Cal Defense – Saying Goodbye to Buck Shaw Stadium – and Fantasy
Football Update
University of California Golden Bears – and What They do
When the Other Team Has the Ball
As an Old Blue
(UC Berkeley Alumni) – there have been precious few times in a football season
when my alma mater is 4-1 and their one loss came on a Hail Mary pass as the
last play of the game. However I can say
that, while I am happy about our record, I cannot believe that there is a FBS
team at 4-1 that has chosen to rest all of their players when their defense
would normally be on the field. You have
to go way back to --- well … I guess only last year actually … -- to see a
defense that looks similar in that their mission is to get off the field quickly
after yielding a touchdown as quickly as possible. It is disheartening – but (cynically) it may
show what you have to do if you want to increase graduation rates. I love my Bears --- but I think we should
on-side kick after every score and just go for fourth down every single time.
Goodbye Santa Clara University – Buck Shaw Stadium – Home
of the San Jose Earthquakes
I am not a fan of
Buck Shaw Stadium – although to be fair I have said many times that it is a great
place to actually watch a game because it is kind of like it is being played in
your back yard. If you have ever been to Stubbs BBQ for a concert in Austin, Texas ... You'll agree that Buck Shaw is to soccer what Stubbs BBQ is to concerts. But it is not a
professional stadium and when they stop fans from entering or exiting because
the guy carrying the cones from the visiting team is walking by … that is
beyond rinky-dink.
In just a couple
of weeks the Earthquakes will play their final game at Buck Shaw Stadium as
they prepare to move to their own new stadium by the San Jose Airport. And … despite the fact that I have never been
a fan of Buck Shaw Stadium … looking back I am a fan of Buck Shaw Stadium. Because it has given me special Dad moments
there.
-
First MLS goal that I saw Chris score in person
-
Goal that Chris scored to set an Earthquakes all-time
scoring record
-
Goal that Chris scored and then came over and
kissed A Pequena Chefona
-
Being able to be so close and enjoy the Ultras (Chefona dances to their songs)
-
Having an intimate soccer experience that most
dads will never have
o
(I still don’t like the place … but wow has it
given me great memories)
Fantasy Football Update
The Fighting Basset
Hounds are now 4 wins 1 loss in the Wondo Family Fantasy Football League. Of the 8 teams in the league … the Fighting
Basset Hounds find themselves at the “top of the table” as soccer people like
to say. In addition – through the first
5 weeks – no team has ever scored more points in one week than the FBH did in
Week One. We have had to deal with
adversity – injuries, suspensions, bad attitudes, poor performers and egos …
but our management philosophy has helped guide us to the lofty place that we
sit today - JUST WIN BABY.
Our position in
the standings? Far above my sons Chris and Stephen – in fact, you would
probably need a telescopic rear view mirror to even see Chris or Stephen from
our place in the standings. I have even
started rooting for both of them … because (1) they are my sons and I care for
them and (2) they are embarrassing the crap out of me right now.
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