So, um...yeah. We lost to Oakland on Sunday, and we play Denver this weekend. And Ben is starting. I cannot argue with this. If there was a time to not let him play, it was against Oakland. What kind of people were the doctors and coaches that they let him play only a week after getting knocked out cold against the Falcons with his second concussion in four months? I strongly feel that this is a pride issue on Ben's part, but the coaches should have put their collective foot down and given Charlie the start against Oakland.

Why do I say this? Let me tell you a story. When I was in high school, I participated in Model OAS at Plattsburgh State. We had this mandatory party...thing the first night (this was a four day conference, and they decided they needed to have the "diplomatic ball" the first night, wtf). Everyone was pretty much keeping to themselves. I decided to go out and try to meet people. So I started out across the (very waxed) floor, and next thing I know, I'm on the floor and my knee is broken. Tried to get up, only to find I couldn't stand on my own. Despite the swelling and the almost indescribable pain, as this was the first time I'd ever broken a limb, I insisted on being taken back to the dorm. I was like, "It's no big deal, just get me back to the dorm and I can walk it off." Well, our delegation's advisor was like, no way. He even suggested leaving the conference entirely, which no way - I'd worked my ass off the whole year for this. I ended up defending my resolution on painkillers from a wheelchair - barely. I succeeded, but it was like squeaking by the opposing team, winning by one point. Anyway, when I practically refused to go to the hospital, someone else decided I was going to do just what I didn't want to do and I had to swallow my pride, if you will. Bitter pill to swallow, but it's okay. Someone should have told Ben the same thing - that it's okay to swallow your pride once in awhile.

It's too late for that now, though. Oakland was the time to sit. We've got Denver this weekend. No one is happy with the way this season has been going, but wanna know something? We have our first franchise QB in what, 26 years? This season could tank, but as long as he's here for years to come, it doesn't matter much. But as far as this season goes, we owe him. I better not hear of any booing this Sunday or any after it. This team has seen far too many quarterbacks get run out of town. No more.