A very Merry Christmas from me to all of you! Enjoy, be thankful, be safe and don’t eat too much!! Just kidding…until later!
P.S. Enjoy the NBA on Christmas day
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Merry Christmas!
A very Merry Christmas from me to all of you! Enjoy, be thankful, be safe and don’t eat too much!! Just kidding…until later!
P.S. Enjoy the NBA on Christmas day
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Record setting day for Peyton Manning!
Record setting day for Peyton Manning as the Denver Broncos defeat the Houston Texans, 37 – 13. He threw his 51st TD pass of the year in the 4th quarter (to lucky Julius Thomas) to break the record of 50 set by Tom Brady in 2007. He had already previously tied his own personal best of 49 TD passes in a single season earlier in the game (set in 2004) and then tied Brady with #50. Then, came #51 and Peyton Manning stands alone, as well he should in what is certainly a MVP season for Mr. Peyton Manning. Four neck surgeries, and today, four touchdown passes, 400 yards passing and the Denver Broncos clinch the AFC West Division title and a first round bye in the playoffs. Now, we await the outcome of New England vs. Baltimore (rematch of last year’s Super Bowl) to see if Denver will also clinch the #1 seed in the AFC. Denver is 12 -3 with one more regular season game to go (will Peyton play and improve on these record setting accomplishments this year?). As for the Texans, another kind of record setting day, their 12th consecutive loss for the first time in franchise history. After the game when interviewed about his record setting day, Peyton was humble as always, and reminded us all that there were receivers catching these passes and an offensive line blocking for him. Well, the wealth was spread as Be Be Thomas and Eric Decker both went over 100 yards receiving. (I am a GT fan, and I know Thomas now likes to go by Demaryius, but to me, he will always be “Be Be”). Wes Walker was sitting out due to a concussion and will not be available until the post season. Still, there were plenty of pass receptions for all on the Bronco’s offense. Peyton was harassed and sacked by the Texans today, as many as five knockdowns. Still, he got it done as only Peyton can! Don’t you just love to see your sports heroes deliver!
Yesterday in CFB, 25 USC demolished 20 Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl, 45 – 20. They looked like the Trojans from USC that we all used to know and love. They were coached by interim coach, defensive co-coordinator Clancey Pendergast as they await the arrival of new head coach Steve Sarkisian. QB Cody Kessler had an outstanding day as did WR Marquis Lee and RB Buck Allen.
In CBB, Georgia Tech fell to Vanderbilt, 76 – 63. It was the seventh consecutive loss by the Jackets at Vandy. GT came out like gangbusters and took a commanding 29 – 15 lead in the first half, began to falter, but still headed to the locker room at halftime with a two point lead. In the second half, all Vandy. Very disappointing performance by Georgia Tech who came in with a three game winning streak (all home games) and now will follow up this loss with three road game, first at Charlotte, then at Maryland and at Duke. Transfer from University of Tennessee Golden had a horrible shooting game for the Jackets and even though Daniel Miller had a double double, he was still off his game in the second half. Really a shame to see them not perform better…but gotta say the promotion for GT…“We Can Do That” is the best in the biz. It is a tape of an actual speech given at a graduation and it is SPECIAL. If you haven’t seen it, watch for it the next time the Jackets are televised!
Update: New England already up 14 – 0 over the Ravens in the first quarter.
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American Hustle is MUST see!!
American Hustle finally arrived at the theater near me yesterday and I was there! It is definitely MUST see! Superb performances by the likes of Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper (love the pink sponge curlers to give him the “permed” look!), and then there is Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams. This movies was directed by David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook) so it re-teams him with both Lawrence and Cooper. Now I absolutely love Jennifer Lawrence, and she is over the top fantastic in this movie. But Amy Adams is a revelation…she transforms herself into this character, and it is something to behold. The movie is a tad bit too long for my taste…2 hours 10 minutes approximately plus all the previews (Her looks like a movie I will not want to miss) and I really like my movies just at two hours or slightly less. The con game that takes hold of this movie throughout becomes a little difficult to keep up with, so many twists and turns, but eventually it actually winds its way to a “happy ending”? Well, except for Cooper’s role. OK, enough, don’t want to spoil it. Tis the season so go see it!! Plus, all the music from the seventies was awesome!
