rstencel

I did meet him once, and he is taller than me. I am 5'8 so if he is not 5'10" he must be close. ( I didn't check to make sure he wasn't wearing lifts though )

Not like he had a ton of choice, there were not a lot of teams willing to pay him more than the minimum at the time the Bills picked him up, and the Rams couldn't find anyone willing to give up a 7th rounder for him the year before, reportedly. After he left Bills he probably had more offers though.

First off the comment you quoted was meant to be sarcastic, but responding on your comments, I have read the other posts, and have been giving my opinion. I do not think I have made any comments that suggest I think he would have been a serial killer or worse, just that what he did was organized crime over an extended period of time, and that I do not think it is comparable to some of the crimes of stupidity that has been compared to, and what he did was more than just hurting animals. As far as the don't want him to play on team, that is very correct. I will be out if they sign him, and last time I checked, the board was for expressing opinions.

Actually think in some ways he was better off not being the starter from the start. The team wasn't, but it didn't really allow other teams to game plan him from start, so he was able to do things they weren't always ready for. When game plan for a team that doesn't have a pure QB for a whole season, teams learn from teams before them and get better at figuring out ways to stop them. Basically for him, key was to keep him in the pocket, since he had trouble seeing whole field, and couldn't see all the defenders, plus he needed a throwing lane in order to be able to throw a strike, and not a lob. If let him run around and get throwing lanes, then he was pretty effective. Overall though, it would have been better for the team if they had chosen one QB, and not flopped. Funny part was, is it was mainly the defense that wanted him over Johnson, not the offensive players so much. He had trouble throwing to the receivers, except when he rolled out to their side, as he couldn't really through the outs due to arm strength, and couldn't throw the slants do to height issues, needed to get a lane, and those plays develop so fast, didn't have time to find one. Would have hated to be stuck with him as my QB if was a coordinator, because his main play was running around waiting for someone to get open, or a running lane to open up. Tough to come up with a game plan for that. I don't know if the record would have been better, but the locker room would have been for sure. I spent some time in that locker room during his first year with team as well as the year before, as an unpaid helper for the equipment manager. The tension in the locker room was high, and there were tons of squabbles and bickering. A good portion of team would leave quickly after the practices, and just try and avoid being in the locker room long.

Wow, now thats a serious pair of rose colored glasses.

It was a whole lot more than that, but no that wouldn't be an issue, as you want you QB's to be confident. It was the lobbying and dividing of the locker room and bashing/undercutting of Rob Johnson that was an issue. The way he undermined his chances of leading the team before the first game Rob even had a chance to play in were underhanded and absolutely dishonorable. As far as being obvious, no it wasn't in practice, but on field yes. Rob was awesome without a rush, he had a great arm and looked like an all pro in practice. Watching Flutie practice next to him, was almost like watching a High Schooler, his arm was so much weaker, and his height. But was obvious that he was much more experienced.

Billsfreak is right in that Flutie wins the popularity contest. I wouldn't want him as a QB in the NFL with his limited abilities and height and the current speed of today's defenses. Especially considering how weak of a actual QB he is, but he would be a descent backup, if he could keep his huge ego in check that is.

Considering that Flutie couldn't see over the line then, and wasn't exactly Vick like speed wise, not sure why would want him on this team. Yes he could move around the pocket, but wasn't always because of the rush. He had to in order to see his receivers. With the current speed and agility of the ends and LB's in the league, doubt he would be close to as productive, not that he was even then, as he was in that era. I know he was a cult hero and loved in the area, but he was better as a short term starter, and struggled if had to start more than 3 games in a row, as they teams had a chance to game plan for him. If he didn't have the huge ego, he would be a nice backup, or player to come in to spark a team, but wouldn't want him as a starter for a whole year. Once teams realize that all you have to do is keep him in the pocket, hes in trouble. Since he cant see to read the defenses, and has a below average arm.

As if this topic wasn't controversial enough. Now trying to bring abortion into it, great.

Yeah, heaven forbid, anyone like someone on the Bills roster. He was the only receiver with any size that showed any promise. Is hoping he sees the field enough to see if there is anything there some sort of crime? Maybe some of got tired of watching smurfs running around in the red zone not able to get open. Most likely will be a Safety cut, since they are getting healthy again, and we have enough of them. If not a Safety then likely Roscoe, as he hasn't shown much as a receiver, and isn't even dressing since the fumbles.

Daryle Lamonica wouldn't be a bad choice either. Mad bomber would have a field day with our receivers.

I have to agree with him. Flutie did manage to win games, but he was not a great QB. He was on a great overall team, and his biggest strength was that he didn't loose games for them. However he also was a big part of the struggles the team had, due to his ego, and because he came in agreeing to be backup, but before the first season on team even started was lobbying to be the starter, and had the players split on who they wanted. The teams with him on it, made the bickering Bills sagas look tame. The man thought he was the next coming and was not a team player. Can imaging any of our receivers being happy with Doug as our QB. He didn't have the support of the receivers on the team at the time he played even. At Least when Pats had him, they were smart enough to cut him, before he destroyed their team chemistry. While Blesdo had a slow release, and had flaws, he was a much better pure QB. He did win in the playoffs, which is more than Flutie ever did. He was a pro bowl level talent in his prime who could pick apart any defense if given time in the pocket. He could complete a high percentage of passes, while still stretching the field deep. He would struggle with the current line most likely however. But with him, we would have a better team in the long run, once the line play improves at least.

In their prime, or at times the Bills had them? If in prime, would take Blesdo. If at time the Bills had them, would probably stick with Edwards, as at least he is young enough to possibly improve. Wouldn't want Flutie at all, we have enough ego with TO, don't need an even bigger one. Fitz doesn't have the talent to be more than a backup in my opinion.

