I grew up watching the Saints. I remember all the losing seasons very fondly. Since they won the big game last year, I don’t care if they never do again. So I won’t feel let down if they lose tonight, or in the first round of the playoffs, or ever again. Hell, I still can’t believe they won in February.
That said, geaux get ’em, boys.
5.
Steeplejack
Love dem Saints, but I love the Falcons more. Should be a good game.
Warning: I am sitting down to watch this whole game, not just have it on in the background. The last two times I did this in anticipation of a good, close game (1) the Patriots slaughtered the Jets and (2) the Patriots slaughtered the Bears. Fortunately the Patriots are not playing tonight. I hope that will beat the jinx.
I’m just going to take this opportunity to point out that the Lions have won 3 in a row. As in, more than one. I would also like to point out that Detroit fans are obviously more devoted than most other sports fans, since they sold out pretty much every home game this year, even though they have been a miserable failure for so long. Of course, it could be argued that it just proves Detroit fans are stupid, rather than dedicated.
10.
burnspbesq
And in sports that matter to billions of people, rather than the mere hundred million or so that follow the NFL, Australia finally got England out for 512. It’s going to take a miracle for them to get something out of this game, and if they lose it, the Poms keep the Ashes.
Tonight’s game has no impact on whether the Giants make the playoffs, so I have no rooting interest. Entertainment and no serious injuries will be just fine.
11.
Mr Stagger Lee
Public service announcement from the Pacific Northwest, you may not want to see the Sunday Night Game between Seattle and St Louis on a full stomach, or if you have to, please be well liquored up. The Seahawks are that bad.
12.
Evolved Deep Southerner
@stuckinred: Falcons and Falcons, back to back. I’m feeling good about it.
13.
MattR
@John – A Motley Moose: And that is why Raiders fans are such a joke. If they are such a devoted fanbase, how did they have 14 of 16 games over the last two years blacked out on TV due to not selling out the stadium?
14.
Cat Lady
As a Pats fan, I don’t want to see the Packers again in the playoffs.
And in sports that matter to billions of people, rather than the mere hundred million or so that follow the NFL, Australia finally got England out for 512. It’s going to take a miracle for them to get something out of this game, and if they lose it, the Poms keep the Ashes.
This is a big deal in my household. American football, notsomuch.
Snow has had a big impact on the NFL this season. First it collapsed a stadium, then it canceled a game. Wonder what else snow has in store for the season?
24.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
President Obama called the owner of the Philadelphia eagles last night and thanked him for giving michael vick a second chance in life.
According to Sports Illustrated reporter Peter King, the president said that released prisoners rarely receive a level playing field and that Vick’s story could begin to change that.
With ticket prices being what they are, I don’t blame any fan who doesn’t go to a game in a decidedly-losing season.
Can’t argue with this (or the decision of individual fans not to go). But you don’t get to declare yourself an avid fanbase if you can’t sell out your stadium. Especially when Detroit, of all places, is managing to do it.
@arcadesproject: It’s “who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints,” which dates back at least to their first 8-8 season, which sounds like no big deal until you remember that it took them 20 years to reach that level of mediocrity. Those were some painful years, my friend.
I only root for two teams, really–the Saints and whoever’s playing the Falcons. That’s one team tonight. Who dat!
@MattR: Yes. You are right. They are coasting on old glories with that boast.
@stuckinred: Now it has started. Let’s see. I like the Saints better overall. I like the Falcons rise from mediocrity. I am leaning toward the Saints because they are on the road. On the other hand, I like the Falcons’ unis better. So difficult.
Next consideration–who is favored? Falcons, but only by two, so not overwhelming favorites. Scanning the rosters….Nope. No one on either team catches my eye. What’s this? Ed Hochuli is reffing? Then I root for many penalties!
@Steeplejack: Yes. I remember this well. Mayhaps you should watch something else.
If it wasn’t for the sub-continent, you be lucky to find a few million with an interest in cricket.
I’m sure you didn’t mean to suggest that those folks don’t matter. They surely matter to Disney: ESPN makes an incalculable amount of money in its joint venture with Star TV. And the Indian cricket fans could teach the SEC drunks a lesson in passionate support.
They’ve had the Star TV feed of the Ashes, so I’m getting to see all kinds of weird Indian TV commercials. I especially like the one with the giant mango rolling down the street crushing everything in its path. The Indians are every bit the equal of the French in the strange-TV-spots league table.
@burnspbesq: Granted. Especially the part about the SEC fans. I’m a Big 10 fan. You know, the conference that can get more than 100,000 people to go to an outdoor college hockey game.
As for sports on the sub-continent, what do they have other than cricket and soccer? Now if you want to talk about popular sports you have to talk about soccer. That is the only true world sport. Baseball is probably second. I don’t know what sport would come in third. Perhaps, basketball. Its popularity is growing world-wide and it is now played just about everywhere.
@John – A Motley Moose: You can’t be serious. I was raised a Illini and have lived in Athens, GA. The Big 10 doesn’t come close to the SEC in terms of attendance or enthusiasm.
