Well Raheem Morris, that didn't take long. For WHATEVER reason this new head coach with ZERO head coaching experience who hails from the defensive side of the ball has decided to dump his Pro-Bowl QB Jeff Garcia to go with journeyman Luke McCown or never played Josh Johnson or lush Brian Griese. WHAT? Really? You tell Garcia to kick rocks so you can go to battle with an AGING defense MINUS Monte Kiffin and a running game that is led by Cadallic Williams-oops he just got injured as I was typing that. He apparently woke up! Well at least you have a rock at QB....wait. You DON'T anymore! If you thought Antonio Bryant was a pain in the butt with a Pro Bowl QB throwing to him, just wait until Brian Griese has the beer sh!ts in the huddle and Luke McCown sucks and Josh Johnson gets that deer in the headlights look. Yeah.
Oh, and I wonder how a hungover Griese will be when the Preditor is running after him next season? Who will rally the team to try and go point-for-point with New Orleans? When Carolina is grinding away yard after yard against your defense and you have to run a two minute offense, who is going to do it? Josh Johnson? Luke McCown? I don't like those odds.
Honestly, why would this young coach get rid of Garcia? Why would ANYONE want to get rid of Garcia? The Lions were at least winning games with Garcia. Garcia took the 49ers to the playoffs. Same with Philly in his one year there. He took the Bucs to the playoffs in his first and came dadgum close in his second season. (He isn't to blame for the Oakland loss. Come on!)
If this REALLY IS the end for Garcia and the Bucs, I know ATL fans will be happy (assuming he doesn't go to Carolina). The Bucs just became two easy wins on that schedule. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked to see Tampa fall to 5-11 or 6-10 next year(sorry Bruce).
And Garcia should probably thank his lucky stars. He is the type of guy that can come in next season and take a borderline team and put them into the second round of the playoffs. yeah, not the first, the SECOND round. From there, tell the rest of your team to step up and help him out.
If I was the GM of the Jets, I'd give Garcia a call. Assuming Favre IS retired, imagine Garcia coming in and going to Coles and handing off to Jones, behind that bigtime line. The Jets WILL be in the playoffs with Garcia at the helm.
Of course, Brett might come back or Kurt Warner might sign with the Jets.
If Warner signs with NYJ, then if I'm Ken Whisenhunt, I call up Garcia and ask him if he'd like to come play with Fitz and Q and Breston. The DEFENDING NFC Champs would be hard to pass up, especially with Fitz there.
Or go to KC with Todd Haley and throw to Bowe, Bradley, and Gonzo. Heck, if Garcia is in the fold, maybe the Chiefs take Michael Crabtree with the #3. Behind a pretty strong line (Albert or maybe the Chiefs take Andre Smith/Eugene Monroe instead of Crabtree), with an improving Defense, in the Chiefs crap division (Chargers are getting old, Broncos have a rookie coach, Raiders suck) could sneak into the playoffs, especially with Garcia under center.
Or go to Washington. I am sorry, as a Redskins fan I can say this: the Jason Campbell experiment needs to come to a close. It is OVER! Campbell isn enh, but Garcia could and WOULD put them into the playoffs. Look what Todd freaking Collins did down the stretch in 2007-08. PUT THEM INTO THE PLAYOFFS. With Santana Moss, Randle-El, Cooley, Fred Davis, Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas, and CLINTON PORTIS at his disposal, Garcia would make at least 4 of those guys Pro Bowlers, along with himself all the way to the NFC championship game. If Garcia was on the team this past season, Portis doesn't melt down the way he did. Washington needs Garcia's presence in its lockerroom right now. A guy that the players can look to instead of Clinton Portis.
Or go to Minnesota. They even WENT to the Playoffs, yet TJax held them back. Imagine Garcia carving up the Detroit/Chicago/Green Bay defenses all the way to an 11-5 record in the regular season and perhaps a first round bye. AP running hard and setting up the playaction for Garcia, along with the NEW Purple People Eater dline that Minny boasts....The winter wouldn't be as cold with a Super Bowl appearance for Vikings fans.
or go to Carolina. You know the division and you'll have Steve Smith AND a strong running game. No way Garcia turns it over 7 times against the Cardinals in the playoffs. Julius Peppers leaves, but Garcia and the rest of the offense win games in a shootout fashion. The run is OVER for Jake the Cajun snake; plug in Garcia and the Panthers are dangerous again.
Otherwise I'd say that Jax and Houston should at least look into seeing if he wanted to come in on a one-year deal to compete with the high priced QB's that have ALREADY gone stale (David Gerrard and Schaub, but both have MAJOR contracts that were just recently signed within the last two seasons.)
Bottom line, I think Tampa is crazy to cut ties with this guy. Get ready for a LOT of losses and I feel bad for Derrick Brooks, who will likely end his illustrious career in rebuilding mode with McCown and Johnson as his QB. I've interviewed Brooks; he is a good guy and deserved one last run. maybe that's what last year was. Oh well. I think Garcia still has two good seasons in him though, maybe two more "effective" ones after that.
Monday, February 16, 2009
....and the ocean is blue
I saw this on ESPN.com and just LAUGHED..................
Astros left-hander Mike Hampton is returning to Houston to get treatment for an irregular heartbeat. Hampton was to be examined Monday by team physician Dr. Jim Muntz and will undergo a procedure that corrects his heartbeat with an electrical current.
The condition was discovered during an EKG test Saturday that was part of the routine physical for Astros pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. The Astros say the irregularity was minor and they hope to have Hampton back in camp Thursday.
The 36-year-old is 141-105 with a 4.01 ERA in 14 seasons, including six with Houston from 1994-99.
Wait, Mike Hampton is hurt again and in danger of missing time? SHOCKER!
Astros left-hander Mike Hampton is returning to Houston to get treatment for an irregular heartbeat. Hampton was to be examined Monday by team physician Dr. Jim Muntz and will undergo a procedure that corrects his heartbeat with an electrical current.
