Halftime Adjustments
Many years ago, (just how many years will become clear in a moment), I was at Candlestick Park in San Francisco watching the San Francisco 49ers versus the New York Giants. At the end of the first half, the 49ers had dominated the Giants and were up 17-0. Then, buoyed by the Niner’s stellar play and more than a few pre-game beers, I made my way to the pay phone (and that is just how long ago this was) and called some friends in Connecticut who were life long Giants fans. Because the Giants had been so inept in the first half and the 49ers looked to be in total control, I felt safe in a little pre-victory gloating. Naturally my friends were not so appreciative of my gesture and reminded me there was another half of football to play.
They were right of course. The 49ers would not score again and ultimately went on to lose 21-17. The Giants had made some halftime adjustments and the 49ers apparently, had not. I learned two things from that experience. First, premature gloating is never a good idea. And secondly, I learned the value of halftime adjustments.
All of this came flooding back to me during last night’s Super Bowl. I suspect there may have been more than a few Falcons fans guilty of premature gloating, and obviously the Patriots made some excellent halftime adjustments.
The Patriots success with adjustments got me to thinking about my own game plan. I’d recently drawn up my list of New Year’s resolutions, the same ones I make every year and ultimately fail at. To put it in football terms, my kickoffs are great but by February, my resolutions are losing yards. Then sometime in March, I’m punting. Since I’m determined to not punt this year, I thought that when it comes to resolutions, perhaps I need to make some halftime adjustments.
Of course, technically it’s way past halftime for me. At this point, I’m well into the third quarter. Fortunately I’m fine with that. I had a decent first quarter (with a minimum of the usual teen angst), a terrific second quarter, and so far with the exception of my annual inability to follow through on many of my resolutions, an excellent third quarter.
So last night, while Lady Gaga was dangling on wires, I began to think about making some of those adjustments. But when Gaga finished, Fox Sports reported that Patriots head coach Bill Belicheck had told them, “if you wait until halftime to make adjustments, you’ve waited too long.” So it’s too late? Well I hate to disagree with Mr. Belichick. After all it sure does seem like he knows what he’s doing. At last count, he’s won five Super Bowls and I’ve won, let’s see, none. But even if it means calling an audible, disagree I must. I don’t think it’s ever too late to adjust.
Sure, a few of my resolutions have been on the list since well before my halftime (sometime after pay phones but still before the Iphone). But I suppose that’s true for many of us. I mean, who doesn’t vow to get into shape every year? If only I’d made those adjustments years ago (where was Belichick when I needed him?), shaping up would no longer even be on my list. But no adjustments were made, possibly because, if other halftimes I’ve experienced are any kind of a guide, when my halftime rolled around, I was likely standing in line to get a beer, or some nachos, or both.
Although my opportunity to make halftime adjustments has come and gone, and despite what coach Belichick says, I could still make some “in-game adjustments.” For instance, I can imagine Belicheck on the sideline telling me I need to play better defense. But how does that relate to me? Should I take a karate class? Hmm. I can’t see me running around in one of those karate outfits (apparently called a gi). That might have been a good look for me when I was young (also known as the first quarter). But now it’s hard to imagine an obi (that’s the belt, which I know thanks to countless third quarter crosswords) big enough to make its way around my gut. Plus I’m not sure how the ability to break a board with my bare hand translates to writing a new screenplay (number 5 on the resolution list).
Alternatively coach Belichick might suggest I make some changes on offense. While there's no question that stepping up my running game would be helpful for resolution number 7, (running a half marathon), I’m not sure how it would contribute to number 14, (learning to make pasta from scratch).
In retrospect, I guess it’s possible that despite last night’s thrilling victory, in-game adjustments might not quite translate to my life. They might actually be overrated. After all baseball doesn't even have a halftime. When baseball makes any kind of in game adjustment, it usually involves either a pinch hitter or a new pitcher. And since I don't have anyone warming up in the bullpen, and I also don’t have Bill Belichick around for advice, I guess I'll have to pull off those resolutions on my own. Fortunately, since I do find myself having an excellent third quarter, I’m more confident than ever that this is the year I’ll do it (with or without adjustments). But if that’s not the case, and you’re wondering where I am, you’ll probably find me in line for nachos.