@stuckinred: You can’t be serious. I was raised a Illini and have lived in Athens, GA for 26 years. The Big 10 doesn’t come close to the SEC in terms of attendance or enthusiasm.
@MattR: Well, if you want to loosen the definition of sport and teams then I guess we could include Formula 1. If we drop the team requirement then we could include golf. But, in that case, even golf is a piker compared to the obvious winner, which is fishing.
Kinda scary to see them work, innit? It’s a different game they’re playing. Belichick and Brady have all of the records it’s possible for them to break in their sights, and they both appear to be on a mission again. Getting rid of Moss was the key to it all. He wouldn’t drink the kool aid, and now everyone on that team sees what happens when you don’t drink Belichick’s kool aid. He drinks your milkshake.
Wait. You’re posting here. And I’m posting at your place. Does that mean someone else is posting as we speak at my place? Will this topsy turvy world of interton insanity ever make sense?!
Right. You all were talking about your “football.” Don’t let me interrupt.
But seriously, the Pats look awesome. Now. But I remember the team in the first part of the season, and that wasn’t all Moss’ fault. The Pats have some fatal flaws – mostly on defense – and any playoff team could beat them. Maybe except for whomever wins NFC West. Really, the NFL should kick the NFC West into a lower Tier.
Especially when Detroit, of all places, is managing to do it.
Well, let’s be honest here: Detroit winning 4 games is a winning season.
As a native Michigander, I understand the special dispensation we have to be Packer’s fans. Speaking of which, in 6 days I will be at Lambeau for the season closer vs. da Bears!
@stuckinred: What?! The Big 10 doesn’t come close in attendance and enthusiasm? LOL! The top 3 schools in attendance are all Big 10 schools. Michigan, my team, has been the top school in football attendance for the last 12 years. You want fan enthusiasm, try100,000+ for a hockey game. I’ll grant that the SEC is riding high in the last few years, but that doesn’t make them the top conference. For all of Michigan’s known weakness in bowl games, they have a strong winning record against SEC opponents.
@asiangrrlMN: And threaten’ the ppl w/ a rollin’ pin!
@ABL: I canna fix it Captain, I canna change the laws of physics! (Alternatively: I’m a doctor, Jim, not a magician!)
70.
MattR
@Loneoak: Heh. That was my secondary meaning. I was primarily thinking about the economy. But your point is taken. And if the Lions rise to a winning season, they will be led by a QB named Matthew, meaning “gift of God” ;)
71.
Comrade Coffin
I’m rooting for the Niners (or some other team.. any other team) to hire Gruden as a coach and take This Guy(tm) off my TV next year.
72.
Larkspur
Hey, can somebody possibly enlighten me? Someone who is aware of all NFL traditions?
I am a 49ers fan. I knew Mike Singletary wasn’t gonna be back. Everybody knew. But is there some particular reason that he’d be fired before the last meaningless game of the 49er season? I am not outraged or anything, but I am curious. I mean, I don’t see the point. I figure that if there is a specific reason, it might have to do with (a) hoping that everything will be so undone that the team will lose the last game in spectacular fashion, to improve the draft prospects, (b) to take the pressure off the players by getting rid of Their Problem, in the hope of providing an entertaining final game, or (c) giving their interim coach an abbreviated tryout.
I am overthinking this, yes? I suppose Mr. York was just very very pissed off and saw no reason for not indulging his pique right the hell now, yes?
73.
Loneoak
If ABL is still around, has anyone ever told you that your site loads REALLY slowly in Safari? Like, freeze your browser for a full minute slowly.
Big Ten vs SEC. In the Big Ten most schools have one big rival. For example, I fucking hate Michigan, always have and always will. Bo was a shit eatin dog fucker of the lowest form. Down here these people hate EVERYBODY with a passion.
77.
MattR
@Larkspur: My guess is that if Mr. York had made the decision, he saw no reason to postpone it. Given the timing, I would guess he mostly made up his mind a while ago but didn’t want to be hasty while they still had a chance to win the horrid NFC West. All the things you listed probably crossed his mind and he probably also wants to see how the players react to a different coach, even if it is only for one game.
@stuckinred: OTOH, Singletary is still lauded for getting in Vernon Davis’s grill. Situations were a bit different, but I am not so sure that York was upset by Singletary speaking candidly like that on the sideline. (EDIT: Though now I am remembering Singletary getting into it with the other Smith during a game earlier in the season. So maybe it was becoming too much of a pattern)
78.
A Ghost To Most
@Comrade Coffin:
Seconded. Channeling Richard Attenborough: “He [Gruden] suffers from a deplorable excess of personality”.
@MattR: “…while they still had a chance to win the horrid NFC West…”
Of course you’re exactly right. Even though I knew there was still a playoff chance, I never seriously thought it was possible, so I kind of discounted the prospect. It was so far-fetched. But of course York couldn’t do it until that last ridiculous hope was extinguished.
But I couldn’t be an owner or coach, either. I’d crash and burn immediately because of worrying about people’s feelings. Knowing this reminds me of why I’m glad I’m not a man, on account of the pain I imagine one would feel upon being emasculated. Ya know?
82.
MattR
@A Ghost To Most: I am really curious what his former players think when they hear him gushing and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt like that on national TV.
