The only US college football game I've ever been to was at the Big House in Ann Arbour in October, 2003. The Wolverines crushed Purdue and their future NFL quarterback Kyle Orton. Because I saw him play live in that one game, I've always hoped for good things for him in the NFL - as I have for the other players from that game who suited up in the NFL (wide receiver Braylon Edwards is probably the best known among them). So, when Tony Romo had season ending back surgery late last week and Kyle Orton was named the starter in the NFC East Championship Game (which was the last regular season game of the 2013 NFL season), the game took on a bit of extra intrigue for me. The pundits were giving the Cowboys very little chance in the game but Orton, in the end, came very close to leading his team to victory. There's a good reason why he's Romo's back-up: Like Romo himself would have done, he played well through the entire game then threw a crucial and, in this case, a season ending interception late in the game on what was potentially the winning drive. The Cowboys lost by 2 points and Jerry Jones was not pleased. Jason Garrett, however, was not among the head coaches fired on Black Monday.
The Bills have never won at Gillette Stadium which opened in 2002. They have come close a few times but Sunday's rain-soaked game was never really in doubt despite Thad Lewis making some good throws in difficult conditions. It's Tuesday morning as I write this and, as he explained in his post-game press conference, Doug Marrone begins his work on the 2014 season this morning. He fired his wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard yesterday but the rest of the coaching staff will remain (unless one of them is hired elsewhere). The Bills have the 9th overall pick in April's draft. The season ticket invoice will arrive shortly.
A few weeks ago, the likely Superbowl match-up was Seattle v. Denver. That has not changed. Each is the number one conference seed which means that with 2 home wins, they will be Superbowl bound. Can the Patriots win at Denver? Yes and Baltimore did it last year. Can Carolina win at Seattle? Seems much less likely. As for the teams who play this coming weekend, San Diego looks like a tough out and the Saints are always a threat but on the road in cold weather is not ideal for them. The 49ers could also win at Green Bay.
Light snow is falling here in Muskoka as I write this on Tuesday morning. The temperature rose a bit overnight and now reads -15. There is at least 50cm of snow on the ground and the skiing is excellent. We will ski and sauna today then have a nice dinner and be ready for more skiing and an outdoor Leaf game on TV tomorrow - as well as some college football.
Happy New Year to everyone. Even to you Rob Ford. I can't imagine how you could top 2013 but if you don't, I know that it won't be because you didn't give it your best shot. I hope you read the very good Globe editorial on Saturday but you probably didn't. You've got just under a year left as mayor. Try to make the least of it.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Monday, 23 December 2013
Bills 19, Dolphins 0
I went to two Solstice parties on Saturday night with my friend and neighbour Jennifer. We arrived back at Lawrence subway station about 1am and, as we slipped and slid our way along the 300 metres from the station to her house, ice laden branches were creaking and crackling and some were coming down around us. So as we walked under the large trees, we kept our hands on our heads like hostages shuffling along the street under gunpoint. We made it safely and then I made my way back to my building. There were no signs of power issues when I went to sleep.
But I awoke to a darkened building. Around 8am, I made my way down the 11 flights of stairs with my headlamp to survey the situation and see if I could find coffee and something to eat. Power was on north of Lawrence and the Tim Horton's was much busier than usual for a Sunday morning. From there, I called my uncle Ray who lives about 1km away at Avenue Road and Lawrence. His power was also out and the temperature has fallen to just over 15 degrees inside. He's in poor health and was unable to get out to his small, ice-laden pile of firewood beside the house. So, I went over, found a hatchet and some wood for kindling in the basement and went out to chip as much of the ice off the wood as I could. I got the fire going in the woodstove, split and cleaned up the rest of pile and brought it inside. We boiled water on the stove and made coffee. I got his car started and, after a few minutes, was able to clear the thick layer of ice from the windows and wipers so the car was ready to drive. A neighbour and I cleared a large branch from the end of his driveway. The house started to warm up and he sent me on my way. It looked to me like there was going to be enough firewood to get him through the night and perhaps until mid-day today.
