NoSaint

Because literally all teams sign other teams cuts. Given his contract - nope. Lee is here and secure.

Sure thing doc. A player can take unlimited late hits on the QBs without being ejected.

No need to be a martyr on this one- the whole leagues seeing it enforced similarly. He’s not being singled out. Thats not the most accurate painting of that picture

I don’t think we are far off, was just outlining some framework for what’s really on the table in this thread — not if this is a must win but what expectations really are with the fan base.

That he’d be at risk for lower body injuries was a shocker for no one. Beane knee it was a risk as much as you pretend it can’t be predicted. He rolled the dice and this one didn’t go his way (yet)

In the Nfl most free agents have risks associated. If they are durable saints with elite measurable sand production- you either never let them walk or they go somewhere for insane money. This group seems to prefer injury risk to character risk, though open to both, if I’m reading between the lines. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t do I don’t hate the strategy. Just like I think it’s fine in other cases around the league. this one irks me a tiny bit as I think we paid at a premium rate for his skills/production despite the risk. But it’s not long term or crazy crazy money.

Thats a bit presumptuous, as you never know what life might throw at a guy. Especially if some accusations have been false they could hesitate or they have other offers you may have to take on some risk. but you measure that vs the potential reward. In this case it was a lot like you throw out there. The raiders were flush with picks and lost a day two pick and zero dollars. I’m ok with risks like that for elite players theres no shoe fits all with these situations and despite it not working out for the raiders, I don’t think it was near the disaster some would probably suggest it was for them. If they make similar moves a couple times and hit on half... say two thirds get burned for one nutcase they cut and one nutcase that gives them an all pro performance on a reasonable contract... it’s not a terrible outcome as long as you are managing expectations and know what you are getting into Ultimately, exactly what he signed in Oakland too Meh. It’s all how you manage it. If you have good leadership one would hope our young players might learn what not to be from that exposure if the player is a train wreck. If you have a young and volatile group without positive leaders it can go terrible for sure though

I don’t think they expected much out of DT though, realistically Frankly, taking a risk on these guys is part of the game. I hope that brown going off the rails in a spectacular fashion does not scare him away from future opportunities. do your homework. Try to minimize risk. But still pull the trigger even if it’s not a promise to work out.

Have you seen the games for 20 years? You only think that they are incidental?

Essentially, if looking for 13 wins in the schedule - you’d feel a lot more comfortable betting on taking this win than penciling sweeping all the super bowl contenders you face- patriots used for easy short hand. Non playoff to fringe teams you need to win at exceptional rates so you can split the top tier teams if you want to be a top seed. If trying to sneak in from here you just have to win most of the jet/fins games (3-1 there gets us to 4 wins with giants in the bank) and split the rest and you are teetering between 9-10 wins which should be a wildcard. This one being a conference game at home would be a real nice one but not totally required

Ultimately the standard expected defines the need... if ok sliding in at 9-7 and seeing if we get tie breaks etc.... we can drop this and even a few of these. if hoping to play I’m buffalo in January, not much room for error in a conference game at home that you should win. It’s crucial to take this victories as otherwise you have to start sweeping teams like NE to make up for it and I’d much rather expect to split NE and beat Cincy at home when penciling in the path to the playoffs

“If they hadn’t signed him so quickly they would’ve seen it on the news soon” isn’t a great standard. I suspect that browns camp was far more aware than they let on to the pats though. Which might be a challenge for him. But they also let him play after knowing there were issues which should hurt their case on the bonus

For a successful franchise a wildcard win isn’t a major milestone either. Kind of 6 of 1 half dozen the other but I suspect beating the pats twice would be a sign of both our resurgence but also their decline which would be pleasant

He also looked like a UDFA that was cut and no one claimed last year. Hes just erratic. Talented but doesn’t put it together all the time.

I don’t think anyone means it’s physically impossible for him to ever get space

We have relatively large amounts to spend in a shrinking window to spend it. There’s a strong argument to use some picks for proven vets instead of day 2 projects. I havent followed his injury but a day two pick for a plug and play top receiver or pass rusher is a no brainer

Same as usual... qb makes the world go round, but optimism runs high so the lists a little shorter at the moment. then an elite pass rusher. Then an elite pass catcher. We dont have glaring holes there, but none are elite. You have to take elite guys there first. Depending on whether we are talking to win Sunday or the next 5 years may tweak answers a bit but the Mahomes-Mack-Hopkins plans are pretty good short and long term

If you didn’t have playoff contention on your agenda until next year, your expectations of how the league works are a bit out of whack

Generally agree. My main concern being that our wins are against 2 of those disasters. As the season wears on it’ll be interesting to see where we shake out. But you can only play your opponent and we have handled the business that should be handled. Ive said for years that the patriots didn’t build their dynasty by playing in the best division. Having some teams to reliably beat up on goes a long way in this league, even if not the romanticized “champions are forged by fire” storyline. You have to be good, but it sure helps to get a few easy ones.

Learned a lesson here. TBD giving you the answers you need instead of the one you want

His point wasn’t every individual is, but that league average is up. He has all the tools and is saying all the right stuff. Can’t help but be excited about it.

If he’s back after the bye for the Atlanta game it may be salvageable. The back half is division heavy and if they can win a few of the ones you’d expect in the short term while drew is out they would be around .500 going into the divisional games. wouldnt leave much room for error but they are the best team in the division when drew is healthy

Statistically it’s just very rare to have the chance. even if in one of their divisions you only play the other on the once every 8 years id be surprised if more than 1, maybe 2, times has a team actually had the schedule quirk happen

I think you are in no condition to pass judgement

If so, path to the playoffs much easier, as much as you hate to say that