIII might be veteran Cowboys TE Jackie Smith dropping a sure TD pass that would have leveled the score in the 3rd Q. It was also an unofficial title bout for “team of the decade,” as each had won two Super Bowls in the ‘70s prior to kickoff. All it lacked was a real down-to-the-wire finish, as a belated Dallas rally in the final few minutes narrowed a 35-17 Steeler lead to the 35-31 final margin, though the last TD, scored with 22 seconds to play, caused apoplexy for many wagerers and Vegas sports books, with the pointspread having bounced between 3½-4½ for much of the previous two weeks!

3-XXIII, San Francisco 20 - Cincinnati 16 (at Miami)...Lots of drama, as despite being outgained by a near 2-to-1 margin, Cincy hung tough thanks to Stanford Jennings’ 93-yard kickoff return TD late in the 3rd Q and a couple of missed FGs by 49er PK Mike Cofer, and even held a late 16-13 lead thanks to a Jim Breech FG with only 3:20 to play. But the incomparable Joe Montana cemented his place in Canton by authoring perhaps the best winning drive in Super Bowl history, taking the 49ers 92 yards to the title, culminating in a 10-yard TD toss to John Taylor with just :34 to play.

4-XXXIV, St. Louis 23 - Tennessee 16 (at Atlanta)...Any game that ends with the trailing team on the 1-yard line has to rate highly! But Mike Jones hauling down Kevin Dyson just short of the goal qualifies as at least the most-electrifying last-play in SB history. Much of this game didn’t suggest such a dramatic finish, however, as the Rams moved methodically to a 16-0 lead late in the 3rd Q before the Titans started to stir. But this game came alive in the 4th Q, as Tennessee rallied to tie before Kurt Warner’s 73-yard TD bomb to Isaac Bruce with just 1:52 to play proved the winning points–and a prelude to some last-second thrills.

5-XXXVI, New England 20 - St. Louis 17 (at New Orleans)...Any Super Bowl decided on the final play (in this case Adam Vinatieri’s 48-yard FG at the gun) merits consideration. Though it took a while for this one to warm up after the underdog Patriots kept the high-powered Rams at bay until the 4th Q, when Kurt Warner rallied St. Louis from 14 points down to a 17-17 tie. Rather, however, than play for overtime (as TV analyst John Madden infamously suggested), New England went for the win in regulation, and Tom Brady led a dramatic drive that resulted in Vinatieri’s game-winning FG.

6-X, Pittsburgh 21 - Dallas 17 (at Miami)...Though generally not regarded as highly as their Titanic battle three years hence, the “bicentennial” Pittsburgh-Dallas clash was a memorable one nonetheless if for no other reason than confirming Steeler WR Lynn Swann’s brilliance with a couple of unforgettable grabs (including a late 64-yard TD catch) en route to a then-SB record 161 receiving yards. No matter Swann’s heroics, this one turned out a bit closer than Pittsburgh fans would have liked due to Roger Staubach’s 34-yard TD pass to Percy Howard (Howard’s only career catch) with 1:48 to play, then, after getting the ball back in the last minute, moving close enough for Staubach to bomb towards the endzone from inside the Steeler 40 in the final seconds, before Glen Edwards’ pick finally sealed the game on the last play.

7-XXXII, Denver 31 - Green Bay 24 (at San Diego)...Breaking a 13-year run of NFC Super Bowl dominance, the underdog Broncos finally prevail after four SB failures in an exciting game that might be best remembered for QB John Elway’s “helicopter” scramble that secured a key 1st down on a 3rd Q Denver TD drive. Though it was RB Terrell Davis who ended up the game’s MVP with 157 yards rushing and 3 TDs, the last of those a game-winning 1-yard blast with only 1:45 to play.

8-XIV, Pittsburgh 31 - L.A. Rams 19 (at Pasadena)...Often overlooked, this game featured plenty of spectacular plays and a gutsy performance by the underdog Rams, who actually led after each of the first 3 quarters of play. A 25-yard HB-option TD pass from Lawrence McCutcheon to Ron Smith gave the Rams their final lead at 19-17, but XIV is remembered for the spectacular play of Steeler wideouts Swann and John Stallworth, the latter catching a73-yard bomb from Bradshaw to put the men of Steel up for good at 24-19 and then effectively sealing the deal with another highlight-reel, 45-yard grab to set up Franco Harris’ late, clinching TD.

