Has It Really Been Since July??

Man, this day job thing is cramping the style of my Average Idiot Ramblings.

Bill Belichik:

Cris Carter made the comment on ESPN this morning, that since 2000 in previous meetings with the Colts – both regular season and post-season games – Belichik has done this 16 times. Gone for it on 4th down and GOTTEN it 8 out of 12 times in the regular season and GOTTEN it 4 out of 4 times in the post-season.

That’s 12 out of 16 times against the Colts that the Patriots have gone for it on 4th and whatever and gotten it. Given THAT history, the fact that Manning had just walked the field twice, AND considering that they only needed 2 little yards…the decision to go for it didn’t sound quite so crazy to me.


Jimmie Johnson:

NASCAR fans immediately understand the phrase "modern era"...that is, "After 1972". Records are referred to as if that were the BC/AD line in the NASCAR time frame. I think we are in a new era that should be labeled "the chase era". Is it impressive that Jimmie Johnson can run off 4 straight chase championships? Absolutely, when you consider that some teams can't even make it IN the chase 4 straight years. But to compare Jimmie Johnson's championships - even his 3 in a row from last year - to Cale's is a skewed comparison.

Gone are the days of "Daytona pays the same points as Homestead" because honestly, they don't. The numbers may be the same, but the value of the Daytona points are drastically different. They're worth much less. The points leader can have lapped the field by Richmond and be up more than 3 races worth of points...and they all go away when the chase starts.

It's a voodoo points system that rewards excellence in the last 10 races. I said it was a gimmick system when they announced it, and I still say it is. Does winning the most races make you a points champion? No. But if we're comparing the chase to stick-and-ball sports, then they need to have a provisional in this goofy chase for the guy that wins the most races. He deserves to be in more - based on accomplishments - than the guy in 12th place 850 points back when it starts, if you ask me.

So congratulations, Jimmie, you are setting a very impressive high-water mark with 4 straight chase championships. And every driver that competes in the chase era will be measured with that stick. But I'm still more impressed with Alan Kulwicki's single 1992 full-season, championship as an owner/driver than I am with your 4 gimmick championships.


Vince Young

Well, apparently Vince Young CAN play football in the NFL...who knew? Well, other than Bud "the bird" Adams. I'd suggest he'd read it and took it to heart - but nobody reads this. I just do it to shut up the voices in my head.



and finally, USC

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!