Big Blue Huddle

Did anyone happen to watch, or try and watch the Billy Joel 100th concert taped live from MSG shown on CBS last night? If you did you probably have a lot to say. If anyone here remembers what happened to NBC when they cut off the Jets/Raiders game years ago to show the movie, Heide, well then CBS for a similar event.

First of all, the much-advertised concert ( they have been advertising this for months) started over 1/2 hour late because of the coverage of the Masters. Why would they schedule this much-hyped concert when they had to know that the Masters, like any football game, might run late? They could have scheduled the concert for next week when there was no sporting event.

Myself, I copied the concert because I knew there would be loads of commercials and they basically have a commercial after every song.

So now the concert is nearing the end and Billy is singing his final song, Piano Man, with thousands of people singing along with him. Just as he is hitting his stride with the song, POOF, the local news comes on without as much as an explanation. I couldn't believe this. They couldn't even have let the concert end, but no, off with Billy Joel and into the 11:00 news which was now 11:30. How in hell could they do this? Simply unbelievable.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/cbs-cut-off-billy-joel-s-concert-in-the-middle-of-piano-man-what-happened-next-was-even-worse/ar-BB1lELO4

Leave it to network TV to score w up a much-hyped show, start it 1/2 hour late, and don't let it finish.

BOOOOOOOOO to CBS.

Tom Rock of NY Newsday had a great story today about an OL from here on Long Island, that got injured last year but could this be a great steal for the Giants? (You know NY guy comes home)

https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/tom-rock/matt-goncalves-nfl-draft-lmb7qdbu

I know it is an intriguing header but I am so lazy, I finally completed my 2023 taxes. I really don't know why I do this every year, wait until the last minute to do them. I guess it comes from all the years I ran my business and I always had to pay something, so I'd rather have my money in my account until I had to let the IRS have some of it.
Now I am retired and, except for Dividends et al, my returns are pretty straightforward. I use one of the FREE tax services available online so it took me about 2 hours, and now I can sit back and wait for them to contact me telling me I screwed up.       

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-mock-drafts-2024-compare-latest-from-mel-kiper-daniel-jeremiah-more-experts/ar-BB1loBmF?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=5dbbd026e88742bd97d540bc23f0dcaa&ei=35


Seems like Nabers is the consensus pick

Rumor or not, talk about being greedy (or just smart)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/arizona-cardinals-set-price-tag-to-move-off-of-fourth-pick-per-reports/ar-BB1llGOF?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=a1ae3f223cc047e4a8cc8a4e3d83a04d&ei=33


𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The #Cardinals are seeking three first round picks to move down from #4, per
@ArmandoSalguero
 

I read a very interesting article this AM on my phone but I can't find it to publish a link.

It was basically the Giants making 2 draft day trades--down.

The Giants trade the #6 pick to Atlanta who selects Alt. With Atlanta's #8 pick, the Giants again trade with the Vikings for either both their #1s or one of their #2. Then they sue the Vikings pick to draft Brock Bowers, TE.

Then they use the other #1 pick and (or either trade up) and draft Penix. With either a #2 pick they drat WR Ja'Lynn Polk, (From Washington) whom Penix has a good relationship with.

Without knowing if we have a TE for this coming season, no one sees us going with the best in the draft.

We get a QB, a WR and a TE in the first 2 rounds.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/02/us/lou-conter-last-pearl-harbor-survivor-dies/index.html

 
Lou Conter, the final survivor of the USS Arizona, the Navy battleship that was sunk – with a loss of 1,177 lives – during the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died at age 102.

Another final piece of our history has gone to his reward. In our local paper, this barely got any recognition on the Obituary page, let alone in any of the 'News' pages and that is a shame.

Just a quick story relating to this. I had a very good friend who was a marine during WWII. But he was stationed on the USS Missouri and was on that ship when the Japanese surrendered to end WWII. He used to tell me so many wonderful stories of that day and what followed, as the Missouri was the Navy Flagship and was the last ship to return home to SF after the war. I used to tell him he needed to tell some of these stories to others, but he always replied, as did most of that generation, 'No big deal. I am just doing my job". 
He told us of how they were training every day to invade Japan. How Admiral Halsey, who was on that ship, used to come down and play volleyball with many of the sailors and troops. They knew nothing of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki but one day they told everyone to wear their dress uniforms the next day. When he saw Gen McArthur arrive on the deck they knew something big was happening.
When he passed he was 93, and till his last day, he always said the biggest thrill he ever had was when the Missouri sailed into SF harbor, under the Golden Gate Bridge. He said there had to be about 2 million people lined up everywhere to cheer this ship when it came into port. That feeling never left him.
When he passed he was one of only 3 people left from that crew that day in August 1945. Don't know if anyone else is still left.
When we went to Hawaii and visited Pearly Harbor, and toured the Missouri, they had a plaque on the deck where the surrender took place, so I made it a point to call him when I was standing right there. He loved it. 

