Exile on Waveland

Jim Caldwell disagrees.

:scratch: Caldwell is terrible and shouldn't be a head coach in the NFL. Two games he's called a completely indefensible timeout. He's utterly clueless. Oh well, whatever. They weren't going to do much this year anyway, I guess.

That was so hilarious.

Liverpool fans are delusional idiots. Yeah, Hodgson was clearly doing a bang-up job this year. And LFC fans really expect to win the league this year. He didn't adjust well, but they were bitching about him after like 3 games! He came in after the World Cup, IIRC, and didn't have much of a chance to rework a completely overrated roster. The pressure from the Kop was over the top and unwarranted. The pressure from the Kop is probably always over the top -- pretty much goes with the territory with the clubs. Hodgson didn't have much chance to rework the roster; but his reworking included bringing in the likes of Christian Poulson and Paul Konchesky while shipping out Alberto Aquilani. I'd say it's a real good thing he didn't have more time. The squad isn't the best -- though I don't think any but the top-5 have more talent -- but Hodgson failed. Even with the deficiencies (lack of wingers, no second striker, shoddy defensive fullbacks), there is no excuse for this LFC squad to be in twelfth, four points off the drop zone, with home losses to Northampton Town, Wolves, and Blackpool. Plus, the abysmal and dire performances, Hodgson believing he's still at Fulhum (defending deep even at home against poor sides), his misuse of players (Torres-as-target-man, Meireles out wide, etc.), and Dusty Baker-esque press conferences. He had to go.

Liverpool fans are delusional idiots. Yeah, Hodgson was clearly doing a bang-up job this year. And LFC fans really expect to win the league this year.

we are long on SS? we have starlin castro, who was one of the worst defensive SS in baseball last year, darwin barney, who is in no way a starting SS, and then what? junior lake probably can't play SS now and definitely won't be able to when he fills out. logan watkins could play marginal SS but he can't hit much. That's how you're going to classify Castro? Really? Castro is there for the next 5 years. We also have Lake, Flaherty, Lemahieu, Barney, and Watkins who are capable at SS and have spent time in the Top 30. None of them have Lee's upside, but most of them are more certain to have some level of MLB impact than him too. It's absolutely the greatest position of the strength in the system. Honestly, any team with Starlin Castro should be thrilled about their shortstop situation, regardless of minor league prospects. Full stop.

Hey, well that's something. Ugh, those late third period goals though.

because you're looking at this irrationally. what the [expletive] else do you call (Crosby) hitting the left upright with 1 second left to force OT? Wasn't that a 53 yard FG attempt? Crosby has a leg, but at best, that's a 50-50 kick. Sure, it's a tough kick. But it hit the post (evidently, I honestly don't remember this either way). It could have bounced left, right, in, out, whatever. You're talking inches -- maybe less -- from being a good field goal. That's luck. How else would you describe it? yea, but a quarter of an inch the other way, and he would have missed completely Uh . . . yeah, of course. And that refutes my point how?

because you're looking at this irrationally. what the [expletive] else do you call (Crosby) hitting the left upright with 1 second left to force OT? Wasn't that a 53 yard FG attempt? Crosby has a leg, but at best, that's a 50-50 kick. Sure, it's a tough kick. But it hit the post (evidently, I honestly don't remember this either way). It could have bounced left, right, in, out, whatever. You're talking inches -- maybe less -- from being a good field goal. That's luck. How else would you describe it?

I think Garza's potential is being seriously undervalued on here by many/most. It's not that often you can trade for a pitcher of his age and talent (plus the AL East to NL Central move). As for the deal, the Cubs gave up a lot (probably more in volume than anything though). So I understand that part of the disagreement with the trade -- though this basically happens on every board for every team when prospects are traded -- but that doesn't mean Garza doesn't have some serious potential. I'm not for sure, I'm not a minor league expert, but I think I probably would have made this trade.

Yeah, I was saddened to see that. He was a very good announcer, especially for football. Not saying he didn't deserve or whatever, but his announcing skills will be missed.

That seems the obvious solution. The only other option would seem to be a 4-4-2 with Donovan/Dempsey up top with Altidore (which might inevitably transition into ostensibly a 4-5-1 anyway). I'd say the latter is possible because there's a good chance one, or both, will be limited as wide midfielders by 2012.

