You can see on the attached sat funktop loop the ULL NE of the storm appears to be drawing the mositure away from both Gustav and the tropical wave which has quickly dropped in behind Gustav from the NE.
The NHC is never one to act quickly to name a storm or react after a storm is named. One only needs to look at Hurricane Charley for that intell. I believe between the island of Haiti and the ULL NE of the center of Gustav, he is being torn apart overnight and we'll have to see whats left in the morning.
This loop might not be static.
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/east/watl/loop-ft.html
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
NFC Season Predictions
I'll calm down now and write about something more soothing, football.
NFC EAST
NFL Work Release- 11-5. Jerry Jones is rapidly overtaking the Crypt Keeper for reclamation projects and problem children. First there was TO and his 25 million reasons to live, then Tank Johnson and the league suspension, the weapons and drug charges. Then there is the signing of Adam "Pacman" Jones this offseason. You know Pacman who has been arrested multiple times, loves strip clubs, even built a stripper pole in his home. Jones was involved in a shooting in a strip club where he walked in with 80,000.00 in cash and "made it rain", by throwing the money in the air. In the ensuing melee for cash, someone was shot. Jones was suspended all of last year, and has yet to be reinstated by the league office, but is expected to be by the start of season.
Work release went 13-3 last year, but the personalities will come to a head this season and they will fall a bit short of last seasons achievements.
Giants- 8-8. The Super Bowl hangover bites another franchise again this season. The injury bug has already begun to strike with Osy going down for the year. Strahan is retired, Stevens has been shipped off to New Orleans. The Giants caught lightening in a bottle last season and came together as a team late in the season when it matters most. This is a team which won 11 games in a row on the road, thats nearly impossible in the NFL, especially when it was 3 on the road in the playoffs. 2007 was a great season, but a repeat is out of the question.
Buzzards- 7-9. Philly is a tough sports town, and it's not going to be any better this NFL season.
Crackheads- 6-10. Daniel Synder pulls another wildcard out of his hat this offseason and replaces retiring Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs (who couldn't wait to get out of town) with former QB Jim Zorn. Ths past week, the Crackheads were absolutely pasted by the Kittys 47-3 in a preseason game. Synders approach to building a team has been overpaying for over aged talent by mixing all sorts of personalities in the off season hoping that all the overpaid over aged players would meld as a team to make a run at a championship. Following in the footsteps of the Crypt Keeper, but he did his work 30 years ago, when there was no salary cap.
NFC North
Nordic Wannabees- 9-7. A great running game, a great defense, a huge question mark at quarterback. Everyones' favorite sweetheart team to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, will struggle.
Teddy Bears- 8-8. Once again, a quick start and a fizzle at the finish. Jon Kitna guaranteed another 10 win and playoff season. How'd that work out for you last year Jon? You can get back to me.
Bears- 7-9. Orton is named the starter this week. Grossman is pissed. This team is plain and simply bad.
Packers- 6-10. The training camp distraction with Favre and the pressure placed on Aaron Rodgers will be too much for him to overcome.
NFC West
Ospreys- 12-4. Once again, they coast to an easy division championship and boosted by a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield. Once again, another early checkout in the playoffs as well.
49'ers-8-8. Lots of question still at QB, but I believe that will be figured out bu the end of the season, and the 9er's will make the usual late season push, but they fall short once again.
Ewes- 7-9. Bulger is hurt again in preseason. Steven Jackson has held out wanting more money. This is a team with serious division on it, no unity, no playoffs.
Nomads- 6-10. Former first round draft choice QB Matt Leinert has a preseason QB rating which rivals his career GPA at USC, 2.8. This is not the performance you want for the QB of the future. Once again, Kurt Warner has been named the starter. The wideouts are upset with their contracts, players are unhappy with ownership. Whats new? Atleast there was some championship football played on their field last February.
NFC South-
Bucs- 11-5. Regular readers know my reasons why I support this record.
Reggie's Team- 9-7. Duece looks like he might be not the featured back with an injured knee. Jeramy Stevens has been added at TE from the Giants. Last season when his team was playing in the Super Bowl, even though he was injured, he was seen on camera double fisting drinks in a luxury box. So much for the team work ethic. Reggie's team did nothing to shore up the porous pass defense.
Kittys- 7-9. This team used to have the best front 4 on the DL in the league a few years ago. Julius Peppers which was once a monster on the end, was a mere mortal last season, registering fewer sacks than Bucs rookie Gaines Adams. QB is a question still for the Kittys. John Fox needs to make a push towards the playoffs this year or he could find his parking spot replaced by someone name Bill Cowher.
Pigeons- 3-13. Mike Vick, Ron Mexico? Jail? Rich McKay has made a train wreck of this franchise and why Arthur Blank still allows him in the front office building is beyond me. He should be parking cars in the lot outside of the stadium. His bad decisions will be felt for a few more years in this franchise. Michael Turner and Matt Ryan don't overcome the lack of talent this season.
NFC EAST
NFL Work Release- 11-5. Jerry Jones is rapidly overtaking the Crypt Keeper for reclamation projects and problem children. First there was TO and his 25 million reasons to live, then Tank Johnson and the league suspension, the weapons and drug charges. Then there is the signing of Adam "Pacman" Jones this offseason. You know Pacman who has been arrested multiple times, loves strip clubs, even built a stripper pole in his home. Jones was involved in a shooting in a strip club where he walked in with 80,000.00 in cash and "made it rain", by throwing the money in the air. In the ensuing melee for cash, someone was shot. Jones was suspended all of last year, and has yet to be reinstated by the league office, but is expected to be by the start of season.
Work release went 13-3 last year, but the personalities will come to a head this season and they will fall a bit short of last seasons achievements.
Giants- 8-8. The Super Bowl hangover bites another franchise again this season. The injury bug has already begun to strike with Osy going down for the year. Strahan is retired, Stevens has been shipped off to New Orleans. The Giants caught lightening in a bottle last season and came together as a team late in the season when it matters most. This is a team which won 11 games in a row on the road, thats nearly impossible in the NFL, especially when it was 3 on the road in the playoffs. 2007 was a great season, but a repeat is out of the question.
Buzzards- 7-9. Philly is a tough sports town, and it's not going to be any better this NFL season.
Crackheads- 6-10. Daniel Synder pulls another wildcard out of his hat this offseason and replaces retiring Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs (who couldn't wait to get out of town) with former QB Jim Zorn. Ths past week, the Crackheads were absolutely pasted by the Kittys 47-3 in a preseason game. Synders approach to building a team has been overpaying for over aged talent by mixing all sorts of personalities in the off season hoping that all the overpaid over aged players would meld as a team to make a run at a championship. Following in the footsteps of the Crypt Keeper, but he did his work 30 years ago, when there was no salary cap.
