Greetings From Vienna
Hola my sports freakitos from the beautiful city of Vienna!
My vacation is going famously but I must admit, La Chica is missing her some college football today. As I write this, games are being played (sniff sniff). However, check this out: on Thanksgiving evening in Budapest, my traveling buddy, Mia, and I found a sports bar in the city and I was able to watch the Dolphins game against Detroit. Miami has now won 4 in a row!
Speaking of la Miamis, what about the Canes upsetting Boston College and then turning around and firing Larry Coker?! That's fantastic news for all Cane fans. And now the search begins for a new head coach, I just hope and pray the right decision is made. Good luck to you Larry Coker; you're a good man but your calling is at another program.
I just read where:
Florida barely beat FSU.
Texas lost again.
LSU beat Arkansas 31-26....damn, I knew that game was going to be tight and good.
South Carolina beat Clemson.
Okay my friends, I'm going to run and check out some free Austrian porn....just kidding, but I do have to run. This German keyboard is killing me.
I was going to be clever and say goodbye in German but that's a really long word and I don't feel like looking it up so ciao for now.
11.25.2006
11.21.2006
Turkey Picks
This week's picks are up a couple of days early as your Chica is headed on a European vacation; God-willing and the creek don't rise! It's been a crazy season my freakitos. This will be the last installment of picks until the conference championships, bowls and of course the big game.
By the way, I'm sending this out fully clothed.
#18 Boston College vs Miami
BC will win. Off topic: I hate to beat a deadhorse but this will be the Canes' 7th appearance on national television this season even though their record is a horrid 5-6. Peeps love to hate on Miami but you can't look away, can you?
#9 LSU vs #5 Arkansas
La Chica is sad that she's missing this game, it should be a dandy. I'm thinking that the Razorbacks rock the Tigers' world in this one. They need to in order to have a shot at making it to the national title game. I don't want to jinx them but Go Arkansas!
#4 Florida vs Florida State
This is a rivalry game so you never know what's going to happen. Florida is the better team but it's at FSU and you know the 'Noles will want to spoil it for the Gators. Regardless, I'm still going with the Gators.
#16 Georgia Tech vs Georgia
Another rivalry game that could go either way. I'm picking the Dawgs to upset Tech. After seeing what UGA is capable of doing against Auburn and at Auburn, they can certainly do it again versus GT.
#6 Notre Dame vs #3 USC
Unfortunately, the winner of this game will most likely face Ohio State in the championship game. The media has a love affair with both these teams that makes La Chica sick to her stomach but what can we do? I say USC wins at home.
This week's picks are up a couple of days early as your Chica is headed on a European vacation; God-willing and the creek don't rise! It's been a crazy season my freakitos. This will be the last installment of picks until the conference championships, bowls and of course the big game.
By the way, I'm sending this out fully clothed.
#18 Boston College vs Miami
BC will win. Off topic: I hate to beat a deadhorse but this will be the Canes' 7th appearance on national television this season even though their record is a horrid 5-6. Peeps love to hate on Miami but you can't look away, can you?
#9 LSU vs #5 Arkansas
La Chica is sad that she's missing this game, it should be a dandy. I'm thinking that the Razorbacks rock the Tigers' world in this one. They need to in order to have a shot at making it to the national title game. I don't want to jinx them but Go Arkansas!
#4 Florida vs Florida State
This is a rivalry game so you never know what's going to happen. Florida is the better team but it's at FSU and you know the 'Noles will want to spoil it for the Gators. Regardless, I'm still going with the Gators.
#16 Georgia Tech vs Georgia
Another rivalry game that could go either way. I'm picking the Dawgs to upset Tech. After seeing what UGA is capable of doing against Auburn and at Auburn, they can certainly do it again versus GT.
#6 Notre Dame vs #3 USC
Unfortunately, the winner of this game will most likely face Ohio State in the championship game. The media has a love affair with both these teams that makes La Chica sick to her stomach but what can we do? I say USC wins at home.
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!
11.20.2006
Weekend Stuff
The Miami Dolphins have won 3 in a row! Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons have lost 3 in a row...I'm just saying.
What about the beat down bestowed upon Wake Forest by Virginia Tech? I was actually cheering for Wake but was later happy that they got their asses smacked. One of my Hurricane friends (Joy) fell victim to a Wake fan talking trash to her about Miami's terrible season this year. Um, here's the thing, Wake: You guys haven't done sh_t in 50 or more years so until you do, no one wants to hear you say anything. And you're still not going to win an ACC title or a national championship! So sit your ass down.
And speaking of Miami, the bleeding should be over after Thanksgiving evening. God, please make it stop!
In other "beat down" news, Rutgers got theirs at the hands of Cincinnati as well. I'm so glad that I did not join the Scarlet Knights bandwagon. I told you guys they did not deserve a #3 BCS ranking after beating Louisville. That said, kudos to them because they've had a wonderful season, regardless.
Now for the BCS standings:
1) Ohio State 1.00
2) Michigan .926
3) USC .918
4) Florida .883
5) Notre Dame .819
My master plan of Cal beating USC did not work over the weekend, thanks a lot you freaking libs! Now what? La Chica wants to see an SEC team face OSU in the title game and right now Arkansas is playing better football than Florida so they get my vote, but with USC playing ND this week...the winner of that game will probably jump Michigan. Oh who knows, this college football season has exhausted me.
The Miami Dolphins have won 3 in a row! Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons have lost 3 in a row...I'm just saying.
What about the beat down bestowed upon Wake Forest by Virginia Tech? I was actually cheering for Wake but was later happy that they got their asses smacked. One of my Hurricane friends (Joy) fell victim to a Wake fan talking trash to her about Miami's terrible season this year. Um, here's the thing, Wake: You guys haven't done sh_t in 50 or more years so until you do, no one wants to hear you say anything. And you're still not going to win an ACC title or a national championship! So sit your ass down.
And speaking of Miami, the bleeding should be over after Thanksgiving evening. God, please make it stop!
In other "beat down" news, Rutgers got theirs at the hands of Cincinnati as well. I'm so glad that I did not join the Scarlet Knights bandwagon. I told you guys they did not deserve a #3 BCS ranking after beating Louisville. That said, kudos to them because they've had a wonderful season, regardless.
Now for the BCS standings:
1) Ohio State 1.00
2) Michigan .926
3) USC .918
4) Florida .883
5) Notre Dame .819
My master plan of Cal beating USC did not work over the weekend, thanks a lot you freaking libs! Now what? La Chica wants to see an SEC team face OSU in the title game and right now Arkansas is playing better football than Florida so they get my vote, but with USC playing ND this week...the winner of that game will probably jump Michigan. Oh who knows, this college football season has exhausted me.
11.16.2006
Picks With A Twist
It's no secret that la Sportschica's picks have been dismal the last few weeks, therefore, I'm mixing it up this time around! This week, I'm writing this and making my picks......TOPLESS! I realize this may not mean anything to most of you but it is quite liberating. On we go:
#21 Maryland vs #20 Boston College
Ugh, once again, another toss-up game that could go both ways. Maryland continues to "squeak by" their opponents; however, I keep thinking that streak has got to end at some point and with that I'm picking BC for the win.
#15 Auburn vs Alabama
Okay, I know this game does not have any impact on the national championship picture ever since Auburn got its ass kicked by Georgia last week, but it's a rivalry game so that always makes it fun. Hey, at least the Tigers didn't lose to Miss. State.....ohhhhh snap! La Chica hopes that little hottie, Brandon Cox, is healthier than he was last week; otherwise, it's gonna be another long day for AU. I'm still going with the Tigers.
#19 Virginia Tech vs #14 Wake Forest
This is all I'm going to say: I hope Wake kicks the living crap out of Va Tech! That's my pick..go Demon Deacons (whatever that nickname means).
#17 California vs #4 USC
Finally, a Pac 10 game la Chica is excited about. Most of you who know me know that I have scenarios in my head all season long. In my current strategy this is what needs to play out: Cal beats USC then USC beats Notre Dame. Simple, right? In the celebrated words of Lee Corso, not so fast my friends! It's going to be tough for Cal to beat USC at home but I think they can do it. Arduous game but the liberals at Cal come out ahead.
#2 Michigan vs #1 Ohio State
Last but certainly not least, we come to this game. Have you heard about it? ESPN has been (literally) counting down the number of days, hours and minutes to this game. All the losers at the network will probably wet their pants by game time.....I'm just saying.
