Apryl DeLancey's Los Angeles Dodgers fan blog

At this point in the NFL season, many fans need encouragement to continue since their favorite team has been knocked out of the playoffs. As you sit there in your Peyton Manning or Tony Romo jersey, why not lighten up your day and play a little drinking game when you watch the rest of the season unfold?

I like to call this the “Innuendo Game”. The prime broadcasts for this are those with the team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman or the ever-phallic John Madden and Al Michaels duo. I am not sure whether John and Al are calling any more games this season, but I know Joe and Troy are on this weekend.

How do you play? Simple, every time one of the announcers makes a questionable remark – take a drink! Madden is great for this. I’ve heard him say things like:

Continue reading "Playoffs and Super Bowl Drinking Game"

Besides being an exceptional athlete, Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning is totally in on the fact that he can play a very believable dork. He may come across as a simple, laid-back country boy - but this guy is as smart as they come when it means marketing himself. Did you see him host Saturday Night Live? His United Way spoof was absolutely hysterical! Again, I am not an Indianapolis Colts fan by any stretch of the imagination. I just can’t help finding Peyton to be a truly side-splitting character!

Here are my five favorite Peyton Manning commercials:

1. Priceless Pep Talks: Comic timing and sarcasm look like they are simply second nature for Peyton. In this series, he explains why you won’t have rock-hard abs and how to get over the embarrassment of driving a minivan.

Continue reading "The 5 Best Peyton Manning Commercials"

I knew they could do it! They had their number earlier in the year and they did it again today! The San Diego Chargers upset the Indianapolis Colts in a 28-24 victory that came down to the wire at the RCA Dome. Shawne Merriman and Antonio Cromartie were key in the defense against Peyton Manning, both making big plays when it really counted. I was truly worried when LaDainian Tomlinson went out of the game and even more pessimistic when Philip Rivers had to be sidelined – but the rest of the team made me a believer! I take back every less than flattering statement I have ever uttered about Norv Turner!  He really is an NFL coach that deserves respect.  

Next up, San Diego faces a challenging match-up in New England against the steamroller Patriots. They have weak spots; they just need to be exploited. The Chargers defense has as good of a chance as any to shut down the Pats offense. I know I’ll be having a heart attack or nervous breakdown through every play in the game. And to think, I thought the Chargers were done halfway through the season!

Continue reading "Go Bolts!"

Growing up in Los Angeles, the only team that anyone ever talked about when it came to the NBA was the Los Angeles Lakers. I remember the whole city being completely obsessed when it came to Lakers basketball. Billboards, commercials, and fast-food promotions further shoved the team into the forefront of everyone’s mind. Popular bands wrote songs about them and select celebrities lined the courtside seats.

The Los Angeles Clippers came to town in 1984 from San Diego (and Buffalo before that). Nobody paid too much attention at first and you could basically get free tickets with the purchase of 5 gallons of gasoline. They’ve had their peaks and valleys over the years and enjoy larger attendance numbers today but you can still get tickets pretty cheap.  Sometimes still free with the purchase of something else. 

Continue reading "Lakers? Clippers?"

NFL Playoffs!? That can only mean one thing – bandwagon season! Now that my team #1 and #2 are done for the season, its time to jump on the way only a true NFL football fan can.

My Tampa Bay Buccaneers played an exceptional first quarter today and then decided to fall asleep on me. Too bad the game has four quarters! Argh! I really thought they could make something happen this year. My #1 team(s) the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders never even made it to the playoffs - so the time has come for auxiliary cheering methods – jump on the bandwagon! I have planned out who I will be rooting for next week for sure (remaining season afterward to be determined):

Go San Diego Chargers! This is my number one choice of course, being a Southern California native. LaDainian Tomlinson is not only remarkable, but a role model with his quiet confidence. You never see him trash talking, he simply does his job and does it well! I am fully allowed to root for them as they were once the Los Angeles Chargers and I actually lived in Del Mar for a period. Also, I have been to Seau’s and had a cigar (alright, he isn’t there anymore but that’s not the point)!

Continue reading "Bandwagon Season!"