NFC North
Nordic Wannabees- 9-7. A great running game, a great defense, a huge question mark at quarterback. Everyones' favorite sweetheart team to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, will struggle.
Teddy Bears- 8-8. Once again, a quick start and a fizzle at the finish. Jon Kitna guaranteed another 10 win and playoff season. How'd that work out for you last year Jon? You can get back to me.
Bears- 7-9. Orton is named the starter this week. Grossman is pissed. This team is plain and simply bad.
Packers- 6-10. The training camp distraction with Favre and the pressure placed on Aaron Rodgers will be too much for him to overcome.
NFC West
Ospreys- 12-4. Once again, they coast to an easy division championship and boosted by a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield. Once again, another early checkout in the playoffs as well.
49'ers-8-8. Lots of question still at QB, but I believe that will be figured out bu the end of the season, and the 9er's will make the usual late season push, but they fall short once again.
Ewes- 7-9. Bulger is hurt again in preseason. Steven Jackson has held out wanting more money. This is a team with serious division on it, no unity, no playoffs.
Nomads- 6-10. Former first round draft choice QB Matt Leinert has a preseason QB rating which rivals his career GPA at USC, 2.8. This is not the performance you want for the QB of the future. Once again, Kurt Warner has been named the starter. The wideouts are upset with their contracts, players are unhappy with ownership. Whats new? Atleast there was some championship football played on their field last February.
NFC South-
Bucs- 11-5. Regular readers know my reasons why I support this record.
Reggie's Team- 9-7. Duece looks like he might be not the featured back with an injured knee. Jeramy Stevens has been added at TE from the Giants. Last season when his team was playing in the Super Bowl, even though he was injured, he was seen on camera double fisting drinks in a luxury box. So much for the team work ethic. Reggie's team did nothing to shore up the porous pass defense.
Kittys- 7-9. This team used to have the best front 4 on the DL in the league a few years ago. Julius Peppers which was once a monster on the end, was a mere mortal last season, registering fewer sacks than Bucs rookie Gaines Adams. QB is a question still for the Kittys. John Fox needs to make a push towards the playoffs this year or he could find his parking spot replaced by someone name Bill Cowher.
Pigeons- 3-13. Mike Vick, Ron Mexico? Jail? Rich McKay has made a train wreck of this franchise and why Arthur Blank still allows him in the front office building is beyond me. He should be parking cars in the lot outside of the stadium. His bad decisions will be felt for a few more years in this franchise. Michael Turner and Matt Ryan don't overcome the lack of talent this season.
Lee County- you deserve what you get.
20% turnout in voting for the primary today? All the letters griping to the News-Press editor about taxes, crime and the corruption in county politics? Yet everyone votes back in all the old guard folks, the same tired old souls which have been occupying chairs for a very long time in Lee County politics. Politics haven't changed here in good ol' Lee County. Good Ol' Boy network still wins races. I voted for change. And shame on all of you who couldn't find your way to your local polling place today. Blood has been shed for decades in this Nation's history for your freedom to go to the polls today, and 80% of the registered voters of Lee County found another reason more important not to show up today. The next time I read one of your yapping letters to the editor about one issue or another, I hear you yapping in the grocery store or I have to sit next to you at a local establishment having a beer, all I can say is shut the hell up. You've had the opportunity for change and only 1 in 5 people in our county care enough to vote. This is really sad.
Bucs release 5
Tuesday August 26th at 4:00pm was the deadline for NFL teams to trim rosters to 75 players. Now 23 players on each team have to really blow the skirts up on their coaches in order to unseat veterans and try to stick with the team.
Todays releases were, as I predicted, LB Antoine Cash and S Donte Nicholson who were injured Saturday night and waived today. Also waived was WR Paris Warren. Paris had a great pre-season last year before ending his effort in a compound fracture of his ankle in the final pre-season game. He, as many of the failed WR's the Bucs have tried to groom over the years, is the prototype size receiver, only never to develop such as Larry Brackins and JR Russell to name a few.
CB Sammy Davis was placed on IR and in a move which I thought had already occurred, Cadillac Williams was placed on the PUP list, making him eligible to return after the 6th week of the regular season. I doubt he will see the field this season.
In additional news, today the Bucs reportedly worked out OT Fred Miller, 35, who played with the Chicago Bears last season. The St. Pete Times reports he was offered a league minimum contract (830,000.00) and he is supposedly deciding between the Bucs or returning to the Bears for another season. Now, this move is perplexing to me. With the release of Petitgout last week, Donald Penn had secured the LT position on the OL. I figured that Anthony Davis would be his backup, however a signing of Miller would most likely show Davis, 28, the door. Then again, perhaps the Bucs need to find a fourth in the lockerroom for a bridge game prior to home games for Garcia, 38, Galloway, 37 and Carter 36. They are a combined 111 years old after.
Todays releases were, as I predicted, LB Antoine Cash and S Donte Nicholson who were injured Saturday night and waived today. Also waived was WR Paris Warren. Paris had a great pre-season last year before ending his effort in a compound fracture of his ankle in the final pre-season game. He, as many of the failed WR's the Bucs have tried to groom over the years, is the prototype size receiver, only never to develop such as Larry Brackins and JR Russell to name a few.
CB Sammy Davis was placed on IR and in a move which I thought had already occurred, Cadillac Williams was placed on the PUP list, making him eligible to return after the 6th week of the regular season. I doubt he will see the field this season.
In additional news, today the Bucs reportedly worked out OT Fred Miller, 35, who played with the Chicago Bears last season. The St. Pete Times reports he was offered a league minimum contract (830,000.00) and he is supposedly deciding between the Bucs or returning to the Bears for another season. Now, this move is perplexing to me. With the release of Petitgout last week, Donald Penn had secured the LT position on the OL. I figured that Anthony Davis would be his backup, however a signing of Miller would most likely show Davis, 28, the door. Then again, perhaps the Bucs need to find a fourth in the lockerroom for a bridge game prior to home games for Garcia, 38, Galloway, 37 and Carter 36. They are a combined 111 years old after.
Gustav, another Ernesto?
Think back Floridians. August 31st, 2006. The former hurricane Ernesto was making landfall on the southernmost tip of Florida. Ernesto worked it's way through the Caribbean and finally became a minimal hurricane with a very small inner core which interacted with the island of Haiti. Sounding like deja vu all over again?
