He’s willing to go with the flow
After taking careful inventory and assessing strengths and weaknesses, a Romanian second-division soccer team has decided to offer one of its top players in exchange for what it needs most.
A gas pipeline.
Cornel Rasmerita, mayor of Lupeni in western Romania, also runs the Minerul soccer team. He is willing to sell his star goalkeeper, Cristian Belgradean, to first-division team Jiul, provided Jiul’s rich businessman owner pays for the construction of a gas pipeline in Lupeni.
Obviously, Rasmerita is in the midst of a rebuilding program.
The website Ananova.com quotes Rasmerita saying, “I know our keeper is wanted by a number of top clubs, but I am willing to let him go to Jiul if the club’s owner makes a 110,000 [pound] investment in a gas pipe that my town needs so much.”
If the deal goes through, it would not be the first time players have been traded for goods in Romania. Previous transactions have seen players exchanged for half a pig and two sets of goalposts and a crate of wine.
Half a pig?
That trade seems a bit one-sided.
Trivia time
Which NFL city is known as the “Toilet Paper Capital of the World”?
Six of one ...
As Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Mercury Morris beg Nick Saban for a few carries against the Colts today, Briefing gets its game face on
Philadelphia over Atlanta: Jeff Garcia is 3-0 against 2005 playoff teams Carolina, Washington and the New York Giants. Philadelphia fans don’t know whether to celebrate or brace for the worst.
New Orleans over Carolina: Dan Marino breathing easier with Drew Brees now 712 yards shy of the single-season passing yardage record. But Brees is playing Carolina, so you never know.
Dallas over Detroit: Lions are 1-7 all-time in Dallas. And some of those losses actually predate Matt Millen.
Green Bay over Chicago: Brett Favre has 17 touchdown passes, 17 interceptions, a 72.9 passer rating -- and Packers fans want him back next season. Rex Grossman has 23 touchdown passes, 17 interceptions, a 77.8 passer rating -- and Bears fans want Brian Griese.
Kansas City over Jacksonville: Maurice Jones-Drew learns the difference between college and the pros. His alma mater went 7-6 and the season is considered a bust; his NFL team is 8-7 and still in contention for the championship.
Indianapolis over Miami: Ron Dayne rushed for 153 yards against the Colts last week. Or, to put it another way, “Why Peyton Manning Will Be Watching the Super Bowl on TV Again.”
Half a dozen
of the other
Remembering when the Vikings used to ruin Rams seasons during the playoffs, not before them, Briefing gets all misty-eyed ...
Tennessee over New England: With a victory, Titans will close regular season 7-0 -- and still probably will miss the playoffs. Thank you, Kerry Collins!
Cincinnati over Pittsburgh: “If we win and the Raiders beat the Jets, we’re going to the playoffs,” Marvin Lewis tells the Bengals. “All right, men, we’ll see you next at minicamp.”
New York Jets over Oakland: Raiders are said to be considering sending Randy Moss back to Minnesota, reversing the very rare trade that hurts both teams.
Seattle over Tampa Bay: Seattle goes 0-3 down the stretch to clinch NFC West title. Confused Seahawks say, “And if we keep this up, we’re going back to the Super Bowl!”
Minnesota over St. Louis: To commemorate once-great rivalry with Vikings, Rams bring in old kicker Tom Dempsey for a pregame pep talk. Vikings, however, block the flight and Bobby Bryant returns it 90 yards for a touchdown.
San Diego over Arizona: What are they saying about the Cardinals’ defense after the Chargers’ quarterback scrambles for a long touchdown? “Rivers runs through it.”
Trivia answer
Green Bay. Northern Tissue, renamed Quilted Northern in 1993, has been the world’s largest toilet paper manufacturer since the 1920s. It opened in Green Bay in 1902.
And finally
The late comedian Bob Hope once assessed the golf skills of former President Ford this way: “Whenever I play with him, I usually try to make it a foursome -- the president, myself, a paramedic and a faith healer.”