It pains me to write this but I have to think that the Buckeyes take this one. They've been strong all year, granted the only real team they've played so far is Texas. (By the way, freaks, before you start posting "hate" comments, that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it!) Regardless, I hate to admit it but OSU looks good and will beat Michigan at home.
It's no secret that la Sportschica's picks have been dismal the last few weeks, therefore, I'm mixing it up this time around! This week, I'm writing this and making my picks......TOPLESS! I realize this may not mean anything to most of you but it is quite liberating. On we go:
#21 Maryland vs #20 Boston College
Ugh, once again, another toss-up game that could go both ways. Maryland continues to "squeak by" their opponents; however, I keep thinking that streak has got to end at some point and with that I'm picking BC for the win.
#15 Auburn vs Alabama
Okay, I know this game does not have any impact on the national championship picture ever since Auburn got its ass kicked by Georgia last week, but it's a rivalry game so that always makes it fun. Hey, at least the Tigers didn't lose to Miss. State.....ohhhhh snap! La Chica hopes that little hottie, Brandon Cox, is healthier than he was last week; otherwise, it's gonna be another long day for AU. I'm still going with the Tigers.
#19 Virginia Tech vs #14 Wake Forest
This is all I'm going to say: I hope Wake kicks the living crap out of Va Tech! That's my pick..go Demon Deacons (whatever that nickname means).
#17 California vs #4 USC
Finally, a Pac 10 game la Chica is excited about. Most of you who know me know that I have scenarios in my head all season long. In my current strategy this is what needs to play out: Cal beats USC then USC beats Notre Dame. Simple, right? In the celebrated words of Lee Corso, not so fast my friends! It's going to be tough for Cal to beat USC at home but I think they can do it. Arduous game but the liberals at Cal come out ahead.
#2 Michigan vs #1 Ohio State
Last but certainly not least, we come to this game. Have you heard about it? ESPN has been (literally) counting down the number of days, hours and minutes to this game. All the losers at the network will probably wet their pants by game time.....I'm just saying.
It pains me to write this but I have to think that the Buckeyes take this one. They've been strong all year, granted the only real team they've played so far is Texas. (By the way, freaks, before you start posting "hate" comments, that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it!) Regardless, I hate to admit it but OSU looks good and will beat Michigan at home.
11.14.2006
I'm Just Askin'
Question of the day: Is it possible to order a meteor to hit the Michigan/Ohio St game this Saturday?
I'm so sick of hearing all the hype about this game. And for those of us who didn't grow up in the Midwest, it's not the "biggest or best rivalry" in all of sports. Give me a break!
ESPN picks one item to discuss and that's all they talk about! I wish to God there were some other way to get sports information on a regular basis. I've reduced my ESPN tv time to College Gameday and that becomes unbearable at times too. That's a whole other conversation though.
Question of the day: Is it possible to order a meteor to hit the Michigan/Ohio St game this Saturday?
I'm so sick of hearing all the hype about this game. And for those of us who didn't grow up in the Midwest, it's not the "biggest or best rivalry" in all of sports. Give me a break!
ESPN picks one item to discuss and that's all they talk about! I wish to God there were some other way to get sports information on a regular basis. I've reduced my ESPN tv time to College Gameday and that becomes unbearable at times too. That's a whole other conversation though.
11.12.2006
Weekend Observations
This past weekend was a typical college football weekend. Teams that were supposed to win, did not and there were "upsets" a plenty.
Let's start with the Louisville/Rutgers game, the Cardinals were supposed to win, right? As everyone knows, they didn't. Now what? Should Rutgers be number 3 in the BCS? La Chica thinks no. Their story this year is great but they're not a number 3 BCS team!
Unranked Georgia went into Auburn and beat the living tar out of the Tigers. Hey, it's the South, a Chica can say "tar". Any given Saturday, a bad team can beat a good team and that's why we love this game.
Staying with the SEC, what about Arkansas??? I wasn't giving them a lot of love until last week. This is a good Razorback team that beat Auburn AND Tennessee convincingly. They deserve to be right up there with talks about a national championship appearance should they win out.
And now for the BCS standings this week:
1) Ohio State .976
2) Michigan .973
3) USC .869
4) Florida .849
5) Notre Dame .819
How in the world did Notre Dame go from number 9 to number 5 in one week? Oh right, by beating an unranked Air Force team, I understand now (insert sarcasm here). Also, how did USC jump Florida into the number 3 spot? If anyone deserves to jump Florida this week, it would be Arkansas. Hell, even Rutgers is more deserving since they're undefeated. This systems SUCKS!
