NFL Weekend Preview: Week 2

Week 2 is ready to roll, and you'd think some of the bloom would be off the NFL rose. NOPE! I love me some football. It's time for the second weekend of wonderful, HOORAY FOOTBALL! I went 12-4 last week with my picks, which was a solid way to kickoff the year. I'm not crazy about my picks this week, as I don't have a ton of bold picks, so we'll see how we do. Enjoy the games...

Ravens at Bengals: Many pundits were hailing the Bengals for their acquisition of Terrell Owens as being a final piece to go along with the other offensive parts in Cincinnati to create a juggernaut. What may have been forgotten in all those accolades is that Chad Johnson isn’t all that good anymore, Terrell Owens is getting really old, and Carson Palmer isn’t all that good anymore. Although the Bengals DO lead the league in quarterbacks who are also brothers, so that’s something. As for the Ravens, they suffocated the Jets offense on Monday night in a dismally boring game. Their offense will need to manage a little more than ten points per game, though, if they are going to keep winning. Or maybe they don’t need to if Ray Lewis and company keep throttling teams as completely as they throttled New York. I think the Ravens get a few more points this week, and the Bengals won’t be able to match. Ravens 24 Bengals 10

Dolphins at Vikings: Two teams that both struggled in week 1. Of course, the Vikes struggled against the World Champs, and the Dolphins struggled winning a low scoring game against a dreadful Bills team. I don’t think Minnesota is going to be as good as they were last year, but I still think they are good enough to win at home against a very average Miami squad. Vikings 22 Dolphins 16

Bears at Cowboys: Chicago is lucky that the NFL fiercely enforces their dumb rules, otherwise Calvin Johnson and the Lions would have beaten them last week. I don’t think their luck continues in Big D. The Cowboys were defeated last week due to two weird plays to end each half, so long as they can avoid trying a dumb desperation play to end the first half and as long as Alex Barron can avoid doing another two point take down on the deciding play of the game, the Cowboys should have enough firepower to win their home opener against the Bears. I say they avoid all these things, and have a big day. Cowboys 27 Bears 13

Eagles at Lions: Is there such a thing as a loss you can feel good about? If so, the Lions experience that last week, coming within a whisker of winning on a call that the segment of America that doesn’t cheer for the Bears felt was incorrectly called. I might be inclined to pick the Lions if Matthew Stafford was going to start at QB, but with Shaun Hill back there, I just can’t pick Detroit. The Eagles will also start a quarterback that didn’t start the season as the starter, due to Kolb being injured last week too, but Mike Vick looked like the pre-dog fighting conviction era Atlanta quarterback last week…which is a good thing. He looked even better considering he was wearing that beautiful kelly green Eagles jersey. (Can Philly just go back to that full-time immediately, please?) I’ll take the visitors in this one. Eagles 26 Lions 20

Cardinals at Falcons: How many calls per week do you think Kurt Warner is fielding from Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt? Twenty? Thirty? “Please, Kurt. We need you back immediately!” The Cardinals are a shadow of what they have been the past few years, and the drop off from Warner to Derek Anderson is staggering. I don’t think the Falcons are all that great either, but they should be able to defeat this shell of an NFC West team. Falcons 29 Cardinals 13

Bills at Packers: When one of the worst teams in the NFL visits one of the better teams, it’s probably a good idea to back the home team. I’ll take Aaron Rodgers and company in a romp. Packers 37 Bills 3

Steelers at Titans: This may secretly be one of the best matchups of the week. Maybe it’s not even a secret. The Titans have looked reborn ever since the point that Vince Young took the reigns last season, and they are making a solid argument for being on of the better teams in the league. I also have a feeling that the Steelers, while not elite, are a stronger team than most people think. This should be a fun game to watch if you like hard hitting football. I’m going to take the Titans in a squeaker. Titans 20 Steelers 17

