NFL Week 17 Picks...

Welcome back, everybody!!! Well, it's finally here.  The last week of the season.  Many of us will be saying goodbye until August to some of our teams.  *clears throat* The Chiefs.  While the fans of 12 teams will be looking forward to the playoffs. 

This has been a rather unique season.  Playoff stalwarts like Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers will be watching from home a changing of the guard as a possible 4 rookies have opportunities to shine in the playoffs- Robert Griffin, III, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson.  Not to mention they will each battle to see who will be the Rookie of the Year.

Comeback players of the year Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson have simply gone about business as usual.  Peyton has established his reign as the new boss of the AFC West, which wasn't difficult considering the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs don't really pose a threat to anyone.   Peyton is well on his way to another MVP as he and the Broncos fight for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Adrian Peterson is returning from major knee surgery with an opportunity to not only break Eric Dickerson 28 year old rushing record of 2,105 yards but a slight possibility of making the playoffs.  He is 208 yards from completing that task.  Good luck to the voters choosing Comeback player of the year.

Calvin Johnson broke Jerry Rice's record of single-season receiving yards last week by amassing 1,892 yards.  He has a really good chance today of becoming the first receiver to hit the 2,000 yard mark and to take down Michael Irvin's record of 12 games with 100 receiving.  Good Luck, Megatron.

For this fan, I finally had the chance to see my Chiefs play live, and they had an amazing come from behind victory against the New Orleans Saints.  They proceeded to win 1 more total game, and considering they are playing Peyton Manning today, I don't really see them winning one more.  It has been an all-around bad year for the Chiefs.  Two wins on the season, fans wanting to revolt, and I won't even discuss the events of December 1.  Clark Hunt is going to have to take a long hard look at his team going into next season.  The Chiefs are in need of many things including a head coach, general manager, and quarterback, and I don't see the draft helping with the quarterback issue.  Ah, well...Thanks guys for a great first game from this fan.  I'll see you in August!  The Chiefs will be better next year!

I also had the chance to see my favorite player Tony Gonzalez play live this year as well, during what was arguably his best game of the season with 15 receptions, 122 yards, and 2 touchdowns (#100 and #101).  TG has been selected to his 13th Pro Bowl, but he is looking forward to the playoffs with his Atlanta Falcons.  He has 88 receptions, 889 yards, and 8 touchdowns (He loves those 8s doesn't he?).  They have locked up homefield throughout the playoffs, and TG is looking forward to dancing into the sunset down Bourbon Street.  Who can blame him?  Sixteen seasons in the NFL.  He holds the tight-end records in receptions-1,237 (#2 all-time), touchdowns-103 (#6 all-time), receiving yards-14,227 (#7 all-time), 100 yard games-30, 1,000 yard seasons-4, and Pro Bowls-13.  A Super Bowl win is what he is looking for to cap off his storied career.  Good luck, TG!!!

Now for the picks.  Last week, I went 13-3 (Tampa Bay, Houston, and San Francisco, y'all couldn't help a sister out?).  My record for the season is 122-77.  Let's pad that total...

Sunday, December 30
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Indianapolis
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincinnati
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills:  Buffalo
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans:  Tennessee
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions:  Chicago
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants:  New York (C'mon, Eli!!!)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons:  Atlanta
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints:  New Orleans (Congrats, Sean Payton on your contract extension!)
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots: New England
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos:  Denver (Although it would be wonderful if the Chiefs could pull this one out.)
Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers:  San Diego
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings:  Green Bay
St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks:  Seattle
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers:  San Francisco
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins:  Washington
 
So that's all, y'all.  Until next week, "Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good."~Joe Paterno

Eric Dickerson, 2,105 yards in 1984

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2012/12/nfl-record-chase-live-adrian-peterson-chases-eric-dickerson-j-j-watt-and-aldon-smith-in-reach-of-sacks-record/

NFL Week 16 Picks...

Welcome back, everybody!  Sorry, it's been so long...There have just been a few things happening that I thought were a little more important than making my picks.  Because I'm a teacher-blogger, I decided to honor the Students and Teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School by not blogging last week.  


It's the next to the last week of the season, and all through the league, coaches and players are wondering just where they will be celebrating the playoff season.  I know where my Chiefs will be...loading U-hauls like they did last year.  Sigh...every year I think that my Chiefs will finally get over the hump, and like Sisyphus' rock, they come rolling back down the hill to the basement. As much as I would like to empathize with Romeo Crennel and Scott Pioli after what happened to them, truth be told, they are not the answer, nor is Matt Cassel or Brady Quinn or Tim Tebow or Mark Sanchez.  I don't know where to begin to fix the Chiefs but HC, GM, and QB are at the top of the list.

