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NFL Sunday Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 08:11:58 AM EST
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John Amato of Crooks and Liars and me talking NFL Week 5 and Mariano Rivera, Yankee greats, plus some other things:

Our picks (disagreements in BOLD): STEELERS (-3) over Vikings, RAVENS(-3) over Bills, BENGALS (-4) over Browns (BTD BEST BET 4 units), COLTS (-9) over Jags, TEXANS (+3) (BTD), SEAHAWKS (-3) (Amato), CARDINALS (+3) over Bucs, LIONS (-3) over Bears, GIANTS (+4 1/2) (BTD), CHIEFS (-4 1/2) (Amato), JETS (+3 1/2) (BTD), TITANS (-3 1/2) (Amato), CHARGERS (+2) over Cowboys, RAIDERS (+3 1/2) (Armando), REDSKINS (=3 1/2) (Amato), BRONCOS (-11) over Eagles, FALCONS (+2) over Pats, DOLPHINS (+7) (BTD), SAINTS (-7) (Amato).

Open Thread.

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    NFL Sunday Open Thread | 44 comments (44 topical)

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    AN AXE LENGTH AWAY, vol. 142 (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 10:12:54 AM EST
    Mini Republicans get out into nature and rough it...for a profit, of course. (link)

    And all of last week's:

    Vol. 141
    Vol. 140
    Vol. 139
    Vol. 138
    Vol. 137
    Vol. 136

    Go Niners! Oh wait, they already played.

    And how 'bout that Lane Kiffin, Tent? What a coaching record this dude's racked up, only "surpassed" by his sh*tty rep. Andy Enfield and the hoops squad can't start playing soon enough. The Galen Center will be rocking this season.

    Fans of the Tennessee Vols (none / 0) (#6)
    by CoralGables on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 11:12:41 AM EST
    are celebrating this morning as Kiffin is shuffled out at USC.

    Parent
    The Tenn. Legislature is probably... (none / 0) (#9)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 11:43:37 AM EST
    ...already working on a proclamation to make it "Asshat Lane Kiffin Got Fired Day."

    Parent
    Can you believe Kiflin's (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 11:45:57 AM EST
    salary at USC?

    Parent
    To be fair, while Lane Kiffen would not ... (none / 0) (#27)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 05:22:43 PM EST
    ... have been my first choice as a head coach, his fate was no doubt sealed before he ever agreed to take the job, by the stiff NCAA sanctions levied upon the USC football program in the immediate wake of former coach Pete Carroll's "Party Like It's 1969" player recruitment strategy.

    For the better part of Carroll's nearly decade-long tenure, USC and the Trojan faithful lived a life of self-proclaimed entitlement, without giving a single thought about the consequences. And for that, they truly deserve this particular moment, too.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Choosing Kiffen AFTER Carrol's tenure... (none / 0) (#30)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 06:04:39 PM EST
    ...isn't exactly a move to "change the culture." Kiffen's quick exit from Tennessee was a pretty clear sign, IMO, that you were dealing with a personality first, a coach second. But who knows, it's D-1 college sports in America. Pretty odd any way you look at it.

    Peace.

    Parent

    Kiffen, like Mike Shula at Alabama, ... (none / 0) (#31)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 06:19:22 PM EST
    ... was hired to be the fall guy in the wake of the NCAA investigation, and like Shula in Tuscaloosa, it was inevitable that he would be subject to abuse from the Trojan faithful for the consequences of stiff NCAA sanctions.

    USC isn't going to find any marquee-name coach to take the reins until those sanctions run their course after the 2014 season.

    Parent

    A belated shoutout to the Oregon Ducks (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 04:46:56 PM EST
    who defeated the Golden Bears of Cal yesterday 55-16. The game was played at Autzen in a monsoon. There were multiple fumbles many of them helped along by the weather. Pretty impressive offensive display by the Ducks, considering the weather.

    This is the first season where the Ducks have scored 50 points or more in their first four games. While i think the Ducks could go undefeated this year, I do not see that 50 or more points per game stat continuing.

    The Ducks are now 4-0. Colorado is next up for Oregon. Then, in two weeks, the Ducks play the evil Washington Huskies.

    GO, DUCKS!!!!!

    What makes the Huskies "evil"? (none / 0) (#28)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 05:36:19 PM EST
    Is it the fact that Washington actually represents the first decent opponent that Oregon will play this season?

    Enjoy the pinnacle while it lasts. As the Trojan, Bruin and Husky faithful can no doubt attest, the downward trajectory from such lofty heights can be rather precipitous.

    ;-D

    Parent

    The rivalry between the Ducks and the Huskies (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by caseyOR on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 08:07:58 PM EST
    is well-known and well-tended to in these parts. it reached its height of vitriol during Rick Neuheisel's tenure as Huskies football coach. Neuheisel was such a total jerk.

