To Tweet or Blog

Several years ago I started this blog as an assignment for part of my role as talent for KMAC Sports. Our boss and owner, thought it would be good for each member of the staff to start a blog and write at least one sports related story a month. An exceptionally easy task I thought because I liked to write and I loved sports. He even provided me the inspiration for my site title. However, the task was not as easy as my co-workers and I thought because, well...life happens.

Life Happens and we get busy. We juggle too many balls and we are afraid to drop any, when the only three that really matter are our faith, our family and our health.

We find ourselves finding faster ways to do things, but necessarily better ways. I don't knock progress or technology.

I love that I can communicate with just about anyone in 140 characters or less, though my spelling has gone downhill as I learn to tweet shrink things. A birthday wish from a future hall-of-fame NFL quarterback, a thanks from an actor in one of my favorite shows, a humorous reply from one of my favorite musicians, and the ability to complain to a fast food restaurant about their new cups and see a change (not that it was all me) - none of which would've likely happened without Twitter. Not to mention the friends that I've made, people who share common interests, and who I call on if I ever need anything.

What I miss is the thoughtful moments. Tweeting is fun, writing is thoughtful. While, you have to sometimes carefully word tweets to convey your message in brevity, you don't usually reread and proof things before tweeting, as evident now in the Library of Congress. When you write for a blog, you have to actually work at it. You want to sound smart, witty, and professional all at once. All the while not knowing whether anyone will read it or not. And maybe that's why people like tweeting. If you tweet something and no one reads it you only wasted a few minutes, if you blog something and no one reads it, you may have wasted hours.

Also who has the time to read lengthy blogs anymore? We can read hundreds of tweets in the time it takes to read one blog. We can see breaking news faster than than networks can break into our favorite shows. Even the Associated Press has felt the pressure of Twitter, as more and more "sources" are breaking stories, an honor once held to a selected few.

Well if you made it this far you're probably thinking this girl is crazy and jumps around more than a frog on a lily pad. Well maybe that's how we think now. Short, random, thoughts loosely tied together with a continuous thread.

So I thnk I mght try blggng again, jst dnt pull on tht thread. hehehe =)

Chub ironicy

I get the point of chubbing - I do find it odd that the same people who opposed paying state employees when they volunteer, because the taxpayers are paying them to do their job are the same people wasting the taxpayer's money now - but at least move on to the bills that are somewhat interesting. I don't know the details of the other bills, but seriously 28 more MUD/water bills before those with substance. Snoozefest... and not in the best interest of the taxpayers.

My thought: If you don't like a bill, for whatever reason, fight for it then and argue convincingly to others why you're right. Chubbing implies you don't have a good argument.

'Nuff said.

Where Should Vick Go?

Note: I do not, nor will I ever claim to have insight into the NFL or the transactions that happen within. I am however offering my suggestions for Michael Vick's new home away from home, as well as my thoughts on this whole issue.

Dog fighting is unforgivable, and if I was Commissioner Goodell, I'm not sure I would let him play again. There are some that say football fans look at it differently than non-football fans. Well, as a huge football fan, I still find dog fighting a horrible offense; no animal should be forced to fight for a person's amusement, even if you argue they're only animals. Also, to those that say he has served his time and deserves a second chance, I would have to argue that if he was not Michael Vick, he would still be in jail.

But this is sports and while leagues will blacklist a player who gambles and puts a tight rein on those going to strip clubs or caught with banned substances, lighter punishments tend to be placed on more severe legal offenses because they take place off the field/court. Realistically, it's not a question of if he'll play again, but when.

Commissioner if by chance you or one of your employees read this please consider the following: when you let Vick back in, do it with the stipulation that he donates a percentage of his salary to Dogtown, which rescued a large majority of his dogs, provided them with veterinarian care, and rehabilitated them. I know recent reports indicate he will work with the Humane Society, which is a great organization, but he should give back to those organizations that spent the money and resources for the dogs rescued from his house.

On a lighter note, what team is a good home for Vick, check out my list of excluclusions and you’ll find the answer below*

Please remember I am not part of any team and I am not speaking on their behalf, nor do I have any official insight. This is just one football fan’s opinion.

