So Here We Go.....
*Will the A's or Raiders ever get a new Stadium? Where might it be?
*Speaking of the Raiders, will Dennis Allen keep his job when he meets with owner Mark Davis this week? I think so, as will General Manager Reggie McKenzie. However, they better have a good draft, and spend some of their freed up money wisely. My gut says Mr. Mark Davis wants to show the football world he is not his father, by allowing the Raiders to have a little continuity. The Raiders need players, period. As I mentioned before, I thought McKenzie's drafts thus far, haven't produced as they've needed. While some of his first two year's picks may develop, he needs to hit a few bull's eyes in the 2014 draft. Allen probably deserves another year, based on the talent of his team. However, I thought he could have shown more creativity in how he used Matt McGloin (I still chuckle when I say that name, it is just to close to McGroin!) and Terrele Pryor. Why not use both at the same time to give opposing defenses something to think about?
*So how about a playoff prediction you say? Well, going into the weekend, all four games had their share of in intrigue, although the Bolts and Bengals probably had the least sex appeal. Isn't it interesting that the Chiefs sat their starters, and they lose a tough, tough game in Indy? If the Chiefs had played their starters the first half, would the Steelers have been in and not the Chargers? Makes a person wonder? The Chargers scrapped last week, and they got in, the Chiefs sat, and now they are out. I am just saying....
*How about a little QB chatter? Andrew Luck might just be my favorite NFL player right now. How you can not like the guy? Poor Andy Dalton....he is not going to sleep for many nights. The second half against the Bolts, painful.
*Way down in the collective pancreases, doesn't everyone really want to see Denver vs. New England, and Seattle vs. San Francisco? Come on now, really? Sure the Bolts are lovable, and the Saints and Panthers are good stories, but wouldn't the aforementioned Big 4 make for a tasty day of football watching? As much as this pains me to write it, wouldn't a Pats/Niners Super Bowl be just grand? Harbaugh vs. Belechik?
East vs. West? Cap vs Brady? What's your problem vs. Spygate? Yum.
*However, in recent memory has there ever been a 12-4 team get less national love than the Carolina Panthers? The Panthers coach, none other than former California Golden Bear Ron Rivera. (Hey Rio Vistans, you may recall Rivera was teammates at Cal with the pride of Rio Vista High, Tim Lucas!) As I keep trying to tell all right coasteners, isn't Northern California the center of the universe? Not just Rivera, but Rodgers, Kap, even Brady all Nor Cal guys. If the Panthers hoist the Lombardi trophy, will it mark the passing of the torch of the quarterback generations so to speak?
*Did you know the Saints Drew Brees and the Eagles Nick Foles went to the same Texas High School? More useless information for the male brain, but impressive none-the-less! Quarterback Tech I would say!
*Thus, it's hard to go against the Seahawks or Niners.....but I just have a sneaky feeling the under the radar Panthers are going to find their way to New Jersey. I also have a feeling this is P. Manning's last hurrah. Thus, while the Niner and Seahawks focus on each other, the Panthers get it. Manning's last big game ends the way so many other of his big games have ended--with a loss. So there you have it, the Carolina Panthers will be your 2014 NFL Champions.
*Did I ever mention that back on January 1, 1984 my parents and a family friend surprised the heck out of me and sent me to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Texas to see the champion of the 6 foot and under club, the man of miracles, Boston College's Doug Flutie. The temperature that day, 32 degrees, with a wind chill of zero. I froze. The aluminum benches a killer. For a California kid, I was seeing the white light. (I rode a horse that trip, and ate okra too on that trip-but those stories best served for another day!) I can't imagine playing in weather under 0 degrees--heck, I wear 2 pairs of thermals when it gets around 40! I almost forgot, I bought one of those Number 1 Foam Fingers and sat on the foam the entire game! The finger, literally saved my frozen bottom!
*Don't look know, but the W's have one 8 in a row--including a win on the road against the mighty mighty Heat. I know this is football weekend and all, but 8 in a row IS 8 in a row. April 6th, A's at 1, Warriors at 6 p.m., have your purchase your tickets yet?
*Speaking of purchasing tickets, spring training right around corner, made reservations? If you haven't, it really is worthwhile trip.
*I have debating on whether to take the family to see the Globetrotters in Fresno next week? In all sincerity, shouldn't everyone see the Trotters live once in a lifetime? Back in the day my brother took me to see these classic entertainers--I believe it was the mid 70s, in the old Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, in the heart of downtown Sac. I remember how fun those guys were--I also remember thinking, being a winless Washington Genneral might be kind of a fun gig as well! The only negative: when they good guys actually missed a shot, at first it was a little disconcerting. As I fondly recall, when the Ballers from Harlem were on the Wide World of Sports--and the Scooby Doo Cartoon--they never, I mean never missed!
*Thus today I toast the Pete Peterson family of Wylie Texas who for a few days in 1983/1984 took me in as one their own. You know, I owe those people something! (Judy Tokuyoshi you too are on the 2014 Christmas List!) To Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon, two of the greatest Trotters, a toast to you as well!
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