thedaymen

Yeah, I heard that garbage too. However, I think I heard something even worse last night during MNF. I believe one of the those idiots tried to say something to the effect that now that SEA had Alexander and Hasselback starting again that they were now the class of/team to beat in the NFC. While that certainly helps them, they're still 7-4. While fully healthy, one game against the Packers with Denver and San Diego still to play does not all of the sudden make you the class of the NFC. Honestly, its going to be hilarious when the Giants, with a couple of their defensive starters returning, beat up the Cowboys in the swamp this weekend.

Who I would vote for bolded, who I think will get in italicsed. Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Dante Bichette, Bert Blyleven, Bobby Bonilla, Scott Brosius, Jay Buhner, Ken Caminiti, Jose Canseco, Dave Concepcion, Eric Davis, Andre Dawson, Tony Fernandez, Steve Garvey, Rich "Goose" Gossage, Tony Gwynn, Orel Hershiser, Tommy John, Wally Joyner, Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Paul O'Neill, Dave Parker, Jim Rice, Cal Ripken Jr., Bret Saberhagen, Lee Smith, Alan Trammell, Devon White, Bobby Witt.

Its funny because it seems to me, based on a very informal and unscientific poll that the closer you are to Chicago, the more likely to you are to not like Sammy. Personally, I liked him when he was a Cub (although I was never a 'shipper) and like him just as much now.

If you're wearing a shirt from years ago, its sort of a "cred" thing. A couple years back I was going to the "Harley Davidson Hundredth Anniversary Road Show" and wore a Bob Dylan T-shirt from a concert I went to in 1994. While 10 years certainly isn't a ton in the Dylan career it separated me from the wanna-bee twenty-somethings that were there to smoke pot and try and get love from some hippy chicks. On the player jersey subject, I vowed never to get a current player after Karl Malone started a fight in the first game I wore his jersey to. I broke that promise when I got two gag jersies super cheap that I wear to Mets (Trachsel) and Giants (Collins) games my wife takes me to when they aren't playing the Bears or Cubs. I also broke it to get a Matt Harpring jersey when it became apparent I could get it signed. So for the Bears I have a "Perry 72" (so you ny'ers, if you saw someone with long brown hair and a beard in that jersey at the Meadowlands it was probably me) jersey I wear and for the Cubs its "Sandberg 23" or "Dawson 8" that go to the games with me. I think I'll replace the Trachsel jersey with a Cubs' Alou t-shirt.

Since Giants' crowds are the tamest NFL crowds I had ever seen until yesterday; I had just assumed that NY'ers were just depressed to have to be in Jersey. The only time the crowd sounded loud were the sack of Rex and the overturned fumble. Gotta love how they kept showing a "conclusive" replay on the jumbo tron that didn't show where Jones' knees were when the ball came loose. I will say this for the Jets and their fans, yesterday was the first time I wore my Bears' stuff and didn't have crap thrown at me all game. Of course, the next section had someone getting bottles thrown at them, but what the heck.

Was it your impression that there were a lot less Bears fans at this game than the Giants game? I thought there were more in my area, but it sure didn't sound like there were as many as last week. Quiet stadium. The notoriously rowdy Jets fans were the quietest NFL audience I had ever been to at a game. And what the heck were those foam white things supposed to be?

On my way out of the stadium several Jets fans took the time to give me their opinion on the play of the Bears and how bad they are. Its funny, we were only 162 hours removed from me having that same experience the weekend before. People keep talking about how next week's game is going to be the game that the Bears really show us who they really are. They'll lose two out of three when they play those games in the Meadowlands and NE went the conventional wisdom. Well...the most they can now lose is one out of those games. Rex, after a dismal first half in the muck last Sunday responded with 4td's and 0 int's/fumbles over the next game and a half. The defense allowed 20 points against one great, and one good offense. The lines were in control and Robbie Gould remained perfect. Unless my MA relatives manage to snag me some tickets, I don't care all that much if the Bears win Sunday. The game now is staying healthy and not losing focus on the ultimate prize, the Colts, Pats or Bolts in February.

fixed.

I was one of the people that wanted Leftwich really bad when we had that #4 pick. Ditto for me. I was very, very wrong. Pumped for the game this weekend...hey, I'll be in MA the weekend after.......

Here's an article on this magnificent new scheme, and about how they're going to blitz the pants of Rexy. And if you're crazy like me and think the weather has something to do with qb performance, there is no rain in the forecast for East Rutherford this Sunday. With Berriam back, I don't see anyway the Jets can hang in this game with the Bears offense, much less the defense.

I was actually surrounded by them, with the exception of my wife (also known as unsupportive Mets fan.) The people in front, behind and to my left were all Bears' fans. I imagine there will be even more orange this week. Too bad Jets' fans suddenly decided that they're a playoff team.

