tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91957489660117640432024-02-19T21:07:25.355-05:00DOPP Lure EffectThe "New" MUGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-28804496211525743082012-10-01T17:24:00.001-04:002012-10-01T17:24:10.662-04:00Weeding the Olive GardenThis weekend, I visited an Olive Garden with some family for dinner. After looking at the menu, I decided to get a dish with clams, mussels, and shrimp over thing pasta in a spicy marinara sauce. It was a tough choice between that and my second choice, mussels, shrimp, and scallops in a garlic white wine sauce. However, the waitress suggested that the former was the more popular menu item, so I decided to order it.<br />
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After the salad and bread came out and subsequently went down the hatch, my entree arrived. However, when I looked at it, I noticed something lacking. I saw the mussels and the shrimp, but no clams! When the waitress came back, I inquired about my lacking seafood, and she told me that they were out of clams. Instead of telling me that 1/3 of the reason I ordered what I did was out of stock, the cooks decided to roll the dice and hope I wouldn't notice.<br />
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If there's one thing I will never overlook though, it's food. I understand they didn't know this about me, but still...This is not any way to treat customers. For this little snafu, Olive Garden has officially become the first restaurant to earn a lifetime MSG ban.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-4108065423804372282012-01-22T22:34:00.000-05:002012-01-22T22:34:58.820-05:00Playoff Recap: Giants/49ersA throwback game to the late 80s/early 90s. This one features two excellent defenses and some underrated offenses. The pass rushes should be the difference in this, and whoever can force the big turnover will be headed to Indy. Add in the wet weather, and this one figures to be an old fashioned slug fest.<br />
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1. That's a stunning reminder of why I wanted my team to draft Vernon Davis a few years ago. The guy took a little time to come into his own, but he's an absolute athletic freak. He's basically a walking mismatch.<br />
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2. I just don't understand how Victor Cruz could explode onto the scene like he has this year. You don't find this kind of talent overnight...Where was it last year? My guess is that there are a handful of guys out there like him who may never get their shot because they're stashed behind entrenched veterans on their rosters.<br />
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3. Do we have a tight end duel going here? Pascoe vs. Davis? In all seriousness though, have there ever been so many touchdowns by tight ends (specifically back-up tight ends) scored in a postseason?<br />
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4. I like it when teams run play action (especially running teams). However, for it to work, you need to have a running back near the fake hand-off. That is a tip for you, Alex Smith.<br />
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5. ...And now I'm seeing why it's not such a bad thing that my team didn't draft Vernon Davis. He's now cost his team 30 yards in penalties. I can see getting that penalty against the Broncos or the Colts if you're a Cowboy, but that's the only time that little maneuver is acceptable.<br />
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6. Overall, I still think that Peyton's better than Eli. However, if I had to choose one of them to lead my two minute offense, I think I'd take Eli. The guy is clutchness personified. Remember when Eli was asked at the beginning of the year whether he thought of himself as elite, in the Manning/Rogers ilk? Do you remember all the flack he caught for saying yes? I'm not hearing those same criticisms now.<br />
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7. What a bad break that was for San Francisco on the punt return. That said, if you're Kyle Williams, and you feel that ball hit your knee, you MUST go after it to try to recover it. Not even trying to recover his own fumble is a horrific mental error. Turnovers in playoffs are often difference makers because they lead to points and momentum.<br />
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8. I haven't commented much in this half because I'm just busy enjoying watching these defenses. This is one of the better games I've seen from a defensive standpoint.<br />
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9. All of Aaron Ross's punt returns all seem to end the same way: Like <a href="http://www.goodtimecharlieblog.com/wp-content/uploads/image-import/_lZoQPvGfdG8/SvX051M329I/AAAAAAAABq8/vG5cYjGlSPU/s1600-h/Buster%2BBluth%2Band%2BCamel.jpg">Buster Bluth</a> being attacked by a bear.<br />
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10. What is it about the 49er secondary that makes them defend the ball from themselves when going for an interception?<br />
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11. Kyle Williams should probably retire. Two bad punt return fumbles, and one very questionable diving attempt to field a punt in traffic. Hopefully, he can learn from this and use the lesson to better himself in the future. However, in this case, his two boneheaded plays appear to have done his team in.<br />
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12. Super Bowl rematch! Here's hoping for the same outcome as the first iteration!<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-79141224431416591322012-01-22T18:13:00.000-05:002012-01-22T18:13:22.807-05:00Playoff Recap: Ravens/PatriotsI didn't post last week since I wasn't near a computer. That changes this week though. The AFC game should be an interesting one. It's a classic battle of offense vs. defense, and we'll see which prevails! Let's get right to the notes:<br />