Gustav was touted by the media today as a storm which went from Tropical Depression status to Hurricane in 15 hours, but in reality, and in the politically correct world of the NHC, it didn't. Gustav was most likely a depression on Sunday and the "massive deepening" of this storm didn't really happen, then again, "killer storms" make news. Local mets are already calling for Category 4 entering the Gulf on Sunday. Local Ft Myers weather folks are rejoicing as "we are out of the cone". West Florida mets only give beach forecasts, will it be a good beach day? And granted, when they are only given 4 minutes to give the weather, they can't really get into a deep discussion about other features around the storm which might affect the eventual path. Then again,the vast majority of the public wouldn't understand what they were talking about anyway.
I believe it's only because of the advent of the internet that weatherfolks are forced to show the pasta path, as I call it, with the model projections.
The majority of the models are showing Gustav moving westward, south of Cuba, rounding the western tip of the island and then trending NW into the southern GOM. And while I believe at the current time, (5:23 pm Tuesday, 8-26-08) this would make the most sense, I'm not sold on this track until I see this storm pass completely underneath the eastern tip of Cuba.
I mentioned Ernesto for a reason. He was very much the same in configuration with Gustav. Small centers of intense circulation, and then the interaction with the Graveyard of Hurricanes, Haiti. Fay survived mowing right over the island because it was a developing system and the MLC and LLC were not attached while Fay traversed the island. However, Gustav was well developed, and just like Ernesto, has suffered some loss in strength from interaction with Haiti.
The minimum central pressure has now increased after a drop for 12 straight hours.
The 1800Z model runs were starting to show some models trending back towards the right.
The official track from the NHC shows the intensity increasing to Category 3 Hurricane strength by the weekend. I believe the next 24-30 hours track of Gustav are going to be critical. If he makes another landfall on the eastern tip of Cuba, it will be a weaker system. The large ULL over the Bahamas then might become the main player in the system and then all bets are off.
If Gustav does hit Cuba and head towards Florida, I believe it to be nothing more than a strong Tropical Storm and a major rainmaker, as if we need anymore rain right now.
Right now, my opinion is, I think there is a 60% chance of Gustav surviving and following somewhere along the 72 hour forecast track. On the flip side,I believe there is a chance of a disrupted Gustav coming further NW and hitting Cuba and the ultimately being influenced by the ULL and eventually pulled into South Florida. The next 30 hours will tell the tale. What I found most interesting today was the fact the NHC was forecasting a major hurricane to enter into the GOM at the start of next week, and the oil market responded by a raise of 1.00 a barrel. In late June, if someone looked wrong at a pipeline in Nigeria or there was a longshoreman rumor of a possible strike, oil rose 4.00 in a matter of minutes. Perhaps it is demand destruction in oil or then again, the oil companies pay for some of the best meteos in the US to forecast the weather for them.
Gustav was touted by the media today as a storm which went from Tropical Depression status to Hurricane in 15 hours, but in reality, and in the politically correct world of the NHC, it didn't. Gustav was most likely a depression on Sunday and the "massive deepening" of this storm didn't really happen, then again, "killer storms" make news. Local mets are already calling for Category 4 entering the Gulf on Sunday. Local Ft Myers weather folks are rejoicing as "we are out of the cone". West Florida mets only give beach forecasts, will it be a good beach day? And granted, when they are only given 4 minutes to give the weather, they can't really get into a deep discussion about other features around the storm which might affect the eventual path. Then again,the vast majority of the public wouldn't understand what they were talking about anyway.
I believe it's only because of the advent of the internet that weatherfolks are forced to show the pasta path, as I call it, with the model projections.
The majority of the models are showing Gustav moving westward, south of Cuba, rounding the western tip of the island and then trending NW into the southern GOM. And while I believe at the current time, (5:23 pm Tuesday, 8-26-08) this would make the most sense, I'm not sold on this track until I see this storm pass completely underneath the eastern tip of Cuba.
I mentioned Ernesto for a reason. He was very much the same in configuration with Gustav. Small centers of intense circulation, and then the interaction with the Graveyard of Hurricanes, Haiti. Fay survived mowing right over the island because it was a developing system and the MLC and LLC were not attached while Fay traversed the island. However, Gustav was well developed, and just like Ernesto, has suffered some loss in strength from interaction with Haiti.
The minimum central pressure has now increased after a drop for 12 straight hours.
The 1800Z model runs were starting to show some models trending back towards the right.
The official track from the NHC shows the intensity increasing to Category 3 Hurricane strength by the weekend. I believe the next 24-30 hours track of Gustav are going to be critical. If he makes another landfall on the eastern tip of Cuba, it will be a weaker system. The large ULL over the Bahamas then might become the main player in the system and then all bets are off.
If Gustav does hit Cuba and head towards Florida, I believe it to be nothing more than a strong Tropical Storm and a major rainmaker, as if we need anymore rain right now.
Right now, my opinion is, I think there is a 60% chance of Gustav surviving and following somewhere along the 72 hour forecast track. On the flip side,I believe there is a chance of a disrupted Gustav coming further NW and hitting Cuba and the ultimately being influenced by the ULL and eventually pulled into South Florida. The next 30 hours will tell the tale. What I found most interesting today was the fact the NHC was forecasting a major hurricane to enter into the GOM at the start of next week, and the oil market responded by a raise of 1.00 a barrel. In late June, if someone looked wrong at a pipeline in Nigeria or there was a longshoreman rumor of a possible strike, oil rose 4.00 in a matter of minutes. Perhaps it is demand destruction in oil or then again, the oil companies pay for some of the best meteos in the US to forecast the weather for them.
Monday, August 25, 2008
AFC predictions for FY(football year) 08
These predictions might be difficult to follow, however, scroll down into previous blog posts, and you can get a scorecard to follow along at home.
AFC East-
This division should be called AFC least, because other than the Kodaks, no one is going to be playing in January.
New England Kodaks- 12-4. No longer invincible, defense looking old. Brady not playing during preseason with another "mysterious" foot injury.
Canadas' Team- 9-7. There is talent looming on the horizon, but not this year.
Jets- 7-9. Yeah, the Favre story is a nice one for the feel good liberal sports writers which think the world revolves around the Washington, New York, New England corridor. However, there is not enough talent on the Jets roster, and at a press conference at the end of the season, Brett Favre breaks into tears announcing it was a mistake to come back.
Mullets from Miami- 5-11. The Mullets hire the Big Tuna and he bangs his drum to stop their floundering, and management believes they won't be snookered. How great is this? How many fish references can I have in one sentence describing an NFL franchise? Glass arm Pennington wont start for more than 7 games this year without going on IR, and while improvement will be seen, 5 wins is a realistic goal for the Mullets.
AFC West-
San Diego Solar Power- 12-4. I had projected this team earlier as 14-2, but now with the possibility of Merriman going under the knife for the season, 12-4 seems more reasonable.
