Live Diary: NY Giants at Saints

Pregame

I was going to play poker tonight, but I just ate dinner and decided that I don't really feel like playing now.  My rule is, if I don't feel like playing, then I don't play.  Simple as that.  I have enough opportunity that I don't need to force myself to go play poker when I don't really want to play.

So this will be a little different.  A live diary for a non-Patriots game.  I like football and watch a lot of games.  But a lot of the time it is background noise.  The teams I really follow are the Patriots (watched most every game for 15 years), and seen all but one Arkansas Razorbacks game this season.

I am a big fan of Wendi Nix.  Used to like her on the news and radio in Boston.  Now she does a lot of studio and sideline work for ESPN.  Is on the sideline tonight in New Orleans.  Did not know she used to be married to Ben Cherington.

Chris Berman's voice makes my head hurt.

Trying to save any comments about the Giants and Saints for game action, since I'm not sure if I can pull off a decent commentary on teams I am less familiar with.  Boston teams, no problem.

Let's get this one out of the way.  CBS in Vegas switched off the Patriots blowout of the Eagles in time to show    the Denver Tebows comeback over the Lame Duck Chargers.  I texted a friend when it happened - they did a close-up for about five seconds of the Chargers kicker peeing on the sideline.  Won't link video, but deadspin.com had it up about 10 minutes after it occurred.

Archie Manning is doing the pregame intro.  He played for the 'Aints and his son is the Giants QB.

Neat video on Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and offensive coordinator meeting to discuss play calling the day before game.  It just gets me thinking - you want to know how successful any football team is, watch the quarterback.  Watch how he play calls, controls the action before the snap, makes protection and audible calls, handles pressure with subtle movements like stepping up in the pocket, passes the ball, runs or throws it away if necessary.

Game on.