The Sports Bar

[Stormtrooper]

I'm happy Del Rio got fired. Weaver said he was going to fire him after last week's game but held off due to the announcements of today. I like what the new owner, Shahid Khan, has said thus far through some of his PR people. He is saying he intends on keeping the Jags in Jacksonville, which I believe since he has no reason to lie about it.

I don't think anyone is surprised the new owner said that.

He can't be introduced then immediately announce "I intend to move the team." That's the biggest PR nightmare, and since he doesn't even own the team yet, it could hinder his chances of getting the team. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't INTEND to move the team, especially right away.

 

[The Bearded One]

I don't think anyone is surprised the new owner said that.

He can't be introduced then immediately announce "I intend to move the team." That's the biggest PR nightmare, and since he doesn't even own the team yet, it could hinder his chances of getting the team. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't INTEND to move the team, especially right away.

True. I'm just hoping he has the same commitment to Jacksonville that Weaver does. I just wish the morons who live in Jacksonville would realize how lucky we are and get their heads out of their asses and start buying tickets.

 

[LSN80]

True. I'm just hoping he has the same commitment to Jacksonville that Weaver does. I just wish the morons who live in Jacksonville would realize how lucky we are and get their heads out of their asses and start buying tickets.

Its funny, when i read that Del Rio got fired, I immediately thought of you along with my best friend, who may hate him more then you do. Ill just say this has been a long time overdue.

As for the ticket buying public, Florida in general is notorious for not being devoted to its sports teams, at least when it comes to attending their sporting events. I think its going to take some major PR along with a team that shows it can win before things will turn around. Love the coaching change though, as JDR should have been gone 2 years ago.

 

[LSN80]

I don't think anyone is surprised the new owner said that.

He can't be introduced then immediately announce "I intend to move the team." That's the biggest PR nightmare, and since he doesn't even own the team yet, it could hinder his chances of getting the team. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't INTEND to move the team, especially right away.

Yes, but he may believe he can produce a winner in Jacksonville as well. I look at both the Penguins for example. It was a PR nightmare when Lemieux bought the Penguins and essentially sakid that if people don't start buying tickets, he was moving the team. He said this the moment he took over. He emphasized his desire to keep the Pens in Pittsburgh, true, but came out in his first news conference noting his willingness to move the team in short fashion if fans didn't start showing up.

Of course it didnt hurt that we drafted Sid that year and had Malkin and Fleury in the wings.

 

[Stormtrooper]

True. I'm just hoping he has the same commitment to Jacksonville that Weaver does. I just wish the morons who live in Jacksonville would realize how lucky we are and get their heads out of their asses and start buying tickets.

This times 10 thousand. Jacksonville has an NFL Franchise. THey need to realize that if they lose it they will never get it back, and likely won't get any other pro sports franchise.

Its funny, when i read that Del Rio got fired, I immediately thought of you along with my best friend, who may hate him more then you do. Ill just say this has been a long time overdue.

LSN!!!!! WHAT'S HAPPENING, MAN?! LONG TIME NO SEE!

As for the ticket buying public, Florida in general is notorious for not being devoted to its sports teams, at least when it comes to attending their sporting events. I think its going to take some major PR along with a team that shows it can win before things will turn around. Love the coaching change though, as JDR should have been gone 2 years ago.

There is one way they can get ticket sales (and merchandise sales) up right away. That's a certain Quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

John Elway isn't necessarily fond of him, and John Fox would likely want to get back to a conventional offense. Tebow would sell out for the first year (he'd be coming back to Florida, and he's a good Jersey seller), and then if you couple him with a coach willing to let him play the way he needs to, they'll win and keep selling out.

 

[Stormtrooper]

Yes, but he may believe he can produce a winner in Jacksonville as well.

Of course he should believe that. You can build a winner in any town/city/franchise.

