Monday: Coda
I came home, for a hot second, after work to drop off bags and change into something a little more comfortable for tonight’s game. Then, I was a vapor trail.

I met SaraRules’ parents and for dinner, beer and football. The Patriots vs. the Ravens. I was expecting a blow-out. After all, the Pats are undefeated and the Ravens seem to have found… people… to wear the uniforms, but I haven’t really seen “the team” since last season.

Well, guess who showed up tonight.

That’s right. The Ravens broke out the “Pitch Black” uniforms and came to do some work. On both sides of the ball. I was amazed. This is what I had been wanting to see all season: A game, not the Keystone Kops. And that’s exactly what I got: A game. Not just “a game,” either. A good game. The play – on both sides of the ball – was solid. The defense, as usual, did a good job and the offense stepped up and showed that they knew what to do and how to do it. Unfortunately, penalties (and a lot of them were stupid and very costly) and missed opportunities continued to plague the team. But, they kept marching on.  They lost the game, but I was more than satisfied with the way that they played.

And, I have to give a lot of credit to Kyle Boller. He played one Hell of a game, right down to the last play – an amazing Hail Mary pass completion that was just shy of the goal line. He was poised in the pocket. When he got flushed out of the pocket, he kept his head as well as keeping his eyes on his intended receivers. This is the Kyle Boller that I have been waiting to see for the past four years. The Kyle Boller who is coming into his own as a solid NFL quarterback.

Congratulations on the win – and good luck – to the Patriots as they continue their undefeated season.

Human of the Day: Special Recognition
Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick is being added to today’s Human of the Day list for the following:

After New England made a rather good play, one of the players went over to the Ravens’ sideline and started trash-talking in Coach Billick’s face.

Billick’s response? He blew him kisses.

It. Was. Hysterical.

The guy kept talking. Billick kept blowing kisses.

The whole bar – Ravens and Pats fans, alike – cracked up at it.