Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

This week, for the first time in a long time, I have been reminded about why I am proud to hale from the Midwest. There were three specific instances that occurred over the past seven days where I said to myself: "Only in the this part of the country." I'll first start with Browns fans. We are an interesting lot whose psychology deserves further research. Like this intrepid guy (see photo) last December, Browns fans, not all of them mind you, tend to get caught up in the moment and fail to realize that a situation may not warrant a certain reaction. An excellent case study for this behavior would be "Bottlegate," which occurred in December 2001. Reacting to a poor officiating job that cost Cleveland the game, fans reacted by throwing all sorts of projectiles, mostly bottles, onto the field. The atmosphere bordered on riotious. With that as my lead, I offer my three special Midwest moments of the week.

1. Friday, November 3

While at the Toledo Storm game selling foam pucks that fans throw on the ice at intermission to win prizes, a rather heavy-set man, wearing a Browns hat and sweatshirt approached me. "I want some pucks for the kids," he said. Isn't it surprising the joy that some people get from launching projectiles towards an object? As he put down his 32 oz. beer, I noted the two little girls who couldn't have been over ten years old standing at his side. Fumbling with his wallet as he also held a one or two year old kid in his arm, I placed the pucks inside a plastic bag. As I took the money and handed him the bag, I commented: "Thanks for coming out. Go Storm tonight and go Browns on Sunday." He turned to me without hesitation and said: "F#@#$* A right." I couldn't help but laugh in astonishment as I stared at this man with three kids under his watch, and a 32 ounce beer in his hand.

2. Saturday, November 4

As I watched regional college football action last Saturday at a sports bar, I happened to glance over at the Wisconsin game. Coming in to play quarterback for the Badgers was a guy by the name of Tyler Donovan. As they went over his scouting report, his hometown and major appeared on the screen. Out of Hartland, Wisconsin, Donovan was an agricultural journalism major. You will be happy to know that I vigorously pursued more information about the agricultural journalism department at Wisconsin,. But I was unable to find even the slightest mention of the concentration. Still, the irony of a guy from Hartland, Wisconsin studying agricultural journalism at the University of Wisconsin should not be overlooked. My assumption is that this major is not offered at say, Boston College.

3. Wednesday, November 8

Along with the thousands of others sprinting out the door at 5 P.M. in Toledo, I waited in my mini-van, revving the motor at the last red light, seperating me from I-75 and home. And then I spotted him again, standing right next to the onramp, waving and holding his sign. For three or four weeks prior to November 7th, I had seen this man, Joe McNamara, standing at that very spot, waving and holding his sign as he campaigned for a Toledo Council position. Following his victory on Tuesday, to see him out there holding a sign that said, "Thank you Toledo" filled me with happiness. Talk about a true grass-roots campaign. You certainly wouldn't see Jim Webb holding a sign on I-95 outside Richmond at 5 P.M. at night. Only in the Midwest, I swear.

RECORD
Week: 5 - 9
Season: 50 - 31

Well, the last couple of weeks certainly have jolted my confidence a little bit. Last Sunday morning, it seemed my predictions were bold after reading them. Hello, I took the Rams and Texans over favorites at home. I also saw New England losing to Minnesota. Slightly off on that one considering the 31-7 trouncing by the Pats. So Week 9, I get back to business. New England and the Cowboys were the teams that impressed me the most last week and I expect them to continue their winning ways Sunday. The marquee matchup that every major sports outlet is going nuts about is the Colts/Patriots game. It should be a good one. The other big game of the week is the battle between the Bengals and Ravens for AFC North supremacy. Here are my views on Week 9.

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - Patriots

I have little urge to breakdown this game because it has been dissected every which way on ESPN, CNNSI, and CBS. I like the Patriots ability to run all over the Colts. This game will probably be similar to last year's game when Manning was able to score every time he touched the ball. But this year, I think the Pats will be able to score at will on a porous Colts defense. Expect good things from Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney. However, if the Colts find a way to win this game, it will be one of the most impressive feats of the season thus far for Peyton Manning.

Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears - Bears

It's a shame we have to sit here and listen to commentators heap praise all over the Bears. Cut to mid-January when a soldout Soldier Field watches the Bears lose a divisional playoff game to a team with a good defense, just like last season and 2002. I remain unimpressed by Chicago winning by thirty at home against horrendous teams.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - Cowboys

I don't know whether to be disgusted by the Panthers effort last Sunday night or to be impressed by the Cowboys and Tony Romo, winning on the road when few people thought they could. Maybe that Parcells guy knows what he is doing. Perhaps.

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers

This is Bill Cowher's Steelers final chance to turn around their season. The Broncos offense will struggle against a solid Pittsburgh defense. I refuse to see the Steelers as anything less than a good team that has had a string of bad luck. The friendly confines of Heinz Field should help their cause today. I like the Steelers to win in a defensive battle.

Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills - Packers

My friend, we'll call him Berko, and I were debating last night who would earn the first pick in the draft with the worst record in the NFL and who said team might take with that first overall selection. We couldn't come to a consensus about the worst team. Now I see the light: the Bills are my new darkhorse to finish with the worst record in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - Jaguars

The Jaguars need to be more consistent. I love this team's defense so please Coach Del Rio if you could, make sure your team shows up every week. That would be great.

Houston Texans at New York Giants - Giants

So much for the Texans winning their first road game of the season last week. Although, I did derive some pleasure from the Sage Rosenfels sighting that resulted from a David Carr benching during last week's loss against the Titans.

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions - Falcons

Atlanta's defense as been shaky at times this season but you have to give them credit because they are coming up with big plays at crucial times each week. They shut down the Bengals during the third quarter last week, allowing Vick and the offense the chance to come back. Impressive.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens - Bengals

Bill Simmons took the words out of my mouth: "Remember the end of "Happy Gilmore," when Sandler makes that crazy putt off the fallen grandstand that ricochets off about 25 things? I'm waiting for Steve McNair to throw the football equivalent of that putt for a touchdown pass. He's caught every other possible lucky break this season." The Bengals need to win this game. At least, if they are going to be half as good as I think they could be this season.

Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams - Rams

I realized recently that I have been far too complimentary towards the Rams. Well, that won't change this Sunday but I am going to start making a conscientous effort to look at them as a 9-7 team. Well, I am going to try. I like the Rams at home as I often like the Chiefs at home. Is it just me or do these teams seem remarkably similar? Great running backs, decent QBs, good offense overall, but ehhh in general.

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Saints

Here is a trap game. The Bucs have played solid football the last five weeks but the Saints look the part of a playoff team. Now, they need to go out and prove it because last week's performance against Baltimore was horrendous. A win on the road in Tampa would certainly turn my head.

Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers - Vikings

On Monday night, Minnesota looked like a team that has a decent record, thanks in part to their weak division. The game today is no cakewalk. It's been a short week for the Vikes and they travel to San Francisco. I could see them not showing up today ready to play. If that is the case, Frank Gore has a big day and the 49ers win. However, I expect Chester Taylor to be the running back that has the big day today.

Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers - Chargers

My respect for Shawne Merriman is pretty low this week. The guy is like a starting pitcher who appeals his suspension so he is available for the series against the Yankees, and then drops it when the team travels to Kansas City. Hopefully, the Browns will keep it mildly interesting. These games are always kind of painful to watch as a Cleveland fan I can assure you.

Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks - Seahawks

So if you are on ESPN's Monday Night Football marketing team, on what player from these two teams do you focus your efforts? Warren Sapp? Randy Moss? Seneca Wallace? Hmm, maybe somebody from the average Seattle defense? This game marks another disappointing MNF game to start the work week.