the max

Wait, Manny Ramirez is 24 again? Not 36 and pulling his usual antics in the final year of a contract?

What a surprise.

Ducktales on NES. I timed myself a while back, probably months ago at this point, and beat all five levels and the final boss in less than 10 minutes. Of course, that's not really getting anything or going through the levels but for just ending them. Actually playing the game (collecting items) I can finish it in under 20 minutes. Ducktales 2 is a completely different animal though. That's a rough game.

- Bottle Rocket on DVD for only $4.99. - Carpet and upholstery cleaner to clean the beer off of the gal's grandfather's chair. - New cookbook. - New recipe card holder.

Mattingly! I told you to trim those sideburns! GO HOME, YOU'RE OFF THE TEAM!! FOR GOOD!!

My cat.

You're going to name it Hobbes, aren't you?

Yes I am, since Murray is being paid 4.15 million dollars but is invisible unless Krejci or Savard are setting him up. 4.15 million dollars should at least buy you some defensive awareness, but I guess that kind of money doesn't go that far. You toss out a lot of "if's" and never ask "if the Bruins keep Murray, how many games is he good for? 50? How many lazy penalties that cost the team precious goals? One? Two a game?" Murray has regressed a lot in the last two years and for a player of his age to have as many core and leg injuries as he did, it's not smart to keep him around. I'm glad they waived him, they can use his spot for a younger player who will add more. I don't think anyone was going to suggest that this team will be in the top 10 in scoring, that's just crazy. But to have a defensive corps like they have, a defensive minded coach, and two above-average goaltenders...they're going to be in games. It's a lot of "if's" for sure. But they just subtracted the biggest one: Glen Murray's health.

Personally, I see Wideman improving next season. In the year and a half that he's been a Bruin he has improved leaps and bounds in his own end. Julien has taken notice and used him in any situation as a #2 defenseman would be. To say that he's solely benefitted from Chara's presence is unfair. Like it or not, that's the value of a player as dictated by the market. Chiarelli didn't tell the Leafs to blow 14 million on Jeff Finger. Or the Islanders to sink 20.5 million into Mark Streit. The going rate for those players was set by the demand of the market. While Wideman was never available on the open market, the Bruins were smart and took him off of it with the contract. Who knows what the rate will be in two years, when Wideman would have been a UFA? It's a calculated risk that they took, but all signs point to Wideman getting better this season and beyond. You lectured me earlier in the thread about Aaron Ward missing time due to the way he plays the game. This is the game that Murray plays. He's slow, not physical, can't kill penalties, can't make plays without Savard or Krejci with him...yet this is a guy you want to keep around? Maybe "goal scoring left him" was harsh. But missing all those games, making the kind of money he's making...you'd expect him to be a top scorer when he plays...he has a tendency to disappear for stretches of games. They were given a 48 hour window after the Wideman signing and they took advantage of it (since he's been waived as I type this). He'll probably catch on somewhere else and he might do well or he might not. He doesn't fit this team anymore. He was a great player in Boston for a large part of his career. But for this team to seriously consider making the playoffs, I think they're better off without Murray.

I don't understand how signing an improving 25 year old puck-moving defenseman is a bad thing. Wideman made his gaffes last year, but he's still young. For players of his age and skillset, ~4 million is the going rate. When you factor in that they took away 2 years of UFA, it makes it a steal. I think Wideman will build on the very good year he had last year. Consider that last year he was coming off a terrible season, most of the players under Lewis had poor years. He bounced back last year and was a legit #2 for most of the season, capable of playing 28+ minutes regularly and not looking completely exposed. I don't think Wideman gets the respect he's due. EDIT: Murray's goal-scoring has left him. He's playing alongside one of the best passers in the league, but his lack of speed is killing him AND Savard. Teams aren't letting him just stand in the slot anymore either they're making him work for it more, which is killing Murray's legs. Ol' tissue paper groin has 45 goals in the last two years, but he's also missed a combined 42 games in that stretch of time with various leg and core injuries. Eventually, there comes a point when 4.15 million isn't worth what it used to be. With Ryder coming on board, a possibly pissed off Kessel, a full season from David Krejci and the return of Patrice Bergeron...I think that 4.15 million can be better spent elsewhere and no longer on a player who can't skate.

If there was a way to saddle Cement Legs onto the Scabs, I'd personally drive him up to Montreal and help him check into a hotel room.