Buccaneers at Panthers: At 1-0, Tampa may very well be at the high water mark of their season. Sadly, they don’t get to play at home? Against the Browns every week…they might be a contender if they were allowed to do so. That week one win does little to change my opinion that this is an awful, awful football team. Not all hope is lost for them this week, though, as apparently playing quarterback for the Panthers means that by default you will suck. Matt Moore was a rather atrocious 14-33 passing with 3 interceptions for a 32.6 passer rating…not so good. Moore was sacked by Osi Umenyiora late in the game and then replaced by Jimmy Clausen who went 0-2 and managed a better passer rating than Moore despite NOT COMPLETING A PASS. We’re not sure who is going to play quarterback for the Panthers on Sunday, but either way, at least the Bucs have a shot. Although, I still think they lose. Panthers 13 Bucs 6

Rams at Raiders: The two teams that fled Los Angeles fifteen years ago hook up this weekend, and it’s hard to say which team is more pathetic at the moment. The Rams were the worst in the league last year, but have some hope with their new rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. Last week, Saint Louis is lucky Bradford’s arm didn’t fall off, as he tossed fifty-five throws into the Missouri air against the Cardinals. That is too much throwing, and it’s hard for ANY team to win when your offense is that unbalanced. The Raiders had problems of their own, as their free-agent quarterback also looked dreadful, and they were slaughtered by the Titans. I am giving the edge in this matchup to the Raiders, although I hope to not see a minute of this dreadful game. Raiders 20 Rams 13

Chiefs at Browns - The Chiefs have got to feel like a million bucks right now after taking out the Chargers, and the Browns just lost to Tampa. All signs point to a Chiefs victory, so naturally, I'm going to take Cleveland. Browns 16 Chiefs 9

Seahawks at Broncos – I had two things confirmed watching my Broncos play on Sunday against Jacksonville. 1. The solid citizens that Josh McDaniels has amassed on his football team will play hard for him. 2. Those solid citizens are also only marginally good football players. The result of these two facts is that I think we will see a team in Denver trying very hard and losing very often. The Seahawks were the surprise of Week 1…Unless you read here on Vertically Striped Socks last week where I told you before their game with the 49ers that they would win, that is. Seattle thumped the Niners and made people wonder if against all odds…the Seahawks may be decent this year. I think the Hawks fall back to earth a little bit this week, and the

Broncos play just hard enough to win their first game in 2010. Broncos 27 Seahawks 24

Texans at Redskins – Houston is bound to have a little bit of a letdown after finally vanquishing their nemesis the Colts, but I think even with a let down that this team is still good enough to go into Washington and take down Donovan McNabb and the Redskins, who despite beating the Cowboys in a big divisional game, only scored 6 offensive points in the contest, as Mike Shanahan’s high flying system was more than a little bit ineffective. The Skins only won thanks to boneheaded plays by the Cowboys. The other team in Texas plays smarter ball, and I don’t think that Washington will sweep the state. Texans 31 Redskins 20

Jaguars at Chargers – San Diego was embarrassed on Monday Night against the Chiefs. The Chargers may not be as good as they have been in recent years, but I just have a hard time seeing this average Jacksonville team travelling cross-country and putting the Chargers in an 0-2 hole. Not that it’s impossible, as San Diego has been very bad in September the past few years, but I’ll be surprised if they don’t take care of the Jags at home. Chargers 34 Jaguars 19

Patriots at Jets – A whole offseason of preening, and the Jets come out on opening night…the first regular season night in their new stadium and they get beaten down by the Ravens so badly that at the end Dustin Keller ran out of bounds shy of the first down because he just wanted to get out of there. The Jets managed a whopping 6 first downs all game and only 9 total points while taking 125 yards in penalties. The defense looked decent, but lost defensive line stalwart Kris Jenkins for the rest of the year, and now Darrelle Revis has a tweaked hamstring. The season could probably have started better for Jets fans…Now here comes the big bad Patriots and a grumpy Randy Moss and New York faces the very real possibility of starting this season of Hard Knocks and high expectations with a whimper and a two game losing skid. In fact, I say that is exactly what happens. Patriots 21 Jets 17

