transplantbillsfan

Taxes impact Government funding and based on funding, thus increasing the national debt. Semantically they're no different (other than Biden's plan being better ) in terms of the whole "look at what we're leaving to our Grandkids!!!" argument.. though even with that... much of this Covid Relief package goes directly to those Grandkids right now, unlike Trump's tax cuts.

Sooo.... first I actually want to applaud those of you Trump supporting long timers at TBD who actually stuck around rather than fleeing to that "other" place that's shunned all left-leaning thought by banning those posters in order to create a more perfect echo chamber. With that said, in Trump's first year he passed a tax plan that adds more to the National debt than Biden's American Rescue Plan does and instead of targeting lower and middle class Americans, Trump gave most of the benefits of his tax plan to himself and his rich buddies. Unless you're someone who's not going to see any benefits from Biden's plan--and congrats if you are because that means you're pretty fortunate--maybe you should wait a hot minute to see how this all pans out.

I think I asked this already, but anyone watching Ray Donovan on Showtime? My wife and I just started the 2nd season and we both really like it. I think the show balances itself as kind of a dramedy. It's MUCH heavier on the drama and there are some intense sequences. But it also seems fairly self aware and for every seriously intense moment/episode it tries to follow it up with one that's a little more lighthearted. Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight are fantastic as the 2 main leads.

He was?

How many sacks does Matt Milano have? If Reddick were to come into Buffalo, he might be viewed as more of a cross between Edge Rusher/Big Nickel.... which I'm curious about. Reddick is bigger and faster than Milano and from what I've read in some of his scouting reports he does have experience in coverage. I don't know that he's the guy we want or target because I do think he'll get paid. But sometimes players just need a change of scenery to really thrive.... just ask Jerry Hughes.

I really have never watched Reddick play... but this description really intrigues me: https://theathletic.com/2419403/2021/03/02/nfl-free-agency-dl-edge-rankings-leonard-williams-shaq-barrett-headline-group/ Haason Reddick, Edge, Arizona Cardinals (27) His background is different from the other players on this list in that Reddick has been both an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker. He had a big second half last season and finished with 12.5 sacks, which was tied for fourth league-wide. Reddick finished second behind only Myles Garrett in Brandon Thorn’s sack score rankings. Reddick’s role in Arizona changed about 400 times in four seasons, but he has shown serious pass-rushing chops. He’s a hybrid-type player who could be really fun with the right defensive coordinator. The concern with Reddick is that he had just 7.5 sacks in his first three seasons.

https://theathletic.com/2420361/2021/03/03/the-10-under-the-radar-bills-players-who-could-seize-an-opportunity-in-2021/ WR Isaiah Hodgins Hodgins didn’t play in a game as a rookie while he dealt with a shoulder injury, but the Bills’ sixth-round pick did get to sit in a loaded receiver room and soak up knowledge. Hodgins’ college receiver coach Kefense Hynson told me after the draft last year that Hodgins was an intellectually stimulating player to coach because of his curiosity and willingness to learn. “He was a guy that you knew would get the most out of everything you gave him,” Hynson said then. “You’re working on a masters level of football with him. We’re watching different receivers, different ways guys run routes, different ways guys create separation and having those conversations. That was on his own time. That was us having our football meetings and then him finding some time to watch some cut-ups and do some extra work mentally. We would break down coverages, talk about routes and just embrace the craft. That’s the difference between Isaiah and other guys.” In that sense, a redshirt year wasn’t the worst thing for Hodgins. He looked the part of an NFL receiver during training camp last season, making contested catches and getting separation in the few days he got to work against the Bills’ starting corners. If either John Brown or Isaiah McKenzie depart this offseason, Hodgins might have an opening to see more playing time in 2021. He was known for making circus catches at Oregon State, so don’t be surprised if you see his name pop up during camp or even regular season action next season.

https://theathletic.com/2425769/2021/03/04/which-wide-receiver-moves-make-the-most-sense-for-the-bills-this-offseason?source=user-shared-article 2) Re-sign Isaiah McKenzie, let Andre Roberts walk Although the Bills could be working on a budget this offseason, McKenzie is an important piece to attempt to retain. Not only is he Daboll’s offensive chess piece to help identify coverages before the snap and to keep defenses on their toes, but McKenzie would be the top depth option at all three receiver spots. We know he can play slot receiver and Z from the past two seasons, but he also has the speed to play X receiver and to threaten defenses over the top. With how frequently the Bills liked to use four receivers last season, re-signing a player like McKenzie would be justifiable for those reasons alone. However, on top of it, they also have an extreme void at kick and punt returner. McKenzie showed he has potential in that area as well and is still only 25 years old. Re-signing McKenzie would be a potential low-cost contract to project into a bigger role in the future — especially if there’s a chance he could become Beasley’s eventual replacement in as early as two years. If they were to re-sign McKenzie, that would make bringing Roberts back a bit redundant. Roberts is a return specialist, and the Bills have to do more with fewer free agent dollars this offseason. Prioritizing a multi-use receiver, rather than a one-role only player in his 30s seems like a logical way to go for the Bills.

My wife is going to wait a little while to get it. She's kinda sensitive and works from home so she's in the very low-risk category. Oddly enough after posting that last night I think I jinxed myself. Went to bed feeling fine and woke up with a headache and a low-grade fever. Headache is gone, but still have the low-grade fever... but I generally feel okay. I've actually had reactions to flu shots in the past, so I just wanted the one-n-done J & J shot. Glad I got it out of the way and glad I did it on a Friday. And regarding your friend... my in-laws generally feel the same way. I can at least partially understand the hesitancy to get the Phizer and Moderna just because the mRNA vaccines are brand new technology. The adenovirus vector vaccines have been around for years, though, so I think there should be less hesitancy. Or is he one of those people thinking the Government is planting chips in us with the shots?

