Sports Blog: 09/01/21 – Radically Rational

Sports Blog: 09/01/21

Random thought. Just once, I’d like to hear someone use the metaphor, “It’s a sprint, not a marathon.”

Funny how some folks flame out late in camp. I’d a bet a cheeseburger three weeks ago that Garrett Gilbert would be the Cowboys’ backup QB behind Dak. Meltdown. So now the ‘Boys Rush to Cooper. I would not be in a hurry.

Please don’t say “Cam.” That makes no sense at any level.

No, I’m not surprised The Hoodie went with Mac. If you recall, I predicted it three days ago. Belichick doesn’t want a running QB. He wants a guy who can run his multiple offense and is not limited in the throws he can make. Once it was clear Mac was ahead of schedule, this was a wrap. And Cam made the decision easier with his COVID protocol “misunderstanding.”

Look, I’m not predicting a HOF career for Me and Mr. Jones. (Not ruling it out, either.) But he does have a thing goin’ on. Yes, he reminds me of a young Brady in many ways.

The Hoodie wants to run the hell out of the ball. And he has the people to do it. He just doesn’t want his QB to be his leading rusher.

It’s a rough sport. Michael Thomas, PUP. (Why did you wait until June to have your ankle surgery?)

Stephon Gilmore. PUP.

David Bakhtiari. PUP.

PUP is a vicious dog.

Why would any NFL team sign a free agent or waiver wire player if he were not vaccinated? They won’t.

I am far from sold on Tua as an NFL QB. Clearly, the Dolphins aren’t, either.

Nicky names Bryce Young as his starting QB. Now the young man (Young, not Nicky), who has never started a game for the Tide, can start pocketing the $900,000 in NIL money he already has lined up. “It’s rollin’, baby!”

Of course, his ‘Bama understudy, incoming freshman Quinn Ewers, already has a $1.4 million deal lined up. Awkward.

First big weekend of college football coming up. Best game on the slate? I have no idea. Most fun? Texas Tech at Houston.

Hell, yes, I’d give Jimbo a raise. Hell, yes, I would.

Finally, I can’t decide if that new Applebee’s campaign is the most annoying thing I’ve ever seen, or pure marketing genius. Fancy like. I guess I just answered my own question.

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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.