Our family took a road trip out to Detroit to catch two of the three games (Friday and Saturday) of the Twins/Tigers series...we also indulged in some other activities...here's some insight and information regarding our trip:
* Comerica Park is already ten years old (amazingly)...here's what I took away from the park from our two nights of experiences:
- We sat in the outfield bleachers on Friday night...the sound system is horrible out there. It's muffled as if your trying to listen to an AM station in a parking ramp. If you want a good experience, pay the extra money (as we did on Saturday) for seats along the 1st or 3rd baselines. Ideally, you'll probably want to sit on the 3rd baseline due to better scenery with the skyline of downtown.
- Detroit basically just ripped off the idea of the water show display they have in dead center off of Kansas City. It doesn't run as frequently as it does in Kansas City, but I thought it was pretty lame on their part to incorporate that feature into their park when these two teams are in the same division. Can you imagine if Toronto or Tampa builds a new stadium and puts up a "green monster" in left field? No, because that would be stupid...you have years and years of baseball history in the city of Detroit and the best you can do is copy Kansas City...??
- The scoreboard is huge, but it already seems outdated. Along with two tigers prowling on the top (pretty cool), they have three separate screens that provide general information for the fans. Two of those three screens are of Metrodome quality with the orange/yellow bulbs providing very basic information. The third screen provides pictures and replays (although no replays were played on Friday night for some reason).
- They do have a Carousel and Ferris wheel that are tiger/baseball themed in the ballpark. The kids loved it, but if your a parent and don't want to miss the action of the game...you might want to get to the game early to get the rides out of the way because the only connection you have to the game during the rides is the sound of the crowd.
- If the Twins were still playing in the Metrodome...I probably would've enjoyed my experience a lot more, but now that Target Field is in play Comerica just seemed to lack in a lot of areas...specifically, creativity.
* My daughter desperately wanted a tiger claw (think...foam #1 finger) after seeing a kid roaming around in the stadium with one. She was throwing a fit, because I refused to buy her a claw with the Detroit emblem stamped on it. Well, I eventually caved in and bought her a pink and blue claw. Since that purchase...Twins haven't won since.
* True story: On Saturday night, we were sitting by father or grandpa/son or grandson combo...not really sure. The father/grandpa (fifty years old is being generous) is talking about video games and specifically about MLB The Show. He starts off by saying how "realistic" it is and parlays that comment into a story how he had Verlander (his starting pitcher) pitching in the 11th inning still and he gave up two walks and a bloop hit to load the bases. The next batter hits into a triple play to get his Tigers out of the inning. What's worse...the "fifty year old" man playing video games or the fact that he thinks this sequence of virtual baseball events was anywhere near "realistic"...??
* Detroit has black squirrels.
* We attended a Division II football game...Wayne State was hosting Ohio Dominican. Wayne State's campus is immersed right in the city of Detroit. My son claims it was his favorite part of the trip, my wife is still questioning me why I dragged everyone to that event. We did break a "rule for a family attending a sports event" though...we left the game early (with around 3 minutes left in the game)...I usually shun people who leave early. However, that game had little to no action. The best part was the announcer calling one of their wide receivers..."Donald Yellow Shoes Brown on the catch"...because of the fashion statement with the neon yellow cleats.
* The family went bowling (bumpers were in play). My daughter somehow gets the ball stuck half way down the alley. Her twin brother gets a spare. She wants to quit half way through, he wants to bowl double (his turn and her turn). She wants to take home the ugly bowling shoes to keep, he wants to take the bowling ball. Yet, they have an inseparable bond with each other that I'll just never know.
SBG
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Week 3 Recap: Lions @ Vikings
The answer in college football is not [to] change the coach out all the time. That's easy -- change the coach, change everything," Brewster said.
This post will be sponsored by the quote of the year by Gopher football coach Tim Brewster. The quote is from a day after another bad loss on the year, this time by Northern Illinois...he's basically trying to save his job with this quote, but the irony is that he's done exactly what he says not to do with his own assistant coaches during his tenure.
