Yesterday afternoon the Cleveland Browns were up by 6 over the Detroit Lions. Lions QB Matt Stafford got hurt on the last play of the game, but there was a (very questionable) pass interference penalty in the end zone. So, the Lions get one more play from the 2 yard line. No timeouts.
Stafford is on the sideline injured, and an utterly cold backup QB Dante Culpepper trots onto the field. At this point all the Browns have to do is play run, because no way the Lions call a Culpepper pass in this situation - he's not good even when he's been playing, but this was unexpected start off the bench for the last play of the game. And again, the Lions have no timeouts with which to even prep Culpepper.
Mangini, who appears less smart each time I see him, is still ticked about the pass interference call. So, he CALLS TIMEOUT.
Most of us watching at Dave's were stunned. (After the game, Stafford told a reporter that he was as stunned too). This gives Stafford a chance to work through his injury a little, and to prepare a final play. Then Stafford goes back in for the final play: touchdown pass, and a (still injured looking) Stafford runs off the field in celebration.
After the game, Mangini still looks angry, even though this loss was squarely on his inexplicable timeout.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
More Merry for Less Money: An H.E.B. Holiday
H.E.B. has a new advertising slogan for this holiday season: More Merry for Less Money.
I've seen it on billboards all over Houston.
Seems like there was a time when stores would at least give lip service to Christmas being about something larger than ourselves. That time, evidently, has passed.
Good grief.
I've seen it on billboards all over Houston.
Seems like there was a time when stores would at least give lip service to Christmas being about something larger than ourselves. That time, evidently, has passed.
Good grief.
Monday, November 16, 2009
4th and 2
Last night, the New England Patriots, ahead of the Indianapolis Colts (34-28), went for it on a 4th and 2 from their own 28 yard line. There was little more than two minutes remaining in the game, and the decision to not punt has created quite a discussion today among NFL fans. Most fans and commentators are criticizing Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick for not following the conventional wisdom and punting.
Had I been the head coach, I would have punted for sure. But I don't think it's as bad a call as everyone is making it out to be. If they make it, they win the game. If they don't (and they didn't), then Manning still has to score a TD. Manning did, and the Patriots lost. But I don't think the call was all that stupid; very gutsy and risky, yes.
And I certainly don't buy the argument that Belichick's "ego" got in the way, or anything along those lines. It was just a risky call that cost them the game (and perhaps homefield advantage throughout the playoffs).
Too risky? For me, yes. But I don't hate it.
What does bother me, however, is the previous play -- something not many seem to be discussing in depth. On 3rd down and 2, the Patriots threw an incomplete pass. This, obviously, stopped the clock and got them no closer to making a first down.
If you were going to go for it on 4th and 2 -- and are trying to run out the clock (which they were) -- you absolutely run on 3rd and 2. No question about it; you run the ball and try to get at least a yard, while keeping the clock moving. If, for some reason, the Patriots didn't know they were going to go for it until it was 4th and 2 -- well, then to me, that is the most stupid thing of all.
Had I been the head coach, I would have punted for sure. But I don't think it's as bad a call as everyone is making it out to be. If they make it, they win the game. If they don't (and they didn't), then Manning still has to score a TD. Manning did, and the Patriots lost. But I don't think the call was all that stupid; very gutsy and risky, yes.
And I certainly don't buy the argument that Belichick's "ego" got in the way, or anything along those lines. It was just a risky call that cost them the game (and perhaps homefield advantage throughout the playoffs).
Too risky? For me, yes. But I don't hate it.
What does bother me, however, is the previous play -- something not many seem to be discussing in depth. On 3rd down and 2, the Patriots threw an incomplete pass. This, obviously, stopped the clock and got them no closer to making a first down.
If you were going to go for it on 4th and 2 -- and are trying to run out the clock (which they were) -- you absolutely run on 3rd and 2. No question about it; you run the ball and try to get at least a yard, while keeping the clock moving. If, for some reason, the Patriots didn't know they were going to go for it until it was 4th and 2 -- well, then to me, that is the most stupid thing of all.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
H1N1 Vaccine Fear
For months the media attempted to generate fear about the H1N1 virus. Then they attempted to generate fear about the shortage of H1N1 vaccine. And now they're attempting to create fear about the very vaccine they claim not everyone is receiving.
The headline to a story posted on MSNBC's website today reads: Va. teen suffers rare illness after swine flu shot
Then, buried in the seventh paragraph, are the facts: So far, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have received five reports of GBS in people who received the H1N1 vaccine since Oct. 6, not including Jordan’s case, said Dr. Claudia J. Vellozzi, deputy director for immunization safety. Out of about 40 million doses of H1N1 vaccine available to date, that’s a far lower rate of GBS than the 1 case that develops in every 1 million people who receive the regular flu vaccine.
So really, the headline of this story should be: Incidents of H1N1 Related Illness Lower than with Regular Flu Vaccine
Instead, it's more fear.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33845867/ns/health-cold_and_flu
The headline to a story posted on MSNBC's website today reads: Va. teen suffers rare illness after swine flu shot
Then, buried in the seventh paragraph, are the facts: So far, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have received five reports of GBS in people who received the H1N1 vaccine since Oct. 6, not including Jordan’s case, said Dr. Claudia J. Vellozzi, deputy director for immunization safety. Out of about 40 million doses of H1N1 vaccine available to date, that’s a far lower rate of GBS than the 1 case that develops in every 1 million people who receive the regular flu vaccine.