Giants at Colts – The Manning Bowl goes down Sunday night with big brother Peyton playing the unfamiliar role of coming off of an early season loss and Eli looking hot. I have a feeling the Colts are in for a down year by their lofty standards, but I don’t think they lose their third meaningful game in a row. I’ll take the Colts and company to get it done at home. Colts 33 Giants 30

Saints at 49ers – Coach Crazy and his San Francisco 49ers are licking their wounds from opening day, but it’s not as if things are about to get easier. You lost? Here come the champs. Have fun! I’ll take the Saints to hand the Niners their second straight big loss. Saints 30 49ers 13

Week 1: 12-4

Season to Date: 12-4

Broncos Gameday Recap: Game 1 - at Jaguars

Champ and company fought hard, but came up a little shy on Sunday.

Jaguars 24 Broncos 17

So, Broncos fans. This is what we can expect from our team, they are a hard working yet ultimately not very talented team doing just enough to keep it close but not enough to truly threaten to win. At least, that is what we can expect if this season reflects in any way it’s opening game. I’m hopeful for more, but I don’t know that it’s wise to expect much more.

The Jacksonville game was marked by weirdness and mistakes. The weirdness included an extended lightning delay before playing the fourth quarter, random winds and rain, and the fact that somehow Brandon Lloyd looked like a Pro Bowl wideout. The weirdness included Ryan McBean falling in love with grabbing facemasks, handing thirty yards and decisive momentum to the Jaguars on a drive where they wrestled control of the game for good. Another weird sequence involved another Jaguar touchdown play during which the Broncos decided to try and play defense with only 10 players to try and ramp up the difficulty for some unknown reason. The result was a relatively easy touchdown pass, so I’m thinking it would be best if they avoided that strategy from now on.

This game seems to indicate that the Broncos are counter-punchers. Every time the Jags scored, the Broncos matched it…well, right up until the end when Brandon Lloyd JUST missed getting his second foot down on a fourth down attempt for a touchdown that would have tied things up late in the fourth. Once that happened, it was clear it wasn’t going to be the Broncos day. They fought valiantly throughout, but this team needs to get some breaks, and failing to cause a turnover while giving up two is just something that this team is not talented enough to overcome.

When the lightning and dust had settled, the Broncos were left on the wrong end of a 24-17 score in a game that was imminently winnable throughout the day. The Broncos were going up against a rather dull Jacksonville team that, much like the Broncos, are not exactly overflowing with playmakers, and yet they were able to do enough to beat Denver. Harder games are ahead for the Broncos, which is disconcerting considering how they fell short in this one.

Anyway, let’s get to the positives:

Matt Prater: His kickoffs could have used a bit more oomph, but he nailed a 54 yarder which continues his career long trend of being money from way downtown and being shaky on the gimmies. I almost would rather see Prater line up for a 57 yarder than a 34 yarder at this point.

Brandon Lloyd came this close to tying up the game late in the 4th quarter.

Brandon Lloyd: Five grabs for 117 yards, Lloyd looked every bit of the All-Pro caliber wide receiver that no one ever thought he was. I don’t know if this was an early season mirage in muggy Florida or the start of a season long trend, but Brandon Lloyd is clearly the early season surprise on the Broncos roster.

Knowshon Moreno looked solid on Sunday. Here's hoping this continues.

Knowshon Moreno: His stats aren’t overwhelming, but he looked solid when given opportunities. He was making some nice moves and getting tough yards. I wasn’t overly impressed with Moreno last season, but yesterday he looked good. Not great, but we’ll take good at this point.

Kyle Orton...slow and steady lost this race, but he couldn't have played too much better.

Kyle Orton: Continuing his solid play from the preseason, Orton had a very good game. He still is unable to make things happen AT ALL once things break down, as he just kind of falls in a heap when the pressure comes, but at least he is making some good solid and smart throws. He was just shy of three hundred yards on the day, and only had one interception that ended the game when he was forcing things trying to make something happen to tie the game up in desperation time.

