While I don't particularly like being wrong very much, if I do make a mistake, I'll make sure to say that I've done so. It's something I started a few years back, being more honest about who I am and being able to acknowledge when I'm wrong.
That said, these playoffs obviously haven't been too good for me. Not only did the Giants get beaten in their first game, but the Cardinals have continuously tried to turn my picks into a weekly crapshoot.
Atlanta? Gone.
Carolina? Obliterated.
Philly? Done.
So now comes my dilemma. How do I pick against Arizona, the truest of underdog, the one which has proven me wrong for the last month? How do I pick against Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Bouldin? It seems like everything is going their way right now, just as it did last year for the Giants, who faced a far tougher test in the Super Bowl in the undefeated, record-breaking (scum of the Earth) Patriots. These are just the Steelers.
Ho hum.
But the problem with this Steelers team, the reason I think far too many people think the Cards are going to win, is because they have consistently done whatever it took to win games. Shannon Sharpe said it best during the post-game show following Pittsburgh's controversial win over the Ravens toward the end of the season:
Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger always look horrible; they never look like they're going to win the game...until they HAVE to. Roethlisberger doesn't make the good pass until he HAS to, the critical third-down conversion. Any time they have a play he HAS to make, he always makes it. It shows you just who he is.
I agree.
I think there will be at least three different times when the Steelers will be facing a third-and-long situation where they need to continue a drive, either because they're trailing by less than a touchdown or because they need to keep the clock moving to keep the ball out of Warner's hands. In those situations, Roethlisberger will probably have to evade a strong rush and keep the play alive, which is his specialty. I think he'll find Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes or Heath Miller and keep Pittsburgh alive. The Steelers defense is one of the best ever. They'll have more than enough schemes for Mr. Warner, believe you me.
Steelers 24, Cardinals 10
Of course, now that I've said this, the Cardinals will probably prove me wrong.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Battling
Today something happened that was so insignificant in the grand scheme that there's no way I should have let it get to me.
So, of course it did.
I've got to do better. Here's to doing better!
I want an omelette.
So, of course it did.
I've got to do better. Here's to doing better!
I want an omelette.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Gifts You Don't See Coming
Sometimes I just have to sit back and think about how God impacts us far beyond our realization.
For instance, had I obtained Chicago employment already, I would have missed out on the chance to celebrate the birthday of my mother and grandmother, which share the same birthday. My mom was born on my grandma's 20th birthday. We celebrated this weekend.
As I sat in Lucille's watching the two most pivotal people in my life, I couldn't help but thank Him and appreciate the time I'd been given. It was a surprise for the both of them and they thanked me for planning it all out.
It was their gift, but I think I may have benefited the most.
For instance, had I obtained Chicago employment already, I would have missed out on the chance to celebrate the birthday of my mother and grandmother, which share the same birthday. My mom was born on my grandma's 20th birthday. We celebrated this weekend.
As I sat in Lucille's watching the two most pivotal people in my life, I couldn't help but thank Him and appreciate the time I'd been given. It was a surprise for the both of them and they thanked me for planning it all out.
It was their gift, but I think I may have benefited the most.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
1.20.09
Pride.
Happiness.
Numbness.
Continued state of disbelief.
In one day, something changed.
Things seem infinitely more possible now.
I can tell my future kids to work harder because he did and look where he got.
I can look at him now and fully know I can do it.
The doubt is gone.
Praise God.
Happiness.
Numbness.
Continued state of disbelief.
In one day, something changed.
Things seem infinitely more possible now.
I can tell my future kids to work harder because he did and look where he got.
I can look at him now and fully know I can do it.
The doubt is gone.
Praise God.
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Sweet Sound
Lately I've taken to listening to jazz. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've been against it before or don't have the CDs of various artists. Truth is, I've been a fan for quite some time, just not enough to actively seek out John Coltrane or Louis Armstrong or what have you. I think part of me thought it best served those in another age bracket, preferably the 35-55+ range, not 18-25.
