Due to a combination of laziness and misinformation I have been delinquent again in updating the blog. The hit counter I attached to the page showed me that only two people visited the blog in a week so I figured the audience had declined to only the family members I speak with via phone on a regular basis.
Anyways... Things are rather good up here. We came back and beat Toronto, but then dropped a very close one against BC, the reigning Grey Cup champs. Once again there were turnover issues, but the offense played very well overall and the defense remained sturdy throughout. It was one of those games that just slips away. We had every opportunity to win and put BC away, but let them stay in it through our own mistakes. That makes it all the more frustrating... knowing that you weren't outplayed, but beat yourself.
We hope to rebound again this week against Edmonton. The loser of this game will end up in last place in the conference. While it is still very early in the season and standings can easily change, we obviously want to stay out of the cellar. They are all about passing, but the forecast predicts a thunderstorm so that should make Edmonton's offensive attack interesting. Not sure if they will try to run the ball more or if they will stick to the air despite the conditions. I feel that this is a game we should win, but we can't let momentum get away from us. That is what seems to happen to us. In the first Toronto games we were OK in the first quarter, but then the game just got away from us and spiraled. We lost momentum again against BC in the 4th quarter and ended up letting it slip away.
My knee has suddenly swollen up again and is as painful as the first week I injured it. I don't know what happened all of sudden... I don't recall getting hit and I haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary. It is not good, though. I am getting pretty sharp radiating pain all throughout my leg, but my flexibility is still OK and the leg is strong so I will be playing. The team doctor might aspirate the joint beforehand so that should help.
There is a bye week starting Aug 18th so I will fly home for that week and hopefully get to see everyone back in NJ. I am really looking forward to a week of rest, even though it seems very far away right now.
8/3/07
7/14/07
Finally
Well we FINALLY got our internet hooked up today so it's time to resurrect the floundering blog. All the furniture is in and we are just missing a few items such as lamps, pots and pans. The walls could also use a little decor, but overall it is a very very nice setup. It gets a bit hot with no AC, but it doesn't get humid here like on the east coast so it is actually rather pleasant.
As I'm sure most of you know, we have been very busy here getting our butt's handed to us in the last two games. There's really no other way to describe it. It's unfortunate because I really believe we have a great team with fantastic talent, but are playing way below our level. You just can't win when you have 10 turnovers in one game. Very very frustrating.
I didn't play last week, but came back for the game against Toronto. The knee is still very swollen, but the bruising on my leg is all but gone. It blew up a bit again after the game and was very painful while I was playing. It affected me quite a bit when I had to change direction due to the joint's inflexibility, but overall it was OK. I probably won't practice a whole lot this week as doing so irritates the joint and brings more fluid to the area. The team doctor believes it will be a few weeks before the fluid buildup completely disappears. I am still trying to talk them into aspirating the joint, but they are worried about an infection. I'm more worried about this thing never going down!
As I'm sure most of you know, we have been very busy here getting our butt's handed to us in the last two games. There's really no other way to describe it. It's unfortunate because I really believe we have a great team with fantastic talent, but are playing way below our level. You just can't win when you have 10 turnovers in one game. Very very frustrating.
I didn't play last week, but came back for the game against Toronto. The knee is still very swollen, but the bruising on my leg is all but gone. It blew up a bit again after the game and was very painful while I was playing. It affected me quite a bit when I had to change direction due to the joint's inflexibility, but overall it was OK. I probably won't practice a whole lot this week as doing so irritates the joint and brings more fluid to the area. The team doctor believes it will be a few weeks before the fluid buildup completely disappears. I am still trying to talk them into aspirating the joint, but they are worried about an infection. I'm more worried about this thing never going down!
7/5/07
MIA
Just wanted to say hi and give a very brief update. We moved into our new place on Sunday, which has no internet. As such, I have not been able to get online at all to update the blog for the past 4 days. I will not be playing this Sunday due to a slight knee injury. No tears or permanent damage, just an absurd amount of swelling. I COULD probably play, but the trainers do not want to risk further, and potentially more serious, damage. They'd rather have me sit this game and play against Toronto next Thursday. It irks me to miss practice and a game, but I have to remember that this season is 18 weeks long.
More to come when we get our internet hooked up after the road trip!
More to come when we get our internet hooked up after the road trip!
7/1/07
First Game
Just a quick note on the game before I run off to practice. Well we won! I played rather well... got to the QB a lot, got a sack, a fumble and a few tackles. Still made a lot of mistakes, but our defense stepped up as a whole when it counted. The offense was great! My knee is swollen beyond belief, but nothing is actually hurt. Just took too many helmets to the leg. I will give an in-depth summary after practice. It was good to have my Dad, Lynne and my grandpa at the game. I know these games mean a lot to my grandpa especially.
6/28/07
Just A Quick Note
Another busy day today searching for a place to live. Practice went much better this morning than yesterday, which really helps to set a positive tone for the remainder of the day. Also got a good lift in after practice... something that I really ought to keep up on. I feel emaciated after the malnourishment we went through during camp.
Gerald and I spent the afternoon looking for places to live again. We found another great option, but we still opted to try to hold out for this big penthouse type place. The fact that the owner will let us do a 5 month lease instead of a 6 month is really going to be the nail in the coffin, as it allows us to pay the same amount as we would for a cheaper place on a 6 month lease. I actually met the guy tonight... we had to go out to a nightclub he owns in order to get the facetime. He certainly acted the part of the playboy, but was very friendly and seemed genuinely interested in helping us out. It looks like we might be able to get into the place as early as Friday. We shall see. I'll feel much better about it all once I have the keys to the front door.
