Dr. Who

I agree. People in pain often act badly. It doesn't make bad behavior right, but understanding the complexity of human nature ought to engender a nuanced compassion that can censure what is objectionable without dismissing the person as merely contemptible.

At the beginning of the year, folks were lamenting that Star was a bad signing. He's clearly not that, though I think one can plausibly argue he is overpaid for what he offers. When you say look at the records, I believe that is missing the larger point, though it has some obvious initial power. Everyone knows the team is 3 - 7. Yet the past week suggests (albeit against a weak and demoralized opponent) that a merely competent offense combined with a superior defense is a likely playoff team. Star is contributing to a superior defense. The narrative that Beane is terrible at free agency is mitigated when a player turns out to be useful.

I think most feel confidence that McDermott knows how to build a defense. I like that the team doesn't quit. Early in the season, they seemed to sleepwalk through the first half, so you wondered if he could get them motivated for a whole game. The ineptitude on offense has been the main concern. The qb situation was mismanaged and the deficiencies on oline and at wr seemingly ignored. Granted, one cannot fix an entire roster in one offseason and Wood and Ritchie were partly unexpected (the contract offered to Incognito, however, indicates they were prepared to go without him.) Regardless, a game like yesterday gives one hope that Daboll can design an effective offense given sufficient talent. I am encouraged by Teller. If at least one side of the oline is solid, you can concentrate on upgrading 60% of the line. I think a superior center and RT should be a priority. 4-2 down the stretch with Allen flashing enough progression to solidify hopes he will eventually be a franchise qb, that's what one hopes for. Given the relatively weak competition (outside of the Patriots, who are not quite themselves this year,) I think it's possible.

It is a very schizophrenic season. Hard to feel secure in one's judgments. I do think some of the progression noted by oldmanfan is legitimate.

If he's a legit backup, that's still a nice addition. We need one.

Highly speculative surmise. Not good if true, though it doesn't square with the general assessment of his teammates that he is in fact a good guy. In any event, the fella has to be gonzo in the near future, so it wouldn't appear to matter much.

When you make billions of dollars and buy a sports team, presumably you can use whatever criteria you want to hire the coach of your team.

They are easy whipping boys, but much of it is deserved.

Individual aesthetics differ. I can't dispute what a particular look conotates for you. Hasek would have won a Cup here had we been wearing the royal (j/k). The navy often looks black to my old eyes on the telly.

Time for the Sabres to bring back the royal blue. We're about to be really good and I need a new hockey sweater.

French culture is truly magnificent. The contribution of France to western art and thought is undeniable. I particularly appreciate poets and novelists like Peguy and Bernanos. The scene in Casablanca at Rick's where the patrons shout down the Nazis with a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise is a perfect example of national feeling trumping fascist intentions (yes, pun intended). Unfortunately, for modern France, ingratitude and arrogance is also a French tradition.

Guess you're too young to recall Jack Kemp.

This is a fairly persuasive argument. I think you sign a veteran qb to be a mentor, especially if you don't really have a proven qb coach. The poster who goes by 716 is insightful and he strongly asserts that Culley is a sound coach, but I am still skeptical about a fella who basically coached wr most of his career. Regardless, it would be nice to have the situation the Chiefs had where you have a solid veteran in Alex Smith that will allow a redshirt year and then the vet qb becomes a tradeable asset. That is a rare situation. The qbs you mentioned were the only truly plausible starter vets out there and the cost was largely prohibitive. In retrospect, aggressively going after Bridgewater would have made sense, but no one could know ahead of time if he was healthy. In the end, we are pretty much where all the other teams with first round qbs are (excluding the Ravens.)

This is a credible argument if you think Allen is a rational pick (I do.) When you are arguing with a fella whose subtext is always that Allen is likely to bust, the underlying presupposition tends to color the overall assessment.

John Wawrow posted something to the effect that they do understand the nature of the offensive deficiencies and that they will be addressed in the offseason. I don't think they want to win grind it out games. I believe they will get the offseason with an improved salary cap situation to prove themselves.

I am comfortably in the Get off my Lawn Club. I am skeptical this regime knows what to do in order to rebuild the offense. I give Daboll somewhat of a pass because he has so little to work with. Castillo doesn't seem good to me. I'm sorry Kromer could not be persuaded to stay. I think they get this offseason to turn the offense around. It will have to show significant improvement, imo, or someone is walking the plank. I like Allen if he has good coaching and the right pieces around him to help him develop.

If Bruce Arians doesn't want to coach, he'd be perfect for the consultant role.

We have the least amount salary invested in offensive line by any team in the NFL and it's not really close. Lots of upgrades needed, but oline has to be much better if significant improvement is going to be possible.

Wawrow's a straight shooter. This is good news.

That's the minimal talent upgrade on O -- they really need considerably more, including a rb under thirty who is good.

Coaching and surrounding talent. We barely have a crumb on offense outside of an aging Shady. I argued for Mahomes and Watson, especially Mahomes. No one was more vociferous than Jeffismagic and he was hounded off the boards here for crusading. That said, I also like Allen, but the incompetence of this regime with regards to offense is literally historic.

I agree with this, so there was some hyperbole when I said he is not a starter level NFL qb.

I got a number of folks riled up, apparently. I am not addressing whether Kaepernick is better than Peterman or Anderson. My next door neighbor's dog is arguably better than poor Nate Peterman. I spoke to the inordinate attention given to a player I personally judge to be not a starter level NFL qb. The attention given to him nationally has much to do with his media image and what he stands for ideologically. Nike didn't sign him to do a commercial because of his playing ability. If some of you fellas want him to play for the Bills, more power to you. Regardless of his numbers during his last stint as a player, I believe he is not worth the headache. No one is going to rescue this season. Allen will improve (I think he can given adequate players around him and competent coaching) or the next regime will be drafting his replacement.

The love affair is political. It has nothing to do with a rational evaluation of his actual football talent.

Excellent post. Randy Smith was a master of the steal. He was my favorite player as well.