2007 NFL Predictions – NFC August 28, 2007
Posted by Matt in Football, sports.Tags: NFC, NFL, predictions
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Originally posted 8/28/07
Here are my predictions for the NFC side of the league. Let me know what you think.
NFC Predictions
NFC East
Philadelphia 11-5
Dallas 10-6
NY Giants 6-10
Washington 4-12
NFC North
Chicago 11-5
Green Bay 8-8
Detroit 7-9
Minnesota 6-10
NFC South
New Orleans 12-4
Carolina 9-7
Tampa Bay 5-11
Atlanta 4-12
NFC West
San Francisco 9-7
St. Louis 9-7
Arizona 8-8
Seattle 5-11
Philadelphia: Despite losing the Randy Moss lottery, things are looking rather bright in Philly. Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb returns from two injury-shortened seasons with a chip on his shoulder to prove that he truly is one of the league’s elite. Brian Westbrook is one of the best dual threat running backs in the league (over 1,900 total yards and 11 TDs in 2006) and the receiving tandem of Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis should be adequate. Their offensive line ranks among the best in the league with players like Arkansas’ Shawn Andrews. The defense is still strong, with aging stars like 6 time Pro Bowl FS Brian Dawkins and newcomer LB Takeo Spikes and should be able to hold their own in the weaker NFC.
Dallas: QB Tony Romo returns from his game-losing performance in last year’s playoffs with the intent to prove that he is not just a one-year wonder with a hot girlfriend. The excellent running back tandem of Julius Jones and Marion Barber should again split carries in the ‘Boys powerful ground attack. New coach Wade Phillips may have his hands full, though, with the ultra-talented but unpredictable Terrell Owens. On defense, Dallas has a young line which, in time, could prove to be very effective, a decent linebacking corps, led by Pro Bowl-nominated DeMarcus Ware, and a killer secondary consisting of one of the best CBs in the league in Terence Newman, 3 time Pro Bowl SS Roy Williams and hard-hitting former Razorback Ken Hamlin. If Romo come back strong and Owens behaves, this could be the team to beat in the NFC.
New York Giants: Eli Manning’s uninspiring play must have Giant fans questioning him as the franchise savior because, to put it lightly, he’s not in the same league as his big brother. WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are slowing down and, while rookie Sinorice Moss is a good bet for the future, this year he’ll be learning from the veterans in front of him. Promising RB Brandon Jacobs takes over for retired great Tiki Barber and, though he could be great in the future, this year behind a shaky offensive line will be tough. The Giants have two Pro Bowl defensive lineman in Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan – if he should come back and play the season – but the rest of the squad is average at best. Don’t expect much out of Tom Coughlin’s crew in ’07.
Washington: Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs is back for his fourth season in his return to the sideline, but Redskins fans have to be asking themselves whether or not he’s still got it in him to be a winner. This year’s chances are staked on young QB Jason Campbell and an excellent running back duo in Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts (who could each run for 1,000 yards). Santana Moss has proven to be a good number one receiver, but thusfar noone has stepped to the line with him. Pro Bowl LB Marcus Washington returns to lead the defense, but in a squad filled with aging players and brazen thugs like Sean Taylor, he will have his work cut out for him. This should be Gibbs’ last season in his failed coaching comeback.
Chicago
Last year’s Super Bowl runners up return this year with another stout defense and a desire to get back to the big game. The Bear’s top offensive threat in 2006, RB Thomas Jones, is gone to the New York Jets, so Chicago will be counting on Cedric Benson to carry the ground game this year and on QB Rex Grossman to improve on his image as the worst quarterback to ever play in a Super Bowl. The stars of this team, though, are not on the offensive side of the ball. Five time Pro Bowler and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year LB Brian Ulracher leads another stellar group that should again dominate the NFC. If two time Pro Bowl LB Lance Briggs is able to overcome his recent legal troubles, he should be back as the perfect yin to Urlacher’s violent yang. Pro Bowl DE Adewale Ogunleye and two-time Pro Bowl DT Tommie Harris anchor a tough line that allowed under 100 yards rushing in 2006. Pro Bowlers SS Mike Brown and CB Nathan Vasher led a excellent secondary that helped collect 24 interceptions last season. This team’s talent resides on the defensive side of the ball, but its fortunes for 2007 rest on an offense that must improve from last year.
Green Bay – How much longer can 8 time Pro Bowl, 3 time MVP, former Offensive Player of the Year QB Brett Favre keep hanging on and playing effectively? At age 37 and with the talented Aaron Rodgers waiting in the wings behind him, this may be it for the future Hall of Famer. His favorite target, WR Donald Driver is back for another dependable 1,200+ yard season and Vernand Morency takes over this season as the feature running back – with decent line play he’ll have a good year. The Packers’ most reliable defensive unit resides on the line with Pro Bowl DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, but they really need some other young players to step up this season for them to show much success. Don’t expect Favre to go out on top this year.
