Tag Archives: Iowa

J. Murphy’s Brings Out the Irish in Every One

Western Europe meets the western Kansas City area as we trucked way the heck out to Shawnee to view Saturday’s selections at J. Murphy’s Irish Pub and Grille.  The games lined up for the afternoon seemed like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  The traditional fare sprinkled the joint so well we were waiting for a Contra Dance to bust out.  And the food, well the food was all it was cracked up to be, Irish wise.  But there was so much more than really cheesy Irish references (which we will stop as of now) at J. Murphy’s.

Continue reading J. Murphy’s Brings Out the Irish in Every One

Pick It and Stick It: Wiping It Clean

nose4

Okay, everybody is fairly settled in on the new changes for Pick It and Stick It.  Now we get a chance to turn our focus from the rules of the game on to the actual game itself.  Usually you see pick sets float around the office or in the college dorm.  Typically on top of that you will see a wager attached to sweeten the deal.  What we like to do here is get feedback from you to see what the wager or prize should be.  Now it can be a pitcher of beer, or it could be making the loser(s) wear the other team’s colors.  So read on through and drop us a comment to let us know what you want as the prize for the champion this year.

Continue reading Pick It and Stick It: Wiping It Clean

Barspotting: J. Murphy’s Law

jmurphys

So the voters spoke and we’re feeling Irish this week at J. Murphy’s.  It’s not March yet, but we have a feeling it’s going to end up like it by the time we get done here.  So let’s run down the stats on the bar.  Green decor. Check.  Beer (with Guinness).  Check.  Irish Whiskey. Check. Corned Beef and Cabbage. Check.  All football games. Check.  Looks like they meet the requirements for an Irish sports bar.  Come out with us Saturday to find out if the proof is in the Shepard’s Pie.  Erin go bragh!

When: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 12:00 pm
Where: J. Murphy’s Irish Pub and Grill, 22730 Midland Dr, Shawnee, KS 913.825.3880


View Larger Map

Games:

Notes:  It’s a somewhat of a trap game for Missouri as they head to Nevada Friday night.  Kansas hopefully will turn their punches toward Southern Miss and not the basketball team when they host the Golden Eagles.  Virginia Tech plays another game of the week when they host newly resurgent Miami.  The Illibuck Trophy is up for grabs as Illinois heads to Ohio State and hope for an upset like last time.  Speaking of upsets, Iowa hopes to do the same thing this year to Penn State like they did last year and derail their national title hopes.  The Shillelagh Trophy is up for grabs when the Fighting Irish take on the Purdue Boilermakers.  Texas Tech takes a long road trip to Houston and look to duke it out against the newly christened cinderella Houston Cougars.  Finally New Mexico and New Mexico State meet for the 100th time this weekend in the Battle of I-25 and the Maloof Trophy.

Here’s the voting results from facebook:

barspottingweek04_2009

It’s not Atlanta, but We’re Doing the Dirty Birdie’s

Some weeks, you don’t know what you’re going to run into when you pick a place you’ve never been to before.  So when we strolled up to Birdie’s Pub and Grill,  we weren’t expecting much.  They didn’t have a website and the only information we got about the place was on Google Maps.   Walking in, however, things turned completely different.  Yes, it was bigger, but for some aspects it wasn’t necessarily better.  The goal of the week was to watch some Nebraska vs Virginia Tech and head to a BBQ.  We accomplished the mission.  Here’s the report.

Continue reading It’s not Atlanta, but We’re Doing the Dirty Birdie’s

Johnny’s Tavern has the Power and the Light


We were very skeptical when we strolled toward the Johnny’s Tavern setup on the corner of the Power & Light District in Downtown Kansas City.  We’ve been to a couple of places around there before and the experiences were weak.  We had some hope, however, as Johnny’s Tavern came through for us before.  After spending the afternoon there we can say it is the best bar in the district.  The food was great, the poker game was loads of fun, and the games on the screens were stellar.   If you own or work at a bar around that area, read on to see how to make it successful.

Continue reading Johnny’s Tavern has the Power and the Light

Barspotting: Johnny’s Tavern Tries to Save the P&L

Johnnys Tavern

This week we’re going back to the Power & Light District and more specifically Johnny’s Tavern.  One of the other overly expensive bars there closed downand Johnny’s swooped in to take the torch.  Now, we aren’t fans of the P&L, especially for sports, but we want to give Johnny’s Tavern a chance to totally save the day.  Johnny’s Tavern is a namesake dedicated to sports bars, especially for the Kansas fans out there.  So we’re sure they will make a decent attempt of fielding a proper sports bar Downtown.  We’ve been to a different Johnny’s before so we are pretty sure we’re gonna have a good time.  See you there.

