CubmanPi

Due to the remarks completely dismissing the possibility that this play was fan interference, and due to me being convinced that it was, I need to revisit the topic. I used reference points from the new angle of Alou with the fans removed from the background and compared it with the pic people used on page 1 of this thread to argue Alou was clearly reaching into the stands. The two pictures don't seem to be from the exact same instant, but they're so close that this comparison still works. The main reference points are the tops of the dividing lines between sections of padding on the wall. I drew a line straight up from the tops of the line in front of Alou and behind him in order to define the section of railing Alou is next to. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/cubbybear314/comparison1.jpg From this angle, it's very clear how far behind Alou that section of padding extends. The vertical lines on the railing, as well as the thick line I drew on the railing itself, are drawn in the exact same position on the above picture as on the below picture. In the picture below, in order for Alou to be "clearly reaching into the stands," his glove would have to be reaching over the red vertical line on the right. Comparing it with the picture above, it's very clear that Alou's glove was not that far back along the wall. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/cubbybear314/comparison2.jpg Even if instant replay were available, there's no way they go back and call fan interference, but in comparing these two pictures, I don't understand how people think it's so clear Alou reached over the railing.

Tigers in 5 Rays in 4 Cards in 4 Brewers in 4 Tigers in 6 Brewers in 7 Tigers in 6 WS MVP: Victor Martinez

It looks like Gates will be unlikely the next two weeks, then a week 6 bye. I'm shopping him around. One guy in the league has Dustin Keller as a backup to Owen Daniels , another has Tony Gonzalez as a backup to Jason Witten. Considering the outlook and Gates's lack of production so far, would trading for either of those guys be a good move? Would any of you accept a trade for Gates in that situation?

If the Cubs were in the Red Sox's situation right now, every sentence spoken in America since last night would contain the word "curse." Also, why didn't Pedroia want to win just a little bit more? Or scrap a little harder? Or play the game even righter? Maybe he placed his heart on a part of his sleeve where it wasn't quite as readily visible.

I had to clear a couple roster spots for an Antonio Gates backup plan. Fred Davis @ StL Greg Olsen @ Chi Also, Mike Williams has been pretty rough so far (5 ppg, no PPR). How long should I stick with him before taking a shot on Burleson, Devery Henderson or Nate Washington?

Vick is also on this "stay in the pocket so you don't get hurt" kick, which is likely being forced on him by his coaches. If he doesn't take off and run like he did last year, his numbers aren't going to stand out at all.

Nate Washington has done a good job so far, and Hasselbeck seems to be experiencing a resurgence with the change in scenery. I don't think Britt ends the passing game in Tennessee, I think it will just make the 300-yd games a little harder to come by for Hasselbeck. Regardless of the situation, barring injury, Chris Johnson would have to get a LOT better just to come close to the production that you're almost guaranteed to get from Andre Johnson. The odds of CJ ending up with so much better of a year than Andre Johnson that you completely regret the trade are so slim that it really makes no sense. Your RB situation wouldn't be close to ideal, but your WRs would be so huge it wouldn't matter.

Some writer for ESPN did a story a while back about trying to find Steve Bartman and confirm/deny all the crazy rumors and such. It was a long story about going to his neighborhood, following him to work, and approaching him in the parking lot trying his best not to come off as a complete creep/stalker while at the same time asking for an interview. (I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm sure it's not hard to find.) The interaction was short, and it ended with Bartman politely telling him to feel free to speak with his Legal Team about it. In addition to the whole human decency/Bartman's a good guy factor, I'm sure having a legal team specifically to help protect him from Game 6 fallout has a lot to do with why no one he works with has ever tried to cash in on their association with him.

Edit: The report of Vick's hand being broken possibly causing him to miss 3-4 weeks was wrong. No break, just contusion. Could play in week four. [expletive] [expletive].

Absolutely.

The decision on Romo likely won't be made until after the games start tomorrow, so my decision needs to come first. Romo or Flacco?

I need to acquire a backup plan for Gates. Davis (@Dal) or Chandler (v NE)?

I've heard that Tolbert's rather ugly failure on 4th and goal from the 1 may have upset his coaching staff a bit. I'm not sure how fall out of favor he has or hasn't fallen, but in all likelihood, SD will have their game put away early. That should mean ball-control offense, which could be very good news for Tolbert. I'm actually a little worried about what Rivers's and Gates's numbers will look like for the same reason.

What's up! Long time no see. For the QB situation, you're probably better off at least waiting to see what's going to happen with Romo, but you said yourself you're planning on the Buf/NE game being high-scoring. You also know that if Buffalo's going to have any prayer of winning, they're going to need to do it with a shootout, which should keep Fred Jackson from stealing so many yards. For the other option, Manningham is in Philly, and he's coming off a concussion and may not even play. If your league isn't PPR, Tate could be the better option. If it is, Tate may still be the better option, but Julio Jones may be worth the look too.

I would definitely wait as long as possible to see if Romo is going to play or not. Those other options suck. I guess I'll have to be ready to put Flacco in for him, just in case, but it seems like he's going to play.

Frank Gore (@ Cin) Ben Tate (@ NO) No PPR Gore has been pretty rough this season, Bengals have been decent against the run, Tate has been solid, and Foster's setback will probably lead to Houston erring on the side of caution with him. I'm leaning toward Tate. Is that dumb?

Floyd is fighting off a groin injury right now and is in doubt for this week. Considering the Chargers are playing the Chiefs, they probably aren't going to need to rely too heavily on him. I'd say Julio Jones and whoever else looks to get playing time.

If you decide to drop anyone for a RB from KC, it should be for McCluster. I haven't looked very closely at Ingram, but dropping him for McCluster might be worth considering. Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sproles are all viable RBs who will be splitting time this season, but with Charles out and Jones being old and mediocre, McCluster could be the defacto load-bearer, albeit on a terrible offense.

Keep an eye on Brandon Lloyd's injury situation. Even if he's playing, if his outlook is negative enough it will likely mean that Decker's hot streak continues. Also, Bears vs GB isn't that bad of a matchup. In 3 games last year, Packers scored a total of 48 points against the Bears, and the game will be in Chicago. I put in a claim for Chargers defense, because they're playing the Chiefs this week. If it doesn't get through, I'm fine playing Chi v GB. If Vick is out, I wouldn't blame you going with Giants D, but Eagles will still be at home and will still have weapons, especially if Young makes it back from his injury this week.

That's a very good question. I really don't care what the answer is, I'm still laughing about it. Hilarious.

I got cold feet about starting Braylon Edwards. Good thing too. I've got Brandon Gibson going for him tonight, and I doubt that in PPR he'll score less than Edwards's 3.1 pts. I need Gibson and Hicks to combine for 21.4 points tonight. I just hope that Hicks doesn't pull a Foster and get pulled from the game early because he shouldn't have been playing yet in the first place.

I guess that would make more sense. If that's the case, I don't get the point of transcribing a guy who isn't in a state of mind to hold the same thought for more than six words at a time.

Buffone is horrible. I've never read the guy before, but you're right. The entire paragraph is incoherent, but this was my favorite part.

In that case, Merry Christmas. You're welcome.

Apparently firstrowsports.tv has some games, and even the Red Zone Channel. I guess that will be my chance.