Of the four deals mentioned above, I actually like the Blanco one best. Just some perspective. This is the best of Hendry's terrible deals.

Maybe it has something to do with the way the Cubs management treats people. When you see a trend like this....well, it makes you think.

I remember when Hector V. came up for the Cardinals after he left the Cubs and Harry gave a "Up next to bat for...oh, god no...not him again...(pause) up next to bat for the Cardinals, Hector Villanova." Also, "Balls hit to left, Maldanado's under it. Maldanado's not under it." Same game... "Not to question his parents, but what kind of man names his son 'Candy."

Right...well, its easier for us swamp rats that way. However, I think people that drive to Shea are crazy. Rush hours, airport traffic, general NYC nutty traffic patterns...when its so accesible by train...

Ok fine, that Rex played had awful stats in the first half when it was pouring and great stats in the second when it wasn't is a coincidence. I'd buy the small sample size argument, but I was sitting in that weather and there was a clear patch in for about the first ten minutes of the third quarter and thats when the Bears offense was really moving the ball and getting in the end zone. Coincidence? Small sample size? I'll buy it. That he played great in bad weather? That I won't. Also, let me note that there's a huge difference in wind conditions on the field and in the decks at Giants Stadium.

It's going to suck the next few years. But it is one of the easiest places to get to by transit. Park by Penn Station and take the LIRR out.

It was not raining on any of Rex's td passes. None of them. It was not raining on any drive where the Bears scored a TD. He was able to throw the ball when it was clear, and not able to when it was raining. If it was the weather (and not that the Giants pass rush collapsed around the same time) that was effecting his play, I shudder to think of what a snowy day in Soldier Field would be like.

I was at the game on Sunday (and will be at the game this Sunday) and here are a couple of thoughts: 1) Its a bad sign that Rex couldn't do anything in bad weather since we're counting on him coming up big in Soldier Field in January. Something that could use some improvement. 2) The fans around me seemed upset about single coverage on Plax, but I think that was the plan. You know Manning to Plax isn't going to get enough yards to beat you if thats all their getting. Without Toomer, and with Shockey getting good coverage, they were reliant on Tim Carter and David Tyree to make some plays. We all saw how that worked out. 3) Brad Maynard looked awful. If it weren't for THE RETURN I would have given the special teams an "F". Even with another fg for Gould. 4) Jones doesn't look in bad in person as he does on TV. There was a lot of focus in the past two days from friends of mine that are Giants fans that his run at the end of the second was the turning point in the game. Maybe the Giants will trade for him to help Jacobs replace TIKI. No, I'm not suggesting that TJ will ever be the back Tiki is. 5) Two games in a row where the Bears couldn't stop the run at all. The Jets don't present nearly the rushing attack that the Giants do...but the D Line and linebackers need to close those holes faster. 8 o'clock games=8 hours of tailgating = tons of fun. I want more night games!

Since we'll be seeing our old pal, Joey Harrington...lets say "hi" with a picture http://images.nfl.com/photos/img8862184.jpg

the offseason game plan! How will Jimbo over-react to the Cards WS win to try and build next year's roster? I figure he'll look at the Cardinals and see a team with a loudmouth manager (check), one excellent starting pitcher and a bunch of question marks (check), one all world firstbasemen and a bunch of role players and dudes that get injured (check) and a bullpen anchored by a young kid and a bunch of guys nobody's heard of because the closer is hurt. Offseason to do list: 1) resign Aramis (role player that gets hurt) 2) sign KW to the bullpen (so he can get hurt) 3) Convery Rich Hill to closer 4) Schedule World Series parade

Who's Your Tiger? http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061020/SPORTS02/61020002/1050

I think whoever is controlling this series set the umpire option to "variable strike zone."

He seems to be a good guy, just a sore loser. Last night at Shea, he was giving autographs before the game to a group of kids...you read that right, giving autographs, on the road, before an NLCS. During the game he was clowning around at first with Delgado and Reyes, who both seemed to genuinely like him. If I didn't already know he was a 50 year old jerk that can't handle losing, I might have fallen for it.

The Cards did their share, but the Bears still caused 2 fumbles and had a punt return. None of those were "gives" by Arizona. It wasn't like someone had butterfingers...those were legit takeaways and great "plays". Granted...but if Arizona had continued to play with the same gameplan on offense post 23-3 as they did pre 23-3 they would have won the game. This "Team of Destiny" garbage that goony is talking about is spot on. If you play for a team and feel good about last night's win, its going to come back and bite you. Hopefully, they take something from the butt kicking they got the first three quarters (minus 5 seconds), especially on offense.