New Jersey's

Thanks to my friend, Lowell, in San Diego I just received my second Chargers jersery. I do have a powder blue Tomlinson, which is the only jersey you would find around here, if they even carry a Charger jersey.

This one is for me:















And Lowell was kind enough to purchase this one for my 3-year old son Matthew:


I'll take a picture of him in it this Sunday and post it...

Heineken? F*ck Heineken! PBR.

Florida Vacation

Women....

I try not to complain about women too much...because that would be a full time task if one really wanted to pursue that... and then I try not to complain about my wife, especially publicly... but here's an instance I think is valid...

So yesterday, which was Wednesday, my wife informs me that she will need to go to work after hours to do some extra work. I say fine. We then try and discuss what time(s) she can go in so that I can manage the kids...and low-and-behold, the only times she can possibly go in are times that I have made plans to either: a) go to my weekly poker game Friday night b) when I am working on Saturday or c) Sunday during the football games. You see, Friday night she doesn't want to stay at work, on Saturday her work's server is going down at noon (of course going in before noon is crazy talk) and then of course Sunday all day is just plain great for her...of course she doesn't want to go late though...

What this is, clearly to me, is her attempt at trying to 'disrupt' my weekend enjoyment. She was even able to go in last night for 3 hours to get a jump on all this work she has to do and tonight she could do the same...but she could work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and apparently still have to go into work sometime this weekend to do more... you see, this just plain sucks... she is just making up any reason to get mad at me for going out and having a good time. I'm sorry I won't feel guilty or sorry for not accomodating her 'schedule' when she is doing nothing but trying to disrupt mine...

And now today, just to pile another complaint on me, she asks if I can pick up the kids from daycare...which is no big deal for me, but for some reason always seems to be for her... so that she can take in our stockpile of aluminum cans and redeem them for the $10. Of course she could take in the aluminum cans and pick up the kids and be home before I even get off work (but that makes no difference), but because I merely inquire as to why she can't just pick them up after her little chore, I get the "Forget it, I'll take care of it." Snotty retort.

I tell you what, I just don't understand why women have to make THEIR life and others so complicated but I can see how they do it...

Tomlinson: AFC Offensive Player Of The Week

San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns, caught six passes for 28 yards, and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass for good measure in a 45-23 victory against the New York Giants. Tomlinson's touchdowns marked the 15th consecutive game in which he scored one. The 5-10, 221-pound rusher's streak of consecutive games with a touchdown is the second-longest in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Lenny Moore (19 games). Tomlinson's 220 total scrimmage yards stand as the league's single-game high thus far in 2005.

For the fifth-year veteran from TCU, this is his fourth career Player of the Week distinction.

Link to story from NFL.com here.

Pics From Sunday's Game

Chargers.com has some great pictures from Sunday's game against the Giants... here's a taste...

Mille Lacs

Never been to Mille Lacs, MN. It is a really big lake. To the left is a photo taken with my phone as I was driving by it... Not really anything to spectacular about this pic, I just wanted to post it, to have it...

It was about 9:30 AM, windy and cold. When I was leaving, around 6:30 PM that same day, it was raining pretty good...

Chargers Win Big

Well the Chargers are on the board... winning big, 45 to 23 against Eli Manning and the NY Giants. Eli Manning had the best game of his career, but the Chargers offense exploited a Giants defense that is probably worse than the Chargers.

The Chargers took a 21-3 lead, but the Giants came back with 17 unanswered points to only trail by 1 at the half. Tomlinson would finish the day with 192 yards rushing, 3 rushing touchdowns, 1 passing touchdown, and 6 receptions for 28 yards... the fumble marred an otherwise spectacular performance by arguably the league's best runningback.

Gates and McCardell both had good games as well, which was fun to see...the entire Charger offense clicking, and for the first time this year.

Many of the 'hardcore' Charger fans are greatly concerned with the Charger defense...specifically the secondary. The upcoming games (@NE and Pittsburgh) seem to overshadow the first win of the season for the Chargers. But I contend that the Chargers need to approach every game with an 'attacking offense' mentality. That is, let the Charger offense dictate the game...like the Chargers of the 80's. The Chargers need to put up 50 points every game and make the other team match it. If the Charger team can limit turnovers and move the ball effectively, the pressure won't be as great for the defense...

