The “Broken” Play

I didn’t know we had a shot of it.  Lisa must not have uploaded this picture from the camera until recently or I just missed it, but this is the play where Shane broke his arm.  It’s a kickoff return with Philip bringing the ball back (partially hidden by Carson).  Note Shane has his arms somewhat extended before contact at high speed (bad technique), and that Jared who is behind Shane in this picture is dialing in on the same player (74) Shane is…..and that was it, our season is over after this play. 

Wind in the Willows

I saw our middle school OAP performance of “Wind in the Willows” Sunday afternoon.  It’s a good play.  Not that I know anything at all about judging one act plays or anything, but this seems like a neat play to get all the talent we have involved.  It’s not the kind of play that rides on the shoulders of one or two actors, there is lots of meaningful action and dialogue from multiple actors and some well choreographed action with 10+ actors at once.  Pretty neat to see these young ones have all that down.  I was impressed with their performance almost all the way around.

Shane plays the part of Jack Weasel, and he did a nice job Sunday.  His part is a ne’er-do-well type of part, the leader of a disreputable band of weasels that are played very much like gypsies (the play timeframe is 1909 so I think this fits).  Cindy wants him to play it like Johnny Depp; are we having some fun with that.  His costume is probably the most outrageous of the set, wearing boots with loose striped pants tucked into them, a large sash/belt, an oversized jacket and a bandanna on his head atop which sits a large top hat.  It’s a hoot.  He has some parts where he leads the weasels onto the set in the dark, and they slink in with his profile outlined against the backdrop — it’s very cool.  He has some significant lines in the play and I thought he did them very well Sunday (then again, I would).

During Sunday’s performance Hayden came very near having a major wardrobe malfunction but played through it brilliantly.  In fact, I was not sure what occurred wasn’t supposed to be in the play.  It was just a riot.  I found out afterward that this was not supposed to happen, but you sure couldn’t tell it.  Well done.

They are two weeks away from contest (11/14) and have two more public performances.  Good luck troupe!

EDIT: Their last public performance is Sunday 11/8 at 3pm in the high school auditorium.

Here’s a shot that includes Shane from the first public performance:

Jack Weasel lead his clan and Mr. Toad away before killjoys return.

“Potts” Old is New Again

What a wicked season.  Some have said a trained monkey could succeed in Mike Leach’s offense.  I’m wondering when the box score will show how the trained monkey did.

Tech went to their third string QB, I mean their third starting QB, and then after two QB fumbles directly led to the only points the other team had at halftime reverted to their first string QB, I mean their second string QB….no wait….I mean their….well….the one that started the season as the starter, who didn’t exactly set the world on fire but was in there for the win 42-21 against KU.

KU and Tech play, two of the most highly rated offenses in NCAA Div I, so we naturally have a defensive struggle for most of the game.  KU scored once on defense and their D gift wrapped another TD for their team right before half.  Tech’s D gift wrapped one TD for their team, and scored one directly to put their team up by two TDs in the 4th quarter, after having entered the 4th quarter trailing by one TD.

Wait.  I’m getting dizzy.  Let me slow down a little and come back in a minute.

 

Ok.  I’m better now.  In that 4th quarter, the team had three turnovers, and they’d only fumbled three times all season.  This resulted in the QB getting benched, so Tech brought in…wait…no…that was KU that benched their QB that was the starter at the beginning of the season.  This season.   And last season.  And the season before that.

Wait.  I’m getting dizzy again.

 

OK, I’m better now.  The run defense really kicked in at this point.  The “D” had one of the best rush defenses in the league, and had held the opponent to -32 yards rushing in the first half, so in the 4th quarter they clamped down and allowed only….103 yards….and 3 TDs rushing.  Tech’s defensive coordinator became furious at seeing this until realizing it was the Kansas D that gave this up, and 123 yards and 4 TDs rushing on the day, all to one back Baron Batch.

Wait.  That freakin’ dizziness again.

 

All right.  The vaunted Tech “O” gained only about 350 yards, but Tech got 42 points.  The vaunted Kansas “O” only got 250 yards, but Kansas got 21 points.  Each team’s “D” can be said to have given them 14 points apiece, so it was Tech Offense 28, Kansas Offense 7. 

Mike Leach is to be congratulated on the rushing and rushing TDs in the 4th quarter because he’d called….passing plays on most of them.  Taylor Potts, the “QB that shall be no more”, audibled into most of the 103 4th quarter rushing yards.  Clearly he’s not over this concussion thing or he’d know Tech cannot run the ball.

I’m feeling a little like I have a concussion myself.  Good thing Tech doesn’t play for another two weeks, because I don’t think my bruised brain can take this again for a while.

Tech QB Position “Devolves” into Chaos

Well, so much for last week resolving anything for Tech QBs.  Poor Potts, he’s getting hammered by fans for things not entirely of his doing.  I guess that’s bigtime college football for you; a little distasteful for me but then again I’m repeatedly reminded by people I’m around that I sometimes don’t “get it” when it comes to sports.  You know, the religion.

