Opening Day Gripe But There Is Some Good News Too
Life is occupied in both perpetuating itself and in surpassing itself; if all it does is maintain itself, then living is only not dying.
- Simone de Beauvoir
The University of Nevada ran over the Grambling Tigers, 49-13, and won their first season opener since 2003. A win is always welcomed but in the upcoming weeks the Pack host Texas Tech and then hit the road to take on Missouri. After three weeks the Pack will likely be 1-2 and as usual in this latest Chris Ault era the pack will playing towards mediocrity.
2007 6-7, 4-4
2006 8-5, 5-3
2005 9-3, 7-1
2004 5-7, 3-5
28-22 .560
In the last four seasons the Pack has managed a mainly mediocre .560 winning percentage and a 1-2 record in post season bowl games.There have always been constant grumbling on the message boards that no one shows up to the games but one must remember that you have to give the fans a reason to come to Mackay Stadium and at this point they aren’t all lot of reasons. Positive showings against Texas Tech and Mizzou could remedy the situation and maybe create some buzz around Reno.
But as the Coach Ault ship keeps drifting in a sea of mediocrity the University of Nevada announced that they will honor their greatest son, Marion Motley. Throughout the 2008 season the Wolf Pack will have an image of Motley on their scoreboard at Mackay Stadium and their website will have various features honoring him throughout the season. 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of Motley’s introduction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Why DPC Is Pro Obama
Barack Obama will step up to the podium at the Denver National Convention shortly and it is time for this scribe to reflect on why he is Pro Obama.
Simply put, I support Obama because I can relate to him. We’re both former smokers, multiethnic, Chicago Bears fans and while he currently resides in Chicago I was born on the suburbs of the South Side.Of course he’s a White Sox fan but nobody’s perfect.
The 2008 Presidential Election is the most important campaign in my lifetime. I am only 30 years but in this short lifetime I have seen America plunge to an all time low. Unemployment is sky high, bills can’t be paid, houses are being forgotten and foreclosed and ultimately the public has lost faith in the people that are supposed to support them.
Does Obama have all the answers to cure what ails America? Probably not because that is too much to expect of any one person but he offers hope to the people and that is the greatest commodity available. John McCain, like George Bush before him will keep America isnpired through fear and he will perpetuate 8 years of terror.
Leinart vs. Warner
News of Matt Leinart losing his starting quarterback job to Kurt Warner have been greatly exaggerated.
“Contrary to everything (reported), nothing has changed,” Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “We have not made a decision. We have not named Kurt the starting quarterback.”
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, citing unnamed sources, reported on Monday that the Cardinals we’re naming Warner their starting quarterback. Leinart went 4 for 12 with 3 interceptions in last Sunday’s exhibition against the Oakland Raiders.
Going into the 2008 season it was widely assumed that the starting job was Leinart’s to lose. Unfortunately his less than stellar play, along with the ageless play of the former Super Bowl MVP Warner, have many scribes staing that the NFC West is not the PAC 10 and maybe he is not suited rise to the dizzying highs in the NFL.
DavidPatrickCastro.com is pro Leinart endeavor and still feels that he will suceed in the NFL. Other pundits have begun to right him off but the former Heisman winner will ultimately play up to his potential and lead the Cardinals.
T.R.O.Y. Leroi Moore
Leroi Moore, saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band, passed away at the age of 47. Moore sustained injuries in an ATV accident at the end of June and succumbed to his injuries on August 19th.
I am not a DMB fan. I should rephrase that last statement because I have seen nine DMB shows, either as headliners or in festivals, but I haven’t bought an album since the disappointing Before These Crowded Streets. In the last ten years I have been aware of the Dave Matthews Band but I am unaware of their current work or status.
They Reminisce Over You, Leroi Moore
Rex Grossman Loses His Job To Kyle Orton
The Chicago Bears announced that Kyle Orton will be their starting quarterback over their incumbent Rex Grossman. Orton went 2-1 last season while subbing for the injured Grossman during the last three games of the season.
“In the end it comes down to a gut feeling that you have,” head coach Lovie Smith said. “And I feel good about Kyle leading our team.”
Orton has amassed a record of 12-6 as a starter and Grossman is 19-11 while at the helm of the Bears.
Games Rating Att. Comp. PCT. Yards Y/G Y/A TD INT
Rex Grossman 32 70.9 489 900 54.3 5907 184.6 6.6 31 33
Kyle Orton 18 62.2 233 448 52.0 2347 130.4 5.2 12 15
Despite leading the Bears to the Super Bowl I, like many pundits, have never fully embraced Grossman and to this Bears’ fan they seemed to succeed despite his maverick style. I waste a lot of time watching football and one of my casual observations is to watch how the players interact with one another on the sidelines during the game. For the most part Grossman never talked to anyone but the occasional coach and this was usually for some form of admonishment.
While a guy like Orton was interacting with his teammates and for the most part he seemed at ease with his peers and they liked being around him. It is the opinion of this scribe that players are more inclined to perform and stick their necks out for a guy they like. Grossman always seemed to be isolated on the sidelines and this may have led to him being a distant leader on the field. A lieutenant needs the respect of his men and the Bears finally realized that Orton has it.
Colt Brennan Preseason Update
Former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan continues to show that he belongs in the NFL and after three preseasas on games the Heisman finalist has gone 17/23 with 239 passing yards, 3 touchdown passes and no interceptions. At this point Brennan is likely the third string quarterback for Washington but has shown some flashes of belonging in the NFL.
T.R.O.Y. Isaac Hayes
T.R.O.Y.Isaac Hayes, idol of Life In The DPC, has passed away at the age of 65. Hayes was largely known for his role as “Chef” in the Comedy Central cartoon South Park.
DPC.com will always remember Hayes as an Oscar award winning musician, for the Shaft soundtrack, and for his movie roles in I’m Gonna Git You Sucka and his starring role as Truck Turner.
We’re gonna miss you, Isaac.
Colt Brennan and Are You Ready For Some Pre Season Football?
Former University of Hawaii standout Colt Brennan threw two touchdown passes and finished 9 for 10 for 123 yards in his pro debut. I guess a preseason game against the Colts’ third string defense counts as a pro debut but those misgivings aside Brennan proved that he can make all the reads and throws necessary to be an NFL quarterback.
“More than his throws, what I was pleased with is how he was looking to the right guy when he was backpedaling,” said Washington head coach Jim Zorn, a former NFL quarterback. “He knew the plays, knew the routes. He should feel very good about his performance.”
Last nights performance was nice but Matt Leinart’s former back up (Mater Dei High School) will need many more strong performances before he can begin to shed the system quarterback label. On a national stage last night Brennan did prove that his side arm delivery could lead him to being more than a WAC oddity that shined bright when no one was watching. Mahalo, Colt.
