Alphadawg7

Disagree...the guys who deserve to stay are the guys who make your team better. If his primary role is to make the team via ST and he isn't good enough at ST, then he doesn't deserve to make the team over someone who has ALSO put in all the work to be the best he can at his job. People act like only Hodgins has worked hard. Again, rooting for him, but he isn't entitled to anything just because he worked hard when all these guys are working hard and fighting for jobs too.

Yeah and look, not hating on Hodgins, I am rooting for Hodgins too, its a great story as well. Just saying, if he can't cut it on ST he wont make the team, because that will be the primary role of what ever WR makes the team at that point of the depth chart.

Except neither him or TD Jesus will contribute on the field as a WR this year regardless how makes it. Thats the point.

Hodgins wont amass even 10 receptions this year if he makes the team. McKenzie only had 20 last year despite being higher on the depth chart than Hodgins will be this year and seeing the guy ahead of him (Beasley) play drop and miss some time. Guys who get it done on O? Hodgins is averaging 9 yards per catch over 2 preseason games against scrubs who many wont make an NFL roster. If we had a starter doing that people would be calling for him to be cut.

I like Hodgins, and will root for him. But the over excitement on him seems a bit much. Through 2 preseason games hes averaging 9 yards per catch against scrubs. Shakir for example has been substantially more impressive. And like I pointed out before, the last 2 years while fielding a pass happy #1 offense in the AFC, our 5th WR (McKenzie) averaged just 25 rec for 240 yards and no one else behind him even had a hundred yards on the season. Hodgins will not play any relevant minutes at WR and will be a total non factor if we keep him at WR. He is a feel good story, sure. He is very likable, sure. But...if he cant be effective on ST's, he doesn't have a role on the team because he isn't going to see many snaps at WR unless we see a plethora of injuries at WR, in which we almost assuredly make a move to bring WR help in via trade or FA if that was the case.

And yet there are people here who want to weaken the ST unit to keep guys deep on the bench who aren't as good as guys they want to cut at ST and who wont play on the field at their respective positions.

Why do people keep saying "First team D"...Wasn't close to the first team D, missing literally all of its best players. No Hyde, Poyer, Tre, or Miller.

The year Mahomes won MVP as a first year starter there were threads on this very board laughing at him and mocking him over reports he was throwing a lot of interceptions in camp. Even mocking choosing him over Alex Smith. Point is: Nothing is impossible. If Pats, who pushed us late for the division crown last year, were to come out and play tough again and make the playoffs, it’s not out of the question that Mac Jones might get some dark horse MVP buzz considering how little talent he has to throw to. Now…do I think that will happen? Of course not, that team seems to be lacking too much offensively and they lost some of their core of the defense. And with their lack of a true OC I think it’s going to cause them even more struggles. But, at the same time, I think Mac Jones is a good fit in NE for how they want to play and the assumption of his future demise is premature around here. Does he compare to Allen, of course not, but neither do other QB's around the NFL, even many of the good ones. Too often the message around here seems to be if you are not on Josh Allens level you don't have a shot at anything, which just isn't true in the NFL. All that being said, I whole heartedly believe Allen will be the MVP this year and we will be in, and win, the Super Bowl.

Yeah, I don't disagree that if he was on Watsons level, he would have eventually gotten back into the NFL. But the reality is that even if Kap was as good as Watson, he still would have been treated more harshly and taken longer to get back into the NFL than Watson is facing. And that is what is wrong with how the NFL handled each situation because what Watson did is incomparably worse than anything Kap ever did.

