Oh, how the years go by. My wife and I bought a little fixer-upper in the Parkins Mill area in 2006. Nice little home.
Little. Very little.
Since then, we have grown from a newlywed couple, to a family of four. So, over the past few months, we've been shopping around for something that's not only bigger, but newer. Last week, we were able to find the perfect home for our growing fam -- a 4 bedroom home with double the square footage as we had on the Eastside of Greenville.
My favorite moment as a dad so far has been what happened last week, when my two boys walked into their new home for the first time -- no furniture or TV -- and ran straight up the stairs to start their "adventures".
It has been an absolute dream come true. Olivia works overnights as an RN, and my hours are a little funky too. So, to be able to come home to what we can truly call our "castle" now is just pure bliss.
It's not country club living, and life is still a daily grind. But this is an example of being able to actually enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Here's to everyone finding their true home. We have.
Life, no matter your income or status, is not always fair. Around 11pm last night, I was reminded of this yet again.
A life of 48 years ended suddenly Saturday night in Los Angeles as performing artist and global icon Whitney Houston lost her life. The cause of her death? I don't really care, and nor should you. It's that type of sensationalism that sets an unsavory example for not only our kids, but each other.
What we can agree on is this: 48 is too young. Is Houston's life--and death--more meaningful than dozens that will pass away in our own back yard today? No. Is it more impactful on society? One can certainly make that case.
Houston's masterpiece musical career merited a pair of Emmy awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music Awards. Not to mention her six Grammy awards.
And the cruel irony of life, that one of our generation's most gifted vocal talents passes away on the eve of her industry's biggest night. There are sure to be many tributes at the Grammys tonight, all with full merit.
If you sift through my discography, you won't find any of Houston's albums. However, burned to a CD many years ago, you will find a copy of the finest non-football moment in football history. Two minutes of sheer passion, emotion and pride--in a time where a country at war needed to hear it.
For those old enough to remember Houston's 1991 rendition of our National Anthem prior to Super Bowl XXV as it played live on ABC, you probably still get chills. For those who either can't remember, or weren't tuned in that night, here it is again--my fondest memory of the late Whitney Houston.
Peel back the layers of media day, awards shows, red carpet events and Madonna--there's a pretty compelling game to be played tonight in Indanapolis.
Before radio, I spent the past decade as a sports reporter. I think I know everything. But, as the great WABC-AM sportscaster Warner Wolf once said: "NOBODY KNOWS NOTHIN."
It will be interesting to see what New England's megamind Bill Belichick does defensively. I almost think a redux of the "let Thurman Thomas get 200 yards if he wants to" game plan from 1990 would be in order.
I expect to see a ton of moving parts, pre-snap, from the Pats on defense. Problem is, they were not only historically bad defensively in 2011, it wasn't as if they tightened up in the red zone (17th overall at 53% TD's allowed). Can't rely on Billy Cundiff and Lee Evans this week.
Pats and Giants ranked 23rd and 28th respectively this year in 4th quarter defense (points). On the other hand, NY finished 2nd in points scored in the final frame, New England not far behind in 4th.
Logic says there will be points, lot of 'em. Everyone's picking the G-men this week. Some by a wide margin. But only about 10% of analysts know what they're talking about. Remember: Nobody knows.....nothin'.
But, who cares about the game, right?. It's time for "10 THINGS ELLIS SAID WOULD HAPPEN BEFORE THE GAME SO HE COULD COME ON THE RADIO TOMORROW AND SOUND BRILLIANT".....
1. Pats RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis will eclipse 100 yards rushing, getting to the 2nd level with delays/draws to counter NY's speed "Nascar" packages. (Nascar package is code for the Giants planting a quartert of speed rushers on the line, replacing run-stuffing defensive tackles. This doesn't mean David Pearson will be bookended by Harry Gant, grandpa.)
2. On that note, I charted some plays from New England from the past 4-5 games. Seeing a good deal of no-huddle, with Brady under center on first down running delays to Green-Ellis and company. They have a tendency there.
3. As mentioned, look for some single-man fronts from New England's defense. It's a part of what Steve Spagnuolo, then the Giants defensive boss, incorporated in Super Bowl 42 against Brady, and Belichick has some pieces on defense to make this work vs. Manning. Belichick is notorious for preparation, but equally notorious for borrowing good ideas from the past. And illegally filming opposing sidelines.
