Pneumonic

You also have no proof that reindeer can fly but common sense prevails eventually. Also, do asterisk any coach or team that you know has been shown to cheat or is this honour only given and specific to the Pats?

You don't think that every NFL coach has, at some time during their ramp up to the epitome of coaching level in their sport, not once cheated? OK, nothing I say will convince you otherwise. So keep asterisking away

So, Belichick cheated. BFD! There isn't a coach in the NFL that hasn't cheated in his career. Yet many target Belichick and asterisk such a thing in relation to the Patriots. Not only is this perplexing but it screams of jealousy.

http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?583688-Another-nail-in-the-coffin-of-spygate and

Good effort. As for feedback. I don't grade a draft until a few years have lapsed and certainly not before the drafted players even step foot on the field. So, nothing from me on the draft summaries. As for FA. I would grade as follows: Bills C+. Rivers may get a chance to shine with Kiko out. Spikes is a 1 dimensional guy who will be exploited by better QB's. Graham is a fine addition. Losing Byrd hurts. The rest are backup types. Jets B-. If he can stay healthy, Vick will be a big upgrade over last years version of Smith. Johnson and Decker could excel if the Jets get good QB play. The Cromartie loss could be devastating with only Wilson as his viable replacement. Pats B+. Revis might make this grade an A+ by himself when all is said and done. Browner could excel in this defense. LaFell is a solid addition at the big WR spot for them. If Smith is healthy he should help as a spot pass rusher. No significant FA losses other than Talib who they improved upon. BTW, A Wilson didn't play last year. Miami C. Albert and Smith should improve the OL. Then again so could have adding my brother and I given how bad it was last year. Finnegan might be done.

Only realistic choice would be Mario. Tough competition though.

#1 key is health followed by the play of EJ and the ability of the coaching staff.

Dareus is a headcase at the moment. I don't think it would be wise to sign a headcase to a multi-million $ contract. Let him first prove that he's not a headcase. Then sign him.

So, you think that I am not being objective because I question that the viability of this team as a SB contender due to the key losses on defense and not being suitably strong enough at the QB and coaching spots? Would you feel better if I said the losses on defense will make for a better unit and that Manual and the coaches will perform at very high levels in their respective roles, despite never having done so previously?

In this league it's all about defense and the HC and QB spots. At least if the objective is to win the SB. With the hits on defense .... Kiko, Byrd, Pettine and the unknown commodity that is Dareus, this defense isn't as strong now as it was last year ... and last year's defense wasn't near good enough so, can't imagine it would be this year. So, strike one off from above. Neither the coaching staff nor QB spot should be viewed as a strength. In fact, a much stronger case can be made that they are weaknesses, which, may well end up being strike 2 and 3 off the above list. Looking at this objectively ..... does anyone actually see sufficient strength in all 3 of the above areas such that the team should be considered a viable SB contender?

Sucks. It's never good to lose one of your best players and a key component on the defensive side of the ball. Guys will have to step up and fill-in with the hope that the drop off in production isn't too much to overcome.

Of note, in the linked article is the following:

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/archives/sunnews/straighttalk/2014/06/20140620-072037.html

At this stage of the game: Top shelf: San Francisco Seattle Denver New England New Orleans Green Bay Middle shelf: Chicago Cincinnati Arizona St. Louis Philly Baltimore Indy San Diego Carolina Kansas City Lower shelf: Cleveland Pittsburgh Buffalo New York Jets Miami Detroit Tampa Bay Atlanta New York Giants Washington Dallas Bottom shelf: Tennessee Jacksonville Oakland Houston Minnesota

Snyder must have a connection with a Senator somewhere. If I were him, I'd ask my Senator friend for a "scratch my back" favour to petition the USPTO on behalf of any number of high profile sports teams who may have a derogatory name asking them to rescind said name(s) immediately. I'd make the episode as public as possible to expose the USPTO for the corrupt office that they are and to draw to light the ridiculousness of this matter.

Not only has the speed of the game increased so much but the proliferation of the passing attacks, in particular the hurry-up offense that are en vogue, really make it almost a necessity for defense to be in nickel and dime packages for much of the game. This really makes a 1 dimensional run stuffing player like Spikes almost a dinosaur. As for specific divisional matchups ..... I just read online that the Patriots have been implementing components of a Chip Kelly styled offense featuring dual RB's who are excellent receivers out fo the backfield. Defenses typically counter with a base personnel (ie Spikes in at Mike LB spot) when they see a 2 back base set. Such an offense (especially one directed by someone as good as Brady) will exploit any matchup with such a RB whom can’t be covered by a slow LB such as Spikes. In such games, Spikes might not see much action at all.

Almost certainly the addition of Spikes will improve the rush defense but he'll be a major liability when the better offenses scheme him into pass coverage responsibilities.

If they get superior QB play then, yes. Otherwise, no. Ditto Mammals.

Indeed, it's mindboggling that he'll very likely go down as perhaps the greatest QB ever given that for much of his career he wasn't gifted with very many highly skilled players to complement him. Had he been surrounded by HOF caliber receivers like Montana and Manning were, Brady likely would be setting QB records that might never be eclipsed.

I support the Senators views to change the redskins name but, only, if they agree to also urge Notre Dame to change from the "fighting" Irish to something more politically correct.

DROY - Clowney OROY - Sankey

The sal cap has made it so most teams have very similar talent. What usually separates the best teams from the non playoff teams is the performance level of the QB and the coaching staff. It remains to be seen how these two aspects will shake out for the Bills moving forward.

True but Polian had the great benefit of being able to build a dynasty in an era that wasn't restricted by cap space and which didn't place near the value on draft picks as today's NFL does.

It seems fine now but, not having a #1 this time next year, it will suck. Unless the lost pick is @ 32.

^^^^^^ This +1.