Mark Long Beach

I even somewhat believe him. But I always think of the Bill Cosby routine retelling where he had to walk to school... in the snow, uphill, both ways.

yup. We're a young team in a lot of positions. As someone has already mentioned we added an AHC/ILB coach who may end up replacing the DC. I'm very pleased with Wanny as part of our coaching staff. Very experienced and quite good. I hope that the staff can find a good overall working system. Coaching staff friction can be worse than player friction. But at the very least we need the most defensive help at ILB and that's where Wanny is so I'm happy.

Interesting... I've read just the opposite in that he's showing some surprising push and is difficult to move. It's too early to tell until we get to some full pad workouts. Then we'll see if he's got the gumption to go along with his size.

The whole problem with your premise is that it's only useful in hind-site. Evaluating what the players have become long after the draft. There are too many other factors that come into play (luck, quality of team, internal drive, injuries, etc) to compare the past vs the future. Maybin was a one hit wonder, who had most of his sacks against weak competition, has a small physical frame, etc. This is a much harder pick to justify than Donte's. Your rational for saying Whitner was a worse pick because there were higher quality alternatives is like beraiting Michael Jordan's high-school coach for cutting him for some other schlub. This guy picked some loser over the single greatest basketball player ever. I say we set him on fire. It just makes no sense.

He's only been inside early in training camp (or was it OTA's) his rookie year. He'd struggle anywhere right off the back. I think it's Wannstadt's call honestly. I betcha Wanny thinks that he's got a chance to be a good ILB.

Not our competition indeed. Frankly, better he's on the Eagles than the Fins. Even if he's only got a year left in him.

I think that it's clear the rest of the league doesn't put him in the elite category that he puts himself. He's starting to recognize that he's not viewed the same way. He's still going to get a decent contract and not a "bargain-bin" one. He's a solid NFL starter, there really aren't all that many of them.

Hey, it couldn't happen to a better team. Well maybe the Raiders. I loathe them.

I don't mind him returning at all, but not at 5m per. 3 year 9mil just fine. We'd have a solid top 3 rotation plus an okay run support guy in Scott and a rookie with promise. Sounds reasonable to me.

I think it's more UNEXPECTED potential. I think that Darius has more potential, and has shown it over time.

I agree that what Merriman or Kelsey goes down, we'll need some luck. I disagree that Lawson makes us better. We only get to keep a handful of linebackers. Keep the young guys to see if they turn out to be something special. We know that Lawson isn't, so if we keep him we lose out on potential improvement. Why settle for lots of known junk? I'll take the unwrapped package please.

So very true! I drool over these things as its all I get out here. it really helps me still feel a part of it all. Thanks for you work! It's awesome!

If the guy turns out to be a stud, who cares where he was drafted. I just want studs. (that didn't quite come out right) Seriously, we all want outstanding players. How they get here makes no difference.

In Merriman's prime nobody could block him for long. We should be so lucky he could get back to that. No surprise about Nelson, he's not so good a blocker. Hopefully Lights-out can give us that mismatch vs other teams.

My understanding of right-of-first-refusal would mean that the practice team holder _automatically_ gets first choice to pull up to the roster before any other suitors. That doesn't appear to be the case as Brohm chose to come to us over the offer of being promoted to the Green Bay roster. (as per article I linked to) So by being on the practice squad you're essentially still a full free agent with extended contract rights should you be signed off of it. All teams have EQUAL opportunity to sign off of a practice squad. (ROFR would be unequal). 100% agree with you on who Jasper's real competition is. Although I'd also add a linebacker in there too just because of competition for special teams. He's got a little bit of an advantage because KW can swing over to DE in case of rash of injuries so the extra NT gives us an 'extra' DE also. I figured PS most likely for Mt Jasper, but early returns say he may have a shot to stick. Do we have full pads on yet?

There are lots of examples of "look like Tarzan, play like Jane" guys in the world. He's an unusual athletic specimen, but he's got to be able to play football. We don't know if he can or not. I hope so...

I didn't think there was a first-refusal right. Typically the practice squad team offers the same contract and it's often accepted (familiarity vs the new team's unknown interest). IIRC Brohm rejected Green Bay's offer when we signed him off of their practice squad. Yup: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/293636-bills-sign-qb-brohm-from-packers-practice-squad I doubt he supplants Troup in the near future. He's likely too raw. Jasper is #69

50-50? Wow, and I thought _I_ was optimistic. I would be very surprised if he makes the roster. 10-15%

Roughly speaking I feel it's a push with an opportunity for a win. I think that as a player in top form, Barnett is a touch better. However, he's hit the 30 yr mark and starting to show more injuries recently. I feel he's unlikely to finish the year without missing a couple games. Poz is younger and a little more likely to stay healthier IMO. Being on the field is always better than off of it. I think Barnett will fit our scheme a little better, and hopefully a LOT better. Contract wise, big plus for Barnett over Poz who is pretty much overpaid. As someone mentioned, Barnett is a MAJOR upgrade over Torbor and we should be happy for that.

Well, we only have one year to base things on, and a tough year at that. New Coach, New system, the journeyman backup QB gets promoted to first string, only two receivers with any significant playing time (Evans & Parrish) and the rest very young or even rookies (a lot of undrafted ones no less)... And yet they sure looked good. Parish looked like a WR and was making plays (including some impressive catches) Johnson broke out and had a very good year for a WR. Our rookies came in as injury replacements and looked good and had some production. With young guys you never know if they can continue to improve. Sometimes you get Steve Johnson but more often you get Ko Simpson. I think that our young WRs have shown the potential to be great but we're a LONG way from saying they are great. But I think they could be.

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto!

Big Mike: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-cut-ol-mike-williams/2011/07/30/gIQA6EXcjI_blog.html Bannan: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/30/justin-bannan-joins-the-rams/ Trent: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/30/raiders-sign-trent-edwards-and-khalif-barnes-after-gaither-deal-falls-apart/

Thanks! As expected except for Wang. I don't expect him to be good enough to stay as LT backup.

Heheh. But for telling a story and conveying a point such as you just did, there are in fact only two types of people in the world.

Only the oft injured part. Merriman is outspoken but by no accounts does he have a bad attitude. He's been a well respected player.