The above photograph has not been digitally altered. That’s Brian Baldinger, and that’s his pinky. Look at it.
Baldinger is currently an analyst for the NFL Network, and the producers must have told the guy to go overboard with the obnoxious gesturing with his horrifyingly mangled digit. He sarcastically waves it around inches from the camera lens, making you want to sit out your coffee, or oatmeal, or the beers from the night before (author’s note: I am approximately the gabajazillionth online wise-cracker to make a joke about Baldinger’s finger making them throw up).
JETS HOMER SECTION
I wrote before the season started about Rex Ryan’s championship bloodlines, but I didn’t know until recently that Buddy Ryan was also the linebackers coach on the 1969 Jets team that beat the Colts in the Super Bowl. Brash, talkative, colorful, aggressive and intense personalities seem to gravitate towards the Ryans. Think about all the players these guys have been around: Joe Namath, Mike Ditka, Reggie White, Jim McMahon, Ray Lewis, the ‘85 Bears and all of the 70’s Viking defenses, the list goes on.
I know these types of personalities exist on every NFL team, but these guys are some of the cream of the crop. It wasn’t always amicable, like when Buddy threw a punch at fellow Oilers coach Kevin Gilbride during a Monday Night Football game. Ditka and Ryan either didn’t speak or were close to blows most of the time. Buddy was not always a likable guy, but Rex seems to be more…jolly. Maybe that’s because he’s f*cking enormous.
I’m getting pretty anxious for these games to start today. No noon games anymore. Never a good sign. I admit that I am pretty burned out on Favre-a-sota and all that, and I can’t wait for Jared Allen to go back up his tree and spear varmints or whatever it is that he does, but it’s all gonna be over in two weeks. That sucks.
I was watching a replay of a 90’s NFC Championship game (I want to say 1995, but could be wrong) between Green Bay and Dallas, and it was amazing how bad Brett Favre looked early in that game. Talk about being too amped. His first five throws at least went rocketing over everyone’s head, and I mean everyone – a 10-yard out-route on the sideline went into the stands. I’m not exaggerating. Some fans probably had to be carted out of the stadium after the first two Green Bay possessions. But then he settled down and laid one of the most beautiful passes I’ve ever seen right into Antonio Freeman’s stride for a touchdown. I marveled at it until I remembered just how much I HATED Antonio Freeman. Seriously, f*ck that guy.
contact: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com
