New Hillary Clinton Ad

I like it, highly effective.

Seahawks 10, Vikings 9

NFC WILDCARD PLAYOFFS

The Vikings let one slip out their grasp today, falling 10-9 to the Seahawks in Minneapolis.  They were leading 9-0 late into the 3rd quarter before the wheels fell off.  Great players make great plays though and Russell Wilson did just that to swing the momentum.  Add in an Adrian Peterson fumble.  Then Blair Walsh missed a chip shot 27 yard field goal in the closing seconds.  Why do Viking playoff appearances always seem to end this way?   Heartbreaker.

Observations:

• That bad snap, throw up a prayer completion by Wilson was a killer. 
• As great as Adrian Peterson is, he does fumbles a lot. 
• The Vikings needed to turn those field goals into touchdowns.  
• I loved the early fourth down attempt by the Vikings. 
• Trea Waynes picked a good time to have his best game as a pro. 
• Mike Zimmer out-coached Pete Carroll today.  
• Teddy Bridgewater took a step this season, but still has a ways to go. 
• Kyle Rudolph really came up big when he needed to. 
• 4th Quarter scoring:  Seahawks 10, Vikings 0
• The Vikings defense really stepped up from that earlier loss to the Seahawks. 
• Sharrif Floyd had a heck of a game today.  Beast mode. 
• Remember when they use to call quarterbacks down when in the grasp? 
• Adrian Peterson didn't have a lot of yards, but that's not always the point.
• I'm guessing that Jon Ryan thinks twice about running the football going forward. 
• That was quite a catch by Doug Baldwin in the 3rd quarter. 
• Michael Bennett was just destroying the Vikings offensive line.
• Why can't I stop thinking about "Ace Ventura"?   Or "How I Meet Your Mother"? 
• It was so cold today that even the Gjallarhorn shattered. 
• Bud Grant scoffed at today's weather.  Legend! 
• Marshawn Lynch wanted nothing to do with the cold weather. 
• Up next?  2016 NFL Draft.  Needs:  OL, DB, LB, WR

Arina by Said Energizer

This video leaves me speechless!

2016 All MN NCAA Basketball Team

Here's my All-Minnesota NCAA Basketball teams for 2016.  With the defections of Tyus Jones and Rashad Vaughn to the NBA, it may be the weakest All-Minnesota team in quite a while.  There are really no big men to speak of.  I also added Reggie Lynch, Marcus Marshall & Siyana Chambers even though none is even playing this year.  The pipeline is really looking nice though, the state is producing some real good basketball talent, the future of Minnesota basketball appears bright.

FIRST TEAM:
C - Reggie Lynch - Minnesota - Edina, MN - SO (transfer)
PF - Reid Travis - Stanford - Minneapolis, MN - SO
SF - Joey King - Minnesota - Eagan, MN - SR
OG - J.P. Macura - Xavier - Lakeview, MN - SO
PG - Marshawn Wilson - Northern Illinois - Oakdale, MN - FR

SECOND TEAM:
C - Carson Shanks - North Dakota - Prior Lake, MN - SO
PF - Jake White - Nebraska-Omaha - Chaska, MN - SR
SF - Sanjay Lumpkin - Northwestern - Wayzata, MN - SO
OG - Marcus Marshall - Nevada - St Paul, MN - SR (transfer)
PG - Siyana Chambers - Harvard - Golden Valley, MN - JR (injury)

Previous Years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

Killer Mike

He's a pretty impressive guy.

POTpourri

• Red states are red states because people don't vote. 
• Do you know what happened to the GOP establishment?
• Thomas Piketty knows income inequality.  
• Kelly Rohrbach set to play C.J. Parker in upcoming Baywatch movie. 
• The new Ford GT is looking pretty awesome. 
• Wall Street wants nothing to do with a Bernie Sanders Presidency. 
• The Tennessee Titans will have the first pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. 
• Twitter does not need to increase their character limit. 
• RIP Wayne Rogers & Natalie Cole. 
• Black Monday (stretched out to Wednesday) hits the NFL.  
• Why don't I know more about Lina Shekhovtsova?  
• I'm not a fan of the College Football Playoffs on New Years Eve. 
• It's okay to go on vacation alone if you want to. 
• Do people still take Arther Laffer seriously?  
• I'm not sure what to think of nude Miley Cyrus. 
• Don't let the GOP convince you that America is losing. 
• Red states may want to consider higher taxes and more regulation. 
• I see you Elsa Hosk!  And Kendall Jenner! 
• Do you need further proof to take everything the GOP says with a grain of salt?
• Ken Griffey Jr & Mike Piazza elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 
• We should all be afraid of right wing terrorists. 

