Soul

Yeah, they can Chop Chop all they want, but I don't want to see a club that gets down by 17 to Cincy anywhere near the national championship game.

Before the OSU/UM game I agreed with you. Quinn's stats are still better. More yards, more TD's, same # of INT's and Smith doesn't have the benefit of a bunch of rushing yards and TD's like he did last year. Quinn's been the better QB this year. And I'm not exactly one to hand out compliments to ND or their players very often. It's not a stats race---never has been. Quinn had a prime shot to show he was the Heisman favorite against Michigan in his own building, and they got slaughtered. Quinn looked overmatched at times. Smith has faced down two #2 challengers and looked real good against both of them. Smith is the clear Heisman winner IMO. I doubt the voting will be particularly close.

Before the OSU/UM game I agreed with you. I suggest ND stop scheduling the annual 3-game swing against the academies. God love 'em (and I certainly do), but they aren't strong football programs and it takes the wind out of the sails when ND can't show what they've got against quality opponents late in the season. Plus Army is no way to prepare for USC. Come on now :wink:

Cincy up by 10 points now. I'm sorry, but if Rutgers has to come back against an unranked ballclub like Cincy, there just no way they should be put on the field with the likes of Ohio State. That would be a travesty, IMO. Undefeated be damned.

I think that's pretty darn shaky, but it might be as good as we can do because this market is starting to look downright scary and the pitching available outside of Zito just isn't looking all that great (I'm assuming Schmidt has ruled out the Cubs due to geography). At some point, I wonder if Jim & Lou will simply have to accept this is going to be a 2 year plan.

Why didn't I become a baseball player?

LA is a game we can win, but I don't think we've won in Denver in ages. We even struggled there in our dynasty days and when they were crap. If we can beat the Lakers, 76ers, and Knicks, I'll be fine with going 3-4 on this trip. If we lose that Lakers game, the floodgates open. I'm just hoping we don't get swept on the road trip at this point. We're getting beat by more & more each game, it seems.

That Arizona program is starting to turn the corner. Stoops is doing a good job in Tucson. For the second straight year, their recruiting class is going to rival that of USC, UCLA and Cal's. They're a program on the rise. Which is good, because I think the Pac 10 could really use another legit contending program. Briggs comes from Zona. He's got to be smiling right now :) Next year should be fun in Tuscon.

You've got a great coach, a building program, and a BCS game coming your way. I understand having high standards, but ND fans have nothing to be ashamed of.

I think Leftwich got a raw deal in Jacksonville, and I think if he does end up not playing another game in a Jaguars uniform, he'll have the opportunity to start elsewhere. He's no Joey Harrington, come on. You know, some people I was watching the Giants game with started complaining about Grossman...all I could think about was how much more confident I feel with Grossman at the helm than a Kyle Orton, Chad Hutchinson, Jonathon Quinn, etc. Some [expletive] media type person said something like: "Kyle Orton did what he was supposed to do, not lose games. Grossman can lose you games" God, I wish there was some emoticon to express my reaction to that. I'd probably take Joey Harrington over Leftwich. I think Leftwich still has a chance to resurrect his career, but it's going to be hard. Colts fans are hoping Garrard struggles big-time the next two weeks so they'll put Leftwich back in to face us. The thing with Leftwich is he's pretty immobile, and he's not very accurate with his throws. That makes it so he makes some good plays down the field, but he gives up many big plays to the defense in the form of sacks and turnovers. He doesn't make enough good plays to make up for the bad plays on a week to week basis. Leftwich also brings the ball down to his friggin' KNEES every time he throws. There's long windups, and then there's Leftwich. I'm not sure how many times he fumbles when trying to throw, but if I was coaching DLine against the Jags I'd have my guys grabbing for his arm every time. I wanted the Bears to take a shot at him when he was coming out. Right now, I'm glad we didn't.

That Arizona program is starting to turn the corner.

