Prickly Pete

Until they win something, virtually ANY criticism can be levied at the team, the staff, or the organization. "They all suck, prove me wrong" seems to be the theme on this board for many. Only time will tell, so whining about a rookie coaching staff, coaching young players, has gotten tiresome.

wow, this thread is something. There are already gay players in NFL locker rooms, and there hasn't been any problems that I know of. Now, it would all be in the "straight" player's head. It's really a silly, simpleminded complaint, but then football players are often simpleminded.

I'm confident the offense will be better. Let's see... rookie head coach, rookie OC, buncha games split between a rookie QB, a rookie back up QB, and a young journeyman backup QB, all rookies and 2nd year WR's (all but one?), and a new offensive scheme for any veterans. I can't believe they didn't make the playoffs!

Hahahahha That cracked me up, man.

I'm happy that this "issue" has taken it's first step, just so it becomes a non-issue sooner. Jeezus, look at the environmental problems happening all around us (and much worse throughout the world). Things that effect everyone (and their progeny) DIRECTLY.

Haven't read the thread (I don't care that he is gay), but as was just mentioned on a talk show, this is a coordinated announcement that the NFL is involved in, not just some guy deciding to come out.

It could be applied to that situation, but here I was referring to the continual "QB is/isn't essential to winning the Super Bowl" threads. It would be useful for many situations and discussions....that's why it would be a good emoticon to have.

Groundhog Day. There should be a groundhog emoticon.

No, other reasons why it survived in baseball is because the teams that had rosters full of juiced guys, that they just signed to huge guaranteed contracts, would in no way benefit from a crackdown on PED's. And another reason is because all those home runs were bringing lots of fans and TV ratings. And the NFL would survive even this kind of scandal. Am I wrong? I'm also not so sure that the NFL wouldn't try to cover up something like that, because it wouldn't exactly make the league look good. I think if Goodell thought it was going on, he would first meet with them, and tell them to stop. Just like with the Saints (admittedly, theirs was a much less egregious, and serious offense). Proving an owner was involved...well, I'm guessing they would cover their tracks pretty well, and have the best legal team money could buy. And it wouldn't even be in the best interest of the NFL to pursue it strongly. Paul Allen ain't taking the fall. You are free to think what you like, and I'm not claiming this is what is happening with Seattle, just that involvement from a team could be deeper than most might suspect.

I think that's a whole different topic.

C'mon dude. The Pats likely had some advantage in some games, but they have played at a very high level consistently for a long time, and I really don't think they have had the other teams gameplan for all those games. As far as the seahawks are concerned, it's interesting that they have signed and released a whole bunch more players that most other teams. Maybe besides just talent, they were looking for guys that showed "commitment".

I could easily see a team giving backing to a "researcher", and have exclusive use of their product. It's not that outlandish, in fact it would seem like a natural development in the course that sports and PED's have taken. So much money involved.

There are also lots of "labs" that are competing for business just like any other, and some are more advanced than others. Honestly, with the amount of money involved, a football team could finance their own "medical research labs" as a silent partner. I realize that might sound overly conspiratorial, but like I said, nothing would surprise me.

I'm sure the PED business is as competitive as the business of football. Getting a hold of the best stuff, and getting the best masking agents, and maximizing their effects etc., is surely an art unto itself. It would make sense that some teams would be better at it than others. Taking larger doses probably demands a bit more "commitment" from a player, and some teams might demand more commitment. Pete Carroll is all about high competitiveness WITHIN the team. All teams have that, but It's something that is stressed about Carroll's teams. I certainly don't think it's the only reason the Seahawks were the best team this season, but it could have been a factor.

No. I think the Bills are juicing just as MUCH as any other team, just maybe not as WELL. The chemicals are only one ingredient in the success of a team.

Sounds reasonable to me. I even wonder if a "doctor/chemist" might offer exclusive services to a team, or a team just might get a jump on the rest of the league with a particular dealer. It's all speculation, and none of us (I don't think?) are close enough to the league to know how these relationships develop. I do know that there are 100's of millions of dollars involved in developing and distributing PED's , and the NFL works with billions of dollars. Nothing would surprise me.

PED's are certainly rampant throughout the NFL. I think every team is raging, but maybe the Seahawks just have a better connection, or approach to using them.

I don't know how you can be so sure about this. I could easily see a team pressuring players to take PED's. It probably wouldn't be overt, but it could still be obvious. It wouldn't be hard to get across, and certain players ("leaders") could be used to get the message across to those that can't figure it out. I think that is the main way it happens. Certain players "mentor" guys, perhaps introduce them to their connection, and maybe even deal. It's not at all some outrageous notion, or beyond possibility. I think it's possible to have a better "program" developed, whether it's developed by someone directly associated with the team, or someone on the fringe that the team consults.

This is something that I have considered. Having a great "medical team" can have a huge impact on the fortunes of a team.

I completely disagree. The problem in the past was they DIDN'T take the BPA, but instead reached on players, trying to fill holes. The Spiller pick was more Gailey wanting to have a specific type of RB, to help make his offensive plan work, similar to the Whitner pick, which was to get an "elite" Safety to run the Tampa 2.

Neither of them are that great, it wouldn't be a "WOW" improvement. Plus, they are clowns.

Yep. I think this played a huge role in Jimmy Johnson's success. He took over the job with a #1 over all QB entering his 2nd season, and got a boatload of draft picks from the Walker trade (I still think it shouldn't have been allowed by the league, but they wanted America's Team back in the mix, and Jerry Jones was ready to put a lot of money into the league).

My favorite Bills at that time... Thurman Reed Bennett Bennett was one of the most fun guys to watch. I have since learned that he might not be such a great guy, but at that time he was a favorite.

I never felt that Bennett wasn't giving everything he had. I think he was pivotal in the teams success. He tackled hard, and played with plenty of injuries...never questioned his heart. I remember how he helped turn around the Falcons too. He was pissed because after losses no one seemed to care, called people out, and like Jim Kelly brought the team together socially by having team parties at his house. He had the talent of a Hall Of Famer, but sometimes the cards don't fall right. That doesn't mean he wasn't driven.

haha, Yeah, I have often wondered what kind of letdown there would be if the Bills win a Super Bowl. Would it just be "so this is it"? So much expectation involved that it could never match the anticipation. Maybe we have been the luckiest fans? Maybe winning would ruin it?.....nah.