Giants-Browns Post Mortem

Congratulations to the Browns for playing a complete game. I guess those who predicted it (the win) knew what they were talking about all along. Right!

This wins was produced up front – where most games are won. The Browns kept Derek Anderson’s shirt clean all day against arguably the best pass rush in football. Meanwhile, the Browns’ defense actually knocked Eli Manning around some. Kudos to the boys up front for being more physical than New York.

Secondly, Anderson played well from start to finish. He took what the defense gave him early – showing patience and throwing underneath. As he gained confidence, he started slinging it all over the field effectively. He played very well and deserves credit for doing so.

Third, Braylon “Butterfingers” Edwards came up huge. Why the Giants didn’t double him more with K2 out was perplexing. Regardless, he finally made plays.

Finally, hats off to defensive coordinator Mel Tucker for being aggressive and showing Manning and company numerous looks. He was not afraid to blitz from all angles, and stayed with it, even when the Giants made them pay.

Where there issues in this one? Of course.

The numerous offensive motion and illegal procedure penalties were comical and showed a complete lack of discipline. The strategy involved that had a nickel back cover the Giants’ #1 receiver (Plaxico Burress) at the goal line late in the first half was not designed by a genius. But for one night, we will give them a pass. Why? They beat the undefeated Super Bowl Champions. That says it all.

What does it mean for the rest of the season?

Those who "want to believe" will say this is a stepping stone to bigger and better things. They will tell you its now a new season – the offense is finally jelling and the defense is improving.

Those who disagree will remind you this only counts as one win and the Browns are under .500 at 2-3, with two tough road games ahead (Washington & Jacksonville).

You know where I stand. I am a "glass half empty" guy until you prove otherwise – especially with this organization.

However, for one night, we will not think negatively and just give them their due. They deserve as much for showing up big on national television and beating an undefeated team.

This is the NFL and they are all pros, remember? On this night, the Browns were clearly the better pros. Good work gentlemen. Now do it again next week. That's what you get paid to do.

Wall Street
I love the Wall Street talking heads on television. They want government, and the regulations it imposes, nowhere near them. They scream “socialism” when the government snoops into their business. Yet, they have no problem, in fact, DEMAND, a government bailout, when the stock market crashes. What stones!

I dabbled in the market on a very small scale, for a very short period of time, several years ago. I got out knowing I could not invest $100 then see my portfolio read $95 several months later. That just wasn’t for me. I figured just give me my 4% every year and I’ll be fine, although my friends laughed at my strategy. They aren’t laughing anymore.

The excuse being used is that over half of the country invests in the market and we can’t let their 401Ks take this hit.

Why the hell not? There was no written guarantee of financial success when you'll entered the market. Why should there be help from Uncle Sam (AKA: tax payers) when things go south?

Those that dabble in the market are involved in legalized gambling – nothing more, nothing less. And for the most part, they have done well if they diversified and stayed in it over the long haul. I understand all that.

However, now the “debtor (credit cards) and paper (stock market) society” we have created over the last 30 years, in the words of Reverend Jeremiah Wright - “IS COMING HOME TO ROOST!”

The government does only one thing well – defend us. That’s its primary function and it has succeeded with two noticeable exceptions this past century – Pearl Harbor and 9-11.

I don’t mind paying taxes that go toward new weapons systems and to pay our soldiers’ salaries. In fact, I would be willing to pay more to defend our country and to provide for those who protect my freedom.

However, I don’t want to give more of my hard earned income to the government if it will be used to save investors, prop up failing companies, and keep people in homes they and no business buying in the first place.

As for those who, as of this week, lost 20-30% of their retirement portfolio because of the Stock Market meltdown, I say - too bad. If it means buying your 17 year old son a used 2004 Neon instead of a 2009 Honda, so be it. Deal with it.

For those who could not afford that SUV but bought it anyway, along with that big screen television, I say - start living WITHIN your means not BEYOND your means.

This financial crisis is like a good winter snowfall. It’s cleansing in nature – at least I hope it will be. Hopefully, consumers will start to buy what they can afford instead of what they want, companies will be forced to abide by sane guidelines in terms of doing business, and CEOs will no longer get “golden parachutes” regardless if the company they run makes a profit or goes under.

A friend of mine goes to Vegas a half a dozen times a year. He doesn’t ask for help from Uncle Sam (AKA: the tax payers) when he comes back down $3,000 and neither should Wall Street and those who decide to gamble their money there instead of in Sin City.