Obama declares bowing down to Obama “the right thing to do.”
eric
Archive for January, 2016
Obama says bowing down to Obama the right thing to do
Friday, January 15th, 2016NFL 2015-2016 Divisionals Prequel
Friday, January 15th, 2016NFL 2015-2016 Divisionals Prequel
eric
GOP 1/14/16 Debate Recap Part Deux
Friday, January 15th, 2016GOP 1/14/16 Debate Recap Part Deux
eric
GOP 1/14/16 Debate Recap
Friday, January 15th, 2016GOP 1/14/16 Debate Recap
The first Republican presidential debates of 2016 are also the last GOP debates before the February 1 Iowa Caucus. The debates took place in Charleston, South Carolina and were hosted by Fox Business Network and moderated by FBN correspondents Sandra Smith and Trish Regan.
How is the state of the economy?
Carly Fiorina: “Unlike another woman in this race, I actually love spending time with my husband.”
She accused Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump of crony capitalism.
Mike Huckabee: We’re not doing well.
Rick Santorum: “All he has to do is listen to the Democrat debate and find out how bad the economy is.”
Obama is killing jobs.
What is America’s role in the world?
Fiorina: Americans must lead.
How will we navigate the balance between Iran and Saudi Arabia?
Santorum: We tear up the Iran deal on day one because “Iran has already torn it up.”
Santorum pointed out the Citadel cadets in the audience. “I will not let America be trampled on anymore by these radical Jihadists.”
What is your solution to Afghanistan?
Huckabee compared Afghanistan to the land of the Flintstones. Rebuild our armed forces. We only need to be in Afghanistan if there is a concerted effort to destroy radical Islam. No nation building.
Are you worried about Islamist refugees coming to America?
Fiorina: We can’t vette them. “We do not need to be lectured.”
Do we need a coalition to fight ISIS? Would that coalition include Russia and Iran?
Fiorina: Saudi Arabia is our ally, Iran and Russia are our adversaries. no outsourcing leadership.
Should Social Media companies be required by law to be more active in the War on Terror?
Santorum: The government needs to do a better job, not rely on the private sector.
Why is the president’s proposal for more gun restrictions troublesome?
Fiorina: Obama executive orders violate the Constitution. Enforce the laws we have. Bureaucracies do not know how to innovate. “Mrs. Clinton, actually, you cannot wipe a server with a towel.”
Can anything be done at the federal level to prevent guns from getting in the hands of criminals?
Huckabee pounced on Fast and Furious. There is no gun show loophole. Obama pushes ideas that have never worked.
Should we get rid of Visa waiver requirement?
Huckabee: European Union is a failure. O44 more interested in coddling Islamists than protecting Americans. It could slow down commerce but will not shut down commerce. Do it anyway. O44 has lost his credibility.
Do you have a plan from infrastructure attack?
Santorum immediately focused on an EMP attack. We have to make sure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb.
Do you dispute Obama’s track record on jobs?
Santorum: Obama makes numbers up. Santorum went way overtime but passionately explained why we should have illegal immigrants and refugees go back to their countries.
How can we reduce the debt without taking on entitlements?
Huckabee: Social Security is our money. Raising the retirement age will cripple physically blue collar workers.
For the main debate, FBN brought the big guns, Neil Cavuto and Maria Bartiromo.
The candidates were asked about Obama’s contention that the economy was doing well.
Ted Cruz responded by starting with the debacle of American soldiers held in humiliating poses by Iran. Cruz referred to the failed Obama-Clinton economy.
Kasich was asked what he would do during a financial crisis. Freeze federal regulations for a year, tax cuts, balanced budgets.
Where and when should a president use military action when the world is on fire?
Chris Christie called Tuesday “Storytime with Barack Obama.”
Keep our word with our allies and our adversaries. Use military to protect American lives and American interests. He attacked “tin pot dictators” in Iran.
Jeb Bush called Obamaworld an “alternative universe.” Jeb mentioned Benghazi and the Russian reset. He also said she would be going between “The White House and the Court House.”
