"If you see a snake, just kill it - don't appoint a committee on snakes."
Ross Perot
Two preseason games have now been played. Thirty-one yellow hankies have been thrown against a team that has been working on skills, attitude, and mental errors during training camp.
Coach Mike Tice, who had a 81% approval rating going into the game against the New York J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets had better get a handle on the rash of penalties quick. Many of those penalties have been drive killers as well.
As Ross Perot said, I hope Tice doesn't create some sort of committee to deal with this issue. Just kill it, and kill it now.
"When building a team, I always search first for people who love to win. If I can't find any of those, I look for people who hate to lose."
Ross Perot
As I called for after the preseason tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs and will again call for this week...enough Michael Bennett. Enough tippy-toe tentatively towards the line ala Herschel Walker over a decade ago.
Coach Tice, with the two preseason games left to go please give MeMo a start and Ciatrick Fason a start in those games. If nothing else, I want to see each get considerable time playing with the first team offense. I want to know if MeMo and Fason really ARE that good or if they have just had the luxury of running against the second and third team opposing defenses.
I want a winner at running back. And right now, that does not appear to be Bennett. Disagree? Place your vote for opening day running back on the poll to the left.
"Eagles don't flock, you have to find them one at a time. "
Ross Perot
With Fred Smoot out and his return unknown, I'd like to see Ralph Brown moved from backing up Antoine Winfield to starting on the other side over Brian Williams. "Downtown" Ralph Brown has shown me he earns a starting nod in at least one of the remaining preseason games. He's been soaring and delivering some great hits.
"Failures are like skinned knees, painful but superficial."
Ross Perot
Last week after the win over the Chiefs, Tice ended up am amazing 81% approval rating with the Tice Job Approval poll. A new poll is now posted to the left. So vote and let's see how Tice's approval stands after the loss to the Jets.
Oh, and I gave ol' Pencil Ear a Somewhat Approve.
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Umm....Fason is out for at least a few weeks, so I don't think he'll be starting.
The coaches know a lot better than you or I who should be starting. They know how many holes Bennett has or hasn't missed. They look at film extensively and they know if it's been Bennett's fault or the O-Line's fault. It would be ludicrous for a casual observer such as yourself or I to claim to know more about the team at this point in the (pre)season than the coaches.
Posted by: Jimmy at August 21, 2005 02:57 PMJimmy (Kleinsasser??? ;))
All your points are correct. Yes, we know that Fason is hurt. Arm Chair QBs, such as myself are just asking to take a look at another RB with the first team offense now, during preseason. I don't want to be playing RB merry-go-around once the regular season starts...but it may well happen that way.
MeMo just seems to have a knack for finding that crack, that opening in the line. Not sure he is durable enough to last the whole year but either is Bennett.
Posted by: Brian Maas at August 21, 2005 03:20 PMI agree that Bennet hasn't got it. He didn't last year either. He does not look natural back there. Moore looks natural and has a better feel for the game. My opinion is that Tice just likes Bennet more then Moore so thats the biggest problem although Moore's play is making this decision tougher for Tice becuase he won't be able to justify it much longer. Also on WWW.nfl.com there is a video of the vikings camp which state there is a difference of opinion in the Vikes front office as to who the starting back should be. I would like to know who is in favor of Moore since we know who's corner Tice is in.
Posted by: treiff at August 21, 2005 04:02 PMMeMo will get the start this week due to the neck injury of MB. Seriously though people, watch the plays that they run with Bennett. It has been 95% first down attempts (heaven forbid us from running on second down remember). Plus they are always up the middle that does not include Birk and doesn't have the likes of a Jimmy K blocking for him. It is my opinion that MB haters out there will eat their words this season barring any injury. People forget to soon how fast this guy is and how terribly predictable Loney has been in the playcalling for the preseason. We have the great luxary of having backups like fason and MeMo but please....please....please wait until the regular season when they shoot all the fireworks at the opposing defense instead of first down firecracker duds (that one was for you CoD you pyro)
Posted by: ajj90 at August 22, 2005 10:32 PMBrian, I'd rather see Rushin Jones rather than Ralph "Downtown" Brown.From what I saw at camp and in the first two games he's been solid. Oh and by the way my boy Ryan Hoag is very confident about taking the 5th reciver spot. Which I believe is his for the taking with Kelly out and Keenan playing Deiseased !!
PS: I miss ya at the store!!