Usually I kick off this column with a little intro and then get into “Unrelated Chatter” before getting into the task at hand. Today’s column is a little different though as tonight marks the NFL’s return to New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina has become somewhat of an obsession of mine since viewing Spike Lee’s documentary “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.” Truth be told, I was only able to make it through half of the 4 hour documentary due to its emotional nature and graphic content. When Katrina first happened I felt terrible for the people of New Orleans but much like the rest of America, did not quite understand it’s magnitude. I was born and raised in New York and was there when the World Trade Centers were terrorized. By no means am I downplaying the significance of September 11th because it changed the way that I live my life, but what I am saying is that it is a shame that Katrina is not treated with similar national exposure. I will be making my first trip ever to New Orleans in December and while I am extremely excited about experiencing the French Quarters, I can’t even begin to imagine what I am going to witness along the way. Watch the game tonight and unless you are a Falcons fan, cheer for the Saints. People may think sports do not have much to do with real life but a victory tonight for the Saints will mean a hell of a lot more than them improving to 3-0. Tonight marks the beginning of a new chapter in New Orleans, it marks the beginning of its rebirth.
Unrelated Chatter:
-I can honestly say that I was not surprised by Kurt Angle joining TNA as much as I was surprised by the timing. Considering WWE attached 90-day no compete clauses to the likes of Jackie Gayda and Test, how was Kurt Angle not given one? Also can everyone please stop thinking that TNA is going to become a huge success just because Kurt Angle has arrived? Yes he is a big name and a great wrestler but unless he learns how to write shows or eliminate all of the political BS that runs TNA, then nothing is going to change. Sure they might see a ratings spike but who cares if the product is still garbage. Samoa Joe/Angle should be great, but then what? As of now this seems like nothing more than A-Rod to the Texas Rangers or Ken Griffey Jr. to the Cincinnati Reds and to me more than Pedro Martinez to the New York Mets.
-Congrats are in order to Trevor Hoffman for picking up career save 479 and becoming the all-time saves leader. I have to agree with Aaron Cameron in that while Hoffman is a damn good closer, he’s hardly the best of all time. As a student in Florida, 1,000 miles away from home, the Major League Baseball package is a must-have for me. Getting to watch my Mets each night just makes everything seem right in the world. I am not limited to just watching Mets games though as I often watch just about every game that is being shown. Yesterday though was one of those moments where the $40 that I spend on the package each month seemed like I was ripping off my cable company. Getting to watch Hoffman pick up his Major League record 479th save in the Padres victory over the Pirates was nice, but it was what happened afterwards that I really enjoyed. At a time where so much uncertainty surrounds the purity of the game, I witnessed purity at it’s finest as Hoffman’s children ran onto the field and hugged him in celebration. Maybe I am just getting overly sentimental at the ripe old age of 22, but it was just one of those moments that I don’t think I will ever forget. On a side note, I’ll never forgive Hoffman for blowing the save for the National League in this year’s All-Star Game thus costing the Mets home field advantage in the World Series should they reach it. I’ve been to World Series games before but never a Game 1 and thanks to Hoffman that streak will continue. Congrats Trevor, now just remember you owe the Mets come October.
Related Chatter:
-Unfortunately for a second straight week we must send our thoughts and prayers to the family of a student-athlete. 19-year old Dale Lloyd, a defensive back at Rice, died shortly after collapsing following a workout. His cause of death remains a mystery.
-Being very opinionated is something that I like to consider a gift and a curse. When you are right then you look like a genius. But when you are wrong you tend to look like an idiot, much like I did this past Saturday. Had Michigan State held on and defeated Notre Dame then I would probably be boasting about my prediction. Instead, Michigan State had a monumental collapse and as a result I look like an idiot; especially since Drew Stanton looked awful. I will give credit where credit is due though and tip my hat to Notre Dame for leaving East Lansing with the victory. The next 7 games are relatively easy so look for Notre Dame to be right back in the national title hunt come their season finale versus USC. For the record, I still don’t think they are that good…so there!
-Further proving that I am an idiot, in my predictions last week I stated that the Ohio State/Penn State game was in Happy Valley and not in Columbus. Whoops. To make matters worse, the only reason why I took Penn State with the points was because I thought that they were the home team. Told you I was an idiot…
-Virginia Tech will be short two starters as they head into their big game versus Georgia Tech this coming Saturday. Defensive end Chris Ellis and split end Josh Morgan were both suspended following an incident outside of a Blacksburg, VA nightclub. Considering how Tech looked last week versus Cincinnati, they really can’t afford to be losing anyone for a game like this.
-Staying on the topic, hats off to coach Mark D’Antonio and his Cincinnati Bearcats for playing extremely well on the road versus a top 25 team for the second week in a row. Two weeks ago it was at Ohio State and this past Saturday they gave the Hokies all that they can handle in Blacksburg.
-Last but not least, Rutgers is in the top 25 for the first time since 1976. I hate to say I told you so but, I told you so. With Brian Leonard and Ray Rice making up arguably the best backfield in college football, Rutgers is a team that is for real.
-Can the media please lay off of Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin? Yes he had a bad game but come on, how about a little professionalism? Sometimes writers tend to forget that these kids are exactly that, kids.
-And speaking of professionalism, was it really necessary for ABC to spend essentially most of the game talking about Joe Paterno running off the field to use the bathroom? I love bathroom humor as much as the next guy but there is a time and a place for it.
That’s all for now. Hope all is well and let’s go Saints!
