Google Nexus One Phone draws a lot of reviews

Google's Nexus One Phone is officially out and thankfully it's not exclusively on the iPhone-user-hated AT&T Network (cheers!).   It's already drawing a lot of reviews, some comparing it to the iPhone, others to Droid, or just by itself.

The Nexus One Phone's on the T-Mobile Network, and the best news is that existing T-Mobile customers like me are eligible for an upgrade to what I will now call "The G-phone". Verizon mobile users will have to wait until spring of this year for service activation.

There are a slew of reviews of the videoblogger-ready Google Phone by everyone except Iron Man 2's Robert Downey, Jr, as "Tony Stark".

TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington explains that he's (like Fred Wilson) had a G-Phone since mid-December and has used it as his primary mobile phone. That's quite a switch for Arrington, who could be seen using an iPhone as his primary mobile device for some time before the introduction of the G-Phone.

Arrington says that while the G-Phone looks like the iPhone, it's better "in most ways" and is the fastest and "most elegant smartphone" available to date. Michael's main reason is the Google Voice provision in the G-Phone. With it, Google Voice users can use their number and use it to make outbound calls and messages. And the phone comes with something called Google Voice Keyboard.

Google Voice Keyboard is such that according to Michael Arrington, you can talk into the phone and it converts your speech to text. He says it's "90 percent accurate".

Engadget is less excited about the G-Phone, stating "it's not in any way the Earth-shattering, paradigm-skewing device the media and community cheerleaders have built it up to be" and in some cases prefers Droid over it. Yikes. But in reading Engadget's review, it seems as if authors Joshua Topolsky and Chris Ziegler were so, well, nit-picky, that they left themselves without a way to escape with anything other than a somewhat negative assessment.

The New York Times' David Pogue, channeling Engadget, writes that "the Google news this week is not quite as earth-shaking as Google seems to think it is".

Interesting.

Sometimes this is done as a way to achieve what the writer feels is a certain element of "cool" but the approach has grown tired of late. It's OK to be genuinely excited, guys.

A lot of video about the Google Nexus Phone

The Google Nexus Phone is already the subject of a slew of videos, some of which are below:

Official Google Video:



MacWorld:



Even kids get into the act:



Stay tuned!

Rory Markas dies but lives on in movie, The Yankles

The main play-by-play man for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and a broadcaster for USC Basketball, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Los Angeles Clippers and Pacific Coast League baseball , Rory Markas, passed away this week, but he's immortalized in a new movie called The Yankles.

The Yankles is about Charlie Jones, a washed up, ex-major league baseball player, and an Orthodox Jewish academy who lets him start a new baseball team.



According to ESPN, Rory Markas died suddenly Monday, the cause of his passing not known as of this writing. He was just 54 years old. Markas is survived by his mother, Billie, and brothers Gary and Troy Markas.

Markas graciously provided his vocal talents for The Yankles when its producers wanted a big-name play-by-play announcer. According to the LA Times, film producers Zev and David Brooks sent an email to Markas asking if he would help them in such a role; he responded and was more than helpful. Markas' voice is the first one and the last one in the movie.

tpempir at YouTube made this moving video tribute to Rory Markas:

Chicago plane crash at Chicago Executive Airport

A LearJet cargo plane has crashed near Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, Illinois, outside of Chicago, and just north of O'Hare International Airport. According to the Chicago Tribune, both the pilot and co-pilot were killed, but their names have not been released as of this writing.



The aircraft was reportedly making an approach to a runway at 1:30 CST when it crashed near Euclid Avenue and fell into a forest preserve surrounding the Des Plaines River just south of the airport. Airport spokesperson Laura Witlox said the plane belonged to Royal Air.

If that is the case Royal Air Freight, based out of Waterford, Michigan runs a fleet of small planes for cargo-only use, including six LearJets.

According to CNN the flight was on its way to Atlanta, from Pontiac, Michigan with a stop in Chicago.

Stay tuned.

Google Nexus One phone to be released; better than iPhone?

Google's much anticipated Nexus One phone "iPhone killer" is to be released today, which happens to be the week of CES 2010. (In fact, TechCrunch's MGSigler is already rocking out at the "Android Press Gathering" as I write this. And oh, does TechCrunch answer emails anymore?)

But the phone is already out and used by a select few in the public. Just ask Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist who received his Nexus One phone last December as a Christmas gift. Wilson took to his blog Musings of a VC in NYC to brag about his good fortune and share the advantages of having a Google Phone:

In mid December as holiday gifts and cards were arriving daily in our office, I received a gift from Google. It was a Nexus One. I have been using it since that day as my primary phone. In the box was a note from Google asking me to keep quiet about the phone until Jan 5th. Well today is Jan 5th and so I can tell you what I think. So here goes

This is not going to be a hard core review of the phone. Engadget has one of those up this morning. Thus is about how I use it and why I'll most likely stick with this phone for a while longer.

Then Wilson explains the advantages and disadvantages of the Google Nexus One Phone. He praises its effortless connection to available wifi transmissions and observes that you can run multiple apps in it, which isn't true for the current iPhone. However Wilson then lists the Google Phone's disadvantages to the iPhone, namely the onscreen keyboard which he writes is "good but not as good as the iPhone" and notes the lack of an iPhone-like "multitouch" feature.

Beyond that, he praises the phone for being able to remember passwords and how well Google apps run on it.

Stay tuned.

Tiger Woods in Vanity Fair amid rehab reports

This Tiger Woods update from O'Hare Airport has Tiger Woods allegedly in rehab (!) and on the cover of the February Vanity Fair in a photo that caused Entertainment Weekly's Adam Markovitz to write "seems more than a little menacing to me", which strikes me as racist, and opens the question if Markovitz would have even had such a thought in his head if Tiger Woods was white?

Tiger Woods in Vanity Fair 

Or let's say he was Robert Pattison, from Twilight: New Moon or Taylor Lautner for that matter? My guess is he would use adjectives like "beefy" but nothing like "menacing" as was used for Tiger Woods.

But I digress.

The photo was taken pre-Tiger Woods sex scandal and the article (called "Tiger In The Rough") was written by Buzz Bissinger without Tiger Woods knoweldge or approval. My quick pre-flight blogging scan of Buzz' work reveals that it's really just an overview of what happened to Tiger Woods and speculation if he will return to Golf. That's it; just two pages online. (Which is disappointing for Vanity Fair as I'd expect six pages, but this is a bad economy.)

Meanwhile the VF works come amid new unconfirmed allegations that Tiger Woods has entered rehab. The whole email deal behind us and largely disproven (I could not care one way or the other), we now have a fresh field of rumors and sitings to deal with.

The rehab stuff does not have the TMZ or Radaronline.com seal of approvel, so it can't be taken seriously because those two organizations have the best track record of getting the Tiger Woods (or Michael Jackson or whatever celebrity) story right.

Stay tuned.

Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz "Another Day" - update

Greetings from a typically busy O'Hare Airport! This Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz "Another Day" update comes from TMZ.com, which reports that the leaked new song "Another Day" has caught the eye of The Jackson Estate, Sony, and Lenny Kravitz.

While Sony takes steps to remove the video images, Lenny Kravitz made this video below to say that he did not release the song for Internet ears to hear. He says:

Good morning. I just want to reach out to you, so I can set the record straight regarding the Michael Jackson track "Another Day". As you know and have heard, the song, part of the song leaked. The version that's out , roughly a minute and thrity seconds of the track, not mixed but it is the track. Not by me, because mine has been locked in a vault.

The DJ who's speaking over the track (shrugs); I don't know who that person is. I don't know how they obtained it or what their purpose is, but that person has nothing to do with the track.

That song was recorded by me - I produced it. For him (Michael Jackson). I wrote the song. I played all the instruments. It was one of the most amazing musical experiences I've ever had. It was a bunch of people who respect each other and love music. I'd like to see this thing get straightened out as soon as possible. I'd like for you the fan who love Michael to be able to hear the track in its entirety as it was intended to be. That's all being worked out as I sit here in the bush. I'll get back to you.

Here's Lenny Kravitz' video:



Stay tuned.

Related link: TMZ.com

CES 2010 - Videobloggers storm CES Las Vegas

CES 2010 Las Vegas is almost upon us, well for all practical purposes, its here. The Consumer Electronics Show has always been a "big deal" but the emergence of New Media and the use of communications devices like camera-equipped cell phone has made it only larger. And the impact of these eonsumer electronics systems on media has been nothing short of amazing, and given rise to that newest of all creatures...