It is very sad that these guys, who made history, pass without nary a mention.

More true today than when they were written

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/45-lesser-known-facts-about-the-hit-tv-show-m-a-s-h/ss-BB1kIKgV?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=49bf4bc2cdb94bf7a80dedc5001faa57&ei=173

 I think everyone has seen and enjoyed the old TV show MASH. I was a fan right from day 1 as I loved the movie and I believe I have never missed an episode for its entire run. In fact, years ago my wife bought me a book that listed every episode with every fact and info on each one. I still have this book.

Check out the site and learn a bit more about this just great series.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/15-things-people-do-that-scream-i-m-old/ss-BB1igSP7?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=0fa6ce382db24d25bd8a16e66f1e700a&ei=20

 I know I am old, but this reinforced it. I believe I do at least 12 of these things, AND like that fact.

 Out of the top 4 QBs, who is the one you would NOT like the Giants to draft?

I know there has been a big difference of opinion here. I am not a college guy so all I know about any of these guys is what I read here and acknowledge the wealth of info I receive from all the posters.
So who would you not want the Giants to draft out of the top 4 guys?

There is a lot of speculation that the Vikings want to draft a QB and want to move up to a position to grab one. What slot can they move into? I believe the first 3 are a lock and will not trade out but what about Arizona? I think they have to draft one of the top WRs and if they trade down with the Vikings they lose out on that. No way any of the top guys are there at 11. Would SD trade down and also miss out on one of the 2 really top guys?
If we really didn't want a QB, and the top 3 are gone along with the top 2 WRs do We trade down and lose out on any of the top QBs and not able to draft one of the 2 top WRs?
What would we get for trading out of the #6 slot in return?

Matt Miller's 7-round New York Giants mock draft haul


https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/matt-miller-s-7-round-new-york-giants-mock-draft-haul/ar-BB1kE54L?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=4e80c8c7ce984cae9f29fa096167f99d&ei=6

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-makes-significant-change-to-injured-reserve-rule/ar-BB1kD3On?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=544d7b9f9fb54ca7bb1286356f1207d7&ei=9


Previously, if a team placed players on injured reserve (IR) during preseason, it would automatically be season-ending. That is no longer the case thanks to this amendment at the annual league meeting in Orlando.

By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16(C), to permit each club to place a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List on the business day of the final roster reduction to be designated for return. Such players will immediately count as two of the club's total designations.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/nfl-season-opener-and-playoff-game-won-t-be-shown-live-on-national-tv/ar-BB1kzPmH?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=725646750b6940959cc3be56ae128415&ei=11

It has already been determined that the Eagles will open the season on Sept 6, against a team not yet named, and that game will be in Brazil. The caveat is that it will not be shown on any national TV station but it will be streamed on Peacock.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/the-nfl-has-changed-its-coach-s-challenge-rule-for-2024/ar-BB1kvmCH?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=a79cd01cea95498688376f8c79a68808&ei=3


The National Football League has officially changed its coach's challenge rule for the 2024 season.

Previously, NFL head coaches needed to be successful on both of their challenges in order to get a third. However, that's changing for 2024.

The NFL has changed its coach's challenge rules for the 2024 season. Coaches now need to just get one of their two challenges ruled in their favor in order to get a third.

"New rule change: The NFL has approved giving a team a third challenge if they get one of their first two correct. It used to be that you must get both correct to earn a third challenge, but now getting 1 out of 2 correct grants you an additional challenge,

Oh My, if this goes into effect, well, I just don't know anymore.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-owners-set-to-vote-on-wild-new-kickoff-rule-here-s-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-proposal/ar-BB1kuAme?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=27311246f3e04b7f96ac1ab6e8894210&ei=55

While the economy is basically stagnant, but the Stock Market is booming, many people are still watching their pennies. But I was thinking is there something that, no matter what, you always splurge on even if you know you shouldn't, or even can't afford it? Some people splurge on clothes, on cars, on accessories for their homes, and even on that morning coffee. Do you have one thing that you have top have no matter what the cost?

