Google
 

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Mike Sherman: Optimism Beats Out Skepticism

Mike Sherman was hired recently by the prestigous Texas Aggies to replace Fran (who was a joke of a coach). This move has came under a lot of criticism as of late because the AD, Bill Byrne, made his decision in less than a week, but I'm here to say it wasn't a bad move. In fact, it was a great move.

The man knows A&M first of all, due to the fact that he coached there on two seperate stints in the mid 90's. This helps because he knows not only the school spirit and atmosphere but he also has an idea of the recruiting trails to take. Another positive is that he has experience running capable offenses in his career which will greatly aid the Aggies who had all the weapons this year (McGee has still not sold me, but in high school showed he had ability that so far not transferred) but failed to produce anything special. Most importantly though, he is a winner. We had a winning record at a suspect Green Bay team before being fired for not producing enough in the playoffs, but thats hard to pin on him considering the players he had around him (didn't have that defense or wr's they have now). He's already increased the Texan's offense ten times over since taking over despite one of the worst lines in the league, one good wr, and a bunch of wash ups at rb. To top it all off, Bill Byrne likes him.... and he knows a lot more than I do. The man has been insanely successful since arriving and has shown he knows who to hire in almost every sport; plus they get him at about half a million cheaper than the Fran-man.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Texas A-M names its new Head Coach...

3 Days after Dennis Franchione resigns from the Fightin' Aggies of A-M (FAG's for short) they've already named his replacement, former A-M offensive line coach and former Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers Mike Sherman. He's currently the Offensive Coordinator for the Houston Texans, and will become the 28th Head Coach for A-M.

Sherman has been quoted as saying he dreamed of coaching for 2 teams, Texas A-M and the Green Bay Packers.

Since Justin is a bigger Aggies fan then I'll ever be lets see if he gives his take on the new Head Coach.

They don't allow the ampersand symbol Justin

Thursday, November 8, 2007

A Salute to a Great Show

This past Tuesday HBO released the best new show of the year on DVD, Flight of the Conchords. This show has quickly turned into one of my favorite shows of all time and has met critical acclaim and a nice cult following. I can't wait for season 2 to start sometime next year. For those not familiar with the show it's based on 2 people from New Zealand (Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie) as they try to make it in America as a folk/comedy duo (the 4th most popular in New Zealand) They have plenty of clips on youtube to check out so without further ado I give you my top 10 songs from the Flight of the Conchords in Season 1.

10. Albi the Racist Dragon



Albi: What are you doing here, I thought I killed you yesterday! (grumbled Albi quite racistly)
Boy: No Albi, you didn’t kill me with your dragon flames. I crawled to safety! But you did leave me very badly disfigured. (laughed the boy)


9. Kiss is not a Contract



Best lines: Just because you've been exploring my mouth
Doesn't mean you get to take an expedition further south
Just because we've been playing tonsil-hockey
Doesn't mean you get to score the goal that's in my jockeys


8. Prince of Parties Based off the trippy acid video's of the 1960's (The Beatles had some pretty weird shit going on in there videos)



Best lines:I'm the funky monkey junky
You're a flunky bunky donkey
You're a picture of the devil’s daughter
I'm a pitcher of holy water


7. Business time: Perhaps there most popular song, the live version is better than the HBO version.



Best lines: The next thing you know we’re in the bathroom brushing our teeth. That’s all part of it, that’s foreplay.
Foreplay is very important in love making.
Then you go sort out the recycling Which isn’t part of the foreplay, but it’s still very important


6. Most Beatiful Girl in the Room - This was the 1st song of the series. I didn't know what to expect going into this show but was hoping for great things, and this song got me hooked.



Best lines: 'Cause you're so beautiful, Like a tree or a high-class prostitute You're so beautiful, you could be a part-time model
But you'd probably still have to keep your normal job


5. The Humans are Dead - This song may seem dumb but it grew and grew on me and now is one of my favorites of theres. The binary solo is pure genius.



Jemaine: They look like they’re dead
B: It had to be done
J: I’ll just confirm that they’re dead
B: So that we could have fun
J: Affirmative. I poked one. It was dead


4. Leggy Blonde - This one features there band manager Murray, who is rarely in the music videos but is arguably the best character on the show. One of there more creative music video's with the use of office supplies.



Best lines:Oooh leggy blonde you got it goin’ on
Wanna see you wearin’ that thong thong thong
See you getting’ on to the break of dawn Mmm-m-m panties on


3. Pencils in the wind - This was tough putting it here but the other 2 are funnier but the singing by Jemaine towards the end of the song gets me everytime as he tries to really get into it. It starts a little slow but really picks up in the last half.



