Bill Curry ineterview

Here is an interview with an NFL legend,Bill Curry.

1)Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a seventy one year old person who has been blessed in many ways. I am have been married to a wonderful woman for fifty one years, and we somehow love each other more now than ever before. Carolyn is the light of my life. Our family includes two grown, married children and six grandchildren. We treasure every moment with them. I was raised by thoughtful, caring people in the Christian tradition. We were taught to respect all faiths and all people, and I do not subscribe to the notion that one religion has all the answers. This past fall was the first season in 58 years that I did not have a fulltime job in the sport of football. Needless to say it was a time of adjustment, but one filled with happiness since I could be with family and friends on a regular basis at their events, rather than “my” team’s events. All my career I have spent my time and energy seeking to serve my student-athletes, and many of them remain in touch, and that is an added joy.

2) How did you start your career in football?

Involuntarily! I went out in high school (eighth grade) and hated every minute of football. I would have quit except for my father. He had not made me go out, but did require that I finish what I had begun. All I wanted was to pitch for the NY Yankees. As time passed I began to see that my only route to Yankee stadium was through hiking a football, and I began to love my teammates, the huddle, and the demanding contests. I did indeed play in Yankee Stadium, only not in the pinstripes, and not with a round ball! (The Giants used to play home games there, and we played against them when I was with the Baltimore Colts and Houston Oilers. Each of those teams has obviously moved.)

3)How did you feel coming in to the first Super Bowl as the starting center?

We were excited, and ready to play. I was injured and had to leave the game, but it was great fun for our team. Kansas City was better than anyone imagined, but we had a great football team and Coach Lombardi was in rare form.

4)What does it mean to be the first super bowl winning center?

I don’t think it means very much as a specific experience. There were many years of NFL football before we started calling the championship “Super.” In the minds of modern culture there is an unhealthy disconnect, as if nothing counts that occurred prior to 1966. I think it is very unfair to the men who came before us and established the NFL.

5) In the Super Bowl against Joe Namath was the team scared to play him,especially after he'd guaranteed he'd win that season?

Joe is a good guy and a friend of mine, but we laughed at his saying such a thing. Our record was 15-1 at the time, and Jets, while they were a good team, were not awe inspiring. They beat us because they played well, and because we turned the ball over again and again, not because Joe predicted it. We beat them the next four times we played, but nobody knows or cares.

6) What did it mean to you becoming the Coach of the same college you attended?

It was awe-inspiring. Georgia Tech has a great tradition of scholarship and excellence on and off the field. We had fallen on hard times, and the responsibility to bring the program back to respect was a powerful obligation.

7) As a coach, did you realise new aspects of the game that you didn't see as a player?

I was terribly underprepared to be a head coach, and had to learn every day. There was so much I didn’t know! There is still a great deal I don’t know.

8) Do you wear your super bowl rings daily? Is it your most cherished item from the NFL?

I do indeed love the rings, because they symbolize my teammates, and the synergy we were privileged to build. Sadly, my fingers are so swollen from arthritis I can no longer wear them. I look at them and remember my buddies. The friendships are the most cherished aspect of the NFL experience.

9) Do you have any of your own or other players memorabilia from when you played?

I have a few footballs, jerseys, helmets, bowl watches, and programs.

10) What advice would you give someone attempting to pursue a career in football? 

Be very careful. We are learning more every day about brain trauma, and its devastating consequences. Know what you are getting into. Football has become a twelve month obligation because of the training required. Be sure the coaches are people of character, and that they teach eternal values, including respect for all people. They will leave their marks on every child…for better or worse.

11) Is there a way fans can contact you for autographs or just to talk?

I can be contacted through our website: www.billcurry.net. I am always happy to communicate if possible.

Rangers end with a bang in 2013. Pride is in the air!

Rangers are proud of their win!
picture taken from Daily News

Today, the Rangers won against the Panthers 2-1! Wow what an end to the 2013 year!

Very happy the Rangers can feel this pride going in to New Years. Lundqvist did very well out there and I am proud that he plays in NYC


Here is the recap from http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2013020600

 It's been a struggle so far this season forHenrik Lundqvist, but 2013 ended on a high note for the New York Rangers goalie.

Lundqvist made 21 saves in regulation and overtime before stopping three Florida Panthers in the shootout when the Rangers won 2-1 Tuesday at BB&T Center.

Brad Richards scored the only goal in the shootout, allowing Lundqvist to outduel veteran Tim Thomas.

"It's a good feeling to end the year," Lundqvist said. "It's been up-and-down, no question. We've talked about it so many times now, but we continue building both as a group and also for myself here. Let's enjoy the new year tonight and then get back to work in a couple of days."