Our family was coming back from a "sports" road trip from Detroit (I will post in the next day or two on our adventures) so I didn't watch the game live with angst. So, in a nice calm setting (already knowing the results) I watched the Vikings-Lions game on the DVR...and as usual, here are my thoughts and observations:
* The Lions got screwed multiple times on various calls. And if you can't remember...this is one of the many reasons why we hated Favre when he was a Packer. He worked the officials and got borderline calls that extended drives, which usually resulted in points.
* Where is Jared Allen? Besides starting a brawl with quarterback Shaun Hill...has he done anything for us this year? I don't even hear his name during the game unless they're talking about one of his quirky off the field hobbies.
* Our bread and butter play right now (outside of an Adrian Peterson hand off) is a Brett Favre throw to either a tight end or slot receiver (in the middle of the field) on a five yard button hook. Ladies and gentlemen...I present to you your "kick-ass offense".
* I want Joe Webb on the field...as a receiver. I have no inkling on whether he'll be good or not. However, if we're rolling out Hank Baskett (in the same week he signed on with us), Greg Lewis, an underachieving Berrian, and our token white guy, Camarillo...can't we at least try the Webb experiment out.
* It's hard enough to sit through and watch a recording when you already know the result...but, it's even worse when there is a penalty on virtually every other play creating no flow to the game.
* Vikings need a change of identity for the short term in order to steal some wins. This defense is good and stout enough to get wins on it's own. They need to continue to run the ball well and play the field position game with their opponent. Limit turnovers and make their opponents go the length of the field for them to score. Will this really happen with #4 under center and him going against his toughest opponent...his ego...?? I don't know, but I think the only way they make the playoffs is by breaking even (playing at least .500 ball) during this brutal stretch of the schedule.
SBG
This post will be sponsored by the quote of the year by Gopher football coach Tim Brewster. The quote is from a day after another bad loss on the year, this time by Northern Illinois...he's basically trying to save his job with this quote, but the irony is that he's done exactly what he says not to do with his own assistant coaches during his tenure.
Our family was coming back from a "sports" road trip from Detroit (I will post in the next day or two on our adventures) so I didn't watch the game live with angst. So, in a nice calm setting (already knowing the results) I watched the Vikings-Lions game on the DVR...and as usual, here are my thoughts and observations:
* The Lions got screwed multiple times on various calls. And if you can't remember...this is one of the many reasons why we hated Favre when he was a Packer. He worked the officials and got borderline calls that extended drives, which usually resulted in points.
* Where is Jared Allen? Besides starting a brawl with quarterback Shaun Hill...has he done anything for us this year? I don't even hear his name during the game unless they're talking about one of his quirky off the field hobbies.
* Our bread and butter play right now (outside of an Adrian Peterson hand off) is a Brett Favre throw to either a tight end or slot receiver (in the middle of the field) on a five yard button hook. Ladies and gentlemen...I present to you your "kick-ass offense".
* I want Joe Webb on the field...as a receiver. I have no inkling on whether he'll be good or not. However, if we're rolling out Hank Baskett (in the same week he signed on with us), Greg Lewis, an underachieving Berrian, and our token white guy, Camarillo...can't we at least try the Webb experiment out.
* It's hard enough to sit through and watch a recording when you already know the result...but, it's even worse when there is a penalty on virtually every other play creating no flow to the game.
* Vikings need a change of identity for the short term in order to steal some wins. This defense is good and stout enough to get wins on it's own. They need to continue to run the ball well and play the field position game with their opponent. Limit turnovers and make their opponents go the length of the field for them to score. Will this really happen with #4 under center and him going against his toughest opponent...his ego...?? I don't know, but I think the only way they make the playoffs is by breaking even (playing at least .500 ball) during this brutal stretch of the schedule.
