I’m going to get a brick so I can cry every time I look at it

Suddenly a bunch of big men start screaming, “Unbalanced!” and I start looking for Charles Manson on the sidelines. But football coaches freak when a team comes out in an unbalanced line formation and yell to their players, “Everybody move over one, otherwise we are a defense about to wobble and get exploited.”

Why do tire installers ask if you want your tires balanced? No, I prefer them to be out of round and not roll true - anyone can drive a balanced car.

Speaking of great offenses going inert, what has happened to the University of Delaware? Going fast break and no huddle but without Andy Hall or Joe Flacco pulling the trigger the defense goes through the spread like butter.

THICK AS A BRICK - The Cape Heritage Project is selling bricks both old and new to raise money for CHEF and I’m thinking is it because they don’t get tips? Actually CHEF is the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation, so I plan to get a brick from the Little Big House so I can cry every time I look at it and a new engraved brick bordering the entrance to Legends Field that reads: “Fredman was here - so says his $75 dollars.”

And adding to the CHEF salad is an endeavor to establish a Cape Area Alumni Association for the years 1945-2008. You can go to www.capehenlopenschools.com and fill out a form online.

TOO MANY WHEELCHAIRS! - Sometimes I come a little late to a sporting event and there is no place to park except for those empty wheelchair spaces. I have every kind of pass imaginable, including one that reads “Clergy” I was given by Sister Martina who is over 90 years of age. She said, ”Here, if you ever really need a place to park.”

But if it’s a road race what’s the chance of seven people showing up who can’t walk to the finish line? I am the place where respect meets practicality and, anyway, if my MRI were analyzed by DMV - they should have a machine in the lobby - I’d get a two-year sticker with a vanity tag - disc degenerate.

HYBRID HUGHES - Former Cape offensive lineman D.J. Hughes is the Prius of sports fans - he loves the Cowboys and the Phillies. And D.J. is a Republican and loyal lineman part of Mark Baker’s campaign for Sussex County Council. Mark is also a former Cape lineman. Here’s what D.J. had to say:

“As a lifelong Dallas fan, the last three weeks have been exciting albeit but obviously not that fun. Getting their butts kicked by the Rams was ugly, worse than losing to the Deadskins. I think TO (or MeO) should just shut up and play but the media also shouldn’t make things more than they are. Terence Newman not being healthy and now being out is killing the defense. Romo should let his pinky heal and tell Brett Favre to shut up and play for the Jets. Hopefully, Romo is ready this week or Dallas is in trouble. Dallas should cut Brad Johnson yesterday and sign Tom Frederick to play backup QB, with Fredman as QB coach obviously. Marian the Barbarian is still awesome. Felix Jones has mad speed and will be a star if he can stay healthy. The Roy Williams trade/signing is good even though they gave up a lot of picks. Now if TO acts up, they can say bye-bye because they have a younger version of TO. Captain Knucklehead can’t just eat the dots, he has to go after the ghosts. To hear Jerry Jones talking about anybody just jiving around was painful. The players seem to like Phillips but the discipline leaves a lot to be desired with penalties, sloppy play and just not coming out ready to play. Dallas had a soap opera setting under Jimmie Johnson but he always had them ready to play on game day. If Phillips doesn’t right the ship he will be shown the door soon.”

SNIPPETS - Isaiah Brisco, last year’s state track athlete of the year as a two-event state champion hurdler for Cape Henlopen, is a freshman at Delaware State working out and getting ready for the winter season. Brisco has cleared all eligibility rules and, according to coaches Dwayne Henry and Charlie Bell, they’ve never seen an athlete who works harder.

Brycen Davis, former Cape star and state champion in the 200 and 400 meters, is a sophomore in the Delaware State program.

Fall is marathon season and there is something attractive and addictive about the distance for athletes not exactly built for the event, and I can attest to that. The difference between marathoners of the 1970s and those today, in most cases, is the modern-day undertraining factor. Basically survive the training in one piece and race day is easy. Speaking of energizing your base a minimum of 10-12 weeks of 50 miles a week along with two days on the track is about perfect for maximizing one’s talents.
Jeremy Diehl has been accepted and will compete in the Nov. 2 New York City Marathon. Tom and Ben King ran the same race about 17 years ago. Oct. 25 is the Marine Corps Marathon. The Chicago Marathon is Oct. 12 advertising it has reached its 45,000 participation capacity.

The first Rehoboth Beach Marathon is Nov. 22. Check with the Rehoboth Beach Running Company on Rehoboth Avenue for information about this race. During these tough economic conditions where do so many people find the time and money to run marathons and why do they do it? Excessive mileage on the skeleton always comes back to bite you. Snap! Snap!