Bored, so I thought I'd post a game preview for the Colts-Jets: The key matchups to watch aren't, in my opinion, the matchups everyone expects. The Jets have a strong running attack and I'm sure they'll run for some yards against the Colts. However, I think the Colts run defense will at least perform competently, to the point the Jets won't win the game solely on the ground. The Colts have shored up the run defense with (i) more/stronger/healthier play from Antonio Johnson and (ii) more gap discipline from their linebacks (read: the return of Gary Brackett and the emergence of rookies Kavell Conner and Pat Angerer). Note: It's why I'm not terribly concerned about the health of Clint Session, while he is the most physical and likely most talented Colts 'backer, he is also the least disciplined. The issue the Colts' defense is likely to have is stopping the pass (seriously). If Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis cannot consistently generate pressure, the secondary will be abused even by the likes Mark Sanchez. There are simply too many injuries in the secondary -- even more so with Kelvin Hayden not likely to go -- for the Colts to hold out for any length of time in the backfield. The Colts offensive production will depend on how much they can run the ball. That's not to say they will, or even need to, dominate on the ground. But if they're getting stuffed for negative plays, or no-yard gains, every time they run the ball, they are going to struggle offensively. With no credible running threat, I don't believe they have enough weapons to beat the Jets solely by passing. The Jets secondary isn't great -- especially their safeties -- but they have one great and another very talented corner. If the Jets are able to somewhat neutralize Reggie Wayne (a Pro Bowler because of stat aggregation, but not his best season -- see the rate stats) and, to a lesser extent, Pierre Garcon (the epitome of an unreliable, inconsistent player), it will be hard for Jacob Tamme (who is a solid player, don't get me wrong) and Blair White (not a bad fifth receiver, but still) to beat them over the middle. The Colts must have some rushing attack --no small task against the Jets defense. In sum, I think the Jets will (surprisingly) have a big passing day and limit Manning's ability to win the game through the air. The Colts have also historically struggled significantly in their playoff openers (if they happen to beat the Jets this weekend, I think they'll have a very strong chance of upsetting Pittsburgh). I'm going to the game, I have great seats (twelfth row, lower level), and I wish it wasn't so. But, Jets 24, Colts 20.

Yeah, I struggled to decide whether to pick them or the Packers. I think if the Eagles win, though, they'll beat the Bears (sorry). But, just for the record, I didn't pick the Eagles to win the Super Bowl (I'm a Colt fan, "bad guys" means someone else).

The Chiefs have not been a good team the last 10 weeks or so, and they had the benefit of the easiest schedule in the NFL. Baltimore is a terrible matchup for them, as they'd have had at least a sporting chance against the Jets. The best team the Chiefs played all year was the Colts (or do the Chargers count as a better team?). Their best win was week 1 when the Chargers were awful. Yes. And, for this week: Jets, Ravens, Eagles, and Saints to win. We'll say Pats, Ravens, Eagles, and Falcons next week, followed by Pats and Eagles (who knows?). And then the bad guys to win the Super Bowl.

People on this board disagreed, but I thought little of Rodriguez after he all but accepted (even encouraged?) Mallett's transfer. Sure, Mallett didn't fit his system. But great coaches work with the resources available, and Mallett is/was an outstanding resource. Meanwhile, defensively you play some 3-3-5 with so few defensive back's that walk-ons are playing. If you cannot adjust to your personnel, you're not a great coach. And I'm an IU fan so I don't care much either way.

They're like the team that the world forgot or something. It's like they play in the league, they actually win a fair number of games. Everyone tries their best to ignore them. They need to move to a relevant market. They don't have any tradition (other than entering the league with a bang) since they haven't been around that long and for the past decade they've been mediocre. AFC South fans definitely think about them, but they really are pretty forgotten elsewhere. And we don't think highly of them.

All things considered, ten wins and a divisional championship is a successful season for the Colts. Anything past that is gravy. I expect the Jets to beat the Colts next week, but having the third seed does allow some hope for a playoff run (not much difference for the first game, but, if they happen to win, the second game is significantly lighter).

If the Colts manage to win today, the Raiders winning could be quite beneficial.

I hope the Colts/Caldwell are smart enough to be prepared for the surfeit of trick plays and such that Fisher is likely to throw at them today. Wish I could I had faith in them being smart enough. That said, I expect the Colts to win.

They absolutely should have, in my opinion. They've thrown the ball way too much this game. They've rushed for 226 yards, at 4.9 yards per carry. Their top two backs (on the day) have been even better: John Clay (6.9 ypc) and Montee Ball (6.0 ypc). They just jammed the ball down TCU's throats the entire drive and they pass needing only three yards. Run the ball.

Ugh, just turned the game on. Have they said anything about Toews? Ugh.

Glad I was wrong. Colts have played quite well, all things considered, the past three games. They should handle the Titans next week; if so, ten wins and a divisional title would have to be considered a success (again, all things considered).

On one hand I hope you're right, but on the other I'd rather see the Colts in the playoffs than the Jags. I'm still holding out that tiny sliver of hope that everything falls right and the Titans make the playoffs, though. Me too, obviously. Not only because I'm a Colt fan, but because I pretty much hate the Jags. If the Colts can't make it, I'm sure rooting for the Titans to do so (and would be rooting for the Texans too, if that was possible). Never liked the Jags.

No worries. That was quite the list; thanks for doing that. Sheesh, what a nightmare the injuries have been. I'd almost forgotten about Silva. Safety depth definitely needs to be addressed in the offseason. It wouldn't surprise me if the Colts won -- I don't think the game is hopeless by any means. I think, in the end, it will likely be close. I didn't mean to imply that it's a foregone conclusion. I'm just not very optimistic. I think the Jags will lose again and the Colts will beat Tennessee though (thereby making the playoffs). Mainly because I think the Jags are terrible.