4th and Short: The Broncos defense turned the tide of the game by stopping the Jags from converting on a very short 4th down attempt. It led to a game tying touchdown, unfortunately, the momentum swung back.

Eddie Royal: Looks like year 3 could look more like his glorious rookie year, and less like his sophomore disappointment.

And the negatives:

Ryan McBean - Seriously dude, you have a cool name, but stop grabbing facemasks. A cool name can only take you so far. Josh McDaniels looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel in his face he was so angry at you.

HOLD ON TO THE BALL!

Correll Buckhalter - His running was nothing special, as he still looked hurt, and his first half fumble killed a drive that looked like it had some serious potential. That fumble killed the Broncos chance at grabbing the early lead and hurt the offensive momentum.

Defensive pressure: Or should I say the lack thereof. David Garrard didn't look rushed all day. The lack of Elvis Dumervil is glaring right now.

Don't blink, you'll miss Tebow's contribution.

Tim Tebow: Okay, this isn't really fair, as he wasn't a negative so much as a non-entity on the football field. Two rushes for two yards, not exactly lighting the world on fire in his first appearance, but he did the most he could with the exceptionally limited chances he had. Still, if you were in northern Florida to see your Gator hero, you were underwhelmed.

A few random thoughts about the Jaguars and the game on Sunday:

No full grown adult male should ever wear that much teal.

1. Teal? Really? Yuck.

MJD...kind of reminds me of a bowling ball. Small and powerful and just kept knocking over pins.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew is a stud. That little guy is fun to watch. I have no idea how someone that small can be that powerful.

Those ominous clouds led to a brutal lightning delay.

3. Look I get the whole safety first angle, and I understand why it has to be done, but lightning delays really suck. Here, lets rest for 45 minutes before we start the 4th quarter. Threw off the whole football day vibe. (Well, not totally off, it was still a glorious Sunday.)

Final Thought:

The Broncos played how we hoped against a somewhat boring team with limited resources...and they still lost. Granted, it's hard to win on the road, and the Broncos are not exactly a loaded team, but still...you'd hope for better. I'm trying to be positive, but this could be a long year. And now, up next is a Seattle Seahawks team that we thought would be weak yet yesterday they demolished the San Francisco 49ers. Stay strong, Broncos fans...We shall overcome...eventually. Go Broncos!

Yeah, I posted a cat video. So?

Sometimes you have to post things to your blog for no other reason than they make your kids happy. It's a fatherhood thing.

Vertically Striped Radio - Episode 72 - 09-11-10 - My Daddy Taught Me Good

Football is back! Sound the Air Sirens...we can pretend like we're in Sterling, Kansas.

Face Ventura and the Whale joined Craig for this episode, and a good time was had by all. We booked some Wankers for their Wankery type behavior, including calling out a small town for their odd practice of having air raid sirens blare four times a day.

We had a moment of silence in memory of the 9-11 tragedy, had a story about python wrestling, and learned about the confidence that comes with Spiderman pajamas.

Today's show also commented on the odd new rivalry that has recently developed between The Ed and "The Memphis Four" with a new feature we're calling "World News with Craig's Movie Response" a feature that may or may not make it's return, but was fun either way.

We also heard from a wonderful crime witness in Kansas City along with an even better auto-tune effort from our friends on the internets. In a show of support for our friends the Memphis Four, the Vertically Striped Music Recommendation was a surprisingly good music effort from a random band I just found out about this week called Memphis 4 Now.

NFL Weekend Preview: Week 1

Football!!!!! Yeah, baby!!! The NFL is back!!! We've waited all year for this weekend, and it's finally here. I know people like to sing that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but clearly, they are wrong. When the NFL returns, all is right with the world. We're at that time of year where everyone can dream big. Even Broncos fans are having dreams of finishing 8-8 dancing in their heads as the season gets ready to kick off...hope springs eternal! Thursday night is the appetizer, and then Sunday is the main course. We even get two Monday night games for dessert. Life is good during Week 1. The only drawback to week one is that we have no feel for what our teams are REALLY like yet. So here are my best guesses, which are sure to be terrible, but I make them anyway. Enjoy the games, people!

