tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79215342024-03-13T02:16:00.239-04:00All Things WithamLife at 54 from a media lifer, ordained minister, wedding officiant, parent of two, grandparent of three, endless Tweeter and very occasional blogger.robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.comBlogger1623125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-75554628927263464572023-09-07T19:28:00.000-04:002023-09-07T19:28:01.936-04:00Rob's Always Fearless, Always Wrong, 2023 NFL Predictions<p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I'm not a happy camper, sitting in bed when I should be getting ready to broadcast Varina at Hermitage football. But, without a voice, it's hard to do radio. So, I figured I would squeeze in another exciting season of incorrect NFL predictions as the season begins tonight. What do you say? And away we go!<br /><br /><b>NFC EAST</b>:<br /><br />1) Philadelphia Eagles (13-4): They came so close last February. The back half of their schedule is much tougher than the front, but they'll build this record around a 5-1 divisional mark.<br /><br />2) Dallas Cowboys (9-8): They'll hand the Eagles their lone divisional loss, but not much else will make sense this season, which could be the end for Mike McCarthy, maybe even especially if they lose their first playoff game.<br /><br />3) Washington Commanders (7-10): New owner, same results. Another losing season. Even if Sam Howell has a great year, there simply aren't enough pieces around him to create an offense good enough to win 35-31 type games against the Eagles. Their defense will take a step back, too, in what could be Ron Rivera's final season. The new owner may be putting a large imprint on this franchise come January.<br /><br />4) New York Giants (4-13): I love the Giants. LOVE them. Second only to the Raiders. But this team will give us the surprise implosion of the 2023 season. Daniel Jones will be an absolute disaster, injuries will decimate the defense. Barkley will be "day-to-day" this season, a lot. Giant fans will not be happy when the reality sets in of just how much the front office committed to Jones and Barkley. <br /><br /><b>NFC NORTH:</b><br /><br />1) Minnesota Vikings (11-6): In an offseason where the Lions were named the shiny new toy, the Bears earned unreal amounts of attention, and the Packers made their long-awaited pivot from Aaron Rodgers, nobody talked about the Vikings. That's fine by them. Yes, they like that. They won't go 77-0 in one-score games, but they'll do enough to take the North. Two wins in the last three games over the darlings will clinch.<br /><br />2) Chicago Bears (9-8): Justin Fields will have the Bears in the playoff race, but a surprise New Year's Day loss to Atlanta will cost them dearly, leaving them just short of the playoff goal.<br /><br />3) Detroit Lions (6-11): C'mon everybody. They're the Lions! And they're going to have to win four games out of five in December to at least be able to fend off....<br /><br />4) Green Bay Packers (5-12): There will be little to cheer about in Lambeau this season, as Packer fans get presented a stark reality that their 30-year run with franchise quarterbacks is definitely over. <br /><br /><b>NFC SOUTH</b>:<br /><br />1) Carolina Panthers (9-8): Things will not be pretty down south in the NFC this season. But a "Rookie Of The Year" season for quarterback Bryce Young will be enough to find a way to get to the postseason. A New Year's Eve win over Jacksonville will be just enough to get past.....<br /><br />2) Atlanta Falcons (9-8): Not sold on Desmond Ridder, but I don't think he'll be terrible either. Thus, the #7 seed in a very weak NFC.<br /><br />3) New Orleans Saints (6-11): I cannot get behind a team whose head coach is Dennis Allen. I just can't. And for all the numbers Derek Carr put up for my Raiders, he won exactly zero playoff games (though the way 2016 ended wasn't his fault).<br /><br />4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-13): I'm not exactly sure what this franchise is actually doing. A race to the bottom with Arizona?<br /><br /><b>NFC WEST</b>:<br /><br />1) San Francisco 49ers (14-3): Brock Purdy is for real. Keep him healthy, and watch the 49ers fly. I am expecting huge things out of this team this season, so long as they avoid the injury bug (Purdy, George Kittle, Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo.....)<br /><br />2) Los Angeles Rams (10-7): This team did win the Super Bowl less than two years ago, and I have a hard time believing this "disconnect" Matthew Stafford has with younger teammates is really a problem. Don't rush Cooper Kupp back, and things will be fine. It's easier to win when no one expects you to.<br /><br />3) Seattle Seahawks (7-10): Quarterback plays over his head for one year, gets a nice deal, and returns to reality. That's the 2023 Seattle Seahawks season in one sentence. Goodbye Pete Carroll?<br /><br />4) Arizona Cardinals (2-15): Yeah, they'll win the race to the bottom. If Kyler Murray likes warm weather, I hear Tampa Bay will be hiring.....<br /><br /><b>PLAYOFFS</b>:<br /><br /><b>DIVISION WINNERS:</b><br />East: Philadelphia<br />North: Minnesota<br />South: Carolina<br />West: San Francisco<br /><br />Wild Cards: Los Angeles Rams, Dallas, Atlanta<br /><br />BYE: San Francisco<br /><br /><b>WILD CARD ROUND</b>:<br />#2 Philadelphia d. #7 Atlanta<br />#3 Minnesota d. #6 Dallas<br />#5 Los Angeles Rams d. #4 Carolina<br /><br /><b>DIVISIONAL ROUND</b>:<br />#1 San Francisco d. #5 Los Angeles Rams<br />#2 Philadelphia d. #3 Minnesota<br /><br /><b>NFC CHAMPIONSHIP</b>:<br />#1 San Francisco 38, #2 Philadelphia 24<br /><br />**************************<br /><b><u>AFC</u></b>:<br /><br /><b>AFC EAST</b>:<br /><br />1) BUFFALO BILLS (13-4): Their window is actually closing. There needs to be an added sense of urgency in Western New York this season. Is the firepower around Josh Allen enough to match the pieces in Cincinnati or Kansas City? Is the defense good enough? <br /><br />2) MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-7): Remember the "Tua Sweepstakes" near the end of the last decade? I haven't given up on him. A concussion-free season is crucial for this season and his long-term future. I believe he will have one and that the Dolphin defense will play surprisingly well. Good things in Miami this year.<br /><br />3) NEW YORK JETS (7-10): It didn't go well for Brett Favre in New Jersey, and it won't for Aaron Rodgers, either. He's also 40. Not everyone can be like Tom Brady or George Blanda. I'm rooting for Mehki Becton!!!!!<br /><br />4) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-10): Could this be the end of the line for Bill?<br /><br /><b>AFC NORTH</b>:<br /><br />1) CINCINNATI BENGALS (13-4): No one could sweep this division, but the Joe Burrow-led Bengals will come close. There should be a sense of urgency here, too, for a Lombardi, for soon, contracts will be coming due, and we all know Mike Brown is, perhaps, the greatest penny-pincher in NFL history, tied with his father Paul.<br /><br />2) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7): I'm not a Kenny Pickett fan by any means, but I wouldn't bet against Mike Tomlin. I can see enough improvement here, combined with a lights-out defensive season.<br /><br />3) BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-9): Okay, they got LJ (which should have happened ages ago)... who else do they have?<br /><br />4) CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-12): And the mess that is this once great franchise (see: 1964) continues....<br /><br /><b>AFC SOUTH</b>:<br /><br />1) TENNESSEE TITANS (10-7): Derrick Henry. The rest of the division doesn't have him. The Titans do.<br /><br />2) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (9-8): Yes, Trevor Lawrence looked much better down the stretch last year. If they were in the NFC South, they'd probably go 13-4. The AFC is just so much tougher.<br /><br />3) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-12): A tough first year for their new quarterback, but, at this point in franchise history, I understand why they send him to the lions. You know quickly what you have and whether they have to consider putting the hat in the 2024 quarterback ring.<br /><br />4) HOUSTON TEXANS (4-13): The Texans have their quarterback. Now they need address many, many other positions.<br /><br /><b>AFC WEST</b>:<br /><br />1) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (12-5): The good news is the Chargers will win the division. The bad news comes later.<br /><br />2) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-6): This team is overdue for a problematic season. However, they are so good and coached so well that they'll still make the postseason with little issue.<br /><br />3) DENVER BRONCOS (8-9): Sean Payton doesn't lose a lot. The biggest question in the Mile High City this year will be whether or not he'd like to lose the starting quarterback he inherited.<br /><br />4) LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-12): Another lost season for my beloved Raiders. Nothing will save us so long as our head coach is Josh McDaniels. Dear Lord.....<br /><br /><b><u>PLAYOFFS</u></b>:<br /><br /><b>DIVISION WINNERS</b>:<br />East: Buffalo Bills<br />North: Cincinnati Bengals<br />South: Tennessee Titans<br />West: Los Angeles Chargers<br /><br />Wild Cards: Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Miami<br /><br />BYE: Cincinnati<br /><br /><b>WILD CARD ROUND:</b><br />#2 Buffalo d. #7 Miami<br />#6 Pittsburgh d. #3 Los Angeles Chargers<br />#5 Kansas City d. #4 Tennessee<br /><br /><b>DIVISIONAL ROUND:</b><br />#1 Cincinnati d. #5 Kansas City<br />#2 Buffalo d. #6 Pittsburgh<br /><br /><b>AFC CHAMPIONSHIP:</b><br />#1 Cincinnati 28, #2 Buffalo 19<br /><br />***********************<br /><br /><b>SUPER BOWL LVIII:</b> It's round three for my kids' favorite teams, the first showdown between the franchises in their lifetime. The difference this time? The "Joe" plays for Cincinnati.<br /><br /><b>CINCINNATI 34, SAN FRANCISCO 33</b><br /><br /><br />Enjoy the season everyone!!!</span></p>robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-35947290672127390742022-09-06T22:06:00.003-04:002022-09-06T22:06:39.935-04:00Rob's Always Fearless, Always Wrong NFL Predictions: Edition 2022<span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">We begin the 103rd season of the National Football League this week, so, right on schedule, it's time for another look at how this season will definitely NOT unfold. Here are my predictions for the upcoming season, and the last time I'll talk about the NFL until the high school and Randolph-Macon College seasons have concluded. :)</span><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b><u>NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE</u></b>:<br /><br /><b>NFC East</b>:<br /><br />#1--Dallas Cowboys (11-6): In a year where they are not the odds-on favorite to win the division, Dak Prescott has a career year, and, more importantly, they'll run the football. One way to help their defense is to win the time of possession battle. Zeke and Tony will be the talk of Big D.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--Philadelphia Eagles (9-8): The trendy choice for this division, I'm just not sold. I see a lot of pieces here, but not the whole. I'm not sold on Jalen Hurts. He needs to gain chemistry with A.J. Brown, and fast. Rooting, as always, for Highland Springs grad K'Von Wallace.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--Washington Commanders (6-11): No. Carson Wentz is a no. He'll likely have a pick six on a shovel pass inside his own 10 yard line by Week 5. The absence of Chase Young will also hurt a defensive that has been given so many pieces, yet have been the most disappointing unit, maybe, in team history.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--New York Giants (4-13): No. Daniel Jones is not a franchise quarterback. It will become painfully apparent as the season unfolds. Can Saquon Barkley actually stay healthy for a full season? I doubt it. This team has a ton of holds. As a Giants fan, it's frustrating to watch, but it's reality.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>NFC North</b>:<br /><br />#1--Green Bay Packers (12-5): While I don't see the Packers being really dominant this regular season, I do think they'll win the division again. Aaron Rodgers will throw touchdown passes to 277 different receivers, including a FedEx delivery driver, a Papa John's delivery driver, and a Starbucks barista.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--Minnesota Vikings (9-8): So, Kirk Cousins is an amazing businessman. He's made, like $12 billion as an NFL quarterback, but there's only one playoff win on the resume. Does that change this season? A lot depends on whether Dalvin Cook (like Barkley) can be healthy over seventeen games. I do like Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--Chicago Bears (8-9): One of the surprise teams of the season. Justin Fields proves he belongs, and the defense plays better than expected. Not enough for a postseason berth, but enough to create some buzz in Chicago, and, maybe, take some attention over the brewing stadium controversy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--Detroit Lions (5-12): I want to support the Lions. I really do. But then I remember that Jared Goff is their quarterback. I'm still trying to figure out how the Rams made Super Bowl 53 with Jared Goff, who is racing toward the likes of David Woodley and Rex Grossman as worst quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>NFC South</b>:<br /><br />#1--Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7): Something hasn't happened since 2008. That something is an injury to Tom Brady, who blew out a knee on opening day fourteen seasons ago. He won't avoid the injury bug this year, likely something nagging rather than major, but will still have enough to put the Bucs on top in a relatively weak division. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--New Orleans Saints (9-8): I'm just wondering if Jameis Winston can not throw 30 interceptions in a season, which was his number the last season he started in Tampa. Is Michael Thomas good to go? Who knows? This team should, at least, sweep the two teams beneath them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--Carolina Panthers (6-11): Let the Matt Ruhle watch begin. By December, we will know whether Baker Mayfield was actually worthy of the number one overall pick in the draft. Ruhle may be the first to go from the coaching ranks, unless....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--Atlanta Falcons (3-14): ....one Arthur realizes another Arthur was a mistake. Marcus Mariota has had injury issues throughout his career, and lost his starting job in Tennessee. It would not surprise me if Atlanta tops the draft order next spring....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>NFC West</b>:<br /><br />#1--San Francisco 49ers (13-4): What quarterback controversy? There's a reason why Kyle Shanahan made peace with Jimmy G. I think we'll see him on the field sooner rather than later, but not due to bad performance by Trey Lance, but by injury. George Kittle is a beast, and Deebo Samuel could be in the MVP discussion this season.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--Arizona Cardinals (11-6): I still believe in Kyler Murray, despite the controversy surrounding him in the offseason. Once he's able to enjoy the presence of DeAndre Hopkins again, look out. I'm really hoping this defense can fulfill its potential. Oh, and Highland Springs' Greg Dortch is going to break out this year!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--Los Angeles Rams (8-9): It's been 2016 since the last time a defending Super Bowl champion missed the playoffs (Denver Broncos). It will happen again this year. There will be some injuries, and some surprisingly bad play. But do not cry for Sean McVay. He'll have them back in the hunt in 2023.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--Seattle Seahawks (4-13): I don't know exactly where the Seahawks will find the victories this year, but I do think they'll shock the Rams once, and, maybe the Cardinals. At age 70, is Pete Carroll willing the sacrifice this season to get his next Russell Wilson next April? And watch for D.K. Metcalf to get disgruntled. Quickly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b><u>NFC PLAYOFFS</u></b>:<br /><br />East: Dallas</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">North: Green Bay</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">South: Tampa Bay</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">West: San Francisco</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Wild Cards: Arizona, Minnesota, Philadelphia</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">BYE: San Francisco</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Wild Card Weekend:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2 Green Bay d. #7 Philadelphia</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#6 Minnesota d. #3 Dallas</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#5 Arizona d. #4 Tampa Bay</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Divisional Round:<br />#1 San Francisco d. #6 Minnesota<br />#5 Arizona d. #2 Green Bay</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">NFC Championship:<br />#1 San Francisco d. #5 Arizona</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">****************</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b><u>AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE</u></b>:<br /><br /><b>AFC East</b>:<br /><br />#1--Buffalo Bills (14-3): I still can't believe how you lose a playoff lead with thirteen seconds left. But this will give Sean McDermott, and probable MVP Josh Allen, the motivation to get back there, and much more. Von Miller may not put up huge numbers, but is the perfect veteran piece to galvanize their defense, and get them over the top.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--Miami Dolphins (10-7): Tua will be just fine. It was just four years ago when people were talking about how NFL teams should "Tank For Tua". He will prove the naysayers wrong, especially thanks to Tyreek Hill, and the most underrated tight end in the game, Mike Gesecki. I don't like Miami personally, but I like this team.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--New England Patriots (7-10): They'll get two wins over the Jets (who won't?), but get swept by the Bills and Dolphins. Mac Jones will be found to be maxed out, and Bill will likely begin thinking about his life post-football.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--New York Jets (3-14): Fighting the Falcons, and maybe the Texans, for the #1 pick in 2023, the Jets are grounded again. Wilson will have a very tough time, hopefully avoiding another injury. I can't believe the injury issues for Highland Springs grad Mekhi Becton, and all the negative talk about him on social media. I hope he returns in 2023 and proves the boo-birds wrong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>AFC North</b>:<br /><br />#1--Baltimore Ravens (12-5): Lamar is back, playing for a new contract (that he'll undoubtedly earn) and, for once, I believe the injury bug will finally avoid Baltimore. In a year with so much talk surrounding quarterbacks in Pittsburgh and Cleveland, a lot of people have forgotten Mr. Jackson. Not me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--Cincinnati Bengals (11-6): Is Joe Burrow cool or what?? Going up to Rams during the Super Bowl and saying, "Hey, I'm Joe". He may be the coolest customer since another Joe from a half-century ago. I firmly believe last year wasn't a fluke, and Joe Burrow will not follow the "Dan Marino path" of earning a Super Bowl in one's second season, losing, and never returning....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8): Mike Tomlin, will, barely, keep the winning season streak in Pittsburgh alive to reach 20 years, but it won't be enough. We'll definitely see Kenny Pickett at some point. I'm not sure why there was trade interest for Mason Rudolph. Minkah Fitzpatrick needs a defensive MVP year to join T.J. Watt as the Steelers will lean on that defense all season.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--Cleveland Browns (4-13): Remember, Cleveland won a playoff game and came "thisclose" to eliminating Kansas City. Now, this franchise is in tatters.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>AFC South</b>:<br /><br />#1--Indianapolis Colts (11-6): Matt Ryan earns new life under Frank Reich, Jonathan Taylor has another banner season, and Shaquille Leonard will lead the Colts' defense to another division title.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--Tennessee Titans (9-8): Will there be a quarterback controversy in Nashville? Can Derrick Henry stay healthy all season? These are legitimate questions regarding last year's top AFC seed. The bigger question, though, is will this franchise have a hangover from that shocking loss to the Bengals?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--Jacksonville Jaguars (6-11): A good season as the turnaround begins, finally, in North Florida. If anyone can get Trevor Lawrence to a legitimate NFL quarterback level, it's Doug Pederson. Look what he did with Carson Wentz in 2017....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--Houston Texans (4-13): Man, I love me some Lovie Smith, but man, he inherits a mess here. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>AFC West</b>:<br /><br />#1--Los Angeles Chargers (12-5): Yes, it's time. It's Justin Herbert time. Their offense is loaded. Now, if they can remind the head coach that kicking an extra point and punting on 4th down at his own 45 are not bad things....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2--Kansas City Chiefs (11-6): Patrick Mahomes and company nips at the Chargers' heels all season. That first Thursday night game on Amazon Prime is, likely, the biggest game, in my view, in the first month of the season. It's bigger than Bills/Rams because it's a division game in an incredibly crazy division.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3--Denver Broncos (8-9): I'm not sold on Russell Wilson's weapons. I think Wilson will be fine, but this division is just too tough. The Broncos inch forward. If they lived in the NFC South, they'd threaten Tampa Bay....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#4--Las Vegas Raiders (6-11): Will my favorite team EVER hire a coach I like?? I hated the Gruden return, and I don't like Josh McDaniels. My impression of him is pumping his fist in the air in Denver after beating New England to go to 6-0 as if they'd won the Super Bowl. And then they fell apart. Devante Adams will wish he was back in Lambeau by December.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b><u>AFC PLAYOFFS</u></b>:<br /><br />East: Buffalo</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">North: Baltimore</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">South: Indianapolis</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">West: LA Chargers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Wild Cards: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">BYE: Buffalo</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Wild Card Weekend:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#2 Baltimore d. #7 Miami</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#3 L.A. Chargers d. #6 Kansas City</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">#5 Cincinnati d. #4 Indianapolis</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Divisional Round:<br />#1 Buffalo d. #5 Cincinnati<br />#3 L.A. Chargers d. #2 Baltimore</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">NFC Championship:<br />#1 Buffalo d. #3 L.A. Chargers</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">*****************</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>SUPER BOWL LVII</b>:<br /><br />God bless Chris Berman, he FINALLY gets his wish! It'll be the 49ers and the Bills facing off in Arizona, breaking the two-year "home team plays, wins Super Bowl" narrative.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b><i><u>Buffalo 31, San Francisco 19</u></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">And there you have it! Enjoy the alternate universe that reality will unveil between now and February! :)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p><br /></p></div>robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-46044900175531759032021-09-12T22:54:00.003-04:002021-09-12T22:54:59.500-04:00My 9/11 Story<p> <span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I cannot thank everyone enough for sharing your "Where were you?" stories about September 11, 2001 on my Facebook page. It is so powerful to see that tragic day and how it unfolded from so many perspectives, and it galvanizes, for me, the resolve to truly never forget.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">For me, that's not a slogan or a hashtag. The story of every person who died, was injured, became ill due to the toxicity of the damage in Manhattan and at the Pentagon, need to be just as alive and impactful in 5 years, 25 years, 100 years, if we are to continue as the United States of America that we need to be.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I promised my story. It's nothing special. But, looking back, it provides some interesting insight, and a reminder that, sometimes in life, God warns us of something, whether we're ready to understand it or not. In this case, it would be impossible to even conceptualize what that Tuesday morning would become.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">My story starts the previous Saturday. On September 8th, we took Robbie and Rachel to an air show at the Louisa County Airport. Robbie wanted to take a flight in a small prop plane, and, of course, Nana (my Mama) paid the fee, and I got to go along for the ride.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I'd never been in a small plane before, and Robbie had the "gag bag" in the front passenger seat, but didn't need to use it. I've only flown a handful of times in my life, and only twice since the 9/11 attacks, in 2008 and 2013. It was a neat experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">The next morning, I'm teaching Sunday School at Bethlehem Congregational Church in Prince George County, where I pastored for nine years (1996-2005). The title of the lesson that week, in a book that contained 13 weeks' worth of lessons decided upon months (if not longer) in advance, was:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">"When Fear Comes Calling".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Lesson taught, sermon preached, go home to follow fantasy football. Typical September Sunday. It was followed by a typical crazy Monday at work.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">*****</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Tuesday morning, I run the paper route, come home, get ready for work, take Robbie to fourth grade at Longdale Elementary, and, on this morning, take four year old Rachel to the office with me as her Mom had a staff meeting at the credit union. I had a new employee starting in the production department, so the day promised to be busy with tours, introductions, instructions, what if's, and the like.