Rubio: “Hillary Clinton is disqualified from being Commander in Chief of the United States.” He mentioned her lying to the Benghazi families.
Carson was asked how he would handle ISIS. Carson described the problem thoroughly, and would untie the military’s hands.
Trump was asked about the peaceful Syrian refugees. Trump calmly mentioned Indonesia, San Bernardino and Paris. We are 19 trillion in debt. We cannot handle more people.
Cruz thanked the New York Times for its hit piece on him and hit back hard against charges of financial impropriety.
Cavuto asked Cruz about Trump questioning his citizenship. Cruz thanked Cavuto for asking such meaningful questions. “Since September, the Constitution hasn’t changed. The polls have.” Cruz pointed out that under Trump’s standard, Trump would be ineligible because his mother was born in Scotland.
Trump insisted he did not care about the Cruz birther issue. The crowd booed loudly. Trump admitted that the polls are why he is bringing up the issue now.
Cruz said he would not take legal advice from Donald Trump or Al Gore’s lawyers.
Rubio said that while he hated to “interrupt this episode of Court TV,” it was time to focus on fixing the damage of the Obama administration.
How would Trump unite the party?
Trump is not just angry, but very angry. The country is a disaster right now. He offered kind words for Governor Nikki Haley despite her recent criticism of him.
Rubio was asked about his criticism of Christie’s liberal record in New Jersey. Rubio brought up Christie’s support of Common Core, gun control and Planned Parenthood. nobody on the stage is a socialist or under FBI investigation, but Christie has supported positions that go against conservatism.
Christie vigorously defended his record and distinguished between governors and senators.
Jeb played peacemaker.
Carson drew laughs when he insisted he was mentioned because the question referenced “everybody.” Carson stayed on the peace train.
Kasich was asked how a self-avowed Socialist like Bernie Sanders could win the Democrat nomination. Kasich laughed and said Sanders will not be President. He offered empathy and how we can retrain older people for good jobs. He kept rambling.
Carson was asked if Bill Clinton was fair game and if Hillary Clinton was an enabler. Carson asked if we had standards and values anymore. We have race, gender and religion wars. Right and wrong exists. Do not let secular progressives destroy values.
Bartiromo turned the conversation to gun control and asked what the harm was for increasing background checks.
Jeb started by praising Haley for her leadership during the Charleston shooting. Jeb said the FBI made a mistake in that case. Focus on violence, criminals and mental health, not law abiding gun owners.
Trump said he would not limit gun sales. He is a Second Amendment guy. He agreed with Jeb about mental health.
Cavuto challenged Rubio about soaring gun sales. Rubio quickly went after Obama. “I am convinced that if he could get rid of every gun in America, he would.” “Criminals do not buy their guns from a gun show.” Obama would get rid of the 2nd Amendment if he could.
Cavuto challenged Christie on his past support for gun control. Christie said he was not like Obama since Obama acted like a dictator and a “petulant child.” Christie said he made it easier to get guns in New Jersey. “Mr. President, we’re not against you. We’re against your policies.” “We are going to kick your rear end out of the White House come this Fall.”
Cruz said you prosecute criminals and target bad boys. He then went hard after Eric Holder for Fast and Furious. Cruz noted that Hillary Clinton supports the dissenters in the DC Heller case that affirmed the Second Amendment as an individual right. “Unless you are clinically insane,” Republicans in a primary support the Second Amendment. He has the endorsement from Gun Owners of America. Cruz went after Schemer, Feinstein and the entire gun crowd. He took them on alone and won.
Bartiromo asked Cruz what he meant when he said Trump embodies New York values. Cruz said the South Carolina audience knew. Cruz cited Trump’s interview with Tim Russert where Trump said he was socially liberal. Few conservatives come out of America.
Trump cited William F. Buckley. He then invoked 9/11.
Cavuto shifted the debate to foreign policy and the ten American soldiers humiliated by Iran. What would Jeb do differently?
Jeb would “restore the strength of the military.” Jeb wants to “eliminate the sequester” and “reimpose sanctions” on Iran. He would move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Kasich was asked about Saudi Arabia. He started talking about his time on the Energy Committee. He vowed that he would have to stop funding the radical clerics in the madrassas.