The condition was discovered during an EKG test Saturday that was part of the routine physical for Astros pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. The Astros say the irregularity was minor and they hope to have Hampton back in camp Thursday.
The 36-year-old is 141-105 with a 4.01 ERA in 14 seasons, including six with Houston from 1994-99.
Wait, Mike Hampton is hurt again and in danger of missing time? SHOCKER!
Happy President's Day out there
On this President's Day (which some people will think was created just to honor our current president-NOT TRUE....) I thought I would look back at some of the most underrated Prezes of our time. (PS I started watching the HBO John Adams miniseries last night. Pretty good thus far. But whenever Laura Linney comes on screen I say "Hey Karl." Don't know why.)
First up... John Tyler. The 10th president was the first president to come into the office through the process of succession, after William Henry Harrison died one month into his term. JT was from the great state of VA, so I have to give him props for that. AND he annexed the Republic of Texas into the Union in 1845. So he had that going for him too. Without that, my wife would have been an alien and I would have thought that perhaps she only married me for a green card. (Instead she married me for my great body.)
Next up, James Monroe. Another Virginia guy, he oversaw the "Era of Good Feeling," and he was a near unanimous selection, with one vote going to his opponent so that George Washington remained the only unanimous election. While I have to fing fault with him for the acquisition of Florida (while we got Disney out of it, we also had to accept the Gators. Grrr), he DID break ties with France from the War of 1812. And the best thing that might have come from his run was the Monroe Doctrine. (Though this sometimes gets confusing to some: The Monroe Doctrine, simply stated said that European powers were no longer allowed to colonize in the Americas, or interfere with the affairs of the newly independent states of the Americas. The United States would not interfere with existing colonies or their dependencies in the Western Hemisphere. However, any attempt by a European nation to oppress or control any nation in the western hemisphere would be seen as an act of aggression and the United States would intervene. Thanks Wikipedia!) In my opinion this would lead to isolationism in early 1900s, which the world killed us for, but now wishes we would do again. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS. Monroe's terms also saw Maine (lobsters), Illinois(Cubs), Bama(Houndstooth hats), Missouri(not sure) and Mississippi(hot chicks) become states. Overall a pretty good run, but he doesn't get his due.
Finally, TR aka Teddy Roosevelt. This guy was George W Bush, but back when people still respected the presidency. He didn't care about Congress's opinion on war, once sending troops across the Pacific and saying "If they want them back after 90 days, they can pay for it!" And people didn't ride around with Bumper stickers saying "less Roosevelt!" or "I didn't Vote for him!" (Yeah, you didn't vote PERIOD you hippy!)
But TR was a genuine bad-ass. I think the REAL reason everyone liked him? Quite possibly from his time as NY Governor when he helped out Jack Kelly's cause and gave him a ride to the train station, only to talk him into staying and getting the girl, and crushing Dave's hopes of taking over the Newsies. Yeah right Dave. YOU SUCK! The Newsies would have followed Les or Racetrack before they followed you! (I always got the feeling that Jack got out of TR's car, looked at Dave trying to move in on his empire and yelled, "Grab your shinebox!" Did Jack ever seek any payback for the attempted mutiny? Pirates used to bury alive traitors like that, or make them walk to plank. I've seen PirateMaster on CBS.com!) He is also on Mount Rushmore, with all of the greats. Throw in Teddy bears and you have yourself a zonetastic Prez.
First up... John Tyler. The 10th president was the first president to come into the office through the process of succession, after William Henry Harrison died one month into his term. JT was from the great state of VA, so I have to give him props for that. AND he annexed the Republic of Texas into the Union in 1845. So he had that going for him too. Without that, my wife would have been an alien and I would have thought that perhaps she only married me for a green card. (Instead she married me for my great body.)
Next up, James Monroe. Another Virginia guy, he oversaw the "Era of Good Feeling," and he was a near unanimous selection, with one vote going to his opponent so that George Washington remained the only unanimous election. While I have to fing fault with him for the acquisition of Florida (while we got Disney out of it, we also had to accept the Gators. Grrr), he DID break ties with France from the War of 1812. And the best thing that might have come from his run was the Monroe Doctrine. (Though this sometimes gets confusing to some: The Monroe Doctrine, simply stated said that European powers were no longer allowed to colonize in the Americas, or interfere with the affairs of the newly independent states of the Americas. The United States would not interfere with existing colonies or their dependencies in the Western Hemisphere. However, any attempt by a European nation to oppress or control any nation in the western hemisphere would be seen as an act of aggression and the United States would intervene. Thanks Wikipedia!) In my opinion this would lead to isolationism in early 1900s, which the world killed us for, but now wishes we would do again. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS. Monroe's terms also saw Maine (lobsters), Illinois(Cubs), Bama(Houndstooth hats), Missouri(not sure) and Mississippi(hot chicks) become states. Overall a pretty good run, but he doesn't get his due.
Finally, TR aka Teddy Roosevelt. This guy was George W Bush, but back when people still respected the presidency. He didn't care about Congress's opinion on war, once sending troops across the Pacific and saying "If they want them back after 90 days, they can pay for it!" And people didn't ride around with Bumper stickers saying "less Roosevelt!" or "I didn't Vote for him!" (Yeah, you didn't vote PERIOD you hippy!)
But TR was a genuine bad-ass. I think the REAL reason everyone liked him? Quite possibly from his time as NY Governor when he helped out Jack Kelly's cause and gave him a ride to the train station, only to talk him into staying and getting the girl, and crushing Dave's hopes of taking over the Newsies. Yeah right Dave. YOU SUCK! The Newsies would have followed Les or Racetrack before they followed you! (I always got the feeling that Jack got out of TR's car, looked at Dave trying to move in on his empire and yelled, "Grab your shinebox!" Did Jack ever seek any payback for the attempted mutiny? Pirates used to bury alive traitors like that, or make them walk to plank. I've seen PirateMaster on CBS.com!) He is also on Mount Rushmore, with all of the greats. Throw in Teddy bears and you have yourself a zonetastic Prez.