I listened to the first half on the radio and made it back in town to watch the entire second half...was a good time!

Quick First Analysis Of Tonight's Game

If you are not a Charger fan and watched tonight's game on ESPN you learned 3 things...

1. The Chargers schedule is brutal.

2. LaDanian Tomlinson is AWESOME.

3. Joe Thiesmann wants to have gay sex with Eli Manning.

More in depth game thoughts will follow...

Charger - Giants Preview

This game has been a game many a rabid Charger fan has been waiting for. Eli Manning - the number 1 overall draft pick from the 2004 draft, drafted by the Chargers, not-wanting to play for the Chargers, traded from the Chargers - makes his first appearance against the Chargers in San Diego. The Charger fans will no-doubtedly bringing signs, custom t-shirts and their voices to express their dislike for the younger Manning...and in my opinion, he deserves every ounce of it. Of course, he will quickly quiet and send the Charger faithful out of the stands with a solid performance and a Giants victory...if one can be had.

So, let's talk about the game itself...

Chargers, once a team that looked like it was promising, had potential to move into the upper echelon of AFC Teams and most importantly trying to prove that they weren't a one-year hit, has had done nothing but dissappoint so far. 2 games, 2 fourth quarter leads and 2 losses are all the Chargers are touting right now. Their offensive line has played horrible, the offensive play calling, has been awful and the defensive plays good until it matters most...then teams are able to move the ball at will. All those areas need to be addressed if the Chargers are to finally get into the win column. The secret to beating the Chargers is also out of the bottle...just blitz. The Cowboys and Broncos blitzed often in the second half of the first two games and the Chargers were unable to do anything offensively. The Chargers haven't shown any deep-ball or big-play ability. Tomlinson has rushed for a total of 124 yards...yes, 124 yards total...that number should be a single game stat and not the total of two. To add to that pathetic rushing total, Tomlinson has yet to catch a ball. The best blitz counter-measure the Chargers have, I would think, would be LT... and you can see that he isn't even being utilized effectively at all.

I no longer see Charger domination. I see a talented squad being poorly coached. There is no panic or concern for Schottenheimer or the Charger staff...heck it's only game 2 they say. But I think they may be taking things a little too light, before the Chargers' week 10 bye and after the Giants game their schedule looks to be brutal: @New England, Pittsburgh, @Oakland, @Philadelphia, Kansas City and @NY Jets. If they lose this week, they may easily go into the bye week at 1 and 8 or worse. The Chargers need this game to boost their confidence and get things on the right track...and my once confident predictions and faith in the Chargers has all been washed away. I think Nate Kaeding will out-kick Jay Feely in a snorefest... Chargers win 12-6 ... incompetence exhibited by both teams on both sides of the ball. Chargers will prove that they were indeed a one-year fluke and more importantly that the coaching staff are mindless, incompetent boobs.

Observations

Have you ever noticed that really good looking women/girls always have long hair? And then a really good looking woman/girl that cuts their long hair off, does so as sort of an admission that they are no longer going to try and be 'hot'.

Also, I noticed Kirstie Alley is back on the tube showing off her new, thinner bod. I of course was on record saying that it sure was curious that she was all over the tv in February and seemed to be MIA since then...Well, I will give credit where credit is due...good job Kirstie, it took you 8 months to lose 50 pounds...definately proves that you can't get thin quick as many diet plans claim...

Random Thoughts

Here's some random thoughts:

- The Comedy Central show, The Mind Of Mencia is the network's attempt to replace Dave Chappelle's hit show...well, it's not going to do it. It is dumb and not funny. And for whatever reason, I've just never 'understood' mexican/latin humor. George Lopez never seemed funny to me either. Cheech and Chong, seemed funny but these new guys...not funny. The staged jokes on this show are just lame, and (is it Carlos?) Mencia just YELLS out dumb obvious observations that aren't really funny...just obvious observations that he is yelling.... yawn. Adam Corrolla's show and David Spade's show seem alright... I'll watch them to see if they keep my interest.