Detroit – When high-flying former St. Louis coach Mike Martz took over at Detroit as offensive coordinator, Lions fans knew they could expect some major fireworks and big plays. They have seemingly made an art form out of selecting bust receivers (with the exception of Roy Williams) with high draft picks, but this year’s can’t miss prospect, Calvin Johnson, seems destined for big things. Veteran QB Jon Kitna put up some of the best numbers of his career in 2006 and you can expect similar things this season. RB Kevin Jones had a promising rookie season in ’04, but has since fallen into mediocrity – can he return big this season? Detroit will have to put up some big numbers, too, because their defense is just plain awful. Even the presence of former Razorback Kenoy Kennedy isn’t enough to save this terrible defensive unit.
Minnesota – Can you expect good things to happen when you are counting on the unproven Tavaris Jackson at QB with little receiving help around him? Running back Chester Taylor had over 1,200 yards rushing last season, but the talk in Viking circles centers around rookie Adrian Peterson. Last season, the Viking defense, led by DTs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, were the best in the league against the run, holding opponents to only 61.6 yards per game, but can the rest of the unit catch up? This is going to be a long year in Minneapolis.
New Orleans – The Saints were undoubtedly the surprise team of 2006, coming back from a 3-13 2005 and one of the worst natural disasters in American history to win 12 games and vault into the playoffs. QB Drew Brees led the league in passing yards last year with 4,418 and now he and his dynamic running back duo of Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush are primed for more. New Orleans, though, must get more out of their average-at-best defense in order to be Super Bowl contendors.
Carolina – Yeah, I know I made a mistake last year by predicting the Panthers to win it all, but I will not err in the same way again this time….at least not with Carolina. The Double De’s – DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams are key to the Panthers’ offensive success this year, but they really need QB Jake Delhomme to overcome his inconsistency and utilize the team’s strengths – i.e. the best receiver in the league, Steve Smith. The defense is solid, with 3 time Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers anchoring the line, former Pro Bowl LB Dan Morgan and a decent secondary. In order for Carolina to get out of the trap of mediocrity, they need some big leadership from Delhomme.
Tampa Bay – Following the 2002 regular season, coach Jon Gruden led the Bucs to their first Super Bowl championship….with Tony Dungy’s players. Since then, Tampa Bay has reverted back to their old losing ways, culminating with a 4-12 record in 2006, and Gruden is fighting for his job. Over the offseason, they brought in 37 year old QB Jeff Garcia to push along injury-prone Chris Simms and try to save the franchise. RB Cadillac Williams had a fantastic rookie season in ‘05 before falling apart last season and, with an offensive line as poor as this one, don’t expect him to comeback strong in ‘07. Their once mighty defense is still talented but, with 6 starters over the age of 30, their effectiveness will be somewhat limited. Look for more struggles from the west coast of Florida this season and probably a new coach for next.
Atlanta – Even before it was discovered that the vastly overrated Michael Vick enjoyed watching dogs maul each other to death and that he may soon reside in a federal PMITA prison, I was never quite sold on the Falcons as contenders, but, without their QB, this season will be a total waste. RBs Warrick Dunn and Jerrious Norwood will have to carry the load of the offense because, once again, there are few options in the passing game. The Falcons still have a decent defense, with veterans like DE John Abraham, LB Keith Brooking, and CB DeAngelo Hall leading the charge, but it won’t be enough…even in the weaker NFC. The dog-fighting spectre will hang over the team all season and replacement QB Joey Harrington has never proven to be anything but a collosal bust, so this will be a long, long season for fans in Atlanta.
San Francisco – After four straight years of under .500 football, the 49ers are poised to again be a factor in the league. Their offensive skill players are young, talented, and hungry to win – with former #1 pick QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore who was among the league leaders in yards rushing in 2006, and TE Vernon Davis who may be a star in the making. Add in free agent acquisition WR Darrell Jackson and you’ve got an excellent core. The offensive line leaves much to be desired, but, if they can improve on their poor play last season, there will be alot of points scored on the bay in 2007. Last season the 49ers defense was the worst in the NFL, so, with hopes of competing this year, the front office went out and did everything they could to improve, bringing in 2 time Pro Bowl CB Nate Clements and drafting 6 new defenders to overhaul the entire system. The NFC West is a defense-poor conference, so if San Fran can just play average on that side of the ball, they could take the division.
St. Louis – Another entry in the most exciting offensive division in the league, the Rams will no doubt score a ton of points this season. RB Steven Jackson is one of the three best backs in the league and at age 24 he may get even better. QB Marc Bulger started his career with a reputation for being interception-prone, but last year with over 4,300 yards, 28 TDs, and only 8 Ints, he put that to rest and became one of the most efficient signal callers in the league. The offseason additons of WR Drew Bennett and TE Randy McMichael give him excellent options in addition to the great Torry Holt and the venerable Isaac Bruce. The rub, though, comes with the defense which played poorly in 2006 and little was done to upgrade over the offseason. The Rams should be able to score massive amounts of points and they will most likely have to in order to counteract their sorry D’.