I thought about this for a while and basically, myself and my wife, are pretty frugal about most things. It's not that we can't afford something but growing up more poor than middle class, I refuse to way overpay for something, knowing I really wouldn't enjoy it if I did.
That said, I guess our one 'vice' is cruising, which we do no matter what. We love to travel, but cruising is our nirvana in that we just love it no matter what. We have been on over 40 cruises and if we count up all the money we have spent on it over the years, yooowwweeee, but it is our passion as we age. We never did this while our kids were at home, but now, again, it is our one true expense that we will indulge in no matter what.

These will come fast and furious but this one is really post-FA and may reflect more needs for teams that gained or lost players


2024 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Post-NFL Free Agency Opening Edition Picks 1-32

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/2024-nfl-mock-draft-5-0-post-nfl-free-agency-opening-edition-picks-1-32/ss-BB1k0HRp?ocid=mailsignout&pc=U591&cvid=fa88ff3f8a1a4d75a2d157897d5fadfe&ei=22#image=32

 Over the weekend my kids came over and took me out for my birthday (tomorrow). While at a restaurant I see more than 1/2 the diners either using their phones while eating, while waiting to be served, or, at the very least, the phones right on the table, continually being looked at or used.
Yesterday we went to a local concert. While the group was performing I again, saw countless people continually looking at their phones, using the phones, checking whatever was on their phones. You get the picture.
 I fully understand if you need to stay in touch in an emergency, even for work, but even for work, if you are dining out, do you have to constantly look towards your phone?

I know I am not a phone person. I am not on any social media site, I don't get emails all day long and I certainly don't text people every few minutes. I go on a long cruise and I do not buy the internet package and I can go weeks without checking anything and never think t twice about it, but that's me.

I have a friend who whenever we see them, be it at home or out, I can be in the middle of a sentence and all of a sudden they are looking at their phone--constantly. I think this is the rudest thing ever.

How did we ever manage without cell phones? Again, I can understand that they are a tremendous convenience, but gosh they have turned the average person into an addict.

I found this 'list' pretty on track as I think I used most of them.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/19-things-boomers-had-to-live-through-that-gen-z-would-never-understand/ss-BB1iEMDW?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=93cbadb6816148c8be355e07fdaaffd1&ei=35

 I definitely didn't want to rain on Ric's thread as he was trying to project a certain theme maybe Dads can see that make you feel good yet they really get to you.

I have always felt I am pretty stoic on most things, but one thing that always gets to me are children who are left to try and mourn a Dad especially one who died in the service of their country. Being a veteran and being around military families, even to this day, I have seen this pain firsthand. Children do not understand death, especially when it is their father. Their love is still there yet there is only a grave to be able to show it.

I have many pics like this that when I go thru them, I walk away with tears rolling down my cheek, --every time. This is love from a child to their father.




















Sorry to be a sort of downer, but to try and compliment what Ric is trying to show, there is love also, even in death.

Maybe one of the funniest routines ever and is always brought out when the upcoming baseball season is upon us.

I could watch this over and over and still laugh.

 I got to thinking yesterday what was the best or favorite car I had ever driven. In my 77 years, I have owned many cars. I have not stayed loyal to any one particular car maker, just what I felt was best for me at the time.

I didn't start driving until I was 24 and out of the service. My first ever car was a Ford Maverick that I bought while in Germany as they gave any returning GIs a great rate. I had that car for 2 years and it was a bomb.
I decided to go for something a single, mid-20-year-old would like. I bought a 1966 Pontiac LeMans which I loved.