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1. I wasn't sure after watching Baltimore last week whether their offensive line was just as bad as it looked or whether it was more a function of the (now) vaunted Houston defense. If the first three drives against the Pats serves as any indication, the offensive line is just that bad. It's allowing pressure from everywhere. If they're going to have a chance, they'll have to open up at least a sliver of daylight for Rice and Williams, and they should also shoot to give Flacco at least three seconds (and/or a place to step up).<br />
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2. I wasn't too thrilled with Cam Cameron's playcalling last week, but that play action boot after the Webb pick was a thing of beauty. After running on first down on the previous two drives, a play action was a good idea, and on top of that, the bootleg to negate the interior pass rush, was brilliant. If Flacco had thrown it a tad earlier, this ballgame is 7-3 instead of 3-3.<br />
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3. If I'm the Patriots, I would start my next offensive drive with a play action bomb after running like they did on the past drive. The other thing I'd do is jump off a bridge because I would rather do that than be a New England Patriot. Just sayin'.<br />
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4. It looks like the Ravens have adjusted a little bit, as the protection has improved vastly. Flacco's able to step up, and he's zinging it around. There's also been some running room for Williams and Rice. Sidenote: McKinnie is like two Rices.<br />
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5. Well, I only want to see six more quarters of Brady this year: The second half of this game and the Pro Bowl next week.<br />
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6. The most bemoaned Ravens' draft pick (Torrey Smith - #58 overall) among all the Ravens fans I know seems to be having a pretty good game. What effort on that touchdown to take the lead. I'm not sure whether his foot was indeed in bounds, but it was just too close to reverse. Had he been ruled out, that would have stood too.<br />
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7. Pats fans are morons. How many times do the Patriots players need to ask them to be quiet on third and inches from the goal line?<br />
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8. And the Ravens' first round pick gets in on the action there too with the interception. I guess he didn't want to be outdone by Torrey Smith? Also, Pollard deserves a bit of credit for that pick...what an athletic play to bat it.<br />
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9. This is far and away the best game of the post season so far. To think the opening line was New England -9, the odds makers clearly didn't see this coming.<br />
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10. How the Hell was there no defensive holding on that third down incompletion at the end? Horrific no-call. I'm astounded and disgusted.<br />
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11. I feel badly for Cundiff there. He's going to catch the blame for the loss when there were a lot of opportunities to win it by others (specifically having to settle for a field goal after the big kickoff return fumble).<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-45833554201197296382012-01-18T21:47:00.000-05:002012-01-18T21:47:14.937-05:00Casting a ShadowI will always remember the day we first met. You were hanging upside down in your crate, and when my sister and I put our hands up next to it, you came over and sniffed both of us. It was a very easy choice to adopt you. From that point forward, you've provided us with countless memories that I'll never forget. There were the times you climbed my ladder to hang out with me in the top bunk bed and the times you ferociously hunted down and de-tailed "mousies." Green Bean Goalie, Pride Rock Television, the Pork Chop Incident, the Stuffed Shell Surprise, the time you pooped in the water bed and tried to bury it, the time you got outside and somehow got three slugs stuck to your head...The list goes on. You were a terrific friend, and I'll miss you.<br />
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RIP Shadow.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-65704448716401583852012-01-08T20:34:00.001-05:002012-01-09T16:41:07.841-05:00Playoff Recap: Steelers/BroncosI think this will be a defensive battle, but I think Tebow and the Denver offense will be forced to make more mistakes than the Steelers' offense will make. I'm calling this one for Pittsburgh, but I'm not willing to ignore the old addage, "That's why they play the game."<br />
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1. Opening kickoff hits the uprights and bounces to where it eventually stops at the 20 yard line. I'm not sure whether that's an omen of good spots in this game or just a coincidence, but either way, I'm amused.<br />
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2. Both defenses have shown up, but so far, it looks like Pittsburgh's offense isn't AWOL like Denver's. That said, I don't expect to see Denver move the ball till at least 45 minutes into the game (game clock time, not real-time).<br />
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3. James Harrison's hit on Decker on the 20 yard completion (update: incompletion) is a step in the right direction for him because he didn't go helmet to helmet. Unfortunately, helmet to the gonads and shoulder straight to the knee is still very dirty.<br />
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4. That Eddie Royal touchdown past to take the lead is one of the more impressive catches I've seen in a while. The defender was not beaten on the route, and somehow Royal pulled it in with one hand and an obscured view. That, coupled with the pass to Thomas the play before, ought to open up a little running room on future drives...That is unless LeBeau thinks those plays were a fluke and sticks with his plan to make Tebow beat them by turning off Denver's proverbial "run faucet."<br />
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5. Lebeau ought to alter his gameplan. It's time to get some help on the outside against Demaryius Thomas. Tebow's looked like Brees in the second quarter. That probably shouldn't be happening. (Update: He also looks a bit like Cam Newton.).<br />
