No Shortage Of News

There's obviously been no shortage of news relevant to the PCI Blog of late.

- Adrian traded to the Red Sox;

- the Bolts rolling on a four-game win streak, only to be embarrassed at home against Oakland;

- the Illini hoops squad playing a couple games in Manhattan (I was there!), then sweeping North Carolina and Gonzaga last week; and

- the Illini football team not only playing the highest scoring game in Big Ten history at Ann Arbor (I was there!), but also playing at Wrigley where Mikel Leshoure rushed for 330 yards (I wasn't there!), and qualifying for a Texas Bowl matchup against Baylor.

Whew!

It's been a busy month and I haven't been here to write about it.

I may not be around much of the rest of December either, but know that the PCI Blog isn't going anywhere.

Have a great holiday!

Defending Norv Turner

Yesterday, in the course of a discussion about football generally, my advisor Tam O'Flannell asked me this question: "This is a legit question ... not breaking balls at all ... why do you like Norv so much?"

I thought about the question for a few minutes and then sent him a response. Here, in full, is the response I sent:

It's not that I like him so much as I don't dislike him. I think he's a reasonably good coach who also happens to be an offensive genius. I tend to prefer offensive teams (as opposed to say, Stillers and Bears fans, who I think would mostly say they prefer strong defensive teams) and he can deliver that. The guy hasn't convinced me he can't get the team to the promised land.

His negatives all apparently have to do with motivating players which I think is mostly bs. Professional football players shouldn't need a loud fool like Rexy Ryan or a dirty cheat like Jeff Fisher to get them motivated to play. For that reason, I blame the slow starts each season on the players. The other part of his reputation as a bad coach were his stints with the Redskins and Raiders. Seriously, it was the Redskins and Raiders. Those teams are never good.

Also, other than last season's home loss to the Jets (which was fluky ... Norv can't teach Kaeding how to kick) they've had good success under Norv in the playoffs. They've beat the Colts twice, and beat the Titans, and their only other losses are on the road to eventual Super Bowl champions.

Finally, I think a lot of people don't like him because of his face, which is a bullying attitude that upsets me. Bullies are fools and deserve to get their comeuppance. I'll root for Norv against bullies any day.

CY!

Wants to remain a Padre.

Merriman!

Done as a Bolt.

Bochy!

My Dad Is Optimistic About The Chargers

My Dad sent me the above, depressing photo yesterday in the aftermath of the Bolts' horrendous loss to the Rams, but his accompanying message rang optimistic:

I don't know Bo, but for some reason 2 & 4 doesn't bother me.

I'm choosing patience.

We still have Richwoods and Boise State.

Dad

With age - sometimes - comes wisdom. I'll give my Dad the benefit of the doubt here and join in his patient outlook on the Bolts' season. After all, the Raiders, Broncos, and Chiefs also crashed and burned yesterday.

The Bolts are only one game back in the division!

p.s. No, I don't know why my Dad likes Boise St. We have no connection to that university, or the state of Idaho, or any player or coach connected to the team, as far as I know. I think he just likes their team colors of blue and orange.

Invading East Lansing

The Illini take the field in East Lansing in about 45 minutes time.

Can the defense stop the MSU running game? Can Martez, Bussey, and the boys get to the MSU quarterback? Can the Illini corners protect against the deep ball? Can Scheelhaase complete the majority of his passes and limit turnovers? Can Dimke and Santella maintain their elite kicking games? Can the three-headed monster - Leshoure, Pollard, Ford - find running holes and gallop for huge chunks of yardage?

So many questions.

Let's get this dun.