Last time I saw the UPS team from Cleveland play, it was December of 2001 in Cleveland with my son Gary.
Note to myself: Never, ever go to Cleveland in December - it was minus 32 with snow and we absolutely froze.
My favorite cold weather hat - it's warm and it fits my big head.
Sweet view from the eighth row...
What a great game as the Titans beat the Colts 31-21 to remain undefeated!
The Monday Night Football atmosphere was great with some good humored smack talk and outstanding plays on the field...
Colts driving for a junk TD at the end of the game...
Mrs WonderDawg Celebrates!
When I stepped out of the office at 5-ish pm today, there was still light outside. Seeing remnants of daylight late in the afternoon definitely lifted my spirits, as the days will get longer and spring fever is just around the corner. With sunlight depravation in a closed office environment and no more NFL football, historically, the next few weeks has always been a challenge. Basketball and baseball has never held my interest.
It’s during these times when I start planning all of the outdoor activities that the spring season ushers in. A vegetable garden, carpentry projects, lawn maintenance, more outdoor photography, sunlight, no more heavy coats… I can’t wait.
Despite the fact that the Dallas Cowboys didn’t participate in the Super Bowl 42, it was nonetheless a great second half of football at its best. I about blew a gasket when my brand new DirecTV HD DVR failed on Sunday. I called tech support, and I was only getting ½ of the satellite signal on the other sets and no picture on the main HD TV setup.
After replacing the supplied defective cables with a HDMI cable, (I love having a Best Buy across the street from me) I was back in business to watch Tom Petty and the rest of the game in HD. Surely I wasn’t going to let technology get the best of me, especially on Super Bowl Sunday. DirecTV, you almost let me down and sent me in a deep funk!
My friend Judie at GearDiary sent this to me:
The American Medical Association has announced a new national symbol for choking.
Please inform all of the people in your safety department.
OLD SYMBOL 
NEW SYMBOL
Cowboys fans do have a sense of humor; Packers and Redskins spectators don't... so be careful out there!
After camping out since Wednesday night - 61 hours - plus the long trek from East Tennessee, David and Judith with son Cory and daughter Courtney snagged the first single game Titans tickets that went on sale at 10:00 am.
The happy family was congratulated by Don MacLachlan, executive vice president of administration and facilities for the Titans.
Competing against the online world of Ticketmaster, the LP Field ticket office flung open six windows. Considering the line was only thirty two deep, the odds were working in favor of those in line in the 90 degree heat.
Here's John feeling the morning heat with only 2 minutes to go... after 59 hours.
The local news networks were out as well to capture the moment - WSMV, WTVF and Fox; WKRN was missing although Mitch Mitchell was out filming Friday. 
Best response to the PacMan Jones drama: "It's not about one person; I'm here to support the team... and be here on game day to root for the Titans!"
With six windows opened, everyone I talked to got the game tickets they were looking for, with one person picking up four preseason tickets for Green Bay to see Brett Favre. A true cheesehead indeed.
Here's Judith and Courtney, the very first ones to exit the window and husband David talking to NewsChannelFive.
I saw a couple leave highly upset because the rule was only one person per window; apparently their ticket selection game plan wasn't in place. She was going home to get online after being spending all that time in line. Good luck with that! 
As for me, I wa photographing the end of the line when I though why not step up to the window?
At 10:15 am, I picked up tickets to the Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers games.
Photo blogging has been very good for me!
More photos at my Flickr set
Over the past year, I’ve been intrigued by fans camping out for high tech gear like the PlayStation3 and just recently, Apple’s iPhone. Sure there are compelling reasons to work up the nerve to ask the boss man for vacation time for such an adventure. After all, time earned off is… frankly speaking, your time off, so no one should care anyway. Most working class heroes long for an escape from the drudgery of work, socking away money in a hidden cookie jar to embrace the day – that defining day - to experience the perfect escape route to a high tech fantasy world of fighting demons, hunting down the enemy or barreling down the highway at 120 mph with the highway patrol in hot pursuit.
Controlling your exhilarating moments of victory and defeat in the PS3 or Xbox game world, I’m told makes time management unimportant. The expectations of living life in the working world comes to a standstill. Should a dragon breathe his fire and wrath upon you burning you to a crispy matchstick figure, with a simple press of the button, resetting the game and asking for a do-over is easier than forgiveness on the factory floor.
