The uncertainty led to frustration in Cleveland. It has led to an obviously lack of cohesion and confidence for that football team and we all know where the Browns stand right now.

And, for the record, Mangini is doing it again this week.

Now, tell me how this week has been any different as we wait to hear about whether Danny Sullivan or Brock Osweiler will start this Saturday night at Oregon?

I’ve been trying to stand up for Erickson’s decisions throughout this 4-5 season so far, but this one…I can’t rationalize it.

The fact of the matter is that this team needs direction and they need it now.

At least as DE continued to inexplicably start the struggling Sullivan week in and week out so far this season, there was certainty at the position. It wasn’t the certainty many of us wanted, but at least it was a starting point for this offense to work with.

It is to the detriment of everyone on offense for Arizona State that their head coach has not announced a starter for this weekend yet and, reportedly, might not until even Thursday.

We all watched the USC game. We all saw the difference between the 1st and 2nd half.

I’m not writing this column to advocate for either quarterback to get the start. I already did that earlier this week when I said that Osweiler should go under center at Autzen this Saturday.

At this point, I don’t even care who starts. It could be Thomas Ohmart for all I care.

While that may sound flippant, I think it’s a sentiment most of us share. All I want at this point is a decision because that will be of the most benefit to this team regardless of it being Sullivan or Osweiler (or Samson Szakacsy, for that matter).

Uncertainty during a game week breeds uncertainty on game day. And, with faint bowl hopes still mathematically hanging by a thread, stability can’t just be a luxury over the last three weeks of this season. It needs to be a necessity.

Make the choice, Coach. Let us know who it is so we can move on to focusing on Oregon rather than who’s going to play.

Bolden done for season, Carr suspended

Meanwhile, Terell Carr has become the 2nd player in three days to be given the old “violation of team rules” suspension.

On Sunday, RB Ryan Bass met the same fate. Both are banned indefinitely. There’s no word on whether the suspensions are in any way related.

To exacerbate the razor-thin depth at cornerback, Erickson announced tonight that Omar Bolden has finally been declared out for the season due to his nagging knee injury.

That means the starting tandem at corner for the immediate future will be the same one that trotted onto the field against USC last Saturday: Pierre Singfield and Deveron Carr.

I don’t know how, I don’t know with what and I’m not even sure why but I’ve come up with it.

I wish I had a great story like I was hanging a picture above my toilet, fell off, hit my head and came up with the concept that made it possible but alas I’m no Doc Brown.

While I may not know how I accomplished it, I have evidence to prove my creations exhistence.

I’m currently living in 2006 and I can prove it.

How can I prove it? Well, the Phoenix Suns are on top of the Western Conference and are averaging over 110 points per game. Steve Nash has been dishing assists at a faster rate than NBC cancels primetime shows. He is playing so well that Shaquille O’Neal would consider the MVP award “tainted” if he were to receive it. He is hitting bit shots at the end of games and has a 20+ assist game under his belt. That and he’s playing 35 minutes a game because the Suns don’t have a suitable option to back him up.

Along with the Suns fast paced offense and Steve Nash’s high production level, Amare Stoudemire is playing his way back into shape after an injury that sidelined him for significant time last season (then again, based on that this could be any number of years that I’ve found myself in). Not to mention many think Leandro Barbosa could win the sixth man award.

Even the Cardinals gave me reason to come to take the quantum leap of faith that I’ve stumbled upon some various of the flux capacitor . The Cardinals played Matt Leinart in a game against the Chicago Bears and he threw an interception with Kurt Warner standing on the sidelines. After the game the head coach brought up something about “the Bears were who we thought they were” and smacked the podium as he left.

That isn’t enough evidence to prove I’ve traveled back in time to 2006?

How about this, ASU’s football program is embroiled in a quarterback controversy between a young quarterback and a senior quarterback and has caused a debate amongst Sun Devil fans.

Even the Phoenix Coyotes are providing evidence. They trying to gain fans back from a completely lost season (OK so maybe that’s not very good evidence).

Regardless of what my calendar reads or what my computer’s date/time stamp says, I refuse to believe that this is 2009.

When I left the future to head back to the past, almost every expert said that the Suns were suppose to be a failure. That Steve Nash was misguided and washed up. That the Suns wouldn’t be able to score and weren’t as athletic as in the past. Those comments coupled with the fact that the Suns are atop the west, beating the eastern conferences elite and scoring at will, leads me to the conclusion that this can’t be 2009.

Add in the ASU quarterback conundrum and the Matt Leinart interception in the fourth quarter of a game against the Bears and it’s an airtight case.

I’ve either stumbled upon one of the greatest discoveries in the history of mankind, or those trusted most by the American public to predict what will happen in sports completely misjudged the Phoenix Suns talent, ability and the value of team chemistry.

