Content and happy. Watched the Packers take care of business against Dallas as I hoped and rocked with The Boss for three solid hours. I even got a high five from Springsteen during the last song. If you don't get the Bruce.. or aren't a Packers fan, I only hope that you can find something in your life that provides as much joy. I feel alive.. .. alive or exhausted. Talk at you Tuesday!
Bruce Springsteen brings his E Street Band back to Milwaukee Sunday night at The Bradley Center. Being a fan of The Boss and boys, you know that I wouldn't miss it. Yes, if I was counting the times I have seen Springsteen on my fingers, I would need to take off my socks. But I am really jazzed about this show, mainly because it could be the last time we see the best garage band in the world. If not ever, it certainly will be the last time in awhile.
People who have seen Springsteen in the last couple of years know that they are playing better than they ever have. It's like Bruce has been to the fountain of youth and still rolls out an amazing show night after night.
Take a listen as I talk with E Street guitarist Nils Lofgren. We chat about the future of the band. About what's it's like to play for a boss who has such a huge catalog of music and is constantly changing the set list, often times in the middle of the show. But we start with recent passion... bringing the joy of playing guitar to mopes like me.
Nils is an amazing musician who, in addition to a successful solo career has played with artists who rank at the top of my list. Neil Young, Jerry Lee Lewis and Springsteen just to name a few.
Now, however, he's also my guitar teacher. Keep in mind that I have never touched a musical instrument (other than pick up the guitars my daughter leaves laying around). I can't read music. I can't carry a tune in a bucket and anyone who has seen me dance knows I certainly don't have any rhythm. It's with that in mind that Nils has opened up the Nils Lofgren Guitar School on his website.
Lessons, taped by Nils on a webcam often times in a hotel rooms on the road, are posted monthly. The first are aimed at goofs like me, people with NO musical ability.
Within seconds I was strumming along with the guitar player's guitar player. If I got stuck, I just backed up the video and started again. Guitar lessons, without a big financial commitment, without having to keep to a schedule, without even getting out of my sweats. I don't know if I will stick with it. But if I don't, it won't be because it was hard, intimidating or inconvenient.
At the show Sunday night, the Boss will be hard to miss. The Big Man will demand some attention and it's certainly hard to take your eyes off of Little Steven (or Miami Steve or Sil depending on your point of view). But I know I'll be keeping more on an eye on my guitar teacher, hoping to pick up a tip or two. Or, more accurately, looking for him to play the 2 notes I learned from this beginning video lesson:
Anyone else going to the show? Hit me up on Twitter and maybe we'll catch a beverage before...
The NFL has discovered... and squashed a guerilla-sytle ad campaign from rum maker Captain Morgan.
Apparently the good Captain put word out in locker rooms around the league that if any player was caught on camera striking the Captain's pose, it would donate $10,000 to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund – a non-profit which helps retired NFL players with various hardships after leaving the game.
Eagles Tight End Brent Celek was the first... and probably the last to do it. Not only did his efforts to put a little Captain in it generate a 15-yard penatly, It also has prompted a league ban.
Here's more on the ban from Yahoo Sports. And here's the video of Celek striking the Captain...
That.... is a bandwagon. The Packers bandwagon is a lot less crowded these days. I am giving you a chance right now to climb on board. Serious riders only. Let me tell you this right now... the Packers WILL beat the Cowboys Sunday. Book it. I am also telling you this... the Packers will be playing in the final week of the season for a playoff spot.
What I am telling you is this. The season is not over. For those of you expecting somebody to be fired this week? Grow up. After the Packers win on Sunday, come back and check this site out. (thanks to listener Brian from Oshkosh for the link). It puts the playoff picture into clear numbers. Also note that if the Packers lose Sunday, this post will be taken down at record speeds.
Hope on the bandwagon by commenting below. It costs nothing to believe. We still have good seats available (the Big Unit hopped off, clearing spots for at least two grown men or three women and several pets).
The late Badgers coach would have loved this play from a high school football game in Arizona. The ole "Randy Wright" bounce pass done to perfection...
It was 1982 in a loss to Illinios that McClain dialed the same play up. Interesting though, that the Illini players didn't stop when the ball hit the ground like the high school kids up above did...
"Favre's the MVP and Ted Thompson is an idiot, a moron and an assclown".. The words of FoxSports.com columnist Jason Whitlock. I present this column to you without comment... but feel free to comment below.
For what it's worth, Jason Whitlock is a bit of a tool. He was on the Favre Hatin' Bandwagon earlier. Take a look at this column he wrote earler this year about #4.
I may have to institute a new rule on the show. No more stories about the image of Jesus or Mary appearing in everyday items. After the Jesus Cheeto, where could we go to top that anyway?
Well, because it made it onto WMN, I reluctantly give you this. First, the Jesus on the truck window story. I smell a rat. It looks too clear.
In my quest to find something... anything new to talk about during Brett Favre week two. I found it in this blog from the New York Times Sports Section. The title is called Brett Favre and the Interception Myth. Ask any Packers fan... what's was the worst part of Brett Favre's game? The answer comes quick. He took too many chances. He threw too many interceptions. The haters will close their arguement with the fact that nobody in the league has thrown more picks.
But the fact is he's also thrown more passes than anyone too. And when you break down the numbers it turns out that in terms of percentage of passes intercepted, Favre does much better. In fact, when you compare him to Hall of Fame Quarterbacks, he's one of the best in history. He has played so long and so well that his 313 INTs amount to just 3.3 percent of his attempts. In fact, he has been less prone to interceptions than all but five Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Bart Starr... the ultimate efficent QB right? Favre easily beats him. Johnny U? Not even close. Take a look:
Joe Namath: 5.8% (3,762 attempts, 220 INTs)
Terry Bradshaw: 5.4% (3,901 attempts, 210 INTs)
Johnny Unitas: 4.9% (5,186 attempts, 253 INTs)
Bart Starr: 4.4% (3,149 attempts, 138 INTs)
Brett Favre: 3.3% (9,280 attempts, 310 INTs)
The only Hall of Famers better? John Elway 3.1, Dan Marino 3.0, Troy Aikman 3.0 and Joe Montana and Steve Young tied at 2.6%.
Admit it... that surprised you didn't it?
For the record, two of the 310 have been frozen in my brain forever. The interception after 4th and 26 against the Eagles. And of course, this one in the NFC Champtionship Game.
It was THE highlight of last week's NFL games. A pigeon on the field at the Raiders game jumped in formation and had perfect "lane discipline" during a kickoff. While we had a good chuckle about the video, turns out the Raiders were thinking something completely different. They took it as a sign that it was their lost at sea teammate Marquis Cooper. They've kept the special teams demon's locker as is. The Raiders are wearing his number on their helmets and they say he's never out of their thoughts. Justin Fargas tells a Sacramento radio station "It seemed comfortable on the football field and comfortable lying down there literally on special teams. It very well could have been Marquis" Turns out, Cooper's mom was thinking the same thing. The pigeon was her son, doing his job perfectly one more time. Find quotes here from SportsbyBrooks..
