Flag Recap Nov. 4, 2006

WEATHER: Lake effect snow is still coming off the east end of Lake Ontario Saturday morning. Lake effect squalls are expected to drop 1-4" of snow throughout the day. Meanwhile, in Venice is was a gorgeous 72 without a cloud in the sky.

GAME: A great opener to the season saw Blue beat White by about 12 (though I can't remember the exact score). Welcome to new players Rodney, Carlo, Troy, Jonathan and Mike, and Sergio (in his cameo appearance).

OVERALL MVP: Have to give the award this week to Cody, who played liked a man possessed and with a new haircut. He scored three TDs and made some superb catches and runs. He was just trying to show off for Anthony.

OFFENSIVE MVP: Rory was brilliant with his new eyes (he had Lasix about a month ago), making several spectacular catches. The best was when he went very high while falling backwards. "My ass is killing me," he said, but he did hold on for the score.

BAD MOON RISING: The funniest play came when I took off on one run with Cody in hot pursuit. He first grabbed my shorts, then pulled my briefs but missed my flag as I continued to run half nekkid. "There's a lot of white there," Cody said, while Toby and Rory simulated a gagging sound. I'm gonna wear a chastity belt next time.

FALL GUY: Nice to have Ramsay back, though I imagine he's plenty sore today. He must have hit the ground at least six times as passes came at him high, low and in between. But he was able to walk off the field and headed for the nearest whirlpool.

BALL HAWKS: Mark and Toby each grabbed two interceptions, Cody got one. Mark's first was spectacular as he caught the ball almost one-handed while falling backwards at corner. I gift-wrapped one of Toby's by basically making him the intended receiver; I looked a lot like Ben Roethlisberger on that one!

BEST LINE: Mark wanted to know when we were going to stop. "The tequila I had last night started here (points to his mid-stomach) and is heading here (pointing up higher). Brent wound up calling him Tequila when calling out defensive signals.

BEST HAIR: Sheri gets it hands-down. Very colorful and well-done!

GOOD HANDS PEOPLE: In addition to Rory and Cody, there were a lot of nice catches. Kevin was his usual reliable un-Raider self with key grabs, including a pivotal fourth-down catch on a nice lead by Marino; Rodney made a superb shoe-string catch on a long pass; Ramsey made like Dallas Clark in going low and snagging a pass on one series and going high for another. Of course, he hit the ground both times; Anthony went high and showed strong hands on a comeback play where the defender was trying to wrest it away; Toby looked like Hines Ward on a tough catch and run down the sidelines.

NOTABLE: Marino made more like Vick on one TD run and on a 2-point play, where he optioned it to Sheri for the score; Anthony looked solid on QBing a TD drive, throwing a laser to Mark for a score; Carlo was a great hustler on the pass rush, continuously flushing Marino out of the pocket; Brent made his usual great flag grabs at MLB, keeping 3-yard completions just that.

NEXT: We are back at Penmar Park, Nov. 11 at noon.

Have a great week!
Jim