@Larkspur: Personally, if I had made the decision that Singletary was not getting the job done, I would have canned him even though there was still a chance at the playoffs. Or maybe, especially because there was still a chance at the playoffs. The current team under Singletary might have snuck into the playoffs, but they would not have done anything. OTOH, maybe you would catch lightning in a bottle with your interim head coach and the team might have started playing better and gone on a winning streak to get into the playoffs with momentum.
Michigan’s 108,933 fans per game over eight home contests edged Penn State’s 107,008 to give the Wolverines their 12th straight attendance title. Two other programs also topped the 100,000 mark: Ohio State at 105,261 and Texas at 101,175. This was the third straight year that Big Ten Conference teams held the top three spots.
@John – A Motley Moose: Whatever. I’m sure you are a genius because you went to Michigan and you know that there are more than 3 teams in the Big Ten.
88.
MattR
@stuckinred: I don’t see SIngletary as a head coach in the NFL for quite a few years. He is gonna have to go to a college that will be patient and allow him to learn the management side of being a head coach or he is gonna have to take a step down and be a defensive coordinator, something he has never done, to get that same management experience.
@stuckinred: Ah. Oops. Misinterpreted what you meant. Pretty sure this is the first time that ever happened on the internet.
@stuckinred: Ooooh… Now you said something mean about St. Bo. I may have to challenge you to a duel. About the only Big 10 coach I despised was Woody. I’d normally retaliate by saying something nasty about an Illinois coach, but Illini football is so irrelevant that no coach’s name comes to mind.
I have to admit the SEC beats the Big 10 in one category – NCAA sanctions. Those Florida schools really do you guys proud when it comes to cheating.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan has been playing football for more than a century, earning respect by becoming the nation’s winningest program while avoiding the stigma attached to teams that break NCAA rules.
Until now.
The school admitted Tuesday to a series of violations by its storied football program and said it had reprimanded seven people, including third-year coach Rich Rodriguez. Another staffer was fired and the school released more than 150 pages detailing a breakdown in communication within the athletic department as well as self-imposed sanctions that include two years of probation.
93.
MattR
In that situation, does anyone know if the ref blows the whistle as soon as he gets notified of a review by the booth or does he wait until as close to the snap of the ball as possible so the Saints don’t get the advantage of a free timeout?
The University of Michigan basketball scandal or Ed Martin scandal was a six-year investigation of the relationship between the University of Michigan, its men’s basketball teams and basketball team booster Ed Martin. As a result of the investigation, the Wolverine men’s basketball program was punished for numerous National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules violations, principally involving payments booster Martin made to several players to launder money from an illegal gambling operation. It is one of the largest incidents involving payments to college athletes in American collegiate history. An initial investigation by the school was joined by the NCAA, Big Ten Conference, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
as a Shippensburg alumni, I have to give a shout-out to the Falcon’s Brent Grimes, one of two (2!) Red Raiders in the NFL, along with John Kuhn in Green Bay.
@stuckinred: Did I say they didn’t have their own sanctions? No, I said the SEC had more, i.e. beats the Big 10 in that category.
100.
Larkspur
Halftime.
Hee. Way back in the olden days, before I dropped out (spectacularly) of Michigan, everybody used to refer to Ann Arbor as the Berkeley of the Midwest. But nobody in Berkeley ever referred to themselves as the Ann Arbor of the West. (I know this because I am Larkspur of the West now.)
But don’t forget, these were the olden days. Coors was considered the nectar of the gods. Once someone brought an artichoke back from the west coast. We regarded it like it was holy, with a “Quest For Fire” kind of reverence. (Then we ate it. It was delicious.)
@Larkspur: And that’s when you went to a game in Ann Arbor or Columbus and the home team has so many players that they “stacked” that they stood shoulder to shoulder from one goal line to the other.
103.
Three-nineteen
@stuckinred: Well, the SEC has (at least until next season) one more school in it than the Big Ten. Not to mention that Northwestern, with about 8,500 students, might drag down the attendance average a mite.
@John – A Motley Moose: Of course it does. As I have said, I love Illinois football and the Big Ten except for Michigan. I was shocked when I moved down here in 1984. Football is a way of life here that is way beyond what exists in the midwest (which State College is not in). If you have lived in both then I’ll listen to you, otherwise I just don’t think you know what you are talking about. As far as cheating, if you know anything about college sports you know the whole fucking thing is a scam that uses these kids and basically throws them away. Some are worse than others but they all do it.
@Brian S (formerly Incertus): You know I was really wondering what you would think of it. Maybe you could download each post, correct it and send it back.
And, for your information professor, this argument rages on sports radio day-in-and-day-out. (Is that punctuation correct?)
111.
Three-nineteen
@stuckinred: I see, I read it incorrectly. But the Wikipedia page says Vanderbilt undergrad enrollment is about 7,000, so still close.
@MattR: @asiangrrlMN:
putting hats on cats is just not for the faint of heart, unless one is the amazing Theodor Seuss Geisel. arugula is one tasty bacon-y kind of green, if grown in the Spring and picked daily before it bolts. there’s no elitism in arugula. you know why? it’s much easier to grow than spinach, it self sows and is sometimes perennial.
