Monday Moaning

Each week I try to make Monday Moaning fun, it least part of it, if only the opening picture...But this week, after the picture, we're going to get serious for a minute...

I would consider myself a fucking asshole if I didn't write a bit about the 30 U.S. military members who killed in Afghanistan this weekend...22 of those 30 were Navy SEALS...They went in to help a Army Rangers who had come under heavy fire...They subdued the attackers and were on their way out, when their chopper was struck by at least one RPG...It went down, and they are all gone...

Just a bit of cold harsh reality for everyone out there who thought this shit was over after Bin Laden got whacked...It's not! 10 years our country's best, and bravest have been fighting in that shit-hole, and there's no end in sight...And for our best and bravest, it's not over for them when they finally make it home from that hell...Remember that!

Should I lighten the mood now?

Here's a blog I did on BUMPER_STICKERS...

Then Friday night I took on LeBron_James_&_Tim_Tebow...Those two chicken shits haven't gotten back to me via Twitter yet...Cowards!

My pal Irish Shu posted a good blog Michael_Floyd...I have to say, the kid is one of the elite receivers in college, and he plays for my team, but he got off to easy...

Another blog this weekend brought up Carson Palmer...People have been taking shots at the guy, and as much as it pains me, I have to defend him...People want to bring up honoring his contract...Ummm, he left the money on the table...He isn't getting paid now...

Besides that, when have teams honored contracts...The NFL doesn't have those nice MLB guaranteed contracts...Players are cut every year and the teams are off the hook for the cash...I'm so tired of that lame and wrong argument...

Palmer has put up with a horrible organization...With horrible facilities...With a horrible front office...with horrible coaches...And a roster full of criminals...Why should he put up with anymore crap? He has every right to ask for a trade or release...And every right to retire if the team doesn't give that to him.

Tiger Woods was in North East Ohio this weekend...I thought he was coming to play Golf, but this was the first thing he said when he showed up...




Oh, and Tiger, how did that feel seeing the guy you fired, rolling with the winner this weekend? Just another bruise on that giant ego!

Last week I talked about being happy to see the Indians and Pirates actually be buyers before the trade deadline...Now look, the Indians blew 2 out of 4 in Boston, and they kept trying to hand games to Texas this weekend...And Pittsburgh...Holy shit have they fallen apart...It's slipping away for both teams...

And as much as I love Boston, and I love that the Red Sox have owned the Yankees this year, I'm really getting tired of ESPN and the MLB Network trying to force this rivalry on us...NO one cares anymore, except fans of those two teams...It's hard to be a rivalry when there is no tension between the teams...Christ Jeter gets called out at second, and he smiles, taps Pedroia on the ass...That's not a rivalry, that's just Jeter saying he's tired of chicks and wants a dick in his mouth!

That's all for now...Oh yeah, and remember...





Have a week...

Later, The Beeze.

Monday Moaning

So much to talk about and so little time...Where should we begin? How about the Cleveland Indians...They've won 7 games in a row...I can hear Robin now...'Holy Shit Batman!' Yes, it's big news here in the Cleve, yet Progressive Field was fucking empty for a 3 game stint with the Red Sox...Maybe people here have finally decided to hold their optimism back a bit...Thank God for that!

Speaking of the Cleve...Last week Charlie Sheen brought is stupid ass, Torpedo of Truth show to town...A couple friend went, one took video of the crowd chanting "7 gram rocks"...Of course Cleveland is the town that would support a serious crack problem...Sheen's show got mixed reviews here, but many of the people that went got hammered and enjoyed it...But as I write this I'm seeing the twitter feed of people who are at the show in New York...Or were at the show...Yes, it seems people in other towns aren't fans of his bullshit...So proud of this town again!

And since I mentioned the Red Sox series in Cleveland...I want to take a shot at the Red Sox front office...This past off-season I was annoyed when the Sox picked up David Ortiz's over-priced contract extension...Then resigned now stiff, aging catcher, Jason Varitek, and let Victor Martinez walk, banking on Jerrod Saltalamacchia to be their #1 catcher...How's that working dummies...Saltalamacchia has 4 hits in 8 games, and is getting really good at throwing balls over second and into the outfield...Dopes!

Since I just talked Indians and Red Sox, how can I not mention Manny Ramirez retiring...Yes, Man-Ram got busted juicing again, and instead of taking a 100 game suspension, and the league lecture about substance abuse program, Manny said the hell with it...People have always hated on Manny...Here, because he left and went to Boston...Everywhere, because he was a dope...He was a dope that was one of the best pure hitters ever...That's why I liked him, and I always defended him...Until he got busted...Then I felt about him, like I do about all the other cheaters...Fuck them all!

Now onto some Notre Dame news...First, the Fighting Irish hockey team took on Minnesota Duluth Thursday night, for a shot to play in the National Championship game...It was good, intense, hard-nosed game, but sadly the Irish lost 4-3...The next game featured Michigan and North Dakota...The Wolverines shutout the Fighting Sioux 2-0 to advance...Saturday night UMD beat Michigan in overtime, to take home their first Hockey National Championship...Congrats to all these teams on a great season...

