Patriots Perfect, Go 16-0

Ok I was wrong. The game against the Giants yesterday did not turn out to be a glorified practice. The Giants came out inspired playing mistake free football for the entire first half. In the end the Giants could not keep up with the Pats and a costly interception led to Patriots touchdown and a 38-28 lead. Although Manning's 4th touchdown pass brought the score to within 3 points, the ensuing onsides kick was recovered by Vrabel.
There was scarcely a play that Brady wasn't knocked down or hurried and the Giants defense played a monster game until the 4th quarter. Not enough can be said about how collected Tom Brady is in the pocket, especially in the face of the pressure of the Giants rush. Comparisons to other great pocket passers do no justice, Brady is in a class of his own this season, not only breaking passing records, but more importantly leading his team to an undefeated season.
The Drops. Watson really spooked me on the first two series where he dropped two passes that he probably should have caught. Vrabel had the touchdown pass go through his hands, which, judging by Belichick's trust in him, has to be somewhat surprising. The play wound up being called back on an illegal formation penalty. I guess I have to mention Moss's drop the play before their record breaking touchdown reception. In reality it was a shoestring catch from 50 yards on a ball that he had to turn 180 and come back to, so its not one of those balls I would say, "Should have caught that", but because it was Moss, we expect him to catch everything. The biggest drop I must mention is by Burress, trying to one-hand catch a perfectly thrown Manning pass and instead the ball deflects out of bounds. And then the announcers blamed a poor throw on Manning!
Perfection. The last touchdown pass from Brady to Moss, even though it was not the Patriots last touchdown scored last night, was a triumphant event, not that it was the record breaker, but more of a symbol on the entire season. A perfectly thrown ball, caught in perfect stride, a perfect season.
Wind-up toys. I was surprised that no one mentioned the play of Kevin Faulk in the game. Two or three times Faulk took dump off passes from Brady and stretched them out to their limits and gained hard-fought first down yardage keeping drives alive. The announcers made note of Welker's expertise of finding the stakes, but you have to mention Faulks first down acumen. Like Welker, the first guy usually never takes Faulk down, and most of the yards are made after the catch.
TV. Because this was the first simulcast game on all networks since I can remember, I switched from Channel 4, 5 and 7 to find the best picture. I enjoyed the subdued tint from 5, but their annoying in game announcements would move the picture up and block some of the screen. Notably the scoreboard, which convinced me to try one of the other two stations. 7's colors were disturbingly bright, that hurt my eyes with vibrance. They are trying way too hard at 7. Channel 4's colors were less offensive and they winded up getting the call at my house, although I have to mention brief forays into the end of the WVU-Oklahoma overtime basketball game, the Celtics and Broken Trail on AMC.
Can't wait until the playoffs.

Things I'm Over in 2007

Here's a great list of things we would be thankful to miss in '08:

-Anything Paris. (The ho, not the City.)
-Anything Spears, Lohan, Simpson, Barton, Richie...Ad Nausaeum
-Reality TV, Celebrity this and that, "challenges" where people are given tasks, have meltdowns like 3 year olds and become celebrities in their own right.
-Crappy Rap music and the "culture" it promotes.
-Dumbing down of our nation
-Plastic surgery "breakthroughs"
-Pharmaceuticals that we don't need but we should have because of all the money spent on very expensive commercials have to justify the costs.
-Business buzzwords
-"I Approve this Message" Message.
-Getting Tasered, Bros!
-Little kids who order their parents around, and the parents that are okay with it!
-People who want to treat Lobsters (and goose livers) like human beings with feelings.
-People who think that their pit bulls would never mangle a little kids' face, because they "done know how to train a dawg".
-Our national lack of personal accountability.
-Kids that can't put a grammatically correct sentence together, but gradute high school anyway.
-People who blame teachers for their parental shortcomings.
-Divorced perople (and others) who berate gays for "ruining the sanctity of marriage".
-High speed police chases in thickly settled neighborhoods, and cops who are above the law.
-Entitled kids and adults.
-Keeping up with the proverbial joneses.
-SUV drivers who complain about the price of gas.
-That it costs over $4 for a cup of burnt coffee.
-Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty and every other druggie hipster disguised as musicians who are glorified by MTV, Rollingstone and GQ day after day, month after month. Enough already!
-"This is our country"
-The Chevy HHR - world's ugliest production car just won't disappear.
-Red Sox Nation - I'm as big a fan as any other person who's lived in Boston their whole life, but for god's sake, give it a rest.
-"Retailers are seeing disappointing sales this holiday season" reports
-Ron Paul and his legion of digg supporters
-"I'm a PC... and I'm a Mac" smugness

Boston.com posts 12.28.07

Blog Riotus One Year Anniversary

It's been an interesting year for Blog Riotus. The blog started out as a way to put down my thoughts on "paper" and it has turned into something completely unexpected. Just kidding, this blog is read by only a few, perhaps less than there was when I started. I did, however, learn alot about writing, trying to up date a blog on a minimum of at least once a week is definitely difficult, especially when there is a lot going down at the old job. I am definitely not hanging it up though and I feel like this blog has become my little pet project to keep me checking back. I have acquired the internet addiction, and separation anxiety ensues when I cannot get to the emails.