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">That changed shortly before 9am when, while walking down the hallway through the sales department of Q94, the manager at the time, Meg Byrd (now Hill), said something about an airplane and the World Trade Center. We walked down the hall and landed at the conference room, where a sales meeting was supposed to be taking place. Looking in the window, we saw the television on, and the fire from the first impact.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I didn't see the second plane hit live, as I continued on with the appointed duties. When I heard about it, I raced back to my office, and turned on a radio. Just after 9:40, the legendary copywriter, the late Carol Deane, burst into the office I shared with three others in four cubicles and said, "They've hit the Pentagon!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Seconds later, I heard Bryant Gumbel on CBS say, "Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness." At the time, you could listen to the audio of television channel 6 on 87.7 FM. Twenty minutes later, I heard the late Harold Dow try to explain to Dan Rather that an entire tower had collapsed. It was all surreal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I'm listening, stunned, trying to focus on work. Training quickly went by the wayside, and, remember, all this time I'm taking care of my little girl. Moments later, the phone rang. It was Bonnie, asking me what in the world was going on, as she had no knowledge of the attacks until she turned on the radio in her car coming back across town from that meeting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">She raced to Longdale to get Robbie (schools really didn't want parents pulling kids out, but she thought, we're too close to D.C.. I totally agreed.), then came to Clear Channel to pick up Rachel and I for a quick trip home to grab a battery-powered television to take to the office so I and the three ladies I shared an office with could stay on top of the news.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">One of my co-workers grew up near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and was extremely upset when news of United 93 began to come in. I spent the rest of the day consoling, talking to people, seeing the start of an avalanche of commercial cancellations to handle, all the while processing the day in my brain and checking on my new employee.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">The processing was important because, that evening, I began three nights of revival services at a dear friend's church in Prince George not far from Bethlehem. Obviously, any plans for the sermon on the first night were thrown out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">And I returned to "When Fear Comes Calling".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Some nights, I would go down alone to preach in special services like this. That evening, all four of us were in the van. And, to close the day, I'll never forget that, on the way home on Interstate 295, we passed, on the side of the road, a complete convoy of Army vehicles of several kinds. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Add that visual to the eerie silence in the air with no aircraft activity, and I ended 9/11 having to remind myself of what to do when, indeed, fear comes calling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I was asked to lead a memorial service at work in the wake of September 11th, which was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I struggled mightily for words with which to offer hope, healing, consolation, and many other things. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">*****</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Now, twenty years later, I also remember what I told my congregation later in 2001, during the time where it seemed like every business marquee in America said, "God Bless America" or "Never Forget", and unity in America was actually a thing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I said to them, don't get used to this. This united front won't last.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">I never dreamed to the extent that we would falter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">My most fervent prayer, going forward, is that we don't have to face another day like September 11, 2001, for us, as a nation, and simply as humans, to be shaken again to our core and remind us what is important, what truly matters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Love your family. Love your friends. Love your enemies. Turn enemies into friends. And, the next time we face the inevitable fear that comes calling, we will be grounded by togetherness, by faith, and by the strength found in every story from 9/11, those stories I will fight to keep alive as long as I am honored to be on this Earth. </span></p>robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-4077549718518845032021-09-09T00:34:00.004-04:002021-09-09T00:34:37.729-04:00Rob's Fearless And Always Wrong NFL Predictions: The 2021 Edition<p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Well, come on in! It's another NFL season, billed as the "biggest season ever", as those of us who still aren't used to 16-game schedules now must adjust from 14 games to seventeen. Because, you know, another week of banging helmets and flying bodies is a great thing. But we digress....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Drew Brees is now in my line of work (with a slightly larger audience), Aaron Rodgers may be on the farewell tour, Tom Brady is a robot, and the Raiders are in turmoil. Some things never change.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">So, away we go with another big swing and miss as to who does what in the National Football League this season. One thing that's not wrong: NFL Red Zone is your hook-up, every Sunday afternoon. :) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE</b>:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">NFC EAST (I can remember when this was a great division...)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Dallas (9-8): Someone will finish the season with a winning record, so I'm begrudgingly giving it to the Cowboys because, well, they have a quarterback. Everything else is suspect, but if Dak stays healthy all season, they have the best chance to, at least, look like a respectable team. They'll start 0-1, by the way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) Washington (8-9): Man, gotta give dap to Ryan Fitzpatrick. What a journey, and what a great job in keeping himself "indispensable" in that a team seems to always need him. Well, at least for part of the season. This year, however, may be a full season of "Fitzmagic", since no hot shot first round pick is breathing down his neck in the QB room. Their defense keeps them in the (mediocre) race for the division title, but it won't be enough.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) Philadelphia (6-10-1): I don't think the Jalen Hurts era lasts long in the City of Brotherly Love and Santa Claus hatred. The Eagles haven't exactly provided him a bevy of offensive weapons, either. Where is the tie, you ask? October 10th against Sam Darnold and Carolina.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) New York Football Giants (4-13): The bottom will drop out this season. Daniel Jones will be exposed as the wrong choice to replace Eli, Saquon Barkley may or may not actually finish the season, Kenny Golladay is already having injury issues, and the defense, yeah, well......another LONG season for the G-Men.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">NFC NORTH (The Black And Blue Division)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Green Bay (14-3): Because. Randall Cobb. No, seriously, Aaron Rodgers has a chip on his shoulder for his coach, team management, the producers of Jeopardy! and who knows who else. So, he'll likely throw 40 touchdowns and have like three or four picks all season. Then, somehow, the Packers will find yet another way to fall short of the Super Bowl, endangering Rodgers to fall into "Joe Namath/Dan Marino" territory as all-time great quarterbacks who only made it once to the biggest stage. Rodgers is blessed by the fact that his experience in "The Big Game" was Namath-esque, and not like Marino.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) Chicago (10-6-1): The Bears will play Justin Fields. Early. I love Andy Dalton and everything he did for my daughter's team, the Bengals, despite the never-ending circumstances with that franchise. But Dalton reminds Bear fans of Mike Tomczak and Rex Grossman and Jay Cutler. They're ready for a Patrick Mahomes (whom they could have drafted.....), so Fields shows up likely no later than an October 10th tie against the Raiders. Enough to make a playoff push? We'll see.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) Minnesota (7-10): The clock is running out on Kirk Cousins, and, likely for Mike Zimmer. The Vikings will be competitive, but being swept by the Bears and Packers and going winless after a December 5th win at Detroit will cause a new era to begin in the Twin Cities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) Detroit (3-13-1): Coach Campbell should be good for five, nine, or twenty-seven weekly gems when it comes to sound bytes. Otherwise, what is there to be excited about in the Motor City? Go ahead. I'll wait. And while I do, their tie comes on a trip to Denver on December 12th. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">NFC SOUTH (Still Not Used To A "South" Division)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Tampa Bay (13-4): The defending champs have all 22 starters back. No reason why they can roll to Los Angeles in February. Except, of course, injuries. I'm looking specifically at the skilled positions. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski. Will any of them make it through seventeen games? We learned two years ago that when the weapons become mediocre, the Brady machine can stall. To me, that's the only thing keeping them from another NFC title. They'll have to go back to Lambeau to do it, however.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) Atlanta (9-8): Call me crazy, but I think Matt Ryan has a very, very good season, and their defense improves. Kyle Pitts is my early Rookie of The Year favorite as he channels everyone from John Mackey and Tony Gonzalez to Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Shoot, throw Dave Casper in there, too, for my Raider Nation friends. Oh, and Josh Rosen comes in once this season for a shaken-up Ryan and leads Atlanta to a come from behind win. You heard it here first.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) New Orleans (8-9): They still have Alvin Kamara. But teams will now bear down on him, as Drew Brees is gone, and Michael Thomas might as well be. The last time Jameis Winston as a starter at quarterback, he threw 30 touchdowns.....and 30 interceptions. I'm supposed to believe that'll change? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) Carolina (5-11-1): So, about that tie.....anyway, we're about to really find out if Sam Darnold is "the one that got away" from the Jets, or just another former fair Jets quarterback (Richard Todd, anyone?). A healthy Christian McCaffrey may help this record improve by a game or two, but there's no postseason in sight. I'm not sure Matt Ruhle is cut out for the NFL. If it doesn't work out, there should be a fresh set of college teams in the Big 12 who would hire him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">NFC WEST (Once Dominated, Now Everyone Is In Play)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Arizona (13-4): Here's the NFC's surprise this year. I hear some of you saying this wouldn't be a surprise. But the trendy picks are Seattle with the consistency of Russell Wilson, or Los Angeles with the missing piece that is Matthew Stafford arriving. But I love, love me some Kyler Murray. Competition is written all over his face. He breaks out this season, will sweep the 49ers, and finally take the next step.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) Los Angeles Rams (11-6): The Rams will sweep the Seahawks and take one from the 49ers and Cardinals, but the real reasons they'll grab a wild card berth are an easy schedule (Texans, Jags, Colts.....) and Aaron Donald. Stafford will play well, but won't live up to the Super Bowl expectations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) San Francisco 49ers (9-8): The Niners will fall victim to quarterback insufficiency, in that they won't be able to decide on one. Then, later in the season when both Garopallo and Nance have their confidence tested, one will be pressed into duty due to an injury to the other, and only mediocre results will come. In the postseason race until late, they'll just miss it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) Seattle Seahawks (4-13): It has to happen sometime. This has been a fantastic run for Pete Carroll, but they're long overdue for a season of frustrating losses, injuries, and we still don't really know how much discontent there is between the team and Russell Wilson (Collegiate), the team and Duane Brown (Hermitage), or the team and anyone else in Central Virginia. Let the overhaul begin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>NFC PLAYOFFS</b>:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">DIVISION WINNERS:<br />EAST: Dallas Cowboys<br />NORTH: Green Bay Packers<br />SOUTH: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<br />WEST: Arizona Cardinals<br />WILD CARDS: Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">WILD CARD ROUND: Tampa Bay d. Atlanta, Arizona d. LA Rams; Chicago d. Dallas<br />DIVISIONAL ROUND: Arizona d. Tampa Bay, Green Bay d. Chicago<br />NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Arizona d. Green Bay</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">AFC EAST (Hey! Where did Tom Brady go??)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Buffalo Bills (12-5): The Bills were very, very good last year. They'll tread water this season, but it'll be enough to win their division. Another big year for Stephan Diggs. A tough schedule hands them a few losses more than others think, including a split with the Patriots, because....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) New England Patriots (10-7): I wouldn't say "they're back", but I will say Mac Jones vs Josh Allen should be fun for the next several years. The Pats loaded up on weapons, so Jones will have veterans plenty to throw to, and James White will be a big help for the rookie. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) Miami Dolphins (6-10-1): The ugliest Sunday will be their tie against, of all teams, Houston on November 7th. The Dolphins have done little to instill confidence in their quarterback. If you truly believe in Tua, you don't talk about Deshawn Watson with Houston. As a punishment for leaving your young signal caller dangling, you'll tie them in November, a stain on what will be a forgettable season. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) New York Jets (4-12-1): So, let's face it. A first-year QB for the New York Jets isn't a recipe for a mighty, immediate resurgence. This time is no different. They'll have a few wins, and they'll improve under Robert Saleh. A lot. But it just won't show up in the win/loss column this year. Oh, and THEIR tie wraps up Thanksgiving weekend with, yep, Houston.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">AFC NORTH (We Just Beat Up Each Other And The Bengals):</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Baltimore Ravens (11-6): I came very close to giving this slot to the Cleveland Browns. But I can't. Because they're the Browns. So the Ravens get it by a hair. This is a strange division, with three good teams, but each with their achilles heel. The running game will be Baltimore's as J.K. Dobbins is gone, and Lamar Jackson has to remember to be a dual threat quarterback.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) Cleveland Browns (10-7): Baker Mayfield gets better? A little. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are the difference here. If the Browns can get above average work from their defensive line, they might make me regret placing them below Baltimore.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-10): Big Ben. Ouch. He looks old. He's the last of the big three quarterbacks from the 2004 Draft in uniform (Eli, Rivers), he's lost his long-time center, and JuJu Smith-Schuster doesn't seem ready to be the leader that the likes of Lynn Swann and Hines Ward have been historically for this team. Minkah Fitzpatrick plays his way into the DPOY conversation, but Pittsburgh doesn't make the playoffs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) Cincinnati Bengals (5-12): Burrow is back, but it'll take another season for him to really get ahold of the game. Plus, his receiving corp is quite suspect. Higgins good, Chase? He seems skiddish. One more year with A.J. Green, if healthy, would've brought great experience. Bengals fans hope he doesn't tear it up in the Valley of The Sun. Cincinnati just has so many holes, especially the back seven defensively.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">AFC SOUTH (AEW Could Win Four Games In This Division):</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Tennessee Titans (10-7): COVID issues aside, the Titans will get it together after a slow start. They'll need a new tight end with Smith gone to New England. Julio Jones and AJ Brown create quite a one-two punch, and there's that Henry guy. 2,000 yards in a 17-game season? He could stiff-arm his way to one. :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) Indianapolis Colts (9-8): After a year of asking, "Is Carson Wentz the answer?", the answer will be, well, we don't know. He usually deals with injuries, so just having him into January will be an accomplishment. Hopefully T.Y. Hilton gets back soon. I expect bigger things for Mo Alie-Cox.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13): They'll sweep Houston and find an upset win over the Saints on Halloween, but other than that, few treats for Urban Meyer in the first year of his NFL experiment. I think of so many great college coaches who just fell so flat at the professional level (Bud Wilkinson, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, and let's face it, Barry Switzer had a Ferrari handed to him and turned it into a Ford Focus....), I just can't see this working. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) Houston Texans (1-14-2): With the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">AFC WEST (Gunslingers Necessary):</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">1) Kansas City Chiefs (15-2): The two-time defending AFC champions will benefit from playing the NFC East this season. They'll split with the Chargers and might slip up in D.C. October 17th. Other than that, it's business as usual with a chip on their shoulder after their shockingly poor performance in Super Bowl LV.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">2) Los Angeles Chargers (11-6): Justin Herbert will take a BIG step forward in year two, be briefly in the MVP conversation, and, most importantly, get the Chargers back to the postseason. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams.....stay healthy!! Who plays tight end is key here, and so is the kicking game.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">3) Oakl....ah....Las Vegas Raiders (7-9-1): Mike Mayock is fired in-season as General Manager in a final power ploy that has been going on behind the scenes with Jon Gruden. Derek Carr continues his frustrating play that leaves Raider fans like me looking for the bourbon (and I don't drink!), and, hopefully, just hopefully, Mark Davis wakes up and makes wholesale changes for 2022. I didn't like Gruden's return from the moment it was rumored. Let it end. Soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">4) Denver Broncos (3-13-1): Goodbye Vic Fangio in a season unfair to Teddy Bridgewater. It's hard to believe this roster was put together by John Elway.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>AFC PLAYOFFS</b>:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">DIVISION WINNERS:<br />AFC EAST: Buffalo Bills<br />AFC NORTH: Baltimore Ravens<br />AFC SOUTH: Tennessee Titans<br />AFC WEST: Kansas City Chiefs<br />WILD CARDS: Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">WILD CARD ROUND: Buffalo d. Cleveland, New England d. Baltimore, LA Chargers d. Tennessee<br />DIVISIONAL ROUND: Kansas City d. LA Chargers; Buffalo d. New England<br />AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Buffalo d. Kansas City</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>SUPER BOWL LVI</b>: It's a shocking matchup as a team who may not even play in their longtime city a couple of years from now, and has lost four Super Bowls, faces a historically bad Cardinals franchise who led late in their only Super Bowl appearance only to see Santonio Holmes catch a pass with 57 Cardinals surrounding him to give Pittsburgh the win 13 seasons ago (13?!?).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">So, in true Buffalo and Arizona fashion, the game will end in a tie and Roger Goodell will take the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to his basement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Just kidding.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">Buffalo 31, Arizona 26</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro; font-size: medium;">And now that you know what WON'T happen over the next five months, enjoy the season, and stay safe! :) </span></p>robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-20029189417467802152020-12-31T14:30:00.000-05:002020-12-31T14:30:14.843-05:00Another Perspective on 2020<p> Years ago, when I was a much more active blogger here, I'd always do a year in review post. After these last twelve months, even though I'm stuck in bed sick on New Year's Eve, I had a few thoughts to share.</p><p>We all began the new year (and new decade) with preconceived assumptions of what to generally expect in life, plus plans for the year ahead like vacations, work goals, personal health goals, paying off a bill, buying a car, whatever it may have been.</p><p>When I saw the story of Li Wenliang just into the New Year, I had no idea that what he was trying to warn his colleagues about (and was later forced to recant by his friendly government) was about to change everything.</p><p>For me, March 11, 2020 ranks with September 11, 2001. This is not a comparison. This is an acknowledgement that the events of that late winter Wednesday made a profound change on our families, communities, our country and our world. </p><p>I called a Randolph-Macon women's lacrosse victory online that evening, then stopped at the radio station to work on a few things. I brought up Tweetdeck, only to find the NBA announcing the suspension of their season.</p><p>Their season. They simply hit pause.</p><p>Suddenly, the ripple effect in sports, which play a big role in my life, became a tidal wave. It was the weekend of college basketball conference tournaments, some that were already underway. That next day, Thursday March 12, one by one, even as teams such as VCU were out warming up to play their first game, conferences opted to cancel the tournaments and send everyone home.</p><p>We all know the rest of the story. It's been 296 days since I did play-by-play on any sporting event. It's been close to that much time since I last filed a newspaper article. In this time, I've learned a few things, and while some feelings were cemented, others were adjusted.</p><p>1) I wish so badly that, when I had the chance, I would have talked in depth with people I knew who had firsthand knowledge of the year 1918. There was a sweet lady in the church I pastored in Prince George County, in her 80s, her mind sharp as a tack. What I would give to sit down with her for one afternoon and just talk about her childhood, about her parents and their stories about the pandemic of 102 years ago. The information would have been priceless.</p><p>2) My generation (I guess Generation X, having been born in 1967), and the generation of my children, can now begin to understand, first hand, life in truly difficult times. Even at 53 years old, I had never experienced a year like 1918, with the world at war and millions dying. Or 1942, as we sent our men by the hundreds of thousands to Africa, Europe and the Pacific, and we truly wondered if Nazi Germany would show up on our shores. Or 1930 and 1931, as the Great Depression tightened its grip on America, and people were literally starving to death.</p><p>3) In those times, there were no phones, no apps, no DoorDash for safe delivery of your chicken wings. The sale of cars plummeted due to the Depression. I think both generations I referenced earlier would have had a very, very difficult time handling COVID-19 in an age where you still churned your own butter, milked the cow, and walked to market, if it was open.</p><p>4) While certainly disappointed that I had no football to broadcast this past fall, I mourned its loss rather quickly. When put into proper perspective, I'm much more concerned about the thousands of lives at risk today, the 340,000 plus that have died from COVID-19 and their families. Bickering about whether a sport should be played seems unbelievably shallow to me.</p><p>5) My one political point: I love the Chinese people. I hate the Chinese Communist Party with a passion. They are the cause of this pandemic. It began there. They attempted to cover it up, silence the whistleblower(s), continue with celebrations in January all the while knowing what was happening. And if you believe the numbers they report to the WHO, I've got a bridge over water in the Sahara Desert to sell you. I heard someone say, just after the fall of the Soviet Union nearly three decades ago, "You can only trust Communists....to be Communists." I've never been more concerned about our national sovereignty than I am today, and I lived through the last 20 plus years of the Cold War. </p><p>*****</p><p>As we enter 2021, I'm thankful that my wife has been able to work from home since March 18th without skipping a beat. I'm thankful that I've become her Starbucks errand boy, and that doing the dishes, feeding the dogs, and doing the laundry was already on my list anyway. I just had more time, especially at night, to do them.</p><p>I'm thankful my daughter was able to find a way to do her practicum inside a classroom this fall, continuing her online studies with a 4.0, on track to get her Master's Degree in May. I'm thankful my son's case of COVID-19 over the summer was very, very mild. His worst symptom was a nagging cough. </p><p>I'm thankful for my beautiful two grandchildren and for their health especially. I'm thankful, too, that they won't remember 2020. :)</p><p>To all of you, my wish for you is a safe, happy and healthy 2021. Let's all take a deep breath, love one another, look out for one another, agree to disagree and keep friendships alive rather than take potshots at people behind a laptop screen and block them from social media. </p><p>You see, I don't have to agree with you on something to love you. My friends range from ministers to a former porn star. Love people where they are for who they are. I know a guy who presented us that example, oh, about 2,000 years ago. He was a carpenter....by trade. </p>robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-57212125679800756322020-09-10T12:21:00.003-04:002020-09-23T23:10:01.678-04:00Rob's Fearless and Always Wrong NFL Predictions: The 2020 VersionWell, hi everyone. What a long, strange trip this has been.
