BRH

The question I was focusing on was which member of the class would get to a SB first, not win one. The NFC didn’t have anything to do with that where the class of ‘83 was concerned. But that class would have had to deal with Montana (who destroyed both Marino and Elway in the SB) if they had been drafted to NFC teams.

Don't forget, Tony Eason also got there in 1986. I think if you go back to the mid-1980s you will see that there was really nobody else in the AFC, certainly not on the level of a Mahomes. I was 14 in 1983 and I remember a ton of great '70s quarterbacks all retiring or losing effectiveness right around that time and not being replaced by anybody good. - Terry Bradshaw in Pittsburgh -- Mark Malone succeeded him. Mark Malone! - Bert Jones in Baltimore/Indy -- they drafted Elway but traded him and were stuck with Art Schlichter and Mike Pagel - Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett in Oakland/LA -- replaced by Marc Wilson. Marc Wilson! - Dan Pastorini in Houston -- replaced by Warren Moon, who had a great career but never made it, thanks in part to us - Brian Sipe in Cleveland -- replaced by Paul McDonald. Paul McDonald! - Ken Anderson in Cincinnati -- they were working in Boomer Esiason, who did make it to a SB - Dan Fouts in San Diego -- he hung around the longest, but the cupboard was bare when he retired (and even before that) - Jim Zorn in Seattle -- Dave Krieg was decent but not great - KC didn't have anybody at all Buffalo (Fergy), New England (Steve Grogan), Miami (Bob Griese), the Jets (Richard Todd), and Denver (Craig Morton) had also lost or were losing longtime QBs, but they mostly hit the lottery in '83. Everyone else was screwed, including KC who tried with Blackledge. As others have pointed out, there was no Mahomes sitting around blocking the class of '83. So this isn't that much of a surprise that the class of '18 hasn't gotten there (yet).

Not really sure how those are impacted. If we release someone, we can't control what 31 other teams do in waivers (see, e.g., Houston). And if we claim someone on waivers, that player isn't going to not report just because Darius Slay was a b1tch. It's more about maintaining a good relationship with the other teams by keeping the "gentleman's agreement" about not claiming other teams' cuts. But Beane could already have been pissed at either Pittsburgh or Philly, or both, if he didn't feel they were acting in good faith before the trade deadline, which would have sent the "gentleman's agreement" out the window.

After hearing what he said, I wish him a merry Christmas and a happy new year at home with his family while he remains on our reserve/did not report list and explains to his wife that he just gave up $2.5M in prorated signing bonus in order to do that.

The problem with that is that players talk to each other and word gets around fast. A front office with the rep for screwing players over isn't likely to be very successful in free agency. We also can't trade his rights because we're past the trade deadline. Although if we see the Rams benefit from a late-round swap with the Eagles in the offseason that doesn't make much sense.... just know we were the middleman in it. (Eagles get Slay, we got Cooks, and the Rams got a higher draft pick for backing off and letting Cooks go to us).

Why wouldn't we put in a claim? He's played the Bengals twice, he's played the Browns, he has insight into the Eagles. All of whom are next up on our schedule. He provides depth, can still play, and has a ring. That's how waivers work. If he doesn't like it, he doesn't have to play.

Something's fishy.

We may very well be able to sign Ingram to the PS later today if no one claims him on waivers. Which is perfect, because we can make Slay inactive until we need him, and elevate Ingram to play special teams. That gives us the best of both worlds. Also, I'm tickled by the arrogance of Eagles fans who thought Slay was going to force us to put him back on waivers so the Eagles could sign him.

Joel Youngblood played in two games for two different teams in two different cities on the same day -- and got hits in both games. Off of two Hall of Famers, to boot.

And in terms of development, how lucky is Maxwell Hairston? In his rookie year he gets to practice with and learn from Darius Slay, Tre White, and Christian Benford. If he keeps his eyes and ears open, he’s going to really have a chance to be something else for us.

You guys all remember when Benford got knocked silly in KC last year and we didn’t have anybody else, right? An experienced six-time Pro Bowl CB with a SB ring literally dropped into our laps and we’re complaining? He’s not going to see the field unless he has to, but I’d rather it be Darius Slay than Ja’Marcus Ingram or Dane Jackson in a spot like that.

I am not in favor of giving that team ANY hope at all. And if you've been paying the least bit of attention the last several years, none of the rest of you should be either.

Seriously. What the hell need would any of us have for a Terrible Towel?

I feel there is the strong potential to go 0-6 in rooting interests this week. As long as we win our game, I don't care.