Vikings Defeat Lions 27-10 November 15th, 2009

7 Catches For 201 Yards

As some of you may have noticed, this post is very late. I have a very good excuse for it. I was traveling to Gatlinburg on my annual pilgrimage to the great Smoky Mountains. I followed the game the best I could on NFL.com but it was frustrating reading the play by-play. At one point, it said the Vikings had recorded a safety, and another that Peterson had a carry for a loss of 43 yards. Luckily, I had my trusty DVR faithfully record the game and I sat down and watched the game last night. Let me tell you, I was abhorred with the officiating and the penalty ridden game the Vikings played.
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Sundays game was a tale of Sacks, Lies, And Videotape.
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Case in point, Ray Edwards bursts through the line and to avoid getting chop blocked, he leaps over the Lions running back but in doing so, with the aid of the Lions running back, launches towards Stafford and comes into contact with him forcing a fumble and a sack.

Instead, the referee throws the flag and calls personal foul, roughing the quarterback, hitting helmet to helmet giving the Lions a first and ten inside the 15 yard line. This was a third down play mind you which would have forced the Lions into a field goal attempt with missing one earlier.

The announcers go along for the ride. After the replay, the fans boo loudly and sustained their anger and voice for the rest of the game towards the referee. In watching the replay, it clearly shows Edwards making contact with only his shoulder on Stafford’s chest. Not helmet to helmet. The announcers blatantly ignore the fans boo’s and agree that it was a good call. As you know, I don’t agree with coach Childress all to often, but this time, he was dead on complaining about the poor officiating at the game. Edwards should not be fined for that phantom hit.

That’s not all boys and girls. Later on in the game, Favre was planted in th ground, clearly a late hit on the quarterback, the referee looking straight away at the play, and he keeps his little yellow flag in his pocket. The fans boo wildly once again but the announcers are clueless as to what is happening on the field.

But wait, there’s still more. Kick returner D. Reynaud gets blasted out-of-bounds after the whistle was blown by three Lion defenders. The referee is right there looking on, and he doesn’t do a damn thing. The fans booed loudly but not even a referee huddle to determine a late hit.

Alas, we have one more missed personal foul on the Lions. During Peterson’s 43 yard run, the Lion defender grabbed Peterson horse collar style and dragged him off his feet from behind forcing him to fumble. The Lions recovered in the end zone for a touchback. The replay clearly shows a horse collar tackle that should have resulted in a personal foul and the Vikings maintaining control of the ball at the 11 yard line. And what about the announcers, apparently they were having tea and crumpets in the booth oblivious to what was going on.

Perhaps the referee’s were upset that the Viking organization didn’t grease their palms like Chad 85 did last week. After all, the economy is in a recession, and everyone has to eat.

There were some good things that came from Sundays game. Sidney Rice has arrived. Not just because he had 7 catches for 201 yards on Sunday, but for his entire season so far. His 44 catches for 786 yards leads the team and he is on pace for 78 catches and almost 1400 yards. All Pro numbers indeed!

Brett Favre is having the best season of his illustrious career. Not only does he lead the NFL in passer rating, his best ever in his career, but he is on pace to throw for more than 4000 yards, 30 plus touch downs, and throw only 5 interceptions, his lowest total ever in his career. And he just keeps getting better and more comfortable every week. Perhaps Nostradamus was correct after all predicting the Vikings to win the Super Bowl.

Percy Harvin, what a hit on the linebacker during his 40 yard catch and run. I said from week one, he is the offensive rookie of the year. Look to see him more and more involved down the stretch.

And one more thing good from the game. The Vikings won. 27-10 and swept the Lions and the Packers in the division. The Vikings are 8-1 and one game behind the Saints for home field advantage in the playoffs. I’m talking playoffs already. You betcha.

Note to Bernard Berrian: Catch the freaking ball. You had three dropped balls in Sundays game. Keep that up and perhaps Jay Cutler could use you next year.

Jared Allen is a beast, with a mullet. I saw a survey during the game on what to name the front four of the Vikings defense. I laughed out loud at Three Men And A Mullet.