First, exclude the:
Cleveland Browns (do I really need to say why); and
the New Orleans Saints (really, the name says it all)

Next, exclude any team that has an animal as its mascot (a possible PR nightmare)
Arizona Cardinals; Atlanta Falcons; Baltimore Ravens; Buffalo Bills; Carolina Panthers; Chicago Bears; Cincinnati Bengals;Cleveland Browns;Dallas Cowboys; Denver Broncos; Detroit Lions; Green Bay Packers; Houston Texans; Indianapolis Colts; Jacksonville Jaguars; Kansas City Chiefs; Miami Dolphins; Minnesota Vikings; New England Patriots; New Orleans Saints; New York Giants; New York Jets; Oakland Raiders; Philadelphia Eagles;Pittsburgh Steelers; San Diego Chargers; San Francisco 49ers; St. Louis Rams; Seattle Seahawks; Tennessee Titans; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Washington Redskins.

Now, exclude any teams traveling internationally this year
Arizona Cardinals; Atlanta Falcons; Baltimore Ravens; Buffalo Bills; Carolina Panthers; Chicago Bears; Cincinnati Bengals; Cleveland Browns; Dallas Cowboys; Denver Broncos; Detroit Lions; Green Bay Packers; Houston Texans; Indianapolis Colts; Jacksonville Jaguars; Kansas City Chiefs; Miami Dolphins; Minnesota Vikings; New England Patriots; New Orleans Saints; New York Giants; New York Jets; Oakland Raiders; Philadelphia Eagles; Pittsburgh Steelers; San Diego Chargers; San Francisco 49ers; St. Louis Rams; Seattle Seahawks; Tennessee Titans; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Washington Redskins.

Also, exclude any team who recently drafted a player or has a current player who is in trouble with the law or the NFL, as well as those that recently released a “second-chance” player or have coaches that don’t deal with drama
Arizona Cardinals; Atlanta Falcons; Baltimore Ravens; Buffalo Bills; Carolina Panthers; Chicago Bears; Cincinnati Bengals; Cleveland Browns; Dallas Cowboys; Denver Broncos; Detroit Lions; Green Bay Packers; Houston Texans; Indianapolis Colts; Jacksonville Jaguars; Kansas City Chiefs; Miami Dolphins; Minnesota Vikings; New England Patriots; New Orleans Saints; New York Giants; New York Jets; Oakland Raiders; Philadelphia Eagles; Pittsburgh Steelers; San Diego Chargers; San Francisco 49ers; St. Louis Rams; Seattle Seahawks; Tennessee Titans; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Washington Redskins.

Exclude any team that: recently signed a franchise QB; a top 10 draft QB; and 2008 playoff teams or teams that don’t appear to be looking for a new QB
Arizona Cardinals; Atlanta Falcons; Baltimore Ravens; Buffalo Bills; Carolina Panthers; Chicago Bears; Cincinnati Bengals; Cleveland Browns; Dallas Cowboys; Denver Broncos; Detroit Lions; Green Bay Packers; Houston Texans; Indianapolis Colts; Jacksonville Jaguars; Kansas City Chiefs; Miami Dolphins; Minnesota Vikings; New England Patriots; New Orleans Saints; New York Giants; New York Jets; Oakland Raiders; Philadelphia Eagles; Pittsburgh Steelers; San Diego Chargers; San Francisco 49ers; St. Louis Rams; Seattle Seahawks; Tennessee Titans; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Washington Redskins.

So, all in all you’re left with two teams
Arizona Cardinals; Atlanta Falcons; Baltimore Ravens; Buffalo Bills; Carolina Panthers; Chicago Bears; Cincinnati Bengals; Cleveland Browns; Dallas Cowboys; Denver Broncos; Detroit Lions; Green Bay Packers; Houston Texans; Indianapolis Colts; Jacksonville Jaguars; Kansas City Chiefs; Miami Dolphins; Minnesota Vikings; New England Patriots; New Orleans Saints; New York Giants; New York Jets; Oakland Raiders; Philadelphia Eagles; Pittsburgh Steelers; San Diego Chargers; San Francisco 49ers; St. Louis Rams; Seattle Seahawks; Tennessee Titans; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Washington Redskins.

1) The Redskins, who we all – including Jason Campbell – know have been shopping, but have had their credit cards declined; and 2) the Raiders, the original bad boys of the NFL and a perfect fit for Vick.

Working for the Weekend

It seems these days the work week is what pays the bills and gets me from one weekend to the other.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't enjoy going to work, but the weekend lets me stay home and spend time with my dogs so their not crazy late a night, and weekends in the fall brings football back to the television set.  