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6. While I still expect Pittsburgh to come out in the second half and play much better, Denver has come out playing with nothing to lose, and they look good. That said, I'm not sure that Tomlin shouldn't put Batch in. Ben seems to have a lot of trouble planting and throwing with zip and accuracy consistently.<br />
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7. There's another bad call by the refs where a whistle blows on a clear fumble (Ben's lateral). Why doesn't the head of officiating say, "If it's questionable, let it play out. That way, if it is a fumble, nobody gets screwed, and if it's not, then it's like it never happened." (Update: What should have turned into at least three Denver points just became a Pittsburgh touchdown. I'm getting sick of the refs making such a difference with blown calls.).<br />
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8. What a finish! Tebow magic!<br />
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UPDATE: It just occurred to me that all of the teams that scored first in their games on Wildcard weekend lost. Maybe that's just an odd coincidence, but I'm certainly amused by it.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-5730522073729057852012-01-08T15:30:00.000-05:002012-01-08T15:30:33.627-05:00Playoff Recap: Falcons/GiantsIt's time for day two of the playoffs! I'm definitely ready. Each game yesterday was close through the first half and crumbled in the second half. I think we will see one good game today and one that's decidedly less close. I'll let you figure out which game I'm placing in each category. First up is Atlanta visiting the New York Football Giants.<br />
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1. It was a pretty uneventful first quarter, with the defenses stealing the show. However, the second quarter started with a bang. I'm shocked the Falcons would leave points on the board in field goal territory. After a huge surge by the Giants' defensive line, the Falcons squander a good drive on the road. That may haunt Atlanta, as not only do they not have points from the drive, but the Giants now have momentum. (Update: The Giants didn't do much with that alleged momentum. 2-0 Falcons).<br />
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2. Aren't the best reffing crews supposed to be rewarded with the opportunity to call playoff games? Why then have I seen so many bad calls regarding forward progress this weekend?<br />
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3. The Giants' D is looking terrific out there. That's now two huge fourth and inches stops because of the line push. If I'm Mike Smith, I'm wishing I could take a mulligan on both of those calls. It would be a two point game (in all likelihood) if he had opted to kick each time. Instead, it's still and eight point affair. The way the New York defense is playing, it's not going to be easy to get eight points.<br />
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4. Check that. They now need fifteen. What an individual effor by Nicks on the slant, more specifically, the run after the catch.<br />
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5. Amazing pass and catch on the Manningham touchdown to make it 24-2. The shame of it is that with the exception of maybe four plays (at most), the Falcons defense has played rather well. Their performance however is being completely overshadowed by their counterparts on the Giants. One stat pretty much tells the whole story here: The Atlanta defense has scored two points, and the Atlanta offense has scored none.<br />
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6. The Giants look dangerous, and I expect them to give Green Bay all it can handle next week. Recall 2007 when they were underdogs in the NFC Championship game in Green Bay.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-25285714414017545212012-01-07T22:49:00.000-05:002012-01-07T22:49:36.791-05:00Playoff Recap: Lions/SaintsThis game figures to be an entirely different style than the Bengals/Texans game. I'm anticipating much more offensive fireworks (as is everyone, I'd bet). To me, the real question is whether the Lions' offense can match that of the Saints. I am not convinced that they can't, but I'm also no sure that they will. The one thing I am sure of is that Al Michaels dyes his hair. He was born in 1944, and he doesn't have a little salt to go with his pepper. C'mon Man!<br />
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1. FAITH HILL!!! Good start to this one!<br />
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2. Both offenses seem to be clicking so far, although one made an error that if repeated will be fatal. I have to believe that the Saints defense will come up with a big play sometime in the game to settle the score for the fumble on their offense's first drive, but as of now, if you'r the Lions, you have to be happy. If Detroit can move effortlessly down the field for another touchdown here on their second drive, they can take the crowd out of it. If however, the Saints want to prevent that, they may want to cover Megatron.<br />
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3. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. That's now two fumbles for the Saints. I don't care how good a team is...If they can't hold onto the ball, they will not win playoff football. That said, I'd love to know why the whistle blew, and Detroit wasn't allowed to run that ball back. It sounds like it was a premature whistle as though the pass was incomplete before being ruled a fumble. However, the whistle blowing is a terrible break for Detroit, as this could be a 21-7 lead right now.<br />
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4. I must say, there has been quite a bit less scoring than I anticipated. It will be interesting to see how the second half goes. For reference though, the same number of points were scored in the first half of each wildcard game today (27).<br />
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5. The Saints just got a gift first down. Couple that with the TD that was stolen from them by a bad whistle, and there's some absurd home cookin' going on in the dome. Detroit should have a four point lead and the ball now, but instead, they're down three, and the Saints are driving. I hate it when refs determine the game rather than the players and coaches.<br />
