From: Clyde, Claude & Roy
Clyde: Merry Christmas everybody !
Claude: And a Happy New Year !
Roy: Yep. I wanna say a Felix Navidad.
Larry: that, Roy ?
Cliff: Yeah, what’s Felix Navidad ?
Roy: Felix Navidad. In English – that thar is Merry Christmas in Mexican !
*Property of Cliff Eastham’s Sports & Entertainment Minute
The Washington Redskins could have backed into the playoffs because both the Vikings and the Saints lost their games. But the Redskins fueled by the passing of Todd Collins and the running of Clinton Portis thrashed the NFC #1 seed Cowboys 27-6. The difference in the score was 21, which was the number of murdered teammate Sean Taylor. That fact did not go unnoticed by Joe Gibbs and the rest of the Redskins.
The stingy defense of the Redskins allowed the Cowboys only 1 yard rushing, while Portis became the only rusher to gain 100 yards against the Cowboy defense this season. Washington ended the season 9-7, having won 4 straight and locked up the final playoff berth. They will go to Seattle and play the 3rd seeded Seahawks on Saturday. Dallas gets a bye and will play the Seahawk-Skins game next week.
The Tennessee Titans won the final AFC wild card spot by upsetting the #2 seeded Indianapolis Colts 16-10. The Colts who were resting some of their starters denied the Cleveland Browns a playoff berth by not treating the game like a regular season game. It was more like a tuneup for the playoffs for them. The Browns had to watch as Peyton Manning came out after the first couple of series, showing their lack of concern for the outcome. The Colts have a bye this week, while the Titans will go to San Diego. Indianapolis will play the winner of the Pittsburgh-Jacksonville game.
Jamal Lewis rushed for 128 yards as the Cleveland Browns did their part by solidly whipping the 49ers. After the win they could do nothing while Indianapolis let the Titans beat their jayvee squad. Cleveland finished a very good season at 10-6.
In other games Atlanta upset the Seahawks in a shooting match 44-41. Seattle finished the regular season 10-6, while the Falcons were 4-12. Chicago put out the Saints fire 33-25 ending their season at 7-9. The Bears finished 7-9 as well.
Green Bay whipped the Lions while resting some of their starters 34-13. The #2 seeded Packers get a bye this week and next week will play the winner of the Giants-Buccaneers game. The Pack finished the season 13-3, while the Lions record fell to 7-9 after they were off to a 6-2 start this year.
Chad Johnson caught 4 passes for 131 yards and 2 TD’s as the Bengals finished off the Dolphins. The disappointing Bengals finished the season at 7-9, while the Miami fell to 1-15. Brian Westbrook set two Eagle records as Philadelphia beat the Bills 17-9. The Eagles ended their season at 8-8, while the Bills dropped to 7-9.
The Panthers ended their season on a positive note by upsetting Tampa Bay 31-23. It was the final game for Vinnie Testaverde who retired after the game. Carolina closed out the season at 7-9, while the playoff bound 4th seeded Buccaneers ended the season at 9-7. Tampa Bay will entertain the Giants this weekend with the winner going to Green Bay the following week.
The Houston Texans finished the season at .500 by beating the Jaguars 42-28. Jack Del Rio used many replacements to save his starters from possible injuries. Houston ended the campaign at 8-8, while #5 seeded Jacksonville ended the regular season 1t 11-5. The Jags will go to Pittsburgh this weekend with the winner moving on to Indianapolis for a showdown with the #2 seeded Colts.
Denver ended any playoff hopes the Vikings harbored by beating them in overtime 22-19. Minnesota finished the season at 8-8 while Denver disappointed their fans by going 7-9. The Chargers rolled over Oakland 30-17 to claim the #3 seed in the playoffs. LaDainian Tomlinson won the rushing title for the second consecutive year with 1,474 yards. He became the first back-to-back rushing champ since Edgerrin James. San Diego finished a strong second half of the season by ending at 11-5. They will play the 6th seeded Tennesse Titans at home this weekend, with the winner moving on to face the top seeded New England Patriots.
The Jets beat the Chiefs 13-10 in a Loser Bowl as both squads finished the season at 4-12. The Baltimore Ravens upset the #4 seeded Steelers 27-21. Pittsburgh will play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend with the winner getting their ticket punched to play the Colts at Indianapolis. The Ravens ended their disappointing season 5-11 while the Steelers fell to 10-6.
Cliff and Larry both got 8 right and 8 wrong this week. Cliff is still ahead by 3 games heading into the playoffs.
© 2007 Clifton Eastham. All Rights Reserved
by Larry Curtis Spurlock
When I was a young little boy, I spent a few days with my Grandma & Grandpa. My Grandpa took me to see the Movie, Old Yeller.
It was a cool movie but at the end, when they shot Old Yeller, I cried, of course.
As we were leaving the Theatre, I asked Grandpa why they had to shoot him. My Grandpa put his hand on my shoulder, as to comfort me .. and told me that it was because the dog killed some chickens.