I have lived in both. As I’ve mentioned here before, I lived in MS recently. The town I lived in took great pride in their high school football team. Game night was a major social event.
Putting aside all of the trash-talking, I agree with you about college football treating the players poorly. Coaches get multi-million dollar salaries and schools rake in billions and yet the players that actually put out the product get bupkus. That’s the American way – the people that actually produce are at the bottom.
@stuckinred: No, I missed that. I’ll have to keep an eye open for a rerun.
117.
Three-nineteen
Is this announcer on Brees’s payroll or something?
(paraphrasing) Brees is the guy you want out here for your team (even though he has no touchdowns tonight), because he’s not only athletic, he plays with his head…and there’s a pick-six, he probably shouldn’t have thrown that…anyway, Brees is nothing short of genius on the field.
@Brian S (formerly Incertus): Then I suggest you don’t listen to sports talk radio or drop in on NFL Open Threads, you’ll feel better.
121.
tarylcabot
Happy to see the Saints win the grudge match. Have felt for the last month or so that Atlanta was over rated – certainly their offense isn’t Super Bowl caliber. Looking forward to the rubber match in….4 weeks(?)
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
I betting the far left Saints will kill the blue-dog Falcons.
Ash Can
Who dat say who dat?
MattR
How can I not root for the team led by MattRyan?
Jude
I grew up watching the Saints. I remember all the losing seasons very fondly. Since they won the big game last year, I don’t care if they never do again. So I won’t feel let down if they lose tonight, or in the first round of the playoffs, or ever again. Hell, I still can’t believe they won in February.
That said, geaux get ’em, boys.
Steeplejack
Love dem Saints, but I love the Falcons more. Should be a good game.
Warning: I am sitting down to watch this whole game, not just have it on in the background. The last two times I did this in anticipation of a good, close game (1) the Patriots slaughtered the Jets and (2) the Patriots slaughtered the Bears. Fortunately the Patriots are not playing tonight. I hope that will beat the jinx.
stuckinred
Go Birds, bitch slap these posers!
gizmo
What a mess the Vikings have become. They are an embarrassment to the Twin Cities. Management / coaches / players — they all suck.
arcadesproject
@Ash Can: Who dat? was originally, I think, the cheer for the LSU Tigers, as in :
Who dat? Who dat? Who dat talkin ’bout beatin dem tigguhs?
It has been appropriated by Saints fans who now want to know: Who dat? Who dat? Who dat talkin’ ’bout beatin’ dem Saints?
John - A Motley Moose
I’m just going to take this opportunity to point out that the Lions have won 3 in a row. As in, more than one. I would also like to point out that Detroit fans are obviously more devoted than most other sports fans, since they sold out pretty much every home game this year, even though they have been a miserable failure for so long. Of course, it could be argued that it just proves Detroit fans are stupid, rather than dedicated.
burnspbesq
And in sports that matter to billions of people, rather than the mere hundred million or so that follow the NFL, Australia finally got England out for 512. It’s going to take a miracle for them to get something out of this game, and if they lose it, the Poms keep the Ashes.
Tonight’s game has no impact on whether the Giants make the playoffs, so I have no rooting interest. Entertainment and no serious injuries will be just fine.
Mr Stagger Lee
Public service announcement from the Pacific Northwest, you may not want to see the Sunday Night Game between Seattle and St Louis on a full stomach, or if you have to, please be well liquored up. The Seahawks are that bad.
Evolved Deep Southerner
@stuckinred: Falcons and Falcons, back to back. I’m feeling good about it.
MattR
@John – A Motley Moose: And that is why Raiders fans are such a joke. If they are such a devoted fanbase, how did they have 14 of 16 games over the last two years blacked out on TV due to not selling out the stadium?
Cat Lady
As a Pats fan, I don’t want to see the Packers again in the playoffs.
That is all.
stuckinred
@Evolved Deep Southerner: Better than a sharp stick in the eye. And I get the Illini, the Dawgs and the Hokies comin up too!
asiangrrlMN
I have not decided for whom I shall root. I suspect it will be a game-time decision.
@gizmo: Yes. They do. And they will be embarrassed on the national teevee tomorrow night. Sigh.
@MattR: Eh. With ticket prices being what they are, I don’t blame any fan who doesn’t go to a game in a decidedly-losing season.
And, I loathe Mike Tirico.
John - A Motley Moose
@burnspbesq: Billions? LOL. If it wasn’t for the sub-continent, you be lucky to find a few million with an interest in cricket.
stuckinred
@asiangrrlMN: Whatchoo talkin about Willis, it IS game time!
bloodstar
Go Falcons
If only the Saints Fans would stop starting fights in the Georgia Dome I’d be a little more friendly towards them.
stuckinred
@bloodstar: NFL crowds suck.
asiangrrlMN
@stuckinred: No it’s not. Game hasn’t started.
stuckinred
@asiangrrlMN: picker of nits
Violet
@burnspbesq:
This is a big deal in my household. American football, notsomuch.
