ctk232

Completely agree. To clarify my initial point at least, the focus isn't so much on the amount of money paid, but that having the national anthem incorporated in the games themselves is a product of financial deals, not really for any "patriotic" intent. And on a basic level, there's no real reason to have it before every game to begin with aside from the financial aspect involved.

This 2015 article is what most immediately came to mind as it mentioned the Bills: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/05/454834662/pentagon-paid-sports-teams-millions-for-paid-patriotism-events I'll see if I can dig up any more current figures, though after 2017/18 and the reversion of funds received by the NFL as an org in 2016 there isn't much. Point being the relationship has been around since the 60's, notably with the '68 Super Bowl flyover, so it's not exactly going completely away. EDIT: to add on a general thread-relevant note, I find it interesting how the people who believe politics has no place in sports (particularly the NFL), are the same ones who take issue with protesting the National Anthem. If that's the case, you'd think they would also take issue with having the National Anthem (a political event) played to begin with.

Nailed it - only reason it's there is because the Pentagon dishes out millions of their recruitment budget to owners for including it in their paid patriotism events...

Yep - got hit by Hyde late in the 4th going the other way in coverage. Honestly my biggest concern from today's game was seeing Milano, Edmunds, and Dodson go down and not come back. Gonna be watching those headlines... EDIT: Dodson came back, my bad General unpopular opinions on today are likely one, being fine with the Allen fumbles - of course, wish they didn't happen - you can't not. Though you also can't ignore the mismatch and set-up Allen running plays into having to prepare a defensive scheme, even quarter to quarter. Daboll could get much better with timing/location of the playcall, but it's going to happen and Josh will continue to run. Just hope they pass more overall percentage wise and let the RBs carry - we have the roster for it now, let's use it. Lastly, Bass is fine - nothing will happen after one week, we can save that convo for another time.

Believe Sal sourced they'd both be signed back tomorrow - wait and see, but doubt we see anyone but Roberts fielding kicks. As for Marlowe, they are very high on Johnson and his growth with added ST utility. Likely see Marlowe back for veteran understanding and depth behind Hyde/Poyer.

Bit of everything - I don't think he sees as much time as he did last year. Though I see him being primarily deployed on run plays with pre-snap motions and the occasional sweep. He still provides a dynamic aspect to the offense that defenses have to scheme for in that regard, and can otherwise plug-in on most routes as needed.

Okay, but relevant to your comments in this thread, it seems you’ve haven’t fully understood those experiences. This is like saying “I’m not racist, I have black friends.” I’m truly sorry for any tragedy your family may have experienced as a result of a fascist government, but there’s only one side to fascism and racism. It’s not a conversation to be had. It seems your family understood this as they fled. Fascism is, at its base, a political ideology - it’s not just a government or a dictator. Your comments on this thread have stood in direct conflict with your claimed experiences of listening to your family’s stories. Not everything has to be Nazi Germany for it to qualify as fascist/fascism. The term far outlives that government’s reign.

Re: the first point - that’s a very blanket statement without any supporting evidence. Economically speaking? Which industries? We guarantee greater social and economic advancement opportunities than literally every other country? It’s simply not a provable statement - you may have a case within a specific economic industry or sector but even then you’ll have a hard time finding the evidence for it. Socially it’s even more uphill. We have more “places and opportunities for freedom?” Again, more so than every other country? By what measurement? Re your second statement, I fail to see how that is relevant - your words and comments speak for themselves.

What exactly do you mean by “freest place on earth?” What is the exception that we have and no other country does that establishes that superlative?

It’s maddening to recognize it from your own screen and not know what other variables are in play, if any. But that was hard to watch. Rewatching the wildcard game currently as well, and I have SO many questions for Daboll (as I did that day, but even without emotion factoring in now the questions are still there). Without trying to dig any of it back up - once the 2nd half hit I had a difficult time explaining, understanding, and frankly watching the play call strategy on almost every drive. The drive in OT was the most glaring in this regard by abandoning the run/DS going MIA, lack of Beasley in the pass game, and minor calls like the quick pass to Duke with prevent D rather than scripting that to DS instead to gain more chunk yards. We seemed to ignore the very obvious reality that we had almost an entire quarter to drive ~30 yds and kick a FG...that’s all we needed. Let’s also ignore the fact DS was having a career game. All this quarantine self-induced stress to say, while I’m anxious to see how Allen develops this year, I’m exceedingly more curious to see what Daboll does, especially in his third year. I’d hope to see his playcall approach markedly improve, especially given his new offensive additions.

