Lou_Siffer

On the contrary, I happen to think they tried to skew it into having more guys pick the skill guy...which is why they made an effort to throw in the shootout part. But regardless, with the way people talk about enforcers being dead, I just like seeing that the players still think having one matters.

Well looky here! 66% of the players just chose a fighter over a skill guy who could potentially be the difference in getting an extra pt every shootout. Interesting eh?

Thanks, im glad i could find a way to use that pic as the butt of my joke!

If i was Magglio i might watch out the rest of this game...it looked like he was watching that 2nd homer a little bit too long.

Dont overthink things...a simple "That cracks me up" would get the job done Its only fitting i'd give a "half ass" attempt given the picture

Only way that happens if theyre playing on Halloween night and Boo-gaard is going as Fedoruk. (haha Todd's my boy, but he was the obvious choice)

Yeah that Van Dam, he seemed to block everything from getting through! But i'll never forget that night Jean-Claude turtled though, hockey turned into a real bloodsport that night...

I still think the fighting had a little something to do with it, but i agree he did play overall better...you have a point there. People were jumping aboard the "train" right when he fought Moen though, its what jump started everything. Howdo you think people would react though, if we say actually had Cam Janssen, and he fought Parros in a good tussle opening night? Do you think people would continue to say having a fighter is useless, or would you expect to see a big shift in that debate? (please no Norton comparison though, it wouldnt be anything like having someone like Cam..) As others have said, i just think most of the people who portray themselves as being against fighting are only like that because the Wings dont do it..

I think Arnold has a hockey background doesnt he? I heard before he was a star in junior... You know though, when its all said and done and its the end of his days...he's beaten the Predators, held the Stanley Cup, and also held a WWE belt! The truth doesnt lie.

I totally recall that.

Nah, they definitely were not a fluke. Having no Walker and no Zumaya does hurt alot. Plus theres the natural year after letdown that seems to effect teams from every sport who go to the championship game. I said a few months back that they looked like they were inevitably following in the '06 White Sox footsteps (who were also not a fluke), with Cleveland being the "new Tigers". If you wouldve told me then that they'd be only a half game out at this point i'd have been really pleased! Although the losing is tough keep in mind that it does not really matter what the Yanks do, nor what the M's do. All that really matters is the Indians! I also still keep looking back at Minnesota expecting them to make their run, im actually more worried about them still then what the Yanks or M's do! A good part of me still can see them sneaking up and taking this thing while the Tigs and Indians lose and beat each other up. So im certainly not confident, but im just happy more or less that we're still right in it at this point.

Fair enough. But the fact remains if fighting doesnt matter, according to many, the fact that he suddenly becomes liked because of it is a little odd.

Im saying its possible. Its all reliant on the secondary, which on paper is absolutely pathetic...but if Bullocks can be good and the corner position can be adequate as we're led to believe under the Tampa 2, i dont see why not. Remember what division we're talking about here, if im picking the Bears to have a bad letdown year at 8-8, why cant the Lions be in contention under my scenario?

I agree 100%. I mean, look at the complete flip flop towards Lilja after he fought Moen and then Sharp. Everyone hates him, he fights, then suddenly he has fans. People act like fighting doesnt matter, yet when one of the Wings does it, they love it.

What?! Are you sure he actually said that? That seems pretty far fetched. And i dont think theres any way humanly possible that he values Detroit more than Canada... Remaining in Detroit as a player is one thing, after your career is over is another. Why shouldnt he pursue a chance for advancement?

Exactly! Signing Maltby for 3yrs was absolutely ridiculous, and there is nothing anyone can say to make me feel otherwise. And saving money for Draper? You dont not acquire players because of Draper. If its manageable to keep him, then re-sign him, but you dont avoid signing a free agent that can have an impact on the future because you need to save money for Draper. Come on...

Agreed, GB beating Chicago at the end of last year means absolutely nothing. I think GB does have a decent chance at the division, but thats based off the fact i think the Bears will have an off year. So its really just a knock on them rather than an endorsement for the Packers. The only team i feel has zero chance for the division is Minnesota.

Would i put money on this? Hell no. But remember, Yzerman's first loyalty is to Canada, not the Red Wings. The oppurtunity to become GM of the Leafs and turn their franchise into a winner is something i could definitely see him being intrigued with.

Well since we're talking about fighting in this thread, its toughness as in who's the better fighter.

Nope, Asham's tougher than Iginla. (and Shanahan too, if thats where you're going next)

You keep acting like Arron Asham has no ability. Do you not realize he's scored over 10 goals in 3 of the last 4 seasons? And the one where he had 9, he missed around 20 games. I challenge you to find another player, aside from Chris Simon, who's as tough as Asham and can make a similar claim?

So that means you're only halfway entertained by the WIngs? I think the misconception by alot of people about guys like myself is that we need to see a fight every single game in order to be happy. Thats not true. Just the mere possibility that one COULD happen is sometimes all it takes! Constantly watching who's out there and the anticipation factor is a game within the game for me. If Janssen were in our lineup, I'd be glued to him every second. Whether or not he even fights, it entertains me regardless. And at the same time, it also makes everything else going on in the game, including those dekes and goals, seem more exciting! So you could say having a couple fighters is like the straw that stirs the drink. Without their presence, the games become boring...and in some cases, unwatchable.

Yes, they are (especially Janssen). What is so hard to understand about that? Some people love physical, tough hockey...while others dont. You may think the world of a Datsyukian deke, whereas a Janssen fight is what does it for me. And please dont respond with the old cliche "I like fights just as much as the next guy, BUT..." You dont.

The Pack have a good chance at going 8-8, which makes them serious contenders for the division title. I see the Bears finishing no higher than 9-7, im predicting 8-8. This will be their post Super Bowl letdown year, as well as Cedric Benson I feel will turn out to be a bust. And of course, there's Grossman. Minnesota has Tavarus Jackson, who is garbage, so how ever many wins they get depends on when they replace him. I cant see them winning more than 4 or 5 games. If there was ever a year with the division title on a silver platter for the Lions, its this one. Philly - L @NYG - W S.D. - L @Minny- W Chi - W Wash - W @ Den - L @K.C. - L Minny - W Car - L @ Det - L @Dall - L Oak - W @StL - L @Chi - L Det - W I have the Pack at 7-9

KJ is out for the first 6 games of the regular season. But it sure is damn nice to finally have some depth! They finally got smart and realized having some no names as backups isnt going to cut it! To actually have Bell AND Duckett...its like woah. Its a really nice combo too, homerun threat with alot of speed...and the big power back. The entire fate of this season rests on whether you really dont need good corners for the Tampa 2 system. Seeing Bryant get torched makes me worry. Im confident even with the O-line issues that the offense will do its job, but that secondary....ugh i dont know.