Patriots' Last Stop before Playoffs

The reality is looking towards 16-0. Although it is unpatriotic to count your chickens so to speak, the Giants will have no real advantage in trying to compete with the Patriots compared with their opponents of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game and the game should be a fleeted victory. While the Giants may shake things up in the first half to try out some novelties, by the 2nd half, their starters should be sitting unless the game is less than 7 points. Then I could see Coughlin riding the game along until it is beyond concluded. But I don’t really see this happening and a few early Patriots scores should seal up any NFL competitiveness being displayed by half-time. That is not to say that the Patriots will not “practice” against the Giants.

Everyone is saying that no team, save the Colts, stands a chance against New Englans in the playoffs (and super bowl). This could not be any farther from the truth. Sure the Pats are a dominant team. But undefeatable? C’mon. We scratched out victories over the Eagles and Ravens, were effected by weather against the Jets and almost had a close one and then this past week defeated the worst team in the NFL by a final score of only 28-7 (More on that later). There is no such thing as automatic, and those who think this year’s Super Bowl run will be paved with yellow bricks should learn about the NFL. (The Pats were 14 point underdogs beating the League favorite Rams in 2001.) Everyteam will be hungry for upsets and every potential opponent will be seeking revenge (Pats beat Colts, Bolts, Steelers, Browns and have always been a roadblock to the playoff bound Jags). The scores may indicate an easy victory but there will be no more easy teams to play following the final regular season game.

Last week, my friend and I had the luxury of attending the Pats-Fins game sitting in 40 yard line club seats, enjoying the comforts of credit-card bought Guinness at the club bar and the warmth of the indoor concourse. There was just enough feel of a game to make it authentic, but it was a tease to see what real money can buy you at Gillette. We left in the early 4th quarter and wouldn’t have missed any important plays after the Dolphins touchdown. Of course everyone was disappointed not to see Brady throw a record tying third touchdown (49 TDs) in the game, but in all, it was a victory and we must learn not to be spoiled by the grandeur experienced so far, and begin to accept victory no-matter how stat-unfriendly. Brady’s two picks were a bit of a surprise inasmuch as he has not made many mistakes in prior games.

At halftime, I predicted a trouncing (56-0), especially after a late goal-line turnover on downs where the Dolphins were looking to punch in a 4th down touchdown instead of taking a field goal’s momentum into the second half. Instead, Lemon pulled up a lemon, running out of bounds before the pylon and thwarting a Miami touchdown. I have no idea why he didn’t take the Vrabel hit and score. If it were a HS game, you could give the afraid-to-take-a-hit excuse, but in the pros, that kind of explanation would be career crippling, not to mention embarrassing. But instead of coming out in the second half and annihilating the hapless Dolphins, the Patriots were a ghost of their first-half presence and instead of the trounce, the Dolphins actually scored. The lesson: you can never predict what is going to happen with this Patriots team outside of victory. I am hoping and predicting for a successful Patriots super bowl run, but I don’t think I will be able to predict how it’s going to be done, outside of them scoring more points than the opponent. Well, I think its safe to say Brady will be connecting to Moss for a few TDs.

Patriots lumber past Jets, Continue perfect trend 14-0

The Patriots prevailed through the miserable conditions at Gillette and beat the Jets today 20-10. The Jets tried to mount a comeback late in the second half, but a Gostkowski FG from 34 yards out and a game ending sack of Pennington sealed the victory. Special teams were key on the day with a 1st quarter touchdown (via interception) coming off a punt that pinned the Jets inside their own 5 and a Maroney TD run set up by a blocked punt. Similarly, the Jets scored their touchdown on a blocked punt. Instead of testing their passing game in spite of the foul weather, the Patriots were satisfied to pound out the running game [with good results]. Maroney accumulated 104 yards on 26 carries and helped dispossess the Jets.

This game proved a few things. The most obvious thing, that no matter what Smerlas and DeOssie say on the Big Show, foul weather does, in fact, hamper the Patriots Offensive luster. Brady's subpar performance was evidence of that. Not that there is anything to really worry about. After all, the running game is not bad at all. Maroney and Faulk are especially capable backs, it's just the proficiency of the passing attack with Brady, Moss and Welker which makes a run-game obsolete...in fair conditions. With the change in weather, the Patriots adjusted early and started handing it off with the line and Maroney responding in turn. The Pats running game is analogous to other teams' passing game. The Pats set up the run with the pass...where as the norm is the other way around. The Pats' opponents are so keyed in on stopping Welker and Moss that the Pats can spread the ball around by handing it off. The defense is so geared for play-action that the run game has a chance to unfold. Perfect for the offense going into the postseason.

