I was in Dallas last weekend and I heard the radio guys' reactions to the Cowboys season. I laughed out loud when I heard one of the men groan when Wade Phillips was at the mic talking. He wasn't thrilled that Wade was at the mic talking, because obviously it meant that Wade was still the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
I've heard Jerry Jones say that's he's "standing by his man" and that Philips will remain coach for the rest of the season. With Romo out with a broken clavicle and Jon Kitna "playing" quarterback, things have got to be unbearable in the locker room, on the field, etc. I can't fathom what it must feel like to be a part of the Dallas Cowboys organization, when the tean has a record of 1-7. Further, it just can't be fun to be a Cowboys fan right now. All my friends who are Cowboys fans are extremely frustrated. It must be incredibly awkward to be Cowboys fan and know that in a few months that Super Bowl XLV is coming to town, especially since it was almost expected that after last year's performance, that the Cowboys would at least be in contention for a post-season...
I went to the new Cowboys Stadium in January to watch the Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC Wildcard game. I bought a hat at the game, and have no idea where that hat is now. Needless to say, I won't be needing it this year so I have more than enough time to look for it. The Cowboys won the game I attended and went on to play the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. Ultimately Brett Favre and the Vikings ended the Cowboys' season. Incidentally, I was at that game also. **** Check my earlier posts from January, if you're curious.
I barely watched the game tonight. I'm not a Green Bay Packers fan, and I knew that the Dallas Cowboys would lose. I ran into my friend, Tommy, on my way home from the Washington Capitals game and he said he thought that the Cowboys would cover tonight's spread. That made me laugh. I have no idea what the spread was for tonight's game, but I would've spotted the Cowboys 10 points easily and still taken the Packers. **** The final score was 45-7, and the Packers won. Tommy, I told you so!
I'm not saying that I think the Cowboys are quitting for the rest of the season. I'm not going to pretend that I've been following them enough to care. I'm just saying that after watching Green Bay play against the Redskins (i.e. even though the Packers lost) and the Vikings (i.e. even though the game went down to the wire), it was obvious to me that the Cowboys would get blown out tonight.
The only thing that really made an impression on me today was Clay Matthews Jr. I really want him to shave his head. His stringy hair drives me nuts. That's my 2 cents.
Here's a picture of me at the new Cowboys Stadium. If you haven't been there, you're missing out. GO!!!!
**** Hmmm, what a difference a week makes! The irony. I just checked ESPN.com and it looks like Jerry Jones MIGHT be changing his tune. It wouldn't be the first time a man changed his mind after a week... Here's a link to the article, if you want to cut and paste it into a new window: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/news/story?id=5779311. I wonder. Can you hear me laughing over here?
All anyone can talk about today is Brett Favre and his "This is it" text. BFD.
According to an ESPN article, Favre has sent text messages to teammates saying, "This is it," league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
So what? He didn't text "I'm retiring." Maybe he meant, "This is it (i.e. the last year)." Maybe he was recommending the Michael Jackson movie to his teammates. Who knows. Why are people are so jumpy?!?! Until the man says he's retiring and actually misses a game, who cares?
Incidentally, I'm currently in Minneapolis and people are awfully quiet around here. I did notice that Macy's moved the Favre Minnesota Vikings jersey's closer to the front of its fan memorabilia section (i.e. to the point where it looks strange, surrounded by the Twins gear).
With The Rick in Minneapolis
Regardless, I got a call from my friend, The Rick, today who said we may have witnessed Favre's last victory in the NFL. Oh well. Guess we'll find out for sure... Eventually.
Start of the AFC Divisional Game: Dallas Cowboys v Minnesota Vikings
2 Sundays ago, I went to my very first Super Bowl. Last Sunday (i.e. 2 days ago) I went to my very first NBA All-Star game. Yes, I said it ~ "VERY FIRST". Some people find that surprising. Sure, I've been to Jam Sessions and All-Star Saturday night for the 3 Point and Slam Dunk contests... But, I've never made it to the actual All-Star game ~ until this year.
This year's Super Bowl was historic. The Saints won it all in their 44th year as a franchise in Super Bowl XLIV (i.e. the 44th Super Bowl for those of you that are Roman numerically challenged). This year's NBA All-Star game was also historic. It was slated to draw a world record in attendance for a basketball game, since it was being played in the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
New Guinness Book of World Records achievement in attendance for a basketball game
I was thrilled to be going to the game, even though I'd been to the new stadium earlier this year for the Eagles v Cowboys playoff game. You knew that already, right?!!? No?!?! Well you would have, had you been following this blog since Day 1. Just saying... :-P
For those of you, who are curious ~ and you know that you all are. Here is some video I found on youtube that shows how the floor of the new Cowboys Stadium was transformed to accommodate the 2010 NBA All-Star game. It's AWESOME.