4. Giants ranked 27th in net punt return average. Patriots ranked 3rd in net punting yard average. May not matter if nobody punts, and most punts may end up coming from mid-field-ville. If it becomes a field position battle, big advantage to New England here.
5. Jason Pierre-Paul ranked 2nd in tackles for loss (25). Pats held him to 3 tackles back in November in Foxboro. Since then, JPP is averaging 6.2 tackles per game. The man with three first names will have a pair of TFL's and one forced fumble tonight.
6. Manning had two weeks to recover from the most physical beatdown he'd suffered since being shutout by Carolina in the '05 playoffs. No turnovers vs. SFO, despite 6 sacks and roughly 142 knockdowns. Scary, though. He's due for a couple picks and a fumble. I'm guessing 3 Eli giveaways, one for a score.
7. Justin Smith (SFO) talked recently about the Saints--how they evolved their pass protection during the season by using chipping routes, giving Brees an extra step to throw into his routes. Patriots have utilized this in 2011, and it will/should be used to slow NY's pass rush down. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, New England's dynamic tight end duo, will look to get a "chip" (basically, a block on a defensive end on the way out to their route) on the NY defensive line, and they will each make big plays down the seam against a fairly benign Giants secondary.
8. Mentioned the Manning turnover above that will go for a touchdown. My guess: Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington, playing trail-technique against Giants speedster Victor Cruz will snag the pick. Last time the Giants lost a game was week 15 vs. Washington. Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett mentioned recently that Eli's ability to "escape" is a concern, and their strategy (in part) was interior pressure and making Eli "throw over you". Of course, that goes for pretty much every QB in the NFL.
9. Oh, by the way. In their win over New England earlier this year, the NY offensive line yielded 21 knockdowns/hurries to the Pats. This was pre-injury for Andre Carter, the Pats' leader in sacks, so keep that in mind. Roll Tide for Alabama man Mark Anderson, who quietly picked up 10 sacks during the regular season, and another in the AFC Title Game. He'll put Eli on the ground twice tonight.
10. Mr. Brady will not turn the ball over, and will be named Super Bowl MVP. That award comes with a brand new car (that Tom will never drive) and a trophy (that he'll leave on the team bus).
Hey, enjoy the 6-hour pregame show, the concert, the commercials, Madonna's biceps, the premiere of "The Voice" on NBC. Oh, and, enjoy what should be a great game.
Peel back the layers of media day, awards shows, red carpet events and Madonna--there's a pretty compelling game to be played tonight in Indanapolis.
Before radio, I spent the past decade as a sports reporter. I think I know everything. But, as the great WABC-AM sportscaster Warner Wolf once said: "NOBODY KNOWS NOTHIN."
With that said, here's what I think I might know about tonight's game.
It will be interesting to see what New England's megamind Bill Belichick does defensively. I almost think a redux of the "let Thurman Thomas get 200 yards if he wants to" game plan from 1990 would be in order. I expect to see a ton of moving parts, pre-snap, from the Pats on defense. Problem is, they were not only historically bad defensively in 2011, it wasn't as if they tightened up in the red zone (17th overall at 53% TD's allowed). Can't rely on Billy Cundiff and Lee Evans this week.
Pats and Giants ranked 23rd and 28th respectively this year in 4th quarter defense (points). On the other hand, NY finished 2nd in points scored in the final frame, New England not far behind in 4th.
Logic says there will be points, lot of 'em. Everyone's picking the G-men this week. Some by a wide margin. But only about 10% of analysts know what they're talking about. Remember: Nobody knows.....nothin'.
But, who cares about the game, right?. It's time for "10 THINGS ELLIS SAID WOULD HAPPEN BEFORE THE GAME SO HE COULD COME ON THE RADIO TOMORROW AND SOUND BRILLIANT".....
1. Pats RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis will eclipse 100 yards rushing, getting to the 2nd level with delays/draws to counter NY's speed "Nascar" packages. (Nascar package is code for the Giants planting a quartert of speed rushers on the line, replacing run-stuffing defensive tackles. This doesn't mean David Pearson will be bookended by Harry Gant, grandpa.)
