Saturday, October 5, 2013

Reaction to Chuckie's brutal knee injury



 Chuckie Keeton walks off Merlin Olsen Field Friday night with crutches and
a knee brace. Keeton left the game Friday night versus BYU tied 7-7, but the 
Aggies ultimatley fell, 31-14.

I don’t have words to describe the emotions that existed in my gut until the bottom dropped out and coursed throughout my being when Chuckie went down. From my vantage point it looked bad, but I had no idea it could sideline him the rest of the season.

Then I came upon the gif. I was already panicking with disbelief and now there was reason to cry. I couldn’t muster up the tears because my state of shock continued for minutes, perhaps hours.

The field general that was leading the charge to put Utah State football back on the map was taken from us on a play that showed for the second time in the game that he could run on BYU. He likely only suffered a torn ACL, but my love for the wizard I commonly referred to in texts as “my man CK” had reached unprecedented heights. Not only was I openly cheering for the Aggies to beat my childhood Cougars, I wanted this to be the night Chuckie undisputedly captured the Utah Quarterback Championship Belt.

Taysom sure as hell didn’t take it from him, but he played well. Yet I digress, because Hill is not Señor Keeton. Sr. Keeton throws touchdown passes that hit his receivers in perfect stride to the extent that they’re even often surprised a football landed in their lap.

I’ll miss you Chuckie. Get well soon is a silly sentiment to express, but my denial coma prevents me from digging into the depths of my fear to ask you to just promise us now that you’ll rehab and come back for your senior season ready to take the Beehive Boot from the jerks who think they’re better than you.

The question that will now linger like the product of bad flatulence until next year is: Is Keeton injury-prone? A neck injury ended his freshman season and now his junior season looks like it’s in the books. I would scoff at the idea and point to some of the hits (See Kyle Van Noy link below) that he took in 2012 in Provo and PLAYED THROUGH. He’s going to “rub some dirt on it (kid), and get back out there” better than ever.

Attempts to convince myself of a bright future fail at this point. *Veronica the little spoiled bitch from the chocolate factory voice* I WANT TO WATCH HIM NOW!

Travis Wilson and Taysom Hill. Taysom Hill and Travis Wilson. Wilson Travis and Hill Taysom. LiL SomTay H and Trav Wilis-Son. The possible cool names that could be created by rearranging the letters of their names are endless, but they don’t change the fact that Chuck “Kie” Etone is who they both should be looking up to.

They’re bigger and perhaps stronger. Chuckie is like He-man though, and would conquer both of their teams if it wasn’t for Skeletor (KVN) and that little puppet (or whatever the hell Orko [Andy Philips] was).

My man crush is down. We have to go on a break, according to doctors. I just hope it isn’t one of those deals where one of the partners says they’re going out for cigarettes and never comes back.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Reds playoff preview

Johnny Cueto grimaces in pain during the first 
inning of the Game 1 of the 2012 NLDS.


To say that I am nervously anticipating the National League Wild Card matchup tonight would be an understatement. Dusty Baker is essentially wagering the Reds' World Series chances on Johnny Cueto's oblique/lat/leg/brain muscles. 

After 17 seasons without a postseason series win, my anxiety is overpowering my excitement. Sure Cueto looked good in his two outings since he returned from the disabled list, but his latest 7 innings of work came against the hapless Mets, which was preceded by 5 innings facing the Houston (just in case you forgot where they play) Astros.

Cueto's line since returning is solid: 12 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 10 K but again it came versus two teams going nowhere fast. Eighteen of his outs recorded came by way of the ground ball in those two games, while 15 putouts were recorded on flyouts.

The Reds' hopes aren't only tied to Johnny's muscle stability/strength but also his ability to keep balls down in what will likely be stellar hitting conditions at PNC Park. 

I don't want to admit it but I wouldn't be surprised if we see Sam Lecure in tomorrow night's game. Johnny's 12 innings of pitching at the Major League level over the past three plus months came on 181 pitches. Even if Cueto holds up and can give 6 solid, he'll likely have a pitch count up around 100, which Dusty, considering his past, will not want to surpass by much. 