The NBA transportation took us to the arena easily. There was a long line for people to get into the arena. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to wait in that line... Inside the stadium, I couldn't wait to see the setup for the basketball game. A quick trip across the concourse and this was the view that I saw.
After sizing up the arena and looking at the seating differences for basketball, I descended into the tunnels and was able to take in the scene prior to the player introductions. Kobe Bryant wasn't playing the game, but he was in the tunnels.
Kobe Bryant talking to Dwight Howard
After that scene got tiresome, I walked through the tunnels and went towards the floor of the stadium and took in the scene at "field level". I couldn't believe I was so close to the action and the energy of the stadium was palpable. People were excited and you could feel it! More Kobe interviews were conducted, while Reggie Miller and Marv Albert were doing their pregame show segments.
Usher performed 2 or 3 songs prior to the player introductions. Does anyone know if Usher still has an ownership stake in Cleveland? Just curious. Next question: Is Usher still relevant? I don't think he is, but that's my 2 cents...
Usher
Before the game with the East and the West on the floor
Opening tip
It's the NBA All-Star game. I've watched many of these through the years and the "formula" is the same. The players have fun for the first 3.75 quarters and begin to play for the win towards the end of the game. During the 1st half of the game, I scanned the crowd and enjoyed the action on the court. At half time, I was curious to see how the crowd would be managed as the players traveled what I'd like to refer to as "Lombard Street" at the new Cowboys Stadium... For those of you that don't know what that means, I beg you to travel to San Francisco and the curves of "Lombard Street" for yourself.
The path the players had to walk reminded me of the game Centipede...
Shakira and Alicia Keys performed at half-time. My only complaint was about Shakira's outfit, since it was a cross between Beyonce's "Single Ladies" leotard and Lady Gaga's outfits with the "shoulder embellishments"... All of them look great ~ but come on.... Can we please get some originality ladies?!?!
Shakira
Alicia Keys
Also, at half-time, the USA Basketball team was presented to the crowd. The 2010 FIBA World Championships are being held in Turkey this September. 27 marquee names on the roster include: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, etc. For all of you Duke fans, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the USA head coach is Mike Krzyzewski.
Some of the members of Team USA
With under 40 seconds left in the game, the score was tied at 137. This made some people nervous, because not many people wanted this game to go into overtime. Eventually the East won the game 141-139 and Dwyane Wade was named the MVP of the game.
As the stadium cleared, I took some more pics around the stadium and watched the taping of Inside the NBA.
Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley
After the Inside the NBA was done taping, here are some gems that I was able to snap.
On the actual game court
Chris Bosh and AmareStoudemire leaving the stadium
Dwyane Wade leaving the locker room
Dwight Howard leaving the stadium
By the time we all left the arena, it was LATE. I ended up chatting it up with PR and media people from all over the country. Ever sat in front of someone who's written about you in a newspaper and he not know who you were? I have and it's a very strange feeling.
If you ask the average person, they'd tell you football started 16 or so weeks ago. If you ask me, I'd tell you that football season started last Saturday... Athletes practice for the big game... I also prepare, even though I'll never take a snap or catch a pass of my own... On Monday night, I was at trivia watching the ESPN crawl... I noticed that the Eagles were playing the Cowboys on Saturday night. The wheels in my head start turning... I want to go to Dallas. Some people have a goal to visit all the MLB ballparks... I dream bigger. It's been a goal of mine to go to a sporting event at every professional venue for baseball, basketball, and football. I will go to hockey games at different sites if the opportunity presents itself, but I'm not about to add it to the list, just yet... After my visit to the new Cowboys stadium, I've been to 57 professional sporting venues. 57. I should've kept a tally on how much this goal has cost me, but I think it'd make me throw up, and I can't imagine the reaction from family and friends so the numbers will not be calculated.
I go to bed on Monday night and tell myself I need to look at flights early on Tuesday. Tuesday morning I wake up and hit Orbitz. To my surprise it appears that USAir wants me to go to Dallas also... They're offering Dallas as one of their last-minute e-saver destinations. For under $220, I can book a round trip ticket and the flight times are PERFECT for an overnight trip to Dallas. Next thing to look at is, game tickets... Must find out whether game tickets are cost-prohibitive or doable... A quick look at some ticket resale sites, tells me that I can commit to a trip to Dallas and go to the game. AWESOME. I think about things a little bit more. I wonder if I can get a Cowboys fan to come with me to Dallas and go to the game.
