starrymessenger

Lance was a more hard core and serious offender by far IMO and is the extreme case, but I agree that the situations are in the same category.

The NFL has basically come out and said that Brady and the Pats are liars and cheaters. It's the sport itself saying this about its star player and most successful franchise. That has turned this into a player and franchise legacy issue more than anything else. The stakes are actually sky high. That's why TB can't do the honourable thing, admit guilt and accept the discipline. It's too late. That's why Kraft (and Yee) has now come out with guns blazing. I don't see any common ground here for a compromise as between NE and the league.

It would be a very poor optic for the league to back down here, unless TB is able to table new info/evidence that clearly exonerates him. Pats are repeat offenders and the offence is tarnishing the integrity of the game. They got their butts kicked hard and they fully deserved it.

Brady and the Pats are prisoners of their arrogance and sense of privileged entitlement. If they were smart they would have had TB admit wrongdoing, apologize and take his lumps. For a top shelf organization (at least in terms of demonstrated ability) they are really very stupid in managing reputational risk. The more Kraft and Yee complain, whine, threaten and insult the league office the more they confirm that body of opinion that questions their character and mindset as an organization. Through their behavior they are proving the essential elements of the wrongdoing they have been accused of. Given that they are already perceived as repeat offenders their actions can very well tarnish their image permanently in the minds of the general public. Probably doesn't help that they drafted the NFL's version of Ted Bundy either I suppose, tho who could have seen that one coming.

True his receivers got the job done but that was partly him leading them and generally showing good ball placement over all. He's a big kid who throws a very receiver friendly catchable ball with good touch but I'm not sure I saw the zip that say Flacco can generate when he has to. I'm not sure about his deep ball either, not so much for accuracy but depth and velocity. These were things that Tom Brady was able to improve on so maybe with a similar frame this guy can too. No harm in turning over every stone. Romo was undrafted. I have seen lots of college ball receivers way more wide open. Think Baylor for example.

Teflon Tom no more. At least Ahern had enuf sense to destroy his phone.

I tend to think 4 games is what will stick after the inevitable appeal, tho one might think the appeal will be somewhat compromised by Brady's refusal to cooperate with the investigation.I also expect repercussions at the HC and team levels. A fine and maybe a draft pick -first round. While BB may not have been in on this the low rate of Patriot fumbles since 2006 when teams were given control of the game balls suggests otherwise. And the Pats are repeat offenders.

He would never get out of Philly alive and he knows it - so BS IMO.

Still can't help wondering if some contractual shenanigans can't make this guy whole. The CBA seems to focus on his cash compensation while under the UDFA contract. But what if the team committed now to offer a first level tender after three years (yielding the second round comp he was allegedly seeking) and/or he was given a player option to enter into a new deal following expiry for an extra year (resulting in a 5 year deal usual for a first round pick) that made up the difference between a mid first round pick and an UDFA. While that might run afoul of the CBA policy it might also comply with the wording and would work some justice for the kid if innocent. Sorry, I just can't help it.

Should be a no brainer then I would imagine.

Well that totally sucks for him if he's innocent. So he's locked in for three years both as to salary and bonus and can only get paid if his performance justifies a first or second level tender after the three years. Even then as a first round talent he's getting the shaft financially. I guess we should forget about Collins. Does the one year in Canada thing work for him? Might be his best move.

So there is no way to pay this guy? Is he really locked into a dirt cheap contract for x# of years? He can't reenter 2016, he's not eligible for the supplementary draft. So off with him to the Siberian gulag? Or can he sign a contract with escalators, player or team options or containing terms that in effect morph the contract into something more in line with his actual draft value depending on certain contingencies. Unless a contract like this contravenes league rules or the CBA that is exactly the type of deal I would expect him to get once he is exonerated.

We have to find a way to throw some serious dollars his way and find a way to make his agent, who also got stiffed, some money too. He may be limited by the UDFA pool but hopefully you can draw up a creative and alluring contract. Assuming of course that he's not Ahern's next door neighbor for the next 100 years. We had a good draft. Land him and with Ritchie, Miller and what we had last year our coaches would have what they need to vastly improve the O-line.

Have to think so, tho people who bet against him are almost always wrong.

I generally like to see young players succeed, but if you're right the Bills will be a lot further ahead. I just have a fear of us falling further behind the curve in the AFC East at the all important position. For the running game to work in the NFL you need to be able to throw the football and one thing we do know is that Petty has superior arm talent.

Lots of college QBs don't play in a pro system. Some get drafted high regardless. True the Baylor system is super simple and tells us that he has a lot to learn, but he's got a good head on his shoulders and playing where he did doesn't prove that he can't make the adjustment with good coaching either. I would prefer a guy like that than a guy who played in a pro system and basically proved that he had serious issues that typically prevent him from transitioning.

Well I sure love the guy too, but I confess I have no idea what the market is or should be. He's probably worth more than any other player in the game.

Agree. It would certainly be an anomaly. I just wonder whether in a truly unique case perceptions of what the market really is could be so far apart that negotiations with a single suitor might not be possible. 5 years 150 with 70 guaranteed might be Irsay's view, and that of most teams. 200 with 100 guaranteed might be Luck's thinking. In my experience, people who are regarded as important assets and who get to negotiate their comp invariably opt for getting their money up front, even when it appears to make little sense relative to a more lucrative alternative that introduces some, albeit one would have thought manageable risk (at least to me).

But if he was determined to put himself up for auction to the highest bidder, his new team would be unable to sign him to a contract. And if that was his declared intention, the trade well might be poisoned since it would just be a rental. The real question for me, assuming that it's about services for hire, is how much of a hook are franchise tags and the risk of injury, and how much more, if indeed at all, having 32 teams bidding for his services could add to the compensation.

Would love to see Luck deliberately burn through two franchise tags and hit the open market. A bidding war around a HOF QB in his prime. Imagine what it would to to NFL Network ratings. Folks say that teams never let their franchise QBs go. Well they can go if they want to. All just a number crunch at the end of the day.

RIP Chuck Bednarik. BTW Chris Borland is a very tough dude and a totally class act.

I'm a little concerned frankly. Tho I disliked everything about Marrone's philosophy for the offence including his management of the line, I wonder how our recent O-linemen draftees will fare in Roman's system. Mobility seems to be important. When McCoy was tearing it up in Philly before times got tough he benefited from having a great tackle and guard who could pull and lead block on sweeps. Not sure I can easily envision any of our young guys being able to do that for now.

Great for sure. Now if we could only find another starting quality O-lineman our offseason would prolly be best overall in terms of filling holes, meeting needs and generally improving the roster year over year. Wonder what their thinking is re the O-line. Wisniewski is still out there or maybe they will be looking to the draft.

You're right. You don't get it.

No. Let's get him fired instead.