This leads me to a question that I apparently have to ask here rather than in OTW... which is sad: Who's gotten vaccinated and have you had any side effects? I just got the J & J one about 5 hours ago because I just wanted one 'n done. No side effects so far... not even pain at the injection site.

Oh man... the 1st was just "all right?" Could be an age thing, but I consider that movie a classic. Wife and I love the 1st movie and have watched it several times. We're going to watch the 2nd tomorrow with her parents like it's going to the movies. I already know it's going to be a bunch of similar/recycled jokes, but we're bound to enjoy it. Coming to America was peak Eddie Murphy to me.

Maybe he's lobbying for a job????

The Cardinals???? I thought he wanted to be on a competitor????

So @ScottLaw mentioned this in the book thread, but I was wondering what people's opinions are of The Stand on CBS All Access? I actually just watched the first episode and I liked it. To me, it appears to be very true to the book, but it jumps all over the place in terms of time, unlike the book. I could see why that would make it confusing for anyone who hasn't read the book, but since I have, at least the 1st episode made sense and was pretty true to the book. I'm just curious if anyone's watched the show? If you have, did you or did you not read the book and do you think that helped or hurt your experience watching the series?

Has Ray Donovan on Showtime been discussed? Wife and I are 4 episodes in and we're liking it so far. Good acting and good mix of drama and situational comedy. Liev Shreiber is pretty awesome in it so far.

Is he better than Yeldon? Whatever slivers of seriousness existed in the OP, it was always McCoy as 3rd in the RB depth chart behind Singletary and Moss.... so essentially in Yeldon's role.

Absolutely on Jurassic Park and even more so on The Lost World... book was fantastic, movie was all right then terrible after the gymnastics scene. Also really liked a few of his other books, including The Andromeda Strain and Micro.

See. I'm over the "must reads" at this point. Some of the "must reads" truly are... but it's really all dependent on taste. I loved plenty of "the classics" like King Lear, The Stranger by Camus, Catch 22, etc. 2 books I absolutely detested are considered "must reads." Hated Moby Dick. Hated War and Peace. In fact I stopped reading War and Peace 400 pages in... which is a fraction of the book. Oscar Wilde once said "taste is indefensible." It's the truth. This thread is meant to see if we can find some with similar tastes who might open us up to new books and authors. I actually just got 2 books this week that were direct recommendations from @Hapless Bills Fan and @GoBills808. I can't wait to read the books, but even if I don't like them it says nothing about them or me. It's just different taste.

If he goes to Cleveland for more money, then he was lying about wanting to play for a contender. I don't really understand how anyone views them as contenders next year. They lucked out from playing the Bengals twice, the Steelers backups (and still almost lost), the Jags (and almost lost), and the entire NFC East. I guess they're contenders now because they beat the Titans and the Colts last year? Is that it? Anyway... let Watt go to Cleveland for more money if he wants. If he wants to play for a ring... I'm sure he has Beane's and McDermott's number by now.

This is what all of us thought, but Shady was noticeably better and more productive in a more limited role in the following year with the Chiefs.

This is largely tongue in cheek with shades of seriousness, but I was watching Shady this morning on GMFB being interviewed and it seems like he really embraced the "veteran mentor" role with Tampa Bay, where his contract has expired. Based off what Beane and McDermott have said publicly they still appear to have a lot of faith in both Singletary and Moss. And they also like the guys behind them. Yeldon's contract is up and so the team will probably add at least another RB. Shady claims he still has something left in the tank and plans to play and, at the very least, will be fresh from having almost an entire year off in Tampa. Last year with the Chiefs he was pretty productive with over 100 carries and 4.6 YPC along with 28 receptions. That's a helluva lot more than we got out of Yeldon this year. McCoy has 2 straight years winning a Super Bowl ring and he said on GMFB that he wants to play another year, but it needs to be with a contender because he can't go from playing on 2 Super Bowl Teams to crap (my word, not his). He already has a relationship with Josh and other players on the Bills. There's obviously familiarity. I actually think the "hometown discount" thing applies here to an aging veteran who would already be pretty cheap. And if he can be used as a 3rd down back out of the backfield for blitz pickups and receptions (that he' might actually catch in AFC Championship games unlike Singletary... BAAAZIIIINNNNGGG!! ) then it's just an added bonus. Now, I really don't think this will happen. I don't even know what the relationship is like between him and Beane and McDermott and I kinda doubt OBD will want to bring him back. But given our apparent commitment to Moss and Singletary (much to our dismay, perhaps), maybe Shady shouldn't be out of the question and we should consider letting him come home to chase a 3rd straight ring....

One of my Graduate classes focusing on Postmodernism essentially revolved around Pynchon's works. Gravity's Rainbow was good, but there's a disgusting scene in that book that haunts me to this day.

I don't know if those theatrical releases are going to stick. It's clear theatres won't be fully reopened until at least the Fall and with the fact that Disney has already kicked the can of the Black Widow release this far down the line, I'll be surprised if they settle for losing the money they'll lose by opening it in limited theatres with 25-50% capacity.

I actually just ordered A History of the World in Six Glasses on Amazon because it sounds like the kind of nonfiction read I enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation!