What happened to Hokie Football??

The title says it all.  As I write this, the Hokies are down 38 - 20 to a Georgia Tech team that is good but not whippin' our ass good.  Why?  I've got some explanations to offer if you're willing to listen.

Reason No. 1:  21 first quarter points given up.  Let's review the Ga Tech lineup.  You have Calvin Johnson, a bonafide star.  You have Reggie Ball, a benefactor of having Reggie Ball but without #21 Reggie Ball is so-so at best.  So I ask you oh non-existent faithful reader....what should the Va Tech defense plan for?  Perhaps a spy on the mobile Reginald Ball, man on man with Calvin or even a double team....but no....zone defenses, no spy, and Calvin Johnson frollicking through a happy meadow otherwise known as Lane Stadium or Worsham field.

Reason No. 2:  Let's consider recent Hokie history.  Special Teams, Defense, Rushing Offense....not always in that order but definitely always in that formula.   Let's Consider Brandon Ore...a budding star...quick cuts...solid rusher.  Through 3 + quarters, 14 touches....no further analysis needed.

Reason No. 3:  Sean Glennon.  Red Shirt Sophomore.  Through 3 + quarters, 33 attempts.

Reason No. 4:  Absolutely fucking ridiculous gameplan.  Let's walk through it shall we.  Play action on first down, run on second, roll out on third.  Problem here?  Yes, see if the running back isn't getting touches (see reason No. 2) then the play action is not going to be effective.  In fact, it's going to simply give the defense an extra few seconds to get to the qb...witness the pressure Glennon faced.

Reason No. 5:  Run the fuckin' ball.

32 and counting

Well, I'm 32 years old as of this past Monday.  It was a fairly quiet birthday which is fine.  I didn't expect too much, didn't want too much so it worked out.  It was actually kind of weird all day.  I used to get so excited about my birthday coming up but this year I didn't really put too much into it.  Part of getting older maybe?

The way I see it, at 32 and a black male, I've got half the battle won.  I'm not in jail, nor do I have any plans that would result in such an outcome.  I'm alive, working, loving, and being loved....32 ain't too bad at all.  Not too mention Devin Xavier is doing well in the womb.  I felt him move definitively for the first time last night.  Yet another one of those reaffirming moments when you realize everything you've known is about to change.  I should start watching Disney now so it won't annoy me later ;)

I still worry about how we are going to support this baby.  We make enough money but we have become so accustomed to a lifestyle that revolves around pretty immediate gratification.  We want something...we typically get it pretty quickly.  Now, we have a new life to consider.  We have to put ourselves on the back burner for the sake of lil man.  I think we can do it.  We've managed this far and with time I think we'll do it instinctively to the point where it won't hurt so bad.  Plus, I've tried to get as many of my toys before the baby was born as I could ;)

Recap - Va Tech 29, Cincinatti 13

The Hokies finally listened to me after 2 hours of torture yesterday.  At what point Mr Beamer and company decided they wanted to become a passing team I don't know.  But the bread and butter finally made a reappearance at the dinner table in the middle of the third quarter after going in at halftime down to UC.  After amassing negative four yards rushing through 3 1/2 quarters, the coaching staff finally realized that rushing the ball is what has raised our program to prominence the past 14 years.  It's great that we have a passing game that has the potential to amass 300 yards a game but let's not forget our almost always productive running game.  The fourth quarter Hokies are what I have been waiting to see all year....

Too much respect?

Normally, I wouldn't doubt anybody giving Va Tech a high ranking.  But I waltzed across CBS Sportsline's Top 119 this morning.  And to my surprise the Hokies are ranked 5th in the nation!!!

I personally have been less impressed with the Hokies this year.  Well, maybe 'less impressed' isn't the right way to express my view.  I've not been wowed yet.  I see a lot of issues that I think need to be corrected in this week's game against a game Cincinatti team.  The list of issues as follows:

• The offense has yet to show that it can move the ball consistently.


• Special teams lapses ie two blocked PAT's last week


• Not enough Brandon Ore

The defense looks pretty good so that should keep us in a lot of games that the offense alone may not be able to do.  I still worry.  With one more 'warmup game' (<-and I use that very loosely), there are plenty of practice items that need to be fixed.

