I will interject a personal memory with today's moment. One that involved forum poster Richard Mayfield. It was on this date back in 2001 that Nuggers head coach Dan Issel was suspended for four games after losing his temper and lashing out a profanity and ethnic slur at at fan. We all know how in the heat of battle tempers can flare. On many levels. Back around 1981 my buddy Richard and I played on the same softball team. Our high school careers were a thing of the past and softball was out outlet for competition. Nice laid back, friendly softball. At least that is the general idea. We had a certain older guy who often umpired our games, Charlie. Nice enough guy, in my opinion barely competent as a ump. One night he called me out on a called strike, in freaking softball, I don't think I've been called out on a third strike since, it was high and about a foot outside. Not even close but he punched me out. It pissed me off. I never was one to berate blue much, not really wired that way. But this was flagrantly incompetent. I turned to Charlie and informed him he was a blind son of a ****. He looked at me and informed me I was done, not just for the night but the season. I got in a few more thoughts to him and returned to the dugout where my buddy Richard was laughing and soaking up the entire thing. Well, we had another game a few nights later and I thought maybe Charlie would have either forgotten or would let it slide, heat of the moment kind of thing. So I dress out and go to the ball park. I go to home plate to take the flip. Old Charlie is looking right at me as I approach the plate. I shake his hand and say, as sincere as a priest giving last rites, Charlie my temper got ahead of me the other night and I am sorry for what I said to you. It was totally uncalled for and won't ever happen again. He looked at me and said, Steve I truly appreciate that man, means a lot. I thought all was cool. But then after about a 20 second delay he said, but you're still out for the season. I turned and said, well then you're still a blind son of a **** and the whole thing started all over again.
Okay, a free NFL release. If you can get the hook I suggest taking the Oakland Raiders plus 10.5 at Kansas City, I think that loss in Arizona last sunday damaged this Chiefs psyche. I still think they got screwed on that fumble call in the final quarter. I know many will say it's pay back time for the loss out in Oakland that sent this team into it's current tail spin. I say too many points for a divisional game against a rival. I think Oakland comes to play. The Chiefs are challenged on the offensive end, period. When Dwayne Bowe is your featured wide out and you proclaim yourself a playoff contender something is wrong. Bowe would not even start for the Packers. I think Amari Cooper would look awfully good in a Chiefs uniform. That won't happen unless they trade up but I do hope they address this in the off season. Alex Smith is a serviceable NFL QB but he needs some first rate receivers to get some seperation and provide some bigger windows for Smith. Bowe and Donnie Avery are not the answer.
Okay, on the business end. Laid an egg last night with the Rams. To me, everything pointed to a big effort in a rare prime time event at home against an Arizona team coming in with a suspect QB. I felt the Rams defense would stuff that Cardinals offense all night and the Rams would have just enought success on offense to win the game and clear the number. Boy was I ever wrong. The Cardinals came to town and punched the Rams right square in the mouth. Props to those on the winning side last night. There are times you just have to tip your cap to the other side.
I do have some featured releases up and loaded. One is my top release in the NFL for sunday and the other my top college Bowl selection. As of the present moment for december after last night the mark stands at 29-17, +9.6 units. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend. Enjoy the games fellas.