The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame enshrines the Hollies this year-- and On a Carousel was one of their signature hits... featuring the trademark three-part harmony of Graham Nash, Allen Hicks and Tony Clarke. Somehow with all of the coaches heading every which way this week it comes to mind...
Nearer, nearer by changing horses-- still so far away... People fighting for their places-- just get in the way... Soon you'll leave and then I'll lose you--still we're going round...
Good thing the Redskins are done bringing in the big names. Former New Orleans coach Jim Haslett was named the team's new defensive coordinator... he most recently spent time on the sidelines with the Florida of the United Football League. His most recent stop in the NFL? Two plus years with St. Louis as defensive coordinator for the Rams followed by 12 games as interim coach (his first game the 19-17 stunner of coach Jim Zorn's Skins). It's expected he'll turn the defense from a conservative unit into a more blitz-happy bunch. While boasting a reputation as a defensive mastermind, Haslett's units in St. Louis and New Orleans both underperformed. Beware the glare of genius coordinators: in 2006 both Skins units were led by certified "geniuses"-- and Al Saunders' offense (weighed down by a 700 page playbook) never got off the ground while Gregg Williams' defense (weighed down by Adam Archuleta) finished 31st in the league.
On a carousel--
Round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round with you... Up, down, up, down, up, down too...
While Haslett arrives, a legend leaves Ashburn. Joe Bugel departs after 36 years on the sidelines-- most notably as the architect of the Hogs... an offensive line that defined the Redskins during their glory days. Without Bugel turning Joe Jacoby from a free agent freak into a dominant left tackle, there is no Riggo run in SB XVII. Without Bugel transforming Jeff Bostic, Mark May and Russ Grimm into All-Pros there is no 35-point second quarter in SB XXII. Without no carryover of the legacy of the Hogs... Mark Rypien is sacked more than 7 times and doesn't turn 1991 on its ear en route to SB XXVI. While the Redskins enjoyed limited success in Bugel's second term with the team, he did help produce a rushing attack that ranked in the league's top ten. In between tours with the Burgundy and Gold he coached in Phoenix and Oakland-- any man who works for Bill Bidwell and Al Davis deserves a medal. These guys make Dan Snyder look like Dan Rooney. Bugel's class, brutal honesty and spunk will be missed in Ashburn.
As she leaves she drops the presents--that she won before... Pulling ducks out of the water-- got the highest score... Now's my chance and I must take it--a case of do-or-die ..
NFL Playoff Aside--turnovers told the tale in week one...
Cincinnati fumbled on its first possession (inside the redzone)--setting the tone for the weekend: the New York Jets bounced the Bengals after taking the takeaway battle 2-0... Cincinnati also missed a pair of field goal attempts to add to their afternoon of misfortune. Philadelphia faltered when the Eagles lost the turnover battle 4-1 in Dallas...the two key plays being an interception that wasn't (Tony Romo's pick called back by instant replay) and a fumble that was (Michael Vick's drop setting up a second quarter TD that made it 24-7). Baltimore booted New England after turning two fumbles and an interception into a 17-0 first quarter lead... the Ravens won the turnover battle 4-1. The only close contest of the weekend saw Arizona get by Green bay 51-45 in overtime... intercepting Aaron Rodgers' first pass while scooping up a Rodgers' fumble on his final play from scrimmage... P.S. the Cardinals won the turnover battle 3-1.
What to expect in round two? Go with the home teams. Not only are the higher seeds at home (with better records), they've enjoyed a week off.
Riding along on a carousel-- trying to catch up to you... Riding along on a carousel-- will I catch up to you... Now we take our ride together-- no more chasing her ...
The carousel hit high gear with Pete Carroll leaving USC for Seattle. Did he not learn anything from two disappointing tenures in the NFL? Carroll's enthusiasm seemed perfect for the college gridiron-and rang false during stops with the Jets and Patriots. He'll have close to total control in Seattle--isn't that what proven NFL winner Mike Holmgren had? But with the NCAA knocking, perhaps this is the best time for Carroll to pack his bags.
Carroll's departure meant Lane Griffin's westward migration from Knoxville to LA. While I'm impressed by Kiffin's ability to make statements and stir the pot, he's yet to overwhelm me. All he did in Oakland was get into trouble with the NFL for overpracticing during OTA's... and all he did at Tennessee was get everyone in the SEC mad at him-- and keep the NCAA on constant alert. Thank goodness he's bringing his dad with him... much like Fredo bringing Vito with him to help manage the families interest in Las Vegas. Much like Vito, Monte Kiffin's genius will offset his kid's penchant for quotes with minimal substance.
Now Tennessee has to pluck somebody from another program... as the carousel continues...
On a carousel, on a carousel...
No comments:
Post a Comment