transient

Yes, but he may want to find himself a safe house or a relative close by, lay low for a while, cuz he'd probably be wanted for murder.

Sweet. I'd love some teenage girl twitter football insight to go with the teenage girl twitter hockey insight.

I don't get the poll... is there reason to think that EJ doesn't actually exist? Are you suggesting Thad has a metaphorical giant head to go with his actual giant head?

Admittedly, I didn't read this whole thread, so if someone said something similar, I'm sorry for the redundant nature of my post... If smoking pot and driving recklessly (not at the same time) is the grounds that the Bills would use to cut a 24 year old, then if I was a Bill, I would have been cut as well. Jerry Sullivan's article would be more appropriate if this guy was Aaron Hernandez, but the level of indignation that he displays for Dareus is beyond unreasonable, even without taking Dareus' recent past personal tragedies into consideration. For the last time, F&%& Jerry Sullivan and the Bucky Gleason he rode in on.

Worry about the jets... isn't that what we have the FAA for?

F5

Technically, anything not downstate (NYC, Long Island, and surrounding burbs) is considered upstate. Upstate = more general, Western = more specific.

You can't blame Bon Jovi for wanting to move the team to TO. Given the trend delay between the rest of the world and Canada, his music is due to start hitting their airwaves any day now. This is all a repackaging ploy. Crazy Canucks.

In principle, I agree. I do, however, think the current draft is somewhat reflective of an urgency that this FO senses to prove EJ was the right pick last year. Whaley essentially admitted after the draft last year that his fate was tied to EJ, and if he struggles this year, a new owner is likely to clean house, irrespective of this year's draft, IMO. While an argument can be made that this year's draft should help in years to come, I feel the intent of all of the trades (Williams and Brown included) was meant to bring immediate help to EJ, specifically, and the team by extension.

Some people take longer to mature than others. Hopefully the thought of nearly blowing his shot in the NFL motivates him to make better decisions. Debate about ability to rehab stupid aside, you can't teach size or natural athleticism. Maybe he's ready to try to reach his potential now that it's now or never.

I had defended Stevie in the past (not vigorously, but previously thought he was harmless enough). Personally, I think he's gone because, despite all of his lip service, when a game was on the line and he had a chance to make THE play, he always seemed to disappear and blame someone else in the postgame presser, or make it seem like it was no big deal. Not the person that Marrone wanted "mentoring" the youngsters on the field, IMO, regardless if he was otherwise a "good lockerroom guy". I haven't watched a ton of Mike Williams outside of the highlight reel, but the man certainly competes for the balls that are thrown near him. Between Williams, Watkins, and Woods, EJ just needs to get the ball close, leaving Goodwin to just run far and fast, then adjust.

Also, Whaley's has just shown that he's not afraid to move around in the draft. While not having a first next year would make it more difficult, if there is a QB there worth taking and EJ's not the man, what's to keep him from putting together a package to get the player they want next year, especially if the rest of the pieces have fallen into place?

I believe you. It would be pretty unlikely that someone couldn't recognize that as their own work. I lol'd at the Eddie Munster (Mel Kiper) reference.

Allow me a quick Van Miller impersonation of a Metzelaars reception: Bills set at the line. The ball is snapped. Kelly back to pass. Sets. Throws. HE'S GOT METZELAARS ALL ALONE AT MIDFIELD!!! MAKES THE CATCH. HE'S AT THE 50...(3s pause) HE'S AT THE 49... HE'S AT THE 48... he's tackled from behind at the 47 yard line by William "the refrigerator" Perry. That had the look of a big play, if not for the fleetness of foot of the big defensive lineman.

The only thing that could make that scenario sweeter would be if we still had the incomparable David Nelson to line up outside of him. Just IMAGINE the possibilities.

Acknowledging that a stereotype exists is not the equivalent of subscribing to it, but thanks for continuing to define obtuse for me. These examples are very helpful. A few more like this, and I think I'll get it.

Is that what he refers to "little Jerry" as nowadays?

My brief prior response was a (failed) attempt to not involve myself in something that is clearly a crusade to you. In an effort to prevent this freight train of misrepresentation from going further off the tracks and have you cast yet further aspersions on my character... Regarding the "self-unaware irony" comment, I was quite aware of what I was writing, to the extent that I debated altering the phraseology to "frat boy mentality" as it might have been less likely to provoke a response such as yours, which was not the intent. The point you contort, however, is that I am directing this at fraternities, instead of at the NFL. Changing the order of the words to "stupid frat boy" changes the meaning, a fact that I suspect you realized given your clearly extensive grasp of the language. You then continue to bludgeon the reader with this sentiment so as to insinuate that I think all fraternity brothers are stupid. My intent was to invoke the "frat boy stereotype" (thus the word stereotypical and the quotation marks) as an example of behavior that is permeating the NFL, instead of having to walk the reader through every recent example of it. By way of disclosure, I have never been a member of a fraternity. I have many friends who pledged and joined fraternities when we were in college, and I'm sure that if I asked any one of them what the stereotype of a "frat boy" was, I would get a description that closely resembles the chauvinist, intolerant brothers depicted in Animal House, Revenge of the Nerds, or countless other movies. They probably also wouldn't be offended by my acknowledgement that there, in fact, is a stereotype unless I conveyed that that was my impression of my friends, specifically, or of fraternities, in general, which it is not. Unfortunately, with examples as recent as this offseason with Incognito, hazing and other personal abuses which I would associate with that STEREOTYPE are prevalent in the NFL. To the point about "right to acceptance," this is your agenda, not mine. My intent was to point out that the media was going out of their way to accept Michael Sam, and recognize the courage it took to go through this whole process as an openly gay male, and not just tolerate his existence, thus the extensive coverage. I was also pointing out that many outside of the sporting world regard this as a step that needed to be taken, and that even ESPN was appropriately cognizant of the significance of the moment. Let me be clear; I am aware of how I phrased that, and I did mean to take a shot at ESPN. I agree that the coverage was over the top, but no more so than what regularly occurs for the combine or draft itself, which is of less social importance, in my opinion. Regarding all of the other flattering and colorful language you've thrown my way, read through both of our posts on the matter. Which of us is more clearly defined by all of those terms that you so nicely offered to explain to me. If there was one thing I would change in my initial response, it would be the "It says something when even ESPN understands the significance of the moment," as on re-reading it could be construed as me taking a personal shot at jboyst, which was not my intent.

:thumbsup:

As someone who can appreciate irony, I'm sure you can appreciate its presence in the fact that you've used the terms obtuse, pseudo-intellectual, farce, self-unaware, and "retarded" to characterize the content of my post...

I must have missed the cake eating. I was referring to the phone call and hand holding that was on a loop on ESPN. Your initial post about the cake eating posted as I was typing my second. By the end of the 7th round, I was about burnt on draft coverage, and I turned it off after Warren Sapp mentioned Sammy Watkins being the best gamble of the weekend, given that the offense would be so explosive featuring him paired with Stevie Johnson (at which point everyone else on the set pointed out that he was traded to SF), and Fred Taylor (which everyone else must have just chalked up to more drivel from the big dummy, and let it ride).

How many draftees cried this weekend? If I'm not mistaken, the waterworks started with the first overall pick. How many other of those draft picks had as much of a personal stake in this weekend as well as a professional stake? I saw the reaction of someone who had taken on a cause that was bigger than himself finally have the opportunity to release months of stress and anxiety. If you had not known his sexual orientation and had just been witness to a draft pick hanging out with his girlfriend finally get the call and display the same affection, would you have still thought his reaction was over the top?

Societal tolerance does not equate to acceptance. While many could care less about sexual orientation because they truly have reached a point of acceptance, there are probably just as many who tolerate homosexuals out of conformity without actual belief in equality. The fact that the Rams drafted a player that was openly gay sends a message. The fact that Michael Sam was strong enough to be open and upfront about this (albeit, in the face of it likely being assumed even if he didn't confirm it) instead of trying to hide it while applying for a job with what could be equated with the epitome of male heterosexuality (and, unfortunately too often, stereotypical "frat boy stupidity"), conveys an important societal message about acceptance and being yourself. He may not turn out to be much of a football player, but like it or not he has sent a strong message as a role model, and it is a story worth following. It says something when even ESPN understands the significance of the moment.

Are you really suggesting that a rookie would provide a better backup than Thad Lewis with a full training camp and preseason? Given the point at which they brought him in last season, were you really expecting more? Anyone they brought in this year would be a practice squad project at best.

1) The current regime put their eggs in the EJ basket well before this weekend. They went out of their way to bring in a shiny new toy, a couple of big uglies, and more insurance in the backfield in an effort to ensure that they're giving him every chance to succeed. On top of that, no playoffs this year and a new owner cleans house. They don't have the luxury of worrying about next year's draft. Makes sense to me. 2) The Bills tried to cover their bases last year, but a slippery mat, and a hit to the head took care of that. Give Lewis and Dixon some actual prep time in the system and they will be better than any rookie in terms of insurance. Tuel... meh. 3) SJ had a knack for coming up big until you needed him. And when he let the team down, it was never his fault (it was His fault). Better to let the young guys play without the mentorship of someone who so often couldn't be man enough to own his own mistakes. 4) Wisdom, patience, and judgement in the form of Levy, no one, and Nix has consistently missed the playoffs. Maybe someone with a win now approach to building a team will fare better. Besides, Whaley has shown more willingness in a single draft to find a way to get what he wants to succeed this year than we've seen in the last decade combined. I, for one, found it refreshing. Amazing what a GM with an understanding of cellular technology can do. 5) Year one of a coaches tenure is always in some part roster evaluation. As we turn this roster over, I'm interested in seeing what Marrone's plan is. Loss of Byrd and a few bit players aside, the 2014 version looks to have a true #1 receiver, a beefed up o-line, a better cast of run stuffers, and likely 3 QBs with a full season and offseason in the system. These pieces in place last year and I'm betting our coaching staff looks better than what you're giving them credit for. 6) I think the Brown trade was predicated on the BC back being picked. Plus, it appears, if I'm understanding it correctly, that the pick is a 4th next year, unless Stevie kicks in the incentive to make the SF pick a 3rd, in which case it becomes a 3rd in 2016. This for a proven NFL player as opposed to a questionable draft pick. 7) Until the Bills are a "destination" frachise with a chance to win the Lombardi every year, they will have to overpay for players, same as every team in the bottom third of the league. Be upset about it if you want, but it is a fact of life.