Obama Executive Action on Guns

I fully support President Obama's executive action on guns.



It was long overdue.

2016 Presidential Field Update

And another one is gone.  George Pataki has called it quits on his 2016 Presidential run.  That leaves us with 15 candidates still in the running, 12 Republicans and 3 Democrats.

Here's how the remaining rank in my opinion (as far as their chances):

Democrats: 

1. Hillary Clinton
2. Bernie Sanders
3. Martin O'Malley

Republicans: 

1. Donald Trump
2. Ted Cruz
3. Ben Carson
4. Marco Rubio
5. Chris Christie
6. Jeb Bush
7. Rand Paul
8. John Kasich
9. Carly Fiorina 
10. Mike Huckabee
11. Rick Santorum
12. Jim Gilmore

George Pataki just never caught on.  Like Lindsay Graham before him, the timing was just not right for Pataki.  It's too bad too for Republicans because I think he could have fared well in a general election.  The Republican anti-establishment fervor just seems too fever pitched at this point for anyone considered to be part of the establishment from making a serious run.  In a way, that's a good thing, it's a sign that Republicans are finally seeing that their party is not working in their best interests.  Of course, it also means candidates like Donald Trump.  

Xenia Deli

She even makes those panties look sexy.

Vikings 20, Packers 13

The Vikings knocked off the Packers 20-13 tonight in Green Bay.  The Vikings finish their 2015-16 season with an 11-5 record.  The Vikings also clinched the NFC North title and a home playoff game with this victory.  This wasn't an easy one, the Vikings somehow managed to throw away a 20-3 fourth quarter lead and only clinched it on the last play of the game.  No easy task ahead for the Vikings though as they will match up with the Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs and the Seahawks are playing as well as anybody.  NFC North Champs!!!

Observation:

• This was the Vikings first NFL North title since 2009.  
• The Vikings executed that early fake punt to perfection. 
• Adrian Peterson wrapped up his 3rd rushing title before the game even started. 
• 2 sacks for Everson Griffen tonight, that gave him 10.5 on the season. 
• Aaron Rodgers got way too much time to pass late in this game.  
• Xavier Rhodes picked a clutch time for his first interception of the season. 
• Eric Kendricks had himself a very nice game.  
• Just a horrible decision by Teddy Bridgewater on that Micah Hyde interception. 
• Adam Thielen made a nice contribution tonight. 
• Time of Possession:  Packers 35:42, Vikings 24:18
• Heads up play by Captain Munnerlyn to return that fumble for a touchdown. 
• Adrian Peterson is relentless near the end zone. 
• Tom Johnson has filled in nicely for the injured Linval Joseph.  
• Clay Matthews has become quite the punk.  
• One play that epitomizes Cordarrelle Patterson's season?  
• Perhaps Sharrif Floyd should be given some time at tight end. 
• The Packers may want to consider Eddie Lacey at nose guard next season. 
• Early Vikings draft needs:  OL, DB, LB, WR
• Ragnar is just embarrassing himself at this point. 
• Up next?  Seattle @ Minnespolis next Sunday in the 1st round of the NFC playoffs.

Seahawks 36, Cardinals 6

The Cardinals were pounded by the Seahawks 36-6 today at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.  The Cardinals conclude their 2015-16 season with a franchise best 13-3 record.  Despite the loss, the Cardinals will still be the number 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.  It was pretty much a comedy of errors for the Cardinals today, it was easily their worst performance of the season.  I'm guessing it's not the way that Bruce Arians wanted the Cardinals to head into the playoffs. Hopefully, the week off will do them good and allow them to re-group.

