Soul

I should probably shut up because I don't even really know what I'm talking about. So I will ;)

Seriously. Shootouts happen so infrequently, that theres gotta be no correlation between attendance/ratings and shootouts. Unless the general public can't stand hockey because of the potential for ties. I guess that's possible. I would imagine they put the shootout in because casual fans (i.e. non hockey-watchers) said "I hate the ties!" alot. But I'm not sure. But then how do you figure out if it's actually working? I guess that's why some people have degrees in Marketing, and I don't. Isn't the 'breakaway/penalty shot/1-on-1' widely considered one of the most exciting plays in sports? I would think the NHL instituted the shootout because it adds more of their 'premier' most exciting play. If a 'casual' sports fan is flipping channels he/she will likely stop to watch the shootout because it lasts a couple of minutes and decides the outcome of the game. The NFL and the NBA have both installed rules that allow for more offense. People like to see dunks, touchdowns, homers, and goals. I don't want to come off like a hockey expert because I'm definitely not, but to me the shootout is nothing like a breakaway goal during the game. If I had to choose a football analogy, it would be like taking everyone off the field except for the QB & WR and maybe 2 DBs, then having them throw bombs from the 50 yard line. Sure it would be fun as a distraction for a little while, but as the final deciding factor of the game? I guess what I'm saying is I can see why people who love hockey don't like this.

Seriously. Shootouts happen so infrequently, that theres gotta be no correlation between attendance/ratings and shootouts. Unless the general public can't stand hockey because of the potential for ties. I guess that's possible. I would imagine they put the shootout in because casual fans (i.e. non hockey-watchers) said "I hate the ties!" alot. But I'm not sure. But then how do you figure out if it's actually working? I guess that's why some people have degrees in Marketing, and I don't.

Is the shootout idea really drawing in more fans? I don't even know how you would quantify that.

12.5 is a big gap regardless of the matchup.

He's a decent QB when healthy, but he's just not healthy enough consistently enough for a multi-year deal. I wonder if this would help Dwayne Bowe. If Culpepper can stay healthy, I think it would. If it's for low money, I'd do it. At the very least he could be your backup if someone else gets hurt. It would have to be a reasonably low contract though.

Could have brought in Culpepper. Probably still could if Jerry acts quickly. He's got to be better than Johnson. At least he could get the ball deep to Williams & TO I mentioned Culpepper to a friend. What pisses me off about it all is that I and many Cowboy fans saw this in the pre-season. Johnson was horrible then. We felt that the Cowboys might bring in someone like Chris Simms and cut Johnson loose. Instead they signed Brooks Bollinger, but he hasn't gotten any reps in practice. At this point, they probably couldn't bring anyone in who could effectively start in the time before Romo gets back. You're right, that's the problem now. Romo will be back in a few weeks. Your only other option is Bollinger. I don't think he would be any better than Johnson.

They're in some really pretty ____ now. Anything can happen but like you I don't see them hitting Hamels tonight. Their bats have officially shut down. Not likely they'll wake up for the lefty ace.

Could have brought in Culpepper. Probably still could if Jerry acts quickly. He's got to be better than Johnson. At least he could get the ball deep to Williams & TO

It's time to stop screwing around and put replay in for ump calls. We can do it 5 years from now after a bunch more blown calls in huge games, or we can just accept that it's coming and put it in now. Just do it now. Simply an abysmal call. This is the best ump crew that MLB has to offer.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-24-series-briteoct24,0,1929370.story It would be so odd to have Brenly managing the Brewers These comments by Grace are no more candid than Brenly's searing in-game review of Soriano's defensive prowress.

Well, hopefully we come out the other side of the break a stronger team than we went in. I don't want to see any more of those 41 point defensive efforts. I don't really have all that much hair left to pull out.

Not bad. Not too bad at all. Poor Lions fans.

Let me guess, two windows open at the same time? ;)

Essentially Garza would be losing his job.

I'm rooting for a sweep. Let's get this season over and get started on the hot stove league. I'm not a big football, basketball, or hockey fan so this is it. I guess that's the other viewpoint 8-)

I guess I'm just rooting for a competitive series. A blowout WS would be the worst thing for everyone, especially given the projected baseline ratings.

That NFC South is turning out to be a pretty decent division.

I was wondering if he would be able to play after the bye. That was always best case scenario to me. He won't crack the lineup, but if he can get a good week or 2 of practice and just suit up Nov. 2, that would be great. Luckily no OL have gone down, but if one does, it would be great to have a 1st round pick be able to step in. How much stock do you put into the idea that "you can't make changes on the OLine because it's a chemistry thing?" Personally I don't think in this situation it should stop the Bears from making the change. Especially since they haven't been all that good in the run game. They're getting by in the pass game largely because Forte is a wonderful blocker and they're giving both tackles help on the outside. I don't see that changing just because we put Williams in. And I have little doubt CW would be able to move people off the ball better than St. Clair right out of the box.

Once you start sitting Hughes, he'll start being disruptive (from what I've seen of his history)... I think we should be looking to get rid of him.

If the Bulls are that bad, the team needs to be blown up. It does kind of feel like we're heading for that type of season. I hope my "feelings" are wrong.

From the Cubs' perspective, yes. You'd probably get to see Craig Counsell start somewhere every day, a plethora of sac bunts ahead of Braun and Fielder (maybe even Braun sac bunting to get a guy over for Fielder!), the Brewers signing Byung-Hyung Kim, Yovani Gallardo throwing 130 pitches a night because what Randy and Curt did back in Arizona, numerous caught stealings during failed hit-and-run plays, and guys getting benched because they strike out too much. It's sad to think how many Brewers fans (outside of brewerfan.net) don't realize how bad a decision that would be. It's like they think "He won a World Series -- he's better than Yost! He's a broadcaster with the Cubs -- he'll know how to beat them! He's a nice guy with the media -- he's way better than Yost!" Just resign CC and pick up another ace you can ride every 3 days. You'll be fine ;)

Brenly: TRAITOR!! No seriously though -- he's got to be better than Yost right?

Vash has developed a bad tendency of not being able to recover from injuries, and then not being able to get back up to speed in time for the *next* injury.

To be fair, He never said he was better than Elway. He said he had a better arm. There is no part of Jay Cutler that is better than John Elway. His teeth. ya got me