Yeah, I most definitely discovered time travel. The other options is just unfathomable. The only thing I can’t explain is why I’m still 25 pounds heavier than I was the first time I experienced 2006.

And Now Time For Something Completely Different

In Case You Missed It

Kurt Warner was a guest on the Dan Patrick Show on Monday. The interview was entertaining but there was one part that caught my eye. Kurt Warner told Dan Patrick that he’d like to score a rushing touchdown this week after throwing for five against the Bears.

In an unrelated story the Arizona Cardinals have petitioned the NFL to allow the use of segways for quarterbacks in game.

Livan Hernandez and the Diamondbacks?

According to Nick Piecoro the Arizona Diamondbacks are interested in reacquiring Livan Hernandez.

Now I really do wish it were 2006 or for that matter how about 2000.

Tweet of the Day

Just got back from the future and wanted to give you a preview of tomorrows Sports Retorter headline:

“Jason Richardson to miss game after choking on his own cooking”

Just one week after throwing five interceptions against the Carolina Panthers, Warner bounced back with five touchdown passes against the Chicago Bears. It was the second time in Warner’s career he threw for five touchdowns and he became the first player since 1969 to throw five interception and the following week throw for five touchdowns.

Congratulations once again to the Cardinals’ starting quarterback Kurt Warner, your NFC offensive player of the week.

Kurt Warner named NFC offensive player of the week [ProFootballTalk.com]

What other show can point out the differences between legendary American playwright Neil Simon and struggling ASU QB Danny Sullivan? Answer--none.

Segment 2 (22:37) - Quick, name the “signature” college football game to this point of the 2009 season? Betcha can’t, because there hasn’t been one. The college football season continues to disappoint, from matchups to teams, to players. We’ll talk about it here, and discuss the Arizona State QB situation, and why there’s even a remote possibility that Danny Sullivan should start Saturday at Oregon.

Segment 3 (41:13) - The Suns are back from an early-season road trip that saw them go 4-1. We talk about the optimism surrounding the team and we also just touch the surface of the Arizona Diamondbacks and their many offseason needs. (Hint: Lyle Overbay isn’t one of them.)

STBNL Tuesday - What’s the difference between Neil Simon and Danny Sullivan?

Download audio file (show1110.mp3)

Offense:

When your team scores 119 points and shots 53% from the field there really isn’t much to nitpick about the offense.

Sense the Suns have looked like something from the video game NBA Jam this season, I’ll use a quote from the game to describe Jason Richardson, “He’s heating up”. For the third straight game shot well over 50% from both the field and from beyond the three point line. Over those three games he is averaging a little over 28 points per game. All of this following his scoreless performance against the Magic.

To go along with Richardson’s fantastic performance, Jared Dudley chipped in 18 off the bench and hit big shots down the stretch including four three pointers. Steve Nash was his solid self scoring 21 points.

Grade:

A+

Defense:

The Suns first half defense left something to be desired giving up 66 points to the Sixers (not that 49 second half points is phenomenal, but it’ll do). The Suns did buckle down in the forth quarter, holding the Sixers to under 50% shooting (6-of-14)

Jared Dudley not only was a major contributor on the offensive side of the ball but played a major role defensively off of the bench. He had three steals that helped the Suns come back from a 12 point deficit

Grade:

C-

Rebounding:

Not the Suns best night on the boards as they were out rebounded 39 to 33. The 33 rebounds were the fewest the Suns have grabbed in a game so far this season.

Grant Hill continued his rebounding resurgence with eight. Jason Richardson also had eight boards and Jared Dudley grabbed five of his own.

Amare Stoudemire and Channing Frye’s combined 9 rebounds, 3 for Frye and Six for STAT, was a big reason for the season low.

Grade:

C-

Ball handling:

Steve Nash had as many assists, 20, as the entire Sixers team combined. Overall the team had 32 dimes and only 12 turnovers. I’d say that’s a pretty good night.

Grade:

A

Overall Game GPA: 2.93 GPA

The Future Power Rankings rate teams in a number of categories to project their on-court success during the next three seasons. The categories considered are players (current players and their potential for the future), management (stability of front office and coaching staff), money (salary cap situation and willingness to exceed the cap), market (attractiveness to future acquisitions, etc.), and draft (picks and positioning).

Their formula revealed that the top five teams during the three-year period (or at least the teams with the rosiest future in the next 3.5 years) are Portland, Orlando, the Lakers, Oklahoma City and Miami.

So, where do the Suns fall on their list? Try 27th. That’s out of 30. The piece states “the Sarver administration has squandered an opportunity to make the Suns the league’s marquee franchise and instead made them a team trying to avoid a second straight appearance in the lottery.”

Ouch.

