Dr. Who

The NHL is easily worse than the NFL. I don't think the bad calls are randomly distributed so that it all evens out in the end. You're free to think otherwise.

We need insight from the rabbits from the astral plane. I'm sure they would have a viable solution.

I would too, but aside from Miami not trading him, I think he costs a day 2 pick. I don't know where that mid-rounder price comes from the other fella is speculating. Shaheed will probably cost you a third, and he's the most plausible option out there.

Well, you're the fella who decides to come on another team's message board. If it infuriates you that folks think your team is one of the favored, perhaps you ought to stay away from message boards likely to hold opinions you don't like. It's not just Buffalo Bills fans who think certain teams get a better shake than others from the refs, for whatever reason. And other teams can count on the opposite. It doesn't take much to skew the way a game goes, and it can be done without any kind of trail that would involve lawsuits. It could even be an unconscious bias in many cases. If the NFL wanted to institute reviews for blatant bad calls, or answer the complaints that there are double standards, they could make a concerted effort to answer critics. I've seen no evidence they want to do that on a consistent basis.

There's some distance between rigging and putting your hand on the scale. The league does a lot of things that are not popular. They're going to lose some audience, but it's mostly graybeards, so they don't care.

Now imagine how it would work in the NFL, but they like it murky.

The league clearly wants it that way.

Of course, those who disagree can always charge one with confirmation bias. There's a reason, however, that this is a meme. And a lot of it has to do with the timing of flags. Zebras tend to even it out when it doesn't hurt the precious.

It would be very helpful come seeding time, nonetheless.

I don't think Beane is great. If Pegula wants to fill his new stadium, he ought to worry about that. I think Cooper actually made a difference last year, even if he was running on fumes.

I can't answer for that fella, but is it really ALL on the players? Doesn't lack of discipline ultimately end up a coaching responsibility as well? Regardless, when McD brought in some coaches with experience that seemed capable of providing critique and perhaps innovation and change to his system, it was plausibly part of the Process where weaknesses were continually addressed. Not too much evidence that has happened. Brady is middle of the road, with some exasperating tendencies. Whether he stays or goes, the WR room needs to be better. I like McDermott as a person, and hoped he would have success. Maybe it will still happen, but right now, there ought to be questions. There sure should not be complacency and the thought that no matter what, the present regime is immune to substantial criticism or the possibility of being replaced if the team flames out or has another disappointing post-season.

Before the draft, some of us commented on regression towards the mean on turnovers as one reason the WR room needed to be augmented in order to increase the likelihood of explosive plays. Folks weren't interested, and Beane chastised radio hosts and played the Josh Allen card like a permanent get out of jail license against any criticism. It was the defense that needed fixing. Well, what if the scheme is tired and broken? It doesn't help that the GM has a spotty record at best on day 1 and 2 picks.

If Beane felt any pressure at all, as in ordinary accountability from a reasonably diligent owner, he'd be more likely to pursue a deal if one is actually possible. Unfortunately, he doesn't, and the present roster reflects that complacency.