Saying goodbye is hard to do

As an American sports fan, my obsession with fútbol is only rivaled by my obsession with football.

And although football fans here would have you believe otherwise, the sports are not that far apart.

For example: this spring, the football team I support here, whose colors are blue and white, had to say a painful farewell to one of its legends — something that the football team I support across the pond, that also wears blue and white, is still trying to come to grips with.

When the Indianapolis Colts released their longtime, certified Hall of Fame Quarterback Peyton Manning, it was as much a celebration of everything he gave the franchise as it was an emotional, unfathomable goodbye.

Last week, I got déjà vu as Chelsea FC said, “So long,” to striker Didier Drogba.

The contributions these two figures made to their respective teams are similar — they came in with big expectations, and not only lived up to them but propped their teams up for success that hadn’t been seen in decades.

In the case of Manning, his resume reads a Super Bowl win, two conference championships, seven division titles, and status as a regular contender for the playoffs if not the Super Bowl itself. While Drogba’s trophy case holds a UEFA Champions League title, three league titles, four FA Cups, and two Carling Cups.

They also were alike in that they never shirked from the big moment, instead, rising to the occasion when it mattered most.

Manning made countless comebacks and put up huge numbers as the team was built around him. Drogba…well, just see the end of this season for a brief synopsis of what he has done throughout his eight seasons at Chelsea.

Their departures were even similar. The writing was on the wall for months as the teams began distancing themselves from the stars and fans braced for the worst. Their departures probably even came down to money — Manning's long term contract meant Indy would have had to pay him $28 million if they optioned him for another year and Drogba wanted a two-year contract that CFC was reluctant to give while he could reportedly earn up to £200,000 a week in China.

But at the same time, Manning left somewhat unceremoniously. After missing all of last season with a neck injury, his team slumped to a NFL-worst and caused the franchise to embark on a rebuilding project and released him in the process. Drogba left at the top, after dragging Chelsea back into the Champions League match against Bayern Munich before demanding the last penalty kick and converting it to win the club's most coveted trophy.

In the wake of their departures, I looked back and realized they also differed on the amount of impact they had on me. True, Manning is my favorite athlete. I have an authentic jersey with his name and number sewn on it (that gift singlehandedly saved my Christmas). But…I had been following the Colts long before Manning arrived.  Pardon the symbolism, but there were many jerseys with different names and numbers on it before Peyton Manning’s.

However, as I began to watch and fully appreciate soccer, Drogba, not a team, caught my attention. His power, pace, and ruthlessness in front of/bearing down on goal was a spectacle. He was THE player to watch.

Needless to say, but the first soccer shirt I ever owned was emblazoned with his name and number.

To appreciate his unique combination of skills is to understand how unique it is to find a “big man forward” that can master the art of holding up the ball, heading, and shooting with power and precision.

My favorite example of these skills is the chest-down,touch, turn and vicious shot he put into the roof of the net against Tottehnamin this season’s FA Cup semifinal. It combined everything I love about soccer — finesse, power, and the unexpected.

More importantly, as a Chelsea fan, you knew you could rely on him. You knew that if given the chance when it mattered most, of course it would be Drogba [even my wife, who I forced to watch the Champions League Final, gathered enough about the club and player to say “Of course it has to be Drogba,” as he approached the spot in the shootout]. When all seemed lost, he rescued our hopes. He gave us belief.

And when you saw the team sheet with his name on it, you knew you would be entertained — whether it was a goal like the one mentioned above, or if it meant him rolling around on the ground, playacting for a free-kick when someone breathed too hard on him.

As difficult as it was to come to grips with Manning ending his career at another NFL team, I find it equally so to picture Drogba not lining up at Stamford Bridge next season.

The silver lining is that Manning, 36, also proved that an aging superstar could begin again (he signed with the Denver Broncos), just as Drogba, 34, showed at the end of this season that he still has plenty left in the tank to offer a team, somewhere.

And even though my blue and white jerseys with their names on them are not correct anymore, I will still wear them all the same next season.

