Clearing The Air!

Well, Championship Sunday is one week away. In about 168 hours from the writing of this, we will know which teams will make it to the Super Bowl. Before I say anything further about that, I feel I need to clarify some recent posts I have made on Facebook concerning the favorite college team of several of you - the Tennessee Vols.

For the record, I am not a fan of the school - save for Pat Summitt and the Lady Basketball team. They have always been the epitome of class and sportsmanship, and Summitt might very well be the best coach to ever do it in the college ranks. But, Vols fans can get a little crazy sometimes.

In the days when they were great, their fans weren't satisfied with beating Coble State Community Basketweaving Tech  - or any other team besides Florida they played in September - 45-10. It had to be worse. Then, on the post-game of the radio broadcast, their fans would always - after a rare loss - say 'We just ought to fire Phil Fulmer.' Hmm...how did that work out?

And, Fulmer was a part of it too. He's a class individual. Don't get me wrong. He represented the school well as a player and a coach. But, remember he got the job when Johnny Majors was out sick. Fulmer stepped in and delivered some big wins during the 1992 season, and replaced Majors the next season - as it should have been. It was Fulmer's time, and history bore that out. But, I would always get lectured at Church by people who were Vols fans about how my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, did Tom Landry wrong in 1989. 

That was when Jerry Jones bought the team, and his first act was firing Landry and bringing in Jimmy Johnson. Was the move ill-timed? Yes, and twenty-five years later, Jones would likely tell you that was his greatest regret - the way it was handled. It was Johnson's time, just like it was Fulmer's. However, I have never heard one Vols fan talk about Majors being done wrong. So, there I said it. Again, both moves were the right ones, but could have been handled different. 

More importantly, I love to pick at UT fans because it's fun....(Smile, Candi!) There's really no ill will meant, as much as I am just a smart aleck. So, what does this have to do with the NFL?

Really, not much - in my mind. But, Denver - one of the four teams left standing - has a QB named Peyton Manning. Simply put, when his career has been written, there may not be a better QB in the history of the game. But, because of his Vols pedigree, there are more Colts and Broncos fans in Tennessee than you can shake a stick at. But, (yes, I am saying this!) Manning is class. He never beat Spurrier...but he's class. I hope he's able to get a Lombardi trophy for the Broncos, because the Colts had made the decision that he was old news. (For a lot of reasons, stories like Manning as a Bronco and Favre playing well as a Vikings QB really make me smile. Sometimes, people do have more in the tank than their teams think!) 

I get the Manning-love, when it comes to Peyton. But, Eli? As in Ole Miss? As in never worn UT orange or running through the "T." He's a great QB - tough for me as some of his greatest moments have been against the Cowboys, but why a Vols fans considered his wins over the Pats as "victories," I don't understand.....But, I digress. Vols fans, don't hate me, I just love needling you. For what it's worth, I think Butch Smith will prove to be a good hire.

So, oh yeah, back to next week....Here's my early picks....

NFC Championship: Seattle 16, San Francisco 14
I really am not looking forward to this one - either way. Not because of any ill will towards either, but they are just boring. San Fran has more offensive fire, but when they play each other, it's usually a defensive game that just puts one to sleep. At the end of the day, San Francisco has the better team, but Seattle is at home....so there's my pick. You don't beat Seattle much on their turf.

AFC Championship: Patriots 38, Colts 35 - Do you remember 1992-1995 when the 49ers and the Cowboys games were better than the Super Bowl? That's the way I feel about this one. These are the two best teams in the league, with the two best QB's and a coach in Bill Belichick that might very well be the best to have ever done it. Hate them, like them, whatever, Tom Brady and Company seemingly get it done. I think that's the difference. It's going to be close, historic, epic, and likely better than the Super Bowl, but though I would like to see Manning in the big dance one more time....I think New England is the more complete team.....but it's going to be close....

OK, those are my thoughts. Who do you think goes to New York for the Super Bowl? 

 

A Few Words To Live...And Hope By

We tend to change as we get older. I know I have. Some changes have been for the better, but there are there are times that I think I have regressed as a human being over the years. I'm just being honest.  Aside from writing blogs and making an occasional post on Facebook that talks about personal stuff, I don't really talk to a lot of people when I get upset. I figure that people have heard it before, and everyone has problems - and there are people with a lot worse ones than I have. Again, I know that this week. I've talked to them!

That being said, this is my blog - and you can choose not to read it - LOL.....,so this is my place to vent. It's just been one of those weeks where you want to scream and pull your hair out - which incidentally, is a lot less of a problem for me than it is for others. (See? I am looking at the bright side!)

I am just tired of struggling as much as I do. Then again, I know we all are. But, there have been a few times this week that I have thought about crawling in a hole and staying there awhile. But, I didn't. There are at least two reasons for this. One, I'm a ______ (fill in the blanks, but I will say scaredy-cat, and it's been too cold in the dirt!) 