Now, it is time to think about Christmas Day without Kobe. I am sad! The Lakers did quite well last night in LA without him, defeating Kevin Love and the Timberwolves, 104-91. Pau Gasol is the man and who is this Nick Young kid??? Twenty five points coming off the bench for the second game! Hey, I like it. Still, the Lakers on Christmas day are special, have always been and for fifteen years, that has meant Kobe Bryant and the Lakers (in one mix or another) on Christmas Day. This year LeBron and the Heat come a calling at the Staples Center and it just won’t be the same with Kobe on the bench (or will he be on the bench?) Guess, we shall wait and see on that one!
Would love to get to the Anchorman…the Legend Continues movie during the holiday season. Parts of it were filmed at CNN here in the ATL. But what I really want for Christmas…some sunshine and warm weather!! What about you guys? Special plans? I hope so and an early but heartfelt Merry Christmas to everyone!
Bowl games get underway today…four on TV. Of course, these are the “tune ups” to the big ones yet to come! Until later…
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Barbara Walters Ten Most Fascinating…and more bad news for Kobe and LA
Like many of you, I once again watched Barbara Walters Ten Most Fascinating People of 2013 special last night. Wonder with reports of her retiring, if this will be the last? Anyhow..the list was interesting! 1. Miley Cyrus, of course I get it but I am not a fan. 2. Prince George..already one of the most fascinating at six months old. What a cutie, by the way! 3. Duck Dynasty..I have no words, do not watch their show although there has been a bit of controversy recently regarding comments made in an interview with GQ. That’s all I got on those folks. 4. Edward Snowden..the infamous NSA leaker who sought asylum all over the world and finally landed in Russia. OK..moving on…5. Robin Roberts…what a class act, should be declared “hero” of 2013. Hope she is finally well, cured, and remains cancer free! 6. Jennifer Lawrence…LOVE her! She is so unfiltered. One of my favorite moments of her was on Letterman. He asked her if she had ever had formal acting classes. In typical JLaw fashion, she laughed and said No….So he asked her how she developed her acting skills. She responded that she thought if came from her childhood, she was a pathological liar. Typical…funny, self deprecating and interesting. Also, loved her comments on how mean women were to other women, should be illegal to call someone “fat”! 7. Kim and Kayne…no comment. 7. Pope Francis…the first ever Latin American Pope. Now he was interesting!! I like that he is softening the stance the Catholic Church takes on the gay and lesbian culture. He is focusing the Church more towards caring, not judging. Good for him! 9. Diana Nyad, the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. She is 64 years old and made it in 53 hours. Wow! Whatever floats your boat! And finally, 10. The Most Fascinating..Hillary Clinton. Interesting choice, she is enjoying “private” life for the first time in many years. Will she or won’t she run in 2016? She said she truly had not decided, but would decide next year.
Until then…moving on to sports…another blow for Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers. When does it stop? Kobe has a fractured bone in his left knee and will return to the bench for at least six weeks. No Kobe, no chance for the Lakers, already without Nash, Farmar and Steve Blake. At least the “trade Pau” talk has ended, Gasol is in the final year of his contract but he will remain a Laker for at least the rest of this year (or so it seems). Has to be ridiculously unsettling for Gasol to always be in a state of confusion, am I staying or am I going? So, big setback for Kobe who was just six games into his return from the very serious Achilles tear he suffered last year. Will Kobe ever be Kobe again? I say yes, because if anyone will do whatever it takes, it is Kobe Bean Bryant. Unfortunately, it may not be this year, may have to wait until next year to see the “real Kobe” one last time!
In NBA action last night, the “great” rivalry in the East took place between the Pacers and the Heat. In Miami, the Heat trailed most of the game but came from behind to win 97 – 94, led by Birdman and Bosh. I was pulling for the Pacers!