Lindsey Graham wants to send ground troops into Syria to take out ISIS. Should we?
Carson would listen to his generals. We take their oil. No using human shields for them. We should use special ops.
Should we remove Assad?
Christie recounted how O44 drew the red line and got 250,000 people killed. O44 has done “worse than nothing.” Hillary called Assad a “reformer.” We need a no-fly zone. The Syrians should stay in Syria. No peace in Syria with Assad in charge.
Trump was asked about his comments saying we should ban Muslim immigration. Should he rethink his position.
He said “no” and stop the political correctness. “we can’t be the stupid country anymore.”
Jeb says Trump’s position makes it impossible to take out ISIS. The Kurds are our allies. They are Muslims. Tighten up the entry Visa program. Jeb understands why people are angry, but Trump is wrong on the issue.
Trump replied, “I want security for this country.”
Should we pause Muslim immigration?
Kasich thinks we should pause on admitting Syrian refugees.
Christie said that we should take no Syrian refugees of any kind because they cannot be vetted by the FBI. You can’t just ban all Muslims.
Rubio noted that the problem exists because O44 fails to understand ISIS. anyone we cannot veto will not be admitted.
Cruz understands the anger and frustration. He called O44 an apologist for Islamic terrorists. Any American who joins ISIS forests their citizenship. We restrict all immigration from areas controlled by ISIS.
Carson would get experts together including Israelis who know how to screen people.
Jeb pointed out that we will not ban Muslims from Indonesia and India. “We need the lawyers off the back of the war fighters.”
Trump was asked about his support of a 45% tariff on Chinese goods. Trump disputed the report.” “It’s the New York Times. They’re always wrong.” Cavuto kept pressing on whether Trump would support that tariff. Trump seemed cornered. Cavuto wanted an answer and Trump kept evading. Trump finally said he was open to a tariff.
Kasich interjected himself but did not offer anything, as he frequently does. He would not back a tariff, and started speaking like an economics professor. He wants free trade but fair trade. We need to stand up, but would not offer a tariff.
Rubio said the solution is to fix the economy. Tax reform. Regulatory reform. Repeal and replace Obamacare.
Trump says Rubio’s approach “takes too long.” China would not retaliate if we slapped on a tariff. He offered nothing to back this up. Trump called Jeb “weak.”
Cruz offered a middle ground between Trump and Jeb. cruz rightly pointed out that China would slap on a reciprocal tariff. Cruz offered a flat tax. Exports are tax free. Imports pay the business flat tax.
How do we fix our infrastructure?
Christie: Reduce the corporate tax structure. Stop double-taxation. One-time repatriation of foreign assets at 8 3/4%, not 35%. That will free up capital.
Carson was asked about corporations leaving America for lower taxes. He wants a flat tax with no exemptions.
Trump said we have to do something about corporate inversions.
Rubio said he would not offer a VAT like Cruz.
Cruz insisted his proposal was a business flat tax, not a VAT. His plan eliminates the payroll tax, death tax, Obamacare tax. Cruz would abolish the IRS. Rubio leaves the IRS in place. Art Laffer praises Cruz’s plan.
Rubio pointed out that creating a VAT means the IRS still exists to collect the VAT.
Christie said “I would like to interrupt this debate on the floor of the senate.” He said “Marco, you had your chance to answer, you believe it.” Christie insisted that Hillary and Bernie would raise Social security taxes.
Carson noted that the WSJ likes his tax plan.
Bartiromo asked if Trump would put his assets in a blind trust if he becomes president. He said that if he becomes president he would not care about his company. His kids would run the company.
Christie was asked how he would handle violent crime in the cities. He would ban sanctuary cities. He would enforce the marijuana laws. His Attorney General would enforce the law fairly and justly.
Should we retrain police?
Kasich created a task force. We need the integration of community and police. It was a platitude.