It never really seemed quite right .. but that’s how it was.
Several months passed and my Family went to have a Sunday Dinner with those Grandparents. Several of my Uncles and Aunts and their Families were there, as well.
That morning, my Grandma picked some Ears of Corn from their Garden and killed several Chickens and plucked them, preparing for the large Meal.
That afternoon, after everyone had eaten their fill, the Family retired to the back Porch where they sat and talked. My Grandpa, who was a Hunter took out his old Shotgun and began cleaning it.
The story that my Family tells goes like this:
I approached my Grandpa and with tears in my eyes, asked him if he was going to shoot Grandma. When he assured me that he wasn’t going to shoot her – he asked why on Earth I asked that question.
My simple child-like answer was “ Well, .. because she killed some Chickens ! “
© 2007 Larry Curtis Spurlock. All Rights Reserved
© 2007 Clifton Eastham. All Rights Reserved
Recently, one of my Neighbors, down the street went out to collect his Newspaper on a Sunday morning after it had snowed .. and found that someone had written in Pee in his front yard, the word BASTARD.
So, he went to another Neighbor who lived across the street and who worked for the CIA and asked him to find out who had done this to him.
One week later, the Neighbor across the street who worked for the CIA returned to the other man and informed him that he had ‘bad news .. and worse news’ !
So the first Neighbor asked for the bad news, first.
The Neighbor who worked for the CIA told him that his next door Neighbor was the culprit whose Pee it was.
“ My God ! “ said the first Neighbor .. what news could be worse ?
The Neighbor who worked for the CIA replied that the Handwriting belonged to the first man’s wife.
© 2007 Larry Curtis Spurlock. All Rights Reserved
Tomorrow will start with you, or without you.
© 2007 Larry Curtis Spurlock. All Rights Reserved
.. at their Radio Station gig
Many years ago, when Cliff & I were working as Interns at a local Radio Station – there was a promotional Feed we were doing at a local Car Dealership.
The Guest that had been commissioned as the Celebrity was Clayton Moore, the man who played The Lone Ranger for years on TV.
Now, Clayton Moore was very into this Character that he played and showed up wearing his Mask, his big white Hat and his Gun & Holster. It was cool.
Cliff & my job was basic; we were there to make sure the Radio cables were connected, properly and that the Talent was okay.
After the 3 hour Promotion was concluded, we rolled up the cables – threw them in the back of Cliff’s Dodge Pioneer Station Wagon and were ready to split.
The Car Dealership hadn’t finalized the money transfer to Clayton Moore .. so while we waited .. I talked Cliff into smoking a fatty with me out behind a trash dumpster. Cliff wasn’t much of a smoker, back then .. but I was.
Finally, after nearly everybody had left – Clayton Moore came out into the Parking Lot looking lost. He spots me & Cliff and knowing that it was our job to take care of him .. he tells us his Car hasn’t arrived and there must be a snafu.
So I ask where he needs to go .. and he tells me that it’s a Hotel a few miles away. So, stoned as we were – we offered to take him .. if he didn’t mind sitting in the back with the cables and wires, etc.
He agrees .. and off we go. Cliff lets me drive his car cause he’s high as a kite off the Michoacan. At the first Intersection we came to just outside the Car Dealership – a BMW cuts in front of us .. and whacks into Cliff old car. I doubt it hurt Cliff’s old bomb much but the Driver doesn’t stop.
So, I holler at him .. and we started following him. He picks up speed and so do I. Then as if to try and ditch us – the BMW starts flying and turning abruptly, left and right. Me, right behind.
So, seeing he isn’t shaking me .. the BMW stops. Out steps a man with a businessman’s haircut and a dark Suit. So I get out. I tell him that he hit us and I’m going to call the Cops.
He laughed and asks who are the Cops gonna believe .. him or some longhaired, bearded hippie with ruby red eyes.
Just then, Clayton Moore, still wearing his Lone Ranger apparel .. steps out of the back of Cliff’s old Pioneer Station Wagon while Wires and Radio Equipment spills out onto the pavement.
“ They’ll believe me, Citizen ! “ says Clayton Moore aka Lone Ranger in a proper and firm voice.
I swear – you should have seen that other Driver. His expression was priceless. And he starts to talk .. and stammers for second. Then he says, very meekly,
“ Gosh, Lone Ranger – I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you ! “
* I’m so glad to have my Memories .. as I lose my youth. *
© 2007 Larry Curtis Spurlock. All Rights Reserved
Since this is the last week of the regular season, we are publishing all of the picks, disagreements notwithstanding
New England 13.5 at NY Football Giants
CLIFF: Pats 37 Giants 20. Take the Patriots and give up the points.
LARRY: Looks like the Gints (sic) will be the ones resting some players. By the time Brady & Moss break their Records – it’ll be 21-0. And I don’t see the Gints scoring much more than that.
NE 34 – NYG 12
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At Philadelphia 7.5 Buffalo
CLIFF: Eagles 28 Bills 24. Eagles win but can’t cover. Westbrook will get 175 total yards.
