Bottom of Bird Cage 5/28
It’s the 148th day of the year.
On Mary 28, 1774, the first Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia. In 1892, John Muir organized the Sierra Club in San Francisco. On May 28, 1938, Jerry West was born in Cheylan, West Virginia and on this day in 1940, Belgium surrendered to the German forces of Adolph Hitler.
And on May 28, 1888 quite possibly the greatest athlete in American history was born in Oklahoma. His given name was Wa-Tho-Huk, which translated from the language of the Sac-Fox Indians to “Bright Path.” His baptismal certificate read Jacobus Franciscus Thorpe.
Jim Thorpe played both professional baseball and football. At one point he barnstormed around the country with a traveling basketball team. He won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Summer Games in Stockholm. He was voted the best athlete of the first half-century by a panel of voters selected by the Associated Press.
Thorpe came out of the Indian lands of Oklahoma, spent time at Haskell in Lawrence, but then ended up at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There he performed in track and football for the legendary Pop Warner and that was the launching pad for his athletic career.
As much success as Thorpe experienced on the field, his life off the field was a struggle due largely to his abuse of alcohol. He was married three different times and lost every dime he ever made along the way. Thorpe worked as a movie extra, construction worker, security guard, bouncer, ditch digger and even joined the U.S. Merchant Marine at one point.
He died penniless of a heart attack in his trailer home in Lomita, California in 1953.
Now, a trip around the AFC West.
From the Denver Post:
Will, Sam, Mike and now Jack - Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams has played them all. Williams played all three linebacker positions — the weakside or Will, strongside or Sam, and middle or Mike — for Mike Shanahan during Williams’ first five seasons in the NFL. So while other Broncos teammates might privately fret about the transition to a 3-4 scheme under new coach Josh McDaniels, Williams isn’t concerned.
Williams will play what is called the “Jack” linebacker position — meaning he will be the inside linebacker who is lined up away from the opponent’s tight end.
“I love my new position,” Williams said Wednesday in his first public comments since the 2008 season ended. “I think the position highlights what type of player I am. It allows me to do what I do best.”
The Broncos keep trying to find the best place to play their former No. 1 pick and so far nothing has really stuck with Williams. The Chiefs have gone through a similar situation with Derrick Johnson. Both possess some explosive physical skills, but neither one has had the impact plays that were expected when they were first-round draft picks, Williams in and Johnson in 2005.
From the North County Times:
Nick Hardwick spent part of his offseason focused on the big picture. The Chargers center signed up for the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program, a series of courses designed to prepare current players for life outside of football.
The seminars were taught at some of the finest business schools in the country, and attracted players from almost every NFL franchise. When Hardwick walked into his first class at the University of Pennsylvania, he noticed a common theme among the student body.
“The funny thing is that most of the guys in there were on the verge of retirement or coming off of a serious injury, so we all had time to think about not being able to play anymore,” Hardwick said last week during the Chargers’ offseason coaching sessions. “I seriously believe about 90 percent of the guys in there were in that position. Those guys got a slap in the face by reality, who said, ‘Hey, man, this gig’s not going to last forever, so you might want to start thinking ahead.’ ”
Hardwick doesn’t seem to fit that profile. He’s an established pro with a starting spot on a playoff contender. The 27-year-old is a Pro Bowler in the prime of his career, and although he suffered a foot injury that required surgery in March 2008, he’s back to 100 percent and, unlike last season, he’s a full participant in the Chargers’ offseason program. Hardwick’s foot problem in 2007 was more serious than anyone thought, and forced him to think about the future.
This is a good story about one of the unsung players that has made the Chargers the best team in the AFC West for the last four years. That both Hardwick and LaDainian Tomlinson are going full speed in May is the best news that Norv Turner and Philip Rivers could have hoped for going into the 2009 season. It’s bad news for the rest of the division.
From USA Today: Remember the Raiders? Once upon a time, the Oakland Raiders staked their claim as one of the more successful franchises in NFL history.