Bartiromo challenged Rubio on his pro-immigration stance. Rubio said that now we must focus on security. His position has changed because the issue itself has changed in the last two or three years. ISIS changed the discussion.
Cruz pointed out that radical Islam existed long before two or three years ago. “Border security is national security.” Cruz linked Rubio to Schumer.
Rubio said that Cruz has flip-flopped on the immigration issue. He has also flip-flopped on ethanol because of the Iowa Caucus. Cruz likes Snowden. Rubio will put him on trial. Cruz votes to cut defense. Rubio would not.
Cruz said that at least half of the things Rubio said are false.
The two Cuban men dueled to a draw in this round.
Cavuto shifted the discussion to social media in the War on Terror.
Jeb wants more improvement in government. You have to keep asking the private sector for help. He did not say he would compel the private companies by an order. The law would have to change.
Closing statements:
Kasich waxed poetic. He cares about people. He never finishes his remarks on time.
Jeb will keep us safe. Results count. Credibility counts.
Christie noted that O44 does not care. We need a fighter. Christie is a fighter.
Carson has seen so many people hurting. Truth, honesty, integrity. Heal, inspire, revive America.
Rubio noted our rights come from God. That brought free enterprise. O44 wants to change rather than fix America. Electing Hillary will make the next 4 years worse than the last 8.
Cruz spoke about the movie 13 Hours. He lacerated O44 for refusing to say radical Islam and who gives money to Iran. He attacked Hillary for apologizing after saying all lives matter.
Trump stood yesterday with 75 construction workers. These tough guys were crying as they watched Iran humiliate our American soldiers. no more bad Iran deals.
eric
Prayers for Blair Walsh
Monday, January 11th, 2016Prayers for Blair Walsh
Anyone thinking pro athletes are overpaid must ask themselves if they could handle pressure of failing in front of millions of people.
Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed a 27 yard field goal. He blew it. Afterward, he cried his eyes out. He also publicly answered every media question. He blamed himself. He could have made excuses. The snap was high. The hold was not right. The ice cold weather meant he was kicking a rock. The hashmark was wrong. Also, Walsh was not responsible for the Vikings blowing a 9-0 fourth quarter lead.
Yet Walsh made 0 excuses. He failed on the world stage. How many of us could handle that?
How many of you think that the millions of dollars he earns will wash away that pain?
Athletes earn plenty of money, but with that money comes more pressure than most of us could possibly imagine. Could you kick a 27 yard field goal? I can’t.
Could you handle possibly being a national joke for the rest of your life? Would you want to cringe every time someone says that Ray Finkle is Lois Einhorn, and know that they were joking about you?
It is my hope that Mr. Walsh has enough good people in his life to help lift him up.
We all make mistakes, but he made his publicly in front of a larger audience than most of us will ever know. Hopefully most of us in that audience will treat him with compassion rather than derision.
As a kicker, Walsh failed when it mattered most. As a human being, he was the ultimate success in how he handled his failure. He took personal responsibility. He showed heart and character.
Now let us show the same heart and character toward him.
Good luck, Mr. Walsh. Good luck and God bless.
eric @ Tygrrrr Express
NFL 2015-2016 Wild Card Recap
Sunday, January 10th, 2016NFL 2015-2016 Wild Card Recap
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans — In Week 1, the Chiefs went into Houston, jumped to a 27-9 halftime lead, slept through the second half, and won 27-20. The Chiefs then lost five straight games, followed by 10 straight wins. The Texans began 2-5 before winning seven of their final nine games. Knile Davis shocked the home crowd by returning the opening kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Chiefs lead. Both teams have good defenses and subpar offenses. In the first half Bryan Hoyer was intercepted three times and fumbled once. Cairo Santos hit a pair of 49 yard field goals in the second quarter to have the Chiefs up 13-0 at halftime.
