EVIL~! alkeiper

I think really that too much is made of the FG. The Steelers ultimately did not lose because they went for a FG instead of a touchdown. They lost because they failed to stop the Patriots on the ensuing drive. And say what you will about the crowd, but if a professional football team, filled with the best players in the world, can not operate without the noise of a bunch of drunken yahoos in seats, forgive me if I find it hard to believe.

I don't think momentum accounts for much of anything. Shouldn't the momentum of driving down to the four have carried the team across the goalline within 3 downs? What happens if the Patriots stuff the play? Does momentum carry onto their side? It's an easy term to throw around, but it doesn't really MEAN anything. The problem with these scenarios is that they do not take into account that the Touchdown is harder to attain than the field goal. Of course the touchdown increases the chance to win. That's obvious. But the touchdown also carries risk. A field goal is worse than a touchdown, but better than no score at all.

Yes, but some teams are better prepared. The Phillies, for example, have Placido Polanco available if Utley or Bell goes down, and Gavin Floyd and Ryan Madson if an injury occurs to the pitching staff.

Regarding the Marlins, its tricky to judge them by last season, because they had many injuries to their pitching staff, and they played 27 games in 24 days to close the season. Logan Kensing started three games, and lost all three. That killed the Marlins. This season, it really depends on their injury situation. The Marlins have front-line talent, but very little depth. Remember, this is a team that thinks its a good idea to let Lenny Harris hold a bat in his hands. There is also little pitching beyond the front four. If Burnett and Beckett stay healthy, the Marlins could win the East. But if they don't, no chance.

I think a reasonable one year flyer on him isn't that big of a risk. I am VERY suspicious of Magglio's knee right now. Career .300 hitter, and no serious market? Something's up.

Well, George Foreman learned to win the Heavyweight championship. Yeah, by luck. There was more than luck involved. Foreman is unique because he was an All-Time great who retired in his prime. Remember he was just 27 when he first called it quits. Foreman hung in with Evander Holyfield a couple years before the Moorer fight, and he's never been embarrased in the ring. Remember, the Rumble in the Jungle is still the ONLY time Foreman was ever KO'ed.

I'm working on inputing new statistics. My rule is that all stat lines must come from a projection system, usually Bill James' Handbook for hitters and ZipS for pitchers.

I never understood trash-talking, particularly since you can never predict the outcome of a sporting event, and half the time you'll look like an ass afterwards.

The amusing thing was them doing the running back and forth bit between engagements. Like the wrestling match lasted two hours or something.

I'd throw Hogan/Iron Sheki out there, when Hogan won the title at MSG.

I can't believe no one mentioned Gibson's HR. Not Jack Buck's call though, where he threw out every phrase he could to make it a memorable call. Vin Scully's method of shutting the fuck up after the initial HR was far superior.

Seriously, the Nationals front office is ridiculous. They're ridiculous for considering the trade in the first place. Why pick up an aging outfielder and pay him more money when you already have Jose Guillen, Brad Wilkerson, Ryan Church, and Terrmel Sledge available to man the corner outfield positions?

I think even if they made the touchdown, the Patroits would have likely won the game. And while we can place blame on Cowher, Rothelisberger, or the defense, the fact is that the main reason the Steelers lost was because New England has a damned good team.

Think about this. A lack of free agency would RUIN parity. When baseball did not have a salary cap, teams like the St. Louis Browns, Phillies, Washington Senators, etc. sucked for DECADES at a time. Without free agency, a team has no quick method of digging itself out of the basement.

I like the Aurilia signing. Aurilia is far from a star, but he should provide league average offense to a team that had the potential to bomb at the position.

Jesus people. I go away for a full day and Tom needs to come in and babysit? For shame. This is my warning: keep it civil. If not, I WILL start suspending posters, and I don't give a flying fuck who started it.

It amazes me that the Rangers were persuing this deal at all. There's got to be a better use for of money for a team with a potent offense to sign a 1B/DH long term.

Well, I can tell you that myself (Eagles) and HarleyQuinn (Patroits fan) will set an example in civility that will shame you all.

If I were making an impartial pick, I'd take the Patriots. But since I'm a fan, I gotta take the Eagles to pull off the upset.

Although, I do find it humorous to reflect back to when Lurie bought the Eagles, and when Andy Reid was hired. Everybody *HATED* them (Lurie was a Hollywood nothing whose claim to fame was "VI Warshowski", and Reid was a fat-ass QB coach who had an easy job working w/ Favre in GB, and didn't deserve the head coaching job), but now they're the best thing since sliced bread. My favorite is the outrage when the Eagles drafted McNabb over Ricky Williams.

Well, apologies to Spiff for grouping him with the rest of us. Traitor.

I think it should be remembered that the voting system is not perfect. It's an unrestrained plurarity, so theoretically an award can be won with 10-15% of the vote. Some of these winners are just quirks of the system.

Seriously, is there a playoff quarterback who ESPN hasn't been accused of blowing?

Pinjockey and Spaceman Spiff are prefectly acceptable Eagle fans as well. Congrats to them.

It's still early. I'm not writing off the Steelers quite yet.