Check out this goal celebration in the Iranian soccer league:
While I think this was an accidental grab and squeeze, you can tell the squeezee wasn't pleased, as he swatted the offending hand away.
Lest you think this was merely harmless, grabass hijinks, don't forget this took place in Iran. Both players, even the unwilling participant, are banned forever from Iranian soccer stadia because of "immoral behavior."
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Friday, November 04, 2011
We Would Never Pull This on Chase
Jimmy Kimmel challenged parents of America to tell their kids they had eaten all the Halloween candy, and record the reactions and post them to youtube. Kimmel compiled the best ones into this clip:
My favorite is the one who said "dad, you're ugly."
My favorite is the one who said "dad, you're ugly."
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Happy Halloween
2011 was another great Halloween. Despite the weather, the subsequent power outage and the weekday timing, most of our neighborhood was home and gladly distributing candy. Except there was one house completely cordoned off with "Danger/Peligro" tape. I thought to myself, what cool Halloween decorations. Until I realized the house actually was taped off because of a downed power line in the front yard.
Chase remembered to say "trick or treat" at nearly every house but mostly forgot his "thank yous." His favorite part may have been giving the candy to the kids who came to our door, though there were few since we stayed out for nearly two hours.
Julian didn't really have a favorite part. He didn't like being in the stroller that long and he didn't like have the dragon's hood over his head.
Chase remembered to say "trick or treat" at nearly every house but mostly forgot his "thank yous." His favorite part may have been giving the candy to the kids who came to our door, though there were few since we stayed out for nearly two hours.
Julian didn't really have a favorite part. He didn't like being in the stroller that long and he didn't like have the dragon's hood over his head.
Hall of Famer Dan Uggla
Despite one of the worst starts to a season anyone has ever had (568 OPS through July 4th) Braves second baseman Dan Uggla is still on his path for Cooperstown.
Here's where I originally suggested Uggla's homers and RBI from a second baseman could be good enough to make the Hall of Fame.
This season Uggla hit 36 home runs (a career high), giving him at least 30 for the fifth straight season. No other second baseman in major league history has reached 30 homers more than three times overall.
Through 6 seasons he has 192, meaning he could easily have 400 after 14 or 15 years. He only needs 352 to be the all-time leader among second baseman.
Here's where I originally suggested Uggla's homers and RBI from a second baseman could be good enough to make the Hall of Fame.
This season Uggla hit 36 home runs (a career high), giving him at least 30 for the fifth straight season. No other second baseman in major league history has reached 30 homers more than three times overall.
Through 6 seasons he has 192, meaning he could easily have 400 after 14 or 15 years. He only needs 352 to be the all-time leader among second baseman.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
The NFL is Poop - Week 8
Can't Figure Out the Saints
It was just three short weeks ago that the Saints were 4-1 with their only loss being to the Packers. The 4-game winning streak was snapped by the ExpensiveCornPrices. They bounced back from that defeat with the biggest blowout in modern NFL history. Then they lost to the previously winless Rams. And they allowed 31 points to a team that had been averaging only 9. Turnovers are part of it but more importantly, they just do not have a good, consistent defense, especially against the run.
Or the Chiefs
After their last game against the Chargers the Chiefs were left for dead. They were 0-3 and they had been outscored 109-27. Now the Chiefs are on a 4-game winning streak. And with the Raiders struggling with an injured QB and the Chargers doing their normal disappointing shenanigans the Chiefs look like a pretty decent bet to make the playoffs.
The Year of the (Rookie) Quarterback
Five quarterbacks were taken in the first 35 picks of the 2011 NFL Draft. Cam Newton (1), Jake Locker (8), Blaine Gabbert (10), Christian Ponder (12) and Andy Dalton (35). Four of them are starting and their accomplishments are very impressive. Cam Newton is setting all kids of rookie passing records. Andy Dalton led his team to a 4-0 record in October. Ponder rescued the Vikings from Donovan McNabb and nearly beat the Packers before triumphing over the Panthers. If I had to project right now I would say Newton will be a huge star, Ponder will be a good QB, Dalton will be a good game-manager who wins but never puts up big numbers. And one or both of Gabbert and Locker will be busts.
The Tim Tebow Excitement Wore Off Quickly
So many people want to believe in Tim Tebow. I would love to see him succeed. But it is not going to happen. As I have said before, he possesses every single trait you need to be a great NFL quarterback, except, he can't throw. And he couldn't bring his team back heroically in this one. In a 45-10 loss to the Lions he completed only 18 of 39 passes for not even 4 and a half yards per attempt. He was also sacked 7 times. I predict Tebow will not even last the season as the starting QB. And even if he does, he will never start another game at QB in the NFL after this year.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
The Redskins stink. John Beck is not good. I have no idea what Shanahan saw in him that led him to dump Rex Grossman after one bad game. But without Tim Hightower, Chris Cooley and Santana Moss this offense can't move the ball. And they can't protect Beck to give him time to find a receiver. The Bills sacked him 9 times, more than doubling their season total to this point. And the defense, which had held up well in the first four games as completely collapsed under the weight of carrying this team.
Who is the Second Best Team in the NFL?