I look at both the Penguins for example. It was a PR nightmare when Lemieux bought the Penguins and essentially sakid that if people don't start buying tickets, he was moving the team. He said this the moment he took over. He emphasized his desire to keep the Pens in Pittsburgh, true, but came out in his first news conference noting his willingness to move the team in short fashion if fans didn't start showing up.

As he should have. He bought the team out of bankruptcy, because people weren't showing up.

Of course it didnt hurt that we drafted Sid that year and had Malkin and Fleury in the wings.

And now you get to the real reason why people showed up.

People start caring about your team when you have a name. Sid Crosby came into the league as a name (thanks to all the hype surrounding him). People wanted to see him. So they paid their money to go to the arena. If Sidney Crosby didn't exist, I wouldn't be surprised if the Penguins were playing in another city.


Jacksonville doesn't have that guy (hell, I don't know if they have ever had one). They don't have the guy that appeals to the masses. The closest they have is Maurice Jones-Drew. He's a great, great talent, but not a guy that is known by the non-fans or casual fans.

 

[Megatron]

These bots on this site keep pissing me off.

 

[One Punch Doug Crashin]

damn bots. I thought Maintenance Bod was about to catch these

 

[Harthan]

Marlins agreed to terms with Heath Bell not long ago. $27 million for 3 years. Not a bad price, but Bell is somewhat overrated considering he pitches in the best pitcher's park in baseball. And fat, if you want to be a dick.

I expect him to be a good closer for the Marlins, better than what they right now. Moreover it's shown that they're quite serious about winning next year. Still need to ink Pujols or Fielder if they want that to be a reality, but I figure they will.

 

[Theo Mays]

Marlins agreed to terms with Heath Bell not long ago. $27 million for 3 years. Not a bad price, but Bell is somewhat overrated considering he pitches in the best pitcher's park in baseball. And fat, if you want to be a dick.

I expect him to be a good closer for the Marlins, better than what they right now. Moreover it's shown that they're quite serious about winning next year. Still need to ink Pujols or Fielder if they want that to be a reality, but I figure they will.

That's a nice signing. It's odd seeing the fish going out there and getting things done. Gotta fill that new stadium somehow. As for signing Fielder or Pujols, I wouldn't say they necessarily have too. I think they could get by with signing Reyes. They have a criminally underrated 1B in Gaby Sanchez and he would likely get shipped off if they did sign one of them. HanRam has said he wouldn't have a problem moving if they brought in Reyes, so I think that is definitely a more likely option. Either way I'm excited to see that the NL East should be ultra competitive this year.

 

[Harthan]

That's a nice signing. It's odd seeing the fish going out there and getting things done. Gotta fill that new stadium somehow. As for signing Fielder or Pujols, I wouldn't say they necessarily have too. I think they could get by with signing Reyes. They have a criminally underrated 1B in Gaby Sanchez and he would likely get shipped off if they did sign one of them. HanRam has said he wouldn't have a problem moving if they brought in Reyes, so I think that is definitely a more likely option. Either way I'm excited to see that the NL East should be ultra competitive this year.

That's true, they don't strictly need Pujols or Fielder to be top dogs. And by most accounts Reyes is currently down to the Mets and the Marlins, which seems like a bit of a foregone conclusion to me. Leave the team there and you're looking at major potential. Add Fielder or Pujols to that and you've got the team to beat.

 

[Ty Burna]

There were three things I figured going into my Fantasy Football drafts that would happen this season:

1. Marshawn Lynch would build on his momentum he had at the end of last season.

2. CJ Spiller would eventually start after Fred Jackson would be out for the year with injury.

3. Peyton Hillis and Matt Forte would kill it on the field in a contract year for both.

So I got Lynch right eventually, but ended up dropping him about 4-5 weeks ago. I was right on Spiller eventually, but I dropped him a long time ago. Hillis has been a bust and Forte for the most part has been spectacular. So I predicted some things correctly, but didn't have the heart to wait around for them to happen.

 

[Harthan]

Hillis, man, what the fuck. Browns would have stood a chance at a wild card spot if he'd shown up this year.

