Thoughts.....on a Friday....

Yes.....we took a vacation......As if anyone noticed.......we have been away for a few weeks. This blog, 5 on Five, took some much needed time off. We met our goal of last year by posting an article a day. That is hard work. But in the real world of working for a living.....January is the toughest month of all in my line of work. But.....we're back....and more focused than ever.


President Barack Obama.....Yes , it is a reality......So much history.......so much uncertainty. But oh .......so fulfilling.

This is the coldest January I can remember for some time. And I used to live in upstate New York.

I have received my w-2 form........on line of course.......completed my federal and state tax forms........on line of course.....and.....am awaiting my refund........what about you guys?

Tiger Woods came out of hiding.......and spoke at an inaugural function in behalf of President Obama. It's about time, Tiger.

TNT and our friend Charles Barkley have a temporary separation going. Let's hope Sir Charles is back on the airwaves...........soon.

Mark McGwire's brother is sure showing some "brotherly love".....by promoting his new book trashing his bro' and his use of steroids......and you thought your family was dysfunctional.

John Smoltz is no longer an Atlanta Brave...opting to take he and his 41 year old arm to the Boston Red Sox........Let him go! The Braves paid this guy $4 million last year and got 28 innings!

Well ........it's Friday........the weekend is here........and .......there is no football.....

Bummer........

An Introduction ........to Mike Tomlin

From the archives of Wikipedia........

Mike Tomlin (born March 15, 1972) is an American football head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Tomlin is the third youngest head coach in any of the four major North American professional sports. He is the tenth African-American head coach in NFL history, and first in Steelers history. Tomlin is the third African-American head coach and the youngest head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl with the Steelers victory in the AFC Championship Game on January 18, 2009.

From NFL.com:

Official site of the Pittsburgh Steelers - Coaches

Mike Tomlin.......never played a down in the NFL.

Though he starred as a wide receiver in high school and college, Tomlin realized his true calling at the age of 23 when he began his coaching career with Virginia Military Academy in 1995 as the receivers coach.

He is ....."no nonsense"......."My way or the highway"(see Plaxico Burris)..........He is animated and articulate......he demands effort. A fitting.......fit.......for the "Steel City" of Pittsburgh........

That he is an African-American means little to this city or its team. That he is a qualified leader of men........and has CEO qualities in running an organization ......speaks volumes.



This Steeler team has taken the personality of its coach. Fearless........tough..........nasty.

I can only hope that Mr. Tomlin will be around for many, many seasons as head man of these Steelers .

The NFL is so far ahead of the "good ole boy network" .......which is so prevalent in College football. We wish Mr. Tomlin........and his Steelers........much success......and .......a win in next weeks Super Bowl........

More to come on that.......

But for now.....read the entire bio....via wikipedia:

Mike Tomlin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What's all the Fuss.......About?

100 - 0..................

From Yahoo Sports:

Team regrets 100-0 win

A lot of people are up in arms.......very upset..........They say, "It's a crying shame...this was so unfair!"

In Dallas, Texas.......a girls high school basketball game was played. Well, sort of.... One team played, shot baskets, rebounded, scored......and the other team didn't.

The Covenant School beat Dallas Academy, 100-0. The score was 59-0 at the half and 88-0 after 3 quarters.

This game was played 10 days ago on January 13. Yesterday, officials from The Covenant School paid a visit to Dallas Academy to apologize.....and forfeit the game.

Covenant School to forfeit 100-0 win over Dallas Academy (from the Dallas Morning News)

Why? Both teams were in the same classification and region. Both teams played five on five. No age differences.

But ........All of America is upset by what is seen as a bully, in The Covenant School, beating up on an inferior Dallas Academy team.

America, sports fans, media..........Get over it. Life .......is not fair. There are always going to be winners.......and losers. These young ladies will not be scarred for life. They will not grow up to be serial killers......blaming their state of mind on a meaningless basketball game played in their youth.

Inequality is ramped through all of man.......and woman-kind. There is the wealthy and poor....the ugly and the beautiful..........the dumb and the smart.......the fat and the skinny.

And there is the talented basketball teams and the untalented teams. These two just happened to meet on the same court. Sometimes ....things just happen.

What's all the fuss........it was just a game.

He is.......Indeed.....A Good Man...& a Heck of Coach

Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy..........

Was an NFL football coach who happened to be of the African American descent. Mr. Dungy retired this week as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

He has won it all..........as in a "Super Bowl"........He has led his teams to 10 consecutive play-off appearances......