Snow has had a big impact on the NFL this season. First it collapsed a stadium, then it canceled a game. Wonder what else snow has in store for the season?
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
President Obama called the owner of the Philadelphia eagles last night and thanked him for giving michael vick a second chance in life.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Obama-calls-Eagles-owner-to-congraulate-him-for-?urn=nfl-300632
wow. I guess obama isn’t a blue-dog after all.
MattR
@asiangrrlMN:
Can’t argue with this (or the decision of individual fans not to go). But you don’t get to declare yourself an avid fanbase if you can’t sell out your stadium. Especially when Detroit, of all places, is managing to do it.
Brian S (formerly Incertus)
@arcadesproject: It’s “who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints,” which dates back at least to their first 8-8 season, which sounds like no big deal until you remember that it took them 20 years to reach that level of mediocrity. Those were some painful years, my friend.
I only root for two teams, really–the Saints and whoever’s playing the Falcons. That’s one team tonight. Who dat!
stuckinred
I can’t stand this fucking Hank Jr shit after his “Raisin McCain” bullshit.
stuckinred
Stuffed! Who dat, dat who!
asiangrrlMN
@MattR: Yes. You are right. They are coasting on old glories with that boast.
@stuckinred: Now it has started. Let’s see. I like the Saints better overall. I like the Falcons rise from mediocrity. I am leaning toward the Saints because they are on the road. On the other hand, I like the Falcons’ unis better. So difficult.
Next consideration–who is favored? Falcons, but only by two, so not overwhelming favorites. Scanning the rosters….Nope. No one on either team catches my eye. What’s this? Ed Hochuli is reffing? Then I root for many penalties!
@Steeplejack: Yes. I remember this well. Mayhaps you should watch something else.
burnspbesq
@John – A Motley Moose:
I’m sure you didn’t mean to suggest that those folks don’t matter. They surely matter to Disney: ESPN makes an incalculable amount of money in its joint venture with Star TV. And the Indian cricket fans could teach the SEC drunks a lesson in passionate support.
stuckinred
@asiangrrlMN: colors?
stuckinred
@asiangrrlMN: Pierre Thomas is an Illini.
Steeplejack
@asiangrrlMN:
Hey, I warned everyone. Caveat viewer.
burnspbesq
@Violet:
Got willow.tv? A Godsend for cricket fans.
They’ve had the Star TV feed of the Ashes, so I’m getting to see all kinds of weird Indian TV commercials. I especially like the one with the giant mango rolling down the street crushing everything in its path. The Indians are every bit the equal of the French in the strange-TV-spots league table.
asiangrrlMN
@stuckinred: Yes. I am a card-carrying member of UniWatch, so things like that matter to me. And, Pierre Thomas is a cool name.
@MattR: P.S. Thanks. You know why.
2liberal
@Cat Lady:
I am glad to see another Pats fan here. I am right now in a state of irrational exuberence and believe the Patriots are Destiny’s team this year.
John - A Motley Moose
@burnspbesq: Granted. Especially the part about the SEC fans. I’m a Big 10 fan. You know, the conference that can get more than 100,000 people to go to an outdoor college hockey game.
As for sports on the sub-continent, what do they have other than cricket and soccer? Now if you want to talk about popular sports you have to talk about soccer. That is the only true world sport. Baseball is probably second. I don’t know what sport would come in third. Perhaps, basketball. Its popularity is growing world-wide and it is now played just about everywhere.
Steeplejack
@2liberal:
Hell, they don’t need destiny’s help. They’re playing like the goddamn Borg right now.
MattR
@John – A Motley Moose: Are we limiting this to team sports?
stuckinred
@asiangrrlMN: Nice site. I’m sure you remember the Illinois helmets from the Bob Blackman era?
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose: You can’t be serious. I was raised a Illini and have lived in Athens, GA. The Big 10 doesn’t come close to the SEC in terms of attendance or enthusiasm.
Redshirt
DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE! Who’d a thunk it, also too when the Jets-Bears had a shoot out. Crazy sports!
asiangrrlMN
@stuckinred: Yeeeeeah….not a big fan of those. Or of powder blues (that’s a general statement).
stuckinred
@stuckinred: You can’t be serious. I was raised a Illini and have lived in Athens, GA for 26 years. The Big 10 doesn’t come close to the SEC in terms of attendance or enthusiasm.
John - A Motley Moose
@MattR: Well, if you want to loosen the definition of sport and teams then I guess we could include Formula 1. If we drop the team requirement then we could include golf. But, in that case, even golf is a piker compared to the obvious winner, which is fishing.
stuckinred
@asiangrrlMN: I had quite a few friends who played in those years and they loved them. That helmet was easily recognized and very unique.
MattR
@John – A Motley Moose: I was gonna go with running as #1 if we open it up.
@Maody: Somehow I think the double flag was the right call. They both seemed to be grabbing and clutching and pushing each other.
Cat Lady
@2liberal:
Kinda scary to see them work, innit? It’s a different game they’re playing. Belichick and Brady have all of the records it’s possible for them to break in their sights, and they both appear to be on a mission again. Getting rid of Moss was the key to it all. He wouldn’t drink the kool aid, and now everyone on that team sees what happens when you don’t drink Belichick’s kool aid. He drinks your milkshake.