SBG
Monday, September 20, 2010
Week 2 Recap: Dolphins @ Vikings
We knew it was going to be hard to repeat the same success as last year with a much tougher schedule (especially, right out of the gates)...however, losing home games...to the Dolphins of all teams...is gut-wrenching and depressing...here's what stood out for me during this game:
* Electing to go for a fourth down (and not converting) and not getting any points on the board with at least a field goal during the first drive of the game was a mistake. The Vikings are playing with a short deck on offense and should take any and all scoring possibilities available to them. Unless we are up against the clock and playing from behind, this team just needs to put points on the board whenever they can.
* I find it a little troublesome that our defense has let up two touchdowns in the opening drives of each game. Miami targeted Lito Sheppard for two of the biggest plays on that drive that resulted in the touchdown. Was it just me or when you saw Lito Sheppard turned around on those plays and seeing him sporting the #29 jersey (by the way, never a good sign to be able to see the whole backside of a defensive back during the game) didn't you yearn for Chester Taylor to be back on our squad...?? I miss him and so does our offense.
* Brett didn't play that well, but he has NO wide receivers stepping up. Percy bobbled the ball into the air for the interception at the goal line. Bernard Berrian was pathetic. On the other two interceptions, Brett put the ball up hoping Berrian could make a play on the ball (pretty much did this all of last year with Sidney Rice). Not only does he not make a play...he doesn't even try to turn into a defender and disrupt the ball and/or defender to break up the interception. Like I said, Brett didn't play well...but, these receivers are not doing him any favors. Shiancoe is pretty much the most reliable receiver...credit Shiancoe for his play and improvement, but that's not an ideal candidate to have as your "go to" receiver when the team was considered a Super Bowl contender at the beginning of the year.
* Toby Gerhart looked solid in limited time. However, with the offense looking very pedestrian like in Childress' first few years on the job...wouldn't you rather have an undersized, but explosive play maker like Jahvid Best rather than the lumbering and bruising Gerhart? Adrian Peterson is a one of kind running back, anyone you roll out there will be considered a change of pace compared to him...and if Childress had an ideal plan entering the season to pound the rock relentlessly at opponents, that's fine...however, when we play from behind our game plan gets thrown out the window quicker than Tim Brewster changing coordinators.
* Do the Vikings pursue Vincent Jackson? I think they have to. Not because I think it's a good move short term and/or long term. Mainly, because the Vikings need to do whatever they have to do to get into postseason, since they pretty much already went all in by begging Brett Favre to come back. And let's not forget about other elephants in the room such as the possible lockout in 2011 and the Vikings REALLY want to parlay another successful season into a new stadium.
* The defense played well (only really allowed 7 points, on the first drive of the game), but I still feel that they're not playing up to their potential. Miami didn't score much, but they were able to extend drives and take valuable time off the clock. When we needed three and outs, Miami converted crucial 3rd downs...not enough to score (field goals or touchdowns), but enough to put our mediocre offense in a position to have to drive the length of the field in order for us to score points.
SBG
* Electing to go for a fourth down (and not converting) and not getting any points on the board with at least a field goal during the first drive of the game was a mistake. The Vikings are playing with a short deck on offense and should take any and all scoring possibilities available to them. Unless we are up against the clock and playing from behind, this team just needs to put points on the board whenever they can.
* I find it a little troublesome that our defense has let up two touchdowns in the opening drives of each game. Miami targeted Lito Sheppard for two of the biggest plays on that drive that resulted in the touchdown. Was it just me or when you saw Lito Sheppard turned around on those plays and seeing him sporting the #29 jersey (by the way, never a good sign to be able to see the whole backside of a defensive back during the game) didn't you yearn for Chester Taylor to be back on our squad...?? I miss him and so does our offense.
* Brett didn't play that well, but he has NO wide receivers stepping up. Percy bobbled the ball into the air for the interception at the goal line. Bernard Berrian was pathetic. On the other two interceptions, Brett put the ball up hoping Berrian could make a play on the ball (pretty much did this all of last year with Sidney Rice). Not only does he not make a play...he doesn't even try to turn into a defender and disrupt the ball and/or defender to break up the interception. Like I said, Brett didn't play well...but, these receivers are not doing him any favors. Shiancoe is pretty much the most reliable receiver...credit Shiancoe for his play and improvement, but that's not an ideal candidate to have as your "go to" receiver when the team was considered a Super Bowl contender at the beginning of the year.