Broons re-up Dennis Wideman 4/15.75. Cap hit around 3.95 million, buys out two years of UFA from Wideman. I really, really, really like this deal. It not only locks up a good player for the Broons, but also likely spells the end of the line for Glen Murray. Chara-Wideman Ward-Stuart Ference-Alberts/Hnidy/Lashoff That'll be a good top six whenever they sort out. Alberts is a possibility to be moved.

A tray table so I can surf the internet whilst using the terlit.

Before anyone else can say: Yes, Red Sox v. Yanks is the focus of the networks this weekend. Yes, it's happened again. We all know your team is more interesting than either one, so just let it all out. That's right. Chase down the fine folks at FOX and ESPN with your pitchforks and torches. I'd rather watch YES or NESN cover the game too.

So with your binoculars you have a fantastically sexy view of the inside of your van? What with it being windowless and all.

Not if you're looking for pitching, which all of the major deals have involved. I think he's referring more to Richie Sexson and Tony Clark.

Depends. 1- Footlong tuna on parmesean oregano, american cheese, thin line of southwest sauce, lettuce, onions, green pepper, cucumbers, salt and pepper. 2- Footlong subway club on honey oat, provolone cheese, thin line of mayo, thin line of southwest sauce, lettuce, onions, green pepper, banana peppers, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. 3- Footlong Italian BMT on italian herb and cheese, swiss cheese, thin line of mayo, thin line of southwest sauce, lettuce, onions, green pepper, cucumbers, carrots, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Season 3 is for me. http://www.snpp.com/episodeguide/season3.html Every episode is a classic.

I could honestly keep going. I think I need to find a hobby.

Don't know jack about football but I have to ask: What happens if Favre pulls this again next year. From what I can tell, this isn't the first time he's toyed with retiring/unretiring. What's to stop him from next year when he has two years left on his contract pulling the same bullshit as he is now by putting the team in a catch 22? He's put them in a fantastic no-win situation. Option 1: The Packers tell Favre to go home and jerk off in a moist towel. They will not give him his unconditional release, they will simply keep him on the roster and move on without him. Now the fans of Favre (the mustachioed dullards that they are) get pissed off at the Packers organization and start the "they pushed him out of Green Bay, ya know?" bullshit and turn on the new quarterback before he even gets a chance to do anything. Option 2: The Packers give in to Favre and bring him back to be their starting quarterback. Now the rookie that they drafted, all the work they've put in with him apparently building the offense around him, telling him he's the guy it's going to be his team means nothing. Pushed aside again by someone who can't seem to let go. Option 3: The Packers trade Favre or give him his unconditional release. While they may receive some compensation, it will never amount to what he means to the team. The entire league knows that they're basically bent over the table, so what kind of realistic trade offers will they get? And then they get to ship off a HOF player for a shitty draft pick or something, all because Favre can't stay retired. Personally, I'd politely tell him to head on home to Cousinfuck, Mississippi and move on with his life. If he still feels like playing in three years, he's more than welcome to go somewhere else.

