Turkey Day Ramblings....

No pardons from the Carlsons...

Rambling after week 12...

What do you get when you cross a turkey with an octopus?  Enough drumsticks for John Madden.

Time for some Thanksgiving Ramblings.  I believe this is the first ramblings of the year done on home soil (in Minnesota).  That means absolutely nothing except that I have filled two lines and said nothing.....I may just have the qualities to become a politician.

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?  The outside.

So the Vikings pulled it out this week....thank god that all of Michigan for some reason thinks Joey Harrington is the answer at QB....."Alex, I'll take 'General Manager Career Killers' for $5 million".

If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most famous for?  Their age.

On the same line of thought, I can't recall seeing too many Michiganders (yep, that's what they call themselves over there) on Jeopardy.  Coincidence?  I think not.

So had Harrington realized either that he sucks and should have 1) gave up after the 3rd INT or 2) cut his sideburns and joined the 20th century, the Lions would have a shot with McMahon (Mike or hell, even Jim).  But on Thursday, it will not be the turkey playing tricks with your mind when you see Harrington out there throwing INTs to the Pack and letting Green Bay come that much closer to catching the Vikes.  Nothing like pressure for the Purple and Gold as they travel down the Mississip to the middle dome on the big river to face Tory and company.

It's nice to see the snow falling after I had already made it home for the week off and well before most holiday traveling will occur.  Wouldn't it have been cool to watch the Vikings play outside on Sunday in 6 inches of snow?  That's what today's athletes need.  A reality check of having to play outside somewhere other than California or Florida in November/December.  Although I can't imagine Daunte playing in the snow.  He has enough trouble in dry, sunny weather with the old pigskin.

Keyshawn who?

Do you think Seattle is now aware just how bad their defense is?  They not only gave up 44 points, but it was to Baltimore and, I'm going off memory here, Anthony Wright who was released by the Cowboys a couple years back.  Oh, and "washed up" Marcus Robinson somehow got open for 4 scores.  Can anyone say "waiver wire pickup"?

Kudos to Mr. Bernard who picked 19 out of 20 in Juice's weekly picks contest.  His only wrong pick was Denver over the Bears at Mile High (I know it's called something else but call me old fashioned) but even Dick Jauron lost money in Vegas on that one.

The collective groans of all Steve McNair owners could be heard across the Atlantic.

Question....does Dennis Erickson risk his job by giving Garcia his back?

Prediction.....yes and I'd say get that resume ready Denny.

Time for Wongers thinkings....

And a few comments. -- JC's responses

Thanksgiving week is upon us.  This means turkeys (or turduckens on the East
Coast), football, and family.  I have a few questions about this holiday
still: -- shoot

1) Why would some people fry a turkey?  Do we need more grease on this
calorie filled holiday? -- Aren't you proud to be an American.  President Bush said it's great to have freedom, so for those out there who choose to skip the Turkey and just drink the gravy, more power to 'em.
2) Who first thought of the turducken?  -- Obviously John Madden.  The things people think of when riding in a bus cross country.  He did of course draw it up on the telestrator first.
3) Will Detroit and Dallas ever give up their Thanksgiving Day games? -- Why would they?  Dallas wins just about every year and for Detroit, it's probably the only way they can sell out the stadium.
4) Is Thanksgiving a man's holiday? -- Tough call....the ladies for the most part do the cooking and then the men do the eating and the ladies do the cleaning up.  I'd have to say everyone has fun.
5) When did the day after Thanksgiving become the busiest shopping day of
the year -- 1579.  Right after the Pilgrims had the first Thanksgiving meal, the ladies all got up early the next day so they could push and shove to be first in line for the big sale down at the trading post.

All right, the Vikings won a game.  I saw their performance against the
Lions and thought that the first 57:20 it was the most soporific games in
recent memory.  I do not know what allowed the Vikings to win, an inept
Lions offense or a Vikings defense that actually learned to tackle. 
However, I do know one thing, Michael Bennett should stick to Gatorade at
halftime.  Now about the questions about next week's game against the Rams,
take the over. -- I don't think I'd say the Vikings won, rather the Lions blew it.  Don't get me wrong a win is nice, but they play like that against 30 other teams and they go 0-30.

Most absurd occurrence last Sunday: Matt Hasselback throwing five touchdowns
with no picks and losing to the Baltimore Ravens. -- That's what you call the "high point of your life" if your name is Matt Hasselbeck.

You heard it hear first: if the Cincinnati Bengals win the AFC North, Icky
Woods will come back and do the "Icky Shuffle" at halftime of their first
playoff game. -- The way they are running the ball, Icky could throw some pads on and punch one in "Billdozer Doltree-style"

While I was disappointed by that Ohio State could not get themselves in the
National Championship game this year, I think an USC-Oklahoma matchup would
be a better game anyways. -- Better game but I feel bad for Tressel.  I'm also proud of how OSU didn't compromise and kept Clarett out.  The high morals and whatnot of their program should be admired.

Is it just me or was last Wednesday's "Law and Order" abnormally political? -- Hard to say when I didn't see it.

Quote of the Week - "Thanksgiving will come early for the Washington special
interests. The American public will be presented with an enormous turkey
stuffed with their tax dollars." - Senator John McCain.  I'm glad that
Senator McCain is in the holiday mood. -- I'm usually a fan of McCain but sometimes I wonder if while spending time as a POW he was stuffed.

Finally, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.  I hope you spend some
quality time with your families because not everyone has that opportunity. 
Also, I hope to see you in Minnesota this week. -- Seconded by JC.

Till next time..  -- That'll do 'er for me too.  Have a good one.

Need I say more?

BIGFFBL senior writer Jeremy Carlson (TEQ) sounds off whenever he feels like it on www.bigffbl.com