So, the New York Jets have found a way to make themselves relevant after playing themselves out of the playoffs.  Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez have turned mediocrity into a hot media commodity.  Seriously, what is the fascination with the Jets?  Rex is a loud windbag.  Mark, most recently, is a model with a football, and Tim Tebow was whining about not getting a chance.  Tim, dude, YOU chose to go to this team.  You could have gone to Jacksonville where, who is there quarterback?  Exactly!!!  You wanted to hop-frog Sanchez like you did in Denver.  I have little to no sympathy for you buddy.  

 
Like Jerry Glanville said, the NFL stands for Not-for-long, and I honestly wish you both the best of luck in whatever career you manage to find that does not involve my having to see or listen to either of you.

Any who...the last Monday Night Football game of the year is taking place on...Saturday.  It involves the 12-2 Falcons and Detroit.  Has a 12-2 team ever been more invisible than the Falcons?  I would dwell, but they are not my team.  Good luck to Tony Gonzalez and the Falcons.  At least one of my picks is looking legitimate...

My last set of picks left me at 8-8 which brings my record to date to 109-74.  Here are my picks for the week:

Saturday, December 22
Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions:  Atlanta

Sunday, December 23
New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys:  New Orleans
Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles:  Washington
Minnesota Vikings vs. Houston Texans:  Houston
St. Louis Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Tampa Bay
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Cincinnati
Tennessee Titans vs. Green Bay Packers:  Green Bay
New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:  New England
San Diego Chargers vs. New York Jets:  San Diego
Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs:  Indianapolis
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins:  Miami
Oakland Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers:  Carolina
Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos:  Denver
New York Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens:  Baltimore
Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals:  Chicago
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks:  San Francisco

There you go!  Here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!  Until next time, "You play to win the game!"-Herm Edwards.  Good luck to all the playoff bound teams.  The rest of you good luck in the draft.

In Memoriam

NFL Week 14 Picks...

Hello, everyone.  Not a lot of flair this morning.  Another tragedy in the NFL happened yesterday.  This time the result of drunk driving.  I don't do well with drunk driving.  I lost my one of my best friends and a student to drunk driving.  I myself do not drink.  I have never understood the need to drink, but I don't begrudge people the right to have adult beverages.  I do have a problem with people who don't have enough respect for themselves and their passengers to surrender their keys, especially someone who has been caught doing this before.  

I not getting on my soapbox today.  I just don't have in me today.  I pray for the family of Jerry Brown, and I pray for Josh Brent who is going to have to live with the fact his lack of judgment cost his friend and teammate his life and is going to cost possibly cost Trent a significant loss of freedom.  People, keep in mind.  There are over 2000 players employed by the NFL.  It seems like an abnormal portion of them get in trouble, but stop for a moment before you judge the whole league.  If your company consisted of 2000 relatively famous people, how often would it be big news when one of your co-workers were arrested for any reason.  I'm a teacher, and you know, I see at least 3 articles a day about a teacher being arrested.  That doesn't mean every teacher is a thug or incompetent.  People are human.

I didn't make picks last week.  My week 12 record was 9-5 bringing my record for the year to 101-66.  My picks for the week:

Sunday, December 9
Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings:  Chicago
Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincinnati
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Tampa Bay
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers:  Atlanta
St. Louis Rams vs. Buffalo Bills:  Buffalo
San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Baltimore Ravens vs. Washington Redskins:  Washington
New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:  New York Jets
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Indianapolis
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns:  Kansas City
Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers:  San Francisco
New Orleans Saints vs. New York Giants:  New York Giants
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks:  Seattle
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers:  Green Bay 

Monday, December 10
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots:  New England

Thursday, December 13
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles:  Cincinnati

Until next week, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."~Matthew 7: 1-5

NFL Week 13...Loss...

