Two immediate thoughts on this week's MNF

The Texas Stadium, home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys, has a hole over the field because the original plans (1971) did not contain enough structural integrity to have a full roof. Given the stadium already cost $35 million, there was not enough money (or time, I presume) to add more structural integrity to fill-in the roof.

Also, will the NFL please stop showing the camera view from behind the kicker when he attempts to kick a field goal. While a cool view, it's not practical. You can barely see the football, with the backdrop of fans, and the TV viewer can't tell whether or not the kick goes through the upright.

Pure dominance limited by showing-off.

During the 2008 Summer Olympics, Usain Bolt learned a lesson from the Olympic Committee and crowd reaction during his 100m final: don't show-off before the finish line; rather, impress us as the "fastest man on earth" and then celebrate in whatever way you feel - including your human reenactment of a lighting bolt.

And now, according to ESPN.com, Usain is learning another lesson: don't have your coach promote that you can shatter the former 100m record by running a time, say around, 9.52s; rather, you're going to have to prove it, because physicists have you pegged between 9.55 - 9.61s. (pffft!)

Rock bottom or just a poor choice?

According to an ESPN.com article, a high jumper was accused of drinking Red Bull and vodka during a professional track and field meet.

This immediately made me think of VH1's "Behind The Music" where similar incidents meant rock bottom was just around the corner. However, if history (or "Behind The Music") is any indication, I wouldn't be shocked if this high jumper crashes and burns in the next year... only to turn his life around and contend for an Olympic medal in London 2012.

... or maybe he just wanted a night off for once and decided it'd be best to drink at a professional meet.

Update: As I usually re-read my posts, I once again got to thinking... if you're an elite athlete, why would you potentially throw it all away with one thoughtless move? It's all about the decisions we make.

Manny being Manny

It was definitely one of the best baseball games I've ever attended. To be witness to an event that only two dozen other players have ever accomplished... watching Manny Ramirez crack his 500th homerun.

It was pretty funny how just innings before the historic occasion, Manny let two moderately easy fly balls to left field drop or glance off his glove. However, once he swung at the first pitch of his late inning at bat, easily crushing his 500th homerun into right field, showing baseball fans just how amazing of a hitter he is, all was forgotten. And once again, Red Sox Nation was OK with Manny being Manny.

P.S. One guy in particular was trading $5 bills for ticket stubs. I wonder how much he'll get for them.

It's a great time to be a New England sports fan...

New England Patriots? Some consider (including me) this team to be a dynasty of the past decade.

Boston Red Sox? Not one, but two (!!) championships in the last four years... after not having won one in eighty some-odd years.

Boston Celtics? We just bought ourselves some entertainment during this year's NBA playoff season. Let's just hope we can make it all the way.

(Boston Bruins? Not sure, since I don't watch hockey... so if you have a stat... feel free to comment.)

It's great to be entertained by New England sports all year 'round. I can't imagine living in Milwaukee or the like.... for sports anyway. (cost of living comparison though... that's another blog for another day)

Watching golf is not the same without Tiger Woods

While I certainly have an appreciation for all the professional golfers out there... I have to admit that I won't be watching any events until the U.S. Open. Why? Because that's when Tiger Woods will hopefully return.

Think he can come back from a two-month absence to win? I'd say he's got a (small) chance.