I ended up having to bring my computer, in a couple of different sessions, to the Starbucks north of Lawrence to meet my Monday morning work deadlines. I ended up climbing the 11 flights of stairs in the building 5 times before the day was done. I was just about to go to sleep when the power was restored at about 9.15pm last night. But, from my window, I could still see a large swath of darkness through the part of Lawrence Park east of Yonge Street. It was still in darkness at 6am today and I suspect that my uncle is going to need more firewood. When business hours commence, arranging a firewood delivery for him will be my first priority. I have a feeling that I won't be the only one.
Yesterday's Bills game was, ironically, "blacked out" on local television. I caught bits of it on the car radio but followed the game mostly on Twitter. The defence was obviously dominant and Bills fans were able to close out the home season with the team's 6th win of the year. If they can win in New England next week, the Bills will finish the season with a winning record within the AFC East which would be something to build on going into next year.
Merry Christmas everyone.
But I awoke to a darkened building. Around 8am, I made my way down the 11 flights of stairs with my headlamp to survey the situation and see if I could find coffee and something to eat. Power was on north of Lawrence and the Tim Horton's was much busier than usual for a Sunday morning. From there, I called my uncle Ray who lives about 1km away at Avenue Road and Lawrence. His power was also out and the temperature has fallen to just over 15 degrees inside. He's in poor health and was unable to get out to his small, ice-laden pile of firewood beside the house. So, I went over, found a hatchet and some wood for kindling in the basement and went out to chip as much of the ice off the wood as I could. I got the fire going in the woodstove, split and cleaned up the rest of pile and brought it inside. We boiled water on the stove and made coffee. I got his car started and, after a few minutes, was able to clear the thick layer of ice from the windows and wipers so the car was ready to drive. A neighbour and I cleared a large branch from the end of his driveway. The house started to warm up and he sent me on my way. It looked to me like there was going to be enough firewood to get him through the night and perhaps until mid-day today.
I ended up having to bring my computer, in a couple of different sessions, to the Starbucks north of Lawrence to meet my Monday morning work deadlines. I ended up climbing the 11 flights of stairs in the building 5 times before the day was done. I was just about to go to sleep when the power was restored at about 9.15pm last night. But, from my window, I could still see a large swath of darkness through the part of Lawrence Park east of Yonge Street. It was still in darkness at 6am today and I suspect that my uncle is going to need more firewood. When business hours commence, arranging a firewood delivery for him will be my first priority. I have a feeling that I won't be the only one.
Yesterday's Bills game was, ironically, "blacked out" on local television. I caught bits of it on the car radio but followed the game mostly on Twitter. The defence was obviously dominant and Bills fans were able to close out the home season with the team's 6th win of the year. If they can win in New England next week, the Bills will finish the season with a winning record within the AFC East which would be something to build on going into next year.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Monday, 16 December 2013
Bills 27, Jaguars 20
Watching Doug Ford handing out $20 bills at a TCH building last week made me realize that the Fords don't follow the usual guidelines and conventions other politicians do regarding the optics of their various activities, appearances and public statements. Common sense would clearly say that the optics of randomly handing out cash at a public housing building, with TV cameras rolling, are not likely to be positive or helpful. And then to explain it by saying that he had simply run out of time to purchase $20 Tim Horton's gift cards, as he had apparently done in the past. As if that would have made it any better. Rob Ford received considerable support from residents of TCH buildings in the 2010 election, due in large part to the personal connections he made as a councillor with thousands of TCH tenants by returning their phone calls to his office and personally attending at their residences to hear their concerns. It's en example of highly effective retail politics and it earned him those votes fair and square. But I would hope that those who witnessed Doug Ford's cash free-for-all would have found it insulting - as it was.
Here's how Tabatha Southey described the Conrad Black interview of Rob Ford which aired on Vision TV's The Zoomer: "I'll say now that his interview made the queries of a good mall Santa to a child seated on his knee look like Frost/Nixon." The interview has vanished from the Vision TV website and from YouTube due, I presume, to the libel action initiated by Daniel Dale last week. And so it goes: on and on and on. Downtown Relief Line be damned; let's just keep talking about this stuff. Oh, and Doug Ford says that Dale's legal action is nothing more than another Toronto Star strategy to sell papers. Doesn't it seem more like the Fords themselves are the Star's most effective tool for growing readership?
