Sports Blog: 08/22/21 – Radically Rational

Sports Blog: 08/22/21

Being a fan can be a pathetic existence. But, gee, didn’t Dak look good in that pre-game throwing session? He did, actually. So, I will take heart.

No shortage of heart from the Texans. For the second straight week, they just played harder than their opponent. Understand, they are still vectored toward a 4-13 regular season, but David Culley has already elevated that team’s culture.

But the Proctors of the Preseason? Your Baltimore Ravens. Nineteen straight preseason victories? Last franchise that did that was the Lombardi Packers from 1959 to 1962. The Ravens appear to take genuine pride in their streak. Quirky, but kinda cute. (Did I just use the word “cute”?)

Certain teams really do throw off a pre-season vibe on their way to something great. I’m getting that feeling from the Bills.

Mitchell came back to Soldier Field. Mitchell sliced and diced his old team. Mitchell appeared to enjoy it.

Andy Dalton wasn’t having nearly as much fun. And now Bears fans are clamoring for Justin (Strawberry) Fields. I understand the buzz. The Kid is an impressive and exciting athlete. The Kid also has absolutely no idea what he’s doing yet. Nagy would be wise to stay the course with Red, at least through the first half of the season.

Yeah, I saw those throws Zach Wilson made. I also see those skinny little shoulders. Don’t tell me that’s not a problem. See, “Rosen, Josh.”

That didn’t look good for Falcons backup QB A.J. McCarron. No contact on the play, but now apparently no right ACL. The sport sucks sometimes. Wishing him the best.

Mike McCarthy says there is now urgency in deciding on a back-up QB. In other words, he’s in a “Rush.” Hell, I don’t know. But right now, Cooper Rush does appear to be able to push the ball downfield a little more than Garrett Gilbert can. Cowboy fans had just better hope they don’t see either one of them once the regular season starts.

Hey, Sha’Carri Richardson. Dial down the ‘tude, willya? There, I said it.

And, hey, Manny P. No mas, man.

But, hey, Dak really did look good in that pre-game, non-contact throwing session, so…

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.