AKC

The difference with Edwards was that at the Pro level he just hasn't shown that ability to get in front of the running back and either force him down or give the linebackers behind him time to make the play. Can Krumrie work miracles? Possibly- he's done very well with Ron on his snaps in the pass package and that has been evident for two seasons. The next step is difficult- converting him into a run stopper after no signs of him improving in that since he signed with us originally. Count me in on the assumption that the team sees TAnderson and Sam in for two downs with Ron in the pass packages. The only problem with that rotation is how thin it is, especilly considering the number of downs Sam will be forced to play with no one to spell him.

Henry's a very good and hard working runner. He's a numbskull with awful ball-handling habits. To argue against those clearly demonstrated traits would be naive. I can't imagine him being too much of a distraction because he's simply not smart enought to influence anyone else. A smart guy who's a malcontent can be a major problem- that's simply not the case with Travis. I don't think there's a player on the roster who would support his pity parade, therefore I see his particular situation as an overall postive considering what his value to the team is if the guy in front of him gets dinged up. As you know I like the type of depth team's like NE have developed in the middle- they run a 3-4 yet they have more interior defensive talent right now than we do. A big body like Traylor, especially with the vet exemption for a minimum salary, would seem like a pretty smart move. And it would eliminate any need to move someone else whose cap/value ration IMO is favorable to the team.

In the hypothetical a starting DT is about 10,000 times more valuable than a backup RB- but that isn't exactly how this plays out. We just haven't seen enough of Anderson to see if he is: A) A capable tackler in the run game B) Durable enough to play a season as a 2 down Tackle. We HAVE seen enough of Edwards to realize those two keys are not his strengths. He's just fine in the pass packages and Krumrie appears to be able to stifle his ADD enough to get inspired play for those snaps. Basically Anderson is the wild card here- and the staff knows a lot more about him than we do. That said, if they believe in TA as a 2 down guy we're simply looking for depth among run stoppers. Now the hypothetical moves to "what's more important, a backup at RB who has starting quality running ability or a backup DT who might be average at this point in his career?" It's a good question. Traylor's vet min should be in the same dollar range as the Travis cap hit, then again if he'd sign for a min. contract we'd get the cap exemption- and under those cap-friendly circumstances why not keep 'em both? The deciding factor would be whether someone else offers him an above minimum contract.

It's the old "percentage of fans" rule- if you're obsessed with the QB as the almighty franchise maker or breaker there's really no need at all to watch the film of Edwards that shows him to be developing into a good passing down specialist who still can't front runners and consequently lets them slip through his pathetic arm tackles. He's just built a little too top-heavy and while he uses that with his good burst to split gaps in the passing game anyone who thinks he can wear the jock strap of Pat Williams on rushing downs has been busy- well - watching the opposing QB on our defensive plays! And you're absolutely right- Lawyer was a productive player PLUS he was a leader on the field for the #2 defense league-wide last year.

Yeah, let's bet the whole season on a guy who can't keep hold of a Pop Warner running back! RON! RON! RON! RON! At least that's what you're going to THINK our opponents sideline is yelling out to their offense against us all next year if Edwards is in our run package. "So coach Mularkey, can you explain how your defense went from giving up the least yards per play to the most in the league in a single season?" AJZEPP- setting a mighty standard for football anaysis since 2005 "I would have said yes until I read the article on Ron Edwards." That's right- no need to actually form an opinion- just turn on the game, watch the quarterbacks and trust the media on everybody else!

If anyone is looking for a place to stay on Bourbon St. in the middle of the French Quarter without spending a lot of money PM me and I'll help you out- I had two places I was considering and I've commited to one but the other is very nice and still available.

I have as much faith that Lionel Gates, a kid who showed hands and blocking ability in college, can contribute at least what we'd get out of Shaud or JBurns this season as the back in pass packages. I like an unknown in the third down spot, a change of pace to back to the workhorse. Pre-season features great opportunities for rookie RBs and I expect we'll get some glimpses of Mr. Gates toolbox before the season starts- and that means the staff will have that to add to their practice reference. Also the offense we're looking at running wouldn't be hampered at all by a small and quick back as long as he's of decent intelligence and is a willing chip blocker. A roll-out QB playing pick and roll with a quick RB with good hands can present serious mismatches with a defense in a lot of situations. I for one won't be surprised to see a small RB added to the roster in the coming months, maybe simply as a wrinkle and ST gunner, but someone who impacts the play with the added dimension. That type of back is one of the first type of casualties when the Turk comes out of his coffin.

The answer is very fundamental- a 2 down RB is perhaps the single easiet player to plug in to a functioning offense (2 Down RB Directions: SEE HOLE-RUN). Travis would have the benefit of being exposed to nomenclature of this offense all last season. Even with his Fisher-Price brain he's a GREAT fit at backup RB in Buff this coming season.

