ajzepp

As those of us who live in Atlanta can attest to - in case there is need for a recent example, anyway - an upgrade at the DC spot can have a huge bearing on performance. Mike Nolan had average talent on that side of the ball to work with last year, yet he was able to get them to perform at a higher level than their talent would indicate. He was a big reason why the team took out Seattle and came within a hair of taking down the 49'ers. That's not to take anything away from what Matt Ryan and the offense achieved, cause they took another step up, as well. But Nolan is a difference maker as a DC, and Pettite has significantly better talent to work with than what Nolan has. I have no doubt that our D will be the real deal in 2013.

Totally agree. I love that EJ has an offensive system and coaches that he's comfortable with, and that he's got a D trying to trip him up every practice and scrimmage. He's come into a near perfect situation for him to grow as a young QB.

Not according to Marrone and Hackett. Every quote I've seen of them indicated it was a dead heat and they were waiting for one of the two to "separate themselves". That may very well be happening as we speak, and that's exciting...but I have never seen anyone on the team actually say that EJ has been clearly better during practice/scrimmages.

I agree, but one half of one preseason game is nearly meaningless, and those who were calling for EJ to just be named the starter after such a limited amount of playing time are likely the very same people who will be doing a 180 should Kolb play solid ball in the next two games and EJ start crapping the bed. At this point I'm loving what I'm seeing out of EJ, as well, but Marrone set up a competition and seeing it through is the best way to be certain he's in a position to make the best decision for the team.

The interview that John Murphy did with EJ's high school coach was very telling. This guy was talking about how he was determined to make sure EJ developed as a passer first and how he was shaped from a young age to grow into a well-rounded QB. IIRC, EJ had gone back home to hang out with this coach shortly after the draft and I believe he has been a friend of the Manuel family for many years. A lot of the criticism of EJ during his time at FSU stemmed from what was apparently a very complicated offensive system. It just seems like Hackett's approach may be like water and EJ is the fish. I can't wait to see how far and how fast this dude can swim, baby!!

I'm really getting tired of the media once again trying to stir something up when there is nothing there to stir. Marrone has not only exhibited integrity since he's been here, he's also been very transparent in terms of his plans. This was meant to be a competition, and with that comes a prescribed period of time during which the competition will take place and allow the staff to make the best decision moving forward. I love that EJ is playing well, but as Marrone said recently, "just because the plan is working doesn't mean I'm going to abandon it". There was clearly never any intention to take away Kolb's opportunity to start a preseason game just because EJ lit it up, or vice versa, and I'm glad we have a coach who follows through on his word. By the time he makes his decision, there will be enough evidence where he'll have a clear idea as to what is best for the team moving forward. But I think I heard like three media people today saying that people were dumbfounded as to why Marrone didn't give EJ the start against the Vikes tonight...are these morons even paying attention?

I happened to hear him on the John Murphy show last year and I loved his attitude. At the time I was (as most of us were) just incredibly frustrated with the team and so sick of underachievement. Listening to this guy's passion was like a breath of fresh air to me and the guy got me fired up. He's far more a student of the game than I gave him credit for and he just struck me as the type of guy I'd want to go to war with. I was rooting for him to raise his game to match his motivation.

I have completely changed my feeling on this. Seeing EJ go through his progressions so quickly, combined with Kolb having this god-awful wind up that I don't recall him having (at least not one that is this slow), has me feeling good about EJ starting week 1. Kolb looked like he was going to shart himself out there half the time. EJ has already taken huge steps from where he left off at FSU, and he's a solid FRANCHISE QB in the making. I'm also very proud to have this kid as our QB.

As big of a fan as I was of Shep, looks like this was a very smart trade. Pettine is going to turn him into a damn monster.

And what a piece she was!

HFB, Harriet!!!