And on to NFL football: the Buffalo Bills have played the maximum number of regular season road games possible in the state of Florida this year, which is 3. And they've won two of those games in the Sunshine State, accounting for all of their road wins. Yesterday's seven point win in Jacksonville was neither particularly inspiring nor disheartening. It just felt like two teams playing out the third last games of their respective lost seasons. Bills fans were interesting in seeing more progression from EJ Manuel but, like the game itself, he produced mixed results, looking dreadful in the early going before playing much better at times later in the game. Stevie Johnson decided to play in the game despite receiving news of his mother's unexpected passing on Saturday evening. Coach Marrone apparently gave him the option of leaving the team immediately to be with his family but he decided to play anyway.
As the NFL regular season comes down to its final two weeks, the most certain thing we can say is that the road to the first cold weather Superbowl goes through the Pacific Northwest. The Seahawks next game away from home is likely to be at the Meadowlands in early February as they finish the season with two home games and have the decided edge on home field advantage in the NFC. Maybe Carolina can win in Seattle but it seems like a long shot. In the AFC, the Broncos occupy the top spot right now, even after stumbling against the Chargers but it's much more wide open than the NFC is.
The Bills host the Dolphins next week at the Ralph in their final home game of 2013 before closing out the season in New England. These next two games - in cold weather and against teams with much to play for - will be a much better test for EJ Manuel than yesterday's game was.
Here's how Tabatha Southey described the Conrad Black interview of Rob Ford which aired on Vision TV's The Zoomer: "I'll say now that his interview made the queries of a good mall Santa to a child seated on his knee look like Frost/Nixon." The interview has vanished from the Vision TV website and from YouTube due, I presume, to the libel action initiated by Daniel Dale last week. And so it goes: on and on and on. Downtown Relief Line be damned; let's just keep talking about this stuff. Oh, and Doug Ford says that Dale's legal action is nothing more than another Toronto Star strategy to sell papers. Doesn't it seem more like the Fords themselves are the Star's most effective tool for growing readership?
And on to NFL football: the Buffalo Bills have played the maximum number of regular season road games possible in the state of Florida this year, which is 3. And they've won two of those games in the Sunshine State, accounting for all of their road wins. Yesterday's seven point win in Jacksonville was neither particularly inspiring nor disheartening. It just felt like two teams playing out the third last games of their respective lost seasons. Bills fans were interesting in seeing more progression from EJ Manuel but, like the game itself, he produced mixed results, looking dreadful in the early going before playing much better at times later in the game. Stevie Johnson decided to play in the game despite receiving news of his mother's unexpected passing on Saturday evening. Coach Marrone apparently gave him the option of leaving the team immediately to be with his family but he decided to play anyway.
As the NFL regular season comes down to its final two weeks, the most certain thing we can say is that the road to the first cold weather Superbowl goes through the Pacific Northwest. The Seahawks next game away from home is likely to be at the Meadowlands in early February as they finish the season with two home games and have the decided edge on home field advantage in the NFC. Maybe Carolina can win in Seattle but it seems like a long shot. In the AFC, the Broncos occupy the top spot right now, even after stumbling against the Chargers but it's much more wide open than the NFC is.
The Bills host the Dolphins next week at the Ralph in their final home game of 2013 before closing out the season in New England. These next two games - in cold weather and against teams with much to play for - will be a much better test for EJ Manuel than yesterday's game was.
Monday, 9 December 2013
Buccaneers 27, Bills 6
Last week I asked friends and colleagues if they could think of a world figure, at any point in history, who was more revered, more respected, more loved or more admired than Nelson Mandela. Names like Gandhi and Mother Tesesa were suggested - and they are obviously worthy of admiration - but, for many reasons, it's hard to top Mandela. His commitment to reconciliation so soon after his release from 27 years of imprisonment was truly visionary and even a modest impulse of retribution on his part would have been entirely understandable. But he chose not to act on that impulse, if he had it at all.