Friday, February 13, 2009
How come you don't see....
...Ukulele Hero? Is that big in Hawaii? or harmonica hero for that matter?
....a guy with hooks for hands playing the bongo drum? The mom from Boston Public would RULE!
Just wondering...
....a guy with hooks for hands playing the bongo drum? The mom from Boston Public would RULE!
Just wondering...
Georgia High School Wrasslin'
This weekend Georgia High school wrestling programs will be participating in individual state sectionals in preparation for the state championships next week at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Score Atlanta will be helping GHSA broadcast the state championships on the GHSA website.
Over the past decade, two teams have achieved unparalleled success in Georgia High School wrestling. The Dragons of Jefferson County have dominated in Class A and now in Class AA while the Collins Hill program has built a dynasty in Area 7-AAAAA and Class AAAAA. How do the two programs do it? Everything starts with Collins Hill coach Cliff Ramos and Jefferson County coach Doug Thurmond.
For Jefferson County, several already-decorated wrestlers helped the team recently capture its eighth straight dual title, and the first in Class AA. The Dragon wrestling team won the 2009 dual championship after moving up from Class A to go along with the program’s twelve traditional titles. Coach Thurmond’s two sons, Cason (2008 103lb champion) and Cam (119lb 2007 and 2008 champion) helped lead the team. The squad also boasts three time-champion Jay Fowler (152lb in 2006, ‘07 and ‘08), and Zac Crosby is a reigning champion (160lb) as well. The team has a great love for the sport, according to Thurmond. “We don’t treat wrestling as a secondary sport. We feel the sport teaches for life.” Thurmond’s talented bunch also features several 2008 runners-up that will be seeking the elusive individual championships. Daniel Barber (112), Cutler Finch (130), Cole Hightower (285), and Patrick Allen (215) all came close last year and will now look to hit the mat and capture their respective titles. With a team championship already in the bank, look for Coach Doug Thurmond’s wrestlers to make a huge splash yet again with multiple individual championships.
Meanwhile the class of Class AAAAA Collins Hill features just as many all-stars. Senior Taylor Knapp, who is ranked No.10 in the country on Amateur Wrestling News National’s No. 22 Collins Hill team, leads by example. Coach Cliff Ramos said that Knapp is just one of the many seniors that does “a good job, especially in practice.” John Allgood is another senior that Coach Ramos was quick to cite as being so strong for this team. “There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle that make this program successful.” Coach Ramos credited the “six outstanding assistant coaches, supportive parents and a fantastic youth program,” in helping the program win two straight team state championships and three since 2005.
Thirteen Collins Hill wrestlers qualified for state sectionals and two of Coach Ramos’s juniors were his picks to go on to win state individual titles. TJ Mitchell and Joel Smith were favored to win state while Gary Tiller, a previous state runner up (152lb), will try to overcome injuries to win what he missed out on last year. Nine other individual region champions will join those three in seeking state championships. Look out for Bazell Partridge (103), Nick Holbert (171), CJ Collins (215), and Allen Willard (130). These wrestlers have been pushed all season by the team’s nine seniors who help keep the team motivated, which at times can be pretty tough according to Ramos. “We’ve wrestled all over the country and sometimes you come back to the in-state meets and motivation is tough.” Knapp, named most outstanding middleweight in the recent Sham Slam and Caleb Sawchuck were huge in clinching the dual state title when the team knocked out Pope 47-9 to win the team crown. Coach Ramos is proud of the fact that his program has done something no other Class AAAAA team in any sport has done: finish in the top three every season since 2000.
Wrestling fans will have plenty of storylines to follow in the individual championships. Carl Rider of North Gwinnett High School became the first Bulldog freshman to win a region title when he took home the 152lb crown. Peachtree Ridge will send Michael Chapman (145) and Sam Kuntz (189) to try and win individual glory. Mill Creek has five hopes for a state title, led by Josh Harrison (130). Union Grove will be represented by Joey Lazor (135), who recently notched his 200th career victory. Lazor, who is committed to Northern Iowa, will be joined by his teammate, former champion Justin Crozier. Toombs County Bryan Benton is a beast at 140lb and owns three state rings. Pope finished second in Class AAAAA and was led by Dexter Bushart (130). If pins are your thing, keep an eye out for Central Gwinnett’s sophomore Jacob Aiken-Phillips (285), who recently won the region title and tied the Gwinnett County pin season record. With so much talent hitting the mats fans are sure to see some great action.
Over the past decade, two teams have achieved unparalleled success in Georgia High School wrestling. The Dragons of Jefferson County have dominated in Class A and now in Class AA while the Collins Hill program has built a dynasty in Area 7-AAAAA and Class AAAAA. How do the two programs do it? Everything starts with Collins Hill coach Cliff Ramos and Jefferson County coach Doug Thurmond.
For Jefferson County, several already-decorated wrestlers helped the team recently capture its eighth straight dual title, and the first in Class AA. The Dragon wrestling team won the 2009 dual championship after moving up from Class A to go along with the program’s twelve traditional titles. Coach Thurmond’s two sons, Cason (2008 103lb champion) and Cam (119lb 2007 and 2008 champion) helped lead the team. The squad also boasts three time-champion Jay Fowler (152lb in 2006, ‘07 and ‘08), and Zac Crosby is a reigning champion (160lb) as well. The team has a great love for the sport, according to Thurmond. “We don’t treat wrestling as a secondary sport. We feel the sport teaches for life.” Thurmond’s talented bunch also features several 2008 runners-up that will be seeking the elusive individual championships. Daniel Barber (112), Cutler Finch (130), Cole Hightower (285), and Patrick Allen (215) all came close last year and will now look to hit the mat and capture their respective titles. With a team championship already in the bank, look for Coach Doug Thurmond’s wrestlers to make a huge splash yet again with multiple individual championships.