Arizona – The Cardinals are absolutely loaded at their skill positions with players like QB Matt Leinart, WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and RB Edgerrin James, but, once again, questions reside on their offensive line. Can the O-line improve enough to let the big players in the backfield take over? Their division is not strong defensively, so they should play fine against their fellow NFC West squads and put up plenty of points on the scoreboard. On defense, they have two Pro Bowl players in DE Bertrand Berry and S Adrian Wilson, who join a nondescript squad that is perhaps average at best. The Cardinals are a team on the way up, but eight straight losing seasons have taken their toll, and, though they may play well and show great improvement, my guess is that they won’t be ready to challenge until ‘08.
Seattle – After 4 straight playoff appearances including one Super Bowl berth, it might not make much sense to put the Seahawks at the back of the line in the NFC West. Only two seasons ago, Shaun Alexander was the best running back in the league, but, after an injury-plagued 2006 and turning 30 over the summer, does he have what it takes to be an elite back again? Losing Darrell Jackson was a big blow to slightly-above-mediocre QB Matt Hasselbeck, and WR Deion Branch will have to pick up the slack. The offensive line is good and should open up plenty of holes for Alexander to run through. Veteran DE Patrick Kerney joins the defense this year to try and help them develop some sort of pass rush. LBs Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu have 5 Pro Bowls between them and spearhead a good linebacking corps. The secondary played decently in 2006, but they will have to do better than that to stop the high-flying antics of the Seahawks’ high-flying NFC West opponents. The Seahawks, just like any other team in this division, could easily come out on top and into the playoffs if the breaks fall their way.
Waiting on a Plane August 27, 2007
Posted by Matt in random.Tags: airplane, Atlanta, Boston, work
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Originally Posted 8/27/07
As promised in last night’s entry, here are the journal entries I wrote last night as I awaited my flight home. To set the stage, our plane was to fly away at 7:30, but stormy weather in Hot’lanta held us up at Logan for about at hour before our plane could take off. My writing picks up after we landed in Atlanta.
10:50pm
We have finally landed in the ATL, our hulking bundle of flying metal has come to a stop on the vast asphalt plain, of which I can’t help but feel some sadness at the fields of God’s green earth covered up with this ugly mixture of crude petroleum products, but, for some seemingly inexplicable reason, we are not at a terminal, the door is shut, and the passengers are still seated with a slight sense of unease at the peculiar situation. Finally, after a few agonizingly slow moments, the Captain’s soft, reasurring voice came over the loudspeaker like an unearthly vocalization emitting from a fiery shrub, apologizing profusely for the work of Thor’s mighty divine hammer crashing in the heavens with anger and effectively shutting down all air travel. To make matters worse, there is no room at the looming terminal for our flying apparatus to unload due to the large number of planes waiting in front of us and, with no metaphorical manger to rest our weary souls, we must abide patiently.
11:20pm
T he passengers are becoming quite restless on the unmoving aeronautical vehicle despite the Captain’s assurances of zen-like serenity from on high that our time will surely come. Due to the seemingly deaf and mute stranger on my left and the talkative lady on my right who obviously speaks very little English, I am understandably bored. My flight to Memphis was scheduled to leave at this very moment, but alas, the tarmac continues to hold us hostage, so I dug up a phone number for AirTran and called, hoping for some small bit of information to soothe my troubled mind. The answer, while not exactly optimal, is certainly not as terrible as it could be – my flight has been pushed to depart at 2:40am, with an arrival in Memphis at nearly 3:00am (they are in different time zones). Ouch, this will be a long night.
12:00am
Finally, the somewhat consoling sound of the gasoline-fueled apparatus kicking on, causing dual thoughts of salvation by the wonder of combustion powered engines and the slow asphyxiation of our atmosphere becoming more polluted than it was seconds earlier quickly dash through my brain like a crack-smoking rabbit, causes my heart to leap with momentary joy. Soon we begin slowly rolling toward the terminal and the waiting utopia of sticky plastic-seated benches and chairs. The agitation of my fellow flyers has calmed a bit as we move forward, slowly approaching our final destinations.
12:15am
The rolling momentum ended at last and the multitude of people aboard the flying vessel suddenly cram their tired bodies into the narrow walkway between the rows of seating as if they are fighting for a sip of water after a 10 mile hike in the desert, jostling to reach the outside world first.
