Just in Atlanta

Calling gym class a mandate is a big stretch. I'm comparing your view that you want more government in your house to that of mandating hygiene...or soda intake...or anything that's good for you...or pick your poison. My next door neighbor's kid busted his eye on the stupid backyard trampoline. Should we ban that too? We can go on and on with these dangerous activities. Is the mom of trampoline boy deserving of a fine? You're cherry picking what someone says cause you agree with the role of government in people's lives. Doctors say a lot of things. They overprescribe painkillers. And antibiotics. And antidepressants. They say everything is dangerous. Of course they're going to say football is dangerous for a kid. Because it is. That doesn't mean we have to listen. It's called being a human, and, hopefully, an American. My doctor told me not to drink more than two drinks a day. I don't listen. My doctor told me, as a kid, to not eat so many sweets. I didn't listen. Should my mom had been mandated to not allow me to eat so many Nerds and Sweet Tarts? You clearly don't think this game silly with 5,147 posts.

Doctors also say kids should exercise every single day and floss twice daily. Should we mandate that too?

I'd list freedoms lost--but if you don't see that we're losing freedoms exponentially, which we are, you'd never admit to anything. I could say NY banned yellow shirts, and you'd probably "yeah but." 5 year olds can't drive--because they're five!--and would harm others. Giving a 3 year old alcohol could be construed as child abuse--because their bodies can't handle it. I'd also say there comes a point when a parent should be allowed to give their kid a beer if that is his world view. Letting a kid play a game with other kids is a personal choice. Yes, many parents are idiots. And your solution to that is empowering even bigger idiots (politicians) to take all of our freedoms away? If you want constraints in your life, great. Please don't force your world view of what you think ought to be constrained down my throat through some douchebag politician. Assuming my future kid wants to play, I will be letting him play, regardless of what you, or Assemblyman Benedetto, believe.

I may have been a dummy, but not uncoordinated. Had no control of the (thick) branch breaking. The second time, my friend was goofing around and roughhousing...pushing me off. I gave him a tity twister afterward.

I actually fell out of two trees as a kid. Weird, huh? Think I would have learned my lesson the first time. Suffered a concussion both times. First time, I was hanging on a branch and it broke. Hit the back of my head on a rock wall. Never forget the sound I heard--like a baseball unwinding at super speed past my ears. The second time, I literally fell out of a tree and hit the back of my head (again!) on a branch. Much more of a mild concussion. Should we ban tree climbing? Played tight end as a pee wee. Don't ever recall hurting anything that didn't feel fine within a few hours.

I see your point. Just don't buy it. There simply comes a point when human beings should be human beings and not part of some regulated collective. This term "public" is a dangerously loaded word. When we give up rights simply because something is public we will end up giving up more. You are saying because a kid might hurt himself on "public" property the public has a right to prevent him from performing the activity that might cause the injury. That's a slippery slope if I ever did see one.

DC Tom, the children are our future. Don't be so cynical. Teach them well and let them lead the way.

Wait till some kid in Utica is killed on the field. Then Cuomo, and other pols, won't be seeing this as absurd. It would have been "absurd" five years ago to think about banning smoking inside one's own apartment, banning large sodas, or pick one of many "absurd" laws that have been passed that intrude on our lives. This won't pass. But it lays the groundwork for the next crisis.

10 year olds too. I think there comes a point when the average person, regardless of politics, comes to the conclusion that there is a line that's been crossed concerning government reach into the minuta of our daily lives. I will not be letting any politician tell me what activities I can't send my own kid to. He will be playing football if he wants, as well as BMXing or anything else that's in his heart. Sorry, but you aren't "anti government" if you think some politician, who works for you, should be telling you you can't let your kid play freaking football. My two cents.

NY Assemblyman Michael Benedetto dropped a bill that would do just that. Likely wouldn't pass, but if it did, it would have a big effect on skills development, IMO, as well as parental rights. Seriously--is there anyone here who thinks this is sane? Caused this football lover to draft up a little parody.

Thanks for the share.

Well done.

We have more fans than Jacksonville at least.

Having a mobile QB is good. I think it's been proven, though, that QBs who run first, and recklessly, have short playing careers rife with missed games. See RGIII. Kaep is a rare talent--great at both. I'd be surprised, though, that he plays a full season playing as he did this year. Luckily, he has a cannon arm and good decision making skills and great receiving talent and a great O line. Pocket passers only work well when they A) have a great line, B) have deep talent to throw the ball to and C) a great running game. Mobile QBs can play well with a deficiency in any of these.

What's wrong with showing spunk? C'mon, man, would you rather have Dickie J? I want a coach with fire in his belly.

The good news is, teams are now catering to rookies' abilities now, allowing them to be super productive even in their first year. I'm also sold on Flacco and Copernicus. Amazing performances.

No contest. Dodge God made a farmer.

You can't get away from this guy. Could be the worst DC this team has had since I started watching the Bills in the late 80s. With his conservative strategy, I'd be shocked if TB's Special Teams finish anything less than bottom 6.

Logged in here to see what you cats were saying about the Pro Bowl. I was going to watch until CJ was in, but couldn't even do that. Byrd flubbing an easy tackle in the Red Zone turned me away. Two pages of comments here, with three players in the game. For contrast, Marone's penchant for saying "ya know" got twice as many pages. Yeah, I say there is a better than 75 percent chance we just saw our last one.

Dicks.

Guess the famous CPS--codeine and pastrami sandwich--diet isn't all it's cracked up to be. In all seriousness, how can you play QB at 300 pounds? Or even 275? This is ridiculous. Roethlisberger is 240, and he looks huge.

The fact he said Marone must fix Fitz makes this analysis moot IMO. The only fixing of Fitz that might be happening--and that's probably less than 50-50--is teaching him how to hold the clipboard properly. I personally see Chip Kelly either tearing it up, or getting blown up. Funny how this guy generates extremes of opinion on both ends. As an analyst with SI, especially one with as little experience as this reporter, I'd temper my grade of a guy whose never even stepped foot in an NFL lockerroom.

I do hate milk with a passion. You are absolutely right! It should have drawn a fine.

Last time, a kick should be a penalty. All I'm saying is that it was more dangerous to Brady than Reed. His leg was exposed in the air. I remember when I played soccer as a lad, I slid, attempting to kick the ball. Someone ran into my leg. He was fine. I was in serious pain.

Can't believe I'm defending Brady, and I'm really not, because you obviously shouldn't put your leg up, but picture yourself in the following scenario: You're on the ground. You've got the body style of Brady. Ed Reed collides into your leg--full speed--as you're on the ground, motionless. You really saying that's not potentially going to cause serious damage to Brady...more so than Reed? He could've snapped his freaking ankle. I can't believe so many people don't see that.