No high school or Randolph-Macon College football for me this autumn, which has led me to spend exactly no extra time whatsoever contemplating the 2020 National Football League season. I don't even have a fantasy team, much less a league.
But these circumstances would never stop me in my quest to provide yet another exciting season of woefully inadequate, and inaccurate, season predictions! So, away we go!
We'll start with the NFC....
<div><br /></div><div>NFC EAST: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Dallas Cowboys (10-6): A pretty interesting array of talent here, but since the "Triplets" era ended, this franchise has woefully underachieved. Once a staple to be in the NFC Championship Game, their last appearance was, can you believe it, 25 years ago?? If this defense can be top ten in the league, and the offense avoid the injury bug, maybe they give hope to Dallas fans everywhere that the streak ends in 2020. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Philadelphia Eagles (7-9): I want to like this team. I really do. I'm certainly rooting for K'Von Wallace, who I covered for years at Highland Springs as he begins his pro career in Philly. Will Carson Wentz still be upright in December? To me, everything revolves around the presence and performance of their quarterback. The pieces around him will go a long way to determining whether he's still slinging at Christmas, fighting for a playoff berth, or, on the bench, watching another promising season go by the boards. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) New York Giants (6-10): Let's be honest. If the Giants don't take a step forward this year, what do you do? It's a bad time to be a new coach (Joe Judge), your quarterback must grow, significantly, and your star tailback better be able to play all sixteen games. The defense will be suspect, and that's always the Giants' achilles heel. When this franchise wins Super Bowls, they are monsters on defense, especially at the line of scrimmage. There's no Super Bowl in the cards for them this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) Washington Football Team (6-10): Ron Rivera is a very good football coach. Washington is blessed to have him. I'm praying that he beats off cancer and is able to make significant contributions to the team's efforts this season. I'm not sure Rivera can make Dwayne Haskins "Cam Newton 2.0", but I do expect much better play from the quarterback and co-captain. And maybe Rivera knows what he has in the backfield since cutting Adrian Peterson. Letting young, unknown, hungry players run wild can produce some exciting and eye-raising results. The defense? Hmmm..... </div><div><br /></div><div>NFC NORTH: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Minnesota Vikings (13-3): This team, this franchise, is long overdue for a significant season, and they have pieces together to make it happen, even with Stefon Diggs' departure to Buffalo. A steady dose of Dalvin Cook and top notch defensive play, and Kirk Cousins not overdoing it, could give the Vikings their best season since 1998. And Gary Anderson isn't their kicker this season, so maybe they can...... </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Green Bay Packers (11-5): Aaron Rodgers. How much longer does the magic last? Does he know the names of all of his receivers? If so, will he know all the replacement names in week fourteen? Can this defense stop anyone with consistency? Rodgers wills this franchise to victories, but after two horrible losses to San Francisco, they must take a big step forward if they want to try to get Aaron what Brett Favre never received: a second Lombardi Trophy. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Chicago Bears (6-10): This may not end well. After a promising first season under Matt Nagy, the fraying began last year, and, this year, it starts to fall apart. Trubisky isn't the answer, Foles normally does not perform well in these circumstances (taking over a losing franchise). I just don't see this working. Sorry Bears fans. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) Detroit Lions (3-12-1): Goodbye Matt Patricia. </div><div><br /></div><div>NFC SOUTH: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) New Orleans Saints (13-3): This team will have a mighty chip on its collective shoulder. No miracles bounced them out of the playoffs last year; just a disappointing performance against Minnesota. I could see this as Drew Brees' last season, last try to return to the Super Bowl. If Alvin Kamara takes his "I want a new contract" attitude to the field and allow it to bear fruit, this team could finally reach the summit. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Carolina Panthers (9-7): The surprise team of the NFC this year. Teddy Bridgewater finally gets to shine, clicks big time with Christian McCaffrey, and a new, young, swarming set of defenders create a defense which will turn some heads. They may not make the postseason, but there will be games in December in Charlotte that are meaningful. That's a far cry from a year ago. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8): This isn't going to work. The back half of 2019 showed that the Tom Brady of lore may be fading away. I believe he has some football left in him, but not with his usual consistency. This is reminding me of the New York Yankees of the 1980's where, every year, George Steinbrenner would buy the pieces he thought he needed to keep winning. The results were one World Series trip (in a strike year), which they lost, then nothing for 15 years. Who's their backup? Blaine Gabbert? Okay. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) Atlanta Falcons (5-10-1): An extra season for Dan Quinn was not the answer. The Falcons are a franchise which have had moments of glory, but never an ascent to the ultimate goal. Tim Marzetti, the bartender, kicking five field goals on Monday Night Football. The great defenses of the late 70's and early 90's which made headlines, but not Super Bowls. The "accidental" Super Bowl in 1998 (thanks Gary!), and, of course, "28-3". A reboot will be needed in Atlanta for 2021 and beyond. </div><div><br /></div><div>NFC WEST: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) San Francisco 49ers (11-5): I think the injury bug may play a factor here this year, but there's plenty of talent to help the Niners win the division. I can't wait to watch another season of George Kittle. He's Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro with some bravado and slightly longer hair. He's also a joy to watch. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Seattle will always be in playoff contention so long as Russell Wilson is under center. I just hope this isn't the year where he goes down with a big injury. That team revolves around him like no other in the league. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Arizona Cardinals (7-9): Kyler Murray in year two, now with DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald? This will be fun to watch. If they've beefed up their defense, which was definitely a priority, and can have it so Murray can win games with 24 points rather than 35, the Cardinals could be a late factor. A slow start, though, may be their waterloo come end of December.
</div><div><br /></div><div>4) Los Angeles Rams (5-11): A shocking first season in the stadium of dreams. Does anyone else feel like this team peaked WAY too quickly? Injuries, and a disappointing season for Jared Goff spell doom for the Rams, but no worries for Sean McVay. He has capital there, plenty to stay and rebuild.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PLAYOFFS</b> (New Format!)</div><div><br /></div><div>#1 New Orleans (a Christmas Day win over Minnesota earns the top seed) </div><div><br /></div><div><b>WILD CARD ROUND</b>:
#2 Minnesota def. #7 Carolina </div><div> #6 Seattle def. #3 San Francisco </div><div> #5 Green Bay def. #4 Dallas </div><div><b>DIVISIONAL ROUND</b>:
#1 New Orleans def. #6 Seattle </div><div> #5 Green Bay def. #2 Minnesota </div><div><b>NFC CHAMPIONSHIP</b>:
#5 Green Bay def. #1 New Orleans </div><div><br /></div><div> ***** </div><div><br /></div><div>AFC EAST: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Buffalo Bills (9-7): With the departure of Tom Brady, the AFC East is finally up for grabs, and this year will be a war of attrition to see who survives and ends up on top. Josh Allen won't go to the Hall of Fame, but he improves enough in year three to keep Cam Newton, Sam Darnold, and, eventually, Tua at bay. Plus, Buffalo's defense will be the best in the division. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) New England Patriots (8-8): Splitting with the Bills will hurt, but, of all things, a January 3rd loss to the Jets will end the long playoff run of New England. Cam Newton, by the way, will have a very, very good season. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Miami Dolphins (6-10): Tua by Week 4 or 5 after one of Ryan Fitzpatrick's famous four-interception games. Tua stays healthy, takes his rookie lumps, and Miami will be in better position for 2021. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) New York Jets (4-12): Goodbye Adam Gase. Why did they hire him? </div><div><br /></div><div>AFC NORTH: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Baltimore Ravens (12-4): No twelve-game winning streaks, and defenses will do a better job containing Lamar Jackson, but the Ravens can adjust, too, and will do so to another division title with really no significant challenge there. The significant challenge? Not losing in the first round. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7): Big Ben is back, but he's back with a team that has gone through so much mentally in the past 18 months or so. They're good enough to fight for a playoff spot, but not much more. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Cincinnati Bengals (6-10): Hey Joe! Where you going with that football in your hand? New hope for the fans who actually get to come to Paul Brown Stadium, as, with a healthy A.J. Green, Zac Taylor finally gets to really work with a quarterback ready to learn and with nothing to lose. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) Cleveland Browns (5-11): I don't know what it will take for this franchise to get back to, at least, the Bernie Kosar years. Baker Mayfield is way too inconsistent. Odell always makes noise. The ingredients here are not the right ones. </div><div><br /></div><div>AFC SOUTH: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Houston Texans (10-6): Despite losing Hopkins, and with David Johnson so injury prone, Deshaun Watson still has an MVP caliber season. It carries the Texans to a division title. Can J.J. Watt return to pre-injury form? Are there other defenders to truly help him? </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Indianapolis Colts (9-7): This is the best place for Philip Rivers. He may have five seconds, instead of 2.3, to find receivers and throw the ball. I really like this marriage, Frank Reich knows Rivers well. I hope to see Mo Alie Cox to play a bigger role at tight end. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Tennessee Titans (6-10): A one-year wonder. Derrick Henry can't do it all, and Ryan Tannehill returns to Miami form. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12): Squarely in the running for the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes, and they'll be pining for him if "Minshew Magic" fades away. At least Tony Khan's other endeavor seems to be gaining traction.... </div><div><br /></div><div>AFC WEST: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Kansas City Chiefs (14-2): It's a cakewalk. The Chiefs are so far ahead of their division foes, it's not even funny. Last year, they had to scrap and claw, then make history against Houston, then avoided Baltimore in the AFC Championship. This year, the reqular season is a breeze. The playoffs will pose the high challenge, even with the lone bye. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Las Vegas Raiders (9-7): My Raiders will win just enough to keep Jon Gruden. AGAIN. If this is the best this regime can produce, can we just move on already? </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Los Angeles Chargers (7-9): Tyrod Taylor overperforms, but we'll see Justin Herbert at some point. There's more talent here than people realize. They'll put scares in a lot of teams this season. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) Denver Broncos (4-12): Losing Von Miller is devastating. Their defense had to carry a still developing offense, and now your engine is gone. Not good. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>PLAYOFFS</b>:
#1 Kansas City </div><div><br /></div><div><b>WILD CARD ROUND</b>: #2 Baltimore def. #7 Las Vegas </div><div> #6 Indianapolis def. #3 Houston </div><div> #4 Buffalo def. #5 Pittsburgh </div><div><b>DIVISION ROUND</b>:
#1 Kansas City def. #6 Indianapolis</div><div> #2 Baltimore def. #4 Buffalo </div><div><b>AFC CHAMPIONSHIP</b>:
#2 Baltimore def. #1 Kansas City </div><div><br /></div><div> ******* </div><div><b>SUPER BOWL LV</b>: Green Bay 27, Baltimore 24 (OT): It's old school vs. new generation, but Aaron Jones grabs MVP honors as a field goal late in overtime finally gives Rodgers his second title, and the Packers their fifth Lombardi.
Enjoy the season everyone!
From a distance!</div>robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-44441772062493885692019-11-10T23:22:00.001-05:002019-11-10T23:22:58.861-05:00It Was Twenty Years Ago Today.....November 10, 1999 is one of the top ten most important days of my life.<br />
<br />
Driving to a wedding planning meeting today, I was reminded of this, the 20th anniversary of two huge events. First, and foremost, my son accepted Jesus as his Savior on this night two decades ago. That is everything.<br />
<br />
But I want to focus on what else happened to me that day. For the first time, I stepped into the magical building on Church Hill that, today, houses ChildSavers, but, at the time, hosted WRVA and WRNL Radio and the Virginia Radio Network.<br />
<br />
One Sunday in October, I happened to notice a help wanted ad in the Sunday paper (remember them?) that said WRVA was in need of a production director. Now, at the time, I was very, very happy as a pastor of a church in Prince George County, and the stay-at-home dad of a second grader and a two year old cutie in the midst of potty training.<br />
<br />
I will squelch the theory now that I went for the job to avoid the potty training. :)<br />
<br />
I decided to throw my hat into the ring, and, a couple of weeks later, was stunned to stand in my kitchen, on the telephone that was on the wall (remember them?), talking to Program Director Tim Farley.<br />
<br />
He offered. I accepted. Let the pinching begin.<br />
<br />
I took a tour on November 3rd and met most everyone. A week later, on a Wednesday, because I had promised to chaperone Robbie's field trip earlier in the week and kept that promise, I walked into the entrance from the parking lot into the storied building.<br />
<br />
Tim Timberlake and John Harding were on the morning show. Big Al was cooking sports on 910. I went to the restroom, had a seat, and asked out loud (I think), "What in the world am I doing here?" I was a Miami Marlin utility player about to bat ninth for the New York Yankees, if that analogy makes sense.<br />
<br />
My office was next to Lou Dean's office. How's that for pressure? I took a deep breath, and I jumped into the proverbial puddle with both feet. The holiday season was upon us, and there was no time to waste. I learned DGS, watched people use the digital editing equipment I'd never touched before, taught myself the rest of it through trial and error, immersed myself into traffic instructions and production orders and typing cart labels (radio people, remember them?).<br />
<br />
Within two weeks, it was home. That production studio quickly became, to me, like the most comfortable pair of shoes you've ever worn.<br />
<br />
And this MUST be said. I've worked at several different radio "groups" over 34 years. The least amount of egos were found on Church Hill. Most people would think it would be the opposite. But no way. Lou, Tim, Tim, John, Pam, Veronica, Deanna, Gary, Al, Bob, Bob, and I could go on and on, all were helpful, hospitable, and became friends.<br />
<br />
Nancy and Carol became my rock. Jeanette, Amber....my mind is racing around the top floor of the building for all the great people who treated me so, so well. Joan, Todd, Ken, Carl, June, Holly, Missy, Maureen, Rick, John....<br />
<br />
My blessing had an unfortunate side, as, nine months later, I watched Clear Channel (that's "iHeartMedia" for those of you under 25) completely dismantle a heritage station weeks before it celebrated its 75th anniversary on the air. That's a huge deal. The corporate suits completely ignored it, killed local talk at night, and thought Phil Hendrie was the answer.<br />
<br />
WRVA has never recovered. In the last 20 years, our region has essentially been renamed "RVA". Everyone uses it from media to businesses, to even me (see: RVA Sports Network). This should position WRVA perfectly to be a go-to source for information, right?<br />
<br />
Not when you load up on syndicated talk, lean to one political side, and get your local talent to talk more about Trump than what's happening in our city. But I digress.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I focus on what began for me twenty years ago and how it continues to pay dividends long after I was let go in the great Clear Channel bloodletting of 2007. I have friends for life, experience I continue to use on podcasts from my home, football games on the radio, and other things.<br />
<br />
And, as an added bonus, I can say my office was next to Lou Dean's office. Can you say that?<br />
<br />
My deepest thanks to Mr. Farley, and everyone from Church Hill, for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime and making a dream truly come true. (My brother, myself, and my father in the WRVA production studio, circa 2000).<br />
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robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-87001430465287246462019-09-03T23:06:00.001-04:002019-09-07T23:21:13.187-04:00Rob's Fearless (And Always Wrong) NFL Predictions: 2019 EditionWe screw it up every year, so it's time to take a few mindless minutes, check out what I have to say about the upcoming NFL season (which will play in the background of my life as I concentrate on Randolph-Macon College and high school football) below.<br />
<br />
We'll begin with the NFC, because, why not?<br />
<br />
<b>NFC EAST</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Dallas Cowboys (10-6): No wild card teams out of this division of dysfunction. Thus, we give the Cowboys the benefit of the doubt thanks to a much lesser version of a "Big Three" in Prescott, Elliott and Cooper. Zeke will be back, but only Dallas gets to double digit wins in this division, half of their ten wins, however, will be in division.<br />
<br />
2) Washington Redskins (7-9): Their defense will carry the day. Derrius Guice could be very promising, should he stay healthy. But with the quarterback position, again, in transition, and Trent Williams nowhere to be found, Washington better run the football 40 times a game. Will it be enough to finally see Jay Gruden leave? That remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
3) Philadelphia Eagles (6-10): A fragile quarterback. Who runs the ball? Plus, the Eagles used up their nine lives in their Super Bowl run of two seasons ago. This franchise takes a step back this year and will need to go into 2020 figuring out their true identity.<br />
<br />
4) New York Giants (5-11): Saquon can't do everything. Eli will do better than most people think he will, but, eventually, if you think Daniel Jones is the future, you give him his shot, just as Eli got his in 2004 from a gracious Kurt Warner. The Giants' biggest issue is defense. They are alleged to have one.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC NORTH</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Green Bay Packers (10-6): New coach, inspired quarterback? Aaron Rodgers will be just fine, but who's around him? Can he identify his skilled teammates? Will he be running for his life? And will the Packers have any semblance of a decent defense? In a division where Detroit is falling apart, Minnesota has the ultimate mediocre quarterback, and Chicago has inflated hopes, I'll take Rodgers. But he'd better hurry if he wants a second Lombardi.<br />
<br />
2) Chicago Bears (9-7): Trubisky and company come to earth and, despite great efforts by their defense (which is excellent), don't be surprised if they lose with scores like 16-13, 17-10, 20-14. The Bears will be in the wild card mix down the stretch, but finding points may be an issue all season long.<br />
<br />
3) Minnesota Vikings (7-9): Two years ago with Case Keenum, they're in the NFC Championship Game. They thank Keenum for his work, sign Kirk Cousins, and immediately flounder. Cousins is not a quarterback who will provide your franchise that longed for championship. Don't be surprised if there are trade rumors, or first round quarterback talk for the 2020 Draft, after this season.<br />
<br />
4) Detroit Lions (3-13): You have to wonder what life could have been like for Matthew Stafford had he been born a year earlier or later. But, he's the top guy when the historically bad Lions (coming off their 0-16 season of 2008) are picking first. Every year I hear the Lions are ready, the Lions made some good moves in March and April. How about some moves into the end zone that matter in December? I feel sorry for Stafford.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC SOUTH</b>:<br />
<br />
1) New Orleans Saints (13-3): They can fold like a cheap tent after two punches to the gut in the last two playoffs, or they can rise up, as their city did over a decade ago, and give it another shot. It will be the latter as Drew Brees is smart enough to know his window is closer to closed than wide open. Alvin Kamara, if used right, and healthy all year, could be the Offensive Player of The Year. If New Orleans gets decent defense, and good offensive line work, the road to Miami may be going through New Orleans.<br />
<br />
2) Atlanta Falcons (9-7): Though several years younger than Brees, you get the feeling the Matt Ryan window is starting to close, too. But he's got Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. If he has four seconds in the pocket most plays, Ryan could honestly complete 75 percent of his passes. But they need offensive balance, and definitely better defensive play. Overall, the Falcons need consistency, in all three phases.<br />
<br />
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10): I love Bruce Arians. If he had a real franchise quarterback in Tampa Bay, I would consider this team for a playoff spot. I can't see Jameis Winston doing it. But Arians will get the most out of his team, make them better, prepare them for 2020, and then deal with the big question: what do we do at quarterback?<br />
<br />
4) Carolina Panthers (5-11): Cam Newton isn't one hundred percent. This could be a very, very long season in Charlotte.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC WEST:</b><br />
<br />
1) Seattle Seahawks (11-5): A rejuvenated defense with some studs, a winner in Russell Wilson, and, if the team can gel quickly (Pete Carroll is good at making that happen), I think Seattle surprises this season. The 12th Man is awakened.<br />
<br />
