Centerfield

funny you should ask. over-educated shithead that i am, i got me a fancy degree in american history. so i've been thinking broad brush strokes lately, particularly about the southern takeover of the modern republican party. i haven't figured out yet how to articulate this thought, so here it comes all squishy and mal-formed.

these are the descendants of the only americans who ever actually lost a war on their own home soil. could this possibly be one of the underpinnings of the current damn-the-torpedoes, victory-at-any-cost moment in time in which we find ourselves as a nation?

thoughts?

I have Dice-K under the Red Sox Christmas tree on my mind. We don't have a closer, but we could have our best starting rotation ever.

Around here, we think the Patriots are falling short and are not a top tier contender come play-off time. Who does everyone else like in the playoffs? I gotta root for the Saints, they are the feel-good sports story of the year. The best team sure seems to be the Chargers, but there is the Marty Schottenheimer factor going against them.

I'll be happy as long as the Colts get knocked out. For all the unrelenting hype about Manning, a 2006 failure is without a doubt going to turn the page to the dark side. There will be 31 candles on his cake next March, and without a 2006 ring, he isgoing to face the spectre of Dan Marino come 2007. It'll become part of the pre-game litany about the guy. Let's see how he enjoys wearing that collar while it continues to tighten.

It is hard to disagree about the Colts, but perhaps this is the year that they had the letdown early.
However, San Diego looks very tough, with the best running back in the league (best ever?) and, maybe, the best defensive player in the game. But, as Brian says, there is always the Marty Schottenheimer factor. If I were a betting man, I would go with the Patriots, the guys who have proven that they can deliver.

On the NFC side, I like Dallas, but I'm rooting for the Saints. As for my Vikings, there will be no Super Bowl run, but they are on track to finish the regular season with the lowest average of rushing yards allowed per game since the league began keeping records in 1920. It certainly is a change to watch games and see an offense that can't score and a defense that stops people; I have spent the last 10 years watching the reverse.

In case anyone out there IS a betting man, please be aware that the insiders view is that this year's team is not up to the quality of past champions. The lack of quality threats at WR has made the offense spotty and one-dimensional. No deep threat either. The defense, while still good, has lost some quality guys to injury and is not quite of the caliber to be able to carry such an inconsistent offense. They are 9-4, but they have been outclassed by the Broncos and Colts and embarassed by the Dolphins. They might win a first round playoff game, but that's it.

The Chargers would kill them. They'd probably have big trouble versus the Ravens, too. Don't anyone out there forget that the Ravens have Steve McNair, and that it's winning time. I'd give them a chance against the Colts or Bengals because both of those teams have suspect defenses. Don't count out those Bengals either. They were on their way to the Super Bowl last year before Palmer got hurt, and now they are hot at the right time.

I'm just happy that my home team, the Eagles, is still playing meaningful games. To be clear, they are only meaningful in the shorter term, as I have no illusions about their prospects for playoff success. But it still beats being out of the picture with more than a couple of games left in the season.

I don't have much faith in the Colts. The Chargers have my money. The entire NFC is suspect, perhaps with the exception of the Saints. I thought they were playing over their heads earlier in the season, but they seem to be proving they're for real. The Bears peaked too early and are losing their luster. Once again, whoever comes out of the AFC looks to win it all fairly easily barring something strange happening in the playoffs.

One other thing, I'm going to rent "The Big Lebowski" tonight. From what I've been hearing lately (for some reason), it's a movie I should have seen a long time ago and should like a lot.

You have to admire the ability of the Seahawks to create close game out of nothing. Even if they have managed to win those close games most of the year.

By any rational measure, they should have trounced my home team (the 49ers) last night. And for three quarters, they had everything but the ability to actually score. And the 49ers started off looking like they might not even be able to make a 1st down all night.

Then. at the end of the 3rd quarter, the 49ers apparently found the ON switch. But Seattle had been loafing along too long, and couldn't get going. And then it was too late.

Amazing.

I love the defensive teams at final crunch time. Saints and Colts have shown their defensive under-belly and New England, Dallas and even SD have been suspect at times. With the first two teams, coaching is certainly a positive factor. Chargers, not really.

Giants are hurt by the WR factor Brian mentioned, as well as injuries and coaching. Several blown games. Definite shrink is needed.

I learned with the Steelers this year that average coaching can rise to the occasion, but can seldom replicate that magic with average or confused play. Holy crap.

Ravens are looking strong. Chargers have been impressive as well. Talk about running.

If the Bears can find a great offensive psychotherapist fast they have an outside shot to get in a grove for the play-offs. Interesting how QBs have figured in this year, both young and old. Bears offense does have weapons.

The Giants COULD win their last two remaining game and put together a strong push, but injuries and coaching are still the limiting factors. Manning brothers fizzled a bit. Their defenses didn't help out that much. New England can still girdle up and mix in some coaching magic, but their depth and play might not be there.

My biggest letdowns were Steelers, Seattle, New England and Giants, but not totally unexpected.

Some better opposition play and Dallas could easily not be in the lead. Bengals aren't done yet.

Smallest surprise, Bears, Colts,

Brian summarized it well. The teams are a bit more even and there is talent, but compared to past power houses, I think the best haven't been the very best. SF, Pitts, Patriots put together very complete packages. Even Steelers of last year, had few holes when playing in high gear. Hell, Bears won despite Ditka. No holes there.

Now getting to that bigger game in the Middle East; today had some interesting news.

Just a few items to consider before you kick back as watch some weekend gamesgames.

Threats and a big turn out vote in Iran. Perhaps the tide might turn. See the following:
EU warns Syria and Iran Growing new ones?
More troops and the idea of “stabilizing” McCain had this thread for months, Perhaps Bush will agree.
Civil war between Sunnis Negotiate with who?

The new handbook on Counterinsurgency Is this what the military is planning for in Iraq?

Fire works begin after January 1. And the race to 2008 will be eclipsed several times by events. Imagine a polonium trace near the UN. We are all very plugged into the world dynamics and I doubt a let up any time soon.

We went Christmas-shopping yesterday at Book People.

These are the descendants of the only americans who ever actually
lost a war on their own home soil. could this possibly be one of the
underpinnings of the current damn-the-torpedoes, victory-at-any-cost
moment in time in which we find ourselves as a nation?

An interesting idea. But, actually, each war we've been involved in has featured plenty of both stay-the-course and get-out-at-any-cost feeling and propaganda. This is nothing compared to the campaigns around the Civil War or WWII. It's very similar to the way the Cold War went in its early phases: similar willingness to spend vast sums and energy on the proxy wars, reduced interest in rights, similar flavor of long-term conflict, similar fear of cities going up if things go wrong (though the total holocaust angle really isn't there).

Oh, thanks for the counterinsurgency draft ptr, Max. I'm reading bits now.

The released version

I've been out of country for most of the past 3 months, hope to post a little more now

Welcome home, Susan. Learn anything interesting while you were away?