MRW

Makes you wonder about this past year's draft, doesn't it? 5 QBs in the first round in 1999, 2 of whom are still in the league (and are stars). 4 QBs in the first round in 2004. I guess we'll have to evaluate in a few years.

The Amazon?

True, I think it is a bit odd for him to say the Steelers don't impress him after the way they whipped the team's butts. Which also makes me wonder about the amount of confidence people have in the Pats winning. True, Cowher can choke in the big games, but the style of game they play is not as susceptible to game-planning as an offense like the Colts. I think this one could go either way. And it's definitely true about the emotional ties. I would also add that just like any job, you'll have people who love their work and make their life revolve around it and others who treat it as one aspect of their life, or maybe just something to pay the bills. I have a hard time judging players harshly if they don't make it the complete focus of their lives. What I expect is for them to prepare, go out on the field, and give it their best. I think Milloy's done that.

Can't say the full song name here, but how about Pantera, F'n Hostile?

And on the main point, I don't see the problem with players getting what they can. It's a business, it's not a "family". I wouldn't take a 20% pay cut so my company would have a chance of being the best in the state. It is impressive how Belichick has gotten players to buy into his team philosophy, though.

Yeah, that's an excellent idea. Because, you know, our defense didn't miss him at all when he was out. We'll always have Coy Wire.

If Drew Bledsoe ends up as the starter again, it will mean one thing: J. P. Losman did not step up and take the opportunity he had. Bledsoe is a known quantity at this point, and I don't think there are many who think he's the guy to lead us all the way. But I don't see the sense in putting Losman out there because we're sick of Bledsoe. Drew will make mistakes and probably not perform well in big games, but what if Losman is a turnover machine? Don't think it's impossible to play worse than Bledsoe.

Well, I don't see how anyone could be 100% behind Bledsoe at this point. This past season showed his abilities pretty well. I think, regardless of what his plans are, that TD would be extremely foolish to make statements that would lock Bledsoe in as the starter for the team. Unlike many here, I am not all that comfortable committing to JP either. I wouldn't mind seeing them come to an agreement, keep Drew around, and see how things shake out in camp (whether there is officially a "competition" or not). I know people don't like Drew, but seeing the sorry state of QBing around the league, we could do worse. Not a ringing endorsement, but it's probably the best that can be mustered up.

He showed promise, but can he bounce back from the injury next year? And I wouldn't mind having a better veteran tight end as well as a young guy with potential.

I need to learn to be this succinct.

It seems to me like you've arrived at the conclusion "TD is cheap" and are viewing everything in that light. Sorry, but it seems like you are really biased and are unwilling to acknowledge that there might be valid reasons for the decisions you think were bad. Let's look at your examples. 1. Sam Adams. Seriously? The fact is we did get Sam Adams and he's performed very well for us at a great price. Would you feel better if we paid him $7 million a year? 2. Winfield. Sorry, I don't think Winfield was going to forgo a big contract. You may disagree, but your speculation is hardly evidence for TD being cheap. Corners are paid a huge premium in the league. 3. Jennings. Ditto for left tackles. Look at the market for tackles and tell me what you think would be a fair offer for Jennings. Bear in mind when you do that Jennings is good, but can't be placed in the upper echelon of tackles (IMO) but might get an inflated contract anyway. Is he worth it? Some other examples to counter yours: Takeo Spikes - big contract Lawyer Milloy Troy Vincent Eric Moulds back in '01 Aaron Schobel Teams can't keep all their players year to year. You may disagree with some of the decisions TD has made, but I think the only way you can conclude he's been "cheap" is to start out with that conclusion.

I appreciate this analysis as I can't really break apart line play beyond the obvious "he got beat" situations. I was impressed with the progress Williams made under McNally, but at the same time his early season struggles would make me a bit... well, you know... about moving him to a brand new position. I do, though, have a fair degree of confidence in this coaching staff (for a change), so I expect if they go this route they would have thought through the possibilities. As far as TEs, I agree. And even when our #1 is healthy I would not rate him as more than an adequate starter. Any good prospects in the draft or FA?