Vikings at Saints: The Super Bowl champs ALWAYS win this Thursday night game. I don’t think Brett Favre’s body is totally ready to hit the field for four quarters just yet, but he’s going to attempt to do just that in his return to the scene he was battered like a punch ball in the NFC Championship Game. I foresee bad things for the men in purple. I think they make it a good game, but the Saints prevail. Saints 34 Vikings 27

Panthers at Giants: Matt Moore gave the Panthers some life at the end of the year last season, but I am not sure he will be enough to put Carolina up over the top of the Giants as they open up their new home on opening day. I think the Giants get out to a strong start opening weekend. Giants 31 Panthers 17

Falcons at Steelers: Dennis Dixon under center for the first of what should be four games until Ben Roethlisberger takes his job back for the Steelers should make me nervous, as should the idea that Matt Ryan is starting year three for Atlanta, and theoretically is going to really start putting things together to get closer to elite status after a down Sophomore year. However, as the season is ready to kick off, I sorta like the Steelers chances this year and I’m a little down on the Falcons. I like this to be a good but low scoring game that Pittsburgh pulls out at the end. Steelers 16 Falcons 13

Browns at Buccaneers: On paper, this is one of the uglier matchups of opening weekend…So I’m going to predict a crazy, fun, high scoring game between two bad teams, because those are always a good time and they seem to happen once or twice a year. Browns 41 Buccaneers 38

Broncos at Jaguars: I expect this will be an ugly slugfest. I am hoping my favorite team has something this year, but I’m not expecting a ton. This is one they COULD win, but I just have a feeling they fall just short. Jaguars 17 Broncos 10

Colts at Texans: Um, the Colts ALWAYS beat the Texans. I don't see why this game should be any different. Colts 27 Texans 21

Dolphins at Bills: The Dolphins are not an exceptionally exciting team, but they seem to play a solid brand of football. The Bills don't even know which town is their permanent home. Plus, the Bills are just routinely bad. I'm going to take the Fish (Yes, Dolphins are mammals, but it's more fun to call them "the Fish" than "the Mammals". Dolphins 24 Bills 16

Lions at Bears: I think the Lions might actually have a decent season, but they have won only two games in the past two years, so history tells me to go with the Bears. Although, I think at the end of the year, Detroit might actually have a better record than Chicago, I think the Bears take the early lead in the race to stay out of the bottom of the division. Bears 19 Lions 16

Raiders at Titans: The Titans are a mystery, but the Raiders are a known commodity...we know they suck. I'll go with the known commodity to do what it does. Titans win big. Titans 30 Raiders 10

Bengals at Patriots: The Patriots are entering that territory where they have been good for so long that they are getting boring. It's probably more fun to pick this wacky Bengals team, but in the end, I'm going with boring but excellent over enigmatic but interesting. Patriots 27 Bengals 17

Cardinals at Rams: This game ties Browns/Bucs for least interesting matchup. I don't think this one will be fun to watch, though. Cardinals 17 Rams 3

49ers at Seahawks: The world has annointed the 49ers as the de facto favorites for the NFC West, Therefore, I like this weak Seattle team to shock them on opening day. Clearly, I could be wrong, but this is my upset special. Seahawks 20 49ers 10

Packers at Eagles: The Pack has had expectations raised, and I think it may be deserved. I'm wary of the new look Eagles with Kevin Kolb at quarterback. We're used to seeing them be a good team, but there is no guarantee that will continue. I think the Eagles struggle this year. Packers 29 Eagles 23

Cowboys at Redskins: Donovan McNabb makes his Redskin debut against a familiar enemy. There is a lot to like about what's going on in Washington, and as a Bronco fan, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Mike Shanahan, but I think the Cowboys are just the better team here. I'll take the visitors from Dallas in a close game between these two blood rivals. Cowboys 17 Redskins 16

Ravens at Jets: We've heard a lot of noise from the Jets during the offseason. Time to put up or shut up, and they're going to have to open with a mighty tough team. I think this is the beginning of a tremendously disappointing season for Gang Green. Ravens 24 Jets 21

Chargers at Chiefs: The Chiefs are not nearly as talented and San Diego, but they always seem to give San Diego a good game at Arrowhead. Add the excitement of an opening night game in front of a National television audience, and I think they'll be ready to give Philip Rivers and company a challenge. Chargers 27 Chiefs 24 (O.T.)