Speaking of sucking, La Sportschica's pet peeve list is long and one day we'll get to it here but for now let's just discuss one of the items on the list. Pet Peeve # 17: Fans rushing the field after an upset or a big win, especially before the game is even over. One of my posters (BKing) reminded me of this and made a great point: it's always a second tier team's fans who do this. To those people, La Chica says this, we know you haven't been there before but for God's sake, act like it.
Lastly, during Florida State's game Saturday night, the Seminole players wore a #95 on their helmets in honor of the Miami player, Bryan Pata, who was killed last week. Anyone who knows me knows of my unmitigated dislike for FSU, however, I must admit I gained a bit more respect somewhere in the pit of my soul for those mangey Seminoles. Well done.
This past weekend was a typical college football weekend. Teams that were supposed to win, did not and there were "upsets" a plenty.
Let's start with the Louisville/Rutgers game, the Cardinals were supposed to win, right? As everyone knows, they didn't. Now what? Should Rutgers be number 3 in the BCS? La Chica thinks no. Their story this year is great but they're not a number 3 BCS team!
Unranked Georgia went into Auburn and beat the living tar out of the Tigers. Hey, it's the South, a Chica can say "tar". Any given Saturday, a bad team can beat a good team and that's why we love this game.
Staying with the SEC, what about Arkansas??? I wasn't giving them a lot of love until last week. This is a good Razorback team that beat Auburn AND Tennessee convincingly. They deserve to be right up there with talks about a national championship appearance should they win out.
And now for the BCS standings this week:
1) Ohio State .976
2) Michigan .973
3) USC .869
4) Florida .849
5) Notre Dame .819
How in the world did Notre Dame go from number 9 to number 5 in one week? Oh right, by beating an unranked Air Force team, I understand now (insert sarcasm here). Also, how did USC jump Florida into the number 3 spot? If anyone deserves to jump Florida this week, it would be Arkansas. Hell, even Rutgers is more deserving since they're undefeated. This systems SUCKS!
Speaking of sucking, La Sportschica's pet peeve list is long and one day we'll get to it here but for now let's just discuss one of the items on the list. Pet Peeve # 17: Fans rushing the field after an upset or a big win, especially before the game is even over. One of my posters (BKing) reminded me of this and made a great point: it's always a second tier team's fans who do this. To those people, La Chica says this, we know you haven't been there before but for God's sake, act like it.
Lastly, during Florida State's game Saturday night, the Seminole players wore a #95 on their helmets in honor of the Miami player, Bryan Pata, who was killed last week. Anyone who knows me knows of my unmitigated dislike for FSU, however, I must admit I gained a bit more respect somewhere in the pit of my soul for those mangey Seminoles. Well done.
11.09.2006
Picks and Stuff
This week brings us some good games, a lot of them would be better if all teams involved were ranked, as expected, but life doesn't usually go as planned.
Speaking of expectations, La Chica is getting A LOT of smack from some of you regarding my picks not panning out. Here's what I have to say to these critics: did you all just start watching college football this year? If the answer is "yes" then I understand you questioning my prognostications because you really don't know what you're talking about. If the answer is "no" then I'd like to see your picks and check out how you do week in and week out, FREAKS!
#3 Louisville vs #15 Rutgers - I'm so sick of hearing about Louisville and how "they deserve to be in the BCS championship game". Hey Cardinals, before you start pulling what will forever be known as a "Tommy Tuberville", how about winning out first. Louisville wins this game.
Georgia vs #5 Auburn - Interestingly, the winner of this game is usually the visiting team, however, the Dawgs stink this year so I don't see them going into Jordan-Hare and beating the Tigers. Auburn wins at home.
South Carolina vs #6 Florida - Why is your Chica posting this game you ask? Well, as I've stated in many previous blogs, my Florida friends are scared to death of Steve Spurrier. And because of this intimidation factor, they feel that Spurrier and his Cocks always have a shot regardless of rankings and so forth. They might have a point but I don't see it this year. The game is in Gainesville and Florida is a better team this year than last. However, if the Gator kicker does not become more consistent and start to make field goals AND extra points, the Cocks could get close but Florida still prevails.
