Cleft Crusty: Post Bengals Preseason Game Mock Chat

[Bretsky]

Cliff,

Jim Bates seemed to have this defense flying around last year and playing up to or above their ability. Why hire a guy who's never been a DC his entire life when several former defensive coordinators were available ? Bates had fire; the new DC seems rather unemotional and a defense with more talent than last year seems to be off cylinder. What are your thought regarding the hire and his ability to achieve more than Bates did last year ?

If Bates is such a defensive treasure, then why is he sitting at home collecting social security checks? What gives you any insight into how good a defensive coordinator the Packers have, when they have yet to play a regular season game and are running vanilla defenses? Seems I recall people having doubts about Donatell in the 2000 preseason. Perhaps waiting for some real action would be advisable. But since fans can't wait, how about this: If you were a seasoned pro playing in a meaningless preseason game, how hard would you be throwing your body (and meal ticket) around? Want to get injured and ruin your chances at a contract extension?

I'll excuse your mistake Cliff, but I think Bates is pretty dang smart. He's not collecting social security; he's receiving his full salary from the Packers.

Cliff, are you implying that the veterans are dogging these preseason games and we should give no value to their successes or failures because several players are not trying ?

If that is the case, shouldn't you be inquiring to the coaches as to why they are in charge of people not giving near 100% ?


Cheers,
B

[the_idle_threat]

Cleft,

Love the chats. Have you ever toured through death valley on your motorcycle? If not, it's a great ride, especially in mid-summer.

Anyhoo, why did they bother playing out the end of this game after the rain delay? When it comes to the last 9 minutes of a pre-season games, do the coaches even care?

--Powerball Express

[mraynrand]

Well, since it's 1:30 in the blessed AM here, and there are no more questions, I'll ask one final question: Cleft, are you sick of answering questions?

Cleft Crusty: You're #od-dammned right I'm sick of it. Blackberry brandy, here I come. Good Night!

P.S. feel free to leave questions - Clefty will answer them if he damn well feels like it.

[mraynrand]

Cliff,

Jim Bates seemed to have this defense flying around last year and playing up to or above their ability. Why hire a guy who's never been a DC his entire life when several former defensive coordinators were available ? Bates had fire; the new DC seems rather unemotional and a defense with more talent than last year seems to be off cylinder. What are your thought regarding the hire and his ability to achieve more than Bates did last year ?

If Bates is such a defensive treasure, then why is he sitting at home collecting social security checks? What gives you any insight into how good a defensive coordinator the Packers have, when they have yet to play a regular season game and are running vanilla defenses? Seems I recall people having doubts about Donatell in the 2000 preseason. Perhaps waiting for some real action would be advisable. But since fans can't wait, how about this: If you were a seasoned pro playing in a meaningless preseason game, how hard would you be throwing your body (and meal ticket) around? Want to get injured and ruin your chances at a contract extension?

I'll excuse your mistake Cliff, but I think Bates is pretty dang smart. He's not collecting social security; he's receiving his full salary from the Packers.

Cliff, are you implying that the veterans are dogging these preseason games and we should give no value to their successes or failures because several players are not trying ?

If that is the case, shouldn't you be inquiring to the coaches as to why they are in charge of people not giving near 100% ?


Cheers,
B

Maybe you'd be better served asking my boss why I'm dogging it, trying to get out of answering these idiotic questions. And if Bates isn't collecting SS yet, hey, it's just a matter of time.

[mraynrand]

Cleft,

Love the chats. Have you ever toured through death valley on your motorcycle? If not, it's a great ride, especially in mid-summer.

Anyhoo, why did they bother playing out the end of this game after the rain delay? When it comes to the last 9 minutes of a pre-season games, do the coaches even care?

--Powerball Express

Powerball,

I'll take your advice on Death Valley. Next summer perhaps I'll take the wife out there to look at classic ballparks with real atmosphere. There's nothing like riding on the back of a Harley, collecting bugs in your face, touring worn down ballparks to show your woman you care.


And as to the last 9 minutes, coaches have to make important decisions on which piece of crap player they're going to keep as the 52 and 53rd guy on the roster.