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6. Another bad ref call that the announcers missed: The Drew Brees fourth down converstion on the sneak was mis-spotted pretty terribly. I'm not denying that Drew reached across the line for the first down, but I am troubled by the fact that the refs gave him the spot he reached to when after extending, he himself brought the ball back to his body. He is NOT entitled to forward progress if he himself brings the ball back. That makes two gift first downs on this drive from the refs, and the result is a touchdown. What's the point of the Lions' defense taking the field when the refs are going to give the Saints things they don't earn anyway?<br />
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7. Calvin Johnson is the one Matt Millen got right. For all the flack he gets (and he deserves all of it), he deserves a little credit for that pick. Although, one has to wonder how Megatron would be doing if Millen had been there to pass on Stafford in deference to a WR.<br />
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8. Detroit is shooting itself in the foot by being unable to take anybody down with the first tackle. It seems like the runners only go down on third contact. That's not any way to get off the field to give Stafford and the offense the ball.<br />
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9. Sproles is a shifty little bugger. He's definitely on the righ team because Sean Payton knows how to build schemes to fit his players' strengths. He's created a little mismatch monster out of his diminuative running back.<br />
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10. The Jabari Greer pick ought to ice this one. (Update: If the pick didn't, the wide open Meachem touchdown did.)<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-26583917294051955062012-01-07T19:48:00.000-05:002012-01-07T19:48:30.866-05:00Playoff Recap: Bengals/TexansWell, it's playoff time again! That means one thing: I'll be recapping each game by making notes of my thoughts as the game progresses and posting my streams of consicousness after each game! First up is Cincinnati visiting Houston for the Texans' first ever franchise playoff game. I think Cincinnati is up and coming, and Houston has a third string quarterback starting for them, but if I had to pick, I'd go with Houston (in large part because I want to see New England have to play Pittsburgh next week rather than Cincinnati). Anyway, here we go:<br />
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Bonus: Analysis on the Pregame show... Charles Barkley just said that he really likes the Lions over the Saints. I don't buy his logic, and I am just not sure I see it happening. However, I learned my lesson last year for <a href="http://dopplureeffect.blogspot.com/2011/01/playoff-recap-saintsseahawks.html">automatically advancing the Saints through round 1</a>, so we'll just have to wait and see.<br />
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1. I harped on it last year...turnovers lose playoff games. First play, Arian Foster mishandles his balls. They better hope that's just early jitters and not a sign of things to come, or they'll be home next week again.<br />
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2. Marvin Lewis is challenging a bit much here, and he's going to have no more in the game after this Owen Daniels' catch. The announcers don't seem to understand that with Daniels being on the ground with a Bengal on him that the tight end is down by contact. Lewis should have held onto his red flag on this one and used it for an actual wrong call. (Update: during the commercial break, the announcers got their sanity back and gave the correct explanation.)<br />
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3. The <a href="http://www.taverntoys.com/">Brewtender</a> is fun....Every football fan needs one for football watching.<br />
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4. Neil Rackers definitely made it interesting on that field goal before half. The refs took their sweet time thinking before making the call.<br />
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5. And Dalton throws the first TD pass of the game...to JJ Watt! That was one of the finest defensive efforts I've seen. I've seen guys do it on a batted ball (sometimes that the DL bats up himself), but this was caught without any bobbling. Thank God he's not dancing like BJ Raji in the NFC Championship game last year.<br />
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6. Houston's defense is looking hungry and fast. It helps that they can pin back their ears with a 14 point lead after Johnson destroyed the Pacman Jones with his double move.<br />
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7. Not to rag on the announcers more, but the camera is showing the Bengals in a punt formation on 4th and 3 early in the 4th quarter, and the announcers said, "And the Bengals are lined up to go for it." ::Smacks forehead::<br />
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8. That pick by Manning with seven minutes left ought to ice it. The thing that's rough here is that I think his right heel may have landed out of bounds, but Cincinnati has no more challenges. This game belongs to Arian Foster (he didn't have huge holes all game) and that Wade Phillips led Houston defense.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-32877895495145378932011-12-24T08:43:00.000-05:002011-12-24T08:43:10.905-05:00Merry Christmas, NFL!Since Christmas is approaching (as are the NFL<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fjDS0jKiE"> playoffs</a>), I figured I'd be naughty and take a peak in Santa's bag to see what he has for each team!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NFC:</span><br />
<strong>East</strong><br />
Cowboys - Worse clock management skills. If this team used its timeouts less judiciously, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA9NgvPHzTU">this</a> doesn't happen, and Dallas is solidly in the driver's seat.<br />
