Several Things...

First order of business:

Bob Howry

It's time to hang it up Bob. I'm sorry. As a person? Very likable, good attitude, so on and so forth, but playoff roster? PLAYOFF ROSTER?!?! NO!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

No.

I realize there aren't many alternative choices with Gaudin looking miserable after his prolonged absence, but anyone other than maybe Kevin Hart would be an improvement. I'd probably opt for, gulp, Michael Wuertz. The numbers don't lie:

In 70.7 IP- 90 H, 42 ER, 13 HR

It's not like he's had a recent renaissance of sorts. He's been bad. Very bad. All. Year. Long.

Again, I wish him the best, but he needs to put away his Sweet Lou voodoo doll and pack it in for the winter.

Moving on...

NLDS/ The Dodgers

Had trouble sleeping last night. That's about all I can say at this point. Just gotta let it play out. I refuse to comment until after Wednesday's game. 

And don't mistake my superstitiousness for pessimism. I have a healthy, balanced confidence in this team's postseason ambitions. I...I just...can't fight this feeling...

Moving On...

FSU 39, CU 21

Bleh. Had such high hopes early in this one. Let me say right now, Rodney Stewart is a fucking badass. What a great story: We land the most sought after rb recruit in the country in Darrell Scott, he shows up overweight to camp, and a tiny 2 star recruit who no one has ever heard of steps in and steals the spotlight, eventually earning him national attention and the uber-original moniker "Speedy" Stewart. Come on. First "Fast" Willie Parker now this? A new nickname is in order. I'm open to suggestions. But I digress. This guy is something else. He's the most electric player this team has seen in quite some time, and despite carrying 21 times for 107, it seemed as though he could have used some more touches, especially earlier on in drives, to prevent 3rd and long situations. Obviously the plan was to exploit the Seminoles blitz scheme by airing it out, but Cody simply struggled. Granted he was under pressure all day long, but he played the worst game I've ever seen from him, missing throws he has to complete and offering up a few critical turnovers as well. It just seemed as though Mark Helfrich could have called a far better game in terms of balance and picking his shots (and despite coming out with the W against West Virginia, I thought it applied for that game as well). Clearly however, the potential is tremendous for this team. We'll see how they fare against Colt McCoy inc....

Bears 24, Eagles 20

Phew!!! I know everyone was inching out onto the ledge as the Bears looked poised to complete yet another 2nd half collapse:

Stat of the week: Bears 3rd quarter offensive production- 7 yards. 1 interception. 2 fumbles. Awesome.

But fuck it! We won! And why? The defense refused to be shit on by the media for a third consecutive week, churning out a gutsy goal line stand late in the 4th that was easily the most important series of the year to this point. Perhaps Andy Reid should have been a wee more creative with his playcalling, but it's hard to fault him for running the ball with Buckhalter, a proven downhill, short-yardage back, on the 1/2 yard line.

So after going @IND, @CAR and home vs. Tampa and Philly, the Bears are 2-2. Pretty impressive if you ask me, especially considering the dreary expectations that surrounded this squad.

So yea. That is all.