Feel free to add to this everyone, but some overlooked players that went undrafted: F: - Dave Christian. R. Olympic gold-medalist, had a fairly successful pro career. 773 points, 8 25+ goal seasons, four of them 30+. - Doug Bentley. L. Top speedster and scorer in his era. Led league in goals and assists twice, points once. - Max Bentley. C. Wayne Gretzky of the 40's. One Hart trophy, led league in points once. - Bill Cowley. C. Retired as the leading scorer in NHL history with 548 points. Two Hart trophies, led league in assists three times. - Mike Ridley. C. Good point producer for the Caps. Finished with a respectable 758 points. 78 career playoff points as well. - Rene Robert. R. TFC member. Great speed, great shot, undrafted player went for .94 ppg in his career - Rick Martin. L. TFC member. 44 goals as a rookie, eight 30+ goal seasons including two 50+. - Wilf Paiement. R. Two-way player who could score and fight. Had 3 seasons of >1 ppg, ended with 814 - John Maclean. R. Gritty, tough player with solid scoring touch. 3 consecutive 40+ goal seasons, 842 points, good postseason guy. Foiled numerous terrorist plots. - Paul Maclean. R. Big scoring winger had five 30+ goal seasons, three 40+ goal seasons and only played 9.5 seasons. - Ray Ferraro. C. Gritty, overlooked player who played well for 18 years. Two 40 goal seasons. Almost 500 career assists. - Jean Pronovost. R. Great two-way player, 40+ goals four times, one a 52 goal season. Played well in the playoffs but never won anything. D: - Ching Johnson. Two-way defenseman who apparently hit like a truck and could shut anyone down. - Jerry Korab. Mean, nasty defenseman with offensive skills and a hard shot. - Gary Bergman. Very solid two-way defenseman. Intelligent offensively and a hard-hitter defensively. - Bruce Driver. Unassuming player but had above average PK skills and was a serviceable offensive defenseman. - Dave Ellett. Good puck mover, above average defense. - Dave Lewis. Excellent positional defenseman, tough as nails. G: - Gerry Cheevers. Bit surprised at Cheesy not being picked by anyone. Had great numbers. - Gump Worsley. Two Vezinas, Four all-star teams, Four Cups. Great character, played for some bad teams. Coach: - Fred Shero. Flyers' coach in the 70's. 390-225-119 in the regular season. 63-47 in the playoffs with two Cups. Jeez, I think if I keep researching this, I might be able to put together another team. So: D.Bentley-M.Bentley-P.Maclean Martin-Cowley-Robert J.Maclean-Ferraro-Christian Paiement-Ridley-Pronovost Johnson-Lewis Bergman-Korab Ellett-Driver Cheevers-Worsley PP: D.Bentley-Cowley-M.Bentley Johnson-Korab Martin-Ferraro-Robert Ellett-Driver PK: J.Maclean-Christian Lewis-Bergman Pronovost-Paiement Johnson-Driver I need a life. I think I'm going to go outside for a little while.

1- "Flaming Moe's" - When Moe's Tavern suffers financially, Homer tells Moe Szyslak of a secret alcoholic cocktail made with cough syrup and fire he calls "Flaming Homer". Though when Moe tries Homer's recipe in the bar and finds out it boosts his business and patronage, Moe steals the recipe from Homer. Guest stars: Aerosmith. "Uh, I'm Hugh Jass." 2- "Homer the Heretic" - While skipping Sunday's church services, Homer discovers the joy of staying home and having the house all to himself while Marge and the kids experience a rambling sermon from Reverend Lovejoy. Homer decides to start his very own religion customized for himself. First appearance of God. "Dad! The heathen's getting away!" "I see him, son..." 3- "Marge v. the Monorail" - After Mr. Burns is caught storing his excess nuclear waste inside Springfield Park's trees, he is ordered to pay the town $3 million. The town is originally set to agree to fix Main Street, but the charismatic Lyle Lanley interrupts and convinces the town to use the money to buy one of his monorails. "Hello, my name is Mr. uh...Snrub. Yes, that will do." "Actual institute may not match photo" "Does whiskey count as beer?" "Do you want to change your name to Homer Junior? The kids could call you Ho-Ju!" "I call the big one Bitey." 4- "Rosebud" - After a disastrous birthday party, Mr. Burns pines for his long-lost childhood toy, a teddy bear named Bobo. The bear ends up in the hands of Maggie and when Homer discovers this, he tries to use the bear to get a large reward from Burns. "Homer, did you stay up all night eating cheese?" "I think I'm blind." 5- "Homer Bad Man" - Homer and Marge attend a candy convention, where Homer successfully steals a gummy Venus de Milo. Later, after Homer takes the children's babysitter Ashley Grant home, he notices that the gummy Venus has become stuck to her pants and grabs it, an action that Ashley misinterprets as a sexual advance. "No Mr. Simpson, don't take your anger out on me! MR. SIMPSON!!! NNNOOOOO!!!" "Dramatization. May not have happened." 6- "A Milhouse Divided" - Kirk and Luann Van Houten's marriage is in trouble and at a dinner party at the Simpson house Luann announces that she wants a divorce. Homer is confident that it will never happen to him, but Kirk tells him how quickly things can change. I won't even list the great lines from this episode, but it's safe to say that this may be my favorite episode of all time. 7- "Homer's Enemy" - Frank Grimes, a new employee at the Nuclear Power Plant, is a hard-working man who has never been given a break in his life. At work he meets Homer and takes an instant dislike to his poor job performance and attitude. "Heya Stretch. What's the good word?" "You're a fraud, a total fraud [leaves, then briefly comes back through the front door, turning to the rest of the family] It was nice meeting you." I left off great episodes but I think this would be my week.

I PM'ed mine.

Working on mine. Haven't written anything like this since college, like 5 years ago.