The Dean

Willie Nelson smokes pot? Whodda thunk it? I guess the people of Texas are now safer since Willie is in jail. Whoops! They released him on a $2,500 bail bond. Hide the children, Texas! Willie is on the loose.

Repeated trials are the way to go.

I agree Fitz is good enough to QB a team into the playoffs and perhaps even a SB. But that team would need to be very solid, especially defensively. There have been worse QBs starting on the winning SB team in the past. But those teams were extremely good in the other areas. I have no problem drafting a QB, even in the 1st round if it's the "right guy". But IMO Fitz is this team's starter for the next year or two. This team may even have their next starter in the relatively young, Brohm, who just may be the kind of guy who flourishes after sitting and watching for a few years. If the FO brain trust (yes I know) believes this to be the case, maybe drafting in other areas is the best strategy for the 2011 draft. While I was a big fan of the Fitz signing, I never expected him to deliver at the level he has this year. I envisioned him as a solid #2 who is bright enough, and experienced enough, to start in a pinch. He has outperformed my wildest expectations. Obviously some of that evaluation is likely influenced by the bums who preceded him. But I think I am past that now.

That's why I don't mess with cognac. Bourbon tastes best COLD. IMO of course.

Try my snifter full of crushed ice. If you do it like I said, it doesn't get watered down, as the crushed ice is put in after the booze and packed tightly. It is an ice cold shot of goodness!

I'm an ice freak. With the exception of Cognac, which I only drink neat, in a snifter, I like a LOT of ice. With good bourbon, or good whiskey of any sort, I like my glass stuffed with ice and whiskey and perhaps a splash or two of water. Dickel and branch, as they say down south. One of my absolute favorite ways to drink whiskey is to pour an once and a half (or so) into a large snifter glass. Then pack the glass full/solid with crushed ice. Make sure to put a straw (or better two small stirrer type straws) into the glass as you are stuffing the crushed ice into it. The key is to wait a few minutes until ice stalactites (or perhaps stalagmites) form on the glass. Then suck all the whiskey from the glass through the straws. "What does it taste like?" you might ask. Another. It tastes like you should have another. Ask AKC about the Power Station (used to dispense Powers Irish Whiskey).

There was a time when Jack Daniels was pretty good. That was many years ago. The black label was 90 proof at the time. They changed to 86 proof and years later to 80 proof. I think, since most drink Jack with coke, they figured they could get away with it. Jack and coke? I always thought that was a Canadian thing, but it seems to be widespread. I guess I just don't get it.

Yes, crusade. Very obvious too, IMO. I may get into a one thread "pissing contest", hell maybe even two. But as far as I know most of my posts don't focus on one particular topic, nor did I ever introduce a link to a particular thread or coach, or use a clip from that one player of coach to make my points, or...hell why am I bothering? It's like arguing with Crayons. You KNOW you've crusaded for Leach. You are proud of it. Let's not pretend otherwise.

I've never had Pappy VW. Van Winkle's Special Reserve (Lot B) is quite good though. Like Maker's Mark and Weller, Van Winkle is a wheated bourbon. I'm a George Dickel man, for the most part. Yes, it is not a bourbon but is certainly a close relative. Maker's Mark has been a long time favorite, too. It is like buying a small batch wheated bourbon at a regular bourbon price. Last night my bar was out of Dikel, so I drank Wild Turkey 101. Not bad, really. Bart's list is quite good, IMO. I might add Blantans and Basil Hayden to the mix. I really like that cask strength Bookers, To me Woodford Reserve is a bit overrated. Evan Williams entire line is good, IMO. Also, when funds are low, I will pick up either Evan Williams 90 or Ezra Brooks. Both deliver good value, and good taste. When I lived in California and shopped at the revered Trader Joe's, I would buy Knob Creek and/or Rebel Yell at very low prices. Knob Creek is far better of course, but Rebel Yell was very inexpensive at Joe's. I have yet to try the newer Four Roses reserve. Way back in the day, Four Roses was some nasty cheap stuff, if I recall correctly. But the new stuff gets good reviews.

I think he has a job. And a damn good one at that.

Is Gruden drunk tonight?

Does that surprise you?

Leslie made bad movies bearable.

So this is the reason most male ballet dancers end up being gay.

I asked him about you, and he didn't seem to have a clue who you were.

I actually found Leach quite amusing for a while. I still do, to a degree. His persistent self-aggrandizing BS along with your crusade here on The Wall is probably what leads many (including me) to find him a bit unbearable. I think he has a shot at recovering his money from the university. But his libel/slander suit against ESPN is without merit, and it will cost him both money and reputation. It has already.

My thoughts, exactly. Indeed

Passed? He should have stuck to the ground game. RIP to a class act.

Ah. Excellent. Carry on.

30 minute? 90 minute? What the hell are you guys talking about?

Mora, without a doubt. But I would expand that by saying ANY coach that let him slack, be the first to leave practice, get away with not studying film, etc, did him a disservice. He also did himself a disservice, to be sure. Reeves may have been a good HC (and a good coach for QBs) but he was at the end of his run in ATL. I don't really know how he handled Vick, so I will let him off the hook. Neither Wade nor Mora is known to be a particularly good nurturer of QBs, nor offensive masterminds, as far as I know. Of course Wade wasn't there long, so it's hard to give him too much of the blame. So we are back to Mora. Don't think for one second by saying Vick had poor coaching I am excusing Vick for his poor work ethic and crappy attitude. I'm not. Ultimately we are responsible for our own actions. But just because he took the team to the playoffs, let's not confuse little Mora with a "good coach". Damn you're an idiot.

Heading to my Sister's house for this year's feast. I wish you all a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Bingo! Well said. I agree with you, for the most part, except for the bolded remark. To play QB at a high level in the NFL you can't be a slacker...particularly if your coaching sucks. I'm guessing poor coaching combined with a poor work ethic and attitude were the cause of Vick's poor play in Atlanta. While Price had his issues, a good QB doesn't become lousy because Peerless is on his team.

As John notes, this is not your typical case of a person suing a company, hoping for a settlement. First of all, it will cost Leach a hell of a lot more money than it will cost ESPN. ESPN has in-house lawyers and on retainer for these kinds of things. And this really doesn't harm ESPN's reputation, IMO. Libel is extremely hard to prove and legit media companies rarely settle these kinds of cases, from what I know. We aren't talking about the Star or Enquirer here. It's a shame that Leach, who looked like a guy with a lot of promise, has become such a joke. He'll probably find a job, somewhere, someday. But it won't be the kind of high profile job he was looking at a few years ago.

Clearly Hammer is the next owner of the Buffalo Bills.