Check out the full rankings and the rest of the Suns’ story here. You must be an ESPN Insider to access the story.

TEMPE, Ariz.–Arizona State University senior wide receiver Chris McGaha and senior defensive end Dexter Davis have accepted invitations to play in the 85th East-West Shrine Game, which will be held on Jan. 23, 2010 in Orlando.

McGaha (Phoenix, Ariz.) leads the Sun Devils this season with 48 receptions for 596 yards and four touchdowns. He currently ranks fourth in school history with 160 career catches, and he surpassed 2,000 yards receiving for his career earlier this season.

Davis (Phoenix, Ariz.) has 16 tackles and 2.5 sacks on the season, and he recorded his first career interception in the team’s win over Washington State on Oct. 10. He has started all 47 games over the last four seasons, giving him the most starts by an ASU player since 1984.

McGaha and Davis join an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre and 62 Pro Football Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game, America’s longest-running college all-star football game.

For more information about the East-West Shrine Game, please visit www.shrinegame.com.

Six out of the first eight on the road, including a 5-game eastern road swing through Florida and the northeast, with two sets of back-to-backs thrown in for good measure.

Steve Nash had 20 assists in the Suns' 119-115 win over Philadelphia on Monday. (Photo: Matt Slocum/AP)

The Suns return home with an NBA-best 7-1 record, including a 4-1 mark on the road trip after a come-from-behind 119-115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers last night. Steve Nash had 21 points and his second 20-assist game of the season, while Jason Richardson continued his recent stellar play with 29 points and 8 rebounds.

The best part of last night’s win for Phoenix was simply the effort. A veteran team wrapping up an already successful road trip, on the back end of playing two nights in a row, and trailing by as many as 8 points in the 4th quarter almost always means a notch in the ‘L’ column.

Not this team.

Jared Dudley ignited a brilliant 4th quarter surge with 11 points in the frame, including three 3-pointers and Nash nailed 6 free throws in the final :23 to seal the win.

Now, we’re not planning any parades in downtown Phoenix just yet, but the fast start is extremely promising. Most thought the Suns would struggle out of the gates, based on their early schedule, and the fact that Amare Stoudemire is still playing himself back into shape after major eye surgery.

But an unexpected 7-1 start provides a nice buffer for the inevitable lulls that hit NBA teams during the course of an 82-game schedule.

Highlights from NBA.com

Warner is quick to say the offense isn’t as consistent as it was at times last season and that the defense has carried this team in some weeks.  This is not the norm for this squad with the offensive juggernauts they have in Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin.  Nobody thought that Arizona had any shot in the playoffs after “backing” in last season, but they proved all wrong by making it to the Super Bowl and almost winning the big game. Offense was the name of the game last year for Arizona, if the defense picks this team up and the offense comes along, this could be another dangerous run come the end of this season for them.

Kurt Warner joined the Dan Patrick Show to talk about the Cardinals rout of the Bears on Sunday, his bad week followed by his great week and if the Cardinals really are a good team or not.

Asked if he has any idea how good the Cardinals are right now:

“I have no idea how good we are.  At times I think we are really good and then at times I don’t think we are really good at all.  Its hard to say just like you said, I think the one thing we have been fighting for a couple years now is consistency.  Last year we were 9-7, obviously we got on a run in the playoffs and played well.  But, we have come back this year and been the same way, up and down, never know what you are going to get.”

Asked how he thinks the comparison of the Cardinals is to the Phoenix Suns:

“I think a little bit, I think maybe a bit more last year when we had the kinds the high flying offense.  You never were sure what you were going to get one week to the next, or if we were going to get out-scored or whatever it might be.  I think we are a little bit different this year just because our offense hasn’t played up to par, I think we are a more balanced team this year. The thing that is frustrating is we would like to take that balance and bring back in the offense, the fire power we had last year.  So that’s when I think we can be a really dangerous football team.  Right now the offense hasn’t been clicking up to par and we have relied on the defense this year then we have in the past.”

Dan said he does things in five’s, so whats next for Kurt this week in the five category:

“Man, I don’t know, hopefully not five fumbles.  I am trying to think what else I can do…(DP:” I want you to get a running touchdown”). I would love to get a running touchdown.  (DP: :would you spike the ball if you got a running touchdown?”). I Probably would not, I would probably would just flip it back and laugh all the way to the sidelines.”

Listen to Kurt Warner on the Dan Patrick Show

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But as much as I despise ties, they need to come back in the NHL. Let me explain.

Take the case of the resurgent Phoenix Coyotes, who have played 17 games this season, winning 10 of them and losing 7. They currently have 20 points on the season.

Now take the case of the Coyotes’ division foe, the Dallas Stars. The Stars have also played 17 games and also have 20 points in the standings. But Dallas only has 7 wins in their 17 games, and only 4 losses. So what about the 6 other games?