Funny thing to me is Doege is getting some love from those same fans for coming into the A&M game and…doing pretty much what Potts did.  Not the picks I guess, but I’d figure maybe one of those picks was flat out Potts’ fault.  Doege didn’t create more points, more opportunities, throw for more yards, complete more passes–I’m not sure what he did that warrants him be applauded while Potts is reviled.  Hmmm.

Not that I have anything against Doege.  If he does indeed get the start against KU I hope he has a career day and Tech blows the doors off the Jayhawk Jalopy.  But unless Doege can play DEFENSE, I’m not sure it’ll help this weekend. 

Then in a few weeks Sticks returns, and we can do this all over again….

Tech QB Position “Resolves” Itself, For Now

I was going to be interested to see how Mike Leach dealt with Tech’s QB starting position after Taylor Potts recovered enough to be cleared to play, given how much spark and energy Sticks brought to the table.  Those are both good and bad situations.  You definitely want to have the depth to be able to put in a sub without causing the team to tank, and yet you (or at least I) don’t want to see a starter lose their job because of a short term injury.

Well, as it turns out, it took care of itself for now.  Potts was cleared to play again this week, and ironically Sticks is out 2-3 weeks with an injury of his own.  Decision made for Mike Leach on this one.  If Potts plays well, my thinking is the starting job is his for the rest of the year with the explanation that he was the starter to begin with and only sat out will injured.  If Potts does NOT play well, the whole thing comes back around to be dealt with again prior to the trip to Okie State.

“Sticks” Sticks

Holy moly.  I thought there for a second we were going to have a repeat of the Nebraska homecoming beatdown of four years ago.

Had we not settled for one field goal and had our new QB throw a pick six, it actually would have been worse than that prior beatdown.

Tech’s defeat of KState 66-14 was near complete domination.  Either KState’s team is completely overrated in every possible category, or Tech played incredible ball.  I think it’s the former, although I will say Sheffield looks like the real deal.  The mobility he brings to the game is helpful, and in this offense which makes teams like KState play that 4-2-5 defense, if you get past the rushing linemen you have acres to run free in.

It’s a surprise to me that Potts has the reputation of the cannon arm, and yet since Sheffield has been playing Tech has gone to a vertical passing game much more frequently, with results that are crushing the opposing DBs.  I hope Potts recovers and does well, but I cannot see any way you remove Sheffield at this point.

Amazing Baseball Call

If you are in need of a little levity today, check out this insanely accurate prediction in a recent Mariners game.  The call as it happens is good stuff.  I was laughing and grinning and a bit giddy just listening to it, and I don’t care squat about the Mariners.

Cool.  Sometimes being a sports announcer sounds like SO much fun.

Bosses, the Software Industry, and /dev/random

Subject: bosses, the software industry, and /dev/random
Hey boss. Without getting into too much detail, I was just doing some reflection on what it means to be a kick ass professional software engineer in this absolutely dehumanizing industry (read: field of charlatans).  I was reflecting on the characteristics of the better bosses I’ve had, and the thought of you just jumped right out at me. I hope this is still your email address and this gets through. So I was thinking of you, hoping your cancer battle is now 404 NOT FOUND, and hoping you’ll write back.  Best to the fam!

I got this email from an old co-worker today.  I was his “boss” for a couple of years. 

I’ve never considered myself much of a boss because my “style” seems so different from the people I’m around, so I figured I was one of those who didn’t “get it” and it sure hasn’t translated into much in the way of promotions.  But at least this fellow, who is apparently having to work with someone “less than desirable” now, appreciates it.  Given he is very talented software engineer and electrical engineer I really appreciate him taking the time to send this.  Also, we worked together more than 7 years ago and have only talked once or twice since he moved away.

It was a pick-me-up today.  I needed it.

Hub City Hubbub

Much wailing and knashing of teeth in the Hub City and beyond regarding the loss to Houston by the Red Raiders this weekend.  As is somewhat typical after a tough loss, the masses are overreacting to the loss to a certain degree.  This too shall pass.

However, count me amongst the group that is somewhat confused by some of the decisions made Saturday night.  I know Coach Leach describes balance in his offense as getting all the playmakers the ball a “balanced” amount of the time and attacking the various parts of the field a “balanced” amount of the time, but I like to exploit an opponent’s weakness to the max and it was clear the run defense for the Cougars was their weakness.  I know my wife got tired for hearing me grumble “Run the ball.  Run the BALL.  RUN THE BALL.”

Going for it on 4th and missing is just something we have to accept with Leach as coach – he’s going to gamble on putting the game away there.  Comes with the pirate coach and all that.  The annoying habit of calling time outs at weird times, the same.  Every once in a while it’s okay to “go by the book” though guys, you know?

Ah well, hindsight being what it is makes for great Monday morning QBs, and I guess I’m just another one.  I do hear some rumblings of discontent from *within* the program however, which is not exciting.  This team may have to show it has the leadership to overcome a disappointing loss like this quickly, or there will be more to come in conference play.  It may be a good thing that we get a woeful UNM team followed by a lackluster KSU team both at home before we hit the more difficult part of the schedule.  That may be just the tonic this squad needs to get over this hump and focused again.

Leach’s Parking Spot

Now this is just funny.  Nice the way they worked the natural cracks in the asphalt into the “design”….

Mike Leach's Parking Spot