Rocky Landing

Yeah, but I'm saying that he becomes a favorite target-- not starts out that way.

Sure, sure, and sure. I get all of this. (And, I do realize that I have invited something of a dog-pile by predicting that Hogan succeeds in NE*) But, I don't really think any of these stats are all that meaningful in context. My contention is that Hogan will fit in much better in NE* than he did in Buffalo, and become a favored target of Brady*. If Edelman were in Buffalo last season, would his numbers be anywhere near where they were in NE*? I would think not.

Well, I looked it up: Edelman had a 60% conversion rate, and Hogan had a 50% conversion rate. For a little more context, though, it should be noted that NE* was fifth in first downs, and Buffalo was tied with Minnesota at 28th.

Players don't get a lot better from experience???

Well, this late in the preseason, one would hope they wouldn't sign a player that doesn't have any relationship with someone on the coaching staff.

But, Edelman's drop percentage was higher than Hogan's 7.69 to 6.18%, respectively. 69.3% with Brady* vs 61% with TT/EJ? That sort of explains itself, doesn't it?

That "111th in catches" stat has little meaning here. Amendola got 90 targets last season. Could Hogan get more targets than Amendola? I think so. Edelman got 104. But, if Hogan starts excelling, and getting more targets in NE* (which, obviously, I feel he will), then Amendola, and Edelman will lose targets. I just don't think Edelman is as untouchable many here seem to think. Gronk is a different story. This is just my prediction. As I said before, I think he is a perfect fit in NE*, and I suspect BB*, and TB* think so, too.

Nothing will touch Gronk's targets. IMO, Edelman could certainly see a decline.

Agree.

I am of the opinion that EJ has improved from last year. He still has accuracy issues (maybe always will?), but has a much better command of the offense, has better pocket presence, and makes better reads, and decisions. And, of course, backups have other functions, and value beyond standing by in case of injury to the starter. He's a good backup for us, and I can't think of anyone available who would be an improvement. Greg Hardy is a scumbag, and a psychopath. I hate the idea of him being a Bill. But, then again, once the uniform goes on, redemption is right around the corner...

I'm hoping they put Zimmer, Striker, and Albright on PS. Is that a common occurrence for teams to pull from other teams cuts for their PS? It's not an area of the NFL I have ever paid much attention to, but it's seemed to me that PS players are usually cuts from the team they are on, in general.

Because Edelman is vastly overrated, and has an enormous drop percentage. And because Hogan, IMO, will be a MUCH better fit in NE* than he was in Buffalo. FWIW, my bet with the other poster (maybe it was 3rd and 12?) was that Hogan would get more targets by the end of the year than two out of four players: Gronk, Bennett, Edelman, and Amendola. To be clear, my position (prediction) is that Hogan will develop into one of Brady's* favorite targets. I don't believe he will start out the season, either in week one, or week five, as surpassing Edelman. I do expect Hogan to flourish in NE*.

Regardless of one's personal feelings of Hogan, I don't know how anyone could see his landing in NE* as anything but a perfect fit. I've been saying it since he was signed there: He WILL become one of Brady's* favorite targets-- yes, surpassing both Amendola, and Edelman. (I have a bet with someone on this site about this opinion, but I can't remember with whom.)

I still haven't had a chance to watch the Washington game (working out of town all week), so I was a little surprised to see Hawthorne cut this early. As I recall, he had a pretty good game week two. I hope they do add Zimmer to the PS. I understand the cut, certainly. But, as athletically gifted as he apparently is, it would be worth seeing how he develops.

He's a big cheese on a small pond.

Yeah, it's totally INnoying... (Am I doing it right?)

Hmmm. I didn't realize Mills had a knee injury. Did that happen yesterday? Anyway, I've been pretty pessimistic about Henderson since his surgeries were reported. I've had two family members who have has sections of their colons removed, and it wasn't pretty. But, I did see some of yesterdays game highlights (after I wrote my last post here), and was pleased to see Henderson out there. From what little I saw, though, none of the O-line that was out there looked particularly impressive last night. Be that as it may, I certainly wish the best for him, and would obviously prefer a healthy Henderson to Mills, or Kujo at RT.

I meant no offense, either-- I do appreciate the optimistic tenor of this thread. And, I do believe that the Bills make the playoffs this season. (And, the joke really wasn't "out of my way," my slow typing skills notwithstanding.)

I do remember reading that one of his surgeries was to reattach his rectum. I don't remember where I read that. But, we do know that a section of his colon was removed, right? That means that however large that section of colon was, it was damaged enough by the disease to have to be removed. That's pretty serious. And, agains, Crohn's is a chronic disease. Henderson is not cured. His disease is in remission. I think there is a pattern with Bills fans, in their habitual tendency to root for the underdog, to remember Henderson as being much better than he actually was. If he really is 100%, maybe he's worth the risk. But, even at 100%, it is a risk. I feel bad saying it, but roster spots are awfully valuable.

Imagine how fast he could type with both hands!

I think Brady* has early onset dementia, and osteoporosis. And, he has "Mr. Magoo" eyes. Apparently, he became confused at practice the other day and began screaming at his defense to, "get off my lawn!" Sad, really...

I just don't believe the rosy picture being painted regarding his recovery. Being an OT is dependent on using all of one's core muscles, on having size, and inertia, and mid-body mobility. I just don't see how someone can have a big piece of their colon removed as a result of Crohn's Disease, in which one of the symptoms was his colon detaching from his rectum (!!! !!!), requiring two surgeries, and bounce back as a Right Tackle, to 100% in under a year. And, let us not forget that football is, above all else, a business. Crohn's is chronic, and Henderson wasn't ever exactly a stud RT in the first place. There are no guarantees that his condition won't recur. As a player, is he worth that risk?

Dray, Henderson, Robey-Coleman, Gay. And, we make the playoffs. Word.

A little rubbing alcohol takes sharpie ink right off.

I've said it in several of the more negative threads: This is the year we make the playoffs.