And finally, we bid farewell to a sports landmark…Candlestick Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants for most of my childhood years (and the San Francisco 49ers). A fond adieu for sure!
P.S. The correct spelling for injured Lakers guard Farmar, is Farmar! Please disregard any misspellings in prior posts. Farmer is not correct…it is in fact Farmar. Just confirmed it!
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Surviving “Paradise” on Tuesday? What??
It is Tuesday..and I think I will shake things up and start out by promoting my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver on Tuesday..what?? I know, it is supposed to be on Wednesday, but hey tis the season so let’s shake things up. Check out this very entertaining story about a southern woman who relocates to a new town (southwest Florida) full of hope and great expectations only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances. From a horny, inappropriate cop, loud criminal neighbors, to a dishonest redneck Homeowners’ Association “Prez”, just to name a few…it is full of laugh out loud (lol?) comedy and drama.
Actually, to be perfectly honest, I am sort of at a loss as to what to write about today! Ha, imagine that, me at a loss for words. Does not happen too often. Let’s see, Christmas shopping, done! Hope you are getting there as well! Enjoying some good old movies, The Wedding Planner (I need an intervention with that one), Fever Pitch and Never Been Kissed, both with Drew Barrymore and both, so wonderful. Then, there are the ever popular Hallmark Christmas chick flicks. Really great movie finally coming out to the theater near me this Friday, American Hustle. Cannot wait to see this one…Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper, directed by David O. Russell (Sliver Linings Playbook). Can we all say “Oscar” nominations!!
Sports news: Guess we are all sitting back and awaiting the start of the bowl games. In NBA last night, the Lakers lost again…this is becoming a painful and all too familiar post. Kobe had to play the point again, way too much due to all the injuries, and in 32 minutes he scored 8 points with 6 assists and had five turnovers. Lakers fell in Atlanta to the Hawks, 114 – 100. Al Horford led the Hawks with 19 points and 11 rebounds. J. Hill led the Lakers with 21 points. Nash, Blake and Farmer all out for LA. Please, get a healthy point guard for the Lakers for Christmas!!
The Ravens outscored the Lions in Detroit, barely, thanks to Justin Tucker who kicked six field goals (yes, six!), one of them, 61 yards to win the game on MNF. Stafford for the Lions had too many turnovers (not that unusual for him) and even Megatron was off his game, dropping passes he usually catches. I believe he was playing a wee bit injured. Raven QB Joe Flacco took a dangerous hit low on his knee (not flagged) and he finished the game but he looked a bit gimpy. Will have to wait and see what impact that hit will have on him finishing out the regular season.
Moving on…Heisman Trophy winner Jamies Winston was on Letterman last night, giving the “Top Ten”. This is traditional for Letterman to have the latest Heisman winner on. Did not see it yet, will have to catch it on the DVR.
So, for now…many TV shows either not on or in “reruns” until 2014. Barbara Walters will bring us her list of the ten most fascinating people of 2013 tomorrow night. One of my favorites, Jennifer Lawrence will be on her list. Clip shows her telling Ms. Walters that “she never knows what might fly out of her mouth”! Love her!!
Well folks, that is it for today. Until later…All Right, All Right, All Right! (yes, I am ripping off Matthew McConaughey but still, one of my favorite things to say!)
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Jameis Winston wins Heisman Trophy in a landslide
Jameis Winston, QB FSU is the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner in a landslide. OK, folks, I will admit I have not been his biggest fan as of late. That being said, he won this trophy and he won it in a landslide! He secured 668 first place votes (but was interestingly left off of 115 ballots). His speech was beautiful. No doubt about that, it was moving. So, now he and FSU will move forward to face Auburn, and fellow nominee Tre Mason in the BCS National title game on January 6th. It is going to be special!
Second place went to A J McCarron, QB of Alabama; 3rd place, Jordan Lynch of Northern Illinois; 4th place went to Andre William, RB extraordinaire of Boston College; 5th place went to Johnny Manziel of Texas A & M (last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, no repeat); and 6th place, Tre Mason of Auburn. Perhaps Tre will have the last say on January 6th. We shall wait and see. (Of note: Winston is the youngest player to ever win the Heisman!)
