By Jim Vallet and Robert Perea
Since my last article in The Fernley Reporter, my wife and I have moved from Northern Nevada to Greenville, NC. We moved because we wanted to be close to some of our grandchildren, who moved with our daughter and son-in-law almost two years ago. Not even mentioning the awful experience of moving these days, there are many differences between the two places.
In and around Reno, there’s lots to do. Casinos, many fine restaurants, the Aces, the mountains, great weather, and proximity to California and Las Vegas mean that if you’re bored, it’s your own fault.
In Greenville….not so much. As one of the commentators for the Little League Softball World Series (which was here) said, “...There’s not a lot to do in Greenville when it rains…”
I can tell you, there’s not a whole lot to do when it doesn’t rain, either. No casinos, few bars, and not much entertainment that we’ve found so far means you’ve got to make your own fun.
In Northern Nevada, everything is very expensive. Here, nearly everything, except going out to eat, is much cheaper. I’ll only prove my point with one example-the price of gas on our corner is $2.59 a gallon
When we lived in Fernley, there was no recycling. Here, they are so trash-conscious that they pick up lawn debris and grass clippings from in front of your house. No need to blow all the stuff you don’t want in your yard into the street so everyone can enjoy the stuff you don’t want on your lawn.
Southern hospitality is real. People around here wave at people they don’t know. I can’t tell you how many strangers welcomed us to Greenville when we first arrived. Delivery drivers, utility workers, even trash guys give you their personal cell phone numbers in case something goes wrong. Most people have a smile and some kind words for everyone they meet. I am not saying people in Northern Nevada are rude, but here being kind to strangers is almost universal.
In Northern Nevada, most of the time, the weather is to die for. Greenville is hot, humid beyond belief, and it rains A LOT. Planning outdoor activities here requires an alternative plan “just in case…”
I remember some bugs, mostly flies and cockroaches in and around our Nevada homes. Greenville must be heaven for all sorts of annoying bugs, because there’s a lot of ‘em here. Going outside, even for a few minutes, requires thought about how to repel bugs that are hanging out waiting to attack.
Although there are few bars and no casinos here, there sure are a lot of churches of all denominations. My wife likes that.
It was very easy to make a bet anywhere in Nevada. So far, I can’t get on any betting website. My wife is trying now. I’ll let you know.
And then there’s the time difference. When it’s 11 a.m. in Fernley it’s 2 p.m. here. Baseball games from the West Coast start at 10:30 to 11 p.m. I think this will affect my NFL football watching Sundays more than anything. When I lived in Nevada, many years of practice led me to the perfect NFL Sunday TV watching experience. I got up at 8, drank my coffee and watched fantasy football shows until the first games started at 10. Halftime of the first games was the perfect time to make lunch. The 1:00 games started without me ever leaving my appropriately named “Lazy Boy” chair. The time between the end of the 1:00 games and the Sunday night games provided just enough time to work out. Then I watched the entire night game and could still spend most of the evening with my wife. Everything was great!
I’ll let you know how it works out here.
As there are many things that are better and worse here, there are many things that are the same. Traffic sucks. The drivers here are as bad as in Reno, California, Las Vegas, Omaha, Dallas, Miami, New York, or anywhere else I can think of where there’s a lot of cars. Local newspapers are struggling and it’s hard to find paying jobs where I can share my wit. People complain about the public schools and elected officials. We still get all of our favorite TV shows, albeit 3 hours later. There are many loud cars playing loud bass music that shakes me in my breastbone.
With all the changes, I was reminded the other day of the biggest change of all. After my daughter and her family moved from Reno, I could watch whatever I wanted on TV, and I only had to share my chair and brown sugar and cinnamon Pop-Tart with our dog, until she died. The other day, I came out from my shower and found my granddaughter sitting in my chair, watching “Paw Patrol” and eating my Pop-Tarts. She moved over and wanted me to sit next to her to watch her show and enjoy the part of the Pop-Tart that had no icing. I did.
Sometimes, the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence, or in this case, the other side of the country.
Week #1 of the NFL Season, and, quoting my granddaughter, “I so ‘cited!” Before I make my picks, I implore all who read this DO NOT USE MY PICKS TO BET! I know Aaron Rodgers is now with the Steelers, Russell Wilson is a member of the Giants, and Cam Ward was the #1 overall pick. Other than that, did the Bears improve their previously woeful O-line? Will Drake Maye and Bo Nix get better in their second years? Is Matthew Stafford’s back healthy enough to play at his former level? Will Pete Carroll make a difference in Las Vegas? Can the Vikings strike QB gold again? Because of our previously documented move, I was WAY too busy to find out the answers to these and many, many other moves. I guess that, although I really do not qualify as an “expert”, I do qualify as honest. A good thing in these times, right?
