More Sunday night musings

• The Ravens again lucked out today. The play-calling remains a joke (43 passes?!), clock management is terrible, and they show no discipline (more stupid penalties). Yet Trent Dilfer continues to show he has no arm and Joe Nedney missed a GW field goal late in the 4th. If the Ravens don't win their next 2 they'll be lucky to finish .500. Even if they win the next 2 they may not get to .500 with 5 of their last 9 games against Pittsburgh, San Diego, Indianapolis, and New England.
• If I'm Tony Dungy, I'm loving how this season is playing out. Despite being the defending Super Bowl champions, having a 5-0 record, having a 3-game winning streak against New England, and playing them at home in a few weeks, everyone wants to talk about New England going undefeated. I'll maintain my earlier contention - Indianapolis is more likely to go undefeated than New England.
• Another thought - Tony Dungy is one hell of a coach. Consider this - Peyton Manning had a 32-32 record before Dungy. With Dungy, he's 60-20. Without Manning, Dungy is 54-42 with QB's like Trent Dilfer, Shaun King, and Brad Johnson.
• IU football is fun to watch. They've got a tough schedule remaining but they've got a chance in most games. They don't always play well but they play smart, disciplined football. And Kellen Lewis is worth the price of admission.
  
• 6 of the 8 2007 playoff teams have direct or indirect connections to the old Oriole Way:
• Cleveland: GM Mark Shapiro - Baltimore native, worked under John Hart who was a longtime manager in the O's minor league system.
• Boston: GM Theo Epstein - Intern under then O's president Larry Lucchino (now Bosox prez) in early 90's
• Colorado: GM Dan O'Dowd - various roles in O's front office from '84-'87.
• Arizona: GM Josh Byrnes - former assistant to Theo Epstein (see above)
• Philadelphia: GM Pat Gillick - former O's GM, led O's to only 2 playoff appearances of last 24 seasons; according to Peter Angelos "he had to go." O's haven't had winning season since he "had to go."
• Chicago: Manager Lou Piniella came up through O's farm system, playing for Earl Weaver in minors in the 60's.