It’s a brand spanking New Year, 2009.
My how time flies when you’re having fun; shit how it drags its ass when you’re not.
There is something to be said for growing old. But it seems the advantages seniors enjoyed when I was a youngster, when old wasn’t even in my vocabulary, have gone the way of the twenty-five cent gallon of gas.
I recall the old people having doors opened for them, always having someone get up and give them a seat on a crowded bus or train, and little girls holding their hands as they crossed the street.
I was the little girl; I was the one who held open the doors and gave up my seat. Then, I had not a clue about the meaning of old.
Okay, I grudgingly admit, I am getting old, but I still feel fully capable of kicking a guy in the jewels. But thankfully, the mind does not overrule the body.
I do recognize that I am an older, slower, more wrinkled version of my once pretty young self. Do I like it? Hell no. But I digress. I am totally immersed in playoff fever and old age is simply playing havoc with my brain and my body. Typically I would be stocking the fridge with twenty-four packs or a kegger, loading the shopping cart with fat laden tortilla chips, but lately the party is more likely to feature … a light beer, pita chips, hummus, and a banana.
In keeping with the season, I share my when you’re having fun and when you’re not having fun football stories for 2008.
Having Fun
NFL 2008 Top Feel Good Story:
The Miami Dolphins: Tuna Turns the Fried Flounder into Shark
The Dolphins, a with a 2007 record of 1 to 15, made the biggest move in their recent history when they hired Bill Parcells to run the show. He cleaned house, hired Tony Sparano, a Cowboys coach Parcells was familiar with and the Dolphins stun the league by winning the AFC West. To make this even sweeter, the Jets jettisoned Chad Pennington in order to sign Brett Favre and Chad Pennington leads the Dolphins in a win over the Jets, in NY, to clinch the division. This is what sports dreams are made of.
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons: From Dog Gate to Ryan Mania
The Falcons story is number two in my book. The Falcons have gone from 4 to 12 and league laughingstock last season after the Michael Vick dog fighting fiasco and head coach Bobby Petrino bolting with three games remaining to 10 to 5 and playoff bound, still with a game to go.
Last January the Falcons were a laughing stock, this January they are in the playoffs!
The Baltimore Ravens: From Flat to Flacco
Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are a defensive juggernaut. Offense, well, not so much. The Baltimore Ravens are known for their defense for the likes of Ray Lewis. When football fans talk about the Ravens they never talk about their quarterback.
On this team, quarterbacks have always been an afterthought. But in 2008 the Baltimore Ravens will try to earn their first postseason berth since 2006, and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has had a lot to do with their success. Flacco has already received a hefty Christmas bonus, an additional $3 million in bonuses from the Ravens based on his first-year performance with the team. Rookie head coach, John Harbaugh was the Ravens second choice but it looks like the second pick was a good move, the Ravens second choice has proven to be a first-rate success. The Ravens have made it into the post season with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback. This most unlikely winning combinations in a league known for its love of tradition and experience has produced some real surprises this season.