So really, the headline of this story should be: Incidents of H1N1 Related Illness Lower than with Regular Flu Vaccine
Instead, it's more fear.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33845867/ns/health-cold_and_flu
Monday, November 9, 2009
V, for Lame
I just watched the pilot of the new ABC sci-fi series "V", based on the original mid-1980's TV show. I had hopes that it would be well written and directed, much like Season 1 of "Heroes". Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. Because "V" is below average television, at best.
There are spoilers below. Don't read further if you plan to watch this show. Then again, go ahead and continue reading.
The Visitors are reptiles in human form, again.
They need water, again. Despite the fact that the universe outside of Earth is almost certainly full of water.
They try to trick humans into trusting them, again. But some don't fall for it!
Some kid spray paints the letter "V" on something, again. Though this time it's in support, instead of in resistance. A twist!
The acting, characterization, and direction are all generic television garbage.
If you like CSI (any of them), or Law and Order (any of them), or NCIS (any of them), or Bones, or Numbers -- then you might enjoy this.
Otherwise, pass.
There are spoilers below. Don't read further if you plan to watch this show. Then again, go ahead and continue reading.
The Visitors are reptiles in human form, again.
They need water, again. Despite the fact that the universe outside of Earth is almost certainly full of water.
They try to trick humans into trusting them, again. But some don't fall for it!
Some kid spray paints the letter "V" on something, again. Though this time it's in support, instead of in resistance. A twist!
The acting, characterization, and direction are all generic television garbage.
If you like CSI (any of them), or Law and Order (any of them), or NCIS (any of them), or Bones, or Numbers -- then you might enjoy this.
Otherwise, pass.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Deconstructing Kubiak
Usually there's not one thing that you can point to in an NFL game that causes a team to lose. And today's Texans game is no different. If Kris Brown makes the field goal with time expiring, then the Texans have a chance to win in OT.
That said, I think the pivotal mistake in today's Texans loss falls squarely on Coach Kubiak's shoulders. When Ryan Moats fumbles at the Colts' one yard line, it is not ruled a fumble on the field, even though it clearly looked like a fumble to both of us who were watching. In fact, as soon as the play was over, both of us began saying the Texans needed to hurry up and hike the ball.
Instead, despite our continued protestations towards the TV screen (it's like they couldn't hear us!), the Texans allowed the clock to run down to the two-minute warning. This now gives the Colts the entire break to review the play themselves. Big mistake.
Needless to say, the meathead announcers said little about it ... until after the break. Upon returning, they were saying that "it looked like Moats fumbled" and that the Colts might be challenging the ruling on the field. And then, much later, that the Texans should have "hurried up and hiked the ball". You think?
My point is not that the NFL announcers are professionals who make six figures to be flat-out wrong much of the time. This is true, but it's not my point.
My point is that Kubiak blew it by allowing the Colts the two-minute warning to review and re-review the play. Had the Texans retained possession, they would almost certainly have scored at least three points, if not seven.
Again, I know you can deconstruct any game into "what if" scenarios in order to change the outcome, but to me Kubiak's mistake here seems to have cost the Texans dearly.
Finally, I was unusually impressed with referee's detailed explanation of the their ruling to overturn the call. Curiously, after this explanation, Kubiak looked like he still didn't understand, and continued a heated discussion with one of the officials.
That said, I think the pivotal mistake in today's Texans loss falls squarely on Coach Kubiak's shoulders. When Ryan Moats fumbles at the Colts' one yard line, it is not ruled a fumble on the field, even though it clearly looked like a fumble to both of us who were watching. In fact, as soon as the play was over, both of us began saying the Texans needed to hurry up and hike the ball.
Instead, despite our continued protestations towards the TV screen (it's like they couldn't hear us!), the Texans allowed the clock to run down to the two-minute warning. This now gives the Colts the entire break to review the play themselves. Big mistake.
Needless to say, the meathead announcers said little about it ... until after the break. Upon returning, they were saying that "it looked like Moats fumbled" and that the Colts might be challenging the ruling on the field. And then, much later, that the Texans should have "hurried up and hiked the ball". You think?
My point is not that the NFL announcers are professionals who make six figures to be flat-out wrong much of the time. This is true, but it's not my point.
My point is that Kubiak blew it by allowing the Colts the two-minute warning to review and re-review the play. Had the Texans retained possession, they would almost certainly have scored at least three points, if not seven.
Again, I know you can deconstruct any game into "what if" scenarios in order to change the outcome, but to me Kubiak's mistake here seems to have cost the Texans dearly.
Finally, I was unusually impressed with referee's detailed explanation of the their ruling to overturn the call. Curiously, after this explanation, Kubiak looked like he still didn't understand, and continued a heated discussion with one of the officials.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Christmas Costs Less at Walmart
The title of this blog entry is Walmart's new Christmas advertising slogan. I saw it on television last night.
In five words, Walmart has now succeeded in creating a slogan that succinctly demonstrates everything wrong with the winter holiday season.
In five words, Walmart has now succeeded in creating a slogan that succinctly demonstrates everything wrong with the winter holiday season.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Christmas Creepy
The Ikea on I-10 has their Christmas decorations displayed from their windows.
Kroger's now has a seperate section for their Christmas cards, which are on sale.
Westheimer Road in the River Oaks area is covered in Christmas decorations (picture at left).
Kroger's now has a seperate section for their Christmas cards, which are on sale.
Westheimer Road in the River Oaks area is covered in Christmas decorations (picture at left).
Happy Halloween.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Houston Christmas Creep
On the way to work this morning I drove past a Wal-Green's. In their windows, proudly displayed, were Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and Christmas presents.
Today is October 30th.
Today is October 30th.
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