By Michael Elliott
Hitch up your britches Raider fan because the silver and black are on their way back…purportedly. The recent NFL season is in the books but the NFL is in the news 24/7. The East Bay bunglers are turning over a new leaf…purportedly! With the hiring of former Bronco defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio the Raiders have positioned themselves to resuscitate the forlornness of a franchise that has suffered through abysmal seasons for the past several years. Del Rio has peppered his coaching staff with smart, veteran men of distinction in order to right the ship. If they could land a top-flight running back (think Adrian Peterson) to take the pressure off of up-and-coming quarterback Derek Carr they may be in the mix come playoff time. Carr had a high completion rate last year. However, the bulk of his passes were either short swing passes to his backs or completions in garbage time as Oakland was hopelessly behind in most of their ballgames. A respectable running attack would free up his wideouts and allow for offensive balance. You go, Jack Del Rio.
Prep Mission- Mission Prep is on a mission (has that word been used yet?). All that is mission, I mean missin,’ is a victory over top-seeded Crespi for the Southern Section Division 4AA championship. Their scintillating 77-75 squeaker over #3 Chaminade was a test of fortitude as the tilt came down to the last possession. The Royals certainly have made their faithful, as well as Lorde, proud. And if they beat Crespi, mission accomplished.
Opinions & Observations- Arroyo Grande girl’s water polo Southern Section champions are, well, grande. WAY too many timeouts allowed in the second half of NBA games (Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z). Bet a lot of you didn’t know that women’s basketballs are significantly smaller than men’s basketballs. Speaking of betting, mortgage your kids’ college education on Floyd Mayweather kickin’ the snot out of Manny Pacquiao. Tolerance is a word bandied about quite frequently these days and prominently comes into play as the hallowed plaque area at Yankee Stadium shall soon be adorned with the likeness of performance enhancing drug user/admitter Andy Pettitte. As the only unbeaten major-college basketball programs in the nation, it says here that the Princeton women’s hoopsters shall fall from the unbeaten ranks before Kentucky’s men’s team does. Best part of the Academy Awards show was the exquisite timing of the ultra-cool, slim-stemmed microphone rising to the occasion just as the presenters arrived at their spots.
Softie- Okay, I admit it. I’m a softie. While attending the recent Arroyo Grande girl’s basketball playoff game I had a few tears rolling down my checks as we all paid tribute to the American flag. I reflected upon how hopeful I was when my two babies were born in the nineties that they would not have to hear of or be witness to the devastation of war. That hope was obviously dashed not long after the turn of the century dawned. Seems to me that whenever Americans do salute the pins and stripes that we can’t help but think of the unfathomable tragedies that are currently taking place on Earth. Taking in a live sporting event is a welcomed respite.
Swiftie- Okay, I admit it. I’m a Swiftie! Just bringing some levity to the table after the preceding subject matter. Raise your hand if you know what a Swiftie is. I was indoctrinated in person, quite frankly. And what does this have to do with sports you ask? That indoctrination was at the Staples Center, home to the Lakers and Kings and Clippers and concerts. Hint: Her “Red” album is my fave. (S-h-h-h-h-h! When you figure this out don’t tell a soul.)
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