I have to endure WFAN Mike Francesa’s nonsense/arrogance a bit longer and will give you his predictions for the 12th week of NFL play.
Last week, he went (1-2) losing with the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. He was correct in predicting a Dallas Cowboys victory.
His record stands at (19-13-3).
His “know it all” attitude transfers to the following blanket statement he just uttered. “We have a lot to be thankful for in this country.”
That is especially true if one is rewarded with unbelievable financial compensation for being so often wrong and arrogant. “Only in America” indeed!
I doubt it is true for those lined up in soup kitchens, something I saw first hand on two of these holidays, helping them through the late great, Joe Franklin.
He predicts the Dallas Cowboys minus one point vs the Carolina Panthers.
Next he takes Denver (Broncos) plus three points vs the New England Patriots.
The New England Patriots are (10-0) after a Monday night, “on the number” victory vs the Buffalo Bills.
Denver’s Broncos are (8-2) after a bounce back win in Chicago vs the Bears.
New England has an incredible 5 game lead with 6 games left and will win their 13th AFC East title in the last 15 seasons, all accomplished with greats Tom Brady at quarterback and Bill Belichick as head coach.
The Broncos likely will win a 5th straight AFC West crown as they lead the division by three games.
This week, the Patriots are early three point favorites at Denver in the Sunday night tilt.
Despite two straight night losses, the Cincinnati Bengals with an (8-2) record lead the AFC North by two games over the (6-4) Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans won as underdogs last week and their (5-5) records are good enough for a shared lead in the woeful AFC South.
The Carolina Panthers raised their record to (10-0) with a victory vs the Washington Redskins. They as a veritable Rodney Dangerfield “get no respect,” witness the fact they are 1 point underdogs at Dallas vs the Cowboys in one of the upcoming traditional games, this Thursday.
Elsewhere again Al Michaels and NBC “got” a field goal/close game thus boosting NBC, an event that does not thrill me.
However that does not take away from the fact that the Arizona Cardinals (Michaels attended Arizona State University) are (8-2) after winning by 3 as 4 point favorites vs fellow (8-2)/division leader Cincinnati (Bengals) in the Sunday night game. I went to sleep, watched little if any, and the sun came up this morning.
Elsewhere once prohibitive division favorite Green Bay (Packers) will again gain that status after the “Pack” won at Minnesota, in a battle of (7-3) NFC North teams.
The idle “Hackensack” Giants moved 1 game ahead in the woeful NFC East after both the (4-6) Philadelphia Eagles (Tampa Bay’s Buccaneers ripped the Eagles) and Washington Redskins, as cited above lost.
Looking at this iconic Neil Leifer photo of Yankee Stadium during a football Giants game, my mood brightens and I recall Al Michaels and his greatest call.– NO NOT THAT EXPONENTIALLY OVER Rated OLYMPIC “call,” (more a rhetorical, perhaps existential, question as Michaels himself admits he is/was not a hockey broadcaster), but of Johnny Bench’s game tying home run in the decisive 5th game of the 1972 NLCS.
Click below for “Alfalfa’s” great call of Bench’s home run and subsequent call of the Reds winning the 1972 pennant.
Reds Win 1972 NLCS – YouTube
After a (3-0) day yesterday in college football, I will offer advice but not predictions regarding upcoming NFL games.
I truly do not see anything that stands out. when that is the case do not bet and even when you must please be careful doing so.
Relax Ohio State fans and star runner, Ezekiel Elliott. You “stole” the title last year as the team should not have been afforded the opportunity to be in the playoff.
To the Ohio State team’s credit, they won twice as a one touchdown underdog and claimed a third title in my time, the others in 1968 and 2002.
On a personal note, they let me down so many times when I rooted for them from say 1967-(say)- 1978.
Yesterday’s loss with Elliott’s post game comments about leaving school, (he still may stay, but also likely would have left no matter the season result), was eerily reminiscent for Buckeye fans of a game played November 22, 1969 at Michigan.
I do not trust any documentaries and their facts which say Ohio State was a 17 point favorite in that 1969 game. Somehow I never asked the late Beano Cook the line that day, but say it was 17 points, the game yesterday with Ohio State a 15 plus point favorite, surely is similar.
Though I rooted for Ohio State in those years, I was warned and realized what Woody Hayes was and was not. He was as with Bob Knight an over the top militaristic, temper flaring man. Unlikein my opinion, Hayes so conservative with his “run, run play calling,” was not all that good a coach.
Yet I rooted for them and the teams from (1968-1970) with Rex Kern as quarterback, were tremendous ones. The 1969 loss that day, six years after the tragic loss of President Kennedy, truly hurt.
That aside, clearly had Ohio State won that game in 1969, they would have repeated as college football champions.
If they had won yesterday, they still needed 4 more wins and I believe I stated they would not repeat as champions this year.
Finally regarding Beano and other things “Cook,” Michigan State won yesterday without top notch quarterback Connor Cook. A backup named O’ Connor, far from stellar, bravely directed the victory.