The Stars have already registered an NHL-high 6 overtime losses, meaning they have earned 6 points in games they’ve lost. The Coyotes have a winning percentage of .588, while the Stars have a winning percentage of .412, yet they’re tied in the standings?

Let’s take it a step further. Theoretically, an NHL team could lose all 82 games they play in overtime or a shootout, and end up with 82 points, which would put that team in a better standing than another team that won 40 of their games, and lost the other 42 all in regulation time. Basically, a team with 40 wins would be looking up the standings at a team with zero wins.

So why does taking longer to lose a game warrant a reward in the NHL? You don’t get consolation points in any other sport, so why the NHL? This seems like a standings system that you’d see in youth sports, where a bigger importance is placed on participation and sportsmanship, and less on winning and losing.

But this is the NHL, a league featuring arguably the toughest athletes in the world.

Make it real easy. First, do away with the shootout. It’s such a rare play in hockey, it’s asinine to determine the winner of a game with it. You don’t see baseball games determined by who can hit the most triples do you? Secondly, extend the overtime period to ten minutes, like the league had prior to World War II. If the game ends in a tie, so be it. If someone wins in the overtime period, they get the two points. If you lose, hey thanks for showing up. I mean, what did you accomplish really anyway? You just took longer to break the hearts of your fans. If nobody scores, you each get a point.

I know the NHL wanted to ensure teams tried to win in overtime when they passed the current set of rules, but isn’t the opposite of that happening?

As former New York Jets coach Herman Edwards famously said, “you play to win the game!”

But if ol’ Herm was an NHL coach he might have said, “you play to extend the game, and not come away empty handed.” Doesn’t seem right, now does it?

Doctor: So why exactly are you here and how can I help you?

Big Red: Doc, I just feel like I don’t know who I am. One week I feel like I can take on the world and accomplish anything. The next week I feel like I can’t even get out of my own way. It’s completely frustrating and it’s causing those closest to me to be confused and upset.

Doctor: Well, is there any reason why you’d feel this way?

Big Red: None that I can think of. I guess some of it is that for years no one around me expected anything from me. They thought I was a loser and not capable of much. They always just expected me to be a giant screwup. Two years ago I got a new life coach and things started turning around. Last year, for the first time in my life, I had success and those around me now have expectations.

Doctor: Hmm…It sounds like you may have an issue with focus and confidence in yourself.

Big Red: Well, I didn’t exactly have the best role models before my new life coach. I spent a few years with this guy named Denny who seemed more concerned with his personal accomplishments than my well being. Things got so bad I drove him to a public breakdown. Before him there were a few unassuming people that didn’t have a lot of impact and one guy named Buddy who only stuck around in my life for two years. He tried to pump me up even telling everyone I knew that I was a winner but when things got a little tough he was gone faster than the credibility of ESPN’s sexual harassment training. Things have been better since I moved from my old neighborhood in Tempe, where I met most of those guys, to Glendale, but I still struggle.

Doctor: Here’s what I want you to do. Try to string two or three positive weeks together. Work hard, focus and do your best not to dwell on the past. If you can do that I think the feelings of those around you will dramatically change. It takes time to build up the confidence of those around you. It’s about consistency. Take the next two weeks and come see me after that.

(Big Red Exits)

(Enter the doctor’s next patient, a dark, hairy, stout figure wearing a Phoenix Suns jacket)

Doctor: Good to see you again GO. How are you? It’s been about six months since your last visit. Did you finally get rid of the “big problem” that plagued you last year?

GO: I am doing pretty well. I took a trip to Cleveland this summer and by the time I got back it was like a giant weight was lifted. The biggest issue I’ve faced is that people just don’t seem to have faith in me. Some say I’m too old, some say I’m not skilled enough and still others seem to think I’m just too small to do much of anything anymore.

Doctor: I’m glad to hear your energy level is back. How does the lack of respect others are showing make you feel?

GO: It’s frustrating. I’ve been reliable to everyone over the years. I’m someone you can pencil in to be there when you need me. For years my friends thought I was one of the most entertaining people they’d met. Now they don’t have much faith.

Doctor: Do you still have faith in yourself?

GO: Of course. I’m as entertaining as I’ve ever been and I’m having one of the most successful runs ever. I’ve pretty much figured out that I just need to keep working hard and eventually they’ll come around. That or I’ll be like an Aaron Sorkin show, solid, entertaining and well put together, but unnoticed and under-appreciated.

Doctor: Seems like a pretty good attitude. Keep working hard and they’ll come around.

(GO exits and the Doctors next patient, a man with a goatee and carrying a pitchfork enters the room)

Doctor: I see in your file that your friends call you Sparky, may I call you Sparky?