Secondly, there's another reason - faith. As I have written before, since moving back to Tennessee in August 2011, every time the going has gotten a little rough - God has stepped in and shown me the way. He was there before then, but I was a little too blind to see. (That sounds like an "Amazing" song idea!)....I'm not standing on a pulpit saying how great and noble I am - I'm not. I am far from a Bible scholar, and my mind isn't always focused on the things it should be. But, I do listen and observe more than I used to, and I know there's a higher power. I take comfort in some of the great lessons I have heard over the past few years - whether it be Devin Pickard, Rodney Rochelle, Matthew Hiatt, James Hinkle, Danny Turner, or Donnie Craig, and every now and then I'll hear a verse that makes me think. Case in point:

Jeremiah 29:11-14 / For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.

Philippians 4:6-7 / Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Again, I'm not a preacher. But, it says nothing in either of these verses about needing to worry and fret. In fact, quite the opposite. So, I'm going to try not to do that. God has always been there, and he will now. Besides, another verse in the Bible says he knows the number of the hairs on my head. (He doesn't count very high, at least in my case!) It's all going to be ok. Patience. Faith. I think I can. I know he can. 

Well, closing for the night. I am not trying to be haughty or holier than thou. I am a Christian, but my batting average isn't the best sometimes. But, if there's anyone out there who has had a week like I have - or worse, there's a few verses that show there is hope.....Food for thought!

The Titans Search Is On!

Saturday morning, there was a lot of grumbling going on in the mid-state.. The headline of the Nashville Tennessean made it appear that Mike Munchak would be back for a fourth season coaching the Tennessee Titans. Well, by 3pm that afternoon, it turned out to be quite the opposite. Since then, a lot of people have been very critical of writer Jim Wyatt. If those people bothered to READ the story, you would have seen that the story was factual. Typically at newspapers and websites, the person who wrote the story is not the one who writes the subject header. So, there. Wyatt's story was very much dead on. Munchak met with Titans brass on Friday, and from all accounts, it appeared that they wanted him to stay  - providing some changes were made to the coaching staff.

That's where things got interesting. The coach felt that to fire certain members of his staff would be detrimental to his teams' chances of building on their 7-9 record this season. The fact that some of those coaches - such as longtime Titan / Oiler Bruce Matthews are his friends had some bearing on his thought process, I'm sure, but I have to admit my respect for the coach wanting to stick to his plan - job or no job - went up a little bit.

I can't say that I was a big fan of Munchak's coaching style. But, he has always been a class act, and I hope he lands on his feet. (Of course, he will land with $ 3 million in his pocket NOT to coach the Titans next season, so it's not all bad!) I think we in the Nashville market were spoiled for years by the stability under Jeff Fisher.

OK, before you insert your comments about "Stability? You mean 8-8 every year?" I will cut you off right now. Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, or any of the "Superstar" coaches that come up each January regarding possible openings couldn't have done much better with some of the hands that Fisher was dealt with. 

Was I a Jeff Fisher fan? Heck yes. Back in 1997, I was PD at WDKN in Dickson, and I lobbied hard for the station to become an affiliate of the then-Oilers. I will never forget how hard Fisher worked to promote the franchise. Sure, he coached the team, but he was the best PR person the Titans had. He had that unmistakable charisma that you just admired and respected. Most women over 35 thought he was the greatest thing since Tom Selleck, and just like with "Magnum," men didn't seem to mind. He worked the franchise, and possessed a degree of fire on the field that Munchak just didn't have. That's not a knock, as much as it is just a statement on his coaching style being different from Fisher, who was such a good salesman he could ALMOST make me a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, with the key word being "Almost."

So, where do the Titans go next? The name Ken Wisenhunt has been mentioned quite a bit. Currently the OC at San Diego, he has that pizazz that I think would spur some excitement down at LP (Larry Petty) Field. He's been to a Super Bowl as head coach of the Cardinals. Then, there's James Franklin. He has done wonders with the fortunes of Vanderbilt, but has never been involved with an NFL franchise. Then again, the next coaching star has to come from somewhere? And, there would definitely be excitement if Franklin moved from West End to the River. I don't know. One name I have not heard would be Saints DC Rob Ryan. He has the fire, but have his defenses been that great until this season? He is a country music fan, which would be a plus. Maybe the Titans could lure former DC coaches Jerry Pearson and Jackie Bledsoe to co-coach the team. I can't guarantee the record, but a Mike Keith coaches show with either would definitely be entertaining! Just my two cents, which has declined to a worth of one and a half....I'd love to hear yours!

