Random thoughts a week before Thanksgiving

[SabresRule]

We are a week away from Turkey Day, or as Garfield calls it, "the Super Bowl of eating."

It's a good time for my biannual Random Thoughts.

1. How many Cinci and Pittsburgh fans will be present on the NFL thread for the NFL Network's Thursday game? (I won't- Georgia Tech/Miami has more at stake)

2. Speaking of NFLN, am I the only one who hates these non-Sunday NFL games? For decades, I could watch Saturday NFL games on NBC, CBS, or FOX. Now, I need to use the internet, not the TV! (The only decent Turkey Day game, Cardinals/Eagles, is on that blasted network!)

3. Arizona's Cardinals are starting to remind me of the magical 2006 Saints- All-Pro QB, great wideouts, bright and energetic coach, a previously sorry history. For everyone saying Arizona is not a playoff threat, remember those Saints.

4. After seeing HD MM's Mighty Quinn turn Buffalo into burgers, I feel that Buffalo should switch to J.P. Losman, who can throw a ball for more than 15 yards. Both Browns QB's have more arm strength COMBINED than week-armed Trent.

5. Is it just me or are the Indianapolis Colts becoming overhyped and overexposed? I personally don't see them making it past Wild-Card Weekend.

6. Do you guys ever try other pies on Thanksgiving besides the traditional Pumpkin Pie?

7. I can't believe nobody mentioned the ridiculously weird and bizarre finish in last night's UAB/Arizona game. It had the dumbest foul you'll ever see!

8. Which NFL game this weekend is most likely to be played in snowy weather?

9. If anyone watches 'PTI,' does anyone else think that Wilbon is becoming increasingly annoying? I think so.

10. It's amazing how most of us guys get so weak-kneed and tongue-tied whenever Sandra's around.

11. Will the Lions break out their alternate black unis on Turkey Day? IMO, it might be their best chance to reverse this year's malaise.

12. What happened to lancemccafrey? I haven't heard from him since August.

13. Who's your choice for NFL Coach of the Year? IMO, the award is a wide-open race this year.

14. HD MM, what does the second M in MM stand for? So far, I've got "High Definiton Matt." What's the last part of the name, HD?

15. Sandra, if you were around during the days when Joe Willie Namath was at his apex as a player and sex symbol, how gaga would you have been for him? I can't imagine how you would have felt about him if you were around in the 1960s at this age.

16. In terms of windchill, what's the coldest weather you can ever recall?

17. Who's your choice for NFL Defensive Player of the Year?

18. Is it a fact or myth that the day after Thanksgiving is the year's busiest and most difficult shopping day?

19. The Chiefs and Raiders are going to set pro football back 4 decades.

20. What are some of your best and worst Thanksgiving memories?

21. Washington/Washington State play this week in the Apple Cup- who ya got in the battle of the bad?

 

[anders5189]

6. Do you guys ever try other pies on Thanksgiving besides the traditional Pumpkin Pie?

Nope. Mom's pumpkin pie is all I need.

7. I can't believe nobody mentioned the ridiculously weird and bizarre finish in last night's UAB/Arizona game. It had the dumbest foul you'll ever see!

I saw it, and it was DUMB! That Arizona team is a train wreck.

13. Who's your choice for NFL Coach of the Year? IMO, the award is a wide-open race this year.

Jeff Fisher

18. Is it a fact or myth that the day after Thanksgiving is the year's busiest and most difficult shopping day?

I believe that's a fact. Although they won't be setting any records this year. Either way you won't catch me anywhere near a mall on the day after Thanksgiving.

21. Washington/Washington State play this week in the Apple Cup- who ya got in the battle of the bad?

Washington has to win this game. Washington St may be the worst team assembled in decades.

 

[SamCdbs]

2 - There is nothing wrong with the NFLN. If your cable company (1950s technology) is so vile and customer unfriendly that it does not carry this, or any other important channel, then get with the modern technology of 100% customer oriented DBS. That simple.

5 - Colts are overrated. Colts QB is overrated. Colts coach is overrated.

8 - Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

9 - PTI totally changes when its NBA season. All NBA, all the time. How much can you say about the worlds most simplistic game? I just DVR it and FF through most of the material. Wilbon is even more of a NBA only talker than TK.

18 - Myth. Most people work.

