tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post506270717638338079..comments2023-10-31T06:31:41.395-04:00Comments on Bottom of the Barrel: Hi, I'm Bill Simmons and Rather Than Admit I Have No Idea What I Am Doing, I Will Make Up More Gambling RulesBengoodfellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-30214099349012130852009-01-18T09:41:00.000-05:002009-01-18T09:41:00.000-05:00I am probably in the minority on Panther fans beca...I am probably in the minority on Panther fans because I never really believed Peppers was one of the best pass rushers in the league. Sure he got his sacks but teams were able to actually use one blocker and a guy to chip against him. I really never felt like he consistently made a huge difference in every game. He was kind of touch and go. That being said, this is a big story because he is from NC, went to school here, and he is the most popular defensive player. <BR/><BR/>For some reason he seems to think he is better in the 3-4 rather than a 4-3 and I just don't agree with this. I have been critical of the way the Panthers have handled the defense but on the D Line they move Peppers around and drop him into coverage at times. I think they use him well. He wants to be a stand up LB in a 3-4 system and I don't see it. I don't think Peppers is completely into pass rushing, I think he wants to do other things but I think he is too heavy, and to be honest, too tall to be a stand up LB in a 3-4. The problem is after 7 years, I am still not convinced he is on the same level as Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney as just a difference maker. <BR/><BR/>I would like to see him get franchised and traded but now the Panthers have to find a trading partner that runs the 3-4, who is willing to give up draft picks. That will be difficult. I really don't think he cares about money, I have no idea what he cares about really and that is the problem I have with him. <BR/><BR/>If the Panthers lose Peppers they need to get something in return and probably redo the entire d line because there is no one else on the roster who is a pass rusher.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-37716804546696950562009-01-18T03:24:00.000-05:002009-01-18T03:24:00.000-05:00Julius Peppers is saying he wants out of Caolina. ...Julius Peppers is saying he wants out of Caolina. As a Panther guy, is this going to be a big hit, or is Peppers a one dimensional pass rusher nowadays?<BR/><BR/>I saw a comment from the GM, who must have read a column by all three of our Death Pacters. Peppers has said he wants to leave not because of money, but because he hates the Panthers dfensive scheme and wants one he can be better suited in. (Ok yes this does sound like "Me want some sacks and be famous", but whatever) The GM says "I'm disappointed in what the agent has had to say, since we've been trying to keep an open line of communication."<BR/><BR/>WTF does that mean? Peppers doesn't care about teh communication, and apparently not your money either, since he can make a bundle as a free agent I'm sure. Unless teh communication is "Yeah we plan on going to a 3-4" who gives a shit?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00086638597582394978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-46356845632725677012009-01-17T09:27:00.000-05:002009-01-17T09:27:00.000-05:00I do like early Billy Joel a whole lot, my favorit...I do like early Billy Joel a whole lot, my favorite album is easily The Stranger. Like most other artists, his later work sometimes left a little bit to be desired. <BR/><BR/>I think all three of those are about to cause me a seizure, so whatever death pact they have planned is definitely working at this point. Peter bombards me with useless everyday bullshit that he "thinks," TMQ doesn't understand basic principles of football strategy, and Simmons is like the crazy uncle who tells the same joke over and over at a Christmas gathering. <BR/><BR/>If he was suggesting the interceptions should never have happened then I can understand that or if he was saying the loss should not have happened I can get on that train as well. The Giants should not have lost either and now I am stuck with an NFC Championship game I could borderline not that care that much about. I really believe the AFC Championship is going to decide the winner of the Super Bowl. Of course, crazier things have happened because I really doubt the Ravens ability to score sometimes and I could envision an offensive collapse for the Steelers as well. <BR/><BR/>I think what would get my interest is if both Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb got injured and we had a Kevin Kolb and Matt Leinart show down to determine who gets to go to the Super Bowl. Then I would definitely watch the NFC Championship Game.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-87325785721178586542009-01-17T02:53:00.000-05:002009-01-17T02:53:00.000-05:00Early Billy Joel stuff is the shizznit. I learn th...Early Billy Joel stuff is the shizznit. I learn that more as I grow older. <BR/><BR/>I think that Peter King, Bill, and TMQ have made some sort of death pact, seeing which one can cause a brain seizure and death among the readers of internet sites. Their collective articles since Xmas have been truly putrid.<BR/><BR/>I think the Steve Smith thing wasn't so much about the fact Jake threw the interceptions, just that interceptions and the lose sholdn't be happening in general. Of course it's Bill and I am probably giving him way to much credit.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00086638597582394978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-25146987648524458872009-01-16T23:22:00.000-05:002009-01-16T23:22:00.000-05:00You are exactly right, I actually have the mailbag...You are exactly right, I actually have the mailbag bookmarked but decided not to attack it this week. I think Parker and Stone are geniuses but they definitely did not come up with the idea of using sponsors to name stadiums and sporting events. They were doing what they do incredibly well, which is to take it to the level of absurdity where it is very funny. I think that was the joke, that there were odd company names for stadiums, not that there were company names. <BR/><BR/>I should have not missed this, because there have been company sponsored bowl games and stadiums for about as long as I can remember. Bill does not watch college sports that often, so he misses things like this. These bowl games have to have companies sponsor them and they have been doing this forever. I love it when he talks about college sports because I actually feel like his readers are more knowledgeable than he is on that topic. <BR/><BR/>Billy Joel, "Piano Man" is a great song and it was weird it came on as I was typing that sentence. I do love that song.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-2687867424601893972009-01-16T15:43:00.000-05:002009-01-16T15:43:00.000-05:00First, nothing wrong with Billy Joel, especially "...First, nothing wrong with Billy Joel, especially "Piano Man". Great song.<BR/><BR/>Second, this was included in Simmons's "From the Mag" column this week:<BR/><EM>"Q: Has any movie ever predicted the future of sports better than BASEketball did, in 1998? Ridiculous end zone celebrations, stadiums named after brands, teams jumping cities for money. I remember watching it thinking it was outlandish to name a stadium after Trojan or Tampax. Now I could see it.<BR/>-Aaron, Denver<BR/>SG: Who knew Trey Parker and Matt Stone would be the George Orwells of pro sports? I want to see which league will cave first and sell its championship game or series to a sponsor. You know it's coming. Would you ever have guessed we'd be saying the "Allstate Sugar Bowl"? This could be one more thing Gary Bettman screws up. We may be headed for the Levitra Stanley Cup Final."</EM><BR/><BR/><EM>BASEketball</EM>, a fine movie, came out in 1998. According to Wikipedia (which I trust for this kind of information), the Sugar Bowl was sponsored by USF&G from 1987-1995, Nokia from 1995-2006, and Allstate from 2006-today. I distinctly remember hearing it called "The Nokia Sugar Bowl" back in the 1990s.<BR/><BR/>Parker and Stone may have had insight (they are both brilliant, after all), but Simmons cites the absolute worst example of this. Bowl games and stadiums have included company names in their titles for at least 15 years, so Parker and Stone simply chose funnier companies to use in the film.Edwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158622845810579702noreply@blogger.com