K-9

My advice is to pay attention to the game within the game between WRs and CBs. Technique is all well and good, indeed it's essential, but these guys throw much of that out of the window during a game. Especially as they get to know each other over the years.

What you said in the original post I responded to: sounded to me like you were ascribing Polian the power to trade away draft picks heading into the ‘85 draft. He simply didn’t have that authority at the time. If I misunderstood that comment, fine. Thanks for clarifying. But I don’t think my assumption was far fetched based on what you said.

Is the bloom off Binnington? I’m interested to see how he responds to his first benching at home. He’s at a crossroads. Another clunker, another removal, and I gotta wonder if he gets a full case of the goalie yips.

I made no assumptions. Like many things Polian, his ego tends to embellish things a bit. While Polian was certainly ascending within the organization, Stephenson had more power and sway with Detroit heading into the ‘85 draft. Polian simply wouldn’t have been the person he would need to consult on trades one way or the other. No matter how much he may have thought that at the time. Helluva great draft, as you said.

Don’t care that it wasn’t a cinematic masterpiece, I missed the language and the meter with which it was delivered and I was glad to have it back for a bit.

Polian didn’t have that kind of juice when Stephenson was coach as he was fired before Polian was promoted to GM at the end of ‘85. That said, Polian wasn’t apt to trade those premium picks, anyway.

“Do you have two nipples for a dime?”

I hear ya. But Murray wasn’t alone in his dismissal of DeBrincat. In hindsight, it’s hard to believe he lasted until pick 39. Then again, Murray was one of a handful of teams to have two cracks at him in the draft and he passed both times.

I’ll have to give that a listen. Thanks for posting. I like the Gaudreau and DeBrincat comparisons but I’m not sure he’s as good a skater as they are. Fast enough, but don’t know if he has the kind of edge work. That said, he’s the leading goal scorer in USNTDP history. And not by a fraction; he shattered Kessel’s record. Intriguing indeed.

Yeah, probably. But that was all because of Kelly’s talent as a QB, including leadership, etc. But Kelly was a major league douche nozzle back in the day. Josh on the other hand, has an infectious, humble, personality in addition to all those other QB traits. Just so easy to root for.

LMAO! That is one of the best lines ever, in this forum or anywhere. Gold, Jerry. Pure gold.

Good read, thanks for posting. I’d be ecstatic if he were there at seven. If not, I’m hoping for either Caufield or Boldy. Caufield, especially, has really grown on me. Yes, he plays with elite talent at center in Hughes, but this kid is a flat out goal scorer, regardless. I’m not put off by his diminutive stature at all, either. He’s a tough little bastard.

I see parallels between Wallace’s and Josh Allen’s stories. Both ignored, both determined, and both willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. This is the very fiber of greatness. And as lucky as we are to have Allen at QB, we are just as fortunate to have a guy like Wallace setting the same example on defense. I was a fan of this kid well before we signed him as what he accomplished at Alabama amidst that sea of 5 star recruits and for a coach like Saban, first drew my attention to his story. Learning more about what motivates him has made me respect him even more. Taking the starting job from him won’t be easy for anyone competing for it. Nobody on this planet wants it more.

Louisville was the 5th ranked team in the country going into that game? Unbelievable.

Well, I am sure and it won’t work. At least not for long. A QB must be able to operate from the pocket predominantly because the pocket offers more of the field to exploit and forces defenses to defend more area. If a QB can’t do that, it just makes it too easy for defenders. DCs don’t just defend what you can do, they they defend what you can’t do as well. I don’t believe for a second that the Ravens didn’t think they could develop him into a pocket passer as they designed schemes to maximize his other talents in the meantime. But those schemes are too simplistic in the long run and defenses will force him to beat them from the pocket sooner or later. If he shows he can, he can have a long career. If he can’t, he won’t. Like I said, it’s that simple.

Disagree. If he can’t operate out of the pocket consistently, he has no chance of succeeding in this league. Zip, zero, nada, none. It really is that simple. Oh, they can design various gimmicks to hide the fact he can’t operate from the pocket and that will buy him some time in the league. But once teams “make him be a quarterback”, it’s all over as a starter.

Those who’ve changed their view watched the games. Shatzhispants doesn’t bother to view games. He’s all about numbers, as if they tell the whole story when, in fact, they don’t tell much at all.

Well, you know what they say about great minds.

Not for winners who expect more of themselves. It’s one of Allen’s best character traits; he is simply not afraid to hold himself accountable. I doubt we will ever hear excuses coming from him. Explanations, yes. But he just strikes me as someone who doesn’t have time for excuses since he’s all about getting on with fixing mistakes and improving. And I Goddamn guarantee that doesn’t go unnoticed in the locker room, the classroom, and the on the field by his coaches and other players. It’s a winner’s trait.

I know Carter did, but I’m not sure about the other one whose name is too laborious to type. He may have had a shoulder issue, iirc.

So, if the reports coming out of the OTAs were that Allen couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn play after play, you wouldn’t be worried at all?

I’m glad he agrees that the throw he got injured on vs. Houston was his moment of clarity. It was his best pass of the year to that point and so many of us were pissed that at his best moment, he also got hurt. But that injury was a blessing in disguise. Anyway, thanks for posting this. Great stuff.

It matters not the faces of our foes for in the eyes of the victor, the vanquished look the same.

I believe there may be something to this. It’s possible they made it easy for RI to simply leave if he chose.