Good Morning. Haven't had the itch to do much writing lately, until this morning as I was leaving work. Was it just me or did everyone on the roadways around the greater Tampa Bay area seem extra antsy? I couldn't tell at times if I was on Memorial Drive or Daytona International Speedway with all the traffic whizzing by me like there was no tomorrow, and that was with me going about five over the posted limit of 45mph as it was! Then on US 41, more of the same. People, seriously, chill the bleep out. If you're afraid you're going to miss out on that early bird special at Cracker Barrel (what I think those drivers on Memorial were heading towards), don't worry because you can have breakfast all day there...
...speaking of all-day breakfast, McDonalds has started their venture into serving all day. Two issues though; if you live in the south you can have biscuits for an option--unless you live in Florida. McDonalds in Florida has McMuffins instead of biscuits. Blasphemy I say!! Then again, maybe chalk one up to snowbirds screwing everything up down here. Them and maybe #FloridaMan. But I digress.
The second issue I have is this: if they're going to serve breakfast on non-breakfast hours, then they better have certain other sandwich items available during late night and breakfast hours. True story, I was on 95 South in Orangeburg, SC one late night about 2am or thereabouts. I stopped at one of the very few 24-hour McDonalds in the Carolinas (because after all the Carolinas are Mayberry; nothing is open after 9pm). I asked for a quarter pounder and was answered to in a nasty tone, "We're only serving breakfast right now!" Pffft. Thanks, miss. And remind me never to stop in Orangeburg ever again. Like the old saying goes, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, and that means if I'm on the road at 3 in the morning and craving a Big Mac then dammit I better be able to get one!
Hey congratulations to the New York Mets on winning the NL pennant last night, which happened to be the day their opponent, the Chicago Cubs, was supposed to sweep the World Series according to Back to the Future Part II. Instead of that now-debunked prophecy, we now have the plotline for Back to the Future Part IV; Parts I-III were actually a dream that Marty McFly had falling asleep in Doc Brown's laboratory.
...speaking of movies, show of hands how many of you have NOT seen the new trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"? Nobody? Good. Now, have you bought your advance tickets yet? Spoiler alert I won't be able to go to opening night. The Postal Service and the Holiday Season doesn't not bode well for participating in extracurricular activities on a night where I have to be at work. So much for asking someone out on opening night. Uggggghhh...
My football picks haven't been on this blog lately with the lack of activity but they have been on my twitter page (@boneyscribe). Currently I'm 60-31 after a 7-7 week. Tonight Seattle travels to San Francisco in a game that suddenly may make or break the Seahawks season. They don't seem so invincible anymore especially after that collapse at home against Carolina, who have McGyvered their way to an unbeaten start to the season. The Niners aren't the team they were two seasons ago, but they still have Colin Kapernick, who can more than make plays, and the emergence of Carlos Hyde at running back. Still though I think the Legion of Boom gets their act together after two successive fourth quarter collapses to win on the road.
Rest of my picks will come Saturday, whether they're here or on twitter.
On a personal note, I have an appointment with my therapist on Monday. Much needed to be honest; I've had some ups and downs lately and if you know me well enough, you know what I'm referring to. Also, I've had some rather bizarre dreams of late, including one where I was an unlikely hero in a science-fiction action-adventure film. Plus other dreams where I felt I was still in the Navy yet working at my current job. Weird stuff.
On that note, I guess I better take my meds and head to sleep; enjoy your Thursday.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Beef With The Bucs and The Rest Of NFL Week 4...
Well, I had originally planned on attending tomorrow afternoon's game at Raymond James Stadium between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, in light of one particular event that took place this week, I will not be doing so.
What event am I alluding to? Well, in case you either missed it or aren't from the Tampa area, let me fill you in. At the end of the 2016 college football season, Raymond James Stadium is slated to host the College Football Playoff Championship Game. As part of agreeing to do so, several renovations must be made to the seventeen-year old facility; most notably a brand new surround sound system, improved concessions, and new HD video boards at both endzones, something that has not changed since the stadium's debut in the fall of 1998. So, this week news broke that the Glazer Family, owners of the Bucs, and the Tampa Sports Authority, who owns the stadium, were close to an agreement in which the Glazers would spend $75million in stadium upgrades.
