In
This Issue:
College
Football Happenings
Scarlet Fever: Catch It!
"Phenomenal” is
the only word I can think of to do it justice. How else could you
describe it when Rutgers Stadium is packed beyond its 44,000-seat
capacity with rabidly screaming fans, the sidelines are crammed with
current NFL players, national media types and scores of alumni players
for the first-ever battle of nationally-ranked college football squads – both
undefeated – RU
has ever been a part of, with a national TV audience tuned in, and
even the Empire State Building bathed in Scarlet red lighting?
Feel the love, Rutgers.
For the first time in its 137-year college
football history, New Jersey and the entire New York Metropolitan
area has officially caught “Scarlet
Fever”. Over the past week, New York-area talk radio, newspapers,
and television sports reports are devoting much of their efforts
to covering the breakout year of the now 9-0 Scarlet Knights. Subjects
range from “Just how high will #15 RU rise in the college polls
in the wake Thursday night’s victory over #3 Louisville?” to “Would
an undefeated season definitely mean a berth in the BCS Championship
game for the Knights?” Suddenly, a football program that has
been in a rebuilding mode since I was a freshman there in the early ‘80s
is a media darling and THE story of the 2006 college football season.
As sudden as it all seems, the turnaround did
not happen overnight. Six years ago, Coach Greg Schiano was hired
from his position as Defensive Coordinator at The University of
Miami and brought with him their well-established scheme that utilizes
smaller, faster defenders; a good fit for a program that was not
attracting players with the top physical characteristics. Schiano
installed disciplined study (which has resulted in exemplary grade-point
averages) and a culture of accountability and team-first humility.
Although Schiano’s
troops won only once in his first season and only 12 times in his
first four seasons, the tide had turned; the defense had created
a strong base and, more importantly, his players had bought into
his system.
No player embodied the new Rutgers ethic and
ethos than running back Brian Leonard. Although he was the team’s
only superstar, his natural leadership emerged as he set the standards
for hard work, selflessness, toughness, loyalty, and dedication.
Highly-recruited out of high school by the likes of Notre Dame,
Leonard chose Rutgers based on a sense of duty to the only college
that had honored its scholarship offer to his older brother whose
career was in doubt after a knee injury. So when he learned his
personal senior-season Heisman Trophy campaign would be abandoned
after the coaches’ decision
to move him to fullback as the primary blocker for sophomore Ray
Rice who had begun to emerge last season, Leonard not only accepted
what some might perceive as a demotion, he embraced the opportunity
to make the team better.
Last season, Rutgers carved out a 7-win campaign
and went to a bowl game for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.
In the past, that might have represented the pinnacle in the trend.
This time, at the NEW Rutgers, it was merely a hint of the breakout
to follow: a 9-0 record, first place in the conference, the highest
national ranking in university history, the number two defense
in the country, a strong special teams unit led by Jeremy Ito who
is a finalist for the Groza Award (college’s top place kicker),
and a top-20 running game led by a legitimate Heisman candidate.
Schiano finds himself on the short list for national Coach of the
Year honors and his name mentioned every time another head coaching
vacancy is announced, or even speculated about.
But don’t expect this even-keeled squad
or coach to get caught up in the hype. Schiano’s mantra for
his lunch-pail approach is, “Keep chopping away.” The
message is straightforward: work hard, be prepared, do your job on
every down, and trust on your teammate to do his. This mentality
pervades everything about this likable group. Touchdowns and big
defensive plays are met with only the briefest celebration (if any)
before it’s time to refocus
and get back to work. In interviews, players talk about their belief
in the program, the “new” Rutgers, and their love for
each other.
Indeed, what’s not to love about this
team?
The further good news is this is a collection
of young talent. Starting QB Mike Teel, RB Rice, and top WR Tiquan
Underwood are all sophomores. And 6’ 4” 205 lb. freshman
WR Kenny Britt might be better than any of them. And a season that
includes games like the one we saw this week is going to make recruiting
much, much easier.