They were tough and mean and nasty and ever-so-menacing.
The Raiders won three Super Bowls, boasting the likes of Kenny Stabler, Cliff Branch, Lester Hayes, Fred Biletnikoff, Dave Casper, Marcus Allen, Howie Long and on and on.
Baby, they just won. With a snarl. All under the appreciative eye of iconic owner Al Davis.
There was an unmistakable mystique surrounding them, to be sure. Still is — at least in their own minds.
It’s so easy to make fun of the Raiders; they provide so much ammunition with their antics and comments. But one of these days the boys in the East Bay are going to surprise some people. They have talent and if there ever is stability in the coaching staff and approach, they could be a contender again. Al Davis truly needs to find a football person to run the show, but that’s never going to happen.
“His given name was ‘Wa-Tho-Huk’ ”
- ay caramba…that is dangerously close to “what the …. ”
Bob keeps settin em up, and Rin keeps knockin em down; what a team - and - I even let SG- er, Bob keep top billing -
Laurel & Hardy…Martin & Lewis… Gretz & Rin as in: grin n’ bear it…heh heh heh.
Dictionary time…
Delusional (adj) - see Delusion.
- A false belief strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence, especially as a symptom of mental illness.
IF Russel is not the starter I think the Raiders win the west.
Yup!
Sucks, don’t it!
Derrick Johnson is stil a Question Mark in my book. Yeah the guy is good. The problem is, he’s not real good. He shows glimmers of brilliance, he’s fast, strong, he just lacks the consistency of making plays. I’m hoping he learns something from Vrabel & Thomas. He needs to be there on every play. Making the RB change direction, forcing a blocker to adjust, making the QB scramble or get nervous. All these things make up a quality LB. Hopefully this year, DJ makes us proud, that he was our #1 pick.
Not sure about the Raiders winning the West, annonymous…but I have to agree that they will be a better team with Garcia at QB. And I look for that to happen after about 5 or six games.
Amen, Jimbo. DJ is one of the players I hope the new coaching staff can bring to life.
“Scott”
- talks to himself - all of them - randonly…and sometimes his sis Sybil, too.
DIAGNOSIS
DSM-IV-R 300.14
Dissociative Disorders (or Hysterical Neuroses, Dissociative Type)
- AND -
DSM-IV-R 297.10 Delusional (Paranoid) Disorder, ‘Jealous Type’ (more commonly referred “green eyes.”)
@ Rin
Fool
1.One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding.
2.One who acts unwisely on a given occasion.
Here Him Dim Dim kitty kitty kitty…
And here dicky dicky dicky!!
heh heh heh
loon
One who is crazy or deranged.
heh heh heh
(Cue Elton John paraphrase) - “Green eyes, fake Rin’s got, green eyes…”
Imitation - THE sincerest form of flattery…again
as always “De Nada” (or - your case - “Duh Nada”.)
heh heh heh
Him Dim Dim too - and not very bright either…
I think that this year Russel might be able to surprise people if McFadden is on the field for the entire season and if Heyward-Bey softens his hands. I personally can’t stand when the chiefs lose to the raiders home or away, I hope we can at least get a sweep out of them this year, along with the Donkeys.
I agree arrowhead! If we only win 4 games this year, I pray they’re against the Donks and Faiders!
Rin Tin Tin is one of the most annoying commentators on this site. So much so that I refuse to read anymore of his posts.
MWM says:
“Rin Tin Tin is one of the most annoying commentators on this site.”
- thank you…
“So much so that I refuse to read anymore of his posts.”
- promises promises…
Oh, and whaddaya mean “one of”?
Just wait till my mouth dost spew it’s dribble, nee it’s rin-isms galore and only THEN shall I be the MOST annoying!!!
Que my boyfriend, nee lover, for more on my real feelings. Sing it Sir Elton John!!!!
Heh heh heh!!
:-}
rin-
I hate to admit I’ve read so many of your posts. I think I’ll skip the rest. You’re a mess. Have you ever thought about trying to get some therapy?