While there is obviously some truth to teams more willing to go after a controversial player like this based on how good the player is, it's not at all why Kap was black balled, and Watson isn't. Kap was good enough to be in the NFL, but he was a threat to the NFL's money, because half this country was in an uproar over Kap and threating to boycott or stop watching the NFL over him. There is no national outrage over Watson despite doing something infinitely worse such as sexually assaulting over 24 women without remorse or accepting responsibility for his actions. And the reason is simple. Both sides of the political aisle and national media politicized Kap because each side got a pop from their base over it. There is no political value in Watson because he did something that universally is seen as undeniably wrong. Which is why he isn't being debated nightly in the mainstream media taking opposing sides and rallying each of their bases up. Without half the country threatening to boycott the NFL, Watson is not the same threat to the NFL's revenue that Kap was, and that is the real difference in how the two situations have been handled by the NFL. Watson is more just another short-term PR issue that will just fade away without much consequence to the league, if any. They just need to make a statement they feel his actions are wrong, and a fine and suspension do just that. Even if people aren't satisfied with the severity of the punishment, it's not enough to make a lot of the NFL's following walk. And that is the sad truth. Threat to the NFL's money, treated more severely. Just look at how severe Ridley was punished for something that was so minor compared to what Watson did. It's because Ridley's actions could lead to things that would jeopardize the leagues integrity which poses a much bigger financial risk for the NFL.

He didnt quote Haslem, the poster I responded to made his own statement.

LMAO, so the 4 year non stop outrage and media attacks of Kap were all about him not being a better QB? What did you live in a cave or something? And its pretty disturbing that you basically just implied in your first sentence that because Watson is a better at football that its not really an issue he sexually preys on women and shows no remorse for doing so either. Got it champ, nice take 🙄

Deshaun Watsons $230 Million guaranteed contract is now down to $225M and he is gonna be down 11 games. Thank goodness he only sexually assaulted 24 women, could you imagine if he had done something really terrible like take a knee to protest unlawful police violence against minorities?

Most rookies are not ready to start week 1, even the ones that do. Usually when a rookie starts week 1 its most often because they don't have a better option ready. We are in a situation where our all pro may not be ready week 1, so its likely in that case a rookie is forced to start week 1 they may not have started otherwise. And when you draft a guy that has some technique things you need to correct, especially being handsy as a DB in the flag happy NFL, then its not exactly a crisis though if he isn't showing he is magically ready for that week 1. I mean he has had very limited reps going full speed with pads on in this highly reduced era of camp and preseason contact. Its not shocking he needs more reps first, especially since he has been battling some amazing WR's in camp. So I get there is something to discuss here, but to me, the story here isn't that Elam is still working on the very things we already knew he had to work on, its that a 6th round pick is proving to be better than people thought given he was a 6th round pick. And thats a good thing, not a bad thing. Now if this was 2023 and we are still talking about Elam not being ready I will start getting concerned about him.

I will never understand this obsession fans and media place on draft position. I assure you the coaches dont care where a player was taken, they will start and play the guy they feel is the most ready to help them win that game. And that can change as the season goes on too. Elam not being ready week 1 does not in any way indicate he will be a bust either. He was drafted knowing there are things he must correct before he will be ready to contribute, the main one being how handsy he is. There is nothing coaches hate more than free yards and free first downs from penalties. So if they feel like Elam isn't there yet and Benford is, they will start Benford. There is also the possibility neither of them starts week 1 if Tre is ready and they go with Dane and Tre as the starters to begin the season. And at the end of the day, both started a preseason game and had a solid day against a first team offense despite not even having the first team defense around them. So its a good problem to have when you have a 6th rounder out producing his draft position and pushing for playing time. Elam may need more time before they trust him out there, its not a big deal.

Thats a possibility, and the one I will be rooting for as he is a total POS. But there is the other possibility where he is such a POS that it doesn't bother him but motivates and fuels him. I mean he has already demonstrated some big character flaws in his predatory actions followed by a lack of remorse or even responsibility. My honest opinion, I think its the latter. One he is incredibly talented and now going to be playing on a much more talented roster, so that will help him some right there. Second, how cold he has been throughout this makes me think he is just a POS and won't give a damn about the fans getting on him during road games and will instead revel in throwing it in their faces on the field. He just strikes me as that kind of POS. But I hope you are right, it is certainly what he deserves to have happen.