As usual you can check out the link for Big Green Alert on the side of my blog if you want to check out some new articles on me. I'm amazed how well Bruce stays on top of these things.
Gerald and I spent the afternoon looking for places to live again. We found another great option, but we still opted to try to hold out for this big penthouse type place. The fact that the owner will let us do a 5 month lease instead of a 6 month is really going to be the nail in the coffin, as it allows us to pay the same amount as we would for a cheaper place on a 6 month lease. I actually met the guy tonight... we had to go out to a nightclub he owns in order to get the facetime. He certainly acted the part of the playboy, but was very friendly and seemed genuinely interested in helping us out. It looks like we might be able to get into the place as early as Friday. We shall see. I'll feel much better about it all once I have the keys to the front door.
As usual you can check out the link for Big Green Alert on the side of my blog if you want to check out some new articles on me. I'm amazed how well Bruce stays on top of these things.
6/26/07
More Housing, First Practice
The first practice of the regular season took place today. It took a bit longer than previous practices, but was relatively easy due to the amount of 'servicing' we did with one another (that is to say we simulated the other team's offense and defense). The tempo was also far lower than during camp with much less contact. It is a long season and we must practice smart if we hope to survive 20 weeks. Unfortunately this tempo also makes it hard to play defensive line at times. In order to play our attack style defense correctly, we are forced to come off the ball at top speed and cause collisions. This can't happen during practice now, however. I have a feeling I'll be hearing about it from our defensive line coach tomorrow. I did a TV interview today with The Score (whatever that is) regarding my alphabetizing ability (clearly... what else?). Not sure where it is viewable, however.
They pulled a fast one on us today after practice by arranging a lovely 3 hour team building/meet-and-greet event. The team is technically only allowed to keep us for 4.5 hours a day and we all COULD have left, but I don't think anyone wanted to rock the boat this early. It was a fun event really, but had poor timing because half the team is still homeless and many fellas had apartment viewings this afternoon. I had to cancel one myself and was not happy about it. However, Gerald and I have narrowed it down to 3 places. I hope that we can make a decision on this VERY soonish, but Gerald has a lucid vision of the exact place he wants to live in. One of the 3 spots fulfills it and the price is right, but we are having a little trouble getting in to view it AND it isn't available until July 15. We have already made temporary housing arrangements in case we go with this July 15 place, but meanwhile we have put the other 2 places on hold waiting for the viewing on Gerald's dream home. I'd personally be very happy just going with one of the 2 smaller places, which would be available this weekend, as they are of ample size and just fine by me. The bigger place WOULD be amazing though. I would just hate to see the other two spots slip away while we wait for something that doesn't materialize and leaves us out in the cold.
They pulled a fast one on us today after practice by arranging a lovely 3 hour team building/meet-and-greet event. The team is technically only allowed to keep us for 4.5 hours a day and we all COULD have left, but I don't think anyone wanted to rock the boat this early. It was a fun event really, but had poor timing because half the team is still homeless and many fellas had apartment viewings this afternoon. I had to cancel one myself and was not happy about it. However, Gerald and I have narrowed it down to 3 places. I hope that we can make a decision on this VERY soonish, but Gerald has a lucid vision of the exact place he wants to live in. One of the 3 spots fulfills it and the price is right, but we are having a little trouble getting in to view it AND it isn't available until July 15. We have already made temporary housing arrangements in case we go with this July 15 place, but meanwhile we have put the other 2 places on hold waiting for the viewing on Gerald's dream home. I'd personally be very happy just going with one of the 2 smaller places, which would be available this weekend, as they are of ample size and just fine by me. The bigger place WOULD be amazing though. I would just hate to see the other two spots slip away while we wait for something that doesn't materialize and leaves us out in the cold.
6/25/07
A Few Links
Yesterday was extremely busy and today will be no different. My roommate Gerald and I are scrambling to find a place to live before we are kicked out of our lovely dormitory digs. I will post a more thorough entry tonight, but for now I will leave you with a few links concerning myself.
Bruce Wood of BigGreenAlert is always on top of any media attention I might receive. It's nice to be able to shoot on over to his blog and see everything that was written that day without having to search myself. Anyways here are a few stories. The Calgary Sun wrote a short blurb today. Also be sure to check out Bruce's article here. Bruce is always a pleasure to talk to and the only media person that I feel comfortable being completely candid with. I also did a short interview this morning at 6:45AM (nice wakeup time for my first day off in a month) with a local radio station concerning... you guessed it... the stupid alphabetizing trick. Everyone loves it, but I'm beginning to wish that I never mentioned it! I feel like I'm doing it all day long!
Bruce Wood of BigGreenAlert is always on top of any media attention I might receive. It's nice to be able to shoot on over to his blog and see everything that was written that day without having to search myself. Anyways here are a few stories. The Calgary Sun wrote a short blurb today. Also be sure to check out Bruce's article here. Bruce is always a pleasure to talk to and the only media person that I feel comfortable being completely candid with. I also did a short interview this morning at 6:45AM (nice wakeup time for my first day off in a month) with a local radio station concerning... you guessed it... the stupid alphabetizing trick. Everyone loves it, but I'm beginning to wish that I never mentioned it! I feel like I'm doing it all day long!
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