ZoomSlowik

QUOTE(MarlinFan84 @ Aug 10, 2006 -> 09:50 PM) Overrated: Player-(now remember I live in Cardinal land)David Eckstein. All I hear is how he is elite defensively and any team would give up their SS and more for Eckstein. Jeter is up there as well, and David Wright is approaching Jeter levels of overrated ness. I really don't think you can put Wright on there, that kid is a developing star.

QUOTE(THEWOOD @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 05:06 PM) Did anyone else receive a replica world series trophy today in the mail from DHL? I didnt know they were sending one out. I guess all premium season ticket holders got one per the letter included. We picked one up at the park. The season ticket holder ones are much bigger than the free giveaways, roughly the size of a football. Not bad.

This one's probably going to get me in trouble, but another team I have no faith in is Notre Dame. Their defense was mediocre last year, and I don't see it getting much better. On paper, it might be worse. They need some people to step up across the board. Offensively, they need to improve their run-blocking, and another major receiving threat needs to emerge. I really think they're getting way too much hype. Their schedule also has a few more tough teams. Yeah, I know a lot of people said that last year, but things didn't work out that way. This year, Penn State, Michigan, and USC are all more athletic than they are. Some of those other teams aren't complete pushovers either, and they won't sneak up on anyone this year. They'll still win shootouts, and there are a lot of weak teams on their schedule as well. I just don't see them getting through the year unscathed like some people seem to.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 08:24 PM) Randy Moss' last 2 years does not match the top 5 receivers in the game and definitely does not match up with Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, or Terrell Owens. Moss definitely had a down year last season, but I wouldn't call 2004 one. For one, he still scored 13 touchdowns. Two, he wasn't 100% for a good chunk of the year. He missed 3 games, missed most of two others where he had no catches, and was still somewhat limited when he came back. That's kind of like calling Owens' 2005 as a down year because he got suspended. I'm leaving him in the top 5 because unless he's lost a step, he's the most physically gifted of the group.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 04:59 PM) Hines has averaged 1,098 yards the past 5 years, with 8.2 TD's a year and dominating blocking to help the run game. He has never been in a high flying offense, yet puts up a thousand each year including the tough catches and yards, and is the best blocking WR in the game. I'll admit, I gave Ward some consideration. However, his numbers aren't quite as spectacular as the others. He's a bit more of a possession receiver as well. He's certainly a solid receiver, but I wouldn't call him top 5. He may be the most balanced as well.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 03:18 PM) Since we're talking about Moss...is it possible that he's lost his "title"(or whatever you want to call it) as a top 2 receiver in the league? I didn't watch him play much last year, but in his last year in Minnesota, he seemed to be a pretty mediocre receiver, and a lot of that had to do with a hamstring injury. To relate injuries from one sport to another, Scott Podsednik has not been the same player, period, since his hamstring injury late last year. For those who watched Moss play in Oakland last year, was he a little more ineffective due to a little loss in speed? I don't really watch the Raiders, so I can't really comment on the speed. However, I don't think you can definitely make judgements based on one season, just like I don't think you can definitively say that Steve Smith is #1 right now because of a great year last year. He still had over a thousand yards and 8 TDs. Consistency is the key. Right now I'd say the top 5 in no particular order is Moss, Harrison, Johnson, Boldin and Owens. Torry Holt just misses, and Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Smith can solidy a spot with another solid year. Antonio Gates also probably belongs in the discussion.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 02:05 PM) Zoom, Its not that Auburn cant, its just that watching their performance last year against Wisconsin, I just did not see a team that would be a NC contender. I really liked Irons last year, but Auburn just was unable to control the tempo through the running game like Wisconsin was. Calhoun went for more yards then the entire Auburn team gained I believe. I don't quite see them as a NC contender either, not with that schedule. They should be pretty good though. I think you're putting a little too much stock in that one game. Wisconsin played a fantastic game that day, I can't argue that. I think over the course of the regular season Auburn was a better team though. I'll admit that I kind of feel the same way about Texas though. I know they have a lot of pretty good players back, but losing Young is huge. Also, Ramonce Taylor was a potential star that they won't have anymore (transferring), and they lost several playmakers on defense. They need to either find a quarterback fast or hope their defense is a monster. The latter is possible. They have a very good defensive line and Michael Griffin is a solid DB, but I think they're an impact linebacker short (maybe freshman Sergio Kindle, but that's a lot of pressure). They also have a pretty good offensive line, a solid RB in Charles (though it sounds like they'll play more I-formation, and he's a better fit for the spread), and some dangerous receivers. I think they'll still make a solid bowl game because their schedule is fairly forgiving. But I really don't see them beating OSU, and if they make a BCS bowl I don't like their chances unless a few guys step up.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 09:18 PM) I disagree. Why would have been over confident against a Badger team that was 9-3 going into that bowl game with losses to: PSU, Iowa, and one bad game at Northwestern. Auburn going into that game was 9-2, losing to GT and LSU. As to their ranking this year, maybe they will be that good, I just do not see it. They had serious problems facing a much more physical Badger offense. This year Auburn plays, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, Georgia, and Bama. I guess it is possible that they can win every one of those games, Im just saying that judging from the team I saw last year, I think that is doubtful. Maybe Auburn had a really bad game, I dont know and I honestly do not follow every single football program. I have seen Auburn a few times, especially when they had Caddy and Brown. Also saw the 2003 Auburn team completely dominate Wisconsin so I know what they are capable of. Anyway's just my opinion of course, I think that Wisconsin will do fine and that the fact only 3 starters returned is not as important as people make it seem. Calhoun was a big loss, but as a Wisconsin fan you have to have faith that they have some one ready to fill in, as they have had a lot of success with rb's. There are some questions at wr, but I would say the health on the defensive side offsets that. I think Auburn has just about as good a chance as anyone to make some serious noise this year. They could have easily been a 4-loss team last year (kind of pulled the Georgia game out of their ass), but they have some talented players returning. Every team in the country has some question marks, and you just don't know how teams will fill those holes. I try to pay attention to what teams do have coming back, which is where Auburn has a few advantages over other teams. Kenny Irons is one of the best running backs in the country. Brandon Cox is a capable quarterback that got better as the year went on (well maybe not in the Bowl Game). Courtney Taylor is a dangerous receiver. They have two very good ends in Marquies Gunn and Quentin Groves. Kim Herring is a pretty solid veteran safety/linebacker. They have to fill some holes at DT, linebacker, and at the safety spots, but that's a pretty good start. Are they going to go undefeated? Probably not. LSU and Florida should be very tough, and Georgia isn't a pushover. But they have a good chance to go 9-2 or better in the regular season, much like last year. I'm going to stay away from commenting on Wisconsin this year. Brian Calhoun proved me wrong big time last year.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 01:32 PM) Actually, I work for the Boy Scouts. That would explain it.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 01:18 PM) My employer has a list of twelve attributes they like all the members to live by, most probably apply to this place: trustworthy, loyal, helpful. friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Sounds like your boss was in the Boy Scouts.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 01:21 PM) Im gonna go with. 1. Manning 2. Palmer if he is healthy 3. Mcnabb 4. Culp No Brady in the top 5? I'd personally put him up there. I also don't see McNabb being that productive this year. He doesn't really have the ability to make big plays on the run anymore, and his lack of quality receivers will probably limit his effectiveness. I definitely don't see him posting anything anywhere near his 2004 numbers.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 01:06 PM) That's not really a fair thing to do for any QB. The whole idea of having a dominant receiver like Moss is not only does he make a ton of catches and big plays himself, but he opens up the field for big plays for other guys by drawing the focus of the defense and leaving single coverage on the second and third targets most of the time. My only point with that was that Moss alone doesn't make a great receiving group. To some extent that's true, but the other guys still have to be able to make plays in their own rights. They still have to be able to get open and make the catch. That simply wasn't the case with a lot of Minnesota's receivers. Moss has a big impact, but he can't turn just any junk into gold. Otherwise he'd have put up better numbers in Oakland last year, or someone besides Carter would have been a bigger threat for the Vikings, or someone besides TO would have been a productive receiver for the Eagles. An elite receiver certainly helps the cause, but the other guys still have to produce. That didn't happen all that often in Minnesota.