Hand eye coordination is key to winning; Apple’s iPhone requires one finger to point, swipe and open / close with thumb and pointer finger dexterity.
But there is something that I experienced first hand, up close and personal today.
Holding eight 2 ½ x 6 ½ 4 color tickets in the clutched fist of the hand close to the heart releases a rush of passionate ecstasy that no gaming system or iPhone can match.
It’s called the NFL Experience. Yes, August is upon us – here in America, real football known as the National Football League prepares to kick off to the masses of stadium filled pigskin enthusiasts. Saturday morning at 10 AM here in Nashville, Tennessee, single game tickets go on sale to the general public. 
Wednesday evening, David, Judith and family made the three plus hour trek from East Tennessee into Nashville to claim the first spot in line. Two hours later at 11 PM, John and Jennifer joined them, pitching tents against the gated entrances of LP Field to secure single-game tickets for the Tennessee Titans.
I was curious as to why not go on the Internet at ticketmaster.com and secure your tickets the high tech way? Besides the usual complaints of the high service charges levied by ticketmaster and the exponential pool of competition of fans vying for the same tickets, camping out in line for three nights ensures a defined pecking order.
David and Judith have been camping out for four years. 
They enjoy the camaraderie and friendships built over the years with folks like John and Jennifer. They increased their fortune this year, moving from number 82 last year to 2nd in line. 
“This is our seventh year in a row that we’ve been here; I’ve even camped out for the three playoff games,” said John. “I don’t have to fool with scalpers or worry about whether the tickets are legit or not.”
His wife Jennifer has her bare feet propped upon an ice cooler in the 90-degree heat, as she should – nearly seven months pregnant, she loves Titans football.
So what does the Titans organization think about the passion exhibited by camping out?
“The Titans are great! They brought us out pizza last night, offer us a chance to cool off in the air conditioned room if it gets too hot, and even set up Port-A-Potties for us to use,” said Judith.
John added, “We even had lunch from the Titans and some businesses drop by with food, so we get to have extra food!”
Would you wait in line for a PlayStation, I asked John. “No way, you have to be crazy to camp out when two months later, you can get a PlayStation at regular price. With Titans football tickets, it’s the experience of the game day. I’m looking forward to see Indianapolis and the New York Jets play here at LP Field.”
Fans can purchase a maximum of four tickets to a maximum of two home games with prices ranging from $34 to $67 per ticket. The available pools of tickets are 2,500 tickets to each of the 8 regular season and two preseason home games.
Later, Don MacLachlan, executive vice president of administration and facilities for the Titans stopped by to check on how the campers are doing. “Yeah, he drops by, asks how we’re doing and if there is anything we need. Last year, Drew Bennett (Titans wide receiver) dropped by to talk to us. The Titans really care about their fans,” added John.
Jim Caple of ESPN sums up what I witnessed today in his article, 101 things all sports fans must experience before they die.
# 64 of 101:
Camp out for tickets (any event). If a game isn't worth investing a cold, wet night in a tent with hundreds of other rabid fans and sharing your love for a common goal, then maybe you should reassess your priorities in life.
They all hate us, but they all watch us.
Of the top 10 most watched regular-season games, the Cowboys played in six of them, including the five of the top six. The Cowboys-Giants game on Dec. 3 attracted an audience of 27.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research - by far the most watched game of the season.
Cowboys games against the Bucs, Colts, Eagles on Christmas Day, Jaguars and Eagles on Sunday Night Football all ranked in the top 10.
The Cowboys also played in the most watched Monday Night Football game on ESPN, with their home game against the Giants drawing nearly 16.0 million viewers.
From: www.bloggingtheboys.com/
After wallowing in the Cowboys loss to the Seahawks last night by reviewing the TIVO'd game, taking in the commentary from pundits except Deion Sanders and Chris Berman, I'm left holding my analytical football scalpels trying to dissect a dead carcass. Why bother trying to figure out how the Cowboys let this game or even a promising season go down the toilet?
I'm giving myself a concussion thinking about the Cowboys.
I've watched four football games this weekend. (no feeling left in my spine)
I'm watching four football games next weekend. (what bandwagon do I jump on to feign enthusiam?)