20 - Thanksgiving is not a big holiday in my life. Not that I am not religious (I always wonder why the ACLU types have never attacked Thanksgiving like they do Christmas, since thankfulness implies something that needs thanked) but when I was a kid my father was a hunter and was never home, and as an adult I and my wife worked, and now that we are older, we travel. I will be in Las Vegas for the greatest regular season sports weekend of the year.

21 - tie

 

[SabresRule]

Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Sam, they don't play until the season finale.

 

[CharlesO]

We are a week away from Turkey Day, or as Garfield calls it, "the Super Bowl of eating."
It's a good time for my biannual Random Thoughts.

2. Speaking of NFLN, am I the only one who hates these non-Sunday NFL games? For decades, I could watch Saturday NFL games on NBC, CBS, or FOX. Now, I need to use the internet, not the TV! (The only decent Turkey Day game, Cardinals/Eagles, is on that blasted network!)

It's Football in general, with ESPN now airing college games 5 nights a week. I preferred things when College was Saturday with a Thursday spotlight game and the NFL was Sunday with Monday the spotlight game.

3. Arizona's Cardinals are starting to remind me of the magical 2006 Saints- All-Pro QB, great wideouts, bright and energetic coach, a previously sorry history. For everyone saying Arizona is not a playoff threat, remember those Saints.

Playoff Football is all about matchups, if Arizona can secure the second seed it will help them, but a 3 or 4 seed will send them on the road earlier and likely to the East...not a good matchup.

5. Is it just me or are the Indianapolis Colts becoming overhyped and overexposed? I personally don't see them making it past Wild-Card Weekend.

See above...aka if they play the Broncos or Jets, good. Titans or maybe Pats, bad.

9. If anyone watches 'PTI,' does anyone else think that Wilbon is becoming increasingly annoying? I think so.

Stopped watching non-sports fluff years ago....it's vapid and worthless, worse than Talkradio almost as bad as blogs.

13. Who's your choice for NFL Coach of the Year? IMO, the award is a wide-open race this year.

Unless the Titans go undefeated, Atlanta's Mike Smith. Baltimore's Harbaugh and Miami's Sporano close 2nd and 3rd.

19. The Chiefs and Raiders are going to set pro football back 4 decades.

Water seeks it own level, the Chiefs look like they have found a QB in Thigpen, and if the Raiders keep Russell in check with the quick throws, this might be watchable.

21. Washington/Washington State play this week in the Apple Cup- who ya got in the battle of the bad?

Seattle media have dub the game as the "Crapple Cup", UW has better players but other than pride in not going winless has nothing to play for and ends it's season. WSU only win is against a FCS school and plays one more game at Hawaii. The game is in the Palouse, so it's going to be windy and cool.
Prediction: WSU 18 UW 16

 

[cosmo_kramer]

2. Why do you hate the NFL Network, because you don't get it?? See SamCdbs's response.

10. I would change that statement to "a few" instead of "most". I just see her as another knowlegeable sports poster.

Let me preface this by stating I do not think this is the case here. I used to belong to another sports forum where it was later revealed that, as an experiment for a school assignment, a man created an account name that contained an obvious female name, while revealing some personal "information" along the way. Male posters were fawning over this member for weeks, asking for photos, vital statistics, etc. The hilarity that ensued when he revealed himself was priceless....

13. To me it's a no-brainer. Tony Sparano

17. Albert Haynesworth

 

[HD MM]

1. How many Cinci and Pittsburgh fans will be present on the NFL thread for the NFL Network's Thursday game? (I won't- Georgia Tech/Miami has more at stake)

I'd rather watch the Detroit/Boston NBA game (on TNT) that those two NFL teams.

2. Speaking of NFLN, am I the only one who hates these non-Sunday NFL games? For decades, I could watch Saturday NFL games on NBC, CBS, or FOX. Now, I need to use the internet, not the TV! (The only decent Turkey Day game, Cardinals/Eagles, is on that blasted network!)

I have no problem with it, because I get NFLN with DirecTV. Get with the program Sabres!

3. Arizona's Cardinals are starting to remind me of the magical 2006 Saints- All-Pro QB, great wideouts, bright and energetic coach, a previously sorry history. For everyone saying Arizona is not a playoff threat, remember those Saints.

I see them resemble the Cowboys more. Offensively, they look great on paper. But when it comes time for the playoffs, they will run away and hide like a little sissy.

4. After seeing HD MM's Mighty Quinn turn Buffalo into burgers, I feel that Buffalo should switch to J.P. Losman, who can throw a ball for more than 15 yards. Both Browns QB's have more arm strength COMBINED than week-armed Trent.