Even if they do, they got massacred by Michigan in South Bend. IMO ND should have no shot. No offense to ND fans, but Michigan is just a way, way better ballclub.

I am making a bold prediction right now. Ohio St will beat anyone they play by 3 tds, unless its Michigan. In some sort of sick way I hope they do play Rutgers. I dont know if the pass interference play was called correctly. I do know that the defender had his back turned and was slapping at Manningham's hands. If he by chance didnt hit one he was lucky because he sure was trying to interfere. I dont think the refereeing made any difference in the outcome of the game. I think that there was some not so great calls both ways but the difference in the game if you ask me is that Troy Smith played better than Henne. It wasnt that Henne played bad but Smith was Heismanesgue. You can just hand the Heisman to Smith now. It's not even going to be close. McFadden's a heck of a player----I'd put him second ahead of Quinn. But I'd be suprised if those two combined get the votes Smith will. He romped in two games against challenging #2 teams. That's the definition of Heisman Trophy winner.

The title game will likely come down to the voters-Michigan will almost certainly still be the top 1 loss team in the computers (with the possible exception of USC by the end of the season). Unless the voters push them too far down, they will probably have a re-match. My guess is that USC and possibly Florida have a chance to go, but it all depends on how far some people want to drop them in the polls. I don't view Florida as being in the same league as a team like Michigan or USC. But they do play in the SEC so if they beat Arkansas I think you're right, they have a shot. My prediction is that Arkansas absolutely romps them.

But if contact is made and the defender has their back to the play, they are going to call it every time. There was contact? It looked like they brushed hands at best. He prevented Manningham from coming to the ball. That's interference. not if the Manningham doesn't come back for the ball and there is contact, unless he fact guards, which he didn't do. He didn't face guard him? What he did pretty much defines face guarding, he wasn't looking for the ball and making a play on the receiver. The ball hit him in the shoulder to boot. faceguarding has to do with the hands, ie. putting your hands up trying obstruct the view of the receiver without turning around and looking for the ball. the DB never got his hands up. in fact, the ball hit the DB in the hand down by the waste. I'm looking at it on Tivo, and that's exactly how it happened. Faceguarding has to do with looking at the receiver and never looking at the ball. You aren't looking to make a play on the ball you are looking to prevent the wide receiver from making a play on the ball. He never looked back. Agreed, you can't look at the receiver only and touch him with the ball in the air. It was a good call. Great game by OSU, and Michigan also. Not sure how the title game picture will shape up, but I question whether USC/Ark/ND/Rutgers would be able to deliver as good a game as Michigan would. So I wouldn't mind seeing a rematch---though alot depends on these other big games coming up.

Dunno, but I would do Murton for Westbrook straight up, especially if we ink Soriano and Drew as rumored. i would rather the cubs keep murton and not sign soriano. drew and westbrook would be great if they can get them. I think that's crazy, assuming the Cubs have the money to spend and it won't hurt other areas of the club. Soriano's bat is loads & loads better than Matty's. While I like Matt, his defense has never impressed me either, so I don't think we lose much on that side of the ball. And the offensive gains, IMO, are massive. If it was an either/or between Murt & Soriano I'd send Matt packing right now.

I don't have a problem including Dempster in a deal. Would it really be that hard to replace him as closer? We got Dempster off the trash heap and made him a closer. Not all that hard to do something similar again. Certainly if it means acquiring an innings-eating SP----I'd trade him.

next year, however, i think orton will make griese unnecessary. does anyone know what the cap hit would be if we cut griese? on second thought, a trade may be in order. I think the cap hit would be the same with a trade or cut. Rex's cap number could be relatively low still, even if he resigns. then i say cut him. the bears would have an adequate backup with 2 years of experience, some of it as a starter. a decent 3rd stringer could be found anywhere, including the later rounds of the draft. Why wouldn't you trade and try to get something? I'd hold off on that decision until at least summer camp. Rex still has to get through the rest of this season. And I'm not convinced Orton will develop into a great backup yet. I'd trade him -- might be able to get a 4th rounder. 4th rounders can turn out well, just look at Alex Brown.