What a waste of disk space…
“Fake Rin” said:
“Just wait till my mouth dost spew it’s dribble”
- already at the ready: special sale used napkins - just .99¢ a one- er, ton! (hometown discount)
“nee”
- verily…and forsooth too.
“it’s rin-isms galore”
- be still His heart! Just not now, nor anytime soon…
“and only THEN shall I”
- weep uncontrollably his memory…
“be the MOST annoying!!!”
- oh alright, if you insist…
“Que my boyfriend”
- fair(i)est knave in all the land, is that the same as “cue”? Thou deserveth a backhand!
Here tis:
“Que” - a half farthing - not to be confused with your fiber-free thus irregular farting as twere.
“nee lover”
- so, you like whence it be pressed ‘hard’ there ‘gainst your neck as well throat, yes?
“for more”
- no no no thou foul fop…tis “four score and…” make ‘Abe’ note of it.
“on my real feelings.”
- get up off thy genuflected knees…and wipe your bended mouth.
“Sing it”
- the Body Electric!
“Sir”
- good, we’ve consensus.
“Elton John!!!!”
- Bowie, David…a ‘Space Oddity’ - like you “fake Rin”…occupying this blog.
“Heh heh heh!!”
- nyuk nyuk nyuk nyuk nyuk!
MOTTO: Rin Tin Tin 2009…with comedy like this, who needs to watch the Chiefs?
“JK from Peculiar”
- Rin Tin Tin from Canton…hola.
“Mo says:”
- I s**k…
“rin”
- yes, what is it now?
“-”
- +
“I hate to admit I’ve read so many of your posts.”
- Rin Tin Tin: Lay’s Potato Chip bloggers…so good, no one can stop at one.
“I think I’ll skip the rest”
- careful…don’t get tripped up on the big words Chiefs fan (anythin longer than a syllable and/or possessing letters greater than three being among possible culprits.)
“You’re a mess.”
- hurts so good, doesn’t it…
“Have you ever thought about trying to get some therapy?”
- are you volunteering, surrogate?
“What a waste of disk space.”
- just like a woman, double-minded; stop leading me on…
Dear Bob G
Hello friend. I trusteth that should this “posse” mine keep engaging me persists you will notate in public view this blog your desire see such & said cease. Please advise… shy said will carry on as now. If be irrelevant, ignore this rejoinder mine - will be “party on, Garth” & “party on, Wayne!”
SURVEY:
As it stands, mi gente will not let me be. Should I:
a) ignore them?
b) continue to pummel them unmercifully?
c) go Mike Tyson on them & eat their children?
Bob? Yo Bobby? Stop laughing Bob G…
Forgot one:
d)attempt to pull head from rectum
Any time you’re ready; I leave you to your ‘area’ of (failed) expertise…ad nauseam.
Paron me, would you have any Grey Poop-On?
:p :Þ :b
What a voracious appetite - already finished with the last load…wipe your nose.
“I personally can’t stand when the chiefs lose to the raiders home or away, I hope we can at least get a sweep out of them this year, along with the Donkeys.”
One of the best things about GETTING RID OF HERM is the fact this time might start playing with enough pride to likely achieve such a feat.
“…who needs to watch the Chiefs?”
Anyone who currently has a functional brain who also is not currently the subject of trade discussions to the Raiders for a clean package of baby diapers to give to LJ.
“Who needs to watch the Chiefs? Anyone who currently has a functional brain.”
- well that clinches it; SG’s going to be spending a lot of time not only at his wife’s behest but as well contemplating the fuzz in his navel this fall.
“SG’s going to be spending a lot of time not only at his wife’s behest…”
You left out the part about spending lots of time with his kids albeit being subject to excessive hours of Dora and Diego!
*hopes the wife does not detect the earpiece connected to the radio picking up the live Chiefs action*
“Dora and Diego!”
- not familiar with that duo…if as I suspect they be as “any 22″, soon enough members the Chiefs 2009 roster.