JT

1/2/08, after nearly 4 years on the list and 3 failed attempts, I received the double lung transplant that saved my life. The ensuing years have been the best of my life, personally and professionally, all because a young kid from Denver checked the box to become an organ donor and, when he sensed something was going wrong for him, stressed to his family his desire to help others in the event of his death. Joe Templeton was 22 years old when he died 12/30/07. Since then his story has been told to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. He's my hero and an example of the lasting impact that anyone can have by simply making the choice to be a donor. Donate Life.

His starting LT was ruled out for the season earlier this week, further exacerbating their O-line issues. Palmers performance week to week is based on his ability to stand like a statue and throw. Move him from his spot and he's awful. Look for loads of David Johnson. Meanwhile, Rivers is like the sun rising. You pretty much know what you're going to get. I'd prefer him.

I know some of you play. Let's discuss: First got interested when my Cob Scout troop went to Al Albert's Steel Pier in Atlantic City, a big outdoor music venue. The Grass Roots played, and all I remember is that a bunch of girls REALLY dug the guitarist (who it turns out, years later, is Creed Bratton on THE OFFICE). Begged parents for a guitar; no dice. Couple years later my BIL gave me an old 12 string, strung with 6, and showed me a couple open chords. Every song in the world , for the next year or so, would be played with those same chords. First band in high school, but too busy with sports to do much with it. Found you got girls that way too. Started playing with some bands after college when I moved to OK. Always some country outfit easily wowed by a guy who could play some decent lead guitar. Messed around with it through the years. After my lung transplant, when my physical activity slowed, I found renewed interest. Started really working at it, learning to read music, picking up some keyboards, utilizing the new technology for home recording. I've got a late-80's Les Paul Studio, a 2013 LP 60's tribute, 2000 Fender Tele hybrid, couple acoustics and a nylon string built for me by a luthier in OKC. So what's your guitar or music story?

Most importantly, now my tone is better. Thanks for the comments donhaas. Due to my increasing thought that I'm wasting too much time on this site and the general d!ckishness of the Geek club and posting in general these days, I've decided to hit the trail. So I won't be back either way after this week's games. Don't want it to be seen as a failure to stand up if I'm wrong. And I won't come back to gloat if I'm right. Enjoy the games. Best of luck to all. Donate Life.

Alright then. Since I can't even honor the guy who saved my life here on one of the the two occasions annually that I attempt to do so (the other being his birthday) without the usual suspects showing any common decency, it's time for me to get out. It has sometimes been fun, though not for a while. Best to you all. Donate life.

We were in Vegas and Artie Lange's movie was going to premier. My brother wanted to see it, but it was sold out. At the same time, Stallone was receiving some award from the LV film society. It was NOT sold out. My brother is a writer so we decided to try and get an interview with Stallone. We just kind of slipped past the PR and security people and found ourselves 5 feet from him. Fell back into our best old Philly accents and asked of we could talk with him. He sat down and did the most casual interview I've ever seen any big shot do. Thing that really impressed was at one point a few questions in, somebody interrupted him for some business. He apologized to my brother (for interrupting the interview that we were never supposed to get), calling him by name. I worked in radio for almost 20 years. Nobody does that. You're just another monkey asking the same questions.

No problem admitting I was wrong on AZ. It's not as if I (or anyone else here) has an unblemished record. No big deal. I picked them because, before the game as after, I have the same impression of Carolina: a good running team with a defense that has been very average until the last few weeks when they played teams that were circling the drain (NO, TB, ATL, AZ). I wasn't impressed with any of those teams in the South, and their record vs the rest of the league would seem to give that opinion some merit. I believe their QB to be an issue due to inaccuracy and poor decision making. Additionally, he's been handicapped this year by injuries that make the separation between his athletic ability and the field much closer than it's ever been. Holding a team to 77 yards is something. That it hasn't happened ever before, and that AZ was playing with the level of talent they had available at QB and RB, makes me think it simplistic to believe that it was all the doings of the Carolina defense. That offense stunk out the joint, they averaged less than 30 yards per punt in the first half, and were about as inept as you'll ever see professionals be. Yet with roughly 12:00 to go they had 1st and goal around the 8 to make it a 4 point game. You were obviously tremendously impressed by Carolina's performance and hurt in a deep and personal manner by my calling them "frauds" to the point of hurling insults. For that horrible transgression, I deeply apologize. I was not impressed with their performance and believe that the game this weekend will show where they actually stand.

So I commented on a team (which you purport not to care about, instead insisting it's me that has some overriding issue) and you've responded by calling me ignorant, stupid and obtuse. Congratulations on the fine discourse. No less than I'd expect given your track record on this site. I'll watch the game and see what happens.

On behalf of all recipients, thank you. It's an important part of the equation that people miss so often. Don't put your family in the position to make a decision like that at such an emotional moment. And it has to be made right now! Only a percentage of willing donors are viable at the crucial time, so the numbers are so important. It truly is a situation where it's the thought that counts.