Can't say anything bad about the Pats D today. Pennington threw the ball perfectly on a few drives, threading the needle on a few sideline passes and delivering the ball into the lap of a few unsuspecting Jets. With the exception of the first QB option and two 3rd quarter Brad Smith QB runs, I never felt that the Defense lost control; bend-but-not-break, the prevalent mantra. I can't get enough of Seau shooting the gap and making tackles for loss in the backfield. Didn't he pull his bicep doing his patented celebratory punch? Probably not, but intensity of the punch makes me nervous that he may! Adalius Thomas had a dominant game. He was making tackles all over the field.

I'm glad they miked up the worthless postgame coaches handshake. Belichick had a unnerving smile which for the life of me, I could not understand, considering the situation. I would think he would try to act as civil as possible (which he did) but his over the top glee was a little unnecessary considering how inevitable this victory seemed. [Maybe not for him?] The meeting was uneventful and thankfully will not be used as fodder for the national media Belichick feeding frenzy. Can we get over this unnecessary hatred of Belichick. The guy is supposed to be a football coach, not some kind of saint.

Interesting to note some things that Simms had to say today about Spygate. "If the league acted sooner, it would not have received the national attention that it did." The voice of reason is a little late on this issue, but better late than never considering the Pats are nearing a perfect season. Nance and Simms as usual, called a pretty good game for CBS.

Is anyone else tired of Rachel Ray's Dunkin' Donuts commercials? "Delish!" Enough! I was never one to get on the RachelRaySucks.com bandwagon, especially after she began to get national attention with her 30 Minute Meals, but her whoring for Dunkin' Donuts is a little upsetting. I heard on the set making those commercials that after the wrap, she barked out, "Somebody get this shit out of my hands, and get me a starbucks latte!"

More comments on other games... Has anyone heard of a plow in Cleveland today? There was atleast a foot of snow on the field and you could not even see the yard markers. How could Lewis have ~150 yards on the ground and the Browns only score 8? Odd. And how about the heads-up move by Brian Westbrook in the Eagles victory over Dallas in the late game. Running in for a touchdown, he stops and goes down at the Dallas' 1 yard line. By preventing Dallas from getting the ball back, he wins the game for his team. 1) Who has the presence to stop while running into the endzone to intentionally go down, to keep the possession alive and keep it away from the other team? 2) What other player would willfully sacrifice a sure touchdown by intentionally going down at the 1? Not many.

New England Snow Storms

These are some pictures of the snow storms that hit New England 12.13.07 and 12.16.07. The first two are from Windsor, CT on 12.13.07 and the last is from Boston.

Windsor, CT

Digging out, MA

Payne's Prairie Rattlesnake

Moon over Seneca Lake

Best Gunfighter in Western Film History

Which gunslinger would pull faster than all others.

I can't get enough of Westerns. I can't figure out if it's the landscapes, the (simple) characters and plotlines or perhaps the sense of opportunity pervaded by Westerns, but nonetheless, I can't seem to stop watching. I have been made fun of by family and friends for my positive views on Westerns but I can't stop watching them. And why should I?

One of the common themes of Westerns has always been the quick-draw cowboy or gun-hand who's faster than anyone. The prototype Fastest gun, is always involved at the end, and I aim to pick the quickest guns in the fictional west. Only good movies [IMHO] are included.

The Cast: (in no particular order)

Harmonica, [Charles Bronson] Once Upon a Time in the West
Nobody, [Terrence Hill] My Name is Nobody
Django, [Franco Nero] Django
Shane, [Alan Ladd] Shane
Blondie, [Clint Eastwood] The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Jimmie Ringo, [Gregory Peck] The Gunfighter
Paden, [Kevin Kline] Silverado
Frank, [Henry Fonda] Once Upon a Time in the West
Preacher, [Clint Eastwood] Pale Rider
"Rooster" Cogburn, [John Wayne] True Grit

Any others mentions?

Sauerkraut!

Looks inedible but tasted rather good.

Sauerkraut and pork loin with steamed broccoli.

