[clear - refresh] ---NOT QUITE A MOP, NOT QUITE A PUPPET--- [created by may, modified by johnny b]
ABOUT ME:
Home to a half Mexican who now lives in Silverdale, WA and who supports the Hawks, Sonics and Mariners along with the alma mater (WSU). I also post wacky links, pictures of insanely hot women and what have you (if you don't want to read my ramblings), so enjoy.


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Monday, December 13, 2004
HEY GATES



First off, your comments section sucks.

Second, in response to your statement:

I'm going to attempt to not let the result of the game affect my week. . .don't know how much success I'm going to have, but I'm going to try none the less. The outcome of a football game that I have absolutely NO control over should have absolutely no bearing on how I feel over the course of a week. . .but for some reason, it does, and I don't think I like it very much.

Any suggestions on how to keep this from happening?

First off, you care too much to ever really get this out of your head. I agree, you guys could and probably should have won that game. Just like we should have won against Dallas last week.

The advice I can offer is: don't read about your team. Whenever they come up on Sportscenter or anywhere else, click to another channel. Don't read about them online, don't talk about them. Just act like they don't exsist until next time.

It helped that I had work to get lost in and it helps you that you have a wife to turn to.

If you don't acknowledge their exsistence, it should help. Not by much, but it should help.

And I told you this was coming. :)

In other news, Richie Sexson, eh? Not too bad. I still hope we can get Beltre and another starter on board.

Enjoy these rumorz, and I'll be back.


-While Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger asserts himself in the huddle, a source close to the team reports the rookie is not overly vocal in the locker room, with veterans doing most of the talking. According to the source, there is “mutual respect” between Roethlisberger and his veteran teammates.

-Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan avoided answering any questions about his future last week when pressed on the topic. We’re told if Shanahan desires another job outside of Denver, such as the Dolphins’ head-coaching job, it would have to be a move initiated by him, because he has what appears to be steadfast support from ownership.

-A more mellow Tom Coughlin? Well, not quite. But the Giants’ head coach has made comments lately about being able to handle stress better than he did 10 years ago. Coughlin has not blown up often at press conferences, but he still appears tough and testy on the sideline and in practice.

-Giants OLT Luke Petitgout has not had a good season. Look for the team to make left tackle a priority, either through free agency or the draft (even without a first-round pick), moving Petitgout to his more natural ORT spot. Dave Diehl — a disaster at right tackle — then would move back inside.

-It looks as though Cowboys WR Keyshawn Johnson will have offseason arthroscopic surgery to repair some floating bodies in his right knee. Johnson has played through pain most of the season, something Bill Parcells respects, but team doctors don’t think he can cause any more damage by playing.

-Eagles CB Lito Sheppard is having a good season and is leading NFC corners in Pro Bowl voting, but one team source says Sheppard has been burned on some big plays and probably has more chances to make plays because teams challenge him more often than Sheldon Brown.

-The Redskins obviously miss WLB LaVar Arrington, who should return this week, because it takes away a playmaker. But replacement Lemar Marshall has impressed the coaching staff with his toughness and ability to make the transition from college defensive back to linebacker.

-Redskins H-back Chris Cooley has proven to be a valuable receiver this season, but don’t expect a Jason Witten-like breakout; his primary job is blocking. Still, Cooley has shown a knack for finding the soft spot in the defense and making big grabs.

-Word is that if Bills DT Pat Williams, an unrestricted free agent after this season, has his way, he’ll re-sign with Buffalo. Unless he’s blown away by a top-dollar offer elsewhere, Williams, who lives in Orchard Park, N.Y., owns a car-detail shop in the area, is playing alongside his good friend Sam Adams and whose charitable foundation is based in Buffalo, would give a home-team discount if the Bills’ offer is a fair one.