We all know that the Packers are the best team with a perfect 7-0 record. Deciding who is next is a little more difficult. There is only 1 team with a 6-1 record, the San Francisco 49ers. And they're only loss was that overtime killer to the Cowboys in Week 2. And they have beaten some teams with good records Detroit (5-2), Cincinnati (5-2) and Tampa Bay (4-3). Which means they still have 2 games each with St. Louis and Arizona. They could easily win 11 games, 13 if they really are this good.
Pictures of the Week
A disappointing number of teams dressed their cheerleaders up in Halloween costumes. The best coming to us from Tennessee and Baltimore.
If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
Green Bay Packers 31 Pittsburgh Steelers 25
The Steelers take the AFC's top spot by beating the Patriots. But neither of those two teams looks Super Bowl worthy right now. A lot still to shake out in the AFC.
It was just three short weeks ago that the Saints were 4-1 with their only loss being to the Packers. The 4-game winning streak was snapped by the ExpensiveCornPrices. They bounced back from that defeat with the biggest blowout in modern NFL history. Then they lost to the previously winless Rams. And they allowed 31 points to a team that had been averaging only 9. Turnovers are part of it but more importantly, they just do not have a good, consistent defense, especially against the run.
Or the Chiefs
After their last game against the Chargers the Chiefs were left for dead. They were 0-3 and they had been outscored 109-27. Now the Chiefs are on a 4-game winning streak. And with the Raiders struggling with an injured QB and the Chargers doing their normal disappointing shenanigans the Chiefs look like a pretty decent bet to make the playoffs.
The Year of the (Rookie) Quarterback
Five quarterbacks were taken in the first 35 picks of the 2011 NFL Draft. Cam Newton (1), Jake Locker (8), Blaine Gabbert (10), Christian Ponder (12) and Andy Dalton (35). Four of them are starting and their accomplishments are very impressive. Cam Newton is setting all kids of rookie passing records. Andy Dalton led his team to a 4-0 record in October. Ponder rescued the Vikings from Donovan McNabb and nearly beat the Packers before triumphing over the Panthers. If I had to project right now I would say Newton will be a huge star, Ponder will be a good QB, Dalton will be a good game-manager who wins but never puts up big numbers. And one or both of Gabbert and Locker will be busts.
The Tim Tebow Excitement Wore Off Quickly
So many people want to believe in Tim Tebow. I would love to see him succeed. But it is not going to happen. As I have said before, he possesses every single trait you need to be a great NFL quarterback, except, he can't throw. And he couldn't bring his team back heroically in this one. In a 45-10 loss to the Lions he completed only 18 of 39 passes for not even 4 and a half yards per attempt. He was also sacked 7 times. I predict Tebow will not even last the season as the starting QB. And even if he does, he will never start another game at QB in the NFL after this year.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
The Redskins stink. John Beck is not good. I have no idea what Shanahan saw in him that led him to dump Rex Grossman after one bad game. But without Tim Hightower, Chris Cooley and Santana Moss this offense can't move the ball. And they can't protect Beck to give him time to find a receiver. The Bills sacked him 9 times, more than doubling their season total to this point. And the defense, which had held up well in the first four games as completely collapsed under the weight of carrying this team.
Who is the Second Best Team in the NFL?
We all know that the Packers are the best team with a perfect 7-0 record. Deciding who is next is a little more difficult. There is only 1 team with a 6-1 record, the San Francisco 49ers. And they're only loss was that overtime killer to the Cowboys in Week 2. And they have beaten some teams with good records Detroit (5-2), Cincinnati (5-2) and Tampa Bay (4-3). Which means they still have 2 games each with St. Louis and Arizona. They could easily win 11 games, 13 if they really are this good.
Pictures of the Week
A disappointing number of teams dressed their cheerleaders up in Halloween costumes. The best coming to us from Tennessee and Baltimore.
If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
Green Bay Packers 31 Pittsburgh Steelers 25
The Steelers take the AFC's top spot by beating the Patriots. But neither of those two teams looks Super Bowl worthy right now. A lot still to shake out in the AFC.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Weekly Picks
Doing these from the Blackberry because the power is out.
BALTIMORE -12 1/2 arizona
philadelphia -3 dallas
indianapolis +9 TENNESSEE
CAROLINA -3 1/2 minnesota
Best bet
Detroit -3 DENVER
Last week: 3-2 (2 points)
Season: 19-16 (20 points)
Best Bets: 0-1 (4-3)
Home Favorites: 1-1 (8-6)
Home Underdogs: 0-0 (0-0)
Road Favorites: 1-1 (4-6)
Road Underdogs: 1-0 (7-4)
BALTIMORE -12 1/2 arizona
philadelphia -3 dallas
indianapolis +9 TENNESSEE
CAROLINA -3 1/2 minnesota
Best bet
Detroit -3 DENVER
Last week: 3-2 (2 points)
Season: 19-16 (20 points)
Best Bets: 0-1 (4-3)
Home Favorites: 1-1 (8-6)
Home Underdogs: 0-0 (0-0)
Road Favorites: 1-1 (4-6)
Road Underdogs: 1-0 (7-4)