With the Chiefs defense playing lights out, West Coast Offense Game Manager Alex Smith dinked and dunked as he does. In the third quarter an 11 play, 94 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive saw Smith hit Conley for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 20-0 Chiefs. In the fourth quarter Ware ran for a 5 yard touchdown and Santos added a 33 yard field goal as the Chiefs won their first playoff game in 22 years. Alex Smith, Elvis Grbac and Steve Bono might all be the same person, and next week at New England will require more than a game manager. For now, Andy Reid is one happy Walrus Lite. 30-0 Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals — In November, the Bengals went into Pittsburgh and shocked the Steelers 16-10. In December the Steelers went into Cincinnati and throttled the Bengals 33-20. The Bengals began the season 8-0 but split their final eight games. The Steelers snuck into the playoffs the hard way when the Jets lost last week.
In 2005, these teams played a playoff game in Cincinnati. The Bengals led 10-0, Carson Palmer got hurt, and the Steelers took over for a 31-17 win en route to a Super Bowl title. Winners win and losers lose. The Steelers have six Super Bowl rings. The Bengals have none, and have not won a playoff game in 25 years. The Bengals will never get respect until they win a game like this. The Steelers know how to win. The Bengals have flamed out four straight years in the first round of the playoffs. Marvin Lewis is 0-6 in the playoffs, all Wild Card losses. Would Charlie Brown finally kick the field goal and get the little red-haired girl?
To do it, the Bengals would have to win with AJ McCarron, in for the injured Andy Dalton. Both teams were warned about bad behavior due to previous skirmishes this season. With hard rain coming down most of the game, this was a game with brutally hard hits, not all legal. Chris Boswell hit second quarter field goals of 39 and 30 yards and added a 34 yarder in the third quarter to make it 9-0 Steelers. The Steelers finally completed an 82 yard drive. Ben Roethlisberger hit Maitavius Bryant for a 10 yard touchdown. Mike Tomlin decided to go for two because he does so frequently regardless of the score. The attempt failed but the Steelers led 15-0 after three quarters. The fourth quarter will be talked about in football circles forever.
The Bengals moved late in the third quarter from their 20 to a 3rd and 9 at the Pittsburgh 23. The game then got very violent. McCarron threw a short pass to Bernard, who then got blasted on a helmet to helmet hit by Shazier. No flag was called. Shazier recovered the ball. The play was initially ruled an incomplete pass but Mike Tomlin challenged the call. The refs reversed the call to a fumble as the entire Bengals sideline exploded at the lack of a defensive penalty. It was clearly helmet to helmet, but instead of 1st and goal the Steelers had the ball. Turnabout then became fair play. On the last play of the third quarter the Steelers faced 3rd and 18 from their own 17. Roethlisberger was sacked and driven hard into the ground, landing on his arm. While piledriving a quarterback is illegal, this play liked legal. No flag was thrown. Big Ben landed hard on his arm. He left the game injured.
The fourth quarter began with the Steelers punting on 4th and 30 from their own 5. The Bengals took over at the Pittsburgh 46. A deep bomb drew a defensive pass interference call at the 4 yard line. Only one minute into the fourth quarter, Jeremy Hill got in from the one as the Bengals were down 15-7. Landry Jones came in for Roethlisberger and struggled. The Bengals got it back at their own 13. McCarron moved the Bengals from their own 13 to a 3rd and 8 at the Pittsburgh 22. A completion came up 3 yards short. With 5 minutes left, Marvin Lewis decided to kick the field goal and trust his defense. Mike Nugent hit from 36 as the Bengals trailed 15-10.
The Steelers again went nowhere and Adam Pacman Jones returned the punt 24 yards to the Pittsburgh 45. On 4th and 2 from the Pittsburgh 37 with 2:45 to play, McCarron found Marvin Jones for 9 yards. With 1:56 to play, the Bengals faced 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 25. McCarron went deep to AJ Green for the touchdown as the home crowd went wild. The 2 point try failed, but the Bengals had come all the way back for a 16-15 lead. The Steelers took over at their own 14 with 1:43 left. Then came the crazy finish.