The Mighty Quinn has given this Cleveland franchise something to be hopeful for.

5. Is it just me or are the Indianapolis Colts becoming overhyped and overexposed? I personally don't see them making it past Wild-Card Weekend.

Indy's a great franchise, led by a great QB, who will eventually be ranked right up there with the best of the best. I have no beef with Indy and even though this team may be past their prime, I will never bet against Peyton Manning.

6. Do you guys ever try other pies on Thanksgiving besides the traditional Pumpkin Pie?

The wife and I are hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year. We're expecting approximately 12 people. For dessert, my wife is making a walnut praline pumpkin pie w/ maple whipped cream, pear streusel pie w/ caramel sauce, a traditional cherry pie and a caramel apple pie with cinnamon.

7. I can't believe nobody mentioned the ridiculously weird and bizarre finish in last night's UAB/Arizona game. It had the dumbest foul you'll ever see!

Awful Announcing called Arizona the "dumbest team ever" after this game.

Awful Announcing: Arizona Could Be The Dumbest Team Ever

8. Which NFL game this weekend is most likely to be played in snowy weather?

The Texans @ Cleveland game or the Cincy @ Pittsburgh game tonight. I know here in Cleveland, it's snowing pretty hard again right now and is supposed to continue through the weekend.

11. Will the Lions break out their alternate black unis on Turkey Day? IMO, it might be their best chance to reverse this year's malaise.

If there's anyway to disguise this awful team and make them look prettier on Thanksgiving, I'm all for it.

13. Who's your choice for NFL Coach of the Year? IMO, the award is a wide-open race this year.

The Fish.

14. HD MM, what does the second M in MM stand for? So far, I've got "High Definiton Matt." What's the last part of the name, HD?

The 2nd M is the first initial to my last name.

15. Sandra, if you were around during the days when Joe Willie Namath was at his apex as a player and sex symbol, how gaga would you have been for him? I can't imagine how you would have felt about him if you were around in the 1960s at this age.

My old man lived in NY before I was born and was a fan of Namath and the Jets during his heyday. He told me that Namath was larger than life and was a celebrity in uniform. On the sidelines and in public, he would hold the appearance of a movie star, often wearing big bouffant, fur coats and sunglasses. I can't see Brady Quinn wearing a big fur coat on the sidelines in Cleveland, but I think that would be awesome if he did!

16. In terms of windchill, what's the coldest weather you can ever recall?

A quick Google search shows one of the coldest game in NFL History was between the Oakland Raiders and the Browns at the old Municipal Stadium. The game occurred on Jan. 4, 1981 and this playoff game became known as "Red Right 88". The temperture before the windchill factor was -5°F!. With windchill, the temperture was near immeasurable. This was the coldest game since the Ice Bowl of December 31, 1967.

17. Who's your choice for NFL Defensive Player of the Year?

Still sticking with Justin Tuck from the NYG. I picked him in the preseason and am sticking with him until further notice.

18. Is it a fact or myth that the day after Thanksgiving is the year's busiest and most difficult shopping day?

Fiction. The busiest shopping day is historically the Saturday before Christmas as last minute shoppers hit the stores.

20. What are some of your best and worst Thanksgiving memories?

Can't think of any bad moments. Looking to make new memories this year though as the wife and I plan on putting out quite the spread this year. I will have more to say in an upcoming thread in the Food Section.

21. Washington/Washington State play this week in the Apple Cup- who ya got in the battle of the bad?

I have to root for Washington and Tyrone Willingham. I wish the best for him as he always seems to be the victim of hard luck.

 

[SandraC]

2. Speaking of NFLN, am I the only one who hates these non-Sunday NFL games? For decades, I could watch Saturday NFL games on NBC, CBS, or FOX. Now, I need to use the internet, not the TV! (The only decent Turkey Day game, Cardinals/Eagles, is on that blasted network!)

I love the NFLN. The picture is wonderful, Papa was a great choice to replace Gumbel.

3. Arizona's Cardinals are starting to remind me of the magical 2006 Saints- All-Pro QB, great wideouts, bright and energetic coach, a previously sorry history. For everyone saying Arizona is not a playoff threat, remember those Saints.

I don't remember those Saints.

4. After seeing HD MM's Mighty Quinn turn Buffalo into burgers, I feel that Buffalo should switch to J.P. Losman, who can throw a ball for more than 15 yards. Both Browns QB's have more arm strength COMBINED than week-armed Trent.

