There has been only one previous post-season clash in any major North American sports league between the cities of Detroit and Seattle, whose NFL teams, the Lions and Seahawks respectively meet in the “Alfalfa” (Al Michaels) Saturday night wild card round game in Seattle, four days hence.
Michaels, affiliated with the bigger NFL night television package starting in 1986, a period of time encompassing all 4 Supe titles won by THE “value team,” New York Giants, (1986 with the best record and “reg” team and three others, one in ’90 with a home slots game as the NFC “2” and two others with Eli Manning as quarterback, in which the slightly better than mediocre “reg” culminated in Bob Papa announced titles (could you call that announcing and I know I keep bringing it up but alas, ’twas the non Giants fan, “Baba,” who reminded me Papa yelled “wide open is Tyree” (David) when in fact, Pats defender Rodney Harrison had great coverage thus Tyree’s catch, in the first Manning Supe win was incredible and Papa’s call beyond horrible and misleading, but not one that prevented Papa soaking in “Giants glory”), I BELIEVE has called the later (1990-2000) and Saturday night wild card game each year but last, since the 4 wild card games round was introduced in 1990.
Last year, for the first time, Michaels was involved in a Sunday early post-season or really a non Super Bowl, Sunday playoff tilt for the first time. This was after “Poo,” Jim Nantz presided over Pittsburgh’ no cover win at Cincinnati, in the Saturday night wild card tilt.
Last year, having announced 2 straight “at Minnesota” wins, Michaels sojourned (I doubt the Californian stayed in “Minne” for the week leading up to the Sea “no cover,” “Blair Walsh miss,” win) there for the aforementioned Sunday early wild card game tilt.
I have held my tongue in this post, anxious, but not quite ready to excorciate Michaels on a more personal level, and as most things in life are relative, again wish him good health and another “in Minne” appearance when NBC telecasts the 52nd Supe in about 13 (one quarter of 52) months.
Certainly I do not wish Michaels, in fact, any human being harm, but have a bit more “skin” regarding Michaels, whose politics almost surely differ from mine.
This is because no Michaels would mean Mike Tirico, with whom I might agree politically, but should he get as “plum” an assignment as the Supe, would further illustrate, in fact exponentially, the industry’s horribly eroded standards.
This year, (I did not forget the previous Detroit vs Seattle post-season clash/series), it is a team that lost at home in the Michaels’ “reg” finale last Sunday night vs Green Bay (Again as in 2015, both teams were assured of ‘offs berths going into the final Sunday night tilt. Last season, in the “reg,” Minne won vs “G.B,” but lost at home to Seattle in the ‘offs. Conversely, G.B. lost at Minne only to go to “Wash” and beat the Redskins. Oddly this season, a Redskins’ inexcusable home loss to the Giants, assured both Det and GB qualifying for the ‘offs), namely the Lions visiting, you guessed it Seattle, while the Packers again get the late Sunday “I see you” (Joe Buck) game, this time at home vs you guessed it, relevant to this TANGENT, New York (Giants).
In 1975, in a best two of three NBA preliminary series, the Seattle SuperSonics, now the Oklahoma City Thunder, defeated the Detroit Pistons two games to one.
The home team prevailed in each game. Coincidentally both the SuperSonics after beating the Pistons, and Pistons, the next season, went on to face great Golden State Warriors’ teams.
As was the case in the last two seasons involving a pair of (I guess) great Warriors’ teams forty years later, the first Warriors team not as great record wise, won the crown (1975), but lost in the semis in 1976, that in the series after which they beat Detroit.
About to shoot and almost surely make one of his classic shot underhand free tosses, (the great Joe Tait announced FT’s as “free tosses,” one of two meant “he split the pair”) the truly great player, Rick Barry is pictured above.
Barry led the 1975 upstart Golden State Warriors to the NBA crown, dispatching the Seattle SuperSonics in the quarters along the route/journey.
That series commenced just after Seattle had beaten Detroit (Pistons) in what is until they “boot” Sat night in “Sea,” with Al, the only previous Sea/Det post-season major North American sports league clash. Bet “you could not have lasted a day” (I am not afraid to say I loved the Carpenters’ music and am reading “Little Girl Blue,” figuratively and at times literally crying, regarding Karen) without knowing that tidbit of truly inconsequential knowledge.
In their 2016 regular season finale and coach Gary Kubiak’s last game after winning a Supe then not (playoff) qualifying, the dethroned champion, Denver Broncos repeated a triumph exactly 39 years earlier, vs the Oakland Raiders.