Eagles - Some wide guys for the wide 9.<br />
Giants - A space heater and an air conditioner because that locker room is always hot or cold.<br />
Redskins - The ability to play the Giants every week.<br />
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<strong>North</strong><br />
Bears - Bubble wrap and duct tape to put on Cutler before next season starts.<br />
Lions - They already opened theirs early...They got a winning season! Let me repeat because I'm doubting that sunk in: A WINNING SEASON...in Detroit!<br />
Packers - The Packers have traded their gift for future considerations, i.e., another hall of fame qb to replace their current hall of fame qb when he hangs 'em up down the road.<br />
Vikings - Continued Indy hot streak. This team may have a shot at getting Andrew Luck and in a couple of years, trading Christian Ponder for a Matt Schaub or Kevin Kolblike haul.<br />
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<strong>South</strong><br />
Buccaneers - LeGarrette Blount to be cloned 23 times. If you're wondering why I say 23 instead of 21, you're forgetting punter and kicker.<br />
Falcons - A time warp back to last year...just before the playoffs, that is.<br />
Panthers - A crystal ball to see all the great places Cam can take them if he somehow keeps it up.<br />
Saints - A new domed stadium in Green Bay. It's hard to count this team out because they can be so explosive, but I'd like their chances in the NFC Championship game (assuming they get there) if they didn't have to visit the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALcaWI7FGgM">Frozen Tundra</a>).<br />
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<strong>West</strong><br />
49ers - Mike Singletery back as HC. Wait...This is Christmas, not April Fools Day.<br />
Cardinals - A defense that forces more returnable punts.<br />
Rams - A shiny new offensive lineman.<br />
Seahawks - Two words: More Beastmode.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">AFC:</span><br />
<strong>East</strong><br />
Bills - Fisher Price doctor set. How is this team always so injured? They asked for a lot more because they have needs everywhere, but Santa's bag just wasn't big or magical enough.<br />
Dolphins - They were bad. They're always bad. They're ass-hats, and Santa knows it. Lump o' Coal.<br />
Jets - Elf shoes to spice things up.<br />
Patriots - They were bad. They're always bad. They're douchecopters, and Santa knows it. Lump o' Coal.<br />
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<strong>North</strong><br />
Bengals - Enough bad consecutive seasons to get a new coach. Every time Marvin's on the hot seat, he pulls off a playoff or near playoff year and buys himself three more years in which his teams invariably suck.<br />
Browns - At this point, just give them "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtY2RC9mTbE">All the Little Chicks with the Crimson Lips</a>."<br />
Ravens - To never be favored in any game. Why is it that they get their arses kicked by bad teams?<br />
Steelers - A rulebook. Let's cut out the cheap, illegal hits, guys (I'm looking at you, James).<br />
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<strong>South</strong><br />
Colts - Advances in the field of neck surgery that can create reverse aging.<br />
Jaguars - A QB who can throw to his own guys<br />
Texans - See Bears, but replace "Cutler" with "Whoever the Hell is lined up."<br />
Titans - Santa already gave them a God Damned gift in 2000. If those bastards want more, they're just being greedy.<br />
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<strong>West</strong><br />
Broncos - There is no Christmas gift for Denver. It's a birthday gift.<br />
Chargers - That the next work stoppage bleeds into late October. If the season started in November, this team could well go undefeated.<br />
Chiefs - Championship belts.<br />
Raiders - Dare I say, Jason Campbell? I do dare say.DOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-44044809368167843372011-12-23T22:19:00.003-05:002011-12-24T11:14:33.101-05:00I Got a Lot of Problems with You People......and now you're going to hear about them. I'm kidding...Happy Festivus.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c8g4Ztf7hIM" width="420"></iframe><br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-49888409810998901502011-12-22T20:33:00.000-05:002011-12-22T20:33:18.864-05:00Public FightI was playing in the yard with my dog after work today, and my neighbors were screaming at each other in their yard. I'm not talking <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4EVH5vrd2E">Jerry Springer fighting</a> either...I'm talking WWIII. They were really getting after each other about something, yet in the franticity of their ranting, I was unable to determine what it was. It was just as the argument was reaching fever pitch when an event happened that made my day: I heard a door slam and then the guy start yelling, "It's cold out! Let me back in!!!" Judging by the fact that his pleas persisted for quite some time, I don't believe she let him back in.<br />
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Please, if you're going to get into a yelling match with someone, make sure someone's there to witness and document the general ludicracy of your situation and how you handle it.. That's all I ask.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-24530719259845780602011-12-13T20:48:00.000-05:002011-12-13T20:48:20.195-05:00Fill 'Er Up!Today, I experienced something that I hadn't done in recent memory. It felt very weird to do it, but at the same time, it felt natural...much like riding a bike after a long hiatus. It's not that I had forgotten my technique...The problem was far and away more psychological than physical. <br />
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Today, I bought gas at $2.999. That's right. I paid under $3/gallon. Well, that's not entirely true because with the quantity I purchased, the total was exactly three times the number of gallons, but that's immaterial.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-84155773243665483432011-12-11T20:33:00.000-05:002011-12-11T20:33:14.040-05:00Start Me UpFrom my extensive hours spent watching football, both on television and in a variety of different stadia, I've noticed one very odd truism. There are two songs that are almost always played during pregame warmups. One makes sense: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzlgJ-SfKYE">Start Me Up</a> by the Stones. You're warming up, so the lyrics make sense, and the song is upbeat and can cause a little adrenaline flow.<br />
