Rex Hudler

Great game by the Irish today, downing Tennessee 41-21. Tennessee made things interesting in the 3rd quarter, but ND rattled off 20 straight points to pull away. NBC did a nice piece on Irish WR Jeff Samardzjia at halftime today. Samardzjia, whose mom died in his senior year of HS, is a big White Sox fan. He is also a top pitcher on the Irish baseball team, going 8-1 with a 3.89 ERA last year. The piece showed Jeff and his dad briefly talking about the Sox and their WS win, while Jeff was wearing a Sox cap.

QUOTE(illinilaw08 @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 11:31 PM) Let me preface this by saying I am not a TO fan (though this suspension could cripple my fantasy team). I have problems with people who say that TO cares only about himself and that he is a detriment to the team. I remember a guy making an incredible return to the field for the Super Bowl last year and playing an amazing game. Yes he needs to shut his mouth, yes THIS season he has become a distraction to his team, and yes he most definitely needs to grow up a lot. It's just unfortunate that his actions since that Super Bowl performance have been so negative. Just my .02. You're missing the point a little bit. TO's efforts on the field have never been questioned (or at least as far as I know). He is very much a competitor and has a huge drive to compete at the highest level. So it is a no brainer that he would work his ass off and put himself on the line to have a chance to do that. There is a difference between giving it all on the field and being a team guy. A player can give it all on the field for selfish reasons. TO in his interview I think made a very telling statement. He was asked if his team was winning, would he complain about not getting the ball enough. His response was no, that winning is what it is all about. He then followed it up with saying that if the team was not winning and he didn't feel he was getting the ball enough he would b****, feeling that if he got it more they had a better chance to win. While on the surface that isn't too bad, it just goes back to a me-driven attitude. It is easy to be happy and be a team guy when you are winning. Winning makes all kinds of ills go away. A guy's true character comes to light when the chips are down, if you will. When a team is losing, a team guy would work his ass off to do everything he could to make the team better, not b**** publicly about not getting the ball enough or about the team's problems. Doing so is an weak attempt to make himself look good wanting people to know that he can do more to help. In reality, it destroys the team dynamic and makes matters worse.

QUOTE(Yoda @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 11:48 PM) The Eagles are making a mistake by suspending their only good receiver. Good luck against a good defense Sunday. That was my point earlier. That viewpoint is so narrow. There is much, MUCH more to a team.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 10:40 PM) My friend is majoring in Athletic Training, and by the way we saw him running in the first half, she immediately thought stress fracture too. That was the initial reports too. Hopefully this is just a Mark Buehrle break, and it's just not as bad as anyone thought. We'll soon find out. Hell I thought DJ ran like he had a broken foot the first time I saw him play in his senior year of HS. He runs well, but somewhat awkwardly, normally. Didn't see him last night though.

I'm sure those reports are more recent. The Indy Star story was done after last night's game for this morning's paper. I'll still hold my breath a bit, but that is encouraging to say the least.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 10:06 PM) Dear Ron Zook, You have 3 great running backs...use them. Thanks. Does he have a line that can block for them?

Here is the scoop according to Sal Palantonio (SP?): TO met with Andy Reid and other Eagles personnel regarding his latest comments. This was before his apology and subsequent suspension. Basically the conditions that were set forth for him to be in good standing were simple. He had to apoligize to the media, the Eagles organization and his teammates for his transgressions. I don't recall the details of the apology, but apparently it did not satisfy the above requirements. So they suspended him until he meets those requirements.

Don't get it dirty!! Only kidding. If you get stains on it, treat them individually before you wash the jersey. If the stain is deep or tough to get out, use a soft to medium bristle brush to help scrub the stain out. Wash normally and let hang dry. Do not put them in a dryer.

I'll say this. I have to take my hat off to the Eagles. Very rarely do you see teams (I can't think of any besides the Angels) make a stand against a player even when it may hurt the team on the field/court. Being part of a team means just that. I can't stand players who think they are above the team regardless of their talent level. Having been part of many teams in the past, it got in my craw then when one guy always wanted to be treated differently. Everyone on the team, starter or reserve, busts their ass to be in shape, to prepare for games. Everyone sweats. Prima donnas just piss off everyone else and most teams just look the other way because of talent and $$.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 05:57 PM) Is it just for one game? If so, thats pretty funny. He was likely going to be out due to injury anyways. Nice to way "punish" someone when he was going to be out anyways. If he's gonna be punished for more than one game, kudos to the Eagles. It said indefinitely, so who knows. But either way, that kind of suspension in the NFL would be without pay right? So even if he doesn't miss a game he would have otherwise played in, it will still cost him a boatload of money.