I'm not sure if it's a sign of me growing older or just a reaction to my current status, a way to cope without having to admit how much this whole thing is getting to me. Who knows...One thing of which I'm sure is I'm quickly gaining an even greater appreciation for it.
One of the reasons jazz carries such appeal for me is the way anything can be acceptable.
Sharp on a note?
That's OK.
Missed key stroke on the piano or accidental squeak of the sax?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep playing and it will all round itself out.
Errors are never that, they're simply variations of the way it was meant to be, interpretations of the original creation. If only we each took the same approach to life, not worrying about what someone might think if we make a mistake and (God forbid!) come off looking something close to human.
Kick a crack in the sidewalk and stumble?
That's OK.
Find out you were wrong about something you thought to be true?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep talking and learning and everything will figure itself out.
So often in life we wonder what others are thinking, wonder if we're being accepted in the eyes of a club or specific social group or what have you. If we all just decided to live our lives as best we could and not worry about what anyone but God thinks, we'll all be better served in the process.
One way we can do that is to take another lesson from jazz and improvise. It's a strength in the art form and should be utilized more in the real world. Sure, we plan our lives will go a certain way. We'll work our way up through the entry-level job and pay our dues, then move on to the next employer with the higher pay rate, work our way through that company, possibly get married and start a family by 30 or 35, then keep progressing up through the ranks to get to that salary we think will make everything right with the world.
That isn't how God moves and it sure isn't how life works.
Life comes in the glitches. It's not only about what happens, but how we respond to what has happened. Life is about the subsequent and continuous forks in the road that various crises impart into our lives while we're busy planning our future. It's the improvisations that make life worth living, that bring unexpected joy or heartache to our lives. I, for one, would hate to live a life exclusively pragmatic. I need to improvise.
Sure, we make mistakes, those are bound to happen.
We can either let it ruin the song or we can keep on playing.
The choice is ours.
I'm not sure if it's a sign of me growing older or just a reaction to my current status, a way to cope without having to admit how much this whole thing is getting to me. Who knows...One thing of which I'm sure is I'm quickly gaining an even greater appreciation for it.
One of the reasons jazz carries such appeal for me is the way anything can be acceptable.
Sharp on a note?
That's OK.
Missed key stroke on the piano or accidental squeak of the sax?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep playing and it will all round itself out.
Errors are never that, they're simply variations of the way it was meant to be, interpretations of the original creation. If only we each took the same approach to life, not worrying about what someone might think if we make a mistake and (God forbid!) come off looking something close to human.
Kick a crack in the sidewalk and stumble?
That's OK.
Find out you were wrong about something you thought to be true?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep talking and learning and everything will figure itself out.
So often in life we wonder what others are thinking, wonder if we're being accepted in the eyes of a club or specific social group or what have you. If we all just decided to live our lives as best we could and not worry about what anyone but God thinks, we'll all be better served in the process.
One way we can do that is to take another lesson from jazz and improvise. It's a strength in the art form and should be utilized more in the real world. Sure, we plan our lives will go a certain way. We'll work our way up through the entry-level job and pay our dues, then move on to the next employer with the higher pay rate, work our way through that company, possibly get married and start a family by 30 or 35, then keep progressing up through the ranks to get to that salary we think will make everything right with the world.
That isn't how God moves and it sure isn't how life works.
Life comes in the glitches. It's not only about what happens, but how we respond to what has happened. Life is about the subsequent and continuous forks in the road that various crises impart into our lives while we're busy planning our future. It's the improvisations that make life worth living, that bring unexpected joy or heartache to our lives. I, for one, would hate to live a life exclusively pragmatic. I need to improvise.
Sure, we make mistakes, those are bound to happen.
We can either let it ruin the song or we can keep on playing.
The choice is ours.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
As Promised...
My picks! (cue single trumpet making the ta-dah sound.)