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The other, however, makes no sense to me whatsoever: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA&feature=relmfu">In the Air Tonight</a> by Phil Collins. I guess the lyrics are quasi-appropriate, but it falls measurably short on the other dimension. Rather than revving me up, this song makes me yearn for naptime.<br />
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Has anyone else noticed this? If you can possibly explain it to me, I'd be grateful beyond words.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-55824764115922448382011-12-07T17:44:00.000-05:002011-12-07T17:44:34.506-05:00"To Serve Man"It's common knowledge that certain dog breeds have been bred to perform a wide variety of specific tasks. There are dogs bred to herd, hunt, prevent infestation, and to sit in Paris Hilton's purse. It pretty much runs the gamut of possibility. As time goes on, many of these breeds are becoming better and better adapted to what they do.<br />
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I'd like to focus on the extreme of the hunting breeds though. Generally, when you think of this task, you think of retrieving game, pointing out game, etc. What doesn't usually come to mind is <a href="http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=18299091&title=dog-shoots-man">shooting their owners</a>.<br />
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What's next? Think about it...it's scary.<br />
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While somewhat unrelated, the with a post title like this one's, I would be remiss if I didn't embed this:<br />
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C5aCVQ2BmYU" width="420"></iframe><br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-44795134087453949132011-12-05T21:04:00.000-05:002011-12-05T21:04:28.391-05:00Bonyak JewelryIt's not often that I use this space to give a shout out to a company or product. In fact, I think the only time that I can recall doing it off the top of my head was with the <a href="http://dopplureeffect.blogspot.com/2011/01/sha-poopie.html">Shapoopie</a>. However, today, I feel the need to buck the trend.<br />
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If you're ever looking for a high quality jewelry made by great, hard working people, you need to look into <a href="http://bonyak.com/shop/">Bonyak Jewelry</a>. Knowing the makers personally, I can tell you that you won't find people that puts more care into and takes more pride in creating each piece than them.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-16611631154056953722011-12-01T17:28:00.000-05:002011-12-01T17:28:32.124-05:00It's a Contradiction!!!I'm confused! Antibiotics are supposedly good. Yet, on yogurt containers, apparently, probiotics are good. Something's got to give! I think the only way that probiotics and antibiotics can be good is if biotics are either neutral or nonexistent. Either way, this whole thing reeks of scam to me!<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-68163289421139298602011-11-30T18:32:00.000-05:002011-11-30T18:32:33.228-05:00Hot Toddy!The other night, I was introduced to one of the more amazing (and possibly my new favourite) sick/cold weather drinks I've ever encountered. I've had whiskey <a href="http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/neat.jpg">neat</a>, on the <a href="http://www.triplepundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/whiskey-glass.jpg">rocks</a>, mixed with <a href="http://www.samandandysrestaurant.com/images/CokeClassic%20%281%29.jpg">Coke</a>/<a href="http://caringdentists.com/images/RootBeer.bmp">root beer</a>/<a href="http://healths-tips.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Ginger-OD.jpg">ginger</a> ale, and a few other ways, but Monday, I learned a lesson about the true depth of whiskey possibility. Apparently, it can be mixed with spices, condiments, and fruit and then heated! The drink I'm describing is of course the "<a href="http://www.thewhiskeyannapolis.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/recipe_hot_toddy.jpg">Hot Toddy.</a>"<br />
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There are several <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_toddy">different ways to make it</a>, and I plan to experiment with different things. However, the one I had is going to be tough to beat. It had whiskey, hot water, cloves, sugar, and lemon. That said, I'd bet that honey and cinnamon would be amazing substitutes. If you have any suggestions as to what you think might be good and/or that you know is good from experience, I'd love to hear!<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-56964537706297156242011-11-24T11:29:00.000-05:002011-11-24T11:29:59.371-05:00The Thanksgiving StoryOften, history books falsify and sensationalize the story of the first Thanksgiving, so in the spirit of academic honesty, I would like to share with you the history not told. Buckle your seatbelt, and throw your predispositions out the window, because you're in for a bumpy ride.<br />
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The story begins with a bunch of people wearing bonnets and hats with buckles boarding a boat, so they got that part right. However, the full name of the ship was not the "Mayflower." There was more to it. The vessel that would take these fashion visionaries was known in its day as "May <a href="http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/DetroitLions/front.jpg">'The Silver Dome'</a> Flower." Back in the day, each ship had an exercise room, and so that is often what was used to differentiate the boats. It's a little known fact, but the May "The Silver Dome" Flower had a sister ship that went as "May <a href="http://starlightflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/old_stadium1.jpg">'Dallas Stadium'</a> Flower." However, this boat was filled with obnoxious people who refused to wear buckles on their hats, so they were sent away and wound up sailing South never to be heard from again.<br />
