Wrong road? For marijuana or abortion?

I don't want to turn this into a long political debate but I don't understand how either would be the wrong road if approved. I'll discuss the abortion first. I'm 54 and have felt the way I feel since I was a teenager, that people should be able to make their own choices in how to live their life. I'm not advocating baby murder but I've always felt if a woman can live with her decision to abort her unborn baby then society should respect her choice. Men shouldn't get to decide this.

Marijuana legalization...these issues are sort of parallel and sort of not. They are parallel in that both should be choices people make. I used to drink alcohol but don't anymore but I still smoke, I don't mind saying so. Since I've used both, a lot, I feel marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and should be treated as such.

Marijuana has health benefits, alcohol does not. Marijuana being legal will benefit the police too, as they can concentrate on the harder drugs. Less people being locked up for possessing a plant will ease prison overpopulation, help lessen the load on our overburdened justice system, and provide some tax revenue in the process.

What would I tell an anti marijuana legalization person? That keeping marijuana illegal isn't going to stop people from smoking it or create a bunch of new "users". People are already smoking it even though it's illegal. I smell marijuana in at least half the houses I deliver to, probably more. It's not hard to find marijuana. Since it's so prevalent anyway, the government might as well continue with the next phase of their own growing/selling operation. They're the one's behind our already existing medical marijuana program.

Maybe I can't see the other side's arguments clearly through this haze of smoke but the way I see it, nothing will really change much except the governments of Ohio, state and local, will benefit with extra revenue.

I'm all for personal freedoms. We need less laws and restrictions on individual rights.

I don't smoke Marijuana myself but that's my choice but I have no problem with anyone that does.

I've never understood why anyone cares what someone else does in their own life as long as it doesn't negatively impact their own life.

That goes for what they think, believe, consume or sexual preferences as long as nobody is physical harmed.

Before I get back to the game recaps, I hope we can all respect opinions that differ than our own, that's what America and democratic elections are supposed to be about. Where our country gets it wrong is attacking those with different opinions, which solves nothing. Instead of telling someone who thinks differently that they're stupid or ignorant, we should be discussing the differences to come to some sort of consensus. Or to at least understand where the other person's thinking comes from even if you still disagree.

Philadelphia 20 (NY) Stars 17 (OT)

New York went with a run heavy game plan, rushing 43 times for 180 yards and throwing just 20 passes, completing 11 for 63 yards, 47 after 2 sacks. Philadelphia threw the ball more and better, getting 315 air yards but neither team threw a TD pass. Off the top of my head, I can't remember the last time I wrote about a game with at least 4 total TDs where none were passing scores.

New York took a 17-10 lead late in the 3rd on a Robert Hooper 6 yard run. Philadelphia's Frederick Martin ran 19 times for 76 yards, including a 67 yard TD run midway through the 4th to tie the game after the XP. That saved the day for his fantasy owners if they use Week 16 as without that long run, he ran 18 times for 9 yards and caught 3 for 20. The rest of the 4th saw just 1 more scoring opportunity, as the Stars would try a 61 yard FG at the end of regulation but it fell short.

Philadelphia got the game winning FG on their second OT possession to give the Bell the #3 seed in the playoffs. New York lost but thanks to Jacksonville's win over Florida, these Stars are the #7 seed.

Chicago 27 Tampa Bay 19

This was an odd box score to decipher. Both teams ran the ball 29 times with Chicago gaining 239, Tampa Bay 174. Both teams completed 21 passes for not many yards, but Chicago got their 129 yards in just 29 pass attempts while Tampa Bay needed 40 to complete their 21 for 144 yards.

The 1st qtr saw 5 scores, including 3 TDs, as Chicago (2 TDs, 2 XP, Safety) took a 16-10 lead (TD/FG). Chicago got a 2nd safety in the 2nd for an 18-10 lead then the rest of the game's scoring came via FGs.

David Pinkerton was the star of the game for Chicago, scoring on runs of 75 and 55 yards, ending the day with 213 yards. That was the 2nd highest rushing game of the season, behind the 219 yards John Sanchez of Florida had against Boston. There were only 3 games with 200+ rushing yards and the 3rd was also done by a Chicago RB as Brian Smith ran for 201 against Florida.