He has been fired........(Tampa Bay)........Has had a son commit suicide............

And through it all..........Anthony Kevin........remained the unassuming master mind of the football Gods.......

Anthony Kevin did not yell and scream. Anthony Kevin did not posture for cameras.......Anthony Kevin never used the media for his gain.......

For Anthony Kevin..........was comfortable ....just being ....himself..........a football coach.

Knowledgeable.......Likable.......a teacher.......one who delegated and built staffs around him...

Anthony Kevin.......you will be missed.

Anthony Kevin, you gave all of us non-assuming persons..........hope.

Anthony Kevin...........you led by example.....and that we commend you........we respect you....we honor you.

Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy..............

We thank you for being not only a great coach..........but a "good man"........

An Old Fashioned......Beat-down.....in 2009?

Amway Arena........Orlando, Florida......

An NBA basketball game was played here, Friday night. The game pitted the number one team in the division (Orlando Magic) and "man child" Dwight Howard (pictured) against the number two team (Atlanta Hawks).

And when it was mercifully over........the Magic put a little space between themselves and the rest of the division.....most notably .......the young, athletic.......Atlanta Hawks.

122-87..............

And it wasn't even that close. Several times in this game, the Hawks trailed by over 50 points....yes......."fiddie"........

At the end of the first quarter, it was 41-18..........Magic.

By the half .......it was 71-33........Magic........and the rout was on.

In the end........when all was said and done........The Hawks attempted ....or put up 80 shots.....only to have 28 go through the basket for two pointers.

Meanwhile, the Magic scored at will..........putting up 83 shots with 40 going in for two's......and astounding 16 of 28 three pointers going in.

The good thing about the NBA? And the scheduling? No time to dwell in sorrow. Tomorrow means another city..........another game.

For these young Hawks...........this is a good thing.....

A beat-down in Orlando?

Shit happens........

Check out the complete results.....courtesy of Yahoo Sports:

Box Score

The "Scouting Report" on ....one...Matthew Stafford

Some have him going number one....

As in the up-coming NFL draft......

Big mistake.

Yes, a gifted college quarterback.....yes, a strong arm........yes, all the physical attributes scouts just love.......but.......and this is a .....BIG..........but...........

Matthew Stafford , (QB of the Georgia Bulldogs) has warning signs all across his resume.

Scouting reports? Dig this: from an anonymous scout:

Matthew Stafford
"Stafford is a good quarterback. Probably the best at UGA today.... He is not overly talented and has not demonstrated the ability to be a good decision maker under pressure. Stafford is known as a "brain farter" (who forces the ball instead of throwing it out of bounds when under pressure and throws off his back foot way too much)."


Believe me.......NFL scouts are very smart.......but I did not totally believe them. So I have watched Mr. Stafford over the last couple of years.

He does have a strong arm........... but.....We all , down here, have heard of a QB named Steve Bartkowski (formally of the Atlanta Falcons) .....could throw it 100 yards. But nothing ....upstairs.

Stafford is like a lot of big armed QB's .....all arm.......no brains..........

I hope the best for this young man..........but facts are facts..........Has he improved? Does he make the right decisions?

One decision he has to make soon , is .......whether or not he is going to enter the NFL draft.

I think he should pass...........but that's just me. Here is his career stats:

Stats Overview	Passing
YEAR	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
2006	135	256	1749	52.7	6.83	53	7	13	12	108.99
2007	194	348	2523	55.7	7.25	84	19	10	15	128.92
2008	235	383	3459	61.4	9.03	78	25	10	17	153.54

2009........Welcome to the Party

Here's to you.....2009

You are just a few hours old. You will have 365 days......52 weeks.......and 12 months to leave your legacy.

In Exactly one year from now.......you too .... will be .....just a memory.

So, 2009.......What will you bring?

2009.......what will be your lasting memory?

Who will die? Who will win? What country will we invade? Which Hurricane will make history? Will it be a recession or a depression? Who's the next "American Idol"? Who cares?

2009..........you are so young. Just a baby........... a newborn...........

2009.....are you sure you're up to this? The naysayers buried your predecessor, 2008. They said, Thank God, it's over. Will you have the same comments over your obituary?

2009.....You at least give us hope.....for this is a brand new year. A fresh start........even in the middle of winter........

2009........My heart is with you.......I won't ask questions..........I won't ask why..........I'll simply live each day............and when it's all done?

There will be a 2010.......

Wow!