When: Saturday, September 12 2009
Time: 12:00 pm-ish (we’ll try to make the rivalry)
Where: Johnny’s Tavern in the Power and Light District. 1310 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64106 816.268.2260


View Larger Map

Games:

The second week of college football has calmed down a bit.  We needed it too, last weekend was a huge blast off and we need to clean the ash off our faces.  This week is not without its sparklers, however.  The Cy-Hawk Trophy is up for grabs again in the great Iowa vs Iowa State rivalry.  It’s also been a long time since college football was as pumped as it is this year for the Michigan vs Notre Dame game.  The only Top 25 meeting is USC vs Ohio State and it should be epic.  The rest of the Big 12 looks like mop up work, but don’t be surprised if a few more upsets come that way.  We’re looking at you Colorado and Kansas State.  Anyway, it should be fun and we hope to see you out this weekend.

For what it’s worth, here’s the result of poll from the Facebook Fan page.  Next week’s poll should be up alot earlier next week.

bswek2

Mascot Monday: Herky the Hawk

003

College football teams are knee deep in practices and scrimmages this week so we are strapping it on and hitting the pads here at the KCCGD.  Part of our preseason includes a yearly trek up to Big 10 country and Des Moines, Iowa.  So in honor of scrimmaging up in the Hawkeye State, we will take a look at the Iowa Hawkeyes and Herky the Hawk.  We’ll figure out why Iowa became the Hawkeye state.  We’ll also find out why Herky is such a rambunctious bird.  Come fly with us and Herky.

Continue reading Mascot Monday: Herky the Hawk

Crib Sheet: Keep on Chooglin’

Creedence-chooglin-peru

Independence Day came and went and we escaped with a couple of scratches, bruises, and about six pounds of weight.  While we are recovering, we are reminded that we are inching ever closer to start of the new college football season.  Sooner or later, I have to get started on some site improvements and my previews.  Until then, we keep on chooglin’ to another Crib Sheet:

  • Former Hawaii, and record breaking, quarterback Timmy Chang was arrested for robbery.  I completely forgot the guy.  When that happens, one can guess that crime is heading their way.  Especially since he fizzled out like he did.  It’s pretty terrible that a record holding qb gets released from a Canadian football team.
  • The New York Times is now profiling the case that Sam Keller filed against Electronic Arts and the NCAA.  He makes a good point about players being used to take in bucket loads of cash for EA Sports and the NCAA.  If he wins, it may open the door to some other types of compensation for the players.
  • ESPN’s Tim Griffin points us to a company that sifted through the stats to produce the five common traits BCS Championship teams and which teams fall under that for this year.  Texas is in the mix but so is Iowa, surprisingly.  Florida’s there too, however.  The safe bet I guess is Texas vs Florida this year.
  • So another hearing on Capitol Hill took place the pitted Senator Orin Hatch from Utah against the BCS.  It stunk very much of grandstanding, and nothing came of the hearing.  Many columnists gave their reaction, so I will give mine.  This will continue on until the start of the college football season and then it will go away.  Hatch is rattling swords for his state and really thinking so much of the other smaller schools.  The best part, that Tim Griffin pointed out, was when Hatched asked Nebraska  chancellor Harvey Perlman what more could Utah do and Perlman suggested that Utah play a tougher schedule.  Utah president Michael Young responded that the school wishes Nebraska would play them.   Tim Griffin points out that Utah backed out of a chance to play Texas last year.   End of story.  Case closed.  The roar of the crowds on opening day will overcome the whimpers and cries coming from the state of Utah.

