Feelings

A couple of quick notes:

1. I know Packer fans love their team, but this is a bit much. Check out the guy on the right, and "where" he is grabbing. Can someone please explain this to me? Now, if this was Brettfavre, this would be perfectly understandable, but Ruvell Martin?

2. Stephon "Starbury" Marbury is unhappy. Yes, you read that correctly. Never before has a person who gets paid over $20 MILLION a year to bounce a ball been so consistently unhappy as Marbury. Hey, it's a tough life. He skipped his last game against Phoenix (and got fined $200 grand) and flew back to New York to sulk. He has been benched by Head Coach Isiah Thomas. Let's face it, Starbury has had kind of a rough year. Here is some background from a report on espn.com:

Marbury is still one of the Knicks' best players, averaging 15.2 points and 6.8 assists. But he and Thomas clashed early last season after Thomas benched him in the second halves of two games, and Marbury caused the Knicks some more headaches this summer.He behaved erratically during a televised interview, then testified in a sexual harassment trial against Thomas and Madison Square Garden that he had a sexual encounter in his truck with a team intern, smiling and singing on his way out of the courthouse.
Marbury also was forced to apologize after defending Michael Vick's participation in dogfighting.

It sounds like Stephon has some dirt on Thomas, however:

"Isiah has to start me," Marbury reportedly said, according to the Daily News. "I've got so much [stuff] on Isiah and he knows it. He thinks he can [get] me. But I'll [get] him first. You have no idea what I know."

That's the spirit, Steph. Love to see that camaraderie between player and coach! Steph must have some pictures pertaining to the alleged sexual harassment charges against Thomas.

Only in the NBA, baby.

Jeff

Enough Whining by Me! Let's revisit 1977!

Ok, enough. I am sick of hearing myself whine about sports. That's enough of that crap.

I got an e-mail from my sister (that would be What Jeff Think's sister) that had photos from the 1977 JC Penny catalog. Outstanding. The height of leisure suits. And those of you who know me realize that I am into leisure suits. I like that way they fit and feel. These pictures solidify my belief that I should have been born about 15 years earlier so I could have experienced The '70's in the height of the Disco, leisure suit craze. I would have feathered my hair big-time and grew a sweet mustache and boogied the night away. Check these out and you'll know what I am talking about:

Look at this and tell me with a straight face that I would not make this look good. If it gets hot, you just lose the the coat for some serious comfort. Next....

Speaking of hot, this little number takes the cake. And, it's got collars so you can wear it at the golf course OR at THE CHECK. That leads us to....

...This matching "his 'n' her" set. Sweet and doubly sexy. You could play hide 'n' seek and lay on the bed sheet and nobody would ever find you. Or you could trade shirts with your honey and nobody would know the difference. These would have matched some wallpaper at my parents house in the '70's, by the way. And lastly....

...possibly the greatest shirt that I have ever seen. Kind of an "Urban Cowboy" theme for those hot disco nights. Once again, if it gets too hot, you simply unbutton that middle section to unleash the manly chest hair and serious gold necklace. Nice.

No question, I should have been born 15 years earlier.

Groovy,

Jeff

Nice

Boy, did Chilly have 'em ready to play today. After crossing into a parallel universe last week and actually defeating San Diego, the Minnesota Vikings were back today to embarrassing the entire State of Minnesota. Now this is what I am used to. I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this, folks. As I am writing this, the Packers are beating the Vikings 34 - 0. I was a little off on my prediction that the Vikes would lose on a last-second pass. Even I could not anticipate this type of ineptitude. They were dominated in every facet of the game. A few things are apparent:

1. I do not experience one ounce of pleasure from watching football. Once again, I am three hours closer to death. I could have been kayaking or skydiving or something. Why do I do this?

2. The Vikings need 3 completely different quarterbacks next year. Or next week, even. They. Are. All. Terrible.

3. This may have been the worst game the Vikings played in the last 10 years. Now that is saying something. There is a lot of competition for that honor.

4. Did Darren Sharper play today?

5. What do you bet the doctors "find" something in Adrienne Peterson's knee this week that is serious. And by the way, if somebody would have put that same hit on Brettfavre, they would have been called for unsportsmanlike conduct and probably kicked out of the game.

6. Watch a replay of the 4th-quarter pass that TWO Vikings deflected in the end zone that somehow ended up in the hands of a Packer for a touchdown and tell me that the Packers are not living a charmed existence. But, you know what? You make your own luck. Folks, the Packers are going to WIN the Super Bowl. I called it after Week 3. There is nothing that can be done to stop this supernatural train now. And Brettfavre will be the MVP on the NFL.

Count on it.

Jeff

Saturday Morning Tidbits

Happy Saturday everyone.

Tidbit #1. I read an article in the Star Tribune this morning stating that the four Hennepin County Commissioners who voted in favor of the Twins stadium are receiving threats from "certain" anti-stadium members of the public. The only thing that surprises me about this news is that it took so long for a few of these unstable, anti-stadium wing-nuts to react with violent threats. Maybe the fact that the construction of the stadium infrastructure is now actually visible was the last straw for these folks. Apparently, all four Commissioners have received threatening letters to their houses, one claiming that "judgement day is coming." Nice.