However, unlike the 1977 AFC title game win in a game played on the first day of 1978 vs defending champion Oakland, the game’s result does not alter the fact defending champion Denver is not going to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, while the loss to Denver hurt “Oak,” in that they dropped to the AFC “5” seed, they still have playoffs life, opening as a 3 point plus underdog at Houston, in what will be the earlier game (say 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time) this Saturday.
However the real blow, that likely dashed any big playoffs success after a fine (12-4) season, came when the Raiders’ fine quarterback Derek Carr was injured while passing the “pig,” with his team ahead (33-14) with only 11 minutes remaining in the team’s penultimate game, vs disappointing Indy and its equally disappointing quarterback, Andrew Luck (Did you see him celebrating a meaningless win vs “Jax” last Sunday?!! Please!!)
Rick Upchurch (left) and Haven Moses, with glasses perched a la William Kuntsler, Bud Greenspan, and often me, two members of the 1977 Broncos, pictured above at a charity outing years (not too many as the guys look well) later.
Moses caught two touchdown passes from Craig Morton in that game leading Denver, to as Dick Enberg intoned “The Promised Land.”
Subsequent to the game, Kermit “Kenny” Weiner, a truly likable, good man, that often told/chided me regarding how “his” Giants led by Sam Huff, stopped “my” Cleveland Browns and Jim Brown, said “Every dog has its day,” regarding ex Giants’ quarterback, Morton.
The “promised land” was anything but, (Dallas 27 Denver 10).
Kermit, a big Giants’ fan who “suffered” with Morton and other players far worse, sadly died in 1985, thus not bearing witness (at least on earth), to any of the 4 Giants’ Super Bowl wins.
My eyes hurt and coffee has not entered, but after the previous post, which was anything but the incredible recall I have (sadly unrecognized and likely virtually useless) of things that interest me, NFL history and recurrence, being a major one, (baby) here goes.
Yesterday was the exact 50th anniversary of both the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs securing victories, that put them opposite each other, in the first “championship game” (it was not called the Super Bowl, but is now considered the first, its heights and ridiculous glory as the ball (remember the superball) for which a K.C. Hunt named it) between the established NFL and upstart AFL.
Both the Pack and Chiefs marked the anniversary with “last game of the “reg” victories, that yielded higher seeding (K.C. is the AFC two seed, gaining a first round bye and will try to win a home slots/division round game for the first time in team history, on Sunday January 15th, the exact 50th anniversary of that first NFL/AFL game won by the Packers (35-10), while G.B. is the NFC “4” to host ancient and recent playoffs rival, “Hack” i.e., the N.Y. Giants, next Sunday in a first round/wild card round game).
Who knows, as the odds are against any Supe matchup manifesting, even one between top seeds, New England and Dallas, but wins by K.C. and G.B. on the exact 50th anniversary of those that produced their title battle in January 1967, slightly increase the chances of a redux these “big round number” years later.
While I have been dreadful on my college football predictions, most of them vs Alabama (as cited (0-6), the pro predictions and loser/loser/underdog vs a winner/winner/favorite “items” have fared much better. (I guess I could check the record but really, why?!)
On this last day full 16 game Sunday, one quarter/4 games fit the system. One is the no matter what somewhat meaningful, likely playoffs at stake game matching 3 point “fave” Green Bay at Detroit.
Another is a “going nowhere,” potential spoiler, San Diego (last week the Browns won their first game vs S.D. (Chargers), getting 5 or so points vs a K.C. Chiefs team that with a win is at least a “5” seed (if Mia wins an earlier tilt vs N.E. and K.C. loses then Mia is the 5 and visits far easier on paper at any rate, Houston RATHER than Pittsburgh whose owner, as with newscaster Rather, has the first name Dan) and if K.C. wins and Oakland playing simultaneously with “Poo” Nantz presiding and beamed here/N.Y. market, loses then the Chiefs are the AFC “two seed” a designation with a major perks, namely a first round bye and a home slots/division/second round home game assured.
Next on the list 7 point underdog N.Y. Giants, the definite NFC “5” seed which means a wild card round game next week, likely late Sunday with Joe Buck (as cited earlier, he is at Wash today) against a “Wash” team that with a win is almost certainly in the ‘offs and is definitely out with a loss.
The fourth system game as you will see with a fourth different scenario is the Rams plus 6 at home vs Arizona. Both teams go home after this tilt.
