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A Few Random Thoughts on the Week That Was

Well, it's been awhile since I posted, but I'm back now, hopefully on a regular basis, so without further adieu, lets get to the week that was in sports.

•     The Phillies won the World Series after God tormented their fans for two extra days, delaying the last three innings with rain.  I suppose it may have been karma for the Philly fans, they did boo Santa Claus after all. I just think it would have been better if it started raining right after they won though.  I would think it would be harder to start fires in the rain.
      But in all seriousness, it was nice to see the city of Philadelphia get a major championship, although Jon Bon Jovi is upset that nobody cares that his Philadelphia Soul won the Arena League title. Philly fans are like cranky old people. They're angry and nobody particularly likes them, but it is nice to see them get something nice every once in awhile, just because it doesn't seem to happen often.
      On the flip side, I'm glad the Rays didn't win.  It isn't because I'm a bitter Boston fan - the Rays were a better team than the Sox this year, I admit that.  It is because, with apologies to the real Rays fans who have been fans for years, the majority of Rays fans just found out there was a team a few months ago.  They didn't even sell out game 7 of the ALCS.  And don't even get me started on the cowbells, which are actually against Tropicana Field rules (see #9).  Although I do have to admit, I still find it hard to root against Carlos Pena.
      Finally, as a Red Sox fan, it was nice to see longtime major leaguers and former Sox Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs finally get rings, as well as former Sox manager Jimy Williams get another one.




•     Now onto the NBA, where Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is really starting to scare me.  You see, during last year's playoffs, my brother started joking that certain coaches looked like they could be serial killers, perhaps killing in each NBA city they visit over the course of the year. Flip Saunders was one. Gregg Popovich was another.  So this year, I turn on my TV to watch the Spurs play, and let me just say, the beard isn't exactly changing my mind.  It makes him look even more deranged.  I know the Saw movies aren't real, but I'm still getting worried that Popovich is the Jigsaw killer.  It is at the point where, if I saw Gregg Popovich on the street, I think I would run away from him in terror, which is not exactly the reaction I would expect to have if I ran into the NBA's best coach.
      Maybe I'm just crazy.  Maybe the beard has nothing to do with his being a deranged serial killer.  The only other logical explanation, of course, is that the Spurs are having a beard contest.  That would explain Tim Duncan's decision to go with the full beard this year.  I would still have to say Popovich's beard is better, but a darkhorse contender is emerging on the team in Matt Bonner. 




•     Now to college football where it is being reported that Phillip Fulmer is stepping down as head coach at Tennessee following this season.  And I know the perfect replacement for him: Herm Edwards.  Think about it.  A coach who has had limited success in the NFL, first with the Jets, then with another team, and who is also known as a real nice guy, goes to a major college program and turns it around.  Remind you of anyone?  Pete Carroll did it with USC, now it's Herm's chance to do it with Tennessee.  I know what you're thinking, Herm Edwards is still the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.  But does anyone expect him to be after this year is over?  With the way that organization has been going in recent years, I guess the answer is "who knows?"  But still, I think it should happen.  Pencil it in now: Herm Edwards, Head Coach, University of Tennessee Volunteers.




•     And finally, to the NFL.  Well, kind of to the NFL.  During halftime of tonight's Monday Night Football, Chris Berman will have interviews with both the Presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama.  While doing the interview, here are 12 things that Berman will have to hold back to avoid calling the candidates:
  
  
  12. Barack Barack Barack Barack Barack Barack....gone!
  11. Sarah "Led ZepPalin"
  10. Joe "Street Biden Man"
  9. Barack "B-I-N-G-Obama"
  8. Barack "Obama-lama-ding-dong"
  7. John "Singing In McCain"
  6. Joe "Saturday Night's Alright for Biden"
  5. Sarah "Van Palin"
  4. "Barocky Mountain High" Obama
  3. John "Citizen McCain"
  2. "Barock the Casbama"
  1. John "And I wonder, Still I wonder, Who'll stop McCain"

That's all I've got for today.