    Now it is less vitriol and more tradition. And it has nothing to do with where the Huskies fall on the Ducks schedule.

    Perhaps I should have added the appropriate emoticon to the evil comment. That would be one of these: :-)

    Parent

    Like water off a duck's back (none / 0) (#29)
    by CoralGables on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 05:43:40 PM EST
    Of course ducks would thrive in a monsoon.

    Parent
    Wowee Kazowee, Go Seahawks!! (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by shoephone on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 08:13:56 PM EST
    Amazing 4th quarter comeback by the Hawks to take it by 3 over those boys from Texas. Hawks are now 4-0 for the first time in franchise history.

    Spam. (none / 0) (#1)
    by lentinel on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 09:28:54 AM EST
    Can anyone explain why people send out spam messages that make absolutely no sense - aren't even about a product?

    Like: "Steve didn't know the bergen."...

    It is just a bizarre hobby?

    I've thought the same thing (none / 0) (#3)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 10:13:48 AM EST
    Probably just bots spitting out the spam with random sh*t in the subject heading.

    Parent
    But (none / 0) (#4)
    by lentinel on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 10:39:43 AM EST
    why?

    I think counting ants in a terrarium would be more engrossing.

    Parent

    They want a response (none / 0) (#5)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 10:57:24 AM EST
    Any response. If you reply to it you're flagged as a responder, and your email address gets added to even more spam lists to be sold.

    Parent
    They don't even need ... (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 03:23:04 PM EST
    a response. Depending on the type of email client you use, just opening such an email can give the bad guys access to your computer.

    Generally, they don't want your stuff.  They just want to use your IP as part of a bot-net.  Many have their systems used this way without every knowing it.

    The gibberish is used in these emails, because it fools certain spam detecting software.

    Parent

    At (none / 0) (#24)
    by lentinel on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 04:15:49 PM EST
    least, when they are foolish enough to use gibberish in the "subject" of these emails, one need not open it.

    Parent
    These days there's a thin line ... (none / 0) (#26)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 05:07:42 PM EST
    between gibberish and a business oriented subject line.

    ;)

    Parent

    I got lucky. (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 11:18:27 AM EST
    I guess I picked the right time to be born.

    There were some flawless singers.

    There still are some... (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by BeDazzled on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 04:02:23 PM EST
    very talented singers for today's generation.

    Parent
    Talent isn't enough... (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by unitron on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 07:42:12 PM EST
    ...in many cases.

    I've heard lots of people who could be good singers if they were properly trained, but instead they're allowed to go on believing that loud equals good, or that diction and enunciation that lets the listner tell what the lyrics are don't matter.

    Of course there's no substitute for understanding the soul of the song you're singing, which is why opera singers rarely do justice to pop material and why the Lawrence Welk show had some very cringe-worthy moments, even though it was a collection of very talented musicians and singers.

    Parent

    Name two. (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by shoephone on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 07:43:31 PM EST


    Parent
    Josh Grobin, Michael Buble (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by BeDazzled on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 09:56:00 PM EST
    Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Pink, Adele

    I don't challenge that The Carpenters, particularly Karen, was incredible, just that musical talent is still around.

    Parent

    Nailed it. (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 09:58:10 PM EST


    Parent
    Michael Buble??? (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by shoephone on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 10:46:11 PM EST
    For gawd's sake, half the time he can't even sing in tune! That guy is a milktoast lounge singer with a lousy ear.

    The only ones on your list I can listen to are Adam Lambert (very good) and Adele (good, but quite overrated, IMO). But, what do I know.

    Parent

    Want a 22,000% ROI this year? (none / 0) (#8)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 11:41:03 AM EST
    Piece of cake.

    Remember that episode of SEINFELD... (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 11:46:14 AM EST
    ...where George, for Christmas, gave everyone at the office a card that said he'd made a donation in their name to a charity called The Human Fund, which was completely made up?

    We need to make up another Human Fund and hire about twenty fake lobbyists, and, with the way our corrupt system works, we should be rolling in pork in no time.

    Ick.

    Parent

    They need a drive thru window (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 11:52:46 AM EST
    on the Capitol Building. They could sell Congress McNuggets.

    Parent
    And for the poor, it'll be Begg Mcmuffins... (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 12:06:49 PM EST
    ...but settle for McGruel in their Unhappy Meals.

    Parent
    That would be (none / 0) (#14)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 12:14:32 PM EST
    oatmeal with "bugs" in it?

    Parent
    McBuggets? n/t (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 12:41:50 PM EST


    Parent
    As it is... (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by unitron on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 07:43:59 PM EST
    ...they sell plenty of congresscritters.

    Although technically I suppose they're only leased or rented.

    Parent

    Poor Giants ... (none / 0) (#22)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 03:28:05 PM EST
    looks like it's just not their year.