I predict at least covers by the Lions and Rams in the “system” tilts and in a game to be shown here, the Jets plus 4 vs the Buffalo Bills.
50 years ago, the Jets final game win and subsequent Buffalo win yielded a Bills AFL East crown. I recall a year, I believe 1989, when the Bills crushed the Jets in a season finale tilt “at Jets.” Of course last year, the spoiler Bills won at home denying the Jets a playoff berth.
This time in a meaningless force fed game but not prediction— Jets 24 Bills 23.
After two boring semi-final tilts yesterday, the first clear rematch for the college title, I believe mythical or otherwise in its history, has manifested, as Alabama will take on Clemson in the Monday night January 9th championship game.
Trailing (7-0) after two touchdown underdog Washington scored on its second possession, the great Tide (Alabama) team scored the last 24 points, raising their records to (14-0) and (11-2) vs the spread. (vs Tennessee Chattanooga, when clearly they did not “cover”–there was no access to a line for this “loser” (see my (0-6) vs Bama and unfortunately much else as 2017 begins).
“Bama,” which has won 4 titles in the (Barack) O(Bama) administration, has won all 10 of their titles with Democrats occupying the White House, (1 with John F. Kennedy 1961 season, 2 with Lyndon Johnson 1964 and 1965, 2 with James Earl (not Ray), but Carter in 1978 and 1979 and one with W.J. Clinton 1992 in addition to the four with B.H. Obama as president), as would be the case if they succeed as I will say close to 10 point faves vs Clemson, but never with the Democrat President as the “lame duck” variety.
The incredible Alabama defense stymied Washington time and again including a “cover” preserving last sequence with a Minkah (at that point no prayers, Jewish or otherwise could save Wash bettors many of whose late bets drove the line below 14) Fitzpatrick interception assuring a “Bama cover,” after their coach Nick Saban”o” unbeknownst to me, having shut the game off in disgust, gave Wash bettors a chance going for a 4th and 1 at their own 45, in the last minute.
Additionally, Alabama got its usual defensive touchdown, a 26 yard “int dance back” by Ryan Anderson, a real present for Tide first half (minus 7 plus) bettors and by definition an “arrow to the heart for those with Wash plus the same amount.
Bo Scarbrough was more than “fair” in delivering the “news,” simultaneously “chucking” aside Wash, as he ran for touchdowns of 18 and 68 yards, toting the pig for 168 yards overall.
Why are Michael Conrad, Burt Reynolds and John Steadman (not the great football writer, who forecast the score and called overtime for Colts/Giants 1958) from “The Longest Yard” pictured above.
Having already alluded to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair,” and newscaster Chuck Scarborough, why not Michael Conrad as football player, “Nate Scarboro” in “The Longest Yard?”
Alas another reason especially in light of Saban”o'” decision is to recount a scene from “Yard” (a play on prison, I am in one even considering this garbage) in which Burt Reynolds’ character’s actions (no pun) of fixing pigskin tilts is called “Unamerican.”
My response to that is a question, “Is it?!!!”
The “Hack” update is as follows, the (10-5) Giants know their position, they will be the NFC “5” seed. However, their “travel” person” has four different destination cities, to keep in mind.
Those cities in order of likelihood are Green Bay, Detroit, I guess next is Seattle, followed by Atlanta.
Joe Buck always gets what he wants, thus the “Hack” at “Wash” tilt has been moved to after 4 p.m. meaning the New York television market will be without a meaningful early tilt, on the last day of the “reg.”
As in a Jim Croce song, “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way.”
Hack/Wash could have been played, starting at 1 p.m. two rivals, “lame duck-locked into their ‘offs spot” Hack a touchdown underdog, vs a “Wash” team pretty much in control of its playoffs destiny. A “Wash” win and they get in the ‘offs unless “GB” at “Det” ends in a tie. (Though I truly despise much of what the NFL with its violence, gambling, television greed and terrible announcing represents, I do NOT wish the “black eye” –alas at least one t.v. “eye” is black, evoking Muhammad Ali’s (the consensus and certainly my “greatest” loss, among the so many we lost in 2016), brilliance in asking why is there so much “black as bad,” in the language/lexicon, different cakes, white angel, and black devil, an example,— that tie, perhaps fostered by a 1947 film, dared made, regarding anti-Semitism, namely “Gentleman’s Agreement”—-that would likely hit the National Fixed? League. (Should the GB/Det tilt proceed to overtime why would not the two coaches “wink/wink”/”Gentleman’s Agreement” a tie? Again despite my almost overwhelmingly negative feelings regarding the NFL and certainly its boss Roger Goodell, I do not wish such an occurrence.)