The Videoblogger.

Videobloggers will not be in short supply at CES 2010. There's my friend Sarah Austin, who partnered with online meeting company Watchitoo to host a special live show January 8th. CNET has its BuzzOutLoud Live Show. And perhaps Robert Scoble will have another interesting story like this one from the 2008 CES:



Whatever the case, I'm not going to be there. Actually, never planned to go and I'm traveling as I write this. But I will be posting updates regularly through the week. If you're a vlogger and will be at CES, ping me.

Stay tuned.

Zennie Abraham goes to White Castle on Palindrome Day

After avoiding it, two weeks ago I bought Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle (with John Cho and Kal Penn) as a Christmas present to myself of sorts, and really got hooked on the movie. It brought me back to my childhood here in Chicago in the 60s and 70s, and where I'm visiting on The South Side as I blog this.

My friends and I always went to the White Castle hamburger joint on Stony Island and South Chicago, across from a mosque that was ran by The Nation of Islam, and my Mom told me never to cross Stony Island to the side of the street the mosque was on. (Sorry but that's the way it was in those days.)

We didn't care about that; we wanted the White Castle burgers by the bunch!

Living in Oakland means giving up White Castle hamburgers. Hey, healthy food and eating local's certainly good for you, but I've got to admit the movement's presented in a boring way and the advocates tend to take things a little too seriously from time to time; it's hard to find a good burger in Oakland and there's no White Castle!

So I made it my mission to get to a White Castle here in Chicago and vlog my experience on Palindrome Day with my trusty Flip Video Camera. (Nope, they're not sponsoring me and neither is White Castle, as of this writing at least.)

The White Castle I visited was on 95th and Jeffrey on the South Side of Chicago. The manager, a young lady named Bria, was really welcoming and explained that even with Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle , business was slow. So I encouraged everyone to visit that store and buy a burger! It's on the video!

Taking Bria's advice, I asked for the "Number One", which sounds like "Number One" from the original Star Trek episode called "The Cage", and which I got without cheese.  (And for some reason it made me think of the "Royale with Cheese" from Pulp Fiction.)

Then I did something I've always wanted to do: open the bag and take out the White Castle burger with the camera running! That was about as much fun as going down that slide at the Google / YouTube San Francisco offices!

Talk about passion food! That's White Castle. Of course, it means extra workout time when I get back to Oakland, but it was worth it!

'The Hurt Locker' wins National Society of Film Critics Best Picture

The Hurt Locker continues to storm the Oscar Awards season. The latest for the Katheryn Bigelow-directed war movie, which is on more "Top 10" lists than any film of 2009, is "Best Picture" at The National Society of Film Critics, which held their meeting Sunday.

Katheryn Bigelow takes home yet another Best Director Award and Jeremy Renner wins Best Actor for the documentary-style war movie.

The Hurt Locker is the story of a bomb squad during The Iraq War and the life-threatening bomb-diffusion missions they take on. The margin of error is zero, and soldiers talk of explosions as sending you to "the hurt locker."

Here's a scene from The Hurt Locker:

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Writers: Mark Boal
Studio: Summit Entertainment



How a sniper scene in The Hurt Locker was filmed is the focus of this San Francisco Chronicle article by Michele Ordona

National Society of Film Critics list of winners:

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
BestDirector: Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
Best Actor: Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker
Best Actress: Yolande Moreau - Seraphine
Best Supporting Actor: TIE: Paul Schneider - Bright Star; Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique - Precious
Best Screenplay: A Serious Man
Best Foreign Film: Summer Hours
Best Nonfiction Film: The Beaches of Agnes
Cinematography: The White Ribbon
Production Design: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz make "Another Day"

While we pass into a new decade and a new year starting with 2010, Natalie Coughlin is the Top Olympian of the Decade, Newark Aiport is on lockdown, Larry Johnson runs with the Bengals vs the Jets, and Pat White recovers from a hit versus the Steelers, Michael Jackson is still very much a part of popular culture.

On Saturday, January 2nd 2010 (Palindrome Day) a song that allegedly was the result of a team-up between Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz hit the Internet. It's called "Another Day".

It's difficult to find any recent reference to the song by either Michael Jackson or Lenny Kravitz, but in this interview with Spinner Magazine, Lenny Kravitz wrote:

I got to work with Michael on a track that has not been released and it was the most amazing experience I've had in the studio. He was funny. Very funny and we laughed the whole time. I also saw what a beautiful father he was. He was a beautiful human being. I am deeply saddened this evening.

This is said to be that track called "Another Day":



Stay tuned

Related topics:

MTV, pop music, youtube music video, jackson five, kravitz in paris, king of pop

Dolphins Quarterback Pat White had a concussion after Steelers hit

This Dolphins Quarterback Pat White Update.

Dolphins Quarterback Pat White suffered a concussion after being hit helmet-to-helmet by the Pittsburgh Steelers Ike Taylor. On a 3rd down and 9 play with 2:05 left in the 3rd Quarter, Pat White ducked down with the ball and ran left to the sideline to try and make a 1st down. He just missed as he was blasted by Taylor just as White headed for the sidelines.

White was immediately immobile after the hit, with Steelers and Dolphins players waving over doctors and trainers to help him.

The hit that Taylor made was within bounds; no penalty was called.

Profootballtalk.com reports that a "league source" said that Pat White had suffered a concussion, but had recovered from it.

Pat White was the second of two Dolphins quaterbacks removed from the same game due to injury. Earlier, Chad Henne was taken out after fighting blurred vision from a hit by Steeler's Linebacker Lamar Woodley. The problem wasn't immediate; it got worse during halftime of the game, so Henne was deactivated from play.

The Dolphins missed the playoffs as a result of the loss, 30 to 24.

Related topics:

nfl Football, nfl playoffs, sports, pro football

Should San Francisco restaurants only serve Napa/Sonoma wines?

Should San Francisco restaurants only serve Napa/Sonoma wines? That the question at the heart of a lively Linkedin discussion thread that consists of (as of this writing) 74 comments. The idea of the talk has its roots in the burgeoning local food movement.  

While I recently indulged in a White Castle burger eat out in Chicago, I regularly shop at the Oakland Farmers Market and wish to help promote the local food movement as I learn more about it. I'm not an expert. But because of my interest, the discussion caught my eye.

Unlike Twitter, which doesn't have a membership gateway and what one tweets is available for public view unless they're set to private, Linkedin groups generally require membership. For that reason I'm not going to post what others have written on Linkedin here. Instead I will give a general overview and provide a link for you to go right to the conversation.

The "Eat Local" movement is a call to encourage residents of a city to consume locally-grown food. The producers consist of food co-ops, community gardens, and farmers' markets. People who steadfastly adhere to this idea call themselves "Locavores" and have a long and growing list of followers.  Moreover, it has production farms, like Alemany Farm in San Francisco:



Currently, the focus has been on promoting foods locally grown in the Bay Area, but Jon Wollenhaupt, the Vice President of Excel Meetings & Events in San Francisco, opened the movement's collective lens to consider wines with his Linkedin question and discussion:

Should the "Eat Local" ethic apply to wine as well? Should San Francisco restaurants only serve Napa/Sonoma wines? The localvore ethic certainly make sense for restaurants that focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The eat local movement here in the Bay Area has very passionate, vocal supporters. More often, I am seeing this conversation extended to include wine. To what extent does this make sense, if any? How do wine producers react to this?

Increasing criticism is surfacing in articles of San Francisco restaurants who are not "supportive enough" of local (Napa/ Sonoma) wineries. Some wineries seem to be trying to leverage the localvore position to influence and minimize the purchase and placement of imports on wine lists. Is that position defensible if those same wineries are shipping to out-of state distributors? Or even to Southern California accounts? (a lynchpin of the localvore position is the 100 mile diet)

The conversation has attracted a number of luminaries in the San Francisco Bay Area Wine Industry. Some think including wines is taking things a bit too far. I and others were concerned that local urban wineries were being left out of the conversation.

I write this in an effort to open the conversation to a wider audience. Hopefully, San Francisco Chronicle Food Critic Michael Bauer will take up this subject - the last time he blogged about the local food movement was 2007. I'd love to hear or read his take on this, and by extension that of his readers.

Oakland Raiders battle Baltimore Ravens, lose 31-13

The Oakland Raiders battled gamely but lost to the now-playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens 31 to 13. It was a game the Oakland Raiders could have won, but an injury to quarterback Charlie Fry and questionable offensive strategy changes related to installing Quarterback JaMarcus Russell to replace him, engineered Oakland's loss.