I haven’t had quite this feeling in sports
before. My supposition is it’s kind of like backing an expansion
team that not only breaks onto the scene, it makes a serious run
at the championship. So much success happening so quickly makes it
appear like we’re
coming out of nowhere. An unexpected gift that carries no expectations
with it has so much upside for joy. It’s also one thing to
win, but to win AND have a team you can be proud of? When a group
of nice, hard-working kids win, it’s just so much more gratifying
to be part of it as a fan. It’s not hard to see why the nation
is taking this team to heart.
Halloween
Contest Results
If Gay Marriage Is OK, So Is Christian
Dating
Wasn't
it great to have a whole new batch of costumes for the Annual Halloween
issue this year? Sure it was. As difficult as it is to come up
with new and fresh ideas each year, even I appreciate this contest
every year. And I usually have a pretty good idea which costumes
will be among the favorites. Once again, I was right. Even though
the ideas are mine, and I create them, sometimes I can't help but
laugh out loud at the finished product. I created this year's winner
late one night along with several others. The next morning, I simply
thought about it and I burst out laughing. I didn't even need to
look at it, just picturing it in my head was enough. I knew right
then it would win. But it didn't win hands down. Instead, this
was a close race.
I am proud to announce, the 2006
FBH Halloween Costume Contest Winner:
Bob And Roy, Christian Dating
It was a low voter turnout this
year. In the past, this fact would really bother me. But I know the
enjoyment this annual event brings to people and that is not necessarily
reflected in the voting. Here's how the voting went...
1st Place: Bob and Roy Christian
Dating: 11 votes
2nd Place: Tom Schwade as Chris Simms' Spleen: 9 votes
3rd Place: Ralph and Sonya-Dancing Stars: 7 votes
Dave the Biggest Loser: 5 votes
Dyalan and Becky-Dancing Stars: 5 votes
Bob and Ellen-Dancing Stars: 5 votes
Roy and Kim-Dancing Stars: 4 votes
SuperBecky: 4 votes
Will Wong Scholarship Spam: 4 votes
Bob Lightyear: 3 votes
Roy as Rutgers Mascot: 3 votes
Kelly Gov't Auction Spam: 2 votes
Dick Vanek E. Michigan Mascot: 2 votes
Emma the Cat Makes Her Picks: 2 votes
All others received 1 vote
First place didn't surprise me. Second
place didn't surprise me. However, Third Place did, even though it
was me and Sonya. It wasn't among my own favorites and I didn't even
vote for it. Personally, besides the Christian Dating and Tom as
a Spleen, my favorite was SuperBecky. And any chance I have to call
Dave a Big Loser, I'll take it. He knows we love him, and he's a
great sport about the good natured ribbing he takes on these pages.
But he's still a loser.
Here's some comments that came
with the anonymous voting, so I don't know who said what...
"Excellent
job Ralphie!"
"The Dancing Stars are fantastic, but the Bob/Roy
Christian dating made me laugh out loud. Maybe before next year I'll
get you a picture of me that's not 10+ years old. Great job, Ralphie."
About Will Wong's entry: "Spoofing his
new gig already... I like it!" [Editor's
Note: Simply a happy accident.]
"Where's Yogi?" [Editor's note:
Good question. I simply ran out of good ideas this year. There
were several people I wanted to use but couldn't find anything
good for them. I wanted to use Angelo as the Temple Owl Mascot
but couldn't find the pictures I have of him.]
"Fantastic! Great effort! And I knew there had to
be more to Chris Simms' injury!"
About Dick Vanek E.Mich. Eagle: "I wanted to make
sure I got one vote."
"I laughed so hard that I unwittingly drooled. Thanks!!!!"
[Editor's note: Mission Accomplished!]
Current
Standings
Mid-Term Examination
As
we have reached the half-way point of the NFL season, and our season,
it's time to look at how things are shaping up in the standings.