- How much does every person in America need to give to the hurricane Katrina relief fund before we get to stop hearing about it and/or having fund-raisers?

- What a great change it was to go a week without having to hear Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire and Joe Theismann doing the Sunday night football game. Sunday night football was a rare treat when ESPN had Mike Tirico and Sterling Sharpe doing the game... I'll likely be driving from a poker shoot this weekend while my Chargers are playing, so I'll just be listening to the radio call...which I would be doing if I was watching it at home as well.

- Speaking of football, and living in the heart of Viking country, it sure is great hearing all these Viking fans doing a one-eighty. 6 months ago when they traded Randy Moss you couldn't find a Viking fan who thought that was a bad move. Viking fans had celebration parties and planned for the Super Bowl... getting rid of Randy Moss was the greatest move EVER. It's looking a lot like Herschal Walker II to me... Dante sure isn't looking that good. The defense - which was to be greatly improved because the money saved by trading Moss was devoted solely to improving the defense - looks as bad as ever. All the Vikes have going for them is that they play in one of the weakest divisions in the NFL...they should split with the Lions and Packers...maybe the Bears too... eek out a couple other wins and go at least 6-10.

- Vacation, vacation, vacation... I have a ton of vacation and no time to take it. I need to use it by January 1st or I will lose it. I should have opportunities to take it from November thru the end of the year...but what am I to do? I am actually thinking of flying out to San Diego to see the Chargers play on Dec. 31st. That sure would be fun to get out of the cold that will surely be upon us at that time and be in the sun for a week. Of course the only buzz-kill would probably be the Chargers...at least in their current state. But what else? And if I decide not to partake on that trip (I'm trying to save up for a new vehicle) then what? I got to do something!


- Currently in pain... I was involved in an accident when I was a teenager (I think it was when I was 14 or 15). Since that time, I have had a bloated spinal disc (lumbar 4) that is pinching my sciatic nerve that runs down my left leg. Most days, I have no problems and feel fine. I play tennis, go biking, shoot baskets, mow the lawn, etc. But occasionally, I will do something that will aggravate it and to various degrees. Sometimes I am barely able to stand and walk, while other times it is just uncomfortable...currently I'm in the extremely uncomfortable state. If I didn't have meetings and other things to tend to at work, I'd be staying home right now...maybe tomorrow if I don't feel much better.


- As mentioned above, I am doing another poker shoot. This next one is at the Grand Casino in Mille Lacs, MN. I am planning on driving up and back on the same day. It's only a 3 hour drive, so won't be too bad....except that it is on a Sunday and I'll be missing most, if not all, football games played during the day and then, again as mentioned above, only able to listen to the Charger-Giants game on radio as I drive home. Maybe with some luck, I could get back into town to catch the 2nd half or something, but probably not likely. I very rarely miss watching football and I can not even recall the last time I didn't get to watch the Charger game...but I desperately need a new vehicle and the money I'm making will help greatly towards that...not to mention the money I save by not drinking/eating/partying all day on Sunday won't hurt the cause either...

Offensive Line - No Protection and No Blocking

The Chargers at halftime were up 14-3 and looked like they were in total control of this game. Then the second half started.... on the first play from scrimmage Brees throws an interception to Champ Bailley who runs it in for a touchdown, bam the Broncos are right back into the game.

The playcalling in the second half was absolutely horrible. There was no blocking for Tomlinson, he couldn't even get going...but the only play the Chargers even ran was a handoff up the gut...what's wrong with a swing pass or a screen? Even a pitch out....anything.... but no. If Tomlinson got the ball, run up the middle. Then the Broncos must have tuned into last week's game against the Cowboys...how do you beat the Chargers? Just blitz. The Chargers did nothing to counter the blitz and Brees had a tough time the entire second half.

