Folks,

SNAFU:

What a sport you truly are. Since the Panthers are clearly the best team; I must say that it takes a real man to wish for the other team to win the way that you just did.

I grew up in North Carolina without a single professional sport franchise of any kind in the entire state. Mostly we were noted for playing pretty good college basketball.

Now we have the Hurricanes pro hockey team and the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are a relatively new (American style) football team and have had some very good and occasionally some bad luck.

I remember the glory years of NY '61-63' when old Y. A. Tittle was in charge. They didn't win the big one then but they were great. The hopes of old Y.A. will definitely be on your side but it is time, I think, for Carolina to win that large, shiny trophy named for the big 'cheese head' coach called Vince.

Cheer up pal. Second place ain't bad considering the company and how hard it was to get there.

Seriously, I am looking forward to the game and will not crow much after it is over (especially should we somehow lose).

May the better team win, indeed. I wish you good luck.

All,

Ah yes, Y.A. Tittle. He was a bit before my time as I was only 5 when he and the GMen lost that last championship game in 63. The most famous photo of him that I recall is the one where he kneels on the field of play, helmet off, blood flowing from his bald head, aged and defeated.

Here is the Pro Football Hall of Fame write up on him.

Y.A. Tittle played 17 seasons of pro football. He played three seasons with the Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (1947-1949) and one with the Colts in the National Football League (1950).

He played 10 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and a final four seasons with the New York Giants. Although Tittle had excellent personal statistics while playing for the Colts and 49ers, the one thing that eluded him was a championship.

Then, in 1961, when Tittle was traded to New York, it looked like his fate would change. The Giants were contenders. However, when he joined the team, he was about as welcome as a bill collector. The Giants were a veteran, close-knit group, proud of their past successes. They knew that Tittle would be battling a team favorite, 40-year-old Charley Conerly, for the quarterback job. The Giants may have feigned cordiality to their new teammate but, for weeks, "Yat” was the loneliest guy in town.

When the 1961 season started, Tittle and Conerly shared the quarterbacking duties but as the Giants moved nearer to the NFL Eastern Division crown, it became more and more evident that Tittle was the guy making it all possible. By the time he was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player, the cold-shoulder treatment from the Giants had long since evaporated.

In 1962, Tittle played even better with 33 touchdown passes and a career-high 3,224 yards. A year later, his TD figure went up to 36; he completed 60.2 percent of his passes, and again was named NFL Player of the Year. A terrific competitor who was always willing to play "hurt,” Tittle led the Giants to divisional titles in 1961, 1962, and 1963. Even though they failed to win the overall NFL crown, those were the "glory years" in New York when Tittle was at the helm.

Folks,

Y.A. Tittle , a name to conjure with. Old Y.A. was one of my heroes. That famous B&W photo is truly amazing for one can read so much in his expression and his body language. The man was a giant and no pun is intended.

You weren't already following pro football at 5 years of age? Really? Knowing how much you love the game I'm surprised you didn't get a pigskin before you got a pacifier or a milk bottle.

Who will have bragging rights, you or moi? We will soon see my friend.

Folks,

SNAFU:

Those amazing Patriots have won 10 in a row for a huge record surpassing everyone in history. Our Panthers are set to play NY tomorrow if the NY team shows up. And I suppose it will.

Who will be in the Super Bowl? It won't be long until we know. The skins won too. I may have a problem of mixed loyalties here...

All,

JR2, Like any good fighter, you are confident. That's good! It wont help the Panthers today but it's a good trait just the same.

The fairly locals are going nuts the Redskins finally got to and won a playoff game. First since 99. That's a long time in football years. Joe Gibbs is a fine man and coach. I knew when he returned things would change for Washington. They of course are an acrh rival of the Giants. The Giants beat them 36 to Zip earlier in the year, they beat the Giants 35 - 20 later on.

Enjoy todays game!

Still here guys, been offline for about a month, at least on the personal computer. Had to build a new system. Regards to all.

Will be mounting another channel offensive very soon. BOBII is running very well on this new system. No crashes and frame rates are excellent. Now if I can just remember the key commands. As I get older, I seem to get the different sims a bit mixed up. Playing IL-2, BOBII, and Brothers in Arms at the moment. All great sims.

Neun

Folks,

JN:

Hey pal welcome back. It is good to know at least one more southern boy is still with us and enjoying the thrills of the new BoB2.

I agree, it has always been a source of amazement and a tiny bit of pride that I can manage to keep all those commands for so many games and diverse programs somehow sorted and available in my feeble mind. The trick is, of course, to use those commands often enough to keep them fresh.

Hello JagdNeun!

Just in time for a quick visit to the bar. My round gents!

The reason? Today I took off in the Spit and my instructor's comments were, and I quote; "Well Done! Nice and tidy."

Folks,

MG:

Congratulations. That sure beats my usual " Next time do try and land right side up you hopeless git."

Cheers.

Errr...um...SNAFU...old man about that football game this afternoon. NY tried hard to win, they had some tough breaks, and the score doesn't reflect their effort. Congratulations on a fine season.

Smith had a great game and Carolina got all the breaks. Now it is on to Chicago for the Carolina Panthers. I think the Bears pretty well whupped us the last time we visited the windy city. Wish us luck pal.

Folks,

We are remiss. We do not wish to let something pass of great importance to our little community. Let us be charitable and say that 'several' years ago this past Saturday an old and dear friend of ours came screaming into this veil of tears. Join me in wishing Old Dux many happy returns of the day. Salute!

Unless my calculations are incorrect, today we celebrate the lucky 13th wedding anniversary of our pal Wildman and his bride. Happy anniversary pal. The vagaries of military life being what they are, I hope you were able to spend it with your lovely lady. Salute!