The theme of the day…let it snow, let it snow and let it snow. From a snowy night in NYC to a snowy day in Philadelphia. Navy defeated Army, 34 – 7 in the rivalry game of all rivalry games. It was the twelfth consecutive victory for Navy.
Also today in CFB news: Mack Brown has “resigned” or “retired” as the head coach at Texas after sixteen years. Well, I guess you have to call it a day sometimes. I do not know who Texas thinks they will get (it will NOT be Nick Saban) but best of luck to both Texas and Mack Brown. He will coach the Longhorns in their bowl game, the Alamo Bowl against Oregon. Good luck in that…Quack Attack will be a force!
In College Basketball news…19 North Carolina defeated 11 Kentucky, 82 – 77. Great game! Also, 1 Arizona held off Michigan to survive, 72 – 70.
Congrats to Jameis Winston and FSU. Now, I need to check in on Kobe Bryant and the depleted Lakers in Charlotte!
A victory at last for the Lakers, 88 – 85 over Charlotte. Kobe finished with 21 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Now…find a healthy point guard! Like I said earlier…Help Wanted: A Healthy Point Guard!
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Lakers embarassed by OKC, 122 – 97
Last night, the LA Lakers were embarrassed by the Kevin Durant and the OKC Thunder, 122 – 97. Kevin Durant scored 31 points and had 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 1 blocked shot. Quite a show!! Pau Gasol led LA with 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. (Of note: apparently the “trade Pau” talk is starting again as he and Coach D’Antoni are at it again as how to best utilize him in the D’Antoni offense; my thoughts, Do not trade Pau Gasol!). Moving on..Kobe Bryant in his third game back (Lakers 0-3 since he returned) had a mere 4 points, but he had 13 assists in twenty three minutes of playing time. The real problem has nothing to do with Kobe and his return…he will be fine, he will shine, just give it time! The Lakers are without the services of Steve Blake, Steve Nash, and Jordan Farmer. Steve Blake was doing a fine job at handling the point with Nash still out, but losing him to an elbow injury has really hurt the Lakers. The duty now falls to Kobe more often than not. We all know at the end of the day, Kobe is a “get out of my way and let me shoot” kind of player. However, even last year, and certainly in the early stages of his return from achilles surgery, he has been more often than not in the role of a facilitator. And he has done a tremendous job, literally putting the Lakers on his back last year and carrying them to the door of making the playoffs before going down with the torn achilles. Tonight, the Lakers travel to Charlotte to take on the Bobcats (MJ’s team). Perhaps a victory is possible tonight for the Lakers, tip off scheduled for 7:00 pm EST. Meanwhile, time to post a sign at the Staples Center…HELP WANTED: Healthy Point Guard needed…ASAP!!
CFB news: Nick Saban has signed a long-term extension to stay at Alabama. No surprise. I did not think he was leaving to go to Texas, regardless of what happens with Mack Brown in Austin. The Heisman Trophy will be given out tonight…live on ESPN starting at 8:00 pm EST. Fully expect it to go Jameis Winston, QB FSU. Interesting comments were made today on ESPN by A J McCarron when asked why he thought he might deserve the honor? He mentioned the mandate of off field character and integrity as being part of the Heisman Trophy criteria. Um…wonder if he may have had some other candidates in mind when he said that? Never mind…he is absolutely correct and is deserving of the award as are the other finalists. I believe Winston takes it. Now as far as that BCS title game on January 6th, I believe Auburn might just be the one! OK, bit early to go there!
This afternoon at 3:00 pm EST on CBS, we all have the privilege of watching a rivalry game unlike any other…the 114th Army – Navy game. I watched the Army – Navy march on earlier today. This game transcends college football of course, but for about three hours, it is an intense rivalry football game. Watch it, it is SPECIAL!!