Ok, so they're a little late, but technically they're still before the games have started, so I'm going to give them...and THIS time they'll be better (I hope).
NFC Championship Game
Eagles at Cardinals: Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought the Cardinals would have done what they did to the Panthers. I mean, it wasn't even close. Carolina scored the first touchdown of the game, then gave up 30 straight. I mean, that just isn't good math. Arizona was aggressive throughout, even despite being without one of its best receivers, Anquan Bouldin. It dominated the line of scrimmage with what most people thought was an inferior offensive line and it got Edge involved early once again. I can't tell if Wisenhunt is a genius for basically resting Edgerrin the entire season or if he's just becoming a better coach, using all the weapons he's been given a little better than he had been. Either way, the Cards (especially Kurt Warner) will be smelling the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for them, it seems like the Eagles have some special this year, almost exactly like the Giants did last year. The funny thing is that even if Philly wins the Super Bowl, I doubt they'll bring McNabb back. But that's another discussion for another day. Right now it's about the NFC Championship and the Eagles are playing too well for Arizona to stop them. They're on a mission...Eagles 27, Cardinals 16
AFC Championship Game
Ravens at Steelers: For a true football fan, one who appreciates those games where the announcers are always warning that it's a man's game and that everyone should put their hardhats on, this is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Ravens/Steelers is always tough, always grimy, always a little dirty and cheap. If it was a woman, it'd be that one who cusses a little too much for your liking and smokes and might not be the one you take home to Mom, but is ALWAYS the one you tell your boys about. Just this season, Steelers wideout Hines Ward (who I'm told would smile to your face even while he's shanking you) was accused by Ravens players to be a cheapshot artist for the way he blocks downfield. Then, of course, in their first meeting of the year on a Monday night game, Hines totally demolished Ed Reed, who, as I've said before, has probably been the best coverage safety in the game for the last 5 years or so. I mean, it's never a good thing when the back of your head is the first thing to hit the ground after you've been hit. So because of that hit, word got out that the Ravens players had put a bounty out on Ward for when they faced each other in the next game later in the year. Ray Lewis had already taken care of Pittsburgh's rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall for talking trash prior to their first meeting by way of breaking his shoulder on a hit and ending his season. I'm guessing he won't be talking much next year.
The second meeting didn't have as much visible bad blood (although I'm sure there was plenty of cordial discussion amongst the guys during the game), it did treat us to a controversial finish, which should make Ravens/Steelers III all the more intriguing. Usually, when two teams play each other three times, whichever one lost the most recent game winds up being the winner of the third, but in those rare occurances, some teams get swept. Even as I type this, I'm not sure which way I'm going to go with this pick. Baltimore looks a whole lot like their Super Bowl team that leaned on an amazing defense and just told the quarterback to not make any mistakes. The Steelers, coincidentally enough, have the best defense in the league. It actually ranks with some of the best defenses to ever play since the NFL/AFL merger. Every time you think they can't win or that they'll roll over, the Steelers find a way to win. That said, I just don't know that Ray Lewis will let his team lose. Baltimore wins ugly, the only way they know how...Ravens 13, Steelers 9
Here's to hoping I do a little better this week!
Ok, so they're a little late, but technically they're still before the games have started, so I'm going to give them...and THIS time they'll be better (I hope).
