Home of the Pocket Rockets

PRs swallow yet another bitter pill

November 17, 2008 at 4:50 pm Leave a comment

The Pocket Rockets keep finding new and creative ways to choke away championships. One hopes that sooner rather than later we’ll run out of ideas and just win one. Yesterday’s loss to Hey That’s Not My Flag was especially bitter for me. Had I not been completely smashed by the time I got home from Uncle Ron’s (sometime after midnight), I doubt I would have slept one wink. There is little doubt in my mind that this season’s squad is the best we’ve ever had. And, though the competition was strong all season, a league minus Murph’s team and Laces Out is one we should win.

A few points on the game and season:

I won’t throw Steph under the bus for her colossal blunder (Before next season, you will get the following tattooed on your person somewhere: “If there’s nothing there, run it!”). All season she had shown excellent judgment with the football — throwing and running. That’s why I went back to her for the conversion on our late, surprise touchdown. Furthermore, I called the play. It’s something we have never run before. Sure, if it works I look like a genius. But, with the wind howling and a cold, wet football, a diamond-end-around run would have been a better call. Or perhaps me running a stop-and-go. Interceptions are game changers. We need look no further than Damian’s crucial play last week as evidence. Can’t happen, especially on first-and-goal… ever. But, we had other opportunities, and we did not take advantage of them.

Our defense, for the most part, was solid. We were thisclose to a couple of interceptions that would have put us in good shape for the second half. But they took advantage of some undisciplined and lazy play on our part. Too many easy passes got through, we missed a lot of flags early and they picked on the right side of our defense all day. We need to play smarter… know the down, distance, gender plays, etc. You have to know what’s coming… We don’t want to tip our hand by calling the defense from the sideline.

Considering the handsy defense we faced, I thought the offense was pretty good. Throwing into that wind was tough. If I had to do anything over, I would have run more in the second half. Those were easy yards… and of course I’d like to have a couple of throws back, especially the one to Danny on fourth down. We made some really nice plays, though. Damian’s bomb was probably the highlight… a secondary highlight was the play of our women (the best in the league) who had lots of nice catches and runs.

Sigh. Sorry, but I’m bummed. Because we lost. Because we won’t play again until April. Because I really look forward to seeing you guys every weekend. We really have a great team, and I want you to be rewarded for your friendship and loyalty with some BSSC tchotchkes. Sigh again.

As for the postgame shit-show, that was one for the record books at The Bus Stop… 15 pitchers! Good work. I don’t think anyone can challenge us at the bar. The scene at Uncle Ron’s was… um… oddly fun. Ronnie pulled out samples of his high school artwork, we told more embarrassing stories and drank ’til midnight. I really needed that. I also got a little cheering up from my goddaughter Abby and her brother, Jack, at the BU game… Terriers 3, Huskies 0. Woo-hoo!

So that concludes another season of Pocket Rocket football. I really thought the fifth-year anniversary would be the year. We’ll need to do something to keep our competitive fires burning during the cold winter months… or at least keep the social calendar filled with PR events. Stay tuned, and thanks for playing and putting up with me.

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