Food finds in the S-BC

If you read our paper, you probably noticed last Monday that I've embarked on a crusade to try every local restaurant in Shreveport-Bossier and report back with how the experience is.

For someone who loves to eat, I am very excited. And for someone who loves his community and supports small businesses, I am even more excited.

I learned long ago that chains are not where it's at. No offense to them, chain restaurants are usually good and they have their purpose, but there's nothing special. It's the same thing every time.

But a locally-owned, non-chain eatery has a certain feel to it. You can't explain it, but it's there...When you order a signature dish or something you can't get anywhere else, you feel special.

The Monday/Tuesday Edition of our paper kicked off my reviews with cajun cuisine (but have failed to really even breach the tip of the iceberg) and to be honest, heading in I had no idea what I was doing. I'm not a food critic, I just love food.

So before I even got going on this idea, I sought someone who had done this before. I talked with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau's Chris Jay about his experience reviewing food places.

If you're unfamiliar with Chris, he's a young, enthusiastic member of the community who is always in the thick of things when it comes to having fun in Shreveport-Bossier. He also writes regular food critiques for the blog 20X49.

He gave me some great advice that I will not reveal here — a magician never reveals his secrets. But it set me along my way. And now I've set a personal goal of trying one restaurant once a week (which I'm sure my diet isn't too happy with, but hey, can you say "cheat day"?).

So keep an eye out HERE for what I come back with. And if you have any suggestions, be sure to email me at sean@bossierpress.com or comment below.

Coaches Behaving Badly

If you know anything about me, you know I'm a proud Arkansas Razorback fan.

True, I didn't go to college there, but if you're born in Arkansas, you have no choice but to support the Hogs. It's how you are raised. If you're lucky.

So it's no secret that the recently revived football program has taken a black eye over the head coach and married, father of four Bobby Petrino's secret relationship with a 25-year-old former university volleyball player that he put on the payroll.

The dirty laundry was aired out after the pair wrecked on a country road outside Fayetteville.

There is debate within Razorback nation whether Petrino should have been fired since his indiscretions were non-football related. Athletic Director Jeff Long fired him "for cause" (i.e. keeping a relationship secret and lying about it when he has a morality cause in his contract).

This fan feels that Long acted appropriately.

The team already gets downed during recruiting for Petrino's decision to abandon the Atlanta Falcons during midseason for the Arkansas job. I don't think they could've survived this.

There is no doubt he lost the locker room with this little stunt. It's better to have an interim coach who can have some order than a proven coach with players who have no respect for him or his decisions.

The consensus is that Petrino is not a good person. His work history certainly seems to demonstrate this notion. A lot of fans can stomach that when you're winning. But even winning only gets you so far.

Speaking of coaches who made mistakes and have now been cast aside.....

Oh, where to start with the New Orleans Saints. Head Coach Sean Payton's willful ignorance of former Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams' bounty program?

The remaining coaching staff's audacity to appeal their suspensions (including Payton's season-long ban and newly minted interim coach Joe Vitt's five game ouster)?

Or the incredibly damning audio that surfaced of Williams encouraging his players to target heads on players with concussion history and tear ACLs in players' knees?

It baffles me that any fans could be upset about this.

The argument that the game is fast, hard hitting, and all coaches encourage their defenses to be aggressive doesn't apply in this sense. Williams paid money to his players for big hits or injuries to opposition. He encouraged players to try and end careers.

It's disgusting. And it looks like the only career that was ended by all of this was his. Fortunately.

And in a society that doesn't believe in consequences anymore, I'm glad the NFL is trying to send a message. Because changing the culture of the game to reduce dangerous concussions will be met with opposition and growing pains.

Ones that make the aches in north Arkansas seem minuscule by comparison.

But these coaches on two different levels of the game have paid for their arrogance.

Nike & Apple

Look at this recent commercial from Nike:



Now, think about that. This ad is promoting a product called the Fuelband. It's basically a watch with a calorie counter and pedometer.

