NFL Week XII

What is going on with Cam Newton? Yeah he made some amazing throws this week, but... not enough while still too little too late. His coaching staff seems to have no confidence in him, and the Panthers don't seem to have much rhythm in game play, just like Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers.

Oh Trevor Siemian, the Broncos need Paxton Lynch. Otherwise teams will keep slapping you around like the Chiefs did your uprights in overtime.

Another good week for the Patriots.  A tight game until the end.
It was good to see the level of teamwork from all. Tom Brady blocking for LeGarrette Blount in a running play. Chris Hogan a new receiving outlet for Brady, as well as a possible third string quarterback for the Patriots. Who else saw the little flip play?

Colin Kaepernick plays strong for the 49ers. He likes to press his rushing yards to the max. I don't ever recall seeing a modern age quarterback rushing the ball as much or as driven as he does. The 49ers need more to stand behind to be a team to be reckoned with, but that is a starting point. Then again, quarterbacks need to be careful as that is a way to shorten their careers.

Watching the Seattle Seahawks lay the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was painful; I don't have much more to say over that. Turnovers after turn overs. Strip sacks, interceptions, fumbles. The only difference between this and the Bears game, was the fact that the Bears were incomplete passes. This was no fault of Matt Barkley, the Chicago Bears quarterback. It was all on their receivers. They were getting hit perfectly with passes an they just couldn't keep their hands on them.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, is a gifted player. Watching him play against the Cardinals was beautiful. This kid was signed as an undrafted free agent. Signed with the Browns in 2014, and now making a splash with the Falcons.

Watching the Bengals and Ravens play was fun. And Justin Tucker is certainly a card. The Ravens kicker opening his post game press conference with an up dog joke. He did make some amazing kicks, earning him the ability to act as he does on the field an din press conferences.
And the game ending play - every player on the offensive line getting holding penalties to roll the clock down to zero, keeping the quarterback protected and their victory - did receive a literal "laugh out loud" from me. this eventually may be an easier way to end games for a last play while the clock ticks down. Gives more time in game; saves the tick down of game clock and play clock, an the rush of a quarterback taking a knee. It wouldn't work if the play didn't entirely build the game, as you would then need to make a play after all the penalty flags. But its fun as hell to watch.

Slightly rude, but makes a point.

NFL Week XI

Kirk Cousins seems to have found his spot on the Washington Redskins roster. He threw some excellent passes that had me oooing and groaning. Passes that gave his receivers  head start down the field and extended their plays susally right into touchdowns.
If he can keep it up, the Redskins could become a force in the NFL.

Russel Wilson showing us that he is the man to rally behind for the Seattle Seahawks. I won't lie, without Marshawn Lynch, I felt the Seahawks were still a good team, but needed more on the running back position to make it all work. But seeing Wilson play in Week 11 showed me that they can do just fine.
Wilson making difficult plays in clutch positions. Across body throws, whether down field or straight into the end zone. The Seattle Seahawks are a team to keep an eye on.

Watching the New England Patriots play the San Francisco 49ers, I felt confident that Brady had found his games. It looked as though he was legitimately outplaying the opposition. As I sat down to write I actually looked at the standings. the 49ers have one win all season. How often to I praise Tom Brady? This will be another week without.

NFL Week X

I really felt painfully unimpressed with most of the games this week. I dunno. Lots of just... mess. Plays that made me groan an cheer were few an far between, an unfortunately can be boiled down to two games.

The Pittsburgh Steelers running backs, oh my... The patience they have an the mindset they approach with makes me literally groan and cheer, hoot and guffaw. They'd step right into a mess at the line of scrimmage and pause that necessary second to let the crow clear and the be right off picking up yards upon yards. Not just once either; they id it multiple times throughout the game. It was spectacular to watch.

Watching LeGarrette Blount work was also a blast. I am saddened by the Patriots losing, but you can't win every game. Losses happen, as disappointing as they are. The Seahawks and Patriots offensive lines were amazing. They game Tom Brady an Russel Wilson tons of time to work with, and they kept the game close until the end.

It pains me to say I don't have more to say. Hopefully next week looks better.

Difficulties of Persuasion v2.0 - Part II

If a guy is not willing to show he appreciates the time you're spending with him, that's plain rude.

I get some girls are not used to romance, but it is out there. And it isn't always grand gestures either; it's the little things too. Romance is the sensuality of a relationship. Not saying this is that, just explaining. It gives you the ability to see chemistry - physical chemistry - without needing to eat each other's faces, or take your clothes off. It leads to the kiss. If a guy can make your breath catch with a simple, unsexualized touch, or give you goosebumps... is that not a good thing? Is that not that epic chemistry everyone should hope for?

Pokémon Go; Trading and PvP

I mentioned four things for Pokémon Go, and only wrote about two. You knew this was coming.

In the older games both trading and battling were proximity based. You had to be near the person you wanted to interact with. I'm hoping that Pokémon Go they allow us to interact with others who we know that don't need to be immediately nearby. An "On/Off" switch for discovery, like the bluetooth feature on our phones. And to battle nearby trainers, have a nearby feature like Facebook chat. Or the Facebook Friends Nearby. Again with an "On/Off" feature. Some people may not want to be visible or battle. That should be respected and not forced.

Being able to search friends by username would also allow tournaments, and long distance trading. I know people will get up in arms. "Battling isn't the same as the original games!" No it isn't. This isn't Nintendo making this game; Niantic is. Ninety seconds to complete a match within the battle screen, and two attacks instead of unlimited time (or until the battery dies), with four attacks.
I'm tired of fans accusing me of "not playing a real Pokémon game." Fine. Then you stay home and play your game in a stand still position, in an unsocial way at home. I'll go out, explore, and be as close to the Pokémon Trainer I wanted to be when I saw the first episode of Pokémon, an fell in love with the franchise almost 20 years ago. I'd love to say I'm social, but I'm really not. If if run into a group who is playing, I'll chat if I'm called over. I'll sit closer to lures. But I won't go out of my way to talk usually, just because... that isn't me.

NFL Week VIII - Week of Misses

My goodness this week. I don't know if I've seen more missed kicks. Between field goals, extra points, and punts... what happened to the NFL.

Watching the Vikings play the Bears was like watching a comedy spinning out of control. It was worth the laughter. I'll admit - as much as it pains me - that I was getting worried with the Vikings sitting atop the NFC conference. And by "atop" I mean battling it out for that first spot. But seeing them lose to the Bears. Getting sacked multiple times, watching the Bears quarterback hit a receiver in the back of the head with the football. Dude was not expecting that ball even slightly. And Vikings dropping the purple jerseys. Huh...

I sorta want them to win the NFC so I can see the Patriots demolish them in Houston for SuperBowl LI.

The team I worry about in the AFC is the Oakland Raiders. Derek Carr is scary to watch. Usually its the Broncos, but with Siemian behind the wheel their advantage remains in Denver.

The Patriots' defense needs work, and the Jamie Collins trade shows that the front end of the new England Patriots knows it. They need to close the doors on everyone else's offence. Allowing 25 points to the Buffalo Bills... makes me cringe.
Good news though, it seems Tom Brady has regained that step I've been very vocal he lost last season. Good news for the Patriots and the fans, bad news for Jimmy Garappolo.

Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos defense has been the group keeping them in games. Against the Chargers, they cause all the turnovers. Sacks, interceptions, and closing the doors on the opposition that I desperately want the Patriots defense to start doing.

Fingers crossed the kickers step up their game next week while Patriots are on a bye week.