Happy Hump-day readers! 

When I first thought about starting to write a blog nightly, I didn't realize that I when I finally decided to start writing it, work would become busier than ever.  With the rapid down turn in the economy in the last few days, and my job in the auto industry coming under fire I have been unable to log an entry, and I apologize.

For today's blog I thought I'd touch on something that I'm sure has been talked about in great lengths the last couple of days... Deshawn Jackson's fumble at the half yard line during Monday night's NFL game between the Eagles and the Cowboys.  When I first saw Jackson make the catch I sort of just turned away to resume talking fantasy football with some of my fantasy pals with whom I was watching the game, thinking sure TD.  Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw some guys at a table beside start to laugh histarically at something they were seeing on the TV.  When I turned back to see what they were laughing at, I saw the replay of Jackson's backward throw of the football  BEFORE he crossed the goal line.  Along with joining the bar in laughter,  I instantly became concerned for what this young man had just done to what I thought was shaping up to be a fine start to his young NFL career.  I thought back to Leon Lett running with his arms straight out with the football exposed during the Super Bowl, just before getting caught by Buffalo's Don Beebe. Or the following season when he slipped and kicked a football that if left alone, the game would have ended, and the Cowboys would have won.  Both of those things Leon Lett will be remembered for always, which is sad considering he was one of the best nose tackles of his time.  I said I was concerned only because the next clip I saw showed DeShawn Jackson as a Cal player in college, trying to do a flip into the end zone while running uncontested to the end zone, only to lose the ball at the 1 yard line.  This shows that not only did he cost his team a game in college but he brought his selfishness to the pros.  Luckily for him on the next play Brian Westbrook ran the ball in for the score. I also was disappointed to see Jackson on the sideline, appearing to be defending himself.  Andy Reid should have turned around and benched Jackson for at least 1 game.  That was just sure fire case of a young player putting himself before the team.  I am personally starting the "DeShawn Jackson for jackass of the year" campaign.  Football has long been the epitome of a team sport, and moves like Jackson pulled is not only just him making a bad example for young football players everywhere, but also looks poorly on the league.  Although, it was pretty funny.  And pro sports are for entertainment, so maybe I'm just being too sensitive as I for one always enjoy the humor in a pro athlete looking human for a change.

Anyhow, enjoy the rest of your Wednesday, and hopefully I will be back with a blog in the next couple of days.

Adios for now,

RV.

           I'd like to start my first blog on a little bit of a sad note.  The Oakland Raiders.  Really I almost feel stupid for feeling bad for Raiders fans, being a Denver Broncos fan myself, but wow, it's not even fun ribbing them anymore.  I was trying to tell a Raiders fan who works with me that the Raiders are like the university teams that MLB teams play before spring training just to warm up for spring games.  To my surprise, the guy didn't even flinch.  He kind of just looked at me, sad-eyed and beaten and asked me if I thought he would disagree?  Since the 2002 Super Bowl, the "Committment to Excellence" has become the "Committment to getting top draft choices".  It all fine and good when you draft big armed quarterbacks, or top speed running backs, but it's still not going to turn anything around if the offensive line is swiss cheese.  On Monday, every snap JaMarcus Russell took on offense was a jail-break for the Broncos defense, and we're talking about a very mediocre defense at best.  On the few snaps where Russell did seem to have a little time to drop back and make a read, he looked like he could be a pretty good QB in the future.  But if Denver gave the Raiders OL any trouble, I can't imagine what the rest of the league is going to do the Raiders.  I can think of at least a couple of number 1 overall drafted QB's who spent their first season or two on their backs, and where they are now... it's not looking good for old JaMarcus.  If you're not sure what I mean, see David Carr, Tim Couch, or Alex Smith.

             Anyway, I figure I've wasted enough time now and am going to sign off, but before I do I just want to leave you with one thing... To all of us non-Raider fans out there, please, if you've read this blog, be nice to your friend who foolishly roots for the Raiders, because he like the rest of Raider-nation are in for another tough year, another high draft pick, and another year of watching wrinkled old Al (I no longer like Lane Kiffin) Davis confuse football with babysitting.  Until next time...

RV.