    Parent
    Which Giants might those be -- the ... (none / 0) (#32)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 06:24:10 PM EST
    ... baseball version in San Francisco, or the football edition in New Jersey. or both?

    Parent
    Both (none / 0) (#33)
    by Zorba on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 06:37:07 PM EST
    ;-)

    Parent
    NY Giants ... (none / 0) (#34)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 06:40:18 PM EST
    they're 0-4 for the season as of today.

    The SF Giants aren't having a good year either.  After winning the World Series last year, they won't even be in post season this year.  But that's been known for a few weeks.

    And the biblical giants have been having a bad time since David.

    ;)

    Parent

    New Poll Finds (none / 0) (#15)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 12:21:45 PM EST
    Americans View Death Of Close Relative More Favorably Than Congress

    Meanwhile...

    "We realize this isn't the easiest thing to hear, but we've run a number of tests and unfortunately there's really nothing more we can do for Earth at this point," said leading climatologist Dr. Robert Wyche of Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science. "Earth's ecosystems have hung in there for a while, and you have to hand it to the old gal for staying alive this long, but at this point the chances of a recovery are, I'm sorry to say, incredibly unlikely. It might be time to say goodbye."

    "Earth is in a lot of pain, folks," Wyche continued. "Time to think about sending it off peacefully, for its own sake."

    -- Scientists Recommend Having Earth Put Down

    On the bright side, there's nowhere to go but up from here, I suppose. You could think of current reality as like the bottom of the hill on a roller coaster, maybe?

    "Your Cadillac has got a wheel in the ditch, and a wheel on the track"
    --Neil Young
    Guaranteed (none / 0) (#17)
    by Edger on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 02:31:06 PM EST
    to make the streets a safer place for all.

    Iowa Issues Gun Permits To The Blind, Allowing Them To Carry In Public

    If you car backfires, you might want to get that fixed today....

    Something that may never happen again (none / 0) (#18)
    by CoralGables on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 02:32:03 PM EST
    Today's Miami Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez finishes a complete game no hitter while he is standing in the on deck circle.

    Armando could be a voice impersonator.... (none / 0) (#19)
    by magster on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 02:52:07 PM EST
    for Ray Ramano. First 12 minutes and counting on the Yankees. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz

    GO BRONCOS!

    An edict re women driving motor vehicles from (none / 0) (#20)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 03:06:44 PM EST
    a sheik who is an advisor to psychologists:

    Limk

    From TFA... (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by unitron on Sun Sep 29, 2013 at 07:24:22 PM EST
    ..."A conservative Saudi Arabian cleric has said women who drive risk damaging their ovaries and bearing children with clinical problems..."

    So he got his OB/GYN training the same place so many Republicans did?

    The National Academy of Science-Free Medicine?

    Parent

    The NFL (none / 0) (#44)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 30, 2013 at 10:58:37 AM EST
    Is it just me or is this a really weird year. Even among common opponents, beyond a couple teams, the rest of the league's predictability is nearly impossible.

    Hands down, the Hawks and the Broncos are the best teams.  Payton Manning & Co have probably one of the best offenses I can remember watching, so long as they stay healthy, I don't see anyone beating them.  Seems like every week Manning is breaking some sort of record including yesterday, most touchdowns through week four, 16.  That is insane.

    The rest of league, is crazy.  The Giants 0-4, the Chiefs 4-0, WTF ?  I like upsets, but this year, it just seems like it's anyone's game.

    My team the Pack is 1-2, I can't remember the last time they had a losing record.  It sucks, especially to be behind the Bears, but they got it handed to them yesterday.

    My hometown team, the Texans, went 10 or 11-0 last year and they have a better team this year, but can't seem to get in sync.  Both their wins were comebacks, one in OT, and they blew a huge lead yesterday, not scoring one point after half time.  They had the Hawks number and blew it, big time.

    I think the ridiculous number of unsportsmanlike calls this year is having a effect.  15 yards is no joke and they have been calling them often, which in many cases gives a team ready to punt, or down on points, the revitalization they need to march down the field, or to stop the advancing team.

    They are deserved calls mostly, which to me means the NFL has too many rules.  I think after the they viewed the law suit potential with head injuries they enacted too many rules too fast.  Which is good in some ways, but it's a contact sport and occasionally a helmet is going to hit someone unintentionally, which right now is 15yds.  Seems like a couple of inches of foam on the outside of the helmet would protect heads far more effectively than trying to regulate where helmets go during action.  The problem is the helmets aren't able to absorb enough shock of direct hits.

    I would like to see the number of concussion per year, because there have been a lot this year.  I would like to know if the rules are working, are all these calls reducing head injuries, doesn't seem like it.

    NFL Sunday Open Thread | 44 comments (44 topical)

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