Friday, September 14, 2007

Let's Talk Football

Please excuse the inconsequentiality of what I'm about to write, but I just HAVE to say it.

I LOVE FOOTBALL.

If I could be a wide receiver, I would. But because it's not generally accepted practice for thirty-something females to play this position, let alone this sport, I'm relegated to watching. And what a glorious relegation it is!

The imprints of games, plays and players are burned on my retinas (only my kids will know what I'm referring to): Kellen Winslow's block, 5 laterals by the Golden Bears, Dwight Clark's catch against the dreaded Cowboys, Boise State's 07 Bowl win, the Super Bowl in which the zebras defeated my beloved Hawks, Doug Flutie's Hail Mary for Boston College, Mack Strong's thirty plus yard ramble in the 06 playoffs, my nephew running for 160-some yards in a high school game...ahhhhh. I just love it.

I think that, as a group, the linebackers are my favorites. Mike Singletary. Lawrence Taylor. Junior Seau. And now Lofa Tatupu of the Seahawks. These guys are amazing. Athletic. Fast. Sneaky and strong, not to mention authoritative. If anybody thinks football is a sport for fat, dumb guys, guess again. These guys have to be smart and in unbelievable shape.

So, last weekend couldn't have been better for football in the Northwest. The sun was shining and all our teams played in one city in a span of two days with awesome results.

Game 2 of the Jake Locker era for the Dawgs - another impressive win, breaking Boise State's 14 or so game winning streak. Reality check tomorrow, however...#10 ranked Ohio State. Hmmm. Guess we'll find out if UW is for real or not.

Cougs at Qwest Field and I WAS THERE for a resounding win over San Diego State. Not only resounding, but record-setting. Cougs QB Alex Brink had a school record 38 completions for 469 yards. I'm not kidding you. And we got to see a whole bunch of TD's in the end zone where we were sitting, in addition to a stellar trombone performance by my nephew in the marching band.
Last but not least, the Hawks over Tampa Bay on Sunday. After a rather questionable start, the offense and defense finally got going. Shawn Alexander finally cranked it up and started heading UP the field instead of across it...now if only he could do that EVERY time!!! Lofa and company never seemed to tire out and laid a punishing string of hits on the Bucs. After the game, I wanted to write a post entitled "Things That Make Me Happy, vol. 2" with exactly one item in it - SEAHAWKS DEFENSE.

So if you didn't know it before, you know it now, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool football fan. If you really need to call to me on Saturday or Sunday afternoon between 1 and 4 PM, please do it only on commercial breaks or at halftime. :) Other than that I'm happy to talk football with you ANY TIME. (I especially love analyzing Holmgren's 3rd down play calling).

Are you ready for some football?