Sparky: Sure Doc, whatever you want man.

Doctor: OK. So tell me what is troubling you.

Sparky: Well, you see, I’m in what some might call a bad relationship. I’m seeing this person and even though it’s not best for me I can’t leave.

Doctor: Why can’t you leave?

Sparky: Well, Danny’s young and has stuck around through the good and the bad. It doesn’t matter what anyone says he’s loyal. No matter how much he hurts me I can’t say goodbye.

Doctor: Are you afraid of being alone?

Sparky: Alone? I have two younger ones lined up and wanting a chance to be with me. As a matter of fact, those around me like my “backup” options more than Danny.

Doctor: So why not get out of the bad situation?

Sparky: What can I say Doc, I’m loyal. Danny’s moving away in December anyway, so it’s not a long term thing. I’ll be with one of the others come spring but I just don’t feel like I can break Danny’s heart right now.

Doctor: I respect your loyalty but I’m not sure, from a psychological standpoint, that it makes a lot of sense. Wouldn’t you want what’s best for you?

Sparky: I do, but I’m just not ready to move on.

Doctor: Well I hope things get better for you come spring, and I hope Danny treats you well until December. Come back then and we can talk more.

And Now Time For Something Completely Different

An Update On Fridays Post

On Friday I used this space to tell you about how the Cardinals-Bears game was “personal” for me. As you all know the Cardinals won and I’m proud to announce I throughly taunted my wife and her family. It may not have made up for 1993 but it’s a start.

In the category of things I’m slightly less proud to announce, I’ve been informed that not only did my piece not win any brownie points but I’m so far down on the totem pole that it’s not clear whether I’m even good enough to be brownie batter right now (got to love cooking humor from the mother-in-law).

Hope you got a chuckle out of the piece because it may mean some time spent on the couch and a rough Thanksgiving weekend. Anything for my faithful readers (which were cut in half now that my wife and her parents will no longer read anything from The Sports Retorter).

Ken Whisenhunt Earned Major Points In My Book

Yes, Ken Whisenhunt led his team to a big victory on the road Sunday and has them leading the NFC West by two games but that’s not why he moved up in my book this weekend.

Whisenhunt proved he has faith in his team, himself and his sense of humor after the game channeling his inner Denny Green. Anyone willing to make light of his team’s past is worthy of praise. Especially when that past is as dismal as the Cardinals.

These aren’t your, your Dad’s or Denny Green’s Cardinals anymore.

Tweet of the Day

A comment Brett Pollakoff of Fanhouse.com made about Amare Stoudemire and his potential to not opt out of his contract this summer.

Sure, it may sound a little strange but after spending my Saturday evening as a “D.D.”, it seems to make a lot of sense.

We’ve all been there. A night where your friends want to go out and imbibe a few adult beverages but you can’t partake because of an early morning engagement the next day. As a sign of good faith, you offer to play chauffeur for the evening so that your friends get what they want and get where they need to go without any problems even if it isn’t the most fun you could have. While your friends get full and have a good time, you spend a lot of your evening directing your friends away from trouble and into the best possible situations. When closing time rolls around you’re the one that gathers everyone together, puts them on your shoulders (literally or figuratively depending on how much “fun” your friends had) and takes them home happy and safe.

Still don’t see Steve Nash and the Suns? Let me explain.

Steve Nash is one of the most selfless teammates in sports. He’d do, and has done, pretty much anything for a teammate and rarely will complain. Take the last season and a half as an example. Everyone knew that the arrival of Shaq would hurt Steve’s play. Shaq usurped Nash’s authority and status in the locker room and yet Nash stayed professional and tried to taylor his game to his new teammate rather than expect him to change (heck, he was so selfless that he “gave” Shaq an idea for a television show…err nevermind).

On a broader scale, Nash lets his own game “suffer” to make his team better. Nash could easily score more points per game, be considered one of the leagues best shooters and take the Iverson/Marbury approach to the point guard position and be successful. Instead he sacrifices his own personal statistics and physical well being to drive the offense, help his teammates fill the stat sheet and get them where they want to be–in the win column. While running the offense, his extraordinary ability to slice through defenses and distribute the ball puts his teammates in the best position to score. At the end of games, Nash finds a way to lift his team by either getting the open shot for someone or by hitting the big shot himself. He even will carry his team on his shoulders for the entire fourth quarter, if needed, just to get the win (we’ve seen this twice already this season).

He’s the D.D. that makes sure his teammates are the most important thing and, instead of safety, he looks out for their statistical well-being.

Nash is the Suns’ designated driver and just like any D.D., he’s not as appreciated as he should be. Good thing he doesn’t do it for the accolades, he does it for the good of the team.

