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UPDATE: Hate Chat is on hiatus in August while Jen covers the Olympics. Be sure and check out her blog, Jen and Charean's Excellent Adventure, for the latest from Beijing.
The Little Ball of Hate offers her unusual take on the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, Stars and other North Texas teams from 1 to 1:30 each Tuesday. POST QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 21 - 30 of 221 (Page 3 of 23)Submitted by Ben from Fort Worth, TX
Q: What questions are you looking to be answered during training camp? What is your take on the Cowboys young WRs, what impact do you think they will have on this year (especially Stanback)? Because in my opinion, he may be the best YAC WR we have, not counting TO. Also, by Game 4 who do you think our starting DBs will be?
Answered 07/22/08 14:14:58 by Jennifer Engel
A: Game 4? Why wait that long. We will see Adam Jones and Terence Newman as the starting cornerbacks before then, with Anthony Henry taking over for he who shall not be named at safety. As for the receiver thing, I have not given up on Terry Glenn (yet). I realize I am alone in this but, if his knee remains wonky, then look for my personal favorite young receiver Miles Austin to have an impact.Submitted by Sundberg Fan from
Q: Hey Jen, There seems to be some excitement about the Rangers playing better, being in 2nd place and talk of wild card playoffs. Obviously the playoffs are unrealistic without great pitching, but some of the younger guys are showing decent stuff and may be good to have around for playoff runs in the next couple of years. Do they really need veteran leadership for the starters or can these young guys grow into that role? It doesn't seem like Millwood or Padilla are the guys to provide that leadership. If you dump only one of them, which one and who do you bring in to replace them that can provide that leadership? I know you tend to like headcase players, and I'm for keeping Padilla and trading him in the last year of his contract next year and dumping Millwood's contract this year to spend the $$ on a good starter and Hamilton and Bradley contracts. Who do you see on the FA horizon they could bring in? Let's get Grieve in the Ranger HOF!!!
Answered 07/22/08 14:12:43 by Jennifer Engel
A: Greetings LBOHers and a happy Tuesday to all. Let's begin, shall we? I think playoffs may be a little ambitious seeing how far ahead Anaheim is and how difficult the wild card is going to be. That said, I like what I am seeing from these young pitchers (moment to say thank you to Rangers pitching coach Mark Connor). If I had a choice - between trading Millwood or Padilla - I'd dump Millwood. He has been ish, at best and certainly not up to expectations. Of course, I think his trade value is about what you might expect for that description. So this may just have to be a ladder season, where the Rangers take a step or two up the ladder but do not reach the playoffs.Submitted by Peter from Fort Worth
Q: Jen, I have to admit, nothing gets me hotter than a chick that can talk sports, I mean, really know what they are talking about. do you hear this often?
Answered 07/15/08 13:12:52 by Jennifer Engel
A: I wish I had heard more of this when I was single and dating. But no, mostly what I hear is what an idiot I am and how people want me in the kitchen which is ironic since that is definitely not my area of expertise, just ask any of my dinner party guests. But thanks, I kind of like guys who like sports which come to think of it is almost all of you :)Submitted by Mark from
Q: How surprised are you that the Rangers are four games over .500 at the all-star break? While making the playoffs this year still seems like a long-shot, are we finally starting to see the fruits of Jon Daniels' labor and hope for a bright future?
Answered 07/15/08 13:10:56 by Jennifer Engel
A: Good to hear from you, JD. Just teasing, I think. Yes, we are seeing some of JD's work and some of Josh-Milton-Michael-and-Ian's work and some of Ron's work and Nolan's influence and even, dare I suggest, Hicks' work. Just like everybody was getting dropping in the grease when this thing was headed south, everybody deserves credit now. Well, everybody except a certain big-money free agent pitcher (feel free to add a little something more Millwood) and a certain reliever who is struggling. But am I surprised? Heck yes. I had this team down for 92 losses and, when I watch them some days, find ways to win when none look possible, I still wonder how they are not but it is a testament to some of these young pitchers and that nucleus of four and, yes, you JD.Submitted by Josh from
Q: What do you think the Rangers should do with Milton Bradley? He is having a career year and has finally stayed relatively healthy so do you think the Rangers should try to sign him to a long-term contract either during the second half of the season or after the season? It might be risky, but it looks like Bradley has finally found a home.