But there is a huge catch.
Little known to many of us who follow the Bucs was that there was already an agreement in place that allowed the Glazers to move one regular season home game per year to a site other than Tampa. It has only been used twice; 2009 vs. New England and 2011 vs. Chicago; both games outsourced to London's Wembley Stadium as part of the NFL's International Series (more on that later in this post). Well, as a condition for the Glazers to pay for the stadium upgrades, they now want to move a SECOND regular season home game away from Tampa.
Oh.
Hell.
No.
I have been a Bucs fan since I was a little kid; since the days of Doug Williams, Jimmie Giles, Hugh Green, and God bless their souls, Ricky Bell and Lee Roy Selmon, and never have I been as disappointed and angry with this franchise as I am now. Their putrid play since 2011 only scratches the surface; ten consecutive home losses dating back to December of 2013. No playoff wins since their triumph in Super Bowl XXXVII; thirteen seasons ago. Only three winning seasons since that season and two home playoff losses. An 8-33 record since starting the 2012 season 6-4.
Growing up a Bucs fan was difficult enough with fourteen straight losing seasons (double digit losses in thirteen of them); but this is a whole new level of incompetence, and now I may have to see as many as two home games played somewhere else??! Come on, man...
Of course, had Hillsborough County voters not capitulated in 1995 AND had Art Modell not decided to uproot the Browns to Baltimore because he couldn't get a new stadium deal in Cleveland, instead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers we could be talking about the Baltimore Bucs, and long-suffering Tampa fans finally were rewarded two years later; the last at old Tampa Stadium; when Tony Dungy led the Bucs to the playoffs. It started a new love affair between the Bucs and Tampa, the likes nobody had seen here before...
...until two consecutive playoff losses to the Eagles sent Dungy packing. Followed by one of the biggest coaching search fiascos in NFL history. That was until Malcolm Glazer brokered a deal that would bring Jon Gruden here, and that magical season of 2002.
Since then? Pffft...GM Rich McKay bolted for Atlanta after 2003, supposedly after a rift between him and Gruden regarding the drafting of Chris Simms. The rest as they say is history, or should I say in this case, misery; Josh Freeman, Schiano, MRSA, blackouts, etc...
Of course, there IS precedent for a team to play home games regularly somewhere else. The Jaguars already do (what is it with NFL team ownership and Florida, by the way, do they not like us?), playing an annual game in London. The Bills had done so the last few years in Toronto. But the more notable precedent in my mind is the Green Bay Packers. Unless you're an NFL fan over the age of 30, you probably aren't aware that the Packers played home games in Milwaukee from the 1930's to 1994. Should the Bucs decide to play two home games away from Tampa, it would make some sense to relocate them to Orlando and their newly-renovated Citrus Bowl, some 90 miles away. However, the Bucs haven't played in Orlando since a 1997 preseason game against the New York Jets. Also, the set of circumstances regarding the Packers vastly differs the current situation with the Bucs; Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city for starters and many season ticket holders for Packers games are from greater Milwaukee. Furthermore the Packers are publicly owned by their ticket holders.
Also, it's not like there is a lot of love lost for the Tampa area from sports fans in Orlando. For starters, Orlando Magic games are not on a local radio station in the Tampa market. Plus the last time the Magic scheduled an exhibition game in Tampa, slated against the Miami Heat and then-new acquisition LeBron James no less, they never even tipped off. Then there's also the snafu from Orlando local TV on week 1 of this NFL season when WKMG, the local CBS affiliate in Orlando, opted to air Ravens-Broncos instead of the Bucs' home opener (and the debut of FSU's Jameis Winston) against the Titans. Add that to the "War on I-4" and the newly-formed rivalry between UCF and USF in college sports, and you would probably get the sense moving Bucs games to Orlando wouldn't go over very well in EITHER market.
But this is the last straw with me regarding the Glazers, ever since they bought Manchester United in the early part of the last decade (and alienated THAT global fanbase), it seems most of their attention has drifted away from the Bucs and more on Manchester United. Sure MUFC has a far more popular brand worldwide than the Bucs, but have we seen an MUFC game in Tampa? I didn't think so. It's like the Glazers just don't want to stop sticking it to the Tampa area.