NFC Championship Game
Eagles at Cardinals: Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought the Cardinals would have done what they did to the Panthers. I mean, it wasn't even close. Carolina scored the first touchdown of the game, then gave up 30 straight. I mean, that just isn't good math. Arizona was aggressive throughout, even despite being without one of its best receivers, Anquan Bouldin. It dominated the line of scrimmage with what most people thought was an inferior offensive line and it got Edge involved early once again. I can't tell if Wisenhunt is a genius for basically resting Edgerrin the entire season or if he's just becoming a better coach, using all the weapons he's been given a little better than he had been. Either way, the Cards (especially Kurt Warner) will be smelling the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for them, it seems like the Eagles have some special this year, almost exactly like the Giants did last year. The funny thing is that even if Philly wins the Super Bowl, I doubt they'll bring McNabb back. But that's another discussion for another day. Right now it's about the NFC Championship and the Eagles are playing too well for Arizona to stop them. They're on a mission...Eagles 27, Cardinals 16
AFC Championship Game
Ravens at Steelers: For a true football fan, one who appreciates those games where the announcers are always warning that it's a man's game and that everyone should put their hardhats on, this is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Ravens/Steelers is always tough, always grimy, always a little dirty and cheap. If it was a woman, it'd be that one who cusses a little too much for your liking and smokes and might not be the one you take home to Mom, but is ALWAYS the one you tell your boys about. Just this season, Steelers wideout Hines Ward (who I'm told would smile to your face even while he's shanking you) was accused by Ravens players to be a cheapshot artist for the way he blocks downfield. Then, of course, in their first meeting of the year on a Monday night game, Hines totally demolished Ed Reed, who, as I've said before, has probably been the best coverage safety in the game for the last 5 years or so. I mean, it's never a good thing when the back of your head is the first thing to hit the ground after you've been hit. So because of that hit, word got out that the Ravens players had put a bounty out on Ward for when they faced each other in the next game later in the year. Ray Lewis had already taken care of Pittsburgh's rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall for talking trash prior to their first meeting by way of breaking his shoulder on a hit and ending his season. I'm guessing he won't be talking much next year.
The second meeting didn't have as much visible bad blood (although I'm sure there was plenty of cordial discussion amongst the guys during the game), it did treat us to a controversial finish, which should make Ravens/Steelers III all the more intriguing. Usually, when two teams play each other three times, whichever one lost the most recent game winds up being the winner of the third, but in those rare occurances, some teams get swept. Even as I type this, I'm not sure which way I'm going to go with this pick. Baltimore looks a whole lot like their Super Bowl team that leaned on an amazing defense and just told the quarterback to not make any mistakes. The Steelers, coincidentally enough, have the best defense in the league. It actually ranks with some of the best defenses to ever play since the NFL/AFL merger. Every time you think they can't win or that they'll roll over, the Steelers find a way to win. That said, I just don't know that Ray Lewis will let his team lose. Baltimore wins ugly, the only way they know how...Ravens 13, Steelers 9
Here's to hoping I do a little better this week!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sooo....
That whole picking thing didn't go so well for old Sean.
Suffice to say, considering the Steelers saved me from only having one win, I had what can be described as a "rough week."
The one that still gets me is the Cardinals beating the Panthers. I just sat watching with my mouth agape. It was one of the most shocking playoffs games I've seen, to be topped by the Giants/Vikings NFC Championship game from 2001 (2000 season) and probably some other one I just can't think of right now.
The Eagles are playing well right now, but I went with my team. The Panthers were playing better than anyone, but that week off must have thrown some rust on to the bearings. Now that the Cards have officially dusted off Edgerrin James, it actually might be tough to stop them. Maybe the Earth is coming to an end soon...
I digress...
To summize, last week's record was a stellar 2-4.
I'll do better this week, promise. I'm not this bad, I swear.
Picks later in the week.
Suffice to say, considering the Steelers saved me from only having one win, I had what can be described as a "rough week."
The one that still gets me is the Cardinals beating the Panthers. I just sat watching with my mouth agape. It was one of the most shocking playoffs games I've seen, to be topped by the Giants/Vikings NFC Championship game from 2001 (2000 season) and probably some other one I just can't think of right now.
The Eagles are playing well right now, but I went with my team. The Panthers were playing better than anyone, but that week off must have thrown some rust on to the bearings. Now that the Cards have officially dusted off Edgerrin James, it actually might be tough to stop them. Maybe the Earth is coming to an end soon...
I digress...
To summize, last week's record was a stellar 2-4.
I'll do better this week, promise. I'm not this bad, I swear.
Picks later in the week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)