Seattle comes to town next week with poison pill envy still bitter in their stomachs. Rumor has it that Matt Hasselbeck is still crying about a low blow hit from the 2006 season.

The Vikings must regain concentration and avoid the stupid penalties that killed drives and extended opponents drives. If they can achieve that, there is no stopping the Vikings on their quest for the Super Bowl title.

SKOL VIKINGS!

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The Kennedy’s Go Sailing

Kennedy Goes Sailing

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JFK Sailing

Sailing is the order of the day as President Kennedy and the First lady relax on a trip to Hyannis Port.

Number 72 in a series of 77 John F. Kennedy cards.

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Heaven Or Hell

Saw this sign on a car on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee recently. I pondered a moment and thought…
A far better question is, What the Hell is Lady Gaga? Depending on the answer, it could be Heaven or Hell. Or both!

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Half A Century Old Today

One Foot In The Grave

Yes, that’s me, just a couple of days ago, sitting on a tomb in the cemetery enjoying the uncharacteristically beautiful warm November weather. On my 50th birthday, I came to the realization that I have had gray hair for half of my life. Yes, I have been gray since I turned 25. (For those of you not doing the math) I also realized that I have been married for half of my life.

To be honest, I am the luckiest guy in the world. (I know that sounds cliché, but in my case, it’s totally accurate) My wife Patty is my soul mate and the most wonderful and beautiful woman I could ever imagine. (And I had a thing for super model Christy Brinkley!)

My son Patrick and I were talking just the other day and the topic moved to what life was like back when I was a child. (You know, in the Dark ages!) (Patrick is a hell of a son. He has his grandfather Jacks work ethic. He has a big heart and I am very proud of him.)

I replied: Before I was gray, I jumped roof to roof from neighborhood houses. I climbed flag poles just to reach the top. I hitched rides on trains just to see where they were going. I would play baseball, football, and basketball all day and capture the flag and flashlight tag at night. I would ride my bike to Idora Park and ride the Wild Cat roller coaster.

Before I was gray, telephones had rotary dials. And were connected to a phone cable. Entering area codes were only necessary when dialing long distance. Prefix numbers, (The first three digits of your phone number) didn’t need to be dialed either, you merely told the operator that was on the line that you wanted Riverside and the last four digits of the number and the operator would connect you. Cell phones were only worn by Dick Tracy.

Before I was gray, Television pictures were black and white. Only the rich had color pictures. Televisions only had three channels. ABC, CBS, and NBC. Those were the only letters you needed to know. Televisions had names like Admiral, Curtis-Mathis, Motorola, Philco, Zenith, Sylvania, Westinghouse, and RCA. The remote control was the youngest child. VCR’s were science fiction. Imagine being able to watch Gun Smoke any time you wanted to. Television broadcasts usually signed off the air after the 11 O’clock news with a somber rendition of God Bless America. Johnny Carson was the king of late night. Nothing better than Ed Ames and the Tomahawk incident. Google it.

Before I was gray, the Internet was a misspelling for Interstate. Computers were as big as houses. Floppies were girls not wearing their bra’s. Surfing involved water, waves, and a flat board resembling an ironing board. You had to go to the public library for research. Porn came in magazines, from seedy side stores and sold by a cigar smoking man in a ripped dirty t-shirt. National Geographic magazine was always the fall back source for porn. You were grateful to see a glimpse of Playmates nether regions, but only from afar.

Before I was gray, the British invaded the United States and Americans loved it. The Beatles stormed the country rising to the top of Billboards top 40 chart. We bought single 45 records and rarely listened to the “B” side. The record covers were pieces of art work. With lyrics enclosed. The 8-Track player was all the rage. We knew when playing certain Beatle songs backwards special messages and clues could be heard. “I’m buried” was one of them.

I was born in 1959, right before the Kennedy administration came into power. The population of the world has more than doubled since I was born. Minimum wage was $1 dollar an hour. Nixon was Vice President. There were only 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii joined later in the year. Stamps cost 4 cents.