This game really crystalizes how poor Marty Schottenheimer and his staff is. Clearly not making adjustments. Not having plays that would be utilizing the weapons the Chargers have under blitz circumstances. And for the 2nd week in a row, the opponent did as much as they could to try and lose the game and the Chargers still couldn't win. The Broncos missed 2 field goals, had 2 touchdowns called back and turned the ball over twice while in Charger territory. Defense played better, but I think that is mainly due to the fact that the Broncos aren't that good. If the Charger defense could of stopped a 4th and 2 attempt the game would have went to overtime....so the defense played good until they had too....just like last week.

There will be no Charger domination. Is the season over for the Chargers? Well no... but there is no darker day than losing to the most hated team in the NFL...the Denver Broncos. What makes this loss even more tough to handle is that EVERY sports commentator will be going off on how the Chargers were a one year fluke last year...but at this point, they may be right... I was hoping the Chargers would prove them wrong...but have yet to.

Chargers - Broncos Preview

Week 2 is almost here and the Chargers are looking to get their first win...to do so, they will have to win in Denver.

I was pretty disgruntled after last weeks loss, because even with several key players either sidelined or seeing limited action, I felt they should have played better. And sure, it's week 1, but if you start making excuses as to why you lost a game, soon you will be losing more than winning and this franchise can ill-afford that. There are several national sports-writers who deemed the Chargers success last year as a 'fluke' and that they were a one-year wonder. I tend to think the opposite and that the Chargers have the building blocks for a solid squad for years to come, but they will have to prove it on the field before more folks will believe that.

A key injury could be offensive lineman Fonoti, who broke his right hand. Fonoti, and the rest of the offensive line, got beat often last week against a blitz-happy cowboys defense...but Fonoti is a solid run-blocker and is often paving the path for Tomlinson. The team says Fonoti will start and is good to go, but playing with a broken hand has to be less than comfortable.

Denver's defense looked worse than the Chargers last week. With Antonio Gates returning, McCardell emerging as true #1 wide out, this all should mean Tomlinson should find room to run. I look for the Chargers offense to really control the tempo of the game. I also think Denver's offense is less than stellar. It could be a good confidence builder if the secondary and defensive line can perform, setting the tone for the rest of the season. I really think this is a good opportunity for the Chargers to play a solid game and come out with a victory. If the Chargers lose a close game, pending circumstances, may not be the end of their season. But if the Chargers get their asses handed to them and get a beat down, I will seriously question any chance of them being competitive this season.

Chargers 34 Denver 24

Blogger For Word Plugin

I said it once and I’ll say it again, Blogger.com continues to impress me with their new features. They now have a Microsoft Word plugin that allows a person to compose and publish their blog entries using Word. Now is that handy or what? It doesn't support images, yet, but looks to be pretty handy...

Homosexuality

Wow, what a title huh? Homosexuality.... and what could I possibly have to say about it? Well, I will preface my remarks with this: First and foremost, I don't care if you like to have sex with bunnies, as long as your sexuality isn't pushed on me, I think you should have equal rights and equal treatment. Of course, I do take great exception with pedaphiles and rapists, but that is an entirely different subject. But if you are a gay or lesbian, I typically don't have a problem with you. But here's some of my observations regarding the gay and lesbian community.

Without getting into a debate of whether being gay/lesbian is genetic or not...because I really don't care... it is my observation that most gay/lesbian people are 'young adults', with of course exceptions...but again, my observation is that most are young adults. Take note next time you see and/or hear something about a gay/lesbian group...odds are is that it is being headed up by someone in their late 20's/early 30's but the crowd of supporters is typically made up of college aged (or thereabouts) folks. And because of this I have developed this 'theory' about being gay/lesbian, that is: I think many gay and lesbian people are gay and lesbian because 1) they think it is cool and 2) they are seeking acceptance from someone/anyone and this 'group' is willing to empower any and every person that seeks their acceptance.