Good evening, everybody...I almost didn't write a post tonight.  By now, everyone has heard about the tragedy that happen in Kansas City early this morning.  LB Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins in their home before driving to the Chiefs practice facility where he killed himself in front of head coach Romeo Crennel and GM Scott Pioli. It really hit home with me that this 25 year old young man would end his life and the life of his girlfriend in such a manner.  I've lost too many people in my life to suicide.  Since high school, I've lost five people I've known and loved to suicide, and I've lost three to murder.  It is never easy to deal with; there are going to always be unanswered questions.  Too many whys that will never have a just answer.  As tragic as this morning events were, a larger tragedy lies in the fact that a 3 month old little girl will never know her mother, will never know her father, and will have to live with the fact that her father killed himself and her mother.  She doesn't know now, it will be years before she will be able to understand it, and even then, it will not make sense to her, just as  it doesn't make sense to me.

I didn't really know Jovan Belcher.  He wasn't a favorite player, but I did get to see him play this year.  That's neither here nor there.  He was a troubled human being.  I don't know why he did what he did.  You don't know why he did what he did.  It is simply an unspeakable tragedy...I'm not going to judge him.  It's not my place; nor is it yours.  

I couldn't imagine witnessing these events.  As much grief as we have given Pioli and Crennel over the past few weeks about the state of the franchise, I wouldn't wish what happened to them this morning on my worst enemy.  To see a young man that you have been grooming for the last few years stand a few feet away from you, thank you for your help, and then kill himself in front of you...Or his mother who witness him kill his girlfriend.  His teammates who were in the building who are now getting ready to play a football game...a football game.  Because ultimately, that's all it is a game.

Last week, I lamented how disastrous a year the Chiefs were having.  That 1-10 record matters so little at a time like this.  I'm not doing picks this week.  I understand that the Chiefs and Panthers will suit up tomorrow and play yards away from where this young man died.  I don't want to think about it.  I don't even plan on watching games tomorrow.  So, I'm not picking this week.  I just don't want to.  Winning and losing seem so irrelevant right now...I can't get that little girl out of my mind.  I can't get his mom out of my mind.  I can't get Romeo Crennel, Scott Pioli, and those others that witness this out of my mind.  I can't get my students out of my mind.  It's too close. Y'all enjoy the games tomorrow.  As for me, I think I'll pass.  My condolences and prayers go out to the family of Kasandra Perkins, the family of Jovan Belcher, especially his mother and daughter, to the Kansas City Chiefs organization, especially those who witnessed today's events.  Remember, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem...there are people willing to help, please don't allow that darkness to overtake you. You can call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at

1-800-273-TALK (8255).  If you feel that you are a victim of Domestic Abuse, don't hesitate to try to remove yourself from a toxic environment, you can call the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Until next week, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.” ― John Donne

NFL Week 12 Picks...

Happy After Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Pre-Cyber Monday, everybody!!!  Did you survive the sales? I did as I don't partake in the shopping craze that is Black Friday, and I am still recovering from Thursday. Thanks to a change in weather, I don't feel much like myself.  Ah, que sera, sera...

I went 3-0 on Turkey Day!!! I actually got to see maybe 5 minutes of any of the games.  1) because 90% of my family are women, and they don't do sports, 2) every five minutes I was called into duty to perform some menial task, and 3) our local Fox affiliate didn't have sound for the entirety of the Cowboys/Redskins game.  As much as I dislike Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, a game with no sound is horrible and boring...Kinda like watching a Chiefs game...

So, this week the bye weeks end, the the quest for the playoffs and for the first pick begins...In the AFC, New England, Houston, Baltimore, and Denver are sitting atop their divisions with Pittsburgh and, surprisingly, the Indianapolis Colts are in the hunt for the Wildcards.  While in the NFC, Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, and atop their divisions with Chicago and Green Bay tied atop the North.  Tampa Bay and Seattle are currently in the lead for the second Wildcard spot.  Who will win out?  Only time will tell.  Meanwhile, in basement dweller news, the Chiefs and the Jaguars are in a fierce battle for the first draft pick.  Hey, Chiefs fans have to root for something.

On to the picks, with my perfect Turkey Day, my record for the season 100-61.  So for Sunday my predictions are for the following: 

Sunday, November 25
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears:  Chicago
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Atlanta
Seattle Seahawks vs. Miami Dolphins:  Seattle
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs:  Denver
Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Indianapolis
Pittsburgh Steelers vs.@ Cleveland Browns:  Pittsburgh
Oakland Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincinnati
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Tennessee
Baltimore Ravens vs. San Diego Chargers:  Baltimore
San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints:  San Francisco
St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals:  Arizona
Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants:  Green Bay

Monday, November 26
Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles:  Carolina

Monday, November 26
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons:  A double dose of Tony Gonzalez and Jimmy Graham this week?  Yes and please.  I'm picking Atlanta in this rematch of the Tight End Heavyweights.  FYI:  Happy 26th Birthday to my second favorite tight end, Jimmy Graham!!!
That's all I've got this week guys.  Until next week, "If at first you don't succeed, you're running about average."~M.H. Alderson

Happy Thanksgiving!! NFL Turkey Day Picks...

