Movie Recommendation: Murderball

I would seriously recommend this uplifting yet entertaining documentary coving the U.S.A. paraplegic Rugby team's preparation for the 2004 Paraolympics.

Let Your Game Speak

A long time between posts, same subject. Another great television ad.



There are a lot of things about this ad that make it brilliant. Every single clip is distinctly Jordan. They manage to match his mannerisms so well. And it starts out so subtle, and builds (along with the music). I've watched this ad at least 10 times on TV and now 20 more online, and I'm still getting goosebumps each time. And at a different point each time.

And this is all especially interesting (at least to me) because all of these images that are portrayed come from a time when I didn't watch a lot of basketball. Hell, I didn't know anything about sports. I didn't watch anything besides Michigan football and an occasional Piston's game until college (and became rather sports obsessed, I must admit). And when Jordan played, I hated him. He played for the Bulls. The Bulls and the Pistons had some great rivalries, and I was not a fan of Jordan's taking the Eastern conference reigns from Detroit. I will admit that my opinion of Jordan has softened quite a bit since enrolling at his alma mater.

Anyway, the background rambling aside, seeing these images from my childhood again really hits a cord with me. But, now that you've read my ramblings about why this ad is so good, you should really read Darren Rovell's article from ESPN's Page 2. It's a really good article. Read it.

I'm In Love With This Ad

Now the extended version of the ad!



If it doesn't load here, check it out here.

Short version here.

Per ESPN

ESPN: Despite its preposterous youth and lack of experience, Carolina doesn't need to wait until next year, either. You slap a 36-14 run on Duke? Bludgeon the Blue Devils 45-26 on the glass? You can play. Against anyone, at any time.

The Lions Redeem Themselves...

I love Detroit sports. Enough to call myself a Lion's fan. I chuckled at a guy in a Cowboys hat about a month ago, and he shot back "Probably a Redskins fan, eh?"

"Actually, Lion's fan" I replied. He just laughed out loud as he walked off the elevator.

The Lions have been terrible over the last few years. They have underachieved, made bad management decisions, and flat out been the embarrassment of the NFL. But I've stuck with them.

But they almost lost me a couple days ago. They had a chance to sign one of the best offensive minds in the game as Offensive Coordinator, Mike Martz. He had agreed, in principle, to take the job. But the next day, the news was just that he turned down the job, because the money wasn't good.

What? I'm sorry Fords (the Ford family owns the Lions), but if you won't put up a couple $100k to land a coach who would actually give your team a chance to be competitive, you just don't seem to want to win.

It was clear from his remarks last week, however, that [Lion's new head coach] Marinelli wanted Martz on his staff and that, as a first-year coach, he had absolutely no reservations or insecurities about having a more experienced head coach on board.

"That man knows how to win and how to move the football," Marinelli said at the time. "I like him and I would love to have him."

In each of his full seasons in St. Louis, the Martz-designed offense ranked among the top 10 in the NFL and twice rated No. 1 overall.

But, yesterday, news came out that the Lions and Martz had come to terms afterall. And now, I'm back on the bandwagon (OK, I was never really off, and there's still plenty of room). The Lions, who admittedly play in a bad division, have a damn good chance to make the playoffs this upcoming season with Martz running the offense.

I'm hype.

ESPN with new Idea for March 4 UNC/dook game...

And, for the first time I'm thankful I don't have ESPNU.

http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2006/02/06/daily23.html

In other news (from the same article, ESPN announces Tony Kornheiser as the third Monday Night Football announcer starting next year. Great move. Kornheiser is one of my favorite sports personalities....

Detroit lets Mike Martz slip through their fingers?

A few days ago, the news was that Detroit and Mike Martz had agreed to make Martz, an offensive genius, to Detroit as the offensive coordinator. ESPN was reporting last night that they could not come to a contract agreement, and that the deal was off.

Martz better have had been completely unreasonable, and not sure that even that is an excuse for the Lions. We need offense. We have lots of tools in place. This could have been a big step...Way to mess that up, Detroit.

Six More Weeks of...Winter?

Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/06 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Around the country there are many imitators of me.

In Harrisburg there is Gus who appears on TV
working for the lottery.

Then all around town,
Cute groundhog statues abound.
They all look like me, I found.

Today on the Knob as I'm doing my job,
I don't like this likeness of me.

It's my shadow I see. Six more weeks of mild winter there will be.

The high today is 64 in dc...when does winter start?!

Invisibility Cloak a reality?

Check this out.