NFL Thoughts-Week 4

Well, at least we had an awesome thunderstorm to take my attention away from that cluster of a MNF game.

Man, this is a weird feeling seeing the Bears dominate a good football team.

Even though he was off to a disappointing start(wonder why now), Shaun Alexander's value to the Seahawks was shown last night.

Did someone set Mark Brunell back to the Jacksonville 1996 days?

The Jaguars may be this year's version of the 2005 Chargers.

Looks like the Bengals spent Saturday night at Odell Thurman's place.

Two weeks, two completely opposite New England Patriots teams. I'm thinking the real version lies somewhere in between.

Cheer up Lions fans, it looks like most of your 13 annual losses will at least be entertaining.

Come the end of the season, I think we'll be looking back at the Rams and wondering how they managed to win 10 games.

Oakland, pulling defeat from the jaws of victory yet again. They can't be giving away those golden opportunities to get off the schnide.

I do believe Vince McMahon has already placed a call to Albert Haynesworth. Seriously, he should not see another football field in 2006.

It's good to see the Titans have already packed it in for this campaign. Vince Young has as much business starting for an NFL team as the YCS staff.

Okay, so the Arizona Cardinals are much more likely to dominate Madden 2006 than an actual football game. They're still an impressive paper tiger.

Someone remind the 49'ers that you play football on Sundays.

At some point, the Baltimore Ravens magic will end.

Good call SI: I don't think Miami would make the Orange Bowl this season, much less that other football game being played in Miami this February.

The Vikings will be kicking themselves if their performance Sunday costs them a playoff spot.

Fuck all the haters. That 4th quarter against the Jets showed why Peyton Manning's still the best QB in the league.

That quiet rumbling sound would be Carolina starting their charge to the NFL South Title.

Top Five:
1. Da Bears
2. Colts
3. Ravens
4. Chargers
5. Jaguars

Bottom Five:
28. Lions
29. Texans
30. 49er's
31. Titans
32. Raiders

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Congratulations, Assholes. You Got Your Wish. (Fuckers.)

Things with which I will agree:

-Dusty Baker is probably not the greatest manager who ever lived. Dusty Baker is probably not the best manager in baseball currently. (Ok, well, not a manager at all now, but you know what I mean.) Dusty Baker--all baseball-managing qualities considered--may not be a "good" manager at all.

-If Dusty Baker has one fairly obvious weakness, it's a bias toward favorite, usually veteran players (e.g. you know who). If the Cubs actually commit to developing young talent--as well asactually playing it at the major-league level (as they should but doubtfully will)--Dusty is probably not the best guy to have managing the team and not playing said young hotshots.

Thing with which I do not agree:

-The firing of Dusty Baker and subsequent hiring of Joe Girardi / Lou Pinella / Lou Brown / John McGraw resurrected in the flesh will significantly improve the Chicago Cubs.

I realize only fools actually do believe this (as I immediately alienate the very people I wish to convince), but it warrants some discussion anyway.

The success of the Chicago Cubs organization as a business relies on but two things: 1) a gate draw, e.g. Sammy "baseball been very very good to me look at what a happy happy smiley grateful Latino stereotype I play for you" Sosa, and 2) a scapegoat, e.g. Corey Patterson, Ernie Broglio, Guy With Billy Goat, "Torn Miniscubus" (the injury demon that preys on Kerry Wood's musculoskeletal system), Jim Rigglefebvressianfrey-Zimderocher.

So it makes perfect sense that when my parents went to Wrigley to watch loss No. 80-something a couple weeks back--a purely electric experience, they assure me--many of the late-season belligerents at the park were concentrating their hostility toward the managing situation, even brandishing signs with "hire Girardi"-type slogans.

For those fans, the scapegoating fixation has been satisfied. Now throw them a Barry Zito signing, and presto!--they're lickin' your salt just like before. (Hush now--that wasn't intended to be dirty.)

All year, the Dusty issue has served as an excellent single-source distraction for a multi-faceted-ly bad Cubs season. And now by turning on the guy they sold as a savior in equally overblown fashion three-and-a-half years ago, the organization has bought itself another season (at least) of suck--probably two, if they hire that pleasant, clean-cut Italian boy born and raised nearby.

As has been said so so many times, managers don't make a damned difference in the proverbial grand scheme of things. Even Tony LaRussa--the reputed manager-god and most intensive, scholarly, dedicated competitor in all of sport--concedes in his own collaborative biography-type book, a book written in large part to elicit a fond appreciation for baseball managing, that managers only make a few games difference over the course of a year.

It's an opinion that's impossible to quantify, but I agree with Tony. And even given some room for single-season variance in the performance of a manager, it's 100% inane (--inanity is quantifiable so you know--) to attribute either the 2006 Marlins' 10+-game performance above expectation to Joe Girardi or the Cubs' 15+ games below expectation to Dusty Baker. In fact, it's reallly pushing it--I would say--to even attribute a half or a third of those differences to the managing.

