Rocky Landing

Does anyone know: Are all three (or four) QBs playing? Will/should TT, or Cassel get time with the #1s? Which RBs are playing?

I'm actually a Lynch fan. But, it's easy to forget how unhappy, and subsequently unproductive he became towards the end of his stay in Buffalo.

So, it's not EJ you hate-- just his fans?

They have some problems on offense, as well. Losing Le'Veon Bell, and Pouncey has got to hurt.

Just logged on. So, is the debate now between, "it's all a smokescreen," and "EJ must be the week one starter?"

Exactly what I was thinking.

Karlos Williams?

I put a lot of stock in Kyle speaking up on his behalf.

The worst part after that game was listening to Derek Carr attribute the Raiders' win (our loss) to the will of Jesus. Thanks, Jesus!

A lot of hay was made over that drop-- mostly as an excuse for EJ. But, IMO, that was a poorly placed ball. Hogan was on a full speed crossing route, like what, 8 yards out? EJ hit him in the shoulder. Yes, Hogan should have caught it. BUT, on a route like that, the ball really has to be out in front of him, and it needs to be an accurate throw. Hogan had to twist around to grab it. At that short a distance, at full stride, it's an easy drop.

Or watching Scott Chandler lead the team in reception yardage.

Bills fan in Los Angeles, here. Also displaced from WNY for 20+ years. But, at least LA doesn't have a successful team to rub my nose in the bleakness of Bills fandom.

Largely on the defense's shoulders, no? Also, as I read those stats, Hogan 2014 is a close second in production to '03 Bobby Shaw.

If that were true, I would think it would be less likely to be EJ.

Well, if you really want to compare rosters, you should look at the specific elements of those rosters. Last season, we had a dreadful O-line, numerous good receivers, (including Watkins, Woods, Goodwin, Chandler, Freddy, Spiller, and even Gragg has some good productive catches), and, Orton. I would think that the combination of poor O-line, depth at receiver, and mediocrity ay QB would hamper a depth receiver's production?

Wow. A genuine Hogan Hater.

It should also be obvious to note that in Welker's prime, he was being thrown to by Tom Brady*. (And those under inflated balls are easier to catch!)

If we keep Thigpen, who do you think is most on the bubble: Easley, Goodwin, Hogan, or Thompson? In order?

It's an understatement to say that you are in the minority in this opinion. Even most of the hardcore EJ fans admit that he is probably in third place in the competition. But, the crazy part is: Your scenario is by no means outside the realm of possibility.

I'll accept, "Goodwin is probably making the team," AND NOTHING LESS!!!

Those last two sentences need some motivational imagery with them There. Fixed it!

Four TEs, and two FBs?

That was his nickname with the Jets, both for the reference to his name, and his ability to lay people out.

There is that. But, PRs do take some hard hits, often by several players simultaneously. I don't necessarily have the durability concerns that others do regarding Goodwin as a WR, but PRs have to be quite sturdy. But, an equal concern for me is his ability to reliably catch an end-over-end punt with players bearing down on him. Not sure if that's really in his wheelhouse.

I think the hallmark of a great leader is the ability to trust one's generals, so to speak. I know I'm speaking in vague terms here, but I think it's Roman's job to offer assessments of the various options, and the potential for each. Along with that would be his preference, but if his preference doesn't match up with the type of team Ryan is trying to build, I think it's Roman's obligation to adjust to Rex, not the other way around. If Roman truly believes that one option is going to result in fewer wins, then he should be making a strong case against it. But, if the conversation is about, "this is how we win with this guy, and this is how we win with the other guy..." then that is how Rex will build consensus. I really like eball's hypothetical conversation in this regard, and the more I think about it (and, I am well aware that I am just pondering the ramifications of a thin rumor), the more I could understand how Roman would prefer Cassel over TT. By most accounts, Cassel reads the field better. That is no small thing, and I could see how that would give Roman more options in running, and controlling his offense. And, I could see how that would not necessarily mesh with what Rex is trying to build.