Landry Jones was quickly intercepted by Vontez Burfict. The Bengals were at the Pittsburgh 26. All they had to do was run out the clock. The game was over. A jubilant Bengals defense sprinted all the way across the field and through the tunnel. They had finally played the dragon. Hill got the carry, gained 6 yards, and then fumbled. A shocked crowd saw the Steelers recover the ball at their own 9 yard line. While it looked like Hill’s arm hit the ground to make it down by contact, the fumble ruling stood. The game was not over. Football fans everywhere said it. “These are the Bengals.”
To make things even more dramatic, Jones did not come back in. Roethlisberger did. Players with concussions have to sit out and go through concussion protocol. Big Ben was no concussed. He had a screwed up arm. Nothing prevented him from coming back in. Roethlisberger is as tough and courageous as they come, but the Steelers were at their own 9 with 1:23 to play. The Steelers did have all 3 timeouts, as the stunned Bengals defense had to come on the field for one more stand. On 3rd and 2, Big Ben hit Toussaint for 7 yards. With 28 seconds left, the Steelers faced 4th and 3 at their own 41. Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown for 12 yards as the Steelers called their final timeout with 22 seconds left. These are the Bengals. Then came the play that will be talked about for years to come.
From the Cincy 47 without a timeout, the Steelers were not in field goal range. Roethlisberger went deep to Antonio Brown incomplete. Brown was then levels by Burfict in another helmet to helmet hit. Brown was motionless on the ground. He left the gam injured. The refs threw the flag. It was helmet to helmet, but the refs did not call it earlier on the hit by Shazier on Bernard. This time they did call it. The 15 yard penalty moved the Steelers to the Cincy 32. A field goal try from 50 yards out in miserable weather was far from a sure thing. Yet the Bengals found a way to destroy themselves. The referees played a very controversial role.
After the personal foul, play was delayed when players from both teams spilled on the field. Former Steelers player Joey Porter was always an agitator. Now he is an assistant coach for the Steelers. He had no business being on the field, but he was. He got into it with Adam Jones. Jones shoved Porter. Rather than call offsetting penalties, only Jones was flagged. The unsportsmanlike conduct call on Jones meant 15 more yards. 30 yards of penalties on one play now had the Steelers at the Cincy 17. These are the Bengals, who were now in full meltdown mode. Their entire sideline was going insane as Marvin Lewis could not contain them. Mike Tomlin kept his guys slightly calmer by comparison.
With 18 seconds left, on first down, Tomlin immediately brought in Boswell for the 35 yard field goal try. Boswell was good. The Bengals got it back at their 24 with 6 seconds left, and one deep incompletion later the game was over. This was a gut-wrenching loss. Marvin Lewis is 0-7 in the playoffs, all Wildcard losses. He has 5 straight Wildcard losses. The Bengals will howl about the refs, and they have legitimate grievance. yet they had their chances, and collapsed.
Despite the loss, AJ McCarron still sleeps with Miss Alabama, who he recently married. He will be fine. Marvin Lewis might not be. There was even talk that he could be fired despite a 12-4 season. Pittsburgh was going to Denver and Cincinnati was going home after one of the most gut-wrenching losses in franchise history. Winners win. These are the Steelers. Losers lose. These are the Bengals. 18-16 Steelers.
Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings — One month ago, the Seahawks went into Minnesota and blasted the Vikings 38-7. Minnesota showed a ton of grit going into Green Bay in the regular season finale and winning the division crown. Seattle throttled seemingly invincible Arizona by 30 points in a game that was over at halftime. Unlike the comfortable Metrodome, this game was played in brutal cold weather that dipped below zero degrees. The Purple People Eaters would be proud. This game was a bone-chilling street fight. Blair Walsh hit a 22 yard field goal in the first quarter and field goals of 43 and 47 in the third quarter as the Vikings led 9-0 after three quarters.
The Seahawks began the fourth quarter at their own 20 and finally moved the ball. On 1st and 10 from the Minnesota 39, the most bizarre play of these young playoffs occurred. Out of the shotgun, Russell Wilson was clearly not ready for the snap. It sailed past him. Wilson fell on the ball for a 5 yard loss, but quickly realized no defenders were near him. He alertly got up, scrambled, and found a wide open Tyler Lockett. Lockett caught the ball and raced all the way to the Minnesota 4 yard line. Wilson then threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Seahawks only trailed 9-7.