High post counts Good posters consistently make solid points or contributions, backing them up with reasoning or facts when possible/necessary. They add more to the discussion than just length. They are not afraid to state their opinion if it goes against the crowd, and they are willing to debate the topic if someone disagrees (though hopefully not in extreme length like I often do ). They think about what they want to say before it is posted, so they don't end up making ridiculous or reactionary comments. They never verbally attack other posters, not only out of respect but because it weakens your argument. They don't post the same thing over and over again until people get sick of it, rather they can intelligently discuss a wide variety of topics while offering new information or viewpoints.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 12:16 AM) 90+ catches from Cris Carter is lackluster? Robert Smith was a great pass-catching RB. Byron Chamberlain had 50-some catches in 2001. His weapons in Minnesota are way better than anything he has in Miami now. Randy Moss was an absolute beast while in Minnesota. People fail to realize how many bombs Culpepper threw to Moss for TD's. I did say "mostly." Carter is a future hall of famer, that I can't doubt. Carter hasn't been there for Culpepper's whole career though, only in 2 of his 6 seasons as a starter. To say he had great options for his whole career simply isn't accurate. Moss is the only good threat that he had for most of his career. Even if you remove Moss' numbers entirely from Dante's totals he still posts better numbers than most quarterbacks. His options in Miami aren't stellar, but he has a few more threats than he had in Minnesota. If he can post the numbers he did in 2004 with an injured Moss most of the year (only missed 3 games but was limited in several others), he should be able to do the same thing with Chambers, Booker, and McMichael. And if Chambers can average 919 yards and almost 8 TD's a year with the crap that the Dolphins have had at QB, he's a pretty good candidate to put up 1200 and 12 with a healthy Culpepper.