Broncos- 8-8. Average talent here, Questionable QB, but the OL and the zone blocking scheme they run, results in a .500 season.
Scraps- 6-10. This team has been a mess since Gruden left and has the worst winning percentage in the NFL since 2002. Al Davis now looks like the Crypt Keeper while patrolling the sidelines, I guess he fits right in with his fans in the stands. Lane Kiffin has no faith in ownership, and vise versa. Another train wreck season regardless of drafting Darren McFadden.
Chefs- 3-13. When Herm Edwards was hired as the head coach of the Jets, he was supposed to be the second coming of Tony Dungy, after all, Dungy was his mentor on the staff in Tampa. He did little in NY and was traded off to the Chefs. Somewhere along the line, the mentoring message was lost. Edwards hasn't really shown anything as a coach. The youngest team in the NFL will be horrible this season, and only Larry Johnson will keep them from going winless.
AFC South-
Crabcakes- 11-5. Mr. overexposure, Peyton Manning is not faring so well in the offseason with a knee issue. Internet rumors report that it's possible he could interrupt his consecutive game streak by not starting the season opener. Isn't it really interesting how this story is just right under the radar screen, unless those who dig for it? Yet, we get almost daily updates on Tom Brady? Oh thats right, Indianapolis is in the central portion of the US, that flyover part. Brett Favre had his entire career up until now in flyover land, once the Jets are 0-3 going into week 4, we'll see how much he enjoys his comeback.
Coyotes- 11-5. Jacksonville is having a hard time filling the stadium, but I believe it's due more to the collapse in the housing market in Florida, than a lack of a quality product on the field. Jax was in the mix in the playoffs last season and I firmly believe they return to the playoffs again, their defensive line is awesome.
Texans- 9-7. A team really wanting to do all the right things, but stuck in mediocrity. The Texans showed last season that they might the right decision in drafting Mario Williams instead of Reggie Bush. Yet, I'm not sold on Matt Schuab as being an elite QB in the league this season. Schuab was the quarterback in Atlanta when Mike Vick was there, and once Vick was injured, he looked great. Well, it's simple, Schuab was a quarterback and Vick was nothing more than a running back which threw the ball once in a while. How's that career working out for you now Mike? The Texans play in one of the tougher divisions this season, and while they are making strides, they aren't moving to the top of the pack.
Briskets- 7-9- There are no giant titans in Tennessee, only BBQ and music. You gotta love some great brisket. While I am a huge fan of Jeff Fischer, it's not happening this year for the briskets.
AFC Central-
Steelers- 10-6. Tough schedule for former Buc head coach Mike Tomalin this year. 10 wins will be a goal and might win the division. Defense will be great as usual and the backfield is loaded. Pencil in 10 wins.
Burning River V 2.0- 10-6. Oh, last year right out of left field, the Derek Anderson arrives on center stage and upsets the apple cart of the "anointed one" Brady Quinn of ever getting on the field.
Anderson played pretty well last season, and during his absence in preseason this year, the Notre Dame prodigy media anointed next Joe Montana, Brady Quinn has fallen flat on his face.
For all you 20 somethings which write for papers and internet sites, google Rick Mirer, and see how that worked out as a Notre Dame grad. He's most likely selling propane out of an RV park somewhere in Oregon.
Chilli's- 7-9. This team has been filled with issues from the head coach right on down to the trainer for two years. I feel bad for Carson Palmer, he better opt out of there when the contract is up, this team is going no where anytime soon.
Edgar Allan Poe's Favorite Team- 5-11. Yes, The ageing Ray Lewis is still on the squad, but this team is rebuilding. The defense is even a shell of it was a few years ago.
AFC East-
This division should be called AFC least, because other than the Kodaks, no one is going to be playing in January.
New England Kodaks- 12-4. No longer invincible, defense looking old. Brady not playing during preseason with another "mysterious" foot injury.
Canadas' Team- 9-7. There is talent looming on the horizon, but not this year.
Jets- 7-9. Yeah, the Favre story is a nice one for the feel good liberal sports writers which think the world revolves around the Washington, New York, New England corridor. However, there is not enough talent on the Jets roster, and at a press conference at the end of the season, Brett Favre breaks into tears announcing it was a mistake to come back.
Mullets from Miami- 5-11. The Mullets hire the Big Tuna and he bangs his drum to stop their floundering, and management believes they won't be snookered. How great is this? How many fish references can I have in one sentence describing an NFL franchise? Glass arm Pennington wont start for more than 7 games this year without going on IR, and while improvement will be seen, 5 wins is a realistic goal for the Mullets.
AFC West-
San Diego Solar Power- 12-4. I had projected this team earlier as 14-2, but now with the possibility of Merriman going under the knife for the season, 12-4 seems more reasonable.
Broncos- 8-8. Average talent here, Questionable QB, but the OL and the zone blocking scheme they run, results in a .500 season.
Scraps- 6-10. This team has been a mess since Gruden left and has the worst winning percentage in the NFL since 2002. Al Davis now looks like the Crypt Keeper while patrolling the sidelines, I guess he fits right in with his fans in the stands. Lane Kiffin has no faith in ownership, and vise versa. Another train wreck season regardless of drafting Darren McFadden.
Chefs- 3-13. When Herm Edwards was hired as the head coach of the Jets, he was supposed to be the second coming of Tony Dungy, after all, Dungy was his mentor on the staff in Tampa. He did little in NY and was traded off to the Chefs. Somewhere along the line, the mentoring message was lost. Edwards hasn't really shown anything as a coach. The youngest team in the NFL will be horrible this season, and only Larry Johnson will keep them from going winless.
AFC South-
Crabcakes- 11-5. Mr. overexposure, Peyton Manning is not faring so well in the offseason with a knee issue. Internet rumors report that it's possible he could interrupt his consecutive game streak by not starting the season opener. Isn't it really interesting how this story is just right under the radar screen, unless those who dig for it? Yet, we get almost daily updates on Tom Brady? Oh thats right, Indianapolis is in the central portion of the US, that flyover part. Brett Favre had his entire career up until now in flyover land, once the Jets are 0-3 going into week 4, we'll see how much he enjoys his comeback.
Coyotes- 11-5. Jacksonville is having a hard time filling the stadium, but I believe it's due more to the collapse in the housing market in Florida, than a lack of a quality product on the field. Jax was in the mix in the playoffs last season and I firmly believe they return to the playoffs again, their defensive line is awesome.