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College Football Awards
College Football Awards were handed out last night in Orlando, Florida, and Jameis Winston was a big winner. He won the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Davey O’Brien Award handed out to the nation’s best QB. In both categories, he beat out A J McCarron and Johnny Manziel. Big night for the ACC. players from that conference took home six awards!
A J McCarron was certainly not left out of the trophy collection…taking the Maxwell Award. This award is given to the nation’s most outstanding player. He became the first player from the University of Alabama to ever win this award. He was humble and gracious as always in his acceptance speech, saying he did not think he was the best player of the three (again, Manziel and Winston in the same category) but it was an honor to win and be there. He has also been quoted as saying Nick Saban will be staying at Bama, not heading to Texas where it continues to rumored that Mack Brown will step down. All a wait and see…
Other awards were: Doak Walker Award for the nation’s most outstanding running back going to Andre Williams of Boston College. He along with Manziel, Winston, McCarron and Tre Mason of Auburn will be in New York on Saturday night for the Heisman Trophy presentation (Winston is the huge favorite). Still, very nice reward for Williams. The Biletnikoff Award honors the nation’s top receiver (once won by Megatron!) and it went to Brandin Cooks of Oregon State. The Home Depot Coach of the Year went to Gus Malzahn, Auburn. No surprise here…what a job he has done with the Tigers from last year (only winning three games) to playing for the National Title this year, and of course, SEC Champs. The Bednarik Award went to Aaron Donald of Pittsburgh. This award recognizes the defensive player of the year. He swept the category by also taking the Outland Trophy, honoring the nation’s top interior lineman. The Jim Thorpe Award went to superstar Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State. This goes to the nation’s top defensive back…well done on that one. The Lou Groza Award (come on old folks, we all know what this is for!) goes to the nation’s top kicker and Robert Aguayo of FSU became that school’s third recipient of the Groza Award! Finally the Ray Guy Award..the nation’s top punter was awarded to Tom Hornsey of Memphis.
Truly special award went to Tulane safety Devon Walker, the Disney Spirit Award. This award goes to the most inspirational team and/or player. Walker was injured on a play against Tulsa last season and is paralyzed from the neck down. Always so horrifying to see these kinds of injuries happen to any type of athlete.
And the fan favorite play of the year went to non other than Chris Davis, the guy who made the 106 yard field goal return for the winning TD in the Iron Bowl. Had to be that one, no doubt!
Meanwhile why all the celebrating was going on in Orlando, not much celebration in Denver last night. Peyton Manning and the Broncos suffered a disappointing loss to the San Diego Chargers (came in with a 6-7 record), falling 27 – 20 at home. No need to read too much into it but still, a bad loss for Denver. They are now 11 – 3. New England is 10 -3 and this tightens up the race for top team in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Denver has three remaining games, and they should be favored in all of them.
For now…over and out! All Right, All Right, All Right!
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Thursday night sports and pop culture…too much to keep up with!
OK folks, there is less than two minutes to go and the 11-2 Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning are trailing the 6-7 San Diego Chargers, 24 – 17. With his 10th interception of the year (only his 10th interception of the year!), Peyton may have given the Chargers all they needed to pull off the upset as this interception has resulted in a field goal. Broncos are getting ready to attempt a field goal. 42 yards and it is good…24 – 20. Gee…too much to keep up with on this Thursday night.
First, there was a brief appearance at a Christmas gathering. Then, there was Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Grey’s Anatomy (DVR was in action), Parenthood, College Football Awards from Orlando (history made with four awards going to players from the ACC!) and then the Broncos hosting the Chargers. It is cold in Denver, but the Chargers and their defense have not seemed to be bothered by it.
More tomorrow on this…final from Denver and the College Football Awards.
Clearly, I need a life (or not!) Final from Denver, Chargers 27 – Denver 20. Bad loss for Denver (now 11 – 3). If New England goes onto to win and tie things up, and it comes down to a tiebreak, Denver loses due to their loss at New England. Not a good night for Peyton and the Broncos. Not happy! Bummer…DVR time.
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