In later games on the “reg’s” final day, (I think Kevin Burkhardt, who far too soon and without anywhere near the corresponding talent, for such reward and glory, will be the Fox Network “in Atlanta man,” for what likely would be a Saturday January 14th “slots” game in the south, if the touchdown favored, Falcons win vs New Orleans Sunday and gain the seemingly very important NFC two seed) correctly moved to be played simultaneously with related game, (Sea gets the “2” if they win and Atl loses) “Sea” at “S.F,” it is Kenny Albert, bumped two years ago from what is now an alternating “slots” call for and by Burkhardt, “on” Atlanta hosting New Orleans.
Neither Burkhardt or Albert is in my opinion, good, (even the great Marv, Kenny’s dad, was no “great shakes” on football (the “anyone can do” long extended, “non play by play acumen,” induced “to the ennnnndzone” call of son Kenny, was preceded by a similar one, though not as bad, by the great, not in football or baseball, Marv) but I will not shed any tears for Burkhardt, if it is Albert, whose incessant calls for the Sports Phone Quiz, I recall, but in sharp contrast to his not fulfilling a promise to call in on my cable show, gets the “slots” call on Jan 14th. Alas my father, with no “connections” was born 102 years earlier. For the record, I am pretty sure it will be Burkhardt. Also since though while some I know agree even more intensely with my negative opinions, many do not, I will for “your” benefit predict the slots set up in a post before Sunday’s games. Do with it as you please.
The point from all this convaluted, run on, but I believe on most levels, justified rage, is that the Wash/Giants game has meaning apart from the two other meaningful Fox/NFC tilts each as stated, correctly a later start, the one in S.F. due to the time zone, the tilt in Atlanta moved to a later start, so that Sea will have playoffs seeding incentive.
Of course that is not the case involving the Giants/Wash, it stands alone, but “Bucky Boo” (I and perhaps God) “sees through you,” gets what he wants, and we in N.Y. suffer with mandated Buff at the Jets (no NE at Mia) on CBS and “jammed down our collective throats,” Dallas, at Philly, in a meaningless tilt, by the way, with Burkhardt, (not Carolina at T.B.) instead of a meaningful Giants/Wash tilt played earlier, followed by Atlanta hosting New Orleans, with related Sea/SF,played simultaneously.
It was always about the “bucks” (likely the NY/Wash tilt produces more) but for some reason, it is about this all powerful Buck, far more powerful than his over rated father Jack, and nowhere near as good.
In my opinion, while Jack Buck was pretty good, son Joe “chosen” for “John Unitas” World Series (19) and soon a 5th Supe–we can only hope he gets another “stinker,” as he got when Sea crushed Pey Manning and Denver in his fourth–is in my opinion, beyond annoying, not good and certainly not deserving of unprecedented exposure, that makes the great Curt Gowdy, (he too was given too much), appear as though he worked in a desert.
Click below to hear Jim Croce sing “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way.”
I guess some people think it important that ESPN’s Paul Finebaum ranted vs The University of Michigan, actually before their Orange Bowl loss to Florida State.
It does not mean much to me but pretty much a factual error, certainly not telling the complete story, by Finebaum and the lack of knowledge by Mike Golic Jr. did matter to me, in a big time negative way.
Finebaum is technically correct in saying Alabama got some form of a national title in 1973, but in strongly asserting they got the title over Notre Dame (he did add the obvious that Notre Dame was awarded titles, I think he said subsequent so he cited one when there were two) and not citing Notre Dame and certainly not Alabama was the consensus and Associated Press college football champion for the 1973 season, Finebaum made a glaring omission if not error.
Golic Jr. claiming “all things Notre Dame,” (I am not a defender of Michigan, but the Notre Dame success if not, lore is long gone) did not have the knowledge to state Notre Dame was the 1973 consensus title winner.
I am trying to sneak another vs Alabama pick in here. They have beaten me every time and incredibly, despite big lines, the spread all but two times in 12 “on the board” games.
Today Alabama, a two touchdown “fave,” 39, Washington 28, the same score as a Steve Sloan led Alabama bowl win that with help got “Bama” the 1965 crown.