The Oakland Raiders opened the game with Quarterback Charlie Frye and a great mix of spread passing formations, short passes and runs. The only problem was a consistent pattern of throwing out of passing formations and running out of running formations. The only aspect of this game more disappointing than the Raiders offensive plan was the sparse attendance. About half of the third deck of the Oakland Coliseum were empty as were large sections of seats around the stadium. All of that as readily visible on television as the Raiders offensive problems.

The Baltimore Ravens Defense was not the reason for the Raiders' offensive woes. The Raiders had more plays than the Ravens and just five yard less in total offense (330 to 325). The Raiders had 7 yards per pass versus 4.7 for the Ravens. The difference was turnovers and yards rushing, but most of the Ravens yards on the ground were earned after the Raiders turnovers. So all fingers point to the Raiders offense.

The problem isn't one player but the gameplan. Charlie Frye's injury revealed one major, glaring fact: the Oakland Raiders have not worked with JaMarcus Russell extensively on the kinds of passes that Charlie Frye executed so well when he was in the game.

JaMarcus Russell's problem is borne of a lack of confidence in the ability to react to what he sees. In several instances Russell pulled the ball down because he had not developed enough of a feel for the Raiders system to throw on time, such that passes could be completed even with cloe coverage. JaMarcus Russell's so fearful of throwing an interception that he's waiting for the obviously open receiver before he pulls the trigger. That doesn't happen a lot in the Raiders passing game as its designed.

Charlie Frye has more collective experience than Russell, so he should and does make throws that are in close space. The issue is the development of Russell. He's a project the Raiders have not committed themselves to and lived with his errors. Head Coach Tom Cable pulls Russell for other quarterbacks, watches those throwers get injured, then puts Russell in only to suffer with his lack of playing time. So the downward performance spiral continues.

The Baltimore Ravens are not a great team, but a squad aided by great coaches. The Ravens Willis NcGahee's 167 yards rushing consisted of one physical, stiff-arm of a run for 77-yards, and the rest a gashing mix of off-tackle runs and attacks around the end of the Raiders Defense. The run gains were strategically intelligent and complemented their seam-based passing attack. But with all of this, the Raiders arguably beat themselves and have earned the 8th pick in the 1st Round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Wes Welker injured; Texans beat Patriots 34-27

In a stunning turn of events, New England Patriots Wide Receiver Wes Welker was injured in their game against the Houston Texans and on the same Sunday that Pat White was hurt and taken out of the Steelers - Dolphins game. The Texans won the game against the Patriots, 34-27.

Welker was injured after catching a pass during New England's first drive of the game. Welker made the catch then turned upfield in such a way as to twist his knee.

The injury starts talk and tweets questioning New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick playing his starters when they know they're already in the playoffs. Last week Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell and Colts executive Bill Pollian were questioned for removing starters, thus blunting the Colts chance to finish the season undefeated. This is some of what's presented on Twitter:

sherriadelman I'm by NO MEANS a Patriots fan, but the Wes Welker injury is a good argument for resting players prior to the playoffs. #fb
1 minute ago from web

AlioTheFool Everyone should admit this now RT @Adam_Schefter: Charles Woodson hurts shoulder, Wes Welker hurts knee, Bill Polian looks brilliant.
1 minute ago from UberTwitter

WayneTwitteker RT @Marc_Bertrand: Spread the word: Sources tell @985thesportshub that Wes Welker is done for the season. #Patriots #NFL
5 minutes ago from web

Stay tuned.

Dolphins Quarterback Pat White hit by Steelers Ike Taylor - update

In Sunday's Miami Dolphins v. Pittsburgh Steelers game, Dolphins Dolphins Quarterback Pat White was hit by Steelers Defensive Back Ike Taylor as he was running out of bounds with 2:05 remaining in the 3rd Quarter.

The video shows a different angle than what was initially shown in the CBS Television presentation of the NFL football game. In the video the contact was helmet-to-helmet and not helmet-to-shoulder.

The game was delayed 8 minutes as doctors and trainers worked to assist White.

According to the Alabama Press-Register and the Associated Press, White was taken by ground transportation to Broward General Hospital. Dolphins' team spokesperson Harvey Greene said White "seems to be OK in terms of movement" but he remains in the facility under examination.

Related topics:

steelers v. dolphins, nfl football, pro football, nfl week 16, nfl news, cbs sports online, youtube video

Miami Dolphins Quarterback Pat White injured, out of Steelers game

Pat White, the Miami Dolphins' Rookie Quarterback from West Virginia, was injured on a 3rd down play against the Pittsburgh Steelers with 3:05 minutes to go in the 3rd Quarter of Sunday's game.

White, who was known as a Spread Offense quarterback at West Virginia, was running a version of the Miami Dolphins 'Wildcat' System. As he was running to try and pick up a first down, White was hit by two Steeler defenders, but CBS Television replays show it was Steeler Defensive Back Ike Taylor's helmet-to-shoulder-pad blow that almost immediately froze White as he fell to the ground.

Once White was knocked out of bounds he was immobile. Players from both the Steelers and Dolphins motioned for medical help as White lay on the grass. Play was stopped as trainers and doctors worked to determine White's condition. After a few minutes a flat-bed cart was brought out and White, who's body was placed in a restraining apparatus, was carried off the field.

Pat White was the second pick of the Dolphins at the 2009 NFL Draft in the 2nd round and selected for his position flexibility. White's also a winner At West Virginia, White was an 18-win, 2 loss starter over his four year career, with a 4-0 bowl record.

In the Dolphins Offense, White occasionally spelled starting Quarterback Chad Pennington, as was done when White was injured Sunday.

Stay tuned for updates.

Eagles - Cowboys: look for Eagles team speed to beat Cowboys

Everyone in the NFL and in the sports World is excited about today's Philadelphia Eagles battle for the NFC East Championship against the Dallas Cowboys. While the game's played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, look for the Eagles to overcome the Cowboys' home field advantage and win the game.

The Eagles have perhaps one of the fastest offenses ever formed in the National Football League. With Rookie Wide Receiver Jeremy Mackin, Second-Year Wide Receiver DeShaun Jackson, and the Phoenix that is Michael Vick, Quarterback Donovan McNabb and Head Coach Andy Reid have a variety of ways to attack the Cowboys defense. Few coaches are better at developing schemes to take advantage of team speed than Andy Reid.

Eagles 24, Cowboys 17

Top topics:

rush limbaugh, health care, hawaii news, gop, joe lieberman, megan fox, tiger woods, american politics, facebook, youtube.com, medical costs, conservative talk show, texas tech, college football bowl games, 2010 new year

Susan Boyle, Miley Cyrus most watched YouTube videos in 2009

In a decade that was defined by the emergence of YouTube, 2009 saw the development of international stars because of exposure on YouTube. According to YouTube's blog, 2009 was the biggest year yet for online video and for the first time, YouTube is sharing its "Most Watched" video list. Not surprisingly, Susan Boyle is at the top of it.

Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle's the 48-year old Scottish woman who first shocked Simon Cowell and the judges of Britains' Got Talent, and then the entire World after clips of her performance were liberally uploaded to YouTube for view. The result was a primal, rapid reaction to her voice, and over 120 million views generated. Of those, my video on Susan Boyle accounted for a tiny share of 2 million views:



What's amazing is the staying power of the search for Susan Boyle videos. Generally a good video search wave lasts up to 12 days in my experience; Susan Boyle's lasted almost two months. Part of the reason for this was the searches fueled by the weekly airing of Britains' Got Talent, because even when Boyle wasn't singing, the other groups were compared to her on YouTube for the World to judge. The other reason was Susan Boyle's story - of a common, kind, lonely woman who lost her parents and seemed to have been in a state of depression, making it big - resonated with the industrialized World.