Texans- 9-7. A team really wanting to do all the right things, but stuck in mediocrity. The Texans showed last season that they might the right decision in drafting Mario Williams instead of Reggie Bush. Yet, I'm not sold on Matt Schuab as being an elite QB in the league this season. Schuab was the quarterback in Atlanta when Mike Vick was there, and once Vick was injured, he looked great. Well, it's simple, Schuab was a quarterback and Vick was nothing more than a running back which threw the ball once in a while. How's that career working out for you now Mike? The Texans play in one of the tougher divisions this season, and while they are making strides, they aren't moving to the top of the pack.
Briskets- 7-9- There are no giant titans in Tennessee, only BBQ and music. You gotta love some great brisket. While I am a huge fan of Jeff Fischer, it's not happening this year for the briskets.
AFC Central-
Steelers- 10-6. Tough schedule for former Buc head coach Mike Tomalin this year. 10 wins will be a goal and might win the division. Defense will be great as usual and the backfield is loaded. Pencil in 10 wins.
Burning River V 2.0- 10-6. Oh, last year right out of left field, the Derek Anderson arrives on center stage and upsets the apple cart of the "anointed one" Brady Quinn of ever getting on the field.
Anderson played pretty well last season, and during his absence in preseason this year, the Notre Dame prodigy media anointed next Joe Montana, Brady Quinn has fallen flat on his face.
For all you 20 somethings which write for papers and internet sites, google Rick Mirer, and see how that worked out as a Notre Dame grad. He's most likely selling propane out of an RV park somewhere in Oregon.
Chilli's- 7-9. This team has been filled with issues from the head coach right on down to the trainer for two years. I feel bad for Carson Palmer, he better opt out of there when the contract is up, this team is going no where anytime soon.
Edgar Allan Poe's Favorite Team- 5-11. Yes, The ageing Ray Lewis is still on the squad, but this team is rebuilding. The defense is even a shell of it was a few years ago.
Fay fizzles and Gustav grows
TS Fay and finally fizzled, after nearly a week of dumping unreal amounts on Florida and is finally heading off to the northeast, still sans rain, but at least now the drought stricken regions of the Southeast US will get to see some benefit.
But, the main topic of interest which sprung up on the radar this afternoon, is TS Gustav.
Gustav? These names, really need to be changed. Do you know anyone who has named their child Gustav in the past 4 decades? Or ever for that manner. A discussion for another day.
Gustav looked fairly organized over the weekend, and he approached the insurance lockdown box this morning, decided he'd one up fickle Fay. Fay teased storm watchers for 2 days before being even classified as a depression. Gustav woke up this morning, sipped some 85 degree Caribbean water, put on his slippers, dropped his minimum central pressure 10mb in 4 hours and developed a closed eyewall 30 miles wide, and decided to turn up the fan with winds now sustained at 60 mph.
It is far too early to have any faith in model runs, and we shouldn't have any kind of handle on what is going to happen until Wednesday. Remember, the stronger a system becomes, the most likely those storms are to seek out any weakness. Weak storms, such as Fay, meander around and tend to buck model trends. Stay tuned this week. If it's Labor Day in Florida, it must mean we're watching a hurricane somewhere!
But, the main topic of interest which sprung up on the radar this afternoon, is TS Gustav.
Gustav? These names, really need to be changed. Do you know anyone who has named their child Gustav in the past 4 decades? Or ever for that manner. A discussion for another day.
Gustav looked fairly organized over the weekend, and he approached the insurance lockdown box this morning, decided he'd one up fickle Fay. Fay teased storm watchers for 2 days before being even classified as a depression. Gustav woke up this morning, sipped some 85 degree Caribbean water, put on his slippers, dropped his minimum central pressure 10mb in 4 hours and developed a closed eyewall 30 miles wide, and decided to turn up the fan with winds now sustained at 60 mph.
It is far too early to have any faith in model runs, and we shouldn't have any kind of handle on what is going to happen until Wednesday. Remember, the stronger a system becomes, the most likely those storms are to seek out any weakness. Weak storms, such as Fay, meander around and tend to buck model trends. Stay tuned this week. If it's Labor Day in Florida, it must mean we're watching a hurricane somewhere!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Cuts coming for Bucs Tuesday, be glad I'm not making them.
Tonight's preseason game versus the Jags, was a disaster for the Bucs from an execution standpoint. Coming into tonight's game, the Bucs OL had performed remarkably. Tonight, not so much. The two previous Bucs games- no turnovers, tonight, not so much.
This evening Jeff Garcia LOOKED 38 years old and very rusty in the 4 series in which he played.
As much as I hate to say it, the only quarterback on the roster which has looked good during the pre-season has been, Captain Checkdown, Brian Griese.
The entire team looked out of sync tonight. From the distorted image and screwy sound on the tv broadcast to the play on the field, everything was out of whack tonight from kickoff at RayJay.
On Tuesday, August 26th, the Bucs along with every other NFL team need o trim their rosters by 5 players. Here on Saturday night, I'm offering up my picks for early cuts.
This evening's game saw serious injuries to RCB Marcus Hamilton and MLB Antoine Cash. The entire Bucs team came on the field tonight as Cash was strapped to a back brace and removed from the field. This is the second year in a row that Cash has suffered a serious injury in training camp. Tonight's injury looked as it might have been very serious and Mr. Cash, you are in all Buc's fan thoughts and hopefully your injury isn't significant.
Unfortunately, because of injury, I believe both Hamilton and Cash will be cut on Tuesday. In addition, I believe Cortez Hankton, #17, WR, Chris Clark #68 LT, and Daniel Fells, #46 TE will be the additional cuts. The Bucs should also cut #33 Ken Darby, RB and #37 Darrell Hunter, LCB, and get them out of the way.
This years training camp has provided some surprises for me. The Bucs play their final preseason game against Houston on Thursday, August 28th and the cut down dates for the final 53 man roster is August 30th. I've already offered up my 53 man roster before training camp, and now after Thursday nights game, I'll revise my roster and we'll see how close my predictions really are.
Also, in the coming week, I'll make my predictions for each team and how I feel they will finish. I'm sure many of you are waiting on the edge of your seat.
This evening Jeff Garcia LOOKED 38 years old and very rusty in the 4 series in which he played.
As much as I hate to say it, the only quarterback on the roster which has looked good during the pre-season has been, Captain Checkdown, Brian Griese.
The entire team looked out of sync tonight. From the distorted image and screwy sound on the tv broadcast to the play on the field, everything was out of whack tonight from kickoff at RayJay.
On Tuesday, August 26th, the Bucs along with every other NFL team need o trim their rosters by 5 players. Here on Saturday night, I'm offering up my picks for early cuts.
