Rain or Shine - Ben's Ready This Time

Wow, Dear Criss. The Steelers ate up the Patriots for dinner and then licked their fingers! I was so looking forward to this game. I finished all my errands by 3:50 and got home. I sat waiting for the first game to finish on CBS, then the credits rolled. I held my breath waiting for the music to start for my game - and they don't show it. No, they choose to show the stinkin' Jets! I would argue that the Pats-Steelers game was the biggest of the season! And they choose the Jets. Oh my gosh. I freaked. Freaked. Freaked. Freaked. Why would they do that?! It wasn't even a good Jets matchup. And guess what. The Jets lost.

Anyway, I was fine with whatever the outcome would be, but to be honest, I was heavily leaning toward the Steelers because 1) I am a sucker for Ben being the underdog and don't like to see him upset, and 2) the Pats have no chance of winning the Super Bowl (really, not to be mean, but I don't think they can even make it to the Super Bowl). Palamalu made an incredible catch when Cassell's pass bounced off of his receiver and into Palamalu's hands. I am amazed by the score - and in New England! I really thought it would be closer, I don't know, like 21-17, but 33-10? Wow.

As for Plaxico, oh goodness. There are no comments to express the ridiculousness of the situation. I'll let you cover it.

On the Red Sox beat, Derek Lowe's name is being thrown around more and more. I don't care who they bring back from the old days, just RE-SIGN VARITEK!! (Oh my gosh, Anderson Cooper just challenged Michael Phelps on 60 Minutes. Anderson won for whitest skin, but Michael obviously won the swim.)

But anyway, it's Dallas next week for the Steelers, and there's no doubt who I'm rooting for. Go Ben and nice job, Steelers.

Roxy


Photo: Elsa, Getty Images

A few of my favorite things gone bad

I stay away for a few days and this blog becomes a Red Socks shrine. I'm going to have to do something about that, Dear Roxy.

Let's start off by wishing a Bon Voyage to Mike "Moose" Mussina for what has been an exceptional career. If only we'd gotten that championship with him as a Yankee. I will truly miss his class act.

And as promised, here's one of the many pictures I took at the VTech-UM game. Not that it matters anymore, especially after the beating UM took at Georgia. What will happen next?

Is there a championship game in the horizon for UM this year? TBD.

Speaking of losses. I went to the Raptors-Heat game last week. My first basketball game of the season. It ended up been a close one, with a lot of dunks from our players. Unfortunately that wasn't enough as we lost the game.

With that said, the Heat's hot-cold streak needs to change.

And the Dolphins lost!!! Not only the game, but Camarillo, too! What are we going to do now? This one hurts, Rox!

The only thing that went right in football was the Giants and Colts game! Peyton pulled it off again!

Give that guy enough time to drive the ball, and it's a W!

-Criss

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS TIME TO BE THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE.

Photos: 1, Barton Silverman, NYT.
2 & 3, CI.

Oh, Coco.

No more Coco. That makes me nervous. Who's next? Although I sorta thought it would happen earlier in the season. I'm scared, Dear Criss.

So how about the Dolphins. Not too bad? They kept it pretty close for most of the game. It's a shame we couldn't go to the game. We'll plan better next time. And Adam Vinatieri does it again. He could probably kick from 60 yards and make it. Did you see that game tonight?

Okay, I promise to blog more this week. I'm off Wednesday, so I'll take over and wallpaper this site with all my favorite things. Hee, hee.

Roxy

AFP photo

Dustin Pedroia: MVP

To the scrappy tough guy and fighter 'til the end: Congrats, Mr. 2008 AL MVP. Sounds good, Dear Criss. How's that for the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year? Who does he share that back-to-back honor with (among a few others)? Cal Ripken.

Roxy

P.S. I gotta get some sleep. I'll blog about that Pats game later this week. Wish I could go. And when did college basketball start?! Too soon.