Maody
Hey ABL
WHO DAT! double flag foul offset. WHO DAT!
Brian S (formerly Incertus)
Huh. Never seen that before. Pass interference on both players.
Left Coast Tom
How can there be an NFL Open Thread post without complaints about referee calls? Isn’t there a Word Press filter blocking such things?
stuckinred
@Left Coast Tom: And a discussion about cricket, jesus, what a blog.
burnspbesq
Australia got 18 from the first two overs. If they can keep that up for 40 or 50 more this might get interesting.
Maody
WHO DAT CAT
asiangrrlMN
Ed Hochuli with his trademark guns ablazing. EVERYBODY wins! (OK, I win!).
@stuckinred: I can understand that. Easy to spot a teammate.
@stuckinred: Ah! Yes. That is very important as well.
Very odd to be watching a game without developing a rooting interest.
stuckinred
@asiangrrlMN: It was more about them being identified on the tube.
MattR
@Maody: He looked more interested in the Panthers ;)
Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther
@Angry Black Lady
Wait. You’re posting here. And I’m posting at your place. Does that mean someone else is posting as we speak at my place? Will this topsy turvy world of interton insanity ever make sense?!
Right. You all were talking about your “football.” Don’t let me interrupt.
Redshirt
@2liberal: Destiny AND Mystique.
They’re back in the house, y’all!
But seriously, the Pats look awesome. Now. But I remember the team in the first part of the season, and that wasn’t all Moss’ fault. The Pats have some fatal flaws – mostly on defense – and any playoff team could beat them. Maybe except for whomever wins NFC West. Really, the NFL should kick the NFC West into a lower Tier.
asiangrrlMN
@Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther: Don’t look now, ee. I’m in your blogz, postin’ about mah hair!
ABL
@asiangrrlMN: tar heel blue is the best blue.
Loneoak
@MattR:
Well, let’s be honest here: Detroit winning 4 games is a winning season.
As a native Michigander, I understand the special dispensation we have to be Packer’s fans. Speaking of which, in 6 days I will be at Lambeau for the season closer vs. da Bears!
I’ll definitely be posting to BJ!
John - A Motley Moose
@stuckinred: What?! The Big 10 doesn’t come close in attendance and enthusiasm? LOL! The top 3 schools in attendance are all Big 10 schools. Michigan, my team, has been the top school in football attendance for the last 12 years. You want fan enthusiasm, try100,000+ for a hockey game. I’ll grant that the SEC is riding high in the last few years, but that doesn’t make them the top conference. For all of Michigan’s known weakness in bowl games, they have a strong winning record against SEC opponents.
ABL
@Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther: I think we’ve found a rip in the blog-(face)space intertrons continuum!
burnspbesq
@ABL:
It is to scoff.
K passes Dean on Wednesday.
asiangrrlMN
@ABL: No. That is just not right. There should be no pastels in sports–well at all, really.
And, I like Jonathan Vilma (I prefer defensive players). Plus, his middle name is Polynice! How cool is that? I may be tilting toward the Saints side.
@Loneoak: Jelus, haz I! You damn well better report on it.
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose:
2009 NCAA DIVISION I FBS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
1. Southeastern 6,560,738 76,288
2. Big Ten 5,526,237 71,769
3. Big 12 5,155,739 62,875
4. Pac Ten 3,467,899 54,186
5. Atlantic Coast 4,151,171 51,249
6. Big East 2,374,604 44,804 1,659
7. Mountain West 1,826,091 33,202
8. Conference USA 1,941,825 26,600
9. Western Athletic 1,205,690 22,749
10. Sun Belt 806,687 16,463
11. Mid-American 1,133,434 15,317
12. Independents 923,915 48,627
Nethead Jay
Wooot, Saints up 10-0, off to good start :)
Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther
@asiangrrlMN: And threaten’ the ppl w/ a rollin’ pin!
@ABL: I canna fix it Captain, I canna change the laws of physics! (Alternatively: I’m a doctor, Jim, not a magician!)
MattR
@Loneoak: Heh. That was my secondary meaning. I was primarily thinking about the economy. But your point is taken. And if the Lions rise to a winning season, they will be led by a QB named Matthew, meaning “gift of God” ;)
Comrade Coffin
I’m rooting for the Niners (or some other team.. any other team) to hire Gruden as a coach and take This Guy(tm) off my TV next year.
Larkspur
Hey, can somebody possibly enlighten me? Someone who is aware of all NFL traditions?
I am a 49ers fan. I knew Mike Singletary wasn’t gonna be back. Everybody knew. But is there some particular reason that he’d be fired before the last meaningless game of the 49er season? I am not outraged or anything, but I am curious. I mean, I don’t see the point. I figure that if there is a specific reason, it might have to do with (a) hoping that everything will be so undone that the team will lose the last game in spectacular fashion, to improve the draft prospects, (b) to take the pressure off the players by getting rid of Their Problem, in the hope of providing an entertaining final game, or (c) giving their interim coach an abbreviated tryout.
