Very well could make for an interesting matchup, but the team to watch within that region in my opinion… is St. John’s. They no doubt have holes within their roster, a true shooter and solid presence in the paint, but I don’t believe there’s a better tested team in that bracket. BYU, Florida, K State, Wisconsin and Pitt have all walked through their conference schedules primarily picking up their BIG wins at home. There isn’t a team within this region that has more solidly proven its ability to go out on an unfamiliar floor and put 40 quality minutes together. St. John’s is a truly a team of runs, not only quick points being scored, but how they are scored. For those unfamiliar with the Johnnies game… think of UNC, except all 5 starts could lead the break. The quality ball handling, athleticism, and WILLINGNESS to run the floor will separate them from early and probably significantly from a BYU team reliant on how many times Jimmer can put in 3, from behind the arc, or with the hoop and harm. The most telling game occuring in that bracket will be how well St John’s can handle the momentum of knocking off a BYU Goliath only to find out that he’s been standing on stilts. The quality D that Florida plays, will test the true resolve of an incredibly athletic St. John’s. The switch from the two three zone to man based on shot clock will be startling to a primarily young team… IF Florida gets back in time to make each possession a half court game. The more St. John’s can run, game by game… the farther they can run through this bracket.

Especially with Shanahan’s history of locker room cancers! What is he worried about… breaking up the monotony of questioning Haynesworth’s effort and McNabb’s effectiveness by exciting the team by showing them that the front office is willing to pull out the stops believing that this year’s team can make a run. Not putting a claim in… could very well be a notation from the top of a lack of confidence in this group to be a threat this year. With what we have left on the schedule and the struggles of the offense thus far, forcing the deep safety to roll onto one side of the field would help McNabb’s read process from deep to shallow as outlined in the gameplan. I’m not turning in my fan card, but I’m sincerely upset about this one.

I seem to remember a rented DeAngelo Hall turning out ok. I’m not saying that its any type of long term fix, but the situation of a completely ineffective Joey Galloway and the lack of a sizeable threat in the red zone can be answered in one, albeit reasonably expensive, waiver claim. If the NFC is as open as everyone believes it to be… who takes the 2nd wild card spot behind the division loser in the South? This move… would no doubt improve our look at a playoff year. Won’t fix the myriad of problems on the O-line, but if the D can stay hot… this is the immediate piece of the puzzle that’s missing in an offensive gameplan, size + downfield option.

I’m not brother, I’m actually attending a wine tasting with Mandy after a full Saturday of work believe it or not. BUSY BUSY BUSY. I’ll definitely be taking a break for a few select games this weekend though… primarily Wisconsin v. Ohio State and Minnesota v. Dallas.