Still comfortably in First Place is Sonya
"The New Juggernaut" Morgan with 80 wins in
the first half and a 5-game lead over FBH Cadet with solid FBH
roots Jayden "Not to be confused with Brittany
Spears' new child Jayden James" Howell who occupies
Second Place with a 1-game lead over FBH newcomer Jennifer
"Picker" Pickert who sits in Third Place. (Rumors
that James Howell was in any way involved with
Brittany's new addition are currently unconfirmed. When asked,
James gave a very suspicious "No comment". Days later,
Brit filed for divorce from her husband, making this situation
even more suspicious. We'll have to check James' CD collection
and if we find a few Brittany Spears albums in there, well, let's
just say that he'll have some 'splainin' to do!) Creeping up the
standings is EA
Sports Madden Football '07 in Fourth Place.
The video game has had only 1 sub-.500 week so far this year. The
same goes for Jeff "Tiger-boy" Vanek who has managed
to keep his grip on the Top 5 for a few weeks running.
It may be a bit of self-promotion
to mention that Ralph "That's Me!" Shupp is
having himself a fine season with 70 wins and a seemingly permanent
residence in the Top 10. This league is all about bragging rights
and thru my first 14 years here I haven't had very much to brag about.
Please forgive this moment of self-indulgence. (And also this next
moment too.) This year's "Power Couple" so
far is clearly Ralph
and Sonya. With she in 1st place and he in 6th place, they
have a large advantage over other couples here, including Kim & Roy,
James & Kelly,
Bob & Ellen, Scott & Dolores Conner, Will & Beth Wong,
and John &
Doug (closeted couple).
The FBH basement has been a busy
place this year. Much unlike the other end of the standings, there
seems to be a different occupant each week. Currently, two of our
Yahoo Fantasy League brethren are hanging out downstairs. Jeff
"Boo-urns" Burns and Mike
"Eagle-boy" Carothers are likely invading the
FBH beer-fridge as we speak.
Overall, as a group, we are actually
doing very well this year. With 35 out of 52 competitors at or above
.500 at the mid-way point. This is quite impressive and we deserve
a group pat-on-the-back.
But the big story of 2006 has
to be Mr. Double Digits, Dave Schwade. We don't
call him that because he has 20 fingers. Dave had a streak of 6 weeks
to begin the season in which he either won or lost 10 games or more.
In week 7, he he had 9 loses on Sunday, but somehow won the MNF pick
to break the streak. In week 8, he came right back with a 4-10 record.
Making it 7 of 8 weeks in which he did the double-digit thing. That
streak started with double-digit wins, and Dave found himself in
first place thru Week 3. Each week since then produced double-digit
losses, and after Week 8, Dave found himself tied for Last and had
accomplished something no one else in FBH history had ever done:
Been in 1st Place and Last Place within, not only the same season
(which has never happened), but within one HALF of a season. WOW!
That, my friends, is not an easy thing to do. Is it any wonder why
the Last Place award is named after him?
Dave responds: "My
secret? Lots of alcohol leading to incoherent ramblings, followed
by amped screamings at the announcers during NFL games, ending
with spiked blood-sugar-alcohol concentrations. That, and actually
picking the games as if I knew what I was doing."
Good luck to everyone in the second
half! Until next week...!
Requiem
For A Pennant Race
Reflecting on the Mets Season
It's
been awhile since we last had a normal issue, and so we haven't had
a chance to reflect on what could have been for our beloved Mets.
Sadly, back in August, I made plans to go home to NJ specifically
on the weekend that would see Game's 1, 2, & 3 of the World Series
being played. At the time, the Mets and Tigers were ruling their
respective leagues and seemed destined to meet in the Series. Ironically
enough, the Jets would be hosting the Detroit Lions the same day
as Game 2. On the night before I was to leave to head North, the
Mets got knocked out of the play-offs. The best laid plans... yadda
yadda yadda.
What follows is the email responses to
the loss that were sent between Bob Shupp, Roy, and myself...
From: Bob Shupp
Too bad boys.
Suppan won it for them plain and simple. Cliff
Floyd had a bad strike called on him and should have thought more
about a walk. Reyes hit it hard. Beltran striking out looking was
definitely not in the spirit of ’86. His best
pitch to hit was the first one. Can’t blame him for taking
though.
Wainright came through for them.
Shit.
