rawaction

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/-shaun-phillips-received-a-heart-warming-text-from-his-son-after-losing-the-super-bowl-041921702.html My nephew made Yahoo's front page.

Me too, in reverse order.

Wouldn't have mattered. That was all on Rexy. Though, if Mike Brown was in there, they probably don't score that first TD on Danieal Manning's blown coverage.

The issue is they haven't played back-to-back games that are good enough to win consistently. Only time they had a 2-game streak in conference, they put up 47 at home against NW. Then they pulled out a tough win vs. Illinois....and lost to Nebraska. If they can get hot, they can really put some wins together. But I honestly don't know if this team is capable. I'd like to see them get in, because they could use the experience w/such a young team. But they'll be 1-and-done anyway as they'll undoubtedly would be in a toss 7-10, 8-9 game at best.

Seattle has gotten extremely lucky. Their starting DBs were all drafted in the 5th round or later, other than Earl Thomas. Can say, great drafting, but it's lucky to get all-pro production out of a guy drafted that late. Speaking of Thomas, he's actually one of their few early picks that has worked out recently. Okung was in the same draft. Bruce Irvin has been OK as a 1st round pick in 2012. Both James Carpenter and John Moffitt are bad (Moffitt has since been cut and retired). And before 2010, their #1 picks were Aaron Curry, Lawrence Jackson, and Josh Wilson. They also got nothing from their 2013 draft this year (though, didn't need it). They're going to be in a lot of trouble when their entire defense is up for free agency in the next 2 years, while Russell Wilson also will need a new contract.

Yes, yes and yes. Roberson is an interesting prospect. Can really cover, but isn't physical at all. SJB looks like a moldable piece of clay, that just happens to be 6'3", runs a sub 4.5, and appears very willing to get physical.

Not really sure who is left on our schedule that you can truly qualify as a crap team given how mucked up the middle of the pack is right now. Teams like Nebraska, Northwestern and Penn State have shown some life. If we can win out at home and get at least two more road wins, that would put us at 10-8, 20-11 heading into the Big Ten tournament. But I don't see this team being consistent enough to finish 6-3. Probably 9-9 or 8-10 is the more likely scenario. Not really crap teams, as much as crap losses. Losing to Nebraska up 16 late in the 1st half. Losing to NW at home is a crap loss. Gotta return the favor to both teams. And can't slip up vs. Penn St at home or at Purdue.

Knew we'd freaking win. Just pisses me off more that we list to Nebraska with a huge lead. Still need to beat probably Ohio state and Iowa while not slipping up again against a crap team.

I haven't researched enough to know the drop off of talent but I feel one impact defender will be there at our spot . Not sure about 30 and I'd rather get the impact guy. Yeah 30 would probably be too far. Probably miss out on all of Ealy, Nix, Ford, Hageman, Clinton-Dix, Pryor, Gilbert, Dennard, and maybe even Aaron Donald. I'm with you guys. I don't want to trade down for that reason (unless it's just incredible value). I could see something crazy like 49ers giving up their own first 3 round picks to move up to 14th (and Bears giving up like their 5th rounder) and grabbing someone like Mike Evans possibly. 49ers would still have a 2nd and 3rd so they can afford to give up those picks. The chances of that happening is like .01% unless it's someone like Watkins or Barr instead of Evans where they'll overpay to move up. I agree with you guys. Get that impact talent. If I want to trade down, I think I would target somewhere in the 18-24 range where you get a 3rd. If Cleveland is willing to give up their 26th/35th pick or 49ers want to give up 3 picks then I'll have to think long and hard about it. Yeah, 18-24 would be ideal if trading down. Good chance all those guys I named are on the board at 14. About 1/2 at 20-22. Guessing none at 30. And I forgot about Jernigan. If he makes it past Dallas, he could be in the latter part of the 1st. Maybe not 30, but I think those other guys go ahead of him.

Traded up 5 picks for Jeffery. Any more than that and you're probably looking at giving up a 4th.

Jeffery only cost a 5th. I think if the Bears trade down, it will be in the 3rd round or later to get an extra pick or 2. I could see a trade up similar to the Jeffery one though.

Actually right now I think Noah is our best 3 point shooter. Which you don't want him living on the perimeter but he needs to get the ball more. I understand teams pack the inside to prevent him from getting the ball in the post as much but you can find other ways to get the ball in his hands. Also I think he needs to be playing 30+ minutes. Crean plays way too many guys right now. All 13 players saw the court yesterday. Hartman can't get off the bench and suddenly he is getting minutes in a game like that? I don't get it at all. I wish Tom would shorten his bench and have a consistent rotation. Lyle doesn't even have IU on his list anymore. Crean wanted him to commit early and that didn't happen so I think that recruitment is over for good. At this point I expect Noah to go pro and Jeremy to transfer. Next season could be another rough one. Definitely. Rotation needs to be shortened. No idea why that #3 (can't remember his name) keeps getting minutes in close games. I understand he can shoot and handle a little, but he doesn't shoot or handle. Gives up the ball and passes on shots. Same with Hartman, who apparantly can shoot in practice. Hollowell probably shouldn't play much either.