This evening's game saw serious injuries to RCB Marcus Hamilton and MLB Antoine Cash. The entire Bucs team came on the field tonight as Cash was strapped to a back brace and removed from the field. This is the second year in a row that Cash has suffered a serious injury in training camp. Tonight's injury looked as it might have been very serious and Mr. Cash, you are in all Buc's fan thoughts and hopefully your injury isn't significant.
Unfortunately, because of injury, I believe both Hamilton and Cash will be cut on Tuesday. In addition, I believe Cortez Hankton, #17, WR, Chris Clark #68 LT, and Daniel Fells, #46 TE will be the additional cuts. The Bucs should also cut #33 Ken Darby, RB and #37 Darrell Hunter, LCB, and get them out of the way.
This years training camp has provided some surprises for me. The Bucs play their final preseason game against Houston on Thursday, August 28th and the cut down dates for the final 53 man roster is August 30th. I've already offered up my 53 man roster before training camp, and now after Thursday nights game, I'll revise my roster and we'll see how close my predictions really are.
Also, in the coming week, I'll make my predictions for each team and how I feel they will finish. I'm sure many of you are waiting on the edge of your seat.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Paging Noah, ark needed, location Florida
Fay continues to dump historical levels of rain on the east coast of Florida as of Thursday afternoon. This storm will not go away. I predicted landfall, east of Naples around the Everglades City area, and have predicted the movement towards Vero Beach, a loop and eventual landfall again around Pensacola. However, this system continues to defy conventional tropical system wisdom.
I went to bed last night watching Fay on the radar loops at 8pm located due East of New Smyrna Beach, I woke up this morning and had to hit the refresh button several times to determine, she hadn't moved but a few miles, again pounding the Melbourne and surrounding areas with never before seen levels of rainfall.
Now it appears, Fay is one the move again, if you can call a drift w-wsw at 5mph movement.
She made landfall this afternoon shortly after 2pm and, as you guessed it, she actually gained some strength. I believe this storm is going to exit south of Cedar Key, around Crystal River, and is going to torment Florida until at least Sunday.
Miss Fay is one for the record books, and according to the NHC, might be cut off by weather systems and could drift around with weak steering currents. Unreal.
I went to bed last night watching Fay on the radar loops at 8pm located due East of New Smyrna Beach, I woke up this morning and had to hit the refresh button several times to determine, she hadn't moved but a few miles, again pounding the Melbourne and surrounding areas with never before seen levels of rainfall.
Now it appears, Fay is one the move again, if you can call a drift w-wsw at 5mph movement.
She made landfall this afternoon shortly after 2pm and, as you guessed it, she actually gained some strength. I believe this storm is going to exit south of Cedar Key, around Crystal River, and is going to torment Florida until at least Sunday.
Miss Fay is one for the record books, and according to the NHC, might be cut off by weather systems and could drift around with weak steering currents. Unreal.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Mommie Dearest, just go away
Dr. Masters at the Weather Underground site seems to liken TS Fay to the Joker character in the last Batman movie. Well, I haven't seen the movie and most likely won't go pay 12.00 for a ticket to see it either, however, I think his movie analogy is incorrect.
Fay, since the beginning, has been all over the place. We can go back a week and have Fay narrate her mindset in the past week. Fay actually isn't the Joker, it's a reincarnate of Faye Dunaway in the movie Mommie Dearest, where she portrayed Joan Crawford. Crawford was well known for her neurotic and bizzare behavior.
As the tropical storm, currently known as Fay, approaches Puerto Rico, she's forecast to head north of the island. As the sun sets in the Dmin mode, convection explodes and looks like a system on sat images like a serious system which has just developed in a few hours. But, then again, over the past few years, those of us which watch hurricanes, like some people follow reality tv shows, we've sort of gotten used to the rapid pressure drops, Gilbert, Dean, Charley, Wilma, Katrina, Ivan, need I continue? The future Fay remained at 1007mb.
The sat image was impressive, complete with outflow but once Hurricane Hunter aircraft arrived, there was no closed circulation. There seems to be various low level and mid level vortices with some closed circulation, but that IR sat image was impressive. However, the system to be named Fay, plodded west. Go north of the island? Hell no, plow right over the top. And just to mix it up, I'll create a few different centers of circulation so you folks on Virginia Key can try to figure me out.
Model runs again show me turning north the Dom. Republic and Haiti. Hell no. I'm not going there. You don't think I can keep it together, I beat my child with coat hangers, I can keep it together over these mountains. Let's go.
Now, models say I should intensify over the Nola passage, why? I don't like the way the water feels. Screw the models.
The next day, models say I should intensify south of Cuba because the water is warm, but it's too deep and the sun is out. Once the sun goes down, I'll intensify.
I don't like the sun so much, and once it heats up on Monday, I'll tone everything down. Have I screwed up everyone's models yet? These models are no different than how my agent ruined my career.
Once again, I'm supposed to come towards south Florida. I'm not liking that shallow water in Florida Bay so much either. However, that swamp terrain is right up my alley. I can be a star as long as I stay feeding on this energy. Get my agent on the phone. I'm Joan Crawford god dammit. And don't write me off, I'm making a comeback, it's going to be large! This is my comeback.
Fay, since the beginning, has been all over the place. We can go back a week and have Fay narrate her mindset in the past week. Fay actually isn't the Joker, it's a reincarnate of Faye Dunaway in the movie Mommie Dearest, where she portrayed Joan Crawford. Crawford was well known for her neurotic and bizzare behavior.
As the tropical storm, currently known as Fay, approaches Puerto Rico, she's forecast to head north of the island. As the sun sets in the Dmin mode, convection explodes and looks like a system on sat images like a serious system which has just developed in a few hours. But, then again, over the past few years, those of us which watch hurricanes, like some people follow reality tv shows, we've sort of gotten used to the rapid pressure drops, Gilbert, Dean, Charley, Wilma, Katrina, Ivan, need I continue? The future Fay remained at 1007mb.
The sat image was impressive, complete with outflow but once Hurricane Hunter aircraft arrived, there was no closed circulation. There seems to be various low level and mid level vortices with some closed circulation, but that IR sat image was impressive. However, the system to be named Fay, plodded west. Go north of the island? Hell no, plow right over the top. And just to mix it up, I'll create a few different centers of circulation so you folks on Virginia Key can try to figure me out.
Model runs again show me turning north the Dom. Republic and Haiti. Hell no. I'm not going there. You don't think I can keep it together, I beat my child with coat hangers, I can keep it together over these mountains. Let's go.
Now, models say I should intensify over the Nola passage, why? I don't like the way the water feels. Screw the models.
The next day, models say I should intensify south of Cuba because the water is warm, but it's too deep and the sun is out. Once the sun goes down, I'll intensify.
