RuntheDamnBall

I haven't seen enough of him -- just citing him to make the point.

What on earth are you arguing, and why?

That's true, but we all saw Orton go three-and-out countless, consecutive times last weekend. And that wasn't an isolated incident. I'm just more inclined to believe that Marrone is valuing the veteran intangibles -- the leadership, how he conducts meetings, what he knows, etc -- over the actual onfield performance. That is not to say that I believe EJ is outperforming him in practice -- if he even has that opportunity. It's just that I think Marrone leans toward the safe play rather than to let his QB learn on the job and make mistakes while doing so. I also believe that he thought no matter what, to return to EJ would look like "not sticking to his guns," and would alienate the vets.

I don't buy the "Whaley has to pay premium" argument. I do believe that teams would try to extract that from him. But the only time I believe teams really would exact a premium would be for an in-division trade. That is to say, I think Ryan Mallett would have cost the Bills more than he cost the Texans.

I'm with you until I look longer and harder at this season. I see a guy on his 5th chance leading this team to as dismal offensive performances as I have ever seen. I have to believe that EJ could do better. He could do worse, too, but I just found it terrifically unproductive to pursue a future with Orton. He was a stabilizing force early on, but I don't think that the team will progress any further with him. I'd love to be proven wrong no matter what. Maybe he'll work on his arm strength and his mobility over the offseason, and maybe a full offseason program with the team would work wonders. I would not bet on it with a guy his age, though. I see what you just did there.

Well, that is where those depth guys -- draft picks and bargain bin guys -- come in. What they really need is some coaching to restore the line. They seemed to block without purpose this season. That, plus premium talent, will win games and will shore up the situation in the inevitable event of injuries. It seemed like they were tinkering from day one, and that guys frequently didn't know their roles.

It was hard for me to know that based on your post.

Has Kouandijo ever played guard, though?

And when will we know if he has? The coach would have to give him the opportunity. I'm not comparing them in the least, but Kurt Warner never got a real chance to beat out several QBs before he became the guy he was. The difference is that EJ has developed a reputation with his coach that might be hard to undo. I hope Marrone will really be giving everyone the best chance and not making the "safe move" of playing the veteran simply because it is safe on paper.

As evidenced by our great success in finding them all over the draft.

How are we going to trade Spiller, a guy who isn't under contract for next season?

Someone is lost, that's for sure.

Again, that's because of your genius.

Wood, Urbik, Glenn, Pears? Am I missing something? And I said "over the past 3-4 seasons," which is not the same as what you said.

disagree. Iupati is everything you want in a guard. Levitre was a converted tackle who definitely works situationally, but isn't a fit for a team seeking big maulers.

It will only take balls if it's a risky move. What he really needs is a willing partner to make a deal, in FA, trade or otherwise.

The same "mess" that led to superior running games a few years ago? With players primarily remaining the same over the past 3-4 seasons? There has been a regression in players who had been serviceable at worst, after more personnel additions. That is coaching. If it's not the former OL and OL coach Marrone's fault, Pat Morris should be feeling the heat, at least.

There's a real chance given that his HC just left and his team will have a new philosophy. However, we'd do well to remember that players call the shots in FA and you cannot make someone sign with you. It's a combo of offering the best money and getting a buy-in to what you're doing.

I disagree; they're both higher-ceiling guys. It's just that they're bigger risks. Cutler because of the locker room stuff, and Bradford because he's made of glass. Bigger boom/bust potential. that's fair. It's why I'd bring in a guy like Moore, as uninspiring as that might sound.

I'm with you 100%, Deano.

I was hoping for some west coast games since I'm moving out there. Bummer...

I see them trying to get somebody like Bradford or working the trade angles, then settling for someone like Matt Moore. I wouldn't put it past them to look for a QB in this (weak) draft in the later rounds. It would be a stronger position to be in than last year's, but not an altogether good one. There just aren't enough options. It's why I maintain that developing a successful Manuel is the best possible outcome for the team. I'm sorry, Orton's floor is too low for a low-ceiling guy. He is never going to put up a Rich Gannon late-career season, or even a Brad Johnson one.

I see it both ways. Even with the dearth of production at QB, there were opportunities to win games, most notably against KC. There is so much talent in so many areas that a shade of difference at QB certainly would have put them over the top. I think they underachieved relative to that talent, and that there were chances that weren't taken, mismatches that weren't exploited. I hope, of course, that you're right.

I've gotta admit those are distant, distant seconds for me. Best since 2004 - another underachieving season - rings hollow. while i appreciate your perspective, i don't see much changing in the approach or at QB. That definitely leaves me less inspired.

Make it bourbon and you've got a deal. Wait, I have to give up the fifth?