hondo in seattle

Dude, I'm part of that "soft nation." I've led soldiers through swamps and jungles, across mountains and deserts, and into combat. The soldiers I proudly served with included Christians, Muslims, Jews, Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans and others. Call me "soft" if you want but I know none of these brave, patriotic Americans should be referred to in a derogatory way. That's the big picture.

As a combat veteran, I can't understand why we ever erected statues to Confederate leaders in the first place. I'm all in favor of honoring America's patriotic heroes. But not slave-holding traitors who fought against the United States.

A 2020 UC-Berkeley study found that 49% of Native Americans considered the "redskin" term 'offensive' or 'very offensive.' A Center for Indigenous Peoples/CSU-San Bernadino study found that 67% of people surveyed thought the expression "redskins" name was offensive and racist. Numerous Native American tribes, and other Native American organizations, have spoken out against it. Apparently, the word "redskin" isn't offensive to you. Great. Even some Native Americans don't find it offensive. But many do. Why would we - as a country - choose to demean these good people?

Not so. The entire military is overseen by the Commander-In-Chief. The army has company commanders. The air force has wing commanders. There are lots of commanders in the armed forces.

I think "expanding our network" is the thing. I'm guessing they've already got a verbal deal in place with Dorsey and now need to meet the requirements of the Rooney Rule. So why not use the opportunity to get to know more about a couple coaches they've heard good things about? Could be guys we want latter on.

Agreed. Smoking cigars in the locker room, bragging about his bling, arrogantly knocking other teams.... I think this kid is just going to get worse as he ages.

I have mixed feelings. I'd hate to be the candidate of color who's there just to fulfill a requirement in a situation where the organization has already decided on someone else. But it does give folks interview practice as LeGOATski pointed out. It also gives McD and Beane a chance to get to know Tee Martin. That could pay dividends down the road for both sides.

My first thought was, "Oh, frig! Dorsey turned us down!" Then I remembered the new, modified Rooney rule.

If I'm not mistaken, the next OC is McD's call, not Beane's. Though those two seem to collaborate really well on big decisions - I'm sure Beane will be involved.

Irv, this prediction didn't age well. I hope you predicted a shocking Cinci upset on some other board. It's always good to hedge your bets.

"Who wants old retreads?" That's what New England fans asked when they hired Bill Belichick. And by Bills fans when we hired Brian Daboll. The accomplishments of an OC are limited by the talent of the offensive squad. Some experienced OCs will do great if you give him a QB like Josh. We want one of those guys (if not Dorsey).

Motor is a good, high-effort guy - but not an upper tier starter. It would be cool to have another, better back. Lots of different types of backs could add to this offense: * A Thurman type who can run, block and catch. * An OJ type who can run so well it puts fear in the D and they have to account for him. * A Cookie type who can pound the rock up the middle and wear a defense down.

Josh is a Super Bowl caliber QB. Beane has built something that's close to being a SB caliber roster. McD ended the drought and has only missed the playoffs once. It seems like good things are coming together. If I have a worry, it's this... What makes Josh so terrifying isn't just his arm talent, it's his ability to make plays on the run. So maybe we have a five-year prime window?

Josh had kind of a hot and cold season. But his 'cold' games were typically - if not always - when the OL broke down. Protection was god-awful horrible some games. The two playoff games showed what Josh can do against good Ds when his bodyguards play decently. And it was pretty freaking amazing. I haven't seen Herbert or Burrow enough to truly judge them. But from what I have seen, they don't have Josh's playmaking ability. With all due respect, I think the top young QB discussion has just two names: Mahomes and Allen.

In a way, it's the same thing. When you focus intently on a task, worries about the future and regrets about the past all fall away.

When I was a younger man, I was a sports fan. Now I'm just a Bills fan. I don't watch baseball, basketball, hockey, et al, at all anymore. Once in a while, I might watch an NFL game that doesn't involve the Bills but that's rare. But I watch each and every Bills game. I might watch the Super Bowl this year. Then again, I might not because it'll irritate me the Bills aren't playing. Since I started meditating years ago, Bills losses don't linger with me like they used to. I've gotten better at letting things go. It's kind of weird, when you think about it, to get so emotionally invested in a bunch of kids playing a game. Yet I imagine I'll be a Bills fan until I die. I just hope we win a Super Bowl before then.

Really good video.

Huh?

1. Interior OL. When Josh has a bad day, it's usually because he's getting assaulted. We need better bodyguards 2. CB. Tre is elite. No one else is close. We need faster, bigger, better corners 3. Edge rushers. I'm not sure how much I try Groot and Boogie to provide the pressure we need on Mahomes and others 4. WR. Sound like Beas is coming back. With Davis, we have a good starting three. Need to add a speed guy to stretch the D and get under Josh's deep balls. 5. DT. A younger, better Star. While I don't see it as a huge need, if a dynamic, multi-dimensional, Thurman Thomas type of back is available, he becomes a priority.

This might be accurate, but it's shortsighted. It's kind of like saying Belichick isn't worthy of being a HC because of his recent s**tshow. Frazier has worked as a coach for 30+ years. He's not defined by one evening.

I like Dabs and Frazier - both are good if imperfect. I voted Frazier to walk just because I think it would be easier for McD to keep the D going than the offense.

Just musing out loud, not really suggesting this... Let Dorsey be the OC. Hire Payton as an X-and-O consultant. The guy is really good at schemes, play-design, and all that.

Frazier didn't have a good game this time against the Chiefs. Every coach and player on the team had at least one bad game this season. Do you want to get rid of Allen for his poor performance against the Jags? Frazier led the #1 defense in the NFL. Who do you want to replace him with? The #10 guy? The #20 guy? The unproven DL coach? Who? Because HOF coaches like Bill Belichick always, always win big games. Like against the Bills in the playoffs this year.

This has already been talked about in another thread. All speculation at this point.

As I roam around the country, I occasionally run into Bills fans who are not from WNY. At the regular season game in Arrowhead, for example, I met a Bills fan from Wyoming and you can guess what turned her onto the Bills. But, in my experience, the biggest reason that non-Buffalonians become Bills fans is the Bills Mafia. At least thus far. After watching Allen play in the playoffs, I think he's going to become the Bills best salesman.