So, you know what? Why should I (or any other self-respecting Bucs fan) pay to see them if the franchise isn't willing to play all their home games here? That said, unless the Glazers are willing to fully commit to Tampa OR they sell the team, I won't be attending any more Bucs games.
Now on to my picks:
Carolina at Tampa Bay
Bucs are honoring fan favorite Mike Alstott at halftime by putting him in their Ring of Honor. Sure Glazers, throw us a bone after kicking us in the nuts. Or is that the other way around? Anyway, after how I feel it should not be any surprise who I'm picking. Make it 11 straight home losses...
Panthers win to go to 4-0
NY Jets vs. Miami at London
Another game as part of that aforementioned International Series, where the NFL is hell-bent on teasing London into thinking that they may get an NFL team someday. Newsflash, it's like me going on a date with Katy Perry; not happening. As for the game, how fitting that the disappointing Dolphins are playing this game. Britons love their fish & chips, and with the suddenly improving Jets in town, they look to have a feast. Calling Arthur Treacher!!
Jets drown the Dolphins
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Hey, break up the Colts, they won last week...barely. Their reward? The Jaguars, who apparently have just given up another touchdown.
Colts in a romp
Green Bay at San Francisco
Aaron Rodgers may the best QB in the NFL this year, even without Jordy Nelson. The Niners meanwhile, well they're worried about whether or not head coach Jim Tomsula passed gas at a presser this week. They may have cut the cheese on Friday, but not Sunday.
Packers are my survivor pick this week.
...and now my other picks:
Oakland over Chicago
Cincinnati over Kansas City
Buffalo over NY Giants
Atlanta over Houston
Philadelphia over Washington
San Diego over Cleveland
Denver over Minnesota
Arizona over St. Louis
New Orleans over Dallas (upset special)
Seattle over Detroit
Time for me to grab some Italian and watch the Gators whoop up on Ole Miss...
...I hope.
Enjoy the weekend.
What event am I alluding to? Well, in case you either missed it or aren't from the Tampa area, let me fill you in. At the end of the 2016 college football season, Raymond James Stadium is slated to host the College Football Playoff Championship Game. As part of agreeing to do so, several renovations must be made to the seventeen-year old facility; most notably a brand new surround sound system, improved concessions, and new HD video boards at both endzones, something that has not changed since the stadium's debut in the fall of 1998. So, this week news broke that the Glazer Family, owners of the Bucs, and the Tampa Sports Authority, who owns the stadium, were close to an agreement in which the Glazers would spend $75million in stadium upgrades.
But there is a huge catch.
Little known to many of us who follow the Bucs was that there was already an agreement in place that allowed the Glazers to move one regular season home game per year to a site other than Tampa. It has only been used twice; 2009 vs. New England and 2011 vs. Chicago; both games outsourced to London's Wembley Stadium as part of the NFL's International Series (more on that later in this post). Well, as a condition for the Glazers to pay for the stadium upgrades, they now want to move a SECOND regular season home game away from Tampa.
Oh.
Hell.
No.
I have been a Bucs fan since I was a little kid; since the days of Doug Williams, Jimmie Giles, Hugh Green, and God bless their souls, Ricky Bell and Lee Roy Selmon, and never have I been as disappointed and angry with this franchise as I am now. Their putrid play since 2011 only scratches the surface; ten consecutive home losses dating back to December of 2013. No playoff wins since their triumph in Super Bowl XXXVII; thirteen seasons ago. Only three winning seasons since that season and two home playoff losses. An 8-33 record since starting the 2012 season 6-4.
Growing up a Bucs fan was difficult enough with fourteen straight losing seasons (double digit losses in thirteen of them); but this is a whole new level of incompetence, and now I may have to see as many as two home games played somewhere else??! Come on, man...
Of course, had Hillsborough County voters not capitulated in 1995 AND had Art Modell not decided to uproot the Browns to Baltimore because he couldn't get a new stadium deal in Cleveland, instead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers we could be talking about the Baltimore Bucs, and long-suffering Tampa fans finally were rewarded two years later; the last at old Tampa Stadium; when Tony Dungy led the Bucs to the playoffs. It started a new love affair between the Bucs and Tampa, the likes nobody had seen here before...