Hey, Hey, everybody!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

I really am not the only one a little confused about what is going on in the NFL, right?  I really am at a loss for the season that is unfolding before us.  Okay, I thought that the New England, Houston, and Baltimore, but for some dumb reason, the homer in me picked the Kansas City Chiefs as my AFC West Champions.  Yeah, those 1-9 Chiefs.  The same Chiefs whose fans split the stadium in black (for mourning) and red (to match the seats).  The SAME Kansas City Chiefs who did a choreographed touchdown celebration on a touchdown that didn't happen.  The SAME KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Mr. Loren G. "Sam" Lickteig blamed partially for his death.  RIP Mr. Lickteig. 

The AFC West is the hot mess of all of the NFL Divisions.  The Denver Peytons are the only team in the AFC West with a winning record.  San Diego has forgotten how to play.  Philip Rivers has forgotten how to throw to the Chargers.  Carson Palmer is apparently modeling his career after Philip's dropping passes to other teams.  The Chiefs, well, they continue to flip a coin between equally mediocre quarterbacks.  It is the American Horror Story.

NFL Week 11 Picks...

Hey everybody!!!  I am still smiling :)  So, if you weren't here last week, (and why wouldn't you be?), I made my way to New Orleans, Louisiana to see my favorite player Tony Gonzalez play for the very first time.  Let me just say...IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!  It was my second time to the Superdome, and I must say that the Saints fans know how to throw a party.  Quick recap:  I entered the stadium wearing my red Tony Gonzalez jersey with my aunt who is a ride or die Saints fan who was going to her first game and decked out in full Saints gear.  The comments to my aunt ranged from "How did you let that trash in the car with you?" to "You've got to teach her to do better."  I, of course, didn't let it faze me.  I was going to see Tony...and haters gonna hate :)

NFL Week 10 Picks or The Week I FINALLY Get to See Tony Gonzalez Play

Hey, hey, y'all!  I don't know about you, but I am glad that it is finally the weekend.  For me it is truly a special weekend, because tomorrow I'm headed to the Big Easy to finally, FINALLY see Tony Gonzalez play in a live football game.  That's right, I will get to see my fave tight end TG play against up and comer Jimmy Graham.  As a Chiefs fan, I never had the chance to travel to Kansas City to see TG, and I was beginning to think it would never happen.  After all, it only took 15 years, 2 months, and 11 days for it to happen, but whose counting :)  I'm like a kid counting down 'til Christmas morning.

NFL Week 9 Picks

Sigh...oh, brother...Happy Late Halloween, everybody!  It's almost Thanksgiving which means the season is almost over for the Kansas City Chiefs.  This season...yeah, there is no excuse for the Chiefs.  On paper, they look like a good team, but looks can be deceiving, like Rihanna looks like a good singer, but isn't, but I digress...The only thing scary about my Halloween was three outlines for an essay portfolio, a 4-page paper, and two opportunities to watch the Chiefs lose in the span of 4 days.  Amazingly, the Chiefs have won one game-the one I attended in New Orleans.  Number one pick, here we come.

NFL Week 8 Picks

What's up, y'all?  Last week was a rather depressing week for me.  My Chiefs were on a bye, and yet, still managed to lose by declaring Brady Quinn the starting quarterback for week 8.  Did I mention he has a career 10 touchdown/11 interception total.  I'm thrilled!!!! For those who don't know me well, that was sarcasm. It's rivalry week as the Chiefs take on their arch rivals the Oakland Raiders, and NFL fans collectively, yawn.  The Chiefs are 0-3 at home; the Raiders are 0-3 on the road.  *dramatic movie voice* "Something has to give."  Probably, my lunch...
  