-We hear that WR David Boston’s future in Miami may be tied to WR coach Jerry Sullivan. If Sullivan is retained in 2005, Boston could be kept for another season, though now that the Dolphins have Marty Booker and Chris Chambers as their top two wideouts, the need to keep Boston has greatly diminished. If Sullivan is let go, there’s a good chance Boston, who is serving a four-game suspension as a first-time offender of the NFL’s zero-tolerance policy on steroids, won’t be welcomed back.

-We hear that Dolphins TE Randy McMichael’s recent complaints about not playing a big enough role in Miami’s offense were borne out of the frustration of playing on a 2-11 team, not getting enough passes thrown his way, being asked to block to help max-protect for QB A.J. Feeley and, most importantly, because he is locked into the contract he signed as a rookie for another year, despite far outperfoming his compensation of $380,000 in 2004. Barring a restructuring of his deal, McMichael stands to make $455,000 next season. Miami and McMichael’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have reportedly discussed a long-term extension.

-It’s no sure thing that Patriots CB Tyrone Poole will regain his starting spot when he returns following midseason knee surgery. That’s because rookie Randall Gay has played exceptionally well in recent weeks and has earned the confidence of his coaches.

-Buccaneers players are im­pressed with the job that head coach Jon Gruden has done this season in making sure everyone stayed on the same page despite the shaky start. We’re told the team’s respect for their head coach has grown as the season has progressed.

-Although the Saints are working hard to convince the state of Louisiana to fund a renovation of the Superdome — the league’s recent rejection of a New Orleans bid to host the 2009 Super Bowl helps the Saints’ case — we’re told the stadium isn’t exactly falling apart. It just isn’t up to the standards set by the newest stadiums in the league.

-Saints observers believe the team needs to undergo a major overhaul of the linebacking corps before next season, sweeping out everybody but Courtney Watson and possibly Cie Grant.

-Although the rumors of Falcons head coach Jim Mora heading off to take over at the University of Washington have proven to be untrue, we’re told a move to the college ranks in the right situation could happen sometime in Mora’s future.
-The Panthers love the mean streak in FB Casey Cramer and are impressed with his prowess as a blocker.

-Look for Panthers LB Dan Morgan to be platooned with Vinny Ciurciu for the rest of the season in an effort to avoid another concussion for Morgan.

-Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson has been adamant in his support of bringing QB Drew Brees, an unrestricted free agent after this season, back in 2005. Tomlinson has an appreciation for the way Brees responded to the Chargers’ trade for Philip Rivers and never looked back or felt sorry for himself. “Drew always thought: ‘You know what, this is my team. I was brought here first, and this is my team until someone says otherwise,’ ” Tomlinson said. “And you’ve got to respect a person that thinks that way and is doing the things that he is doing now.”

-Rookie DE Jared Allen has been a pleasant surprise for an otherwise porous Chiefs defense, and it’s more than his sack total that has people believing in the upside of the fourth-round pick out of Idaho State. While Allen shows a good burst and the ability to get off blocks and track the quarterback, sources close to the team would like to see him hold the point of attack better against the run, but that should come with experience and adding some bulk to his 265-pound frame.

-Chargers second-year CB Drayton Florence may be doing enough in the eyes of coaches to hold on to a starting job once Sammy Davis returns from a leg fracture in a week or two. Considered a bit of a raw athlete entering this season, Florence has looked more polished and smooth while changing directions.

-Former Broncos secondary coach David Gibbs, who was abruptly dismissed from his duties by Mike Shanahan in early November, plans to dispute his firing with the league and the NFL Coaches Association. But, according to a source close to the team, Gibbs is not contesting his release, but rather requesting an arbitrator to rule whether he should be paid for 2005, the final year of his contract. Gibbs is believed to have a bright future in the league, but he may need to improve his communication skills for it to happen.

-Norv Turner compared Ronald Curry, who was really emerging as a playmaker before seeing his season cut short with a torn Achilles tendon in Week 13, to Steelers Pro Bowl WR Hines Ward. The rehab process for Curry is expected to be six months, and Turner added, “He’s a guy that can be a big force in this league for a long time.”

