soapy

fwiw, i was watching the replay of the superbowl on the nfl network (i'm a glutton for punishment) and they mentioned on one of the breaks that the Texans owner was "non-committal" on Carr's status next year and that it depended on what they could acquire via free-agency this offseason. i thought it was worth mentioning since his name has popped up in this thread.

I know that's going to be the official accepted story, but I refuse to believe that to be true. A 70+ completion percentage, a 68.3 rating. That's not taking a dump. That's not disaster Rex. That's better than what Roethlisberger did while winning last year's Super Bowl and he doesn't face anywhere near the scrutiny Grossman does. Rex did not have a good game, but he did not crap the bed either. But those numbers don't take into consideration the two fumbles. One costing a possesion, and the other causing them to lose several yards (at a critical moment when they had been 2nd and 1). On the picks; he had Berrian wide open for six on one, and just made a poor throw. On the other, I again don't mind the decision, but the throw was poor. He's far from the only reason they lost. There were several other reasons. But he played poorly. He's not going to deserve the poor threatment he's going to get though. It's going to be absolutely brutal for him.

sigh...... Living in Indy, this is pretty much my nightmare, worst-case scenario. Grossman takes a dump all over the field (which many will see as confirmation that he's terrible) and Manning gets the MVP (proving once again that he is in fact, God). I really can't think of how it could have gone any worse. Adding insult to injury, I have to die my hair blue on Friday. Sitting here in my cublicle (which, luckily for me, has been decorated in Colts gear) I can't help but be pretty depressed about the whole thing. I thought I would be glad to see the Colts win a Championship becuase I now live here, but it's much, much worse then I imagined. Hearing the old women around me taking about how "we won", and "we played so good" makes me want to jam an envelope opener into my ears. Two of my better friends here are not only Colts fans but, of course, Cardinals fans. Thus making this just about the worst few months in my life as a sports fan. Although, I think the worst thing is that all these people at work who didn't give a flying flack about the Colts a month ago are the first ones to come over to my desk and gloat this morning. Like they accomplished something. Ugh... It's hard to look at the big picture, but I'm trying. The Bears have improved drastically the last two seasons, and appear they are headed in the right direction. Grossman really played like garbage. There really is no getting around that. He missed some wide open receivers, and fumbling TWO snaps is inexcusable. Having said that, I'm not sure how I feel about him as the future QB of this team. I'm not ready to totally dismiss him, but the Bears should definitely consider some other options. Safeties need to improve (or be replaced) and Wale really isn't pulling his weight at this point. I was really dissapointed the Bears couldn't get any pressure on Manning even after Diem had to leave the game. The Bears can continue to be a contender in the NFC if they make just a few key moves (starting with retaining Briggs). Certainly it's very difficult to maintain such success on a yearly basis in the NFL, but the Bears are at least a good bet to do that if managed properly. The Colts were the better team. They deserved to win, but it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

You weren't paying attention if that's what you think. There were a probably a handful of times in the first half where Grossman threw balls away intentionally in an attempt to be extra cautious. He certainly missed some throws (one in particular to Clark in the endzone) but I didn't think he was wildy erratic or anything. That's why I couldn't understand why Aikman and Buck were harping on his slow start, percentage-wise.

Okay, so I'm bored because the game is still too far away. I've got a discussion topic. I'm living here in Indy and a friendly wager started to develop with a friend of mine at work (a big Colts fan). It will be something along the lines of the loser wearing something to work that would (theoretically) be embarassing. Example: one of his ideas was that I would have to wear a shirt to work that says "I Heart Joe Buck" (he's also a big Cards fan). Anyway, he's taken it to the next level and decided to bring the whole office into this gig and has decided to solicit ideas from the entire office and they believe all Bears fans in the office (there are only three) should be subject to this bet. To reciprocate, I only think it's fair that all Colts fans in the office should be subject to the bet when the Bears win. Let's hear some suggestions.

The Horn can do anything he wants. Except be a productive major league baseball player since 2004... Hilarious! Now do Choi!!

Of course, they've been playing just a little bit different of defenses in the playoffs :D ..but then again, that will also be in the case in the Super Bowl. Certainly. I was going to say that, but forgot.

I think Manning is just as likely to drop a turd out there as Grossman is. Not that I expect either of them to do that, but Manning hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire in the playoffs. He has a lower rating than Grossman, more INT's (6 to 1), and the same number of TDs. Either could have a great game, or lay an egg.

Like who? I was about to ask the same question. Podsednick(I can't spell)? Meh...not really.

It's not like he was that far off. They got one game better between 03 and 04 but have declined since then. Having said that, as someone else stated, whether or not this is a good deal depends entirely on how Floyd is used which is of course yet to be determined.

