Hey, I missed doing this yesterday! Despite my lapse, Sunday did come as it always does, bringing with it an all-new episode of the Sunday G&T Show, the Trek-themed internet radio show hosted by friends Nick Minecci and Terry Lynn Shull!
Lots of good talking about Star Trek storytelling, character building and so on in yesterday’s show. Good stuff all around, with more to come next week, assuming Nick and Terry can keep everybody on point. They almost lost the reins yesterday, and some of that’s my fault. Well, partly. I mean, I don’t ask the questions for “Ask Dayton,” right? So, what query did the audience post this week?
Dear Dayton: Ok, it’s time! Who will win each division in the NFL, who will win each conference and who’s going to win the Super Bowl?
Also, why does Tebow take so much heat? It can’t be just because of his faith…after all Reggie white was a frakking minister (of defense) and was not ripped like Tebow! I am not a fan of his, but there’s a lot worse role models people could have, so why the hate? Is it because of all the press? If anyone knows it’s you….YOU’RE DAYTON!
*Tebowing before Dayton*
Wait, what? Did G&T get turned into ESPN Radio, or something?
This coming week, 32 teams once again will take to the gridiron, waging battle against one another in a bid to emerge as the Ultimate Champion. Who will be victorious? How the hell should I know? My Magic-8 Ball can’t even tell me if I’m gonna get lucky with the old lady (“Reply hazy. Ask again later.”), much less give me any insight into something as important as this! Besides, anybody remember last year? The Bucs imploding after finishing so strong during the previous season? What about the Colts? Peyton Manning goes down, and the whole fucking team forgets how to play. And what about those 49ers? Holy shit, I think Jim Harbaugh just might have some game.
So, with the caveat that I really have no special knowledge or expertise so far as this sort of thing goes (translation: I’m pretty much guessing, all right?), here’s who I think will be the big NFL kahunas this season:
NFC North: Everybody but the Vikings will be in the hunt this year, but I say Packers. That said…keep your eye on the Lions, those sneaky bastards.
NFC South: This division is always a fucking toss-up. Typically (as in, whenever the Bucs aren’t blowing it out their ass), New Orleans, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay all dance around each other week after week, knotting up the standings and making it hell to predict what might happen next. Even Carolina manages to keep everybody honest whenever they mix it up. I think the Bucs will improve over the absolute train wreck that was last season, but it’s still going to be a scrappy, no-holds barred fight for the title between the Saints and the Falcons. A coin flip tells me to say “Saints.”
NFC East: Giants again? Probably.
NFC West: Frisco owned this division last season. I don’t expect that to change.
AFC North: Tough call between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but give it to the Steelers.
AFC South: Colts aren’t going anywhere. Titans aren’t going anywhere. Jaguars aren’t going anywhere. Texans again.
AFC East: This division is basically New England and some other guys. Patriots again, though the Jets may just make life interesting for them.
AFC West: Everybody thinks the Broncos are destined for greatness this year, with the addition of Peyton Manning at quarterback. I don’t quite see it, though I expect they’ll be competitive. The Chargers? Could be. Chiefs? Nothing I’m seeing so far screams “Division Winner.” Just to be a dick, I’m going with the Chargers.
Beyond that? I don’t have the first damned clue. For the NFC, it could come down to the Packers and the Giants, so I’ll go with that, and say Packers for the conference title.
AFC? Patriots vs Steelers, and I’ll go against the grain and say Pittsburgh.
Super Bowl: Packers vs Steelers? Sounds pretty good on September 2nd. Fuck it. Packers.
(NOTE: For those who missed the disclaimer at the beginning of all this, I really have no idea what’s going to happen. Well, except that the Redskins will suck donkey balls. Also, some of my additional comments are there strictly to poke at a few friends, who have their own loyalties to teams other than mine. Heh. 
)
Now this business with Tebow: I’m not the religious sort, but I think Tebow takes a lot of unfair shit. Yes, he wears his faith on his sleeve like a club patch, and yes he kneels and offers a few words of silent thanks to God every so often during a game, but I really, honestly, don’t give the first rat’s ass. For one thing, I’m of the firm belief that if God does exist, then he certainly doesn’t give a fuck about football. Or, if he does, then he only cares about Lingerie Football. More likely, he knows the real action’s over at women’s beach volleyball.
But, that’s a topic for another day.
Do I agree with everything the guy stands for? No, of course not. Like I said, I’m not religious, but I don’t begrudge him or anyone else their faith. Here’s the thing: A lot of people like to tell us how spiritual they are, or that they’re Christians, or even “good Christians,” as though the heathens need to be reminded that there’s a distinction and that they’re on the right side of that line. But, how many of these folks really walk the walk?
Here’s something you might not know: After joining the Denver Broncos, Tebow donated most of his $2.5 million signing bonus to charity. The Tim Tebow Foundation he created raised $4 million in its first year, and he and it work with other organizations to help children suffering from life-threatening illnesses around the world—everything from “Make a Wish” groups to orphanages to building children’s facilities in hospitals to building an entire hospital in the Philippines (where he was born). Say what you will about his personal beliefs, at the end of the day and as far as I can tell, THIS IS A GOOD GUY. We need more Tim Tebows and fewer assholes who beat hookers or their wives and girlfriends, or who organize dog fights or who make careers out of failing drug tests.
So, what say we cut the guy some slack?
This question and its answer was read during G&T Show Episode #59, September 2nd, 2012. You can hear Nick read the answers each week by listening live, or check out the replay/download options when the episode is loaded to their website: The Sunday G&T Show. Listeners to the show are also encouraged to send in their own questions, one of which will be sent to me each week for a future episode.
As always, thanks to Nick, Terry, and Mike for continuing to make me a part of their show.