Chicago finished just 7-9 on the season but that was good enough to win the Midwest by 2 games and the Blitz host Oklahoma Wildcard Weekend.

Orlando 24 Georgia 6

Dwayne Byrd threw for 277 yards and 2 TDs and the Renegades defense stifled the Force offense today. Red zone efficiency was bad for both teams as they combined for 3 points from 3 red zone possessions. Orlando was going through the motions as they were gearing up for next week's playoff game while Georgia had their bags packed, ready to start vacation at game's end.

Oakland 13 Charlotte 6

Some games I need to act like I'm writing a school essay with a word requirement, having to make stuff up as I go to make it longer. That's what she said lol. Anyway, this compelling game saw a combined 434 yards, 8 sacks, and 15 punts. They traded FGs for the first 58 minutes of the game, 4 total as it was 6-6 at this point. Andy Fulkerson finally got the Invaders in the end zone with the game winning TD pass with 1:23 on the clock.

Oakland plays Portland for the 3rd time this season Wildcard Weekend.

Birmingham 68 San Jose 6

Going without a backup QB is somewhat risky but they rarely get hurt in MFN. Even when they do and a suitable(* i.e. an actual QB) backup comes in, the results often are not good. I'm not even going to comment on whether or not Smirt should have had a backup on the roster, because much like my abortion opinion, it's Smirt's team and Smirt's choice. I can't believe I tied MFN and abortion together, and I apologize if anyone thinks it's bad taste, I'm just typing what pops in my head.

Anyway there are good arguments for both sides of that coin, the backup QB coin and Smirt's decision came back to bite him today in an arguably meaningless game. Larry Henderson left the game with a concussion and didn't return, leaving the SaberCats scrambling. In all, 4 players took snaps under center, with the 3 non QBs combining to complete 4/27, 35 yards, 1 INT and 14 sacks. When Henderson was in the game he didn't fare much better, completing 10/20, 97 yards and 3 INT. Henderson was not sacked and his injury occurred during the return of his 3rd INT.

Birmingham only gained 363 total yards as MFN can take San Jose's QB out of the game but MFN did not adjust his aggressive game plan. The non effective non QB QBs were running the same game plan as if Henderson was playing, including going for it on 4th down. Predictably, San Jose converted just 1/14, giving Birmingham numerous short fields to work with.

Birmingham finished the season 13-3 so they are already one of the elite teams and they converted a lot of those short fields into TDs when a lot of teams have to settle for FGs. Russell Gall threw 7 TD passes to 5 different receivers.

This game was pretty much meaningless for both teams as San Jose wasn't going to get the BYE and Birmingham was locked in as #5 seed.
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I believe with the 3 games I capped earlier that I'm halfway done. Good time to stop for a bit as it's 68 degrees in Ohio today so I'm gonna cut my grass so it's not such a pain the 1st time I cut it in spring.

Amen brother

Interesting fact about the Houston Gamblers!!!!

Dale Barber has quietly had the top 3 passing yard seasons in francise history, besting 6 time Champion & 3 time MVP QB Tony Dean.

More Week 16

Oklahoma 26 New Jersey 7

Well for this game, I can tie in Ohio Issue 2 into the recap as the Oklahoma Outlaws had 420 offensive yards. If you don't know, 420 is a stoner term, as in it's 4:20 let's get high. The Generals have looked like they were playing high all season and their defense was literally ran over today. The Outlaws ran for 242 yards and 2 TDs, led by Raymond Russo with 123 yards and a score. THe Outlaws defense shut down the Generals running game and both kickers had bad days. Howie "Stump" Schwab missed both of his FG tries and Daniel Beaupre missed a FG and an XP.

Oklahoma travels to Chicago Wildcard Weekend.

New Orleans 6 Los Angeles 3

The New Orleans defense won this game as the offense turned the ball over 4 times and could manage just 2 FGs all day. The VooDoo defense held Los Angeles to exactly 100 total yards and allowed only 1 FG as New Orleans limps into the playoffs. Willie Graham threw 3 INTs and had a fumble and will need to play better if the VooDoo are to advance.