Not sure why saying ignorance for someone who agreed with you. I made some points that would make average athletes bigger but agreed that the size of growth was too great to be supported by those alone. I have spent time body building, and the person I sat across from at work for 2 years was a professional body builder for a few years. So while I never was very serious, I received a ton of information from him, and do have an understanding of what it takes, since just reading what he went through in his routine to get to that size, made me want to quite. Just his eating schedule was enough to make you wonder how anyone would do this on purpose. He did get to his size without steroids according to him, but he left the pro ranks, because he was not able to make money without taking the next step and starting a steroid regime. Either you didn't read my whole reply or your just fishing for someone to argue with apparently. Here is my quote "So while that can explain to a point at why players may be bigger/stronger than were in past, it does seem that some sort of chemical help would be required". The chemical help was a reference to Steroids. Maybe it was too vague for you to pickup.

He doesn't need to to be a good player. But the pro bowl players should be the elite ones making the big plays. He does his job, and makes allot of tackles, but don't think tackle count alone is a good indication of greatness. Shoot, Ellison would be considered for pro bowl votes this year if was, and he isn't even good by LB standards. I don't think he was every the type of player that should have been in the pro bowl. Every team he played on, reportedly tried to upgrade the position he was playing while he was there. Rams tried repeatedly, and supposedly tried to trade him the year before he left via free agency. He was good enough to outplay the players that were brought in to be an upgrade to him however. The fact that the teams he was on kept trying to replace him, doesn't exactly show a glowing advertisement as one of the best in the game however.

Is a great example of tackles not being a great indicator of talent however I would take Fletcher over Ellison, but there are probably about 40 other LB's would take before Fletcher as well. Although Ellison is a much better pass defender than Fletcher.

He needs protection in order to be on top of his game. Playing behind the best DT in the game is a big reason why he is playing well. He wouldn't have the same luxury if was still with Bills. He needs clean are, and runs around the blockers rather than taking them on. While he is quick enough to still get in on many tackles doing this, it isnt in best interest of team in doing that. The act of running around give the ball carier more yards, and still leaves that blocker unoccupied to take someone else out of the play.

Morality part is bigger in my opinion, but do not seeing him being near the QB he was in that past with the long layoff. He was never that great at reading defenses, or very accurate, but had a laser arm and extremely good running ability. Allot of it was due to his amazing speed. He isn't quite as fast as he used to be I hear, and missing 3 years is not a minor thing for a QB. He never was known for putting in allot of film work, or being a very accurate QB either. I do not think he will be able to survive on talent and instinct anymore, mostly because of the time away from the game. If he puts in the study/practice time, he may be able to become a good QB, but I just don't see him doing it honestly. While he has the physical tools to be a good QB in the league again, I don't see it happening, and don't think he should even be getting the chance to honestly.

Good point. While training methods haven't improved much, they never used to have weight rooms in most high schools even, and even colleges didn't have weight training for teams except with a few exceptions. Now it is allot more prevalent at all levels. Only in about the last 20 years did football players train all year round even. Population keep growing as well, so more people to choose from to find the bigger ones. So while that can explain to a point at why players may be bigger/stronger than were in past, it does seem that some sort of chemical help would be required to get so many people to such a large size while for most part being in very good physical shape.

! wasn't trying to mention baseball in a good light, only to say that even they would have probably suspended him for life, as his crimes were worse than Johny Baseballs (aka Pete Rose), and he was. Lets not forget how widespread steroid use was in football in the 70's though, so if was prevalent there, probably was in most other sports to some degree.

Its not just about the animals. He did several criminal acts previous to this act, including having sex and spreading a VD without telling his partner, and possession charges which mysteriously both disappeared. It was more than just the horrible acts he did to the dogs. He ran a criminal organization which operated across state boarders, and bet on the acts. Either of those would have gotten him banned for life in Baseball which supposedly is more lax in its views than the NFL. There is also the lying to both the owners and commissioners face about it after he was caught. The guy has had so many 2nd chances already, by getting so many minor crimes swept under the rug before the major one, and this was a major one. Much bigger than getting drunk and doing something stupid. This was planned, and a cover company was created to hide the acts. He had criminals on his payroll and was gambling with known criminals, and supporting other activities that may have been taking human lives indirectly with those actions. So while he did do his time, the time he was given was awful light for the crimes committed, so I for one, will not spend a dime supporting any company that is supporting him in the sporting world. I think the standards should be higher for sports, as they are supposed to be role models. If he goes into the private corporate world or any other profession that doesn't have him as a role model, then fully support him getting himself back on his feet. But not professional sports in my opinion.

+1

My coach used to say that too, but bad practice habits seemed to work ok for Alen Iverson, so who knows how true that is at that level.

Until he starts making drive ending tackles, and plays that actually get his team off the field, I do not think a pro bowl is in his future. Yes with him on the field, can be pretty successful with a bend but don't break system, since he keeps down the big plays that can kill you in run game. But if the opponents just keep running at him they keep getting first downs, since he gives so much ground so frequently. Most teams love to play against players like that, as they can keep their defense off the field while he pads his stats.

Both ways can be successful, I just prefer the run first method. Having a great QB can be successful as well, but seems the most of the best QB's were only successful on teams that were able to run the ball when needed and play good defense. Marino and Elway come to mind, in that Marino never was on a very balanced team, and never one it all, and Elway didn't win it all till the team was able to run the ball at will. But having a great QB makes running the ball easier if have a descent line and running back, so sort of balances out if get a great one, and you cant do squat if dont have atleast a good QB.