WATERCOOLER CHAT: CHARGERS WIN IN 3D, USC SPREADING LOVE, BIG 12 SATURDAY, SAD NBA NEWS
NFL
Some Thursday night action, as the San Diego Chargers played host to the Oakland Raiders. This game was special because it was the first game shown in 3-D (Well… that’s if you were fortunate enough to see it in Mann’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd where they televised this special event). For everyone else, it was a just a spectacle of the Chargers destroying the Raiders. Philip Rivers stayed in perfect form, throwing for 214 yards and three TDs. The Raiders, however, continue to look as sloppy as ever. Former #1 Draft Pick JaMarcus Russell threw two Interceptions and only 68 yards. This team is going to have some serious off-season questions. San Diego 34, Oakland 7.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
It looks like more USC coaching love is spreading around the NCAA. The University of Washington hired USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to be their new head coach. Washington used to be an elite team in the late 80s/Early 90s, but since then have been rather average (with the exception of a Rose Bowl appearance in 2001). Perhaps having one of the great USC offensive minds running the ship will return them to greatness.
Elsewhere in college football, this Saturday is the Big 12 Championship game. And it’s between the pre-season’s top 2 teams — Oklahoma and Missouri. Oklahoma may have had the superior season, but Missouri is looking to play spoiler behind their All-American QB, Chase Daniel. In other words, this game is NOT a given for Oklahoma, as the Big 12 Championship doesn’t always follow the script. Do not be surprised if Missouri stuns the Sooners (and the nation) on Saturday.
NBA
Some sad news from the NBA. Rodney Rodgers, former NBA all-around-guy and Best Sixth Man Award Winner, fell off his motorcycle and is paralyzed from the shoulders down. Rodgers played with a variety of NBA teams, and was both a fierce dunker and clutch 3-point shooter. He lives in North Carolina, is a frequent outdoorsman, and also a philanthropist — setting up public housing projects for the city. And even though he had plenty of money (due to a 12 year career in the NBA) he was still working a day job as a heavy machinery operator because he was bored. His manager said he didn’t even know Rodney had money — “I hired him because he was friendly”, he said.
