Flag Recap Feb. 3, 2007

WEATHER: Locals in the small Siberian village of Pudinskoye woke up on Wednesday and they immediately noticed something rather strange: the snow falling from the sky was orange. The only orange we saw in Venice was the flags as it was perfect – sunny, calm and 72.

WELCOME: A big welcome back to Al, aka Foxy. He brought his big smile and long arms back for the first time in a while. And another welcome to Shon and Joe, playing for the first time this season.

GAME: It was a game of fits and starts, some great defense, some quick scores and a lot of action. White wound up with a 44-30 win.

COMMENTS: People are often suggesting I write this or that, but there is a comments section if you feel I've missed anything. Feel free to contribute.

MVP: There were several deserving (Eric and Rory come to mind) but it has to go to Demond. He had two brilliant TDs and one great interception.

DEFENSIVE STANDOUT: Jeremiah lobbied for this but anyone who waltzes in a third of the way into the game doesn't get the nod. I'll give it to David Hinders. He played a great LB and had one interception, forced a second by batting the ball and batted a third.

HIGHLIGHT REEL 1: Demond's first score. It was fourth and 10 from Dark's own 2 and they went for it. Marino hit D with a 10 yard pass that he took the remaining 68 for a score, juking and cutting several times. Even White had to applaud.

HIGHLIGHT REEL 2: Demond's second score. On a 6-yard completion, he ran another 55 yards with everyone in hot pursuit. "Break their ankles!"" JJ screamed as he watched D twist defenders around.

HIGHLIGHT REEL 3: Rory made a positively brilliant grab down the right sideline where he went up against two defenders, made contact with the ball then secured it as he was falling down, with JJ draped all over him.

HIGHLIGHT REEL 4: The best throw-pass combo came from Toby to Eric. Toby launched one that was a great strike and Eric accelerated under it enough to snag it with his fingertips and take the rest of the way.

HIGHLIGHT REEL 5: Came after the game when a race was held between Patrick and Demond. A 50-yard dash for bragging rights. Patrick was in the race for a while before D pulled ahead and won by a couple of yards. Brent has visual evidence above (click image at top for larger view).

BRUISER: Rory was a mess after the game with scrapes, cuts and bruises over his arms, legs and knees. It all came courtesy of him hitting the ground on several catches. "You're just trying to be ghetto for your date tonight!" someone (JJ or D?) said. (Rory tries to knock ball from Jim, but the clutch receiver hangs on. Click image for larger view).

BALL HAWKS: There were a lot of picks, so if I missed yours post it in the comments. Marino snagged two, and Eric, Toby, Demond, David H., Dan and Patrick. Eric took his back for a score.

LATERAL WOES: Dark never did get the pitch back right. On one play, Marino had the first down when he tried to pitch to JJ, but the ball fell behind the first-down marker. I caught one pass and made a beautiful toss to JJ, except he was 2 yards ahead of me, making it illegal.

NOTABLE: Nice grabs on plays by Joe (David just missed knocking it down), JJ, David Hinders, Kevin (on a great seam route); me (going low for a first down), Ramsey (he even kept his feet!). … Nifty TD pass from Toby, where he rolled left and looked like a run, then he shoveled it forward into the end zone to (?) for a score. … Foxy made several nice PBUs as a DB (ask JJ to translate).

SCHEDULE: We are back Feb. 10, Penmar.