-The Bears would prefer an extended look at veteran QB Jeff George before the end of the season. Though rookie Craig Krenzel is eligible to be assigned to the practice squad next season — as per NFL rules, Krenzel was inactive for at least eight games, making him eligible for the 2005 practice squad — Chicago still could keep Krenzel as a No. 3 quarterback instead of George.

-We hear the Bears are thrilled with DB R.W. McQuarters’ performance in 2004. McQuarters can earn as much as $3.1 million next season and is a potential trade target for teams seeking an established veteran at cornerback. The Bears love nickel CB Nathan Vasher and aren’t moving starters such as FS Mike Brown, LCB Charles Tillman and RCB Jerry Azumah to make room for McQuarters.

-According to team sources, the Colts consider WR Brandon Stokley “a big priority.” Stokley, an unrestricted free agent in March, has told the Colts’ press corps he wants to remain in Indianapolis and would consider coming back for less money than other teams might offer.

-PK Martin Gramatica told his agent he was interested in playing only for Indianapolis or Houston — because of ties to coaches at either destination — after being released by the Buccaneers. Colts head coach Tony Dungy signed Gramatica, preferring him over since-released kickoff specialist Jason Baker for two reasons: Gramatica is more versatile on placement kicks and can do more directional kicking than the line-drive, power-kicking Baker.

-We hear the Jaguars might consider granting authority to one of their ranking team officials to clear up the direction the team takes in draft and free-agent moves. Head coach Jack Del Rio and personnel director James Harris share authority right now, but the Jaguars’ problems approaching the 2005 offseason are familiar issues that existed a year ago.

-Injuries at both safety positions and slow progress from rookie CBs Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas are killing the Packers’ pass defense. FS Darren Sharper is far from 100 percent with a knee sprain, and SS Mark Roman continues to miss tackles and give up big chunks of yardage.

-We hear Seahawks first-round DT Marcus Tubbs, who suffered an ankle sprain late in the Week 13 loss to Dallas, is a long shot to return to action the rest of the regular season.

-Niners CB Ahmed Plummer, who has been out with a bulging disc in his neck since mid-October, is holding out hope that he can still make it back before the season ends, but we hear it’s unlikely the Niners will risk further injury to their high-priced cornerback at this stage of the season.

-Word from Pittsburgh is CB Willie Williams could keep his starting spot even after Chad Scott returns from a quadriceps injury that has kept him out since Week Six. We hear the Steelers are very happy with Williams’ play in Scott’s absence

-Two players who could be secret weapons for the Steelers down the stretch are rookie RB Willie Parker and rookie TE Matt Kranchick. Parker’s speed already gets him a carry here and there, and Kranchick could see some playing time with veteran TE Jay Riemersma out for the season. Kranchick is swift as tight ends go, and he could be an asset vs. a cover-2 defense.

-A source close to the Ravens shares this tidbit: QB Kyle Boller’s improved play in November coincided with consultant Jim Fassel attending some practices. While Fassel and Boller reportedly go to dinner once a week, we’re told Fassel hasn’t attended practice lately.

-Despite his recent struggles, our sources say the Ravens are committed to sticking with rookie B.J. Sams as their return specialist.

-The Ravens have gotten little from rookie DE Dwan Edwards, and we hear the team is considering this a “redshirt year” for him. We hear Edwards, a second-round pick, has some work to do in the weight room before he can be a contributor.

-While Bengals QB Carson Palmer’s improved play is drawing attention, he still doesn’t believe he’s found his comfort zone. “It seems like all quarterbacks, it really takes them a while to get in the groove,” he recently said in a conference call. “I know it’s taken me awhile, and I still don’t feel … I wouldn’t say comfortable out there. But I’m starting to get there more and more. I definitely feel each week, just going into the game, that I can see stuff better and I’m able to react to certain coverages better.”

-A source close to the Browns says the situation in the Cleveland locker room is worth watching in the final weeks. There’s a feeling discipline is starting to slip under interim head coach Terry Robiskie.




etch-a-sketched by john at 12:13 AM