Observations:

• The Cardinals played with very little intensity today. 
• On the bright side, Carson Palmer & Larry Fitzgerald did break franchise records. 
• It was the correct decision to not play Carson Palmer in the second half. 
• I sense the Cardinals already miss Tyrann Matthieu in their secondary. 
• At least Dwight Freeney had something to play for.  8 sacks in 11 games now. 
• Drew Stanton didn't exactly light the world on fire in his playing time. 
• Who the heck is Christine Michael?   
• Time of Possession:  Seahawks 36:37, Cardinals 23:23
• Turnovers:  Cardinals 3, Seahawks 0
• Rushing Yards:  Seahawks 145, Cardinals 27
• I'm guessing that Cam Newton edges out Carson Palmer for MVP after today. 
• At some point you'd think the Cardinals would decide to punt away from Tyler Lockett. 
• It seemed rather foolish for the Seahawks to play Russell Wilson in the second half. 
• That was the worst loss of Bruce Arians head coaching tenure.  
• Yep, Richard Sherman did deserve that taunting penalty. 
• Was that a Matt Barkley sighting at the University of Phoenix Stadium? 
• Early Cardinals draft needs:  CB, DE, LB, QB 
• Was that Paul Goldschmidt on the field as honorary captain today?  
• Mid 60's temperature today, perfect football weather, yet the roof was closed once again.
• Up next?  2nd round playoff matchup in Glendale against a yet TBD team in two weeks. 

Motley Crue Final Show

It was a nice run, but the time had come.

Cactus Bowl

West Virginia 43, Arizona State 42

The Sun Devils fell to West Virginia 43-42 tonight in the Cactus Bowl.  Arizona State finishes their season with a disappointing 6-7 record with this loss.  Very entertaining game, Arizona State just couldn't pull it off in the end.  The Sun Devils really needs to find a way to shore up its defense heading into next season.  The coaching needs to improve too.  Overall, just a very disappointing season for Arizona State.

Observations:

• Why didn't ASU go for a 2 point conversion after that last touchdown?
• Arizona State sure does give up a lot of big plays on defense. 
• Did D.J. Foster really catch a pass in every ASU game of his career? 
• Was it odd that Chip Lindsey was already calling plays for ASU? 
• Um yeah, Shelton Gibson was out of bounds on that reception.  
• Kweishi Brown was beat like a drum all night long. 
• There was a severe shortage of a pass rush by either team in this game.
• How do you use a timeout before a kickoff?  
• Devin Lucien ASU career was short but very memorable. 
• Was it my imagination, or was that a really long game? 
• Total Yards:  West Virginia 676, Arizona State 520
• Kareem Orr looks like he will have a future in the ASU secondary. 
• I can see Tim White carving out a Justin Bethel like NFL career. 
• That second quarter West Virginia squib kick was a disaster for them. 
• It'll be interesting to see if Mike Bercovici get's an NFL look.  
• Was that RB Gump Hayes playing in the Arizona State secondary? 
• Zane Gonzales has had a nice career at Arizona State.  
• Was that the Skylar Howard that the jury is still out on?     
• The parachuter into the stadium to start the game was a nice touch. 
• It was interesting watching ASU play football in downtown Phoenix. 
• Up next?  Northern Arizona University @ Tempe on September 3, 2016.  

AZ Tidbits

• 7 Arizona Cardinals selected to the NFL Pro Bowl. 
• Is Sylvia Allen really the best choice to head the Arizona Senate Education panel?
• Arizona LB Scooby Wright to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. 
• The 2015 Arizona All State football team is pretty impressive. 
• Best Arizona photos for 2015. Great pics! 
• Las Vegas odds makers are very bullish on the Arizona Cardinals. 
• Arizona congressman Trent Franks needs a civics lesson. 
• Check out the azcentral's 2015 Arizona Year in Review. 
• Michael Phelps set to coach at Arizona State when he retires from swimming. 
• Has there ever been a bigger bozo on the Suns than Markieff Morris?
• Is K.J. Hymes Arizona's next Marvin Bagley III?  Too soon?  
• Scottsdale & Tempe ranked among the Best Places for Singles. 
• Zip codes can correlate to life expectancy in Arizona. 
• How can you not be uncomfortable with power APS wields in this state. 
• Alabama vs Clemson for the College Football Championship in Glendale. 
• Shane Doan breaks Arizona Coyote franchise scoring record. 
• Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek is reportedly on thin ice.  Hot daughter though. 
• A fond good riddance to Sarah Palin from me. 
• Eric Bledsoe & Tyrann Mathieu to miss remainder of their respective seasons. 
• Scottsdale ranked as great place to launch a start up. 

Izabel Goulart