12:45am
After walking the blandly tiled corridors for what seemed like an eternity, we finally came to the realization that must ride aboard the airport train to reach the correct terminal. Soon we board the rather slow moving vessel which carries us directly to our fated dwelling place. The overly crowded waiting area is teeming with sweaty, tired human souls, the quiet desperation of late or cancelled flightly permeating the air with a distint atmosphere trepidation. And the time rolls on…
1:30am
The line across from our open vestibule, populated with those poor souls who will unexpectedly be spending the night in Atlanta while waiting for another escape from the madness that is an airport in the wee hours of the morning, has steadily gotten longer and longer, snaking around corners and posts and completely filling one side of the rather large walkway. A departing flight to Richmond that was originally scheduled to leave at 8:30 just vacated the overflowing airport for their destination, thinning the stifling thick crowd somewhat. The thin pad underneath the clingy blue plastic stretched taut across the chair I have been residing in for the past 45 minutes has begun to lose what little effectiveness it had, leaving with a sore rear end as I take regular glances at the bright blue (what is it with that color and airports anyway?) clock on the wall. People are laying across the tortuously uncomfortable seating, futilely attempting to rest amid the bustle and bright lights, but I can’t see the effectiveness in such a venture, so I grab a caffeine-laden carbonated beverage in my attempt to stay awake and alert as long as needed.
2:30am
At long last a voice from on high again comes over the loudspeakers, but this time speaking those desired words that som many of us have been waiting so terribly long to hear, “Atlanta to Memphis, now boarding.” The crowd moved together as one, like a single organism with only one purpose in mind. The plane loaded quickly amid the constant consternations to hurry up and beat the storm and soon the pilot began preparations to take off. Prior to giving everyone safety instructions that noone actually ever listens to, the flight attendant greeted us in her overly-sweet faux-friendly voice, “Good morning…”
I don’t recall the last time I was purposefully awake to this depth of nightfall and my only hope at this time is that it won’t happen again anytime soon. But, at least we are finally on our way home to beautiful, glorious (well, maybe not) Memphis.
2:50am
With no lights on and barely any words spoken for the entire hour in the air, the final leg of our voyage home was quckly ending. The lights of home are spread out under us like a blanket of stars, twinkling with the tranquil light of home, beckoning us to our beds and to that gloriously blissful few hours of sleep that await before dawn and screaming children. Oh, but those heavenly moments of peace will be worth it…
2007 NFL Predictions – AFC August 21, 2007
Posted by Matt in Football, sports.Tags: AFC, NFL, predictions
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Originally Posted 8/21/07
The moment you’ve all been waiting for….my 2007 NFL predictions!
AFC Predictions
AFC East
New England 12-4
New York Jets 8-8
Miami 6-10
Buffalo 5-11
AFC North
Baltimore 13-3
Cincinnati 10-6
Pittsburgh 9-7
Cleveland 3-13
AFC South
Indianapolis 11-5
Jacksonville 10-6
Tennessee 6-10
Houston 5-11
AFC West
San Diego 13-3
Denver 10-6
Kansas City 8-8
Oakland 2-14
New England: With a greatly improved receiving corps (Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, and Wes Welker), Tom Brady & Co. seem poised for another run at the Super Bowl. Their Pro Bowl-laden top 5 defense remains one of the best in the league and should again dominate the AFC East. Coach Bill Belichick has had two seasons in a row without a championship after winning three in four years, so look for him to pull out all the stops this time around.
New York Jets: The Jets were a big surprise to some people (including me) in 2006, following up their terrible 4-12 campaign in ’05 with a 10-6 season and a playoff appearance. The addition of Thomas Jones, who excelled in Chicago the last two seasons, should bolster their running game, but with an injury-prone mediocre QB and an average defense, don’t expect more than .500 in 2007.
Miami: New head coach Cam Cameron has been called on to pick up the pieces after the two-season Nick Saban debacle and, needless to say, he will have his hands full. The Fins have put their offensive trust in 37 year-old QB Trent Green behind a shaky offensive line. Though he has decent weapons in Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers, this year will be a struggle. The offseason addition of LB Joey Porter bolsters an already strong defensive unit and they will have to take control for Miami to find any success this season.
Buffalo: Drafting RB Marshawn Lynch was a good step for the future for the Bills, but with an awful offensive line, I wouldn’t expect a lot out of either he or mediocre-at-best QB JP Losman. Losing veteran players like CB Nate Clements and LBs London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes during the offseason, leave a once-good defense in a bit of a lurch that they will have a hard time recovering from this season. Don’t expect much out of the Bills in ’08 as they go forward with the youth movement.
Baltimore: The defense is aging, but stars like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Chris McAlister are poised to again lead this elite group to the top of the AFC North. Last season, the Ravens only allowed 12.6 points/game, 75.9 rushing yards/game, and collected 40 turnovers and 60 sacks. Defense does win football games, indeed. On offense, Steve McNair had a great 2006 and, with a legitimate running threat in Willis McGahee, this unit could make some noise this season.