The Crib Sheet: The Light at the End of the Rain Tunnel

raintunnell

Record heat flies by and the next thing you know, a tropical storm drops in outta no where.  The rain was swirling from all directions and it almost seemed like a tornado or hurricane was brewing right over Kansas City.  I snapped a couple of pics to document the torrential rain.   It looks like the light is at the end of the storm.  That’s where we are at in college football.  We still must weather the baseball season, but basketball and hockey is over.   There’s still some storms a brewin’, especially in Manhattan, but we know we are getting ever so closer.  Here’s this week’s Crib Sheet:

  • Social Networking is big here at the KCCGD which is why it’s great to see stuff like Darius Darks of Iowa State using Facebook to garner support for the him and the team.  We’re surprised we don’t see official football pages on facebook now and hope that some schools pick it up for the future.
  • Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Bill Curry will play his former team in 2010 as the head coach for the first year program Georgia State.  It’s always good to see former coaches go against their team.  Chances are this game will be out of hand, but an upset would be nice.
  • Iowa offensive linemen Kyle Calloway got the hook from the cops for tooling around town on a moped while intoxicated.  So Kyle will lose a game and get some counselling for running into a barricade on the little bike.  The image of a big drunk linemen on a tiny moped is hilarious.  Kids:  don’t do that at home.
  • So after the Ron Prince debacle, it seems another former official for the K-State athletic department is getting a sweet deal.  Pile that on top of a nasty audit, and what we have here is a good ole fashion free for all in Manhattan.  The Purple Yeti will be clutching his checkbook tightly for the next year or two until this gets settled.
  • Help William & Mary find a new mascot!  Since April 1 they’ve been taking submissions and it’s growing everyday.  As we’re sure you know about the Mascot Monday here and how mascots are near and dear to our hearts.  Take part and let’s see who wins!  I’m voting for the question mark.

The Crib Sheet: Looking for a Football News Epicac

ugly_fat_man_big_tummy_funny_pictur

You know, we here at the KCCGD figured that the college football off season would be dank with news but after this last week, we can say that there always something to talk about.  We’ve got contract negotiations, run ins with the law, rule changes, and even where are they nows (or end ups).  The biggest of the bunch being the Mike Leach contract talks.  But we will never, ever talk about the Nebraska spring practice game.  Here’s what happened in the last week:

  • Oklahoma State Wide Receiver Bo Bowling was caught drugging up and is now suspended from the team.  What is it about football players that make them think they can continue to do what they did back in high school when they are under more a public light?  You’d figure some of them would learn, but learning isn’t why they’re there.
  • So there’s a proposition floating around to make pre endzone celebrations penalized and points taken off the board.   I guess the treat of points slipping from the board will make players think twice, but I would go with the penalty first and if that doesn’t work then hit them up with points.
  • Kansas coach Mark Mangino promoted a couple of coaches.  When it rains, it pours.  The success of the Jayhawks goes around for everybody on the staff.  Although when it rains on Coach Mangino, I bet his feet never get wet.
  • In Big 10 land, Iowa re-upped Kirk Ferentz’s contract with more dough going into his pockets.  A little rumor goes a long way.  When the Kansas City Chiefs fired Herman Edwards, on of the replacements on the list was Kirk Ferentz.  Kirk needs to send Scott Pioli a fruit basket.
  • The vaunted, Charlie Weiss led, Notre Dame Fighting Irish will now be more lead by Chuck as he’s taking over on offensive play calling.  They had a bowl year last year to save his butt, but taking over on calls makes me a little worried.  I’m gonna go dust off the clock on his hot seat right now.
  • Be ready for some Mizzou mania early on in the year on ESPN.  They are playing the Big 12 opener against Nebraska on Oct. 8.  Which means we get the game against Nevada and the season opener against Illinois on TV as well.  The earlier the better, as this year will be an off one for the Tigers.
  • I’m trying really hard not to talk about baseball in any form, but when they are recruiting 12 yeard olds it gets to be too much to handle.  Please oh please don’t be like baseball and take the fun out of the game at young age.  Let the kid grow up some first before buying him an iPhone.
  • Texas Tech and Mike Leach are still dancing around the contract ho down.  Leach wants a better buyout option and Texas Tech wants fine him for talking to other schools.  We get some reality from realfootball365.com, where they remind us he has two years to go on his contract and if nothing happens, then they will do this dance again next year.  That is, after the board of regents figures things out.
  • Ivan Maisel reminds us that the BCS won’t change for awhile.  He goes on to talk about Jerry Jone’s mega dome and how it could be the potential home for the Sugar Bowl.  That would make it more of a player than the other BCS bowls.  Tune in next four years as the BCS turns.
  • Taking his ball and going home, Ron Prince will be named the new Associate Head Coach at Virginia.  Welp he had a 3 year run as a head coach, ruined a program, and is pretty much right back where he started.  Good luck and good riddance.