Now is my theory 100% dead on regarding the entire community? Absolutely not. My theory is just applicaple to many of the young adults out there that think they are gay/lesbian. I live in a community that has 3 large colleges (relatively speaking) and several smaller tech/trade schools and the gay/lesbian groups are fairly well organized and outspoken in the community and on the college campuses. You travel 300 miles to the west to my hometown with about 25% less people, but more importantly, only 1 junior college and a smaller university (relatively speaking) and you see and hear nothing about gay/lesbian group(s) or activities.

What am I trying to say? Well, first and again, I really don't care if you are gay and/or lesbian, let me make that clear. But I think that many of the young adults that claim to be gay/lesbian are doing it at a time when they just want to 'give it a try'...just like doing drugs in college for the first time so to speak...but as they get older, may find out that it really is just a 'fad' or phase that they are going through...and not that there is anything wrong with that...

Season Kickoff Hangover

So the Charger game outcome wasn't the one I expected, nor wanted, but that did not deter me and some buddies from having a good time watching football all day and drinking way too much. Here's two pictures I managed to take on my phone...the first one is during a 'layover' as we traveled from one bar to the next before the late game started and stopped by a friends house to pick him up and of course have a couple of drinks. The second is at our final destination...It was 2 hours after that photo that I had to go home because I couldn't stand anymore....didn't eat anything all day and drank way too much... but was a good time and I was in bed by 11, so I made it to work with little problems...but I'm definately not moving very fast and I'm not so sure if I'll make it through the Monday night game tonight...but we'll see... I noticed I still had plenty of beer in the fridge! :)

Happy season kickoff everyone!

Disgusting

All the hope and optimism I had for the Chargers was washed away in week 1. Like last year, the Chargers proved me wrong, but unlike last year, this time it is not in a positive way.

The Charger defense was absolutely horrible. The Cowboys were able to run the ball at will and the secondary was equally bad. Yet, the Cowboys made several mistakes and the Chargers had opportunities to win this game and failed to do so.

A horrible punt late in the game gives the Cowboys great field position, then a face masking penalty gives the Cowboys a first and goal rather than a 4th down on the 12 and the Cowboys get the go ahead score. Then with under a minute to go, the Chargers had hope... a first and 10 on the Cowboys 12 after a 33 yard completion from Brees to Eric Parker on 4th and 12. The Chargers had 4 chances to win the game and not one time was the ball given to LaDanian Tomlinson...who the Cowboys held in check most of the day, but regardless, either a designed run or pass play to Tomlinson should have been attempted with the game on the line. Instead 3 incomplete passes and the fourth was tipped and intercepted to end the game.

This was a game a good team would have found a way to win, and sure it's still only week 1 and a lot of football is yet to be played, but losing games like this is never good. Having Antonio Gates in the game may have been the difference, but again, good teams will find a way to win regardless of their personnel.

This is hopefully the wake up call and the Chargers can answer the bell next week against the Broncos because the schedule isn't going to get any easier and most had the Chargers winning this game. But if no improvement or changes are made on the defensive side of the ball, high powered teams like the Colts and Patriots will easily prey on the Charger secondary.

Football Season Begining

I am a sports junkie...most anyone that knows me at all knows this... I watch almost any and all 'real' sports, and primarily the big four - NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL. But there is NO doubt that my favorite sport, like most other red-blooded American males, is the NFL. And tonight's kickoff of the 2005-06 NFL season is close to being a holiday for us NFL fans. This season is also a rare one for myself and many a San Diego Charger fan in that I am optimistic about the Chargers. I have been a Charger fan for 25 years now, and for about 20 of those years the season began with little hope and I would rarely have any anticipation in seeing them.

But not this year my friends. This is a whole new Charger era. I think the Chargers can and should do well this year for two reasons...first, they are a young team with great leaders. LaDanian Tomlinson is one of those 'Barry Sanders type' guys. He leads by example and wants to be a Charger. He doesn't hold out for more money, ask for his contract to be renegotiated, doesn't get arrested or do any of the other stuff other 'superstar' athletes might do. The only thing LaDanian has said prior to this season is that he is aiming to break Marshall Faulk's record for most yards from scrimmage and would like to break 2,000 yards rushing...man, I am going to love watching him try!