How bout when you examine the seat before sitting down and you see a little area of black grime just under the inside of the back part of the seat

First of all, I want to thank everyone who has participated in this thread. There is a lot of very useful information here, far more than you can obtain from your average public service announcement. One problem I haven't really found a solution to is the pre-stank. This occurs when I walk into the restroom ready to do some business, and someone has created such an immense amount of odor that I become overwhelmed with fear and anxiety that it will be attributed to me. There really isn't any good option here. If I go into one of the stalls and wait it out, I end up getting really sick from the smell. If I turn around and try to escape, I run the risk of passing someone I know on the way out and being pegged as the source of the stank. The only option that seems to minimize the damage is to abort the mission to drop the deuce and instead hit the urinals. Sometimes relieving the bladder pressure can help with the discomfort of needing to poop, as well, but it's a very tricky proposition as we all know. But at least this way I can buy enough time to scope out a new location, and if someone comes in in the meantime, I can give them a look as if I'm disgusted by the way someone else has overpowered the bathroom and it turns into a bonding experience. Even better, though, is if someone goes into the stall while I'm trying to put up a diversion at the urinal, I'm free and clear cause that dude will now take one for the team. I dunno...do you guys have any other ideas I haven't thought of?

No doubt...can't wait for next week!

Wow, that would have the potential to be huge if they went in that direction...definitely gotta think that Lydia scene was significant...very interesting!

I'm trying hard not to compare the shows too much, but I just can't help it. Yesterday, to get me ready for the season premiere of BB, I watched the S4 finale, "Face-Off", one more time. I've already seen it three times, but it was just as amazing the fourth time through as it was the first few times. Gilligan is just on another level with this show than what is goign on with Dexter, IMO. I was watching the "Talking Bad" show with Chris Hardwick tonight and he had Gilligan on. He asked him why he wanted to go ahead and start off this last half season with a showdown between Hank and Walk as opposed to waiting a bit. Gilligan said, "well, because we still have so much more story to tell before it's all over."

One small example of why this show is so much more respectful of the viewer, IMO...the scene where Walt is puking in the bathroom and he realizes that the book is missing from the back of the crapper. On so many other shows that whole thing could have lingered on with Walt continuing to look everywhere, subtly asking everyone if they'd seen it, and then have him ask Hank about it and Hank denies it, etc, etc, etc. NOne of that with Gilligan. We had a shot with Walt's realization, one brief look under the bed, and then it's off to Hank's place where confrontation ensues shortly thereafter. No filler, no stalling, no BS, just PLOT. I'm really going to miss this show seven weeks from now.

I've been rooting for this kid since the beginning...I would love to see our patience finally pay off and to see him have a productive, healthy year.

Yep, especially with Easley potentially putting his troubles behind him, this could really be a fantastic group of wideouts.

You know, this is the first season in a long time where I could read something like this and still really think that things are different this season. There's just a different sense of confidence surrounding the organization. There's just absolutely no doubt that our defense was held WAY back by Wannstedt last year, and that Pettine has a LOT of raw material to shape and mold into his vision of a successful squad. It's true that we follow the very same pattern year after year, starting with optimism in the offseason through about the mid-point of the regular season when we start to realize it was unfounded after all. Sooner or later it will come to an end, though, and I really think this may be it.

See, this is exactly what I've been wanting to happen on Dexter...Gilligan knows it's the last 8 episodes, so he doesn't far around getting to the meat and potatoes. Meanwhile Dexter is just farting around as usual trying to track down other killers, all the while the season is quickly ticking away...I wish Gilligan would have taken over the last season of Dexter, cause I fear it will be far less satisfying than what we're about to get with Breaking Bad. When Hank shut that garage door tonight, my stomach sank...I was like hollllllllllllyyyyy, sheeeeaaat.....here we go!

She looks like a binged out Tea Leoni. (so yes)

I agree...stop hating on das Iggles!!! OC, very, very entertaining! Thanks for all the hard work!

Alan Keyes, baby!!! Can't help it...I love this guy. (no homo)