I jump on facebook and look for my friend, Pat. He's a diehard Cowboys fan, and I bet I can convince him to make the trip. Sure enough he's online. I tell him about the flight prices. He looks for himself. I tell him we can get tickets on stubhub. He says he's never used it. I tell him I'll take care of it, if he just says "YES". He books his flight. We're half way to Dallas in my head! Woohoo. Now for game tickets. Like I said, Pat is a diehard Cowboys fan and I'm a ticket snob. We both go to stubhub and scan for tickets. He's kind enough to offer to sit in the endzone. (For those that don't know, end zone seats are generally cheaper than sideline). I scowl audibly. I'm not flying to Dallas to sit in the endzone. We get home team sideline tickets, on the 20, 13 rows up. I'm BEYOND thrilled. It's a done deal. We're going to Dallas.
Saturday early afternoon I swoop and pick Pat up in the cab and off to the airport we go. Arrive in Dallas, and we get picked up by my cousin's family. Off to lunch for some Texas BBQ. My cousin gets to know Pat. I think he thinks we're a couple. Who cares. I'm not going to correct him. It's not worth it, and I'm sure his kids won't remember Pat when they're older, so he won't have to respond to inquiries about where's, "Uncle Pat". Lol. I'd be willing to bet $10 though, that I get asked about Pat at my cousin's wedding in March ~ but I digress...
My cousin drops Pat and I off at the stadium. When we walked in, we were handed a rally towel. I'm a sucker for free stuff. We cruise the concourse and get a feel for the stadium. Wow. This stadium is like no other. Pat described it as a convention center. That's actually not a bad analogy...
We hit the pro-shop, because we need to get Cowboys gear. Purchasing a home team hat is a compulsory activity when I hit a new venue. While looking at all the Cowboys gear (and singing along to De La Soul's Me, Myself, and I, which is booming through the speakers) I pick my hat and head for the check out line. In line I see a 4 pack of bobbleheads for $20 ~ best souvenir ever because I don't have to buy them a la carte.
After a quick walk around the concourse, it's off to the seats we go... Eyes wide open I stare at all the activity around me. Cheerleaders, dancers, fire, players, lights, video, etc. are everywhere. Lights, camera, and so much action. They could easily name this stadium "Attention Deficit Arena". I have no idea where I should be looking, but I know I can't take my eyes off the screen over head... The monster screen goes from the 20 to the 20, and the picture is so vivid!
Game On. Cowboys win the coin toss. Cowboys already win in my book. After a few plays it looks like it's going to be a close game. I didn't come to Dallas to get stressed out. After a while, the Eagles (or whoever those people were in green) start to crumble and it begins to look like a barn burner! The group of 4 old guys in front of me are the happiest little boys in the world! Pat has died and gone to heaven. Everyone is smiling from ear to ear and slapping each other high-five after every great play. I'm not sure if it's the South, the fact that they're indoors, or that the Cowboys were winning ~ but all those people were very happy. The new Cowboys stadium felt like Disney World.
I'm taking it all in and surveying the people around me. I look 2 rows ahead of me and notice someone. I know basketball. I know the physique of a basketball player and I'd be willing to bet I know the guy I'm staring at. I look at his profile a little harder and then he sits down. I look at the back of his neck. I see the word "Franchise". I guarantee there may only be a handful of people that know who he is and I'm in that handful. I put it together. It's Steve Francis. It makes sense since he played in Houston and who else would have that on the back of his neck. I think to tap him and ask him if he has Bobby Sura's number in his phone. I'd be willing to bet he does. It's not the time or place. I'd have to talk over a row of people and if I need to find Bob, it's not that difficult for me to find my old friend. Steve and I high-five several times during the game... I'd be willing to bet, even he'd be surprised I figured out who he was!
Do you know who this is? I do! I do!!! :-P
Cowboys blew out the Eagles. We get a drink at a stadium bar after the game, and the stadium is still bustling. Very cool! We watch the postgame and I just people watch. People are throwing footballs on the concourse and having a great time.
By the way, Ted Nugent did the National Anthem. I guess that makes sense because we're in Texas.
One thing is for sure ~ they were dead on, when they said "Don't mess with Texas".
After the game, Pat and I head to Sherlock's for a drinks... Already the gears in my head are turning... I see a guy in Colts gear and I have to tell him I'm a Colts fan. He's visibly confused and tries to take my Cowboys hat off of my head. I stop him because my hair is crazy under there. He tell me if I'm a Colts fan, I need to "be proud". Huh!?!?!? I think to myself, I'll show you proud and immediately try to plan my trip to Indianapolis...
I went to the new Cowboys Stadium in January to watch the Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC Wildcard game. I bought a hat at the game, and have no idea where that hat is now. Needless to say, I won't be needing it this year so I have more than enough time to look for it. The Cowboys won the game I attended and went on to play the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. Ultimately Brett Favre and the Vikings ended the Cowboys' season. Incidentally, I was at that game also. **** Check my earlier posts from January, if you're curious.