Lundqvist, who had a 3.68 goals-against-average in his previous eight starts, stopped rookie Aleksander Barkov andJonathan Huberdeau in the shootout before Richards beat Thomas in the third round with a quick shot off the left post.

Lundqvist clinched the victory with a save against Brad Boyes, who leads all NHL players with 36 career shootout goals and was 5-for-6 this season.

"[Henrik] was big for us tonight," said Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi, who sent the game to overtime with a goal with 2:10 left in the third period. "He made the big saves when he had to. When we needed him he was there, and that's why we've got him back there. He's a pretty big clutch player for us."

Lundqvist came in with a 5-2-1 record, a 1.23 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage in his prior eight starts at BB&T Center.

The Rangers have won four of five and are 2-1-0 on a five-game road trip that will wrap up with back-to-back games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday and Saturday.

Thomas stopped 30 shots in his 400th NHL appearance after missing the previous eight games because of a groin injury, the third time this season he missed time because of groin problems.

He was activated off injured reserve last week, but the Panthers went with backup Scott Clemmensen in weekend games against the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens to give Thomas more time to get ready.

Before his latest injury, Thomas won his last three starts while allowing five goals. He stopped Mats Zuccarello andDerek Stepan in the shootout.

"I felt really good for a first game back," Thomas said. "It was one of those nights where if I could see it I could save it. I thought we were going to hang on until the end there, but that's hockey. We're picking up some momentum and doing some good things. We're a much better hockey team than we were in October. If we keep making strides, that's the direction you want to head in."

Thomas was trying for his first shutout for the Panthers, but Girardi beat him with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle. His goal helped atone for a mistake that led to the Florida goal in the second period.

"It felt pretty good," Girardi said. "It was kind of disappointing that one bad play could ruin a game for the team and yourself, so I was just glad I could put one in there and kind of redeem myself a little bit."

Girardi's goal came after Florida forward Tomas Kopecky lost his stick in front of the Panthers net and skated to the bench to get a new one, even though the puck was in the defensive zone.

"There are different theories to that," Panthers coach Peter Horachek said. "It's a little bit surprising that he would go there. A lot of teams would say, 'Go get your stick and hold the ice,' but I don't think that was a great time when the puck was behind the net, because if you leave that area obviously there's a big area open."

Boyes scored for the Panthers, who are 1-2-1 on a five-game homestand that ends against the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

Tuesday was the final game between the Rangers and Panthers this season. The Rangers won the first two, 4-3 at New York on Nov. 10 and 5-2 at BB&T Center on Nov. 27. The Rangers have won six of the past seven meetings here.

New York had two of its defensemen back in the lineup: Marc Staal returned after missing 10 games because of a concussion, and Anton Stralman was back after missing the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday with a wrist injury.

Boyes broke a scoreless tie at 10:42 of the second period after Barkov intercepted Girardi's pass behind the Rangers net. Barkov fed Boyes in front and he deked to his backhand before sliding the puck between Lundqvist's legs.

The goal was Boyes' team-leading 10th of the season but his second in his past 18 games.

"It was a hard-fought game from both teams," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "There wasn't tons of room out there. After a pretty stingy first period as far as scoring chances on both sides, our power play got some great looks in the second. We had some Grade A scoring opportunities. The only thing we didn't do was put it past their goaltender, who obviously was on top of his game tonight. We made one mistake in the second, they made us pay for it. But we stuck with the process and brought it down to the wire and we were able to tie it and win it in OT."

The Panthers had a chance to pad their one-goal lead with a four-minute power play midway through the third period after Nick Bjugstad was high-sticked by Richards but could manage one shot. Bjugstad left the ice with a trainer but later returned.

"The four-minute [penalty kill] in the third, that's a big moment in the game," Lundqvist said. "It let us continue to chase for the first goal there. It really helped us win this one."

Mets fielding positions?

Hello-
I have been thinking,what will the Mets fielding look like? So I thought about it and came up with this:

SS- hopefully they will get Drew so that'll be above AVG if not it'll be Tejada
1st Base-switch up between Ike,Satin and Duda
2nd Base Eric Young or Murph
3rd base we don't have a "good one" so we'll have to use a GREAT one David Wright
Catcher: Travis d'Arnaud
Outfield: Juan Lagares,Young,Eric Young and Curtis Granderson
Starting pitchers:Wheeler,Colon,Mejia,Gee,Niese and Syndegard,Degrom and Montero mid season

all in all it's not to bad. We have a major upgrade in the outfield and a decent upgrade at the mound. Is this enough to make the Mets a winning team? I am not so sure. They need to trade for a first baseman or short stop. We also need another starting pitcher and much more depth.

Let's go Mets,*NOT WFAN* dododo!