I thought I remember you saying something last year about the Manning Cast of MNF to be incredibly insightful and entertaining. I really like it, especially when I don't really care about either team. I enjoy the playful ribbing and the guests they have usually show some insight into their personality. Tua came off as very smart and genuine. Kay Adams was dreadful. I had to google her. Chad Johnson was surprisingly in tune with the plays and play calling. From the Hard Knocks, I always saw him as not-very-bright, but he showed some great football knowledge.
Zac needs to have a guy next to him on the sideline that slaps him in the face every tine he goes into “ok I’m gonna show what a genius I am w this trick play we’ve been working on” mode…
Thus sits my official entry into the next TML Haiku contest (those are deeply missed by many, I can assure you. Fun stuff.). Please mail my expected prize first class this time. The last time I won, the tiny plastic fake-silvery Dollar Store trophy, which I would have treasured, arrived broken. My disappointment was pulpable. None to worry, though. I am almost fully recovered.
This is the heyday of the portal. Covid hangover. NIL will benefit unusual cases in the long run. Otherwise it will soon settle out to the advantage of the advantaged as usual.
Happy as hell for Jake last night. Taylor pulled some odd stuff, way too early extremely long field goal try. What’s up with that? Boyd throwing pass. Insulting to the team as a whole maybe. Some trick stuff is good and often works. Other stuff nah.
Hated to see Jags QB go down. Damned football. Chews through bodies.
But, watched all but the final minutes. OT’s not my favorite. Who Dey!
Here Comes the Sun is the best George song they ever recorded. By far. Even then, it sounds like something by Bread. Give me "A Day in the Life" all day, every day, and again tomorrow. I will also take "In My Life" for its amazing lyrical poignancy by a 25 year old. I will also take the sonically interesting "She Said, She Said" and "I Am Only Sleeping" and the bright "Got to Get You Into My Life."
Portal? Not sure what those repercussions are. Athletes have always been able to transfer at least once. Doing so for financial reasons is what is new. Sure, they might miss out on the friendships formed over four years, but how is that different from a non-athlete who transfers to be closer to home or a commuter student who attends class at local U, then heads home to work to pay for it, and hang with the high school friends? Not all of us are fortunate to live in a dorm, find some friends, rent a house with those guys the next two years, then stay in touch with everyone for the rest of our lives. In an idyllic version of college, yes. Real world, no.
Last week Jake was Akili Smith. This week he was Kurt Warner. The key question is can he continue playing like he did last night. He appears to be getting better at reading defenses and changing the plays. I'm not a fan of Taylor's play calling and it seems that the Bengals best plays occur on audibles. There was even an Ossai sighting last night. I hope they can carry the momentum forward.
The other bright spot (besides the play of JB6) was the play of Chase Brown. He can add an element that this offense has been lacking since the departure of Gio. He should get as many carries (if not more) as Mixon for the remainder of the season.
The good news is the Colts stadium is covered...the bad news is the weather here will be cold and wet...the better news is the Colts are playing here.
My sincere apologies go out to Browning. He can focus...he can relax and react at the same time. All he needed was a little help from Joe to reach his strengths.
The Team returned last night. It was a brawl, and a good one.
My regrets to Jacksonville for the loss of their quarterback. I remember when only those days could happen to the Bengals. That crowd now understands how we feel...felt for many years. Deflated.
The happiest guy on the team last night had to be Boyd. First a drop on a go-ahead TD, and last night a mind-boggling decision to actually throw that pass. Would've definitely tainted a really great career. And, I guess we have a quarterback controversy now! (Tongue firmly in cheek). Fun game to watch, other than Lawrence getting hurt.
I think you are missing the big picture on the transfer portal. Matt Rhule said last week that the cost of a QB in the portal is $1M-$2M. For some of the guys who will not play in the NFL, sticking around in college for another year and getting paid is better than any entry level job after graduating. And who knows, maybe they can improve enough to get drafted higher and establish a career.
I have always liked Gardner Minshew.
George Harrison? Meh, both individually and as a Beatle. I will take "Give Me Love" and "What Is Life" and you can have the rest of his oeuvre. Similarly, please save my ears from ever hearing "Something." "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Taxman." Paul and John were right in not placing many of his songs on the Beatles albums.
Not to be cliché or hyperbolic, but last night's game was a microcosm of life. Hear me out, now ...
We got to witness something absolutely inane: Tyler Boyd's interception, which I mark as possibly the stupidest play I've ever seen on a football field.
We got to witness something spectacular: Jake Browning's performance; the Men running the football effectively.
We had the underdog makes good and stuns Goliath: See Browning's performance.
We had the highs: Chase's 76-yard TD catch, the miracle holding flag that came out against Jacksonville negating Beathard's long completion in OT; McPherson's game winner
We had the lows: See Boyd's INT; an interception for Dax Hill turning into a touchdown for Jacksonville; Beathard's long completion in OT that put the Jaguars inside the 10 in OT (before the miracle flag).
We had the never give up, grit and determination moments: the Men trailing 7-0, 14-7 and 28-21, yet pulling it out.
We had the empathy and caring: Trey Hendrickson praying for Trevor Lawrence after his ankle injury.
I thought I remember you saying something last year about the Manning Cast of MNF to be incredibly insightful and entertaining. I really like it, especially when I don't really care about either team. I enjoy the playful ribbing and the guests they have usually show some insight into their personality. Tua came off as very smart and genuine. Kay Adams was dreadful. I had to google her. Chad Johnson was surprisingly in tune with the plays and play calling. From the Hard Knocks, I always saw him as not-very-bright, but he showed some great football knowledge.
