That win by Florida really started the SEC run of dominance. Several NCs in a row by 4 different teams. And it is really still going. And the BCS thought Ohio State was so good that year, they almost set up a rematch with Michigan rather than the game with Florida
A fun game for us loyal readers is to try to see if we can actually understand all of the references that you make in your posts. I know I always miss a few, but I did want to give particular appreciation for the "beef on weck" reference. Growing up in Ohio, I remember when Buffalo Wild Wings was known as BW3, with the 3rd "W" referring to Weck. Anyway, thanks for giving to us on your special day!
Everybody is volunteering their birthday and sometimes years. Please don’t write a future post on pet names, first car, or other commonly used challenge questions ;-)
Happy Birthday Joe! I an one year and 50 weeks older than you exactly. When I was young (before computers) I always looked at the calendar to see when Christmas was and knew my Birthday would be the same day of the week. Your same year famous birthday buddy (though you may not want to claim him) is R. Kelly. Mine is Diane Lane, who may have aged better than I have.
I still believe it was a legal lateral in the Music City Miracle, and have since the first slow motion replay. (Didn't think so live in fast motion)
I will note that the Bills were out of timeouts when they kicked the ball with 20 seconds left. But still, the decision is a prime example of the way all coaches seemed to play only a little over two decades ago. The biggest thing in their minds was ALWAYS the possible disaster that might happen on the very next play if they did something, and they coached accordingly to avoid that disaster. The completely (and consistent) risk averse decision making in an otherwise aggressive game always seemed wrong to me even years before then.
They could have had Rob Johnson in the shotgun run a few steps to his right to get out of the pocket, and then heave it deep and out of bounds or through the end zone (where they would have people running patterns) But the only thing Wade Phillips and his staff could see were the extreme disasters. A bad snap resulting in a fumble. Someone bursting through the line at the same speed as the snap and ending the game with a sack. But that is the way almost every NFL coach thought then.
In this case though, I can see their point. You would have to something like that twice, maybe three times to get the game to the point where it would end during the field goal kick and avoid a kickoff. Even with the aggressive coaches would kick the field goal there with 20 seconds (16 after the field goal) knowing it would take a once in a lifetime miracle play to beat them if they made it anyway.
Unfortunately, that was the day of the once in a lifetime miracle.
Actually, I guess they could have run it up the middle and then spike it, but then all the coach sees is a fumbled snap or handoff. Even if they decide to kneel or just have the QB move the ball over they would see the fumbled snap then. To be fair, I have actually seen this happen in person. Halloween 2011, Chargers in easy field goal range, about a minute on the clock, Chiefs out of timeouts. Chargers decide to take more time off the clock and/or move the ball to the center. Fumbled snap exchange by Rivers, Mike Vrabel crashes through to disrupt the center and Rivers to prevent either from falling on the ball, and a guy named Andy Studebaker recovers the fumble. Chiefs win in overtime.
Hi Joe. I'm a new subscriber. I believe Craig Calcaterra turned me on to the fact that you have a (damn good) newsletter.
I was born a week before you. Just turned 55 myself. I now hate that my birthday happens. I don't want to celebrate it. I would prefer that it be ignored. It's not that getting older is another year closer to death (or whatever the song says), it's that every year now is another year that my kids get farther away from me. The absolute best part of my life disappears more and more every year. While there's nothing I can do to stop it (nor should I), I don't want to be reminded of it.
Happy Birthday. In the Music City Miracle, there’s one angle of Wycheck’s throw where it looks like it travels right along the 25 yard line. I always thought that’s what they went with.
A very enjoyable and happy day to you! May you fond much kindness and appreciation from your family and friends, not to mention your multitude of fans, including me. You are a treasure! (Side note: just because I am compelled… ‘t was Sisler’s record that Ichiro broke, not Terry’s.) Here’s to many, many more birthdays!
That win by Florida really started the SEC run of dominance. Several NCs in a row by 4 different teams. And it is really still going. And the BCS thought Ohio State was so good that year, they almost set up a rematch with Michigan rather than the game with Florida
Have you heard Patton Oswalt's take on birthdays? Warning! Adult language.
https://youtu.be/sbJs-Ul1QFo
Jan 8, 1923. My mother was born, which led just over 27 years later to me. Happy Belated Birthday.