 

[Stormtrooper]

Hillis, man, what the fuck. Browns would have stood a chance at a wild card spot if he'd shown up this year.

This happened:

Spoiler

 

[justinsayne]

No one claimed McNabb from waivers

 

[Harthan]

This happened:

Spoiler

Jesus, you're right. Madden, what the hell.

 

[Davi323]

Well, I guess that kinda renders the potential Michigan vs. Houston BCS matchup moot...

 

[Megatron]

UM needed a UH loss most likely anyways. They'll need one or two more losses to be a lock into the top 14. A UGA win will hurt since that'll give the SEC 3 spots, the Pac 12 is getting 2, an OU win could get the Big 12 2, then you have the ACC/Big East/Big 10 all getting bids. There's the 10 bids, and I heard it's a possibility that TCU can make a BCS Bowl if it cracks the top 16 and is ahead of the Big East Champ (which it will be). I don't know if that's factual, but it's definitely possible.

While I don't think UGA will win, that could send UM to the Cap 1 or Outback bowl (depending on if Cap 1 wants Nebraska or not).

 

[Shocky]

TCU has to finish in the top 12 I think to get an auto bid to the BCS bowls. They are #16 now I believe, so I doubt they are going to jump 4 spots.

The last big bump in the road is Georgia winning the SEC championship and what could happen from that.

Rose and Orange Bowls are set at this point though, it's just a matter of Va. Tech or Clemson.

 

[Megatron]

Nah I looked on the BCS website, this is what it says:

3. The champion of Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Sun Belt Conference, or the Western Athletic Conference will earn an automatic berth in a BCS bowl game if either:

A. Such team is ranked in the top 12 of the final BCS Standings, or,
B. Such team is ranked in the top 16 of the final BCS Standings and its ranking in the final BCS Standings is higher than that of a champion of a conference that has an annual automatic berth in one of the BCS bowls.

Case B will apply if TCU gets to 16 in the BCS (they're currently 18) since WVU is in the 20's.

 

[Big Sexy]

TCU would likely need Baylor to lose to have a shot at the top 16.

 

[Davi323]

My apologies to Megatron, but SHUT THE HELL UP, SPARTY!!!

Lots of bitching by MSU fans today on the local news sites in Michigan...They are all pissed off that Michigan got into a BCS game and they didn't.

If MSU had beaten Wisconsin, guess what? Michigan would still be in the Sugar Bowl. They can whine all they want about how fair or unfair it is, but they don't get it. The outcome of the B1G Championship game was IRRELEVANT to Michigan's BCS Berth. No matter who won or lost, Michigan was going to move ahead of the loser by virtue of only having 2 losses to 3. Yet somehow, lil' brother seems to think that it's Michigan's fault that they lost the B1G Championship, that they got their 3rd loss, that they are now excluded. Even though they dropped to 17 in the BCS, and would not have been eligible for a BCS bowl game even if one had wanted them. Michigan didn't cause you to lose. Your own stupid ass mistakes did.

The B1G championship game didn't matter one bit to Michigan's chances. If MSU wins, MSU and Michigan get the BCS berths, if Wisconsin wins, Wisconsin and UM get the BCS berths. Either way, because of the results of all the other games played Friday and Saturday, Michigan's BCS spot was guaranteed. They were all close enough in the BCS rankings that the loser would drop far enough for Michigan to move up, regardless of who it was.

The Big XII matchup between OSU and OU mattered...had OU pulled the upset, Oklahoma State might have grabbed one of the at larges.

The SEC title game mattered, if Georgia had pulled off the miracle, LSU would have gotten an at large.

The Pac-12 Championship game mattered, because a UCLA upset over Oregon would have given Oregon a BCS at-large over Michigan as well...

