The Dean

Someone would have to pay me to put a bumper sticker on my car. I don't think anyone could/would pay me enough to put a bumper sticker on my car. But I will listen to offers. Maybe we can work something out.

Not just common wisdom. Look at the relative draft position of guards to other positions on an NFL team. Look at their comparative salaries. That's not to say ELITE guards aren't hard to find---they are. But serviceable guards shouldn't be that elusive---particularly if you make them a priority. And improving on the the current guard situation, shouldn't be the impossible task some make it out to me. Also, as has been mentioned, a bit of coaching (and in a couple cases a bit more experience) should make some difference. Take a look around the league. Guards go down on good OLs all the time. Do their lines fall apart totally? Not usually. In some respect guards are meat. One goes off the field and another one takes his place. In a good offense, a well coached line can survive the loss of a player or two. Happens every year. It isn't like losing a QB. I'm not saying I expect the FO to get two Pro Bowl level guards on this team by next year. I am saying I fully expect this line to be better constructed, with more depth. Anything less than that will constitute a major fail, as this is one of the few major priorities this offseason. In past years it has been one of a number of issues.

Such language. And with tomorrow being Cripemas and all.

I am the Slime. Always played this song in my Survey of Mass Media classes on the first day.

The Senator would agree.

Not sure why people think Guard (of all positions) could be a blind spot for this FO. With a list of holes and priorities this was one of three they failed to fix in the offseason. QB and TE are the other two, and I'm not sure QB is a hole you just "fix" in an offseason. TE isn't as bad as it could be, but I still think it needs work. With the OL they made a bad decision or two, and misjudged a player or two. But even with Colin Brown and Urbik at G and Pears at RT this team could still run last year. I'm not sure anyone could have predicted this years' unit would be worse than that one. But it is. So, judging by this FO's short history of improving the D and WR (and even getting depth at RB) I have to trust they can fix the G situation. It has to be the biggest priority this offseason. Maybe I'm mistaken but "hitting the jackpot" as you put it, shouldn't be that hard if you consider A. It's guards were talking about here (not a position where you need rare physical talent) and B. Given the current situation it shouldn't be too hard to improve on what we have.

Someone tell me what #4 is doing in this list?

Too many to even begin, which I think was my earlier point (I think, that is). But one that I'm a bit surprised hasn't been mentioned is Sam Stone by John Prine..

I know he can get the job, but can he do the job? I'm not arguing that with you. (I know that isn't Tom's line, but it's first thing that I think of when that movie is mentioned.)

:blink:

Par for TSW course.

Don't most songs tell a story? Even some without lyrics tell a story.

If you think that one incident is why people believe Manziel is immature and not taking his role as an NFL starter seriously enough, I don't think you are paying attention.

I was not there and have not seen the whole concert (by a long shot). Based on my recollection I came up with four I think stand at the top, and picked a fifth---though there could be several artists to make it into the list: Santana Hendrix Sly The Band And I gave the final spot to CSN It was hard for me to exclude Richie Havens and Blood Sweat and Tears. Ravi Shankar certainly deserves consideration, if you can handle more that 5 minutes of his music. I admit I have a hard time with it. I just noticed, the recently deceased Joe Cocker isn't included in the poll. I could swear he played at Woodstock and was terrific. Am I confused (or more confused than usual)?

Wonder what gave it away? Talk is cheap and I think I've heard this before. The proof will be in his behavior off the field, and his play on it.

Train noises, church bells or something (in just about every NFL game I see on TV), blaring Queen songs, Fox sound effects on replays---I hate all that crap. What's wrong with the natural sounds from the crowd/game? I can barely tolerate Shout being played after scores.

Morning wood? Why you complaining?

:lol: No kidding. I see this as a similar choice between Luck and RG3 when coming out of college. Luck is simply the safer bet. He's as close to a "sure thing" as there has been in years. His style of play fits all systems. I believe the chances of him washing out are nil, and his style is less injury prone than many. If I was a betting man, I'd wager Luck has the better career of these two. Both are good choices, but one is great and safe. I'll take that all day long.

ZERO interest in Mallet. I'd like them to re-sign Spikes but understand they may not be able to do so. Still, I'd take a big run at him. Orton's contract isn't prohibitive (and I suppose it could be reworked) but his level of play simply doesn't justify the numbers. I'd like to think they sign another vet in the offseason (but not Mallet, who is not a veteran despite the years he has played in the NFL). I'd love to see them acquire a couple Guards (Levitre and Bowling sound good, as does Lupati). With Spiller likely gone--and the possibility that Fred is at the end of his career--they do need to pick up a RB somewhere along the way.

Agreed on both counts.

WTF? In the thread about him going to Old Miss one poster said he never heard a good thing about Chad. I wasn't sure what that was about. Perhaps this explains what I thought to be an odd comment.

Saw Cocker in concert a year or two ago. Just amazing! His band was incredible and Joe was in very fine form. Less "fidigity" than I remember from the past. RIP Mr. Cocker. You were one of the great ones. Funny thing is Mason opened for Joe that concert. I'm a huge Mason fan and saw him a few years earlier, with his band, and he KILLED. His guitar playing has actually improved quite a bit as has his voice--and he was always good. But opening for Cocker it was just him and his guitar player (Johnnie Sambatataro). They clearly phoned it in. I've never seen Dave phone it in before and it was disappointing. In the past, when he played acoustic shows with Jim Krueger, I thought he was even better than with a full band. But not this time, unfortunately. I thought he and Joe would jam on a few tunes, but he just made an obligatory appearance on Feelin Alright and didn't seem to give it his all on that one, either. Kind of bummed. But Cocker was so good, I forgot it quickly.

Wow, that sucks. Best to xsoldier54. Kick cancer in the nuts!

That's just outstanding!

Never thought of it that way, but you are spot on. I have taken a few very long breaks from the board. But I never "announced" it. And it wasn't because I gave up on the Bills. I just gave up on the tone of the board a few times.