NFL Week 7 Picks

Stop me if you have heard this one before...The Kansas City Chiefs are bad...really, really bad.  In a bizarro example of be-careful-what-you-wish-for-you-just-might-get-it, Chiefs fans finally saw Brady Quinn at starting quarterback as Matt Cassel recovers from his concussion.  Let me remind you of Brady Quinn...You will remember...America's poster boy...dropped to the 22nd pick...drafted by Cleveland (FYI, I'm not a business person, but I will not trade for a QB drafted by Cleveland...EVER)...traded to Denver where he never started a game and was behind Tim Tebow on the depth chart...who has a career total of 10 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.  Sigh, is it any wonder some fans are bailing?  OH, did I mention the story that Scott Pioli was offered a two-year contract extension (which was denied by the organization later)?

Ah, well...there is only one undefeated team left in the league...The Atlanta Falcons.  Who saw that one coming?  The Seahawks should be charged with grand theft as they continue mugging teams in the league.  Did anyone see Brady losing to them?  Green Bay thrashed Houston, and the AFC has only two teams with winning records.  TWO!!  What is happening in the NFL?  

NFL Week 6 Picks

How's it going everybody?!  Can you believe that it is already week 6?  This season is flying by waaaaay too fast.  So, what's happening in the NFL?  The Good:  The Falcons and Texans are still undefeated (even though the Texans lost Brian Cushing for the rest of the season to an ACL injury).  The Bad:  The Chiefs, Saints, Lions, and Panthers.  And the Ugly:  The Cleveland Browns...the last winless team in the NFL (While I think Cleveland will eventually win, I don't think it will be today).

Now, my Chiefs are in the AFC West, a division that has been rather...poor the last couple of years, but have you seen the standings in the NFC South?  YIKES!!!  The Falcons are the only team with a record above .500.  The other 3 teams have only won 1 game each.  I mean, the Broncos have won 2 games :)

My First NFL Game

I have been an NFL fan for over thirty-odd years.  For those of you new to the blog, I started my NFL Fandom as a fan of the San Francisco 49ers.  Joe Montana has always been my all-time favorite player, and Joe didn't disappoint as the QB for the 49ers.  Add Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Brent Jones, and the G.O.A.T Jerry Rice to the mix, and who wouldn't love this team!  Now, I'm not a big college football fan.  If I do watch, it is usually the SEC, and almost always LSU-and then I saw Derrick Thomas.

I had flirtation with the Kansas City Chiefs once they drafted DT in 1989.  I would watch their games.  Watching Derrick Thomas flying across the line and tackling quarterback with reckless abandon, watching his partner in crime swing for the fences after a particularly good tackle or sack, watching the Nigerian Nightmare Christian Okoye drive the Chiefs down the field or his RB partner Barry Word (who also was quite cute) led me to spending many Sundays watching the Chiefs waiting for the 49ers to play.

I became a full-fledged Chiefs fan in 1993 when the 49ers traded Joe Montana to the Kansas City Chiefs.  First, I was shocked.  I never thought the Niners would trade Joe, but there he was behind the OL for the Kansas City Chiefs.  I was still friends with the Niners, but my heart now belonged to the Chiefs.  Many other favorite players would come and go:   Marcus Allen, Warren Moon, Dante Hall, Eddie Kenison, Rich Gannon, Trent Green, Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Brian Waters, and of course, Tony Gonzalez.

The one thing that I had never done was see the Chiefs in person.  As a matter of fact, I had never been to an NFL game.  Understand, I live in Natchez, Mississippi.  There are three teams close to my town The Saints (3 hrs. away), the Texans (5 hrs. away), and the Titans (5 hrs. away).  I just thought it was not a reasonable enough expense, especially since I could see my team on television.

That changed this year.  A very special group of people asked me the following question, "Are you going to the Chiefs/Saints game this Sunday?"  I said, "No, I want to, but I don't think I will."  Part of the reason was I had a ton of homework to do for work and for grad school, and I wasn't sure how I was going to do it all.  They, then asked, "If we get you a ticket, will you go?"  I jokingly said, "Sure, but don't spend that kind of money on me."  Four days later, they were reciting the lyrics to the Kansas City Chiefs fight song and handed me a manilla envelope containing a ticket to the Chiefs/Saints game that Sunday, September 23.  I admit that I cried, because I really didn't think it was going to happen.  Now, I had to go.

Guys, I know next to nothing about New Orleans.  I know how to get there, but navigating the streets of New Orleans was a little frightening.  So, I took a couple of relatives on the drive down to help me find my way.  Honestly, they were next to no help, and since they don't like football, they spent the day in and around the Riverwalk while I made my trip to the dome alone.

