Hester Provides Many Happy Returns
I'm still a bit dazed and confused this morning over yesterday afternoon's Bears game.- I'm still scratching my head, wondering, as Dan Dierdorf pointed out (over and over and over again, ad nauseum) why the Broncos not only continued to kick the ball to Hester, but kick it down the middle of the field. Some other teams have been successful kicking the ball to the sideline, limiting Hester's ability to get there. But twice, the Broncos punted or kicked it right down the middle of the field and twice Hester made them pay.
- Overall, the game was a cluster for both teams. Denver did some stupid things while the Bears, for most of the game, looked like a sandlot team. No offense, no defense, no quarterback. But, as sometimes they do, the Bears woke up the last few minutes of the game, got some needed turnovers ( nice block, Peanut!) and happiness ensued.
- Rex Grossman absolutely stunk for most of the game, but he showed you in the last eight minutes and in the OT why the Bears haven't given up on him yet. Nice pass to Des Clark in OT, right on the tape as they say in the NHL.
- The big hero in my book is Adrian Peterson. That touchdown where he just kept burrowing was unreal. My big question is now that it appears Cedric Benson is out for the year, will we see more of Garrett Wolfe and will the Bears be forced to sign somebody as a third stringer? BTW, why is Denver's third string running back better than the Bears first string running back. Honestly, losing Cedric Benson is a blessing in disguise for many reasons. I think AP showed fans yesterday that while he's not Walter Payton, Walter would have been proud of his effort.
- It will be interesting to see how they come off this huge victory. Will they take it to a reeling Giants team whose QB is having a crisis of confidence or will they come out like the Seattle game and fall flat? While it's true they have played better since the bye week, there is no room for them to stub their toe, especially since they are playing some teams they are competing with for a wildcard birth down the stretch. I don't think they get in, but wackier things have happened in the NFL.
- Washington Redskins DB Sean Taylor is undergoing surgery at this hour after sustaining a gunshot wound in his Miami home. No word on the whereabouts of Jayson Williams.
- Mike Sherman, a good but terminally cranky soul, will be named Head Coach at Texas A&M. Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tuberville was a candidate, but A&M was not about to pony up the buyout fee, especially since they had to buyout Coach Fran. The truth is, A&M would be a sideways move for Tubs.
- In other coaching news, LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini interviews with Nebraskawith Turner Gill on deck. Pelini ought to just wait until Les Miles pulls the trigger on a deal with Michigan and take over the LSU program. They are a lot closer to winning a championship than Nebraska is.
- Indiana Coach Bill Lynch gets a four year extensionafter winning 7 games this year, something that doesn't usually happen at Indiana. It's been an emotional year in Bloomington with the death of former coach Terry Hoepner earlier this year from brain cancer.
- Houston Nutt says Not so fast, my friends to those who want him out at Arkansas. With Sherman going to A&M, Nutt's options are diminishing. I don't think he wants to go to Baylor. Nutt's hoping that beating LSU will work out better for him than beating Texas did for Dennis Franchione.
- Bobby Bowden is not too happy with the results of the Florida game. He'll be less happy when his new AD shows up and hints he should retire.
- Philly scares the bejesus out of Tom Brady and the Pats, but the Pats hang on. If the Patriots played the Packers, which quarterback would the media suck up to the most? Boy, that's a tough question. The Dolphins reverse streak is on the linetonight against the Steelers, who are a bit angry about getting beat last week.
- The Vikings shock the Giants and may be bolstered by the return of Purple Jesus just in time for the playoff push. Some think the Vikings have a shot at the playoffs.
- Mizzou sits atop the BCS poll this morning. Anyone not named Pinkle who predicted that, please take me to Vegas with you.
- Florida quarterback Tim Tebow broke his non-throwing hand on Saturday and already, speculation is he won't play in a bowl game. He'll play. He's too tough not to.
- Another dinosaur eases back into the tar pits. Begin the Haley Barbour for Senate Campaign now.
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