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Anyway, the one that has been come to be known as the Mayflower, i.e., May "The Silver Dome" Flower, finally reached land and began to settle in. These people were such amazing farmers that they had a ridiculous overabundance of corn, potatoes, squash, etc., and when winter came, they knew it would all spoil, so they were in a tough spot. It was at this point when Squanto entered into the story. He came to the Pilgrims to try to understand their issues and help them. As he approached, the settlers offered him a great deal of food if he could assist them in the use of theirs. As is common knowledge, Squanto and his tribesmen and women had no issues growing their own food, so Squanto only accepted the offer so that when he helped the Pilgrims, they would not feel like such freeloading jerks.<br />
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Anyway, the two parties started a fire over which they would talk, and Squanto would share his wisdom. He began, "My people have had this issue for many years after bountiful harvests." The Pilgrims drew nearer, hanging on every word. The Chief continued, "We have found a way to prevent spoilage that will occur due to global warming when winters are not cold. We have invented a new type of garb that allows for increased consumption of our bounty. We call them stretchy pants." He then spent several hours explaining the concept and the production process of stretchy pants, and the Pilgrims bought in. They made their own, and they realized a greatly expanded capability of gluttony.<br />
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Henceforth, because Squanto shared the idea of stretchy pants, Thanksgiving has been the great American holiday of coming together and eating ourselves stupid.<br />
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Happy and safe Thanksgiving to all,<br />
FSG<br />
<br />DOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-55673930791259433622011-11-22T18:22:00.000-05:002011-11-22T18:22:38.846-05:00Latins and OutsFor some reason, at least seven times today, I have experienced people improperly using Latin abbreviations in an effort to sound more sophisticated. Since this is a little petpeeve of mine, I decided to discuss the difference between "i.e." and "e.g." in today's post.<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">i.e.</span></u></strong><br />
This is the abbreviation for "id est" meaning "that is." Thus, it is used when you are clarifying something or rephrasing what you've just said.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>e.g.</u></strong></span><br />
This abbreviation stands for "exempli gratia" meaning "for example." Intuitively, this abbreviation is used before examples of whatever you're discussing.<br />
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Examples:<br />
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I love watching AFC North football, i.e., smashmouth football in cold weather.<br />
I love watching AFC North football, e.g., Steelers vs. Ravens.<br />
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Lawyers drive fancy cars, i.e., cars with all the bells and whistles.<br />
Lawyers drive fancy cars, e.g., Mercedes Benz and BMW.<br />
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Please, for the sake of my sanity, use these properly in the future, and spread the word! Please do not post comments purposely confusing the two for the sake of annoying me...<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-45603365851692781222011-11-21T21:52:00.001-05:002011-11-21T21:53:26.356-05:00Get Rich Quick Scheme!The other day, I was driving down a small town road in a 25 mph zone, and I saw something that inspired a get rich quick idea. It's so elegant and simple that I'm ashamed I didn't devise it sooner. Surely, you've driven through intersections where firefighters held up boots asking for change to fund the station. Well, I witnessed something similar, yet subtly different. As I was driving, I saw two people holding up buckets asking for change. However, the buckets had no indication of what the cause they were raising funds for was, and they were wearing reflective vests, so even if they were wearing shirts of an organization, nobody would have known. However, most cars stopped, rolled down their windows, and poured change into the containers.<br />
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The fact that people blindly donated to the mystery cause is the focal point of my idea. Why can't I just stand in an intersection asking people for money? Some may call this panhandling, but they are oversimplifying things to a degree with which I am uncomfortable. There are many differences, so before you label me as a hobo, consider the following:<br />
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1. No hobo I've ever seen has parking cones.<br />
2. No hobo I've ever seen has reflective vests.<br />
3. I would not even mildly consider spitting on a windshield and washing it off with newspaper.<br />
4. I would require that my employees shower daily.<br />
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To be fair, I will note one similarity, namely that the money raised would go to the purchase of beer.<br />
If you still don't believe that this scheme is little more than begging, at least have the decency to refer to my idea as "White Collar Panhandling." I also hope that if you refuse to acknowledge the difference between what I'm proposing and begging, you at least recognize that you're jealous that I thought of it first.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-10627315208232140082011-11-20T11:40:00.000-05:002011-11-20T11:40:36.752-05:00Watered Down LogicCourtesy of <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/">The Telegraph</a>, I present to you this little nugget of news coming out of the EU. For once, news coming from this region is unrelated to the debt crisis (although, given what happened, it wouldn't have been hard to predict that many EU members would be in such trouble financially). A few days ago, the European Union banned the claim that water consumption is an effective way to prevent dehydration. Per the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8897662/EU-bans-claim-that-water-can-prevent-dehydration.html">article</a>, the EU regulators claimed (after three years of research, mind you) that there was no evidence that water can effectively combat dehydration. As a result, any bottled water manufacturer that makes this claim on its label can face up to two years in prison!<br />