Broncos Gameday Recap: Preseason Game 4 - at Vikings

Vikings 31 Broncos 24

Vertically Striped Socks favorite Matt Willis had a solid game!

Life is too short to spend too much time watching the final preseason game. It is truly the most brutal game of the already brutal exhibition season. These games all suck, but the final game is the suckiest bunch of sucks to ever suck. Technically the Broncos lost to finish 1-3 in the preseason...but really, who cares.

I watched a tiny bit, and here is a brief recap of everything you need to know. LenDale White continued the 2010 preseason tradition of Broncos getting hurt as he is now out for the year with a torn achilles tendon. Brett Favre did nothing more strenuous that stand on the sideline rocking a ballcap, for some unknown reason Kyle Orton did play a tiny bit...and even scored a relatively easy touchdown against the Vikings scrubs. Tim Tebow had the first snap of the game dong off of his hands and bounce to a linebacker who scampered in for a touchdown and the next time he had the ball he threw an interception directly into the hands of a safety that he just didn't see. However, he also tossed a beautiful arching deep pass into the hands of Matt Willis for a very nice long bomb touchdown and played with a strong amount of poise as well, so it was a decent outing after his first two possessions.

Brady Quinn's stats looked nice, but I must confess I didn't see him play, as the lure of the park was calling, so I took the kiddos out to the park late in the second quarter and didn't get back until the game was almost over. Like I said, life is too short to spend too much time on the final preseason game. The best thing about that game is that it means the next time the Broncos convene on an NFL field, it will be for real...September 12th in Jacksonville! So, until next time, GO BRONCOS!

Vertically Striped Radio - Episode 71 - 08-30-10 - Holding out for a Hero.

Vertically Striped Radio - Episode 71

Craig and Face on a Special Monday Bonus edition of the show. Face shared his story of encountering a wandering baby on an elevator...he seemed very concerned. We also played Episode 4 of The Shek Republic Life in a Week where we answer the question, "Who is your Hero and why?" Where we learned that the High Plains Grifter a.k.a. Jeremy Lane has very low standards for a hero. I finally was able to play the story from The Moth podcast from Michela Murphy about her trip to the 1981 All-Star game, and I finished up with a music recommendation from Frou Frou, a remake of the Bonnie Tyler song "Holding out for a Hero."

Broncos Gameday Recap: Preseason Game 3 - vs Steelers

Broncos 34 Steelers 17

Finally! The Broncos have a preseason game in which they look splendid. And there was much rejoicing!

There is only so much I can comment about this game, as I watched it without sound inside a Japanese Steakhouse. I am a committed Broncos fan, but Hibachi trumps preseason football.

Hide the women and children, Ben Roethlisberger is in town...What? Too soon?

Of the things I can say for certain...

Caution, coach ahead. No offense, Josh, but that is one ugly shirt you're sporting tonight.

-I'd really like someone to explain to me why Josh McDaniels had a traffic cone on the back of his shirt on Sunday night.

It's not like Mike Tomlin looked much better in the goofy traffic cone shirt.

-Tonight probably marked the best a player named Syd'Quan has ever played in an NFL game. Syd'Quan Thompson was a monster. Since Thompson wears number 43 and has the same crazy Tasmanian Devil haircut as Troy Polamalu, I can only assume that Troy is his hero. On this particular evening, playing across the field from a man that I imagine he must idolize, the rookie outplayed Polamalu. Taking an interception back 48 yards for a score, and almost doing the same with a tremendous punt return in the 4th quarter.