Here are my picks for Week #1. Lines are from espn.com on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Philadelphia Eagles (-7) vs Dallas Cowboys: Last year, the Cowboys were #1 on defense with Micah Parsons, and #32 (last) without him. This week they’ll be without him.
Los Angeles Chargers (+2 ½) vs Kansas City Chiefs (in Brazil): I’m betting that the Super Bowl was a harbinger for the Chiefs and that the Chargers will be better.
Indianapolis Colts (-1) vs Miami Dolphins: Even Daniel Jones should be able to exploit the Miami pass defense.
Arizona Cardinals (-5 ½) at New Orleans Saints: I don’t know what the Saints are doing.
Detroit Lions (+1 ½) at Green Bay Packers: The Packers, I believe, hurt their run defense in the Micah Parsons trade. What do the Lions do best? Run the ball.
Baltimore Ravens (+1 ½) at Buffalo Bills: The Ravens should be loaded but I am wary of the game being played in Buffalo.
Robert’s picks
Virginia (+2 ½) at NC State: Even when NC State got out to a 17-0 lead last week, I never wavered in my confidence in my bet on East Carolina +14, and if Katin Houser had made a little bit better throw on that last 4th and 1, that game would probably have gone to overtime. But instead, I get to come back against the Wolfpack again. Houser threw for 366 yards in that game despite a horrendous start, and I expect the same thing out of Virginia QB Chandler Morris this week. I think Virginia is the better team and will finish what ECU couldn’t.
Mississippi (-10) at Kentucky: Austin Simmons had a great debut for Ole Miss against Georgia St. last week. He’s a sophomore who got his associate degree while he was still in high school and has already got a bachelor’s degree at Ole Miss. I think he’ll actually be an upgrade over Jaxson Dart, who himself was no slouch for the Rebels. Meanwhile, Zach Calzada is in his sixth year of college football, but he completed just 10 of 23 last week for 85 yards against Toledo, just four of those completions to wide receivers for a total of 12 yards. I don’t think the Wildcats find their offensive footing here, and the Rebels get a comfortable win.
Virginia Tech (-1) over Vanderbilt: It was an upset win over VA Tech that launched Vanderbilt’s season last year, but this time they have to go to Blacksburg for a night game. There might be two or three tougher environments for visiting teams in college football, but no more than that. The Hokies were right there with South Carolina last week until a punt return for a touchdown broke their backs, but I expect them to bounce back with their home crowd behind them.
UCLA/UNLV over 55: Last week’s pick against UCLA went too well. I was looking forward to betting against them in both of the first two weeks, but Utah dominated them so bad that it took the value out of the pointspread. I’m still looking to go against UCLA, but with a different method this time. The logic behind this one is simple – UNLV’s pass defense is nowhere near as good as Utah, and I expect a much more productive effort by the Bruins after getting embarrassed by the Utes. But the Bruins’ defense can’t stop the run, and UNLV is averaging more than 247 yards per game through the first two weeks. I don’t think either team can stop what the other team wants to do.
Buccaneers (-2 ½) at Falcons: The Buccs somehow managed to lose to the Falcons twice last season, but until proven otherwise, they’re clearly the best team in the NFC South. I like the emergence of Bucky Irving as the lead running back for Tampa with one of the best offensive lines in the league, and I think they’ll find a way to come home with a win.
Dolphins (pk) at Colts: Daniel Jones has one of the worst passer ratings in the NFL when under pressure, and he’s going to face one of the best front sevens in the league here. The Dolphins are explosive when their offense is healthy, and I expect them to get off to a hot start.
Lions (+2) at Green Bay: This is a lot more fun when I’m on the opposite side of Jim, but I agree with him here, even though it’s for different reasons. The return of Aiden Hutchinson is going to be a huge boost to the Lions' pass rush, and interceptions happen when Jordan Love is under pressure.
Seahawks (+2 ½) over 49ers: It pains me to say this, but I really don’t see last year as a fluke for the 49ers, and I don’t see any legitimate improvements aside from the return of Christian McCaffrey from injury. But instead of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy is going to be throwing to Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, and Jennings didn’t even practice until this week because of a holdout and an injury. I’ll be shocked if the 49ers get off to a good start.
Last week: 2-1
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