Weren't there rumors that Yulieski Gourriel defected? What ever came of that? That kid is a stud. He mostly plays 3B and some 2B so he isn't a major need, but the kid is really talented.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 11:40 AM) http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1611 LMAO at their new rankings. Mayo at #5, Love at #7, Kyle Singler ahead of both. JJ Hickson doesn't belong anywhere near the top 25, much less the top 15. Anthony Randolph is easily a top 10 player, and they must not have ever seen Blake Griffin play, as he's played himself into the top 12. Agreed entirely, that's a messed up list. Mayo outside of the top 3 is ludicrous, Love is an easy top 5, and Randolph definitely looks like a future stud.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Aug 6, 2006 -> 09:22 PM) Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Robert Smith in 2000. Pro Bowler in his 1st year as starter, nearly 4000 yards. Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Byron Chamberlain, Jake Reed, Michael Bennet in 2001. That's only two years though, and Reed wasn't really that good in 2001. In 2002 and 2003 he had monsters like D'Wayne Bates, Derrick Alexander, and Kelly Campbell for receivers. Burleson was only decent in 2003, and Moe Williams was their second leading receiver that year. In 2004 he played most of the year without Moss. The numbers might look good, but I'd attribute Burleson and Robinson's numbers to Culpepper as opposed to the other way around. And last year before he got hurt his receivers simply weren't getting open. Outside of Moss he's had mostly lackluster receiving options.

QUOTE(chimpy2121 @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 02:32 PM) Speaking of college football, are we going to do another pick em group this year? Yes, I will be running one. I have to defend my back-to-back titles.

Kyle Sackrider.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 11:53 AM) I'll be going to my first non Northwestern football games this season. Even though I hate the Illini, I already got tix for Illinois-Iowa and hopefully for Illinois-OSU....ahem Steve. I didn't know you were an NU guy... They might sneak into another bowl game if they find a quarterback. God, I can't wait for the first game. Tailgating!

My all-overrated rotation: 1) Josh Beckett 2) Mark Prior 3) Kerry Wood 4) A.J. Burnett 5) C.C. Sabathia (he keeps getting thrown around as an ace despite a 4.05 career ERA. Decent, but not stellar)

Some people still haven't joined yet, so we're shifting the rosters around. Heads and Drunk Bomber will be added to league 2. New waiting list: SayItAintSo Shakes BHAMBARONS Abe Froman Fattyguy78

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 06:10 PM) Looks pretty sweet. Would be another avenue to get my DBPL fix. Ugh, I spend way too much time on the DPBL as it is.

QUOTE(Wedge @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 02:13 PM) In terms of replacing Pods, how do you feel about Mack starting everyday and playing LF and leading off? No way. Mack is not an everday player on a good team, and leading off only makes it worse.

I don't expect too many major changes. In terms of the lineup, the only change I see is bringing in a replacement for Pods. He's going to get more expensive and he just isn't worth it. I have no idea where our replacement will come from, Kenny will probably have to get creative with a trade. It'd be pretty hard to get a major upgrade elsewhere (well, outside of maybe center, but Anderson is fine). As for starting pitching, Freddy is probably going to get dealt in the off-season. He's starting to slide and only has one year left. I don't like his chances of getting back to his old self. I don't see us giving up on Vazquez just yet. McCarthy gets the open spot in the rotation. I really don't see us signing a FA. Our payroll is already pretty high, and 4 of our other 5 starters are going to be making around $10 mil. The bullpen appears to be pretty much set. The only move there might be adding a Politte or Hermanson-like cheap reliever for middle relief.