Photo: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

All in a week

I'm a little overdue with the 411 on the VTech-UM game. Needless to say, it was a close one at the end! And a good one for that matter as UM pulled off a win!

Getting out of the parking lot was a whole 'nother game as people kept partying there!

I had a great time, nonetheless. Can't wait for the next one.

I did watch like two seconds of your Pats-Jets game at the Stadium. Didn't care much for it but I do believe the Jets won! Kudos.

Speaking of football, I have Dolphin fever, Dear Roxy. They're doing amazing - two games over .500! And who do they play next? Your cold Pats! That'll be a good game to watch. Hopefully they'll pull off another win! Exciting times.

I'll be going to the Heat game tomorrow night at the AAA. Let's see how that goes... I'm still not into basketball this season.

But what's with Mark Cuban's insider trading allegations? Interesting.

-Criss

PS I'll post some UM football photos next time!

Blog Hog: Give Me Some Good Games!

Well, football is getting a little more exciting. Unfortunately I missed a really good Jets-Pats game on Thurs. because I don't get NFL Network. The IT guy broke it down for me , and it gave me goosebumps. Man, no fair. Show it on CBS or something.

Anyway, avoiding a cable discussion, today CBS opted to show regional action, which is usually not the action I want to see. The Jags? No thanks. Give me the STEELERS. And watch out for Troy Polamalu who will swipe, knock ya over and run in for a touchdown (even if it didn't count). They showed the last five seconds, and that was enough, apparently, because in those few seconds, it was wild. Gotta love it when a kicker saves the day. Great game. Another that I missed. And the Dolphins? Well, they're just paving the road to the Super Bowl.

So reports are that the Red Sox were ready to suspend Manny. Who cares. Too little too late. Should've been done long time ago.

Countdown to Thanksgiving vaca.

Roxy

Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

Cary Grant and Sports?

I was thinking more older Cary Grant.

Why do you keep throwing out Varitek rumors? He's not gone, alright?! I'm not fond of Agent Boras, Dear Criss. I just hope he doesn't blow it for Varitek. Just give him something decent. Why's everyone being a hater? You should understand with Pettitte being on the brink.

Where's the Jets-Pats game? Don't tell me it's on the NFL Network. Come on! Who even gets that channel?!

Wait a minute, now that I think of it, you took over the blog! I mean, it's all Criss propaganda! Might as well have put some Yankees logos in the background!

Have you heard all the crazy ads for the Panthers? Free tickets, free gas cards, free parking. I mean, it's crazy!

I want to hear about the game when you're back! Hey, let's go to Pittsburgh or Foxboro for a game. Let's just not go mid-winter.

Roxy


Photos: mikeburstyn.com & Coach's Network blog

Blog Hog Moment: Crying?

Are you okay, Dear Roxy? Especially after the news I just heard! Sorry to hear the Sox don't care about Varitek anymore... or not! I could care less about him and his aging body!

And sorry Maurice Greene for been the last one booted off DWTS. You did great, you should be proud!

I really like Warren Sapp too. He's so funny and has so much charisma! Who would've thought!

Speaking of great, I'm going to tomorrow night's game - Hokies vs Canes. Can't wait!

Oh, and congrats to Lou Piniella and Joe Maddon for winning Manager of the Year in their perspective leagues. As if there was any doubt Maddon would win it!

While writing this, I totally remembered that Joe looks like Gene Hackman. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so. I found this photo on a WFAA Sports blog.

-Criss

PS: Don't cry anymore, Rox. It'll all be right.

Veteran's Day

We Salute All Veterans on this Day.

Thank you!

Photo: The Gainesville Sun, AP

Coming Along

I'm bored too, Roxy. I totally understand what you mean.

In an effort to change that, I tried getting into football this weekend and succeeded. I was able to watch the whole Dolphins game, as well as a large part of the Colts game. And I was very glad I stuck around as I saw both teams win! I heard Ben cried after the loss - hahaha! There's no crying in football!

The Dolphins made me suffer toward the end of the game as they always do. Why can't they just have blow out all the time? That'd be better.



