Rocky Landing

Don't underestimate the stubbornness of Rex Ryan...

Cheers!

I wonder if they've been making any calls to OBD? I would, if I were them!

This really isn't a question. The HC gets the final call. Period. That IS the way it works. The question is: How much does, or should, Rex trust Roman's judgment over his own? My personal take, FWIW, is that Roman is leaning Cassel for the one reason that he reads the field better than the other two. Roman wants a QB who is going to use his offense. If TT, or EJ are missing reads, they're not using Roman's entire offense. Of course, an OC is going to want the QB who uses their offense more completely. Conversely, I think Rex is leaning TT, because he sees a more dynamic player who is harder to defend against. Cassel ain't going to become more dynamic, but TT may get better at reading the field. I imagine the conversations between Rex and Roman centering around such concepts, and which option gives them the best chance of winning now, as well as the longer term plan for this season and the next. But, the onus is on Roman to convince Rex, not the other way around.

I certainly don't consider you to be one of the EJ fanatics. I'm just poking fun, myself. I thought the photo of a toy troll with a fishing pole would have illustrated that? As far as having an agenda-- that's news to me. My personal feelings are that EJ was never in the lead in this three-way competition, but he has improved significantly from last year. I started the offseason down on the TT hype-- not because of any agenda, but because I though he complicated the issue in an unproductive way. I thought Rex was a little too gushing, and I don't trust his stubbornness. At this point, however, I feel like he is the best choice for making this a winning team. And, I still think Cassel is a necessary safety net. And, I believe that puts EJ in third place. But, here's the thing: I have no problem changing my mind. As you just pointed out to me, opinions are not agendas. If EJ proves himself to be better than the other two, I'll be happy to jump on that train. (And, BTW-- if you have a problem with my light-hearted posts, poking fun at those who clearly have an agenda and can't take a joke, might I suggest that it is you who needs to lighten up a bit? )

Then I wish they would stop wasting reps on their presumptive third-stringer.

At some point, the question has to be: When is enough, enough? How long does this three-way competition go on for? Personally, I would sure hope that they at least have it pared down to two by the third preseason game. If the coaches have it in their minds that one guy is behind the other two (be it EJ, TT, or Cassel) the they should start treating that guy like he's third string. This isn't about being fair, or who "deserves" what. It's about moving this football team forward. First team reps will have been wasted on the guy that ends up third string. The coaches need to make the decision already!

From Webster's Dictionary: distinction noun dis·tinc·tion \di-ˈstiŋ(k)-shən : a difference that you can see, hear, smell, feel, etc. : a noticeable difference between things or people You have made a statement without saying anything. I always find it weirdly amusing when someone mistakes their own ignorance for insight. If you truly think that there is no difference between the three QBs, their abilities, or their potential, then you either haven't paid much attention, or there is much you don't understand about football. Not having an opinion on who gives us the best chance to win (or whatever other criteria one might have for preferring one QB over another) does not put you up on those that do-- quite the opposite. One game in a 16 game season can easily be the difference between playoffs, and going home. That there are three QBs who are still vying for the starting position, each with their nuanced differences, makes for a far more complicated TC and preseason than what is the norm in the league. Each QB makes our offense distinctly different. If that isn't adequate grist for 30 pages of football discussion, I don't know what is. And, I doubt you do either.

Underrated: EJ (not as bad as many make him out to be) Fred X (perennially) Urbik at center (that's right, I said it) Corey Graham (The idea that he may not start is, to me, bizarre) Overrated: EJ (not as good as many make him out to be) Cordy Glenn (a Cubic Zirconia in the rough) Duke Williams (that's right, I said it) Shady McCoy (I know he's good. But, is he our savior?)

If you say things like, "I think EJ has the highest ceiling..." you might be a fanboy. Be that as it may, intentional or not, this thread has become like a small life-raft for those with a stubbornly inflated opinion of EJ, to cling to in their belief that he is somehow larger than the sum of his parts. Fan guy??? I troll, I troll!

Denial! Bargaining! Acceptance!

I think this is accurate.

I think this three-way competition has been distracting enough. If the coaches feel that they know enough to turn this into a two-way competition, or even declare a starter, they should. If they're considering EJ as being in third place (as has been suggested by numerous outlets), then start treating him like third string. We have to start preparing for the Colts.

I think we should be trying to accumulate late round picks we could bundle together to trade up in the first round, 2016, for a QB-- like Cook or Goth. We may also be able to get out from under some contact money, conceivably (I think?).

Someone who is good at navigating this site could put together a chronological list of EJ Fanboy Threads, and we could see the evolution of EJ fandom, which has led us to this thread-- CONSPIRACY!!! When (and IF, of course) EJ gets cut, I assume there would be five more threads on the subject, vaguely following the five stages of grief: Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance Although, that last one may be a long time coming...

As opposed to the guys who troll endlessly, and never leave...

I have noticed that often, on crossing patterns, EJ hits the receiver in the shoulder which results in dropped passes.

Because a team like Carolina, who are desperate, and paper thin at WR, may not want to roll the dice on whether they can get them. If we can't make a trade, then we don't (obviously), but if we can make a trade for someone who won't be on the team in September anyway, why wouldn't we?

Show their hand to whom? The Colts? We should be shopping anyone we are willing to cut or who won't make the 53, and collecting late round draft picks so that we can trade up in the 2016 first round for Connor Cook, or Jared Goff.

Oh, I'm completely guilty of that. Honestly, I don't know how his blocking ability stacks up against Thompson, or Davis (although he is definitely better at it than Goodwin). But, I have seen him used that way more than once during this preseason, and I suspect this would be a requisite ability for a slot receiver in Roman's offense. I also think that Thigpen's, and Harvin's running abilities from behind LOS would be valuable in Roman's offense. My point is that the traits that separate WRs that are further down the depth chart may not be as noteworthy as things like speed, height, highpoint ability, or other such flashy attributes.

I really don't know the answer to that question. But, I'm not sure how it's relevant. I think the question has to be how he fits into this offense. He proved his reliability with his production last season, IMO. This preseason, I've watched him in both games line up in the slot, and shift to the inside right before the snap and block. And, he's good at it. You've made the point that a WR at his depth needs to provide something special. Hogan's blocking ability might not be a particularly flashy trait, but it's certainly valuable.

I think a better word than "special" for what qualifies a WR to be on a team would be "valuable." Hogan has reliable hands, is a precise route runner (according to Lal), and works well in the slot. As Gunner has pointed out, he has improved every season. These things are just requisite for a successful WR, of course. But, Hogan is also an exceptional blocker, which would certainly be valuable in this offense.

As Clint Eastwood said, "deserve's got nuthin' to do with it..." One thing I did notice about EJ in this, and last weeks game was that he is late on crossing routes. He needs to put the ball out in front of the receiver, but more often than not hits them on the front of their shoulder, or even on their pads. That has resulted in several dropped balls-- at least one from Hogan, Thompson, and Grey that I can recall (IIRC). But, he has gotten better. Just not quickly. IMO, Taylor really was better last night. We shouldn't cut EJ. But, if Taylor has achieved the "separation" we keep talking about (and he has) let's not pretend that the separation has to be monumental to start treating TT like a starter. It's time.

Honestly, I thought our first team D front line looked lazy, last night. At least, they didn't look like they were willing to hurt themselves.

Is it me, or did our first unit D (at least the front seven) look downright lazy last night? (Which I have no problem with, btw)