madlithuanian

Haugh makes some great points, but he also fails to point out some serious problems Smith has been linked with. The record speaks for itslef, no doubt. And I think too many folks do poo-poo him w/ o realizing the pretty decent record he has as HC. However, I think many of his detractors (and I include myself as one at the moment and previously) point ous some serious failings like: 1. His good record comes from only really 2 seasons when the defense and special teams were just lights out 2. His defense was questionably elite in St Louis as they had the "Greatest Show on Turf" to balance risk 3. His presonnell decisions have been odd (Danieal Manning, the various starting QB's, Davis, not startis younger WR's, etc.) 4. His hirings have been questionable, if not poor. Terry Shae, the non-resigneing of Rivera, the promotion of Babich, etc... 5. His in game decision making is poor. Rarely are there any adjustments in-game. 6. He appears stubborn in decision making. Once he goes with something he seems it through, right or wrong. (numerous examples). 7. The cover-2 seems to be figured out. I, for on, hope he has learned from his mistakes and basically hits the re-do button. If he can show some felixibility and adaptability, I think he can succeed at a very high level. if not, we will get more of the same. Some good years (probably better w/ Cutler), but not enough to get us a SB win. I think Haugh is right that 12th from the bottom seems a bit harsh. But, I cannot give him top 10. Top 10 coaches make game-time adjusments, not only once in a blue moon, but often! I'd like to see some strides this season. Otherwise, we'll probably just see his contract out and get a few more years of pretty/very good.

Campbell and Anderson actually would worry me far more than Dr. Rosenrosen and Pick Favre... They will be tough. But I think the difficult part will be their D and running game. I like our chances...

Great points! You can go as far back as Rick Mirer...but usually this team hasn't shown the oomph. This season they have! And I agree that it seemed to start with moose. it's just that the past 2 seasons were so blah...that virtually something big had to happen or you could see heads roll I think. I don't want to discount what JA and team have done, but I think if they didn't make a big splash...the next splash would be them getting tossed into the unemployment pool!

I already have... Regarless which pick thrower is behind their center...

I'm not so sure that perception is in effect at this time. Even the staunchest porponent of "cheapness" I'm sure has relented. I know I have. The proof is in the pudding. For many with decades under their belt watching, it is somewhat understandable that some of that perception lingers... But given what we've seen in recent years, and especially this particular off season, I can no longer say they are cheap. Old habits die hard, and for those who have prclaimed them cheap, it takes off-season's like this to change that. Let's not forget the lack of activity last season and after the SB... Until this past off-season, I think there was some justification.

I love Jimmy Mac!!! Outragousness!

Don't hold back! (I completely agree!)

Pix, I'm sure I speak for virtually all of us, that your efforts in the past did not go unnoticed! We can't thank you enough for all the work you put into it! If either doesn't happen this season, worry not! We'll just all have more time to relish the 16-0 and Super Bowl winning season!

Gotcha. If Buress comes in, then I'd expect Davis to go bye-bye. No vet, then Davis sticks around I think.

Read some of the responses on the PFT board...some are really funny! (...and some inappropriate, but it is what it is.) http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/06/04/...urity/#comments

nfo, You are 100% spot on! I think we'd have been down that same path (and basically were...) if we didn't get Cutler.

Do you mean Rashied or Kellen? For some reason, I think this staff likes Rashied...I'm not sure he'd be the odd man out. Kellen's too young to let go...

It's a risk crossing the street... Dungy is just struggling for something to talk about other than reinstating Vick..

Agreed!

I think it's best we all hold off worrying at this point...

Wow! That's pretty cool! I've got quite a few over the years I'm almost on the verge of running out of display space...

Agreed! That's one reason I always did that...kind of puts the player at ease that it's not going right up to auction. I have a few gems from musicians that i just love to this day... I used to run a music fanzine in college and was lucky to interview a few bands and the one funny gem that I have in my office is Lemmy of Motorhead signing it, "F*** you Andy, Lemmy" (with the f word spelled out in all its glory). Even the wife likes that one! She says it often enough!

I couldn't agree more nfo... Anytime I can get my name on it or my dad's for instance, I do it! That way it's ours! And the implication is that it won't be sold on ebay...only given to family. It's throwing the baby out with the bathwater...

Realistically, it'll never happen. I swear the Fridge would be on welfare if he wasn't able to sign autographs... I for one love 'em the loser that I am. It started as a kid, and like many things, I never grew out of it. I have never once asked a player/celeb for an autograph. I only obtain them when they are officially "signing" or at camp when it is appropriate to do so. But, nor do I have any issue shaking their hand and letting them know I am impressed with their work/skills. In fact, by getting things signed, etc, I found many to be so nice and the experience to be so rewarding, that I became a greater fan. However, the opposite never held true for me. If a player didn't want to sign, etc...I never thought less. I just remember one year recently while seeing the Cargers training camp, Doug Flutie was signing autographs for kids and adults. He was very freindly to us old guys, but when a kid brought his in, he took a number of minutes just talking to them. The man was all class.

NFL Still Plans To Try To Suspend The Williams Wall Posted by Mike Florio on June 2, 2009, 1:24 p.m. There’s an erroneous Associated Press report regarding Tuesday’s hearing in the case brought by Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams due to the StarCaps suspensions. The AP report initially said that the league’s lawyer told Hennepin County Judge Gary Larson that the NFL “won’t try to enforce its four-game suspension” of the two players. Not true, we’re told. The league instead told the Court that Kevin and Pat Williams will not be suspended until the first game of the regular season, and that in the interim they are free to participate in all activities — offseason workouts, training camp, and preseason games. (That’s standard practice in matters of this nature.) The NFL also has taken the position that no preliminary injunction from the state court is needed, since the federal court has lifted its ban on the imposition of a suspension pending the outcome of the litigation. On this point, we disagree with the league. It’s one thing for the federal court to lift its injunction now that the federal claims have failed before Judge Paul Magnuson. It’s quite another for the state court to determine whether the claims arising under Minnesota law are sufficiently viable to prevent the league from suspending the players until the remaining portion of their claims has been resolved by a Minnesota court. We tend to think that, for the same reason the federal court blocked the suspensions pending the May 22 dismissal of most of the case, the state court should do the same thing — prevent the implementation of the suspensions until a final ruling is issued by the Minnesota court.

Why? What's a matter w/ 59? 50 should be retired anyway!

...I too am part of that choir. I really hope Rod can right the wrongs...

Ha! That sounds like one of the better one of those!

Nice addition of the Expo info! Funny how that isn't mentioned in the article! I'm convinced, Cutler told Haugh he isn't signing his notepad!

I agree with you...I don't put any stock into this right now. If we keep hearing about this or that he was a reall ass to fans, then maybe it could hurt his image a bit. McMahon was known for similar...and playing hard and winning will cover up any issue someone has w/ not getting an ink blot during a baseball game! To me, it sounds like Cutler might have blown off Haugh! And in all honesty, as long as he politely declines autographs, that's his perrogative! I've already got mine! (Bought a ball with his sig from his days w/ the Broncos...thankfully, just his sig and no mention or pix of Denver)