#13 Tennessee vs #11 Arkansas - This is one of the good ones this weekend. I think Arkansas has an excellent shot at winning this game. The Vols lost a heartbreaker at home last week which, in my opinion, gives the Razorbacks a slight edge. This is one of those toss-up games that can go either way but I'm going with Arkansas at home.
Miami vs #25 Maryland - Once again, the Canes are on national television even though they've not been ranked since the 3rd week of the season. The hypocrisy of ESPN/ABC continues except this week it's a grieving Hurricane team. My head says to pick Maryland especially since the Canes are stinking but even more so because Miami has a ton of starters hurt and not playing. However, given this week's tragic events in South Florida, I'm going with my heart and picking my Canes. It's just football and it really doesn't mean a darn thing but GO CANES for #95!
This week brings us some good games, a lot of them would be better if all teams involved were ranked, as expected, but life doesn't usually go as planned.
Speaking of expectations, La Chica is getting A LOT of smack from some of you regarding my picks not panning out. Here's what I have to say to these critics: did you all just start watching college football this year? If the answer is "yes" then I understand you questioning my prognostications because you really don't know what you're talking about. If the answer is "no" then I'd like to see your picks and check out how you do week in and week out, FREAKS!
#3 Louisville vs #15 Rutgers - I'm so sick of hearing about Louisville and how "they deserve to be in the BCS championship game". Hey Cardinals, before you start pulling what will forever be known as a "Tommy Tuberville", how about winning out first. Louisville wins this game.
Georgia vs #5 Auburn - Interestingly, the winner of this game is usually the visiting team, however, the Dawgs stink this year so I don't see them going into Jordan-Hare and beating the Tigers. Auburn wins at home.
South Carolina vs #6 Florida - Why is your Chica posting this game you ask? Well, as I've stated in many previous blogs, my Florida friends are scared to death of Steve Spurrier. And because of this intimidation factor, they feel that Spurrier and his Cocks always have a shot regardless of rankings and so forth. They might have a point but I don't see it this year. The game is in Gainesville and Florida is a better team this year than last. However, if the Gator kicker does not become more consistent and start to make field goals AND extra points, the Cocks could get close but Florida still prevails.
#13 Tennessee vs #11 Arkansas - This is one of the good ones this weekend. I think Arkansas has an excellent shot at winning this game. The Vols lost a heartbreaker at home last week which, in my opinion, gives the Razorbacks a slight edge. This is one of those toss-up games that can go either way but I'm going with Arkansas at home.
Miami vs #25 Maryland - Once again, the Canes are on national television even though they've not been ranked since the 3rd week of the season. The hypocrisy of ESPN/ABC continues except this week it's a grieving Hurricane team. My head says to pick Maryland especially since the Canes are stinking but even more so because Miami has a ton of starters hurt and not playing. However, given this week's tragic events in South Florida, I'm going with my heart and picking my Canes. It's just football and it really doesn't mean a darn thing but GO CANES for #95!
11.08.2006
UM Football Player Killed...
This article was written by Greg Cote of the Miami Herald and sums it all up:
Tragedy reduces football issues to instant insignificanceBY GREG COTE gcote@MiamiHerald.com Greg Cote's weblog The Bryan Pata tragedy The unacceptable ignominy of the University of Miami football team's 5-4 record stopped mattering Tuesday night as surely as a heart stopped beating. The tenuous future of unpopular coach Larry Coker ceased to be the least bit important, at least for a little while. The injury to quarterback Kyle Wright's thumb retreated to instant insignificance.
Hopefully, too, an agitated, jeering, dissatisfied Hurricanes Nation will pause and demand of itself today a moment of silence, or at least perspective, in this rancorous season. Just a moment, please?
Bryan Pata died.
Violently, by a bullet, inside his apartment in Kendall.
He was a UM defensive tackle, a senior, down to his last few college games, before somebody took even those away.
He was not a star. He was nobody's All-American. Nobody's future first-round draft pick. He was a solid pass-rusher who had led the team in quarterback pressures last year. He was a solid run-stopper who had selflessly switched positions from end to tackle before this season because the coaches asked him to. He had 11 career sacks, including two this year.
He was not a star, but he was tough, liked, admired. He was a leader. Just two weeks ago, late in a teetering game at Georgia Tech, the defender ran onto the field into UM's offensive huddle to exhort his teammates. He cared that much.