The Suns just need to remember, as long as you keep your designated driver happy, you’ll have a lot more fun along the way than if you didn’t.

It was the perfect day for Cardinals management on Sunday:

Not only did the Cardinals beat the Bears in Chicago – the place Bill Bidwill regards as the franchise’s home more than St. Louis – but they did it in grand style with as dominant a first half as they come.

And once the big lead was built – except for a few anxious moments when Matt Leinart somehow stumbled on the field – the Cards kept the Bears from sniffing another one of these miracle comebacks like the one that has haunted the team since 2006 (thanks to those Denny Green beer commercials). Even coach Ken Whisenhunt felt comfortable enough to reference the event in his postgame presser, joking that Arizona “didn’t let them off the hook this time.”

Even the negative was, in actuality, a positive.

Anquan Boldin not only got the week off - rest he needs to be even close to maximum effectiveness down the stretch, he showed his true colors – which certainly are no longer red and white – by popping off about his personal problems right in the face of a postgame victory glow.

Our man ‘Q’ had four hours to stew on the sidelines and figure out the best way to spin what was, after all the correct decision – not to put his gimpy ankle onto the iffy Solider Field turned into a cow pasture by a U2 concert two months ago. But instead of swallowing his own agenda and sharing in the victory with his teammates, Boldin decided to channel his inner diva and let any reporter than would listen that no one was “man enough” to tell him he wouldn’t be activated before the game.

That sound you heard was any remaining fans and teammates still on the Anquan Bandwagon asking to be left off at the next stop. Pretty soon it will be just Q and Deion “Pay the Man” Sanders.

We all know Boldin wants out of Arizona. We all know he wants to be paid like Larry Fitzgerald, and missing yet another game due to injuries will hurt his market value. We all know his relationship with Whisenhunt is beyond repair – it is reported that the player chose not to look at coach when the reason behind the decision was made – and watching the Cardinal offense explode for 31 in the first half while he hid under his hoodie couldn’t have been good for #81’s ego.

But here’s the deal, Anquan: The NFL trade deadline is long gone. Your team is atop the division in a league and a conference without a clear-cut favorite to dethrone them as NFC champions (Saints? I’ll pass.) You don’t even want Arizona’s money at this point, right?

So heal up your ankle, shut up your pie hole and play football.

Elsewhere:

* Wish I could elaborate, but Twitter only gives 140 characters. LJ, did U think U were still important enuff to say whatever you want? LOL.

* Speaking of guys with too much to say, Miami linebacker Joey Porter backed up a week of trash-talking about the Patriots with an invisible effort in New England Sunday.

The biggest blind-side hit of the game came from Jumbotron operator at Gillette Stadium, who found a sulking Porter on the Dolphin sidelines and thought it the perfect time to flash his up-to-date game statistics: Zero tackles. Zero assists. Zero sacks. Ouch.

* Manny Ramirez, after missing two months for a drug suspension and disappearing in September in the playoffs, exercised his option and will get another $20 million from the Dodgers next year. Only Jamie McCourt did less for more.

* After two straight losses to Navy and another season out of the BCS conversation, you’d figure Charlie Weis might be ready to accept the lion’s share of the blame for another Sound Bend debacle? Guess again.

Weis was in no mood to go down with the ship and has already started throwing players under the, umm, bow.

“As you know, after a loss, I’m not big on giving up players, ever,” Weis was quoted on a Sports Illustrated blog. “That’s not my way. But I think when they watch the tape, there’s going to be plenty of evidence. Don’t sit there and point the finger at anyone other than yourself because here’s what happened on the play.”

So your players had everything they needed gameplan and scheme-wise to beat Navy and they just blew it? Sorry, Charlie.

* Was there a more hopeless feeling for ASU fans than sitting there watching the defense do everything in its power to win – only to know, in no uncertain terms, it was all going to go for naught? I’m not saying freshman Brock Osweiler is the answer at quarterback – he was certainly a deer in the headlights during the fourth quarter of the USC game – but at 4-5 there is no reason to see senior Danny Sullivan take another snap.

* Glad to see Brandon Webb is coming back. The Diamondbacks had no choice, but if he comes back at even 80 percent and the team is able to re-acquire Lyle Overbay from Toronto (one Chris Snyder proves he’s healthy), two important pieces for next year will be in place.

* Anyone else have the Suns at 6-1 after seven games? Anyone have Grant Hill grabbing 10 boards a game and Amar’e Stoudemire attempting to play defense? Yes it’s early, but it’s also impressive.

It's still not known if freshman quarterback Brock Osweiler will get his first start for ASU Saturday at Oregon. (Photo:Fanster.com)

Sullivan threw two interceptions against the Trojans, including one that was picked off and returned for a touchdown by USC safety Will Harris to give the Trojans a 7-3. USC won the game 14-9.