Zac needs to have a guy next to him on the sideline that slaps him in the face every tine he goes into “ok I’m gonna show what a genius I am w this trick play we’ve been working on” mode…
Maybe Jake will turn out to be Brock Purdy rather than Bailey Zappe!😊
Saint Jake!
Joe who?
PayJake Stadium!
Thus sits my official entry into the next TML Haiku contest (those are deeply missed by many, I can assure you. Fun stuff.). Please mail my expected prize first class this time. The last time I won, the tiny plastic fake-silvery Dollar Store trophy, which I would have treasured, arrived broken. My disappointment was pulpable. None to worry, though. I am almost fully recovered.
Almost always agree with you Doc but… Harrison over Paul, you are in a vast minority. 😛
This is the heyday of the portal. Covid hangover. NIL will benefit unusual cases in the long run. Otherwise it will soon settle out to the advantage of the advantaged as usual.
Happy as hell for Jake last night. Taylor pulled some odd stuff, way too early extremely long field goal try. What’s up with that? Boyd throwing pass. Insulting to the team as a whole maybe. Some trick stuff is good and often works. Other stuff nah.
Hated to see Jags QB go down. Damned football. Chews through bodies.
But, watched all but the final minutes. OT’s not my favorite. Who Dey!
Here Comes the Sun is the best George song they ever recorded. By far. Even then, it sounds like something by Bread. Give me "A Day in the Life" all day, every day, and again tomorrow. I will also take "In My Life" for its amazing lyrical poignancy by a 25 year old. I will also take the sonically interesting "She Said, She Said" and "I Am Only Sleeping" and the bright "Got to Get You Into My Life."
Portal? Not sure what those repercussions are. Athletes have always been able to transfer at least once. Doing so for financial reasons is what is new. Sure, they might miss out on the friendships formed over four years, but how is that different from a non-athlete who transfers to be closer to home or a commuter student who attends class at local U, then heads home to work to pay for it, and hang with the high school friends? Not all of us are fortunate to live in a dorm, find some friends, rent a house with those guys the next two years, then stay in touch with everyone for the rest of our lives. In an idyllic version of college, yes. Real world, no.
Last week Jake was Akili Smith. This week he was Kurt Warner. The key question is can he continue playing like he did last night. He appears to be getting better at reading defenses and changing the plays. I'm not a fan of Taylor's play calling and it seems that the Bengals best plays occur on audibles. There was even an Ossai sighting last night. I hope they can carry the momentum forward.
The other bright spot (besides the play of JB6) was the play of Chase Brown. He can add an element that this offense has been lacking since the departure of Gio. He should get as many carries (if not more) as Mixon for the remainder of the season.
The good news is the Colts stadium is covered...the bad news is the weather here will be cold and wet...the better news is the Colts are playing here.
My sincere apologies go out to Browning. He can focus...he can relax and react at the same time. All he needed was a little help from Joe to reach his strengths.
The Team returned last night. It was a brawl, and a good one.
My regrets to Jacksonville for the loss of their quarterback. I remember when only those days could happen to the Bengals. That crowd now understands how we feel...felt for many years. Deflated.
The happiest guy on the team last night had to be Boyd. First a drop on a go-ahead TD, and last night a mind-boggling decision to actually throw that pass. Would've definitely tainted a really great career. And, I guess we have a quarterback controversy now! (Tongue firmly in cheek). Fun game to watch, other than Lawrence getting hurt.
If FSU beats Ga and Michigan and Wash lose they could declare themselves national champs. LOL. Alabama needed a miracle to beat Auburn.
Nice wordsmithing today.
I think you are missing the big picture on the transfer portal. Matt Rhule said last week that the cost of a QB in the portal is $1M-$2M. For some of the guys who will not play in the NFL, sticking around in college for another year and getting paid is better than any entry level job after graduating. And who knows, maybe they can improve enough to get drafted higher and establish a career.
I have always liked Gardner Minshew.
George Harrison? Meh, both individually and as a Beatle. I will take "Give Me Love" and "What Is Life" and you can have the rest of his oeuvre. Similarly, please save my ears from ever hearing "Something." "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Taxman." Paul and John were right in not placing many of his songs on the Beatles albums.
As a Jet fan, I would love to have a competent QB right now!!!!!
Not to be cliché or hyperbolic, but last night's game was a microcosm of life. Hear me out, now ...
We got to witness something absolutely inane: Tyler Boyd's interception, which I mark as possibly the stupidest play I've ever seen on a football field.
We got to witness something spectacular: Jake Browning's performance; the Men running the football effectively.
We had the underdog makes good and stuns Goliath: See Browning's performance.
We had the highs: Chase's 76-yard TD catch, the miracle holding flag that came out against Jacksonville negating Beathard's long completion in OT; McPherson's game winner
We had the lows: See Boyd's INT; an interception for Dax Hill turning into a touchdown for Jacksonville; Beathard's long completion in OT that put the Jaguars inside the 10 in OT (before the miracle flag).
We had the never give up, grit and determination moments: the Men trailing 7-0, 14-7 and 28-21, yet pulling it out.
We had the empathy and caring: Trey Hendrickson praying for Trevor Lawrence after his ankle injury.
Overall, one hell of a ballgame, I'd say.
We had a running game for a change, I.e. Chase Brown who runs north/south and does not go down with the initial contact.