Happy Labor Day, everyone! First, blog housekeeping: I have lightened the background to charcoal grey, as several people have noted it as being significantly less contrast-y and offensive on the eyes than black. Also, now that football season is underway, I plan to update 2ndand1 at least thrice per week, work schedule permitting. Special editions, such as Playbook and Whiteboard O' Wisdom, (or anything with a title alliteratively formatted "_____ O' _____") will be really whenever I can.
a) Did anyone see Iowa/NIU? Iowa lead by 1 at the end, and the NIU Panthers lined up to kick from 40 yards out. Iowa blocked it, as over 70,000 Hawkeyes fans sighed in relief. The officials then determined that the ball did not cross the line of scrimmage. With one second on the clock, NIU lines up for a second, 41-yard attempt, and promptly has it blocked again. Over 70,000 Hawkeyes fans then nearly stomped Kinnick Stadium to the ground in overjoyed relief, as Kirk Ferentz narrowly avoided choking on a cupcake. For anyone who cares to read the gory details, USA Today has them up.
b) Notre Dame wins 35-0 against Nevada. According to a friend who was at said game, WR Michael Floyd had 4 catches for 189 yards and 3 td. Freaky deep passes by Jimmy Clausen. My response to this was not "holy cats!" but actually, "They have football in Nevada?"
c) With three ticks remaining before the half in the Boilers' unabashed trouncing of the Toledo Rockets, Purdue sophomore Carson Wiggs booted one between the uprights from 59 yards, breaking the record for the longest field goal at Purdue.* That's fifty-nine yards, folks, and when one actually stands on a football field and looks how far 59 yards is, it seems that Wiggs literally kicked a field goal from the state line. Unfortunately, I can't find a video of it anywhere, but take my word for it: this wasn't one of those kicks that eeks over the crossbar or doinks the uprights. Wiggs would've been good from 70 yards out. In other news, Wiggs is scheduled to next practice kicking from the concession stands, and the Boilermakers are phasing out this thing called "punting."
d) The OU Sooners had a terrible night, falling to BYU by a single point. On top of it, Sam Bradford's shoulder is demolished by a grade 2-3 sprain, leaving the Heisman winner out indefinitely, and Choklahoma's record of having the wheels flying off their covered wagon in big games intact.
***
Moving to the NFL, it was reported this morning that Chargers OLB Shawne Merriman has been accused of restraining and choking his acquaintance/friend/girlfriend, singer and reality TV star Tila Tequila. (ESPN) early this morning, meaning that, if this joke hasn't already been made ad infinitum, postseason games aren't the only thing the Chargers choke. Tequila wasn't seriously injured, and can go back to gyrating on MTV, or whatever it is she does. The story appears to be "he said-she-said": Tequila (real name: Tila Nguyen) claims she was choked and held against her will while intoxicated (obviously, too much of her namesake.) Merriman and attorneys seem to imply that Shawne was attempting to prevent Miss Nguyen-Tequila from driving drunk. Is this a miscommunication? She's a model, he's a linebacker: if it is true, isn't this excessive force? Geez. What ever happened to taking away the bottle and then taking away the keys?
In other news, Brett Favre also finds himself in trouble after throwing a crackback block against Houston DB Eugene Wilson in the Vikings' third preseason game (AP/ESPN). In a Wildcat formation, Favre lined up as a receiver, and subsequently low-blocked Wilson around the knees. Wilson had to be taken off the field, and Favre was fined $10,000 for the cheap-shot. Seriously, Brett? I mean, seriously? And while having suspected rib fractures? With this kind of bravado (or maybe blind stupidity), maybe Favre should be running back punts. Regardless, it's not helping his image, especially because Favre has not even apologized to Wilson for steamrolling him.
And last but not least, final player cuts are out (sportingnews): notable roster-parings include Giants WR David Tyree (who can catch anything, but not a WR position, apparently), and Vikings backup John David Booty, who loses this round of Quarterback Musical Chairs. Additionally, Joey Harrington is no longer a Saint (my wager is that he ends up back with the Lions), and Brian Russell is no longer a Sinner (for the Seahawks' secondary, that is).
And one final shoutout: My father, a great man and my favorite partner in over-the-phone, long-distance armchair quarterbacking, turns sixty years old today. Happy Birthday Dad! Thanks for putting up with my football nuttery!
Remember kids: Next weekend the NFL kicks off. No matter what your religion, thou must honor the sabbath and keep holy the first down.
*Which was 53 yards. Also set by Carson Wiggs. Darnit, this kid can kick.
No comments:
Post a Comment