In 1998, I saw him, from a distance of about 20 feet, as he arrived at the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto to speak at a luncheon in his honour. He was a tall, impressive and fatherly figure who smiled at the crowd as he made his way from his car and into the hotel. As we spent the past few days remembering him, when I saw the footage, from the same trip, of his attendance at the re-naming of a Toronto elementary school in his name, I saw the same smile and his deep sense of appreciation which he had for Canada. He had a great respect for Brian Mulroney and his efforts to urge the world to join him in shaming the South African government to make the changes which it eventually did. In this regard, history will rightfully not be kind to Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher.
On this Monday morning, I sit at the table in my cottage as steady snow falls on the frozen lake. It's -5 now and a winter wonderland here. I will probably need to put my tire chains on to ensure that I can get up the big hill without worrying about it. I'm here with my cousin Peter who has a full cast on after breaking his lower left leg in late October. He wanted so badly to take a sauna but, so far, has decided against it. He is moving surprisingly well on crutches through the snow. I bring firewood into the cottage for him but, other than that, he is self-sufficient.
Yesterday, I walked with Sophie the white dog over to Saw Lake with my skates. It is frozen a bit thicker than our lake is but let there be no doubt that I was skating on pretty thin ice. But I kept close to shore, wore my life-jacket and maintained my speed. The ice was perfectly smooth - and a good thing because I would not have been able to see any cracks or other anomalies through the 2 inches of fresh powdery snow. I used the opportunity to work on my backward cross-over turns. Didn't fall once.
I did see most of the Seahawks / 49ers game and the ending of the Ravens / Vikings game. Those were good games, unlike the Bills game which I gave up on at 17-3 when I went skating. It was nice to Rian Lindell still kicking well. He was always a class act.
In 1998, I saw him, from a distance of about 20 feet, as he arrived at the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto to speak at a luncheon in his honour. He was a tall, impressive and fatherly figure who smiled at the crowd as he made his way from his car and into the hotel. As we spent the past few days remembering him, when I saw the footage, from the same trip, of his attendance at the re-naming of a Toronto elementary school in his name, I saw the same smile and his deep sense of appreciation which he had for Canada. He had a great respect for Brian Mulroney and his efforts to urge the world to join him in shaming the South African government to make the changes which it eventually did. In this regard, history will rightfully not be kind to Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher.
On this Monday morning, I sit at the table in my cottage as steady snow falls on the frozen lake. It's -5 now and a winter wonderland here. I will probably need to put my tire chains on to ensure that I can get up the big hill without worrying about it. I'm here with my cousin Peter who has a full cast on after breaking his lower left leg in late October. He wanted so badly to take a sauna but, so far, has decided against it. He is moving surprisingly well on crutches through the snow. I bring firewood into the cottage for him but, other than that, he is self-sufficient.
Yesterday, I walked with Sophie the white dog over to Saw Lake with my skates. It is frozen a bit thicker than our lake is but let there be no doubt that I was skating on pretty thin ice. But I kept close to shore, wore my life-jacket and maintained my speed. The ice was perfectly smooth - and a good thing because I would not have been able to see any cracks or other anomalies through the 2 inches of fresh powdery snow. I used the opportunity to work on my backward cross-over turns. Didn't fall once.
I did see most of the Seahawks / 49ers game and the ending of the Ravens / Vikings game. Those were good games, unlike the Bills game which I gave up on at 17-3 when I went skating. It was nice to Rian Lindell still kicking well. He was always a class act.
Monday, 2 December 2013
Falcons 34, Bills 31, OT
Unlike most who were at the Rogers Centre yesterday, we were lined up at the gate early - shortly after 3.30pm - which got us through the metal detectors and walking up the ramp by about 3.50pm. And when we reached the 500 level, before taking our seats, we had a look out the window at the throng outside the southeast corner of the stadium lined up waiting to get through NFL security which is similar to getting on a plane. About two thirds of those who showed up yesterday missed the opening kick-off. For a 4pm game on a Sunday.
This was the second year, according to Rogers, in which tickets to the annual NFL regular season Bills "home" game were not given away. The house was heavily "papered" for games in each of the first four years. The attendance of 38,000 plus therefore actually reflects the true market in Toronto. The true market, that is, for a game between a 4-7 team from down the highway and a 2-9 team from the south and from the other conference - a team with which the Bills have no rivalry and only a brief series history. Yesterday's crowd was the smallest of the six games played so far but I did see some positive signs. The noise generated on the Bills defensive third downs was the best I have heard in the six years I've been going to these games. Relative to the noise at the Ralph, there is no comparison but it has improved. There is obviously still a very long way to go.