I am overthinking this, yes? I suppose Mr. York was just very very pissed off and saw no reason for not indulging his pique right the hell now, yes?
Loneoak
If ABL is still around, has anyone ever told you that your site loads REALLY slowly in Safari? Like, freeze your browser for a full minute slowly.
stuckinred
@Larkspur: Gettin up in Smith’s grill didn’t help.
Larkspur
@stuckinred: O yes, that was most cringeworthy.
stuckinred
Big Ten vs SEC. In the Big Ten most schools have one big rival. For example, I fucking hate Michigan, always have and always will. Bo was a shit eatin dog fucker of the lowest form. Down here these people hate EVERYBODY with a passion.
MattR
@Larkspur: My guess is that if Mr. York had made the decision, he saw no reason to postpone it. Given the timing, I would guess he mostly made up his mind a while ago but didn’t want to be hasty while they still had a chance to win the horrid NFC West. All the things you listed probably crossed his mind and he probably also wants to see how the players react to a different coach, even if it is only for one game.
@stuckinred: OTOH, Singletary is still lauded for getting in Vernon Davis’s grill. Situations were a bit different, but I am not so sure that York was upset by Singletary speaking candidly like that on the sideline. (EDIT: Though now I am remembering Singletary getting into it with the other Smith during a game earlier in the season. So maybe it was becoming too much of a pattern)
A Ghost To Most
@Comrade Coffin:
Seconded. Channeling Richard Attenborough: “He [Gruden] suffers from a deplorable excess of personality”.
Brian S (formerly Incertus)
I’m not one to complain about bad officiating calls, but that roughing the passer call is pure bullshit.
asiangrrlMN
@Larkspur: My completely baseless speculation: Pure frustration and a way to show Things Shall Not Stand. Or something.
@Emily L. Hauser/ellaesther: That, I can do. I’m on it!
Game is getting interesting.
Larkspur
@MattR: “…while they still had a chance to win the horrid NFC West…”
Of course you’re exactly right. Even though I knew there was still a playoff chance, I never seriously thought it was possible, so I kind of discounted the prospect. It was so far-fetched. But of course York couldn’t do it until that last ridiculous hope was extinguished.
But I couldn’t be an owner or coach, either. I’d crash and burn immediately because of worrying about people’s feelings. Knowing this reminds me of why I’m glad I’m not a man, on account of the pain I imagine one would feel upon being emasculated. Ya know?
MattR
@A Ghost To Most: I am really curious what his former players think when they hear him gushing and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt like that on national TV.
@Larkspur: Personally, if I had made the decision that Singletary was not getting the job done, I would have canned him even though there was still a chance at the playoffs. Or maybe, especially because there was still a chance at the playoffs. The current team under Singletary might have snuck into the playoffs, but they would not have done anything. OTOH, maybe you would catch lightning in a bottle with your interim head coach and the team might have started playing better and gone on a winning streak to get into the playoffs with momentum.
A Ghost To Most
@stuckinred:
We’re still talking about football, right?
stuckinred
@Larkspur: Iron Mike took it like a man, no whining and thanked the team for the opportunity.
The NFL stands for
Not
For
Long
and they all know it. He’ll be on the sidelines next year.
stuckinred
@A Ghost To Most: Ha, good one.
John - A Motley Moose
@stuckinred: From the NCAA.
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose: Whatever. I’m sure you are a genius because you went to Michigan and you know that there are more than 3 teams in the Big Ten.
MattR
@stuckinred: I don’t see SIngletary as a head coach in the NFL for quite a few years. He is gonna have to go to a college that will be patient and allow him to learn the management side of being a head coach or he is gonna have to take a step down and be a defensive coordinator, something he has never done, to get that same management experience.
@stuckinred: Ah. Oops. Misinterpreted what you meant. Pretty sure this is the first time that ever happened on the internet.
stuckinred
@MattR:”I don’t see SIngletary as a head coach in the NFL for quite a few years.”
Neither do I and that has nothing to do with him being on the sidelines.
John - A Motley Moose
@stuckinred: Ooooh… Now you said something mean about St. Bo. I may have to challenge you to a duel. About the only Big 10 coach I despised was Woody. I’d normally retaliate by saying something nasty about an Illinois coach, but Illini football is so irrelevant that no coach’s name comes to mind.
I have to admit the SEC beats the Big 10 in one category – NCAA sanctions. Those Florida schools really do you guys proud when it comes to cheating.
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose: Yea, ya’ll just kicked the shit out of Illinois now didn’t you. Ask the Fab Five about cheating.
stuckinred
The Harvard of the Midwest
MattR
In that situation, does anyone know if the ref blows the whistle as soon as he gets notified of a review by the booth or does he wait until as close to the snap of the ball as possible so the Saints don’t get the advantage of a free timeout?
stuckinred
Sanctimonious motherfuckers.
Maody
@MattR: no way in hell. that’s a who dat cat. here is da Falcon cat
MattR
@Maody: How is it possible to look so mean and cute at the same time?
asiangrrlMN
@Maody: Awwwww! Very cute. S/he’s saying, “Ditch the hat, lady!”
