The Dean

I realize this kind of thing is totally outside my experience (well, other than that I was a bartender for many years), but obviously you know your how you and your wife are likely to drink. But what I don't understand is your aversion to keeping some alternatives in the house, even if they may not be consumed in a short period of time. Alcoholic beverages have a long shelf life (a bottle of vodka keeps for years and years)---and they are good to have on hand when you have company. I'd go about solving this problem by having a wide variety of possibilities in the house. A nicely stocked bar goes a long way. That way your wife, daughter, or you, can go with the flow and try something new, something that just strikes your fancy at the moment. And the beauty here is, if you end up not really liking it, then you make something else. Some people don't keep a lot of booze in the house, because they are afraid they will drink too much. But in your case, that doesn't sound like a concern.

Ha! Yes make the standard based on one preseason game. Cut them all!

If we are going by what we've seen in the past, "I'm thinking why bother having the competition?" Isn't this to see if anyone has improved, or can rise to a new challenge? That also got me to thinking, are there any "unknowns" available? Guys who have never given the NFL a shot, but who excelled in college? As to whether Rex should back off a bit with his approach to Carpenter: There is no one way to deal with players. Some guys you use a velvet glove with others an iron fist. I just hope Rex is picking the right method with Dan, as he has used the velvet glove, for the most part, with the rest of the team. One thing is for sure, I'd bring in some guys but my money would be on Carpenter.

Don't you think they give Gay a shot to compete, if they are looking for a full time kicker?

What misinformation has Wawrow spouted? IMO he is the fairest and most reliable of the local reporters. (Well, locally based, that is.)

First of all, I'd lose the "paranoid manner". And I wouldn't use the term "faking it", if all I knew was that he was cleared by a doctor. C'mmon. The NFL is littered with stories of guys who have been cleared by team doctors when they shouldn't have been. I also have personal experience in having physical troubles that doctors were unable to diagnose---and some denied. Only years later am I finding out I indeed had these legit issues. So, no without direct evidence, I wouldn't use the term "faking it". But would I want to pay a guy like this to play football for my team? No.

Yes, there will be cuts. Guys that weren't good enough to make the other teams' rosters. Probably not a lot of quality there, either. But you never know.

I think he pulled his groin. Then he injured his leg.

I know you said you prefer something that doesn't need to be mixed, but I'd try vodka with: Iced Tea (sweet or unsweet, flavored or unflavored). I sometimes have unsweet tea, with a slash of lemonade (diet if possible). Crystal light stuff. It comes in many flavors and has 0 calories. The store brands are find for mixing. You can probably find some mixture that suits her just fine, and it's really easy to make. You can even mix up a pitcher---it will keep for a few days. If she's only having one or two, the quality of the vodka really ins't even an issue, IMO. Of course, if you are having more, you want to use a decent, well filtered multi distilled, vodka. Sobieski is good and pretty inexpensive. There are others in that range, too. A couple stiff elixirs and she will be good to go to bed. She might even go to sleep. Now about your wife...

It will be fun to watch him fail. But I won't bash him on this first season. OK, I might.

Problem might be the lack of "better kickers".

Oh I understand the concern. But the guy has just come off some leg troubles. It is especially tough for him because he doesn't seem to handle KO well. I find it hard to believe this young punters aren't learning to blast a kickoff from a tee. You think Rex will roll with Gay?

While you may be right. The guy missed a bunch of time this offseason. Probably still getting his feel back. But hitting the post is a ton better than being 6 feet wide, if that's the case. Still I'm a bit concerned---but not worried.

I think the refs are ready for this game, and the preseason, to end. I know I am.

On his way to a terrible sack he threw the ball away---backwards. Fumble for huge loss of yards.

I tried to jump start it in this thread.

You REALLY don't understand that point?

Simms has played well, for the most part, with the obvious exceptions of some bad sacks and that one HORRIBLE play. I don't think this impacts the Cassel decision, though, as Simms is a PS guy at best. Kellen Moore might not make the Lions, though. And he didn't look too bad. Ask Bruce Smith.

Actually that IS a comparison, although a sloppy one. You make a comparison and then say "no comparison". Funny how, either right before someone says "you can't compare the two" a comparison is indeed made by that same person.

Well, I don't think he actually has to WIN it, as in outperform Cassel. But he could convince the brain to release/trade Cassel, with a solid outing. I'm guessing either way, he goes to the PS. But who knows?

Agreed 100%.

I think by cutting Jackson, Whaley could be putting the pressure on Roman and the RB coaches to make sure the young backups on this team (Karlos and Brown) and Boobie get some playing time. It would have been a bit easier for the coaches to rely on Fred too often and not give these guys the experience they need to develop. Obviously, Whaley thinks these guys have talent and potential. But it's tough to grow on the bench (especially for the RB, IMO). Even had Jackson taken a big cut in pay, that situation would still be present on the team. Now, I'm not saying it was the right decision, but I have a feeling that played a big part (aside from clearing cap $$ for the upcoming big contracts).

There is no chance that Whaley is choosing the starting lineup, IMO--except, of course, by cutting/trading a player.

Sure did. Won a match in the US Open. Maybe win two-three next year.

I remember when people were convinced Byrd was using his injury as an excuse not to play because of his contract. I find that kind of speculation offensive, unless you have real solid proof. So, I will engage in a little unsubstantiated speculation, because I feel like offending myself today. Perhaps Byrd is just REALLY protective of his body, and thinks he knows what is best for him, physically. That is pretty unusual for a football player, as they are constantly playing through pain, and minor injuries. And for that reason, being too reluctant to play with discomfort isn't a very good characteristic for an NFL player. So he may not be faking it, or jaking it, or...whatever. He just might be a bit of a pu$$y when it comes to playing with pain.