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Field of Dreams: A Cardinal Fan's Odyssey

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:28:34 -0500

I was eight years old when my Uncle Michael took me to my first pro football game. The date was November 24, 1963...four days prior to Thanksgiving. The venue was Yankee Stadium, the home of QB Y.A. Tittle, WR Del Shofner, LB Sam Huff and The New York Football Giants. The 8-2 Giants were taking on the 7-3 St. Louis Football Cardinals, who were led by QB Charley Johnson, WR Sonny Randle and FS Larry Wilson.

Walking through the chilly turnstyles at Yankee Stadium was the most mystical experience an eight year old boy like me could possiby experience. After all, this was the House That Ruth Built...and the Home of Champions: The New York Yankees and The New York Football Giants. The throng of hefty cigar smoking fans was bustling through the gates like raging bulls...and I just stood by my uncle's side in awe as he ordered us up a carton of hot dogs dripping in Gulden's Spicy Brown mustard and two large styrophome cups of steaming hot chocolate. Uncle Michael said, "C'mon, let's get to the seats."

Elite Defeat

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:39:00 -0400

It was a day for drastic measures.

So I made the ultimate sacrifice. Despite my red hair, I donned my Cardinals red jersey. Normally I wear a black t-shirt proclaiming Cardinals, or carry an Arizona jacket. But today the stands would have blue shirts clumping in bad places, so it was crucial to counteract that with red.

Let the team know we were there.

I was dismayed at the number of blue jerseys I saw. Later numbers would place it at the 15-20%, but it did seem overwhelming. In my own section, we had a lot of Cards fans, but there were two big guys in blue right next to us, a line of 4 more 3 rows down, and a whole group in the box section behind us. Standing in line for the Ladies, a Dallas fan came out of the Men’s and exclaimed – ‘it’s a mad house in there! Every man for himself!’

Phoenix Suns have a head coach! Terry Porter agrees to terms.

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:26:44 -0400

AZCentral is reporting that the Phoenix Suns finally have head coach after a long and detailed interview process.

Former lead assistant in Detroit, Terry Porter joins the Suns squad and brings two seasons of head coaching experience.

Steve Kerr made the decision Saturday and had this to say about Porter:

"He's a great leader," said Kerr, who was his San Antonio teammate for the final two years of Porter's 17-year career. "He's very tough-minded, confident yet humble, in a way that I think players will respect. He's a really good communicator."

Read more about the signing over on AZCentral.

Mock Me If You Will

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:42:48 -0400

Once again my annual "Best Available Player" disclaimer. Most teams simply can't go that way because a limited cap forces them to address their needs.

When a multiple position need is specified, like DB, it signifies the team needs help at multiple positions under that designation, in this case CB and S. The primary need is listed first.

Some teams, like Atlanta, have so many openings they could draft anyone and should take the best player.

Round & Round

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:39:13 -0400

Setting up a draft board is one of the hardest tasks in the NFL. Do you weight it toward your needs? Do you take the top guy on it if a need guys is rated almost as highly? This isn't a whole board, but it gives some idea of whom I would consider worthy of selection in the first 3 rounds.

I have dropped a few guys from Round 1, knowing they will be gone. Some I have included will undoubtedly be gone as well. I know some of these candidates are a round higher than others rated them.