So while Dusty admittedly had his faults, he also had some pretty rare strengths. As non-players without locker-room access, we have to take it on faith that Dusty had a special knack for relating to talented veterans and keeping them happy. I also credit him for taking a lot of press heat away from his players--a lot of times really really embarassing himself by saying really really crazy or stupid stuff. These qualitites didn't always reflect well on him, yet they served as strengths nonetheless. And like all managing strengths, they amount to virtually nothing.

I'll hash out my reasons for these general opinions on managing sometime soon, but tonight's not the night. Maybe I'll wait until the Cubs hire the next poor bastard to take Dusty's spot. Mostly, my point for tonight is this: managing changes make for good tabloid-style shit but have little relevance otherwise, despite how badly a certain blogger wanted to kill Dusty not so long ago. (Sorry Pat; I promise I ain't pickin' on ya. You were sure right about one guy in there.)

Sure, there were reasons to fire Dusty Baker, just as there are reasons to fire any manager at any given time from any given team. But no matter how compelling those reasons may be, I always have to wonder--what difference can it make?

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Now that the Bearssss are gonna make a triumphant return to the Super Bowl...

It's time for the Commercials...Here's a couple good one's from the players on the '85 team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maNslMAC8Ik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maNslMAC8Ik

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An Ode to Da Bears

Okay, taking a step back into reality, I will present a few reasons why the Bears are legitimately the best team in the NFL at this time.

1. Attacking Passing Game-Yes, the Monsters of the Midway have finally started to master the concept of the forward pass. In offensive coordinator Ron Turner's scheme, the Bears utilize a downfield passing game to complement the running game. While many NFL teams rely on 5-15 yard passes, the Bears regularly stretch the field with their receivers running routes much farther down the field. Rex Grossman has proven to be one of the most accurate NFL quarterbacks throwing the ball beyond 15 yards, making him a perfect fit for Turner's system. If Rex gets hurt, the passing game will be affected because Brian Griese does not have Grossman's arm strength. While the Bears will always have the reputation of a running based offense, they have become an extremely efficient and dangerous passing team.

2. Strong Offensive Line-The reason why Grossman has been able to dissect opposing secondaries has been the excellent job the O-line has done protecting him. While Olin Kreutz may be the only All Pro, all five starters rate above average. This allows the Bears to block man on man without having to use fancy blocking schemes. The running game has not been as strong as 2005, but it's successful enough to where teams cannot just play the pass.

3. Extremely Strong Defensive Line-The Bears exemplify the mantra that football games are won in the trenches. Tommie Harris has become an elite defensive tackle, quite possibly the best in the NFL. Along with his 5 sacks, he regularly disrupts the running game by getting into opposing backfields. Ian Scott does a great job of occupying blockers, allowing Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher to run around the field and make plays. Tank Johnson has become a very good pass rusher from the DT spot, coming in for Scott on passing downs. Alex Brown has an extremely quick first step, which helps make him an excellent two-way defensive end. Adewale Ogunleye is one of the NFL's best pass rushers from the left end spot, although he does spend a whole lot of time on the trainer's table. An added bonus has been the play of back-up defensive end Mark Anderson, who gives the Bears another strong edge rusher. With the front four's ability to rush the passer, the Bears do not have to rely on fancy blitzing schemes that open up the field to potential big plays.

4. Very deep secondary-While there may not an elite level player in the unit, there is a whole bunch of very good players. Da Bears have only allowed one passing touchdown all season, and do a very good job of avoiding the big play. Now, the Cover 2 scheme does leave the middle of the field open. However, the strong pass rush forces teams to hurry throws, leaving them unable to exploit this possible advantage. Charles Tillman has played much better in 2006, and Ricky Manning Jr. is an excellent third corner. While he's still learning on the job, Danieal Manning has been a big upgrade to Chris Harris. Also, Mike Brown has managed to stay healthy so far. They may not be a shutdown unit, but they make big plays and generally avoid giving them up to the opposition.

5. Elite Kicking Game/Special Teams-The field position battle is a big one in the NFL, and the Bears always manage to win this aspect of the game. While he flies under the radar, Brad Maynard consistently stands among the league leaders in punts inside the 20 and net punting yardage. Robbie Gould has become one of the NFL's most accurate placekickers, although he's still untested on kicks from 50+. The coverage teams have vastly improved thanks to the addition of Brendan Ayanbadejo and the consistently strong play of Adrian Peterson, Leon Joe and rookie linebacker Jamar Williams.