Nah- because he lost a starting job with another team he must be defecitve merchandise. No need to see how he adapts to the system we're running, no need to discover if he was formerly playing through injuries he's overcome- the safest strategy is to cut him now so that we face no risk of disappointment at a later date.

He's been a regular part of programming in our household for many years- you can surely argue that there are better and more creative chefs becasue you'd be right- but no chef in the history of Television has convinced more people in America to go to their kitchen and try to cook something new. He exposes the faslehoods of precision in measure and promotes bold confidence in even occasional cooks to tackle things they would otherwise have only eaten in restaurants. I realize he gets real mixed reviews also in New Orleans, and his restaurants like Nola and Emeril's aren't the best in town overall, yet the appetizers at Nola's are world class and the Garden District Restaurant Emeril owns- Delmonico- is one of the best restaurants in the world, at least the world of this poster. If you're going to the Saints game this year you have a plethora of great places to eat; the one place I absolutely won't miss will be Delmonico.

Yeah, Joe Montana had his faults.

Even in that scenario, if we were in position to make a run at the playoffs the value of having Travis available to us would be greater than the contribution of a 3rd round pick- at least for the season we're entering.

I don't think the evolution of this offensive scheme is looking necesarily for the high profile/salary TE that Shockey represents. In fact on the surface I'd guess we're in for a lot more 4 and 5 WR sets with a pocket that buys time for the lack of blockers by keeping the D guessing exactly where it's setting up. A moving pocket makes line stunts and other rush techniques a poor choice- if Losman can control his urge to run and allow routes to develop on the move we could see less TE play on passing downs than we've become used to.

Theyh reached out as far as East Aurora to cover Fisher Price. Also Kelly The Dog's buddy Geno got good coverage for his redo of "The Mansion" on Delaware.

Better for the few fans left who continue to obsess about players who are no longer on our roster to gargle with that gasoline. To suggest that a current player pointing out that our offense will gain dimension by moving from a pocket passer to a mobile QB is somehow "going after" a former player is an incredibly excrutiating excercise in attempting to fabricate something from absolutely nothing.

I caught "Buffalo Uncovered" this morning and it was refreshing to see a very, very positive show that included many of the historic contributions of the city. Travel Channel does not list a repeat airing of the show but it's something worth noting and watching, I'm bummed I didn't stick a tape in and I see no ability to purchase the show from them. Travel Channel- Buffalo Uncovered

Street and Smiths: Soft, reliable hands. Will extend his hands and catch the ball out away from his body. Shows good concentration and seldom drops a catchable ball. Adjusts well to the ball in the air.

We're shy one interior Tackle right now and unless Tim Anderson turns out to be a 3rd round phenom we're shy one QUALITY interior lineman to field a post-season quality DLine. Regardless of the accuracy of any trade talks about Simon, he'd definitely fit the rotation as the "quality" addition that could keep London Fletcher from being mauled over the course of the season. Bottom line- with no added help at DT before the season starts our offense might as well get some boondoggle lessons for the long spells they'll be enjoying on the sidelines.

Last offseason I told a buddy of mine who is a Staples regular and runs a Sports Bar with the Lakers being the big property that: The Lakers would not make the playoffs. The Heat would have the best record in the East. All based upon the fact that if you study W/L records the Lakers with ONLY Kobe have been stinking it up forever plus the observation that guys playing with Kobe virtually always suffer from dropped shoulders and slow feet due to his ball hogging and awful shot selection. He told me a month ago that he was beginning to see the same problems because he started watching the other players instead of Kobe and that while he at one time believed Kobe was "the best player in basketball" it was becoming very clear to him that Kobe did not inspire guys around him to play better like ALL the great players do. (BTW-he's a 42 year old from Chicago originally) Now I only have you to work on ;-)

My question is what year will O'Neal be so pathetic as a "star" that he will fail to carry his team to the playoffs- like Bryant did in his first season without O'Neal? One-star teams regularly make the NBA playoffs these days, I'm interested in what you see the time frame being for O'Neal to fall to the depths of the "unstars"?

The greatest concern going into the interview process was that Richard Speck was the favorite, but apparently that morning Greg chose a plunging neckline and REALLY gained the bosses attention!

Just using that measure- what would you predict would be the first season that the general slobbery of O'Neal will lead to his team to missing the playoffs?

I always figured Williams was hired because TD is a boob man.

Faith and hope can be admirable- but I have to say I don't see another year making any difference at all unless Buss is able to get O'Neal back! The bottom line on the Lakers from my seat is: Kobe Bryant=Scottie Pippen

If players can be tested for steriods shouldn't management be tested for traces of Tannis root? This would easily allow us to determine our GMs lineage and confirm or deny once and for all the concerns that he's the spawn of Beelzebub.