From: Ralph Shupp
On one hand, we're used to losing so
this shouldn't hurt so much. On the other hand, they were the
best team in NL this year and should be playing on Saturday.
It was a great year and I'm thankful for that. In the end the
one thing that carried them all year failed them at the worst
time: Hitting. They can't score 1 run and win. Striking out looking
with bases loaded just really sux. Salt on the wound. Being eliminated
from the play-offs in July is much easier than going out in late
October.
Finally, I will sing the song of all losers... Wait 'Till Next
Year! :-(
Tigers in 5. Go RU.
Shit.
From Roy:
Mets faithful,
The loss of hope and possibilities stings
and it’s only
natural that we feel sadness and shock today. It is impossible
invest our deepest feelings, to love, and not feel pain at its
loss. As Hemingway said, "If two people love each other there
can be no happy end to it."
Last night’s game was
definitely “won” by
the Cards and not “lost” by Los Mets. Despite valiant
efforts on both sides, the Cards were the better team yesterday.
Give them credit; they were a game opponent -- plating runs in
something like 8 of 11 half innings directly following Mets scoring
in the series and they got outstanding pitching from their staff.
The
Cards have also been the best NL team for several years now (this
year as a possible exception). When they can send out a pitcher
who had started an NLCS game 7 two years ago, that’s a big
advantage and Suppan held us hitless after the first inning last
night. You have got to tip your cap to him for that.
Remember, this
was our first year in the post season with this team. It’s
very hard to win the whole thing in your first year together, especially
with so many young players. This year’s
run will only help us in next year’s playoffs and beyond
(especially the young guys like Reyes, Wright, Maine, Perez and
Heilman who gained valuable experience and the veterans who had
their first taste of post season like Delgado and LoDuca – hey,
even Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya are only in their sophomore
seasons).
This team really has a bond and they aren’t
going to be satisfied until they win it all as a group (and bring
us all along for the ride). Next year is going to be awesome. This
family of players and management has the stuff of champions. To
overcome the key injuries they had, especially during the playoffs,
without complaint or loss of poise is a quality I’m proud
to say our team has. With the young core of talent we’ve
got and the attitude and momentum management has built, this is
merely the first year in a run of great seasons for us.
If you find yourself thinking about what
we’ve “lost” this
year, think about what we’ve “gained” since the
start of spring training. We won the NL East for the first time
in 18 years! (For chrissakes, Ralph was 22 and Ellen was 19 when
that happened!). We won the NLDS and had a great NLCS. Above that,
this team “clicked”. As the hope and possibility of
winning the 2006 World Series passes, it is overshadowed by the
hope and possibility of the championship foundation that has been
built. Folks, I will gladly sacrifice a “one-hit wonder” championship
for a decade of continued success. This team will win multiple
World Series Championships.
And I’m not singing “the song
of all losers” here – we
weren’t losers this year. This was one of the most exciting
seasons in our history. Literally, I was full of baseball ecstasy
and, yes, unvarnished optimism, until the last night’s final
pitch flashed into the catcher’s mitt.
Plus, we are hardly losing the real object
of our love, our team. This is just something we’ve shared
with our heroes and one other on life’s journey together.
And the experience has brought all of us closer.
The Mets made us feel amazin’ this
year – Endy’s
catch sums it up: classic. This season was something terrific we’ve
felt in only a few special times in our lives and we shared it.
And in the playoffs, for a few days, we were timeless. That “eternal” feeling
is something I’ll be able to recall forever.
Mets Love and Peace to all and “Hasta
en la Primavera!
FBH
Suffers A True Loss
One Of Our Friends Has Passed
Amidst
all the frivolity usually found on these pages, it's important that
we take a moment to acknowledge the passing of one of our own. John
"Johnny" Meseck was finally taken down by Cancer
on the morning of October 28th. Johnny was a very close cousin of
Ron Hade and a member of FBH for a few years. Although
basically house-bound in 2005 and bravely battling his terminal illness,
he still made picks every week and found great joy in being part
of our little community. I knew Johnny was very sick in 2004 and
was surprised to see him still phoning his picks in to Ron every
week last year. What a trooper! While I didn't know Johnny personally
all that well, based on the few opportunities I had
to spend time with him over the years, I can tell you he was a great
guy. He will be sorely missed by everyone who's lives he touched.
