Postseason football variety
It's going to be a quick one this week ladies and gentlemen, being as how as soon as I'm done with this I'm jumping in the car for a vacation.
SUPER BOWL WRAP-UP
For once I am glad I was wrong. The Saints deserved to win. I'm sure by the time you read this you'll be over talking about it so I'm just going to offer a few thoughts.
- If I had to hear the announcers mention about how New Orleans "knows how to party" one more time, I think I was going to drive down to Miami and shoot them. Anyone with more than three brain cells was having the exact same thought when they won; you didn't need to say it 80 times.
- Drew Brees really did deserve the MVP trophy. He completed 29 of his final 32 attempts. That's amazing. Also take into consideration he wasn't picked off once all post season. In fact, on the final TD drive he made seven straight throws to seven separate recievers.
- Not enough can be said about the size of Sean Payton's testicles. I do not care how much faith you put in your special teams, to go for broke on the opening kickoff of the second half when you are down and have yet to actually score a touchdown.....it takes a certain level of crazy. It may not seem like it but cosider the fact that no one else has ever done an onside outside of the fourth quarter in the Super Bowl, ever.
- And the call to go for it on 4th and 1 late in the second. It was a hard call to make, but it was the right one. It ate more time off the clock and they still got the ball back and got a field goal before the half.
- Both Drew Brees and Tracy Porter (INT return for TD in 4th) wen to college in Indiana. The Saints' Superbowl shirts are also being made in Indiana. Irony.
- When the Colts returned home they were greated by 11 fans. I'm willing to bet if the Saints lost they still would have had a huge crowd to greet them.
- The commercials were so-so. The Bud Light and Doritos were good but there's one in particular that bothered me. The Dodge Charger commercial. For 26 seconds it shows a guy saying; I hold your purse, I clean the toilet, I look at wall paper...blah blah and things like that that are just really depressing. In the last 4 seconds it shows the car and the guy saying this is my last stand or somehting poetic of that nature. That is the most depressing commercial I have ever seen. The first 26 are basically an anti-marriage commercial.
- And seriously, what was with the men in their underwear?
- Lastly, I wouldn't be surprised to see either of these two teams back in the big game next year. They both have a lot of returning power.
NFL THOUGHTS
It'll be really intersesting to see what happens to the Eagles QB's this offseason. They won't be able to keep both Vick and McNabb. Six separate teams have inquired about both of them. In my opinion the Rams should really pick up one of them.
In this weeks Favre-watch, I'm still thinking he won't retire.
If Favre does retire, don't be surprised to see the Vikings enter the Vick/McNabb mix or reach out to Matt Hasselback even.
ILLINI
They really needed it [the Michigan State win]. For their tournament resume but also for the team morale. As far as rushing the floor goes, oh well. When an unranked team beats a Top-5 team in the last 30 seconds and on national television, I think they deserve it. It's a pride thing.
TWO IDIOTS
In relation to the Illini game there was somehting that bothered me: Dick Vitale. Why in the Hell was he talking about the Duke/UNC game while there is a close, non-ACC game going on right in front of him? In my opinion it was very disrespectful to both Michigan St. and the Illini. While were at it there is another guy that bothers me: Joe Buck. He really comes off as high and mighty and it really pisses me off. He is just so smug and it really eats at me. Artie Lange said it best when on Buck's HBO show: "You're not your dad." I'm also tempted to throw Jim Rome on this list but I can occasionaly stand him so he gets a pardon....for now.
I would much rather if an announcer from each team and a moderator was announcing the game. You have to admit it would be entertaining.
That's all I have for this week as I am leaving here in a few miutes to go south for the rest of the week and the weekend. I wish you all a very enjoyful Valentine's Day weekend.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.