Cincinnati: Can the Bengals overcome the Achilles heel of their defense this season and take the next step into the playoffs? Their excellent offensive core of Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson, and Chad Johnson are back with one of the better lines in the league and should put up great numbers again. The defense is shaky, and they will need somebody to step up into a leadership role for Cincy to have a chance to make some post-season noise in 2007.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers followed up their magical 2005 championship season with a pedestrian 8-8 record in 2006 and a terrible year for their golden boy QB Ben Roethlisberger. The good news from 2006, though, is that RB Willie Parker dispelled any rumors that he would be a one-season wonder and second year WR Santonio Holmes is ready for a breakout. Despite the loss of Joey Porter, the defense is still strong with players like Troy Polamalu and should again be effective.
Cleveland: Romeo Crennel’s has done a good job of bringing in young talent with players such as WR Braylon Edwards, LB Kamerion Wimbley, and QB of the future Brady Quinn, but this will again be a tough year for Browns fans. Overall, though, their O-line is terrible and their defense may be even worse than that. Last place beckons once again.
Indianapolis: The Colts have endured the inevitable post-Super Bowl offseason, with unrealistic fan expectations for the coming year and the defections of several key components to their champion drive. Of course, the offensive machine returns with its trinity of Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai (who very capably replaced Edgerrin James in ’06), and the venerable Marvin Harrison who just keeps going and going. Despite their strong play in the post-season, the Colts’ D was terrible during the regular season and, with the loss of LB Cato June and CBs Jason David and Nick Harper. They should again take the AFC South.
Jacksonville: The Jags return of the best running back tandems in the league with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, and they should again carry a significant load this season. Though his play has been consistently inconsistent, Byron Leftwich is back at QB and, in order for him succeed, he really needs his receivers, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones(!) to step up. DTs Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, at a combined weight of 631 lbs and 5 Pro Bowls, anchor one of the better front sevens in the league and they should again excel at stuffing opposing running backs.
Tennessee: QB Vince Young led the Titans back into the realm of respectability last season as he spearheaded a big finish to end the season at 8-8. He is back again this season, but this time without RB Tyrone Henry or any proven receivers. LB Keith Bulluck returns on defense, but the absence of “Pacman” Jones will be felt in the secondary. This team was lucky to win 8 games last season and I wouldn’t expect them near .500 in 2007.
Houston: The players once heralded as the future of the franchise, QB David Carr and RB Domanick Williams (formerly Davis – I think he married Texan DE Mario Williams), are gone and in their places are Atlanta cast-off QB Matt Schaub and overrated veteran RB Ahman Green. The Texans do have one of the best receivers in the league in Andre Johnson, but his success will depend on Schaub’s development as a full-time starter. The defense is horrid and, unless they play Betty’s school for blind girls in wheelchairs every week, they won’t be able to stop much of anybody.
San Diego: The Chargers may have the all-around best team in the entire NFL, at least on paper. Of course RB Ladainian Tomlinson is a phenom who has proved that he can run circles around any defense in the league and QB Philip Rivers exceeded expectations last year in his first season as a starter, making everyone forget about Drew Brees, and with the signing of Darrell Jackson over the offseason, he has his first legitimate number one receiver to throw to, making him even more dangerous. On defense, the Chargers are loaded – with players like NT Jamal Williams and LB Shawne Merriman leading the charge. The sky is the limit for San Diego this season.
Denver: After burying two players, CB Darrent Williams and RB Damien Nash, in two months, I’m sure the Bronco players are ready to get started and leave the sorrowful offseason behind them. QB Jay Cutler is back after an impressive rookie campaign in ’06 and looks to improve this season. Denver added RB Tyrone Henry, who will most likely be the latest in the parade of Bronco 1,000 yard rushers and should have a great year behind an excellent line. On defense, they have a sensational secondary led by CBs Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly and a excellent linebacking corps headed by DJ Williams and Ian Gold. If it wasn’t for San Diego, Denver would be my choice to run away with the AFC West, but instead they’ll have to settle with a wild card.
Kansas City: With the recent re-signing of RB Larry Johnson to a longer and well-deserved deal, the Chiefs are set for another season of running through the league with their high-octane offense. The departure of Trent Green leaves a hole at QB, which the Chiefs hope to fill initially with Damon Huard until their man of the future, Brodie Croyle, is ready. Coach Herm Edwards is trying to build the defense into a contender, but there is still much work to be done. Once again, the Chiefs will be a middle-of-the-pack team with a great offense, but lackluster defense.
