Wait, That's Gravy?: Sunday Musings Pt. 2

Friends ... forgive-a-ness, please.

Holiday week be damned, I promised bloggings earlier this week and I did not deliver. It was a busy week in our little household but that's certainly no excuse. I welcome any and all criticism.

At any rate, more words from moi.


Burgundy, Gold, and Conflicted:
I tweeted this prior to this Sunday's game vs the Seahawks.

"oTHATjohn: #skins need to improve draft position. that said the seahawks are a lot worse than their record shows. gna be an awkward game to watch."

Ugh.

Look, I can't bring myself to stop caring and/or root for the Redskins to lose. That said, even I can recognize 'good losses' would go a lot further in helping this team improve long term than any ugly wins. A franchise QB Rex Grossman is not. Bringing in Peyton Manning would be tantamount to trading for McNabb. The best shot at addressing the QB position long term lies in the 2012 NFL Draft and beating a crappy Seahawks team hurts the 'skins chances at landing that QB.

Like many Redskin fans, I'm glad this team isn't ready to fold, which is a testament to the job Shanny and team have done to change the culture in DC. But the skins are still a long way from being contenders so winning now does not advance their aspirations. Sucks being a fan and it sucks worse to be real. I need an adult.

Tim Tebow: 

Seriously, how?

I have no problem w/ his bible thumping. None whatsoever. I just cannot wrap my head around his success. Credit to John Fox and the Denver coaching staff for putting #15 in a position to win. But more credit to TIMMAY. There's obviously something innate in his ability to lead his troops and ... eff it, HOW DOES HE DO IT?

Pacquiao/Marquez 3:

Enough bitching. Manny won.

You are DELUSIONAL if you think any challenger can take no less than three rounds 'off' against a champion ... in a close fight ... and expect to win. Ask De La Hoya how that strategy worked in his fight against Tito Trinidad. (Hint: It doesn't.)

So there was no robbery. At best, it was too close to call. At worst, it was a narrow decision for the champ. Either way, it's embarrassing for a fighter to sit and bemoan his lot in sport and in life when said fighter had every opportunity to change that outcome. (FYI, it's even more embarrassing for that fighter to bemoan whilst sitting on a stool, butt naked, with nothing but sombrero to cover the goods.)

So again ... enough bitching.

UFC on Fox:

The biggest disappointment about that night? That no one got to see Benson 'Bendo' Henderson battle Clay Guida. (Yes, I was watching on Facebook but better yet, did anyone else?)

If you missed it, trust me when I say: It was absolute magic.

Other than that, no complaints. If you've watched any combat sport in your life, you know that knockouts happen. And SURPRISE! It happened. Even the supposed 'baddest man on the planet' (Cain Velasquez) is not immune to such a fate.

Now, did the UFC casually leave out that Cain was making his return after a 12 month layoff from the octagon? Sure, but who could blame them. They had a fight to sell. And despite the fact that neither fighter, Cain or Junior Dos Santos, carried the name recognition of a Brock Lesnar or a GSP, they had the numbers on their side ... and by numbers, I mean pounds. Nothing looks better on a marquee than the word 'heavyweight' and Fox took that ball and ran with it.

The cross promotion with the NFL on Fox was tremendous, and the numbers (5.7 million viewers, 3.1 share) scream success. From a ratings standpoint, I can't imagine either the UFC or Fox being any happier for an initial telecast. For a casual fan, it was obviously a bit of a let down, especially when you consider the action packed nature of a typical UFC card.

That said, the UFC and Fox have a long way to go in their relationship. There will be growing pains. There will be hiccups. But all in all, UFC on Fox served as a nice first date.

UFC 139:

Having said that, if you're upset about the UFC giving away a heavyweight title fight FOR FREE and you didn't pony up any buckos to see UFC 139 the following week, well then I would politely ask you to keep your MMA thoughts to yourself. Your bitching privileges have been suspended.

The card (in short): Shogun/Henderson. Cung/Wanderlei. Faber/Bowles. Unbelievable card. Not that they needed to but the UFC more than made up for the previous week by delivering with this card. Just a delight.

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With that, I will bid you all a fine Monday. Mahalo. Guten nacht.