2) Los Angeles Rams (9-7): They are good, but there is a hangover coming for the Super Bowl runners-up. Three points in the Super Bowl? Is Todd Gurley ever going to be Gurley again? A Wade Phillips led defense is always good, but, with a first place schedule, and having to play some physical AFC North opponents this year, they're in the wild card hunt, simply trying to not be one of those teams to lose the Super Bowl one year, and miss the playoffs the next.<br />
<br />
3) Arizona Cardinals (5-11): Nobody sees anything out of Chicago....ah, St. Louis.....err....Arizona. But give me a season of Larry Fitzgerald mentoring Kyler Murray. Then, a few years later should the Cardinals win it all, Fitzgerald, retired by then, would deserve a ring. I'm looking forward to watching the beginnings of what should be a very good team by 2021 or 2022.<br />
<br />
4) San Francisco 49ers (4-12): Jimmy G. is not the answer. Nor is Kyle Shanahan. This will be a bitterly disappointing season for the Niners, who, again, will have to start from scratch some 40 years after starting from scratch with a guy named Bill Walsh.<br />
<br />
<b><u>NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS</u></b>:<br />
<br />
NFC EAST: Dallas<br />
NFC NORTH: Green Bay<br />
NFC SOUTH: New Orleans<br />
NFC WEST: Seattle<br />
WILD CARDS: Chicago, Atlanta<br />
<br />
#1 Seed: New Orleans<br />
#2 Seed: Seattle<br />
<br />
<b>WILD CARD WEEKEND</b>:<br />
#6 Chicago d. #3 Green Bay<br />
#5 Atlanta d. #4 Dallas<br />
<br />
<b>NFC DIVISIONALS:</b><br />
#1 New Orleans d. #6 Chicago<br />
#2 Seattle d. #5 Atlanta<br />
<br />
<b>NFC CHAMPIONSHIP</b>: #1 New Orleans 28, #2 Seattle 24<br />
<br />
*************************<br />
<br />
<b>AFC EAST</b>:<br />
<br />
1) New England Patriots (14-2): Have you studied the Patriots' schedule? They get the Steelers and Chiefs at home. The Chiefs game is the first of three out of four at home to end the season (the others are divisional games in Weeks 16 and 17). This is a cake walk for the Patriots to, again, get the top seed in the AFC.<br />
<br />
2) New York Jets (7-9): The Jets are the only team that could spring an upset of the Patriots in the division. Obviously, I'm rooting for new GM Joe Douglas (Lee-Davis Athletic Hall of Famer) to do well, and, of course, I'm ready for my first Greg Dortch punt return for a touchdown (and yes, it will happen in 2019!) Darnold will improve, but Bell will be a disappointment.<br />
<br />
3) Buffalo Bills (6-10): It's Buffalo. What can I say?<br />
<br />
4) Miami Dolphins (3-13): Talk about a team in disarray. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start well, then get interception prone, and they'll turn to Josh Rosen and wish they could turn to someone else....<br />
<br />
AFC NORTH:<br />
<br />
1) Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): All this Cleveland talk is nauseating. Big Ben has plenty of weapons and fewer distractions and, more importantly, they know how to win. They'll need better defensive play this season to get to this predicted record.<br />
<br />
2) Baltimore Ravens (8-8): This prediction is all about whether Lamar Jackson becomes a real dual-threat quarterback. If he has to improvise all the time due to lack of pressure, or receivers who can't get separation, and this could get sideways. Fast.<br />
<br />
3) Cleveland Browns (7-9): Overrated. Plain and simple. Freddie Kitchens will be worried more each week about taking care of his plethora of divas from Mayfield to Beckham, et al, as opposed to X's and O's. They'd better be 4-2 or better at the bye week, because New England looms next. I think they are 3-4 after a New England loss. Let the finger pointing begin.<br />
<br />
4) Cincinnati Bengals (4-12): Oh, this is so disappointing. Who knew that when the Bengals ran into the tunnel at Heinz Field after an interception with a minute to go, thinking they'd won, only to end up losing that game, that was the start of their fall, and the end of the Dalton/Green era. Andy doesn't have AJ to start the season and, by the time he returns, it may be too late. Is Ryan Finley the goods?<br />
<br />
AFC SOUTH:<br />
<br />
1) Indianapolis Colts (9-7): Yes, the Colts. The Captain on Twitter has gone home (I salute Andrew, by the way. It's his life, let him live it). Why can't Jacoby Brissett play well enough to get this team to a winning record, which will be enough for the division? Running and defense are huge factors, and I want to see Mo Alie-Cox get 40 plus catches and six touchdowns. Alie-Cox and Brissett could become the surprise combination of the league.<br />
<br />
2) Tennessee Titans (8-8): Derrick Henry finally shows his goods late last year. The problem here is quarterback. Like in Philadelphia, the Titans can't get a full season out of Marcus Mariota. Ryan Tannehill isn't the answer. Two games in three weeks with Houston down the stretch could be key to a late playoff push.<br />
<br />
3) Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): No, Nick Foles doesn't have magic outside the Eagles locker room. The dysfunctional team of 2018 will be pushed hard by the Browns for that title, but the Jags won't be pushing for the AFC South crown.<br />
<br />
4) Houston Texans (6-10): Way too many changes. Way too many. My AFC pick for the Super Bowl last year severely disappointed, and now it seems like they're pushing the panic button over and over.<br />
<br />
AFC WEST:<br />
<br />
1) Kansas City Chiefs (13-3): So, home-field advantage comes down to a loss in New England in the regular season. There's not much left to say here other than Patrick Mahomes, blazing speed at the skill positions, and Dee Ford can't line up in the neutral zone this year.<br />
<br />
2) Los Angeles Chargers (10-6): Lots of issues here, but Philip Rivers can handle a revolving door since he lives with such a large family every day. Imagine if they had Okung, Gordon, etc....<br />
<br />
3) Oakland Raiders (6-10): A little improvement, but not enough for a postseason bid. I'm still not happy about the Jon Gruden hiring.<br />
<br />
4) Denver Broncos (5-11): Joe Flacco isn't the answer. Von Miller will be a frustrated man this year. Times will be tough in Denver.<br />
<br />
<b><u>AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS</u></b>:<br />
<br />
AFC EAST: New England<br />
AFC NORTH: Pittsburgh<br />
AFC SOUTH: Indianapolis<br />
AFC WEST: Kansas City<br />
WILD CARDS: LA Chargers, Tennessee<br />
<br />
#1 Seed: New England<br />
#2 Seed: Kansas City<br />
<br />
<b>WILD CARD WEEKEND</b>:<br />
#3 Pittsburgh d. #6 Tennessee<br />
#5 LA Chargers d. #4 Indianapolis<br />
<br />
<b>AFC DIVISIONALS:</b><br />
#1 New England d. #5 LA Chargers<br />
#2 Kansas City d. #3 Pittsburgh<br />
<br />
<b>AFC CHAMPIONSHIP</b>: #1 New England 31, #2 Kansas City 28<br />
<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
<b>SUPER BOWL LIV: New Orleans 27, New England 24: </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The Patriots are back in Miami and in the big game again, but this time, the younger quarterback in his forties gets the better of his elder, and Brees finally lifts a second Lombardi, prompting speculation that he might ride off into the sunset, and also prompting speculation on how Brady can rebound and return to the Super Bowl, again, in 2020.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
<b>2020 NFL DRAFT ORDER</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Miami<br />
2) Detroit<br />
3) Cincinnati<br />
4) San Francisco<br />
5) Denver<br />
<br />
<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-34690319727333908902019-05-17T12:11:00.002-04:002019-05-18T18:29:40.254-04:00Full Circle: Tragedy To TriumphSaturday May 18, 2019 marks two major events in the life of my branch of the Witham family tree.<br />
<br />
On the 35th anniversary of my father's surgery for a brain aneurysm, his granddaughter, who was born on his 65th birthday, February 26, 1997, will receive her Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Education (with a History Minor) from Longwood University on what promises to be a hot, humid day in Farmville, Virginia.<br />
<br />
Any discomfort during the course of the three-hour ceremony will pale in comparison to the outright fear felt 35 years before.<br />
<br />
I distinctly remember walking into Dad's hospital room as he waited to be sent to surgery prep, because, in typical Dad form, the words to come out of his mouth were, "What are you doing here?"<br />
<br />
It was a Friday. Thus, I should have been in school. I don't exactly remember my reply, but it was a very respectful version of, "you actually thought I was going to school today?"<br />
<br />
The next 12-14 hours were spent, you guessed it, mostly waiting. My brother and I played a lot of games of "Dots" on notebook paper.<br />
<br />
The odds were split. There was a chance he wouldn't survive the surgery. There was a chance he would, but there would be minor, or, major changes to him, none of which could accurately be predicted, or, he could come out with flying colors.<br />
<br />
We finally saw him late, late that Friday night, in ICU with wires and tubes coming from just about any location the human body could house them. He was alive, and all he could worry about, and tell us, was having to use the bathroom. We tried to explain that he had a catheter, so go for it. So, I remember leaving St. Luke's Hospital (today it is Parham Doctors) happy that he pulled through, but unsure how he would be comprised.<br />
<br />
Saturday went well, and I did go to work. I worked Sunday after helping lead church service on what was supposed to be Dad's 20th anniversary there. Instead, he spent that day having a seizure on the other side of his brain, and being rushed back into ICU where he slipped into a coma.<br />
<br />
That's how he was when I saw him Sunday night. I remember driving up to the Hardee's at Parham and Staples Mill and eating because I needed to, my mind six million miles, or more like 1.2 miles, away.<br />
<br />
My stepmom and I did what you always do in life or death situations once we were both back home. We trotted the window air conditioning units from the basement and set them up in our rooms for the summer. We were late getting that done that year. Dad had always taken care of it.<br />
<br />
Monday morning, back to St. Luke's, visiting Dad and being mindful of the fact that someone in a coma still has that subconscious tape recorder on. So we talked about the Boston Celtics' run in the NBA playoffs and everything possible that was positive. Then, back to Patrick Henry for the first time in nearly a week, since I had been on a field trip to the University of Richmond in the two days before his surgery.<br />
<br />
In the end, the coma ended within 24 hours, Dad was out of ICU by that Friday and was up trying to walk a little bit by Memorial Day. By then, however, it was becoming clear that he was not the "Dad" I knew.<br />
<br />
His final 29 years (he passed away on October 2, 2013) were spent remembering what he did as an eight year old and having no clue what he ate for breakfast. A once stoic man who showed little emotion now cried at the drop of a hat. There were times in the early days after several weeks of in-patient therapy at Sheltering Arms that he would start pounding his fist against his head, just wanting to die, so frustrated that he couldn't be himself. It was heartbreaking and exhausting for the rest of us, but we kept fighting so that he, too, would fight.<br />
<br />
Some of my best memories of that subsequent summer was taking him back and forth, three times weekly, to outpatient therapy at Sheltering Arms. I enjoyed our car conversations. I also enjoyed getting to go up to Azalea Mall during his therapy and playing Moon Patrol at Woolworth's. :)<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
Now we fast forward to 2019. After four long, sometimes exceedingly difficult years, Rachel Elizabeth Witham will do something that no one else in this branch of our family has done. Not even me.<br />
<br />
She will graduate high school, enroll in college, and graduate with her Bachelor's Degree in four years.<br />
<br />
My college degree was delayed for over a decade (I earned my Bachelor's in 1998, 13 years after high school), thus, she will have one up on me, and will never let me forget it. :)<br />
<br />
It is also important to note that Dad, a semester shy of his college degree, left New England School of Theology to move back home to Maine to work, as the oldest son, after his Dad (whom I never met) took off and never returned. Family first. Dad never had the opportunity to finish that semester. However......<br />
<br />
The cute freckle-faced, red-haired wonder that shares a birthday with her Papa will force May 18 to become a day a shared emotions. We will celebrate this incredible accomplishment (and trust me, you don't know the inside story of just how difficult it has been for Rachel to get to this point), knowing that Papa would be exceedingly proud as well, as would her Nana, who adored Rachel, but only got to cherish her on this earth for a little less than six years.<br />
<br />
I've had a lot of "proud Dad" moments from both of my kids, especially (thank you son!!) the arrival of Robert Edward Witham, IV 16 months ago.<br />
<br />
May 18, 2019 will rank high on that list. It was also mark a turning of the page. My son is 27, a father, a husband, while my daughter, at 22, will have a college degree, just got her first car payment, and will soon land her first career job.<br />
<br />
You NEVER stop being a parent, but the age of changing diapers, signing permission slips, chaperoning field trips and going to watch high school musicals and choral concerts are done.<br />
<br />
And, thus, on this "Full Circle Saturday", May 18, 2019, the date etched on an art display Rachel set up the day she moved into Longwood as a freshman on August 20, 2015, I thank the following:<br />
<br />
--God, for allowing me to live to see this day<br />
<br />
--Dad, for being willing to share his birthday with a pretty smart cookie<br />
<br />
--Dr. Robert Singer and staff at St. Luke's Hospital and the staff at Sheltering Arms Hospital from 1984<br />
<br />
--Rachel, for being motivated by many factors, including beating my high school GPA in college :)<br />
<br />
--Harry J., for spending what I am sure were many lonely nights sleeping in his bed on the floor next to my bed wondering where his Mom was going for weeks at a time. He finally got to visit, understand, and he'll earn a degree in "Human Studies" on Saturday. He also got to be the BMOC, as seen by a picture below. :)<br />
<br />
--Our North Carolina family for their <b>unwavering and incredible support</b> for Rachel over the past four years. We will never forget it. :)<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
On a final note, I will also take time Saturday to remember my very first friend, Michael Crisp, who would have turned 52 years old. We lost him tragically in 2003. I miss him, Dad, Mama, my stepmom, my sister, and my grandparents, all who played a role, big or small, in making May 18, 2019 a reality.<br />
<br />
Farewell, Farmville. Tomorrow.<br />
<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-29430213162938588252019-04-24T22:08:00.001-04:002019-04-24T22:08:35.886-04:00Nick Liberante: An AppreciationI had been properly warned.<br />
<br />
"He's the hardest teacher you'll ever have."<br />
<br />
"You'll never get an 'A'."<br />
<br />
"Good luck."<br />
<br />
Nick Liberante's educational reputation proceeded him. And on August 29, 1983, I encountered a man for the first time who would change my life in ways I could not imagine then, and still cannot fully capture on this, the night of his passing from cancer.<br />
<br />
The best way to describe being taught by Nick Liberante was that you were in the presence of the most "complex simplicity" you'll ever experience. A man who was so simple in appearance, a man who never, ever threw his amazing intelligence and depth of knowledge in your face, a man who prepared thoroughly, taught with an uncanny balance of understanding and humor while challenging everything you ever thought, or thought you knew.<br />
<br />
His love for the work of Henry David Thoreau was legendary. So was "the red pen".<br />
<br />
As the assigned papers were returned to me in English my junior year, the red ink flowed. It did so for good reason. As I texted someone tonight, I felt like I couldn't write complete sentences until I sat under Nick Liberante.<br />
<br />
His earned reputation for being a "difficult" (in the positive sense) teacher was spot on. But as the year continued, I really began to understand why he did what he did, and I began to soak it all in. No, I never earned an "A" in the two years I sat in his room, listening to a professor at the high school level, not on official Hanover County Public Schools report cards, that is.<br />
<br />
Instead, I happily traded a "B" in English 11, and the only "C" I ever had in school, in 12th grade Advanced Novel, for a lifelong lesson in critical thinking, looking at the full picture, understanding the perspective of others, and, most of all, respect.<br />
<br />
*******<br />
<br />
If you called him then, or call him even today, "Mr. Liberante", chances are you were never his student.<br />
<br />
As year one yielded to year two, and I, someone who generally doesn't enjoy reading novels or books (yes, you read that right), opted for, yes, an ELECTIVE class in Advanced Novel, a year filled with reading books and writing reports, over and over, doing so for just one reason.<br />
<br />
I had to sit in Nick's classroom again. I needed more.<br />
<br />
By then, he was "Nick". This was in no way disrespectful to my elder. He embraced the fact that many students like me, who so deeply appreciated him, his work, his candor, his honesty and his intelligence, spoke to him that way because he was kind enough to treat us, not as equals, but as humans on the verge of adulthood, readying to tackle the challenges of the world.<br />
<br />
There's no way I can count how many Mello Yello canned drinks and creme twirls I threw down in first period, listening to him over a seventeen-year old's abhorrent choice of breakfast foods.<br />
<br />
His room, and specifically around his desk, became an inner sanctum for conversation prior to class, discussing the events of the day, whether it was school events or the NCAA Tournament. He was ready for anything. He also deeply appreciated the fact that this next generation thought it so cool to hang out with him.<br />
<br />
We all knew we were sitting at the feet of Mount Liberante, and we soaked in every moment.<br />
<br />
I had no idea that I would get a second chance at a brush with greatness, but I did.<br />
<br />
*******<br />
<br />
Fast forward to late 2011. I was struggling with a myriad of health issues (many of which continue to this day) and reached an unwanted crossroads in my life. I was able to fulfill my high school football commitment on radio that fall, and, through the radio station, was introduced to a wonderful gentleman named Greg Glassner, at the time the editor of the Hanover Herald-Progress.<br />
<br />
He learned of me through his weekly Friday visits to WHAN (now The Mater) to do an on-air segment of what was in the latest edition of the newspaper. He reached out asking if I would write articles on the games I broadcast. I was happy to do so.<br />
<br />
And, when I was forced to leave a full-time position I adored at the end of that year because I was simply too sick to continue, I, on a whim, told Greg I'd be more available should he need more writing. I needed work that my body could handle.<br />
<br />
Thus began a six plus year odyssey with the newspaper, and my now forever association with sports in Hanover County. But there was a major bonus.<br />
<br />
His main photographer was Nick Liberante.<br />
<br />
We had seen each other a few teams over the years at Patrick Henry games, he shooting on the sidelines as I would bloviate in the press box. But now, we became a team. Nick shoots, I write.<br />
<br />
By 2012, Nick was the ultimate pro. He could get the money shot before the end of the first quarter, and happily be at home before halftime. I, of course, needed to hang around for the final score. :)<br />
<br />
We began planning our weeks. Who do we cover? How do we provide fair coverage of all four schools (when did Atlee and Hanover show up??), plus Randolph-Macon College? Through it all, he was, again, the guiding and calming force, and the master of finding the moment which fit the narrative.<br />
<br />
All those years later, we were tag team partners. He was Batman, I was Robin. I always knew, and loved, the pecking order. By now, he was in his final years at Patrick Henry. We had heart attacks in common, and he always had sage advice on keeping the body, as well as the mind, healthy.<br />
<br />
Once in a while, I would get a congratulatory email or text from him on a story. No one could send me a higher compliment, no smile I could crack would ever be wider.<br />
<br />
The first two get well cards I received after my 2013 heart attack were from the Atlee Softball team, and Nick Liberante. I still have them.<br />
<br />
Our run ended when the Herald-Progress inexplicably ended their photographer position in 2016. I mean, who thinks a newspaper is good without pictures? I shook my head and warned them as they now asked me for pictures (for free, of course) that Nick was the maestro. They traded a master photographer for a picture taker.<br />
<br />
When the Herald-Progress ended in March, 2018, a thankful Rob moved over to where Nick landed at Richmond Suburban Newspapers. A reunion was on the horizon. But then life gets in the way. His battle for his life had begun.<br />
<br />
In the end, we did get to do several games together for the Local, and if my memory serves me correctly tonight, the last time we were together was over the winter in the gym at, you guessed it, Patrick Henry.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
<br />
I grieve tonight for his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved them in a way I cannot describe. Our conversations about his trips to watch them and their young adventures were priceless, a final lesson bestowed to me as I began my grandparent journey just over a year ago.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I am so thankful for so many things about Nicholas Liberante.<br />
<br />
I am thankful for having "Nick" as not just a "teacher", but as a life guide.<br />
I am thankful for his incredible generosity to me in word and in deed, for 35 years.<br />
I am thankful for that "complex simplicity" I wrote about earlier, and the incredible depth of life he lived.<br />
I am thankful for the example of how to never quit thinking, considering, wondering. Keep learning.<br />
I am thankful that he embodied "pay it forward" many years before it even became a catch phrase.<br />
<br />
And I am most thankful to have been allowed in to his exclusive fraternity of "Si, Fi, Simplify!"<br />
<br />
***********<br />
<br />
I leave you with four pictures. The first is Nick, in his inner sanctum of learning, caught in a moment that perfectly explains how much fun we had in his classroom no matter how hard the work was, which only added to the grandeur of his legend. The next two explain how he looked through the lens, always looking for complexities in simple events like celebrating a win, or waiting for an umpire to make a call.<br />
<br />