* Toby Gerhart looked solid in limited time. However, with the offense looking very pedestrian like in Childress' first few years on the job...wouldn't you rather have an undersized, but explosive play maker like Jahvid Best rather than the lumbering and bruising Gerhart? Adrian Peterson is a one of kind running back, anyone you roll out there will be considered a change of pace compared to him...and if Childress had an ideal plan entering the season to pound the rock relentlessly at opponents, that's fine...however, when we play from behind our game plan gets thrown out the window quicker than Tim Brewster changing coordinators.
* Do the Vikings pursue Vincent Jackson? I think they have to. Not because I think it's a good move short term and/or long term. Mainly, because the Vikings need to do whatever they have to do to get into postseason, since they pretty much already went all in by begging Brett Favre to come back. And let's not forget about other elephants in the room such as the possible lockout in 2011 and the Vikings REALLY want to parlay another successful season into a new stadium.
* The defense played well (only really allowed 7 points, on the first drive of the game), but I still feel that they're not playing up to their potential. Miami didn't score much, but they were able to extend drives and take valuable time off the clock. When we needed three and outs, Miami converted crucial 3rd downs...not enough to score (field goals or touchdowns), but enough to put our mediocre offense in a position to have to drive the length of the field in order for us to score points.
SBG
Friday, September 10, 2010
Week 1 Recap: Vikings @ Saints
We're in year two of the Favre era...but, the second year starts exactly how the first year ended...a loss to the Saints at the Superdome. Here's some of my perspective on the game and festivities of last night:
* Last year I could just tell that Chester Taylor was going to bolt after the season during free agency. I can't put my finger on it, but it just seemed like his body language on the sidelines seemed like he was bored with the situation. Well, after watching the opening of the game last night...the players seem to confirm with their solidarity act that there will be a work stoppage next year...so either a whole year will be lost, or an abbreviated season will take place next year. Here's a solution...fix the outrageous rookie pay scale, give more benefits to former players after they are done playing and take the safety precautions of the current players more seriously. They're squabbling over millions in a multi-billion dollar business that has a stranglehold on the market. And they're doing it at a time when we have troops overseas, a struggling economy and Simon leaving American Idol.
* New Orleans first drive started out with two big pass plays down the middle. Damn the NFL is harsh...E.J. Henderson makes a valiant recovery off a gruesome femur injury last year and they go right at him right away. E.J. did look a lot better as the game wore on, especially on the run game.
* I heard a lot of complaining about the play-calling (abandoning the run in the 2nd half). However, the Vikings dug themselves holes on plenty of possessions where penalties virtually put them into passing situations on every down. It just wasn't a sharp game offensively all around.
* Bryant McKinnie leaves the game with a "finger injury". Are you serious...?? I don't expect McKinnie to pull a Ronnie Lott and cut his finger off to get back in the game...but, you're 6'8"...300 plus pounds and we're worried about a finger...??
* New Orleans' kicker shanks two field goals yesterday, but makes the clincher last year in the NFC Championship Game in overtime...this kind of irony only happens to the Vikings.
* Leslie Frazier deserves a head coaching job in the NFL. He adjusts his defense on the fly and makes proper adjustments throughout the game better than anyone that we've had for awhile (Dungy was probably the last good defensive coordinator we had/Tomlin was a great motivator, but didn't exactly adjust within the game). The game looked like it could have been a stinker after the Saints first drive...but, credit Frazier and the defensive players for putting the team in position for the offense to steal a game.