A SENSELESS DEATH
Pata died senselessly Tuesday night, for no good reason, as a disproportionate number of young African-American males seem to in Miami and other big cities. You might not even have heard about a death such as his, except he happened to be a college football player. He wore No. 95. Sometime he wore dreadlocks. He loved to tinker with and restore old cars. He had seven older siblings. He was a Miami kid who grew up at Central High.
He was going to get around to figuring out something to do with his life after football, until somebody with a gun decided none of that mattered all that much.
He was 22, too young to die under every circumstance imaginable.
Police had no motives, details or explanation for the crime Tuesday night. Pata, described as a Christian who didn't drink or party, deserves every assumption of his being an innocent victim.
The shame of this is that too many people nationwide are going to add this to the generic parade of ''UM football controversies.'' They will place this neatly in line right behind last month's brawl during the FIU game under the broad subhed, Hurricanes in the Headlines for the Wrong Reasons.
As if Pata brought it on himself.
As if Coker should have stopped it.
As if anyone but the man with the gun in his hand was to blame.
The tragic news broke across Miami Tuesday night, broke like hearts break, and it had to remind many of 10 years earlier, to April 13, 1996, when UM linebacker Marlin Barnes and his friend, Timwanika Lumpkins, were murdered in a campus apartment by her former boyfriend.
FOOTBALL INCIDENTAL
Football was peripheral then, too; incidental, as it was Tuesday night.
Death is never choosy. Doesn't play favorites. Doesn't care who you are. It will take John F. Kennedy Jr. in a small plane, Dale Earnhardt Sr. in a fast car, a homeless man beaten by bats, Sonny Bono on a ski slope, Bryan Pata in a Kendall apartment, or someone you will never hear of who just slipped in his bathtub and hasn't even been missed yet.
Death, though, overwhelms everything, every time, at least in the time when we force ourselves to bow heads, for just a moment, between the regular beat of life, between the cheering or the resumption of complaint.
In that moment, in a fleeting spasm of clarity, we understand that a 5-4 record is just what it is and not anything more: a disappointment.
We understand then that this UM football season didn't become a tragedy until a bullet erased Bryan Pata for no good reason at all.
This article was written by Greg Cote of the Miami Herald and sums it all up:
Tragedy reduces football issues to instant insignificanceBY GREG COTE gcote@MiamiHerald.com Greg Cote's weblog The Bryan Pata tragedy The unacceptable ignominy of the University of Miami football team's 5-4 record stopped mattering Tuesday night as surely as a heart stopped beating. The tenuous future of unpopular coach Larry Coker ceased to be the least bit important, at least for a little while. The injury to quarterback Kyle Wright's thumb retreated to instant insignificance.
Hopefully, too, an agitated, jeering, dissatisfied Hurricanes Nation will pause and demand of itself today a moment of silence, or at least perspective, in this rancorous season. Just a moment, please?
Bryan Pata died.
Violently, by a bullet, inside his apartment in Kendall.
He was a UM defensive tackle, a senior, down to his last few college games, before somebody took even those away.
He was not a star. He was nobody's All-American. Nobody's future first-round draft pick. He was a solid pass-rusher who had led the team in quarterback pressures last year. He was a solid run-stopper who had selflessly switched positions from end to tackle before this season because the coaches asked him to. He had 11 career sacks, including two this year.
He was not a star, but he was tough, liked, admired. He was a leader. Just two weeks ago, late in a teetering game at Georgia Tech, the defender ran onto the field into UM's offensive huddle to exhort his teammates. He cared that much.
A SENSELESS DEATH
Pata died senselessly Tuesday night, for no good reason, as a disproportionate number of young African-American males seem to in Miami and other big cities. You might not even have heard about a death such as his, except he happened to be a college football player. He wore No. 95. Sometime he wore dreadlocks. He loved to tinker with and restore old cars. He had seven older siblings. He was a Miami kid who grew up at Central High.
He was going to get around to figuring out something to do with his life after football, until somebody with a gun decided none of that mattered all that much.
He was 22, too young to die under every circumstance imaginable.
Police had no motives, details or explanation for the crime Tuesday night. Pata, described as a Christian who didn't drink or party, deserves every assumption of his being an innocent victim.
