Mickey.

Mickey Andrews is expected to announce his retirement, effective at the end of the season, this afternoon. I want to thank Mickey on behalf of all Noles for his 26 years of loyal and passionate service to the University. Florida State would not be what it is today without the man. Who knows what the early part of this decade would have looked like if we had an offense that was anywhere as good as our defense. It's a shame that now that the offense is clicking, the defense has faltered. Us Noles will always be indebted to Coach Andrews, and I wish him nothing but the best in his life after football.

Former FSU Cornerback Corey Fuller had this to say about Coach Andrews:

"Without him contributing as many years as he did, there wouldn't be a Florida State, there wouldn't be a Deion Sanders, Corey Fuller, Terrell Buckley, all the guys that came through, Samari Rolle. We were good players coming out of high school but he got the most out of our talent."

I hope that one day a statue will be put up in honor of Coach Andrews or the Indoor Practice Facility will bear his name. We owe him something of great significance for his diligence and passion for the Florida State University and all the players that played under his tutelage.

Thank you Coach Andrews. You will be missed. You are a true legend in the eyes of the Nole Faithful.

My Life

"I know that the personell in this locker room isn't overwhelming, but how hard we play is."

-Chuck Hayes

This quote embodies the reason for my living. I know everyone knows that I love the Rockets, but in reality, they don't know. My love runs deeper than the "love" everyone else understands and knows. My love is my life. I would honestly take a bullett for any Rocket. Any Rocket. I would allow my life to be taken if it meant that the City of Houston could enjoy another Rocket World Championship. It's a passion that few in this world have the blessesed opportunity to experience.

Then, there are the Noles. Wow. The love runs even deeper. Besides my family and immidiate friends, there is nothing of greater importance in my life. My life may seem boring. It may seem stagnant. It may seem that it has no fun. But, you are wrong. My life is full. My life is complete. The feeling I get from watching us drive down the field and score with 1 minute and 30 seconds left after trailing by 4 points is all I need. It is a much greater feeling than anyone could imagine. It is difficult for others to understand, and I understand this.

An individual must have courage to feel the way I do about the Rockets and the Noles. It is a commitment. It is a lifestyle. It means ditching those around you that care most about you on a Friday or Saturday night to watch a sporting event. In the end, though, it is these people that understand you most. It is these people that respect what you stand for the most. Respect is all we have.

I truely believe in this quote: "We can't run from what we are. Our destiny chooses us."

The Rockets and the Noles chose me.

It is my personal belief that I was put on this earth for 2 things: to be a Nole fan and to be a Rocket fan. These two things are my priority. It is what I have. It is what will always be. They will never go away.

These two things cause heartache. They cause sadness. They cause confusion. They cause happiness. They cause belief. They cause dreaming. They cause greatness.

The Rockets and the Noles are more pure than anything else in this world. They do it all. Every single emotion you could possibly feel are embodied by the Rocket Organization and the Florida State University.

Don't get me wrong- I am a family and friend first guy. If one of my brothers, or one of my best friends needed ANYTHING, that would take precident over the Noles or the Rockets. But, after that, the Rockets and the Noles are all I have. They are me. They are the most pure thing in my life.

The Rocket's roster is an oxymoron. Saying "the NBA player Chuck Hayes" is an oxymoron. It doesn't make sense. Jerome Solomen (a Houston Chronicle writer) said the other day that if "Brian Cook and Chuck Hayes are in your starting lineup, it's either preseason or your team stinks". I took this personally. It hurt my inside. It cut me deep. It makes me sick that someone who follows our city's sports franchises and gets paid to be an "expert" comes out and says something so damning and ignorant about one of OUR guys. The Wagon is the butt of many jokes, and he NEVER lets it affect his play. He is the underdogg. The definition of the underdogg. And he doesn't shy away. He plays with his heart. And I'm sorry to say this Jerome, but it is these players that make teams great, not stink. It is players like Chuck that make sports pure. I wouldn't trade Chuck Hayes for any great four or five man- Dwight, Pau, LaMarcus, Dirk, ect.- because they couldn't hold Chuck's jockstrap when it comes to value for THIS team. We are going to hit stretches where the going gets tough. But I promise you that we won't back down. We will wear our hearts on our sleeves and fight. There is no quit in this team.

I may be getting over-emotional about this. After all, it is only the 3rd game of the season. But I feel it. I commited to this team and this commitment doesn't break for anybody. The Rockets and the Noles are what's great in my life. They are what makes me happy. And, if you have a problem understanding this, or if this love pisses you off then you are just jealous. I am truely blessed to have this purity in my life. I don't need anything else other than the Rocks, the Noles, Family and close friends.

I know I have not gotten into X's and O's about yesterday's victorious games, and I'm not going to. The metaphore that is yesterday, is much deeper. Yesterday made me truely greatful for what I have. I know it sounds weird, but it's true.

In closing, I want to say how excited I am for the Noles to be going to Death Valley next weekend to take on the Clemson Tigers in a prime time game. Our defense may not be up to snuff, but we will play hard. And all true Nole fans out there will follow this team, believe in this team, and want this team to suceed. Success is only achieved when everyone involved is commited. I am calling out all Noles to stand behind this team. It will be worth it in the end. I know we are just 4-4, but it is imperative that we stand our ground and give it everything we have as fans.

I would also like to express my excitement to having 79 more Rocket's games. We play in Utah tomorrow and against the Lakers on Wednesday. That is a Portland-Oakland-Portland-Mormon-Laker start to the season. Thank you for throwing us a bone NBA. Before tipoff of our first game at Portland, I said to myself that a 1-4 start to this opening stretch would be okay. But, after watching our team play, I readjusted my thoughts. Why not go 4-1? Who am I to set expectations on this team? I am in no position to do such a thing. Why can't we go all the way and win another Championship with our current roster? Why can't Tracy come back and be the player we all know he can be? Why can't Yao make miracles happen and come back at the end of the year for the playoff push? It was completly irresponsible for me to make expectations. There is no reason why these things can't happen. This is the greatness that this team instills in people. It is the greatness of sport. I truely believe we are going to win it all. The Rocket's propaganda has worked on me.