The final shot he took one Friday night several years ago of my daughter Rachel, who, next month, will become the first Witham in portion of the family tree to graduate high school, then graduate college four years later. She'll have a degree in theatre education. She knew Nick long enough to understand why we shed tears while we smile tonight. And if Rachel touches a tenth of the number of students that Nick, a Buffalo, New York native who transformed literally thousands of lives at an unassuming rural high school just outside Ashland, Virginia, did, she will have done quite well.<br />
<br />
Rest well, my friend, until we meet again. :)<br />
<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-70997555300217109212018-11-23T03:51:00.002-05:002019-01-26T22:21:40.290-05:00The Running List of Music I'm Trying To FindUPDATED (1/26/19): This will be scattered of sorts, sometimes posting certain songs while sometimes posting albums, and posting an artist if we simply don't have them in our library yet at 102.9 The Mater.<br />
<br />
If you can help out with any of these, email me at robwitham1@gmail.com and thanks!<br />
<br />
<b>ARTISTS/BANDS</b>:<br />
<br />
---Gordon Lightfoot<br />
---Bread<br />
---Stevie Wonder<br />
---Rod Stewart<br />
---Al Stewart<br />
---"Mr. Mister"<br />
---Simple Minds<br />
---Rush<br />
---Huey Lewis & The News<br />
---Kool & The Gang<br />
---Imagine Dragons<br />
---Blessid Union Of Souls<br />
---Carpenters<br />
---John Denver<br />
---Christopher Cross<br />
---Dan Fogelberg<br />
---Air Supply<br />
---Atlanta Rhythm Section<br />
---ABC<br />
---Foo Fighters<br />
---Gin Blossoms<br />
---Green Day<br />
<br />
<b>SPECIFIC SONGS</b>:<br />
<br />
"Better Days"---Citizen King<br />
"I Only Have Eyes For You"--Art Garfunkel<br />
"Father and Daughter"--Paul Simon<br />
"No Tell Lover"--Chicago<br />
"Knock On Wood"--Amii Stewart<br />
"New York Groove"--Ace Frehley<br />
"Square Pegs"--The Waitresses<br />
"Can You Read My Mind?"--Maureen McGovern<br />
"Hey Baby"-- No Doubt<br />
"Get The Party Started (Clean Version)"--Pink<br />
"Superman (It's Not Easy)"--Five For Fighting<br />
"All You Wanted"-Michelle Branch<br />
"Remember The Time"--Michael Jackson<br />
"Save The Best For Last"--Vanessa Williams<br />
"Rock Me Amadeus"--Falco<br />
"Tarzan Boy"--Baltimora<br />
"19"--Paul Hardcastle<br />
"Getting Closer"--Paul McCartney and Wings<br />
"Talk To Me"--Stevie Nicks<br />
"Sidewalk Talk"--Jellybean featuring Catherine Buchanan<br />
"The Heat Is On"--Glenn Frey<br />
"You Belong To The City"--Glenn Frey<br />
"Sun Street"--Katrina And The Waves<br />
"High On You"--Survivor<br />
"St. Elmo's Fire"--John Parr<br />
"You're Only Human (Second Wind)"--Billy Joel<br />
"Obsession"--Animotion<br />
"1999"--Prince<br />
"Purple Rain"--Prince and The Revolution<br />
"When Does Cry"--Prince and The Revolution<br />
"Let's Go Crazy"--Prince and The Revolution<br />
"All She Wants To Do Is Dance"--Don Henley<br />
"Smalltown Boy"--Bronski Beat<br />
"One Night In Bangkok"--Murray Head<br />
"People Who Died"--John Carroll Band<br />
"Invisible"--Alison Moyet<br />
"Holyanna"--Toto<br />
"Stranger In Town"--Toto<br />
"All Of Me"--John Legend<br />
"Pompeii"--Bastille<br />
"Story Of My Life"--One Direction<br />
"Brave"--Sara Bareilles<br />
"Selfie"--Chainsmokers<br />
"This Is How We Roll"--Florida Georgia Line<br />
"Grenade"--Bruno Mars<br />
"Rock Star (Clean Version)"--Pink<br />
"This Is How We Do It"--Montell Jordan<br />
"Love Hurts"--Nazareth<br />
"Only Love Is Real"--Carole King<br />
"Shannon"--Henry Gross<br />
"Misty Blue"--Dorothy Moore<br />
"Get Up and Boogie"--Silver Convention<br />
"Shout It Out Loud"--Kiss<br />
"Killing Me Softly"--Roberta Flack<br />
"Tie A Yellow Ribbon"--Tony Orlando & Dawn<br />
"Candida"--Tony Orlando & Dawn<br />
"Knock Three Times"--Tony Orlando & Dawn<br />
"Let The Music Play"--Shannon<br />
"Give Me Tonight"--Shannon<br />
"The Message"--Grandmaster Flash<br />
"Could It Be I'm Falling In Love"--The Spinners<br />
"Emotion"--Helen Reddy<br />
"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"--Stevie Wonder<br />
"It Never Rains In Southern California"--Albert Hammond<br />
"Please Come To Boston"--Dave Loggins<br />
"Thinking of You"--Loggins & Messina<br />
"Will It Go Around In Circles"--Billy Preston<br />
"With You I'm Born Again"--Billy Preston & Syreeta<br />
"Honey, I'm Good"--Andy Grammer<br />
"It Ends Tonight"--All-American Rejects<br />
"Suddenly I See"--K.T. Tunstall<br />
"This Kiss"--Faith Hill<br />
"Lately"--Divine<br />
"Wild Wild West"--Escape Club<br />
"I Don't Wanna Go On With Your Like That"--Elton John<br />
"Hands To Heaven"--Breathe<br />
"How Can I Fall"--Breathe<br />
"All Fired Up"--Pat Benatar<br />
"1-2-3"--Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine<br />
"Rush Hour"--Jane Wiedlin<br />
"Giving You The Best That I Got"--Anita Baker<br />
"Sweet Love"--Anita Baker<br />
"Money's Too Tight (To Mention)"--Simply Red<br />
"Human"--Human League<br />
"Keep Feeling Fascination"--Human League<br />
"Superfreak"--Rick James<br />
"We're In This Love Together"--Al Jarreau<br />
"Boogie Down"--Al Jarreau<br />
"Cool Love"--Pablo Cruise<br />
"Such A Woman"--Tycoon<br />
"My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)"--Chilliwack<br />
"Hearts"--Marty Balin<br />
"Elvira"--Oak Ridge Boys<br />
"The Devil Went Down To Georgia"--Charlie Daniels Band<br />
"Safety Dance"--Men Without Hats<br />
"Islands In The Stream"--Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton<br />
"Far From Over"--Frank Stallone<br />
"Promises Promises"--Naked Eyes<br />
"Always Something There To Remind Me"--Naked Eyes<br />
"Puttin On The Ritz"--Taco<br />
"Tonight, I Celebrate My Love"--Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack<br />
"Dead Giveaway"---Shalamar<br />
"She Works Hard For The Money"--Donna Summer<br />
"This Time I Know It's For Real"--Donna Summer<br />
"It's A Mistake"--Men At Work<br />
"Freak-A-Zoid"--Midnight Starr<br />
"Foolin'"--Def Leppard<br />
"Queen Of The Broken Hearts"--Loverboy<br />
"Lawyers In Love"--Jackson Browne<br />
"I'll Tumble 4 Ya"--Culture Club<br />
"Major Tom"--Peter Schilling<br />
"Mony Mony"--Billy Idol<br />
"I've Been In Love Before"--Cutting Crew<br />
"Mary's Prayer"--Danny Wilson<br />
"I Don't Mind At All"--Bourgeois Tagg<br />
"Just Like Heaven"--The Cure<br />
"Guiding Light"--Mumford and Sons<br />
"Happier"--Marshmello & Bastille<br />
"My Blood"--Twenty One Pilots<br />
"All My Friends"--The Revivalists<br />
"You're Somebody Else"--Flora Cash<br />
"Pressure"--Muse<br />
"Fast Talk"--Houses<br />
"Northern Lights"--Death Cab For Cutie<br />
"Worst Nites"--Foster The People<br />
"Ex's And Oh's"--Elle King<br />
"Get Out"--Chvrches<br />
"Miracle"--Chvrches<br />
"The Mother We Share"--Chvrches<br />
"Fire Woman"--The Cult<br />
"Wild Hearted Son"--The Cult<br />
"Pop Muzik"--M<br />
"Different Worlds"--Maureen McGovern<br />
"Spooky"--Atlanta Rhythm Section<br />
"Good Girls Don't"--The Knack<br />
"Rolene"--Moon Martin<br />
"I Know A Heartache When I See One"--Jennifer Warnes<br />
"Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)"--Pat Travers Band<br />
"Slipping Away"--Dave Edmunds<br />
"You Can't Change That"--Raydio<br />
"Ghostbusters"--Ray Parker, Jr.<br />
"Back In Love Again"--L.T.D.<br />
"Falling"--LeBlanc and Carr<br />
"Instant Replay"--Dan Hartman<br />
"Just When I Needed You Most"--Randy VanWarner<br />
"Don't You Write Her Off"--McGuinn, Clark & Hillman<br />
"Makin' It"--David Naughton<br />
"Rhumba Girl"--Nicolette Larson<br />
"Good Timin'"--Beach Boys<br />
"Heaven Knows"--Donna Summer<br />
"Special Lady"--Ray, Goodman, & Brown<br />
"Love Stinks"--J. Geils Band<br />
"Tired of Toein' The Line"--Rocky Burnette<br />
"Him"--Rupert Holmes<br />
"Take A Little Rhythm"--Ali Thomson<br />
"Without Your Love"--Roger Daltrey<br />
"Just A Song Before I Go"--Crosby, Stills & Nash<br />
"Personally"--Karla Bonoff<br />
"Take It Away"--Paul McCartney<br />
"Kids In America"--Kim Wilde<br />
"Paperlate"--Genesis<br />
"Love Plus One"--Haircut One Hundred<br />
"Forget Me Nots"--Patrice Rushen<br />
"The Other Woman"--Ray Parker, Jr.<br />
"No One Like You"--Scorpions<br />
"Gloria"--Laura Branigan<br />
"American Heartbeat"--Survivor<br />
"You Don't Want Me Anymore"--Steel Breeze<br />
"The Look Of Love"--ABC<br />
"Let's Go Dancin'"--Kool & The Gang<br />
"The Other Guy"--Little River Band<br />
"Space Age Love Song"--A Flock of Seagulls<br />
"Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)"--A Flock of Seagulls<br />
"You've Got Another Thing Comin'"--Judas Priest<br />
"Love Come Down"--Evelyn King<br />
"Sweet Time"--REO Speedwagon<br />
"Doctor My Eyes"--Jackson Browne<br />
"Desert Moon"--Dennis DeYoung<br />
"Understanding"--Bob Seger<br />
"I Can't Drive 55"--Sammy Hagar<br />
"Swept Away"--Diana Ross<br />
"Smuggler's Blues"--Glenn Frey<br />
"Never Ending Story"--Limahl<br />
"The Search Is Over"--Survivor<br />
"We Are The World"--USA For Africa<br />
"Would I Lie To You?"--Eurythmics<br />
"Voices Carry"--'Til Tuesday<br />
"Getcha Back"--Beach Boys<br />
"People Are People--Depeche Mode<br />
"Forever"--Kenny Loggins<br />
"Go For Soda"--Kim Mitchell<br />
"You Keep Me Hangin' On"--Kim Wilde<br />
"Head To Toe"--Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam<br />
"Just To See Her"--Smokey Robinson<br />
"Tears Of A Clown"--Smokey Robinson & The Miracles<br />
"Psychedelic Shack"--The Temptations<br />
"Don't Disturb This Groove"--The System<br />
"I'll Still Be Loving You"--Restless Heart<br />
"I Knew You Were Waiting"--Aretha Franklin & George Michael<br />
"Luka"--Suzanne Vega<br />
"The Look"--Roxette<br />
"What I Am"--Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians<br />
"Walk The Dinosaur"--Was Not Was<br />
"Miami Vice Theme"--Jan Hammer<br />
"Part Time Lover"--Stevie Wonder<br />
"Who's Zoomin' Who"--Aretha Franklin<br />
"Freeway Of Love"--Aretha Franklin<br />
"Perfect Way"--Scritti Politti<br />
"Alive and Kicking"--Simple Minds<br />
"Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves"--Annie Lennox/Aretha Franklin<br />
"You're A Friend Of Mine"--Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne<br />
"Charm The Snake"--Christopher Cross<br />
"Weird Science"--Oingo Boingo<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>SPECIFIC ALBUMS/CD'S</b>:<br />
<br />
"Greatest Hits, Etc."--Paul Simon<br />
"Graceland"--Paul Simon<br />
"Parallel Lines"--Blondie<br />
"Briefcase Full of Blues"--Blues Brothers<br />
"Songs In The Key Of Life"--Stevie Wonder<br />
"Learning To Crawl"--The Pretenders<br />
"Freeze Frame"--J. Geils Band<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-91373453906733695192018-09-03T01:58:00.000-04:002018-09-04T21:32:23.976-04:00Rob's Fearless (And Always Wrong) 2018 NFL Predictions!!It's becoming a Labor Day tradition, and I need one, since my old tradition is no longer with us. Time for me to completely embarrass myself and try to predict the NFL season which begins Thursday night, apparently.<br />
<br />
See, I'm so wrapped up with both high school football and now Randolph-Macon football that, frankly, I've had little time to really focus on the NFL. I see headlines (and I didn't have to go to Redskins Training Camp this year), read a bit, follow the local kids, and that's about it.<br />
<br />
Which will probably be proven by what you're about to read. At some point, the balance of power in the league has to change, right? Are the Eagles a one-year wonder? Will Tom Brady and Drew Brees ever be proven to be human? And what in the world is going on with my beloved Raiders?<br />
<br />
Let's answer these questions and more! Likely, the answers will be wrong. :)<br />
<br />
<b><u>THE NFC</u></b> (should be on <b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3RM0DNA0n0">CBS</a></u></b>, is on Fox for the, gulp, <b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpgd_NHYrc4">25TH SEASON</a></u></b>, with an occasional appearance on CBS...)<br />
<br />
<b><u>NFC EAST</u></b>:<br />
<br />
1) Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): The champs win their division by default because, let's face it, who else is actually going to challenge them? The quarterback situation is dicey, their defense will be relied upon to do a lot of the work, but they'll get to the playoffs, and that's about it.<br />
<br />
2) Dallas Cowboys (8-8): I'm a huge fun of running the football. Chew the clock, earn the first downs, keep the other offense pensively waiting on their sideline. Everything in Dallas is predicated on their offensive line giving Ezekiel Elliott opportunity. It'll happen enough to where the Cowboys will be achingly close to a playoff spot until Christmas, and most of the talk in December as that run falls short will be, "is this it for Jason Garrett"? The answer is, likely, yes.<br />
<br />
3) New York Giants (6-10): Um, hold on fellow Giants fans. It's Saquon Barkley, not Charles. What I mean is, let's give the new guy some time to get used to NFL defenses, and not expect him to race 80 yards to paydirt every week. He's going to be good, but as is the case in football, he's also one play away from turning into another Penn State running back that was <b><u><a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/ki-janacarter/2500016/profile">once the top pick in the draft</a></u></b>. I love the Giants, but Eli will not replicate Peyton circa 2013, I've never been high on Beckham, and now that he's been paid, I'm skeptical of his production. And our defense still stinks.<br />
<br />
4) Washington Redskins (3-13): I like Jay Gruden. I really do. But I think it's been exposed that he's a good offensive coordinator. When everyone panics because your rookie running back tears his knee up, how good was your offense to begin with? And, why trade your best defensive player for a quarterback who can get you through the fall, but withers when January rolls around? I like Alex Smith, too. But he's not a playoff quarterback at this point. A long, long year in our Nation's Capital. Bring on the Caps.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC NORTH</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Green Bay Packers (12-4): They're back. We learned (duh!) last year that a healthy Aaron Rodgers means everything in Cheesehead Country. I think Mike McCarthy actually has a patent on the first cloning device in the world, it's just hidden in a bunker underneath Lambeau Field. Which unnamed receivers we don't know will become All-Pro candidates by Thanksgiving? I'm sure they'll be one. I think the bigger story this season will be the return of the Packers defense. They'll have to improve to stop the Vikings, and, I believe, the Lions. This division will be lots of fun to watch.<br />
<br />
2) Minnesota Vikings (9-7): I am not a Kirk Cousins fan. I am a fan of his ability to make excellent financial decisions for himself, however. When all is said and done, he may go down in athletic history as the richest man never to win a playoff game. As for the rest of the team, I was very impressed with how they handled losing Darwin Cook so early. By December, Viking fans forgot he was on IR. And, I like Mike Zimmer. He's a throwback coach like Bruce Arians was. But this year I think the defense finds out how different it is to play Green Bay with #12. Fighting for a wild card bid.<br />
<br />
3) Detroit Lions (7-9): It's hard to believe this is Matthew Stafford's tenth season. And, despite a lot of good numerical seasons, still no solid results for a team still cursing Bobby Layne. Again, he'll lead a few comeback wins, likely lose to the Rams the first Sunday of December to end playoff hopes, again, and the never-ending cycle of Detroit Lions football rolls on towards a new decade of futility. That town deserves better.<br />
<br />
4) Chicago Bears (5-11): Yes, they got Mack from my Raiders. We'll see if giving up two first round picks was worth it. I'm nowhere near sold on Mitchell, er, ah, Mitch Trubisky. I do like their running game, but unless they keep time of possession 40+ minutes against Rodgers and Stafford (and maybe even Cousins), I don't think they can score enough.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC SOUTH</b>:<br />
<br />
1) New Orleans Saints (13-3): Hopes are sky high in New Orleans, and rightfully so. They were one poor defensive decision away from the NFC Championship last year (the one time a prevent defense would be useful!), and there's a lot to like about this team's Super Bowl possibilities. I'm surprised at the lack of coverage of the trade for Teddy Bridgewater (a good article on it is <b><u><a href="http://www.houmatoday.com/sports/20180901/mike-detilliers-column-look-at-bridgewater-deal">here</a></u></b>), as, three years from now, it will likely be a more important event than the Mack trade. Add in Michael Thomas, Mark Ingram, and my first pick in my fantasy draft, Alvin Kamara, and what's not to like?<br />
<br />
2) Atlanta Falcons (10-6): Good team, great receiver, another team with high expectations. It's also hard to believe it's Matt Ryan's eleventh season at quarterback. The Falcons never go a decade with one guy. Sadly, it won't result in a Super Bowl title. This season, the Falcons are good, but not good enough. Sounds like last year, and 2016.<br />
<br />
3) Carolina Panthers (7-9): Tough losses in the division doom Carolina's playoff hopes, and age will begin to show on the defensive side.<br />
<br />
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14): This team is an absolute mess. And they don't have a leader at quarterback. Their September is nightmarish, and with perhaps the best division in football to deal with, they'll never get any traction. Who takes over as head coach next year? Who becomes the GM? Why did they get rid of Tony Dungy again?<br />
<br />
<b>NFC WEST</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Seattle Seahawks (9-7): I can't vote against Russell Wilson. He's got moxie, and will provide the will for a team in definite transition. Of all eight divisions this season, I think this is the one that will not turn out the way most people think it will.<br />
<br />
2) Los Angeles Rams (9-7): This team has so much talent, I wonder if it became a team of "too much, too soon". Gathering talent, and names, doesn't necessarily mean chemistry, the ability to overcome adversity, etc. I'm intrigued by year three for Goff, and I like Kupp. Aaron Donald is signed, so no distraction there. But this won't be the 14-win team some people think they'll be.<br />
<br />
3) Arizona Cardinals (6-10): Maybe in the biggest surprise of the season, Sam Bradford won't get hurt until around Thanksgiving. Sadly, it will mean that, after a 6-4 start, Arizona loses six straight, and Larry Fitzgerald's final season, I hate to say, will end in very disappointing fashion. He deserved better. One of the classiest acts in sports history.<br />
<br />
4) San Francisco 49ers (5-11): Yes, Jimmy Garappolo will lose his first NFL game. And then some. This team is too hyped, and not ready, especially on the defensive side. But there is a foundation for a bright future. It's just not now.<br />
<br />
********<br />
<b>AFC EAST</b>:<br />
<br />
1) New England Patriots (14-2): The Patriots have been handed such an easy schedule. Not strength of schedule, but the fact that so many big encounters just happen to be at Gillette Stadium. The Colts, Chiefs, Vikings, Packers, they all go to New England. By the time the Patriots have to go to Heinz Field in mid-December, it won't matter. They'll have the top seed, again, in the AFC. This is all predicated by having Tom Brady all season. If, for some reason, 2018 becomes 2008, this all goes off the rails. But expect the Patriots to wrap up the division by just after Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
2) New York Jets (7-9): Sam Darnold for Rookie of The Year? I'm not sure I'd go that far, but if Todd Bowles and company felt comfortable enough to trade off Teddy Bridgewater either A) he's good, or B) they're stupid and will be unemployed on New Year's Day. I'm leaning to A), and they might even challenge the Patriots in their first meeting November 25th. Not win, but challenge.<br />
<br />
3) Buffalo Bills (5-11): Who's the quarterback? What week will LeSean McCoy get the usual nagging injury? When does a town deserving, like Detroit, finally have some real hope?<br />
<br />
4) Miami Dolphins (3-13): It's time for Miami to completely reboot. There's really nothing more to say.<br />
<br />
<b>AFC NORTH</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): Another season, another Steeler division title. This time, however, it isn't their dominance, it's their residency in a down division. Baltimore is beginning a transition which started when they inexplicably lost to Cincinnati in the final minute New Year's Eve, the Bengals are sliding, and, and, and then there's Cleveland. The one major plus? JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to be a stud. With Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown, I think I could throw for nine touchdowns. :)<br />
<br />
2) Baltimore Ravens (7-9): This will likely be Joe Flacco's last hurrah (from the "hard to believe department", it's his eleventh season, too), but I think the Ravens are better served by him actually failing than say, him getting injured and Lamar Jackson hitting the field too soon. He needs to watch for awhile. I think he can be a good NFL quarterback, but needs some nurturing. Collins is key to their team's hopes in the backfield. And Justin Tucker is always worth a win or two.<br />
<br />
3) Cleveland Browns (5-11): Yes, they take a step forward, no, they shouldn't throw Baker Mayfield to the wolves. Yes, he has a future, no, he's not "the next Drew Brees" right now. Remember Brees in 2005 when San Diego was pushing him out the door? His best days were ahead of him. If any fan base can be told to hang on a bit for, finally, a franchise quarterback, it shouldn't have to be Cleveland, but they can handle it. They had to live in "LeBron exile" for four years, too. Go with Tyrod Taylor for now to pave through the heavy brush. Now, if Josh Gordon makes it through 16 games, and I pray he does, this could be 6-10.<br />
<br />
4) Cincinnati Bengals (4-12): I hate to say this about Rachel's team, but their window of opportunity slammed shut when they prematurely ran off the field in the playoffs three years ago. I still have Week 17 of NFL RedZone on DVR. I turn it on nightly when I go to sleep because our dog, Harry J., has to have light in the room when he sleeps in our bedroom while Rachel is in school. Near the end is the crazy final drive against Baltimore that made Andy Dalton a celebrity in Buffalo. The Bengals may want to trade him there before the end of this year. Of all fan bases in the NFL, I think the one most robbed is Cincinnati's. Mike Brown is a terrible owner. Oh, and that RedZone? It had, on the bottom ticker, all day, the reports that Marvin Lewis would be let go. And he's still there. Good Lord.<br />
<br />
<b>AFC SOUTH</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Houston Texans (12-4): How 2017 would have been so, so different had the injury bug not decimated Houston. If everyone is back and back to normal, this team has the best chance at knocking off the Patriots. Their #2 seed in the postseason is in spite of the depth in their division. They may even start 0-2, but win the division. Watson is for real, there's no doubt. And Hopkins hasn't really had the chance to have a full season with a fully-prepared franchise quarterback. Their numbers this year may be insane.<br />
