Football offseason 2005

Ahh, the football offseason is here. Not as good as the regular season, but at times better. It is better, because I don't have to see the Lions lose and of recent they have had pretty good offseasons (most noted by slight increases in wins). So with that I always sit there and have an opinion on how things are going. I like to analyze my team and determine what they should really be doing.

Lets start with a basic needs analysis:

1. Veteran QB
2. Safety
3. Defensive End
4. Offensive Tackle
5. Offensive Guard
6. Center

Well, I am talking about revamping that line. Didn't really think so until I went down the list of needed changes. I wouldn't mind an extra linebacker, but for the most part their LB core just misses a bit of speed. As for center, I really have nothing against Dominic Raiola except that he is undersized. I am looking at someone that can help move the pile get more rushing yards. Stockar McDougle may leave the team in free-agency, so you would need a new OT. Offensive Guard, I am looking at some youth and size again.

This leaves us at the top three needs.

The Lions need an explosive Defensive End. I would have loved to have Julius Peppers, but that draft.... So we need one. James Hall has done an excellent job, way better than I ever expected, but who lines up on the other side? Kalimba? At this point, I wouldn't call him a no show, but I would say that he is a wall flower. He showed up, but wasn't all we anticipated. Maybe the Lions should go hang out at the NBA draft, and pick the biggest, strongest guy to shore of the side.

Recently the Lions released on of their safeties and couple that with an aging but good Brock Marion, and you need some help there. I would love to see them pick up Arturo Freeman from free agency. I don't think the draft will cut it in this case as I think you are going to want some experience.

Finally, but not finally, a veteran QB. Sorry Joey. I thought we should have never gotten you in the first place. I wasn't much on Charlie Batch, but the one good qb of that draft went to the expansion team and I felt we could wait another year. I am still saying we should have picked up Quentin Jammer. Great cornerback.

• Jeff Garcia. Please don't get him. My concern is age in this case. Are you getting someone to challenge for the spot to be starter for 1 year, or is it something more than that? Sometimes I wish FA was after the draft. Then I would say if you get either Smith or Rodgers (QB's) then take Garcia and use Harrington as trade bait to alleviate cap room. Otherwise avoid Garcia. And I say avoid him.
• Brian Griese. Obvious yes choice, money dependent. Low bonus, mid-high level money. That way if he doesn't pan out and you need to get him to a new home, it is less of an impact over time. But one good year, a good quarterback does not make.
• Who else? Draft? Not a chance. Kurt Warner? No please, too much of a chip on his shoulder. Jay Fiedler? I like Fiedler, but I don't know if this is the offense for him.

I guess I don't have a definitive on this one. Get Griese if you can. Take Fiedler over Garcia, depending on how you plan on using them. Ugg, I am recommending both Dolphins QBs and it is making me ill.

So, my surprise take that I think the Lions should listen to? Cut Hakim and pick up Jerry Rice. Some veteran experience on some young, talented receivers and the plus is, there are some miles left on the tread to draw coverage and make some tough catches with some of the softest hands in the league. No brainer.

Sorry Laura

So I started commenting on Princess's blog and made a point, and then followed that up by supporting the exact opposite point. Damn split personality. To set the story straight, I like CSI (the original series) and I am not really sure why. Never sat and analysized it. Not like Sci Fi shows which I will sit and analyze pieces and parts. I do think this has to do with the genre (I am sorry, but drama is not a genre, but a style). The reason for those parenthesis is that look at more sci fi and it is drama as well, but no one calls it that. In fact, it does sound a little silly at the same time.

"Star Trek: Vulcan" The new series centered around the inner emotional turmoil a vulcan and her family suffer through as they struggle with a marriage to a human. Science Fiction Drama.

Kwings Win! and Hitch Review

Well Saturday was our day for chillin' in Kalamazoo. Did the shopping thing and followed that up by watching the Kwings play the Flint Generals. Chalk one up for the west siders. It was a good time. The way to measure it is I was a little under the weather and still had a blast. Too much rich food.

First off I got to say, "WHO NEEDS THE NHL!?" I would rather see a UHL game any day. More personal, lots of fun. Great action. Plus you have so much passion for game with the young upcomers and the old fighters hanging on to the game. Rock! Support the ";ittle" hockey league.

On to Hitch. Simply, a chick flick that is fun enough for a guy to enjoy. So the hitch is that this guy fixes it so poor smucks like me and other nerds, get a chance at love. The whole crux of this is that given the opportunity and the right conditions, love will form between that wonderful personal inner love delinquent and the beautiful. Made for an interesting, if partial predicatible movie.

Review Fable for Xbox + more

Ok. I haven't done this in a while. Of course, I have been busy. You know.

Review:

Fable for the Xbox gaming console is a great game but it is really similar to eating a single cookie versus eating a piece of pie. Sweet yes, but oh so short. On top of that, the vast majority of the game would be considered too easy. You play a boy who's whole family is murdered in a raid for no known reason. You are rescued by a Hero named Maze. Upon rescuing you, you brought into the hero's guild to learn the trade. Now, being a hero does not mean you are good, you can be a champion of evil as well.

The game includes some very interesting pieces where your appearance changes based on how evil or good you are. Since I am a good two shoes, I played totally good and ended the game with light blue eyes, fair complexion, kinda scrawny, with butterflies and a halo around my head. Evil, you would grow horns, etc. Also the time spent out doors will affect if you have a tan... along with the amount of magic that you use will affect the way you look. You can also get muscles by constant use as well as get fat by eating alot of food and not running around.

What I liked was the story and how it evolved. They kept it fairly simple in terms of twists and turns and you find your way to the end without too much trouble. I however was expecting tons of quests to take similar to freelancer or privateer for PC, but usually you get 2 quests to pick from and you can tell the evil ones. The only complex thing in the game was the character and development of the character.

I didn't like that it was too short, and changing your character at times seemed like very tedious work. But the final bad guy wasn't even that hard once I worked into a strategy, and I did not even have really powerful weapons.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

So what else have I done. Michelle and I got a new headboard and footboard, so I drove to Holland to pick it up but lost a piece of my tonneau cover in the process. Otherwise not too much else. Mostly working later of late. Lots to do and lots of exciting thing the 'pool.

So next up is to put together the new headboard tomorrow and get some pictures so that my parents can see it all together (they helped buy it as a christmas/birthday present). Plus tonight we are going to watch the Kwings fly into the future.

More movie reviews

So I watched a couple more movies.

First: Chronicles of Riddick

I know that I will get harrassed for this one, but I actually really like it. It was so much fun to watch, the characters were good. The dialogue wasn't bad. The only thing I really hated was the name of the planets the the "races". Argh, totally painful.


Second: Screaming Tiger

Wow. This was a horrible film and I loved it. I wish I could tell you more, like which actor's were in it or who directed it or even when it was made, but I can't. This is a hong kong action flick and just fun in a bad sense. It is a pretty short movie but you don't get to see the main bad guy till quite late and then there seems to be little if any antaganism between any of the characters. I did have trouble staying awake during the 20 minute final battle. I mean, come on. That is way too long for a 85 minute film.