I don't think it's enough. There's still only 2 legit power threats in Lee & Ram in the middle of the order. You've got to consider Jones a power threat don't you? He's not a #3 hitter, but for the 3rd or 4th bat in the lineup he's not bad. Barrett falls in as a quality bat too...its not the 27 yankees, but it has the potential to be pretty solid. With 6 out of the 8 guys in the lineup (minus Izturis and Derosa), you have the potential for 160 HRs. right there. The middle of that lineup just looks a tad weak to me. Put Barrett #2, hit Murton 6th, DeRosa 7th, and then replace Jones with a better player. I'd feel better about it. Or just get some darn pitching 8)

On the other hand, while Drew is a very good, very productive hitter, Manny is and has been significantly more productive at the plate. He'll be 35, but... Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG TB 2006 34 BOS AL 130 449 79 144 27 1 35 102 0 1 100 102 .321 .439 .619 278 I'll take that, and deal with his attitude. 100 walks -- finally!

In another thread--maybe the rotoworld rumors thread, not sure--there was talk about Murton possibly being used in drawing Westbrook from Cleveland. If they're shopping Murton as trade bait, then we'll likely end up settling for Soriano/Drew/Jones. The problem with trading Murton is, he'll probably be undervalued on the market. I hope they don't wind up shipping him off, if that's the case, if only because we won't get a fair return. Oh well, I could live with Soriano, Drew, Jones.. :) Haha, yeah that would be nice. What's that payroll going to be this year again? 150 mil? Still 2 or 3 SPs to sign, Jim. I'm assuming they wanna stay under the luxury tax thing, which I believe is 148 mil. I'm guessing they'll settle in more at the $115mil level, which won't leave room for all these proposed signings. Also, I'm starting to wonder if Hendry looked at the poor pitching the Cards got away with last year, and feels he needs offense. Let the young arms come around, deal with Miller, Prior......put Marshall in there full time. Then try to pound the ball all year.

In another thread--maybe the rotoworld rumors thread, not sure--there was talk about Murton possibly being used in drawing Westbrook from Cleveland. If they're shopping Murton as trade bait, then we'll likely end up settling for Soriano/Drew/Jones. The problem with trading Murton is, he'll probably be undervalued on the market. I hope they don't wind up shipping him off, if that's the case, if only because we won't get a fair return. Oh well, I could live with Soriano, Drew, Jones.. :) Haha, yeah that would be nice. What's that payroll going to be this year again? 150 mil? Still 2 or 3 SPs to sign, Jim.

I don't think it's enough. There's still only 2 legit power threats in Lee & Ram in the middle of the order. I agree with the pitching that seems to be shaping up (or lack thereof), this lineup wouldn't seem to be able to lift us to many victories----though it is better than last year. Side note: I've always thought Barrett would shine best in the 2 hole rather than lower in the order.

I think the point is, the Cubs are desperate. And the only thing they have going for them is their cash. Soriano at a huge deal isn't ideal. He's not as good as the true elites that make the big bucks, but the Cubs already missed out on most of those guys. They need some offense. And if you're going to overpay, you might as well overpay for somebody who at least has a chance to put up some great seasons. Riding on your coat-tails, it's kinda funny that the Cubs chose this year to spend big bucks when the market is so thin. They couldn't do it when Beltran and Vlad was out there...Only the Cubs! And the Cards picked their worst team in a decade to win the World Series with. A tale of two cities, indeed.

I'm torn. I'd like the magic number to be 1, but it might be even more beneficial for the Bears to catch the Pats on a 3-game losing streak. If the Bears were to blow it and lose to the Jets, then I'd REALLY like to see the Pats coming off a 3-game bender.