Going to the Superdome, I was a little nervous.  One, I was having a hard time finding my gate with all of the people around, and two, since I was wearing a Red Chiefs jersey, I wasn't about to ask this sea of black and white directions.  I will tell you what I didn't expect.  So many Kansas City Chiefs fans.  It was cool getting high fives from fellow Chiefs fans considering there are so few of them in my hometown.  They were all over the place.  (Yeah, Natchez is Saintsville.) I finally found my gate and my seat.  Here's the view from my seat.

I saw Chief Dexter McCluster and Steve Breston warming up in the endzone, and then the Saints came out to warm up.  There was Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and my new fave Jimmy Graham stretching in the end zone near me.  I was seated next to an older man with a Santa Claus beard, and a guy with questionable smoking habits (which he did during the game).  The smoker suggested that I not take this butt whooping personally, and that he some how had managed to sit next to the opposing teams fans for the last three games.  Santa in his Scott Fujita jersey went on the give me most of his history of hunting and attending sporting events at the Superdome.  Both agreed me that I was in for a treat.

The game began with and explosion and the Saints running through their tunnel to take the field.  Let me tell you.  Television does not do the Superdome justice.  It is soooooooo loud in that building.  Every time the Saints would score they would play "When the Saints go Marching in" followed by "Joe Avery's Blues," but the Saints' fans really turn it up right before kickoffs when they play the Ying Yang Twin's "Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk)."  Talk about a festive atmosphere right down to Sainta Claus and his tambourine in our section.  I really couldn't believe how fast the game goes.  Once again, TV doesn't do it justice.  I honestly had trouble keeping up

Initially, I believed that the Saints were going to win this game.  I would do most of my cheering silently since there was only one other Chiefs fan five rows in any direction, and the Chiefs fans in the section next to me would get a "Who Dat" shoutdown whenever they would attempt to start a Chop Chant.  The Chiefs fans stayed on the quiet side for most of the game.



At half time, the University of Mississippi's marching band performed as Deuce McAllister and Saints owner Tom Benson were inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.  The Saints had lead for the entire game, but the Chiefs began to turn the tide scoring a touchdown on a 91-yard run by Jamaal Charles.  He scored right in front of me!!! I wished I could have gotten a picture, but there were a few too many angry Saints fans around me.  When the Chiefs tied the game sending it to overtime, I was still silently screaming in my seat.

When it was all said and done, the Chiefs, My CHIEFS, won their first game of the season, and there were more than a few outdone Saints fans as I left the building.

I was so wired that I was back at my car before I realized it.  It was an amazing day.  After being a Chiefs fan for over 20 years, it was absolutely fantastic seeing my team play for the first time.  Even though, DT, TG, and the others have long since left my team, through the good and the bad (and trust, there have been many bad ones), they are still my team.  FYI, I will be attend my second NFL game in a few weeks.  I will be headed back to the Superdome to watch Tony Gonzalez and the Falcons take on their rivals the Saints.  Y'all are going to have to pray for me.  I don't think they will be so nice when they see me in that #88 Falcons jersey :)

I would like to give a very special thanks to some really special people:  Khalil, Sela, Rebecca, Terrence, Alexis, Sallie, and Marlon.  Thank you, guys so very much.  You will never know how much that meant to me.

NFL Week 5 Picks

It's week 5 guys and gals, and guess what?  Surprise, Surprise, my Chiefs are in the basement of one of the worse divisions in the NFL.  Sigh...I probably need to audition a new team.  The Chiefs are clearly not interested in winning this year...or ever.

There are somethings that are surprising at the quarter mark of the NFL season.  The Lions are 1-3, The Cardinals are 3-1, The Saints are 0-4, and the Falcons are 4-0.  I really didn't see this for the Saints.  Drew Brees may have thrown a few more picks than usual, but that defense makes the Chiefs D look potent.  The Falcons-well, I didn't expect 4-0, but I did pick them to go to the Super Bowl.  

October is breast cancer awareness month, and once again NFL players are breaking out the pink to honor those who have lost and survived the battle against breast cancer.  Prayers go out to the Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano who is in the hospital battling leukemia.  Let's do all we can to defeat this horrible disease.

October is also part of Hispanic Heritage Month.  Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Americans with ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  It is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 because it falls between the Independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (Sept. 15) [Mexico and Chile's are Sept. 16] and Columbus Day October 12. According to NFL.com, there are 31 active players of Hispanic descent in the NFL including Tony Gonzalez (Falcons), Victor Cruz (New York Giants), Mark Sanchez (New York Jets), and Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys).  