Two plays later, disaster struck the Vikings. On 2nd and 5 from their own 27, Adrian Peterson got the carry and gained 8 yards. Yet the ball was chopped out of his hands by Kam Chancellor. Rubin recovered the ball for the Seahawks at the Minnesota 40. Peterson is an all world superstar, but so is Kam Chancellor. The Legion of Boom did it again. On 3rd and 7 from the Minnesota 37, Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse for 8 yards. That was just enough for Steve Hauschka to try a 46 yard field goal. In zero degree weather, Hauschka was good. The Seahawks had the one point lead with 8 minutes left in regulation.
The defenses kept dominating as each team punted twice. The Vikings began their final drive at their own 39 with 1:42 to play and 2 timeouts. A defensive pass interference penalty on Chancellor moved the ball to the Seattle 42. Teddy Bridgewater found Kyle Rudolph for a 24 yard gain. With 1:26 to play, the Vikings were at the Seattle 18. Pete Carroll could only helplessly watch. Mike Zimmer handed the ball three straight times to Peterson, who was not letting go of that football again. With 26 seconds to play, Blair Walsh came in for the winning field goal try. He had made three longer ones. This was only a 27 yarder.
No good! He hooked it as wide as wide can be. A shellshocked home crowd sat their stunned. The internet immediately began making jokes about Ace Ventura, Pet Detective. Ray Finkle is Lois Einhorn. Scott Norwood missed from 47. Lin Elliott choked from 42. This was from 27. Cue Paul Maguire. “i hate kickers. They should be paid $50 a game.” The two time defending NFC champions needed a miracle, and they got it. They are off to Carolina next week while Minnesota suffered one of the most bitter defeats in a team history filled with them. In 1998, it was automatic Gary Anderson who missed from 39. The 2015 season saw Blair Walsh miss from 27 yards out. Vikings fans will never get over this one. 10-9 Seahawks
Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins — Green Bay started out 6-0 before losing six of their last ten games. Washington looked like an 0-16 team entering the season. Jay Gruden stuck with Kirk Cousins over Robert Griffin III, and the gamble paid off. Washington finally clinched the woeful NFC Least one week before the regular season ended. Despite being 5-7, four straight wins to end the season has Washington on a roll. Green Bay’s offense has been out of sync, as the defense has had to carry the team. Aaron Rodgers is not getting any help and Mike McCarthy took back play-calling duties. It did not save the Packers from losing the NFC North division on their home field last week.
Early on the game was all Redskins. On 3rd and 13 from the Green Bay 5, Aaron Rodgers went back to pass and was sacked in the end zone for a safety. The Redskins took the 2-0 lead and the free kick at their own 45. From the Green Bay 15, Kirk Cousins hit DeSean Jackson for the touchdown. Yet the play was reversed and ruled down at the one. Alfred Morris twice got the carry and twice was denied. On 3rd and goal at the 2, a costly delay of game penalty on Cousins had the Redskins settling for a field goal. Dustin Hopkins hit from 25 to make it 5-0 Redskins. Early in the second quarter the Redskins faced 3rd and 10 from the Green Bay 24. Cousins went deep to Jordan Reed for the touchdown to complete the 64 yard drive. The extra point was no good, but the Redskins led 11-0. Then reality set in.
Rodgers finally got going and the Packers moved 80 yards. Rodgers hit Randall Cobb for a 12 yard touchdown to get the Packers within 11-7. The Redskins kept moving well, going from their own 20 to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 39. Cousins was then sacked, resulting in a fumble. The Packers took over at their own 46. Mason Crosby hit a 42 yard field goal with 3 minutes left in the half as the Packers only trailed 11-10. Washington quickly went 3 and out and a 17 yard punt return had the Packers at their own 40 with 2:22 left in the half. With 45 seconds left the Packers faced 3rd and 2 at the Washington 30. Rodgers found Devonta Adams for 20 and again for the 10 yard touchdown as the Packers led 17-11 at halftime.