On the tube, Bonanza debuted, in living color. Rod Serlings science fiction series, The Twilight Zone scared the Hell out of viewers.

Pornography entered the mainstream of society as Playboy was first published with blond bombshell actress Marilyn Monroe as the first centerfold.

Speaking of porn, the Barbie doll was introduced in 1959. And remember the Frisbee? Introduced in 1959 by Wham-O. (Wake me up before you go go!!!)

Turning to sports, The Dodgers won the World Series and the Baltimore Colts the National Football Championship.

At the movies, Gigi won best picture of 1959. Tony Curtis won best actor.

February 2nd, 1959, was the day the music died. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper, died in a plane crash after a concert.

Famous people born in 1959, other than me of course:
Linda Blair, The Exorcist star.
Keith Olbermann, broadcaster, They’re not gonna get him.
Cris Collinsworth, Bengals receiver and broadcaster.
Lawrence taylor, linebacker from the Giants.
John McEnroe, Tennis ace.
Danny Bonaduce, Danny Partridge, from the TV series.
Jessica Hahn, political sex scandal queen.
Magic Johnson, NBA star for the Lakers.
Simon Cowell, American Idol judge.
Marie Osmond, half of Utah’s first couple.
Royalty Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.
weird Al Yankovic. Musical artist mastering in parodies.
Mackenzie Phillips, famous for sleeping with her father.
Val Kilmer, Ice and Batman.

They say 50 is the new 40. I received my application for my AARP card in the mail the other day. WTF! However, I am 50 years old. Fifty years! It seems like only yesterday Patty and I were walking over the bridge in Mill Creek Park, the day I proposed to her, and she said yes. I am looking forward to the next 50 years. Please come back and visit me then and read my centennial post.

I’ll leave you with a song written and performed by Robert Lamm from the band Chicago. Its titled, Beginnings. And that is what being 50 means to me. Only the beginning….

When I’m with you,
It doesn’t matter where we are.
Or what we’re doing,
I’m with you, that’s all that matters.

Time passes much too quickly,
When we’re together laughing.
I wish I could sing it to you, oh no,
I wish I could sing it to you.

Mostly I’m silent, mm-hm-hm-hm.. Silent,
Never think of the right words to say.
When I kiss you, I feel a thousand different feelings,
The color of chills all over my body, hey, hey, hey.

And when I feel them,
I quickly try to decide which one,
I should try to put into words,
Oh no, try to put into words.

Mostly I’m silent, Silent.
Silent…

Only the beginning of what I want to feel forever,
Yeah, oh, oh, whoa,
Yes, only the beginning of what I want to feel forever,
Only the beginning, only just the start, yeah.
I’ve got to get you into my life mama,
I’ve got to get you next to me.
Only the beginning, only just the start,
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah…Mmm-hmmm…

Only the beginning…Only the beginning…

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Smoky Mountain Brewery Chicken Tenders

Rolls To Die For

If you read my Blue Plate Special critiques, (And shame on you if you do not) then The Smoky Mountain Brewery restaurant on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is no stranger. Tonight’s offering was a simple choice, and with the restaurant crowded but not over flowing, we were seated quickly and positioned our table to the TV with the football game of our choice.

Our waitress was bubbly and took our drink and dinner order and in a short time, rolls and drinks were at our table. The rolls were hot, fresh, and tasted very good. Of course they tasted home made, not known if they actually were, but tasted so.

Golden Fried Chicken Planks

My order was a chage up from the standard menu. I ordered the chicken planks and a baked potato with butter. I saw an order of chicken go to a table next to us and they looked delicious. A few minutes later, my eyes were correct.

The chicken was hot, fresh, juicy, the batter spicy enough and cooked golden brown to almost perfection. The taste, delicious.

The baked potato was hot, well cooked, and completed the meal. A cold diet Coke was a refreshing addition to the meal.

The portion was adequate, not to much, not to little. the meal was filling and I left felling full but not bloated.

The cost was reasonable, $13 dollars before tip. Yes, only $13 dollars.

The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Smoky Mountain Brewery in Gatlinburg for dinner.

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