Oakland: What can be said about last year’s worst team? Even though they did get the first choice in the draft (JeMarcus Russell) they will still be so incredibly bad that I can’t even think of a word to describe it – so I’ll just make one up, crap-tastic
A Homegoing Celebration August 19, 2007
Posted by Matt in church, love.Tags: church, funeral, race
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Originally Posted 8/19/07
A little over a week ago our beloved church secretary, Betty, succumbed to the cancer that had been ravaging her body, shrugging off this mortal coil to enter a new world free of sadness and pain at last. We were unable to attend the wake Friday night due to D’s later-than-normal work hours, so we made a point to track down one of our neighbors to watch the girls on Saturday in order for us to attend that day’s memorial service.
The ceremony was held at the Horn Lake and Levi Church of Christ (just north of South 3rd St) in another part of south Memphis, about a 30 minute drive from our home in Southaven. The congregation that we are a part of is by far the most diverse church I’ve ever attended – of our 200 person assembly, we have a near even split between the white and black congregants with a few Hispanic families also in the mix. When we walked into this church, though, in another part of the city that I was rather unfamiliar with, the feeling that came over me was not unlike that Boon, Pinto, and Flounder when they strolled into the Dexter Lake Club.
Going to a very diverse church in a multiracial city, I am accustomed to a rather large African-American population, but this experience was one that I will not forget – not just because of the raw emotion and beauty brought about by family members and friends of the recently deceased, but also in the realization at just how bland and stoic we tend to be. The service began with the all-black North Mississippi Acapella Choir belting out a song of rejoicing jubilation as the pews lined with grieving friends and family stood, hands in the air and swaying in time with the music. Soon after, a minister took the microphone and lead perhaps the most amazing prayer I’ve ever had the privilege to hear in my life – starting out low and ending with a man calling out at the top of his lungs, crying out to God in a combination of anguish and approbation, and even moving an old cynic like me to tear up a bit.
As the service drove on, person after person took to the stage recounting memories and offering condolences in one of the most amazing expressions of love that I’ve ever been privy to. After seemingly every line of every speaker the congregation would erupt with “Amen”s and “Tell it, Sister (or Brother)” and “Praise God!”
As the service neared it end, the choir was again at the front of the building with Betty’s son, her only child, along with them for one final heart-rending song that he lead for the crowd of mourners. With his mourning, soulful voice he cried out, yelling, screaming out the cadence “God is able,” “He is able,” exorcising that demon of loss, wailing out with sorrow at the thought of never seeing his mother again in this life. The congregation rose to their feet, cheering him, calling out words of support and encouragement, as he writhed in heartbreaking display of emotional torment. In the end, though, the demon was gone from his back and the celebration continued for over 2 hours as those that knew her best recounted memories and expressed jubilation that she was now in a better place.
I’ve been to several funerals in my nearly 30 years, but nothing has ever impacted me in the way that this did. Usually, during a memorial service, the tears flow freely and the atmosphere is coated with a dark pall, but this was different, much different. As I walked out of that building, with eyes brimming with tears at the raw emotion I had just witnessed, there was a smile on my face because this was most definitely a celebration.
I’ve wondered about that since yesterday afternoon and its cultural ramifications. In the culture (or lack thereof) of white Americans, we tend to swallow our emotions in our attempt to stay in the protective bubble that we’ve build around ourselves. Within the culture of black Americans there is a whole different sense of community – one in which they lean upon each other rather than on themselves. Perhaps this comes from the years of discrimination that still continues somewhat to this day, in which they “circle the wagons” so to speak, and do all they can to watch out for each other. I’ve never felt those types of feelings. I’ve never been made to feel like a second-class citizen because of my skin color. It’s alien to me as a privileged white American male.
Does it take persecution to build up a true sense of brother(and sister) hood? Is that the key? A part of me almost wishes for the vicious cruelty of others so that we may get up from our oversized Lay-Z-Boys, turn off the TV and learn to be a community.
Ten For Tuesday: Fantasy Football TEs and Ds August 14, 2007
Posted by Matt in Football, sports.Tags: fantasy football, NFL
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Originally Posted 8/14/07
Thusfar, my fantasy football analysis has looked at quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. So this week we will peruse through the final two fantasy positions – tight ends and team defenses. These spots on the fantasy roster tend to be among the less important ones, unless of course you have one of the top two or so, so I will dedicate half of my list to each of them.
Top 5 Tight Ends
5. Kellen Winslow (Cle) – After being a highly touted draftee in 2004, Winslow sat out most of the next two seasons due to injury, almost ending his fledging career and going down in football lore as one of the biggest busts to step on a field. But, Winslow came back from his devastating injuries last season in one of the biggest turnarounds in recent years – racking up 875 yards and 3 TDs. If he can improve on the end zone numbers, Winslow will be a great player to have on your team.
4. Todd Heap (Bal) – Heap has been a consistent force for the Ravens over the past several years and, with the re-emergence of Steve McNair, he should again have plenty of balls thrown his way. In 2006 he recorded 765 receiving yards and 6 TDs and he’s a lock to do that well again this year, if not better.