Crean didn't manage the game too well either. Ferrell is the only threat to consistently make an outside shot, and teams are able to scheme accordingly. Blackmon should help as a perimeter shooter next year. Jaquan Lyle would help, but it appears Kansas is trending there? If Vonleh were to somehow stay, I could see this team being pretty good, but if he leaves, there isn't much talent in the post behind him. Masquara-Perea hasn't really developed and Hollowell has disappointed this year. Crean is a decent recruiter, but he isn't a strategist or game manager. He had all of the pieces of the puzzle last year. Hanner is about what I expected him to be. He's not really getting a ton of time on the court (Jeff Howard has been taking a lot of his would-be minutes). But he is what he is. Rebounds, putbacks, defense. That's his game. I think Troy Williams developing an all-around game would be huge. Great talent. But he needs to be able to isolate and take his man and be at least a little threat to hit a shot. Devin Davis is probably the best hope for somewhat of an inside presence. He has the build to get stronger and needs to work on his post moves and finishing around the rim. But he could be a 4 that uses his body/leverage to get some scores or FT attempts.

First time since they joined that Nebraska has won back to back games in conference. Yeah we suck.

[expletive] this team. Blow a 16 point lead to Nebraska. Probably have to beat both Michigan and Iowa at home and not slip up against another sorry ass team. This team is so young and dumb.

I haven't researched enough to know the drop off of talent but I feel one impact defender will be there at our spot . Not sure about 30 and I'd rather get the impact guy. Yeah 30 would probably be too far. Probably miss out on all of Ealy, Nix, Ford, Hageman, Clinton-Dix, Pryor, Gilbert, Dennard, and maybe even Aaron Donald.

I love Tillman, but Bailey is clearly a better player. I think Bailey is in the Hall, Tillman is not. Tillman might make it because he had a "thing". His ability to force a turnover is so unique and consistent, it might be something that gets him in if it's close. That type of guy probably needs a Super Bowl win to make it. Yeah, I did say consideration, though. I don't think he'll make it in unless he has another near MVP season and gets a ring or two. Like maybe he'll be a top 35 finalist or so for a couple years. And yeah, I sold Champ Bailey short. He's probably in before Woodson. Don't know what I was thinking, he was the best CB in the game for several years.

If Tillman can put together 2-3 more good and mostly healthy seasons, he has to get consideration for the Hall of Fame. I think Charles Woodson is a shoe-in, 1st 2-3 ballot guy. Guys like Tillman, Bailey, are probably a notch after that.

So he's very progressive when it comes to gay marriage/rights but a regular PTA member when it comes to marijuana. The title says, "before Super Bowl", but of course, it was days before, not during warmups. Guys getting high for kickoff would bother me, but days before? Are you kidding me? Who cares? Yeah, non-story. Would he have cared if it was the Tuesday before Week 7? If you smoke, you smoke. You're going to do it SB week if you feel the need to. Hell, there's not much else to do. Can't really go out like crazy because you don't want to be in the crowds or parties to risk injury, legal BS during SB week.

Yep. Which is why Vizcaino should be ranked higher. It's easier to overcome arm injuries for a pitcher than it is to overcome blindness and complete failure as a hitter for 15 months.

Does anyone see any issues with starting a rookie called up at midseason to be thrown right into the 3 or 4 hole? It probably doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but I think there's a lot of pressure to be the "star" if you're hitting 3rd/4th your first week. I believe Rizzo came up right in the middle of the lineup. But I think I like to start out rookies in the 2 or 6 hole. Of course, the logic for #2 is a good leadoff hitter and a good 3-hole hitter behind them. Cubs may not have either, depending on where Rizzo hits and how well he hits.

You're correct.

Well yeah, he's the quintessential meathead/toughguy/jock personality who also happens to play middle linebacker. That's going to make him dislike every QB, whether they play on his team or another. I'm sure Butkus was the same way, especially at that age. But back then there wasn't as much movement from team to team by players so he may have been a bit more supportive of his own guy. Urlacher also worshiped at the alter of Lovie, and he probably sees Emery/Cutler as major reasons why Lovie was fired. And if Urlacher feels that way, Briggs feels that way. And if Briggs feels that way, a lot of the defense probably does too. Though, admittedly most of the defense was either young, new (Williams, Anderson) or probably don't give enough of a crap (Peppers, Jennings).

Isn't Torrez like 21 years old? Is it completely out of the question he's in KC to start the year?

Bad news, he also shows up to spring training headless.