Rocky Landing

That is why I included the parenthetical caveat, "by Rex standards." Rex talks everybody up. He has gushed about Tyrod, and Cassel, as well. But, in the direct interviews I have read, Rex will add things like, "he needs to use his legs more..." and that sort of thing. That's as close to a public criticism as you'll ever hear from Rex. One thing's for sure-- If EJ has taken that "next step" and wins the starting job, you're going to be having a good time on these boards! I followed your link, and I have to say that's pretty anecdotal. But. it's still pretty good to hear, especially in the context of Watkins' recent comments. I think if we look at Rex's history in choosing QBs. it's not unlikely that, even though he continues to tout the "open competition," he has already made up his mind. It might be one of his greatest flaws, and one that Paolantonio alluded to at the end of the interview. I certainly hope that isn't the case. I think we'll know early in TC if Rex has already made up his mind, or if it is, indeed, an open competition. Hopefully, it is the latter. And, I hope EJ wins squarely. Personally, I have a much higher opinion of Cassel than most on this site. I believe that his seasons with the Pats* and the Chiefs were not a fluke, but his abilities with adequate protection, and decent skill positions, of which we will hopefully have both. If EJ can beat that Matt Cassel, then maybe we have a franchise QB.

Were any other of our past coaches here, I would say that Cassel, and Manuel would both see starts.But, with Rex, I think that he has shown that he will stick with a starter much longer than other coaches. I think it's going to be Cassel, and (assuming our O-line is offering adequate protection) he will play at a high level. He has shown that he can be effective with the right tools and protection, and I don't see any reason to believe that his previous high-level seasons with the Pats* and Chiefs were a fluke. Also, I think that Tyrod should be in this poll. Rex has been fairly lukewarm on EJ (by Rex standards), but he has sort of gushed about Tyrod. If Tyrod has a good TC (not outside the realm of possibility), and Rex has a hard-on for him (also, not outside the realm of possibility), then he could very well be our starter-- even with his apparent accuracy issues.

Marqueis Grey, IMO, has the potential to be great. He has a varied skill set, has played as a WR, QB, and FB. He has been described as having great "football intelligence," and he has been getting stronger every year. In the brief time he was on the field last season, he made the plays he had look easy. And, I love this story. A lot of people don't really care so much about the character issues, but I do. I love this guy, and I'm glad he is a Bill. He may not be the reason, but he certainly made it easier.

So... Ebron + #19, or Watkins?

I agree, also. But, this article referred to 2016, as well. I strongly suspect that Freddie will be gracefully cut/retired after this season, and we will all feel good about it. The writing is certainly on the wall. And, really hoping that he gets to play a game in the post season. GO BILLS!

I had thought that everyone had speculated that it would have been Ebron, but then Whaley disputed that, and said it was going to be someone else? Be that as it may, the question would be: Which would we rather have-- Ebron, plus the 19th pick, or Watkins? Personally, I'd say Watkins.

Who was it that was reported we were going to take if the Watkins trade wasn't available?

"We salute the rank, not the man." Classless move by Brady, IMO.

Yep.

I'm not sure David Lee isn't a snake oil salesman. That said, here's to the placebo effect!

I'll add Dick Jauron: Destroyer of Quarterbacks, and fan's dreams.

I believe he is available.

Terrel Owens? (Actually, I kinda liked him...)

Well stated.

Here is a link to the actual NFL release that mentions the medical testimony. https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/4-22-15-hardy.pdf Beyond that, I'm not aware of its content. I certainly wouldn't say I'm at all confident, one way or another. I haven't been following this closely in the least. But, it's there, and obviously played into both the NFL, and the N. Carolina DA's opinions.

I'm not certain in any way. You claimed to be only looking at facts, while ignoring even the existence of expert medical opinion, and denied that such statements as "It looks like Hardy's being made to take the punishment for the sins of Ray Rice" were an assumption. (Or, for that matter, that such a statement would belie an agenda.) I will say that the length of his suspension is certainly longer as a result of the backlash from Rice's two week suspension. But, I haven't read anything that would point to Hardy's innocence. And, obviously, there is plenty of evidence against him-- enough to get him convicted (yes, that happened). While it is not confirmed, the most likely scenario is that the only thing that kept him out of prison was a lot of money that he made playing football. And, that's my point. The same system that suspended him is the same system that afforded him a salary that could buy him out of a prison sentence. He gets no sympathy from me.

You don't think that medical experts understand that distinction?

I'm not basing any arguments on assumptions. It's amazing to me how willing you are to draw conclusions from pure speculation. She must have been lying. The court was playing fast and loose. Apparently the district attorney was at fault here, as well. And, because I'm basing my opinion on written statements regarding such things, as well as expert, medical testimony, etc., it is I who doesn't have much? It is so obvious that you will only regard elements of the case that back up your obvious agenda, and all else is worthy of attack.

It was strong enough to convict him in a North Carolina court.

Which facts are you looking at? According to the NFL report, the woman in question, "sustained a range of injuries, including bruises and scratches on her neck, shoulders, upper chest, back, arms and feet." I'm not posting that as "fact," per se, but as established evidence. The other quote I posted referred to her being pushed into a bathtub, pushed onto a bed with four or more semi-auto rifles, and choking her to the point of bruising. And let's not forget that hardy was found guilty in a North Carolina court, and upon the subsequent appeal, the county district attorney also felt very strongly that he was guilty. Add to that my subsequent quote from the re[port that stated that the NFL's investigation "involved numerous interviews with witnesses and experts, a review of hundreds of pages of court records, documents and exhibits, photographs, police reports, medical records, and reports and opinions of medical experts retained by Hardy's attorneys and by the NFL office." And, from this you draw the assumption that "It looks like Hardy's being made to take the punishment for the sins of Ray Rice?" What more do you need to know about "how they got to their conclusion?" And, again, what "facts" are you looking at? You certainly haven't posted any. You should just read the link to the NFL release. It's only a few pages, large print. Hardy was convicted. Before the retrial, the victim made herself unavailable to the court, most likely as a result of a large settlement.

It sounds like you are making some grand assumptions "just because."

Nah. This ain't the first drought we've had.

A fair question. Also from the release: "The NFL’s investigation involved numerous interviews with witnesses and experts, a review of hundreds of pages of court records, documents and exhibits, photographs, police reports, medical records, and reports and opinions of medical experts retained by Hardy’s attorneys and by the NFL office." From what I gathered, Hardy pled not guilty, and was subsequently found guilty by a state court judge. Hardy then appealed, and was granted a jury trial, which was later dismissed, as the victim had “made herself completely unavailable” for purposes of the trial. In other words, she settled.

According to the press release: "The NFL’s investigation concluded that Hardy violated the Personal Conduct Policy by using physical force against Nicole Holder in at least four instances. First, he used physical force against her which caused her to land in a bathtub. Second, he used physical force against her which caused her to land on a futon that was covered with at least four semi-automatic rifles. Third, he used physical force against her by placing his hands around Ms. Holder’s neck and applying enough pressure to leave visible marks. And fourth, he used physical force to shove Ms. Holder against a wall in his apartment’s entry hallway." Sounds like a nice guy...