3. Jeremy Shockey (NYG) – Though he’s not especially bright – his questioning of Bill Parcells’ sexual preference attests to that, he is a heck of a football player. His touchdowns have steadily increased during his 5 year tenure with the Giants and I don’t expect that to stop now. You can safely assume that, barring injury, he will have 700+ yards and 7-8 TDs.
2. Tony Gonzalez (KC) – Gonzalez was the most coveted TE in fantasy circles for years and now, even at age 31, he remains one of the best around. He is still the best receiving target in Kansas City and, with Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle being their only signal-calling options, look for Gonzalez to get plenty of dump-off passes thrown his way. 900 yards and 8 TDs is within his reach this season.
1. Antonio Gates (SD) – Over the past three seasons, Gates has supplanted Gonzalez as the greatest tight end threat in the league. With just a hair under 3,000 yards and 32 TDs over the past two seasons, he ranks above all others at his position and among the better wide receivers in the league fantasy-wise. As the Chargers’ best passing option, look for Gates to again garner around 1,000 yards and 10 TDs.
Top 5 Defenses
5. Jacksonville – The return of DE Reggie Hayward solidifies one of the best defensive fronts in the league where he will team with 3-time Pro Bowl DT Marcus Stroud and 2-time Pro Bowl John Henderson. Though their linebacking corp is formidible but somewhat nondescript, their secondary, lead by Pro Bowl CB Rashean Mathis, is excellent and the addition of former University of Florida star Reggie Nelson will only make the group stronger. Last season, the Jags only allowed 17.7 points per game and a paltry 91.3 rushing yards per game.
4. San Diego – Jamal Williams is widely regarded as one of the best nose tackles to playing today and along with Pro Bowl DE Luis Castillo the Charger line is quite imposing. Shawne Merriman is a monster at linebacker, having recorded 17 sacks in only 12 games last year and locking up a spot in the Pro Bowl. Overall the Chargers racked up 61 sacks in 2006, which put them ahead of even the great Raven D that year.
3. New England – Offseason departures like LB Willie McGinest would be very painful to most teams, but Bill Belichick’s squad just keeps plugging on. DE Ty Warren and Pro Bowler Richared Seymour anchor an excellent line, which has consistently held opponents to under 100 rushing yards per game. Pro Bowl linebackers Adalius Thomas and Tedy Bruschi form an excellent crew along with old-timer Rodney Harrison in the secondary that will once again dominate the AFC East. Last season, the Pats only allowed 14.8 points per game and garnered 35 turnovers.
2. Baltimore – Though Brian Billick’s group is getting older, they are still one of the most effective units in the league today. 4-time Pro Bowler Trevor Pryce and 2-timer Terrell Suggs anchor the front wall which allowed a league-low 75.9 yards rushing last season. Pro Bowl and former Defensive Player of the Year LB Ray Lewis may have been acquitted of murder a few years ago, but he is no less frightening to opposing players. Pro Bowl Safety Ed Reed is generally regarded as the best in the league and cornerback Chris McAlister has been selected to 4 Pro Bowls. Last season, the Ravens only allowed 12.6 points per game, recorded 40 turnovers and 60 sacks.
1. Chicago – It’s obvious to even the most moronic people that the Bears didn’t make the Super Bowl last season on the strength of Rex Grossman’s arm, no, the debt of gratitude lies almost solely with their stellar defense. The Bears’ line consists of three former Pro Bowlers – Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, and Tommie Harris – who together held opponents to under 100 yards rushing in 2006. Stellar Pro Bowl LB Brian Urlacher spearheads the defensive squad, though, and along with Lance Briggs they form one of the best defensive duos in the league. Pro Bowl CB Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman lead an excellent group in the defensive backfield. Overall, the Bears only allowed 15.9 points per game in 2006, while picking up 47 turnovers and recording 40 sacks.
Ten for Tuesday: Fantasy Football WRs August 14, 2007
Posted by Matt in Football, sports.Tags: fantasy football, NFL, wide receivers
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Thusfar we’ve looked at my top fantasy picks at QB and RB, so today we will continue our exploration through the world of professional football with a stop at the wide receiver position.
Honorable Mention:
Javon Walker (Den): When Walker was Brett Favre’s top target in Green Bay, he proved to be among the league’s elite. If QB Jay Cutler takes a big step forward this season as I am expecting, he may again reach those heights.
Marques Colston (NO) – After his impressive rookie season in 2006 (1,038 yards, 8 TDs), expectations are high for Colston and for last year’s surprise team, the Saints. Though he seems to be a shoe-in for a great fantasy season, I hesitate to elevate him on to the list with only one year of history.
10. Randy Moss (NE) – After a disappointing two year detour in Oakland, is Moss ready to resume his stellar career? He will have the luxury of playing with one of the league’s best QBs and a good supporting cast, so all signs seem to point to another great season – but, does he still have the drive and the desire to live up to the hype?
