rockpile

These things DO happen. I came out of a movie that I was really looking forward to, and could not help but hear a couple say how much they enjoyed the movie, "too bad he died at the end". They were just having an 'innocent' conversation, but should have waited until they left the theatre. Keep that in mind as you leave ANY movie. Notice I did not identify the movie, even though it is several years old.

The Buffalo Bills Other Number 12 January 12, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Tom "Rockpile" Benson TBD Guest Columnist -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There should be no doubt in any long-time fan's mind that Jim Kelly was the greatest quarterback in Bills history; all one has to do is scan the record book for proof. But there was another number 12 at the helm of the Buffalo Bills during some of their most exciting and most frustrating years who also had the heart of a lion - Joe Ferguson. Ferguson was drafted out of Arkansas in 1973 in the third round, after leading the Razorbacks for three years. His college accomplishments include All-Southwest Conference quarterback where he passed for 4,431 career yards. He set a school record that still stands with 2,203 passing yards in 1971. He was Most Valuable Player of the 1971 Liberty Bowl. In his rookie year with the Bills, Ferguson became the starting quarterback and played in all fourteen games, but his role went from "Air Arkansas" to a role that mostly involved handing the ball to O.J. Simpson. He only attempted 164 passes that entire year (in one game at Arkansas he had passed 51 times!), but he was an integral part of the squad that helped O.J. get his 2003 yard season. Sometimes Ferguson looked at OJ and asked himself why he was needed in Buffalo. But instead of fretting over the lack of an aggressive passing offense, he concentrated on his primary role on the team - play every down, work hard, study the game. There is always room to improve and his day would come. In 1980, the Bills won their first division title in 14 years, and the goal posts came tumbling down! This led to a playoff game against San Diego that, for me, will always be one of the most memorable contests I have ever watched. Ferguson was playing hurt; his ankle caused him so much pain that he could barely stand. But he stood in there and took a pounding, unable to scramble and injured too severely to plant his foot to throw. The Bills held a 14-13 lead until late in the fourth quarter when an across the middle slant pass put the Chargers ahead 20-14. After the game was over, the ankle was examined again. It was sprained, torn, stretched, pulled, and had a cracked bone in the back. But the hardest part for Joe Ferguson was that he knew this was likely the closest his team would get to the Super Bowl. For his tenure with the team, in fact, it was. Ferguson was widely praised when the Bills won, and crucified when they lost. The biggest misunderstanding was his posture when he left the field after an interception, failed conversion attempt, or other offensive miscue. He would walk off the field, head down, which was misinterpreted by fans as hanging his head in defeat. But for Joe it was a personal statement: whatever play he was trying to execute had not worked and he was already concentrating on what he would do the next time he got the ball in his hands. Joe Ferguson retired in 1990. In all, he spent twelve seasons with the Buffalo Bills and six more with Detroit, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis. During his NFL tenure, he passed for 29,827 yards and 196 touchdowns (27,590 yards and 181 touchdowns as a Bill). After his career in the NFL was finished, he worked at real estate for a while, and was a football radio commentator and pre-game co-host on Arkansas Razorback Sports Network. In 1995, he filled in for two weeks for an injured David Archer as a favor to an old friend, former Bills quarterback and head coach, Kay Stephenson, then head coach of the San Antonio Texans of the CFL. Stephenson had tried to get him to commit to the entire season, but at 45, he and his family decided playing football was no longer an option! 1995 was also the year Joe Ferguson's name went up on the Wall of Fame in Rich Stadium. Football was still in his blood, even if he was through as a player. He served as quarterbacks coach for Louisiana Tech in 1990 and 1991, eventually returning to Arkansas as quarterbacks coach for the Razorbacks. At the age of 47, he is back at his alma mater, 28 years after he first arrived. He and his wife Sandy have a daughter Kristen, 14, and son Trey, 11. He is in excellent physical shape and still looks like he could come out and take some snaps from center! He will always be one of the players I look up to; he made the most of every opportunity that came his way. He was never a quitter. Now he is teaching those same qualities to a new generation of college and NFL hopefuls - play every down, work hard, study the game. Copyright ©1998 Tom "Rockpile" Benson. All rights reserved. My prayers for your speedy recovery, Joe!

So, I guess you are not one of these "the glass is half full" kind of guys?

Today is 05-05-05. Will the world end at 05:05:05 P.M. ? If so in what time zone?

at dictionary.com/translator that would be "They have around been dismissing together to the head of Sybil for awhile already."

Atheism is the disbelief in the existence of deity. Where in that statement is Newton promoting blind acceptance of any religion as fact?

Yeah, there is not enough of either to sustain intelligent life here.

I used to believe that the purpose of traffic (red) lights was to give your car a chance to rest.

I thought belinda was supposed to be in the sub-title not the body of the message. nm

In case anyone was interested, here is a link to an on-line bible (KJV). One thing I like about it is that you can search for references. Whatever you believe, this book is worth a look. Blue Letter Bible Interesting comments from Isaac Newton: On the Bible: "I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily." On atheism: "Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system. I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance."

I sat through American Idol last night for the first time. <yawn> I guess I just do not understand the attraction.

Sorry, Brandon.

"How Great Thou Art" - as performed by Mississippi John Hurt

... but it IS a rather Taoist thought, wouldn't you say?

I agree. It can be read online at The Prophet. I especially treasure what he says about Marriage and Children. Be careful, like fine wine or rich food, it should be savored in small portions to be really appreciated.

You are a faithful person. The punctuation thing made me spit coffee! I guess my religion is a combination of the Golden Rule and "Judge not..."; everything in between is too personal for words. If I need words, I really like Matthew 5:15, The Four Agreements, Kahlil Gibran, and the Three Laws of Robotics.

NOT from Nutley!

Welcome! Don't worry, we only hurt people who log on and call us all idiots!

My wife, son, youngest daughter and me did the 5 mile walk in about 75 minutes. They would have finished quicker without me slowing them down. After a gray, cold, rainy day yesterday I was worried, but today was very nice. Sunny and about 50 degrees is light sweatshirt weather for me! Just wanted to say "THANK YOU" to those who sponsored me. This was my best year, $600 even. About $500 of that was from the Wall. You do me an honor, my friends. Three year walk total is $1,660. Hope this link works: Bill Boosters - NYR Rock

done

Happy Birthday, guys!

Cool. The ones from Danny's and the Ralph too? Use rockpile@gmail.com. If there are any you do not want shared up on Webshots let me know. Thanks, little buddy!

One word Harriet - testosterone

W Sep 11 Houston - opening day mayhem (SDS b-day present) L Sep 18 @Tampa Bay - bad things man W Sep 25 Atlanta - Mexico can't beat New York L Oct 2 @New Orleans - Bills Fans BIG tailgate, revenge on steroid smears W Oct 9 Miami - SQUISH W Oct 16 N.Y. Jets - JP scores on a naked bootleg inside two minutes L Oct 23 @Oakland - DAMN that Al Davis, he creeps me out L Oct 30 @New England - &%$#&^%**&^ W Nov 13 Kansas City - good thing it is our house W Nov 20 @San Diego - just because L Nov 27 Carolina - In my mind I'm going to ... L Dec 4 @Miami - W Dec 11 New England - Belichek Blues W Dec 17 Denver - No Mile, just High W Dec 24 @Cincinnati - Bungle W Jan 1 @N.Y. Jets - need it for the playoffs

Her is a link to the MP3 bald headed men Songs (portions anyway) can be played by clicking on the left margin