Entries from August 2004 ↓

Like I said last week, I don’t really pay attention to the NFL pre-season, something that’s made easier by the fact that most games aren’t televised. Such was the case with the game between the Jets and Giants at Giants Stadium last night.

Given the “intrigue” of a potential quarterback controversy between Kurt Warner and Eli Manning, I was admittedly somewhat curious as to how they each did last night.

Well, it looks increasingly likely that Warner will earn the starter’s role. Manning looked much like the rookie he is. The defences are getting more complicated as the pre-season has evolved, and it was obvious that Eli was not ready for it.

So, that’s Warner being put in charge against the Eagles on the 12th. Let’s just pray he doesn’t get killed. I can only imagine what would happen if Coughlin were faced with the decision of choosing between Manning and “The Bachelor” (aka Jesse Palmer.)

Saw this on various press reports, this one’s from Ireland Online:

Lucas to make more Star Wars?

Star Wars creator George Lucas could be poised to make three sequels to the original space opera trilogy, according to insiders at Lucasfilm.

According to fan site Theforce.net, employees at Lucas’s company Industrial Light and Magic have all been made to sign non-disclosure agreements to promise not to talk about the possibility of episode’s seven, eight and nine being made.

Now industry insiders are predicting the director will make the follow-ups, which pick up where 1983’s Return of the Jedi left off, despite insisting he would never be lured into filming them.

A posting on the site says, “You didn’t hear this from me, but you might be curious as to why everyone at ILM just signed NDA’s saying that they will not discuss Star Wars episodes 7, 8, or 9.

“Since they’re not being made, why the NDA’s? Of course, since when has Lucas been consistent?”

Arsenal have been drawn with Panathanaikos (Greece), PSV Eindhoven (Holland) and Rosenborg (Norway) for the first round of the 2004-05 European Champions League.

First impression is that this is a pretty good draw for the Gunners. Two long trips to Greece and Norway, but having the non-flying Dutchman available for the away match in Eindhoven is a bonus.

Here’s the schedule in full:

Matchday 1
Tuesday 14th September 2004
Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven

Matchday 2
Wednesday 29th September 2004
Rosenborg v Arsenal

Matchday 3
Wednesday 20th October 2004
Panathinaikos v Arsenal

Matchday 4
Tuesday 2nd November 2004
Arsenal v Panathinaikos

Matchday 5
Wednesday 24th November 2004
PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal

Matchday 6
Tuesday 7th December 2004
Arsenal v Rosenborg

In one of the strangest bits of news I’ve seen in a while, Nike announced today that their new subsidiary, Converse (man, there’s something wrong with that,) will be producing “John Lennon Sneakers.”

The sneakers’ design will be based on the shoes Lennon can be seen wearing on the cover of Abbey Road. They will feature the famous Lennon self portrait as well as the quote, “Imagine all the people, living life in peace.”

Yoko Ono has given her okay to the project, and Nike/Converse plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to charity.

Forty-three without defeat! Thierry Henry powers Arsenal to record breaking victory over Blackburn.

Amazing! Arsenal have not lost an English Premier League game since May 2003, a stretch which has reached a new-record 43 games tonight. The Gunners surpassed the previous mark of 42 set by Nottingham Forest back in 1977-78.

Sadly, there was no television broadcast of this match, but I was able to listen to live commentary via Arsenal Plus. The first half was a bit tense, as Blackburn played very well, limiting Arsenal’s chances, but not really taking too many of their own. It was a fair, but nonetheless frustrating,0-0 scoreline at halftime.

Thierry Henry opened the scoring five minutes into the second half, latching onto a pin-point overhead pass from Dennis Bergkamp. TiTi split two defenders, controlled the ball, and on the half-volley, powered the ball past Brad Friedel.

Eight minutes later, Gilberto made it 2-0 to the Champions, converting a Thierry Henry corner kick with a powerful header.

Robert Pires and Jermaine Pennant both made their first starts of the season. SuperBob had a ton of chances to score, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Pennant impressed, his year at Leeds seems to have done him a world of good.

Cesc Fabregas made his third successive start, and again, he was huge in midfield. He even had a chance on goal, which unfortunately went wide. With Patrick Vieira coming back from injury, and Edu returning from international duty with Brazil, it’s likely that this was the last start for the 17 year old for a while.

Jose Reyes came on a substitute, and thanks to some fantastic play by Thierry Henry, was able to put the result beyond doubt, scoring his third in as many games with about 11 minutes left.

Friend of Mike, budding master-brewer, and all around good guy, Brian, recently was given the opportunity to take his love of beer-making to the next level. Yesterday he spent the day at the Iron Hill Brewery in Wilmington, DE, assisting in the making of their very tasty Iron Bound Ale.

You can read all about his experience here; Fool Circle