A fun game for us loyal readers is to try to see if we can actually understand all of the references that you make in your posts. I know I always miss a few, but I did want to give particular appreciation for the "beef on weck" reference. Growing up in Ohio, I remember when Buffalo Wild Wings was known as BW3, with the 3rd "W" referring to Weck. Anyway, thanks for giving to us on your special day!
Happy Birthday Joe. How you can write a column about your birthday and make it must read is beyond me! Have a great day.
Wow, what a great birthday present - a column from you to us on your special day! Thanks for the great gift, and Happy 55th Birthday to you, Joe!
Thanks Joe. I've been happy to share the same name for the past 72 years with such a great player!
Bill Terry
Everybody is volunteering their birthday and sometimes years. Please don’t write a future post on pet names, first car, or other commonly used challenge questions ;-)
Good point!
Happy Birthday Joe! I an one year and 50 weeks older than you exactly. When I was young (before computers) I always looked at the calendar to see when Christmas was and knew my Birthday would be the same day of the week. Your same year famous birthday buddy (though you may not want to claim him) is R. Kelly. Mine is Diane Lane, who may have aged better than I have.
I still believe it was a legal lateral in the Music City Miracle, and have since the first slow motion replay. (Didn't think so live in fast motion)
I will note that the Bills were out of timeouts when they kicked the ball with 20 seconds left. But still, the decision is a prime example of the way all coaches seemed to play only a little over two decades ago. The biggest thing in their minds was ALWAYS the possible disaster that might happen on the very next play if they did something, and they coached accordingly to avoid that disaster. The completely (and consistent) risk averse decision making in an otherwise aggressive game always seemed wrong to me even years before then.
They could have had Rob Johnson in the shotgun run a few steps to his right to get out of the pocket, and then heave it deep and out of bounds or through the end zone (where they would have people running patterns) But the only thing Wade Phillips and his staff could see were the extreme disasters. A bad snap resulting in a fumble. Someone bursting through the line at the same speed as the snap and ending the game with a sack. But that is the way almost every NFL coach thought then.
In this case though, I can see their point. You would have to something like that twice, maybe three times to get the game to the point where it would end during the field goal kick and avoid a kickoff. Even with the aggressive coaches would kick the field goal there with 20 seconds (16 after the field goal) knowing it would take a once in a lifetime miracle play to beat them if they made it anyway.
Unfortunately, that was the day of the once in a lifetime miracle.
Actually, I guess they could have run it up the middle and then spike it, but then all the coach sees is a fumbled snap or handoff. Even if they decide to kneel or just have the QB move the ball over they would see the fumbled snap then. To be fair, I have actually seen this happen in person. Halloween 2011, Chargers in easy field goal range, about a minute on the clock, Chiefs out of timeouts. Chargers decide to take more time off the clock and/or move the ball to the center. Fumbled snap exchange by Rivers, Mike Vrabel crashes through to disrupt the center and Rivers to prevent either from falling on the ball, and a guy named Andy Studebaker recovers the fumble. Chiefs win in overtime.
Hope you had a great day, Joe. Thank goodness it wasn't spoiled by another Browns debacle.
January 8, 2005: I married my beautiful wife and it’s been amazing ever since. Happy birthday Joe!
While not sports related, Joe, have you and Elvis Presley ever been seen at the same place and time? Just sayin' ;)
Hi Joe. I'm a new subscriber. I believe Craig Calcaterra turned me on to the fact that you have a (damn good) newsletter.
I was born a week before you. Just turned 55 myself. I now hate that my birthday happens. I don't want to celebrate it. I would prefer that it be ignored. It's not that getting older is another year closer to death (or whatever the song says), it's that every year now is another year that my kids get farther away from me. The absolute best part of my life disappears more and more every year. While there's nothing I can do to stop it (nor should I), I don't want to be reminded of it.
So Happy Birthday. But don't return the favor.
Happy birthday, double-nickels isn't so bad, really. Also thanks for the Baseball 100, got it for Christmas and thoroughly enjoying it.
Happy Birthday. In the Music City Miracle, there’s one angle of Wycheck’s throw where it looks like it travels right along the 25 yard line. I always thought that’s what they went with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_zg-J0q42M
The replay angle there at 1:14 makes it look like it actually goes backwards a bit.
A very enjoyable and happy day to you! May you fond much kindness and appreciation from your family and friends, not to mention your multitude of fans, including me. You are a treasure! (Side note: just because I am compelled… ‘t was Sisler’s record that Ichiro broke, not Terry’s.) Here’s to many, many more birthdays!