Answered 07/15/08 13:07:29 by Jennifer Engel
A: Anybody who still thinks Bradley is a bad seed (yes, I am talking to you Galloway, wherever you are) is an idiot and needs to watch that homerun derby again and again. Because you could see how jacked Bradley was for his teammate, how he has meshed to become an integral part of this team and how sometimes what we think we know about somebody could not be further from the truth. Oh yeah and a reminder that people can change or soften or grow up. So what the Rangers need to do is keep him and re-sign him. They finally have a good feeling going in Rangersland and to lose Bradley would be a bad sign.Submitted by Kevin from
Q: If you had to pick a Rangers MVP for the first half of the season, would you go with Ian Kinsler or Josh Hamilton? While Hamilton has gotten all the national pub, is Kinsler having the better season? Could you see Hamilton or Kinsler winning the AL MVP this year?
Answered 07/15/08 13:04:10 by Jennifer Engel
A: Ian is their best player. Josh is their most valuable. And, yes, I do realize I am playing a little bit of a word game. But I think stats say Kinsler's season has been phenomenal but Josh had added something to this clubhouse that helped change the dynamic. Guys rally around him. And he kept them believing early when things looked u-g-l-y.Submitted by Justin from
Q: After a year and a half on the job, what are your thoughts on Ron Washington? My initial impressions of him weren't the least bit favorable, but he's kind of growing on me as a manager. His players seem to really play hard for him and respond to his managerial style. Is Wash here to stay?
Answered 07/15/08 13:02:15 by Jennifer Engel
A: I wanted to fire him last year. I wanted him fired again early this year. I know I was not alone but not a lot of people are willing to admit this. I am still not sure what I think of him as a manager but you have to give him credit. He is a fighter and his team fights for him, especially after that ugly start. So I am kind of starting to like him. It is not easy resurrecting what basically amounts to a doa team two years running.Submitted by Landon from
Q: Are there going to be any training camp battles for starting jobs for the Cowboys? It seems like the team is pretty well set at every position. The coaches could probably name 48 of the final 53 players on the roster before camp even starts.
Answered 07/15/08 13:00:14 by Jennifer Engel
A: You are right. The 53 is set but this does not mean camp is without battles, starting with who is going to be the starting corner opposite Terence Newman. Is it Pacman or Anthony Henry? And this links to another battle (which is on the down low) for a starting safety spot beside Hamlin: Henry or Roy "Bambi" Williams? There is a chance that Henry and Pacman are starting on first down on Day 1, with Bambi being relegated to the bench. Another good battle is what happens at the receiver spot opposite T.O. In no way does Glenn or Crayton have a lock on that spot. Look for the starter to be whoever has the best camp.Submitted by Sundberg Fan from
Q: Hello Jennifer, This current Ranger team is reminding me of the teams of the late 90's - tons of hitting, not a lot of pitching. In fact, I think the 90's teams had better pitching. You normally have to give up in order to get, and with the Marlins in need of a catcher, do you think maybe Millwood or Padilla, Saltawhatshisname, and a mid-level minor leaguer might pry Ricky Nolasco away from the Marlins? What pitchers do you think could be traded for, the cost, and after last night how long will it take to get Josh signed long term? They need to re-up Bradley too, those two guys feed off each other. Tom Grieve for Ranger HOF!!!!
Answered 07/15/08 12:57:13 by Jennifer Engel
A: Greetings and salutations Haters. Happy Tuesday, yada, yada, you know the drill. And SF, you made me do a little research after which I have determined there is no way in hel the Marlins are giving up Nolasco for the pile of junk you mentioned. Sorry, he is a bad man. I'd say there is no way he is traded period but it is the Marlins. Revo and I were actually discussing this very thing, how to get pitching before the deadline, during the vodcast (check the website later) and the bad news is it will neither be cheap or easy. Deadline deals usually entail overpaying for just OK, which is not in their best interest. That said, they should not be sellers either and that means keeping and trying to re-sign Milton Bradley. Josh is more wait-see but hopefully Hicks has started a little Josh fund.Submitted by Joe from Atlanta, GA.
Q: I know the Stars just signed Sean Avery. However, do you think the Stars are trying to save money to make a bid at Ilya Kovalchuk at the trade deadline next year? The Thrashers have done nothing to improve their team despite Kovy's demands for a better chance to win.
Answered 07/08/08 13:23:26 by Jennifer Engel
A: Even the Avery signing surprised me. I thought the Stars might be even more lowkey than him in free agency. As for IK or anybody else at the deadline, I think a lot depends on how they look and what they need and whether it looks like they have an honest-to-goodness run in them. See everybody next week. Hugs and kisses, Jen