madlithuanian

Good thinking.... While I won't be in the FF for this site (time constraints), I'm in one league I've been in since the mid 90's and would love to get some advice/thoughts on players/teams.

I'm not 100% sure...but I believe the TM location should sell tickets to any event. Also, I'd purchase w/ Stub-Hub and not use eBay or Craigslist. There are too many fakes on those sites. StubHub at least guarantees that tix are legit. You may be out of tix, but not out of money.

HA!!!!

Use a good fishing rod and some cheddar as bait... Sorry...couldn't resist. I have no idea other than StubHub...

Interesting read. Actually quite similar to a lot of what nfo's been mentioning.

Go Mongo! Thanks for the post Flea!

I think you're right right on the Pitt OL. I forgot how many sacks they gave up last year. However, I was kind of coupling their last SB against Seattle in that equation. I also think Big Ben has a habit of holding onto the ball a bit too much. Thus, many of the sacks are on him. He's a good escape artist, but not that good. Your RB info basically agrees with my statement that AP isn't needed as a RB, you just need to be good. In a nutshell, your takes on Ben and Brady pretty much get to, I think, the same conclusion I have. That Cutler can bring that same savvy to the Bears.

I could not agree more regarding your comment on Baltimore! There are truly the exception that makes the rule. Yeah, the coaching is the troubling element in all this. But, now that Turner has all the ingredients, hopefully he can bake a good pie! It's tough to make a good apple pie when you don't have apple (Culter)!

If he signs with them, I hope he done...

Just butting my head in where it probably doesn't belong... I really think you're on to something there. I really feel, by default alone, that the upgrade on the OL and at QB will make the entire offense better. Now, take the next step and you could conclud that Forte will be better, that Olsen will be better, and that our young WR's will be better than last year. You mix all that up, and I think you will see a significant improvement on the overall offsense. Would it be swell to take a Burress-like talent...yes! Is it a necessity? I do not think so. Without diving into the D, I think a SB winning O needs the following: 1. Stellar QB - Big Ben, Brady, Manning, etc...these guys have moxie and skill. You need it to win it. Cutler is that guy. 2. Good rushing attack - Willie Parker, Bettis, Dillon, etc... You don't need an AP, but you need a quailty attack. Forte is that guy. 3. Great line - the Steelers, Giants and Pats all had super solid O lines. I'm not sure we do...but we might. We will need to see how well our new additions work. But there certainly is a legit potential of "very good". 4. Good receivers - Look at who's won these SB's recently...It was usually not a lot of sheer heroics from one WR diva. Usually a brilliant catch by one... Moss last year, Tyree, etc. Who's to say that Hester can't pull a lucky grab n' go or Olsen with a leap in the end zone? We don't need stats. We need TD's. I think our corps, if they progess as we've been hearing, can be that. 5. Good game-calling. Ok, here we are in trouble!

I could not agree more...

I'm not sure it's against the rules... Even if so, I imagine it happens quite frequently. I don't really find it odd in the least. I imagine players and coaches keep relationships they fostered in previous scenarios. Not all, but some that are closer than the norm. I can't locate any exacts, but hasn't Mr. Favre kept in contact w/ his old QB coach now in Minny? As one example... I also got the vibe parcells and a few other guys did similar.

I just hope we keep him on the speed dial once he retires. He appears to be a natural as a coach...

Thanks for the update and behind the scenes work!

I say go Burger King on him, and let the man have it his way! SB here we come!

Gotcha. Yeah, defensively, we look about the same! Seem to have the personnell, but it's not happening. It'll be interesting to see what both teams pull off this coming season. Offensively, I' nost sure we get to 7th (at least in passing), but I imagine we'll be SIGNIFICANTLY better!

Interesting... I hope we fare far better than they have as of late!

It does look good...

Here's a wild eyed speculation.... If Rivera get the SD to one of the top, it could be surmised that he is indeed a very good DC. Also, someone proven to be able to adapt to many situations... That may make him a stronger candidate for being a HC.

Nice write up! Keep us posted on any other of your writings!

Semantics... Whaerever he would have accomplished said goal of HoF, is "who made him".

I heard Cowherd on ESPN stating that the victim did just run out in the street to catch the bus. I've never heard him go out on a limb w/o coroborating evidence. he's an opinionated guy, but he's never made up news. Especially something so dire.

I think your take might just be right!

In all honesty, I'm not sure he could really say anything else... But, taken with a grain of salt, I'd rahter hear this than the opposite!

I fully admit, I gave him all the benefit of the doubt. I was just ecstatic that Jauron and Shoop n' Poop were gone! I figured anything'd be better! Having heard Smith's name a lot in prior years for HC jobs, I thought we probably landed a good one. I just kind of fell right into the trap. And early on, he really delivered. We beat Green Bay,etc... Later, once the novelty wore off, I started questioning. And this was really in the SB season. I tend to be more critical when we're doing well than not. I think because the expectation has simply gone up...and the team can't afford silly errors when making a legit run. I do think, as we move forward and eventually get a new coach (either because Smith retires after 4 championships or is fired because the D sucks again), I will be a little more discerning. I won't be so ready to accept something different just because it's different. As you mentioned about the front office, my expectation now is simply higher now that we have some solid structure in place.