Here's what Ron had to say as
he made his picks the day Johnny died:
Whether
I go 14 - 0 or 0 - 14 these picks are for my cousin and former
member of FBH John Meseck who passed away this morning. I
know he wants to see the Giants go all the way. Love you John and " Thanks
for the Memories ".
FBH will now observe a theoretical
moment of silence. RIP Johnny. :-(
Thank You.
P
On The PP
Baseball, Cowboys, Undefeated's
So
where were we? Oh yeah, the annual World Series predictions. Um,
about those. Well, er, uh, you see, uh, there was a little problem
with those. And, um, well, they didn't get saved. It seems someone
(ok, me), screwed up the Picks Page that week and the WS predictions
didn't get saved upon submission. Sp I have no way to know who predicted
what. Oops. I do know that Beth Wong and Doug Manuel said they predicted
the Cardinals in 5 games and I have no choice but to believe them.
If anyone else made the same prediction, consider yourself praised
for being spot on.
Here's the comments from that
week:
Wouter van Zutphen:
What a heartbreaker was the 7th of the Mets with that late home-run!
Anyway I'm glad that for the first time in my Football Happenings
history (now second year) I'm out of the FH basement (yes I was the
one who was there the complete year) and yes that was painful! And
this week I'm finally in the race to at least get the european title
instead of Mike & Mark
:-)
Pete Blasevick: well now... picking
Detroit in 7 even though i'm already down 0-1... i'm so gutsy, it's
sexy, really, when you think about it.
Jeff Vanek: No more comments about the
Tigers, my new superstition.
Dave Schwade: I have a theory on my
picking demise: It turns out that actually picking games hurts me
in the standings!
Actually, I found out I've been using old information upon which
to base my picks. When I pick I check the NFL standings at
USAToday. But, it turns out I've had a cached copy of the standings
from 1976 stuck in my PC.
Roy Bunting: While I congratulate the
Cards and Tigers and look forward to next year, I'm taking a few
days off from baseball so won't make a prediction. Kim's family
grew up with the Tigers so, despite being an NL guy, I guess I'd
have to pull for them if called upon to decide.
Angelo Forgione: Weenie, Sorry about
those METS but it could be worse. How about those Owls ?
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The next week, we asked for opinions
on the Dallas Cowboys Quarterback situation. At the time, they had
pulled Drew Bledsoe out and replaced him as the starter with Tony
Romo. During the previous Monday Night Game, Romo came in for Bledsoe
at halftime and threw 3 INT's. Yet he was announced as the starter
for the next game. Also during the Monday Night game, the ESPN booth
guys found great fun in referring to Tony Romo's Ribs Restaurant.
Of course the real name is Tony Roma's (with an A). What's ironic
is something I'm sure Kornheiser and Theisman didn't realize. Tony
Roma's Restaurants grew from a single property to a nation-wide franchise
by a man called Clint Murchison, the original owner and founder of
the Dallas Cowboys.
PPP Question: Are the Cowboys
doing the right thing by replacing Bledsoe with Romo?
16 people said Yes.
13 people said No.
But 6 people had the correct answer with "Bring back Danny White!"
Here's the comments from that
week:
Wouter van Zutphen: They
should think about the future and bring in Romo! Go Jets beat those
Browns but that's off the record :-)
Roy Bunting: I thought we still had
Ryan Leaf!
Beth Wong: Let's go Bears! And
did you notice.. St. Louis in 5. Least I got that right.
Pete Blasevick: 109 days until pitchers
and catchers...
Kelly Howell: Why can't
we find a quarterback or a field goal kicker? Romo, who knows, but
we know Drew sucks.
Tom Schwade: Is it
wrong to steal internet access from some unknown wireless network?
[Editors note: Apparently he was doing just that
when he made his picks.]
Dane Schwade: I yearn for the good 'ol
days of football. Bring back Danny White, and bring back Bob
Greaser with him. Leave Ken Stabler back at the ranch though.