Besides Tomlinson the Chargers got Drew Brees who is out to prove that last year was not a fluke. Brees went into last season with the attitude that he was the starting quarterback and it was his job to lose...well, the situation is still the same. With Phillip Rivers still waiting in the wings, Brees will have to prove that he has developed into a NFL caliber quarterback and by doing so, will be the quarterback of the Chargers for several years.

Antonio Gates is in the same boat as Brees. Last year was his coming out party and he is also out to prove that he is not a 'one season wonder'. He certainly has the skills that should keep him among the top tight ends in the league.

The defense is always an issue with the Chargers...specifically the pass defense. The Chargers' draft focused on getting players that can help with a non-existent pass rush. If the Chargers can get any sort of pressure on the quarterback, it will greatly help the secondary - and the secondary, which is often the focus of many critics of the Charger defense, I think is respectable. And the secondary is only as good as their pass rush. Quentin Jammer - those that watch a Charger game may only see or hear Jammer's name when he gets his one or two pass interferences that he gets per game...but the player Jammer is defending will rarely have any completions and more importantly no scores. He has developed into a nice shutdown corner.

Now on to the second reason I think the Chargers should do well this year...because the Chiefs and Broncos both stink...or at least I think they will. I think the Chargers should win the AFC West almost by default. Of course they need to play the games to prove me right, but I really can't see why or how the Broncos and/or the Chiefs pose much threat to any legitimate team...and that's really where it's at. To be a good team you need to beat the teams you should beat and if the Chargers want to be a legitimate NFL contender, they need to dispose of these two weaker teams.

But enough talk...let's play some ball!

Weak One: Chargers vs Dallas, my prediction: Chargers 38 Dallas 17

Go Chargers!

X Fire

Yes, I like playing games. You will now be able to see how much time I waste playing games courtesy of Xfire. They track a wide variety of games and how much you play them...and then make that neat little graphic you can post on your website or use as a signature on your favorite forum like you see on the left hand side, last image of my blog...

And for the record, it is my daughter who is playing Sims 2....

Close To Normal

With the Labor Day Weekend gone by, my routine returns to as close to 'normal' as it can be, but football season does mean I'm working more weekends and generally a bit more work to be done each week to prepare for those games... as well as the occassional concert, theatre and trade show that take place in between games... I usually remain consistently busy from now until April/May...but it keeps me out of trouble!

Labor Day has traditionally meant that we go to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR) in Rollag, MN with my parents. When I was young, we would travel from Bismarck to Rollag almost every Labor Day to go to the WMSTR...we started going in 1973.

It is the second largest exposition of old-time equipment in the nation. There are steam tractors, trains, steam powered saw-mills, minature land, a steam press, horse farm (everything is done by horse power), flour mill and more. It had rained early in the morning on Saturday so we waited until after lunch so the grounds could dry up a bit...and as a result might have been one of the best trips ever. Crowds were light, short lines for food and rides, although the managers of the event probably would have wanted more people, for us that did attend on Saturday, it was great. The past few times I have gone the weather was extraordinarily good and the crowd was large, meaning long waits for everything...so this was a pleasant change. This event was close to being like Christmas for my 3-year old son...he has yet to stop talking about the steamers...

Sunday was my fantasy football league darft, my starters are Tom Brady, Clinton Portis, Stephen Davis, Steve Smith, Derrick Mason, Antonio Gates, Nate Kaeding and Baltimore Defense. A 14 team league means it gets pretty thin at RB in a hurry... I also have Tatum Bell. After the draft the drinkfest continued, with my wife even coming out to join us. Monday then was devoted to hanging with the kids and a nice nap in the afternoon with an early bed time so I feel well rested today at work...

Week 'O Hell Has Ended

Well I survived the week from hell... but barely.

I'm leaving work at noon today (maybe earlier), going to get some yard work done and maybe catch a nap before the wife and kids get home. Folks coming down to visit for the weekend, fantasy football draft on Sunday.

In less than 10 hours from this post, you can rest assured I will be consuming alcohol and will stop sometime Monday evening.

Hope everyone has a safe Labor Day weekend...