The Excitement Of A Snowfall

First of all, thanks to everyone who responded to my post regarding Brownie. Pets are a special part of all of our lives, and we were blessed to have her as a part of ours. Writing this in Hickman County tonight, as there is a little bit of excitement in the air....as IT'S SNOWING! (Not simply in Waverly, where students in Dickson would always start rumors that it was snowing - in hopes that schools would let out early!)  It's amazing. It doesn't matter if you are a child or an adult. Driving in the snow is kind of a cool experience. And, there's nothing like being out of school...I remember calling WDKN like crazy as a kid, bugging Bill McCullough to death, asking if there was schools in Dickson County. LOL - You know what they say about paybacks? I got mine, for sure! I remember one night during my first season doing DCHS Basketball back in 1995. Coach Eve Hamilton and I were discussing the snow outside during the game - and I said 'As a teacher, I bet you hate that!" I'll never forget her response - the moment where I realized teachers were human - "Heck no, we want out as much as the kids."

Tonight, pulling into the Shell to put some gas in my car after Church, my mind went back to January 1985. I was in the fifth grade at the time. I went with my Dad to Dickson to Super X. (Wow, I am old.) It started snowing while we were in town, and snowed and snowed and snowed. I don't recall how many inches, but the temperature got down to -17 that next morning. For those that might recall, we were hit with so many snows that year that we had to go to school on Saturday three straight weeks - unless you were a sudden convert to Seventh - Day Adventist - like one of my friends (who shall remain nameless!). Looking back, I don't think anyone minded too much. Heck, I wouldn't mind going back to fifth grade for a few Saturdays now - or permanently, for that matter. This adult stuff kind of reeks sometimes!

To be honest, the thrill of seeing it snow kind of wore off. The temperatures are going to be very cold over the next couple of days, and I'm not as young as I used to be. Never thought I would say this, but bring on spring! Hunker down, and stay warm!

RIP, Brownie, 1998-2014

November 8, 1998. It was a Sunday afternoon. The Dallas Cowboys were playing the New York Giants. (It may sound strange, but the Cowboys are somehow linked to the timeline of my life. For the most part, from 1998 on back – that was a good thing!) My mother and I drove out to Lyles to pick up a new dog – a Shitzapoo (?) named Brownie. I remember on the way home she didn’t dare get out from under the towel that my mother had with her. Needless to say, the dog lost its’ shyness pretty quick.

She became the apple of everyone’s eye. Her most prominent sitting position was right beside my mother in her blue recliner. But all three of us had our special moments with her. She was an amazing dog – but, as you can imagine – nobody thought of her as an animal.

To say she was spoiled would be like saying Highway 48 has curves, or Beyonce is kind of attractive. It would be an understatement. I don’t know how many trips I took (even to Walmart) between 1998 and 2006 when I didn’t bring back home a squeaker toy. Typically, she would play with it for thirty seconds, then that was it. And you didn’t dare recycle them. She was way too smart for that! She also ate plenty of human food – turkey from the Thanksgiving table – and microwavable popcorn – one of her favorites. She loved to chase the school bus in the afternoons. I remember seeing Randy Tidwell drive 51 down the road, and her running back and forth until the bus got out of sight – the wind blowing through her hair. 

Over the past fifteen years, she was one of my best friends. If I was down because of my job status or dating status, she was there. But, losing Mama in 2005 was something that I don’t know if I could have gotten through. I remember one time around Christmas, the day was particularly rough. She jumped on the couch with me, and let me cry.

 I moved out in April 2007. But, every time I would go over to the house, I would pick her up and love on her. Funny, a couple of people that I became involved with over the years didn’t like the attention I gave the dog – as I hated to leave her by herself if I was the only one at the house. They’re long gone – but she remained!

 As I went through a divorce a couple of years ago and was in a state of flux for awhile, I would sometimes dogsit at Dad and Marcia’s. It was an emotional time. But, I always had an ear to listen. 

You know where this is headed. Brownie went from this life to the other side this morning. Mama used to say because she was so feisty that she was sent tumbling from the “Hole In The Floor Of Heaven,” a reference to the Steve Wariner hit. (Yes, Dallas Cowboys and Country Music. I know.) Well, she earned her wings. I hope she’s up with Mama chasing a school bus, and eating all the popcorn she wants. My heart, though hurting, breaks especially for my father and Marcia – as tonight will be the first time in years they’re there but she’s not. They have given her the best over the years, and I am grateful to them for that – and the love they have for all animals and me. 

My favorite author of all time is Lewis Grizzard. On the back of The Last Bus To Albuquerque, a book published after his passing in March 1994, there was an illustration of him holding his typewriter while walking into the pearly gates, and all the dogs he had were running out to greet him – including his beloved “Catfish,” who died a few months before he did. I can only hope that is how it is for all of us – to be greeted by our furry friends. If that’s not what you believe, well frankly I don’t give a …. In my mind, it wouldn’t be heaven without them. No pain, and popcorn all day. LOL...Sounds good! Brownie, I miss you! Even though there was that one time you bit me on the nose, I will let it slide!