The Conference USA game between Houston and Southern Miss mattered, because if Houston won, they would have gotten a guaranteed BCS berth too. (although, most experts thought that they would have gone against Michigan in the Sugar Bowl anyway, meaning the outcome of this game may not have mattered, as enough teams dropped out so that both would get in)

The outcome of every single one of those games mattered to Michigan, because they needed specific teams to lose in order to be eligible for a BCS berth by being within the top 14 of the BCS rankings. Just about every result that had BCS ramifications benefited Michigan, but that isn't their fault. That's just how it worked out.

 

[Stormtrooper]

Ron Santo has been voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee (or whatever they're calling it now).

Well deserved.

 

[CH David]

Shame Minnie Minoso didn't make the Hall. But congrats to Santo.

Matthew Barnaby, ESPN's hockey analyst, was arrested and charged with DWI early this morning. Shame, I like him.

 

[Megatron]

My apologies to Megatron, but SHUT THE HELL UP, SPARTY!!!

Lots of bitching by MSU fans today on the local news sites in Michigan...They are all pissed off that Michigan got into a BCS game and they didn't.

If MSU had beaten Wisconsin, guess what? Michigan would still be in the Sugar Bowl. They can whine all they want about how fair or unfair it is, but they don't get it. The outcome of the B1G Championship game was IRRELEVANT to Michigan's BCS Berth. No matter who won or lost, Michigan was going to move ahead of the loser by virtue of only having 2 losses to 3. Yet somehow, lil' brother seems to think that it's Michigan's fault that they lost the B1G Championship, that they got their 3rd loss, that they are now excluded. Even though they dropped to 17 in the BCS, and would not have been eligible for a BCS bowl game even if one had wanted them. Michigan didn't cause you to lose. Your own stupid ass mistakes did.

The B1G championship game didn't matter one bit to Michigan's chances. If MSU wins, MSU and Michigan get the BCS berths, if Wisconsin wins, Wisconsin and UM get the BCS berths. Either way, because of the results of all the other games played Friday and Saturday, Michigan's BCS spot was guaranteed. They were all close enough in the BCS rankings that the loser would drop far enough for Michigan to move up, regardless of who it was.

The Big XII matchup between OSU and OU mattered...had OU pulled the upset, Oklahoma State might have grabbed one of the at larges.

The SEC title game mattered, if Georgia had pulled off the miracle, LSU would have gotten an at large.

The Pac-12 Championship game mattered, because a UCLA upset over Oregon would have given Oregon a BCS at-large over Michigan as well...

The Conference USA game between Houston and Southern Miss mattered, because if Houston won, they would have gotten a guaranteed BCS berth too. (although, most experts thought that they would have gone against Michigan in the Sugar Bowl anyway, meaning the outcome of this game may not have mattered, as enough teams dropped out so that both would get in)

The outcome of every single one of those games mattered to Michigan, because they needed specific teams to lose in order to be eligible for a BCS berth by being within the top 14 of the BCS rankings. Just about every result that had BCS ramifications benefited Michigan, but that isn't their fault. That's just how it worked out.

I realized that State's only shot was to win the Big 10 title game and, while I'm happy they were able to play for their shot instead of sit and wait like UM did, I knew they weren't getting an AQ bid. The NC loss to ND did them in. However, if they were 11-2 (with a loss in the Big 10 title game) I still wouldn't have put it past the BCS to take Michigan over them, despite MSU being the better team. Why? Money. These games, other then the national championship, are about money. UM's one of the 5 biggest 'name' schools in the nation (along with USC, Texas, Notre Dame, and probably Alabama). While MSU is a Big 10 school and has their fair share of followers, them bowl guys want the big name. Do I think they picked all of the right teams? Hell no. VT was just as undeserving as any, yet went in over Boise and KSU because they're more of a 'name' school.

However, if the situation was flipped (as in UM lost in the title game and MSU got the BCS bid) I don't think you'd be singing the same tune. I realize we had our shot in Indy and put on a hell of a show, but winning was our only shot. I don't agree with it, since it's rewarding teams for finishing good but not 'good enough' (as in winning the division), but the BCS was never fair.