...until two consecutive playoff losses to the Eagles sent Dungy packing. Followed by one of the biggest coaching search fiascos in NFL history. That was until Malcolm Glazer brokered a deal that would bring Jon Gruden here, and that magical season of 2002.
Since then? Pffft...GM Rich McKay bolted for Atlanta after 2003, supposedly after a rift between him and Gruden regarding the drafting of Chris Simms. The rest as they say is history, or should I say in this case, misery; Josh Freeman, Schiano, MRSA, blackouts, etc...
Of course, there IS precedent for a team to play home games regularly somewhere else. The Jaguars already do (what is it with NFL team ownership and Florida, by the way, do they not like us?), playing an annual game in London. The Bills had done so the last few years in Toronto. But the more notable precedent in my mind is the Green Bay Packers. Unless you're an NFL fan over the age of 30, you probably aren't aware that the Packers played home games in Milwaukee from the 1930's to 1994. Should the Bucs decide to play two home games away from Tampa, it would make some sense to relocate them to Orlando and their newly-renovated Citrus Bowl, some 90 miles away. However, the Bucs haven't played in Orlando since a 1997 preseason game against the New York Jets. Also, the set of circumstances regarding the Packers vastly differs the current situation with the Bucs; Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city for starters and many season ticket holders for Packers games are from greater Milwaukee. Furthermore the Packers are publicly owned by their ticket holders.
Also, it's not like there is a lot of love lost for the Tampa area from sports fans in Orlando. For starters, Orlando Magic games are not on a local radio station in the Tampa market. Plus the last time the Magic scheduled an exhibition game in Tampa, slated against the Miami Heat and then-new acquisition LeBron James no less, they never even tipped off. Then there's also the snafu from Orlando local TV on week 1 of this NFL season when WKMG, the local CBS affiliate in Orlando, opted to air Ravens-Broncos instead of the Bucs' home opener (and the debut of FSU's Jameis Winston) against the Titans. Add that to the "War on I-4" and the newly-formed rivalry between UCF and USF in college sports, and you would probably get the sense moving Bucs games to Orlando wouldn't go over very well in EITHER market.
But this is the last straw with me regarding the Glazers, ever since they bought Manchester United in the early part of the last decade (and alienated THAT global fanbase), it seems most of their attention has drifted away from the Bucs and more on Manchester United. Sure MUFC has a far more popular brand worldwide than the Bucs, but have we seen an MUFC game in Tampa? I didn't think so. It's like the Glazers just don't want to stop sticking it to the Tampa area.
So, you know what? Why should I (or any other self-respecting Bucs fan) pay to see them if the franchise isn't willing to play all their home games here? That said, unless the Glazers are willing to fully commit to Tampa OR they sell the team, I won't be attending any more Bucs games.
Now on to my picks:
Carolina at Tampa Bay
Bucs are honoring fan favorite Mike Alstott at halftime by putting him in their Ring of Honor. Sure Glazers, throw us a bone after kicking us in the nuts. Or is that the other way around? Anyway, after how I feel it should not be any surprise who I'm picking. Make it 11 straight home losses...
Panthers win to go to 4-0
NY Jets vs. Miami at London
Another game as part of that aforementioned International Series, where the NFL is hell-bent on teasing London into thinking that they may get an NFL team someday. Newsflash, it's like me going on a date with Katy Perry; not happening. As for the game, how fitting that the disappointing Dolphins are playing this game. Britons love their fish & chips, and with the suddenly improving Jets in town, they look to have a feast. Calling Arthur Treacher!!
Jets drown the Dolphins
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Hey, break up the Colts, they won last week...barely. Their reward? The Jaguars, who apparently have just given up another touchdown.
Colts in a romp
Green Bay at San Francisco
Aaron Rodgers may the best QB in the NFL this year, even without Jordy Nelson. The Niners meanwhile, well they're worried about whether or not head coach Jim Tomsula passed gas at a presser this week. They may have cut the cheese on Friday, but not Sunday.