Portland 21 Washington 19

James Kendrick caught 5 passes for 136 yards and 2 TDs as Portland got out to a 21-13 halftime lead, then held on in the second half for the win. Washington would get a Michael Erickson TD pass inside the 2 minute warning to get within 21-19 but the 2 point pass failed. The onside kick failed as well but the federals defense held, getting the offense the ball back, albeit at their own 3 without any timeouts. Michael Erickson tried to pull a CJ Stroud, but the coach decided not to try a 59/60 yard kick, opting to get closer. Erickson completed a pass down to the 29 yard line but they couldn't get the FG team on the field in time.

Pittsburgh 30 Baltimore 13

This wasn't Pittsburgh's best offensive game but they did gain over 400 yards with 191 of that coming on the ground. Daniel Harrington threw 2 Tds to Patrick Howard and Felix Vaughn ran for 138 yards and a score. Harrington was sacked 4 times but the Maulers defense had 7 sacks and allowed just 8 yards rushing.

Pittsburgh has the week off as they wait for Wildcard Weekend results to determine who is coming for a visit.

Fellow Ohioan here...

I'm pretty much with you on Issue 2. It's not my thing, but I also don't care if someone else uses it. Lots of money seems wasted in the justice system because of small marijuana related crimes. Make it legal and eliminate all that. And create some revenue also.

And I respect your thoughts on Issue 1. I know how I feel about abortion, but I still think this issue is wrong because this would embed this into the Ohio constitution. And I think it goes way too far in limiting parental rights. I think there can be more of a middle ground on this issue, and this amendment takes abortion from one extreme (six-week limit) to the other (up until birth). Like most issues, I just wish we could end up in the middle more instead of at the extremes.

4 games left to recap and these last 4 had no bearing on the playoffs.

Cleveland 29 Detroit 12

Cleveland isn't making the playoffs this season but they might be the favorites to win the Midwest in 2008. Cleveland was 2-10 when the ownership change took place and all Shark1720 did upon taking over was go 3-1 down the stretch. The offense became more consistent, going from 9.3 points per game to 21.5. Now he gets free agency and the draft to improve his roster.

Today, Cleveland got TD passes from 2 QBs as Carl Langlois had to leave the game with an ankle injury. Joseph Snyder came in and both guys combined for 255 yards, completing passes to 11 different receivers.

Arizona 23 Denver 0

Arizona got 103 rushing yards and a TD from Michael Chapin as the Wranglers even their record at 8-8. The Arizona defense forced 9 punts and held the Gold to 199 total yards. Denver started and ended the season with 3 game losing streaks and they will want to play in the future like they did in their middle 10 games this season. The Gold were 5-4-1 in those middle games.

Shreveport 20 Boston 17

The teams had nearly identical yardage but Boston got most of theirs through the air while Shreveport pounded it out on the ground. Shreveport scored on each of their first 3 possessions to take a 17-3 lead. Boston got within 17-10 by halftime and Shreveport extended the lead to 20-10 with an early 4th qtr FG. Boston then drove 85 yards in 14 plays for a Timmy Elliott TD pass with 1:41 to go. The Breakers now trailed 20-17 and needed to recover the onside kick but they didn't, and Shreveport drained the clock for the victory.

Michigan 24 Honolulu 10

The Michigan defense intercepted 2 first half passes while Bryant Smith threw 2 TDs in that half as the Panthers took a 17-0 lead after 30 minutes. Honolulu fought back with a 75 yard TD drive to start the 3rd qtr and a FG early in the 4th to get within 17-10. Honolulu later faced a 4th and 6 from their own 19 with 2:12 to play. They had all their timeouts but they elected to go for it and failed. That gave Michigan an instant red zone opportunity and Bryant Smith capitalized with his 3rd TD pass to seal the win.

Admittedly, I do not know the ins and outs of everything that goes into Issue 1 but I'm not surprised there is some BS in the language. I just don't feel comfortable making laws that dictate things that should be a choice.

Personally I would never be able to do it if I could get pregnant, I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. Thankfully I'll never be in that position.