In addition, Commissioner Mike Opat was recently mugged outside of his Robbinsdale home. So far, the crime has been called random, but I wouldn't put this act past a few of the anti-stadium freaks. After all, if you don't get your way, name-calling , threats and violence is the way to react, right? Granted, many of the anti-stadium posts that I've read on other blogs are from well-spoken, level-headed people who just happen to have a different opinion than me on the topic. A few posters, however, come across as simply having a personal vendetta against these Commissioners. If I was the cops, I would be interested in "questioning" a few of these guys after what happened to Opat.

Tidbit #2: I have been asked quite frequently if I think the Vikings will beat the Packers this weekend. Well, no I don't. I believe the game will be close, however. In fact, I believe the Vikings will hold a three point lead with less than 4 minutes to play. They will have the ball and be forced to punt to the Packers after some bad Chilly play-calling. Brettfavre (one word) will attempt to drive the Pack down the field for the tying field goal and send the game to overtime. BUT the Pack will WIN when Favre hits Greg Jennings on a slant. Jennings will split and get behind the safeties. Jennings will "take it to the house" with less than 10 seconds remaining. Lambeau Leap ensues, 24-20 Packers. Supernatural. Count on it.

Tidbit #3: I've been listening to Jason Isbell's "Sirens of the Ditch" quite a bit lately, the first solo effort from the lead singer of The Drive By Truckers. Isbell continues with the "Alt-Country" tradition of the Truckers, who have been called "the Southern Replacements." Check it out if you are looking for some new tunes - it's excellent. Highlights include the Mellencamp-like rocker "Brand New Kind of Actress" and the twangy ballad "Dress Blues" about a soldier who does not return home from Iraq. If you like The Drive By Truckers, you will love this album.

Peace,

Jeff

A Tale of Two Franchises

I have often written about how, in this town, the Vikings could take a lesson in Public Relations from the Wild. Or simply hire them as consultants to check in with before they act or speak. Well, here is yet another example of what I am talking about.

Exhibit A: Wes Walz, one of the two remaining "original members" of the Wild, asks for a few days off to tend to "personal matters." The team grants Walz, one of the Wild fan favorites, the time off. "A few days" has now turned into "an indefinite leave of absence." Apparently, nobody on the team knows exactly why Walz needs this time off, although it has been rumored that he is pondering retirement. Here is what Head Coach Jaques Lemaire told the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

"It's really surprising that nothing has leaked so far, and that we don't know the reason he is gone and not coming back," coach Jacques Lemaire said today after practice. "If he needs time, that's fine, but I don't know that. I want him to take time, but I'd like to know what's going on."

It's not as if the Wild couldn't use Wes Walz right now. Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik, the Groin Brothers, continue to miss time due to injury. The Wild could use Walz. But, here is what team captain Brian Rolston had to say:

"He's meant a lot to this organization, and his work ethic is superior," Rolston said. "Whatever time he needs, we'll give it to him, no problems."

In other words, it would be great to have Walz back, but some things are more important that sports. The organization will give him the time off he needs.

So, what's up with the Vikes?

Exhibit B: Wide Receiver Troy Williamson leaves the team for a week to attend the funeral of his grandmother. The Vikings dock his pay $26,000. After the death last week of his maternal grandmother, Williamson rejoined the Vikings yesterday. He apparently was very close to his grandmother, who helped raise him and taught him to cook and drive. Williamson lamented that he could not spend more time with his family, particularly his brother Carlton, who is still in a coma after a car accident, even after the club withheld his paycheck. Here is what Williamson told the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

"I don't care if (the Vikings) would have took my pay for the rest of the year, I was going home," Williamson said. "It wouldn't have mattered to me. No matter what (Brad Childress) would have said, if I had to stay up here or not, I would have been at my house (in South Carolina) for that week." Williamson declined to comment, when asked if Childress was understanding.

Yeah, I bet Chilly was really understanding. He seems like a touchy, feely guy. What makes matters even more confounding is (lets not mince words here) Williamson can't catch the ball. And he's a wide receiver. Let me get this straight - the Wild grant a "needed player" an indefinite leave of absence and the Vikings dock a guy who can't catch $26 grand for attending his grandma's funeral.

Nice public relations, folks. The Vikings just don't get it. In the words of Sid Hartman, the Vikings could screw up a two-car funeral. There are a lot of reasons franchises struggle to sell tickets and fail to ingratiate themselves with the public. Winning and losing has a lot to do with that, but little things like "treatment of people" tend to add up over time. Some franchises tend to cut a lot of slack to the "head-cases" that get in trouble with the law off the field, and then fine those players who leave to attend funerals. Hell, even THE CHECK has paid bereavement time.

Once again, the Vikes should pick up the phone and ask the Wild for some advice before making decisions.

