This
Ralph, Go!
Hello all! Welcome to all our new-comers and Welcome Back to our Prodigal
Sons who are making their return appearances to our FBH family. We have
several new names, unfamiliar to many, on the Standings list this year
and I will hopefully devote some time in next week’s issue to try to
acquaint/reacquaint those of us who know each other to those of us who
don’t. I think I know who everyone is, although I have never actually
met many of you, but I’ll get some help from Roy and together we’ll
make sure we all have a “virtual” meeting, since FBH is, after all,
a family of sorts.
In the past, Roy has been responsible for much of the text that is seen
on these pages. Last year, the man was kept busy with his business (access)
ventures and the site suffered. This season, Roy has pledged to devote
more time to offering up his thoughts on the NFL, our little pool, and
life in general. I will put my editing skills to work and do my best
to keep the site fresh on a weekly basis. For example, instead of one
column, this week Roy has submitted to me several random thoughts. I
will sprinkle these thoughts throughout the issue and try to elaborate
on them as we go along. And once again, we welcome and encourage YOUR
input. Got something to say about the state of the NFL? Sit down and
write out your thoughts for the rest of the league to see. Make them
as long or as short as you wish, and email them on to me. I’ll print
here anything anyone submits to me. This website is For Us, By Us. So
don’t be shy. Speak up! Be heard!
Since
today is September 11th, I would be remiss not to mark this tragic anniversary
on this site. We all have our own stories and feelings of that terrible
day, I'm sure most mirror mine. And while I was fortunate enough not
to lose anyone I knew on that day, I lost what was and will always be
one of my favorite buildings, The World Trade Center Towers. I was alive
when construction began on them, but I just remember them always being
there. I've been to the top of them several times, and most recently
was there in June of 2001. I once was fired from a job for an incident
that happened at those same towers. I grieve for those who lost their
lives in them on 9/11, but I also grieve the loss of the structures.
I never thought I'd feel this sad over the loss of a building, but I
do.
Here's a symbolic FBH moment of silence...
God Bless America.
A
Tale of Two Commishes
[
I have no desire to talk about the standings
this week, but I’m sure Ralph will. Suffice it to say that I would have
been better off having a monkey pick for me. On the bright side, if
I’m going to win this thing, I still have 16 weeks to make up a mere
49 slots. - Roy
It
was quite a wild Week 1 in the NFL, and the standings in our football
pool show that Opening Week is often the toughest week to predict games.
Without much more than the meaningless pre-season games and last years
results to go on, 9-7’s, 8-8’s, and 7-9’s abound. Of our 50 participants,
38 had one of those records. But two of us were able to fight thru the
confusion of Kick-Off weekend and rise to the head of the class. In
this, the first EVER week that saw 16 NFL games played (thanks to the
expansion Texans), it’s a pair of Shupp’s who sit atop the leader board.
Ellen “Mellenhead” (formerly Raimondo, now wife of Bob) Shupp
led the pack with a groovy 12-4 record. Followed close behind by yours
truly Ralph “AssCommish” (brother of Bob) Shupp at
11-5. Rounding out the top 4 are our Scottish friend Mike “if
it’s not Scottish it’s CRAP!” Hogg, and yet another Shupp off-shoot,
Ron “Juggernaut” (brother-in-law of Bob/Ralph) Hade,
who each posted 10-6 weeks.
The “other” Commish, Roy “Rod Hockey Expert” Bunting
was not as fortunate in Week 1. With his embarrassing 3-13 record, Roy
finds himself alone in the FBH cellar. As Ken “Kenny D.” Davis
put it, “…one must conclude that one commissioner
did his homework while the other was out to lunch on his picks”.
Well said, Ken.
Remember folks, it’s a Marathon, not a Sprint. There’s plenty of time
for things to change, and if my personal FBH history is any indication,
the two commishes will meet in the middle as they pass each other up
and down the FBH ladder.
Around
the NFL
C-H-A-D
Chad Chad Chad!!
[
Chad Morton for president! Thanks to the Jets kick return man who had
two 95+ yard gridiron gems to save the opening game against a tough
Bills squad and their new leader, Drew Bledsoe and his offensive weapons
– “He’s Henry,” Travis Henry and Eric Moulds. A general tightening up
in all areas is in order for game 2.
As
the new season dawns, I’m also committing myself to becoming a “new”
Jet fan from now on. “Old” Jet fans remember too much bad, bad mojo.
As a result, they expect the worst. It’s almost like they enjoy to be
in pain, and that’s not my game. I want to keep my focus on the positive.
Things are bound to get crazy from time to time, but maintaining an
open mind is crucial. Hey, if the Bills don’t score that 40 yard TD
on 4th & 9 with time running out, we never get the glorious OT kickoff
win.
The other day, my bongo-playing friend Boobie told me the Jets haven’t
had a losing season since 1996. With a solid team and coaching staff,
there’s ample reason to believe the “new” Jets will find as many ways
to win as their predecessors found to lose. All they need now is some
positive vibe from their fans. - Roy
Battle
For Texas
[ Did
you see the picture of Jerry Jones getting an earful after Sunday night’s
game from a Texans lineman? I almost felt sorry for the guy. A telling
comment in the aftermath of the Week 1 debacle came from new Cowboy
Kevin Hardy who questioned the intensity with which his new team practices.
Hmm…. - Roy
Foolish Brown
[
The end of the Browns/Chiefs
game showcased the best and worst of today’s NFL. On one hand, the Browns
losing a game over a removed helmet issue is a direct descendent of
every over-gesticulation that ever followed any routine tackle or five-yard
gain. On the other, the whole point is probably moot if the Chiefs don’t
courageously keep their hopes alive by lateraling to an offensive lineman.
- Roy
[
I am proud to say that I’m an uncle again. Little sister Linda brought
us Angeline Laurel early Saturday morning. Everyone is doing well. -
Roy
[ Congratulations go to off-season parents
Angelo and Margie who welcomed Anthony into the Forgione fold. - Roy
[ This year we’ve experienced some comings
and goings within the FBH family. I’ll lay out all the information once
we’ve got everyone reporting in and get the new divisions figured out.
- Roy
[ Glad to see many of you at the Bob’s
birthday/NFL kickoff weekend party. As Bob said, two days did seem like
two hours. Dane took some pictures and they will surely be shared in
due course. - Roy
Last
week I mentioned how the new header's license plate links were symbolic
of each US State we have members residing in. I spoke too soon. Mikey
Joyce has moved to Iowa, Jeff Sternberg lives
in Colorado and is back in the league this year after taking a year
off, and Paul Kessler now resides in Hong Kong, China.
Oh well, I tried! :-) - Ralph
Just
One More
This
football was found in July by a detective
sorting thru the WTC ruble...