I met my future wife with this car and for me especially it was a change from the old bench-style front seats to what was now common bucker seats. When we got married we traded that in for what was now the 'new' thing a foreign car with style, an Audi. We kept that car until we broke down on a trip and found it near impossible to get parts for when not in or near a metropolitan area.
Now the kids came along and we went thru all sorts of 'family' cars, wagons, mini-vans, etc. from the old Doge Dart, to Chrysler Town and Country to all sorts of assorted others. I also need a wagon or minivan for work so we were comfortable with those.
After that, when the Japanese started really to dominate the market, I went with Toyotas, Nissons, and a Mitsubitshi somewhere in there.
 I now drive a Subaru Forrester and love it. But it brings me to what this thread was all about, the best car I ever drove. We were cruising in Hawaii and we overnighted in Maui. We decided to rent a car and do our own thing. I rented a Dodge something but when we went to secure the car there were out of them. They offered me, at the same rate either a Dodge Charger or a Ford Mustang Convertible. I had never had a convertible in my life and never driven anything like a Mustang, so we opted for that and to this day I never regretted it. THAT was my favorite ride ever. We had that car for 2 days, cruising all over Maui, top-down and since we brought some CDs along, we had the best of Roy Orbison blaring on the radio. You couldn't believe the looks we got as we drove that car all over Maui. When we got home I looked into buying one for myself but once I saw the price I got sticker shock.
In another port, we also had an overnight and we got a Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. Since I couldn't afford the Mustang, we did go home and buy a PT Cruiser, but not a convertible

https://heavy.com/sports/new-york-giants/brian-daboll-player-grades-report-card/

Giants Players Send Loud, Unified Message on Brian Daboll


The New York Giants locker room has spoken, and they still love playing for Brian Daboll despite a miserable 2023 campaign.

According to the 2024 "NFL Player Team Report Cards," which were released by the NFLPA on February 28, Daboll's approval rating as a head coach is still among the best in the league. NYG player polling earned the Big Blue boss an A- during a survey that was "administered from August 26 through November 16" of last year.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/25-bold-predictions-for-the-2024-nfl-offseason/ss-BB1iHlDs?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=de7aa2601358498cac4c6a3420b83d42&ei=196#image=1

It is all speculation but some seem pretty intriguing.

 Just came across this website offering what they feel are the top 10 cult classics from movies from the 70's. I have seen them all (after all I am that movie buff). I can't say I would recommend them all, or even liked them all, but going through this list I can't say I disliked any of them.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/10-best-cult-classics-of-the-1970s-ranked/ar-BB1ivpjz?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=2716fca643c04501af9657a6a4b01b3b&ei=7

Is anyone a Rocky Horror Show geek? Funny, I never knew anything about this movie when it came out. I think most people had the same feeling. When it started to gain status as a cult classic and people started attending those midnight shows, I wasn't one of them. Later on, though, I saw it on TV, and all of a sudden it got to me. Me, who doesn't want to even dance, went to one of those showings and loved it. I really didn't participate as most do, but just being there watching all those fans throwing rice, shooting water guns, and doing the Time Warp, well I loved it. I have since gone to several other showings, mostly in parks late at night. Out of the movies mentioned, this is my favorite.
I'm sure there are many more that could be listed here.

Anyone?

https://www.atlanticmirror.com/en/super-changed-show-big

Some nice photos and even more interesting facts and stories about this game.

 Football is over, and before we start endless threads about Free Agency and then the draft, I thought something other than a football thread might be nice. Just think, spring is less than 5 weeks away and already, here in NY the papers are full of baseball-related articles.

So tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I was curious what others might do for this day, what you do for your sweetheart, lover, wife/husband, and all of those wrapped into one.

This June I will be married for 50 years. My darling wife (who many have met from our gatherings) is pretty down to earth about days like this. We usually go out to a local restaurant (nothing elaborate). Most weeks I usually buy her flowers, and for Valentine's Day, half a dozen red roses. We used to do all sorts of stuff, cards, stuffed animals, and all that assorted stuff, but, I guess, when you get a bit older, just knowing that you love her and she loves you, well that makes it worthwhile, whatever you do.
I am about as far from what one would say is a romantic, but again,  as we get older, the kids are long gone and it's just the two of us, all the extra stuff is fine, but if not, that's fine also.

What do you do for that special person in your life?

 When Dallas was in its prime, many 'new' fans flocked to buy their jerseys and loved that Star, they were America's team or their people let everyone know that they were that. But a lot has changed since then. This so-called America's team hasn't done squat for many years and it now seems, maybe by choice or through the efforts of a young lady, Ms Swift, legions of new fans will be flocking to buy anything and everything KC Chiefs-related. After all, the Chiefs are the new dynasty in football, aren't they? With Mahones and Reid in about as many commercials as anyone on earth, their constant appearing on national TV and again with that young lady and her legion of fans now rooting for the Chiefs, I proclaim them and KC America's team and America's new big city team.