Nationally registered

I passed my final practical exam station on Sunday, meaning I am finally a Nationally Registered Paramedic. As I have mentioned previously, both Vermont and New Hampshire require providers to be nationally registered and neither state offers reciprocity to New York certifications. As much of a pain as it has been to go through this process, I am pleased to now have this certification under my belt. Between this and my New York card, I should have little difficulty obtaining a license to practice in whatever state we move to next for Ellen's post-doctoral studies. She and I are both elated and relieved!

I enjoyed watching the Jets-Patriots football game last weekend, and I was especially pleased with the result. As much as has been said about the result--and there has been a lot--I was surprised by one nuance that seems to have been largely overlooked. At the end of the game, with the ball on the New England 16-yard line, Jets running back Shonn Greene took a handoff and scampered into the end zone for what proved to be the decisive score. My question is, why didn't he just stop, a la Brian Westbrook in 2007?

Here's the situation: If Greene gets past the 10-yard line, New York earns a first down. New England has to burn their last time-out to stop the clock, meaning the Jets have first-and-goal with 1:43 or so on the clock. Seeing as it's a forty-second play clock, all the Jets have to do is kneel down three times and the game is over. New England can't stop the clock again and they never get another chance to touch the ball. I'm no NFL coach, but I'd take a guaranteed win over a two-score lead with Tom Brady getting the ball back with 1:41 on the clock any day. In any event, next up are the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm hoping for a great game.