// December 13th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

New Red Sox Logo and Uniforms…

// December 9th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

According to the Boston Herald, there’s gonna be a few changes around old Fenway:

I’m not too worried. As long as it isn’t pinstripes we should be okay. Then again, if they come out with some fashion-foward design Carl Yastrzemski will probably haunt the dreams of Theo Epstein. I’m just hoping the uniforms don’t fall anywhere in the same ball park (pun intended) as those Eagles throwbacks:Yuck.

Pitt Game Breakdown (FWG Breaks Down)

// December 8th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized

SENIOR DAY:
We lost. My final home game at Rentschler field will be a memory of Dave Wanndstedt’s mustache dripping with celebratory Gatorade. The jaws of life couldn’t pry that image from my brain. I was caught several times in tears at the game (and in the days leading up to it). The Tuesday media luncheon forced me to consider a truth that, until that moment, I had done a good job of denying: that I was about to play my last home game, and that my days as a college football player were up. I wrote in an earlier post that my career would end without celebration or notoriety. In the depths of my soul, the days that I allow myself to dream, I wished that wouldn’t be true. That a crowd of 40,000 would rise to their feet and unanimously decide that UConn football simply could not go on without Rob Lunn. But that is the beauty and tragedy of college football. Every week is a new battle (12 one-game seasons), and every season a crop of younger, better athletes. I whispered in Coach Edsall’s ear, “thank you for giving me this opportunity…” I have often felt so blessed to share the field with great athletes and to participate at the pinnacle of my sport. And while I have run through that tunnel, made tackles, and sacked quarterbacks, part of me has always felt on those fall afternoons, with the sun hanging in the sky and the smell of brisk New England air that maybe I didn’t belong. I am not a great athlete (there is stark difference between the athletic prowess of myself and Cody Brown) and I have caught breaks that gave me my opportunity to play. I have enjoyed every minute on the field, whether in Morgantown or Piscatway and now my playing days are over (well, almost). No one wants to play their last game, but I find a little comfort in knowing that at least I got to play mine. Corny and cliche, but we are the lucky ones. God gave me two legs (however uncoordinated) and the ability to use them on Saturdays. Basketball players can always play hoops, and swimmers can always swim. There will be beer-leagues for everything from hockey to baseball to bocce. But never again will I find 10 other guys that want to strap it up and terrorize opposing running backs and offensive linemen all day. My life is about to make a major shift. In the last five years I’ve read more offenses than books, I got my education on a field and not in a classroom. The lessons I’ve learned sweating and bleeding and crying with brothers (and I do consider them my brothers) are the most important ones to me.

These lessons were instilled by a man of such high moral and ethical caliber that it can be more than frustrating at times. I’ve called him a boy scout and a saint (in the most sarcastic of ways) and while I didn’t always understand it, at this point in my life I strive to be it. To hold accountability above all else. To do it is maddeningly simple: Just do right things, every day. Take that as why I came to his defense in the Jeff Jacobs article. I found that Jacobs didn’t have a reference point to make such sweeping (and inaccurate) allegations. Sentimentality aside, no one on the outside will understand the bond or commitment we have at this level.

I’ve been told that the same theory applies to the “teams” I’ll be a part of in the future (look out McDonald’s). No one in corporate America will ever be as unified in a cause as the 2008 Huskies were. True. Very true (I’d like to see the guys at GM running those stadium steps). In 25 years I’m sure we’ll all be All-Americans and Heisman winners in the stories to our grand kids, because those superlatives will be the only way to mildly convey the sentimentality of our playing days; the moments we spent on the field we felt simply the best. Almost immortal, like nothing could touch us. Except, that which touches all things, eventually did: time. And with it, change. 5 years, 47 games, and eventually the end of my career.

Again. Tears in my eyes. But this time also a smile linked to the fondness with which I recall it

all.

PITT:

(prepare for a switch in tone)

Well done Donny “DDB” Brown. When is ESPN going to recognize and give due credit to this young man (he’s one year younger than me…and built like an action figure for those who were curious.). Another 150+ yard rushing game? He can’t be stopped (pay attention Buffalo).

There has been talk about the Defense continually bailing out the Offense. True? False? Doesn’t matter. Games aren’t about one unit or another unit, it’s about both performing well enough to win. If the offense has 5 picks, then it should be up to the defense to get 6 and make scores of their own. Tyler and the offense certainly did enough to help us (the defense) out during the Baylor game. Least we could do was return the favor. It’s a team sport (don’t like it? Go watch swimming. I love you Michael Phelps).

Do I wish we had won? I’d be in the wrong business if I didn’t. But I simply won’t play the blame game. That would be too easy. All I can say is that we will strap it up again one more time, and get a W for the seniors, the fans, and anyone else that should care to believe in UConn Football (I won’t hold my breath for you, Lou Holtz).