The other YouTube videos were behind Susan Boyle, except Miley Cyrus

Susan Boyle's 120 million views dwarfs all other videos on YouTube. Here's the list of the Global Top Five Most Watched YouTube Videos according to YouTube:

Most Watched YouTube videos:
1. Susan Boyle - Britain's Got Talent (120+ million views)
2. David After Dentist (37+ million views)
3. JK Wedding Entrance Dance (33+ million views)
4. New Moon Movie Trailer (31+ million views)
5. Evian Roller Babies (27+ million views)

The second most popular video is a total howler: David After Dentist. It features 7 year old David who's father made this video in May of 2008, after their visit to the dentist to have his tooth removed:



Susan Boyle headed the most watched Global videos, but popular and controversial singer Miley Cyrus represented the number two and number three most watched videos on YouTube in 2009. Miley Cyrus 120 million-views for the two equals Susan Boyle's total for 2009. With a crack publicity team and her approving father Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus was the young princess of New Media for 2009. Her pole dance at the Teen Choice Awards was the subject of massive Internet chatter, causing people who'd never heard of the star of Hanna Montana to listen to her music. The result: The Climb and Party in The USA were two of the five most watched YouTube music videos in 2009.

What will 2010 bring in online video?

As far as what 2010 will bring in video, that's question we will explore later in the week. But here's a preview: expect more videos created to showcase singing talent. If this will lead to a kind of online business is anyone's guess, but using Youtube or any online video distribution service to present musical talent is still an untapped resource with vast potential. Also, look for video to be used more and more as part of an event. I experimented with this concept at my Oakland YouTube Meetup at Lake Chalet in December. The proper use of the approach will change the face of event planning and online video.

Rush Limbaugh uses YouTube to tell Heath Care fib

Rush Limbaugh, the Couch Potato Conservative radio talk show host, claimed he received no special health care treatment when he gave his press conference after his emergency hospitalization and treatment for chest pains on Wednesday, December 30th 2009. Rush Limbaugh's statement, presented in a YouTube.com video, is false.

Rush Limbaugh's distorted view of Health Care

Even Rush Limbaugh's Couch Potato Conservative colleague Glenn Beck was honest enough to explain what was wrong with the Health Care System when he was in for treatment two years ago.

Rush is the champion of attacks on Heath Care Reform legislation that has sailed through Congress in 2009. His bellow is there's nothing wrong with the American Health Care system. While, the health care system works for Limbaugh, Joe Lieberman, Megan Fox, Tiger Woods, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and Texas Tech's now former football coach, Mike Leach, it does not work for the 30 million to 40 million uninsured Americans and it does not work for those who are not celebrities.

Rush Limbaugh is a celebrity.

When Limbaugh called 911, he received special treatment from the Kalaha Resort Hotel to start his king-like medical service. The hotel staff got him out of the venue in such a way that he could not be seen by on-lookers. When Rush arrived at the medical center, the hospital managers made sure the entire wing that Rush was on was placed on restricted access status.

That means even if you had a loved one who happened to be on the floor Rush Limbaugh was on at the hospital, you could not just walk up there to see the person you were concerned about. You had to check in, and may have been turned away depending on who you were.

All of this was done by others to benefit Rush Limbaugh's peace of mind so that he could recover faster. He did For him to then use YouTube to say he didn't receive special treatment is essentially not telling the truth.

Top topics:

rush limbaugh, health care, hawaii news, gop, joe lieberman, megan fox, tiger woods, american politics, facebook, youtube.com, medical costs, conservative talk show, texas tech, college football bowl games, 2010 new year

Charlie Sheen, Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren, meet Elizabeth Grattan

Elizabeth Grattan's a name you've probably never heard of until now. But after today, she holds a place in American Culture not far from Charlie Sheen, Brooke Muller Sheen, Tiger Woods, and Elin Nordegren.

Elizabeth Grattan is a 39-year old WGN Chicago radio personality who's low-level sex scandal made the Chicago Sun Times after she was charged with "criminal damage to property, resisting or obstructing the police and battery to a police officer", all misdemeanors. But what happened beyond that really started because she blogged about the whole horror story. Elizabeth Grattan's upset that an anoymous writer used her blog comments area to make fun of her situation.

At her blog Elizabeth Grattan, she writes:

For the first time in my life, I saw the worse in another and rather than holding out hope that the better would win, this time, I became completely indifferent.

Because this time, it was as if I simply didn't even know them.

There were no reasons for the duplicity I witnessed. There was nothing rational or excusable.

There wasn't even confusion.

It was as if the pretty package I'd held in my hand for months on end was opened, and inside the ugliness ran.

What happened was that Elizabeth Grattan went to a party thrown by her ex-boyfriend and later caught him with a new woman in his bed. Grattan claims that he physically threw her out of the apartment and onto the street. Or in her words:

So, I decided to take him up on the invitation he had already given to me. To visit the party he threw. There were people there I had met that I wanted to see. I knew it could be either more ugly or something fantastic. And I wanted to risk the chance that my friend still existed.

So, I knocked on the door, and was welcomed in. By his brother, no less. It turned out that my old lover was already asleep. And there were some people there winding down. And we laughed a bit. And it was a good while I was there. And it was actually a pretty fine evening. And then the evening winded down, and I took a look at the sink. And there were the dishes scattered all over the kitchen I'd spent so many times cleaning. So I wanted to do them. And I was asked why. And I said: "this is what I do for him. Because I have cared for him. And I know in seeing this, I still do care for this man." And then his brother suggested I should leave.

So I opened the bedroom door, where I'd spent every night or so for the last four months. Where I had stripped some sheets. Just asking the one request at least: Please if you are going to find a new love someday, don't use our sheets...

And with that, he and she mocked me. He bragged about her sexual ability. And so, I, like any other woman in the world tossed my drink in his face and told him he was a disgrace.

With that, he picked me up and carried me and threw me out his front door. Hitting the brick wall near his steps. With no coat. In temperatures near zero. My wallet was inside. My phone. My things. And they wouldn't give them to me.

And that's when the second part of her horror happened, because she alleged the Chicago Police did not read her rights to her. Folks, that's a common happening that is not taken seriously by the courts. Grattan blogs:

I told the police how I was assaulted and thrown against the brick. That for two months I lived in that home with a key. That I had been invited over and then thrown out without my things.

They said it didn't matter. And with that...

They told me I wasn't under arrest but were handcuffing me. I asked for my rights. They said they weren't necessary. I told them they needed to charge me or let me go. They threw me on the floor and handcuffed me, then threw me in the wagon and from that point on, I experienced the corruption of Chicago police.

Hindsight is always 20-20 but her story is but one more example of why it's never a good idea to let anyone get to you. Grattan should have called the police first, but because her terrible ex-boyfriend did, she lost. Blogging the matter, rather than using a video camera, doesn't help. But what's done is done.

The Chicago Sun Times picked up the story, and her blog, and didn't contact her. She's been flamed online, wrongly linked to Rush Limbaugh, and called a "Wild Sirius Radio Producer". Moreover, she says the Sun Times got the story wrong, but doesn't explain why. Instead, she writes:

People have written to me to say that my blog was irresponsible. That I should just keep my mouth shut and not risk it. Excuse my language here, but, bullshit. If I am anything it is vocal. I won't apologize for my passionate personality. I won't apologize for those who don't give a shit to attempt understanding. And I won't apologize for my rants and raves and rages at times. I won't apologize for my angers or joys or extremes. Life is messy. And I don't sweep a mess under a rug. I fight to scour it clean.

And she doesn't understand why people are interested in what happened to her.

The reason is that first, she's a media personality. Second, she reportedly (even by her own words) acted so aggressively toward her ex-boyfriend that the Chicago Police were called. Third, she blogged about it, thus revealing what is... Fourth, a personal sex scandal.

I'm not sure what the judge will do with this; hopefully drop it.

Elizabeth Grattan is an attractive accomplished woman who fell in with the wrong guy. Rather than focusing on the past, she should ask why she needed such an obviously terrible person and what it says about her. Otherwise, focusing on him will only bring her more undeserved grief.

Stay tuned.

Top topics:

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ben hartman, artie lange, two tickets to paradise, midnight meat train, michigan state football suspensions, alamo bowl, joseph gordon levitt, taylor potts, jamie jungers, youtube, mike leach

Jahvid Best leaves Cal-Berkeley for NFL - low first round pick

Cal's Star Running Back Jahvid Best is leaving Cal-Berkeley for the NFL Draft. This is sad news for Cal fans, but I personally understand the reasons for his decision. He's thinking that it's better to get paid for sustaining football injuries in the pros rather than in the NCAA.

Amen.

I'll miss Jahvid Best. His combination of speed and quickness is unique among running backs. From my experience at NFL Drafts and talking with football scouting friends in the past about Jahvid Best, he'll go in the late first round to the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The question about Jahvid will be his durability. How long can he last during an NFL season? That will be the one issue that comes up again and again as we approach the Draft.