The Redskins were determined to make a game of it in the third quarter. They moved 73 yards and Cousins ran for a 3 yard touchdown to put the Redskins back in front 18-17. The Packers would not be denied, moving 80 yards in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. Starks ran it in from 4 yards out as the Packers had the 24-18 lead after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Packers turned out the lights. They moved 76 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. Eddie Lacy got in from the 2 and Rodgers hit Abbrederis for the 2 point conversion. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Packers had a commanding lead.
With the Redskins facing 4th and 10 at their own 32 with 5 minutes left, Cousins was sacked to end what little suspense remained. Crosby hit the 35 yarder to ice it. This was the reality check for both teams. The Redskins won the NFC Least. They were never that special. The Packers were the better team. Now Mike McCarthy takes his squad to Arizona for a rematch with the team that blasted them by 30 points a couple weeks ago. Jay Gruden now has to decide whether to extend Kirk Cousins, keep RGIII, or take somebody completely new in the 2016 Draft. 35-18 Packers
The Wild Card round is done. All 4 road teams were favored. All 4 road teams won.
The NFL 2015-2016 Divisional Playoffs are set:
Saturday, January 16:
AFC:
5.) 11-5 Kansas City Chiefs at 2.) 12-4 New England Patriots at 4:30 p.m. on CBS
NFC:
5.) 10-6 Green Bay Packers at 13-3 Arizona Cardinals at 8:00 p.m. on NBC
Sunday, January 17:
NFC:
6.) 10-6 Seattle Seahawks at 1.) 15-1 Carolina Panthers at 1:00 p.m. on Fox
AFC:
6.) 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers at 1.) 12-4 Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. on CBS
eric
My 44th birthday wish
Sunday, January 10th, 2016On January 9, 2013, my dream was to meet President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
On February 9, 2013, I met the Veep and spoke in front of him. He remains awesome.
On Jan 9, 2015, my birthday wish was still to meet President George W. Bush and shake his hand.
On May 12, 2015, that dream came true as well.
On January 9, 2016, I am at peace. I have nothing left to wish for myself. There are things I want, but I have to earn those things. That means hard work personally and professionally.
I spent the night of the 8th with friends as the clock struck midnight.
On the 9th I spoke at a Victory Elephant Breakfast in Los Angeles.
Then I drove to San Jose and spoke to a fun group called Jewish Geeks of the Peninsula. Then that night I drove to Oakland.
On the morning of the 10th I spoke at Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland. Then came the long drive back to Los Angeles.
Both trips were bearable because of NFL playoff games on the radio.
Friends. Politics. Judaism. Football.
I am as blessed as it gets and a happy 44.
May you all find what you love, do what you love, and be happy and blessed.
May God bless you all.
To every person who wished me a happy birthday, thank you so very much.
With much love and appreciation,
eric
NFL 2015-2016 Wild Card Prequel
Saturday, January 9th, 2016NFL 2015-2016 Wild Card Prequel
http://www.commdiginews.com/featured/nfl-2015-2016-wild-card-preview-and-bettors-guide-55396/
eric
RJC in DC 2015: Conclusion
Friday, January 8th, 2016January 2016 Tygrrrr Express California Speaking Schedule
Monday, January 4th, 2016Happy 2016. Starting in Mid-January, I will be on the road for most of the 9 months leading up to the presidential election. So before I leave, I have a few speaking engagements in California. The speeches in Los Angeles are all political. The speeches in the Bay Area are not political.
January 9 is my birthday, so join me on my birthday for some fun.
Here is my schedule.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 — San Fernando Valley Republican Club in Los Angeles. 7pm.
Saturday, January 9, 2016 — Victory Elephant Breakfast in Los Angeles. 8:30am.
Saturday, January 9, 2016 — Jewish Geeks of South Bay & Peninsula in San Jose. 9pm.
Sunday, January 10, 2016 — Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland. 10am.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 — North Hollywood Republican Women in Los Angeles at lunch.
Thursday, January 14, 2016 — Santa Monica Republican Women GOP Debate Watching Party in Los Angeles. Evening.
eric