9-III, N.Y. Jets 16 - Baltimore 7 (at Miami)...The historical significance of this one (first AFL win after Green Bay wins the previous two years) demands its inclusion in the top ten. It also made Joe Namath famous after his brash “guarantee” of victory before the game. The Jet defense, RB Matt Snell (121 yards rushing and scorer of New York’s lone TD), PK Jim Turner (3 FGs), and Colt sloppiness (5 TOs) also figured prominently in game that seemed almost surreal as it unfolded, since few figured the 18-point underdog Jets had a chance to make things interesting, much less win!

10-XVII, Washington 27 - Miami 17 (at Pasadena)...An entertaining Super Bowl that seems to have been forgotten by many gridiron historians, except perhaps for John Riggins’ exploits that included a then-SB record 166 yards rushing and a memorable, 43-yard TD run on a 4th down play with 10 minutes to play that finally put the Skins ahead for good. Miami didn’t do much offensively (only 176 yards of offense and a mere 4 pass completions combined between QBs David Woodley & Don Strock), but stayed close thanks to Jimmy Cefalo’s 76-yard TD reception and Fulton Walker’s SB-record 98-yard kickoff return TD.

Super Bowls ranked 11-20:

11-V, Baltimore 16 - Dallas 13 (at Miami)...Though perhaps the sloppiest Super Bowl with 11 turnovers, it nonetheless produced the first dramatic finish in SB history when Colts rookie PK Jim O’Brien nailed a 32-yard FG with only 5 seconds to play. Earl Morrall, one of the goats of SB III, relieved John Unitas at QB and performed admirably for the Colts, who still needed a couple of late picks by Rick Volk and, finally, Mike Curtis to set up the tying and winning scores deep in the 4th quarter.

12-XXV, N.Y. Giants 20 - Buffalo 19 (at Tampa)...Drama-wise, this one might deserve to rate a bit higher, as it wasn’t decided until Bills PK Scott Norwood shoved his last-second, 47-yard FG just wide to the right. The Giants’ ball-control tactics were brutally effective (they controlled the ball for over 40 minutes) vs. the high-powered, favored Bills, but didn’t make for particularly entertaining viewing in a rather tedious affair.

13-XVI, San Francisco 26 - Cincinnati 21 (at Pontiac)...The early-version Bill Walsh 49ers didn’t yet have Jerry Rice or Roger Craig, but they did have Joe Montana and an underrated supporting cast that was in control of this entertaining game a bit more than the final score suggests. Credit the Bengals for making it a bit more interesting when rallying from a 20-0 halftime deficit, though a dramatic goal-line stand (and a big tackle on Pete Johnson from unsung 49er LB Dan Bunz) kept Cincy at bay. An unsung hero was 49er PK Ray Wersching, who hit 4 FGs and helped keep the Bengals in bad field position with effective kickoffs.

14-XXX, Dallas 27 - Pittsburgh 17 (at Tempe)...The Steelers made this a more-compelling game than many anticipated, rallying from an early 13-0 deficit to close within 20-17 in the 4th Q, and might have pulled the upset had Cowboy DB (and game MVP) Larry Brown not made the second of his two picks deep in the 4th Q, setting up Dallas’ clinching TD.

15-XXXI, Green Bay 35 - New England 21 (at New Orleans)...Plenty of big plays, including a Super Bowl-record 99-yard kick return TD by Green Bay’s Desmond Howard (game MVP) that effectively ended the upstart Patriots’ upset hopes in the 3rd Q. But the Packers always appeared in control, and the only late drama surrounded Green Bay’s attempts to cover the 14-point spread (a late missed FG by Chris Jacke kept the final margin at 14).

16-I, Green Bay 35 - Kansas City 10 (at Los Angeles)...Historically, perhaps the most-important Super Bowl of them all. No one knew what to expect, and the fact the underdog AFL Chiefs were definitely in the game at halftime, trailing the powerful Packers only 14-10, opened more than a few eyes (we know, we were there!). This one was a lot more interesting than many historians would lead you to believe.

17-IV, Kansas City 23 - Minnesota 7 (at New Orleans)...There was always a delightful symmetry attached to this game, as it evened the AFL-NFL ledger at 2 wins apiece before the merger and shut up the numerous “NFL supremacists” once and for all. Surprisingly one-sided, with the brilliant and creative game plan of Hank Stram immortalized by NFL Films.

18-XXXIX, New England 24 - Philadelphia 21 (at Jacksonvile)...The final score of the most-recent SB suggests it might warrant a better ranking. But the game never had a real flow to it, there were few memorable plays, and indeed the enduring memories of XXXIX are the Eagles taking their sweet time in a late drive that demanded more urgency, and Terrell Owens’ post-game complaints about Donovan McNabb. Hardly a classic.

