MoBay

The video you put up above of LaMichael James is exactly what I've been thinking about for the last few days. I look at the middle of the Raven's defense and I was wondering if we'd get stubborn about throwing Frank into the middle of it time after time, and then I got the image of LaMichael waterbugging through that old, slow (slower ?) defense, and I started to feel all peppy. I have a feeling LaMichael is going to have a very big Super Bowl.

Win

Boone. He's been a very big piece. There was never any doubt about Boone's talent as an O-Lineman coming out of college. His immaturity and his drinking problem got him into trouble. But the way he's turned it all around is amazing. And the switch to Guard from Tackle has been smoother than I could have hoped for. Heck, do you realize he's the least penalized lineman on the team?

I have this little fantasy of watching Boone through the whole game, knocking Ray Lewis down, then helping him up and saying, "Gee whiz, Mr. Lewis. I've been a big fan of yours since I was a little boy. I just feel honored to play on the same field with you." Then coming back on the next play, knocking Lewis back down, and saying, "Here, Mr. Lewis, let me help you up sir. I think you've got a little something on your back sir. I'll be right back, I think we're gonna run another play." Over and over and over again.

Thing is... the whole line is playing better. A. Davis is starting to look more like a Right Tackle, than an accident about to happen. Iupati is starting to figure out that it's about more than just being stronger than the guy in front of you. And when Staley is on his game, he can frustrate the beejesus out of anyone. And Goodwin is just old enough, just smart, and has been here just long enough to tie it all together.

Re: Culliver. Man, I watched him being pilloried yesterday. Sitting alone at that table, surrounded by the media. What was it, 45? 50 minutes? Alone, having to take it. I couldn't watch the whole thing. And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to leave him out there all on his own. But you know the coaches and Management thought it had to be done. Probably did... but it was hard to watch.

By the way... Steve Young and the shotgun. Another interesting fact is... Walsh strongly considered moving Young into a Shotgun offense. Walsh didn't have anything against the formation, but Joe Montana did. He didn't like it. So when Steve started taking over the offense, and Walsh suggested the move, Steve Young is the guy who resisted. If Joe didn't use the shotgun, Steve didn't want to use it.