Last Word On Marty

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in today. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

So I took some flak for yesterday's post when I said that Marty Schottenheimer didn't blow the game for the Chargers and that, as a matter of fact, I think he put his team in a position to win.

My reasoning was that the Chargers had a decent offensive game plan - he didn't try to outwit the Patriots by using Tomlinson as a decoy, he got the ball into Tomlinson's hands and took some of the pressure off of Rivers. Schottenheimer couldn't control the on field brain cramps of Drayton Florence who took a stupid penalty that prolonged a New England drive; he couldn't control the fact that Eric Parker couldn't catch a cold yesterday, and he couldn't run on the field to tell Chargers' FS Marlon McCree to knock the damn ball down on a fourth down pass. Marty's team let him down - I'm sticking to that.

But in the interest of fairness, some of our astute readers pointed out the following Marty gaffs -

• not choosing to try a field goal in the first quater, opting instead to go for it on a 4th and 11 on New England's the 30 yard line - the end result was a sack.

My answer - Marty was in a no-win situation. He couldn't punt for field position; had he opted for the field goal and missed (likely considering Kaeding doesn't have a strong leg and a slight wind was in his face) he would have given the Patriots instant field position. The end result was no better than a missed field goal. Schottenheimer couldn't possibly win in that situation, a missed field goal would have killed his guys - I think he was trying to send his team a message - "No Martyball today - I believe in you guys." It didn't work.

• challenging the play where Troy Brown stripped McCree after the interception and costing his team a timeout they desperately needed at the end of the game.
  

My answer - ok, bad call definitely, but what we he supposed to do? He was likely told to challenge the call by guys in the booth. Maybe he wanted to give his team a chance to compose themselves after a brutal turn of events. Who knows...but we often here announcers say "He has to challenge it...it probably won't work, but he has to try." That being said though, it was a terrible decision on his part - but that makes ONE bad decision on the day.

I don't think Marty blew the game against New England - but who cares? The Patriots won and that is all that is important...right?

HAZEL'S "MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY" THREE STARS
Boston Bruins' G Tim Thomas stopped 34 shots in regulation and stoned Daniel Briere, Alex Kotalik and Thomas Vanek in the shootout to lead the Bruins to a 3-2 victory over the Sabres. It sucked for our Three Play - but you have to give it up to him. I think Hazel would agree.

Detroit Red Wings G "Robotron" (aka Dominik Hasek) made 23 saves in a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens last night - we like anyone who shuts the door on the Habs.

San Jose Sharks' C Patrick Marleau had a goal and two assists in a 3-1 victory over Colorado last night.

TUESDAY THREE PLAY
Another 2-1 night and we end up $45 in the red - we are going to suggest a few favourites today.

Atlanta over LA Kings - the Kings lost in Dallas yesterday afternoon against a Stars team missing three key players, its only going to get worse tonight in Atlanta. Lay $100 on the Thrashers - $320.

Ottawa over Washington - the Tards are on a good roll right now (my to my chagrin), and I can't see them dropping this to a Washington team that seems like they are lost and disinterested. Lay $75 on the Tards - $260.

Vancouver over Montreal - Roberto Luongo is on fire right now and he heads back to Montreal to play the Habs, he's always good at the Bell Centre. Lay $50 on Vancouver + $115.

That's about it for tonight gang...have a great one peeps!

HAZEL'S TUESDAY HOROSCOPE
Express your thoughts and you will captivate whatever audience you have. Don't be shy or afraid to ask for assistance. You can sail through without frustration or obstacles. Enjoy the moment. 5 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - I have questioned Boston G Tim Thomas in the past, his turn to respond

2 Legit to Quit - MC Hammer

Peesth Out...Buy Bye!