Mon AM QB

Ravens 33 - Patriots 14

In one way, it is almost as if there is a passing of the torch going on right now or the end of an era. At the same time, I realize this may just be my perception. It may just be a sign that they need to retool some elements and rebuild.

Anything than could go wrong has gone wrong for them the past two years, as far as injuries go.

Last year it was Brady out for the season, this year it has been Welker hurt when it counted the most. There was some discussion about Brady playing with hurt ribs, there were times that I felt like Moss was quitting on the team. I don't know, only the team knows these things and they have denied these accounts.

What I did see of this ball game, it looked like the Ravens put lots of pressure on Brady, more than he's used to when they are winning. Greg, our resident Pats fan, has said in the past that the offensive line was not particularly good this year. It seems quite feasible that some work needs to be put into it...if they want to allow Brady the opportunity to keep throwing in "Hall Of Fame" fashion.

When the Ravens are good, this is the way they play: Tough defense and physical running attacks on offense. These are the things that Baltimore will need working for them, to have any chance to go further. They overran a banged up group of legends that will likely be back, but can they beat the juggernaut of the regular season the same way?


Cardinals 51 - Packers 45

Over 1000 total yards for both teams combined, 59 first downs, and no defense at all until the very end, when the game was on the line. This was the best game to watch the entire weekend, if you didn't have a dog in the fight. Otherwise, your nerves are shot today.

One would have thought that Arizona was going to rout the Pack, with the way the game started out. But after a scoreless 1st quarter, GB was able to crank up the offense and make a game out of it. Although I have been highly critical of Aaron Rodgers in this forum, he showed that he has the talent to be a great QB.

The Arizona offense must be damned good, because they just scored 51 on the second ranked defense in the league during the regular season. The impressive thing was, they did without one of their best receivers. Imagine how good they can be if they are healthy and on top of their game.

In my estimation, Kurt Warner has made his case for getting into the Hall of Fame and will only solidify that claim the longer he wins. Many think he already has, but you know how fickled the Hall voters can be sometimes. I think he will have a good day against New Orleans, next week.


Well that's the first round. The stage is set for the division round next week and we will post on these match-ups later in the week.

Mon AM QB (On Sunday)

Here is my take on the Saturday NFL playoff games. I got to see most of both:


Jets 24 - Bengals 14

Every year in the playoffs, one team seems to rise up at the right time and play well enough to be the cinderella team that the media loves to see. I am not so sure it is the Jets though. But then again, I am not so sure it isn't.

If the Colts hadn't laid down in the next to last game of the season, we wouldn't be talking about them (except in reference to the draft). But they did get a Christmas gift from Indy when they sat their stars. And now, this is a new season and a chance for new life. Records are out the window and the outcomes of games are decided on the field, not by pundits on TV and radio.

I don't want to take away from the Jets' good performance on the defensive side of the ball, or their potent "ball control" running attack on offense. But if you ask me what advanced New York out of this round, I'd have to say it was Carson Palmer and the entire Bengals offense (except Cedric Benson, who had 169 yds rushing).

No blocking, no picking up blitzes, and throws way off target, all had a major impact on this game. And when the passes were on target, they were dropped. I tell you, Chad Johnson is the next Terrell Owens, another big mouth "no effort" choke artist. For the second week in a row, Rivas had him covered like Allstate.

In my estimation, there is no excuse for the poor performance by the Bengals. They had all of the tools they needed. They had the talent, size, and speed. They knew the Jets well from the week before and still could not come up with a decent game plan to at least make it interesting. They moved the ball, but could not score points. They couldn't even depend on the kicker to make an easy FG.

But again, I won't take anything away from NY. They played solidly and confidently, Sanchez did not look like a rookie. He had a lot of help from the running game, but also made good decisions when the ball was in his hands. They deserved to win this game and may have gained enough confidence and momentum to cause their next opponent some serious anxiety.


Cowboys 34 - Eagles 14

I am not a fan of either team. But as it turns out, Michael Vick is playing for Philly and I have no respect for an inhumane puke that kills defenseless animals for sport or pleasure. I was not in favor of him returning to the league this quick, if ever at all. So, that sinks the Eagles a bit lower on my personal likability chart.

I can sum this game up quite simply, Dallas owns Philadelphia.

And why shouldn't they?

The Eagles franchise hasn't changed much over the past 10 years. Some of the faces are different, they play decent defense, but for the past decade their success had hinged on Donovan McNaab. As he goes, so goes the team. How hard can it be to prepare for a team like that?

They are predictable to a tee and the Cowboys were ready for them....again.

McNaab was smothered. He was sacked four times and his throws were constantly being hurried. While he was able to manage 230 yds passing, the Eagles (as a team) could only manage 56 yds rushing. That will not get it, in the playoffs

Vick managed to throw a 76 yd TD pass early. But before the Eagle fans could start screaming for the dog killer to replace McNaab, he fumbled an easy handoff and gave the ball back to Dallas in good field position. That brought PETA members everywhere to their feet, celebrating in jubilation.