Speaking of Tony Gonzalez, no touchdowns for TG last week, so his TD count is still at 98.

Fantasy players do not forget that Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, and Tampa Bay have a bye this week.  Last week, I went 8-7 which brings my record to 34-28.  Little breathing room between me and .500. 
Now to the pick...

Sunday, October 7
Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants:  New York
Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Miami
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs:  Baltimore
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Green Bay Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Green Bay
Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Redskins:  Atlanta

Chicago Bears vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Chicago
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers:  Carolina
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots:  New England
Buffalo Bills vs. San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco
Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota

San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints: New Orleans (Sean Payton gets to watch in a secure location to see if [and he probably will] Drew Brees will break Johnny Unitas record of 47 straight games with a touchdown.)

Monday, October 8
Houston Texans vs. New York Jets:  Houston

Thursday, October 11
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans:  Pittsburgh

That's it everybody.  Until next week, “You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose.”~Lou Holtz 

NFL Week 4 Picks-We Love the Refs...Until We Don't Edition

Good Sunday morning, y'all!!! It is a dreary day here in the NTZ, but I looking forward to a great day of football!!  This time last Sunday, I was well on my way to New Orleans to watch my Kansas City Chiefs take on the New Orleans Saints in the SuperDome.  It was my first NFL Game, and my Chiefs made my day with a comeback over time victory!!!  I was a happy girl!!!  I love you, Jamaal Charles!!!  I might not pick the Chiefs to win the rest of the year!  Psych!

The NFL Refs are back, and none too soon.  It only took the highway robbery of the Green Bay Packers to get the owners to realize "There but by the grace of God go I."  Welcome back, refs!!!  I give you until the start of the 2nd game of the day until one of you messes up a call, and we start making the blind ref jokes.

Tony Gonzalez TD Countdown: 98 touchdowns

NFL Week 3 Picks...

Welcome back guys and dolls!  Did you see what I saw on Monday Night Football?  I mean, other than Tony Gonzalez adding to this career touchdown total (97)-I see, you TG, acting like this is your first year in the league rather than your 16th.  Oh, BTW, Denver, did you just not see Tony?  The 6' 5'' 247lb. dude standing by himself in the endzone, y'all didn't seen him?  Monday Night's game between the Broncos and the Falcons...where do you begin?  A first quarter which shows 15 minutes but lasted an hour (thanks re-placement refs), minor skirmishes between the teams, or Peyton throwing to everybody in a Falcons' uniform?  Dear Roger Goddell, get the real refs back, because even when they screw up, it doesn't take this long.  Dear new refs...get it together.  As a former substitute teacher, put your foot down.  You can control the situation.  DO IT!  They're not going to hit you.  Man and woman up!

I don't even want to talk about my Kansas City Chiefs...I mean, getting dropped by the Bills.  Sigh...This week, they are heading 3 hours down the river from me to New Orleans...I'm hoping they can turn it around in the Big Easy... 

NFL Week 2 Picks

All the teams have played their first game.  The prognosticators already smell blood in the water for some teams, and Jay Cutler is Jay Cutler.  Ah, yes, the NFL is back, and with all respect to Nina Simone, I'm feeling good!!!!

Granted the week did not begin well for my Chiefs.  They were keeping the game close with Falcons during the first half of last week's game entering halftime down 17-10.  Then, the wheels fell off, and the Falcons rolled to 40-24 victory at Arrowhead stadium punctuated by a dunk over the goal post by former Chief Tony Gonzalez after his 3rd quarter touchdown. [FYI:  Tony Gonzalez entered the Top 10 all-time in receiving yards passing Torry Holt with a 13,391 yards.  He's the only Tight End in the top ten, and he's 381 yards from passing number 9 Henry Ellard and 509 from passing Cris Carter at number 8.] After opening the game on a high with cheers from the crowd, TG's dunk brought a shower of boos.  While I wouldn't have booed TG, because he's my fave, it did feel like a bit of knife in the heart...sorry, wiping tears for what might have been.  I forgive you, Tony.  It would have been wrong if you hadn't.  It's the last one at Arrowhead.  I even cheered, until I remembered the score.  Que sera, sera...

NFL Week One-The Saga Begins...

