Quick Thoughts 10/31

• I’ve moved my blog. Please update your links to www.kahnskorner.blogspot.com.
• Happy Halloween! Don’t eat too much candy tonight.
• Yes, as I eluded to in my last post, we are expecting another child. Currently the baby is due April 10, but at the first ultrasound the baby measured with a due date of April 2. They haven’t officially changed anything, but we’ll be going back next Friday for another ultrasound and find out the baby’s sex. The ironic thing is that Payton’s due date was April 2, so it’s kind of like deja vu.
• We have no idea what we should name the baby, but Payton suggested “Fendooda.” Where he came up with that, I will never know.
• The Bears got right back on track this past week with an easy win over the 49ers. Next up are the Dolphins in Chicago. The Bears should have no problems with the Dolphins, but wouldn’t it be ironic if that was the only game they were to lose this season? I don’t see it happening though. They should win this game, but stand a much greater chance of losing one or two of the upcoming road games against the Giants and Patriots. This is when we find out just how good the Bears really are.
• Boy, that Nintendo Wii sure looks pretty cool. I hear the AARP is endorsing it too.

When all else fails...Post Pictures!

Payton likes playing his “guitar.”

Pumpkins!

Holly got to go to Orlando the other week for a teaching conference. Can you tell that she’s pregnant?

Our friends had an early Halloween party last weekend. That’s Payton as Tigger, but he wasn’t feeling very bouncy for the pictures.

I'm in disbelief

Is it 2001 again?  The Bears had no business winning that game tonight.  I guess sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.

Quick Thoughts 10/9

• I think it’s about time to seriously research the NFL Sunday Ticket. The Bears’ game was broadcast in our area yesterday, but when the score was 30–0, they took it off the air and started airing “a more competitive game” instead. I was not happy with that decision.
• I kept my eye on the score of the Bears game after that, and thought for sure I’d be bringing in bear claws today for the shutout. I wish I could have seen how the Bills scored their lone touchdown.
• The Cyclones couldn’t overcome Nebraska or the referees on Saturday night. However, Dan Fouts had one of the funniest quotes I’ve heard during a football game in a long time. He was talking about Todd Blythe and how he was trying to fire the Cyclones up in the second half. Fouts said that Blythe went to all of the Cyclone offensive linemen and told them it was their job to keep the QB, Brett Meyer, erect. I think I laughed for ten minutes after that one. Nice choice of words guys.
• Oh boy, I wouldn’t want to be this guy, or be around this guy today.

Bears/Seahawks Running Blog

One of my on-line must-reads is Bill Simmons’ “The Sports Guy” column on ESPN.com’s Page 2.  He writes about sports, but throws in a lot of witty and humorous pop culture references.  During big games, he’ll often keep a running blog of the event.  So, thanks for the idea Mr. Simmons.  I can only wish that I was as entertaining to read. 

7:21 Kickoff…Let’s get it on!  C’mon Bears show everyone you’re for real.

7:29 Bears punt after a three and out.  I feel like I’ve seen that before.

7:35 Seahawks are driving and end up with a FG.  No bear claws this week.  For such a good defense, the Bears sure do give up a lot of yards.  That’s one thing that still frustrates me.

7:44 Desmond Clark is looking pretty good for a guy with a bad ankle.  It figures that he had his worst game last week when I started him in one of my fantasy leagues.

7:45 Thomas Jones finally breaks off a decent run.  He’s due for a big game.

7:46 Grossman is dropping back way too far when he’s under pressure.  It’s making me nervous as heck.  Most of the time nothing good is going to result from that, but there was this one particular play, (which I witnessed in person) that defied all odds.

7:47 TOUCHDOWN BEARS!!!  Another passing TD no less.

7:58  End of first quarter. The Bears are airing it out again this drive.  I just haven’t gotten used to this aerial assault, and offensive competence yet, but I am definitely loving it. 

8:03 The Bears kick a field goal, and go up 10–3.  On the way to commercial, NBC plays Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4”.  I suppose we’ll also hear “Sweet Home Chicago” before the night is over.  If the game was in Seattle, do you think they’d play “I’m Only Happy when it Rains?”

8:07 and still no mention of Terrell Owens from Al and John.  Can that possibly last the full game?

8:09 Devin Hester fumbles a punt.  I think this kid has a lot of potential, as he’s already returned one punt for a touchdown this season, but 90% of the time he just dances around too much trying to make something happen. 

8:17 Interception Ricky Manning Jr!  At least I’m writing this on my laptop at home…not at a Denny’s.  I feel pretty safe.

8:25 The Bears add three more points on a Robbie “Good as” Gould FG.  13–3 Bears.  I like the way this game is playing out so far.

8:31 Another interception for Ricky Manning Jr.  It was run back for a touchdown, but only because of some illegal blocks.  Still, the Bears take possession of the ball.

8:35 Thomas Jones runs the ball in for a TOUCHDOWN (his first of the year)!  20–3 Bears.

8:49 Seattle kicks a FG to make it 20–6. 

8:51 Halftime.  The Bears’ offense has looked very potent again so far.  Grossman is making good decisions, and looking very sharp.  The defense is giving the Seahawks fits and only giving up a couple of field goals.  I’ll trade touchdowns for field goals any day.

9:09 Thomas Jones breaks off a big run just as Al and John talk about the Bears’ rushing problems.

9:10 Mushin Muhammad makes another catch.  Not that I’m complaining, but what happened to all the big drops that he was having last season?  Most of the guys on offense are the same as last year, but the results are completely different.  I’d hate to say it, but maybe Jerry Angelo knows what he’s doing.

9:16 After being set up by a pass interference call, Thomas Jones pounds it in from the one yard line.  27–6 Bears!  If this continues, I’m sure the Bears still won’t get respect from the national media.  After all, the Seahawks are playing without Shaun Alexander tonight (even though he’s only averaging a little over 62 yards per game this year).

9:24 The game isn’t that close right now, but Al and John are still talking about the game they are at.  Could this have been something they were coached on when they moved to NBC?

9:38 Cedric Benson breaks off a nice run.  Let the running back controversy begin.

9:41 Bombs away!  Grossman hooks up with Berrian for a 40 yard touchdown.  I think we’re going to be seeing a lot of that connection this season.  34–6 Bears.  I still can’t get over how much fun this team is to watch this year.

9:44 Yet another plug for NBC’s new show “Heroes.”  I watched the pilot last week and liked it quite a bit.  It looks like it has some good potential. 

9:56 Chris Collinsworth is interviewed in a split-screen, and I never noticed this before, but he sure blinks a lot.  I think he blinked about a dozen times in ten seconds. 

10:05 Robbie Gould adds another three points via his leg.  37–6 Bears.  He’s still perfect this season.  Let’s see if he can keep that up all season, only to choke at the end of the NFC championship game.  Does that scenario sound familiar Vikings fans?   

10:08 Seneca Wallace has entered the game for the Seahawks.  In case you didn’t follow this link earlier, here it is again.

10:11 Madden criticizes Devin Hester as he almost botches another punt return.  He says “I don’t think I’d want him back there in a close game.”  John, you must not have seen guys returning punts for the Bears last year. 

10:20 I knew we couldn’t go the whole game without talking about Terrell Owens, even though Al and John were reluctant to say anything. 

10:22 Chicago wins 37–6 and improves to 4–0.  Check out these numbers after four games:  Points scored: 116, points allowed: 29.  This team is the real deal folks.