I know I'm a Hockey Geek, but honestly, if you want to see some really good hockey, next year take in some College Games...These kids really know how to get after it...

In other Notre Dame news, The University announced that they won't be suspending WR Michael Floyd after his latest run-in with the law...He will also not be kept off the Football team...That said, Coach Brian Kelly is not lifting his "Indefinite Suspension" just yet...So while I'm disappointed in the University, I'm happy Kelly is holding firm...But we'll see how long that lasts...

Since I mentioned Hockey, I have to let out my sigh of relief, after seeing the New York Rangers squeaked into the playoffs...And it looks like while the wife and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary, the Rangers will be opening up their series with the Washington Capitals...The Rangers have struggled to score, Lundqvist can steal some games...Hell his done it all year...

Now I want to get into some Music...Last week, thanks to Jay Mohr, and Opie, I took on a challenge the put out on the O&A show, and twitter...Your personal, Top 5 Beatles song...Why is it a challenge? Because the Beatles wrote so many great/popular songs...So, after much personal debate, here are my top 5...

#5 You've Got to Hide Your Love Away...




#4 Helter Skelter...




#3 I've Got a Feeling...




#2 Let it Be...




#1 While My Guitar Gently Weeps...




So now I challenge you...What are your top 5?

Have a week...

Later, The Beeze.

Are You F**king Kidding Me?

I'm pretty sure that's what Coach Brian Kelly said to Michigan State head coach, Mark Dantonio after the Fighting Irish's loss to the Spartans Saturday Night...Why? Let me tell you...

It seems for the past ten years, every game between these two teams is a down to the wire battle...Always a back and forth, whoever has the ball last wins type of game...Saturday's game was shaping up to be the same...

The Irish got on the board first with a touchdown pass from Dayne Crist, to Michael Floyd...The Spartans answered back in the second quarter and even though both teams moved the ball pretty well, the game went to halftime tied at 7...Then the 3rd quarter happened...

MSU's Edwin Baker scored on a 56 yard run...Crist answered back with a ten yard strike to Tight End Kyle Rudolph...Then MSU freshman running back Le'Veon Bell took one in for 16 yards...The Irish drove back down again, and Crist hit Theo Riddick with a 15 yard TD pass...Riddick had a nice game, 10 receptions, for 128 yards and the TD...

Then the Irish defense nutted up and held serve...(Look at that, I just used a Tennis term) In the fourth quarter Crist hit Floyd again on for a 24 yard TD pass...The Spartans responded with a 24 yard TD pass from Kirk Cousins, to B.J. Cummingham...The Irish got the ball back, and were stopped on a fourth and one on their side of the 50...I really thought that call was going to cost ND the game, and make me truly hate Brian Kelly...The Notre Dame defense has had trouble closing games, and now they needed to make some big plays, and they did...Shutting down the Spartans and pushing them back into their own end of the field...Both teams would get the ball one more time and exchange punts...Then it was on to overtime...

Notre Dame got the ball first, and the Spartan defense stepped up again, and made them settle for a field goal...Now the pressure was on the Irish defense again...Now I'm pacing around the living room...trying my best not to wake the rest of the house...Win or lose, I'm going to make some kind of noise...

So what happens...The Irish defense shows up big, and pushes the Spartans back...Now they are lining up for a 46 yard field goal, with an inexperienced kicker...The call that Dantonio makes next can only be described as the 'I have balls 10 times bigger then you' call...FAKE FIELD GOAL...Holder, Aaron Bates takes the snap, takes a couple steps right, pulls up, and throws a 29 yard pass to tight end Charlie Gantt for the game winning touchdown...And I puke in my soup...

My hope of the Irish winning a minimum of 8 games is quickly slipping away...Turning the ball over 3 times and giving up 477 yards(274 passing, 203rushing) is going to beat you more times than not...

Crist finished with 369 yards passing, and the 4 touchdowns...He completed 32 of 55 passes...Floyd had 6 receptions for 81 yards, and 2 TD's...Rudolph caught 8 for 80 yards and 1 TD...Armando Allen caught 6 passes for 70 yards, and carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards...

There is plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense keeps getting beat for big plays...Some on the ground and some through the air...The corners are good, but the safeties seem to get beat deep...The biggest problem the defense has had is finishing games...Well they played well in the 4th and OT, but got beat down in the 3rd...So now the goal has to be for the defense to play a complete game...

Seriously, I need to puke...I don't know if I can handle another long, painful, season...Oh, and Mark Dantonio, great call...I hate you!

Later, The Beeze.

Fighting Irish Fall to Michigan (38-34)

I believe that picture says it all...Nothing makes me quite as sick as losing to Michigan...It's not just a Notre Dame thing...Or an Ohio thing...I believe the disdain I have for The University of Michigan is something I was born with...Today's loss makes me hate them more...But I have to give them some credit...