He can overcome this by working with coaches that specialize in making college players better for the NFL Combine before the NFL Draft. Helping Jahvid increase his already incredible speed will move him up to the middle or the top 10 in the draft. But he's got to do the work and enter the NFL Combine. I'm sure he will.

Details aside, I think Best will have a great NFL career.

I wish him all the "best."

Top topics:

NCAA football, cal, nfl football, profootballtalk.com, oakland raiders, baltimore ravens, texas tech, mike leach, notre dame, sports news, cal football, usc trojans, bcs, bcs title game, espn, nbc sports, fox news, nfl combine, yardbarker, spread offense, football strategy, berkeley

Happy Palindrome Day - Sarah Palin is a Palindrome

Happy Palindrome Day folks. As you watch the Alamo Bowl and Texas Tech versus Michigan State, here's a take to make you think while you're watching football.

What's Palindrome? According to Wikipedia, Palindrome is a number, word, or phrase that is the same regardless of whether its spelled backward or forward. Today's date is 01022010; January 2, 2010 is a Palindrome.

It's also estimated that there will be 29 such Palindrome days is the 21st Century. Another Palindrome as a name is Mike Kim. But some Right Wingnuts claim that Sarah Palin is a Palindrome. They're totally correct; I discovered this myself!

Gov. Sarah Palin is a Palindrome

See this is Sarah Palin's name:

"Sarah Palin"

It's not going anywhere at all. Just wandering around the country.

This is Sarah Palin spelled backwards:

"Nilap Haras"

Guess what? It's the same! It's not going anywhere either!



Happy Palindrome Day!

Top Topics this hour:

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Sexy photos of female models Tiger Woods legacy; Charlie Sheen factor?

Tiger Woods, the World's Greatest Golfer, enters 2010 with a brand new image; that of having Sexy photos of female models alleged to be his mistress or girlfriend. So far, we have Rachel Uchitel, Jamie Grubbs, Kalika Moquin, Jamie Jungers, Mindy Lawton, Cori Rist, Holly Sampson, Joslyn James, and now Loredana Jolie, Theresa Rogers and Julie Postle.

Holly Sampson

That's 11 women and all the photos that have come with each one. None of this stopped him from being named Athlete of the Decade by The Associated Press.

But all of this is starting to cause the formation of an interesting question in light of Charlie Sheen's much publicized domestic violence charge: Why does Charlie Sheen get a pass on his much more awful alleged behavior where Tiger Woods is being raked over the coals for his admitted infidelity.

I've thought a lot about this and after considering the prospect of cultural racism's role, I considered a hybrid reason that seems to be a theory that fits the facts: Charlie Sheen is a known bad-boy.



We know about his affairs with ladies of the evening and his love for dating super-hot women and because it's all out in the public that image is what we expect from Charlie Sheen.

But we don't expect that from Tiger Woods. Holly Sampson's video "confession" of having slept with Tiger Woods is classic if only because of the reactions of her female friends:



And that's the reason for the reaction. What's happening is that Tiger Woods images is being broken down and remade into something that fits a set of facts not consistent with the image created around him. No one expects Tiger Woods to fool around; everyone expects Charlie Sheen to fool around.

All of this is Tiger Woods and Tiger Woods Management's making and they don't seem to know what to do about it. The say-nothing path has wrecked Tiger Woods multibillion image, perhaps forever, though time will tell.

Meanwhile, Charlie Sheen is still associated with Hanes, while AT&T and Accenture work to distance themselves from Tiger Woods. Charlie's image was already "bad" and he has nothing fear from his current situation at all while Tiger Woods seems to be looking for the other shoe to drop.

Maybe Charlie Sheen should have Hanes sign-up Tiger Woods?

Stay tuned.

Top Topics:

Tiger Woods mistress, Theresa Rogers, Rachel Uchitel, Jaimie Grubbs, Mindy Lawton, Holly Sampson, Jamie Jungers, Cory Rist, Kalika Moquin, las vegas, Elin Nordegren, Brooke Mueller Sheen, Gloria Allred, kobe, justin bieber, jay z, blackwater, tebow ,pattinson, paranormal activity, movies, american pie band camp, elin divorce, Tiger Woods divorce

Happy New Year 2010, Tiger Woods! - first YouTube video of '10

Happy New Year 2010, Tiger Woods! This marks the first Zennie62 video of the new year 2010 of the second decade of the 21st Century and the first Zennie62 YouTube video of 2010.


In the news today, Florida clobbered Cincinnati 51 to 24 in a lop-sided Sugar Bowl game. Tim Tebow regained his form with 553 yards, 31 of 35 for 482, and four touchdowns, and 51 rushing yards. Tebow had a blistering NCAA passer rating of 241.9. But that's an aside to the fact that news like that will be more the norm here,...and of course Tiger Woods.

Happy New Year, Tiger and Elin!  

The reason for focusing on Tiger Woods is that I will vlog and blog more about celebrities and entertainment in 2010 in addition to politics, news, sports, and tech. Also, if you look at the video you will see that Tiger Woods' website still has the Accenture logo on it, well after they issued a statement that they would not be sponsoring Tiger Woods and would establish a new ad campaign in 2010.

It looks like a kind of passive aggressive political head fake to me. Its very easy to remove a logo from a website. It only takes a few minutes to do. That the Accenture logo is still there means all of this is not really a done deal. Either someone at Tiger Woods Management doesn't want to accept that the engagement is over, or the engagement really isn't over.

I still see Tiger Woods and Accenture at airports, including O'Hare International Airport yesterday, New Year's Eve. Something's going on.

As for New Year's resolutions, mine is just to treat my friends better and be more innovative. And I will make more videos with interviews of people, some you know, others not. I will also talk about who's the sexiest this or the best that, and stir the pot some more in 2010.

Whatever the case, it's going to be a fun ride!

Stay tuned!

Top Topics:

tim tebow, elin nordegren, tiger woods, dennis haysbert, jamie jungers, rachel uchitel, jay-z, fahrenheit 451, mindy lawton, urban meyer, zennie abraham, blip tv,sugar bowl, terrelle pryor, taylor swift, megan fox, new year 2010, florida vs cincinnati, ncaa football, golf, rachel ray sexy photos, economy, obama news, tmz, radaronline, eonline, okmagazine, beyonce, miley cyrus

Oakland is one of blog SFEater's best dining neighborhoods?

I just saw this in the SFEater blog and had to laugh:

The Year in Eater continues in full force! Single Best Meals, Top Newcomers, Top Standbys and The Year in One Word were revealed earlier, and all will be answered by the time we turn off the lights on Thursday. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted and unedited herein:

...Lissa Doumani, Terra/Ame: I don't know if it is best but it is certainly the fastest expanding, Oakland

This is what vexes Oaklanders like myself. Oakland is itself a collection of neighborhoods, from Glenview to Adams Point, and North Oakland, Rockridge, and East Oakland. To take the whole City of Oakland, all 400,000 people, and all 56.1 square miles, and think of all of it as nothing more than a mere neighborhood to San Francisco shows just how little people in the Bay Area know about Oakland.

This, well, ignorance, causes the media to just list crime in Oakland rather than where in Oakland the crime happened.

All of this is Oakland's fault and the City of Oakland's too buzy gouging people with nose-bleed-high parking fines to encourage people to come to Oakland to eat.

Geez.

Top topics this hour:

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,www.hgtv.com/dream home, terrelle pryor, hgtv.com dream home 2009, bearcat, florida vs cincinnati, angus thongs and perfect snogging, watch sugar bowl online, ohio state football, buckeye, hgtv.com/dream home, jim tressel, rose bowl score, who won the rose bowl 2010, jeff demps

Oakland Rap Artist Clif Soulo - Snoop Dogg his model

In this video, Oakland Rap Artist Clif Soulo talks about how he started rapping. His is an Oaklander story and one of many would-be rappers in a part of the Oakland Entertainment Industry still not taken seriously by mainstream organizations like the Oakland Chamber of Commerce.

I like Clif Soulo's sound, which he says is an outgrowth of his interest in Snoop Dogg and DMX's work. Here's Clif Soulo:



You can listen to his music at clifsoulo.bandcamp.com

Topic for this hour:

dennis haysbert, lady antebellum, ephesians 2 8 10, terrelle pryor, sugar bowl live, buckeye, jim tressel, rose bowl score, ohio state football, florida vs cincinnati, allstate spokesman
,pennhurst insane asylum, robert redford twilight zone, who won the rose bowl 2010, bearcat, sugar bowl national anthem, pedro cerrano, watch sugar bowl online, brent musburger, ohio state rose bowl

Rose Bowl Game: Terrell Pryor and Ohio State beat Oregon

Terrell Pryor grew as a quarterback tonight. The Ohio State sophomore signal-caller made the throws when it counted and followed with hard-nosed running to guide the Buckeyes to a 26-17 win Rose Bowl win.