Frankly, being indoors on a day with drizzle and a temperature of plus 2 outside was kind of a treat. And no driving, no border line-ups and no 12 hour day. But from a pure team perspective, giving up a real home game is a significant disadvantage. It's easy to say that the Bills would have won this game had it been played outdoors in Orchard Park but they could have and should have won it anyway. But for a couple of key fumbles by Bills receivers at critical times, they would have. Bills fans in Buffalo have good reason to be disgusted with the Toronto games and many are calling for a cancellation of the remaining 4 games under the current agreement with Rogers. It's not likely to happen but I would certainly go along with it. The best way to come closer to replicating the Ralph Wilson Stadium experience and atmosphere at the Rogers Centre is to bring in many more Bills fans from Buffalo and Rochester and surrounding area. But there's the driving, the border, the expense, the time required and everything else involved - all of the things I'm willing to deal with going in the other direction. But it's their team and it belongs to their community. They didn't ask for this.
Apparently, Rob Ford was at the game - for the first half anyway - wearing a Fred Jackson jersey. Too bad for Fred who is one of the classiest guys in the NFL. There was also a rumour that the Beach Boys played at halftime. We saw a stage and some guys with grey beards off the corner of the north endzone but whoever was operating the sound system must have thought it was the Beach Boys unplugged because we could hear virtually nothing. Last year's halftime show by Psy was awesome in comparison.
Now at 4-8, playoff hopes, as slim as they were, are dashed. Thankfully, I was able to sell my tickets to the Who Cares Bowl against the Dolphins on Dec 22nd. But I do like the coach and the team has some good young players so I am, as always, hopeful for next year.
This was the second year, according to Rogers, in which tickets to the annual NFL regular season Bills "home" game were not given away. The house was heavily "papered" for games in each of the first four years. The attendance of 38,000 plus therefore actually reflects the true market in Toronto. The true market, that is, for a game between a 4-7 team from down the highway and a 2-9 team from the south and from the other conference - a team with which the Bills have no rivalry and only a brief series history. Yesterday's crowd was the smallest of the six games played so far but I did see some positive signs. The noise generated on the Bills defensive third downs was the best I have heard in the six years I've been going to these games. Relative to the noise at the Ralph, there is no comparison but it has improved. There is obviously still a very long way to go.
Frankly, being indoors on a day with drizzle and a temperature of plus 2 outside was kind of a treat. And no driving, no border line-ups and no 12 hour day. But from a pure team perspective, giving up a real home game is a significant disadvantage. It's easy to say that the Bills would have won this game had it been played outdoors in Orchard Park but they could have and should have won it anyway. But for a couple of key fumbles by Bills receivers at critical times, they would have. Bills fans in Buffalo have good reason to be disgusted with the Toronto games and many are calling for a cancellation of the remaining 4 games under the current agreement with Rogers. It's not likely to happen but I would certainly go along with it. The best way to come closer to replicating the Ralph Wilson Stadium experience and atmosphere at the Rogers Centre is to bring in many more Bills fans from Buffalo and Rochester and surrounding area. But there's the driving, the border, the expense, the time required and everything else involved - all of the things I'm willing to deal with going in the other direction. But it's their team and it belongs to their community. They didn't ask for this.
Apparently, Rob Ford was at the game - for the first half anyway - wearing a Fred Jackson jersey. Too bad for Fred who is one of the classiest guys in the NFL. There was also a rumour that the Beach Boys played at halftime. We saw a stage and some guys with grey beards off the corner of the north endzone but whoever was operating the sound system must have thought it was the Beach Boys unplugged because we could hear virtually nothing. Last year's halftime show by Psy was awesome in comparison.
Now at 4-8, playoff hopes, as slim as they were, are dashed. Thankfully, I was able to sell my tickets to the Who Cares Bowl against the Dolphins on Dec 22nd. But I do like the coach and the team has some good young players so I am, as always, hopeful for next year.
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