<br />
2) Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6): Again, the Jaguars will be in the mix. Again, their defense will be handling the heavy work. Again, they'll have success despite their quarterback. Leonard Fournette needs to lead the league in rushing, and the Jags need to lead the league in time of possession.<br />
<br />
3) Tennessee Titans (7-9): I think the Titans overachieved last year. I also don't think they handled their head coaching situation very well. Yes, we're behind you! Oh, you lost in New England? You're fired! Now Mike Vrabel takes over. Derrick Henry needs to lead the league in rushing.<br />
<br />
4) Indianapolis Colts (5-11): Ever seen Andrew Luck's Twitter feed? It's interesting. He talks like an old school war general writing letters back home about the latest battles. This year, his 280 character limit will be tested as he goes to battle with guys whose first names he doesn't even know. A lot has changed in three years.<br />
<br />
<b>AFC WEST</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Los Angeles Chargers (10-6): The comeback is complete. The injury bug finally flies away as the season begins and Philip Rivers doesn't have to come back from records like 3-6 and 4-7. Keenan Allen looms large, and watch the just-resigned Antonio Gates. Why not a renaissance season to head into the sunset with?<br />
<br />
2) Kansas City Chiefs (9-7): Lots of talent here. Lots of youth, too. Patrick Mahomes is a huge question mark. He will either be lightning terrific, or a huge bust. But it will take two or more seasons to truly find out, and that won't be enough for Andy Reid should it be the latter, and not the former.<br />
<br />
3) Denver Broncos (7-9): Case Keenum had a great moment in the sun last year in a perfect situation. But it didn't include John Elway looking over his shoulder. Minnesota didn't expect 13-3. Now the focus is squarely on him to return the Broncos to their usual glory. The defense, again, is great. The offense, however, won't be.<br />
<br />
4) Oakland Raiders (3-13): Welcome back, Chucky!! I didn't like the hire, the way we kicked Jack Del Rio to the curb (though I never saw him as a Super Bowl head coach), and now Gruden, I believe, is more on a power trip to prove Oakland was wrong to trade him away. Gee, I thought he proved that in Super Bowl XXXVII. Amari Cooper can't catch every pass, Lynch can't have much left in the tank, and if Jordy Nelson was still Jordy Nelson, he'd still be in Green Bay. Then, there's the Mack debacle, which was nothing more than a staring match. So, what was proven? Bruce Irvin's obscene tweet following the trade announcement said everything. And I actually had high hopes of our possible trajectory just 21 months ago. At least we have an upgrade at backup quarterback! When he's healthy, of course......geez.<br />
<br />
********<br />
<b>2019 NFL DRAFT TOP 5</b>:<br />
<br />
1) Tampa Bay<br />
2) Oakland<br />
3) Miami<br />
4) Washington<br />
5) Cincinnati<br />
<br />
********<br />
<b>NFC DIVISION WINNERS</b>: Philadelphia, Green Bay, New Orleans, Seattle<br />
<b>NFC WILD CARDS</b>: Atlanta, Los Angeles Rams<br />
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<b><u>NFC PLAYOFFS</u></b>:<br />
<br />
<b>WILD CARD ROUND</b>:<br />
Los Angeles over Philadelphia<br />
Atlanta over Seattle<br />
<br />
<b>DIVISIONAL ROUND</b>:<br />
New Orleans over Los Angeles<br />
Green Bay over Atlanta<br />
<br />
<b><u>NFC CHAMPIONSHIP</u></b>: New Orleans 33, Green Bay 27 (OT)<br />
<br />
********<br />
<b>AFC DIVISION WINNERS</b>: New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, Los Angeles Chargers<br />
<b>AFC WILD CARDS</b>: Jacksonville, Kansas City<br />
<br />
<b><u>AFC PLAYOFFS</u></b>:<br />
<br />
<b>WILD CARD ROUND</b>:<br />
Pittsburgh over Kansas City<br />
Los Angeles Chargers over Jacksonville<br />
<br />
<b>DIVISIONAL ROUND</b>:<br />
New England over Los Angeles Chargers<br />
Houston over Pittsburgh<br />
<br />
<b>AFC CHAMPIONSHIP</b>: Houston 20, New England 17<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>SUPER BOWL LIII:</u></b> <b>New Orleans 37, Houston 31 (OT)</b>: The Saints become the first team in the Super Bowl era to win both their conference championship and the Super Bowl in overtime, Drew Brees brings his son, now 10, back on the dais to accept Lombardi, and joins Elway and Peyton Manning as historic quarterbacks to ride off into the sunset. All the while, Deshaun Watson takes notes, and so does Teddy Bridgewater.<br />
<br />
Now that most of this won't happen, happy football season everyone! See you on the radio! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-50270925910557838732018-07-25T15:40:00.001-04:002018-07-25T15:42:34.515-04:00Summer Songs, Memories, And 102.9 The MaterIt's been too long since I've had a blog entry, so I'm carving out time on this day after reading a very interesting article from Sean Ross on the music found in the unforgettable summer of 1979.<br />
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To read it, <b><u><a href="https://radioinsight.com/ross/169603/handicapping-the-summer-song-of-1979-and-today/">CLICK HERE</a></u></b>.<br />
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In doing my planning for my Top 500 Favorite Songs Countdown to mark my 50th birthday in 2016 and 2017, I found certain years produced way more "memories" than others for me. 1979 is near, or at, the top of that list, along with 1975, 1983 and 1985.<br />
<br />
Having spent hours upon hours building up our music library on WHAN, 102.9 The Mater, I've found these years popping up over and over again. More on that later.<br />
<br />
First, I wanted to commend Ross on his article, and on his great taste of going to Busch Gardens in the late 1970's! I have to wonder if, when he drove through Richmond, he navigated briefly away from Q94 to the superior AOR of the day, the incredible XL102. It would be another six months before, growing up in Beaverdam, I would discover what I believe to still be the best CHR radio station ever created, at least for a short period of time, the great WRQX, Q107 of late 1979 to late 1980.<br />
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Future Paul Harvey stand-in Doug Limerick did news for Dude Walker in morning drive, whose voice you've heard in commercials and voiceovers for decades, then the voice of comedy promos for Fox for decades, Joe Cipriano in afternoon drive, Uncle Johnny from 6-10pm, and Sandy Weaver from 10pm-2am with the Top 5 At 10, which at the turn of the 1980's, was still fresh stuff. Their music mix was superior, personalities jumped out of the radio, and their imaging was insane (<b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeFhHthlb4c">including the Q107 Girl used in their television commercials</a></u></b>.....)<br />
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Now, back to my main point. :)<br />
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The Summer of 1979 was a watershed summer for music. Disco was (finally!) dying, and there was an incredible mix of songs on Top 40 radio. I took my first long, long road trip that June, going from Beaverdam, Virginia to Overland Park, Kansas. Two days going, three days coming back. That's a lot of time to listen to music I had taped on cassette off the radio in my <b><u><a href="https://www.parts-express.com/earphone-with-6-ft-cord-classic-radio-design--240-013?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla">"state of the art" earpiece</a></u></b>.<br />
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Just off the top of my head, there was John Stewart's "Gold" (with Stevie Nicks assisting), Abba's "Does Your Mother Know" from Voulez-Vous, the Charlie Daniels Band's "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" (did your station play the "son of a gun" version?), "Chuck E's In Love" from Rickie Lee Jones, and "When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman" from Dr. Hook. There's Donna Summer, Anita Ward, Chic, and even Barbra Streisand repping the disco department as it moved from serious to critical condition, even Paul McCartney and Wings with Getting Closer (who else could call someone a salamander and be taken seriously?)<br />
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That summer, more than anything, reminds me of three songs:<br />
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"<b><u><a href="http://allthingswitham.blogspot.com/2017/05/song-24-shine-little-love-electric.html?m=0">Shine A Little Love</a></u></b>"--Electric Light Orchestra: An absolute classic from Jeff Lynne and company, long, though, overshadowed on Classic Hits radio by "Don't Bring Me Down"....<br />
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"<b><u><a href="http://allthingswitham.blogspot.com/2017/06/song-23-people-of-south-wind-kansas-1979.html?m=0">People Of The Southwind</a></u></b>"--Kansas: Easily their most overlooked single. No one plays it on radio, but 102.9 The Mater will one day. :)<br />
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And then there's the big one......<br />
<br />
*****<br />
A couple of weeks ago, Rachel and I were in the car, and this song came on. We sat outside our house while I shared with her the story of this song and why, today, it's my #2 favorite of all time.<br />
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If you grew up in Richmond, and got the evening newspaper, the Richmond News Leader, your favorite days of the week to get the paper were Saturday, for The Green Section, which gave you all the TV listings for the following week, and Friday, for the Young Virginians section.<br />
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Young Virginians would have stories catered to teens, included the classic "Ask Beth" column where teens filled with angst would write to a lady named Beth, in the vein of Dear Abby, for advice on a variety of issues from pimples to sex. It also printed the Billboard Top 10 Songs of the previous week.<br />
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I can only think of one time, ever, where a song appeared in the Top 10 in my youth that, at the time it debuted in that part of the chart, I had never heard it.<br />
<br />
So, when it appeared for the first time in the Young Virginians section, I read it and thought, "Who's <b><u><a href="http://allthingswitham.blogspot.com/2017/06/song-2-my-sharona-knack-1979.html?m=0">The Knack</a></u></b>? And what is My Sharona?". I pronounced the name Sharon-ah, as in the ladies' name "Sharon", not "Sha-row-nah". I hadn't heard it yet!<br />
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That changed within a few days. And when I did, the love affair began. Only two radio stations in Richmond would play it: Q94 and WLEE-AM. So, I spent summer days flipping, CONSTANTLY, back and forth hoping and praying to hear the song. I remember it coming on the radio one day in my brother's car heading to visit Mama in Louisa, cranking it as loud as a Chevy Monza's sound system would allow. :)<br />
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Obsession only begins to describe my feelings then towards My Sharona. And this has only happened one other time in my life, two years later, with a group named Diesel. But that's a story for a day when we trip over 1981.<br />
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Today's all about 1979. And just last night I was thinking how blessed I was to grow up when I did. In adding over 750 songs to our music library for 102.9 The Mater over the past month, I've been reminded of the incredible music created and produced in the formative period for me, which was 1975-1985. And I'm very, very thankful.<br />
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<b>SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT</b>: I've been doing 6pm to 10pm weeknights on 102.9 The Mater for a few weeks now. It's SO much fun to be back on the air doing music for the first time in 21 years, and trying to tell the stories of the vast (and I do mean vast) variety of music we play. Last night I segued from "A Little Less Conversation" from Elvis Presley to "Sherry Darling" from Bruce Springsteen. You won't hear that on Sirius/XM. :)<br />
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In an age where radio is being pronounced dead left and right, we're still holding true to live and local, listen to the listener, and their requests, and be different. There's so much more great music than the tight playlists of corporate radio. I'm proud to be sharing at least a portion of them now.<br />
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In 2018, we get to enjoy the music of great eras, from the Big Band/Standards era, to the 1960's, the variety of the 1970's, the genius of the 1980's, and more. Music fans, be grateful!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-30013713228759167102018-03-28T12:24:00.001-04:002018-03-28T12:24:23.423-04:00On To The Next Window.....The old saying goes that when God closes a door, He opens a window.<br />
<br />
I'm currently checking for open windows around or near me, or, maybe you know of one I haven't seen yet. :)<br />
<br />
Late Tuesday night, after coming home from a wonderful premarital counseling session, I received the news I've been expecting for, frankly, close to two years.<br />
<br />
The Herald-Progress, the community newspaper of Hanover County since 1881, and the home of my sportswriting since 2011, is no more. The parent company, Lakeway Publishers, is pulling the plug on it, along with The Caroline Progress. Two weekly newspapers with a combined 236 years of service are gone in an instant.<br />
<br />
Such is life in the very fragile world of print journalism. That era of reporting and relating such reporting is dying. Realists like me know this, and this is why the news, while sudden last night, was in no way surprising. Advertising was always fighting an uphill battle, and, our primary competition produced a newspaper they were willing to give away in order to dwarf our circulation numbers, then start another free weekly to blanket the rest of the county. Add Google and Facebook sucking up digital dollars to the expense of many, thus, print and other legacy money shifting to digital, and you get the idea.<br />
<br />
I have several people to thank, beginning with Greg Glassner, who asked me to write weekly on the football games I broadcast back in the 2011 season, which became a regular gig when football ended, which later prompted an idea about starting a Twitter, which, in turn, has completely changed my life.<br />
<br />
My ability to help the RVA Sports Network grow has been thanks to the (meager) existence I earned while at the H-P. That's not a cut against them. If I didn't like it at any time, I could have left. But, especially after my 2013 heart attack, I've gained a sense of purpose and responsibility to chronicle the achievements of an army of student-athletes who will never get on "SportsCenter", but whose stories deserved to be known.<br />
<br />
Thus, as I pivot to my next chapter, I plan to continue to do this for as long as possible. It could be six months or twenty-six years. We'll see how that goes.<br />
<br />
My second thank you has to go to former editor Bec Metcalf, whose idea to "sponsor" the sports section saved my job, honestly, two years ago. Thus, big thanks to my dear friend Judy Gerber for getting Massey, Wood, and West to be our sponsor from July, 2016 to the very end. I so enjoyed working with Greg, Bec, Judy, Lee, Emily, Natalie, Julia, Janice, and everyone else. Last, but not least by far, thanks be to God for my long-time reunion with high school teacher, and friend, Nick Liberante, as we spent five years together, me Robin to his Caped Crusader. :<br />
<br />
********<br />
<br />
Now, I look forward. I'll take a few days to digest things. Certainly, I'm open to anyone who may want a middle-aged sportswriter and broadcaster who probably knows more about high school sports in Richmond than anyone else (and I say that with the greatest of humility, and with no chip on my shoulder). It's been my beat for years now, 24/7/365, football to field hockey and everything in between.<br />
<br />
RVA Sports Network will continue, in fact, we're working on some things behind the scenes which I cannot discuss right now that will, hopefully, have us emerge stronger than ever this year and much, much closer to the original goal of this endeavor. The Game of The Week broadcast continues, as does our podcast, and we'll get to as many games as possible as usual.<br />
<br />
Where we go and how much will depend on how is next for me when it comes to making sure my wife and I can do things like eat and buy medicine. :)<br />
<br />
To all the AD's, coaches, parents, trainers, and especially student-athletes who have helped me in my time at the Herald-Progress, a big THANK YOU.<br />
<br />
My flame burns bright and I look to the future now, excited as God unfolds the next chapter. I'm almost 51, and he hasn't dropped me yet. I don't expect Him to start now.<br />
<br />
Onward and Forward! :)<br />
<br />
Rob <br />
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(Doing my thing, Atlee High School, November 1, 2017. Thanks Joel Klein!)robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-90400209255871407212017-12-07T11:06:00.001-05:002017-12-07T11:07:37.855-05:00The Future Of Media: The Revolution Continues.....<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e52ad" data-offset-key="7gb0g-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="7gb0g-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Radio shot itself in the foot with the Telecommunications Act of 1996. We've suffered through 21 years of Clear Channel/iHeart and others laying off countless talented radio professionals so one could pretend to be a local jock in numerous markets. Now you can be cold called into buying airtime from a faceless account executive you may never meet in person. One bookkeeper works 80 hours for a salary to balance the books for multiple markets. I could go on. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7gb0g-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's not just my former employer. Star 100.9 here in Richmond? Yes, they have and promote Bill and Shelly, two friends of mine, in the morning, and as usual, they're terrific. After that? It's a jukebox with no personality, no local content, and the same tired, overplayed songs from the 1970's and 1980's.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7gb0g-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My wife's car came with six free months of Sirius/XM, my first opportunity to really listen to the satellite radio service. While I've heard music on there I haven't heard on terrestrial radio in decades, I wouldn't buy it. I already can tell the patterns of how they play music. In a category so vast as "Classic Rewind", with all the great rock songs of "the cassette era", I shouldn't hear "Abacab" by Genesis twice in under 24 hours. The terrestrial way of thinking hurts satellite.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e9gbs-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Newspaper continues to be a victim of the digital age and the fatal mistake of allowing news and journalism to be digested online for free at the turn of the century, making millennials wonder why people in my generation love their paper with their morning coffee. I fully believe that one day, the generation behind me will regret not having a physical newspaper, when they start asking how they get a copy of the photo and article on their child's high school basketball game from "A" media outlet, not being able to just run to the convenience store and grab four newspapers for grandparents and friends.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5nfr7-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, as I've said for years, local TV is next. We all know there simply isn't enough news in Richmond to fill six hours a day. That's why you see lots of stories recycled, and sometimes, you see "stories" that aren't stories, that have absolutely no business inside a newscast, presented to you as "alleged news". With all the controversy lately over fake news, I think the term "alleged news" is right on the mark, describing such things as, "...coming up, a preview of tonight's Dancing With The Stars that you'll see right here on ABC27....". That's a station promo masked as packaged "news" content. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5nfr7-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, for your assignment.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5nfr7-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The article below explains how recent changes and proposed changes are going to make us have to reinvent how we cover local news across all platforms. Not just with what's covered in this story, but due to other changing events, I'm changing how RVA Sports Network covers sports, even within the digital realm. If you were a popular digital platform in 2004, chances are you won't be in my arsenal soon, or, if you are, you'll serve a much different purpose. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="clk35-0-0" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All of my colleagues in these various industries, this is a good read. Be ready. <b><u><a href="http://www.niemanlab.org/2017/12/the-fcc-is-swiftly-changing-national-media-policy-what-does-that-mean-on-the-local-level/">Click here.</a></u></b></span></div>
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robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-48054939860389518812017-09-07T12:27:00.003-04:002017-09-07T12:27:36.018-04:00Rob's Fearless (And Usually Wrong) 2017 NFL Predictions!Life's been different lately. Having no bedroom for over a month has thrown the whole house, and the whole routine, out of kilter. So, for the first time in 21 years, I don't have a fantasy football team, much less running a league. Maybe a year off will be good. We're about to find out.<br />
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I watched as many Rams games as possible trying to see how they'd utilize Sam Rogers (the answer was not much, and the practice squad), covered the Redskins in Richmond, and that's about it. I've got field hockey and volleyball to cover! :)<br />
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So, with a pitiful handful of information and a lot of opinion (one of the rare times I give a few "hot takes"), here are my predictions on the road to Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. Now, if this were Little League, the Vikings would already be guaranteed a playoff berth, but we digress....<br />
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<b><u>NFC</u></b>:<br />
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<b>NFC EAST</b>:<br /><br />1) Dallas Cowboys (9-7): I don't see another team doing better in this division than Dallas, even without Ezekiel Elliott (maybe) for six games. I actually think Dak Prescott is good. He won't replicate last year, but they'll win enough in the division to take it, somewhat by default (note the final record). A first place schedule hurts, so does a rebuilt secondary, but they have enough offense to have a winning season.<br />