I do plenty of work on the weekends, but mostly to my house and it's a different kind of work, and sometimes I don't get as much done as I'd like.  This weekend for instance, I did a lot on Saturday but not so much today (Sunday).  I spent a while this morning trying to adjust my fantasy players (don't get me started about how many I've lost to injuries), making my game picks for our family game and watching the Chiefs game, which I don't' get to do a lot of down here in Texas.   Next thing I knew it was 4:00 and very little work had been done. And now I am updating my blog as opposed to finishing projects I started yesterday.

But as I go into another work week, it's only five days until I can start the weekend again.

Better get to work.

Fantasy Football...Not quite

I’ve always loved football. I grew up outside of Kansas City When Montana was behind the center and I went to college at a school where on game days the stadium became the third biggest city in Nebraska. My first year in Husker Red would be Tom Osborne’s final year and our football team would split the National Championship with Michigan. So it was easy to love.

This year for the first time I decided to join the fantasy football world with AOL, cause it was free. I know a lot about some players and a little about a few more so I put my favorite players at the top and waited for draft day. When it was my turn with the third pick I took Tom Brady. My team started to fill up with pretty good players and there was a little rush every time I thought I might get a great player that had somehow slipped past the other 11 competitors. When my first draft was done I ended up with 3 QBs Brady, Vince Young and Brodie Croyle you can probably see where this is going, but wait it gets worse.

I had so much fun with the first draft I decided to join another league and do it again. So I set up some players but when draft time cam I could log in. I didn’t know if the computer would pick for me or not, but the next day when I finally logged in, I found even with the 6th pick I got Brady, as well as Jeff Garcia and Derek Anderson, Willie Parker, T.O. and TJ. Houshmandzadeh. I was pretty happy with the way the computer drew for me, until Sunday of week one.

I recognize living in Texas means I don’t get to watch a lot of KC games on Sunday, but when they interrupted the Texans game to show a clip of the KC-New England game it made me wish I didn't see any of it. I let out a loud gasp as I saw my perfect teams slipping away. By the end of the day one team wouuld lose Brady, Young, and Coyle for at least 2-4 weeks and the other would lose Brady and a “slightly injured-slightly coach doesn’t want him to play“ Garcia.

I quickly learned all about waivers and starting looking for players to fill my shattered teams. In the end I think I picked up some sleepers.

At least until after week 2.

Heavy Heart

Forward

The following is the most honest and truthful writing I’ve done in some time, I hope what you read helps you gain some insight into your own life and how you spend your time.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this update. My grandfather who I wrote about earlier this year, passed away Saturday, May 27th. I was staying at my parent’s house for Memorial Day weekend when at 4 am on Saturday morning we received a call from my uncle Jack. I woke up and quickly knew something was wrong, I thought it was my grandmother (Mom’s mom) who is now in a nursing home in Georgetown and had fallen the night before, but after running downstairs and looking at my father I knew it was someone much closer to him. My mom and I sat there holding hands, not sure what my father was being told on the phone. Then we heard those words, “Jack, you know I trust you and mom to make the right decision.” When he got off the phone and we asked what happened he said “Grandpa fell out of the wheelchair and hit is head. He’s at the hospital and he’s not going to make it.” The details were blurry as the words Jack said to my father became surreal and distant. Later we would find out he was reaching for something on the floor when he fell out of his wheelchair, but he felt ok. He ate dinner, visited with some friends that had stopped by to welcome him home from the nursing home, (he was released Thursday) and went to lie down while my grandma went and took a shower. When she came out, she asked him if he wanted some ice cream and he did not answer, he never woke up. He had suffered a sub dermal hematoma and by the time he reached the Hospital in Columbia, Missouri there was two inches of blood on his brain stem. A small puncture hole near the point of impact, but the Coumadin he was on for the heart valve replacement, kept the blood from clotting.

~

I saw my father tear up at my sister’s wedding and watching a couple of movies, but never before have I seen him in so much pain. I didn’t know what to do for sure so I did the only thing I could, I tried to switch myself into survival gear. I ran upstairs and started looking for flights online, I found only one that would get us there in the short time he had left. I called Southwest and explained to them the situation and they apologized but said the flight was full, but we could fly standby. Not wanting to take a chance sitting at the airport we decide to drive. We also had the dogs, and with Memorial Day weekend all the kennels were full. I threw some clothes in a bag, even more upset because I didn’t have much clothing at my parents, and nothing for this type of situation. I remembered my suit was in my truck and decided that would have to do. We got a hold of my sister minutes before we left and said we’d pick her up in about 3 hours.