Will Work For Boobs

Posted on craigslist (yes, it has been removed now but a mirror can be found here)

Cute/nice IT guy/PC specialist will fix your computer in exchange for a gentle feel of your boobs. I'm a totally non-creepy (really) professional who will repair your hard drive, back up files, install software and peripherals, whatever, for an innocent grope. I have a lot of tech knowledge in my life and regrettably no boobs. Serious inquiries only and thanks.

Non creepy guy offering services for cheap feel?  What's the problem?  The problem is he doesn't specify if man-boobs are accepted.  Boobs...the new American Express and it doesn't affect your credit.  I wonder if bigger boobs bring more services or is it one price fits all?  I could probably go on and on about this.....and I will.

So is this a one time offer?  For example, if I had man-boobs and needed my hard drive wiped out, the non creepy IT guy comes over wipes and gropes.  Then next week, I need memory added.  Will he do the work since he's already felt my boobs?  I think I need to see his business plan.

Does he offer payment plans?  Like one boob a week until the job is done for services that could take more than one trip?  Is there any kind of warranty?  And what about refunds???

Pop's Points 9/19/2006

(originally rec'd 9/14)

Wife been on computer:

Grandson been on the computer:

Back Hurting from planting trees:

Basic Thought~~~~ouch I'm hurting.

My bad

It's funny.  I created this whole website.  I was all gung-ho.  Then I bought an Xbox360 and I find that I have no hobbies.  I don't post here.  I don't work out.  I don't play basketball.  I don't even mind missing some football.  I spend most waking moments trying to figure out how to maximize my 360 quality time.  Sad but true.  True but sad.

It's gotten to the point that I have to delay 'Pop's Thoughts' in order to make sure this space doesn't become his more than mine.

Sour Start for The Season

I guess we should have known it wasn't going to be a good night when Redskin safety Pierson Prioleau is injured on the field and the clock reads 15:00 1st qtr.

I won't say it was downhill from there, after all there were some plateaus, but all in all the defense was less than impressive as they were unable to stop the Vikings on third down conversions, or second down conversions for that matter.

The offense was less than less than impressive.  No typo in the previous sentence.  Can someone, anyone, tell me what exactly Mark Brunell is doing in practice that convinces Joe Gibbs that this ol' clunker of a qb has anything left in the tank.  From throwing the ball away at the very first hint of defensive pressure, to the inability to stop while rolling out so he can deliver an accurate pass, to the 'Let me throw off my back foot mentality just in case I get hit' mechanics, Brunell proves game in and game out that he is more washed up than a sheet on a clotheline in the backyard on a breezy day.

I'm not giving up.  It's much too early for that.  But I do want to see Jason Campbell around the 6th week.  I want to see Randle El with the ball in his hands as much as possible.  I want to see Santana going deep, Brandon Lloyd going up, and Clinton Portis going through.  I do not want to see a repeat of last night!

It's a boy

By that I mean, it's a healthy, healthy boy. Look at the size of the . . . . boy part of this fetus

And then look at his profile

Excited? Me? Nah Hell to the yeah I'm excited!

Pop's Points 9/6/2006 - Part 2

My wife has purchased several watermelons from supermarkets this summer, none were really good.

On Labor Day she decided to go to Wal Mart and probably try her luck again, but whoa, there was this little farmer man with watermelons on the back of his pickup, one was purchased and boy was it sweet, the best one we had all summer. Point: small farmer beats supermarket.

Pop's Points 9/6/2006

Obesity!

1. Stop blaming big macs and fast foods.

2. The real problem might be the antibiotics, homos and steroids they are injecting in the growth of our food supply.

3. Go back to natural growth, no chemicals.

4. Give farming back to the little man.

5. Give excess food to the hungry.

Getting Excited

In a couple of hours, I will be sitting in the OB/GYN office preparing to learn the gender of my seed.

On one hand I want a boy.  On another, I want a girl.  Just a healthy kid is truly what is desired.

I bought two books Monday entitled A Father/Mother's Legacy.  I bought it for me and Mrs. Xpinionated but I think I want to get two more for more parents.  It is basically a book with questions on each page with space for your answer.  Once filled out, you give it to your children so they can know you better!  Kinda cool in my xpinion.

Pop's Points 9/5/2006

Here at Xpinionated, I am always looking for new contributions.  Out of this search comes my Pop's Points section....yep Xpinionated's Pops got something to say!

