What's On My Mind Right Now

-I wanted to blog about T.O., because I hate him. Because I hope he never plays again. Because the Eagles are my new second-favorite team for finally standing up to this baby. But...so many words written by so many people on the subject...and I just don't have the energy.




-I wanted to blog about the Preds. They won last night...which is good. But they're still getting outplayed in games, even the ones they win. And Walker is out for 8-10 weeks--that's going to hurt. But...I haven't been able to actually watch any games (live, or in person) in a few weeks, and I don't really have many specific observations. I'm going to a couple games in the next couple weeks and will have a post up about them sometime soon.


-I wanted to blog about how I no longer have a job. I didn't get fired or anything...or even laid off. But I work at a church. And I went to my boss a few weeks ago and said, "I'm just not able to stay afloat, money-wise, on this salary. Would you help me network to find something new?" The boss was totally cool...sending out my resume to contacts and saying, "However long it takes...even until Christmas...we'll find you something." They were just really cool about everything. Sadly, though, I made the mistake of mentioning that my roomate would be a good fit to replace me. Then the boss called the roommate...interviewed the roommate...hired the roommate, and said to me, "We need to find an exit timetable for you." I'm not upset at the boss at all, it's my own fault for starting the snowball rolling...but darn if it didn't turn into an avalanche awful fast. Come Monday, I'm unemployed. But...I'm a little too stressed about it to blog much about it. I've no interest in throwing a pity party for myself. (For those interested, I do not have two kids to feed, like the guy in the picture...I just thought a cardboard-sign-holding dude would best represent my occupational status.)



-So what should I blog about? Well, I'm glad you asked--mostly because it means you're still reading. I just came across this article on Yahoo sports, which mentions that Michael Vick has apparently done some talking today about maybe having Terrell Owens on his team.

Before you go referring me back to my original decision not to talk about T.O., let me say that this beef I have today is not with him, or even about him--though any team that takes on T.O. at any salary is asking for trouble. (Asking T.O. to be a team player is like showing a porno to your church youth group before asking them to all sign virginity pledges...it's just not going to happen. Another one of my trademark awkward analogies for you there, Jonathan.)

My beef is actually with Vick. First, he bitches this weekend about the media, and says they should get off his back. (Well, you wanted the fame, you signed the merchandising deals, now deal with the scrutiny, Bud. Also, you're ranked 26th in the NFL for QBs...so I think a little criticism is fair). Now he says, bring on T.O. as long as T.O. remembers one thing: "It's my team."

Here's the full quote:

"I think I could play with anybody. It's all if they could play with me. He would have to understand my style of play and what I do. And if he can do that, he can be here. Other than that, this is my team."

My team? My team? Where do I freaking start?! Good gracious these two are made for each other. They're both completely selfish. They both love the accolades but hate the criticism. My team? I can't even believe he said that.

I'm not even saying the Falcons aren't generally considered Michael Vick's team...they are. But for Vick to say it...that's just class-less.

If Peyton Manning gave a press conference and said, "The Colts are my team," he'd have a world of trouble coming: his teammates would be pissed and the media would have a field day labeling him as selfish. It doesn't matter that the fans or the media think it's Peyton's team...Peyton saying it would just be selfish.

Team players (read: real men) don't talk like that. Team players say things like this:

"We understand that it takes 11 guys to win a football game. We do not have any selfish guys on the football team."

Wanna know who said that? Michael freaking Vick...in the same discussion as the previous quote where he proved himself an oxymoron by calling Atlanta his team. He just hasn't a clue, guys. He knows the soundbites to rattle off to look like a team guy ("11 guys to win", "110%", etc.) but then when he goes off book, his true feelings come out: mine, mine, mine. Give me, give me, give me. I need, I need. My two-year-old nephew shares better than this guy.

Babies, man! NFL superstars acting and talking like babies. Makes me sick to think of the money they make for their tantrums and disrespect. If I were Warrick Dunn...right about now I'd be punching a wall...or sticking pins in a small doll resembling Vick...or just going by Vick's house for a pop-in and letting him know who really carries the load. Sheesh.

Let us sum up with another gem from Vick:

"You have to be a team player when you come here.''

He failed to finish with the only logical following thought: "Because we already have our full quota of selfish players...one...and it's me."