Packers are my survivor pick this week.
...and now my other picks:
Oakland over Chicago
Cincinnati over Kansas City
Buffalo over NY Giants
Atlanta over Houston
Philadelphia over Washington
San Diego over Cleveland
Denver over Minnesota
Arizona over St. Louis
New Orleans over Dallas (upset special)
Seattle over Detroit
Time for me to grab some Italian and watch the Gators whoop up on Ole Miss...
...I hope.
Enjoy the weekend.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Baseball going Back to the Future(?), Joaquin, and Rising to the Occasion.
Good morning. A few quick thoughts this morning; I wish I had more time to devote to this, but when you work a couple of hours overtime it kind of puts a clamp on this little project that is this blog. Nevertheless, let's get to it...
Back To The Future, Or Back To The Past?
For those of you who follow baseball, the Postseason is right around the corner. For those who follow classic movies, in particular the "Back To The Future" trilogy, you would know that this year (2015) was where Doc Brown, Marty McFly, and Jennifer Parker time travel to in Part II. If you recall towards the beginning of the movie, this scene appeared:
Yes, that's right, the Cubs win the World Series. Well, that being said, wouldn't you know the Cubs are indeed in this year's playoffs. However, they won't sweep Miami in the World Series; although (and I suppose much indeed to Marty's surprise) the Marlins (not Gators) are in Miami, they play in the same league as the Cubs and cannot face them in the World Series. Twelve years ago though, they DID meet for the right to play in that year's World Series, and had it not been for a bespeckled dork in the left field stands, life may have indeed imitated art:
Last I heard he was still in exile, probably under an assumed identity in DeKalb (ok, not really but still...). Suffice to say I'm still a little bitter about that...but I digress
Back to the movie; now of course the start of the movie (which was concurrent with the end of Part I) was in October of 1985. In baseball that year, the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Dodgers were the teams that made the playoffs. The Royals would rally from 3-1 down to defeat the Blue Jays in seven games to win the American League, while the Cardinals (thanks in large part to that Ozzie Smith "GO CRAZY, FOLKS! GO CRAZY!!" home run) defeated the Dodgers in six games to win the National League. The Royals would rally from ANOTHER 3-1 deficit to win their first, and to date only, World Series title.
Fast forward to 2015, and interestingly enough not only are the Chicago Cubs in the playoffs (albeit a wild card game vs the Pittsburgh Pirates), but ALL FOUR participants in that 1985 postseason are as well. And would you believe that it is indeed possible that the Blue Jays and Royals could meet in the ALCS, while the Cardinals and Dodgers could meet in the NLCS?? And could we have a reprise of that World Series thirty years ago between the Royals and Cardinals???
Whoa Doc, this is heavy!
So although we may be celebrating going Back to the Future, we may be going back in time...
Monitoring Joaquin...
As quiet as this Atlantic Hurricane Season has been, what a surprise to see that one storm actually may pack a punch. Joaquin is wreaking havoc on the Bahamas, and appears to be taking aim for southern New England, much like Sandy did a few years ago. Now according to the forecast model in the link above, it appears Joaquin will weaken to a tropical storm once it nears the New England coast. In addition, should it make landfall near the New York metro area, it may come in disorganized, incoherent, and possibly drunk.
Ok, so I exaggerated just a wee bit on that last sentence (honestly that was the first thing I thought of when I saw Joaquin could land in NYC; who could ever forget), but seriously if you're anywhere along the east coast from Myrtle Beach north, please be careful the next few days. And if you happen to be in the Carolinas, be extra careful with all that rainfall you've been getting...
I Was Called Out; I Answered
If you remember my post last week, you may recall I mentioned that my nephew Eric had called me out on my football picks. Well, did I ever deliver! 14-2 last week, the only two losses being the Jets and the Ravens. Speaking of the Ravens, they are 0-3 for the first time in their history...that's twenty seasons; quite a remarkable run. Tonight they hope to lick their wounds on another team licking their own wounds, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will be without Ben Roethlisberger for at least four weeks. Not good for Steeler Nation who now have to turn to Michael Vick...uggggggghhh...