Osweiler started the second half, and played the rest of the way, going 11 for 27 for 153 yards and a touchdown. His last pass of the game, a Hail Mary try, was also picked off by Harris.

“I haven’t made a decision on what I’m going to do yet. There’s things you’ve got to think about,” Erickson said Monday during his weekly press conference. “We’re gonna make that decision in the next couple of days.”

Erickson also talked about the reinstatement of Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, dealing with Oregon’s crowd, and the job done by first year Oregon head coach Chip Kelly.

Dennis Erickson Weekly Press Conference

2009-10 season offers less crowds, exploration and mixed bag

From AZGFD

Nov. 6, 2009

PHOENIX — Quail check station results from the season opener weekend (Oct. 3-4) vary and suggest populations are below-average in central regions to well-below-average in southern regions of the state reported Arizona Game and Fish Department officials.

Southern region check stations (Freeman & Willow Springs) recorded 1.8 birds per day of which the harvest comprised of juveniles was at 50-57 percent. The central region (Tonto Basin) reported slightly better numbers of 2.9 birds per day and 70 percent juveniles in the harvest.

“Field reports from quail hunters have been mixed,” said Public Information Officer, Doug Burt. “I’ve seen comments of 15-bird limits on chat forums one day and heard hunters state ‘I didn’t see a bird all day’ the next – clearly, hunters will need to search out the honey holes.”

Don’t despair, there is a silver lining.

“You can still go out and find birds, there’s always Gambel’s quail to hunt in Arizona – we just get spoiled by the great years,” said Small Game Program Supervisor, Mike Rabe. “Hunters will need to focus on core quail habitat in lower elevations, areas with good cover (roosting trees and low ground cover), drainage and water source’s are a plus.”

Rabe added, “Washes are key and can provide upland hunters a smorgasbord of game to pursue including quail, mourning dove (reopens Nov. 20) and rabbits (jacks and cottontails) – all are exciting and challenging to hunt and excellent eating.”

The late season dove and year-round rabbit seasons are overlooked by many hunters says Rabe. “Many hunters are missing out – the weather is fantastic, there are no crowds, and doves and rabbits are plentiful.”

Cover and habitat for all three game animals are similar and should include a combination of mesquite-lined washes, hackberry bushes, desert brittle brush, catclaw, varieties of desert cacti, (prickly pear is a good indicator) and desert grasses between 1,500-4,500 feet in elevation.

No. 6 shot is recommended during challenging seasons. The same shot is suitable for rabbits and doves flushing through cover too. So load up, be safe and enjoy the great American hunting tradition.

For more reports on the upland hunting season, tips, season dates and more, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/hunting and select “Small Game Outlook, Hunting Dates and more.”

SIDEBAR – If you missed hunting in October, don’t worry: November is better. There are two home-wreckers this month. The first is late dove season, which offers all-day hunting and allows hunters to enjoy evenings where crowds are nearly non-existent and the weather and sunsets are spectacular. The second is the Mearns’ quail season opener. A dog is nearly mandatory for hunting these tight-holding birds, so if you don’t have one, find a friend who does. The Sky Island scenery alone is worth the trip, but there you can bag two types of rabbits and three species of quail, not to mention a duck or two. How’s that for variety?

November season dates: (Regulations can be downloaded at www.azgfd.gov/rules)

Dove late season: Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2010
Quail: Oct. 2 – Feb. 7, 2010: (Gambel’s and scaled)
Mearns’ Quail: Nov. 27 – Feb. 7, 2010
Tree Squirrel: Oct. 2 – Dec. 31
Blue Grouse: Sept. 11 – Nov. 15
Chukar: Sept. 11 – Feb. 7, 2010
Waterfowl (ducks and geese): Oct. 9 – Jan. 17 (Mountain Zone); Oct. 23 – Jan. 31 (Desert Zone). Some restrictions apply; see regulations.
Rabbits (jackrabbits and cottontails): Open year-round
Predators/Furbearers (coyotes, foxes, etc.): Open year-round

Related Articles:

• Great Weekend For Mearns’ Quail
• Rain Is Terrific News For AZ
• Coming Soon – The Claw
• Last Minute Tag Dilemma
• Game and Fish Seeks Input
• The Curse – Is It Hereditary?
• Apprentice License A Great Idea!
• My 2009 javelina season comes in like a lamb
• Fall 2008 Was Great – What Does The New Year Hold In Store?
• Desert Rat Syndicated – Joins Fanster.com

Many questions remain but here is what week two taught us about this Phoenix Suns team.