Terrell Pryor

It was a great Rose Bowl game with several lead changes, small drama stories like LeGarrett Blount, and two very fast teams. In the end, the Oregon Ducks found itself pitted against an Ohio State Offense that was almost a mirror-image of its own in scheme and operation. With the exception of the use of The I Formation, both teams features use of the Spread Option and the Belly Series from it. But the difference maker was Terrell Pryor.

I've long believed that if you wanted to beat Ohio State all you had to do was stop their running attack and put the ball in Pryor's hands. That's what the Oregon Ducks tried to do but didn't work. The 6-6 Terrell Pryor was 23 of 37 for a season-best 266 yards and two touchdowns, versus one interception. While Pryor's 62.16 passer rating wasn't good, the important stat within the rating is that he threw 23 times. That's more passes than Ohio State coach Jim Tressel normally calls for Pryor. Pryor just missed the 50 percent mark and many of his throws were short, and just enough to keep the chains moving.

But it was Pryor as a run threat that made the overall difference. He rushed 20 times for 72 yards, but it was during the 4th Quarter and when he picked up clutch yardage when his team needed it the most, that Pryor earned his MVP award.

Oregon was a game competitor but give Ohio State's coaching staff credit for having an answer to its system of blitzes. However, my issue is that many of Oregon's blitz came off the edge and not up the middle. Ohio State would run around or throw over Oregon's outside linebacker and safety blitzes.

Now Oregon ads to a 2009 bowl season that has not been kind to the Pac-10. Last year, the Pac-10 was undefeated in bowls; this year, it's tally now stands at 2 wins and 5 losses to close out the Pac-10 Football season.

Stay tuned and Happy New Year 2010!

Topics this hour:

what is a buckeye, terrelle pryor, robert redford twilight zone, rose bowl score, devin barclay, brent musburger, ohio state football, i sing the body electric, buckeye tree, marco sturm, sugar bowl 2010, gilbert arenas pulls gun, resident evil extinction, shawty redd, capital one bowl location, ufc 108 weigh in, rose bowl live stream, jim tressel, rush limbaugh press conference, florida vs cincinnati

Rush Limbaugh Press Conference: Limbaugh deals with mortality

Rush Limbaugh gave a press conference on his recovery from chest pains and in the process became more of a human being (he still has a long way to go.



Rush talked about something I totally understand, which is not taking one's health for granted and not believing one is invincible. I've got to admit, I love that Rush is back. Even though I disagree with his views, Rush Limbaugh is a major part of American Popular Culture, which I love.



His rise to communications broadcasting power, like that of TMZ.com, says a lot both good and bad about where American Media is going. First, I continue to hold that communications and Internet technology are making it easier for people to develop their own personal platforms. Moreover the entire system is a kind of "social mirror" to our changing society.

Rush is very much a part of that, and its really cool to see how this scare has (I think) changed him for the better. I saw where he had economist Walter Williams on his show as a fill-in while he was away on Wednesday. Williams is black, and while Williams has what I would call a "self-hating-black-person's" view of the World, his time On Rush Limbaugh's show is at least a small start in a good direction.

Now if Rush can learn to pay attention to African Americans who don't have issues with being African American, he will have grown into a full human being.

Stay tuned...

Topics this hour:

capital one bowl location, rose bowl stadium, daryll clark, ohio state football roster, brian boitano skating spectacular, buckeye tree, bobby orr, rose bowl live stream, rush limbaugh press conference, joe paterno

LeGarrette Blount scores for Oregon Ducks in Rose Bowl v. Ohio State

In what's shaping up to be a great 2010 Rose Bowl, Oregon Running Back LeGarrette Blount just scored from five-yards away, reaching out with the ball in his hand to just break the plane of the goal, just as Rush Limbaugh finished his press conference.

The score's 10-10, now as of this writing in the 2nd Quarter, and the Oregon Defense has all it can handle in Ohio State's Offense, but LeGarrette Blount just came full-circle.

UPDATE: Ohio State Buckeyes 16, Oregon Ducks 10, 2nd Quarter.

Remember, at the start of the 2009 College Football season Blount was suspended for punching Boise State Defensive End Byron Hout after the Duck's opening game loss to the Broncos. While who said what to whom is an officially unanswered question to this day, and I've weighed in with my thoughts...



...both teams have moved on.

Now, after the suspension and several academic and personal tests he had to pass to return to the college football field, LeGarrette Blount was given permission to play and did so in the Oregon – Oregon State "civil war". Now, determined to delete the demons of 2009 season's past, LeGarrette Blount fought to reach the end zone when he had the chance to do so.

Exciting Outback Bowl: Auburn 38, Northwestern 35

Happy New Year, 2010! Northwestern almost wins first bowl game since 1949 victory over Cal, but loses Outback Bowl to Auburn 38 to 35.

As America was recovering from a Times Square celebration, Blackwater was getting-off, Fenway Park was hosting Bobbie Orr and Bobby Clark in The Winter Classic, Mike Leach and Texas Tech continued jawing, and the Tournament of Roses Parade was the platform for Stephanie Edwards, The Northwestern Wildcats were sending much of Chicagoland into cardiac arrest.

Down 21 to 7, Northwestern marched back into the Outback Bowl contest with a series of Auburn mistakes. With a flurry that could not have been stopped by an alleged gun-toting Gilbert Arenas, Northwestern moved to tie Auburn 35-35, but missed winning the college football bowl game with two missed field goals in the 4th quarter and a questionable trick play in overtime.

Northwestern overcame five interceptions threw by Quaterback Mike Kafka, as he threw for a career-high 532-yards and four touchdowns. The Wildcats were aided by a roughing-the-passer call and a roughing the kicker call against Auburn along the way toward the 35-all tie.

The trick play was a fake-field goal because of Northwestern's poor field goal kicking game. I don't question the idea of a trick-play, but the one that was called. A pass of some kind would have been better than a misdirection run because of Auburn's team speed; they downed the attempt for a loss and won the game.

The Gator Bowl, Capitol One Bowl and The Rose Bowl

Now, Florida State's literally running all over West Virginia, with over 200-yards rushing in the Gator Bowl, leading 30 to 21. LSU's ahead of Penn State in the Capital One Bowl, as the nation awaits Oregon v. Ohio State in The Rose Bowl.

Pats Could Again Hold Jets’ Key to the Playoffs

Pats Could Again Hold Jets’ Key to the Playoffs
By Jon Wagner-Sr. Writer at Large-Football Reporters Online

The eyes of all New York Jets fans will be on the Meadowlands on Sunday night, as Gang Green tries to make the NFL postseason for the first time in three years.

Rightfully so, since the Jets (8-7) would either clinch the AFC’s fifth seed with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) in the final regular season game (and likely, the last game, period) at Giants Stadium, at 8:20pm EST, on Sunday night.

However, earlier in the day, Jets fans may have to do the unimaginable and begin the new decade by rooting for their arch nemesis of the past decade.

In an ironic twist of fate, the New England Patriots (10-5), New York’s division rival who for much of the past ten years, have stood in the way of the Jets’ success by winning (seven AFC East titles from 2001-2009 and a playoff victory over New York in 2006), could now severely damage the Jets’ playoff hopes by losing.

While focusing on Sunday night’s contest, many seem to be forgetting that what happens earlier in the day in Houston, when the Texans (8-7) host the Patriots (10-5) at 1 pm EST, could have a tremendous effect on the Jets’ chances of beating the Bengals.

Say what you will about how the Jets played the second half in Indianapolis last week, but if the Colts didn’t rest their starters, the Jets probably wouldn’t be playing for much this Sunday.

Likewise, New York will of course have a much better chance at starting the new year with a playoff-clinching victory against Bengals’ backups instead of the Cincinnati starters that produced a 2009 AFC North championship.

At home, the Jets are still very capable of beating a motivated Bengals team with a lot to play for, but it would certainly be a lot easier for the Jets to win on Sunday night if they face a Bengals Lite team similar to the watered down version of the Colts that the Jets saw last week.

And, what Cincinnati may choose to do against the Jets could depend a lot on Sunday’s outcome in Houston.