Angelo Forgione: The question this week
should have been, Did the Cowboys do the right thing in signing T.O.
Bob
Shupp: Greetings from
Hollywood! dada rules! Go Jets!
Mellenhead Shupp: dada is your friend. Off to Santa
Monica now... Hi Mom!
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Finally, last week we asked, of
these undefeated teams, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Rutgers, who would
lose last? While this one is still unanswered, we do know that it
won't be Chicago, who stunned everyone by losing to Miami last Sunday.
Indy beat New England on Sunday Night, and we know how Rutgers did
this past Thursday. Here's the results of the poll...
24 People very incorrectly said
Chicago would lose last.
1 person said Indianapolis would lose last.
9 people gained our favor by picking the Scarlet Knights to lose
last.
Here's the comments:
Dave Schwade: Zaure and I are off to
the Navy - Duke game tomorrow. I'm picking Duke to win, which
almost assuredly means put your money on Navy - and lots of money.
Beth Wong: Go BEARS!!!! [Editor's
note: Beth was one of the 24 who got that wrong.]
Paul Kessler: ...Hai bin toe waaaaaaaaa....
[Editor's note: We have no idea what that means.]
Pete Blasevick: need another good week
here to catch up with the default pickers... i think i might have
to take up that strategy :)
Bob Shupp: Good luck
to Rutgers Thursday night. I hope to be on the field assisting Rob.
I'm not expecting a win, but if they do pull it off, then what? [Editor's
note: Bob was indeed on the field with Rob T., and Rutgers won, now
what?]
Extra Points
The Fastest 3 Minutes in Football Happenings
Just
a quick note to excuse ourselves from this week's extra points. We've
been really busy lately and Roy spent all his free time gathering
his thoughts on the incredible thing that happened this past Thursday
night. I spent all my free time putting together the rest of this
issue. But I do have a couple tidbits to tack on to the end here...
[ ESPN's
Jim Rome, perennial jack-ass, lead off his "Rome Is Burning" Show
this past Friday with his thoughts on Rutgers' win over Louisville.
Quote "I LOVE RUTGERS". Jim gets a pass in our book, just this once.
[ While
watching the Rutgers-Louisville game on Thursday night, I received
a text message from Bob thru his cell phone. Bob was on the field
at the time. As Rutgers was driving to their game winning field goal
with time running out, he sent just a one word message: "PRAY".
[ When
Rutgers kicker Ito hit the game winner, and time eventually expired,
I replied with one word of my own: "GLORY".
[ Bob
and Rob T. were standing under the game-winning goal posts as Ito
made his kick, and then as the fans stormed the field a minute later.
They had to use the TV Camera platform behind the endzone as a blocker
to avoid being trampled by the jubilant Rutgers fans. Hard to believe
Bob himself wasn't also storming the field. I bet he wanted to.
[ Although
I never attended Rutgers University, I've been a fan of Rutgers athletics
as long as Bob and Roy have. I became a fan the day they enrolled.
I've attended a couple dozen Rutgers Basketball games at The RAC
with Bob and also a few football games. I've also gotten drunk and
passed out on campus. The feeling I had while watching that game
this week was one I haven't felt in many years of watching Jets games.
I know very well how bad RU football has been in the last 20 years
and beyond. I eagerly flip thru the annual Sports Illustrated College
Football Preview Issue each year to see if Rutgers is ranked in the
Top 100 (often times, they weren't). I have great pride in New Jersey
high school kids and always wished they could keep that talent in
state. Seeing a Penn State roster filled with kids from Jersey was
always insulting. All that has changed now. This team is full of
Jersey kids playing for THE State University of my home. I've never
been so proud to be from The Garden State. Up Stream, Red Team, Rutgers
Rah!
[ Finally,
it's Veteran's Day today. I know we have at least a few Vet's among
the FBH crowd. I won't name names because I don't wish to leave anyone
out. But I know I speak for everyone here when I say, Thank You!
You've helped make this country the best country in the world. Forever,
thank you.