SBG
* Last year I could just tell that Chester Taylor was going to bolt after the season during free agency. I can't put my finger on it, but it just seemed like his body language on the sidelines seemed like he was bored with the situation. Well, after watching the opening of the game last night...the players seem to confirm with their solidarity act that there will be a work stoppage next year...so either a whole year will be lost, or an abbreviated season will take place next year. Here's a solution...fix the outrageous rookie pay scale, give more benefits to former players after they are done playing and take the safety precautions of the current players more seriously. They're squabbling over millions in a multi-billion dollar business that has a stranglehold on the market. And they're doing it at a time when we have troops overseas, a struggling economy and Simon leaving American Idol.
* New Orleans first drive started out with two big pass plays down the middle. Damn the NFL is harsh...E.J. Henderson makes a valiant recovery off a gruesome femur injury last year and they go right at him right away. E.J. did look a lot better as the game wore on, especially on the run game.
* I heard a lot of complaining about the play-calling (abandoning the run in the 2nd half). However, the Vikings dug themselves holes on plenty of possessions where penalties virtually put them into passing situations on every down. It just wasn't a sharp game offensively all around.
* Bryant McKinnie leaves the game with a "finger injury". Are you serious...?? I don't expect McKinnie to pull a Ronnie Lott and cut his finger off to get back in the game...but, you're 6'8"...300 plus pounds and we're worried about a finger...??
* New Orleans' kicker shanks two field goals yesterday, but makes the clincher last year in the NFC Championship Game in overtime...this kind of irony only happens to the Vikings.
* Leslie Frazier deserves a head coaching job in the NFL. He adjusts his defense on the fly and makes proper adjustments throughout the game better than anyone that we've had for awhile (Dungy was probably the last good defensive coordinator we had/Tomlin was a great motivator, but didn't exactly adjust within the game). The game looked like it could have been a stinker after the Saints first drive...but, credit Frazier and the defensive players for putting the team in position for the offense to steal a game.
SBG
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Random, like an Ozzie Guillen interview...
Busy week of sports from every direction...so, I'm throwing it all at you with no rhyme or reason.
* I attended the Saturday late afternoon tilt between the Rangers and Twins with my wife and another couple. We had four tickets in the Legends Club and the seats and surroundings were excellent. I can't compliment the Twins enough on how they built that stadium. The wide open concourse and use of windows all over is easy on the eyes no matter where you are in the park. Also, the Legends Club is a hot spot for foul balls (we probably had about 5-6 balls land in and around the two sections on both sides of us).
* Jim Thome has now racked up 21 home runs this year. Did anyone realistically expect this kind of production from him, while doing it in a quasi-part-time role...? The answer is no...and kudos to Gardy for not overextending his playing time with the loss of Morneau.
* Gopher fullback Jon Hoese's dad dies less than a week after he has a career performance of three touchdowns in the opener against Middle Tennessee State.
* Why are members of my family and fans in general disgusted that we traded away Sage Rosenfels and kept T-Jack? Ideally, none of these guys will see the field for any significant/meaningful time regardless with Favre in the fold this year. Which gets me thinking...if you're a black quarterback and play for the Minnesota Vikings...you pretty much have a 2-3 year window to win the Super Bowl, or else the fan base will eventually turn on you (examples: Moon, Cunningham, Culpepper). Good luck Joe Webb!!
* Golden Gopher basketball goes 3-0 in exhibition games during their Canadian tour. Not sure what the competition was like, but I'm excited for the group that Tubby has in the fold. They have a plethora of quality big men (Iverson, Walker, Sampson, Mbakwe) they can choose from that will create lots of match up problems for the opponents (even in conference play).
* I recorded and watched a little bit of the "Legends Game" on Fox Sports North. I enjoy it when the Twins bring back former players...but, come on...Brian Raabe is participating in the "Legends Game". What did he do as a member of the Minnesota Twins? Not only was he a borderline prospect that didn't do anything individually at the major league level, but he managed to accomplish nothing on bad Minnesota teams.
* Season opener for the Vikings at New Orleans on Thursday night. It would be nice to sneak out a win...but, does that really help anybody cope from that NFC Championship game meltdown last year...??