The first games of the season are less than 15 hours away!!! Who saw the bounty gate scandal ending the way it did?  Not me!  Good luck, Saints.  This time tomorrow night Peyton Manning will be taking the field for the first time in 19 months.  That should be really interesting.  Five rookie quarterbacks will be starting tomorrow.  Good luck to them.  No pun intended.  My Chiefs finally have Matt Cassel, Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, and Tony Moeaki on the field again (even though no Tamba Hali).  Tony Gonzalez will be taking the field at Arrowhead for what may be the last time as a player.  Speaking of Tony Gonzalez, I just watched a fabulous interview with his former teammate Coy Wire.  By this point, you guys do realize that there will be a part of this blog dedicated to TG every week, right?  If you didn't get to see it here it is.

The 2012-2013 NFL Season Predictions Sure to be Wrong...

Hey, guys!!!  Long time, no write!  I know, I know, but grad school is a bummer.  All summer toiling away has made DianaDishes a dull girl.  I will admit that I haven't been following the NFL as closely as I have my Educational Psychology text or Foundations of Educations or Common Core Standards...Anyway, I digress...

It has been a bit of a downer when it comes to this NFL season.  Who would have thought that Vince Young (incompetence?), Shawne Merriman (injuries), Chad Johnson (basketball wife), Lofa Tatupu (injuries), and Kellen Winslow (dishonorable discharge) would be joining the ranks of the unemployed?  Then, the news that I knew was coming someday, but I didn't really want to believe.  My favorite, Mr. Tony Gonzalez, says that he is 95% certain that he is going to retire at the end of the year.  Could it really be possible that I could lose Chipper Jones and Tony Gonzalez at the end of the year?  Say it ain't so...

My Philosophy Paper

Philosophy Paper

            As a little girl, I never gave a lot of thought to what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I spent most of my time sitting under trees, in corners, or on the sidelines reading until my fourth grade year.  During that year, my teacher was Mrs. A.  I will admit she reminded me a lot of Barbara Mandrell with her perfectly coiffed blonde hair and impeccable wardrobe.  Mrs. A- was fun but firm and always fair to her students.  Her class was always well organized, and I admit I would find ways to stay in from recess, which I hated, and work extra with Mrs. A either helping to clean the classroom, organize books, or running errands which would give me time to read instead of running around.  By the end of my fourth grade year, I had decided that I wanted to be teacher like Mrs. A. Teaching was a skill that I had been honing since I was a little girl.  I began “teaching” by tutoring my classmates in junior high and high school.  I would work with them after school and during breaks.  I would often edit their essays for them.  I think it was a foregone conclusion that I was going to be a teacher.

Happy Anniversary to The Great Gatsby

Hey, guys!!! It has been a hot minute since I've posted anything. Writing has been pretty much reserved for my two grad-level English classes. Anyway, I couldn't let the day pass without recognizing one of my favorite novels, The Great Gatsby. I love literature way too much to just pick one novel as my favorite, but The Great Gatsby is right up there at the top. F. Scott Fitzgerald's tale, as told by narrator Nick Carraway, explores one man's obsession with the romantic notion of love and the American Dream.

Today is the 87th anniversary of the publication of The Great Gatsby. First published on April 10, 1925, Fitzgerald was paid an $3,939 advance for The Great Gatsby. I don't think Fitzgerald had any idea of how popular his novel would become to future generations, especially considered several of his books were out of print during his lifetime. Like the characters of Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda lived a lavish and decadent lifestyle which ended with both dead before the age of 50. Fitzgerald drank himself to death dying of a heart attack at age 44 in 1940. Eight years later, His wife Zelda, who spent the last years of her life in a mental institution, died at age 48 in a fire at the asylum.

Although the novel is now 87 years old, you can still see elements of Fitzgerald's vision of the rich and famous played out all over television every day. In December, Baz Luhrmann will resurrect Gatsby with a 3D interpretation of the novel starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. It will be the seventh screen version of the novel (my favorite is still the 1974 version with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow). Good luck, Baz...

My students will begin reading The Great Gatsby. I absolutely hope they enjoy it as much as I have. Happy Birthday, Gatsby!!!

My articles on Gatsby:
The Gatsby Complex, Part One: The Lost Generation
The Gatsby Complex, Part Two: The Tom Buchanans
The Gatsby Complex, Part 3: The Ladies of Gatsby
The Gatsby Complex, Part 4: Gatsby

I wrote those a couple of years ago. They are just my observations about the times, and how to connect a novel with "the real world." That's it guys and gals. Now, I'm back to reading Emily Dickinson and Anita Desai. Have papers due on those two ladies next week. Until next time, "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald.