Irish Blogger Gathering: Orange Edition

This weeks IBG is hosted by Three Guys In A Basement.

1. If you had the choice, which professional athlete would you rather be: A golfer on the PGA tour that hovers around 125-150 on the money list, a solid middle reliever in the MLB, a # 4 starter on an MLB team, a 10th man on an NBA roster, or a punter in the NFL?

Pro golfer: $537k - $852k
Middle reliever: $200k+
#4 starter: $250k+
10th man: $600k+
Punter: $300k+

While pro golfing may not have the high end salary in that range (most of the other positions can get you into the millions if you're good at what you do), it's got to be the easiest job.

Forget gameday - every professional athlete eventually has to suit up and play a game. It's the practice that makes golfing the best option. Most people play golf as a leisure activity in their spare time. Very rarely do I see people punting or pitching on a Sunday afternoon for fun. And don't get me started on basketball practice - exhausting.

I'll take the cushy life of a pro golfer.

2. If they made a movie about the history of Notre Dame football from 1997-2008, what actors would you cast as Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham, George O’Leary and Charlie Weis? Picture comparisons will be helpful.

Randy Travis as Bob Davie

I needed someone in this role that could do justice to Bob Davie's particular brand of country-fied footbaw. Someone who could do the accent of a good ol' country boy. Someone who seems like a good idea at the time, but ultimately is too much of a caricature to bring any real credibility. And the whole look-a-like thing.





Richard Brooks as Tyrone Willingham

For this one, I clearly needed an African-American actor that everyone likes, but isn't that accomplished when it comes right down to it. Somebody that had flashes of being an OK actor early in his career, but of late has been tanking it hardcore. Someone who is almost better when he doesn't open his mouth. And finally, someone who is so buttoned up that you wonder if they are capable of acting with real emotion. Someone with questionable credentials.

I was going to go with Bill Bellamy, but he smiles too much.

Then it hit me - who can do Ty's inscrutable "serious face" better than anyone? That's right, Richard Brooks from Law & Order's early seasons. Bingo.




Colm Meaney as George O'Leary

Good actor, but clearly not A-list. A likeable guy, and a good Irishman, but ethnicity alone isn't enough to make you a good fit. And if I were Meaney, I'd lie about my stint on Star Trek in may valiant attempts to gain decent acting jobs. Perfect fit for O'Leary - good coach, but clearly not A-list.






James Gandolfini as Charlie Weis

A Jersey guy with a bit of a weight problem? This didn't take me long. He can get the Jersey attitude, and can do both comedy and drama. Also, Gandolfini is the kind of actor that has a great resume, but hasn't quite reached that A-list status. But he could.






3. We at tgiab.com (see JoeG) love the drink Sparks, which comes in Orange cans. While I can’t truly relate that to any type of question, I figured I’d mention that because we are playing the Orange this weekend. I guess if I had to tie it in, I would say that I associate Sparks with football tailgates (and my subsequent lack of recollection of the game). Do you have a favorite product that comes in the color Orange? And if so, do you relate it to football in any way shape or form?

I like oranges, as in the fruit.

And yes, I can relate it to football, because of the Orange Bowl. Or the bowl formerly known as the Citrus Bowl, but now called the Capital One Bowl.

Best I could come up with. Yeah, Vitamin C!

4. This last weekend, one of the more die-hard Notre Dame fans I know told me that he has twice rooted against Notre Dame. Is there any scenario where you would root against Notre Dame? Or should we make this friend (and guest columnist) be the next Ice-T in Surviving the Game?

Not one. There just isn't. It's always in my best interest for Notre Dame to win it's football games.

Where you really tie me up is in basketball. I went to Indiana University for undergrad, and am a die-hard Hoosiers basketball fan.

The Irish and the Hoosiers tip it off in the Maui Invitational in a few days.

I have no idea how to cheer in this one. I've always said that IU is #1 for me in basketball, and Notre Dame #1 in football, but now I'm torn. IU is expected to have a rough season, as their team was absolutely decimated by the debacle that was the end of the Sampson era.

On the other hand, Notre Dame basketball is back in the top 10.

I don't want the Irish to lose such an early game against what is supposed to be a bad IU team, but am having trouble bringing myself to cheer against my alma mater.

I don't know what to do...

5. tgiab.com will host (in allegiance wiht jupmode.com and thesubwayalumnishow.com) a tailgate for the USC game. First off, you are all cordially invited. Secondly, and more importantly, we are looking for necessities to have at a tailgate.

You need one of these.