Time to drop the cry towel. The NFL has a web site for adult crybabies like me. Answer five questions and a team will be selected for me....
http://playoffs.nfl.com/bandwagon
Saints... ugh. Patriots... nope. Chargers... I'm going with the Chargers.
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer." - John Madden
Vince Young named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Associated Press Offensive Rookie of Year
The dynamic quarterback for the Tennessee Titans won The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year Award on Wednesday. He did it in the same fashion he turned around the Titans' season — running away from the rest of the field.
Young, who led Texas to the 2005 national championship and was the third overall pick in last April's draft, overwhelmed one of the strongest rookie classes in NFL history. He received 23 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
Houston Chronicle story
T-Rac proved too much for the man
So he's leavin' the life he's come to know
He said he's goin' back to find what's left of his world
The world he left behind not so long ago...
From the wire: "Adrian McPherson believes his career with the New Orleans Saints came to a premature end due to an injury caused when he was struck in the right knee by a small ATV driven by the Tennessee Titans' mascot in August. Now, McPherson wants the Titans to pay up."
Albert Haynesworth, PacMan, and now T-Rac!
What Adrian McPherson didn't know about raccons:
While the raccoon is often described and portrayed as a sweet, cute, and even cuddly animal, never approach a wild raccoon. A fierce animal when threatened, they can defend themselves against much larger animals. Sharp teeth, sharp claws, agility, and strength, all make the raccoon the survivor that he is. LINK
1,024 Stadium Flipcards held by a Pixel Army
Try it yourself (sure beats paying $100.00 to say "Will You Marry Me" on the Titans Scoreboard...)
Click on the image to embiggen for a little more detail.
I marvel at the architecture and design of stadiums and at times the taxpayers' willingness to fund these monuments to the world's most popular sport - National Football League's American football. Arlington, Texas taxpayers will fund 1/3 of the 1 billion dollar cost (capped at 325 million).When the Dallas Cowboys move from Texas Stadium, they'll leave behind 35 years of history, but the signature hole in the roof will go with them.
Their new stadium, scheduled to open in 2009, will include two quarter-mile-long steel arches and a retractable roof that mimics the famed feature. As the Cowboys faithful would say, God would still be able to look down on America's Team and watch the games on Sunday afternoon - even in Arlington.
Read the rest of the story from The Dallas News. 
Courtesy of Blogging The Boys, THE blog about the Dallas Cowboys, here's a PDF of the specifics.
You have GOT TO SEE the 6o yard scoreboard. So much for the Titans new 2.2 million dollar scoreboard.
Stadiums with revenue from luxury suites in the NFL is like hitting a oil well for the owners.
The Tennessee Titans never say die - with 24 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Giants, the Titans have found their identity as a team that just won't quit. Catching heat all year for the team's performance, Coach Jeff Fisher has stayed the course coaching his team to overcome setbacks, blowouts and heartbreaking losses. Today was QB Vince Young's finest moment in his NFL 8 game career and even PacMan Jones can deliver the goods if he stays focused on football.
I think this game is right up there with the Titans Music City Miracle. It wasn't the playoffs, but the Titans can play the role of spoiler affecting other team's playoff hopes. I know that Dallas Cowboys fans are happy with the Titans delivering the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history. With the Titans' win over the Giants, the Cowboys has sole possession of first place over the Giants in the NFC East Division setting up next week's important game between the Cowboys and Giants.
Last, the New York media will be all over the Giants with attention drawn to the Titans.
How's this for starters -"...the Giants. They are the Collapse Champions, the Cardiac Arresters, the We Can Lose Any Game We Want G-Men, the Big Blew It.
Up 21-0 early in the fourth quarter and then down 24-21 at the end of the fourth quarter is a script even the Jets wouldn't greenlight. But these are the Giants, with a defense that can blow any sized lead in any amount of time if they set their minds to it.
And if there's a quarterback in the NFL right now who you think could pull off the comeback, well, after the 2006 Rose Bowl, you have to at least consider putting Vince Young on that list."
Hey Vince, gimme another autograph!
It's cold and damp outside - a perfect time to be inside rooting for our three favorite NFL teams here at the WonderDawg abode: The Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos. Thanks to CBS and NBC, we're able to see all three teams nonstop from noon to eleven p.m.