Patriots crush Steelers, improve to 13-0

The Patriots have joined an elite group of teams that have gone undefeated for the first thirteen games in a season and looking forward to the remaining three, it doesn't appear as if there will be any serious obstacles to finish the regular season without a defeat. 16-0. Wow. No matter how much of a Patriots hater, no matter how much you despise/envy/criticize the Patriots for Belichick/Spygate/Running up scores/defeating your team, you must admit beyond any doubt of your biased imagination that what we have seen from the Patriots offense is something we have never seen before. Neither the Greatest Show on Turf, nor the Moss and Carter Vikings, nor the Manning attack is close to the Brady machine. Every part fits comfortably and critically within the machine and the machine functions as a sum total of its parts. Moss stretches the D. Welker slips underneath. Watson stabs into its heart. Faulk is the reliable safety. Stallworth has depth. Gaffney has snaring hands. Brady is Oz and Belichick (and McDaniels) are behind the curtain. It's a well oiled machine. Really, what team lines up in shotgun and passes on fourth and 1?
Ok. You have heard it all before. Either the blueprint or the undefeatable. Either way, stories on the Patriots are getting old, but the stories that come out are still delicious. These are Bob Ryan's "good old days" after all. The Patriots have gone from the scrappy, "lucky" and determined team that squeaked out victories by the slimmest of margins on the back of a quarterback and supporting cast with the calm in critical plays similar to meditating buddhist monks to a team that blows out opponents without mercy. The times have changed. But, football is not a western where good and bad battle it out, and the Patriots are not the bad guys playing football. But they certainly aren't the underdogs anymore and this Goliath has gone up against spreads that are unlike any ever seen. Here's the only problem: With three less-than-capable opponents upcoming, and with the perfect regular season becoming more likely, you must immediately see how hollow a perfect regular season would be if the Patriots stumble beneath the Colts or are outscored by the Cowboys. Losing after 16-0 will make all 16 games look like meaningless exhibitions in a disappointing season.

Quotes to remember

"Choices don't mean a thing when there's nothing good to choose" - Wendy's commercial

"Well done, is better than well said" - Tom Brady responding to a opponent's guarantee for victory against the Patriots. The Patriots won 31-13. (B.Franklin original)

"...fucking cocksuckers..." - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

"in Brazil the men have a saying, 'women are like shadows, when you walk, they follow, when you turn around, they're gone'" - internet post #1

"That's odd, the brasileiras that I know hunt men like tigers." - internet post #2 responding to prior post.

"In America, it's bling bling. But out here it's bling bang." - Danny Archer, Blood Diamond.

"There's nothing sadder to me than associations held together by nothing but the glue of postage stamps. If you can't see or hear or touch a man, it's best to let him go." - Lee, East of Eden

Battleground - Ending March Cadence

Holley: [as they begin marching from the battlefield, passing their replacements as they enter]
Hey, Kinnie - what ever happened to Jody?
Sgt. Kinnie: All right, come on! Come on! What do you want these guys to think, you're a bunch of WACs? Alright, alright pick it up now. Hut, hup, hurrip. Hut, hup, hurrip, four. Hut, hup, hurrip, four. You had a good home but you left...
I Company: You're right!
Sgt. Kinnie: Jody was there when you left...
I Company: You're right!
Sgt. Kinnie: Your Baby was there when you left...
I Company: You're right!
Sgt. Kinnie: Sound off!
I Company: One, two
Sgt. Kinnie: Sound off!
I Company: Three, four.
Sgt. Kinnie: Cadence Count
I Company: One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four!
Sgt. Kinnie: Your baby was lonely - as lonely as could be ...
I Company: Until Jody provided company!
Sgt. Kinnie: Ain't it great to have a pal...
I Company: Who works so hard to keep up morale!
Sgt. Kinnie: You ain't got nothing to worry about...
I Company: He'll keep her happy till I get out!
Sgt. Kinnie: You won't get out until the end of the war...
I Company: In nineteen hundred and seventy-four!
Sgt. Kinnie: Sound off!
I Company: One, two.
Sgt. Kinnie: Sound off!
I Company: Three, four...

Sunday Soup

A soup with tomatoes, rice, red onion, peppers, green beans, corn and turkey. Would have been nice to see some okra and sausage replace the turkey and peppers, but we had to make do.

Taste of the soup itself was great, but the contents did not seem to mesh. I dislike soups that you feel like you have to use a spork for half the bowl's contents.

Grade: C-

SI's Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Every week Peter King's Monday Morning QB article seems to tie together everything that happened during the NFL's week to a T. As well as King seems to include every major and minor story in and out of the subject of NFL Football, I find myself either agreeing or sympathesing with most, if not all of his points. King was brave enough to admit his initial prejudice about Sean Taylor's murder and then follows by including testimonials from those who knew Taylor well about what kind of human being he was.

This week's article also featured the best compliment I think that can be given to a team of modern professional athletes:

"When I watch the Bills, I feel like I'm watching a bunch of guys who would play football for free."

Just awesome. If anyone realized the economic crisis that is crippling the livelihood of Buffalo, NY, they would surely appreciate the effort that the Bills put forth on the field each week in a place where the financial security of both team and fan are equally insecure. The Bills are trying to garner support from "nearby" Toronto to keep the team in western NY. Good luck.