Rocky Landing

I'm going to disagree rather strongly with you. I spent years working on music videos, and have had the occasion to meet a bunch of them. They're hardworking freelancers who get paid for their product like anyone else. And, before you bemoan the intrusion into the privacy of the celebrities they stalk, the fact of the matter is that the celebrities rely on paparazzi to maintain their celebrity. The occasional violent incident between paparazzi, and celebrity notwithstanding, I can tell you that when a music, or acting celebrity stop attracting paparazzi, they become very concerned. I once worked on a Brittany Spears video (in which she arrived seven hours late), and there were about 20 paparazzi hanging about. Two of them were wearing medical boots from having their feet run over trying to get pictures of stars driving. One of them had been run over by Brittany, herself. I asked him about it, and his relationship with her. She knew him by name, and was generally really nice to him, and neither him, nor her harbored bad feelings. I can think of plenty of lower lines of work. Politicians, cold-call phone solicitors, time-share salesmen, and Tom Brady's* ball-handlers come to mind.

1) What is your name? 2) What is your quest? 3) What is the air speed of an unladen swallow?

Should this be a poll?

I'd rather have Chad "Little Tubby Kid" Kelly than Late Nate Peterman.

Both my kids are TKD black belts, and from what I've watched during their practices, I would say that, along with discipline, the style of TKD centers a lot around kicking. I wonder if Brady will be brushing up on his technique?

I'd go with "Train." Not "The Train," mind you, but "Train." Easy to remember, and makes good sense.

Which, I guess, is another way of saying he isn't top talent?

We traded down to get Manuel.

Until we have a solid O-line, and receiving corps, and Allen proves himself, I’m not going to get my hopes up for a lot of wins this season. It saddens me, but I voted Browns.

This is great. I love this guy. 6'7", 320lbs, smart, great work ethic, and super athletic. Probably won't be an NFL player this year, but stick him on the practice squad. Maybe he could become a truly special player.

We all know how not-terribly-useful highlight reels are-- especially out of college. At best, they may show us what a players ceiling is. In the case of WRs, they may show you a player's ability to extend their body, or highpoint a ball. What I saw in this highlight reel was a lot of catches from throws that were right on the money, at not a particularly high velocity. I would rather see the throws he dropped-- I think that would be more enlightening. Aw far as YAC, I think college reels are even less useful. I remember a lot of hay was made over Sammy Watkins ability for YAC. His highlight reel showed him knocking defenders on their ass in ways that just do not happen in the NFL. Secondary defenses are a whole other thing from college. I think Foster's best chance of making the team comes from the fact that we are so dismally thin at the position. Be that as it may, I love it when UDFAs make the roster. I love the story. Great point. A lot of people are talking up Ike Boettger, and rightfully so. He could be a real find. But, I'm also really hoping that Gerhard De Beer turns into someone special. Maybe it will take a year on the PS, but people who know him are talking up his intelligence, and work ethic. But, holy smokes! 6'7", and 320lbs, and athletic???

She's a Pats* fan to boot...

I wouldn't agree that they were "one of the worst." I figure they were fairly middling, with some bright spots. But, I will say this: Watching Jim Schwartz' defense was the best part of Sunday while it lasted!

The Rex Ryan hire was one for me. I tried to put a good face on it, after it happened. But, that didn't last long. Then, what he did to out defense! Like watching Jerry Hughs drop back into coverage so he could chase Rob Gronkowsky down the field. ARGH!!! As I write this, I'm still questioning whether I really saw that-- but I did! I also didn't like the way they let go of Fred Jackson. I understood the decision to move on. I just didn't like the way it went down. I'm totally fine with the Allen pick. I wasn't a fan of Rosen, purely for the personality thing, but I would have been fine with him, as well. I don't really know much about any of the college QBs coming into the draft, other than what all the talking heads, and TBW self-described experts have to say about them, and how much is that worth? My fear was that Allen would immediately be a divisive figure, but that hasn't been the case. I hope that trend continues, as we have been so divided over our quarterbacks for so long.

DeBeer is a GIANT!

Totally understand. I had a very similar thing happen with my mother-in-law. I meant to text: "thanks for stopping by," and accidentally sent, "stop trying to ruin our lives, you miserable hag." Could happen to anyone.

I think this actually makes sense for Miami. They expect their O-line to be upgraded. I think a no-huddle plays to Tannehill's strengths, assuming his knee issues are behind him. He works well out of the pocket, and has the experience to make quick reads, and improvise. I still remember (and cringe at) Dick Jauron's disastrous no-huddle offense behind a dismal O-line. Poor Trent Edwards...

You're really just arguing semantics here. If Daboll is a rookie, then so is Vontae Davis. I understand your point, but you undermine your own argument by overstating Daboll's situation. If the recent TC is any indication, Daboll seems excited to have Allen to work with, and he might be inclined to get him out there sooner, rather than later. But, he's also spent much of TC on top of Allen's mechanics. And, I'll assume that as he builds his playbook for this team, Allen's strengths and weaknesses will be a major factor in its creation. I also trust Daboll's (and McD's) ability to evaluate Allen's progress. I suspect they will exhibit patience where necessary, which is why I suspect Allen will not start right away.

I don't know how you would interpret my statement as, "the only reasoning to start McCarron is O-line." That's just a straw man argument. My point is that I believe that Allen needs to be developed. A lot of hay has been made regarding mechanics, his pocket awareness, footwork, etc. If we can't give him adequate protection in the pocket, how does he develop these issues? We have a lot more invested in Allen than we do McCarron, and I feel we need to protect, and develop that investment. And don't get me wrong, if Allen wins the starting job outright, and it's not close, then fine- start Allen. But, IMO, if it's close (and, I suspect it will be), AND our O-line is crappy (which, I also suspect it will be), then I would see that as a risk to Allen's development.

What straw man said that?

The #1 thing to support a young quarterback is the O-line. Everything else comes after that. If our O-line is struggling by the opener, I think that should lean McD/Daboll towards McCarron as the starter, In my opinion.

I know it's a bit of a hike, but you should take the drive down to Buzby's in Santa Monica for a Bills game, or two this season. The LA Bills Backers get the back half of the bar- three rooms- and the turnout is huge. It's a trip to be around so many displaced Western New Yorkers, and avid Bills fans.

yay...

I see no logic in this.

There's been a lot of discussion about Peterman's performance in LA, and how that may, or may not have affected him. That half in which he played has been accurately described as "historically bad football." I have to wonder how that wouldn't affect his confidence going forward? Sure, McD, and Peterman, etc will all talk about how resilient, and "mentally tough" he is. But, if his brain works, the fact that he set a record for bad football will always be there. Don't start Allen too early. I don't care how "mentally tough" he is. "Trentative" Edwards spent so much time running for his life behind a crappy O-line that he became Captain Checkdown. We've invested a lot in Allen. We should protect that investment.