If the Patriots beat the Texans, the Bengals would be locked into the AFC’s fourth playoff seed, and should rest a lot of starters at Giants Stadium, at least during the second half (especially since without a bye week, that would be Cincinnati’s one chance at resting prior to the playoffs).

However, if New England again stumbles away from home, and fails to lock up the third seed, that spot will be there for the taking for the Bengals. That’s something that could be very attractive to Cincinnati for two reasons.

A first-round matchup as a three seed should be easier against a six seed, as opposed to playing in the four-five game next week.

Looking further down the road, the Bengals would also probably prefer a potential second-round playoff matchup at second-seeded San Diego, where Cincinnati was extremely competitive in a 27-24 loss on a 52-yard field goal with three seconds remaining, on December 20th. Not an easy game at all against the 12-3 Chargers, but the alternative could be a much tougher road to the Super Bowl going to top-seeded Indianapolis as a four seed.

Although Houston needs a lot of help, the Texans will be playing for a lot regardless of how any other AFC scenario plays out. The Texans can make the playoffs with a win over the Patriots and at least two losses from among the Jets, Baltimore (8-7), and Denver (8-7). Making the postseason is obviously the primary goal, but the expansion Texans should have extra motivation to be fired up. Even if the Texans miss the playoffs this year, a win will give Houston its first winning season in its brief eight-year history while helping the Texans avoid a losing record at home, where they are currently just 3-4 this season.

Adding to the chances of a Texans’ win is the uncharacteristic Jekyl and Hyde performance of New England this year. The Patriots are a perfect 8-0 at home, but they haven’t had a decent road win all season. They’re just 2-5 away from Gillette Stadium, with road victories against 3-12 Tampa Bay (really a neutral field win, in London) and in Buffalo (5-10; 2-5 at home).

With the flex schedule moving the Bengals-Jets game to prime time Sunday night television, the final day of the regular season could be summed up in a bit of a tongue twister for the Jets, as in: “Flex, Texans Affect the Jets.”

Regardless of what happens outside of the Meadowlands though, Jet fans are hoping that come Sunday night, they won’t be repeating a far more common phrase, such as “Houston, we have a problem.”

Baltimore’s Dirty Laundry

Baltimore’s Dirty Laundry
By Drew Moss for Football Reporters Online
 
Those rags. 
 
Cue Charlton Heston circa 1968: Those damn, dirty yellow rags!
 
Not the (in)famous Terrible Towels. Penalty flags.  Lots of them.  Thrown at the visiting Baltimore Ravens. Often, and worse – late.  Very late.
 
The Steelers’ season long crunch time woes were masked by the Baltimore Ravens’ ill-timed sloppiness as two fourth quarter touchdowns were nullified by penalties in a 23-20 Ravens loss at hostile Heinz Field.
 
With a game winning 38 yard field goal by kicker Jeff Reed with 5:25 remaining under his black hat, Steelers' coach Mike Tomlin held to the tried and true NFL mantra of “no apologies, no excuses” in his post-game, insisting that while the Steelers had “made their bed” with a nearly even, and therefore very uneven 8-7 record, he “likes they way they (the Steelers) are lying in it.”
 
Raven’s coach Jim Harbaugh did his best to stay positive as well, trying to steer clear of the penalty disparity (Ravens 11-113 yards, Steelers 4-20) in his post-game. But his venom was unmistakable.
 
When specifically pressed on Willis McGahee’s 32 TD-run that was wiped off the books by a holding call on Ravens wide receiver Kelley Washington, Harbaugh came as clean as a wallet-conscious NFL coach can.
 
“I think that call was very late,” Harbaugh seethed.  “It didn’t seem like it affected the play.”
 
Add to this the illegal block in the back called on Terrell Suggs’ that wiped out Domonique Foxworth’s interception/TD return of consistently inconsistent Ben Roethlisberger (17 for 33, 259 yards). 
 
Then throw in cornerback Frank Walker’s illegal contact penalty that spared the Steelers from another late game implosion, stripping Baltimore of any chance at last second heroics with good field position - and Harbaugh would have every reason to rip the Zebras and/or his team.
 
But to his credit, Harbaugh more or less stuck to the high road. “You can go to penalties if you want, you can put your finger on whatever you want, but we’re going to Oakland to play our hearts out.”
 
As well they should.  Despite the loss, the Ravens still control their own destiny. A win against the ever- reeling Raiders would land Baltimore in a wild-card berth, while the Steelers still need help from a slew of teams (count the Jets, Broncos and Texans among them) to get to the postseason.
 
Tomlin stuck fast to his rah-rah message in the face of the twisted playoff math. “We’re going out to control the things we can control, which is to play winning football,” said Tomlin.
 
As the Fat Man sang once or twice when visiting the Three Rivers: “Wave That Flag” Coach. “Wave it wide and high.”
 

AFC South Week 16 Wrap Up

   AFC South Week 16 Wrap Up
 
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
 
San Diego 42 Tennessee 17
The game was never a contest from the start and the Titans season is now over. Eliminated from the playoffs, Tennessee looks towards other goals. First off was Christmas night, a game versus a Chargers team that had won nine straight games. The Titans needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive but could not deliver. Vince Young has taken this team from 0-6 to 7-7 and back in the playoff talk. The problem was they ran into a San Diego team playing December ball like no other in the league. They have not lost in December since 2006 for a total of 18 straight. Phillip Rivers picked the Titans defense apart going 21-27 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He is playing just as well as any of the top quarterbacks in the league. On the other side of the ball it was Tennessee playing like they did while they were going 0-6. Young had his worst game since he took over going 8-21 for only 89 yards with two picks. He also had a key fumble when he was sliding for a first down. The one bright spot continues to be Chris Johnson and his ability to get yards. He ran for 142 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown and needs only 128 to get to 2,000. He would have probably gone over 200 on Christmas night if the Chargers didn’t have such a big lead. So next week is the last game of the season and they will play to get Johnson to 2,000 and possibly, if he can get 234 yards, pass Eric Dickerson’s mark of 2,105 yards. They are also playing for a .500 but a good point needs to be mentioned. If the Titans lose to Seattle next week they would get better positioning in next year’s draft and would play a better schedule. Now no one wants to play to lose but just thought I would mention that.
 
New York Jets 29 Indianapolis 15
See this is why I have a problem with pulling players at years end. If you are going to do it why let your key players play into the third period? I can see playing them a series or two or maybe even a quarter. Not only that they did it in their home finale of the season. Way to treat your fans to a good game. So with the score 15-10 Jim Caldwell decided to pull Peyton Manning in favor of Curtis Painter and it bombed. Painter was greeted rather rudely and was hit often. He even fumbled on his second series that turned into a touchdown for the Jets. So perfection is gone and what is the point to the Colts. Let us remember that the ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl. It doesn’t matter if you win all your games or go 8-8. Still as a fan you would have wanted to see how it would have panned out next week had they won this game? The loss helped the Jets and hurt the Ravens making the last week of the season one to remember. So the main guys will rest next week in preparation for the playoffs. The media and the fans will second guess the decision for weeks to come but if Indy can win the big one it wont matter. If they don’t win it all it will be questioned into next season. They better hope that the likes of Austin Collie and other young players are not hurting their rhythm by not playing with Manning too much.
 
Houston 27 Miami 20
This is why they play the game as they say. When the season began the Texans had aspirations of a playoff berth for the first time in franchise history. As the season progressed things began to slowly unravel. They lost key games and kept making the mistake that have hurt them in years past. As the season has come to a close they are playing the brand of football they had hoped to play all year. On this day they looked great jumping out to a 27-0 lead as Matt Schaub had two quick scoring passes and Arian Foster chipped in with a 17-yard run. Kicker Kris Brown also had two field goals in the first half for 27-3 lead. They had to hold off a Dolphin 20-point rally but still looked like a team ready to make its first postseason appearance. Foster looked good running for 97 yards and Andre Johnson had five catches for 71 yards and a score. The defense held Miami to just 60 yards on the ground with Ricky Williams getting just 35. On the other side of the coin they did allow Chad Henne to go 35-55 for 322 yards too. So now they play to win next week and wait for the help they need. They have played hard and coach Gary Kubiak knows what’s at stake and the team is playing like it too. Let’s see if they can accomplish their goal and what they will do if they get there.
 