The shame of this is that too many people nationwide are going to add this to the generic parade of ''UM football controversies.'' They will place this neatly in line right behind last month's brawl during the FIU game under the broad subhed, Hurricanes in the Headlines for the Wrong Reasons.
As if Pata brought it on himself.
As if Coker should have stopped it.
As if anyone but the man with the gun in his hand was to blame.
The tragic news broke across Miami Tuesday night, broke like hearts break, and it had to remind many of 10 years earlier, to April 13, 1996, when UM linebacker Marlin Barnes and his friend, Timwanika Lumpkins, were murdered in a campus apartment by her former boyfriend.
FOOTBALL INCIDENTAL
Football was peripheral then, too; incidental, as it was Tuesday night.
Death is never choosy. Doesn't play favorites. Doesn't care who you are. It will take John F. Kennedy Jr. in a small plane, Dale Earnhardt Sr. in a fast car, a homeless man beaten by bats, Sonny Bono on a ski slope, Bryan Pata in a Kendall apartment, or someone you will never hear of who just slipped in his bathtub and hasn't even been missed yet.
Death, though, overwhelms everything, every time, at least in the time when we force ourselves to bow heads, for just a moment, between the regular beat of life, between the cheering or the resumption of complaint.
In that moment, in a fleeting spasm of clarity, we understand that a 5-4 record is just what it is and not anything more: a disappointment.
We understand then that this UM football season didn't become a tragedy until a bullet erased Bryan Pata for no good reason at all.
11.07.2006
11.06.2006
Weekend Observations
Can I just give a "shout out" to my pro team, the Miami Dolphins! They went up to Chicago and put a serious beat down on a previously undefeated Bears team. I LOVE IT! All that's left is for someone to beat Indy at least once. Speaking of the Colts, can anyone stop Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison? That's a pretty good tandem.
This weekend left la Chica a bit speechless so my weekend comments may be brief. There were a lot of great and close games all weekend but no real upsets. Yes, Georgia lost to Kentucky but this year's Bulldog team is not that good so I don't consider that an upset.
The LSU/Tennessee game lived up to the hype. What a great game; LSU finally won a big game this year and in fantastic fashion.
The West Virginia/Louisville game did not live up to its hype and there was a lot of hype surrounding this one. The win put Louisville at number 3 in the BCS and while I think they deserve that given the fact they have not lost a game this year, I really don't care to see a national championship game consisting of: Louisville vs Ohio State or Michigan. Sorry Big East but I'm not the only one who thinks that.
Speaking of the BCS, here's the top 5 for this week:
1) Ohio State .986
2) Michigan .970
3) Louisville .890
4) Florida .801
5) Texas .799
Okay, back to the silly stuff, can someone please give la Chica an explanation for why there are so many college punters who are fat as hell??? Good grief! Have you seen Virginia Tech's punter? His ass is bigger than a lot of "chicas" I know. It's just plain ugly to see a man with a big ass.....I'm just saying!
And finally, Doug Flutie's hair is still jacked up! They made some adjustments to it but it still looks like bad 80s hair. Hey hair and makeup peeps, just cut the damn thing incredibly short already, geez!!!
Can I just give a "shout out" to my pro team, the Miami Dolphins! They went up to Chicago and put a serious beat down on a previously undefeated Bears team. I LOVE IT! All that's left is for someone to beat Indy at least once. Speaking of the Colts, can anyone stop Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison? That's a pretty good tandem.
This weekend left la Chica a bit speechless so my weekend comments may be brief. There were a lot of great and close games all weekend but no real upsets. Yes, Georgia lost to Kentucky but this year's Bulldog team is not that good so I don't consider that an upset.
The LSU/Tennessee game lived up to the hype. What a great game; LSU finally won a big game this year and in fantastic fashion.
The West Virginia/Louisville game did not live up to its hype and there was a lot of hype surrounding this one. The win put Louisville at number 3 in the BCS and while I think they deserve that given the fact they have not lost a game this year, I really don't care to see a national championship game consisting of: Louisville vs Ohio State or Michigan. Sorry Big East but I'm not the only one who thinks that.
Speaking of the BCS, here's the top 5 for this week:
1) Ohio State .986
2) Michigan .970
3) Louisville .890
4) Florida .801
5) Texas .799
Okay, back to the silly stuff, can someone please give la Chica an explanation for why there are so many college punters who are fat as hell??? Good grief! Have you seen Virginia Tech's punter? His ass is bigger than a lot of "chicas" I know. It's just plain ugly to see a man with a big ass.....I'm just saying!
