Sports Blog: 11/19/21

No, the Patriots aren’t going to win the Super Bowl. At least, you know, uhh, I don’t think so. Right?

No, the Patriots aren’t even going to the Super Bowl. Right? I mean, I’m pretty sure, you know?

But that’s five straight for the Pats. It’s all about complementary football. And situational football. And some people think their coach is pretty good, too.

The Patriots aren’t going to the Super Bowl. (Right?) But the good people of Buffalo have mass indigestion this morning. Objects in mirror may be closer than you think.

The Falcons have not scored a touchdown in more than two games. Does that take any luster away from the Cowboys’ defensive performance in last week’s 43-3 shellacking of Atlanta?

We will determine the true state of the Dallas D Sunday in K.C. The Chiefs are once again looking like the Chiefs. It would probably be a good idea to keep an eye on 87.

The Enneffell is ramping up its COVID protocols for Thanksgiving. Additional testing. Stricter mask regulations. (Unless you’re Aaron Rodgers?) And maybe some video surveillance on Bucs’ WR Antonio Brown? AB has been accused of obtaining a fake vax card for fifty bucks.

The Ligg (as Mel Kuiper Jr. pronounces it) is also cracking down on taunting opponents. Officials are throwing flags like wedding rice. So wipe that smile off your face, CeeDee. And don’t wave at that cornerback. And, while you’re at it, tuck in your jersey. And pull up your socks. And…

Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf said yesterday that he needs to avoid on-field outbursts like the one that got him tossed last Sunday against the Packers. But in the very next breath, Metcalf said that he’ll never back down from anything. Translation? He hasn’t learned a damn thing.

All support to Titans receiver A.J. Brown, who has been open about his chronic depression that last year triggered thoughts of suicide. Brown has taken to social media in an effort to help others. That’s being a good human teammate.

I’m fascinated to find out what UTSA’s game plan will be Saturday against UAB. Coach Traylor could take this several different directions, on both sides of the ball. I’d probably go Smashmouff, but Traylor is light years ahead of me (and pretty much everybody else).

Have you checked out the hemmets the Roadrunners are gonna wear? Sweet! Don’t mess with The Two-One-Oh!

One Response

Ben says:

November 19, 2021 at 4:15 pm

I like watching football without an analytic eye. My superficial takeaway from last night: Pats QB looked comfortable and when he threw the ball, his teammate caught it damn near every time. simple enough.

Reply

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.