On another note, Snoop Dogg's new album "Malice in Wonderland" hits shelves on December 8th. Alicia Key's new album hits shelves the following week on December 15th. I hope everyone had a great Halloween. I am truely blessed.

Peace and God Bless,

Dos

Look for a full write up of the wonderful comeback by the Noles sometime Sunday. I plan on playing golf in the morning and then getting a personal cooler of Sam Adams and Miller Genuine Draft and writing about the game. Great win last night Noles. I needed it.

Noles

I know I have been bad. I am sorry loyal followers of the Wagon. I take full responsibility in my displays of irresponsibility. Please forgive me. Tonight. We. Play. UNC. Tonight. We. Beat. UNC. Get it done men. Prove to everyone that we are on the right track.

Key match up: easily our offensive line against their front seven. They are really talented. North Carolina's offense is so crappy that our defense may have a shot to look decent. Problem is we are so banged up on that side of the ball....wait a second......that means we will be playing young players that might actually look like they know how to play football. This could actually help. Anyway, if our defense doesn't let TJ Yates look like Joe Montana and our offensive line can simply hold its own then I like our chances.

Prediction: Pain.......

Real Prediction: Noles- 31 Heels- 20

You heard it here first. Go Noles!

Now and Forever.

Commitment.

Never Breaks.

For Anyone.

Simply,
Dos

It's Fredo week

Bring on Troy

Irish Pie

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember How this weekend used to make me smile.
And I knew we always had a chance
With Lou pulling grass crouched in his stance
But, Davie and Ty put winning out of style.
And February made me shiver
No recruits did Ty deliver.
All of Kevin White’s missteps, I was scared of who he’d hire next.
I can’t remember if I cried When I read about Weis and all his pride,
But I have a feeling deep inside
This day ND will rise.

So bye-bye, You USC guys.
No more OJ no more AD,
It’s our turn to fly
And Cash and Jvan will drink Ritas and cry
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”

Forget all about Reggie’s shove,
Jimmy’ s passes rained touchdowns from above,
As Golden kept running the “Go”
ND believes in rock n roll,
SC has Snoop but not any soul,
But our grass is deep and the field is real slow

Well, I know the media’s in love with Tim
`cant take Aspirin for his headache cause that’s a sin.
But when Saturday is through.
Other Heisman contenders can sing the blues.

He was a lonely teenage broncin buck
Arrived in a limo not a pickup truck,
But the world will know Jimmy does not suck
The day the Irish rise.

I started singin, Bye-bye, You USC guys.
No more Reggie or Matt Leinhart,
It’s our turn to fly
And Cash and Jvan will drink Ritas and cry
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
Now for 10 years we have been owned
They mock “Charlie is fat”And Holtz sounds “shtoned”,
But that’s not how it used to be.
When the Rocket was king and our D was mean,
Didn’t matter if we wore blue or green
We were always top 5 in the AP,
Oh, but while Lou was looking down,
The Monkster stole our football crown.
The courtroom was adjourned;
Joe Moore had been spurned.
“Its Gruden!” provided a little spark,
But Lou still has to listen to Mark,
But its time for us to come out of the dark
This day the Irish rise.

So bye-bye, You USC guys.
Carson palmer is a Bengal,
It’s our turn to fly
And Cash and Jvan will drink Ritas and cry
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”

Our talent is better Charlie looks a little svelter.
Since he doesn’t recruit from golf rain shelters,
All the despair is in the past.
No holding flags will fall on our grass.
They will recall we invented the forward pass,
Even with Mike Floyd on the sidelines in a cast.
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
Till the SC band played that awful tune.
Pete Carroll was set to dance,
Oh, but he never got the chance!
`cause his players tried to take the field;
Our marching band refused to yield.
All will recall what was revealed
The day the Irish rise

So bye-bye, You USC guys.
No more OJ no more AD,
It’s our turn to fly
And Cash and Jvan will drink Ritas and cry
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”

The stadium was one rockin’ place,
A generation no longer disgraced
With no time on the clock ‘We win!”.
So come on: Tate was nimble, Tate was quick!
Don’t need Jumbotrons or Thundersticks
Glory has come back to South bend.

Oh, and as I watched Theisman on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
“ We are mad as hell!”
“Let’s break Pete Carroll’s spell.”
And as grotto flames climbed high into the night
Prayers were answered.
The world was right,
Sorry SC fans not tonight
Today the Irish rise

So bye-bye, You USC guys.
No more OJ no more AD,
It’s our turn to fly
And Cash and Jvan will drink Ritas and cry
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”

I met a Song Girl who looked down and blue I laughed at her, puked on her shoes,
She just sighed and turned away.
I went down to the Hammes bookstore
Where I bought the same stuff Id bought before,
But the man there said today no one has to pay.
And in the streets: drunk fans screamed,
The Gay horse cried,
Mark may was steamed.
But not a word was spoken;
Until Officer Tim McCarthy was done jokin’.
And the three TDs we admired most:
Came from Jimmy to Golden on a post,
SC caught the last train for the coast
This day the Irish rise.

So bye-bye, You USC guys.
No more OJ no more AD,
It’s our turn to fly
And Cash and Jvan will drink Ritas and cry
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”

So bye-bye, You USC guys.
No more OJ no more AD,
It’s our turn to fly
And Cash and Jvan will drink Ritas and cry
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”
“Maybe Charlie can be the guy”