MattM

I was hoping they'd be able to trade him. Good luck elsewhere, Dwan.....

Not quite sure what you mean by this, as I thought Bradham led FSU in tackles his last three seasons there. Sarcasm perhaps?

I'm curious if the League has done background checks on these folks like they apparently do on the real refs, which go well beyond the simple "ever been arrested?". These folks have a once in a lifetime chance (before they head back to DII) to make a huge score by throwing a game. The League really needs to be careful here. Personally, I'm shocked it's gotten as far as it has, as I thought the League was too smart to let it get this far. And to the posters saying the replacement refs' gaffes have been exaggerated I ask what exactly you've been watching this month? They've been atrocious as has been widely reported and as is easily observable by watching almost any preseason game, including ours. One thing that hasn't been remarked on is that I at least have noticed that these guys don't seem to like to call holding--can't count the number of times I've seen O-linemen hook an arm around a rusher's head or shoulder to take them to the ground. Can't believe it, but it does make me wish for the old inept crews back....

Somewhere gamblers and Bob Kraft are smiling at all this....

I think what you're saying is "what happens to Junior Seau when he isn't "Junior Seau" anymore?". I suspect that a lot of pro athletes go through this--they've almost never been "normal people" and for some (many? most?) the letdown is unbearable, particularly when combined with (a) the loss of income/cash if they haven't planned well for life after football which at least sometimes results in (b) the loss of the affections of loved one/spouse, particularly if they haven't chosen wisely in that arena (read gold digger who isn't interested in sticking around with a " has been".) From what I've read Junior may have suffered from all of this, being under both reported financial strain and having gone through a messy divorce earlier and another incident in which folks thought he may have been suicidal after a fight with a girlfriend. Not sure what one can do about this other than the people around him trying to keep an athlete grounded on the way up so that the way "down" isn't quite so hard....

Plus one on the last point. In terms of the accent, one of my old college buddies (from Louisiana, no less!) noticed pretty quickly on a visit that "all the women talk like [our female freshman floor mate from Chili].". To this day he swears the accent is much more pronounced in women and ever since he mentioned it I've always noticed that myself....

Without googling it, I seem to recall him playing safety at NM--am I correct?

Is that the ONLY reason the public views them differently? Somehow I personally doubt it....

You may want to talk to Mitch Frerotte about that--oops, my bad.....

On the Welker thing, that may be what Irsay was tweeting about earlier this week--some big trade going down that was going to require him to open his checkbook. Folks thought it was Mike Wallace (someone worth opening his checkbook for, considering Wallace's age). Looks like Irsay may have taken his "Dan Snyder pills" this week if it's Welker. What a disaster that could be for them--a 31 year old system receiver for a second rounder. We can only hope the Pats* draft the next Chad Jackson with that 2 if they get it.....

I'd like to hear from the doctors on the board--where's WEO when (one of the few times) you need him?

Watch the movie "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" sometime. Documentary on the steroid issue. That's among the ideas the director/writer raises. Not sure if I agree myself, but it was an interesting flick....

As you write it, may it be so....

The Erics each played the first two series, but left after that (folks have ripped our O for scoring only against the Vikes' 2nd tea ers, but (a) a fair number of Vike D starters were still in on that series--at least 4 or 5, I believe, and (b) both Erics were out for us that series.)

That was funnier than h-e-double hockey sticks, and love them calling Romeo Crennel the "Battletoad" in this year's Chiefs synopsis--somehow that just fits (at least to me)....

I agree, but I also think we have no one on the roster behind him anywhere near as good, which concerns me. I'd have loved to see them go and try to pick up someone else this offseason. Have heard that M. Bennett looked good last night in the Giants game, for ex......

HGH is a helluva' drug. Seems to be the Pats* training regimen of choice--just ask good old Rodney Harrison. Only reason he was caught was he was dumb enough to put his real name and address on the order. Methinks that most of his teammates (remember the Cheats* have long been known as a place where formerly washed up vets go to "revive" their careers) were simply smart enough to avoid that mistake.....

I actually feel pretty bad for Chad here--shouldn't have hit her (if he indeed did), but I still feel bad for him....

I agree on the Maybin posts above after watching the first half or so. He was absolutely terrible, always trying to take a wide angle to the QB only to get pushed further off course by the T on him, who each probably had one of the easiest games in their respective careers. I don't think they cut him this week, but unless he vastly improves he may indeed get cut. Also impressed with Coples--they may have hit on that pick....

If history is any guide....

I thought she was from Roch (also home of Abby Wambach, I might add).....

My dad and I have done a road trip for the last ten years or so--Denver, Jacksonville, Oakland (twice), KC, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Green Bay, Dallas--and I've also seen the Bills in Philly, NY and SF (where we're also going this year). Favorites would be Pittsburgh (everyone very friendly and football knowledgeable, down to the old ladies we met at the Warhol Museum) and Green Bay (take the Lambeau tour, it was so awesome I did it twice).....

Look at their recent drafts--other than the two TE's and perhaps Mayo (although I think he's overrated--doesn't make enough big plays), they've been nothing to write home about lately. Look at your own list and how far back it goes. Nearly 10 years or more in many cases, back when Pioli and Dimitroff ran things, neither of whom is there now and their drafts lately have suffered as a consequence. I also have a problem with including guys like McCourty (wretched sophomore season), Vollmer (what has he really done but get injured?) and Merriweather (flat out stinks)--it shows how far you're reaching....

Not "obviously"--you're the Pats* fan, we look to you for answers man!

Is Mankins healthy? Will he start the year? Is Waters coming back for sure? Last I heard he hadn't reported to camp (but that was last week)....