• The Suns will struggle in the tail end of a back-to-back:
  The Suns have only looked old on one occasion early on this NBA season. In last Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic, the Suns may have lost by twenty-two points but it wasn’t until the second half that the game got out of hand. Heading into the locker room at halftime the Suns trailed by only six, 58-52, despite neither Jason Richardson or Grant Hill scoring. Amare Stoudemire looked strong with 19 points and 11 rebounds and the defense had kept Dwight Howard mostly in check.

  In the second half things stalled for the Suns as Hill and Richardson never found their stroke and the defense faltered. They looked tired and understandably so. Two good teams, in two nights, 3,000 miles from home.

  This game exposed a weakness for the Suns. When you play fast paced basketball predicated on two thirty-somethings, you are bound to look tired when you have to travel to play your second game in as many nights against a good opponent.

  Mark it down, the Suns won’t look as good in the second game of back-to-back games. They’ll win a few against weaker or evenly matched opponents but when faced with an elite team, they’ll struggle. Unfortunately for the Suns it will occur seven more times this season (11/11 vs. NO, 11/12 @ LAL, 12/1 @NYK, 12/2 @CLE, 12/5 vs. SAC, 12/6 @ LAL, 12/11 vs.ORL, 12/12 @DEN, 1/31 @HOU, 2/1 @NO, 2/16 @MEM, 12/17 @DAL, 4/13 vs. DEN, 4/14 @UTA).

• Alvin Gentry can coach:

  When you see a coach who has had head jobs in three different cities, none of which lasted more than three seasons, you begin to wonder about his ability. Not the case with Alvin Gentry.

  Although he has been the “the head guy” in Miami (Interim), Detroit and with the Clippers, prior to taking the Suns job, he never had as talented, or as veteran laden, of a team as he does in Phoenix. In week two he proved that he has the ears of his players and can keep them focused in the midst of a long road trip. They’ve rebound well and played smart team defense, two things Terry Porter could never get a similar group of guys to do, along with play at a breakneck speed on offense. The NBA may only be entering week three but Alvin Gentry has already made his impact felt and put his name in for “Coach of the Year” consideration.

• The offense can still score:

  We saw that the Suns put up solid numbers against some of the “weaker” opponents in week one. Many people felt there’d be a dramatic drop off in week two. Not the case.

  Against some tough Eastern Conference opponents known for their defense, the Suns have averaged 104 points. Along with averaging 104 points, they earned the distinction of being the only team to score more than 90 points on the Celtics this season and did it with 110 points.

  The offense may not score 120 this season as often as it did under Mike D’Antoni, but it certainly will still score in bunches and if the defense continues to improve, it may not need to.

• The rumors of Steve Nash’s demise was greatly exaggerated

  A road trip opening, 30 point, 8 assist performance against Miami coupled with a 12 assist performance in a win against the Celtics and 17 assists against Washington, more than the entire Wizards team, is enough to prove the “old” Nash is back. He may have some off nights this season but he week two showed MV-Steve still has plenty left.

Add on top of that, a very good football team with an offense that will give any defensive coordinator nightmares, and you’re in for a tough Saturday.

Now, add in one of the top running backs in the country, who has been reinstated from an 8-game suspension.

That’s what the Arizona State Sun Devils are facing this week when they travel to Eugene to play the 13th-ranked Oregon Ducks.

LeGarrette Blount, who made national headlines (and not the good kind) when he punched Boise State defensive end Byron Hout in the aftermath of the Ducks’ 19-8 season opening loss to the Broncos.

Blount was suspended for the season the next day by head coach Chip Kelly. He’s been practicing with the team ever since.

And now he’s been reinstated by Kelly for the Ducks’ last three games, including Saturday’s game against ASU. Blount ran for two touchdowns in Oregon’s 54-20 win in Tempe a year ago.

ASU head coach Dennis Erickson said he’s happy for Blount, and lauded Oregon for handling the situation the right way, but admitted it wasn’t all positive. “As far as we’re concerned, I’m not real excited about. But as far as he’s concerned, I am,” Erickson said. “That gives them a 1-2-3-4-5-6 punch, I guess.”

Segment 1 (0:00) - The Cardinals stayed undefeated on the road, beating up on the Chicago Bears 41-21 at Soldier Field–and they did it without Anquan Boldin. Is #81 expendable? We’ll talk about that here in segment one.

Segment 2 (26:30) - ASU shut down USC, but lost, while U of A is cruising along down in Tucson, still with an opportunity to win their first ever Pac-10 Championship. We’ll discuss the two schools, and the rest of the landscape in college football, including why the hell was NAU playing Ole Miss in November?

Segment 3 (48:21) - The Phoenix Suns are off to a great start to the season, after beating Boston on Friday night and Washington on Sunday. We’ll talk about what’s going right for the Suns.

STBNL Monday - Hey, the good Cardinals showed up!

Download audio file (show1109.mp3)