First up: Titans stunned the Eagles, 31-13
Wire service: With Donovan McNabb forced out of the game by a knee injury, the Philadelphia Eagles were no match for the lowly Tennessee Titans.
Travis Henry had a 70-yard touchdown run, Adam "Pacman" Jones returned a punt 90 yards for a score and Vince Young was efficient in the Titans' 31-13 victory over the Eagles on Sunday.
Wire service: Dallas (6-4) is two games over .500 for the first time all season. With four of the remaining six games at home and with the rest of the division ailing, the Cowboys are in prime position to make a run at the division title.
It's a stunning turnaround considering how badly they looked in their last home game, a lopsided loss to the New York Giants. But a halftime quarterback change that game, from Drew Bledsoe to Romo, has transformed the club. The Cowboys have won two in a row and three of four.
He was at his best on the final three drives, taking Dallas on drives of 68 yards to tie it, 80 yards to go ahead, and making enough first downs to burn the final 2:59 without letting Indianapolis get another snap.
DenverBroncos.com: The Broncos tried to neutralize the Chargers Sunday night.
But an opportunistic defense and a well-oiled running game weren't enough to down the team's division foes on national television.
Undrafted rookie Mike Bell returned to the lineup, rushed for 90 yards and notched two first-half touchdown runs and the defense got a score, but San Diego (8-2) pulled together a late touchdown drive to take a 35-27 victory and take sole possesion of the AFC West.
Denver was outscored by San Diego 28-3 in the game's final 20 minutes and 10 seconds.
One of my favorite sites is 800-CEO-READ... I ran across this interview with Mark Yost talking about his new book, Tailgating, Sacks, and Salary Caps: How The NFL Became The Most Successful Sports League In History.
"Journalist Mark Yost has written a great book on the business of the NFL. He makes sense of the salary cap. He describes how football is the perfect match for television. He talks about how revenue sharing has been the key to the league's success. He also talks about how merchandise went from an over-distributed sideline to a $3.5 billion business.
If you are a fan of football or a fan of business, this one is worth a listen."
I found his analysis of why Monday Night Football moved from ABC to ESPN, brand management of the NFL, public funding of NFL stadiums and the differences between the economic models between baseball and football and the perceived upside of cities like Jacksonville, Green Bay and Nashville being a "major league" city.
Here's the MP3: listen here
Buy the book here at 800-CEO-READ
Nice tidbits: In November 1999, FedEx entered into a multi-year naming rights agreement with the National Football League Washington Redskins professional football team. Under this agreement, FedEx has certain marketing rights, including the right to name the Redskins' stadium "FedExField." In August 2003, Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx, personally acquired an approximate 10% ownership interest in the Washington Redskins and joined its board of directors.
From MSNBC: The Washington Redskins, the National Football League's richest franchise, are even wealthier than people thought.
The Redskins' gross revenue reached $300 million last year, well above published estimates and nearly double the $162 million that the franchise grossed before Daniel Snyder bought it in 1999, according to a document Snyder filed this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of his attempt to take control of Six Flags amusement parks.
The Redskins' revenue is more than that of the rival Dallas Cowboys and approaches the annual gross revenue of the New York Yankees.
The ups and downs of being a Titans fans these days... Most fans thought that the high flying Baltimore Ravens would kick our teeth today. After playing extremely well in the first half with a nineteen point lead, and then settling into a safe, conservative run out the clock, three and out style of Titans football, we allowed ourselves to get kicked in the mouth in the form of a blocked kick to end the game with a one point loss.
What a heartbreaker of a game. Everybody is singing the Titan blues these days...
We ran up on some nice Ravens fans who flew in for the game. 
They commented on Nashville's hospitality and extended special thanks for giving them QB Steve McNair. Football fever is rampant in Baltimore these days
There was a special salute to Veterans today with a flyover of 4 jets from Alabama...
Everybody's favorite raccoon, T-Rac visited our section. I think T-Rac needs his eyes checked, as he nearly took a tumble... and while giving me a high five, nearly scratched my face... them nails need some serious clipping!
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Titans fans still know how to make some noise!
LP Field still provides the best game day atmosphere I've seen over Indy, Cleveland, Cincy, Atlanta, Dallas in recent years.