* Ten person fantasy football draft in my cousin's league last night. I've won three consecutive years somehow while having the last pick in the first round every year (you draft based on your record/finish from the previous year). My squad: Larry Fitzgerald (keeper), Greg Jennings, Brett Favre, Ronnie Brown, Felix Jones, Clinton Portis, Tony Gonzalez, Robert Meachem, Stephen Gostkowski, Jeremy Maclin, Chester Taylor, Vince Young, New Orleans Defense, and Mr. Irrelevant...Greg Camarillo.
I've never felt so depressed about my team so early in the draft. My keeper doesn't have a quarterback that can get him the ball. Favre is playing one of the toughest schedules. Ronnie Brown will share with Ricky. Felix will share with Barber. Chester will split with Forte. Portis will get hurt in the next week or two. Meachem and Maclin are unproven and probably going to be highly inconsistent throughout the year. Vince Young is clinically depressed. However, I think I got great value with my Camarillo pick...so I have that going for me.
SBG
* I attended the Saturday late afternoon tilt between the Rangers and Twins with my wife and another couple. We had four tickets in the Legends Club and the seats and surroundings were excellent. I can't compliment the Twins enough on how they built that stadium. The wide open concourse and use of windows all over is easy on the eyes no matter where you are in the park. Also, the Legends Club is a hot spot for foul balls (we probably had about 5-6 balls land in and around the two sections on both sides of us).
* Jim Thome has now racked up 21 home runs this year. Did anyone realistically expect this kind of production from him, while doing it in a quasi-part-time role...? The answer is no...and kudos to Gardy for not overextending his playing time with the loss of Morneau.
* Gopher fullback Jon Hoese's dad dies less than a week after he has a career performance of three touchdowns in the opener against Middle Tennessee State.
* Why are members of my family and fans in general disgusted that we traded away Sage Rosenfels and kept T-Jack? Ideally, none of these guys will see the field for any significant/meaningful time regardless with Favre in the fold this year. Which gets me thinking...if you're a black quarterback and play for the Minnesota Vikings...you pretty much have a 2-3 year window to win the Super Bowl, or else the fan base will eventually turn on you (examples: Moon, Cunningham, Culpepper). Good luck Joe Webb!!
* Golden Gopher basketball goes 3-0 in exhibition games during their Canadian tour. Not sure what the competition was like, but I'm excited for the group that Tubby has in the fold. They have a plethora of quality big men (Iverson, Walker, Sampson, Mbakwe) they can choose from that will create lots of match up problems for the opponents (even in conference play).
* I recorded and watched a little bit of the "Legends Game" on Fox Sports North. I enjoy it when the Twins bring back former players...but, come on...Brian Raabe is participating in the "Legends Game". What did he do as a member of the Minnesota Twins? Not only was he a borderline prospect that didn't do anything individually at the major league level, but he managed to accomplish nothing on bad Minnesota teams.
* Season opener for the Vikings at New Orleans on Thursday night. It would be nice to sneak out a win...but, does that really help anybody cope from that NFC Championship game meltdown last year...??
* Ten person fantasy football draft in my cousin's league last night. I've won three consecutive years somehow while having the last pick in the first round every year (you draft based on your record/finish from the previous year). My squad: Larry Fitzgerald (keeper), Greg Jennings, Brett Favre, Ronnie Brown, Felix Jones, Clinton Portis, Tony Gonzalez, Robert Meachem, Stephen Gostkowski, Jeremy Maclin, Chester Taylor, Vince Young, New Orleans Defense, and Mr. Irrelevant...Greg Camarillo.
I've never felt so depressed about my team so early in the draft. My keeper doesn't have a quarterback that can get him the ball. Favre is playing one of the toughest schedules. Ronnie Brown will share with Ricky. Felix will share with Barber. Chester will split with Forte. Portis will get hurt in the next week or two. Meachem and Maclin are unproven and probably going to be highly inconsistent throughout the year. Vince Young is clinically depressed. However, I think I got great value with my Camarillo pick...so I have that going for me.
SBG
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