The Q and A Podcast 023

We're back! On today's episode, the guys bring back their NFL Quarterly Report and discuss the Texans, the NFL's love of London, the Seahawks' turmoil, and ask the most importand question: can the winner of the NFC South division end up with only 6 wins?

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Future in Doubt

Courtesy of Espn.com

To quote Mark McGwire, I'm not here to talk about the past.

I'm not here to talk about Ray Rice, Ray McDonald, or Jonathan Dwyer. Nor will I be writing about the disturbing news about Jovan Belcher that makes an already depressing story exponentially more unpleasant. The $765 million concussion settlement that came about 10 years too late? Nope, no comment here. And I certainly do not want to talk about the stumbling, bumbling, bobble-head of a commissioner that the NFL currently employs. 

I am not here to talk about the past; I'm here to question the future.

Would you feel comfortable letting your son play organized football?

If someone asked me that question ten years ago, there is no doubt that I would have said "Hell yes!". To watch and root for my son with my name on his back would have been the highlight of my life. Now if I have any sons and if they should happen to show any kind of athletic prowess, I will do everything in my power to push them towards basketball or baseball.Am I being over-protective? Yes and that is what parents do. But enough of my yammering; let's ask people who actually, you know, have boys:

Monica, mother of a 6 year-old:

"I don't follow up with the sport or its players much. Seeing as how rough the sport is, regardless of the "craziness"...I would not feel comfortable if my son were to play football. Never have . Football is not my first choice as a sport for my son to play. Now if he wants to play when he gets older, be my guest. Even then I would be worried of him getting badly injured."

Brian, father of a 2 year-old with a second son on the way*:

"My wife and I talked about this the other night! We prefer our sons not play football and the reason is strictly I don't want them to get hit and have long term injuries.I don't want the expenses and I don't want them to have to live with something that might happen. Also, in Texas, we feel some of the coaches are out of their mind and I don't want my kid to get burned out on something. If he chooses it, then we will see, but I would much rather him play baseball or golf, but ultimately, the decision is his, but we definitely aren't steering him towards football at all."

*Update: Welcome to the work Alex Reid!

Tenisha, mother of a 1 year old

"I want my son to be active and to play sports but football is something I am concerned about. With the recent stories of young players losing their lives and suffering serious head injuries, I don't want a concussion or serious brain injury to effect my son's future. As parents we need to be educated and consider the benefits and risks of our children participating in football."

Now I'll be the first person to admit that these quotes are, shall we say biased? I know that there are a sizable amount of parents who have no issues with their sons playing football and I do not fault them one bit. But before we wrap this up, allow me to tell a short story: when I was a kid, I was a huge Oilers fan. My father used to show me videos of a bruising tailback by the name of Earl Campbell. Thanks to the power of YouTube, I was able to find one.

Here's Campbell dominating back then:

And here is Campbell now:

Courtesy of CBS

Campbell spoke to ESPN back in 2004 about his punishing running style: "Sometimes I pay for it," Campbell said. "With the way I walk now, the things I did to my body wasn't supposed to be done. At 48 years old, it is saying, 'Hey, Earl, remember what you did to me?' "

I'll always remember what his body said. Simply because I don't want my son to look forward to it.

JEFF the Brotherhood at Warehouse Live - October 2, 2014

Rock and roll was alive and well (at least the music itself) on Thursday night, as Nashville's JEFF the Brotherhood rolled into the Studio at Warehouse Live. Despite a crowd that was small enough to fill Section 438 at Houston's Minute Maid Park (trust me and take a look at the map), JEFF the Brotherhood and their two opening acts were on a mission to melt the faces off anyone in attendance with great guitar riffs and supreme energy.

Kicking off the night was Austin's Otis the Destroyer. The guys in the band were standing by an empty merchandise table and when their cue hit, they jumped right on stage and started playing. When they started playing, there was approximately 12 people by the stage, watching. However, these guys rocked out like they were playing in front of 1200 folks. The sound and energy these guys brought to that small stage must have turned some heads of the early people in attendance waiting for country darling Kacey Musgraves to start next door in Main Ballroom. By the end of their set, those 12 or so people seemed hooked and thankful for a cool group like Otis the Destroyer to get the night started. (Set ran approximately 25 minutes)

Next on the bill was a three piece group from Nashville, making their first stop in Houston, simply named Music Band. At this point in the evening, the crowd had grown, but not by much. Unfortunately, Music Band’s start was delayed due to sound issues. With their time cut short, noticeable (and understandable) frustration set in, and the screams emanating from a seemingly full Ballroom next door, Music Band proceeded with a very stellar and very loud set. This is a solid band with a great sound, which will hopefully return to Houston to perform a more complete set, minus sound hiccups. (Set ran approximately 15 minutes)

Closing out the night was JEFF the Brotherhood (!). The band features Nashville brothers Jake (guitar) and Jamin Orrall (drums), with another guitarist and a bassist backing them up. These guys have been making music for over ten years, and it definitely showed. With a sound that is heavily influenced by hard rock of the 70s and 80s, JEFF the Brotherhood armed themselves with a set list that was designed to annihilate every single eardrum in attendance (Case in point: my eardrums were still ringing up until Sunday evening). For about an hour, JTB played with an intensity that a much larger audience should have been on hand to appreciate, though only about 40 people total were quickly estimated by the end of the night. Those in attendance, however, were more than receptive and appreciative of the effort put forth by the band. There were plenty of jams JEFF the Brotherhood played on Thursday night, with Heavy Krishna (off of their 2009 album “Heavy Days”)  being a standout jam that seemingly went on with no end in sight. While I was slightly disappointed they did not play one particular song, one guy had to have been more disappointed considering he kept anxiously shouting for that same song towards the end of the night (“F*****g play Heavy Days, F*****g play Heavy Days!”). However, their set was still incredible and had me rocking from start to finish. The band seemed to pick up the intensity as several dudes started moshing and throwing each other around, resulting in beer flying all over and me getting kicked in the ear (which was also my cue to take a couple of steps to the left as I’m not much of a mosher). The guys capped off the night with a track from last year’s “Hypnotic Knights”, Staring at the Wall (the band also performed this tune last year while appearing on “Conan”) which was a great way finish based on the reception it received by the audience.

All in all, it was a great night for rock and roll, no matter how small the attendance. As a big fan of JEFF the Brotherhood, I always hope for a large crowd. Hopefully the next time they roll into town word will have finally spread and we’ll see a few new faces on hand. If not, at least the small band of people who showed up Thursday night will be back, eager to rock on with them Orrall boys from Nashville.

The Q and A Podcast 022

On today's episode, the guys present their Quarterly NFL Update and talk about the Texans, the disappointing Pats and Saints, and why you should never ever mess with Steve Smith Sr.

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The Q and A Podcast 021

On today's episode, DeQuiency and Anthony wrap up the 2014 MLB season by presenting their fictional ballots for American and National League Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP.

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