So now there's a real possibility that the "Mike and the Mad Dog" show is kaput we thought we'd trot out this video of someone doing a spot-on impersonation of an actual Dog tirade. The screaming starts about five minutes in.
— Pete Catapano
I'm not sure what to say about this new "racing league." As you can see in this somewhat hokey promotional video, the graphics and sounds of the racing simulation and and the skills of the pilots — many of them civilian test pilots and military combat veterans — are impressive.
But the reality keeps slapping me in the face. It hurts! Ouch. Please stop that, Reality of the Situation.
That is to say, the races are not real! The entire league resides in a virtual reality. So unlike other motor sports that feature dazzling feats derring-do — Formula 1 racing, air shows, motocross, etc. — the Rocket Racing League lacks the life-or-death stakes that infuse the proceedings with interest. When one of these flimsy rocket racers inevitably crashes, it's nothing more than a complex computer process.
It's an odd position to take, to clamor for increased risk in a sport. Nevertheless, similar to a professional video gaming league, real physical risk is the most critically absent piece of the new league's puzzle.
— Max
Here are some notes from amNewYork intern Erick Blasco about the FOX telecast of the Giants’ 21-17 win in Dallas on Sunday. (Joe Buck did play-by-play, and ex-Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman handled the color.)
• As early as the third quarter, Buck was pointing out that Dallas center Andre Gurode’s snaps were often late or inaccurate. That angle was key, as the Cowboys’ offense was out of rhythm with Gurode’s shotgun snaps. One of the most important plays of the game was Marc Colombo’s last minute false-start on first down, which stemmed from a late Gurode snap.
• Buck didn’t let himself become the center of attention, and, as he often does, he cut down on shtick for the playoffs.
• There was no analysis, thankfully, of how the Giants were winning because coach Tom Coughlin morphed into Mr. Softee.
• Aikman criticizes quarterbacks well. Not only did he criticize Dallas quarterback Tony Romo for taking sacks instead of throwing it away, but he also noted how flustered Romo looked in the second half as the Giants took away his options.
• Aikman made a good point when he said the Giants were “doing Dallas a favor by being conservative.” The Giants won despite giving the Cowboys a chance at a game-winning drive.
• Before the game, all four Fox studio analysts predicted that Dallas would win, with Jimmy Johnson saying that the Cowboys would be more “energized” because of their time off. Maybe that energy explained all the Cowboy penalties.
— Max
