WhitewalkerInPhilly

'Ranks buddy! Astro, if you have time can I pick your brain buddy? I know from what I hear from reporter tweets the offense looked rough today, but I've been following what board members visiting camp have been saying. From those sources, I've been gleaning that Tyrod (who was pretty darn good last year) has been making at least incremental progress and using the middle of the field. Sammy looks healthy and like an elite WR. Woods looks healthy and is playing hungry in a contract year. Goodwin, Dez, Little and Salas are looking surprisingly good. Might the Bills have a sneakily good pass game, especially if they can use the run to set up play action?

Freaking Rodhack... Does he care that the Brown is the only coverage linebacker who is starting?

You mean Manny Lawson, who did pretty ok last year?

I'm going to ask an odd question: Does anyone else think that our passing game is a sleeper this year? Obviously, we have to see how things work at game time, but Tyrod was already looking decent and seems to have improved. Woods looks healthy and dynamic. Sammy looks special. Goodwin, Little and Lewis have all surprised me.

I think there's another PUP list for when the season starts. But still, it's good to hear. I'm actually not too down on the oh so difficult start we are supposed to have. The Ravens were struggling on even before injuries last year and Perriman has a partial ACL tear like Ragland. I sincerely believe the Jets are overrated, and we play them on a short week at home. The Cards are tough but we get a mini bye. The Pats are without Brady. The Rams are throwing a rookie QB into the deep end of the pool with the 32nd ranked offense last year. Starting week 6, we play the Niners, and week 7 the Phins, who look like they are going to be quick pass heavy teams. Week 8 is all hands for Brady. Sounds like the right time to be back.

Any word yet?

Me too. He seemed like a perfect fit. If we are in 3rd and short I'll be happy that we have Spikes back. That one LB is on permanent coverage duty...actually I like that.

Yeah. I seem to recall our biggest weakness being shredded over the middle on 3rd and long/short. A pure cover ILB is not the worst thing in th world in a 3-4 scheme The biggest knock I've heard on him is that he can't blitz. But when you have Hughes and hopefully a healthy Shaq it is less of a problem.

He has looked to be in far better shape. I'm really bummed about Ragland, but we may have the pieces to be alright.

This blows. But I'd rather have them readjust now rather than right before Week 1. Maybe Preston Brown moves over and Spikes comes in as the thumper, with Zach rotating in on subpackages.

Damn :*(

I'm hoping for the 6-8 week recovery, but even then Kiko wasn't fully up to speed for the Eagles last year. Still, the multiple ACL injuries could be a factor. Still, Zach Brown has apparently looked good so far. Not a bad stop gap I suppose.

Who is the a$$hole who says you can't see improved communication?

Nice. I feel better to be honest. I was worried about Spikes replacing Ragland, but I think they'd either shift Preston over or put Zach in.

What I find interesting is how they list the defensive line. Dareus is NT, Kyle is DT, and Adolphus is DE with Lawson and Hughes as OLB. Jboyst, any insight on the front they'll be running?

Yeah, pi is pretty irrational. i said to get real, which is pretty hypocritical of it. ... I'll see myself out

I don't know if it's that crazy. He gets hurt Friday, they take him to the doctor Saturday and get an inconclusive test due to swelling. They have him get rest and schedule another test Monday while the team is at practice. If they don't have a followup today, now that's a little off.

Well, it won't work at Center. Sonic Screwdrivers don't work on Wood.

But if he does both won't he confuse the polarity?

Dr, should he reverse the polarity?

Honestly I'm getting more excited by the offense, what with all the injuries on defense. But Shady is looking great, the WRs are looking better and Tyrod is showing some good stuff.

I know it's been mentioned in other threads, but Spikes looks lean. For all the talk about "liability in coverage" if his role in to just plow the gaps with Lawson and P Brown in coverage (they are decent, not great) and Z. Brown coming in for nickel I'm ok with it as a shirt term solution at least.

Yeah. Nothing but dead money. You can say it was a bust pick, but since the contract was fully guaranteed there's little reason to lament keeping EJ until the end of this year.

I'm imagining something kind of like Bradford's deal, possibly to replace this year's: a big up front payday, with most guaranteed money the first year, little guarantees but big potential the second. That way, Tyrod gets his cash now. The team gets a year to evaluate. If he doesn't live up, there is little dead cap. If he is too good to lose, you have an effective team option with the chance to broker a long term deal.

I'm less sure. Goodwin, while I have really liked him, has never played a full season healthy. This year he's lost body mass while training for the Olympics, which is going to make injury more likely. Salas they seem to like, but the competition is looking surprisingly strong this year.