Interesting observation here, as this would indicate that Jennings' skillset is not ideal for the blueprint TD has stated many times he is working from of a power running team. Do you think this impacts TD's dealings with Jennings? I wonder if he might want to head in a different direction....

My recollection of Smith is that he was a real burner and a threat to take it all the way on any play. His issue was that for most of his career he seemed to have a season-ending injury every year. But yeah, Smith was not primarily a power runner.

The Pats do have Scott Pioli, who seems to work very well with Belichick. Can anyone tell me whether Belichick actually has the GM title, or is it Pioli, or Kraft? It's great that NE will likely be losing both coordinators this year, but I am bummed that Pioli didn't take a GM job to get out of Belichick's shadow. I think as long as they are both there NE will be tough to beat. Another good point here. I would also add that the Eagles are famous for squeezing as much out of the cap as possible by using bonus loopholes to get extra space the next year. Smart management, and I am surprised it is not more widely emulated. Of course most teams are still constantly struggling to deal with the cap. And I definitely agree on Mike Williams, based on the progress he showed this year. He was a question mark but I think he has shown that he is worth keeping for the long term (although not a Pro-Bowler by any means yet). Oh, and McGee for sure. Every team does at least need a few guys who are stars. New England probably has the fewest big name players I've seen on a championship team in a while, and even they have Dillon, Rodney Harrison, McGinest, Ty Law (even though he's hurt). Guys who step up in the big games and seem to elevate the play of those around them. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say here. I guess that it would be that there's nothing wrong with going after a big name, but you'd better know what you're getting. I'd say the Spikes signing worked out well for the Bills, but so has London Fletcher and Chris Villarial.

I have to wonder, how many of this new batch of contestants have visions of being the next William Hung? There have to be people who have considered it...

No one has addressed the issue of a posable backup QB, which I would think would be intriguing to some out there.

I don't know, to really make the case, don't you have to look at more than just how many of the playoff teams have first-round QBs? Other relevant information: how many first-round QBs aren't in the playoffs, how many first-round QBs have been drafted over some period of time and washed out vs. success rates at other positions. And I don't think the argument was about whether first-round QBs could get you to the playoffs, it was about whether starting one was a guarantee of or a necessity for championship success. All things being equal, of course you want a great QB, but all things are never equal and I think you do have to question whether you need to invest high picks in a quarterback.

While that is true, I think a coach like Belichick has proven to be a rare commodity. If they can afford to do so, the Bills need to bring in more talent. The Patriots' methods really seem to work because they have a coach, and a staff as a whole, that is a cut above the rest. If we don't have that (and I'm not putting Mularkey down here, just saying it's not something to count on) getting players who can be difference makers is the best way to go.

It's the Schottenheimer philosophy. Playing conservative can get you to the playoffs very reliably, but inevitably once you get there you will face situations that require you to take a chance. It's one of the things that Parcells and Belichick over the years have known how to do, when to risk going for it, and when to simply take the points. There are a lot of coaches in the league that don't seem to get it.

The Steelers have a real shot, if, as Mark says, they don't get stupid. Their team makeup is power running and a ferocious defense, which is the best formula to take against the Patriots. High-scoring passing offenses get frustrated by the Patriots defense, but if Pitt can get moving on the ground and their defense slows down the Pats O, this should be a close exciting game. Having said that, in the coaching matchup of Belichick vs. Cowher, you have to go with Belichick, so I don't know where anyone would get the confidence to say the Pats will lose.

This was showing on a flight I took over Thanksgiving. Sad to say I did not find it worth watching even for free. I watched twenty minutes and quit after not laughing once.

Thinking we should try him at kicker?

You're right. I've probably gotten too personally invested and need to step back and consider the good of the game as a whole. I'm still bummed that Wannstedt is gone.

Bobblehead's your wife? Wow, secrets of TSW revealed.