He mentioned that when they got him. I'm thinking that was before they signed Lilly and Marquis though, no? Regardless, there's really no need for three lefties in the BP. I still think one of them is a strong cadidate to get traded, along with Jones. Yes it was before those signings but there is still an open 5th spot on the starter depth chart. I suppose there is. I guess Zambrano, Hill, Lilly and Marquis are pretty much penciled in right now with Prior, Miller, Guzman, Marshall, Cotts, etc. all being candidates to take the fifth spot (or possibly bump Marquis if more than one really impresses). Man I hope Prior is ready. That rotation could be pretty awful with out him.

He mentioned that when they got him. I'm thinking that was before they signed Lilly and Marquis though, no? Regardless, there's really no need for three lefties in the BP. I still think one of them is a strong cadidate to get traded, along with Jones.

Bruce mentioned in his article this morning that Rusch would likely be released (if you're counting him).

I still think the best solution (with the current roster) is to put Soriano in CF and Jones in RF (Murton of course in LF). Against lefties, DeRosa can play RF and Theriot can play 2B. If/when Pie is ready during the season, you worry about it then. If Hendry really is looking to bring someone in, I hope it's Church. The asking price may go down as spring training approaches or gets underway. I have absolutely no interest in bringing in a stop-gap. Church can at least be used as a 4th OF and get a fair amount of playing time spelling Murton and Soriano and bringing Pie along (if Jones is traded). Also, if Pie struggles and doesn't pan out (this season or beyond) Church is a reasonable option as and everyday CF. Ideally, this is the approach I'd like to see though a trade for Church appears to be unlikely at this point because of Washington's demands.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm really worried about this as well. Freeny especially is good at knocking the ball loose when he gets to the quarterback as well. Can't let that happen.

Does anyone know Lou's preference on number of pithcers on the 25? I know Dusty usually had 12, but I'd wouldn't mind seeing them go with 11.

I'd say it is whining. Get over it. Sampson should have called Weber, obviously, and he didn't. That's it. Don't act like you (by that I mean Illini fans) and Weber didn't know it was a possibility. Yeah, the kid told you he was still coming to UI when he had clearly re-opened his recruiting with IU. It was obvious to everyone with half a brain that Gordon might go to IU. He ultimately bailed on UI, but it clearly wasn't a surprise and I'm not sure what Weber would could have done about it even if Sampson or Gordon had been openly clear to him about what was going on. Second of all, I assume the "let's brawl" comment was a joke.

wow. this is amazing. i haven't been this excited about one of my teams in a long time. as a bears fan living in indy, this is going to be interesting. here's hoping the bears D plays like they did yesterday. also, watch out for Freeney and Mathis.

That's what I'm thinking. Why move Theriot to a new position? If they really think he can play, put him at 2B with DeRosa in a platoon with Jones in RF and Soriano in CF.

Sounds like Pie might be penciled in at this point. Ideally, I'd still like to see them hold on to Jacque as insurance for all three OF spots, but I'd be shocked if they did. Forget Floyd in that case. Maybe try to get Jones some time in CF and 1B in spring training? Again, not likely.

There really aren't too many people high on the Bear right now. Jeez.

Wow...

Not particularly. For all his faults, Sammy has always loved two things: playing baseball and being in the spotlight. This is probably more about reaching 600 and having one last grasp at fame. I have to admit, if I were under 40 and had ANY shot of playing one more year of baseball in the majors, I'd do anything within the rules to do it. You can only play ball in the majors for so long, then it's off to retirement. I always understood athletes who enver wanted to hang it up. I wouldn't either. The window to play pro sports is pretty short. Make it last. I tend to agree. My (uninformed) guess is that it's primarily about reaching 600 HRs. He's cited how important it is to him in the past.

Good luck taking that argument to a courtroom. The judge would laugh you out the door. Put me in the camp that says even considering how the arb system is set up, making 9 mostly crappy starts and spending the better part of the year on the DL does not warrant a raise. But the most recent season is not the only thing considered in the arbitration process. He had two good seasons before 2006 (in which he made 21 and 27 starts)

I think people are fussing because they don't know what is wrong with Prior (I honest to god haven't heard anything about his condition in a long time) and aren't confident he'll be ready for spring training. I think his injury history warrants extreme caution and skepticism from fans. Wait 3 more days and we'll know more. Prior will be at the Convention and on WGN Radio Friday night. we wont know a damn thing till he steps inside the lines and pitches, and frankly the kid(yes kid) has yet to pay his dues...we've gotten one good(albeit great) season outta him...he has no right to ask for a raise...give us another good year(doesnt even have to be great) and then we can talk turkey, but giving a guy a raise who, as far as we know cant even pitch, is absurd This is simply not true and I wish people would stop saying it. 2002: great, with 19 starts 2003: great, with 33 starts (historically great in the second half) 2004: good, with 21 starts 2005: very good, with 27 starts 2006: awful, with 9 starts By my calculations, that's 2 great seasons, one very good season, one good season and one terrible season. Certainly he has his injury concerns, but let's not act like the guy has been dead aside from 2003.