Tiger’s lame choreography ineffective on humans

February 20 2010 @ 16:13

Greetings Lasses and Lads.

I ask you! What did you think of Tiger Woods’ infomercial Friday morning? Clearly, the man is a robot. The only emotions displayed by this arrogant  philanderer was when  he made an obvious attempt to keep women -- the interest group he has most offended -- front and center, including his mother and two eye-dabbing female employees . Even with his dented image, the story of Tiger Woods on Friday was a choreographed yarn being spun by the planet's best image makers and brand managers. Simply put, it didn’t work.

Speaking of robots, I am reminded of the lyrics of a song penned by ex Styx front man Dennis DeYoung back in 1983. Mr. Roboto.

You're wondering who I am
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Machine or mannequin
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
With parts made in Thailand
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
I am the modern man

I've got a secret, I've been hiding under my skin
My heart is human, my blood is boiling
My brain I.B.M., so if you see me
Acting strangely, don't be surprised

I'm just a man who needed someone
And somewhere to hide
To keep me alive, just keep me alive
Somewhere to hide to keep me alive

I'm not a robot without emotions
I'm not what you see
I've come to help you
With your problems, so we can be free
I'm not a hero, I'm not a savior
Forget what you know

I'm just a man whose circumstances
Went beyond his control
Beyond my control, we all need control
I need control, we all need control

I am the modern man
(Secret, secret I've got a secret)
Who hides behind a mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
So no one else can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity


Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For helping me escape

Just when I needed to
Thank you, thank you, thank you
I want to thank you
Please, thank you, oh

The problem's plain to see
Too much technology
Machines to save our lives
Machines, de-humanize

The time has come at last
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
To throw away this mask
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Now everyone can see
(Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
My true identity, I'm phony, phony, phony, phony.

By: Aengus Moorehead @ 16:13 | Category: Misc  | Comments: 0 | Permalink

Super Bowl

February 7 2010 @ 09:11

 Greetings Lasses and Lads.

My record against the spread:

Two weeks ago: 1-1.

Season: 133-133.

Indianapolis vs New Orleans (-5.5)

There are plenty of story lines, starting with the men under center. The Colts' Peyton Manning is trying to further establish himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history with a second Super Bowl championship in the past four seasons. He's coming off a league-record fourth MVP award, and adding another Lombardi Trophy to his resume would undoubtedly nudge him up everyone's all-time list. Saints QB Drew Brees is attempting to reinforce his standing among the elite active QBs. Brees hasn't performed as well or as long as Manning, but no one has been more productive in recent seasons.  

Another Super Bowl win will serve as an appropriate ending to the decade for the Colts. They were the Aught winningest franchise with 115 victories but had only one Super Bowl title, compared to the New England Patriots' three.

Is there a better feel-good story than the Saints? Remember when they were the Ain'ts? The franchise is making its first Super Bowl appearance and carries the hopes of a rebuilding region on its shoulders.

Almost every week, the Saints take the field with the best quarterback and offense. That needs to be the case again in Super Bowl 44. Not only do Brees & Co. need to match points with Manning and the Colts, but they also need to put the pressure on Indianapolis with a quick start. New Orleans is much better when playing with a lead, which opens things up for its run game and opportunistic defense.

The Saints got their ticket to Miami by punching Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre in the mouth. Though Favre wasn't sacked, he was repeatedly hit hard after throws and knocked to the turf. That led to two penalties against the Saints, but it also led to two fourth-quarter interceptions by a hobbled Favre.

New Orleans also forced six fumbles in the game and recovered three. It continued a trend that carried them through the regular season, when they ranked second in the NFL with 39 takeaways. The Saints will have a much harder time, though, trying to rattle a Colts offense that annually ranks among the best ball-control units in the league. Manning makes quick, smart decisions and generally prevents his team from making costly mistakes. New Orleans probably won't blitz the intelligent Manning often, but defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will try to confuse him by disguising schemes and bringing timely pressure.

The Saints' defense has been gashed by the run for the past few months, but the Colts can't really run the ball. Or they choose not to. Either way, they ranked last in the NFL in the regular season with an average of 80.9 rushing yards per game. They have decent options in fourth-year pro Joseph Addai and rookie Donald Brown if they decide they can burn a Saints defense that will likely focus most of its effort on coverage. But it's hard to believe the Colts will take the ball out of Manning's hands too often in the biggest game of the season.

The Colts have an offense with zero balance -- No. 2 in passing, No. 32 in rushing -- still needs to complement Manning's dangerous arsenal with an occasional dash of Addai and Brown. The ground tandem doesn't need to generate 150 rushing yards, but it needs to be effective when it's called upon. The threat of the run will make Manning's play-action fakes more potent and open up the downfield passing game.

Anyone who questioned the depth of Manning's receiving corps was silenced after the AFC championship game. Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne and Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark combined for just seven catches, 90 yards and one touchdown. Young receivers Pierre Garcon (11 catches, 151 yards, 1 TD) and Austin Collie (7, 123, 1TD) torched the Jets' No. 1 defense. The Saints are an opportunistic bunch led by cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter and safety Darren Sharper, but the Colts should be able to spread the field and allow Manning to find favorable matchups.

Brees isn't the least bit shy when it comes to taking shots down the field, but he's expert at foiling aggressive defenses with dump-offs to running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. They combined for 86 receptions, 637 yards and 5 touchdowns during the regular season. The Colts utilize an aggressive defensive front led by defensive ends Dwight Freeney –how effective will he be remains to be seen- and Robert Mathis, and it can be neutralized with screens.

It rained the last time the Colts played -- and won -- a Super Bowl in Miami. There should be some lightning bolts in this game. Each team's defense has had its moments this season, and a critical stop or takeaway could determine the outcome. But this game is likely to be about big plays and big yardage. Brees is on the big stage for the first time, but he shouldn't be in awe. Manning is back for a second time in four seasons and definitely won't be. The Colts' experience and their all-world quarterback will prove to be the difference. Take Colts.

By: Aengus Moorehead @ 09:11 | Category: Football  | Comments: 0 | Permalink