Big C

Every sports movie I've ever seen has involved at least one inner-team scrap. They always win at the end.

I'll grant that the Falcons should have won the super bowl last year, but how many teams have won the super bowl paying a top receiver? The Broncos did it having just paid Demariyus $14mil but I can't think of another one in recent years. Point is, Sammy is a stellar talent but he probably isn't going to win us the championship on his own. We aren't delusional about what this team is capable of this year even if there was some hope we were going to surprise the NFL this year. I think one of Whaley's philosophies still holds true. You pay your QB, LT and one playmaker on offense. We paid our QB, LT and playmaker in Shady. This offense belongs to Shady.

Not once, not never!

Love the news about Natey P.

OT is more of a concern right now than the loss of Watkins and Darby. At least we found some semblance of a replacement for those guys.

Because trading up to take a kicker in the second is almost unheard of. Ragland was at least a top prospect at a position that often gets taken in the second round.

I don't think anyone else goes.

Isn't he the guy they kept instead of James on Hard Knocks?

Undoubtedly the Bills offense goes through Shady and Tyrod. Trade away either of those and I'd be buying that it's a tank. I think the idea is that we're taking a small step back to take a giant leap forward and perhaps if the numbers are like they were last year without Sammy (and they may even be better with the current WR corps), then we will be in fine shape. Not banking on anything though.

BTW it's Aguayo

The Rams defense has been sturdy over the years and their receiving corps no doubt improved. O-Line and QB are still huge question marks and that will be the determining factor in how far they go.

Lol. Not even close to the same.

Funny, but he didn't have a choice going to LA.

Think it's pretty clear that if Sammy loses the dreads he'll become truly elite.

Gotcha. I do think Sammy is unproven thus far and isn't the best parallel to Steve Smith, etc. while I think OBJ would be. As in, if we had OBJ and he had similar production in Buffalo as in New York, we wouldn't have traded him. At this point I have to resign myself to watch the season play out. Sammy could ball and make us look dumb, but it's also possible that he doesn't. It's possible we look good this year and we have the draft ammo to make some big plays next year. I think there were too many question marks with Sammy and the rest of this team to put the big money down so they took advantage of an opportunity and there isn't going to be any way to judge it until it all unfolds. We can debate this all month long but it won't mean anything until we see the results.

I agree, but I don't think McDermott or Beane had as much sway as Rivera and Gettleman. Hard to know who was responsible for letting Norman and Smith go. $15m for a corner is a lot of money too, though they still offered him a high tender of $13+m for the one year.

I thought Dog was pointing out that Carolina was best with non-character guys leading the way. Absolutely, just setting the facts straight.

Not true. Newton was drafted in 2011, McDermott's was hired January 2011.

Valid point, but I don't think Sammy played with half the edge Smith did. And Cam is an up-and-down performer who lets his emotions get the better of him sometimes. I don't believe in character over talent as a principle, but I also think that if Watkins had the production that OBJ or Evans has had, we wouldn't have let him go.

The quote is regarding a comparison of Matthews and Watkins. Not about the team as a whole and again, no video. Would like to see some body language, tone of voice, etc.

Feel like you didn't need to start another thread here, but I still agree with you. Wish we had a legit vertical threat on the outside. Otherwise the offense still goes through TT and Shady.

I'd like to see the video. Everyone knows Sammy is more talented, but that doesn't mean everything here. Shady isn't quoted as saying the team got substantially worse today.

While I am leaning positive on the moves right now, I will agree that the lack of speed is going to be an issue for this team unless we can find someone else to bring in. Having to respect Goodwin and/or Sammy deep undoubtedly opened up more field for the run game.

I believe Beane when he says we aren't throwing in the towel with these moves. Tyrod (regardless of anyone's thoughts on him) and Kyle are two leaders in the locker room. I would wager that our success in 2017 was tied more to Tyrod than Sammy, and without guarantees as to what QB we get next year they have to keep a known commodity in Tyrod just in case all else fails regarding the draft next year.

Why would the GM tell the PR team not to use him on Instagram? Football is a dynamic business.