Oz will get a "raise" in so many ways he won't be able to count them. He's smart. He knows he doesn't need a bigger paycheck to come out smelling like a rose.

Breaking news on ESPN.... TO's mouth gets him in trouble again!

Anybody watching the IU-Minnesota game? They just showed an IU fan with a shirt cropped very short and the IU logo painted onto a very nice tight stomach. She filled out the shirt quite well also. All I could say is wow! Sorry for the guy moment ladies......

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 04:32 PM) Outside of the Duke game, you guys should be ok, especially if he can return for the Kentucky game. That leaves him 35 days or 5 weeks to heal, who knows how fast or slow of a healer he might be. Outside of that, you guys should need him for Charlotte 9 days later. I could see a 5-2 start and him returning for Charlotte, which would still leave you guys in good position. Then you would likely be 8-2 or 7-3 heading into Big Ten play. This is all assuming you lose to Kentucky, who is actually pretty vulnerable inside to Killingsworth etc if Morris doesn't return. phf, I'd take that in a heartbeat. I'd even be happy to lose to someone else if we could find a way to beat Kentucky. I'm tired of losing to those f***ers!! Pardon my french.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 05:34 PM) As far as Danks goes, what effort, if any, did the Sox take at signing him? We all basically knew it was a pipedream to begin with. If I recall correctly, the Sox gave it a good shot. I believe Danks father was quoted as saying that the Sox tried everything they could, but their son was dead set on going to Texas. He said that the Sox were great and they held high regard for the organization and would have no problem if the Sox were to draft him again when he becomes eligible again. Can't recall where I read that, but I couldn't dream stuff like that up, so it had to be somewhere.

QUOTE(ptatc @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 02:39 PM) Hopefully not another positive test for steriods. I really like him as a player. I didn't even think about that angle. I sure as hell hope that is not the case.

That's good. I am looking forward to the first opportunity to see them. Need to check out the TV schedule. It's not too early for that, I suppose.

Damn, I was just about to post that article on DJ when I saw you already had it covered. Perhaps in the long run it could help by giving some of the new players a chance to grow. But this is not the season for "perhaps" or patience. Excuses aren't going to work, so I hope we can get through this early and still win. Like greasy said f*** f*** f***!!!

My guess is that they will do a giveaway but it will be done earlier in the year, using it to draw people to the park. Despite the WS win, I don't think next year will be all sellouts, so this kind of giveaway could help secure one one a date that otherwise may not.

His name will become more well known soon. It certainly will help if he can get UAB back to its second straight bowl game. While it won't bea major bowl, it will give him an additional 3 weeks of practice, hopefully keeping him ready for post-season work.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 5, 2005 -> 05:19 AM) Is there any talk that IU will try to run more this year with added depth? I know coach K saw what Roy did last year and will try to mimmick it this year. Yes if they have a PG that can drive the offense that way. Monroe is steady, but I am not sure where his abilities fall in terms of pushing the ball. Calloway may be more suited toward that. With two new PG's, I think they will need to learn to crawl before they can walk. The team is loaded with talent, but also loaded with newcomers. It will take time to blend them into a TEAM. It just better not take too much time. lol

I wouldn't read much into that at this point....... Could have been a family issue. A private health issue that isn't worrisome from a baseball standpoint.

Oh yeah........ As Jason said, Haigwood's injury was not "baseball" related. He torn either an ACL or an MCL, (or some CL lol). He was 100% healthy and the injury had no effect on his pitching. It was tough to lose him for a year, but he seems to have made up for the lost time. I too am very high on him. I'll wait until I see Gio throw in AA before comparing the two, but he will have to be awfully good to top what Haigwood showed this year.

Is Felix still on the 40-man? If so, it would not surprise me in the least if he is removed and lost to free agency or waivers. I'm making the assumption here that he would be a six year free agent if he clears waivers. Too damned lazy to look it up. If Felix is still with the Sox, he is nothing more than a AAA pitcher that could provide possible insurance should injuries beset the Sox pitching staff.

Sweeney should spend another season in Birmingham. He was the league's second youngest player when the season started. I think you will see marked improvement in him next year. He'll drive the ball better, regardless of HR totals. I think he will hit better in clutch situations, yet his RBI total may not skyrocket. It is hard to tell what kind of team he will have in front of him. I believe you will see good patience at the plate and an ability to handle the strike zone, without compromising opportunities to drive the ball into the gaps. I'd love to see 30-40 doubles next year. To me, lots of doubles will turn into HR's later. Ryan has a lot of potential, but has been rushed a bit. Keeping him back in AA will allow him to take what he has learned and improve on it. Challenging a young player is good, but allowing them room to learn and grow helps as well. There is no need to rush him to the Majors, so giving him an opportunity to blossom will help him in the long run.