Meanwhile the class of Class AAAAA Collins Hill features just as many all-stars. Senior Taylor Knapp, who is ranked No.10 in the country on Amateur Wrestling News National’s No. 22 Collins Hill team, leads by example. Coach Cliff Ramos said that Knapp is just one of the many seniors that does “a good job, especially in practice.” John Allgood is another senior that Coach Ramos was quick to cite as being so strong for this team. “There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle that make this program successful.” Coach Ramos credited the “six outstanding assistant coaches, supportive parents and a fantastic youth program,” in helping the program win two straight team state championships and three since 2005.
Thirteen Collins Hill wrestlers qualified for state sectionals and two of Coach Ramos’s juniors were his picks to go on to win state individual titles. TJ Mitchell and Joel Smith were favored to win state while Gary Tiller, a previous state runner up (152lb), will try to overcome injuries to win what he missed out on last year. Nine other individual region champions will join those three in seeking state championships. Look out for Bazell Partridge (103), Nick Holbert (171), CJ Collins (215), and Allen Willard (130). These wrestlers have been pushed all season by the team’s nine seniors who help keep the team motivated, which at times can be pretty tough according to Ramos. “We’ve wrestled all over the country and sometimes you come back to the in-state meets and motivation is tough.” Knapp, named most outstanding middleweight in the recent Sham Slam and Caleb Sawchuck were huge in clinching the dual state title when the team knocked out Pope 47-9 to win the team crown. Coach Ramos is proud of the fact that his program has done something no other Class AAAAA team in any sport has done: finish in the top three every season since 2000.
Wrestling fans will have plenty of storylines to follow in the individual championships. Carl Rider of North Gwinnett High School became the first Bulldog freshman to win a region title when he took home the 152lb crown. Peachtree Ridge will send Michael Chapman (145) and Sam Kuntz (189) to try and win individual glory. Mill Creek has five hopes for a state title, led by Josh Harrison (130). Union Grove will be represented by Joey Lazor (135), who recently notched his 200th career victory. Lazor, who is committed to Northern Iowa, will be joined by his teammate, former champion Justin Crozier. Toombs County Bryan Benton is a beast at 140lb and owns three state rings. Pope finished second in Class AAAAA and was led by Dexter Bushart (130). If pins are your thing, keep an eye out for Central Gwinnett’s sophomore Jacob Aiken-Phillips (285), who recently won the region title and tied the Gwinnett County pin season record. With so much talent hitting the mats fans are sure to see some great action.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
UNC is clearly the best in CBB
Last night I thought Dickie V's head was going to explode. The Dookies had an 8 point halftime lead and the Cameron Crazies were living up to their name. And get this, I was able to hear Dickie V's excitement all the way from a television carrier company that wasn't blocking the ESPN telecast out locally so MyAtl could carry it and we had to listen to a depressed Mike Gminski in the second half!
But honestly, Dook gave UNC its best shot in the first half and UNC wasn't playing well over the last 12 minutes of the second half, yet ONLY trailed 8. That was probably the BEST Dook could have played and they were only up 8. Yeah. In the second half, Dook saw what REAL defense is, stealing passes, BLOCKING shots, getting defensive rebounds, and they crumbled. Dook fans were probably wonder if what UNC was doing was legal because the only defense the Blue Devils only do is stand under the basket and hope a player runs into him to draw a charge. THAT'S IT!
Duke had ZERO answer for UNC when the Heels started to comeback and then took the 14 point lead. Kyle Singler did JUST what the Miami guy did on Saturday, but because the ref SINE DUBIO feared the Rat King, Singler got to stay in the game. Bullcrap.
But that was fun. UNC just dismantled Dook, poured triple digits IN CAMERON and walked out with a huge victory. Roy's Boys proved they can play D, they can run, they can play halfcourt...THEY DO IT ALL. They have the three best players in CBB, and they have great role players. And THAT is why they will win the championships.
UConn is nice and OU has one pretty good player. UNC is the best team and might not lose another game this season. Duke meanwhile is a pretender. And I don't see them getting better this season or next. Their core is not as good as the other contenders' cores and thus they are three years from REALLY competing for a National title. Sorry Blue Devil fans. At least you have David Cutcliff.
But honestly, Dook gave UNC its best shot in the first half and UNC wasn't playing well over the last 12 minutes of the second half, yet ONLY trailed 8. That was probably the BEST Dook could have played and they were only up 8. Yeah. In the second half, Dook saw what REAL defense is, stealing passes, BLOCKING shots, getting defensive rebounds, and they crumbled. Dook fans were probably wonder if what UNC was doing was legal because the only defense the Blue Devils only do is stand under the basket and hope a player runs into him to draw a charge. THAT'S IT!
Duke had ZERO answer for UNC when the Heels started to comeback and then took the 14 point lead. Kyle Singler did JUST what the Miami guy did on Saturday, but because the ref SINE DUBIO feared the Rat King, Singler got to stay in the game. Bullcrap.
But that was fun. UNC just dismantled Dook, poured triple digits IN CAMERON and walked out with a huge victory. Roy's Boys proved they can play D, they can run, they can play halfcourt...THEY DO IT ALL. They have the three best players in CBB, and they have great role players. And THAT is why they will win the championships.
UConn is nice and OU has one pretty good player. UNC is the best team and might not lose another game this season. Duke meanwhile is a pretender. And I don't see them getting better this season or next. Their core is not as good as the other contenders' cores and thus they are three years from REALLY competing for a National title. Sorry Blue Devil fans. At least you have David Cutcliff.
Real World Atlanta: Episode 4
Previously on The Real World
Todd turns to Dani and says “so I heard that my mother lives in Atlanta. I was adopted. Right after my mom died, my father told me about how I was adopted.” Dani is just standing speechless, looking at Todd. “I looked into it and the adoption agency finally revealed that she lives in Atlanta. I am here, she’s here. Ray supported me looking her up.” Dani quickly shouts, “OF COURSE you should look her up.