Oh I agree, I think they likely dont get to the big dance this year, but the reality is that its also not a crazy thought either that they could sneak into the playoffs if they win a few more games than people think while he is out. Which is why I am shocked the NFL agreed to just 11 games, because it would be an utter disaster for them if they did sneak into that last playoff spot per se then get hot in the playoffs with that very good roster. I mean the OL alone is worlds better than Watson is used to, so this team could be very dangerous in the playoffs if Watson is rounding into his old form by then. Big risk for the NFL here IMHO, and a stupid one. They really botched this whole situation from the get go.

It would be an utter disaster for the NFL if the Browns manage to win enough games while he is out to where the sneak in the playoffs and go on a run in the playoffs and win the SB. And regardless of what we think of Watson as a person, he was a top 5 QB before the scandals. Browns still have a loaded roster, this isn’t as far fetched as people might think, especially if he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder. I mean, it would be worst case scenario for the NFL, so I’m stunned they agreed to just 11 games allowing this to even be a possibility. If the Browns are near .500 they can easily make the playoffs still, and with a roster that talented they can still win 5 to 6 games in those 11 games he’s out. Then there are all 3 to 4 games down the stretch they should win and a few tough games. It wouldn’t be that hard for these guys to go 9-8 or 10-7 and sneak into the playoffs. This is way too little for what he did, should have been a full season.

Seems convenient

This breaks my heart, my condolences and love goes out to Dawson and his family. I have too many loved ones I’ve lost way to early in life like my father at 18. It’s hard losing a loved one at any time in life, but even more devastating when it’s way too soon. I just lost a friend this past Friday in his 30’s and my wife’s grandmother passed away same day. And that was the day after my friends birthday who died 13 months ago from COVID complications. And that was all a month to the day my other friend died that was a wife and mother of 3 beautiful babies under 3 years old. Its so tragic when we see young lives leave this earth too early. Life has a tragic way of reminding us tomorrow isn’t promised. Which is why…don’t hold grudges, don’t hold on to trivial things, don’t forget to call that friend or loved one you haven’t spoken to in a while…don’t wait to tell someone you’re sorry…don’t wait to tell someone how you feel…don’t wait to experience life…don’t make excuses to not go see family…don’t wait to try something new or pursue a dream. Live, love, and experience life, it’s the only one you got for as long as you got it and never forget…tomorrow isn’t promised… so don’t take time for granted. RIP Luke Knox, this seasons for you! Go Bills!!!

Wayyyyyyy too much is being made of his 27 yard run. He was never getting cut or traded unless he had a terrible camp. Which he has not had, so he’s pretty safe for the 53 unless some other team with an injury calls with a decent trade offer. But it’s going to be Devin leading this backfield and getting starter touches with Cook mixing in some runs and lots of work as a pass catcher. Moss will backup Devin, and will get some touches, but Devin will get the lions share of the rush attempts.

He deserves more than an honorable mention, he was easily the most impressive of the Bills rookies and amongst all rookies this week.

I think Shakir sees the lions share of the Davis touches on the outside.

Youre talking about prolonged abuse on a smaller frame. I didn’t say he couldn’t do it at all, I said how the staff probably envisions using him at this point. Could they change their minds sure, but I don’t believe they drafted him with the belief he would eventually be a bell cow running back. His brother is bigger and always hurt as it is.

For every Wyatt Teller there are hundreds of guys you never hear of again. No one is ever going to bat a thousand on every decision. In terms of this overall topic, you don't weaken a third unit on the less than 1% chance this guy at the very back end of the roster might turn into some all pro down the road. That being said, doesn't mean you should always pass over a promising young player for the sake of special teams, every decision with every player is different. For example, going back to Teller, Beane has said he was struggling here and wasn't coming along the way they wanted to see. He does express wishing to give him more time, but there is no telling if he still develops the same here, I mean our OL coach wasn't very good. Sometimes guys go to new systems and they fit how they play better and they excel. Its almost an impossible thing to predict. I think when you are talking about the deeper bench guys, ST needs to be a priority. Not every position is weighted the same either at ST, but guys at positions like WR, RB, DB, and LB especially you need to see these guys be able to contribute on ST.