Social Security

1. Quit sending jobs overseas, they donot pay into the social system.

2.Quit using the money in social security for pork barreling pet projects.

tpmmuckraker.com   

gopprogress.com

3. Take the limit off SS, if make 1 million dollars, pay SS on that amount.

4. Cut back on war spending, we could have shored ss, education, medicare and drugs (Prescription).

Countdown

This time tomorrow I will know the sex of the young 'un.  Initially, I didn't want to know but now that I have to know I think it'll be a good thing.

We bought the baby's furniture yesterday.  I sure would like to get an itemized statement of the costs just to see how much profit is built into this stuff.   My expectant father book said I would be this way though...worrying about finances and stuff.

So I have gotten into the habit of talking to the baby every night.  Usually nonsense...okay always nonsense but just setting the groundwork here ;)

Another Bout with Laker Hating....

Last week I read an article by Brian Windhorst suggesting that Team USA was better off without Kobe.

I tried to remain calm as the following email indicates:

I just read your Kobe article. As a Lakers fan since 1984, I've gotten used to the beating Kobe receives in the media. I expected your article to be just as battering though I was slightly surprised. However, I do disagree in regards to the USA team being better without Kobe. Kobe's job on the Lakers was to score because quite frankly there weren't a whole lot of options to whom to pass the ball. I think Kobe would have fit in brilliantly with Team USA. Take, for instance, his play in all-star games. I know those are exhibitions meant more for highlights than anything. But if Kobe is the selfish player the media world has portrayed him to be, wouldn't he take the opportunity to 'show his shine' at the All-Star game in front of the world, against the best? Instead, he gives the ball up, even plays second fiddle quite often. Not to mention, during the Lakers glory years a few back, Kobe led his team in assists 4 out of 6 years (at work so I can't get the exact numbers). I'm just sayin' ;)

Surprisingly, Mr. Windhorst responded. Granted, he addressed none of my points or assertions. Rather he threw out some unsupported opinions as seen below (also note his tone when mentioning Kobe's number, hateration begins to show it's ugly face):

Xavier, It is questionable. Kobe is probably the best player in the game right now, but I don't think he's the best teammate. I don't care what anyone says and revises history, he forced Shaq out and it cost him and the Lakers a title(s). This team is about teammates. Now, if Argentina holds them to 80 points because no one can make a challenged jumper, then Kobe will get the last laugh. But so far everyone on the team is praising LeBron and Wade and you never hear that about No. 8/24. Thanks, Brian

So my response was thorough as you faithful readers can well imagine:

Brian, I've often asked folks who state that he forced Shaq out to provide some evidence other than personal opinion. You're stating an opinion as fact. As in any good sports debate, you are welcome to your opinion but it should be backed up with more than just your personal feelings. FACT: Shaq was offered a contract in February that was in the neighborhood of 20 million per year. Shaq rejected. That summer, after a season of saying Buss didn't want to pay him, Shaq signed with Miami for. . . .20 million + per year....what did Kobe have to do with that? If you offer a man a contract and he rejects, what choices do you have as an owner? Better question if Shaq had stayed and Kobe had left, do you think the media would have been quick to say Shaq forced Kobe out? Fact: SHAQ states in a recent interview, which is can be found at http://www.nba.com/features/shaq_060821.html?loc=headline, Shaquille admits some ill-advised approaches...not only to Kobe, but Penny Hardaway as well. Sorry, I'm not sure which history revision you're referring to, but the fact remains there is no solid proof that Kobe forced Buss' or Kupchak's hand in trading O'Neal, simply media propagated rumor. P.S. I will probably put this email thread on my Lakers blog. If you don't want your name associated with it, let me know and I'll leave it out. And one other thing, then I promise I'll leave you alone ;), I don't think Kobe is sitting at home hoping Team USA loses. There's no last laugh for Kobe if they lose, there's country wide embarassment again. Further, you won't hear about #24 because he's not playing. When do you ever hear about a missing player when times are good?

Brian's response (no longer Mr. Windhorst after reading his final cop out) was nothing short of disappointing....

Xavier, I've gone round and round with Lakers fans about this and I don't want to rehash everything. Kobe is a great player, as I said, maybe the best. Kobe is not a great teammate. That is the point.

These are the types of folks running our media machine......