Thursday, February 25, 2010

Invite Me to Pro Day...you'll learn more

So why did we just spend three or four years watching these guys play college football if we're going to invite the ones we know MOST about to do simple tests of athleticism? I mean, if a guy has 85,000,000 rushing yards in major D-1 football but runs a 4.9 40-yard dash, we shouldn't draft him? It is funny because they only invite 40 guys...40 guys we know TONS about...and what does that really tell us? Nothing...except makes guys who worked hard for 4 years to prove how good they are at FOOTBALL look bad on an off-day, and guys who weren't quite as good can somehow convince you they will be better in the pros because you didn't know they could jump 46 inches.

It would be funny if they did pro day for professionals.

You show up with your resume and your references from past successes, and then they put 40 of you out there to do math problems in your head, spelling contests, words per minute typing, and crap like that. Now THAT would be hilarious. You'd have the experienced director looking terrible next to the sprouting college grad. It has nothing to do with the ability to do real work, but somehow it changes your perception.

This is similar to what happens at Pro Day. They aren't playing in game situations - they're displaying some basic skills that anyone could go out and perform well.

Love it.

I guess I can't blame them - I mean, they want to know everything they can about these guys they're going to overpay....BUT, it's still worth laughing about. Kind of like Signing Day. But I still like laughing at Signing Day more.

Still waiting for my call to participate in Pro Day. I think my in-the-head calculations could really impress some scouts. Don't even get me started on my words-per-minute.

Monday, February 15, 2010

On to the Next One...

Tiffany got a job today!!!!!

This has definitely been "her month" - I hope it continues.

First, she turned 30 on February 2nd...but still looks 18. For her birthday, I took her to St. Augustine for the weekend - we had an amazing time filled with the nicest hotel in town (http://www.casamonica.com/), an great walk through town and to see the old fort (http://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm), an amazing restaurant for dinner and sangria made table-side (http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/), a haunted pub tour (http://www.ghostaugustine.com/haunted-pub-tour.php), and other great times!!!! Then this weekend I got 40 people together and we had an awesome FORMAL surprise birthday party at Pate's house - great times had by all, and she was totally surprised after I made her get dressed up to go to dinner at Maggiano's...mmmmmm.

THEN, today she got word that she was offered a reporter job as our local FOX station here in Orlando, and she starts in two weeks :) This is a huge answer to prayer, as it has been a trying several months of stress, frustration, and waiting...but I'm so thankful she was able to make it out the other side with a great offer and a great opportunity here in town!!!!

As for me, I'm still waiting for ESPN to call me and beg me to come talk about NBA basketball on TV for a living. I know they really are looking to round out their under-six-foot white guy who never played basketball past high school quota. I just know it.

I'm hoping Tiffany rounds out her wonder-month by getting back to jogging after months and months of rehabilitating her surgically-repaired knee. We're gonna get ourselves beach ready before the summer!!!!!

Anyway, just sharing the news...so it rolls.

Go Nuggets.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Signing Day

I love how during NCAA signing day, which apparently is the main event for ESPN to cover all day today, is made out to be this epic moment in history. I mean, you get to watch these kids with no idea about anything past their high school halls go on TV and get that little taste of what "could be" if they someday make it big in football.

What I want to know is how many of the kids in ESPNs "top 150" who get televised as they grab their hat of choice off the table in front of them, or more likely, tell their homie who used ta block fo dem, to grab the hat...how many of those guys ACTUALLY succeed and make it to the NFL? How many even make a significant impact at their college teams? Not that I care, but NCAA football is such a huge enterprise that no wonder guys at USC are driving around Range Rovers owned by rich alums (reference: Joe McKnight) who just want their alma mater to do well so they can brag to their golf buddies about it. And for those guys who never make it to the NFL, this is their first taste of thinking they can slide by and they will be worshipped and paid out forever...only to be car salesman upon finishing their four-year eligibility, likely without a college degree.

I know, I sound way cynical. I'm really not that bad - I simply thinkg it's just funny that such a big deal is made out of "Signing Day." I mean, we don't even make this big of a deal when 2nd string NFL players are traded from team to team, and they were the best players on their college teams most of the time.

I love America - never ceases to make me laugh.

In other news, I hope the Super Bowl isn't a letdown. It's either going to be a ridiculously close game because Peyton Manning struggles to figure out the Saints D...or the Colts are going to absolutely demolish the Saints and America's going to let out a ginormous "huh, oh well" after building up this whole "Redemption of New Orleans" based on a football game. I like the Saints a lot, I do, so don't get me wrong - I want them to win. I just don't see anyone beating Peyton Manning right now. Even if his team was all 12 year olds.

Another wonder of the day: what percentage of Americans are actively looking for new jobs while employed at their current spot? That would be a fun stat. Even more fun - and fitting for the season - what percentage of Americans pay income taxes. Hahaha I don't know that I reallllly want to know the answer to that one.

Anyway, Happy Hump Day!

Big flag football game tonight - hopefully I can walk tomorrow.