I guess I'll just leave it at that as the polls are almost closed and our minds are made up. Whatever the poll results are, the sun is still coming up tomorrow and we have playoffs coming up.

Time to change course a bit and talk stats. The regular season is over so it's time to check the leaderboards.

Passing

Larry Henderson of San Jose led the league with 7,083 yards, just the 3rd 7000+ season in league history. William Hill (Portland) and Jerry Ruiz (Michigan) both topped that mark in 1980, with Hill's 7,803 besting Ruiz' 7,237.

Russell Gall of Birmingham threw 53 TD passes, well short of the 64 by Don Ferguson (New Jersey) in 1996, but that's still better than all of 12 season totals in league history.

Larry Henderson threw 38 INTs (44 TDs), tied for 8th most ever.

Nicholas Meis of Florida nipped Russell Gall in completion percentage 67.7 to 67.5, but Meis was nearly 3 yards per attempt lower than Gall and only had 7 TD passes, despite taking every snap this season.

Larry Henderson and John Berrios (Southern California) were each sacked a league high 88 times. There have been 14 other seasons where QBs have been sacked more, including 9 times over 100. Eric Hansen, current NJ 3rd string QB was sacked a ridiculous 218 times in 1999 while with Pittsburgh before they became a juggernaut.

Rushing

Felix Vaughn of Pittsburgh led the league with 1,516 yards and 17 TDs. The 17 TDs is a league record, besting the previous mark of 15 set by Bruce Fine (Chicago 1974) and John Murray (Pittsburgh 1974 and 1975).

Vaughn's 1,516 yards were exactly 200 more than Vic Mackey's 1,316 (New Jersey). Glenn Graham (San Antonio) was 3rd with 1,309 and the only other 1000 yard rusher this season was Jacksonville's Jackie Huhn with 1,105.

Receiving

Lee Ramos (San Jose) led the league with 209 receptions and 2,628 yards. While the season record of 4,075 by Glenn Hampton (Georgia 1996) will likely never be broken, Ramos' total is 5th all time. His 209 catches are good for 2nd all time, behind the 213 his teammate Jacob Newman put up last season. It's fair to speculate that record would have been broken had Larry Henderson not had to leave the Week 16 game with a concussion.

Pittsburgh's Patrick Howard led the league with 25 TD receptions, good for a tie for 7th best all time.

Kick/Punt Returns

Terrance Shull of the (NY) Stars led the league with 4 kickoff return scores, a number that's been bested just 3 times previous. There were 19 total kickoff return TDs league wide including Shull's 4. Nobody else had more than 2.

Gregory Shea (Memphis 1977) and Gus "Hightest" Gas (Houston 2005) share the record with 6.

Jean Shoemaker of Tampa Bay had 2 punt return TDs. This is just the 3rd time in history someone has multiple punt return TDs in a season, with the record being 3 by William Haubert of Arizona in 1999.

Kicking

Old Man Al Borland is the most prolific kicker in league history with 623 career FGs in 17 seasons. I missed it at the time but I believe he took the lead late 2005 as he's 93 ahead of 2nd place.

Most of those FGs happened as a member of the New Jersey Generals, as he was drafted by them with pick 4.25 in the 1991 draft. Prior to the 2004 season, New Jersey traded Borland away for peanuts because I thought he would retire after a year or two. Silly me, four years later and he's still going strong.

Borland led the league in FGs this season, making 46/51, and there have been more just 12 times in history. Two of those 12 were also Borland, from his time with the Generals. Maybe Tim Allen from Home Improvement can be his Hall of Fame presenter.

Defense

Thomas Kelly of Southern California led the league with 155 tackles, good for 2nd most in history, trailing only the 158 Lazaro Mason had with Baltimore last season.

Interesting 3 way sack race as Michael Carter (Portland) and Ronnie Burke (Washington) tied for the lead with 25, just ahead of the 24 by Shane Cox (Los Angeles).

Greg The Hammer Valentine led the league with 35 hurries but he was not even in the same building as the record of 145 by Jim Zarate (Cleveland 1978).

Gary Ellis (Baltimore) led the league with 10 INTs this season.