And finally, Doug Flutie's hair is still jacked up! They made some adjustments to it but it still looks like bad 80s hair. Hey hair and makeup peeps, just cut the damn thing incredibly short already, geez!!!
11.02.2006
Picks, Picks, Picks!
There are some great games on tap this weekend starting with a fun, fun, one tonight! Check it out my little football freakitos:
#3 West Virginia vs #5 Louisville
No one, including your Chica, would have ever thought that upon Virginia Tech and Miami's departure from the Big East, there would be a game of this magnitude left in the conference. Well folks, there is! Both teams are undefeated and both are ranked in the top 5. This should be a fun game for those of us who love offense. I'm going to pick West Virginia because I think they look stronger at this juncture AND I hate Louisville! Not to mention, a West Virginia victory will stir up stuff in the BCS and frankly, that's all I've got this season.
#13 LSU vs #8 Tennessee
The jacked up BCS is not giving Tennessee a lot of respect these days. Granted, they're a one-loss team but they have looked very good as the season has progressed. And in la Sportschica's very humbled opinion, I think they're the best team in the SEC right now.....I'm just sayin'! Poor ole LSU cannot win the big games this year so I'm going with Rocky Top at home.
#16 Boston College vs #22 Wake Forest
Go Wake! God bless the Demon Deacons this year but I don't think they will beat BC. However, I think it will be a tight little game but in the end Boston College comes out on top.
#12 Arkansas vs South Carolina
This game is posted because I think Spurrier and his Cocks (so appropriate) will give the Razorbacks a good game. In fact, I'm going to go with Carolina on this one. I'll give the coach this: he does have his team ready against ranked teams 90% of the time and I think this is one of them.
#23 Virginia Tech vs Miami
Real quick, VT will beat Miami! Why? Because the Canes have nothing left, this poor team has had the life sucked out of them and unfortunately, the coach is worthless.
Here's what I want to know though: If Miami is such a bad program and "thug U" then why does ESPN/ABC have them on national television 2 weeks in a row? They're not ranked so this game has no national title implications whatsoever, but yet they're the primetime game Saturday night. Hmmmm, hypocrites! I still hate ESPN!!!! Go Canes!
There are some great games on tap this weekend starting with a fun, fun, one tonight! Check it out my little football freakitos:
#3 West Virginia vs #5 Louisville
No one, including your Chica, would have ever thought that upon Virginia Tech and Miami's departure from the Big East, there would be a game of this magnitude left in the conference. Well folks, there is! Both teams are undefeated and both are ranked in the top 5. This should be a fun game for those of us who love offense. I'm going to pick West Virginia because I think they look stronger at this juncture AND I hate Louisville! Not to mention, a West Virginia victory will stir up stuff in the BCS and frankly, that's all I've got this season.
#13 LSU vs #8 Tennessee
The jacked up BCS is not giving Tennessee a lot of respect these days. Granted, they're a one-loss team but they have looked very good as the season has progressed. And in la Sportschica's very humbled opinion, I think they're the best team in the SEC right now.....I'm just sayin'! Poor ole LSU cannot win the big games this year so I'm going with Rocky Top at home.
#16 Boston College vs #22 Wake Forest
Go Wake! God bless the Demon Deacons this year but I don't think they will beat BC. However, I think it will be a tight little game but in the end Boston College comes out on top.
#12 Arkansas vs South Carolina
This game is posted because I think Spurrier and his Cocks (so appropriate) will give the Razorbacks a good game. In fact, I'm going to go with Carolina on this one. I'll give the coach this: he does have his team ready against ranked teams 90% of the time and I think this is one of them.
#23 Virginia Tech vs Miami
Real quick, VT will beat Miami! Why? Because the Canes have nothing left, this poor team has had the life sucked out of them and unfortunately, the coach is worthless.
Here's what I want to know though: If Miami is such a bad program and "thug U" then why does ESPN/ABC have them on national television 2 weeks in a row? They're not ranked so this game has no national title implications whatsoever, but yet they're the primetime game Saturday night. Hmmmm, hypocrites! I still hate ESPN!!!! Go Canes!
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