Freshman Quarterback, Tate Forcier played his a$$ off...And he showed great poise and awareness out on the field...His receivers did a nice job for him as well...

Now I must point some fingers at the Irish sidelines...There was some play calling that really sucked...My biggest problem...Late in the game, with the lead...It's time to eat the clock...So Charlie decides to throw another deep ball to Golden Tate, who was having some troubles today, catching the ball (2 passes that would have been Touchdowns)...WHY? There was no reason...The Irish were running the ball well all day...This call ended giving Michigan plenty of time and 2 timeouts for their game winning drive...

Next, Notre Dame didn't use tight end Kyle Rudolph enough...Michigan's defense didn't anyone who could have matched up well against him...Then there was the trouble of getting the plays called in a timely fashion...Timeouts burned because of that, and penalties...Oh the penalties...They always seem to bite you in the a$$...Although the unsportsmanlike call on Allen was BS...He isn't the first guy to run into the end zone and hold a finger over his mouth the shss the crowd...Weak call...Since we're talking about the refs...They sure missed a number of interference calls on Michigan...3 times a Michigan defender had Tate's arm locked up, or an arm around him...Way to suck zebras...And b the way...What the Hell happened to those 2 seconds that fell off the clock at the end of the game?

But I honestly hate to blame refs...The Irish defense, got beat...Flat out...More then once...The offense played well...With the exception of the penalties and dropped touchdown passes...The third quarter was sloppy...And again, I blame much of that on the coaching/play calling....

Some stats from today...Clausen 25 -42 with a 336 yards...3 touchdowns...Allen rushed for 139 yards, and a touchdown, on 21 carries...Michael Floyd had 7 receptions for 131 yards and 1 touchdown, before leaving the game with a leg injury...Golden Tate had 115 yards and 2 touchdowns with 9 receptions...

The Irish had 9 penalties for 75 yards...490 total yards...336 passing and 154 on the ground...They were 6-14 on 3rd down...1-1 on fourth...Time of Possession was 31:25...And like I said...the defense got beat more then once...Giving up 190 yards on the ground, and 240 through the air...Forcier had 70 of those rushing yards...

When the game ended, my first feeling was...'Fire Weis Now!' I'm passionate about this stuff...Maybe too much so...But the play calls late in the game made me crazy...The Irish offense wasn't having to much trouble doing what they wanted to do...Kill the clock!

In my opinion, the Irish have to win every game left on the schedule for Weis to keep his job...If that's gonna happen, the defense better get working a little harder, because a freshman QB from Michigan just owned you...Highlighted by 31 yard run on a fourth and 3...Where he faked Darius Fleming out of not only his shoes, but everything including his jock.

Back to work gentleman...Next up is Michigan State coming off a loss to Central Michigan...

Later, The Beeze.

Fighting Irish Dominate Nevada (35-0)

This morning I heard Mark May say this..."Nevada will run all over Notre Dame in the opening game upset." Now let me be clear...I've never liked Mark May, and that made me dislike him even more...But as I watched the Fighting Irish do nearly anything and everything to the Nevada Wolfpack, that they wanted to...I thought of stupid Mark May and the stupid words that came out of his mouth...And I smiled...

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That said, I did think that Nevada was going to give the Irish a tougher game...But I'm glad they didn't...
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The Irish moved the ball well in their first series, including Weis going for a fourth and short, which he has done consistently through his career...But this time he didn't have to pass for it...This year's Fighting Irish can run the ball...There was an explosiveness from the offensive line we haven't seen in the last few years...The opening drive ended with a 19 yard touchdown pass from Clausen to tight end Kyle Rudolph...The fact that Rudolph was covered well didn't matter...As his 6'6" frame went up over the defender to get the ball...

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In the second quarter Clausen hit WR Michael Floyd twice for touchdowns...The first was a 24 yard reception...The next one was a quick strike followed by 70 yards to the end zone as Golden Tate threw a good block that helped spring Floyd...

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The Irish scored again in the second quarter on a 1 yard run by Armando Allen...Set up by a 19 yard run by Jonas Gray...

Clausen had started out completing 10 of his first 11 passes, for 184 yards, and 3 touchdowns...He would add to the numbers in the third by connecting with Floyd again on an 88 yard touchdown reception...

Clausn would finish 15 for 18 with 314 yards, and 4 touchdowns...Floyd had 4 receptions for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns...Golden Tate had 3 receptions for 59 yards...Allen rushed for 72 yards and 1 touchdown, on 15 carries...Gray had 50 yards on 9 carries...

The defense clearly had a great game, keeping the Wolfpack off the scoreboard...Kyle McCarthy and Robert Blanton both had interceptions and the defense also recovered a fumble on a dropped option pitch...

Final game stats for the Irish...1st downs: 20...Total Yards: 510...Passing: 332...Rushing: 178... 3rd down conversions: 6-12...4th down conversions: 1-2...0 turnovers...Time of Possession: 33:40

Great way to start the season...Next up...Michigan.

Later, The Beeze.