Does a product like this exist already? Yes. Does it look as cool or is it marketed as well? No.

And I can tell you, I'd rather have the Nike product over any other similar product. Why? Because it's cool.

And that's the lesson to take away. Nike makes the consumer want their products, which are essentially not any different than their competitors', over similar sports wear and shoes because Nike products carry an air of "look at me" with them.

They look good, are marketed great, and have a cool factor that you don't get from other sports companies.

They're the Apple of sports.

Ignoring that these are highly successful companies started by two west coast entrepreneurs who have had their share of major setbacks/doubt and are environmentally conscious, think about it — Apple and Nike make great products. They're marketed well. And some are innovative.

But above all else, they're cool. They're a status symbol.

People who swear by Microsoft have iPads and iPhones. You can get a Droid phone or tablet that is just as powerful, reliable, and fast as any Apple product. But it's missing that certain something.

These two different companies are lauded as the front runners in their fields because of their vision and ability to market their products.

The iPad is the worst name ever. It sounds like a technologically savvy feminine hygiene product. But did/do people, including yours truly, want one? You better believe it. Do I want a Fuelband? Yep. But I just admitted it's a watch. But it's a cool watch.

And why do I think it's cool? Because it's Nike? Not necessarily. I don't follow blindly and I'm not 100% brand loyal. I think it's cool because of its design and how its marketed [I'm smart enough to know that I'm foolish enough to be suckered in by a cool commercial (knowing it's a cool commercial and appreciating it for being well done makes me think they deserve my money more, I guess)].

At the bottom of these two companies are the essentials to success: vision and execution. They know they have a "wow" factor and don't settle for anything that doesn't excite. They expect to be the best. And people are drawn to that.

2012

It's a new year with new possibilites and new beginnings.

Everyone gets a clean slate and we have that mindset. It's a time for setting the standard for what we want to do the next 365 days. Notice I didn't say the word "resolution." I've found it has a bit of a stigma with it. It causes some brains to shut off. So I just think of it as a goal — it's a little easier to start with.

I'm all for setting goals. For the first time in a long time, I've set myself what people would consider the r-word of losing weight, but the goal to begin eating better. I don't have an end game to lose a certain amount of weight, merely to stop eating out so much and stop eating such large portions.

It's all about setting the bar at an accomplishable height. Sure — go big or go home, shoot for the stars, enter cliche here — but I know myself and I have to begin with something that is reachable. I think I can do it and I will look forward to the benefits of it along the way.

Alongside personal goals, I have business ones. We are the alternative, and I want to drive that home. Tired of bad news? Turn to us. Tired of seeing the same stories? Here we are. Want to know what's happening in your neighborhood? Look no further. I want us to grow, get better at what we do, and get more recognition. All achievable, but beneficial goals.

Lastly, I have spiritual goals. I want to get closer to God and become a regular at my church. The holidays, with all the traveling, have caused me to miss the last few services and I feel bad about it. I know I can do it. And as I learn and grow, I will get closer to my savior and shepherd.

If you haven't thought about what you want to accomplish, take a few seconds to figure it out.

You have 364 days and counting.

Don't forget about the little ones this season

During the hustle and bustle of buying gifts for friends and family, going to parties, and donating clothes or money to various charities, it's easy for one cause to be forgotten this holiday season — animals.

In particular, animal shelters. These are sometimes the most poorly funded portion of a budget. We get focused on taking care of quality of life and forget about the creatures people have taken in and discarded.

Of course it's tantamount to care for our fellow man and ensure people are first on the list of priorities, but these homeless animals have very few looking out for their best interests.

And I've heard the argument that only "bad" animals end up at shelters. I've volunteered my time at shelters and gotten all my pets from shelters. I've never come across a bad pet. A rambunctious or needy one? Yes. But what wouldn't be when getting affection after being thrown away and ignored?

