TPS

Tyrod is a classy guy, and deserves everything he gets because he works to earn it. If you didn't see that ESPN draft special about him, it's well worth it (Three for the Show).

I think it's a very difficult year to predict. They are good enough to compete with anyone. I think it's not far-fetched to have them splitting the division games, 3 Ws I think they have 4 locks on the schedule: SF, CLEV, LA, and JAX (because this is at home). 4Ws I think they will most likely lose on the road to SEA Their fate will be determined in these matchups: Two teams predicted by some to be in the final 4: AZ and PITT, but both are at home, so anything can happen 3 more away games that can be classified as toss ups: OAK, CIN, BALT 7 wins + ?/5 = ? I can see 9-10 wins this year.

Stupidly funny. Emmy-worthy acting going on there...

The key to this game should be the match up of their strong suit on O and the Bills' on D: Flacco and the passing game versus the Bills' secondary. It should be a nail biter to the end. Toss up for the win.

Without a doubt, it's the defense. The Ryan's have doubled down to prove the naysayers wrong.

Just read the piece and that's exactly what I was going to post, with the addition: "not great but distinct." What the hell does that mean?

I feel much better about the D this year than I did at this time last year. I liked what I saw of Washington and Worthy in preseason. As long as Kyle stays healthy until Dareus gets back, I think they'll be fine. I think the front 7 will play better than the sum of its parts, especially against the run. We should have a good idea about this team by the Pats game. yes, I meant in the sense"who cares about what some national talking head thinks?!"

Why does anyone care about preseason rankings? Let's see where they stand at thanksgiving--in the hunt or not.

The answer people believe: it borrows in excess of its taxes. The way the mechanics actually work: federal government spending (transferred from the Treasury's account at the Fed) in excess of its taxes generates new deposits at banks, and Primary Dealers (determined by and interacting with the NYFED), the 23 largest global banks and financial entities who receive most of those deposits, are required to "make the Treasury market." These 23 large financial entities are required by the FED to ensure Treasury bills sold at its auctions are filled. By law, the federal government has to sell securities in excess of taxes (the Treasury is not allowed to print money, but the Fed can), but its spending in excess of taxes generates the deposits the banking system (the dealers) uses to "fund" those securities. The Fed stands ready to make sure the market functions to meet its interest rate target. The interest rate on T-Bills is a function of the Fed's target rate. Since the US government's short-term borrowing costs are governed by the Fed, by definition the low Fed target keeps the government's cost down (if this is what you mean by ZIRP helping "government spending", yes), though the low target is a consequence of the sluggish US and world economies. The key issue, then, is knowing what causes the Fed to change its target and therefore short term T-bill rates...

Decade? C'mon we go back longer than that G. Time flies... Btw, watching right vs far right in the Trump thread has been very entertaining.

He's eligible for the PS, so I"m sure he'll land there if he clears.

That's my guess. He did an admirable job last year when needed, and I haven't heard anything bad about him this year. His competition now is whether they keep a safety over him, which I doubt. NEVER MIND.....

Gronk brings much more veratility.

The Butler did it....

Ummm...for those who make less than $415K, the long term cap gains tax is 15% (+3.8% ACA). For those above, it's 20% +ACA. Yes, jump on board that "Trump Train"....a new song by Cat Stevens....

Once again, a semantic issue. There is a specific definition of "crowding out" in economics, relating to government deficits causing higher interest rates. You are describing government regulatory and tax impacts, and as I said above I know they impact, but you also stay in business because there is sufficient demand for your product or service. In debates years ago I said I thought one of the best policies for small businesses and employment would be to reduce the tax on hiring workers, the FICA, unemployment taxes, and your ACA GG. Despite the increased cost of doing business, the annual number of start ups in the US is back to historical norms (you can find that on the BLS web site). There is no single factor that is the answer, and we all tend to focus on certain aspects that suit our beliefs. A lot of people paint me as pro-government, but my view is government pursues the policies for those who actually control it, and it ain't workers and the poor. They have to throw bones to keep the people from revolting, but that's a cost they need to pay. It's a $3 trillion racket, and there are a lot of vested interests who sop that up. Keynesian policy focuses on spending and taxes, not monetary policy. GG and I agree on this point, that low interest rates have done nothing but exacerbate the problems.

I agree with the inability of monetary policy to stimulate the economy, and the poor job he's done--I was never a fan despite generalizations made. I think you place too much emphasis on the regulatory issues, though they are valid concerns. I probably don't give them enough credence. The truth is somewhere between....

the scene where he pretends to have a gun in his pocket and says to the woman "hands up" when she's holding and wearing only a towel. Funny stuff.

No one wanted to hire in the middle of the crisis while the unemployment rate was moving up to 10%; is that a surprise? So you want a measure that meets your bias? From the BEA site, real government discretionary spending peaked in 2010, and has declined since. Even nominal federal spending has declined since 2010. Keynesian stimulus ended in 2010. Non-discretionary "entitlements" are increasing because of the baby-boom and spiraling healthcare costs. Finally, please explain to me in what way government has crowded out private enterprise. I sure hope you're not going to argue deficits caused higher interest rates.....

@Ravens W: Rex always does a good job of preparing early for the first game. Jets W: Sammy wants the ball and torches their secondary Cardinals L: The 2-0 hype takes a breather @Pats W: A pivotal game, even at the 4th week. Rex knows how to confuse young QBs. @LA W: Tough game which can go either way, though QB will be the difference. Niners W: Kaepernick sings the national anthem... @Dolphins W: Tough game for Bills in the Miami heat. Pats W: The signature win of the season for the Bills. Shaq gets his first playing time and gets a sack on Brady. It's the beginning of a NEW ERA at the Cap.... @Seattle L: The 7-1 hype is cooled down, but only slightly @ Cinci L: Always a tough game; Bills fans start to talk openly of a collapse. Jags W: Bills make up for a poor loss in London. @Raiders L: tough team, difficult to win there. Steelers L: one that slipped away at the end. Browns W: Browns are rebuilding. Dolphins W: Revenge at the Cap @Jets W: No sweep this year. Bills don't need the win and rest TT. 11-5 AFCE Champs and first round bye...

No, I just can't get here as often as you private sector workers...

Thanks for finding and posting that. I agree with those who've focused on the secondary, they have the most important component of his defense, so it remains to be seen what the front 7 will be able to do. I do think they will do a much better job of stopping the run, which is Rex's #1 priority, but they will again not put up big sack numbers. If they stay healthy, I think they can break into the top 10, even with the personnel losses (a much different tune than I sang last year).

I've been here since its inception, and we are all good friends here.... Alaska Darin has a crush on me.

I'm a creature of my discipline. Total government spending in the GDP accounts is made of federal discretionary spending combined with state and local spending. Non-discretionary is considered a "transfer payment" which raises disposable income and consumption. E.g. Social Security is income transferred to seniors, who then decide how much to consume and save out of that transfer.