An odd quote from former cable guy Leo Hindery in today’s New York Times piece, Those Bell Mergers Are Giving Cable Companies Even More to Worry About. The article posits that the RBOCs—AT&T and Verizon, in particular—are going to give Cable fits. Hindery’s contribution to the article? A quote with this kicker: “The cable guys are boxed in, and I don’t think there’s a Hail Mary pass.”

That’s curious sentiment coming from someone who should know better.

Cable has some crafty plays in its own book; plays that doomsday game-calling like Hindery’s completely ignores. For instance, as the NYT article does note, Cable has been exceedingly successful in taking phone customers away from the RBOCs in droves and in becoming far more than a video-only provider. And features like high-def, video on demand and digital video recorders are strongly bolstering the video component of Cable’s already strong bundle of services that includes digital voice and the fastest high-speed Internet.

Granted, the competitive landscape isn’t getting any easier given the RBOCs’ aggressive video entry and the implications of the proposed mega-union of AT&T and BellSouth. And there definitely is no shortage of reasons to keep the collective eyes of the Cable industry squarely on the actions of the RBOCs—particularly in Washington, where, as the NYT piece notes, AT&T and Verizon certainly know how to “throw their weight around.”

But, in respectful disagreement with Hindery and the doomsday bunch, we say there’s no need for a Hail Mary pass in a game you’re clearly winning and have every confidence you’ll continue to lead in the next quarter and through to the final ticks of the clock.