9. Anguan Boldin (AZ) – With over 2,600 yards receiving over the last two seasons, Boldin is one of the best weapons in the heavily stocked Arizona arsenal, but the fact that he only scored 4 TDs last year is a large drawback. If Matt Leinart continues to improve, expect more high flying action from Boldin.
8. Terrell Owens (Dal) – Though the Cowboy’s have a very good group of receivers, Owens is guaranteed to have plenty of balls thrown his way. He was Tony Romo’s favorite end zone target last season and this season I would expect him to again have double-digit TDs.
7. Roy Williams (Det) – Under Mike Martz’s leadership again this season, the Lions’ offense will be a sight to behold and much of that is due to the greatness of Roy Williams. I expect Jon Kitna to throw the ball on nearly every down, so Williams is sure to have another stellar season.
6. Marvin Harrison (Ind) – At 35 years old and with an elusive Super Bowl title under his belt, Harrison shows no signs of slowing down. He may not be as speedy as the younger guys, but his hands are still some of the best in the game, which should keep him as Peyton Manning’s favorite end zone target.
5. Larry Fitzgerald (AZ) – The other, and arguably better, half of Arizona’s dynamic duo, Fitzgerald has quickly asserted himself as one of the best in the league. As with his receiving partner, Anguan Boldin, the continued improvement of Matt Leinart should spell big things for him in the coming season.
4. Reggie Wayne (Ind) – The younger of Manning’s receiving threats, Wayne is a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. In the Colts’ high-octane offense, he will again put up great numbers, both in yards and in TDs.
3. Torry Holt (StL) – A few seasons ago, Holt emerged from the long shadow of the venerable Isaac Bruce as one of the league’s few elite receivers and he has not looked back since. With an improved Marc Bulger at QB and the newly acquired Drew Bennett and the still effective Bruce, Holt should again put up huge fantasy numbers.
2. Steve Smith (Car) – Over the past two seasons, Smith has racked up over 2,700 yards and 20 TDs, making an average QB (Jake Delhomme) look much better than he really is. If Keary Colbert can turn into a true second receiving threat, taking some of the heat off of Smith, he should again put up some of the best stats in the league.
1. Chad Johnson (Cin) – Ocho Cinco seemed to take a small step back last season from a stellar 2005, but, with one of the best QBs playing today in one of the most powerful offenses on the field, don’t expect him to continue the trend down. I expect Johnson to bounce back this year in a huge way, blowing past the competition in the AFC North, and placing himself atop the pile of great wideouts in the league.
So, what do you think? Any comments?
On This Day In 1998 August 1, 2007
Posted by Matt in family, marriage.Tags: anniversary
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Originally Posted 8/1/07
Two young (much too young) Harding students promised to have and to hold and all that other good stuff ’til death do us part at the Church of Christ in that thriving metropolis of Beebe, Arkansas, and today we will celebrate our first 9 years together as man and wife. Though our marriage isn’t perfect, it has always been strong and it has grown stronger over the years that we’ve been together. D is a wonderful wife and mother, and I look forward to spending many more years by her side.
I love you,
Matt
Rock N’ Roll Deification August 1, 2007
Posted by Matt in concert, music.Tags: concert, music, White Stripes
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Originally Posted: 8/1/07
After witnessing last night’s White Stripes show here in Southaven, I’m more firmly convinced than ever that Jack White is on a path to rock immortality that few have traveled. His name will one day be etched in the annals of rock history, his divinity placing him in the pantheon of greatest frontmen to ever grace the stage.
Last night’s show was beyond just commonplace excellence, it was if a portal had been opened to some phantasmagorical dimension where Jack White channeled the spirits of all of the greats who had come before from Robert Plant to Son House to Kurt Cobain. His command of the stage was absolutely phenomenal, working the crowd like a reverend coaxing increasingly louder amens with every gesture. His brilliant guitar solos seemed to spring up randomly like an attacking asp, simulaneously blowing your senses and exciting your nerves. The title track from their new album, Icky Thump, rocked harder than anything I’d heard in a long, long time, with Meg White’s persistantly thumping bass drum shaking the ground while Jack simultaneously wailed on his heavily distorted guitar and the mysterious univox that he picked out a supernatural-sounding solo on. They blazed through one of my favorites from their catalog, Hotel Yorba, with a flamethrower like intensity and the encore playing of Blue Orchid was masterful.
Also, perhaps because they were playing their first show ever in Mississippi, they threw in two excellent blues standards that they had previously recorded covers of – Son House’s “Death Letter” and Leadbelly’s “De Ballad of De Boll Weevil” which both seemed appropriate given our Delta blues heritage.
All in all it was an excellent show and a great way to get me back in the concert-going spirit. Now if I can just find somebody to accompany me to the upcoming Wilco show or the Velvet Revolver/Alice in Chains concert coming in October…