Johnny was erratic at best in his last start. He was aided by a couple of spectacular defensive plays, and walked three guys despite getting some lucky strike calls throughout the game. I am nervous, and the only thing that would settle my worries would be Jay or random player X giving JC some early run support.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

A ballad to Tony Romo and a week two preview



Hey there Tony Romo what’s it like in Dallas, Texas
I’m a thousand miles away
But tonight you look so witty, yes you do
Cowboys Stadium’s lights can’t shine as bright as you, I swear it’s true

Why do I reference a song by a group called Plain White T’s and the best quarterback on the face of the planet in the same stanza? Well let me finish.


Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
What you do to me

I’ve never loved anyone as polarizing as Antonio Ramiro Romo. It’s an enjoyable roller coaster ride, but occasionally we get jerked around so much that I get nauseous.

Even after losing my lunch, I keep getting back in the long line that takes forever just to make substantial progress towards the destination. Pray tell us, why submit to never-ending torment?

Quite simply he is the best quarterback to wear the star on his helmet since a three-time super bowl winner had the reigns.

Good news: it appears he is playing on a team with a defense capable of creating turnovers!
Line: Cowboys at Chiefs (-3)

I like the Cowboys to give the points. My personal bias accounts for exactly three points, so thanks to my undying love of the most unproven superstar quarterback ever, I am certain of at least a push.

I was in Peru last time they played, so unfortunately I have no luck when trying to conjure up happy thoughts in Arrowhead. Yes I remember Todd Haley was coaching the Chiefs, and Miles blew up. It might’ve single-handedly earned him $57 million.

Even by dismissing my bias, I like the Boys in this one. Silly to say right? Well, the Chiefs were 2-14 last year. I like Andy Reid, and his new team already looks poised to win at least five more games than they did last year, but all we have to go on is a 28-2 win against Alabama’s arch rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Again the prospects of playing in Arrowhead horrify me, but I just think the Cowboys are at least a 7-10 point better team than the Chiefs at this point. They are more talented, and their vaunted pass rush might get Anthony “namesake” Spencer back.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Chiefs 17

The Cowboys did remind the world last week that despite how many turnovers they accumulate, their defense is never actually putting you away until you throw an elevated pass that bounces off your receiver’s hands and is returned for a touchdown.

Alex Smith will find holes between Barry “if you a scared mofo go to” Church and Will.I.Am.just.slightly.better.than.Sensabaugh.Allen. So let’s just hope Dwayne Bowe only catches one or two deeps balls.

Regardless, The “I swear Monte Kiffin is in charge (let’s be serious - Rod is the mastermind)” defense will pick off Smith at least once, and rush him often.

Tony will throw for 200+, even if he has to do it with Bill Callahan trying to turn him into Rich
Gannon, and Dez will haul in his first TD of the season. You know J Wit is getting another, and Demarco should be able to find holes behind T Fed and co.

OK, so my bias isn’t being put aside at all, but I’m confident. Wow, I just sounded a lot like JJ.

Speaking of Jay-ree Joanz, how about his history with wide receivers? Dez is really the only player drafter at the position in the past decade to ever become anything. Getting Miles was like catching lightning in a bottle twice when you consider he and America’s quarterback were discovered around the same time (albeit this was during the Parcells era, which I would rank only below Landry’s and Jimmy’s).

Jerry traded a first and a third for the right to own a receiver who is only remembered for flashing hook’em horns after the seldom occurrence that he would score a touchdown. He gave up two firsts for a burner that everyone swore was still coming into his prime even though his style of play always destined him to an injury prone career.

Hey let’s not forget about Raghib Ismail, who Jerry gave $21 million to in a move that proved his inability to separate his pre-draft ratings and reality when evaluating personnel (really could be better summed up as personal bias - see Quincy Carter, Marion Barber, etc).
That’s right Jerry, I detest almost every decision you make. But to finish on a more positive note…

You’ll know it’s all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there Antonio here’s to you
This one’s for you