LARRY: Take the Bills Maybe McNabb’s last game as an Iggle. If Westbrook plays the whole game, I’ll take the Iggles to win but not to cover. PHI 24 – BUF 20 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Carolina 2.5 At Tampa Bay
CLIFF: Bucs 27 Panthers 21. Take Bucs for the upset.
LARRY: I guess the oddsmakers think TB is resting the entire 53 man Roster. I think Replacement Players could beat the Panthers. TB 17 – CAR 11 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Cincinnati 3 At Miami
CLIFF: Bengals 37 Dolphins 27. Take Cincy and give the points.
LARRY: Cincy’s up & down play ends the Season on an up. I see lots of scoring. CIN 44 – MIA 24 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At Washington 9 Dallas
CLIFF: Skins 28 Cowboys 21. Skins will win and get to the playoffs but can’t cover this spread. Are the oddsmakers serious? Wash DB pick off Romo 4 times and Portis shines. Terry Glenn is not a factor.
LARRY: All I can I think of, here is Elton John & Kiki Dee (Don’t Go Breaking My Heart). The stage is set for a big Redskins win .. but so have several other games, this Season. Romo plays for only a Half .. if that. Redskins win .. and cover ! WAS 24 – DAL 13 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At Green Bay 4 Detroit
CLIFF: Pack 31 Lions 17. GB eager to bounce back from humiliating loss to Bears. Lions don’t have anything left in the tank.
LARRY: Favre throws for 4 TDs and Grant runs for 100 yards. GB 34 – DET 21 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At Houston 6.5 Jacksonville
CLIFF: Jags 24 Texans 17. I don’t know who set these odds but my daughter could do better. Take the Jags, they are playing as well as anyone in the league. Watch out for them in the playoffs.
LARRY: I think with Teams resting so many Regulars, the oddsmakers are lost. Jacksonville is the new Pitchburgh (sic). Could beat NE in the Playoffs. JAX 23 – HOU 11 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< New Orleans 1.5 At Chicago
CLIFF: Bears 27 Saints 24. The Bears aren’t being shown any love after exploding on the Packers. The Saints need the win but fall short on cold hard Soldier Field. Take the Bears and the points.
LARRY: NO would still make the Playoffs .. if the Redskins and Vikes lose. THAT should be enough motivation for playing against a Chicago team with nothing to play for. If NO can get the Bears’ fans to turn on them – it could get ugly. NO 28 – CHI 22 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Pittsburgh 3 At Baltimore
CLIFF: Steelers 24 Ravens 10. Lotsa bad blood between these two. The Ravens have disappointed all year and there is no sign that it will stop now. Running game will be stopped because of no Parker and ineffective Davenport against the good rush defense of the Ravens. LARRY: Plus, Roethlisberger will most likely sit. With THAT in mind .. I’m taking Balmer to win and to cover. BAL 16 – PIT 12 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At Atlanta 1 Seattle
CLIFF: Seahawks 34 Falcons 14. I think Seattle will win in a cakewalk.
LARRY: No argument here .. although the oddsmakers are still drunk. If Seattle doesn’t show something, here – they’ll also lose at Home to the Redskins in the first Playoff Game. SEA 14 – ATL 6 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At Cleveland 10.5 San Francisco
CLIFF: Browns 31 49ers 17. Take the Browns and give up the points. Even though their own game means nothing, the Browns don’t want to back in to the playoffs. Their eyes will be on Tennessee.
LARRY: True dat. CLE 40 – SF 28 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Tennessee 6 At Indianapolis
CLIFF: Colts 28 Titans 20. The Colts are 6 point dogs at home, right. Manning and the boys do just enough to win. The Colts won’t rollover for anyone. Titans lose and the Browns make the playoffs, win or lose.
LARRY: I’m going to go out on a limb .. and take TEN to win but not cover. TEN 26 – IND 25 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Minnesota 3 At Denver
CLIFF: Broncos 21 Vikings 20. Broncos do enough to escape with win. Vikings need a win and a Redskin loss but fall short in both.
LARRY: Peterson makes up for what Gregg Williams’ Defense did to him, last week .. and puts on a final push for ROY. MIN 21 – DEN 14 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< San Diego 8 At Oakland
CLIFF: Bolts 41 Raiders 21. San Diego finished strong while Oakland continues to look for answers.
LARRY: Maybe a little closer .. with Players resting after Halftime. SD 27 – OAK 18 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At Arizona 6 St. Louis
CLIFF: Cardinals 27 Rams 20. Take Arz and give the points. The game means nothing to anybody.
LARRY: Blah blah blah … ARZ 21 – STL 21 Overtime Tie >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At NY Jets 6 Kansas City
CLIFF: Jets 24 Chiefs 21. Take KC and the points, Jets win but don’t cover.
LARRY: Can I pick zero to minus 1 ?
NYJ 9 – KC 7
“Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don’t.”
- Pete Seeger
