Monday Morning Ramblings 2005, Issue I

After a lengthy hiatus from blogging at this site (save for updates to the Trojan Nation website and SW PA football blog) I will now return on a tentative, time-permitting basis to do a weekly post. Those of you familiar with the Trojan Nation website will recognized the moniker: Monday Morning Ramblings. During the high school football season this column was a nice catch-all of the week that was around the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, the WPIAL and beyond. In this capacity, MMR will be used to ramble about any topics I deem necessary: sports, business, politics, music, movies, TV, etc.

So without further adieu, here we go:

NFL Playoffs (Wild Card round): The Saturday games were much more interesting than the Sunday games for sure. Here's a mini-breakdown of each:

Rams v. Seahawks: This was a sloppy game played by two teams that pretty much didn't deserve to be in postseason play but a close game that comes down to the wire is all you can ask for from these two offensive "geniuses".

Mike Martz continues to amaze with his total lack of time-out conservation. They blew two TOs early in the first half and were out of TOs in the third quarter. I just can't believe that doesn't come back to bite them in close games but this game is a prime example. I have heard Martz in interviews say he doesn't care about saving time-outs, he'd rather have the perfect play in the situation called.

Jets v. Chargers: I kind of wish the media would take it easy on the "Marty can't win the big game" theory. Sure that was true in Cleveland and Kansas City but this Chargers team is a different story. They were absolutely dreadful last year and it isn't as if they made wholesale changes to the roster. That coach-of-the-year award was right on considering the job he did with that club.

Harris Barton gets the "How stupid can you be award". How in God's name can you throw that forearm while your bringing the QB down on FOURTH DOWN with seconds to go? He eventually got bailed out but that was the type of move that Jimmy Johnson would cut a guy for during his tenure in Dallas.

I question the logic of the Chargers running the third down play outside the right hash when it appeared obvious on the previous two plays they were making a conscience effort to stay in the middle of the field. The kick is good from the middle of the field and San Diego is making plans to visit Heinz Field.

Colts v. Broncos: 35-3 at the half and it should have been 42-3 had Manning not forced a ball in the endzone that was picked off in a goal-to-go situation. Most QBs would have been content with Manning's first half stats let alone the stats for the complete game.

Denver was completely outplayed and looked like they didn't belong in the playoffs. I think some of the luster of the "O-Genius" tag placed on Mike Shannahan is starting to fade. Brian Griese was a flop and Plummer doesn't look any better. Funny thing, Dan Reeves couldn't win the big one with Elway, Shannahan can't seem to win without him!

Vikings v. Packers: Wow, I wonder where John Madden and all the Favre-lovers are now. Oh, wait, I heard them making excuses about the trying year in his personal life and believe me, I can empathize. I still went to my job and did it well. The same really can't be said for #4 this year. I am beginning to think Favre has reached his peak and his performance is going down from here. The Washington Post's Mike Wilbon agrees.

And please stop with all this Randy Moss nonsense, to quote Judge Mathis "ya'll need to stop!" That fake-mooning thing was no big deal. Joe Buck should be reprimanded for his ridiculous comments about being sorry it was showed on the air on Fox. Fox. That's right, the same network that brought you Temptation Island. The same network that is bringing back Family Guy after twice canceling because the DVDs sales soared. Now, don't get me wrong I am a HUGE fan of Family Guy (and the Simpsons for that matter) but I think the following line by Peter Griffin is MUCH more offensive than Randy Moss' TD celebration:

"Is this really the blood of Christ? That guy must have been wasted 24 hours a day!" This was said while taking communion in church.

Kudos to Mike Golic who took all these clowns to task on the Mike and Mike in the Morning Show. Even calling out Chris Berman and Tom Jackson of NFL PrimeTime in a rare critique of one ESPNer to another.

Predictions for next week: Indy over the Pats; Steelers over Jets; Vikings over Eagles; Falcons over Rams.

TV: JACK IS BACK! American's favorite counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer is back for Season 4 (Day 4 if you will) of 24. Last night's two-hour premier cut right to the chase and it appears tonight's will do more of the same. Great job by the writers of getting some good action stuff going right off the bad. It took too long for some things to develop in the previous two seasons.

MUSIC: A 22-year-old Chinese piano protege named Lang Lang is taking the Classical Music scene by storm. A world-class pianist with a flair for showmanship is getting attention worldwide although some critics don't like the flash. 60 Minutes ran a piece on this super-talented musician last night.

I have a new found appreciation for classical music as I was forced to listen to a lot of it while I waited for a new surge strip to plug my radio in to. I normally listen to talk radio during the day and I can't listen to pop or rock music because I find myself distracted, singing along to the songs. So it was classical and jazz in the Windows Media Player for me. Needless to say, my brother has quite an impressive collection of classical music on CD that he let me copy (thanks bro, good lookin' out!).

After seeing Lang Lang in action I will definitely want to pick up a few CDs of his work.

NEWS: By now everyone has seen, heard or read about the terrible devastation the tsunamis brought to the Indian Ocean area. Apparently some aren't as sensitive as they should. Bonehead comments started filtering out, this particular letter, by Mr. William Kelly of Collier, PA set me off so bad I felt forced to reply.

I don't know how someone could compare a minor flood with the deaths of nearly 150,000 people. I guess it doesn't matter since they weren't OUR people, right?

I am lucky enough to work for an employer generous enough to match my donations to the Red Cross for the Tsunami victims. I encourage everybody to get involved, even if you can only afford $5, it is truly the thought that counts. The Pittsburgh joint broadcast channel telethon raised nearly $1 million in one hour of air time.

For those of you looking for an investment opportunity I'd like to pass on one I saw a Fox News analyst pass on during their weekly "Cost of Freedom" block. It was on the show Bulls and Bears and it was for a Thai fund, ticker symbol TTF. It is currently trading at $9.75 a share. This would be a neat way to help support the rebuilding of that area in my opinion.

That's all for now. Go Steelers! Go Panthers!