Sunday, December 4, 2011

Game Day Bits

With an apparent lack of better things to do in Wisconsin, a Public Polling Service took it upon themselves to determine the most popular peeps in their state. The results were astonishing. (% of respondents mentioning the person on their list of favorites)
Abe Lincoln               91%
Jesus Christ               90
Aaron Rodgers          89
George Washington   86
Mother Theresa         83

NFL clown Ndamukong Suh celebrated his idiocy, suspension and lost appeal of his suspension by crashing his car into a tree and fountain in Portland. Nice.

Players might want to stay closer to home during the season. In addition to Suh doing stupid stuff in Portland, Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain decided to have some gun play in Alabama. Suh may not see the field for a couple weeks. It could be a longer absence for McClain.

For some better news, thanks for the memories Donovan McNabb. Rumor has it you tried to get free meals in Mankato. Fact is you didn't need them. Welcome back Sage Rosenfels. The Vikings added Sage to back up Christian Ponder for the rest of the year. I like the idea of keeping Rosenfels next year and beyond. He's a very good backup. Rosenfels provides a solid presence and significant experience. He's a reassuring presence. All quarterbacks want a chance to play but there are only 32 starting jobs.

This week the state of Minnesota discovered about 876 million unaccounted for dollars. I'm not sure how this happens and I question the future employment of those involved. I just hope that this helps the Vikings quest for a much needed new stadium. It certainly can't hurt.

Speaking of stadium news. It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are well on their way to a new one. I've followed as closely as possible the Vikings ten year quest for a new stadium. They've gone over so many hurdles and through so many hoops especially in the five years that the Wilf family has owned the team. The 49ers simply strolled into a cozy little deal. They'll pay 30 million per year in rent and any cost overruns.
The Vikings have put 425 million and cost overruns up front and yearly maintenance and upkeep. Now, I believe that all NFL teams deserve a nice home and pretty much all have one. The 49ers deverve one. The Vikings desperately need one. Last year's dome collapse screamed that need. I simply can't believe how easy the 49ers stadium situation progressed. The Minnesota legilature needs to wake up.

I tuned into the Conference USA Championship game between the #7 Houston Cougars and the #24 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in the third quarter. S. Mississippi had just opened up a 14-point lead. It didn't get any better for Houston. The Cougars were unbeaten and looking at a nice BCS bowl game. That ended. Cougar quarterback Case Keenum went over 5,000 passing yards in a season for an incredible third time. His slight Heisman hopes likely ended with the outcome of this game. The Houston offense produces bloated passing numbers but Keenum's accomplishments are still amazing. Southern Mississippi looked good in the 49-28 win.

I'm more amazed with every kick return taken back by LSU's Tyrann Mathieu. No wonder Patrick Peterson returned so few while he was there.

Despite not winning a conference championship or even playing in a conference championship game there is little doubt here that Alabama deserves to play LSU for the title. A rematch might bore some but without a national playoff you have to pick the two best. Like it or not that's LSU and Alabama. Defensive battles make for fine football too. Its early but I pick Alabama to win that fancy crystal ball.

Oklahoma St has a beast of an offense but I'm surprised that they handled Oklahoma so easily. I still don't see Oklahoma St in the championship game. They lost to Iowa St.

I wish that I had set aside about four hours yesterday for the Big 10 Championship Game. That was a fantastic game. No offense intended to Archie Griffin but they should drop the Griffin from the Grange/Griffin Trophy for the game MVP. Congratulations to Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson for winning said trophy. Great kid.

38 touchdowns on the year for Wisconsin back Montee Ball. That's a crazy total, but its still one less than former Oklahoma St star and pretty decent NFL player Barry Sanders. With the Rose Bowl still to play, Ball has an excellent shot at Sanders' record.

Speaking of the Big 10 Championship Game, I like Charles Davis as an announcer. He first popped into my awareness during the NFL Network's broadcast of the 2007 NFL Draft. He's been part of the Network's coverage of and lead up to the draft ever since. He's informative and entertaining. He does a great job. It got him a shot at announcing games. I've only seen a few of them but I like his calls.

Tebow time is about up.

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