Carly is flirting with Max. “What are you doing?” asks Cailie.
“Getting a drink…you want one?” Carly slurs. Carly looks as though she is about to hurl.” “Remember earlier when you said I could have Max. Let me have him.” Cailie insists.
“Why don’t you go away, bitch!” Carly snaps. Cailie throws Carly’s drink at her and storms out of the bar. “FINE WHORE!”
Vlad grabs Kevin to leave while Todd and Dani run after Cailie. Jimmy laughs and orders another drink The scene ends with alternating shots of Cailie and Carly then Jimmy getting a drink from Max.
This is the TRUE STORY, of Seven strangers (you’re a rapper?), picked to live in a house (ATL BABY!), and have their lives taped (get the F*** out my face!) to find out what happens when people stop being polite (say it again, I DARE YOU!) and start being real. The Real World: Atlanta!
A still wet Carly comes home and yells at Cailie. Todd has to restrain Carly while Dani holds Cailie back. “You KNEW I liked him. Just back off slut!” “If he liked you, why is he talking to every girl in the bar?!”
“He talks to other girls, but he likes me. I know he does. You’re just a drunk ass*&le bitch!” Cailie retorts back.
“Sorry I’ve got the goods. Why don’t you just go back to your Oregon farm and ride a horse.” With that Carly shakes free of her roommates and storms off to bed.
“She’s drunk. Let her go sleep it off,” Vlad rolls his eyes as he says the last part, not really directed at anyone.
Kevin takes all of this in from the phone room where he has been calling the girl he met at Compound. “You would not believe the craziness going on right here. Cailie, the girl you saw throw the drink and the chick that had the drink thrown at her just almost had it out. Just freaking crazy. So how about I call you tomorrow?”
Todd and Dani and Vlad are straightening up the kitchen when Jimmy walks in.
“Where the heck have you been” asks Todd pointedly.
“I was at Compound, having a drink,” answers Jimmy.
“Well thanks for helping out here. Cailie and Carly got into again…” Dani starts, but Jimmy waves her off. “I know what happened. I saw Cailie throw the drink.”
In confessional Jimmy brags, “I was known growing up as the Puppetmaster. I like to pull strings and stir things up. I never had a girlfriend in high school because it was too much fun being “the other guy” and I was always hooking people up then ripping them apart. It is fun. This house was getting a little too boring. Don’t worry though, I’ll get them on friendly terms again.”
Vlad asks Jimmy, so if we are going to lift in the morning, I need to get some sleep. Dani asks Todd if he has the address. “Oh, let’s go look it up.” They leave Jimmy in the kitchen smirking to himself.
In front of the computer Todd and Dani are looking at mapquest directions and Dani asks if Todd is ready. “Well yeah, I guess. As ready as you can be for something like this.”
“You are going to be great, don’t worry. And I’ll be right there beside you. What are you going to say? Does she know you are coming?” Dani asks.
“Ummm no. I am just going to ring her doorbell and say, ‘Hello, I’m the kid you dropped off 20+ years ago.”
“You really think that’s the best way? Seriously?” Dani is appalled by his answer.
“You think I should call her and give her a heads up? Why though, does she deserve that?” Todd angrily asks.
“It just might be a shock if you just SHOW UP, don’t you think?” Dani replies.
“Fine, I’ll call her tomorrow. I’m gonna call Ray though and tell her.” Dani hugs Todd as they get up to leave.
“Come find me tomorrow, I’ll sit with you if you want.”
“OK”
In the morning Kevin is beaming as Todd walks into the kitchen. “What are you grinning about?”
“I got digits last night man. Did you see that smoking honey I was all on?” Kevin is boasting now and Jimmy walks in.
“I saw you talking to some skank,” Jimmy mocks.
“Shut up a-hole. But I called her last night and I’m gonna call her, maybe set up a date…”
“YOU WHAT?” Todd and Jimmy both yell! Jimmy continues, “You called her already?”
“Dude! Desperate much?” Todd bookends.
“What, she was into me, I think she’s cute. I want to hang out, what’s the big deal?” Kevin asks.
“The big deal is, don’t call her today. Jezz, you already called her? What’s her last name? You DON’T KNOW! And yet she ALREADY has your balls in a jar.” Jimmy is laughing at Kevin now.
“Says the man who loves his girlfriend,” Vlad’s voice booms as he enters the room wearing workout gear.
“Whatever Vlad, let’s go lift.” Jimmy seems to be annoyed with Vlad that Vlad might just be better athletically than he is.
Todd saddles up to Kevin. “listen Kevin, you just can’t be so needy. This chick is going to see through that.”
“I’m not trying for a wife here. I’m here for 3 more months, why not have some fun?” Kevin sounds like the smartest man in the house.
“F it, call her!” Todd finishes.
In the gym, Vlad is pumping serious iron while Jimmy is working his legs. Vlad sees this and snarls, “Here, lift this. See if you can do a set of 8.”
“8? I can do the full 12. Move.” Jimmy starts to lift as a vein pops in his forehead. He does 12 before proudly putting the weights down. Vlad then puts 20 more pounds on and says, “OK, rest up, I am going to finish this up. I do 3 sets of 12 at this weight, then 2 of 10 with 25 more and I’m done.”
“Let’s go!” Jimmy is winded but doesn’t want to show he is outmatched. Vlad does it no sweat and then Jimmy sits down.
“I don’t think you should do this.”
“Shut up Pollock!”
Jimmy does 4 when his eyes bug out and he collapses. “Sh&t!” shouts Vlad as he just picks up the dumbbell. And ambulance drives away from the house.
Carly emerges from her room, clearly annoyed that the siren woke her up. “What the F was that?” Dani and Cailie are talking and Cailie says, “A freaking siren, you dumb b*tch.”