The bottom line here is simple. Like them or not, the Cowboys showed they could win a playoff game with Philips as coach and Romo as QB. The big thing that makes them so dangerous from here on out is their defense. They are creating better situations for Romo (and the entire offense) to capitalize on, by shutting down the opposition and causing turnovers.

Whoever they get next week had better be ready to play, unless they want to be watching the rest of the games on TV.

Another Blast From The Past

There's nothing like a little reality check, now and then. There's nothing like someone reminding you that you aren't getting younger.

So.....I will warn you now, this week's music post might make some of the fine PYY readers feel a bit older. It's not too late to turn back. But if you do, you may miss some good music that permeated the airwaves back in history.

As I consider what defines a "golden oldie", I can only conclude it all comes down to the individual. If you asked me and I had to make a call for the good of the team, I'd would say 20 years has always been as good of a gauge as any. It's not that important, I know. But we are just having a little fun here, right?

Well, one week ago as the ball dropped, an entirely new group of oldies was commissioned. Here are a few you might remember from 1990.

This one was a one hit wonder. It's classy European beat mixed well with a distinct 60s flair, I always enjoyed hearing this one:



Her raspy Tina Turner like vocals got her this gig and many songs after. I hadn't heard of her until she came out with this sassy, vibrant song:



For the male side of the raspy cigarette soaked voice, we have an old rock and roller (who has always been able to put together a good performance in each of his four decades, of his star-studded career). Here is a classic 1990 remake of a 1966 Isley Brothers hit, see if you remember it:



Enjoy.

Math Made Easy

Math wasn't my favorite subject. But let's have some fun with numbers anyway, shall we?

(All of these numbers are coming from TV Newser.)


On JANUARY 12, 2007, here were the cable news ratings:

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 2,498,000
FNC HANNITY/COLMES 2,189,000
FNC GRETA 1,473,000
FNC BRIT HUME 1,319,000
FNC SHEP 1,315,000
CNN DOBBS 1,106,000
CNN BLITZER 825,000
CNN COOPER 658,000
CNN ZAHN 611,000,
MSNBC OLBERMANN 605,000
KING 544,000
MSNBC HARDBALL 502,000
CNNHN GRACE 496,000


On MARCH 26, 2009:

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,420,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 2,987,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,374,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 2,160,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 1,940,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 1,888,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 1,322,000
CNNHN GRACE 1,300,000
MSNBC MADDOW 1,208,000
CNN KING 1,144,000
CNN COOPER 1,118,000


Wednesday - JANUARY 6, 2010:

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,919,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 2,611,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,609,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 2,182,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 2,154,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 2,005,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 1,085,000
CNNHN GRACE 983,000
MSNBC MADDOW 983,000
CNNHN BEHAR 689,000
CNN KING 656,000
MSNBC HARDBALL 615,000
CNN COOPER 590,000


X=the difference of like items + or -. Your assignment is to solve for X.

Try as they may, the leftist networks cannot stop the bleeding.

More Moonbat Conspiracy

I have said it before and I will say it again. Whoever coined the word "moonbat" deserves royalties.

Got a few minutes? Give a listen to this snippet from the John Gibson Show. I lifted it from I Hate The Media, who lifted it from Olbermann Watch. (We all need uplifted now and then.)



These moonbats think we are paranoid because we believe more attacks are imminent. But when an attack occurs, can you see who starts spinning outrageous theories? These asinine belief systems come from those who might meet the DSM-IV criteria for Paranoid Personality Disorder, or some thought disorder that requires anti-psychotics just to be able to start therapy.

This is precisely why I will not even watch Olbermann doing Sunday Night football pre-game. He is a certifiable idiot.

On Notice

It's time to put our leadership in Washington on notice. I do not know who put this video together, but it is powerful and I recommend everyone watch it:



Because this leadership has failed the American people so miserably, PYY will be posting an ongoing series called "On Notice". Each post will highlight a member of Congress who is up for re-election that deserves to be fired by his/her constituency.

The next installment will feature my senator who is up for re-election in 2010, Sen. Evan Bayh. I know someone from his office has read this blog before, maybe they will soon get the message that his days are numbered.

Rise up America, the new year is here. The time to replace the incumbents is at hand. We can sit back, talk about it, gripe about it, or we can DO something about it.

Pelosi Inference: Obama Lied (A Lot)

Yesterday, the big story was C-SPAN's interest in carrying the final health care negotiations on live TV for the public to see. Brian Lamb even sent a very respectful letter, communicating this desire. After all, when the President was a candidate, he did say that he wanted this to become a reality:



Well, today there is a new angle to this story. The question of Mr. Obama's promise was raised again to Madame Speaker. Take a listen:



Her response: “There are a number of things he was for on the campaign trail."

Translation: We always lie when we are campaigning. We do that so you will elect us and we can do what we please when we get into office. Don't you peasants understand this?

Folks, this is it. It's showtime. Time to put up or shut up. If we do not take back this nation from those who seek to run into the ground while rubbing our faces in it, we will be leaving our children a country that they will desperately seek to flee.

Mon AM QB

Much was said locally and nationally about the Colts' decision to lay down last week against the Jets, and to some degree this past week against the Bills. But as we succumb to the meaningless opinions from the sports pundits, let's consider the Patriots' plight yesterday.

NE lost more than the meaningless game they were in. Welker left the game with a knee injury. So, I guess time will tell what his status will be come next week against the Ravens. But more than this, it shows why some organizations are not willing to risk everything for goals that may or may not be attainable....or for something that returns little if anything at all.

Philadelphia controlled their own destiny yesterday. They did not lay down but they lost control and failed to clinch. I am glad, because I want Favre to get some rest before hitting the field again and this allows Minnesota a bye.

Much was and will be said about the Arizona-Green Bay game. The Cardinals laid down because they had nothing of any real value to gain or lose, once Minnesota won. The Bengals laid down against the Jets, as well. The Jets don't deserve to be there because in one sense, they had it handed to them.

Yesterday I heard many of the pundits say that by laying down in a game in which the team would face the other again next week, the team that lost would lose the upper hand next week when it mattered most. Arizona and Cincinnati now have quality tape to review, because you know both teams had to show their cards to wallop the other as bad as they did.

Anyway, for better or worse the teams are now set. Only the strong will survive from here on. There will be no more laying down or the team that does will be laying down on their couches watching the rest of the playoffs.


Addendum: Just so Rocket doesn't threaten to take his business elsewhere, SD beat Washington with their subs, in what was a meaningless game for both teams. Zorn is history, Skins fans can only hope that someone can be hired to manage the talent that has underachieved so much, so often. It will have to be someone that can handle crybabies like Albert Haynesworth, who makes millions and still cannot get along with people.

Sunday Comfort: Obama On The Job

After one week and one day, President Obama has finally seen enough evidence to make a determination that apparently, Al-Qaeda is behind the attempted (but failed) Christmas Day bombing plot.

An al-Qaida affiliate in Yemen apparently ordered the Christmas Day plot against a U.S. airliner, training and arming the 23-year-old Nigerian man accused in the failed bombing, President Barack Obama said Saturday.

"This is not the first time this group has targeted us," Obama said, reporting on some of the findings of an administration review into how intelligence agencies failed to prevent Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab from boarding Detroit-bound Northwest Flight 253.

I don't know about you all, but I am so glad that President Obama is on the job in Hawaii. He is spending lots of time on the golf course thinking about who could have done such a dastardly thing last week, has now finally put it all together, and is willing to share it with us.

In the second paragraph of the referenced article, you will note his willingness to take the time to teach us about the history of this group of mean people. I am glad that we can now know and understand more about them, that they have tried this kind of thing before.

What a wise and insightful teacher this man is. What a leader.

Alright, enough sarcasm for a minute.

People should be very alarmed at the weakness that is now on display in Washington DC. The other thing to consider is, with that weakness comes a glut of incompetence and condescension as well.

While treating us like idiots, by insinuating that the masses cannot remember Al-Qaeda doing these kinds of things before, they are treating us like children. It's like when you are 40 years old and you have retired parents (with nothing to do but criticize) trying to tell you how to raise your kids and run your life. Between golf games at the country club and lodge meetings at the Elks, they never miss an opportunity to tell you something you already know.

Never mind that you have made a success of yourself, all by yourself. You are still an idiot child, in their eyes.

In other words, this administration isn't much different. The rest of us, including HuffPo had this one figured out on December 28. But they they had a hot tip to get it right, Al-Qaeda (themselves) claimed responsibility and made it easier for them to go out on a limb. (I guess Obama didn't want to rush to judgment and wanted to give them every benefit of the doubt.)

In another world and time, the leadership wasn't in it over their heads. They made mistakes, but they still had a grasp of things and didn't act like the American people were irresponsible children, not fully capable of understanding the bigger picture. They may have stayed quiet, but it wasn't because they failed to grasp the gravity of the situation.

This leadership hasn't got a clue, what to do, or when to do it when they do know.

Another Blast From The Past

Welcome to the first post of the new year/decade here at PYY. It just so happens that it's Saturday, which means the weekly music post.

In keeping with the spirit of the "New Year", I thought we'd check out some great songs performed by "NEW Riders of the Purple Sage". For those of you who aren't familiar with them, they were a spin-off from the Grateful Dead.

Up first is a tune about what the Indians used to call "firewater":



This one was originally released by the Stones as a parody of the "crying in your beer" sub-genre of C&W. These guys do a great job covering:



Here's a slower one, for all you slow dancers out there:



This one is from 1973, one that most will recognize when they hear it. It was their best known and the one that put them on the FM map:



Enjoy and continue to stay safe.