The Bills have to get away from 'give the ball to Lynch and see if he can break one' mode.

5. Is it just me or are the Indianapolis Colts becoming overhyped and overexposed? I personally don't see them making it past Wild-Card Weekend.

The national schedules are based on last year's performance for the most part.

6. Do you guys ever try other pies on Thanksgiving besides the traditional Pumpkin Pie?

My sister-in-law makes a chocolate cream pie that is to die for. It's so good she now has to make FOUR of them when we're all together!

10. It's amazing how most of us guys get so weak-kneed and tongue-tied whenever Sandra's around.

Henrik seems to be able to control himself...

11. Will the Lions break out their alternate black unis on Turkey Day? IMO, it might be their best chance to reverse this year's malaise.

That would be spitting in the face of tradition.

13. Who's your choice for NFL Coach of the Year? IMO, the award is a wide-open race this year.

Jon Gruden. Tampa is not talented, although Garcia makes plays when it matters.

15. Sandra, if you were around during the days when Joe Willie Namath was at his apex as a player and sex symbol, how gaga would you have been for him? I can't imagine how you would have felt about him if you were around in the 1960s at this age.

Not sure...good looking man, but a lot of the guys from that era tend to look bizarre in pictures from back then.

Isn't that like asking if you guys would be interested in Jayne Mansfield or Kim Novak?

16. In terms of windchill, what's the coldest weather you can ever recall?

Maybe tonight, my niece has a 7:30 PM soccer game. Brrrrr...

18. Is it a fact or myth that the day after Thanksgiving is the year's busiest and most difficult shopping day?

Based on economic headlines, hopefully a fact.

19. The Chiefs and Raiders are going to set pro football back 4 decades.

Back to when they were both good?



Sandra

 

[SamCdbs]

Sam, they don't play until the season finale.

The question was:


8. Which NFL game this weekend is most likely to be played in snowy weather?


I was picking two. Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh, which was Thursday's game and where it did snow, and Houston @ Cleveland.

 

[Jimbo]

16. In terms of windchill, what's the coldest weather you can ever recall?

A quick Google search shows one of the coldest game in NFL History was between the Oakland Raiders and the Browns at the old Municipal Stadium. The game occurred on Jan. 4, 1981 and this playoff game became known as "Red Right 88". The temperture before the windchill factor was -5°F!. With windchill, the temperture was near immeasurable. This was the coldest game since the Ice Bowl of December 31, 1967.

HD MM,
I thought that the San Deigo vs Cincy game was colder than that ....

Is the question about games or temps you've been in or what.

I've worked outside when it was 20-25 below WC ... no fun ....
I'm sure many have in Minnesota, Wisc. Mich ect, the UP as well.

 

[SabresRule]

Is the question about games or temps you've been in or what.

I was talking about real-life experiences, not cold sporting events.

 

[AntAltMike]

If your cable company (1950s technology) is so vile and customer unfriendly that it does not carry this, or any other important channel, then get with the modern technology of 100% customer oriented DBS. That simple....

For the benefit of those of you here who are unfamiliar with the abbreviation, DBS, it stands for Direct Broadcast Satellite, which is a technology that utilizes Ku and Ka band, high powered signals to enable anyone who has permission to mount his own pizza-size sized reception antenna to basically enjoy his own private cable company. You may be surprised to learn that there are internet forums devoted to that subject!

 

[cybok0]

16. In terms of windchill, what's the coldest weather you can ever recall?

A quick Google search shows one of the coldest game in NFL History was between the Oakland Raiders and the Browns at the old Municipal Stadium. The game occurred on Jan. 4, 1981 and this playoff game became known as "Red Right 88". The temperture before the windchill factor was -5°F!. With windchill, the temperture was near immeasurable. This was the coldest game since the Ice Bowl of December 31, 1967.

HD MM,
I thought that the San Deigo vs Cincy game was colder than that ....

Is the question about games or temps you've been in or what.

I've worked outside when it was 20-25 below WC ... no fun ....
I'm sure many have in Minnesota, Wisc. Mich ect, the UP as well.

It was damn cold in northern Maine as well.

 

[boomer69]

For the benefit of those of you here who are unfamiliar with the abbreviation, DBS, it stands for Direct Broadcast Satellite, which is a technology that utilizes Ku and Ka band, high powered signals to enable anyone who has permission to mount his own pizza-size sized reception antenna to basically enjoy his own private cable company. You may be surprised to learn that there are internet forums devoted to that subject!