“Who pissed in your cornflakes?” Carly responded.
“Do you not remember how big of a bitch you were last night?” Dani asks.
“No, what happened?” Carly is confused.
“You flirted with Max and then called me a bitch and, you generally weren’t cool.” Cailie is steaming.
“Oh, sorry.” Carly actually looks sorry and embarrassed.
In confessional, Carly admits, “OK, so maybe when I drink a whole lot, I blackout and forget things. My bad. But come on, who doesn’t do that?”
“You told me to go ride a horse on my farm.” Cailie is near tears.
“You were pretty uncool Car.” Dani has her arm around Cailie.
“Listen, I’m sorry, I was a bitch I am sure. I promise that I won’t talk to Max anymore or even go to the Compound. I don’t like making my friends cry and you are my friend Cai.” Now Carly is starting to cry.
Carly and Cailie hug it out as Dani hugs before walking off. “I AM sorry.” Carly is sobbing. “I’m sorry I threw a drink at you,” Cailie wails. “I am sure I deserved it,” Carly laugh/cries.
Todd is in the phone room as Dani walks in.
Hello-says a voice on the other end.
“Hello is this Denise Metzfield?” Todd asks
Yes this is.
“Ummm, my name is Todd and I live in Seattle and 25 years ago you gave me up for adoption.” A quivering Todd blurts into the phone.
I always thought you might track me down.
“So um, I was wondering if you wanted to get together for a cup of coffee or slice of pizza or something.
Yeah, we should do that. How about tomorrow?
“Yes, we should meet up. Talk. I’ve got some questions. Looking forward to it.”
OK see you then. They hang up.
“So are you excited?” Dani excitedly asks. “I need you. You are coming with me,” Todd demands. “I am there for ya Babe!” Dani reassures a shaking Todd.
We see Kevin holding a flower walking in Cabbage town when he stops at a walk-up and rings the bell. “This is Kevin.” I’ll be right down.
Kirstin walks downstairs and Kevin gives her a daisy. “For you.”
“Ahh you are sweet.” Kirstin gives him a peck on the cheek. They pull up to The Vortex and go inside.
“So you said you are a rapper?” Kirstin makes small talk.
“Yeah, I talked to Big Boi and he wants me on his next album.” Kevin shyly boasts.
“You ever do any battles like on 8 Mile?”
“Back in Philly we had those and I’ve always wanted to go to Detroit where Em started, but I don’t need to if I make it on Big Boi’s album.”
“I want to hear you. Go to Eddie’s attic on open mic night. I want to see you in action.”
“I’ll do it if you are there.” Kevin blushes as then continue to eat.
Kevin and Kirstin have ice cream as he walks to her door. He kisses her but she lays a serious one on him. “You want to come up?” Kirstin lays another one on Kevin and he says, “ok, yeah.”
Jimmy is back from the hospital and Carly is pouring him some water. “So you just fainted?” Carly asks.
“I think I was just dehydrated. Nothing major,” Jimmy tries to shrug off having to go to the hospital, but he is loving the attention. “I guess I just needed to drink more fluids if I am going to work out that intensely.”
“Well, we need you healthy, especially if we are going dancing tomorrow.”
“For you my love, I will soldier on! If you nurse me through,” Jimmy bats his eyelashes at Carly. Carly gives Jimmy a big hug and kiss on the cheek.
Todd and Dani ring a doorbell and Todd’s birth mother opens the door. Todd shakes her hand and Dani introduces herself. They walk to the Mellow Mushroom in Sandy Springs.
“So what do you want to know? The obvious I guess?” Denise asks and Dani looks confused.
“The obvious?” Todd asks what Dani is thinking.
“Yeah, how could I do it? I will answer it. I was 17 and at a party where I it was later confirmed that something was put into my drink. I was a freshman at a frat party and a senior was trying to help his little brother get some action and I was the action.” Denise starts to tear up. “I am sorry. I am not looking for sympathy here. I was brought up in a religious family and I felt so bad for what I had done. I am pro-life, always have been. I talked it over with my parents and we thought that adoption was the best option. I wanted a life, no offense to you, but there are so many families out there that cannot have babies, I thought that maybe I would help one of them. I thought that maybe this was my mission from God. I know it sounds stupid, but …”Denise wipes away a tear as Dani is now crying. Todd is sitting in his chair, shellshocked.
“So you gave me up for me and for my parents and for you.” Todd finally says.
“I just thought that maybe YOU would be better off with a family that could help you. Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t know if your parents would ever tell you and I figured I had forfeited all of my rights when I gave you up.”
“I just wanted to know the story. I am alright though. I’ve got some great friends and a great girlfriend and after my mom died, I found out about you and then I was in Atlanta. It only seemed like fate.”
“Well you hold on to her, she’s pretty.” Denise points at Dani. Dani starts to correct her when Todd grabs her hand and squeezes. “She is great.”
The three get up and walk back to Denise’s house. Todd doesn’t say much as Denise says that Todd can call her if he ever needs to. “Anytime, as much or as little if you ever need anything. I’m sorry, but I know in my heart everything turned out for the best. You’ll figure that out someday.”
“Thanks Denise.” Todd shakes her hand with tears in his eyes. Denise is teary as well. Dani hugs Denise and she tells Dani to take care of Todd. “He’ll need it.” Denise closes the door and Todd walks off with Dani. Dani hugs Todd as he really starts to cry about a block or two away from the house. “It will be OK Todd. I’m here.”
Next time on The Real World. “Yeah I think Jimmy is cute, who wouldn’t” Carly says. Cailie is trying to get Max’s attention, but he seems to be ignoring her. Vlad is making fun of Kevin for sleeping over and a drunk Cailie and Todd dance at The Compund while Dani looks on, a tad annoyed.