19-IX, Pittsburgh 16 - Minnesota 6 (at New Orleans)...A taut affair (with a 2-0 halftime score!) dominated by the Steel Curtain defense, which held the Vikes to a SB-low 117 yards. Indeed, Minnesota’s offense didn’t score, but a blocked-punt TD in the 4th Q did get the Vikings within 9-6 and suggested a possible dramatic finish before game MVP Franco Harris (a then-SB record 158 yards rushing) put the game away.

20-VII, Miami 14 - Washington 7 (at Los Angeles)...Added significance because it was the final installment of the Dolphins’ perfect 17-0 season. But the game was mostly a bore after the Dolphins took control in the 1st half, with the “No-Name” defense throttling the Skins for most of the day. Became mildly interesting in the 4th Q after Garo Yepremian’s infamous flubbed FG and Mike Bass’ subsequent TD return, but that was about the only drama of the afternoon.

Super Bowls ranked 21-30:

21-XX, Chicago 46 - New England 10 (at New Orleans)...Although this game was absolutely no contest, it was a bit more entertaining than other Super Bowl blowouts simply because the Bears were such a colorful (and absolutely dominating) bunch.

22-XXIV, San Francisco 55 - Denver 10 (at New Orleans)...The biggest-ever SB blowout lacked any drama whatsoever. But San Francisco’s dominance was so complete, and, indeed, breathtaking, that we felt almost privileged to watch such excellence.

23-XIX, San Francisco 38 - Miami 16 (at Palo Alto)...Unless you were a 49er fan, this one was a disappointment, as it failed to live up to its much-hyped, “shootout” billing. The San Francisco defense, however, made sure there was no drama by muffling Dan Marino and his record-setting Dolphin offense, while Joe Montana & Co. toyed with an overmatched Miami stop unit.

24-XXI, N.Y. Giants 39 - Denver 20 (at Pasadena)...This was a bit more competitive than the Broncos’ other one-sided SB losses, as Denver performed ably in the first half and even led at intermission, 10-9. But the game became a runaway before the 3rd Q ended when the Giants erupted behind Phil Simms’ deadly accuracy (completed 22 of 25 passes!) en route to a then-SB record one half record for points (30 of ‘em!).

25-VIII, Miami 24 - Minnesota 7 (at Houston)...A surprisingly non-competitive game, as most figured the Vikings, with Fran Tarkenton back at the controls, rated a good chance. Instead, the outcome was never in doubt past the 1st Q, with the Dolphins practically disdaining the pass (Bob Griese only threw the ball 7 times!) and instead bludgeoning the Vikes behind Larry Csonka’s 145 yards rushing. A more impressive Miami win than in the Super Bowl vs. the Redskins the previous year.

26-II, Green Bay 33 - Oakland 14 (at Miami)...The Super Bowl concept was still enough of a novelty in January of 1968 that just seeing AFL and NFL teams on the same field was something special. Unlike the previous year, however, Green Bay was in control from the outset and never seriously threatened. This SB would eventually gain more notoriety for being Vince Lombardi’s last game as Packers HC.

27-XVII, L.A. Raiders 38 - Washington 9 (at Tampa)...Another good-looking matchup that failed to materialize, the outcome essentially decided by Jack Squirek’s 5-yard interception return TD off an ill-advised Joe Theismann screen pass just 5 seconds before halftime. Indeed, the Raider dominance was somewhat startling, with CBs Mike Haynes & Lester Hayes blanketing the Skin wideouts. A number of highlight-reel runs by Marcus Allen (en route to a then-SB record 191 yards rushing) provided some excitement after the outcome was decided.

28-XII, Dallas 27 - Denver 10 (at New Orleans)...What shaped up as an intriguing matchup failed to deliver as expected, as Denver self-destructed with 6 turnovers and QB Craig Morton was banished to the bench in the 3rd Q. Although the Broncos rallied briefly behind backup QB Norris Weese, the Cowboys’ arsenal of weapons were too much, with a couple of spectacular TDs (Butch Johnson’s acrobatic 45-yard TD catch from Staubach, and an option pass from RB Robert Newhouse to WR Golden Richards) sealing the outcome in the 2nd half.

29-VI, Dallas 24 - Miami 3 (at New Orleans)...Although the outcome was still in doubt at halftime, when Dallas led only 10-3, the Cowboys quickly took control in the 3rd Q, and Miami didn’t threaten thereafter. The enduring memory of this game was RB Duane Thomas’ famous one-word answer (“evidently”) to a long-winded question from CBS broadcaster Tom Brookshier on the postgame show.