The great coach, Nick Saban, pictured above is say a two and a half to one favorite to win another of those tacky items, also pictured above.
Today’s later, perceived far closer, college football playoff “semi,” matches now less than 3 point favorite, Ohio State, under 3 time title winning coach Urban Meyer, against Clemson, which lost last year’s title tilt (they covered the spread in a loss to Alabama, which gave the Tide under Nick Saban, 4 titles in 7 seasons and was the 5th title for that great college football coach, one of the five, at L.S.U. which was shared with U.S.C. Alas, initials are involved not only in the two teams that “shared” the ’03 season crown, but in the respective “sponsors” of said crown the B.C.S. for LSU, and A.P. for U.S.C. (Associated Press, the one whose decisions I regard as most important, despite suffering with some over the years) and is a team sans a title, since Danny Ford coached a team that included Homer Jordan, Perry Tuttle and William “The Refrigerator” Perry to the 1981 title.
I certainly have notes and coincidences, one involves Mr. Perry cited above. However, I am short on knowledge of the two current teams but will cite Dabo Swinney, as the Clemson coach.
In one of the two other bowl clashes between Clemson and Ohio State, in the 1978 Friday night Gator Bowl, Clemson won a game, best remembered for Ohio State coach Woody Hayes punching Clemson player, Charlie Bauman, after the latter’s game clinching interception.
The incident, one in a long line of Hayes “losing it” (he also lost so many big games, did win some, but from (’69-’75) save ’71, had legitimate title shots but failed in all six instances), led to Hayes being fired as Ohio State football coach.
Charlie Bauman, pictured above.
Yesterday I watched a great, albeit “edited” episode of “The Big Valley” that originally aired in 1967, in which emerging actresses Ellen Burstyn, who became a great, and Karen Black, eventually very good, showed signs of their eventual success.
Lee Major’s “Heath” is brought up on “trumped” (Optimum, the cable system used that word in the program description) up charges, as Black’s character “Carla” lies, while Ms. Burstyn playing a nun, (“Sister Jacob”) once in love with Major’s “Heath,” does much to defend him.
As usual, Richard Long, whose life was the opposite of his surname, cutting far too short a fine career, stood out with intensity as “Jarrod.”
Mr. Long was in the film, “The Stranger” helping Edward G. Robinson’s character bring to justice, a former and turns out current Nazi murderer, played by Orson Welles. Mr.Long more than “held his own” in support of those two acting greats.
The “Big Valley’ episode ended with the great Barbara Stanwyck’s “Victoria” talking with Burstyn’s character, surely a scene with “passing of the torch” implications.
Ms. Black was also “no slouch” also playing a key scene with Ms. Stanwyck, in the beautiful episode, titled “A Fall From Grace.”
The primary cast members of “The Big Valley” pictured above, from left to right, Linda Evans, Richard Long, Miss Barbara Stanwyck, Peter Breck and Lee Majors.
The bottom of the third inning of the 1937 All-Star game continues through the words of Bob Elston.
The great DiMaggio is on first base. Dizzy Dean delivers and Lou Gehrig, his failure to homer at Washington’s Griffith Stadium having been cited in the pregame talk, wallops a two run home run.
The President of the United States, even staunch republicans know he helped save this land, Franklin Roosevelt salutes Mr. Gehrig. I love Sandy Koufax and John F. Kennedy, but even that combination and certainly none today, nor since, can match that President saluting that player.
Alas both Gehrig and Mr. Roosevelt suffered from serious ill health, the former for far less time, but executed brilliantly in their efforts.
Now injury in this All-Star Game, I do believe. Earl Averill is the next batter vs the great Dean, more in a future post.
Sorry to add this under Lou Gehrig’s picture, but that disgrace to Yankees play-by-play history, Michael Kay, once said that “never winner,” Don Mattingly was the greatest first baseman in Yankees’ history.
This was while we each worked as researchers on the ABC College Football Scorecard Show, in Mattingly’s peak year of 1985.
I said what about Lou Gehrig?!! Kay backed off far too little on his ridiculous, truly uninformed claim regarding Mattingly, saying maybe they were tied.
Each day, “suffering” the “slings and arrows” of Kay having virtually “all” and me despite clearly more knowledge, and even people against me, say more talent, having virtually “none,” I remind myself of this and other examples of Kay’s ineptitude.
However, my own mother chided such comments by me, saying Michael Kay worked toward his success, what did you (meaning me) do?!!!