2. On that note, I charted some plays from New England from the past 4-5 games. Seeing a good deal of no-huddle, with Brady under center on first down running delays to Green-Ellis and company. They have a tendency there.
3. As mentioned, look for some single-man fronts from New England's defense. It's a part of what Steve Spagnuolo, then the Giants defensive boss, incorporated in Super Bowl 42 against Brady, and Belichick has some pieces on defense to make this work vs. Manning. Belichick is notorious for preparation, but equally notorious for borrowing good ideas from the past. And illegally filming opposing sidelines.
4. Giants ranked 27th in net punt return average. Patriots ranked 3rd in net punting yard average. May not matter if nobody punts, and most punts may end up coming from mid-field-ville. If it becomes a field position battle, big advantage to New England here.
5. Jason Pierre-Paul ranked 2nd in tackles for loss (25). Pats held him to 3 tackles back in November in Foxboro. Since then, JPP is averaging 6.2 tackles per game. The man with three first names will have a pair of TFL's and one forced fumble tonight.
6. Manning had two weeks to recover from the most physical beatdown he'd suffered since John Fox whipped that ass in the '05 playoffs. No turnovers vs. SFO, despite 6 sacks and roughly 142 knockdowns. Scary, though. He's due for a couple picks and a fumble. I'm guessing 3 Eli giveaways, one for a score.
7. Justin Smith (SFO) talked recently about the Saints--how they evolved their pass protection during the season by using chipping routes, giving Brees an extra step to throw into his routes. Patriots have utilized this in 2011, and it will/should be used to slow NY's pass rush down. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, New England's dynamic tight end duo, will look to get a "chip" (basically, a block on a defensive end on the way out to their route) on the NY defensive line, and they will each make big plays down the seam against a fairly benign Giants secondary.
8. Mentioned the Manning turnover above that will go for a touchdown. My guess: Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington, playing trail-technique against Giants speedster Victor Cruz will snag the pick. Last time the Giants lost a game was week 15 vs. Washington. Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett mentioned recently that Eli's ability to "escape" is a concern, and their strategy (in part) was interior pressure and making Eli "throw over you". Of course, that goes for pretty much every QB in the NFL.
9. Oh, by the way. In their win over New England earlier this year, the NY offensive line yielded 21 knockdowns/hurries to the Pats. This was pre-injury for Andre Carter, the Pats' leader in sacks, so keep that in mind. Roll Tide for Alabama man Mark Anderson, who quietly picked up 10 sacks during the regular season, and another in the AFC Title Game. He'll put Eli on the ground twice tonight.
10. Mr. Brady will not turn the ball over, and will be named Super Bowl MVP. That award comes with a brand new car (that Tom will never drive) and a trophy (that he'll leave on the team bus).
Hey, enjoy the 6-hour pregame show, the concert, the commercials, Madonna's biceps, the premiere of "The Voice" on NBC. Oh, and, enjoy what should be a great game.
File it under the category labeled: "Several hours of your life you'll never get back."
I've been a rabid NFL fan since 1995, which is when I was trying to not embarass myself as a backup receiver for the JL Mann Patriots.
Today, the focus is the Patriots from New England, who face off against the unlikliest of teams: the see-saw, hot 'n cold New York Giants.
My team, Carolina, has been to the Super Bowl one time in 17 years. Historically, that ain't too bad, considering the small handful of teams from my grandpa's era that have yet to attend the big dance.
I remember the leadup to the Panthers' 2003 Super Bowl showdown win New England. It started as exciting. Then, excrutiatingly long. Then, just boring. By the time Josh Groban sang a tribute song and Beyonce belted out the National Anthem, finally a football game broke out.
But there's nothing in the process that's as wasteful, useless and just plan dumber than "Media Day". You know, where a bunch of smelly disc jockeys from the midwest get to mingle with ESPN anchors and execs, all hoping to make enough people laugh to land a weekend gig on ESPN 4 Espanol.
Here's a taste of Media Day. Notice how thrilled the millionaire athletes and coaches are to be fielding questions from morning zoo hosts dressed up in halloween costumes just a few days away from the biggest night of their professional lives.
Enjoy the Super Bowl this Sunday.....and all that comes with it.