I don't like the sun so much, and once it heats up on Monday, I'll tone everything down. Have I screwed up everyone's models yet? These models are no different than how my agent ruined my career.
Once again, I'm supposed to come towards south Florida. I'm not liking that shallow water in Florida Bay so much either. However, that swamp terrain is right up my alley. I can be a star as long as I stay feeding on this energy. Get my agent on the phone. I'm Joan Crawford god dammit. And don't write me off, I'm making a comeback, it's going to be large! This is my comeback.
Joe Maddon for President!
I know regular readers of my posts know I comment about football, the lifeblood of America, however, I do enjoy baseball, and this summer, the Tampa Bay Rays, have been one of the most exciting teams to ever watch play the game.
This team has been formed around the Manager, Joe Maddon, you know the guy with the unconventional glasses. People who live in and around the St Petersburg area and follow the Rays, should be wearing those glasses in homage to the work of art he has created this season. He should be a cult hero. It's August 19th, the Rays are 29 games over .500.
Last week the Rays departed on a 10 game road trip to the west coast, nursing a 3.5 game lead over the evil empire Boston Red Sox. They departed on August 6th, right after playing a day game against the Cleveland Indians, where they rallied in the bottom of the 9th inning from a 6-4 deficit to win the game 10-6 without recording an out and won the game on a walk off home run. Just as dramatic as they've played all season long.
During the 10 game road trip, the Rays lost their star left fielder, Carl Crawford, most likely out for the year. They lost their Rookie of the Year star 3rd baseman, Evan Longoria for an undetermined period of time. Finally, if those two losses weren't enough, the veteran closer, Troy Percival, pulled his hamstring (again). If those obstacles weren't enough, CF B.J. Upton failed to run out routine ground balls to 1st base on Friday, so Manager Joe Maddon pulled him out of the game Friday and then benched him for the next game on Saturday. The final, WTF moment was on Sunday, when was Maddon told pitcher Grant Balfour to intentionally walk former Ray, Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded, a move which has only been done one other time in the last 60 years in baseball history.
After you read the above paragraph, it would seem that the results of the 10 game road trip were not so good. Instead, the Rays went 7-3 on the road and gained a game on the Evil Empire RedSox.
Tonight, once again, the Rays rallied late in the game to beat the LA Angeles, 4-2 to grab a share of the best record in MLB.
Joe Maddon has done a masterful job with this club, taking them to heights never achieved by previous Ray teams. Playoffs? We'll see. We can hope, this is one damn enjoyable team to watch play baseball. It's going to finally be a fun September in St Pete, and not just because the Bucs regular season starts.
If Joe Maddon is not voted in by the press writers of America as the Manager of the Year, there is something seriously wrong regardless how the season plays out.
This team has been formed around the Manager, Joe Maddon, you know the guy with the unconventional glasses. People who live in and around the St Petersburg area and follow the Rays, should be wearing those glasses in homage to the work of art he has created this season. He should be a cult hero. It's August 19th, the Rays are 29 games over .500.
Last week the Rays departed on a 10 game road trip to the west coast, nursing a 3.5 game lead over the evil empire Boston Red Sox. They departed on August 6th, right after playing a day game against the Cleveland Indians, where they rallied in the bottom of the 9th inning from a 6-4 deficit to win the game 10-6 without recording an out and won the game on a walk off home run. Just as dramatic as they've played all season long.
During the 10 game road trip, the Rays lost their star left fielder, Carl Crawford, most likely out for the year. They lost their Rookie of the Year star 3rd baseman, Evan Longoria for an undetermined period of time. Finally, if those two losses weren't enough, the veteran closer, Troy Percival, pulled his hamstring (again). If those obstacles weren't enough, CF B.J. Upton failed to run out routine ground balls to 1st base on Friday, so Manager Joe Maddon pulled him out of the game Friday and then benched him for the next game on Saturday. The final, WTF moment was on Sunday, when was Maddon told pitcher Grant Balfour to intentionally walk former Ray, Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded, a move which has only been done one other time in the last 60 years in baseball history.
After you read the above paragraph, it would seem that the results of the 10 game road trip were not so good. Instead, the Rays went 7-3 on the road and gained a game on the Evil Empire RedSox.
Tonight, once again, the Rays rallied late in the game to beat the LA Angeles, 4-2 to grab a share of the best record in MLB.
Joe Maddon has done a masterful job with this club, taking them to heights never achieved by previous Ray teams. Playoffs? We'll see. We can hope, this is one damn enjoyable team to watch play baseball. It's going to finally be a fun September in St Pete, and not just because the Bucs regular season starts.
If Joe Maddon is not voted in by the press writers of America as the Manager of the Year, there is something seriously wrong regardless how the season plays out.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Circus comes to Gotham
Well, you've gotta refer to NYC as Gotham in this day and age with the Dark Knight raking in hundreds of millions of dollars.
Jets, J-E-T-S, J-E-T-S J-E-T-S fans, you are getting duped by the mainstream elitite media from the Northeast. I was watching the Brett Favre Network, formally known as ESPN last evening shortly before and as, the announcement was made that Favre was headed to Gotham.
At around 12:40am, ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio reported from the Bucs training camp facility in a nearly orgasmic state, that Favre was going to New York. He was all excited about how the newspapers this morning would be filled with Favre stories to the point it would have to be a two bagel breakfast this morning and can't wait to get home. He was also nearly orgasmic about the week 2 match up between the New England Kodak's and the Jets, saying he'd be there and can't wait for it.
Then this afternoon on the ESPN website, the ESPN blogger for the AFC East division, reported that with the addition of Favre, the Jets went from decent to dangerous. Dangerous? Dangerous? The Jets went 4-12 last season and the media in that area is set anoint the Jets champions??
The Jets bought an offensive line in free agency this season. Ageing stars from other teams and 100 million dollars in salary, you can't buy a team or chemistry. Simply ask Washington Crackhead owner Daniel Snyder. How much have you spent and what have you won in return for your investment?
Waiting...........................Oh that's right. Nada. Zip, Nothing.
Jets fans, you might be caught up in the Favre-mania right now, but the Jets aren't going to the big game in Tampa this year, and you'll most likely miss the playoffs. I'm so happy that Brett went north, and he can be hounded every step he makes by all the pap up there.
Meanwhile, Tampa will continue on to the journey towards the ultimate goal, the Super Bowl.
Jets, J-E-T-S, J-E-T-S J-E-T-S fans, you are getting duped by the mainstream elitite media from the Northeast. I was watching the Brett Favre Network, formally known as ESPN last evening shortly before and as, the announcement was made that Favre was headed to Gotham.