30-XXXVII, Tampa Bay 48 - Oakland 21 (at San Diego)...This game was almost more interesting for its ironies (none greater than HC Jon Gruden, in his first year with the Bucs after leaving Oakland) than any action on the field. The Raiders made it mildly interesting in the 4th Q, cutting a 34-3 deficit to 34-21, before the Bucs capped the game with a pair of exclamation points in the form of two interception TDs in the last two minutes, their 2nd and 3rd such scores of the contest!

Super Bowls ranked 31-39:

31-XXVII, Dallas 30 - Buffalo 13 (at Atlanta)...Even when the favored Cowboys seemed to sleepwalk through the 1st half, trailing 13-6 at intermission, there seemed to be an inevitablity about XXVII that the Bills would again find a way to lose, as they had done in the three previous Super Bowls. It took James Washington’s 46-yard fumble return for a 3rd Q TD to finally turn the tide, and Dallas never seemed in danger thereafter, with Buffalo providing little resistance in the 2nd half and surrendering meekly in the end.

32-XXXIII, Denver 34 - Atlanta 19 (at Miami)...Denver finally got to enjoy an easy Super Bowl win in a contest that lacked any sustained drama, with the Broncos up by as much as 31-6 in the 4th Q. In the aftermath, there would be a nice "feel good" factor as John Elway, in what would be his final game, was named MVP following his 336-yard passing night.

33-XII, Oakland 32 - Minnesota 14 (at Pasadena)...The Vikings were simply manhandled in a battle that lacked much intrigue after the Raiders moved easily to a 16-0 halftime lead and cruised home. Oakland’s dominance was reflected in a then SB-record 266 yards rushing, with vet DB Willie Brown’s 75-yard interception return TD a nice capper in the 4th quarter.

34-XXIX, San Francisco 49 - San Diego 26 (at Miami)...Though the final margin wasn’t as large as some other famous SB beatings, this game was every bit as one-sided as the worst of them, as the 49ers appeared capable of scoring whenever they pleased before easing up in the 2nd half. Complete mismatch.

35-XV, Oakland 27 - Philadelphia 10 (at New Orleans)...A disappointing showing by the Eagles, who were down 14-0 before the 1st Q ended, contributed heavily to an absolute lack of drama in XV. Three TD passes by Jim Plunkett and 3 picks by Raider LB Rod Martin highlighted the surprisingly one-sided proceedings.

36-XXVI, Washington 37 - Buffalo 24 (at Minneapolis)...More one-sided than the final might indicate, as the Redskins enjoyed 24-0 & 37-10 leads before a couple of garbage-time Buffalo TDs made the final more respectable. Thurman Thomas forgetting about his helmet at the start of the game summed up a dispirited Bills effort.

37-XXVII, Dallas 52 - Buffalo 17 (at Pasadena)...The Bills’ capitulation was particularly onerous because they simply didn’t seem so overmatched in this game. But their almost-comical nine turnovers precluded this from becoming the competitive affair most envisioned. Buffalo’s only highlight was WR Don Beebe streaking downfield to slap the ball out of Leon Lett’s hand before the latter would have scored one last TD for the rampant Cowboys.

38-XXII, Washington 42- Denver 10 (at San Diego)...This one ceased to be a competitive affair about midway in the 2nd Q, when the Redskins were in the midst of the most-devastating stanza in SB history. The startling 35 points (including four Doug Williams TD passes) in that period required only 18 plays in the five TD drives and set a one-quarter SB scoring record that will be hard to top, and it was all the more amazing because Denver had looked ready to score an early KO of its own when it jumped to a quick 10-0 lead. When the carnage was complete, Washington had amassed a SB record 602 yards, and heretofore obscure RB Timmy Smith gained a SB-record 204 yards rushing. We still can’t figure out if XXII was simply one of the great efforts by one team in a title game, or, in Denver’s case, one of the most feeble and humiliating.

39-XXXV, Baltimore 34 - N.Y. Giants 7 (at Tampa)...An exceedingly drab game with little or no drama, dominated by the Ravens defense, which rendered the Giants offense helpless while holding it without a score. Indeed, the only fireworks in XXXV came in bang-bang-bang succession in the 3rd Q, with TDs on successive plays by Baltimore’s Duane Starks (interception), New York’s Ron Dixon (kickoff return), and the Ravens’ Jermaine Lewis (yet another kickoff return). Otherwise, XXXV threatened to put Sominex out of business.

(Thanks to Paul DiGiovanni, TGS scout and gridiron historian, for his contributions to this story)