You can't beat strong emotions

Last night the New Orleans Saints' football team opened up a can of whoop-ass on the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons, whom were favored, looked more like a Pop-Warner team, than a Pro Bowl team.
The game was significant because it marked the official return of pro football to the hurricane-ravaged Emerald City. Everyone in the house was on an emotional high, and the Falcons never had a chance because of it.

Such was the case with this years' American Ryder Cup golf team. Those unfortunate souls came into Ireland and departed without even getting a sniff of a Guinness beer.

Last month, Darren Clarke's wife succumbed to a long battle with cancer. In the process, he became The Fleur de Lis if you will, of the Europeans' team. With the influence of close friend Tiger Woods' recommendation that Darren compete with the Euro-team, Tiger indirectly gave the Euro-team a booster-shot of emotion that could not be contained. Darren, an affable Irishman, playing at the K Club (in Ireland no less) created what captain Woosy exclaimed as "destiny".

Professional athletes all run in the same social circles...football players hang with other football players, as is the same with professional golfers. These guys all know each other, some as really close friends. So it comes as no suprise that these two teams couldn't step on the necks of the opposition when it came to brass tacks.
I don't care how hard you try, if you are up against an emotionally-charged team, you are going to lose. It's why upsets happen, it's why teams beat spreads, and it's why you can't simply look at a team on paper and declare a victory or loss.

It's why we play the game.


Thanks for redaing. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB