May Day 10

wow. sleazy move

"Robot Dave" A guy who claims to have sources with 300 followers.

some context https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2018/02/05/morning-sports-update-brandon-browner-posted-a-rant-on-the-patriots-benching-malcolm-butler It sounds like he was just spewing frustration for his friend getting benched, and not inside info. You do have to wonder how that plays with Butler's teammates though.

I dont think Belichick is competing for influence. I believe the day he perceives he doesn't have 100% of the influence he is going to decide to leave (and that day may have passed).

They had a captive ticket base due to the playoff runs of 06 and 07, tickets being very cheap vs box office, and the existence of the waiting list. It has created a false demand. They have had routine and harsh price increases throughout the decade, along with a disregard for fans, which (people here will cry) has gotten even worse since Russ "marketing genius" Brandon has been brought in as president. Last year's fan appreciation 5-cent Key Bank sunglasses for the first 10,000 fans was a slap in the face. It sounds petty, but I nearly tossed my season tickets for that final straw, but talked myself into hanging on for a new coach and possible success. The bubble is going to burst this offseason, and its going to be ugly. They have avoided the bubble in the past a few times. Almost hit it in 2010, but we had the Miller/Myers miracle run to the Division title. When they regressed again the following season, people were again fed up, but Pegula mania took over in the Spring and the future looked limitless. Then again in 2013, but there was a lockout, and everyone had like half their tickets paid in advance so it was easy to stick it out. Then, the following year when the theory of tank started and everyone expected a guaranteed Pittsburgh/Chicago run. But now I dont see anything thats going to prevent the STH bailing like rats off a sinking ship. This team is pretty far off, Tim Murray messed up bad and salted the earth.

I wouldnt deny their dynasty and how it probably will never be equaled (although LeBron has his own thing going in the NBA) But I dont think it is all Brady's doing. I credit Belichick for most of it. Brady is a great QB and his dedication/mind is top notch for the position... but without Belichick, there is no dynasty IMO. But we will never know.

haha , yeah. I don't see how a Patriots fan would feel bad about that stat.

I respect that, and don't think you're wrong.... and I realize Im likely in the minority.... but I put a lot more stock in the team and coaching. I place much more of the Patriots' success at the feet of Belichick. Brady is great cerebrally to run the offense and make excellent snap decisions and throws, but without the Patriots, I don't think he sniffs the "team accolades" that he gets with the Patriots, which is what is used to put him over the top. Elway, Manning, and Marino, I thought were much better pure QBs who dealt with much more flawed teams and coaches, which prevented them obtaining the gaudy team accomplishments.

oh yeah, that's right.

I don't put as much stock into straight up Superbowl performance/record as the rest of the world. Straight up quarterbacking. If I was a GM, and all players from history were available to build my franchise Manning Marino Elway Brady Favre Montana Unitas Most people would yell at me for downgrading Montana and Brady.... but I think both those guys were insulated in juggernaut organizations and systems. If Brady was drafted by any other team, IMO he would not be nearly the same. Same with Montana. While Manning and Marino and Elway would elevate any team they were put on.

I like Edmonton's the best. I liked it the days before they became mainstream. Chicago and Buffalo were the only ones. Buffalo's in the aud really filled the room and was awesome.

do you think he knows when the game is over? or does he try to line up for the next play and someone taps his shoulder to tell him its over

i wonder if that concussion shook him up

that was an awful call on the review

i think brady knows he is toast without belichick. wouldnt be surprised if he would call it quits as well

Its touching that a player of that stature and 'celebrity' gets it. He has really impressed me overall off the field.

I dont think that is what he was going for? He did provide Gronk an opportunity to display a little humility, empathy, and compassion.... and instead, just displayed that he is the mentally fragile rock-head that we all know he is. For that, I appreciate Sullivan's effort

spoiler for Game of Thrones The 'Red Wedding' was absolutely brutal for the "hopeful" reader/watcher. It changed from the story of a Son with an army avenging his father's death, removing the king (who is one of the most repugnant characters ever), and building toward the confrontation between Rob and Joffrey that seemed inevitable since the scene early in the 1st book in Winterfell... to a story of an unforgiving world that sucks. It was the biggest gut punch. spoiler for Oz Adibese was a tough loss. He was the primary baddie, the ringleader for most things, and the symbol of how brutal the prison is. He died just past the midway point of the series and his absence deflated the show just a bit. While the Red Wedding didnt hurt the quality of the story (actually enhances it), Oz lost a bit of quality when Adibese died (although still a terrific show)

i love week 4 of the preseason. cant get enough.

the appeal to the masses, is generations-old tribal identification with ncaa and nfl teams... and fantasy football/gambling. quality of play is secondary and is often mistaken for high scoring. he is going to throw these things in large markets where they will struggle to get people's attention. imo a "foolish club" type of model with a modest start in modest sized markets... that promised to empower players (no zero tolerance for crimes or expression, and pay model based on winning), would stand a chance

what money is the xfl going to bid with? not unionized, no pension.... one strike and youre out, mcmahons history of keeping his thumb on his talent. plus he already touted his "get paid more if you win" model.

I would say Brandon, Wilson, Jauron, Moorman, and Nix

This. He has been a great Buffalo Bill and he really "got" Western New York and our fanbase, which is generally not easy for a highly paid person to do.

is he good/competent enough? I just remember the disaster of the center position before Wood took it over *shudder

Eric Wood would hurt as well. I know he is up there, but making center an immediate need is a tough one.