Tim Tebow...Leader of Men. I like this kid.

-Tim Tebow showed some glimpses both of the reason that the Broncos decided to move up to draft him along with the reasons so many others felt that was a terrible decision. His 3rd quarter interception led to the Steelers first touchdown, but at least he hustled to make the tackle, and then he made up for it by leading the Broncos on a 74 yard touchdown drive. Hopefully, Broncos fans won't need to see him on the field this year, as Kyle Orton has been pretty solid this preseason, but it's nice to see some glimpses of potential from the 1st rounder.

Okay, Kyle. Celebrating is good. Making tackles and getting yourself hurt in preseason game is not.

-Memo to Kyle Orton: Please don't try to make tackles in meaningless preseason games! After throwing what appeared to be an interception (It was later overturned by the zebras), Orton tried to run down the defender and took a licking making the play in the 2nd quarter. There is simply no reason Orton should try to do that. His health is far too important to the Broncos at this juncture, and this game was essentially meaningless. Save it for when it matters, Kyle.

Chubby, yet lovable...LenDale White!

-I know his NFL tenure has been marred by laziness, distractions, and cheeseburgers, but I can't help it. I enjoy having LenDale White on the Broncos. Hometown boys are always fun to cheer for, and hopefully White can make an impact this year, even if just a little bit. It was good to see him get into the end zone.

-If Brady Quinn even makes this team, it should be as nothing more than the 3rd string quarterback. Quinn just doesn't look right back there. He came in the play after Orton got pounded and with a severe deer in the headlights look, took a sack. I think Tebow is the better choice as second on the depth chart at quarterback right now.

My boy Matt Willis goes flying into the air on a kickoff return.

-My newly adopted favorite son Matt Willis had another solid night with three catches for 55 yards. With Brandon Stokely still trying to get healthy, perhaps that will open up a spot for Willis. I'm ever hopeful, as I even drafted him on my fantasy football team today...Granted, he was one of my last picks in a 32 team league with 21 roster spots...but still, he is on the Vertically Striped Llamas, and we are hoping that he will get a chance to make an impact this year. (In a related note, a 32 team league with 21 roster spots is ridiculous. I can't recommend strongly enough against it. Our draft took 4 hours and 11 minutes today.)

Bully effort by the defensive boys tonight.

-So, the Broncos are finally in the win column in the preseason. I guess this is a good thing, but I'm more impressed that the defense finally looked somewhat solid tonight. I remain cautiously optimistic that this team will not completely suck. At the moment, I'm thinking around 7-9, and hoping for much better. One thing we will probably lead the league in is players named Syd'Quan...so that's something.

Anyway, I probably won't be watching next week as there is no reason that any logical human being should subject themselves to the final preseason game, so until the regular season kicks off and these games actually start to matter...Go Broncos!

Lions vs Cape Buffalo - This is Amazing

This is some amazing video. Worth watching the whole thing, it's somewhat unbelievable.

Vertically Striped Radio - Episode 70 - 08-28-10 - People will come, Ray.

Vertically Striped Radio - Episode 70

Episode 70 had a strong baseball theme, and then it morphed into something weird. The first hour was dominated by the Magnificent 7 - Top Seven Baseball Movies. We had some good discussions, including Craig taking almost 15 minutes to discuss how ridiculous "The Natural" was, even though it made the list. Face Ventura was around for most the program, and he and Elevation helped us discuss the movie list. We had a brief cameo from The Whale, who had us pondering if "The Naked Gun" could qualify as a baseball movie, and we kept Ed on hold for about 45 minutes until after we finished the Magnificent Seven. He made up for it by dominating the remainder of the very strange program. He and Elevation discussed MMA for a bit, then we were treated to recipes from Ed and a story about an unusual piece of litigation that he was involved in years ago. This was a normal show for an hour, and as soon as Ed came on, it became something somewhat insane. We spiraled out of control in quite the amusing way.