Beer, wings, family, and.......injuries!

     A few posts back, I wrote about fantasy football.  I declared myself, as not one of those "fanatics", or people who take it too seriously, that they aren't able to enjoy the game themselves.  That said, last Sunday was the opening kickoff to the NFL season.  Now, it's tradition for myself, my cousin, and a few of our friends to get to Buffalo Wild Wings early, get a table, and basically gorge ourselves on food and drinks, for about 6-8 hours.  As a married man, it's probably the only day of the year, that I don't have to worry about taking care of the kids, helping my wife with whatever task she's assigned me for the day, or doing anything else other than watching football.  I'm sure most of you probably aware, that last Sunday was 9/11.  This part of my blog, doesn't really have anything to do with the rest of my rant, but it's still a pretty cool story.  Anyway, my cousin and I had posted ourselves at a bar top table in the restaurant....ordered up some nachos with chili cheese dip, and started talking about the upcoming games and our fantasy matchups.  Before kickoff, the stations broadcasting the games, cut to a piece that Robert De Niro taped for 9/11.  Basically stating what happened, how we have dealt with it the past 10 years, and how we will always remember that day.  The video then cuts to a member of the armed forces, who begins to play "Taps".  I didn't really notice it at the beginning, but as the song played out I noticed that the entire bar, had grown silent.  You couldn't hear anybody shushing anyone.  It was almost as if everyone stopped what they were doing, and thought back to that day.  The song ended, and the entire bar began to applaud.  It was very cool. 

     Back to my rant.  So, my cousin and I were by ourselves last Sunday.  One of the mainstays of our crew, had a case of wussitis, or something along those lines.  Anyway, the games get started and everyone settles in for a very long day of football.  We had asked a waitress earlier, before kickoff, to politely turn the two televisions that were directly above our table to the two early games that had our interest piqued the most.  The Detroit Lions vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the St. Louis Rams.  My cousin is a big Lions fan.  I know right.  I am a huge Rams fan.  Well, my cousin, on his fantasy team, was actually starting the quarterback, and one of the big playmaking receivers for the Lions.  I had Steven Jackson, going for my team respectively.  Steven Jackson, being an Alley-Cat mainstay.  For those of you that don't know, my team is named J-Dizzles Alley Cats.  Now, the Lions actually took the opening possession and marched right down the field.  Got into the red zone, and after failing to score a touchdown, kicked a field goal.  Great for my cousin.  The Rams actually started the game on defense.  And they came out on fire.  The quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, is a guy by the name of Michael Vick.  Who a few years ago, came into some fame away from football, by running an illegal dog fighting operation in the state of Georgia.  He did over a year in federal prison, and is back in the NFL now.  Now, for those of you who haven't seen him play.  He's good.  He's fast, and elusive, and he can throw the heck out of the ball.  We shut him down three straight plays, to force the Eagles to punt.  With the punt, and a short return, we actually start off with great field position for our opening drive.  And it didn't take long for us to score.  Steven Jackson took a handoff from our quarterback, and scampered his way 47 yards for a touchdown.  Great for the Rams.  Great for the Alley Cats.  Great for me.  Shortly after he scores and we go up 7-0.  The Eagles begin their next possession, and the camera cuts to Steven riding a bike on the sideline.  Now, most of the time, when players ride a bike on the sideline, they are attempting to stay lose, or work out some sort of muscle pull.  Unfortunately for all the parties above, this situation was the latter.  Mr. Jackson returned to the game for only 1 more play, before shutting it down for the rest of the day.  Thanks a pad load Steven!

     Long story short Rams lose 31-13.  And after the games on Monday night, the Alley Cats lose 155-196.  I actually had 3 more players go down with injuries.....it was a long week.  After a few tweaks, and waiver wire pickups the Alley Cats are back and ready for this weeks opponent.......which is my cousins team.  I'm really glad I didn't play him week 1!