Beano had a dear friend named O’ Connor, who preceded Beano to heaven or at least a place to talk college football in peace and without the inane commentary so prevalent via media outlets today.
Before this season Beano “surely” said that Ohio State would not go (12-0), thus taking under 11 and one half wins as a wager proposition regarding their season. That notion manifested yesterday, Beano if not a Cook all UNDER yesterday’s ouster of Ohio State.
PS Beano Need and needed your “help” to stop Notre Dame. I “Know” what Beano is/would say “we are in trouble.”
Last week I did not hear WFAN radio Mike Francesa’s NFL predictions.
Taking him at his word, surely not the easiest thing to do, he says his record is (18-11) for the year, meaning a (2-2) week last week, I suppose.
His predictions for the 11th week of the NFL schedule.
He picks the Philadelphia Eagles minus 5 vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next he “touts” the Dallas Cowboys at “pick em” at Miami vs the Dolphins.
He takes the Washington Redskins plus 7 at Carolina vs the Panthers.
He cuts off so many callers, being particularly all knowing and rude to a Steph Curry supporter and not allowing a caller, a rare one to bring up a meaningful topic (the fact the NFL played its games a scant two days after President John F. Kennedy was killed), to finish his thought.
Tomorrow NFL games will be played on a Sunday 52 years after President Kennedy’s death. Hopefully it will be noted that this eventual monolith played games on a Sunday two days after the assassination, a fourth in this “civilized” country of its president, and how wrong that was/is.
The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes still need three wins, all tough games at least on paper, to get back into the four team college football they won last year.
Tomorrow will be very tough at home vs Michigan State. Ohio State to remain unbeaten winning (24-19) vs the once beaten Spartans.
For the second straight week, top rated Clemson will not come close to covering a four touchdown spread. Clemson 44 Wake Forest 26.
Last Auburn a 5 touchdown favorite will win (30-7) vs the Idaho University Vandals, a payday for the latter school and their bettors, which is often the case in these epic mismatches.
Recently I had the pleasure of seeing a dazzling, entertaining show called “The Three B’s Beatles, Bacharach and Berlin” at the Emelin Theate in Mamaroneck, New York.
There were outstanding performers giving us renditions of songs by the great “B’s,” Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles.
Those performers included Shelly Burch, once “Delila Ralston,” on the great soap opera “One Life to Live,” who is so beautiful and talented.
Ms. Burch, treated the audience to such hits as “Walk On By” and “Say A Little Prayer For You.” She spent time talking with audience members after the show and showed great class and personality in doing so.
Her husband, Martin Charnan wrote, directed and narrated the show.
I love parenthetical information and inside stories. Certainly Mr. Charnan a man with a prolific songwriting career and the person most responsible for the musical “Annie,” (lyricist and director) was generous and interesting in supplying them.
It was a truly great show allowing me to flow back and enjoy the greatness of Mr. Berlin, Mr. Bacharach and the one and only Beatles.
The amazing Shelly Burch pictured above.
Emelin Theatre – Official Site
For more information about the Emelin Theatre and their many great events, click above.
Last week and in at least two cases for the season, the teams with “state” and not “city” names are the story and/or likely will win NFC divisional races.
Start with the (9-0) Carolina Panthers, who pulled away from an AFC “state” named team, Tennessee (Titans), who though far from certain, are likely to be the NFC top seed and almost certainly will win the NFC South, for a second straight season.
Last year Carolina won it with an under .500 record, this year they will likely win it with a near great to great record.
The Arizona Cardinals went into Seattle as three point underdogs and beat the two time NFC champion Seatttle Seahawks.
The (7-2) Cardinals, the NFL franchise that has gone the longest (68 years since 1947) and through time in two cities, (Chicago and St. Louis) since last winning a title (as the Chicago Cardinals) are a state named team almost certain to “state” its claim as NFC West champion.
The (7-2) Minnesota Vikings, as is the case with the above mentioned “state” teams have never won a Super Bowl. They lead the (6-3) Green Bay Packers by one game in the NFC North, after “Minne” won as a 3 point underdog in Oakland vs the Raiders and the (2-7) Detroit Lions handed the “Pack” a third straight defeat.
This Sunday, the Vikings can take a major step toward their first NFC North crown since 2009 with a victory at home vs the Packers. The fact that the Vikings are one point favorites says a great deal.
The other state team is a non city? or “district” team and like the the others are a surprise.
Washington D.C. is the Redskins’ home and they have won 3 Supes, the last after the 1991 season and only they among the 4 NFC East teams won last week. “Wash” improved its record to (4-5), routing the New Orleans Saints in the “district,” leaving the Redskins a half game behind the New York (is that the city, the state or I usually at least allude Hackensack, New Jersey) Giants. The Philadelphia Eagles are also (4-5).
Minnesota Vikings’ helmet pictured above
Recently there was another great event at the Bergino Clubhouse (a fabulous place with great baseball items and a truly good man, Jay Goldberg as its owner) as the highlight of the final 2015 meeting of The New York Giants Preservation Society, which is led by another truly good and hard working man, Gary Mintz.