~

At 2:30 while stopped for a quick snack and potty break between Tulsa and Joplin, we got the fatal call. Grandpa had passed away around 2 o’clock. I was angry why couldn’t they wait to take him off the ventilator until we got there. My sister and I walked the dogs while my mom and dad consoled each other. Jacky called her husband Brad, and I felt alone. Later we found out they had removed him from the ventilator that morning when they called, as he had already filled out a living will giving specific instructions on this sort of thing. We were told, off the ventilator, he’d make it anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days, in the end he lasted about 10 hours, 3 hours shorter than it took us to get things together and drive.

~

In the end, everyone made it to the event except for my sister’s husband and my cousin Heather’s husband who is on the PGA Tour. My cousin Jon and future cousin-in-law Eli, were also absent as they were in Iraq and were not granted leave without waiting 5 days and at their own expense. So they instead had a beautiful bouquet of red Roses, White Mums and blue Carnations delivered to the funereal home.

~

My sister and younger cousins worked on a memorial board, filled with photos of grandpa in his early years, his Navy days during WWII, and pictures of and with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We decided on 2 songs to play during the funeral, “If Heaven” by Andy Griggs and “Going Home,” a song off a Christian cd my uncle had. We also decided to play a selection of songs that didn’t make the final cut for the funeral, during visitation. The mix included instrumental pieces intertwined with songs including, “When I Get Where I’m Going,” “Arms of the Angels,” “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” and “Peace in the Valley.”

~

I asked to say something in honor of my grandfather and my uncle Jim chose to as well. Several of my cousins asked to say something as well and then at visitation decided not to. I however was still in survival mode, trying not to cry around my parents or grandma, cooking and cleaning, laundry, taking care of the dogs, anything to keep my mind off the pain. But, when Craig (the lay preacher, performing the service) came by and asked to talk about my grandfather, my guard fell and so did some tears. We told of who he was and things he said. Memories forgotten by some and remembered by others. Stories about how he’d always surprise you with his answers, I told of how right before my sister’s wedding last fall I was happy, but also sad that I wasn’t anywhere near that point in my life and my grandpa said, “You just haven’t found someone worthy of you yet.” Always the antagonist, it was the last thing I thought I’d hear him say.

~

It rained the morning of the funereal, stopped for the burial and then rained the majority of the week, an odd occurrence based on the poem I had already chosen to read. They performed the Masonic ceremony during the visitation and he received a military burial including the 7-gun salute and Taps. Until you’ve heard that song played graveside, you haven’t felt its loneliness. Then each grandchild and great-grandchild placed a red Rose on the casket as we walked away, an additional on the other side of the spray represented all the future spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

~

It’s sad to think about how everyone always wants to get together, but always finds excuses not to let it happen, and something terrible has to make it happen. Even work is the same way. You can get bereavement when someone passes away, but asking for time off when they’re alive is sometimes like pulling teeth.

~

Thank you all who choose to read this. I am including the words I read to my grandfather’s closet family and friends at the funeral, I hope it gives you some insight to the man we knew and loved, Keith Elmo Beale.

~

“When I started writing this, I didn’t know where to start. I asked to do this because I wanted to say something about a man who meant so much to me, so much to all of us. But to put into words what the last 26, almost 27 years have meant, I found it truly difficult. Growing up, my sister and I were lucky to be able to visit my grandparents at least once a month. The trips to Lake Norfolk, the holidays, music festivals, state fairs, weddings and of course his overalls. But, most of all I remember my grandfather as a strong man, a man that helped raise my father who along with my mother raised my sister and I into the strong women we are today. I always tell people how vital my parents were in my successes, and sometimes I think we all forget those that taught our parents how to teach us.

~

I’ll never forget the smile on his face when he came to Texas last May, and he met Buddy, our American Bulldog. Those of you that know us, know we’ve had a lot of dogs. But, I never saw him love a dog more than Buddy. We even bought a photo of Buddy to him when we came to visit him at Easter and he asked if we had Buddy with us.

~

I cried when I thought about how my grandfather wouldn’t be there for weddings, graduations and more great grandchildren or even to criticize or approve of our future husbands and wives. But writing this I realized he won’t miss those things, he’ll have the best seat in the house, and I’m sure, if grandpa doesn’t approve of the man I choose, he’ll find a way to let me know.