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2) New York Giants (8-8): The G-Men will be in the race until they lose in Arizona at Christmas. It gives the Cowboys the division, and they'll rest their starters, again, in another loss to Philadelphia. I don't get all the hype about Brandon Marshall. He's made some beast plays. I applaud his public stance on his dealings with mental illness (trust me, I REALLY understand that), but there aren't enough footballs to satisfy him and Odell Beckham, who I still think is overrated. Top ten wideout, yes. Top five? No. And, does anyone know who will run the football? And we haven't even touched the lines, which are always the key to a Giants Super Bowl run.<br />
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3) Philadelphia Eagles (6-10): New shiny wide receivers to try to throw to, but I'm not sold on Carson Wentz. Alshon Jeffrey is known to check out on occasion, too. Their defense is improved, so 20-17 and 17-9 final scores not in the favor of Philly won't be a surprise.<br />
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4) Washington Redskins (5-11): Suddenly, Kirk Cousins is available for 2018, but, after this season, teams might rather trade for a high draft pick and grab their future savior from the college ranks. This will be Cousins' last payday, because, I don't think he returns after a subpar season, I think injuries play a role in the season. This team, to me, looked like a group of players practicing when here in Richmond. Not a team. This plays out over the season. Christmas Eve might see more Denver fans in FedEx Field than Redskins fans.<br />
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<b>NFC NORTH</b>:<br /><br />
1) Green Bay Packers (12-4): Of course, there's Aaron Rodgers But give me Ty Montgomery, who looks like a beast almost every time he touches the football. He could finish in the top five in the league in rushing, which would be a godsend for the Packers, who better not rely on 34-for-51, 364 yards and two touchdowns from #12 every week. They downgraded at tight end, losing Jared Cook to my Raiders. The defense is still suspect, but the Packers get two over the Bears, likely sweep the Lions, and maybe split with the Vikings, and they get the AFC North in a down year.<br />
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2) Minnesota Vikings (8-8): Can Dalvin Cook supply the rushing yards they need? Can Sam Bradford replicate (or improve on) his performance of last year, and, if he does, what do you do when Teddy Bridgewater is finally ready? How good (or bad) is the Viking secondary? They face Rodgers twice, Matthew Stafford twice, Big Ben, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton.....now, they have to go to Green Bay December 23, no help in a playoff race. The defensive front seven, and consistent work from their offensive line, they are the keys for Minnesota. Oh, and nice new stadium!<br />
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3) Detroit Lions (6-10): Matthew Stafford has his big payday, and zero playoff wins. This will continue in 2017. No one has discussed how big a loss Anquan Boldin is. He came up big for this team last year when they needed a Calvin Johnson play, on many occasions. It felt like every week I watched him score a touchdown on NFL Red Zone (I know he didn't, but it felt that way). For the 20th straight year, we have no idea who really leads the running game in Detroit. The mediocrity continues....<br />
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4) Chicago Bears (4-12): I don't think this year is a complete disaster for Chicago. They can split with Detroit, maybe get a home win over Minnesota, and they play San Francisco and Cleveland. I can see four wins. I can also see a coaching change, which isn't fair to John Fox, considering what little he's had to work with since arriving in the Windy City<br />
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<b>NFC SOUTH</b>:<br />
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1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5): In making predictions, you need to step on the ledge a few times. Now, I know this ledge is crowded as Tampa Bay is a "trendy" pick, but I really like what I see here, even with Desean Jackson only available for say, five games due to hamstring issues. Mike Evans is ready to become a Top 5 receiver, Jameis Winston is ready to take a huge step forward, and the defense, while it won't look like 2002, should be really good. In their division is an Atlanta team that will step up, a Saints team about to collapse, and a Carolina team in flux. This is the year for them to get it done.<br />
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2) Atlanta Falcons (9-7): Of course, there will be a Super Bowl historic collapse hangover. It's inevitable, no matter what Gatorade tries to tell us in their commercial. There's tons of talent here, but I think the team simply struggles under the weight of "28-3", the weight of wanting to erase that, a brand new stadium, and crazy fan expectations (which they deserve to have). Julio Jones is good for at least four wins right off the bat. Jake Matthews has Matt Ryan protected, so expect another big statistical year for Ryan.<br />
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3) Carolina Panthers (7-9): You have Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, a returning GM, and a lot of other questions. This team has inconsistency written all over it: win games you shouldn't, lose games you should win. Allowing Newton to be more like Newton would help. He can't keep standing in the pocket and getting pounded. Trust his ability to run and avoid most hits. Russell Wilson has done it. So can Cam.<br />
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4) New Orleans Saints (4-12): The first 21st century quarterback to hit "the cliff" will be Drew Brees. No 5,000 yards this year, in fact, he may not finish the season as he's overdue for some sort of injury issue. Brandin Cooks is gone, Coby Fleener is a disappointment, and I'm not sold on AP being a huge solution in the backfield. It's time to look to the future in New Orleans.<br />
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<b>NFC WEST</b>:<br />
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1) Seattle Seahawks (13-3): I see people picking Arizona here. I can't see that. Yes, they have some dysfunction, but a Pete Carroll team always has some level of it. Wilson has his best season as a pro, Jimmy Graham finally pays off the dividends the Seahawks have been dying for, and Richard Sherman will play with a serious chip on his shoulder. They'll lead the league in interceptions, and, between Bennett and now Sheldon Richardson, they'll be trouble up front defensively. The Road to Minneapolis/St. Paul runs through the 12th Man.<br />
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2) Arizona Cardinals (10-6): I do like Arizona making a final playoff push in their current incarnation. It's nearing the end for both Carson Palmer and the great Larry Fitzgerald, and Arizona is one David Johnson injury away from a lost season. This team, maybe more than any, must avoid the injury bug. If they do, the Cards get back to the postseason and would be a tough out for anybody, the team you "don't want to see" in early January.<br />
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3) San Francisco 49ers (4-12): The biggest problem coming out of San Francisco this year is that they actually have enough talent to win some games and take themselves out of the running for a top two draft pick to grab a future quarterback. I think they sweep the Rams and they could grab two road wins in Indianapolis and Washington. Brian Hoyer healthy? History says no, so you better get 1,600 yards from Carlos Hyde and some defensive touchdowns. There are enough playmakers on that side of the ball, though young, where they can keep them in a few games. But the Seahawks/49ers "rivalry" is no more.<br />
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4) Los Angeles Rams (2-14): Jared Goff is not the answer. I don't think Todd Gurley is, either. Sean McVay, at 31, will feel like he's 51 by late December after the brutal regular season the Rams are about to endure. Aaron Donald hasn't helped matters, and Greg Zuerlein looks human now that he has to kick outdoors most of the time. This season will not help with needed ticket sales for that new stadium come 2020.<br />
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<b><u>AFC</u></b>:<br />
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<b>AFC EAST</b>:<br />
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1) New England Patriots (13-3): A trip to Tampa Bay could be tricky, to Pittsburgh in mid-December a challenge, and they have to go to Denver. Otherwise, smooth sailing for the defending Super Bowl champions, as Tom Brady is still two years away from "The Cliff", and he welcomes Brandin Cooks to the offense. Hogan is going to take care of the loss of Julian Edelman. Who runs the football? Does it matter? Bill Belichick is historically found someone to do enough. The defense is sold, the secondary filthy. Let the next march to the Super Bowl begin (yes, they sweep the division....)<br />
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2) Miami Dolphins (8-8): I actually don't think having Jay Cutler at quarterback at the last minute is a bad thing, considering his positive history with head coach Adam Gase. They must get 14-15 games from Jay Ajayi and improved defense, but the Fins should sweep both Buffalo and the Jets. Enough to sneak in as a sixth seed?<br />
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3) Buffalo Bills (4-12): Let's help Tyrod Taylor by trading Sammy Watkins. Now, I know Taylor is used to not having him thanks to injuries, but LeSean McCoy will get injured again, and, after that, how they generate offense is beyond me. I feel so bad for Buffalo fans, they deserve so much better.<br />
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4) New York Jets (1-15): Oh. My. Word. Todd Bowles is out, possibly before the game after the regular season. Any quarterback named McCown gets hurt, usually sooner than later. Man, I'm not even sure where they'll grab the win (at home against Buffalo??), but they'll avoid 0-16, and Cleveland will be so happy to know they're no longer the worst team in the NFL.<br />
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<b>AFC NORTH</b>:<br />
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1) Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): An inflated record for a very good team in a down division. How much longer does Big Ben want to play? If he can fire for 4,500 yards and tons of connections with Antonio Brown, it could rekindle his fire. The defense is younger, and, I think, a little better. They can go 6-0 in the division. Intangibles are playing in Pittsburgh's favor for this season. They better take advantage of them.<br />
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2) Cincinnati Bengals (7-9): Andy and A.J. are there. Joe Mixon may be good enough to contend for Rookie of The Year honors. But the offensive line has to be better than last year and Whitworth is gone. The defense is as suspect as last year. So, a second year outside the playoffs and, maybe, finally, a coaching change? My daughter is a Bengals fan, so I root for them a lot, too (just like my son's 49ers). How long can Cincinnati fans continue to accept a "decent" coach who gets you to the playoffs some, but can never win?<br />
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3) Baltimore Ravens (6-10): Joe Flacco will be fine. They can start 3-0 (at Cincinnati, home to Cleveland and Jacksonville). Then they host Pittsburgh, go to Oakland, and host the Bears. 4-2 after six, but tougher work on the back end, especially for a defense that doesn't look impressive. Maybe Danny Woodhead has something left in the tank and can pull off a Justin Forsett surprise like a couple of years ago. Would John Harbaugh be in trouble after this?<br />
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4) Cleveland Browns (3-13): The Browns might, MIGHT go 2-4 in their division. Kudos to Cleveland for going ahead and finding out whether DeShone Kizer is actually the answer by playing him. They don't expect to be hunting for a playoff bid in late December, but they do expect to know whether they have a QB for the future, or if they've got to look to the 2018 Draft. Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers will be fun to watch as the defensive rebuild begins.<br />
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<b>AFC SOUTH</b>:<br />
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1) Tennessee Titans (11-5): This is the year for Tennessee to seize this normally mediocre division since the departure of Peyton Manning from Indy. Marcus Mariota will be fine, they hope Derrick Henry is ready to be the man in the backfield, and they might have some wide receiver production. The defense is key here, could be the most underrated in football. It's time for the Titans to take over the South.<br />
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2) Houston Texans (9-7): Most of Houston's wins come defensively (Pick Six or game-ending sack, and a few safeties). They'll have to win ugly until either Watson emerges at QB, or they finally find one. The team will also have to deal with the emotions of representing a region rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey. At least they have their home to return to. The Saints, in 2005, after Katrina, spent the season on the road and it was a disaster. But Drew Brees arrived a year later, and the Lombardi Trophy followed in 2009. Imagine Houston's trajectory with a Brees, or Winston, or Mariota under center.....<br />
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3) Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): It makes perfect sense, for Jacksonville at least, after being a darling pick for the playoffs last year, to be no one's darling this year. No playoff pick here, but I think Leonard Fournette is the other candidate for Rookie of The Year, this team will realize ball control and savvy defense is their current formula. No Jacksonville quarterback, whether a Bortles or Henne, should pass more than 30 times per game. If they're winging it 50 times, chalk up more "L's".<br />
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4) Indianapolis Colts (5-11): This team is in trouble. When does Andrew Luck return? Will he be the same when he does? How old is Frank Gore now? Who helps T.Y. Hilton? Who mans the defense? Remember 2012 when Luck was drafted and Manning was expendable? Remember the Colts a step away from the Super Bowl three seasons ago? The mighty have fallen. Chuck Pagano may fall, too.<br />
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<b>AFC WEST</b>:<br />
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1) Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Sweeping the Raiders will give the Chiefs the division crown. They start 0-1 tonight, which won't bother them (remember the 11 straight wins two years ago?). Alex Smith has to prove himself all over again, and will. They need 16 starts from Travis Kelce, and there are a few holes defensively for the first time in a few years. They can go 5-1 in the division. In fact, they need to.<br />
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2) Oakland Raiders (11-5): Well, my Raiders finally turned the corner last season. I thought we'd be one and done in the postseason even with Derek Carr, so this year, it's time to get that win, and more. We always lose at Arrowhead, the Tennessee opener is tricky. We need to win in Denver, and we can. Marshawn Lynch won't produce a whole lot, but he's there to keep Oakland fans engaged in the first season of "lame duck" status before the move to Las Vegas. The secondary should be a little better, but it's not improved enough to be a Super Bowl contender this year.<br />
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3) Denver Broncos (7-9): Denver could beat New England at home and still finish under .500. No real quarterback to speak of, the beginning of a change on the defense with T.J. Ward's departure, and I'm not seeing a lot of points scored out of this offense. This will be the NFL definition of an "average team" this season.<br />
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4) Los Angeles Chargers (5-11): Will the back end of Philip Rivers' career, and Hall of Fame potential, be negatively affected by the team's recent performance? It shouldn't be, if anything, it should show just how impressive he is when he has to learn his wide receiver's name on Tuesday before throwing to him on Sunday. Injuries must not drown the Chargers again like they have in recent seasons, and we're not even sure if Mike Williams will make an impact this season.<br />
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NFC Division Winners: Dallas, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Seattle<br />
NFC Wild Cards: Arizona, Atlanta<br />
NFC Byes: Seattle, Green Bay<br />
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Wild Card Weekend: Tampa Bay d. Atlanta, Arizona d. Dallas<br />
Divisional Round: Seattle d. Arizona, Tampa Bay d. Green Bay<br />
NFC Championship: Seattle d. Tampa Bay<br />
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AFC Division Winners: New England, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Kansas City<br />
AFC Wild Cards: Oakland, Houston<br />
AFC Byes: New England, Pittsburgh<br />
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Wild Card Weekend: Oakland d. Tennessee, Houston d. Kansas City<br />
Divisional Round: New England d. Houston, Pittsburgh d. Oakland<br />
AFC Championship: New England d. Pittsburgh<br />
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<b>SUPER BOWL LII</b>: Seattle 23, New England 17: Richard Sherman gets a late interception of Tom Brady, and doesn't yell at him on the field post-game. Russell Wilson grabs his second Lombardi and Brady's Super Bowl record falls to 5-3.robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-85896146348450811542017-07-16T00:57:00.001-04:002017-07-16T00:57:48.735-04:00First Look And Thoughts, Regarding PublixYeah, I did it.<br />
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But, in actuality, the title is a bit of a misnomer.<br />
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Today, I took my first trip to Publix in Virginia on the first day anyone could walk into a Publix in Virginia. But about two weeks ago, I visited the Publix that recently opened near my brother's house in New Bern, North Carolina.<br />
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Now, admittedly, both were quick trips, the first cut short by weather, the second by the desire to get just what we needed and get out of the sea of humanity that, of course, was drawn to the new store because, if you want to get Richmonders riled up about something that isn't politics or The Civil War, just mention a grocery store.<br />
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The Lukhards, Siegel's, A&P's, Safeways, Farm Fresh's, Big Star's, Food Fair's and, yes, Ukrop's, of the past are just that, in the past. With Lidl on the horizon in just days, Aldi continuing to expand, Food Lion remodeling everywhere and Martin's bidding adieu, just what will Publix do in a market now headed up by, of all places, (ugh) Walmart?<br />
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A few thoughts from a guy fascinated by the grocery business from the outside.....<br />
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1) Publix is going after Wegmans. Now, I expect their Staples Mill location, which opens July 29 replacing a Martin's (which replaced a Ukrop's), to have to go after Kroger just down the road, thus, I expect to see some lower regular prices on some items. I expect Publix to have the same price, especially sale prices seen in circulars, at all locations like everybody else. But a cursory look at some regular prices at Publix, at both stores, tell me they will struggle with getting people like me who shop almost completely with sales and have no problem going to four stores to do so. Publix will rely a lot on building loyalty. That can take a generation in Richmond.<br />
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2) Publix is the closest thing you'll see to a Ukrop's. When Martin's arrived, they painted the walls, hung signs with their font, put on green shirts, and moved the shopping carts outside. It all went downhill from there. At Publix, they're happy to carry your groceries to your car, their prepared area reminds you of Ukrop's (only it is bigger), but the back of the store is surprisingly crowded. The back aisle is small. I'm sure it'll be easier to navigate in a few weeks when half of the 23060 zip code isn't there trying to buy dinner.<br />
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3) Wegmans isn't Ukrop's. To me, Wegmans is a strange combination, now that I've seen two, of Publix and Sam's Club. Huge, wooden, meant for families of six or more. Need 48 rolls of toilet paper or five pounds of ground beef at a place where you'll get status points in your neighborhood by being seen there? Wegmans is your jam. They won't make a huge dent in Richmond market share until they build at least two more locations. They need to be in Hanover (301 makes sense, 360 is, sadly, more likely) and they'd be smart to build somewhere along 295 where they'd get weekly shoppers from the Tri-Cities, Sandston, Varina, and Chester. They'll probably end up somewhere way west on Hull Street instead.<br />
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I plan to get back to Publix and really comparison shop one day before the month ends, and I found a few good deals, and didn't mind the fact that I wasn't asked for a Valued Customer Card (I had to explain to Rachel today that we have Ukrop's to thank for that phenomenon). The bagger in our lane is actually from South Carolina, up for awhile to help with the opening. That was impressive. Publix seems very committed to the area.<br />
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So, in closing, my thoughts about who stays and who goes in Richmond? We will have way too many grocery stores for a market this size to support.....<br />
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Well, we won't know for probably three years. That gives Publix and Lidl time to be sampled and settled and Food World time to give us a couple of annual reports on market share to see if they make a splash, and whether anyone established (aka Wegmans) can really challenge the top three.<br />
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Currently, the market share looks like this (according to Food World in its 2017 report in June):<br />
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1) Walmart (16.06%, 21 stores, including Neighborhood Markets)<br />
2) Kroger (15.71%, 18 stores)<br />
3) Food Lion (14.21%, 49 stores)<br />
4) CVS (7.04%, 65 stores)<br />
5) Martin's (6.61%, 12 stores)<br />
6) Wawa (5.80%, 28 stores)<br />7) Target (4.19%, 12 stores)<br />
8) Walgreens (3.94%, 27 stores)<br />
9) 7-Eleven (3.30%, 83 stores)<br />
10) Sam's Club (3.10%, 4 stores)<br />
11) Wegmans (2.94%, 2 stores)<br />
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Aldi is currently 15th, 1.65% with ten locations. Fresh Market is 17th.<br />
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The total amount of food sales in the last 12 month period measured by the publication? $3.71 billion dollars.<br />
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That's a lot of plastic bags. BTW, PSA, I like taking bags to the store. :)<br />
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Drugs, general merchandise, tobacco sales are all included. <br />
