Yay! It's Back (and Comcast is bush league)

It was so good to see football back on the tv tonight. "Hold up," you might say, the NFL returned over the weekend when NoLa lost to somebody in the Hall of Fame Game. Granted, that game did mark the return of The Monopoly to tv, but since it aired on NFL Net, and I subscribe to Comcast, I was not able to view it.

Huh? I know. Up until a few months ago, NFL Net was part of Comcast's digital cable package. Since I have digital cable with DVR, I was in like flynn. But...Comcast - in its infinite unwisdom - decided to bump The Net to its "Sports Entertainment" tier (and an additional $5.95, I believe, charge). Still resentful over The Monopoly awarding its 8-game Thursday/Saturday late season package to its own Net over Versus or whatever somewhat crappy Comcast-affiliated net much, Comcast? I was not about to pony up for The Net, NBA TV (sorry, Brett), CSTV and a bunch of Fox Sports College regional nets.

So I'll have to settle for heading over to my parents' house if I want to catch any NFL football on NFL Network. Blue Ridge Cable is nice.

Anyway, back to my original thought: it was great to see the NFL return to tv tonight. I missed The Monopoly.

The President

This guy!



Brett has a nice Bush Recount post comparing and contrasting Reggie's 2006 regular season against some similar(?) ballers. I was going to suggest Eric Bieniemy, but I guess I confused his senior year at Colorado with his rookie season in San Diego. I do like the Metcalf comparison. Hopefully, The President can amount to more than Eric Metcalf, though. Howeva, looks like the latest craze is to get Reggie to be Brian Westbrook. Why can't we let Reggie be Reggie?

+ I don't care what Adrian Peterson says, I plan on selecting him in next year's fantasy football draft.

Outrageous

Thanksgiving was good and all that. I saw all the fam and had my fill of turkey and the like. It was all going swimmingly until I arrived at my mom's house Thursday evening. They have Blue Ridge Digital Cable, so I was searching the digital lineup (channels 100-300) for NFL Network. I wanted to catch the Monopoly Network's big debut.

"What are you looking for?" Chip (my stepfather) asked.

"NFL Network," I replied. "I want to catch their big debut Thanksgiving night."

"Oh, that's channel 38," Chip explained.

Wha-wha-what? NFL Network being offered in a provider's standard lineup? That is the stuff of legend. Obvs, Blue Ridge (a Pencor Company) didn't want to get all up in NFL Network's legal team and basically cow-towed to the net's wishes to be upgraded to the standard package. Nicely done!

And while NFL Net's opening night has been widely panned, I thought they featured a sharp graphics package, nice production and neat camera angles. Although, I really couldn't hear Bryant Gumbel too well from where I was sitting.

But NFL Network on a standard cable lineup? C'mon!

Monopoly v. monopoly

Does the monopoly stand a chance against The Monopoly? Should be good. Now just get that settled (in NFL Network's favor) and implemented prior to Turkey Day. Gooooo NFL Network!


Backyard Ouch. Slaton and White will be extremely fun to watch over the next two years (possibly one for Slaton).

Anyone else think supersized is the perfect size for The Office? So much goodness in last night's ep. Michael was in top form. The Dwight-Andy rivalry should be top notch. Just the best all-around.

The Monopoly

I hope the Monopoly doesn't have any sinister plans for the 'Birds this weekend. But with Phila and Nawlins entering the game with 4-1 records, a lot of media attention will, once again, be focused on New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, the 'Birds - coming off a huge T.O. Bowl I victory - could fall victim to a letdown on the road. Let's hope Big Red and ol' number 5 keep the troops on point and come out with a W.

+ Gilbert being Gilbert aka the coolest cat in the Association.

+ Salim Stoudemire, Marvin Williams and Josh Childress agree - my man Zaza Pachulia is the best dressed Atlanta Hawk.

+ Beaver Stadium will be white, loud, electric and zombie nation-filled tomorrow night...as long as the game stays competitive. Sure, Michigan will be without Mario Manningham, but Henne, Hart and Arrington are legit. I'm seeing this game with tentative eyes and spirit. Penn State usually fares pret-ty well at night at the Beav (see Nebraska '02 and Ohio State '05). This is Penn State's game of the year, with many top-flight recruits on hand to take notice. Not for nothing, but it will be something to see if PSU can keep the 'mo going at home.

+ Happy Friday the 13th! I love the number 13, so I love this day.

The Fix Was In

C'mon! A Michael Pick fumble that was asking to be returned for a quick six during the Falcons' opening series; a blocked punt for touchdown during the same opening series; the Falcons choosing to not run the ball 75% of the time; Vick not running; Falcon penalties setting up Saints drives/points; Michael Pick going 12-31...

Okay, so maybe my last instance is not a stretch.

It would only make sense for the Monopoly to make it worth Atlanta's while to lose the game and, in turn, create a totally feel good story around the Saints, New Orleans and the team's return to said Chocolate City.

I'm never one to turn away a bad Falcons loss - I have no love for those frauds - but that's my story.

Congrats to the Saints, though, and my man, Reggie Bush.