06/07/22 – Radically Rational

06/07/22

Life is a funny place. Life in the NFL is even funnier. After everything plays out, you know who the Browns’ starting quarterback will be in 2022? Baker Mayfield. You want drama?

A 24^th sexual misconduct civil suit has been filed against Deshaun Watson. The season is approaching like a runaway freight train. The Jolly Roger is not going to have the luxury of letting this all “play out” before he makes a decision about Watson’s availability. There could be even more surprises ahead.. Sure, I could be wrong. But I feel more strongly than ever that Goodell is going to sit Watson down for the entire season. And I think that is the right decision.

It’s mandatory mini-camp time in the NFL. Eleven teams get down to business this week, with 18 more next week. Show us what you got, if anything, Jordan Love. I’m a skeptic. What are the 49ers thinking about Garoppolo? Now or never, Daniel Jones. Who’s gonna play quarterback in Pittsburgh? Geno Smith will sail past Drew Lock. Whatcha gonna do, Dalton Schultz?

DAMN THIS IS FUN!

My respect and affection for Romeo Crennel knows no bounds. Extremely well done, Good Sir. Enjoy your retirement. “I consider every guy I coached or worked with a part of my family.” THAT is the essence of the Coaching Calling.

There was never a doubt that Tim Tebow would be a dismal failure as an NFL quarterback, and I called that shot from the jump. (You can look it up.) But there is also no doubt that he was one of the greatest players in college football history. Hell, yes, he belongs in the College Football Hall of Fame. Truth be told, so does Ryan Leaf. But that nomination is going to be more problematic for the voters, for a variety of reasons.

I looked up the Italian derivation of the surname D’Antoni. It means “retread.” How does this guy stay in contention for NBA head coaching jobs?

We only thought Phil “Smarmy” Mickelson had seen the error of his ways. Nope. We have now just reconfirmed that he a ho. And that makes you a pimp, Greg Norman. You are who you hang with. They hang with murderers.

I’m really into this NBA Finals series. Yeah, I’m as surprised as you are.

Leave a Reply Cancel 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.