Thanksgiving 2011 Rants and Raves
RANT
Last week we wasted words debating the media's handling of the Penn State debacle. A major point for criticizing the press was that there was more speculation than fact in the demonizing of Joe Paterno. This week the Wall Street Journal published an article detailing an incident in which Paterno wanted his players held to softer standards than the rest of the University's community. Does that clarify how much knowledge he really had of Sandusky's alleged crimes? No. Does it mean the administration isn't as culpable as JoePa for failing to handle the alleged incidents? No. Does it shine a light on his character or lack of it? Absolutely. Paterno clearly did not resemble the saintly image painted of him over the decades.
RAVE
The Detroit Lions are on pace for their first winning season in eleven years and their first double digit win total since 1995. This Thanksgiving they'll play the first meaningful game in the 12:30 EST slot since losing to Drew Bledsoe's New England Patriots. Remember when Drew Bledsoe was the quarterback in New England? No? In the decade after that game the Patriots have purged all memory of Bledsoe by winning three Super Bowls with another gentlemen. That large eraser took the form of a future hall of famer who's thrust himself into legendary status, and a few celebrities.
However the Detroit Lions have come a long way, much like curling. We, and America, are thankful for that. We also want the Lions to know that we stuck by them through their Thanksgiving struggles. While many families were regurgitating their meals watching what Detroit called football, we knew that watching the Lions was a joy for some.
This year's game could be a playoff preview and that is a bonus. Detroit's rivals, and defending Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers won't be affected by a short week or rising expectations. Green Bay will undoubtedly have the 7-3 defeat from the teams' previous meeting fresh in their minds. Considering that the Packers and Lions have combined for 656 points this season, a ten point game is unlikely. That should make everyone's stomachs settle a tad easier.
RANT
This is on us. It's impossible to know in the short term how a decision be viewed in the coming years. Aaron Rodgers is, at this time, the best quarterback in the NFL. He's a Super Bowl Champion and he's on pace for a record shattering season. The three volume piece (1,2,3) we wrote in 2009 about how Ted Thompson screwed up the Farve-Rodgers transition seems a touch unfair in hindsight. These things happen. (Ex: When we made fun of the 2009 Cardinals... it was much funnier though.)
RAVE
Was Deadspin's Dan Lozano article the finest expose on the seedy world of sports agents? We once envisioned the super-agent as a terrifying video game monster known for borderline invulnerability. If the St. Louis Cardinals knew all along that this enemy can only be defeated by running in circles for five minutes, Pujols's previous contract discount and Mozeliak's negotiating tactics suddenly make sense.
RANT
Yes, Black Friday commercials are annoying. Yes, Thanksgiving is about family... or America... or Manifest Destiny. Yes, the media coverage of holiday shopping is irresponsible and fictionalized at best. But why have so many Americans suddenly chosen to grandstand about early shopping this year on Facebook/Twitter. To borrow from Kevin Smith, the director not running back, "the internet has given everyone in America a voice. And everyone has chosen to use that voice to bitch about {Black Friday}."
RAVE
Happy Thanksgiving!
RANT
Nickleback? Seriously Fox? I guess if the Lions aren't going to make us throw up...
Last week we wasted words debating the media's handling of the Penn State debacle. A major point for criticizing the press was that there was more speculation than fact in the demonizing of Joe Paterno. This week the Wall Street Journal published an article detailing an incident in which Paterno wanted his players held to softer standards than the rest of the University's community. Does that clarify how much knowledge he really had of Sandusky's alleged crimes? No. Does it mean the administration isn't as culpable as JoePa for failing to handle the alleged incidents? No. Does it shine a light on his character or lack of it? Absolutely. Paterno clearly did not resemble the saintly image painted of him over the decades.
RAVE
The Detroit Lions are on pace for their first winning season in eleven years and their first double digit win total since 1995. This Thanksgiving they'll play the first meaningful game in the 12:30 EST slot since losing to Drew Bledsoe's New England Patriots. Remember when Drew Bledsoe was the quarterback in New England? No? In the decade after that game the Patriots have purged all memory of Bledsoe by winning three Super Bowls with another gentlemen. That large eraser took the form of a future hall of famer who's thrust himself into legendary status, and a few celebrities.
However the Detroit Lions have come a long way, much like curling. We, and America, are thankful for that. We also want the Lions to know that we stuck by them through their Thanksgiving struggles. While many families were regurgitating their meals watching what Detroit called football, we knew that watching the Lions was a joy for some.
This year's game could be a playoff preview and that is a bonus. Detroit's rivals, and defending Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers won't be affected by a short week or rising expectations. Green Bay will undoubtedly have the 7-3 defeat from the teams' previous meeting fresh in their minds. Considering that the Packers and Lions have combined for 656 points this season, a ten point game is unlikely. That should make everyone's stomachs settle a tad easier.
RANT
This is on us. It's impossible to know in the short term how a decision be viewed in the coming years. Aaron Rodgers is, at this time, the best quarterback in the NFL. He's a Super Bowl Champion and he's on pace for a record shattering season. The three volume piece (1,2,3) we wrote in 2009 about how Ted Thompson screwed up the Farve-Rodgers transition seems a touch unfair in hindsight. These things happen. (Ex: When we made fun of the 2009 Cardinals... it was much funnier though.)
RAVE
Was Deadspin's Dan Lozano article the finest expose on the seedy world of sports agents? We once envisioned the super-agent as a terrifying video game monster known for borderline invulnerability. If the St. Louis Cardinals knew all along that this enemy can only be defeated by running in circles for five minutes, Pujols's previous contract discount and Mozeliak's negotiating tactics suddenly make sense.
RANT
Yes, Black Friday commercials are annoying. Yes, Thanksgiving is about family... or America... or Manifest Destiny. Yes, the media coverage of holiday shopping is irresponsible and fictionalized at best. But why have so many Americans suddenly chosen to grandstand about early shopping this year on Facebook/Twitter. To borrow from Kevin Smith, the director not running back, "the internet has given everyone in America a voice. And everyone has chosen to use that voice to bitch about {Black Friday}."
RAVE
Happy Thanksgiving!
RANT
Nickleback? Seriously Fox? I guess if the Lions aren't going to make us throw up...
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