RandomFailure

because coffee is for closers!

See the IMDB entry. Or for video reference, see below and start at the 1:15 mark.

Wow.

I think the Eagles have made an insanely stupid move by signing Michael Vick (see the ESPN story).

Karen’s reaction was stronger than mine. The Eagles are banned from being on TV in the house. If I want to watch, I have to go out. But I am also very disgusted by Vick and his behavior. I don’t really care that he “served his time” – it was celebrity justice.

Do I now need to carry a weapon when I walk the dog? I hope not. I’m guessing there will be a strong reaction from Eagles fans. The problem is that it will probably be a mixed verdict – people desperate to win at any cost. I’m sorry, but the cost of having Vick on the team, regardless of how good a football player he is, doesn’t outweigh the negatives. We had to put up with T.O. and now this? Ugh.

As I have done for about the last 20 years, I filled out a complete NCAA Tournament bracket. This year, in another attempt to win some money in the office pool. As typical of my picking, I did OK in the first round (24 correct), and turned in an impressive (for me) 14 of the Sweet Sixteen. I even managed to stay respectable with 6 of the last 8. Then the wheels fell off – I only got one of the Final Four entrants, and did not pick the national champion. Coupled with Duke’s embarassing loss (An aside: Karen didn’t stay up to watch that game. She asked me in the morning how it went. I said, “Villanova’s defense was incredible. Like gnats. Or piranhas. Or piranha-gnats.”), I’m not sure which is worse:

1. Not winning the office pool, or
2. The insufferably bad puns used as headlines in the Inquirer (can’t find links to the headlines).

Dear Santa,

Thank you for the early Christmas presents. CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira are wonderful! I guess the Yankees have been very good this year. (nudge, wink)

—–

Dear CC, A.J., and Mark,

Don’t screw it up.

Only really because I can get 3rd place in the office pool. After 5 years, it’s about time I won something! Plus, as a bonus, I really can’t stand Memphis, Calipari in particular. Why? I don’t have a good explanation. It’s not quite John Chaney-level hate, but close.

After Duke’s lackluster loss to West Virginia in the NCAA tournament, I could only think of one thing: where’s the enthusiasm from the coaches? Coach K is normally fairly calm on the sidelines, but can blow a gasket on purpose when needed to spark the team. That spark was sorely lacking. And it’s a disturbing trend over the last few seasons – just not enough emotion from the bench.

Credit to West Virginia for a game well-played, though Duke should have lost to Belmont (another uninspired performance). What almost happened against Belmont was what happened last year against VCU – throw a few very fast players on the court and watch Duke try to keep up. That’s simply from a lack of many fast players (one or two won’t beat four).

Plus, West Virginia highlighted the common Duke problems from the past few seasons:

1. Live by the three, die by the three. When the shots aren’t falling, the points aren’t there, period.
2. Lack of a solid big man and no depth in the post. Zoubek may not have been at 100%, but even if he was, that wouldn’t have been enough. That led to WV’s 2:1 rebounding edge. That’s embarrassing.
3. Not having anyone who wants to take charge of the game. Everyone seemed very content to let someone else shoot. And then not follow a shot for a rebound, instead scattering like cockroaches away from the rim assuming that the shot would go in.
4. Paulus’ inability or lack of authority to run the offense without having to get every play from the bench. His looking for instructions during the Belmont game led to an easy steal.

Now, let’s not confuse things. I really don’t have a problem with Duke losing a game or two (or more), as long as the effort is there from all facets of the game. A simple fact is that some games, the other guys may just be better or playing better that day or (sinfully) want to win more.

The best news about Duke football in years: head coach Ted Roof has been fired.

About damn time. I am truly disgusted by the lack of progress in the football program. A measly 13 wins total since 1999 (including three winless seasons) is a disgrace. I’m not a big enough booster to have any input into the process, but the next head coach had better be someone with a proven winning record. No more speculating on assistants who might be good coaches. Two bad coaches in a row is not the foundation for a successful program.  I expect a .500 season in 2008. There are enough experienced players (a must for football) that they should be able to get more wins. No more excuses.

It took me a while to digest the news that Joe Girardi will now be managing the Yankees. I have stated that I am very partial to Don Mattingly, but I agree with the logic of hiring Girardi. If the Yankees had hired Mattingly and the team didn’t perform well next year, the fans could turn on one of the most beloved Yankees ever. (OK, I admit that it’s a little corny to say that, but then you obviously never saw the guy play and the selflessness that he brought to the table. It was always team first.)

Now on to bigger things, like figuring out who will play third base, re-signing Mariano Rivera, and getting some younger starting pitching. Get busy!

Hank and Hal,

After being in charge of the greatest franchise in sports for all of ten minutes, you managed to fuck things up. Congratulations. You could have just fired Joe Torre. At least that would have been direct and shown some balls. Instead you had to take the wimpy way out and offer a deal you knew would be rejected.

Maybe you should get a teensy bit of credit for not even considering to interview Bobby Valentine to manage. Though you will be better served in the short term by hiring Don Mattingly. (Article from official Yankees site; article from ESPN.) The current players (including the ones you’d like to keep for next year) like him and the fans love him. He’s the smart choice. Don’t screw this up.

Steve (a Yankees fan for over 30 years)