82 year olds start to sound similar | News, sports, jobs

Steve Brownlee

Something got me thinking when I heard ESPN play a recording of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones saying things like, during a weekly radio interview with a local station on Tuesday “I can get someone else to ask these questions.” and other bizarre statements attacking show hosts who appeared to ask innocuous questions.

My goodness, how does he sound? Someone, but who? Oh yes! Al Davis.

Do you remember the Oakland/Los Angeles/Oakland (in that order) Raiders owner late in his life about 15-20 years ago and some of the strange things he did while still running his NFL franchise?

He drafted quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007, a player no one had even remotely considered at the top of the draft. And those experts were right as Russell became one of the biggest – and fastest – busts of all time in the draft.

And there was placekicker Sebastian Janikowski, taken 17th in the first round in 2000, when it was unusual for kickers and punters to be taken anywhere in the first five rounds, if at all, which remains the case today. Janikowski wasn’t a bust, but he was a missed first-round pick that could have been taken three, four or even more rounds later.

Those are just the ones that come to mind the quickest.

When I take a closer look at Davis, I notice that he died on October 8, 2011 at the age of 82. Guess what? Jones just turned 82 on Sunday.

Of course, some people start to lose their abilities at 60 or even earlier – I know, I’m 62, soon to be 63 – and others do just fine at 100 or even 105.

But many of us are becoming more eccentric – that’s how I understand it “I just don’t care what you think.” – as we get older, and I wonder if Jones has a case where he doesn’t care or doesn’t realize it, as no one seems to dare say “NO” To “old Jair” as he just completed his 36th year as owner of the Cowboys.

He is still the team’s general manager and, more importantly to us, the public spokesman for his franchise.

Things already seemed to be going downhill for this Dallas team even before the Detroit Lions gave them a 47-9 thrashing in Texas on Sunday afternoon. The beating has only brought more attention and awareness to this fact.

Now I don’t want Jones to be forced off the team, and he doesn’t need to retire from the team.

But heck, you’re in your mid-80’s Jerry now. Why not be the owner that sits at the helm and still signs off on the team’s big decisions, like most owners – I’m sure some, half do are as old as you – do?

Just a suggestion.

Okay, now onto this week’s games, with two teams getting a bye. And I swear I didn’t find this out until I got to the point of writing this article, but one of the teams competing this week is Dallas, the other is Chicago:

—————–

Today, 8:15 p.m

Denver vs. New Orleans – I see this being a pick ’em game by the oddsmakers. But this is also the return of Sean Payton after he left New Orleans a few years ago, and I like his rookie QB Bo Nix more than Saints signal caller Spencer Rattler, with New Orleans starter Derek Carr still there fails. Give me the Broncos, 27-25.

—————–

Sunday, 9:30 a.m

New England vs. Jacksonville, in London – It’s said that the Jaguars are London’s team because Jacksonville has played a whole bunch more games there than any other NFL team. The same will be the case this year, as the Jags played – and were defeated by – Chicago last Sunday morning.

Unlike the Patriots, the Jacksonville Beefeaters (wouldn’t that be a British-sounding mascot?) shouldn’t have to get used to all the changes that come with living in London – like driving on the left side of the road. Okay, this probably isn’t at the top of their list, but I still like the Jaguars, 23-19.

—————–

Sunday, 1 p.m

Seattle vs. Atlanta – The Seahawks have conceded about 40 points per game over the last two weeks, even though it came against two of the better offenses in Detroit and San Francisco. But Atlanta also has weapons and can play at home against a team that travels across the country and plays at 10 a.m. their time. Falcons, 35-29.

—————–

Tennessee at Buffalo – Okay, sure, Buffalo is playing a short week (they played Monday night) and were on the road. But they won against the Jets, and besides, QB Josh Allen appears to be the only player on offense doing the heavy lifting, and he’s still young – well, relatively young by NFL standards.

Also, I can’t find anything that says Will Levis will NOT be Tennessee’s QB this week. Oops. Bills, 31-24.

—————–

Cincinnati at Cleveland – Two teams were left for dead not long ago. The difference? Cincy seems to be resurrected as the Browns keep stumbling over this wooden pole and it keeps pushing its way back into their hearts. Oooh, I wouldn’t use such a scary example, but Halloween is only two weeks away. Bengals, 33-21.

—————–

Houston at Green Bay – Two of the NFL’s favorite young QBs that everyone loves to tout – Jordan Love with the Packers and CJ Stroud with Houston.

I see that the Texans have a second defensive tackle suspended – Mario Edwards Jr., who took the place of the previously suspended Denico Autry. Autry is expected to return this week, but this will be his first game of the season.

Meanwhile, Green Bay just signed another kicker, Brandon McManus, and released Brayden Narveson. Seems like an upgrade. Add to that this game being played at Lambeau Field, so give me the Packers, 33-30.

—————–

Miami at Indianapolis – Do the Colts ever have to play someone good? They just managed to sneak past Tennessee (20-17), and now they get the wounded Dolphins, who are still stuck starting Tyler “Snoop” Huntley as their signal caller. But Indy QB Anthony Richardson and top defender Jonathan Taylor are officially questionable, although I see one “smart guy” Who thinks the Colts are better with veteran Joe Flacco starting at QB?

This one just makes my head spin – since it’s Halloween, all I can think about is Regan Von “The Exorcist” when she does that in her bed. Considering Regan’s skin tone is the closest thing to Miami’s aqua green, give me the Dolphins, 23-19.

—————–

Detroit at Minnesota – Another tough game, but for much better reasons. I don’t like seeing Detroit without top pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, as I suspect Minnesota’s QB Sam Darnold is vulnerable to that kind of pressure, as is the Lions’ Jared Goff. I’ve heard the pass rush is a strength for Minnesota, and that may not be true, at least for Detroit, for now. So I have to take the Vikings 28-23.

—————–

Philadelphia vs. New York Giants – It seems a divisional game like this will be needed to keep the Eagles focused, with the added benefit that the opponent may be the least talented team in the NFC. While I still expect Philly to enter a downward spiral as the season wears on, I’m taking the Eagles at 20-16 this week.

—————–

Sunday, 4 p.m

Las Vegas at Los Angeles Rams – Even though he hadn’t played in a few weeks, the Raiders had to read the signs of the times when they traded away Davante Adams for a second- or third-round draft pick this week. This LA team is coming off the bye and playing at home. Rams, 27-20.

—————–

Carolina at Washington – One has a hot rookie QB, the other has the Red Rifle, which is still better than a purple pop gun. How much better, I’m not sure. Hmmm. Commanders, 31-26.

—————–

Kansas City vs. San Francisco – Even though KC is coming to the fore, San Francisco is the one that continues to play like this. Even though it feels like a trap game since the 49ers likely have a lot more to prove in February’s Super Bowl, I’m still taking the Chiefs at 31-30.

—————–

Sunday, 8:20 p.m

New York Jets at Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh’s defense is still good enough to frustrate Aaron Rodgers and his Minions squad, even if the Jets can shut down newly signed Davante Adams so quickly. Steelers, 23-17.

—————–

Monday, 8:15 p.m

Baltimore vs. Tampa Bay – This might be the better of Monday’s two matches. On the other hand, who can keep up with Baltimore’s offense? Ravens, 37-27.

—————–

Monday, 9 p.m

Los Angeles Chargers in Arizona – Just a quick trip to the desert from the LA team’s beach resort. Chargers, 26-22.

—————–

Last week – 10-4, 71 percent. Season – 54-38, 59 percent.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 552. His email address is [email protected].