At around 12:40am, ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio reported from the Bucs training camp facility in a nearly orgasmic state, that Favre was going to New York. He was all excited about how the newspapers this morning would be filled with Favre stories to the point it would have to be a two bagel breakfast this morning and can't wait to get home. He was also nearly orgasmic about the week 2 match up between the New England Kodak's and the Jets, saying he'd be there and can't wait for it.
Then this afternoon on the ESPN website, the ESPN blogger for the AFC East division, reported that with the addition of Favre, the Jets went from decent to dangerous. Dangerous? Dangerous? The Jets went 4-12 last season and the media in that area is set anoint the Jets champions??
The Jets bought an offensive line in free agency this season. Ageing stars from other teams and 100 million dollars in salary, you can't buy a team or chemistry. Simply ask Washington Crackhead owner Daniel Snyder. How much have you spent and what have you won in return for your investment?
Waiting...........................Oh that's right. Nada. Zip, Nothing.
Jets fans, you might be caught up in the Favre-mania right now, but the Jets aren't going to the big game in Tampa this year, and you'll most likely miss the playoffs. I'm so happy that Brett went north, and he can be hounded every step he makes by all the pap up there.
Meanwhile, Tampa will continue on to the journey towards the ultimate goal, the Super Bowl.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Favre Frenzy Continues
What a day for Tampa Bay sports. Jay Glazer from Foxsports.com posted a report at 3am this morning that Brett had a 5 hour meeting with head coach Mike McCarthy and his report was basically that Favre wouldn't be attending training camp today and 30 minutes before the Packers were scheduled to hit the field, Favre left camp and went home for a meeting with his family, Coach McCarthy and GM Thompson. After shortly less than an hour, the meeting was ended and Favre remained at home while management went back to the practice field.
After the meeting, the rumor mill was on full speed, and all trade targets were focused right here on the Tampa Bay Bucs. As a Bucs fan, things were pretty hectic between 3-6pm EST this afternoon. I was jumping around to various online sites, flipping back and forth between various cable channels, awaiting news.
While listening to 620 WDAE this afternoon, I found myself agreeing with the 3pm host, The Big Dog. Head Coach Jon Gruden has repeatedly dismissed any Favre talk this offseason and during training camp, but The Dog introduced an interesting scenerio which makes sense.
The mainstream sports media thinks Gruden has a love affair with every experienced quarterback in the NFL. I've listened to 620 this week as the morning hosts interview Gruden when he comes off the field. I believe that if the Bucs pull off a trade for Favre, it is not Gruden's wish. Gruden has faith in Garcia and maybe if a trade for Favre could have been pulled off 2 months ago, he'd have a different opinion, but I guess we'll just have to see how things play out overnight.
The reason I agree with The Big Dogs' opinion are threefold. Favre would boost merchandise sales right away. The so-called 100,000 members waiting for the season ticket waiting list, has evaporated. I know I added my name to the list in 2006 and before the start of last season, I was contacted by the Bucs for a season ticket package. The Glazers are acute business folks, and can see how the local housing slump, fuel prices, unemployment and the fact the Bucs nearly didn't sellout a home playoff game last January, could factor into the addition of a superstar quarterback which would generate some serious revenue.
The Glazers are shrewd, and General Manager Bruce Allen is so tight, he uses a crowbar to open the owners' wallet.
I'm really divided on this possible trade. On one hand I'd love to see Favre throwing deep to Galloway and Bryant. On the other, I am concerned having a Favre coming into Bucs camp, not understanding the playbook, digesting the offense, and just winging the ball around on Sundays, which results in a season like Brett had in 2006 and a meltdown of the Bucs for this season.
Then of course there is the salary and contract issue. Will the Bucs absorb the 13 million dollar salary hit this year? Is Brett going to play only one more year? Are the Bucs going to go through all this again this next year?
In the presser this afternoon, Coach Mike McCarthy said after a 6 hour discussion last night that Favre wasn't in the right mindset to come back to the Packers. This should raise some issues with the Bucs front office. What is the commitment level going to be? If he comes to Tampa is he going to be in the right mindset? Is he playing for 1 year? 13 million for 1 year? I can't justify that but then again ownership might think they will make up the difference in revenue.
Bruce Allen, leave our quarterbacks alone, don't trade for Favre.
After the meeting, the rumor mill was on full speed, and all trade targets were focused right here on the Tampa Bay Bucs. As a Bucs fan, things were pretty hectic between 3-6pm EST this afternoon. I was jumping around to various online sites, flipping back and forth between various cable channels, awaiting news.
While listening to 620 WDAE this afternoon, I found myself agreeing with the 3pm host, The Big Dog. Head Coach Jon Gruden has repeatedly dismissed any Favre talk this offseason and during training camp, but The Dog introduced an interesting scenerio which makes sense.
The mainstream sports media thinks Gruden has a love affair with every experienced quarterback in the NFL. I've listened to 620 this week as the morning hosts interview Gruden when he comes off the field. I believe that if the Bucs pull off a trade for Favre, it is not Gruden's wish. Gruden has faith in Garcia and maybe if a trade for Favre could have been pulled off 2 months ago, he'd have a different opinion, but I guess we'll just have to see how things play out overnight.
The reason I agree with The Big Dogs' opinion are threefold. Favre would boost merchandise sales right away. The so-called 100,000 members waiting for the season ticket waiting list, has evaporated. I know I added my name to the list in 2006 and before the start of last season, I was contacted by the Bucs for a season ticket package. The Glazers are acute business folks, and can see how the local housing slump, fuel prices, unemployment and the fact the Bucs nearly didn't sellout a home playoff game last January, could factor into the addition of a superstar quarterback which would generate some serious revenue.
The Glazers are shrewd, and General Manager Bruce Allen is so tight, he uses a crowbar to open the owners' wallet.
I'm really divided on this possible trade. On one hand I'd love to see Favre throwing deep to Galloway and Bryant. On the other, I am concerned having a Favre coming into Bucs camp, not understanding the playbook, digesting the offense, and just winging the ball around on Sundays, which results in a season like Brett had in 2006 and a meltdown of the Bucs for this season.
Then of course there is the salary and contract issue. Will the Bucs absorb the 13 million dollar salary hit this year? Is Brett going to play only one more year? Are the Bucs going to go through all this again this next year?
In the presser this afternoon, Coach Mike McCarthy said after a 6 hour discussion last night that Favre wasn't in the right mindset to come back to the Packers. This should raise some issues with the Bucs front office. What is the commitment level going to be? If he comes to Tampa is he going to be in the right mindset? Is he playing for 1 year? 13 million for 1 year? I can't justify that but then again ownership might think they will make up the difference in revenue.
Bruce Allen, leave our quarterbacks alone, don't trade for Favre.
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