Best lines: You know, Jemaine, I’ve been thinking about love. And I guess it’s the very strongest adhesive.
Oh sorry, Bret. Were you talking to me? I was humming. What did you say
Oh, just...nothing


2. If you're into it - This is Jemaine at his best and his voice is hysterical



Best lines: Then on our next date Well, you could bring your roommate
I don’t know if Stu is keen to But if you want we could double-team you
How about you And two dudes? Him, you and Stu In the nude
Being lude with two dudes with food
Well, that’s if Stu’s into it, too


1. Hiphoppopotumus vs. Rhymenocerous - Maybe it's because it was my favorite song from the beginning, it's always been my favorite and Im not sure if any other songs can overtake it. Just listening to some of the lyrics leave you rolling on the floor and some of there dance moves (like when Jemaine can't think of a freestyle)



Best lines: They call me the Hiphopopotamus
Flows that glow like phosphorous
Poppin’ off the top of this esophagus
Rockin’ this metropolis
I’m not a large water-dwelling mammal
Where did you get that preposterous hypothesis?
Did Steve tell you that, perchance? Steve. (shakes fists in anger)

My rhymes and records they don’t get played
Because my records and rhymes they don’t get made
And if you rap like me you don’t get paid
And if you roll like me you don’t get laid
Why, because I rap about reality?
Like me and my grandma drinking a cup of tea?
There ain’t no party like my nanna’s tea party. Hey! Ho!


And thats it, my favorite 10 songs of this past season to Flight of the Conchords, they also have a crapload of live performances and in some cases the live shows are even better than the music video's. I dont know how they're going to be able to equal this 1st season but here's to hoping they can in '08.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Dallas sends the Rockets on a Crash landing...

Well excuse me for the lame (possibly tasteless) pun but be glad I got it out of the way. Anyways it was a good hard fought game for the Mavs and they had to overcome a lot in this game to take it 107-98. They were without Devin Harris for the 2nd straight game and withouth Dirk's backup Brandon Bass either and that would hurt the Mavs because Dirk got in foul trouble in the 3rd quarter. Also the most impressive thing to look for in this game was both teams were 45-48 free throw shooting, thats amazing.

I thought the officiating was horrible tonight, have to get that out of the way, it seemed like for most of the game it was in Houston's favor (mainly McGrady's) and towards the last 4 or 5 minutes it shifted towards Dallas's favor especially on a couple loose ball fouls and some plays on PF Chuck Hayes.

As I said at halftime if the Rockets don't get a 3rd scorer to contribute they'd lose this game. I can see later this season Bonzi Wells or Mike James becoming a decent 3rd and 4th scoring option but they struggled tonight combining for 5-20. And although TMac had 19 points in the 1st half didn't mean he had to keep chucking (granted he had 7 assists) He had 35 points but need 31 shots to get there while Yao had a very efficient night going 9-12 for 21 and 11 rebounds. I don't understand why Adelman didn't go to him more, he did a great job freeing up McGrady for shots off picks though. They just stuggled in the 4th and couldn't contain Jason Terry who scored 31 off the bench.

Onto the Mavs they played well, once the 3rd started they looked like they'd break it open soon but the Rockets got there shit together and it kept going back and forth. Then in the 3rd the refs decided Dirk was breathing to close to the Rockets and got whistled for 3 fouls in the 3rd sending him to the bench. Josh Howard started the 3rd with 3 and once Dirk got his 4th he went in for him and quickly picked up his 4th. To make things worse for the Mavs was they only had 11 healthy players tonight. But with a minute left in the 3rd Jason Terry took over scoring 10 straight points in the game. Desagana Diop was very impressive getting a double-double 10 points 11 boards and staying on the floor vs. Yao getting 0 fouls, had he been in foul trouble the Mavericks probably lose this game. And aside from Diop and the free throw shooting, 4 Mavs had at least 4 assists and 3 had at least 5.

I'm just glad to see the Mavs playing against a very good Rockets team while being short handed. Also hope that Josh Howard is healthy because he sprained his ankle near the end of the game but was tough enough to stick it out though he looked in pain when he was going to the bench. Just what we need another injury to a key player.

Halftime in Dallas...

Halftime for the Rockets vs. Mavericks and it's a good game right now with the lead for each team not going above 5 points. The Rockets kept the lead for most of the 2nd quarter and the Mavs had it for one possession before Houston took it back with a Yao Ming bucket.



No surprise that TMac is dominating, he looks to be in mid-season form he's got 19 on 7-17 from the field. Yao will probably pick up the scoring load in the 2nd half, he's 5-6 for 12 points and if Diop gets into foul trouble Dallas might be forced for Dirk or Juwan Howard (since Brandon Bass is out tonight) to guard him (yikes) I think in order for the Rockets to win in the 2nd half they need a 3rd player to step up and get 10 or 12 points in the 2nd half. Mike James is a Mavs killer so don't be surprised if he explodes in the 3rd or 4th.

Dirk is only 4-12 but he's getting beat up and not getting any calls unlike TMac. Also looks like JJ Barea and JET are playing good at the PG position filling in for Devin Harris and Jerry Stackhouse is having his 1st good shooting game of the year. Josh Howard has 3 fouls and needs to not pick up that 4th. Also would like to say the Mavs team has greatly improved there passing this year, maybe it's because of new Asst. Coach Paul Westphal.

I expect the Mavs to win this game despite them being bit by the injury bug, of course McGrady and Yao could continue to dominate too. Should be an exciting 2nd half.

Dallas vs. Houston

Could be a playoff matchup in this year's playoffs, the Mavs and the Rockets square off for the 1st of 4 meetings tonight in Dallas. It's halfway through the 1st and it's tied at 13. I'll give updates at halftime and at the end and will add my Cowboys thoughts later.

The Mavs are also playing without Devin Harris, Erick Dampier and Devean George, so look for the Mavs to possibly struggle on the boards like they have in some early matchups.

- Mitchell