Peace,

Jeff

296 Yards !?!

A few thoughts on the day in football (and one hockey note):

1. I have to admit that I am amazed at the Vikings performance today. Beforehand, this game had all the markings of a good, sound San Diego thrashing of the Vikes. But they beat the Chargers 35-17, for God sakes. It's almost like the Metrodome crossed into a parallel universe this afternoon. The Vikes had a great pass rush, and held LaDainian Tomlinson to 40 yards rushing.

The most amazing performance, however, was that of Adrian Peterson. All he did today was set an all-time NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards on 30 carries. That's two games this year in which Peterson has rushed for more than 200 yards. The dude can play. As I have said before, there is now a reason to watch Viking games.

2. OK, Dools. Maybe Detroit is better than I thought.

3. The Packers Super (natural) Bowl drive continues. They are now 7 and 1 after coming from behind and beating Kansas City. It's happening, folks, and no amount of logic can stop it.

4. Lastly, Jase and I attended the Wild game last night against the hated Calgary Flames. The Wild won 4 - 1, and are now 6-0 in games in which Jase attends. I will be calling the Wild offices tomorrow to see if they will provide season tickets to Jase.

Peace,

Jeff

Still More News Items and Amazing Factoids

Here are some things that are on my mind today:

1. It's going to be hard for me to type this because tonight is the Timberwolves season opener and I am breathing into a bag in anticipation.

2. Sasquatch sighting in Pennsylvania. Many of you have e-mailed me about the recent Sasquatch sighting in Pennsylvania. The BFRO web site was reporting this sighting a couple of weeks ago, but the mainstream media continues to bury it's head in the sand and did not mention it until a few days ago. They probably didn't want to cause a panic. An R. Jacobs took the following photo with a Bushnell camera with an infrared (invisible) flash. Some people think it's a "mangy" bear. They always say it's a bear. The BFRO web site has some good information on the differnce between an "ape-like" body and a bear. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

3. NBC Football Goes "Green." Check this one out. In an effort to "go green," NBC's Sunday night studio show will deliberately go dark for the last minute of the show — before fully lit coverage of Dallas-Philadelphia kicks off at about 7:15 p.m. CT — and stay dark during the halftime and postgame studio shows. All in an effort to save energy for the environment. There's more. Here is what Producer Michael Weisman had to say about the idea:

"We're opening ourselves up for ridicule and sarcasm," Weisman says. "It might be perceived as a stunt. But with 20 million people watching, some might say, 'Let's go turn out the lights in rooms we're not using."

Ridicule and sarcasm? No way, Mike! Here's more:

Weisman says, FNA will show satellite shots of U.S. cities "to show all that electricity being used," turn its onscreen logos green and include Bob Costas talking to Matt Lauer, who'll be near the north pole to report for NBC's Today show next week.

So let me get this straight. There will a few minutes of "dark" in an effort to remind all of the good people to "go turn off all of the lights in the other rooms." I already do this - constantly. Then, there will be satellite shots of U.S. cities "to show all that electricity being used (by you ass-holes)." Folks, I don't know if Global Warming is real or not, but this is the kind of thing that gives the people who believe it IS real a bad name. You know how these frauds could save a lot of money on electricity? Play the game during THE DAY. But, then The Ratings might not be as good, right? It's all about ratings.

4. Saudi Marriage 'Expert' Advises Men in 'Right Way' to Beat Their Wives. You read that correctly. Those of you who know me realize that I am always looking for advice on life's matters. Well, Saudi author and cleric, "Dr." Muhammad Al-'Arifi, who in a segment broadcast on Saudi and Kuwaiti television in September, counseled young Muslim men on how to treat their wives. As you know, the Saudi's are making a broad attempt to move their culture into the 14th century, so I wanted to know what Al-Arifi had to say. Here are some words of wisdom from the interview. This is real, folks:

"Admonish them – once, twice, three times, four times, ten times," he advised. "If this doesn't help, refuse to share their beds."

And if that doesn't work?

"Beat them," one of his three young advisees responded. "That's right," Al-'Arifi said.

OK, but what is the "right way" to go about this?

"Beating in the face is forbidden, even when it comes to animals," he explained. "Even if you want your camel or donkey to start walking, you are not allowed to beat it in the face. If this is true for animals, it is all the more true when it comes to humans. So beatings should be light and not in the face."

Right! I beat my donkeys and camels on the behind when I want them to start walking. Al-Arifi's final words of wisdom ? Here are some "words" that can be utilized to get a man's point across:

"Woman, it has gone too far! I can't bear it anymore," he tells the men to tell their wives. "If he beats her, the beatings must be light and must not make her face ugly.
"He must beat her where it will not leave marks. He should not beat her on the hand... He should beat her in some places where it will not cause any damage. He should not beat her like he would beat an animal or a child -- slapping them right and left.

Wow, Dr. Phil. That's really insightful. Do not beat them as you would "a child." And "do not make her ugly." Al-Arifi is thinking about all angles, here. I hope you are all taking notes.

You just can't make this crap up. This type of "thinking" is what we are up against, people. Scary.

Peace.

Jeff