No, not just big-name PGA Tour golfers like Tiger Woods or Vijay Singh, but large men that announcers feel the need to point out. As Mark Calcavecchia was walking to his next shot at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, the broadcasters could not help commenting on his physique. This was not only one time either folks – it happened each and every time he was shown making a shot. They simply couldn’t resist and had to mention how heavy he is - cracking jokes about exercise and dietary choices. This phenomenon is not only reserved for Mr. Calcavecchia but haunts every golfer that is not built like Tiger Woods or Zach Johnson. John Daly and Craig “The Walrus” Stadler certainly get their share of ribbing as well.

Alright, I am a staunch advocate for exercise and living healthy but why must these so called professionals continue to taunt “the big guy”? Did these people not get enough grief from the kids in school? What makes the announcers so freaking perfect that they have the right to judge anyone? Let’s not forget, this is a sport that was dominated by drink-swilling white dudes that were a bit out of shape until Tiger Woods came along.

Continue reading "Big Golfers"

While attending college at the University of Tampa, I noticed the awesome fact that the area is rich in professional sports! The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are relatively close to each other and easily accessible. The closest NBA was the Orlando Magic, but I got to catch a pre-season game at the Ice Palace one year. I felt really spoiled since I grew up in a place where everything was much more spread out and harder to get tickets for. To make things even better – there was plenty of golf and tennis around. I only wish the USF Bulls were as good as they are now when I was there. I didn’t complain though, I was able to go to the games free since my school didn’t have football. (They did at one time; John Matuszak is a U Tampa alum!)

Continue reading "Something's wrong with Tropicana Field?"

As I was watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers today I saw a ray of hope. Actually, I saw several – the young defense and Luke McCown. Yeah, I know, they stunk up the place at the end of the game but at least they gave it a real try. You have to remember that many, if not all starters were out at that point. Plus I wonder if Monte Kiffin stops paying attention by the 4th but that’s a different story…

In the first half I noticed that there are some really strong young guys that are following in the footsteps of that great, Super Bowl winning D. Barrett Ruud has over 100 tackles for the year. Phillip Buchanan has about 59 tackles on the year and an interception today (his second this season). In addition, Jermaine Phillips has 83 tackles for the season. Don’t forget Jovan Haye and Gaines Adams with 6 sacks apiece. I was so excited when the broadcasters were announcing those stats that I almost tripped on my way to the kitchen! Luke MCown is proving to be a viable backup as well. While he does make some rookie mistakes, he completed 21 of 28 passes against Carolina. Overall, his completion percentage is just over that of Jeff Garcia. I sit in excited anticipation for the game next week. I only wish I could fly out and actually be there! Fire them cannons!

Continue reading "Shining Stars"

What has happened to the NBA that I grew up with? I must admit, I have paid less attention to my Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA in general in the last season or two. Even so, I really feel like there is something missing.

I remember Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy. I recall how cool Pat Riley was as the head coach. I can still hear that Red Hot Chili Peppers song about the Los Angeles Lakers…

All those championships, the teamwork, the feeling you got when you watched them play – I can’t seem to find any of that today. Now my team seems to be riddled with prima donnas and disappointment. I can still remember where I was when Kobe Bryant was accused of hurting that young woman in Colorado. I believe that was the beginning of the end. While I kept an open mind at first, I eventually soured to the whole thing. This young star had lost some of his luster in my mind. After things blew over and he started bad-mouthing Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson my attitude toward him was tainted further. This is not endemic to Los Angeles either; other players have made mockeries of the teams that pay them millions. Now don’t get me wrong – I can totally appreciate trying to get the most salary from your employer. I am also a staunch proponent to speaking up when you think something is wrong. But honestly, some of these NBA divas go too far! I guess when I hear complaints about one of the best centers to ever play the game and a hall of fame caliber coach; I have to scratch my head.

Continue reading "Hope for the NBA?"

Where has the season gone? Have I really been working that much? Yeah, I must have been since I didn’t realize I witnessed Bryant Young’s last home game with the San Francisco 49ers until it was almost over. I hate when I don’t get to pay attention to football!

At any rate, as we approach week 17 it is time to get everyone’s two cents and crazy predictions. This is the time in the season where we get those wild scenarios about teams that need help getting into the playoffs. You know, like they need four teams to lose and another two in different divisions to win. Someone is bound to blow the fact that they have control of their own destiny as well. The New England Patriots will also be interesting to watch and see if they can get into that elite class that is only occupied by the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They are playing the New York Giants so if they sit their starters out there is always the chance they’ll lose…we’ll see.

Continue reading "The playoffs are almost here!"