Last year in the playoffs, Baltimore shocked the Steelers in Pittsburgh. I have a feeling history may repeat itself; this is a hungry Ravens team and they can win in the Steel City, and certainly better than 0-3.
I'll take the Ravens in a close one, 21-20.
Rest of the NFL as well as my survivor pick coming possibly Saturday. For now though it's past my bedtime...
...like I said, I wish I had more time to devote to this...
Back To The Future, Or Back To The Past?
For those of you who follow baseball, the Postseason is right around the corner. For those who follow classic movies, in particular the "Back To The Future" trilogy, you would know that this year (2015) was where Doc Brown, Marty McFly, and Jennifer Parker time travel to in Part II. If you recall towards the beginning of the movie, this scene appeared:
Yes, that's right, the Cubs win the World Series. Well, that being said, wouldn't you know the Cubs are indeed in this year's playoffs. However, they won't sweep Miami in the World Series; although (and I suppose much indeed to Marty's surprise) the Marlins (not Gators) are in Miami, they play in the same league as the Cubs and cannot face them in the World Series. Twelve years ago though, they DID meet for the right to play in that year's World Series, and had it not been for a bespeckled dork in the left field stands, life may have indeed imitated art:
Last I heard he was still in exile, probably under an assumed identity in DeKalb (ok, not really but still...). Suffice to say I'm still a little bitter about that...but I digress
.Back to the movie; now of course the start of the movie (which was concurrent with the end of Part I) was in October of 1985. In baseball that year, the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Dodgers were the teams that made the playoffs. The Royals would rally from 3-1 down to defeat the Blue Jays in seven games to win the American League, while the Cardinals (thanks in large part to that Ozzie Smith "GO CRAZY, FOLKS! GO CRAZY!!" home run) defeated the Dodgers in six games to win the National League. The Royals would rally from ANOTHER 3-1 deficit to win their first, and to date only, World Series title.
Fast forward to 2015, and interestingly enough not only are the Chicago Cubs in the playoffs (albeit a wild card game vs the Pittsburgh Pirates), but ALL FOUR participants in that 1985 postseason are as well. And would you believe that it is indeed possible that the Blue Jays and Royals could meet in the ALCS, while the Cardinals and Dodgers could meet in the NLCS?? And could we have a reprise of that World Series thirty years ago between the Royals and Cardinals???
Whoa Doc, this is heavy!
So although we may be celebrating going Back to the Future, we may be going back in time...
Monitoring Joaquin...
As quiet as this Atlantic Hurricane Season has been, what a surprise to see that one storm actually may pack a punch. Joaquin is wreaking havoc on the Bahamas, and appears to be taking aim for southern New England, much like Sandy did a few years ago. Now according to the forecast model in the link above, it appears Joaquin will weaken to a tropical storm once it nears the New England coast. In addition, should it make landfall near the New York metro area, it may come in disorganized, incoherent, and possibly drunk.
Ok, so I exaggerated just a wee bit on that last sentence (honestly that was the first thing I thought of when I saw Joaquin could land in NYC; who could ever forget), but seriously if you're anywhere along the east coast from Myrtle Beach north, please be careful the next few days. And if you happen to be in the Carolinas, be extra careful with all that rainfall you've been getting...
I Was Called Out; I Answered
If you remember my post last week, you may recall I mentioned that my nephew Eric had called me out on my football picks. Well, did I ever deliver! 14-2 last week, the only two losses being the Jets and the Ravens. Speaking of the Ravens, they are 0-3 for the first time in their history...that's twenty seasons; quite a remarkable run. Tonight they hope to lick their wounds on another team licking their own wounds, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will be without Ben Roethlisberger for at least four weeks. Not good for Steeler Nation who now have to turn to Michael Vick...uggggggghhh...
Last year in the playoffs, Baltimore shocked the Steelers in Pittsburgh. I have a feeling history may repeat itself; this is a hungry Ravens team and they can win in the Steel City, and certainly better than 0-3.
I'll take the Ravens in a close one, 21-20.
Rest of the NFL as well as my survivor pick coming possibly Saturday. For now though it's past my bedtime...
...like I said, I wish I had more time to devote to this...
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