starrymessenger

Agreed. Different strokes. One of the most memorable examples in all of sport is the Yankees of the early 60s. Based on personality, all of the NY media and most of the fanbase loved the Mick and actually hated Roger Maris (incredibly, the sentiment continues to this day - hes not in the HoF). They desperately wanted Mantle to beat the HR record instead of Maris. Unlike Mantle, who was from Oklahoma, Maris was simply character-wise a product of his mid-western roots and really just didn't fit in the Big Apple (Cutler is from Indiana). Asked why he was not more like the Mick, Maris once snapped "I was born surley". Actually this was not true. He was an upfront guy and family man who had great respect for the game he played. He just wasn't comfortable having crowds of people, most of whom were annoying jerks, in his face all the time, and like Cutler he was unapolegetic about it. Way to turn people off. In another thread, people have posted SI pics featuring the Bills. One of the most beautiful images in all of sport is the one of Roger nailing #61. A picture perfect swing - power and grace. Like Cutler, Maris did his charity work in unassuming, unselfish fashion. He was not just looking for tax deductions. When he was diagnosed with cancer, his immediate reaction was to organize a pro bona golf tournament to raise funds for cancer research and development. The point is that these private types are often not bad people. It is not hard to understand either why they are not fan or media favourites. As for Mallett, if he is there in round 2 (which I would doubt) we should jump all over him. He needs to work on his shortcomings, but he may well be able to do so with good coaching and proper handling. He needs to improve his footwork and pocket presence. If he can learn to buy a little time for himself moving in and around the pocket and develop into more than a one read guy, he has the potential to be downright awesome. Hes just a kid. If he puts on 15-20lbs he will weigh in at around 260. Maybe a better comparison than Drew Bledsoe would be Big Ben, who is not exactly Michael Vick either. I can't remember seeing an arm like his on any college QB. None of this is to take anything away from Newton, who is also a project and a top prospect.

Ravens tendered him as a first if I recall and it was widely rumoured that Ozzie would settle for a second. Since a deal didn't get done maybe people inferred that Buddy would only give a third, but I thought Buddy had actually said as much. A Bill CB would have made sense too all things considered. Think there was also some talk of Troy Smith being in the mix, but not much.

Yes thanks I meant slacker. Don't know if he is also a slagger. I do mean what I say but maybe sometimes I don't say what I mean. As for the trade, I do not recall exactly whether it was merely widely rumoured at the time or whether it was reported as official. Maybe another poster has a better memory. My sense of it was that there were enuf reports of it that everyone took it as a real ongoing (albeit not for long) negotiation. I think Ozzie wanted a 1st rounder.

Crazy. I think Nix is glad Ozzie wouldn't take the third he was offered and Ozzie is probably kicking himself. Season ending injury prone, focussed mainly on getting a fat contract, a history of being branded a slagger by his coaches - just too much risk. You take enuf chances, inevitably, in the draft. Use free agency for sure fire quality players with the right attitude, even if you have to pay them.

I think it was concluded the last time he showed up that Jimmy is a veteran TSW poster having his way with Jets fans. Hilarious!

100% correct.

Right on. Aaron Rogers, best QB in football.

Good. That makes my day.

Agree. I too find the time incredible - but if its true...whoa!!!

Marcell Dareus - 6'4, 300, quick, strong and runs a 4.5 40. The real deal.

Agree its looking like GB/NE in the SB. Really sorry to see the Ravens blow it. They are a better matchup for Pats IMO. Like the Pack. Right now, A. Rogers looks to me like the best QB in the game. He could do what TB does, sit around all day behind a great O-line and execute BBs system, and he can do what TB cannot do as well, deal with pressure, throw on the run with incredible accuracy, throw upfield across his body and against the flow, beat you with his legs if need be. Much more athletic than TB and just as deadly a passer. Imagine the Packer O if JF and Ryan were not injured. Packer D also matches up well against NE. Tompson looks like a genius GM.

Wow. Thanks for posting. I've bever seen the opposite of a highlight reel before.

Agree and thats why I compare Fairly to Haynesworth and why I say MD can play either position, - slim down a bit and play 4-3 pass rushing DE or put on a few pounds and run stuff in a 3-4.

Actually he can play either position and therefore is flexible insofar as defensive scheme is concerned. 2nd round is absurd (somebody should be so lucky). MD will be gone after 10 picks, and maybe 5.

I also expectthe Pats to win, but that has a lot to do with the fact that Sanchez is playing terrible football at the all important position. Unless he can elevate his game (which is a possibility) the Pats should win handily. If he shows up, I expect a much closer game.

It does count but I'm saying that by far most of what we saw was the work of their system on offence (in other words BB who devised it and TB who executes it as well as anyone could). Jets are as or probably more talented but for the QB position. On D its not just their run D that is suspect. In spite of their good young corner they are vulnerable against the pass. A. Rogers and the Pack would expose these guys, and maybe Matt Ryan and the Falcons IMO.

Mallett weighs in at about 240lbs and can probably put on another 15-20 lbs on the frame he has as a pro. That would make him as big as Newton or maybe even bigger. They are both top prospects, IMO. If Mallett's ceiling is Bledsoe/Flacco, that really pretty good and a lot better than we have had for a long while. He can be accurate and has one of the biggest arms I have ever seen. As for Fairley, he is a huge talent but I think Marcell Dareus can be as good and maybe even a better pro without the risk of character issues. I don't think I would pick another Albert Haynesworth with Dareus on the board.

I don't hate any team or their fans (with the possible exception of Eagle fans, who I don't hate as such but who I certainly do fear because they are all dangerous psychos), but I do recognize the Pats for who they really are, namely the Great Football Satan. Would like to see Sir Buddy cut off their head. Whether he does or not (odds aren't great) I expect the Pats to fall. They are actually not that good. I have never seen a team where the HC, the QB and the owner account for all of the difference between being average and being great. Now that we are down to only superior teams, the Pats will have to be lucky to win it all this year.

Had he declared last year he would likely have been a first round selection, and as has been mentioned played hurt much of this year. Would be wary of Seminole QBs but I agree Nix may have an interest and have heard before that the Bills scouts really like him.

Jets and Buddy talked trash all week long before the game, and did so in a very public way. Brady would have to be a saint to not rub it in as he personally utterly destroys them because they can't back up the talk. Same thing is going on this week in the Jets camp - Buddy, Reevis, Cromartie. And Tom will no doubt once again try to totally belittle and humiliate them. Sometimes I wonder whether this sort of thing is mostly hype and drama. Wouldn't be surprised to see Reevis and Brady, two elite pros, exchanging pleasantries on the field after the game. Would like to see the Jets (or anybody) upset the Pats. Think we might be in for a good game.

I'd rather have Fairley and Mallett than Cam at #3. However I agree with Dr.D. that there is a palpable risk that Gailey will want Cam and get his way. Also agree that this is not a disaster, just not what I would have done or preferred.

Ok I give up.

Not at all.

Not credible as a dilemma. If my team is winning superbowls, it has lots of great players on it.

Completely agree. Love me some Marcel.