SpongeWorthy

We're not going to be able to score if we can't force them to punt--not because we need the ball for our offense but because them punting is our best hope of scoring.

Visanthe Shiancoe: Fantasy Revelation (as long as he's playing the Bears)

Why is Gus Frerotte tearing us up?

I thought Brewster's son played for the Gophers?

Virginia Tech must fire Bryan Stinespring.

Why is Les Miles constant boneheaded coaching rewarded with inexplicable good luck?

Beat Bama. Is that game in Knoxville? Yes, and not likely. Alabama plays better on the road right now....Tennessee couldn't beat Auburn, so I doubt they'll beat Alabama. But this is the SEC so who knows... I don't think Alabama is that great. Texas, PSU, USC, OU, and UF would blast them I think. Obviously I have to disagree.. But the feeling I get is that you don't watch Alabama too much, do you? I will admit Alabama isn't great simply because of their youth, but they are a really good team. The biggest concern I have with Alabama is that they don't play a COMPLETE game. They play 48 mintues, or 30 mintues, but not a 60 mintues game. And while I could see Alabama losing to any or all of them, but Alabama can beat any or all them also. But I promise none of those teams would "blast" Alabama. That I would guarantee. Actually I've seen quite a bit of Alabama. The only game that I haven't seen on TV was againts Tulane, I believe. What I see is a very athletic team that is extremely strong along the lines but is held back by youth and a very mediocre quarterback. I'm also not crazy about their offensive play calling--it can be very vanilla (this is not necessarily a bad thing because their pro style attack has and will continue to attract NFL calber athletes). They run effectively but it doesn't turn into an especially potent play action attack. And I'm completely convinced that all three of those teams could easily blast Bama. Wilson is the worst quarterback in the top 5 by a mile.

Mizzou should fall out of the top 25.

Beat Bama. Is that game in Knoxville? Yes, and not likely. Alabama plays better on the road right now....Tennessee couldn't beat Auburn, so I doubt they'll beat Alabama. But this is the SEC so who knows... I don't think Alabama is that great. Texas, PSU, USC, OU, and UF would blast them I think. I disagree. Bama is very talented, but also very young. They'll look dominant one week (Clemson, UGA) and mediocre the next (Tulane, Kentucky). If they're on, though, they might be the best team in the nation. Does looking dominant against Clemson mean anything at this point? I wouldn't put their best game within 10 points of USC's, Florida's, or UT's best game. JPW is very average.

Beat Bama. Is that game in Knoxville? Yes, and not likely. Alabama plays better on the road right now....Tennessee couldn't beat Auburn, so I doubt they'll beat Alabama. But this is the SEC so who knows... I don't think Alabama is that great. Texas, PSU, USC, OU, and UF would blast them I think.

Beat Bama. Is that game in Knoxville?

Well, time to watch the Bulls game.

Ron Zook: Still an awful coach.

Mizzou is completely outclassed up front.

There you go. POUND McCoy.

The thought of "Mack Brown: Multiple national championship winner" is scary.

Mizzou is going to get something figured out with their defense. Those offensive line splits are absurd too.

Or Jim Miller, Steve Walsh, Erik Kramer, Shane Matthews, et. al. I'm definitely waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Just saw this flash across.: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1218485,metcalfe101308.article Anyone think this is a big deal?

Those that root for teams in different cities aren't real people anyway :D

Can I still whine about the Falcons game in this thread? I dind't hate the squib call but in that situation I would definitely prefer a high pooch kick to about the 25-30 yard line. Terrible breakdown in coverage. It was terrible schematically and terrible in execution. Is Babich a fiery type guy? We know Lovie isn't but sometimes you need someone to get on the players for lack of focus, effort, and concentration. They mentally checked out thinking they had the game one. THat's unacceptable. The good news is that Orton is actually looking like a player. The TD toss on the go-possesion was a thing of beauty. He had about a 1 foot window to throw that ball in and he was spot on. That was really good stuff.

Manny's a corker! God. That was amazing. Almost as impressive as the homer he hit in Game 1 of the NLDS.

Admittedly I don't see as many Bulls game as you Chicago guys but I never thought Gordon's lack of easy baskets/FT opportunities was because he's hesitant to drive. From what I've seen, he's effective at getting into the lane but not at finishing around the basket. He gets rejected or his shot altered too much. It's frustrating because he's a good athlete and can break a man down off the dribble--he's just lacks the vision/creativity of a Paul or Nash or the finishing ability of a TOny Parker. When he penetrates the offense bogs down too much.

The short term success of this team is going to depend on Hinrich. He was awful last year and we consequently had an awful season. Deng is still only 22 years old. Last year was a bit of an off year for him but he'll rebound. He can be an extremely efficient ballplayer when he's not the focal point. Longer term is going to depend on TT and Noah. Rose WILL be a superstar. Beasley might be but he screams Shareef Abdur Rahim/Zacn Randolph type to me--big numbers but not a true difference maker.

Ryan's propensity to throw picks in college was mainly a function of having little skill talent around him and not much of a running game. If he's going to throw picks now it's because he's a rookie in the NFL. I couldn't believe some people were so down on him and saying that Flacco, Henne, Woodson, types were better. I think he ends up being a top 3 or so QB in the NFL and definitely the best one drafted in the last 5 years or so. He's that good.