Todd turns to Dani and says “so I heard that my mother lives in Atlanta. I was adopted. Right after my mom died, my father told me about how I was adopted.” Dani is just standing speechless, looking at Todd. “I looked into it and the adoption agency finally revealed that she lives in Atlanta. I am here, she’s here. Ray supported me looking her up.” Dani quickly shouts, “OF COURSE you should look her up.
Carly is flirting with Max. “What are you doing?” asks Cailie.
“Getting a drink…you want one?” Carly slurs. Carly looks as though she is about to hurl.” “Remember earlier when you said I could have Max. Let me have him.” Cailie insists.
“Why don’t you go away, bitch!” Carly snaps. Cailie throws Carly’s drink at her and storms out of the bar. “FINE WHORE!”
Vlad grabs Kevin to leave while Todd and Dani run after Cailie. Jimmy laughs and orders another drink The scene ends with alternating shots of Cailie and Carly then Jimmy getting a drink from Max.
This is the TRUE STORY, of Seven strangers (you’re a rapper?), picked to live in a house (ATL BABY!), and have their lives taped (get the F*** out my face!) to find out what happens when people stop being polite (say it again, I DARE YOU!) and start being real. The Real World: Atlanta!
A still wet Carly comes home and yells at Cailie. Todd has to restrain Carly while Dani holds Cailie back. “You KNEW I liked him. Just back off slut!” “If he liked you, why is he talking to every girl in the bar?!”
“He talks to other girls, but he likes me. I know he does. You’re just a drunk ass*&le bitch!” Cailie retorts back.
“Sorry I’ve got the goods. Why don’t you just go back to your Oregon farm and ride a horse.” With that Carly shakes free of her roommates and storms off to bed.
“She’s drunk. Let her go sleep it off,” Vlad rolls his eyes as he says the last part, not really directed at anyone.
Kevin takes all of this in from the phone room where he has been calling the girl he met at Compound. “You would not believe the craziness going on right here. Cailie, the girl you saw throw the drink and the chick that had the drink thrown at her just almost had it out. Just freaking crazy. So how about I call you tomorrow?”
Todd and Dani and Vlad are straightening up the kitchen when Jimmy walks in.
“Where the heck have you been” asks Todd pointedly.
“I was at Compound, having a drink,” answers Jimmy.
“Well thanks for helping out here. Cailie and Carly got into again…” Dani starts, but Jimmy waves her off. “I know what happened. I saw Cailie throw the drink.”
In confessional Jimmy brags, “I was known growing up as the Puppetmaster. I like to pull strings and stir things up. I never had a girlfriend in high school because it was too much fun being “the other guy” and I was always hooking people up then ripping them apart. It is fun. This house was getting a little too boring. Don’t worry though, I’ll get them on friendly terms again.”
Vlad asks Jimmy, so if we are going to lift in the morning, I need to get some sleep. Dani asks Todd if he has the address. “Oh, let’s go look it up.” They leave Jimmy in the kitchen smirking to himself.
In front of the computer Todd and Dani are looking at mapquest directions and Dani asks if Todd is ready. “Well yeah, I guess. As ready as you can be for something like this.”
“You are going to be great, don’t worry. And I’ll be right there beside you. What are you going to say? Does she know you are coming?” Dani asks.
“Ummm no. I am just going to ring her doorbell and say, ‘Hello, I’m the kid you dropped off 20+ years ago.”
“You really think that’s the best way? Seriously?” Dani is appalled by his answer.
“You think I should call her and give her a heads up? Why though, does she deserve that?” Todd angrily asks.
“It just might be a shock if you just SHOW UP, don’t you think?” Dani replies.
“Fine, I’ll call her tomorrow. I’m gonna call Ray though and tell her.” Dani hugs Todd as they get up to leave.
“Come find me tomorrow, I’ll sit with you if you want.”
“OK”
In the morning Kevin is beaming as Todd walks into the kitchen. “What are you grinning about?”
“I got digits last night man. Did you see that smoking honey I was all on?” Kevin is boasting now and Jimmy walks in.
“I saw you talking to some skank,” Jimmy mocks.
“Shut up a-hole. But I called her last night and I’m gonna call her, maybe set up a date…”
“YOU WHAT?” Todd and Jimmy both yell! Jimmy continues, “You called her already?”
“Dude! Desperate much?” Todd bookends.
“What, she was into me, I think she’s cute. I want to hang out, what’s the big deal?” Kevin asks.
“The big deal is, don’t call her today. Jezz, you already called her? What’s her last name? You DON’T KNOW! And yet she ALREADY has your balls in a jar.” Jimmy is laughing at Kevin now.
“Says the man who loves his girlfriend,” Vlad’s voice booms as he enters the room wearing workout gear.
“Whatever Vlad, let’s go lift.” Jimmy seems to be annoyed with Vlad that Vlad might just be better athletically than he is.
Todd saddles up to Kevin. “listen Kevin, you just can’t be so needy. This chick is going to see through that.”
“I’m not trying for a wife here. I’m here for 3 more months, why not have some fun?” Kevin sounds like the smartest man in the house.
“F it, call her!” Todd finishes.
In the gym, Vlad is pumping serious iron while Jimmy is working his legs. Vlad sees this and snarls, “Here, lift this. See if you can do a set of 8.”
“8? I can do the full 12. Move.” Jimmy starts to lift as a vein pops in his forehead. He does 12 before proudly putting the weights down. Vlad then puts 20 more pounds on and says, “OK, rest up, I am going to finish this up. I do 3 sets of 12 at this weight, then 2 of 10 with 25 more and I’m done.”
“Let’s go!” Jimmy is winded but doesn’t want to show he is outmatched. Vlad does it no sweat and then Jimmy sits down.
“I don’t think you should do this.”
“Shut up Pollock!”
Jimmy does 4 when his eyes bug out and he collapses. “Sh&t!” shouts Vlad as he just picks up the dumbbell. And ambulance drives away from the house.
