Macca

MVP will do ... heading for a 3rd?

Packers @ Dallas is my obvious preferred game to watch - I'm never optimistic with these sorts of games though so I'm hoping for a good showing from Green Bay. If Dallas are allowed to score freely we'll struggle. The other games of real interest are Carolina @ Detroit, Seattle @ Rams & KC @ Houston. Here's Bill Simmons latest column ... What Is the Most Bitter Fan Base in the NFL?

Well if the club is offered a pick somewhere in the 20's and we don't have to pay any of Jack's salary in the next 2 years then Jack will almost certainly be gone. The above is probably best case scenario from the club's point of view but if the bartering point is scaled back too far then I can see the club keeping Jack on. I'm wondering what that point might be though? (e.g ... a late 3rd round pick with the club having to pay a portion of his salary probably won't suffice) This decision to part company with Jack has probably been discussed at length previously - with Jack not being a participant in those discussions. Maybe even as far back as the pre-season games this past season. We're all hearing the news of late as if it is news. I still maintain that we need greater currency to get the player (or players) that we're chasing or to get better placed draft picks from an overall perspective. And Jack may or may not give the club a decent return in that capacity. We'll find out soon enough.

Carolina Kansas City Buffalo

Yankees get through in the AL after defeating the Twins today ... next up for New York is Cleveland. My lads (the Redsox) play Houston. Best of 5 in the first phase can be over very quickly if the road team doesn't win 1 of the first 2 games (or vice-versa) Over in the NL the Dodgers await the winner of the other wild-card playoff game (Colorado @ Arizona) In the other DS match-up, its the Cubs @ Washington. I favour the Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees & Boston to get through to the CS. Well, that's my ideal set of match-ups anyway.

This is quite a fascinating journey that you've undertaken DJ. If we can get past Syria we're then up against either Panama, Honduras or the USA (there's an outside chance it might be Costa Rica but they should qualify automatically) That home & away fixture would be held in mid to late November(?) But first things first ... we have to get past Syria and that won't be easy. The pitch over there looks like it could be substandard but I remember reading once that the Socceroos had to play a qualifier in Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam war and the pitch had to be swept for land mines! That would sharpen the senses a tad. Put's a whole new complexion on dribbling the ball hey?

Leaderboard in the comp 3 - JV7 2 - Dappa Dan 1 - Go the Biff, Clintosaurus, Macca 0 - Take a wild guess This week is even harder and we're all playing for 2 points ... best of luck!

There's more than a few niners fans here that wouldn't be too happy haha ... they all post here from time to time and a couple have entered into the tipping comp (both now and previously) And where the hell is @cowboy_from_hell ... he's normally all over this thread. Although, I sometimes take decent breaks from this place (the footy threads) whenever it suits so that's probably all it is.

Quite a good game today ... if Josh Doctson hangs on to that catch with 50 seconds left Washington would have probably won the game. KC's 461 yards of total offense was impressive though. Both QB's were good. Hunt is a real mover - he's got a terrific step that beats defenders.

Arnie must have got them going ...

Yeah, terrific player. At both RB & WR too. Amazing talent. You'd be thinking KC at home but Washington have been decent so far. The Redskins passing yards are up there whilst KC passing defence is allowing 257 yards per game. KC to win but it might be a close one.

New England, Dallas & Atlanta all lose at home after going in as hot favourites. A week is definitely a long time in this sport. Not sure who the biggest winners are this week but the Bills, Rams, Lions, Eagles, Broncos, Steelers & Panthers are all now sitting at 3 & 1 (along with the Falcons, Packers & KC [3-0] ) If I had to pick a team to watch it might be the Panthers ... but the Rams, Eagles, Bills & Lions are all looking good. As for the standout players ... Winston, Watson, Goff, Gurley, Bell & Newton all had big days. Watson is the big story for mine - big numbers and he looks the goods.

A couple more in memory of Walter Becker ...

Normally that Steelers/Ravens match-up produces fireworks. It's one of the early games tomorrow and it's bound to be close. And a little nasty (hopefully)

I'm surprised he didn't trot out the 'bleak city' jibe. He's done that before.

Here's a number of tracks from an iconic album of audio comedy bits ... it's from the mid 60's but it still holds up (if you like this kind of thing)

We haven't seen the end of these type of incidents though ... but, as previously noted, players aren't used to being ousted for that type of indiscretion so there might be some easing up on field. We'll find out soon enough. The NFL media will probably be on the lookout for anything untoward.

I don't hate 'em ... they are just not my team. I've jumped on the Cowboys because of the great run they've gone on. The Storm will probably win but what would I know? I am the world's worst tipster 'adc' so do the opposite.

Not sure I picked it Dappa ... but I've given my thoughts previously so I'll leave it there. Your game kicks off at 7am ... you watching live?

There is only one Melbourne (The Demons) ... all the other sporting teams using our name can go to blazes. Go Cowboys!!!!!

Whatever we get for Watts may well be used to secure a player like Lever & Goff. If we picked up a mid 2nd round draft pick for Watts it can't be assumed that we'd then go to the draft with that pick. My gut feel with all this is that we need greater currency to get what we're looking for.

Well Adelaide were unable to play as Richmond did - that much is true. What we're now seeing is a form of total football 'Aussie rules style' that the Dutch were and are so good at in soccer ... relentless pressure on the man with the ball, all attackers can be midfielders and those attackers can also act as defenders at all times. And the reverse applies as well ... Defend, control & attack - every player. When obtaining control of the ball, every player then becomes an option and the ball carrier always knows that. The ball carrier is protected when applicable. Different sports but the principles remain the same. Back on topic ... in relation to the above and if Goodwin is aiming for a similar style to what the Tigers & Bulldogs (last year) displayed, certain types of players just don't fit the bill. We've already delisted 4 players and there may well be a few more go so ... whilst it may look like Watts is being singled out, I'm not so sure that that is true.

At least we are (at times) showing that effort & attitude. Better than never showing it all (I could name a number of entire seasons where we were bereft of effort & attitude) But we also have to include other traits such as an excellent base level of talent, real energy, application and a will to win. And great coaching and top admin. And then we have to do all that every single week. It's quite an ask but we've just seen the Tigers & Bulldogs do it.

I was commenting on how their supporters viewed him ... as others have mentioned, a lot of fans are overemotional & irrational. Of course I include myself in that area - on occasions Sometimes fans do get it collectively right about the traits of certain players. But it's a rare thing because bias plays such a big part. People continually play favourites or have a need to have at least one player in the gun (whipping boy, scapegoat) I'm assuming that you and most others are aware of all that but some are unaware.

Except Vickery was never a fan favourite ... every Tiger fan I know wanted him out not long after he arrived there. Same deal for Deledio ... seen as soft by nearly every Tiger fan I know. But lets face it, they don't get called ferals for nothing.