Great post!!!...:up

However, your last point will be pretty much lost on most of this crowd...they didn't care over at DBS Forums, and this board doesn't seem to care!!!...

 

[HD MM]

Great post!!!...:up

However, your last point will be pretty much lost on most of this crowd...they didn't care over at DBS Forums, and this board doesn't seem to care!!!...

Thank you. You and AntMike made you point already. Get over it. Go back to the Satellite Threads and keep bickering between which is better: Dish or DirecTV. This is the sports forum, so stay on topic.

 

[SandraC]

Thank you. You and AntMike made you point already. Get over it. Go back to the Satellite Threads and keep bickering between which is better: Dish or DirecTV. This is the sports forum, so stay on topic.

Great point. Perhaps they should go to the 'good ole days' forum and wax nostalgic.

I also thought the sports forum was for sports topics, I suppose this point is lost on people...


Sandra

 

[SabresRule]

4. After seeing HD MM's Mighty Quinn turn Buffalo into burgers, I feel that Buffalo should switch to J.P. Losman, who can throw a ball for more than 15 yards. Both Browns QB's have more arm strength COMBINED than week-armed Trent.

The Bills have to get away from 'give the ball to Lynch and see if he can break one' mode.

Looks like I'm the only one who's good at predictions.

Sandra called for the Bills to change their style, and it worked wonderfully!

OTOH, it was the Chiefs.

 

[ScoBuck]

Looks like I'm the only one who's good at predictions.

Yep - on a few games you are, and on a few games you are way off - just like everyone else that tries to predict outcomes.

 

[mdonnelly]

16. In terms of windchill, what's the coldest weather you can ever recall?

A quick Google search shows one of the coldest game in NFL History was between the Oakland Raiders and the Browns at the old Municipal Stadium. The game occurred on Jan. 4, 1981 and this playoff game became known as "Red Right 88". The temperture before the windchill factor was -5°F!. With windchill, the temperture was near immeasurable. This was the coldest game since the Ice Bowl of December 31, 1967.

HD MM,
I thought that the San Deigo vs Cincy game was colder than that ....

Is the question about games or temps you've been in or what.

I've worked outside when it was 20-25 below WC ... no fun ....
I'm sure many have in Minnesota, Wisc. Mich ect, the UP as well.

One week after winning one of the most memorable games ever in Miami, the Bolts traveled to the coldest game ever.

"In NFL lore, the Freezer Bowl (January 10, 1982) was the 1981 AFC Championship Game between the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was played in the coldest temperature in NFL history in terms of wind chill. Air temperature was -9°F (-23°C), but the wind chill, factoring in a sustained wind of 27 miles per hour, was -37°F (calculated as -59°F (-51°C) using the now outdated wind chill formula in place at the time). The game was played at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, and televised by NBC with announcers Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen. ..."
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freezer_Bowl"]Freezer Bowl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg" class="image"><img alt="Text document with red question mark.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/40px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/40px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png[/ame]

 

[salsadancer7]

16. In terms of windchill, what's the coldest weather you can ever recall?

A quick Google search shows one of the coldest game in NFL History was between the Oakland Raiders and the Browns at the old Municipal Stadium. The game occurred on Jan. 4, 1981 and this playoff game became known as "Red Right 88". The temperture before the windchill factor was -5°F!. With windchill, the temperture was near immeasurable. This was the coldest game since the Ice Bowl of December 31, 1967.

I was AT THAT GAME!!!! I was living in western NY...and my very best friends' family were/are HUGE Browns fans and season ticket holders since the early 70s and invited me to this gameas a Christmas gift. It was THE 1st time I had EVER seen a football game live AND the 1st time I had ever seen my Raiders play live. After the almost 6 hour drive, after we got out of the car, I was IN TEARS because of how cold it initially was. But, they brought me one of those hunting suits and it did the trick(and extra socks, gloves and so on.....). I think it was THE ONLY RAIDER fan in the stadium. I had NO Raider gear on because I just think it would not have been safe being 6 hours from home. I had a great time, the people were really nice and they KNEW I was a Raider fan because I said VERY little when the Browns did something and sort of clenched my fist when the Raiders did. I DID let out a relatively LOUD "YES!!!!" when Brian Sipe was intercepted by Mike Davis with 40 seconds or so left in the game. To this day, I just don't understand WHY didn't go for the FG.

Needless to say, it was a VERY long ride for buddy and his parents, I slept VERY WELL all 6 hours home....