CodeMonkey

I look forward to the year the 2-6 flips to 6-2 You do paint a beautiful picture my friend.

Good Lord is a mass exodos!

I recognize the fact that I am generally not capable of being what you call a risk taker. My makeup makes me look logically (at least to me) at a situation and make what I believe to be an accurate assessment, without emotional bias. But that's what's great about sports in the US, people like us with very different outlooks enjoying the same team and having open discussions about it!

And keep Fitz out of the obituaries.

I disagree with your premise that a "fan" needs to profess blind faith that the team is great, going to make the playoffs/superbowl or whatever. You and others may choose to do so and that's your choice and of course are welcome to it. But others may enjoy candid discussion of the merits (or lack thereof) of their favorite teams players, coaches, office, etc. In my opinion anyway, this does not make them any more or less of a fan of the team. My hope is that everyone would recognize this and stop trying to tell others how to think, talk, or enjoy their favorite team.

I know that some are thinking 9 wins or more, potential wildcard etc. but these same people had the same outlook this time last year. I personally don't see 8 wins this season, much less 9. And I am more than OK with that. After the pathetic first draft of the Nix era, I think this draft shows great promise. I fully expect the defense to be improved this season, and if "lights out" can stay on the field perhaps greatly improved. But the defense is still far from being a powerhouse, and the weaknesses in the offense are still there. Couple that with playing in the AFC East and that adds up to a sub .500 season in my opinion. What I hope to see this season is a defense we do not have to be ashamed of and a team that looks like they have a plan for the future. Yeah maybe my goals are not lofty enough for some and maybe I am too used to the decade plus of suck. But then again, Rome was not built in a day either.

My balls itch.

If you can't dream now my friend then when can you

These things make them "explosive"?

They stay with your momma.

Fitz has been, well, Fitz. Most throws are pretty accurate and strong with the occasional "who the F was he throwing that too?" head scratcher. I personally hate his 3/4 semi-sidearm delivery, but so far anyway he seems to be the Fitz from last season. I think you are right, there is some of both going on. But we will begin to find out shortly as the first preseason game is not far away.

I personally think they do not warm up enough before practice. Go watch if you can. A few come out early and warm up properly, the other 90%+ walk out and stand around bullshitting until the horn blows and they do 10 minutes of group warm ups. Not nearly enough in my opinion. You will never eliminate the contact related injuries, that's just a fact of football life. But I am convinced if they all warmed up properly a lot of these silly muscle pulls and other non contact related injuries would go way down. And they should be able to do this on their own like the 10% I mentioned earlier. They are professional athletes and should not need their mommies holding their hands and forcing they to warm up before a practice. Just my $0.02.

I agree that is probably his break even point.

Well, "giving away" for $8.75 He did practice today (Sunday 8/7).

He is in full pads and practicing. I am not there but had my son text me the report Raining there now so not sure for how much longer they will stay outside.

I'll post on that this afternoon.

Is there really a difference? I remember last years statements about buying into the new HC's system, the "game changer" and "explosive" Spiller making the OL better etc. Seems the same to me but I guess much like beauty, attitude is in the eye of the beholder.

It is good to hear that they are confident in their own abilities. But when have you heard the players on any team make statements in camp that they are going to suck this year? This is the same offense as last year. What is going to make them more "explosive" this year than last, a years experience? Hope it's true, but sounds like ordinary sound byte chest thumping stuff to me.

He was going very hard Thursday night, one of the few that were. But he did finish practice and showed no signs of being hurt that I saw, and I was watching the line/linebacker contact drills most of the time. He could very well just be sore and this is precautionary.

The offense is the same as last year so there can be no other reason than the one you stated.

Ohhh right right right. Thanks. I also should say that I thought Thigpen looked like crap the times I watched him. Anyone pay attention to the QBs?

I also saw him bounce anything that looked the least bit congested outside immediately and get run down just like last year. If the OL can open holes he may be able to get through them this season, but based just on last night he still has some learning to do (in my opinion anyway).

Wasn't he the one who left the field 45 minutes early with a couple trainers?

Didn't stand out to me anyway. At least nowhere near Dareus and Merriman ... they were beasts. Caveat: I did spend more time watching the lines and a lot less watching the offense running the short routes against the DBs.

I was there last night as well. Dareus and Merriman impressed me a LOT. They both were putting out full effort at all times and looked good doing it. I didn't see much from anyone else on a consistent basis, including effort.