Place looks good too spiffed up with the LP Field logos and graphics of Frank Wychek, Eddie George, Bruce Matthews and Bud Adams. Three out of four ain't bad.
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'
- Edgar Allan Poe THE RAVEN
Time to set the TIVO and enjoy the festivities down at LP Field... as the Baltimore Ravens come rapping, rapping at the Tennessee Titans' door.
Photo credit of Ravens
After feeling a bit festive after my Dallas Cowboys handed the Tennessee Titans a big can of whoop ass 45 to 14, I was sitting on the couch thinking about the irony of Coach Jeff Fisher taking over the reins of the Dallas Cowboys after Bill Parcells retires.
Think of the payback, the here's to Bud salute (should Fisher get fired at the end of the season by owner Bud Adams), the Texas rivalry between Houston and Dallas every year... Just wondering.
So what the heck. I went to WKRN Sports.com and submitted my question to ask the Coach... "Is there any truth to the rumor than you will coach the Dallas Cowboys after Bill Parcells retires?"
If you have a question for Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher just post your comment below and we will do our best to get it on this Friday night.
Last, seeing Albert Haynesworth lose his cool after he kicked Dallas center Andre Gurode in the face is symptomatic of the deep frustration the players are feeling with the losing Titans. The looming possibility of going winless all year will probably prompt a major housecleaning in the coaching staff and front office.
So maybe my question isn't that far fetched after all.
More on Albert from ESPN. See the replay above at ESPN. By the way, seeing Albert Haynesworth contrite in the locker room helped his defense; if you want to see a real thug, think Bill Romanowski via WikiPedia.
Romo has been involved in numerous altercations with both teammates and opponents. He got off light for his actions ($20,000 for then Panther QB Kerry Collins sustaining a broken jaw), so I suspect Haynesworth will receive a fine and a couple of games suspension. Anything more from the NFL, will be a surprise. The Titans will penalize Albert out of embarassment and to satisfy the PR mess.
Being a die hard fan of the Dallas Cowboys... I know, I know... Everybody hates a winner (8 Super Bowl Appearances, 5 Super Bowl Victories) and in Nashville, a losing team as well. Go ahead, let me have it in the comments, just don't use ALL CAPS.
Anywhoo, I read a pretty decent blog: Blogging the Boys, An Unofficial Dallas Cowboys Blog.
And there is a new Tennessee Titans blog by Jimmy called Music City Miracles
Here's the skinny on Sunday's game:
BTB: Give us your best spin on how an 0-3 Titans team can upset the Cowboys on Sunday.
Jimmy: The Titans best and maybe only chance to win on Sunday comes if the Cowboys miss their flight to Nashville. Seriously though, for the Titans to win the defense is going to have to force some turnovers to give the offense a short field, or the Titans are going to have to get some points from special teams. The Titans are not at an advantage on either side of the ball in this game. It will take an "unconventional score" or two for the Titans to have a chance.
WonderDawg: I hate to say it, but I think it might be another blowout in the thirty five point range and perhaps a shutout. May be pretty ugly.
UPDATE: from the Dallas Morning News:
Dallas Cowboys star receiver Terrell Owens swallowed prescription pain medication Tuesday night in an apparent attempt to commit suicide, according to a Dallas Police Department report released Wednesday morning.
The police report says the complainant, identified as Owens, "stated that he was depressed" and that he had emptied a bottle of pain pills and was trying to harm himself, the report said.
According to the report, a woman who was with Owens saw him put two pills in her mouth, and she tried to get them out. She also said he had filled a prescription for 40 pain pills on Sept. 18, and taken only five through Tuesday, the report said.
Under questioning, Owens said he had taken the remainder of the prescription. He was described as having "ingested unknown large quantity of RX pain medication," and was transported to Baylor University Medical Center for a drug overdose.
"America's team: Love 'em or hate 'em, this year, we're going to be watching them. Of all the mysteries awaiting us in NFL season 2006, some of the most compelling story lines are sure to unfold in Dallas." Coach Parcells last season before retirement, Terrell Owens, a serious run for the Super Bowl - looks promising!
If you love the Cowboys, heres to Blogging The 'Boys: A Dallas Cowboys Blog. Full of daily updates and a great aggregator of all things Cowboys.