If you can't spare a $20 bill, the best thing to do for man's best friends is to donate a bag of food, cat litter, toys, essentials — such as paper towels and cleaning supplies — or even your time. Sometimes the best thing for these pets is to give them a little care for what may be the last time they receive it while they're alive. And you get the instant return of love for your investment.

Isn't that what the Christmas season is all about?

It's the most wonderful time of the year

As Branson staple Andy Williams once crooned, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." 

And while he was talking about the goodwill of men and their predisposition to peace and love during Christmas, I'm talking about something way more important — college football.

It's bowl season, people. By far, the best month of sports you'll come across. I've missed going out on New Year's Eve and gone to bed before midnight just to be able to watch games that night and New Year's Day. For the next three weeks or so, I will be parked in front of my TV or at least have it on at the office.

I know, I know...The BCS is crooked and a waste of time. They all have ridiculous names. You get terrible matchups sometimes (on paper). But we don't get playoffs, so this is as good as it gets. Besides, I love all the strange matchups, it gives me a chance to see teams play that I have or will never watch. And sometimes, those are the best games.

So without further adieu, here are my predictions of all 175 or so bowl games.

Gildan New Mexico

Albuquerque, N.M.

Dec. 17, 2 p.m.

Temple vs. Wyoming

It's a shame one of the D-I New Mexico colleges couldn't be here. Temple.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Boise, Idaho

Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m.

Ohio vs. Utah St.

Competing to have the most ridiculously named bowl, I expect this one to actually be very watchable. Ohio.

R+L Carriers New Orleans

New Orleans

Dec. 17, 9 p.m.

San Diego State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette 

ULL is bascially playing a home game. That's gives them the edge.

Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dec. 20, 8 p.m.

Florida International vs. Marshall

WE ARE MARSHALL! And you'll lose. Florida International.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia

San Diego

Dec. 21, 8 p.m.

TCU vs. Louisiana Tech

Tech wins the WAC and gets a vacation to San Diego, that's about as good as it gets. TCU.

MAACO Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Dec. 22, 8 p.m.

Arizona St. vs. Boise St.

Never doubt Boise...Unless field goal kicking is involved. Still taking the Broncos.

Sheraton Hawaii

Honolulu

Dec. 24, 8 p.m.

Nevada vs. Southern Miss

Don't know a whole lot about these teams, except Southern Miss beat Houston. That's good enough for me.

AdvoCare v100 Independence

Shreveport

Dec. 26, 5 p.m.

Missouri vs. North Carolina

It's pretty cool to live in a place where I can watch a bowl game. Go Tigers.

Little Caesars

Detroit

Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m.

Western Michigan vs. Purdue

The best bowl if you love cheap pizza. Purdue.

Belk

Charlotte, N.C.

Dec. 27, 8 p.m.

Louisville vs. NC St.

Will winners get some bargain clothing? Louisville.

Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman

Washington, D.C.

Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m.

Toledo vs. Air Force

The rockets take on a team that is trained to fire rockets. Air Force.

Bridgepoint Education Holiday

San Diego

Dec. 28, 8 p.m.

California vs. Texas

This is a bowl you can usually depend on for a quality game. So much for this year's edition. Longhorns.

Champs Sports

Orlando, Fla.

Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m.

Florida St. vs. Notre Dame

I hate Notre Dame.

Valero Alamo

San Antonio, Texas

Dec. 29, 9 p.m.

Washington vs. Baylor

The Heisman winner or a team that completely underwhelmed in a weak Pac 12? Baylor all day.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces

Dallas

Dec. 30, noon

BYU vs. Tulsa

This bowl is notable that it will actually take place on a giant helicopter...No? Oh. How disappointing. Tulsa.

Pinstripe Bowl

Yankee Stadium, NYC

Dec. 30, 3:20 p.m.

Rutgers vs. Iowa St.

This game should be as boring as baseball. How appropriate. Rutgers.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City

Nashville, Tenn.

Dec. 30, 6:40 p.m.

Mississippi St. vs. Wake Forest

Should be a defensive game. I'll go SEC.

Insight

Tempe, Ariz.