To play devil’s advocate - Moss was an exceptional athlete for his entire career, but his twilight success had very little to do with his speed compared to his ability to recognize coverages and run his routes accordingly. Having Brady certainly helped as well. Thomas very much has the speed still, but he plays physical and with a similar acumen for identifying soft zone coverage, and playing against his DB and FS in man. Brees throwing the ball has also helped. For Hodgins, it’ll be more than just his size that determines his success, and adding weight isn’t always a solution even when the frame permits it. His hands are his greatest asset presently, and does have athletic ability to contest for the catch. Just a fun tidbit regarding his speed fwiw - a friend (Bills fan and US Track coach based in Portland, OR) actually pointed out something interesting. Hodgins actually loses power in his running stride b/c his feet naturally face outward in a “V” shape, and loses “vector drive” and “planting power” to generate speed as a result. I’m not going to pretend to understand the science behind it, but the logic is that you generate optimal speed on a single vector so it’s otherwise wasted movement/energy in the direction of his stride, and doesn’t aid in propelling him forward. Not to say “that’s it” in regard to his lesser speed either, but it’s at least visible in his highlights and combine. Apparently, correcting this otherwise “natural” motion that his body and muscles have developed around isn’t an overnight process either.

Only thing is Jefferson is more a 3T DT/DE, and I have a feeling Harry will be seeing more time as a 1T to spell Star - so I’d flip those two in your breakdown. Can’t go wrong either way. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Butler worked in more than we expect if either Star or Harry aren’t able to sustain. Of course, there will be the one-off snap where we see Epenesa, Oliver, Jefferson/other pass rush DT, and Hughes in obvious passing situations. Lots of ways they can work the rotation.

The one variable being the potential for a shortened offseason due to COVID if it happens. If, for whatever reason, they aren’t able to hold OTAs/TC, or even partially, I’d like to see Josh get plenty of work in with his new WRs, and have the offense mesh. All up in the air as of now, but it could be an issue for what we see on the field this year.

I’d give him the season on the PS to develop that and show progress at the next level. Everything within the UDFA context, no harm if nothing comes of it, and an excellent bonus if something does.

For a case study, here’s his film from the OSU game this past year to give a taste how he’d do against elite rushers (Adams #72, Chase Young #2) - note, not all his snaps go against Young at LT, and he does get spelled at times during the game. Quite a few cut blocks, and being caught off balance and flat-footed during speed rushes to the outside. Long reach comes in play, and difficult to move off his spot, but I can see him struggling with speed rushers at the next level, more so than Ford currently. For an UDFA though - fantastic zero risk signing. Not an expert in the least, but being local I fortunately saw him play every week, and never doubted he’d be on an NFL roster at this point. Overall, he has the size and physicality, but if you hated Ford’s feet this isn’t going to make anyone feel better. Agreed, hopefully strength and conditioning helps him with agility and balance when attained. But given where he was in his recovery for this game last year, many pros and cons are visible:

Damn, I kinda really wanted Myles Bryant as a UDFA - real cerebral zone DB/Safety for the Huskies. Captained the secondary and would’ve been a zero risk high reward Hyde understudy.

Agreed - I think they keep Andre as our avg return YDs/Att greatly improved on STs, and I believe McKenzie would beat Foster out for being the more consistent option as mentioned. Daboll seems to favor him in the sweep packages and slot option to spell Beasley, so barring a 180 from Foster that might do it. Granted, all this assumes they keep 7 WR on the roster - I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hodgins on the PS this first year to keep it to 6, but I like his potential for the value pick he is. Great hands and solid route running, never hurts.

? - just curious if there was something about him that stood out to you in particular, beyond the other guys? Admittedly didn’t watch his film as much, and only just now digging in.

Half a second can matter, sure - five minutes worth of film so far he actually almost fits the hybrid pass catching TE role too; physicality is evident. Also seems like given our current depth chart he may stretch the defense more than Gandy would here.

After the spelling mishaps with the Sabre's Alumni jerseys probs for the best....clearly Beane wanted the guy, and that's good with me, just wondering why is all.

Not disagreeing with you - it's clear he did, just wondering why. Right, I get how it happened, but just curious why Davis might edge the other two. I liked Peoples-Jones and Gandy, but don't hate this pick in the least either - all for it, just wondering why we may have gone this route versus others still on the board given what info is out there. Trying to look more into Davis, but wondering what stood out about him more than others if the physical part of the game is what people are saying he's known for.

If the argument is for a physical receiver, why not Gandy? And for that matter, why not Peoples-Jones? Not saying this is a bad pick, but why not the others?

I was waiting for this^ ? To be relevant - good vision, solid acceleration, and like that he can catch on third downs. Still think there are better guys to pair with Devin, but wouldn’t mind this in the least.

Good point - though "push the starter" could also be an aside to potentially moving on from Trubisky altogether. Honestly, I can't see how any established veteran wouldn't out perform him at this point and win the starting job.

Wasn't Newton rumored to them at some point? I know Rhule said he was still "their guy" but have heard it all before...could also be Rivers. Not even going to speculate on Brady.