~

I’d like to read a poem we found this weekend in a Bible my grandfather had at his bedside, it was written by my mother for Easter 1984.

~

It is not by my goodness,

That my soul is cleansed free,

For I will always fall short,

Of what I should be.

~

But it is by his grace,

That my soul is cleansed free,

For 2000 years ago,

He was nailed to a tree.

~

And as he rose up,

So shall my soul,

For his promise I claim,

Some 2000 years old.

~

Thank you"

Little Moments

As I sat on the front porch swing of my grandparent’s house this past weekend, I was reminded of an earlier time. Times when we would spend the summer nights catching fireflies and eating slush pops. This visit was an important one. My grandfather was not doing as well as anticipated before his heart surgery. My mom, dad and I drove up. My cousins in Omaha and St. Louis as well as my aunt and uncle from Kansas City all gathered at my grandparent’s house for Easter. While they have lived in other houses, it is the only house I've ever known. A classic two-story country home with a basement. The front porch with its sky blue ceiling, flowers always planted next to the wide wooden steps. This is what songs are written about. It was here that I realized all visits are important ones. While the house and everything about it reminds me of the moments, those moments made me who and what I am today.

Thank you Clay Walker!

Last Wednesday the Rodeo Austin crowd was informed Sara Evans would not be the entertainment for Thursday night, because of a case of Bronchitis. Clay Walker, we were informed would be filling in. So I am writing this as a thank you to Clay, and hopefully to let him know how much I for one appreciated him jumping in at the last minute.

I was also lucky enough Thursday to receive a chance to meet Clay and what a nice guy he is. Very quiet and soft spoken, but all that changes when he gets on stage. He entertained the crowd for over an hour (the contract time is an hour). While there were no inflatable beach balls this year it was still a grand time. The crowd was also informed of his new recording with Freddy Fender on "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" which Walker sang with powerful conviction. Last year when Walker performed that song, he told us about singing it a wedding, from a father to a daughter and while I had never thought about the song that way that is how I will always think of it now.

Watching his performance that night, it made me smile as I remembered a paper I wrote in 7th grade (1993) addressing three of the top new talents that year, John Michael Montgomery, Doug Supernaw and Clay Walker. And while all three are still performing and recording, Clay Walker is certaintly still making the biggest impact, a man who started out by asking... What's it to you?

For more information on Clay Walker and to purchase a wristband to "Band Against MS" go to http://www.claywalker.com

Let's Rodeo!

So again I find myself voluntering at the Austin Rodeo.

Driving up to the employee parking, smelling the fried food in the air, the sounds of the carnival campusing the area reminded me what I love about the fair and rodeo. The opportunity to realize how normal you really are.

If you get a chance to visit the rodeo in the next two weeks here's a few things to remember:
* Almost any food can be found on a stick, as this is the easiest way to deep fry something including veggies.
* Have some cotton candy, it will make you feel young again. Snow cones work for that too.
* Don't sit in the front row during the rodeo, dirt and or cow patties find their way into the stands almost every night.
* Don't miss out on the free outdoor concerts, great acts this year include, Randy Rogers Band, Eli Young Band, Stoney LaRue, Aaron Watson, and the Mike Mancy Band.
* There are wierd people all over the fairgrounds not just at the "freak show exhibit"
* Visit the livestock arena or attend a livestock show these kids are tomorrow's future.
* Wait to eat until after you get off the swirly ride, your friends will thank you.
* Don't forget your wallet, while you'll get lots of free stuff and have a good time, parking's $5 and food starts at about the same.

Have fun and enjoy some good times, go with a good friend, you may even run into someone you know, or someone you haven't seen in years!

http://www.rodeoaustin.com

The Importance of Family

I haven't written lately because, for lack of better words "Life Happened"

This past Friday, I made a quick weekend road trip with my sister to Columbia, Missouri. No we weren't heading up for a basketball game, we were going to see my grandfather (my dad's dad). On Friday, my 81-year old grandfather had open heart surgery and we decided we needed to be there. In the past, I have been crazy enough to drive from Lincoln, Ne to Boulder, Norman, and Columbia for basketball games and once to Chicago for a concert, so to me this trip didn't take a second thought.
My dad and his two brothers and sisters were the only ones planning to go, but my sister and I felt we needed to be there too. So we drove up, hoping to surprise my parents. I almost messed up the surprise, but my sister took the phone and did some damage control. Now to all the kids that read this, we did tell a couple people we were making this trip, so if anything happened someone would know where we were. We drove all night, checked into a local hotel and after 3-4 hours of sleep my sister made the call to seal the deal, checking to see what time everyone was going to breakfast at the local Cracker Barrel. We got there early and got the table. Boy was everyone surprised! We had a great breakfast and headed over to the hospital. We were shortly joined by my cousin who lives in St. Louis and later that afternoon my Aunt's kids showed up as well. As I looked around the SICK (Surgery Intensive Care Unit) waiting room, I realized how lucky we are to have such a strong and supportive family. There were a couple of other families there, but none that match the showing or sound level of my family. Some of us hadn't seen each other in years and although we were there praying for the quick recovery of my grandfather, we also took the time to catch up with each other and all 15 of us took the local CiCi's pizza by storm for a late lunch when visiting hours were suspended. My grandfather is doing well and recovering slowly but surely. I wished the trip could have been longer, but work was call and so was the road.

My grandmother (mom's mom) is also slowly recovering from her massive stroke, three weeks ago.

Sports Fans

Upon the release of recent video clips of the Knicks-Bulls game when Antonio Davis entered the stands to protect his wife, a reoccurring probing question entered my mine. When did cheering at games become the wrong thing to do?

I know it didn't happen recently, because during my senior year of college a friend and I would travel to several of the Nebraska Men's Basketball away games, and time and time again we were told to sit down and shut up. As far as we were concerned it was no big deal, we were at a sporting event, not the opera and that's what you do at sporting events is cheer. But then the angry fans called security and they threatened to remove us if we did not quit standing up and cheering on our beloved Huskers. This happened at K-State, Oklahoma and Colorado, and the Oklahoma game we were losing.

So I understand when Mrs. Davis stood up and gave him the one for. Clinton Portis's mom took a similar stance, when, while playing in Philadelphia a Phili fan poured beer on her, while wearing her son's jersey, and she stood up and punched him. Unfortunately, I was working for the University during the times I was threatened with ejection so I could not react, but these women exuberate power once only allowed to men. Finally, fans are taking a stand for well, standing.

It's true some will read this and condemn me for congratulating these women, but maybe it's those people who need to sit down and shut up.

Vermeil with QB Trent Green 

Goodbye to Coach Vermeil

Goodbye to Coach Vermeil

I've been a Chiefs fan ever since I can remember.

My favorite memory has always been the Monday night game, Elway vs. Montana, when Montana's elbow was swollen to the size of a softball and still helped the Chiefs walk away with the victory.

This season has brought many new memories, partly because after moving to Texas, I realized I would no longer be able to watch every game, (work and the lack of network coverage diversity limits viewing unless you shell out the money for Sunday ticket), mostly though, I will remember this season as the season of extraordinary events.

It was the season Priest Holmes was sidelined for the rest of the year and many fans feared their season was over, but Larry Johnson stepped up and finished 3rd in total rushing yards with 1,750 yards for the season, 50 yards behind NY Giant, Tiki Barber, and 130 yards behind Seattle Seahawk, Shaun Alexander, even though Johnson started less games than Alexander and Barber, number one and two respectively. It was also the season quarterback, Trent Green lost his father. Green finished the season stronger than ever, and the memory of his father would inspire Vermeil to go for the touchdown against Oakland.

I was lucky enough to get to watch Vermeil's last game on Sunday or most of it until CBS switched to the Miami game. Green completed 23 of 29 passes for 344 yards and finished the season with 4014 yards, #2 in the NFL behind Tom Brady. Johnson ran for 201 yards and Vermeil got one more Gatorade shower as Kansas City whipped the playoff bound Cincinnati Bengals 37-3.

At 69, Vermeil was the oldest coach in the NFL, but with age comes wisdom and experience and that was almost enough. I understand Vermeil’s decision to retire, I just wish, he would have given it one more year.

But then there's always one more year.

I'll end my memories of the season with a quote from Vermeil off the Kansas City Chiefs website, “In Philadelphia, the fans were the most intense, loyal and loving in the country. In St. Louis, once you got winning, they got totally emotionally involved. I feel bad that I wasn’t able to play a role in sharing that experience here, but I hope very much that the fans got out of our five years together as much as I got out of it because they are wonderful people. Never have I been treated with more respect and appreciation than I have by the Kansas City Chiefs fans. So, on behalf of Carol and my family, I say thank you.” You can find Vermeil's last press conference at the following link: http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/01/03/final_coach_vermeil_press_conference/