Final Thoughts:

Who else saw the best looking defensive tackle in the nation on NESN this week? (No, not Tony Siragusa.) Am I the only one who didn’t? Seriously, how do I miss these things. I’ll post the link when I find it.

Nice Mullet, Tony. I’d rank it with the greatest mullets of our generation (that’s right, you’re up there with there with Billy Ray Cyrus, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan).

Does this post really contain references to both Tony Siragusa and The Hacksaw? Yes it does (we call that the double threat).

This just in: Tim Tebow may actually be Superman. I’m just sayin‘.

In later news: Bob Stoops arrested in Tijuana after a full cavity search revealed the Oklahoma Sooners coach smuggled 7oz of Kryptonite.

University of Buffalo in the International Bowl. Early match-up analysis coming soon.

Until next time,

FWG

Going Bowling…

// December 8th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The Huskies are going bowling (you’re out of your element, Donny).

Heading to the great white north, thats right: the home of hockey, whale blubber, and Doug Flutie. You guessed it…CANADA

Did you know: 91% of Canadians live in igloos, and subsist on a strict diet of fallen snow and Hockey Night in Canada?

Alright, enough with the Canada jokes (eh?).

To the International Bowl we go. All reports indicate that we will be playing the University of Buffalo on January 3, 2009 in Toronto (a practical home game for the FWG…yes Rochester (Penfield) is basically southern Canada).

Much more to come later.

Check back soon.

(FWG drove home 6 hours to Rochester with the girlfriend today. Exhausted from an emotional weekend…..break down on the PITT game coming soon, as well as an early look at the University of Buffalo, and of course the experience driving 6 hours in the snow…with your girlfriend…in the snow. Hilarity ensues.)

Keeps Getting Better…The Triple Threat

// December 3rd, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Pitt Week A.K.A. Wannstedt Mustache Appreciation Week

// December 2nd, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

“It takes a brave man to wake up one morning and decide it’s a good day to shave his entire face — save the upper lip. This mustache hair cultivation is, without a doubt, a heroic effort…”

Every school has their traditions. Texas A&M has Yell Practice. Notre Dame has the Helmet Painting. Pitt has Dave Wannstedt’s Moustache. Much like Giambi, this year Wannstedt has taken tacky upper lip fur to new heights (as high as #17 this year). Big Dave and Big Dave’s powerful caterpillar lip defy the odds year after year, and continually have a top 25 recruiting class. Well, it appears as though this year it’s finally paid off, with “the little running back that could,” LeSean “Shady” McCoy.

It should provide a tremendous challenge for our defense: Stopping the inside run (driven by McCoy and Stephens-Howling) as well as trying not to admire Wannstedt’s face fur (circa 1986). It’s hard not to get comical about the ’stache, but at the same time Pitt is a tremendously talented team with a lot of heart (see Derek Kinder).

Structurally the team hasn’t changed much since last season, but taking out WVU the final week of the season (FWG watched with delight) provided the necessary momentum to carry through for a productive off season and in turn an improvement playing football.

OFFENSE:
Up front, Pitt is comprised of some experienced veterans but also a few converted D-Tackles (which means they are obviously more athletic). Ask Downtown Donny Brown, any good running back is nothing without his big uglies up front. Pitt is no different. Taking nothing away from McCoy or Stephens-Howling (they possess the need…the need for speed!) but again, it all starts with good blocking. Also indicative of the heart of this offense is the grit that receiver Derek Kinder has shown returning from a torn ACL. Not only is Kinder a fellow “Upstater” (instant street cred and FWG respect), but also a fine human being (though the bar hasn’t been set very high…pay attention Plaxico).

DEFENSE:
Losing HB Blades means losing the second meanest name in all of linebacking (First? Takeo Spikes). However, Scott McKillop seems to have taken over as emotional leader of a stout defense (my utmost respect to any defense that can contain Pat White and Noel Devine). MiKillop is simply a tackling machine. Seriously. A ma-chine. Rated something like the No. 1 linebacker in the nation by ESPN (pre-season). Trust me, the tape shows it too.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

“Giambi’s significant first-half production as well as his powerful lip fur — indicating great intellect and good looks…‘ - American Mustache Institute. Well said. Great intellect and good looks. One major flaw: playing for the Yankees.

The FWG is a huge Buffalo Bills fan. That being said, it is the prediction of the FWG that much like the Yankees, the Bill’s post-season plans include an early off-season.

I can’t grow the ultimate sign of power (and 80’s adult films). I can grow chops, and chin hair, but the upper lip evades me.

Every time I think about Coach Wannstedt I picture him in that gross teal (aqua) and orange Dolphin’s Starter jacket. The one that every kid my age wore as a winter coat from 1992-1998.

Are you all mustache’d out yet?