And speaking of wins - how about them Golden Panthers? They are now 4-5! I didn't even know they'd won 3 games prior to their win this weekend. Good for them. They're coming along...

In baseball news, Andy Pettitte signed for free agency. Please bring him back! And what's up with not signing Giambi? He'd come along.

It looks like the new Yankee Stadium is almost finished. They moved home plate and the pitching rubber to the new stadium this weekend. With that said, I'm sort of excited to see the new stadium next year.

And congrats to Evan Longoria from the Tampa Bay Rays for winning the Rookie of the Year award. Hard to believe he's a rookie!

-Criss

Photo: Jason De Crow, AP

Bored

I'm bored, Dear Criss. I'm bored because 2008 is a lame sports year. Nothing to be excited about. Football is boring. The Bills being in first place in the AFC East doesn't do it for me. Ocho Cinco's new name doesn't do it for me. Manny's nonsense doesn't do it for me. I can see him with Pedro in NY. Big deal. Over him. Go. Join the Yankees while you're at it. I'm happy for Pedroia, who won a Gold Glove, but I lack the drive, excitement that makes sports fun. Or maybe its sports that lacks all this.

One thing that made me laugh (and that I listened to way too many times) was the Colorado coach's rant. "Go play intramurals, brother." If you haven't already heard it eight times, go check it out. If you have, check it out again. It's up there with "Playoffs?!" and "Practice?" Good stuff.

Roxy

AP photo, Kevork Djansezian

Election Day...

...is here, Dear Roxy! And with it comes lots of craziness. I avoided early voting and ended up waiting 2 hours this morning. Not too bad considering some people I know waited over 3.5 hours.

I didn't watch Sunday Night Football! I don't know what's wrong with me. I was hoping to watch the Colts since I haven't watch them in a while, but I just got too sleepy, too early and decided to turn it off. It's a good thing they won though. 4-4 looks a lot better than 3-5!

And forget about Monday Night Football! Two teams I hardly care about - blah! I did listen to the half-time show with both presidential candidates. Not that it made me change my mind or anything, but I wanted to hear their last push before E-Day.

Anyway, back to football and speaking of4-4, go Dolphins! Now that's a team that's making me watch them. It's so exciting to see them win, especially after years of dismal seasons.

And a big trade in basketball. Allen Iverson is off to Detroit. I thought he was retired. That shows how much I've been paying attention to basketball.

-Criss

Photo: David Zalubowski, AP

This Election Day, the Choice is Clear

There's football, but it's a boring and weird season, Dear Criss. And even the Colts-Pats games aren't as exciting anymore. But one thing is sure, the Pats are struggling and the Dolphins are doing swell. Well, swell compared to the last few years.

And, yes, this is a no politics zone, but you have to admit, what's the deal with mixing politics with sports? Stop messing with the start of the World Series and no politicians talking during Monday Night Football. I don't care what party it is talking or if Steve Young's running! Seriously.

As for my Sox, looks like Schilling is talking possible retirement, but you never know with him. He's crazy. The Sox picked up Wakey's option. I'm shocked that Wakey's back and not retiring. Oh my gosh, he's 50/50 out there! On or off. Hot or cold. I'm really too old for the stress of Wakefield outings.

What about Varitek? Just give him a two-year deal at least. Let him retire with the Sox. The team has efficiently proven that they cannot succeed without him. The pitchers suddenly flop - even the "stars." Why must I repeat myself. I don't know why there are some people out there who are poo-pooing Tek. What's the deal? He gets you two rings, trains all these young pitchers and now we don't need him? Is there someone better out there right now? Don't think so. We always sell our souls for some hot catch, and they turn out being duds. How many times has the team made the playoffs with him? Without him? And under what catcher did they win two World Series championships?

Listen. The choice is clear this election day. Go Red Sox. Choose 'Tek.

Roxy

Photo: Um, not sure. Guessing Nike/MLB, via jason-varitek.com