Spot on. Four days after my double lung transplant a hospital social worker brought me papers to sign so I could go on disability. I was still in a pretty good drug haze, but thought "Hell, I've been working almost up til this point while hauling around oxygen and feeling like crap. Why wouldn't I try and work if this makes me feel better?". I don't find GF amusing or interesting at all. He's the epitome of the jerkoff who thinks his childhood testing means he's something special and is too afraid to go out into the real world and test that theory.

I'm 6'8". He'd be no better off than he is now. And his d!ck would look smaller from one angle.

This discussion began in the "So you're the Jets..." thread. Looking at the State of the Franchise, which NFL team is in the worst shape? Trying to look big picture. Several teams headed the initial list: Tampa, Washington, NY Jets, Tennessee among the front (?) runners. But maybe you can make the argument that it's a team like Chicago, that has spent a fortune on a QB nobody wants, has an aging and lifeless defense, a head coach who has done nothing to disprove that his lack of NFL experience would be a hindrance, etc. My initial thought is the Jets. There doesn't appear to be even a serviceable backup QB on the roster, the defense has some talent but their stats are inflated by the fact that teams know they don't have to score much and get conservative, coach is on the way out, front office has proven inept with the draft and FA signings. Inside their division, Miami is improving, NE is NE, and Buffalo is better regardless which guy plays QB. They're also the second fiddle in the NY market. Your thoughts?

Met him in Vegas a few years ago and he was a really nice guy in a setting where he certainly didn't have to be. No matter how dopey the idea, I hope he makes money.

Mine are flavored by nothing other than what I've seen of the teams involved. I wouldn't be especially eager to hang my hat on a win vs Atlanta, another sub-500 team. I think Carolina will be exposed. You don't. We'll see.

They stopped the run vs an awful running team (even when fully healthy) and stopped the pass vs a guy who will be selling insurance in a few months. Yes, their running game delivered and that is a huge factor in the playoffs. So is your QB completing just over 50% of his throws vs a defense that had to sell out for a half in hopes of creating a field short enough for their offense to capitalize on (apparently that number was something less than 8 yards). Arizona as comprised yesterday would have had an even worse record than Carolina had this season. I don't have a team in the playoffs, but I believe Carolina will be exposed for what they are; a sub-.500 football team that Seattle will beat at their place like rented mules.

Only flick I'm interested in seeing. May actually go to the theater to see it, which I haven't done since... I think THE WRESTLER?

Sad deal. Fought bravely. Cancer sucks.

Other than playing the Bills for fools. Wasted their entire season by playing him.

People will blame Lindley and he was awful. Last game as a pro. But he is 3 weeks off somebody else's practice squad. AZ fans should learn the names of their O-linemen and heap a big pile of blame on them. They did not control a single play at the line of scrimmage. Unsure the last time I saw the line of an 11 win team so horrifically overmatched. Yet Carolina struggled to put away a team with 77 yards of total offense. They're a fraud, just like their QB.

Not sure what you're disagreeing with or talking about. Who can win without elite WR? What does that have to do with what I said? They'll cut him. He'll "fetch" nothing and will have no shortage of suitors. His new team will sign him to a reasonable deal and he's a known quantity. He won't go to a team that needs him be a #1. He'll sign with a real contender for a chance at a ring. Say hello to Tom Brady.

You're basing the foundation for an annual system on what happened this year. Last year there were multiple conference champs with 2 losses.

It boggles the mind that when discussing a plan to finally remove human error from the process some would like to see teams get a bye. Aside from the fact that the longer the gap between the end of the season and the playoff the worse the caliber play will be, it puts the human element squarely back in the forefront.

Can't believe that there's finally a system that sorta kinda determines the best team and people are advocating for a system with a bye. 8 teams. The champs from the only 5 conferences they care about. The Notre Dame spot ( because as we all know, the fabric of the time space continuum is irrevocably torn if ND doesn't have a chance). Then the two top ranked champs from all other conferences. In a year where ND doesn't meet criteria, the top ranked remaining team from the Big 5. It solves all kinds of ills. First, the first 5 in, the ones people believe to be the only ones who can win, know exactly how they get there. No dependence on polls or voters. Two smaller conference champs get in, appeasing that crowd while still permitting the committee to give them the least favorable matchup/location to make it almost impossible for them to succeed. And if ND doesn't get in, all you that think a chance should be given to also rans who can't even win their own conference get in. Eliminates lots of guess work, gives everyone a relatively clear look at what they'll have to do to make it, diminishes the role of any committee.

There is a national data base that includes names, DL #. The hospital typically contacts them if there is any question or if no DL is found. Unfortunately, in smaller communities they're often not as well trained. There should have been a rep from the hospital looking for family members to discuss donation. It's sad anytime the opportunity is lost, but still great that someone wanted to help. All the more reason to make sure close friends and family know your wishes.

All some of you seem to know is "us" and "them". Want to know the problems in America? Start there.