The Former Fastest Gun in the West

Paul Simon wrote that “every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.” There’s been plenty of attention paid to the NFL’s young guns over the first month of the 2012 campaign. Washington may be first in war, first in peace and last in the NFC East but RG III is #1 in fantasy football. Some Pigskin Pundits and Bobbleheads think Ryan Tannehill actually outplayed Mark Sanchez (albeit in a losing effort) last Sunday. If it’s better to be lucky than to be good, you’ve got to like Russell Wilson. Christian Ponder just faced down the Legion of Doom-level defense of the San Francisco 49ers and came away with the win. Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan look like they’ve made the leap to elite. I woke up this morning wondering, “What ever happened to that Necky McManning feel-good comeback triumph against all odds Oscar favorite biopic? Did the studio put that production in turnaround?”

Fourth and a Long Way to Go

I have a feeling Tom Brady has packed his angry eyes for the trip to Buffalo. Perfect Tommy has been holding everyone – himself included – responsible for the predicament New England finds itself in. 1-2-0. Bunking with Miami in the AFC East basement. (Ugh. I feel like I need to take a shower.) I get it. If the Patriots are going to get out of this hole, they’re going to have to do it themselves. Nobody feels sorry for them. It won’t be easy. It's never easy.

Unlikely is Closer to Likely than Impossible

I realized this afternoon that when your team isn’t playing, football is awesome. Three OT games including the unintentional comedy that is the New York Jets. The Red Zone was positively manic as the 1:00pm games finished up. It’s starting to come together. Oh, sure. There are still many twists and turns ahead of us on our pigskin journey but it’s safe to say we know where we’re going.

Adversity Isn't Just a River in Egypt

Work, drink, write. Work, drink. Work, drink. Work, drink. Work, drink. Work, drink, write. Hmm. My work, drink, write balance is seemingly out of balance. I know why I work (money) but I don’t know if I know why I drink (thirsty?) or write (yeah, I got nothing). Perhaps I drink and I write for the same deep dark secret reason. Something that happened in my childhood, something repressed for good reason. Okay, I may be overdramatizing. After all, my idea of adversity is running out of space on my DVR.

It Can Go Either Way But Probably Not

Maybe this is the game the Patriots point back to and say, that was the game that changed everything for us; that was the game that made us look in the mirror, dig even deeper, drove us to become champions. Maybe not. For now, I'd rather we simply agree not to talk of it. Ever. I might have to go into media blackout on Monday. 

One other thought...

I don't know what really went down with Bountygate, but it seems clear the Pigskin Gods are not happy with the New Orleans Saints. 

Back on Planet Earth

Jay Cutler soils himself on national television. Surprised? Bemused? Disappointed? Whatever. All wins count the same. All losses, too. 1-1-0. Same record as the Packers. So shake it off, Jay Cutler. Rub some dirt on it. Kill a hobo. Whatever you gotta do. Time to move on.

Every Meal a Banquet

I’ll say this for the NFL. It never fails to satisfy.

The First Course

The Dallas v. New York game was an amuse-bouche of pigskin. It’s always uncomfortable rooting for America’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and honestly I was shocked to see that clutch first down to seal the game let alone Romo pitching for +300 and 3 scores. In short, I am not a Cowboys’ fan. I have routinely predicted a Patriots victory over the Cowboys in the Super Bowl because such an outcome would stimulate my frontal cortex in a highly pleasing way. But there’s something about the Giants that bugs me. I can’t quite put my finger on it.  

Waiting for Sunday

Waiting and hoping. Zero sacks for Tom Brady. Four touchdown passes to four different receivers. A hundred yard rushing day for Stevan Ridley. A sack for Chandler Jones and another for Dont’a Hightower. An interception for Devin McCourty. Patriots 41, Titans 3. Is that too much to ask? All right. 41-10?

Breakfast with Glenn and Steve - Once More with Feeling

The booths in The Good Egg are lacquered hard wood without cushions or covers.  The tabletops are Formica edged with brushed metal.  Plastic salt and pepper shakers flank a bowl of creamers and a small, rectangular plastic container with disheveled white, yellow, pink and blue packets of sweeteners sits on every table.  The walls are dotted with watercolor seascapes featuring lighthouses or ships under sail.  Three friends occupy a booth near the back.  They consider their menus as their fresh coffee cools in large ceramic mugs.

52 of 53

I guess all good things do come to an end. Godspeed Deion Branch. Matt Cassel is going to love you. Here’s to all the good times, Dan Koppen. Some team out there needs a center. Some team always needs a center.