Right now, the Bears look like a team with few flaws. Thomas Jones has gotten his season back on track with his effort last night, and the enigmatic, yet very talented Cedric Benson sits in the wings. (Yes, I have come around some on Benson's on field ability). Rex Grossman is currently on pace for 4,000 yard, 30+ TD season. The defense is much improved from 2005's #2 effort. The other two undefeated teams, Baltimore and Indianapolis, have bigger and more worrisome holes. While I'm not going to be cueing up the Super Bowl Shuffle just yet, I cannot ignore the fact that the Bears are currently the most complete team in the National Football League.

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HEADLINES!

Here are some pretty funny headlines that I found while reading an ESPN Page 2 article:


"Bill Clinton criticized for not doing enough to stop yesterday's unwatchable Bills-Vikings game

Terrell Owens situation clearly a big distraction to the Titans' secondary

Chris Henry vomits out of car window after watching the Bengals play the Patriots

Nick Lachey, like, totally going to pick up Matt Leinart off of his fantasy league's waiver wire

Chargers happy no one can say they have a cupcake schedule anymore

Albert Haynesworth kindly kills spider that was crawling on opponent's face

Terrell Owens avoids crossing routes against Titans to prove he doesn't have a death wish

Dolphins looking like they'll probably get crushed by the NFC representative in the Super Bowl"


Here's te rest of the article if you guys want to read it.

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Records be damned. This makes me SO happy.

As was reported by my newest friend Tom Hammond, Brady Quinn shaves his arms and legs. Sorry ladies, but there is gay and there is not gay.

Now, as many of us know, Pat shaves his legs because he is a runner (at least, he has been a runner recently). That is acceptable, albeit still funny.

Brady Quinn plays football...and SHAVES HIS ARMS AND LEGS. So much for the whole ladies-man thing. And I bet all that man-crush obsession just became a whole lot weirder for Pat.

Oh man, this is great. Either Brady Quinn cannot admit that he is gay, or he is the most feminine straight guy I have ever seen.

How many times has Brady dreamed of stealing A.J. Hawk away from his sister?

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Chicago Bears Football is about a running back...

During the Bears-Seahawks game, a lead-in quoted Lovie Smith saying "Chicago Bears Football is about a middle linebacker and a running back," or something to that effect. The camera panned through the Soldier Field collonades with images of Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary (and Urlacher?) for the MLBs and Gale Sayers and Walter Payton for the Running Backs.

Conspicuously absent from the images of Chicago running backs were
Anthony Thomas, Curtis Enis, Craig Heyward, Edgar Bennett, and Rashaan Salaam.

I'm baffled at how their achievements could have been overlooked.




PS: I've heard at least two people on NBC tonight compare Rex Grossman to Brett Favre, and that's two too many for a player who still hasn't played enough games to fill out a full rookie season.

PPS: I'm not ready to shuffle just yet, and won't be till the Bears win the NFC Championship game, but I'm moving closer to relinquishing my title of "Token Prophet of Doom."

They looked awfully good last night.

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Blogger Gets Drunk, Forgets Responsibility

I know how many of you look forward to my sweet picks every week, but alas, I have failed you this time around. Last night after work, I - along with fellow YCS staff member Gavin - went out and got just absolutely crushed at a bar. It was totally worth it, but now I'm hung over (and it's 4:00 pm) and I forgot to do my picks this week. I'll be back, though, so don't worry.

If it's any consolation (and it is), consider this: friend of YCS Nick Poethig spent the majority of his day Sunday drinking/smoking alone in the back yard listening to his iPod without a shirt on. If that doesn't brighten your day, nothing will...

For what it's worth, my picks were:
Atlanta over Arizona
Dallas over Tennessee
Indianapolis over New York Jets
Miami over Houston
Minnesota over Buffalo
Carolina over New Orleans
San Diego over Baltimore
Kansas City over San Francisco
St. Louis over Detroit
Cleveland over Oakland
Jacksonville over Washington
Cincinnati over New England
Seattle over Chicago
Philly over Green Bay

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Ties? You bet!

I know they're rare in the NFL, but I swear to God I am going to lose my mind if I hear one more talking head previewing the Bears-Seahawks game tonight say "Both teams are undefeated, but not at the end of tonight!"

Yes, it's VERY VERY likely that one team will be 3-1 at the end of the night, but a tie has happened as recently as 2003! Improbable does not equal impossible.

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Irony or Hypocrisy or Something

This morning on The Sports Reporters, the panel (Albom, Lupica, Bob Ryan, and John Saunders) were bemoaning the flippant way the press had treated the Terrell Owens overdose story and how quickly the suicide angle was brushed aside. (I happen to agree with them on this one, by the way.) But not one minute later, in their setup for the next segment on today's NFL matchups, John Saunders said today would be "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Real sensitive, guys.

Oh, and for what it's worth, Bob Ryan sort of takes my side with the whole Saints/Superdome thing. Also for what it's worth, Mike Lupica thinks Frank Robinson is a great guy, and Mitch Albom is excited that the Tigers are in the playoffs. Hooray, parting shots.

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