Dan

I understand all that, but why not just say it all. Why must they speak in tongues? Does the defense hear the play call? I've never played football at any level, so in this regard I'm ignorant.

QUOTE The Vikings' Brad Johnson is in his 13th season as an NFL quarterback. Asked how difficult it is for a rookie, he smiles and lets fly a would-be play: "U Shift Green, Left, West, F, Short, Spy, Two, Banana, Z, Over, Heads, Up, Four, 358, Smoke, Check, H, 2 Miami." Does anyone know why the plays have to be so complicated?? It seems like a bit of over kill to me.

I think the point on Losman that several here are trying to make and that several are trying to denegrate; is that Losman played a safe, conservative game. Now some see that as good, when some see that as the same thing as Holcomb. Therefore, why's Losman's safe play good and Holcomb's safe play bad. Here's how I see it: Last year Losman seemed erratic and uncomfortable which led to poor decisions and turnovers, which cost us games. So far this year (for the purposes of this thread the Miami game), he seems more comfortable and in control which is leading to fewer mistakes and putting us in a position to win games. Now how is that different from Holcomb? Because Losman, being younger and more athletically talented, has much more upside provided he can learn the necessary skills of also being a game manager. For the game in question, Losman's short underneath throws came while we had the lead and didn't need to make mistakes. If he continues to make short throws when we're down by 10 points, then I'd be the first to say he needs to throw more. All we needed was a game manager on Sunday, we didn't need the gun slinger. Last season, Losman seemed incapable of managing the game. Hence, the optimism from his play on Sunday. All in all, we saw progress from JP on Sunday. Did he play the perfect game? No. But, did he progress? Absolutely. The questions or discussion, IMO, should be concerend with whether or not he'll continue to progress. Because I think its irrefutable that he's progressed. Now can he continue it and become the good QB that wins games by throwing 300 yards when needed while also managing the game with short passes when needed.

Don-tay.. Don-tay.. Don-tay ...

I don't really know the guy at all. He does seem familiar, but I can't say where I've seen or heard him. I agree he doesn't say much, but boy when he did, I just found it completely off base. Like the comment about the Jags are an unknown team and all. They're a playoff contender year in and year out. I don't know, maybe he'll grow on me too; but after one game I say please stop putting uniformed people in the booth that talk about anything but the game in front of them. Also, I agree the Pink song sucks. And I stopped watching the Fox pregame years ago. The only time I tune in now is when I think they may say something about the Bills.

I couldn't disagree more! Kornhole was so annoying that I may not watch MNF by choice for the first time in my adult life next week. I thought he actually made Theisman sound intelligent. I high;y doubt Kornhole has ever seen an entire NFL game. He seemed to be more interested in his fantasy stats and talkin BS at every opurtunity. The quality of that broadcast has gone down dramatically since last year.

I always thought I should be writing the promo spots for the networks.

Why show all your cards in week 2? We were winning and in control. We didn't need to open the playbook up and tip our hand to what they may see in the next meeting.

That really is the new logo?!? I thought that was all a joke.

Absolutely. They looked great yesterday, as well as last week. I hope that can continue; and I really think it will. This week will be a good game for a number of reasons. Can they keep it up for 3 consecutive weeks? Can that beat a team that most of us thought/think they should be about to beat? Will they have a let down? This could be the week that determines the season as much or more so than the Miami game.

Agreed. I can definitely see us doing well and being the hot commodity in Dec. However, in recent years this team has invented new ways of losing. So, unitl they string some positive games together, I have to remain cautiosly optimistic.

Excellent analogy. Definitely shows you how hard up we all are for a decent team. I do agree, though, most peaople had us picked in the 5-7 win range. That means we'll win a few and we'll lose a few. SO we shouldn't get too up or too down, just yet. I say, lets all just wait until we're in the playoff hunt in late November, before we get too excited. Now, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the wins and hope for even more. Lord knows, I enjoyed yesterday. And I'm really looking forward to Sunday.

The problem I always saw with MM and his offense was more the timing of his play calling. All offenses run trick plays, pass on 3 and 1, and do all the sorts of things MM gets a bad rap for. However, the difference is WHEN you do these things. For example, the Roscoe TD that almost was (to throw this back to Roscoe as well), it was a great call at that time. In other circumstances, it would be a terrible call. MM always seems to make those calls at the wrong time. He seems unable to set up one play with the next. I think it was Peyton Manning that once said in a PC - you use some plays to set up other plays, and you use some games to set up other games. Well, that's what we did yesterday, we set up the dolphins with each play. Hence, the play action TD worked so well; and so did the pitch to Roscoe. Similarly, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see JP airing it out when we play them again in Buffalo.

Mosquitoes are active in the evening hours and not so much in the mid afternoon. So, I think the mosquito (possible WNV) scenario is out.

I took your advice for the Pats game. And now I'm living with my Father in law. Now you suggest I bet his house as well?

That's what I saw as well. But, I thought that if the pass was behind the line of scrimmage then it wasn't considered a pass, and the receivers could be blocking within 5yds of the LOS. ??? I'm not complaining or trying to nit pick, I'm just curious as to the how the rules go. In essence it was a screen, right?

I could argue (although I doubt I will other than this post) that JP faced alot of quick pressure from the fins and rather than run around and get sacked or make a hurried throw into coverage; he was dumping the ball off to the quick outlet receiver. That shows good decision making in my book. On the point about the coaches: Isn't that what coaches are supposed to do... know their players limitations and skills and put them in the best position to win? Why is is so bad that the coaches drew up a game plan that allowed JP to manage a game and get us a win?

Exactly. And that's why I'm loving Losman's play today. He did exactly what he had to do... manage the game and don't make mistakes. How many of his throws were throws just to get the ball away because a rusher was in his face? He looked good, made good decisions, and we got the win. It may not be spectacular play by the QB, but it's keeping us in the game and that's what matters most. Stats shmats.

I was one. It appears I was mistaken, I'll gladly admit.

If the refs are so blatantly bad that us and the media can see it week in and week out, and the NFL doesn't do anything about it. Then that, in itself, implies an intent on behalf of the league.

One thing I can say about Fairchild... 4 and 1; what does he do? He ran it with Willis. Excellent choice. No gimmicks, no passing, no crap play, just a straight up run it down their throat kinda play. It may not have worked, but its exactly what 90% of this board has been screaming for for 5 years. That's why I liked it and that's why I'm likin Fairchild after only 1 week of football.

Nope I agree. Dinfinetly, we need to improve. But, we're light years ahead of the Raiders.

I also agree. Its a good game call. Usually by now in a game like this, they're talking about everything but the game. This is how it should be, talk about the game being played and the players playing.

Has Brooks had any time to pass at all? I mean these guys really suck.

I, too, must admit Reed had a good game. I've thought for several years he should be gone. But, he did make some nice catches. The first catch of his on the sideline was something I thought he was incapable of. To harp on a different player: I did notice Wire chasing, in vain, the Patriot ball carrier on several plays. (Notice I said chasing not tackling.)