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My theory behind this "finding" and law is the following (and I'm just trying to find their line of logic here):<br />
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1. There is dehydration in Europe.<br />
2. Europe is under water (financially).<br />
3. If Europe is under water, and there is still dehydration, then water does not prevent dehydration.<br />
4. Water does not prevent dehydration.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-89301723709080981952011-11-16T18:02:00.000-05:002011-11-16T18:02:19.142-05:00Dilbert!!!Growing up, I was never a kid who loved the comics section of newspapers, but recently, I have begun to read Dilbert religiously. It's witty, it's funny, his tie sticks up in a bizarre direction, and some days, it's downright dead-on accurate! Today may or may not be one of those days:<br />
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<a 2011-11-16="" ?="" comic="" dilbert.com="" href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" strips=""></a><a href="http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2011-11-16/" title="Dilbert.com"><img alt="Dilbert.com" border="0" src="http://dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/100000/40000/2000/600/142661/142661.strip.gif" /></a><br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-55894370826155288522011-11-15T21:39:00.000-05:002011-11-15T21:39:33.407-05:00Hey, GuyI think I might start calling people "Guy" in casual conversation in the near future. I find inspiration in its deindividualizing nature. It's cold, it's calculating, and it's delightfully arrogant. Further, if used in the proper situations, it can be hilarious. For example, consider <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoA0fBveUg08kzr1QwmF9Wjgtn_n3_dfl4blbBVTj4CmtjnXTHsAXOj9qexn9n2XXW5XDs95GYz_SY8CwdAzW5WXNxgqxKc7SuKXADK1MuX3kegbV6-unSWvoCTUZqKgQDsx1E80ygFk/s1600/PHI.JPG">George Oscar Bluth</a> when he says, "Why don't you call it a 'GOB,' guy?" discussing a candied apple on the boardwalk. There is no way the line would have been as good if GOB had called the apple merchant "fellow," "friend," or even "muchacho." The dubbing would have been either too familiar or too combattive in nature for it to work.<br />
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Long story short, I hope you enjoyed reading this, guy.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-18686723808893934162011-11-13T10:12:00.001-05:002011-11-13T11:00:57.716-05:00Te-bonedIt's Sunday, and since Tim Tebow hasn't played terribly well of late for the <a href="http://supportyourlocalgunfighter.com/wp-content/uploads/Denver-Broncos-Barrel-Man.jpg">Denver Broncos</a>, a lot of the talk has died down a bit, which makes this the perfect time for me to throw my two cents in regarding his situation. My claim is that Tebow will never achieve much success in the NFL. However, I don't believe that is the case because of his lack of talent or mechanics. I feel it is true because of his fans.<br />
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It is clear from watching him that the kid is a winner, and he's got drive, athleticism, and heart. Because of that, I think he can change his mechanics to become one hell of a quarterback. However, due to his fans, he will likely never get a fair shake. He has a following like no other player, and as such, whichever team he is on will be pressured to start him...His fans want to see him and are very vocal about it. With all the talent he has though, he needs time to sit on the bench (or stand with a clipboard) and learn the pro game and mechanics.<br />
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The only way that will happen is if he goes to a team with an unquestioned starter (that isn't him) for a little while. If he's on a team that isn't performing well or with marginal quarterbacks, he'll keep being thrust into games before he's ready, and that will hurt his chances of latching on with another team in a more favorable situation conducive for his development.<br />
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I wish Tebow all the success in the world, but at the same time, I would be lying if I didn't find a bit of humor in the irony of the proposition that his fans are the ones who are slowly sucking the life blood out of his NFL career.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9195748966011764043.post-83644365637908905882011-11-10T17:08:00.000-05:002011-11-10T17:08:53.282-05:00Nail in the CoffinWell, there was a debate for the Republican Primary last night in Michigan, and it appears that one candidate has officially buried himself (not to imply that he wasn't already waning) in a mere 53 seconds.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6an4zSj8LhU" width="420"></iframe><br />
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I can only imagine how certain people reacted to this, but I think it may have gone something like this:<br />
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Al Gore: ::finishes chewing:: Did I hear EPA?<br />
Herman Cain: Man, this gaffe is going to harass him down the road.<br />
Nancy Pelosi: This kind of rhetoric leads to violence. <br />
Mitt Romney: Thank you, sir.<br />
Michael Moore: ::finishes chewing:: ::starts chewing again:: <br />
George W. Bush: At least I attempted to pronounce what was on my mind.<br />
Barack Obama: He should have used a teleprompter.<br />
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-FSGDOPP Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04874357727641317711noreply@blogger.com0