The guests were creative producer, director (A Century in the Bleachers) Jon Leonoudakis and the 93 years “young,” “Babe Ruth of baseball writers,” Arnold Hano. Mr. Hano’s wife of 63 years, together for 67, (Mr. Hano quipped 4 years of “spring training” preceded the marriage), Bonnie was also a great, friendly informative presence.
The night with Mr. Hano talking about his extraordinary life, having met and talked with Babe Ruth and President John F. Kennedy, being part of a United States Supreme Court decision and of course talking about baseball could have gone on all night and remained captivating.
Mr. Hano is the subject of what is an extraordinary documentary produced by Mr. Leonoudakis called “A Century in the Bleachers.” It tells the Hano story as a great writer, husband and father.
One of three children, Stephen whom I also met and shared memories was also in attendance. Additionally he asked his dad about interviewing the great player, Roberto Clemente one of many greats Hano interviewed while at Sport Magazine. It was pat of a rousing question and answer session in which Hano flexed “baseball muscles” that entertained and informed in spectacular fashion.
Watching some of the documentary “A Century in the Bleachers,” that night and subsequently all of it, I attest to the work as a great record of Arnold Hano, who is a treasure.
Imagine being at Don Larsen’s perfect game in the pivotal 5th game of the 1956 World Series and not only dwarfing what permeates the media today, but having a beautiful, neat scorecard to match Larsen’s perfection that day.
His stories are incredible including encounters with the great Giants’ pitcher Carl Hubbell about facing Babe Ruth.
Each is a great story with the key line/question from one “H’ to the other (Hano, who by the way could and did play and knows the game as few if any ever did–we have written regarding the greatness of the book “A Day in the Bleachers”) to Hubbell being how far did he (The Babe) hit it?!!
The documentary “A Century in the Bleachers” with Mr. Leonoudakis’ extraordinary visuals complimenting Mr. Hano’s story each step of the way was also hit “out of sight.”
Alas, this post just glosses over some of Mr. Hano’s life and writings. There will be another part covering his work as a true giving man. He is blessed by talent, a great wife and family, but most of all by knowing and believing in giving and helping.
Soon more about that giving, for now surely go out and get “A Century in the Bleachers” a great work about an amazing man.
Click below for more information and how to purchase this incredible work.
HANO! A Century In The Bleachers
Above 93 Years young, Arnold Hano showing and eventually throwing a “Carl Hubbell”
screwball to producer Jon Leonoudakis
Once upon a time a female broadcaster, Gayle Gardner at NBC in New York, got caught when a power failure during the network’s telecast of an Orange Bowl left her having to improvise live on television, something co host Paul Maguire did no better than she.
Precious few in the field could have. Gardner was soon no longer with NBC, no great loss, but surely those who came after, especially Hannah Storm, really Storen, proved so much worse.
Yesterday in similar, but not as prolonged circumstances, ESPN had the wrong highlights, showing Colorado/Stanford and not Oklahoma/Baylor as Storm thought.
After botching and confusing the highlights, she finally was made aware. Too late in my book, get rid of her please.
Yet I know the cause is hopeless. Storm is in “raining/reigning” over our intelligence. Once at a Frank Sinatra performance he said you need not stand. Going from an undeniable talent (Sinatra) to a needless example of no progress for anyone, (Storm), you need not ask why.
Worse is the case of loud, abrasive, downright no “play by play acumen,” Kevin Harlan, who actually is the lead radio voice of the NFL as he has “broadcast” at least the last 3 Super Bowls on radio.
Once the glorious Marty Glickman delineated every two or three yards on radio broadcasts. Now WFAN’s Bob Papa talks of two things the runner does before telling the RADIO audience how many yards were gained or lost.
Harlan, the son of big NFL executive Bob Harlan, takes that to a higher even more insulting level with a greater armor of teflon than Ronald Reagan and Frank Gifford, two of the biggest, combined.
Yesterday, fortunately on television and not radio, but still inexcusable Harlan given the nickname “Elephant Mouth” as he NEVER stops talking, clearly stated Philadelphia Eagles’ running back Darren Sproles was TACKLED behind the line of scrimmage on a key 4th down play in the Miami Dolphins game vs the Eagles.
Problem: Harlan then added with no apology he (Sproles) made the first down.
Exactly 45 years earlier on November 15, 1970 during a classic radio broadcast of a great game between the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, Marty Glickman in the excitement, suggested “those driving might pull over to the side of the road.” It was a great comment from a person who made me want to be a broadcaster.
Now in the case of Harlan, years after my career never started, I fear crashes from those too involved in games forced to listen to him on the radio. Try it from home and see/hear why my rage is justified.
You do not have to be John Fogerty to know the “storm,” (Hannah, Kevin Harlan and others) will get worse. Also certain: the copycat, cowardly, no talent producers in charge will not “stop the rain” nor the reign of ineptitude in sports broadcasting.