Dec. 30, 10 p.m.

Iowa vs. Oklahoma

Should be interesting if I can stay up past my bed time to catch it. Oklahoma.

Meineke Car Care of Texas

Houston

Dec. 31, noon

Texas A&M vs. Northwestern

This should tell you my respect for the Big 10: I'm picking a team with underachievers and no coach.

Hyundai Sun

El Paso, Texas

Dec. 31, 2 p.m.

Georgia Tech vs. Utah

Is this a bowl game or a new type of car? Georgia Tech.

AutoZone Liberty

Memphis, Tenn.

Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.

Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt

Who would have thought I would be picking Vanderbilt to win a bowl game? Weird season.

Kraft Fight Hunger

San Francisco

Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.

Illinois vs. UCLA

How did these teams sneak into a bowl game? Couldn't we just have the D-II final in their place instead? Illinois.

Chick-fil-A

Atlanta

Dec. 31, 7 p.m.

Virginia vs. Auburn

My favorite bowl because I love waffle fries. Virginia.

TicketCity

Dallas

Jan. 2, noon

Houston vs. Penn St.

This isn't fair. Dallas hosts like a million bowl games. Houston.

Outback

Tampa, Fla.

Jan. 2, 1 p.m.

Michigan St. vs. Georgia

A lesson on branding in bowls: When reading the name of the bowl, I thought, "Finally, one that doesn't have the name of a sponsor in it." Georgia.

Capital One

Orlando, Fla.

Jan. 2, 1 p.m.

Nebraska vs. South Carolina

South Carolina should win, even if they kick their starting QB off the team and lose their best player to injury. Oh, wait...Still picking Cocky.

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl

Jacksonville, Fla.

Jan. 2, 1 p.m.

Ohio St. vs. Florida

Rename this one the Urban Meyer bowl. I'll take the Gators because I don't want to get fired.

Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio

Pasadena, Calif.

Jan. 2, 5 p.m.

Wisconsin vs. Oregon

The biggest question in this matchup is what Oregon will show up wearing. Thanks for turning college football into the Oscar red carpet. Badgers.

Tostitos Fiesta

Glendale, Ariz.

Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m.

Stanford vs. Oklahoma St.

Will the Pokes be hungover that they were overlooked for the national title? Who cares. This is your scoreboard explosion special of the season. OK St.

Allstate Sugar

New Orleans

Jan. 3, 8:30 p.m.

Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

I am demanding a rule change. You have to think the bowl commissioners and neutrals would much rather have seen two-loss Arkansas & K St. here instead of the Cotton. Oh well. Denard Dog rules the day. Go Blue!

Discover Orange

Miami

Jan. 4, 8:30 p.m.

West Virginia vs. Clemson

*Snoring* Huh?  Oh, there was a game on? Clemson.

AT&T Cotton

Kansas St. vs. Arkansas

Arlington, Texas

Jan. 6, 8 p.m.

After the shellacking my Hogs took at the hands of LSU and Bama, I could overreact and take the Wildcats. But I expect Snyder's boys to get exposed in Jerry's World. Woo Pig Sooie!

BBVA Compass Bowl

Birmingham, Ala.

Jan. 7, 1 p.m.

SMU vs. Pittsburgh

The death penalty revival continues. Mustangs.

GoDaddy.com

Mobile, Ala.

Jan. 8, 9 p.m.

Arkansas St. vs. Northern Illinois

Bad news for ASU: the Red Wolves just lost their coach to Ole Miss and are probably a little rudderless for this game. Good news: They upgraded with Auburn Offensive mastermind Gus Malzhan and are probably better than Ole Miss. N. Illinois.

Allstate BCS National Championship Game

New Orleans

Jan. 9, 8:30 p.m.

LSU vs. Alabama

I took Alabama at home last time and they blew it. Now the Tigers are practically at home for all the marbles. I like Saban when he has time to prepare, but I also remember the game against Utah here a couple years ago. laissez bon temps rouler for Tiger nation.