Gotta say, I’m trying arugula for the first time. I don’t like it. Too bitter. I prefer spinach. Guess I’m not really elite.
A Ghost To Most
as a Shippensburg alumni, I have to give a shout-out to the Falcon’s Brent Grimes, one of two (2!) Red Raiders in the NFL, along with John Kuhn in Green Bay.
You may now return to your SEC/Big 10 feud.
John - A Motley Moose
@stuckinred: Did I say they didn’t have their own sanctions? No, I said the SEC had more, i.e. beats the Big 10 in that category.
Larkspur
Halftime.
Hee. Way back in the olden days, before I dropped out (spectacularly) of Michigan, everybody used to refer to Ann Arbor as the Berkeley of the Midwest. But nobody in Berkeley ever referred to themselves as the Ann Arbor of the West. (I know this because I am Larkspur of the West now.)
But don’t forget, these were the olden days. Coors was considered the nectar of the gods. Once someone brought an artichoke back from the west coast. We regarded it like it was holy, with a “Quest For Fire” kind of reverence. (Then we ate it. It was delicious.)
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose: And it beats it in football attendance but that doesn’t prove your point now does it. Bullshit.
stuckinred
@Larkspur: And that’s when you went to a game in Ann Arbor or Columbus and the home team has so many players that they “stacked” that they stood shoulder to shoulder from one goal line to the other.
Three-nineteen
@stuckinred: Well, the SEC has (at least until next season) one more school in it than the Big Ten. Not to mention that Northwestern, with about 8,500 students, might drag down the attendance average a mite.
stuckinred
@Three-nineteen: Nice try
Vandy
5,935
John - A Motley Moose
@stuckinred: You linked attendance and enthusiasm. How does the fact that the top 3 schools in attendance are all Big 10 schools fit in there?
Three-nineteen
@stuckinred: Sorry:
Vandy – 12,000 students
But you are right, they are close.
Brian S (formerly Incertus)
I think this may go down in the annals of Balloon Juice as the most ridiculous argument that didn’t involve a known troll ever.
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose: Of course it does. As I have said, I love Illinois football and the Big Ten except for Michigan. I was shocked when I moved down here in 1984. Football is a way of life here that is way beyond what exists in the midwest (which State College is not in). If you have lived in both then I’ll listen to you, otherwise I just don’t think you know what you are talking about. As far as cheating, if you know anything about college sports you know the whole fucking thing is a scam that uses these kids and basically throws them away. Some are worse than others but they all do it.
stuckinred
@Three-nineteen: That’s undergrad and grad, Northwestern is 16,640 undergrad and grad.
stuckinred
@Brian S (formerly Incertus): You know I was really wondering what you would think of it. Maybe you could download each post, correct it and send it back.
And, for your information professor, this argument rages on sports radio day-in-and-day-out. (Is that punctuation correct?)
Three-nineteen
@stuckinred: I see, I read it incorrectly. But the Wikipedia page says Vanderbilt undergrad enrollment is about 7,000, so still close.
stuckinred
@Three-nineteen: I went to Vandy’s site.
Maody
@MattR: @asiangrrlMN:
putting hats on cats is just not for the faint of heart, unless one is the amazing Theodor Seuss Geisel. arugula is one tasty bacon-y kind of green, if grown in the Spring and picked daily before it bolts. there’s no elitism in arugula. you know why? it’s much easier to grow than spinach, it self sows and is sometimes perennial.
WHO DAT
John - A Motley Moose
I have lived in both. As I’ve mentioned here before, I lived in MS recently. The town I lived in took great pride in their high school football team. Game night was a major social event.
Putting aside all of the trash-talking, I agree with you about college football treating the players poorly. Coaches get multi-million dollar salaries and schools rake in billions and yet the players that actually put out the product get bupkus. That’s the American way – the people that actually produce are at the bottom.
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose: Did you see the ESPN 30 on 30 about Marcus DuPree? It was an incredible look at a very sad situation.
Oh yea, if you need a Illini coach to trash why not Gary Moeller (wink)?
John - A Motley Moose
@stuckinred: No, I missed that. I’ll have to keep an eye open for a rerun.
Three-nineteen
Is this announcer on Brees’s payroll or something?
(paraphrasing) Brees is the guy you want out here for your team (even though he has no touchdowns tonight), because he’s not only athletic, he plays with his head…and there’s a pick-six, he probably shouldn’t have thrown that…anyway, Brees is nothing short of genius on the field.
Brian S (formerly Incertus)
@stuckinred:
I’m fairly sure that only proves my point.
stuckinred
@John – A Motley Moose: “The Best That Never Was”
stuckinred
@Brian S (formerly Incertus): Then I suggest you don’t listen to sports talk radio or drop in on NFL Open Threads, you’ll feel better.
tarylcabot
Happy to see the Saints win the grudge match. Have felt for the last month or so that Atlanta was over rated – certainly their offense isn’t Super Bowl caliber. Looking forward to the rubber match in….4 weeks(?)
John - A Motley Moose
@stuckinred: Thanks for the link. It looks interesting.
ET
My nieces went to the game (flew in with their parents) and obviously brought the team luck.