Weekend Recap: Evening Edition

I am about as busy right now as I've ever been at work, so the content this week may be sporadic. But highlights from the weekend that was:

Friday I went to this place for the first time; I thought the menu definitely left a little to be desired, but the wine list is good, the service was great, and the atmosphere was just right for a wine bar. Props. Also had a couple of drinks afterward here, which is a good little find as well.

Saturday night gave inspiration to yet another chapter of my unfinshed novel: "Sketchy Decisions and Sketchier Memories: One Man's Journey through a Lifetime of All-You-Can-Drink Specials". The scene of the crime this time was a familiar haunt. Bar traffic was low; hence we gained maximum value during the AYCD hours. Afterward, I headed downtown to a bar that I won't be returning to in the near future. It was my maiden voyage there and I think I saw enough. Needless to say, I unloaded with both barrels on Saturday night and finished the night in usual fashion: leaning against my bathroom wall, muttering "Why do you do this to yourself?" I guess you can take the kid out of the college, but you can't take the college out of the kid.

Quick hit thoughts on the AFC and NFC championship game (both of which stunk):

NFC: Matt Hasselbeck, not Shaun Alexander, is making the Seattle offense go right now. I thought he did a great job dictating the tempo of the game, keeping Carolina on its heels, and making sure that the Seahawks left no doubt. Alexander looked a step slow (despite 132 tough yards), especially on the edge. That defense is playing well right now, keyed by strong play by Lofa Tatupu and Michael Boulware. Carolina was just too beat up going into the game, with no running backs to speak of (even Nick Goings got knocked out of the game after gaining two total yards) and Dan Morgan also didn't last too long. You can't beat Seattle, in Seattle, with half of your team. You probably can't beat them anywhere with half of your team. Steve Smith was a non-factor, and he only got that punt return all the way to the house because of a block in the back. You're better than that, Ed Hochuli.

AFC: Denver really laid an egg on Sunday. Jake the Mistake turned it over four times; credit an attacking Pittsburgh defense led by Joey Porter and Larry Foote. I love how the Steelers are playing right now- focused, energetic but not wound too tight, mistake free and even-keel. Sunday's win was their 7th in a row, and they had to have every single one (remember, they were 7-5 and on the outside looking in for the playoffs). They started their Super Bowl run a month early and it seems they have forgotten how to lose. Also, I have to say that Denver's secondary is just putrid. John Lynch, as most people know, is pretty much worthless in coverage. Domonique Foxworth probably was the worst player on the field on Sunday. Champ Bailey is a good player but was a non-factor in the game (and Cedrick Wilson embarrassed him on that slant-corner for a TD in the first half). Overall, when the front four don't get pressure, the Denver secondary looks like the football team from the Denver Asthmatic School for the Blind out there. Big Ben exposed that unit.

After seeing these two games, I have to say that Pittsburgh is playing better than any team in the league right now. For what it's worth, I think Seattle is the best team in the NFC too, but they can't stand up to this blitzing 3-4 defense with all-world safety Troy Polamalu helping against the run and in coverage. And, the Seahawks have to go out and try to stop Fast Willie, the Bus, and Big Ben with all those quality receivers. It's too much. And don't forget that Pittsburgh has two of the best play-calling coordinators in the business with Ken Whisenhunt and Dick LeBeau too, and throw in the fact that the Super Bowl is basically going to be a home game for the Steelers. Pittsburgh is nearby and those fans love to travel. I have the Steelers by a least a touchdown in the Big Game. The Bus retires with a ring in his hometown, and Big Ben becomes the youngest Super Bowl-winning QB ever.

That's all for now. Back to work. Have a great week.
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