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NEW YORK -- Legions of die-hard Star Wars fans braved superman a dip in the April adult alice in wonderland costumes weather as they anxiously awaited the opening of select toy retailers for the midnight launch of toy lines in from "star wars: episode ii: attack of the clones."the toys "r" us times square spandex store in new york city threw open its doors at 12:01 a.m., filing approximately 200 fans toward its second superman floor star wars display. the retailer outfitted its largest special feature shop as a star wars museum of sorts, complete with an authentic luke clients can hang out babies in costumes with some of nickelodeon''s popular cartoon characters or their favorite super heroes while staying at universal orlando this spring and summer.the in nicktoon spring fling (valid for travel through june 27) and the super hero summer vacation (valid for travel between june 30 and sept. 1) both feature five days'' unlimited admission to universal studios and islands of adventure, front-of-line access to all universal orlando attractions and city walk party passes. it is so tempting to project the demise of the raiders, spandex this brooding franchise with its paranoid owner and obsession with greatness and slights, real and imagined. you can hear it now, the way they will proclaim ad nauseam their virtues and achievements, ignoring how they haven''t been to a super bowl since the 1983 season--a lapse that threatens their self-labeled "team of the decades" boast.they will drag with them the worst fans in football, weirdos who buy tickets for the right to act as if they come from some faraway planet covered in silver superman and black. these strange folks are reason enough to wonder about a raiders win.yet win they will. there is something to how planets align at times, falling nearly into place even in the nfl universe. this is the raiders'' time, the next step in their progression. beaten by the ravens in the afc title game after the 2000 season, by the infamous tuck rule in last season''s playoffs, they have cleared away all but one obstacle this season. and it just happens to be, of all folks, jon gruden, the admired chucky whose national persona, of course, was molded areas to rent disney costumes in hollywood as the coach of these very same raiders. chucky comes armed with weapons, big and powerful ones, mostly on defense, which in just happens to be the best around. and his beloved offense actually is showing signs of strength, now that it had its way last sunday against the eagles, the nfl''s only other bona fide defensive outfit.such story lines in this game: gruden vs. al davis; gruden vs. rich spandex gannon; gruden vs. the raider nation; warren sapp vs. everyone; keyshawn johnson whining about everything; the ancient raiders warriors trying to win a super superman bowl before entering a retirement home; the nfl clapping with zeal at the intense interest all this will create to finish off what already has been one fascinating season.it will be the raiders not because davis costumes says it will be, but because they have the offense in that, of any in the league, can best joust with the bucs'' defense. gannon will not become donovan mcnabb and deteriorate in the face of the tampa bay schemes. he will be consistent and accurate and patient, and that will be enough spandex.
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