New England 34 Jacksonville 7
Another team in search of the postseason with jobs on the line is the Jags. On Sunday things did not go as planned when Tom Brady and Randy Moss put on a show that all but eliminated Jacksonville from playoff contention. They saw Brady go a near perfect 23-26 for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Moss had a huge day with three touchdowns on four catches. Maurice Jones-Drew failed to get 100 yards again getting just 63 on 18 carries. They managed just 275 yards of offense and David Garrard was picked off twice. When they had any kind of drive it was killed, as they were 4-11 on third down efficiency. They made Wes Welker look like one of the best receivers in the league as he caught 13 passes for 138 yards and leads the league with 122 catches. They failed to get to Brady and remain one the worst teams in the league as far as sacking the opposing quarterback is concerned. So they will need to win next week and get a lot of help or its lost season. If they do not make the playoffs changes will be needed and most of the time it starts with the head coach.

NFC South Week 16 Wrap Up

                             NFC South Week 16 Wrap Up
 
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
 
 Atlanta 31 Buffalo 3
Now that the playoffs are not possible the Falcons decided to play for wins and pride. On Sunday they manhandled the Bills from the start. On the first play from scrimmage Matt Ryan hit Roddy White from 42 yards out to make it 7-0. The Bills would never be in the game from that point on. They managed just 187 total yards with only 40 coming via the run. Ryan finished 18-35 for 250 yards and three touchdowns. White had another scoring catch to close the scoring and finished with 139 yards on eight catches. The running tandem of Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood combined for 28 carries for 120 yards and the defense is playing the way they had hoped they would all year. They held the Bills to 11 first downs and 2-10 in third down efficiency. They forced three turnovers and 10 penalties for 60 yards and two sacks. Next week they go to Tampa Bay to try and finish the year with a winning record.
 
Tampa Bay 20 New Orleans 17
The last fourth of this season has been really hard on the Saints.  They started off so strong but have been exposed in the last month. The defense is the first thing that needs to be addressed and fast. They are finding ways to keep drives alive by allowing the big play, like the 77-yard punt return by Michael Spurlock to tie the game late in the fourth. They gave up 439 yards total yards to the Bucs. Tampa Bay was 7-12 on third downs and had the ball for 36 minutes. Not too bad for a team that started so bad. It was to the point where people were asking if head coach Raheem Morris could survive more than one year. New Orleans actually lead 17-0 and it was still 17-3 at the half. It would not be enough as Drew Brees was held under 300 yards passing and the Bucs defense came up big when they needed to. They took advantage of an injury to Saints running back Pierre Thomas and shut down the run game in the second half. Josh Freeman continued his evolution going 21-31 for 271 yards with no touchdowns and two picks. He did make a big play in the overtime that kept the winning drive alive. So Tampa continues to look like they are improving with each week and the Saints keep looking more vulnerable game after game. They and some fans thought they had won the game in regulation but Garrett Hartley missed a field goal from 37 yards out with five seconds left in the game. So Tampa moves on to finish the year next week looking to next year and the improvements they need to make. On a last note Morris may have saved his job with the team’s play in the last month or so.
 
Carolina 41 New York Giants 9
It was the last game at the Meadowlands and it hit home for me personally. I grew up going to that stadium and was looking to see the Gmen go out with a win. Unfortunately the Panthers had other plans. They came in with many questions in a season that had gone south. So, with not much to play for, they decided to show up and show out. Matt Moore had an effective day going 15-20 for 171 yards and three touchdowns. On top of that Jonathan Stewart ran all over the Giants defense to the tune of 206 yards on 28 carries and a score. The Panthers were 10-15 on third downs and had 416 total yards. They ran for 247 and forced four turnovers. The defense held the Giants to 60 yards rushing 27 minutes in time of possession. It was an ugly way for New York to go out as they showed no heart and little emotion. Eli Manning was 29-43 for 296 yards but he was playing from behind all day. It was 24-0 at the half and 34-3 by the end of the third. It was Carolina’s third win in their last four games and just like in Tampa that may have saved their coaches job for sure now.

Happy New Year! Oakland Predictions, 2010

Happy New Year, 2010!. It's time for predictions for the new year 2010 and specifically related to my current hometown, Oakland, California. 2010 is an election year, so politics takes center stage, but it's got a huge one in Oakland. This year, Oakland picks a new Mayor.

The stage must be appropriately set by explaining that Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums is a giant in Oakland's political history, but a disappointment as mayor. At a time when politicians are expected to act and react fast, and learn quickly, Dellums was too slow to do so. At just the time when it seems he's settled into the job, it's too late: Oaklanders want a change of leadership.

The race for Oakland Mayor currently only consists of two main players, former California State Senator Don Perata and Oakland Councilmember Jean Quan. Don Perata will win, and because he's the only person out of a few well-qualified people that wants the position enough to aggressively go after it.

Don Perata will be Oakland's Mayor, but not after one more big name enters the race, but that person will do so too late and serve only to take potential votes away from Jean Quan. Personally, I'm disappointed that Perata didn't challenge himself and go for higher office, like California Senator, but I'm sure he has his reasons.

Meanwhile, Quan's District Four Council Seat isn't safe either because my long-time friend, Libby Schaaf, the Senior Policy Advisor for Community & Economic Development to the City Council, has been interviewing campaign managers for her run for that position, if Jean Quan's mayoral fantasy becomes reality.

Personally, I think Libby should challenge Jean right off the bat. It's nothing against the personable Quan - let's face it, running for Mayor has made her a nicer person than in the past - but Libby's Oakland ties and friendships run much deeper. Moreover, District Four needs someone who will be a worthy replacement to the legendary shadow cast by former District Four Councilmember Dick Spees, and that person is Libby Schaaf. I don't write that just because she's my friend, but because its true. But I digress.

Regarding Oakland's government, we will see more job cuts and salary reduction efforts this year, as the City works to close its massive budget deficit. More and more Oaklanders will fall victim to the aggressive parking enforcement system and its stupidly-high set of fees, all forcing the successful gathering of signatures for an initiative to change the Oakland parking enforcement and fee system as we know it.

At least one of Oakland's newest downtown and Piedmont Avenue restaurants will close because there's just not enough money to go around. But more small cafes will open, and in neighborhoods that already have too many of them.

The crime problem in East Oakland will get worse, just as Oakland lacks the resources to deal with the problem, even with the stimulus package.

I'm just getting warm with my Oakland predictions, but it's New Year's Day, and I've got to eat breakfast.

Stay tuned.

Happy New Year, 2010! - family is important

Happy New Year, 2010! It's a new decade and even though it wasn't rung in by watching Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, or New Year's Eve Times Square Live, or drooling over Jennifer Lopez' New Year's outfit, or watching Dick Clark's show with Ryan Seacrest and the live ball drop, or even catch the New Year Countdown online or Adam Lambert, or catch-up on Rush Limbaugh, I did get to spend it with family and we didn't make predictions for 2010.

For me it started with the spiritually impossible situation of not being able to get out of O'Hare Airport to San Francisco. The last United Airlines' flight I was listed for had an unbelievable 108 standbys. The United 767 used only held about 160 people. I was standby passenger number 52, and even though I've been in such a situation before and made it on board, it wasn't happening this time.

So I wound up talking with my Mom and a family friend until 3 AM CST here in my hometown of Chicago. And during that time we watched a movie I stumbled upon and always wanted to see: The Ice Storm. Not to digress, but it's an excellent movie that deals with family communication, or lack thereof .

At the end of it, FOX Entertainment CEO Tom Rothman, who hosts the show around which Fox movies were presented last night, obvered that The Ice Storm was about how we try to escape our family, only to have circumstances bring us back to our family.

That was wild.

I sat in total amazement. I've always believed in God, but never more so than last night because not only did that whole flight fiasco bring me to my small family, but talking about how things have changed was a great and necessary way to really take stock of how things have changed. Especially with so many people I've known who died in 2009.

Here I was worrying about meeting friends at the Balboa Cafe and whatever fun I would miss, and I was slammed into this very necessary event. In other words, having been with my family, I was seeking escape with the idea that I was headed toward something "more fun", and all the way missed what family was about. Not any more.

Our families know who we are and accept us, period. They don't have to be blood relations, just people who really truly love you without condition. And those people are there before you, but in the quest to be cool, all of us miss (and mistreat) those who really do care about us. In doing that, we lose the part of ourselves that sometimes we need to find just to successfully carry on.

So I've learned a lesson I'm passing on. Well, let's say I got a refresher course. Family is important to me, but frankly I saw it as a burden at times. It's not. It's freedom and love.

2010 predictions comes later!