Carly emerges from her room, clearly annoyed that the siren woke her up. “What the F was that?” Dani and Cailie are talking and Cailie says, “A freaking siren, you dumb b*tch.”
“Who pissed in your cornflakes?” Carly responded.
“Do you not remember how big of a bitch you were last night?” Dani asks.
“No, what happened?” Carly is confused.
“You flirted with Max and then called me a bitch and, you generally weren’t cool.” Cailie is steaming.
“Oh, sorry.” Carly actually looks sorry and embarrassed.
In confessional, Carly admits, “OK, so maybe when I drink a whole lot, I blackout and forget things. My bad. But come on, who doesn’t do that?”
“You told me to go ride a horse on my farm.” Cailie is near tears.
“You were pretty uncool Car.” Dani has her arm around Cailie.
“Listen, I’m sorry, I was a bitch I am sure. I promise that I won’t talk to Max anymore or even go to the Compound. I don’t like making my friends cry and you are my friend Cai.” Now Carly is starting to cry.
Carly and Cailie hug it out as Dani hugs before walking off. “I AM sorry.” Carly is sobbing. “I’m sorry I threw a drink at you,” Cailie wails. “I am sure I deserved it,” Carly laugh/cries.
Todd is in the phone room as Dani walks in.
Hello-says a voice on the other end.
“Hello is this Denise Metzfield?” Todd asks
Yes this is.
“Ummm, my name is Todd and I live in Seattle and 25 years ago you gave me up for adoption.” A quivering Todd blurts into the phone.
I always thought you might track me down.
“So um, I was wondering if you wanted to get together for a cup of coffee or slice of pizza or something.
Yeah, we should do that. How about tomorrow?
“Yes, we should meet up. Talk. I’ve got some questions. Looking forward to it.”
OK see you then. They hang up.
“So are you excited?” Dani excitedly asks. “I need you. You are coming with me,” Todd demands. “I am there for ya Babe!” Dani reassures a shaking Todd.
We see Kevin holding a flower walking in Cabbage town when he stops at a walk-up and rings the bell. “This is Kevin.” I’ll be right down.
Kirstin walks downstairs and Kevin gives her a daisy. “For you.”
“Ahh you are sweet.” Kirstin gives him a peck on the cheek. They pull up to The Vortex and go inside.
“So you said you are a rapper?” Kirstin makes small talk.
“Yeah, I talked to Big Boi and he wants me on his next album.” Kevin shyly boasts.
“You ever do any battles like on 8 Mile?”
“Back in Philly we had those and I’ve always wanted to go to Detroit where Em started, but I don’t need to if I make it on Big Boi’s album.”
“I want to hear you. Go to Eddie’s attic on open mic night. I want to see you in action.”
“I’ll do it if you are there.” Kevin blushes as then continue to eat.
Kevin and Kirstin have ice cream as he walks to her door. He kisses her but she lays a serious one on him. “You want to come up?” Kirstin lays another one on Kevin and he says, “ok, yeah.”
Jimmy is back from the hospital and Carly is pouring him some water. “So you just fainted?” Carly asks.
“I think I was just dehydrated. Nothing major,” Jimmy tries to shrug off having to go to the hospital, but he is loving the attention. “I guess I just needed to drink more fluids if I am going to work out that intensely.”
“Well, we need you healthy, especially if we are going dancing tomorrow.”
“For you my love, I will soldier on! If you nurse me through,” Jimmy bats his eyelashes at Carly. Carly gives Jimmy a big hug and kiss on the cheek.
Todd and Dani ring a doorbell and Todd’s birth mother opens the door. Todd shakes her hand and Dani introduces herself. They walk to the Mellow Mushroom in Sandy Springs.
“So what do you want to know? The obvious I guess?” Denise asks and Dani looks confused.
“The obvious?” Todd asks what Dani is thinking.
“Yeah, how could I do it? I will answer it. I was 17 and at a party where I it was later confirmed that something was put into my drink. I was a freshman at a frat party and a senior was trying to help his little brother get some action and I was the action.” Denise starts to tear up. “I am sorry. I am not looking for sympathy here. I was brought up in a religious family and I felt so bad for what I had done. I am pro-life, always have been. I talked it over with my parents and we thought that adoption was the best option. I wanted a life, no offense to you, but there are so many families out there that cannot have babies, I thought that maybe I would help one of them. I thought that maybe this was my mission from God. I know it sounds stupid, but …”Denise wipes away a tear as Dani is now crying. Todd is sitting in his chair, shellshocked.
“So you gave me up for me and for my parents and for you.” Todd finally says.
“I just thought that maybe YOU would be better off with a family that could help you. Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t know if your parents would ever tell you and I figured I had forfeited all of my rights when I gave you up.”
“I just wanted to know the story. I am alright though. I’ve got some great friends and a great girlfriend and after my mom died, I found out about you and then I was in Atlanta. It only seemed like fate.”
“Well you hold on to her, she’s pretty.” Denise points at Dani. Dani starts to correct her when Todd grabs her hand and squeezes. “She is great.”
The three get up and walk back to Denise’s house. Todd doesn’t say much as Denise says that Todd can call her if he ever needs to. “Anytime, as much or as little if you ever need anything. I’m sorry, but I know in my heart everything turned out for the best. You’ll figure that out someday.”
“Thanks Denise.” Todd shakes her hand with tears in his eyes. Denise is teary as well. Dani hugs Denise and she tells Dani to take care of Todd. “He’ll need it.” Denise closes the door and Todd walks off with Dani. Dani hugs Todd as he really starts to cry about a block or two away from the house. “It will be OK Todd. I’m here.”
Next time on The Real World. “Yeah I think Jimmy is cute, who wouldn’t” Carly says. Cailie is trying to get Max’s attention, but he seems to be ignoring her. Vlad is making fun of Kevin for sleeping over and a drunk Cailie and Todd dance at The Compund while Dani looks on, a tad annoyed.
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