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Martin's lost over half its market share (13.92% in 2016's report) as they get ready to leave RVA. CVS jumped .65% in part due to entering Target stores. Walmart actually sold $700,000 less in groceries, yet gained market share by .23%, while Kroger sold $48.4 million more and gained 1.54% share.<br />
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I'm excited about our Lidl opening soon (I bet August) down Staples Mill at Hermitage and may venture to the (ugh) Short Pump store when it opens, just to get a peek.<br />
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Right now, though, for me, it's still, show me the sales, and I'll be there, with Kroger getting most of my grocery business, followed up by Aldi, then Food Lion if I have to.<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-19084654083604299892017-06-23T16:08:00.002-04:002017-06-23T16:08:55.233-04:00Song #1: "Fire On High"--Electric Light Orchestra (1975)My first recollection of this song (which, in its edited form contains all of three words, the title, sung during the build-up to the finish) is when it was used by CBS Sports as the theme to "CBS Sports Spectacular" from 1976 to 1978. That show was their answer to ABC's more popular "Wide World of Sports".<br />
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Then, in 1978, ELO places the song as the B-side of the 45 to 'Sweet Talkin' Woman", and suddenly, I had my own copy, and it grew on me. I played it quite a bit, in fact, much more than the "A" side. :)<br />
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Then, early in the 1980's, my second favorite radio station ever, K-94 from Tidewater, used it for the most awesome Legal ID, in my view, in radio history, back in the day when you did a longer ID, usually around midnight, if you were on-air 24 hours, otherwise it was used as a sign-off or sign-on. You can listen to the K-94 package below.<br />
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"Fire On High" continued to be a staple on AOR radio stations, and my love continued to grow for the song over the years.<br />
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But it wouldn't overtake "My Sharona" by The Knack as my all-time favorite song until an unforgettable day in January, 2007. I took the day off from work, got up early, and headed down to North Carolina to attend my niece's wedding. That seems simple enough, right?<br />
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Except that I had not been out of the Commonwealth of Virginia by that point in three and one half years. It was, on many Sundays, everything I could do to travel the 45 miles down to the church I pastored at the time in Prince George County. As part of my severe depression, and severe grieving over the passing of my Mama late in 2002, I developed an outrageous, and unhealthy desire to be as close to home as humanly possible.<br />
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I was taking a huge chance that day, going by myself and out of state all at the same time. Heading through the final miles of Southern Virginia, today's song came on the radio. Moments later when I passed the state line, I called my wife, crying, to give her the good news that I had made it into The Tar Heel State.<br />
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Later that day, the song was played again. Now, catching this song once on a random day in 2007 on the radio was a treat, but twice? It was a sign from God. That part of my depression began to fade away after that day, and the song took on a much deeper meaning.<br />
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And, after discovering years later it had an "opening" edited off of the radio/record version, I believe that, while listening to the entire piece, it pretty much explains my first fifty years.<br />
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--The opening to the song (which some of you may never have heard) is an opera of the battle for the mind. In one moment, someone speaks backwards while music plays backwards, and, moments later, the heavenly choir sings "Hallelujah!" from Handel's Messiah. It's the perfect microcosm of my life as a sufferer and survivor of sudden onset obsessive compulsive disorder. Some days, that's how my mind sounds on the inside. I think I hide that very well.<br />
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--The song has two great "build-ups" in lieu of verses to get to the chorus, and I look at one with all the milestones of childhood, the second with the milestones of adulthood.<br />
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In the end, all of it crescendos together for a final build-up, including the aforementioned three-word lyrics of the song, before ending with a finish like no other.<br />
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It's totally fitting that I've chosen, essentially, an instrumental, as my favorite song. They've always been a big part of my musical life. So has ELO. If the Moody Blues couldn't occupy the top slot, I'm glad it's ELO.<br />
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My deepest thanks to everyone who have put up with this journey over the past 500 days. I will post a full list of the Top 500 as soon as possible. Now, my question for you: What's your number one song?<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-19884575566948183072017-06-22T11:19:00.000-04:002017-06-22T11:38:35.644-04:00Song #2: "My Sharona"--The Knack (1979)For a long time, this was my all-time favorite song.<br />
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Around the beginning of August in 1979, I did on a typical Friday what every other preteen or teenager did by picking up that evening's edition of The Richmond News Leader and immediately going to the "Young Virginians" section.<br />
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Yep, once a week, the now defunct evening paper would spend a few pages with articles and features for the generation that's now 40 to 64 years old. There was the advice column for teens, "Ask Beth", and, my favorite part, the Billboard Top 10 Singles Chart.<br />
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They posted a few charts, but the first one was what I focused on, future radio programmer that I was at the time.<br />
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One Friday, I looked, and there was a song listed that, well, I had never heard before.<br />
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What's is "My Sharona by The Knack"?? I distinctly remember asking myself that question, mispronouncing "Sharona" in the process. Not too many days later, I got my answer, hearing the song for the very first time.<br />
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(<b>NOTE</b>: "My Sharona" was #45 on the Hot 100 the week of July 14th, then went to #34, #18, then #6 the week of August 4th)<br />
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In my first fifty years, <b>NO</b> other song has ever made me obsessed from the first listen like this one did. Immediately, my daily hope in the waning weeks before seventh grade began at Beaverdam Elementary was to hear the song, hear it again, get it on tape, and play said cassette to death.<br />
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To this day, when I hear it, I am immediately transported back to August, 1979, in my brother's Chevrolet Monza, listening to it as high as the volume for that little car radio would allow, absolutely and totally enthralled. And I smile. And I crank it up again.<br />
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The beat, the riffs, the drums, the bridge, the vocals. It's everything wrapped into one incredibly perfect piece of music, and perfect for late summer, 1979, a summer we've saluted here many times.<br />
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I eventually bought the album, "Get The Knack", and I, along with many others, thought we had the second coming of Beatlemania on our hands. That is, until early 1980, when, fatefully, The Knack released an album obviously rushed to completion to capitalize on the massive, monster success of today's song.<br />
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It was a flop. And, as quickly as they stormed the charts, sadly, The Knack disappeared from them. But I'm still a fan, as shown by the fact that several of their songs made the Top 500, a few others came close.<br />
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I salute and thank The Knack for providing me the most musically charged moment of my life: the first time I heard today's song, and knew, beyond reasonable doubt, what "My Sharona" was.<br />
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In a word? Life-changing.<br />
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Or is that two words.... :)<br />
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What eventually supplanted "My Sharona" from the #1 spot? There's a major story, in parts, behind its ascension. See you tomorrow. :)<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-41732580589971923852017-06-21T11:41:00.000-04:002017-06-21T11:41:21.576-04:00Song #3: "Sausalito Summernight"--Diesel (1981)We've talked about the year in music 1981 extensively over the past sixteen months, a year that allowed for so much musical variety in the Top 40, our generation simply wouldn't believe it.<br />
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Among those who made their mark 36 years ago was the Dutch group "Diesel". Formed three years earlier, their album, "Watts In A Tank" first debuted in their homeland in 1980, then Regency Records released it in America the following year.<br />
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Sometime, I believe, in the Summer of 1981, today's song debuted, first on the cool AOR radio stations like XL102 in Richmond, K94 near the coast, and 3WV up in Charlottesville. And, as I mentioned yesterday, when I first heard the song, especially its opening, on the airwaves, time stood still.<br />
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"What IS this song??", I asked. The funky opening and driving beat were absolutely mesmerizing.<br />
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And back then, you couldn't do The Google and go find out with a few keywords of lyrics. You know, "Google, can't afford to blow it 'cuz we haven't got a spare."<br />
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You hoped the DJ back sold the song, and that it wasn't in the middle of "ten songs in a row commercial-free!", because to find a new group's name and song title was not exactly simple back in the day.<br />
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This is one of the reasons why, and I've never understood this, many people thought The Steve Miller Band recorded and released this song. No way, Miller's vocal range was far too low.<br />
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Did I buy "Watts In A Tank"? You betcha. I liked the second single, "Going Back To China", too. But, in the Summer of 1981, THE song that made everything stop, the song I had to have a recording of off the radio before I could get the album, and the song I prayed would come every time I was in a car, was today's song.<br />
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So, drop a quarter in the meter, hit the sidewalk for awhile, and have a burger and a root beer!<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-75024522433129683182017-06-20T11:34:00.000-04:002017-06-20T11:34:21.297-04:00Song #4: "Face The Face"--Pete Townshend (1985)Keen observers of this countdown may have realized, thanks to a hint or two dropped along the way, that we hadn't heard the last of Pete Townshend, longtime member of The Who, and a pretty doggone good solo artist in his own right.<br />
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Today begins a stretch of the three songs that "stopped me dead in my tracks" the most when I first heard them over the past fifty years. You know the feeling. The song comes on the radio for the first time and everything else doesn't matter. You ask, "what IS this??" while cranking up the volume, beginning a lifelong relationship with a perfect piece of music.<br />
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Such was the case late in 1985 the first time I heard Townshend belt out this, the first single from "White City: A Novel", his fourth solo project.<br />
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You have to remember, the radio edit cuts out the actual long piano opening that slowly gives way to the band that jams better than any other ever. Ever. Ever. The super hot start to the song, as a single, was actually the second part of the full event.<br />
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How anyone could listen to this song and not "turn it all the way up" is beyond me. It was a cherished favorite my freshman year of college, remembering fondly when I heard it on a Sunday afternoon early in January, 1986 when I was finally allowed to take my car to college with me, specifically because I had landed a radio job, and needed wheels to get back and forth.<br />
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In the late 1990's, during my wonderful stay-at-home Dad era, I got Townshend's Best Of CD, and, of course, immediately introduced my kids to the song. Robbie, all the time, would ask, "Hey Dad, you got Face The Face?" when getting in the car. And somewhere, I believe, I have a copy of them singing along to this tune. I hope I find it during my summer break cleaning. I'd love to hear that again!<br />
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As Pete noted about the song, "We overdubbed everything." The "Big 80's". Gotta love it. :)<br />
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Get ready for the party jam of party jams!<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-86035699668868156052017-06-19T11:38:00.000-04:002017-06-19T11:38:50.370-04:00Song #5: "When I Fall In Love"--Nat King Cole (1956)We begin the top five with, for my money, the greatest love song of all time.<br />
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Originally written in 1952, the song first achieved popularity with the version recorded by Doris Day. There have been countless versions released over its 65-year history. Three of them stand out for me.<br />
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I want to give kudos to the 1993 version with Clive Griffin and Celine Dion recorded for the movie, "Sleepless In Seattle". Their vocals are wonderful, and the ending is almost perfect.<br />
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But, in the end, no one matches the incredible vocal talent of the great Nat King Cole. It's a simple, yet elegant version of a simple, yet timeless message. I've decided to post both Nat's rendition, taken from an early television show, and the "virtual remake" done by the late Natalie Cole 40 years later.<br />
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Both I and my wife come from broken homes. I told her, on bended knee, on Christmas Eve, 1987 that I was only going to ask "this question" once. I had to find someone willing to spend the rest of their life with me, because I knew I wanted kids, and I never wanted them to experience what I had at just seven and a half years old.<br />
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After begging, and a promise to write her a check once a year (hee hee), she said yes.<br />
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So, for as much as I poked at Bonnie yesterday, I honor her today. Unbelievable to me that someone has been willing to put up with my idiosyncracies, quirks, OCD, and issues over nearly three decades now.<br />
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Thanks, sweetie! :)<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-7036416150834676862017-06-18T12:42:00.001-04:002017-06-18T12:42:15.051-04:00Song #6: "Anything She Does"--Genesis (1986)Today, the highest song in the countdown that was never released as a single to radio. It comes from Genesis' wildly successful "Invisible Touch" release, and it has a rather bawdy background, which probably explains why they invited the great British comedian Benny Hill to star in the song's music video.<br />
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My biggest memory of this song, however, has to do with my first official date with my then future wife.<br />
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It's October 17, 1987, and Bonnie and I would spend a Saturday night nervously picking at our food at the old Bonanza on Parham Road (where Aldi is today), following by some time walking around and shopping at Regency Square (which is in serious, but stable condition today). Right before I picked her up to begin the evening, I had been listening to my "Invisible Touch" cassette, and today's song came on. My date said the following:<br />
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"Um, if I'm going to be in your car, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't play that kind of music."<br />
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See, Bonnie came from a, putting it mildly, strict upbringing. So, being the respectful guy I hope I am, I complied and shut down Phil and company.<br />
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Fast forward thirty years later, and it's Bonnie's Hyundai that is tuned to Q94 and other stations, listening to music that I have little clue about (I get help to find what's popular so I make good bumper music for high school football broadcasts every fall.....).<br />
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So, needless to say, she's changed, a little. Hee hee.....<br />
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When I hear today's song, I think of our first date, the life-changing year of 1987, and Benny Hill. Now, that's a combination. :)<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-25720136063416187772017-06-17T08:03:00.001-04:002017-06-17T08:03:43.225-04:00Song #7: "What's New?"--Linda Ronstadt (1983)Released in 1983, I would not be exposed to this song until two years later when I began my first professional radio job, spinning "The Music Of Your Life" on WUHN-AM in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.<br />
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The career of Linda Ronstadt was absolutely amazing. Found as a folk singer with a touch of blues, country and rock abilities, she spent the decade of the 1970's releasing album after album after album of incredible music, with so many different styles of music, the tapestry of that library held together by Ronstadt's unbelievable voice. She also helped launch the career of a little group known as "Eagles". :)<br />
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I personally feel that, if there were a "Mount Rushmore" of female vocalists of the Twentieth Century, one of the positions has to be occupied by Linda Ronstadt.<br />
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So, three years after her "Mad Love" release, what does Ronstadt do? She gets together with the legendary Nelson Riddle, whom you might know best as the creator of the theme from the television series "Batman", and begins work on a trilogy of albums of adult standards music. To some, it's "Big Band". She immediately received major airplay with "Music Of Your Life" stations across the country. MOYL was, and still is online, a radio format available to stations that featured the best music from the 1930's to 1950's, reaching an older demographic, much like 1980's oldies stations do today.<br />
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There were several Ronstadt songs from her trilogy in rotation when I arrived at WUHN, and one song immediately stood out.<br />
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This song is the epitome of someone's lament over the love you never had. Whether it was because the two of you drifted apart, either by circumstances beyond your control, or by choice, or it was love that one person felt for the other, but it was not reciprocated, or for whatever other reason, no other song that I've ever heard captures the immense, and intense feeling, aching of lost love like this one.<br />
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If you've never heard this song, originally written in 1938 as an instrumental number, then Johnny Burke's lyrics were added a year later, you need to. Positioned as a one-sided conversation when former lovers happen to cross paths (which didn't happen nearly as much back in 1983 as opposed to our social media age of today), it begins innocently, and, by the time, Ronstadt belts out the final line, "I still love you so", near the end, the tears are flowing.<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921534.post-76445867674042070322017-06-16T10:39:00.000-04:002017-06-16T10:39:39.336-04:00Song #8: "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five"--Paul McCartney & Wings (1973)I can remember sitting in Mrs. Hartsell's class at Beaverdam Elementary School, counting years to figure out when I was going to graduate high school. When you're twelve years old and in seventh grade, and your seventh year of elementary school, thinking ahead another six years was a challenge!<br />
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Today, six years seems like a drop in the bucket. :)<br />
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It seemed inevitable that I, someone who would graduate in 1985, and today's song, would somehow merge. Now, it didn't necessarily mean that it would become one of my all-time favorite songs, and, honestly, I cannot remember when I first heard this song. But, whenever I did, the year in the title certainly was a hook, but I fell in love with the song itself.<br />
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It was certainly thanks to the XL102's and 3WV's of the radio world that I got exposed to this, cut #10 on the classic 1973 "Band On The Run" album from McCartney and company. You didn't hear it very often, but, when I did, I jammed to the best of my ability. :)<br />
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I can also remember the afternoon of December 31, 1984. Before a New Year's Eve get-together with lots of church friends, I went over to the church, our family vacuum cleaner in tow, to, well, clean the sanctuary. Something good to do on an afternoon, rather than watch the Sun Bowl. :)<br />
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And I think it was 3WV that cranked this song on that day while I sat in my classic first car, the 1979 Chevrolet Chevette. And I also distinctly remember being practically in shock that I was, finally, just a few hours away, from actually experiencing the year Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five.<br />
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Paul McCartney occupied, either with the Beatles, Wings, or as a solo artist, sixteen positions on this countdown. Today, my favorite song, one which McCartney said he only had the first line lyrically for the longest time.<br />
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From start to finish, a complete masterpiece. :)<br />
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<br />robwithamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09696261437119444156noreply@blogger.com0