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Ask Tim Graham, version 2.0


Lori

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The original "Ask Tim Graham" thread is beginning to creak under the weight of more than 800 posts, so I decided that once the odometer hit 100,000 page views, it was time to let it retire gracefully and fire up another one.

 

For those of you just joining us, this pinned thread is a place for Stadium Wall members to interact with Tim Graham, the proprietor of ESPN.com's AFC East blog. From "Ask Tim," v. 1.0:

Just a couple of thoughts ...

 

I'll talk about all sorts of topics here that I might not be prepared to write about, but because my byline is the symbol of whatever credibility and integrity I've built up in this profession, there will be some questions I won't be able to answer. In the Internet Age, anything I post here could be construed as a published story.

 

So the general rule of thumb I'll try to follow is this standard: If you were to run into me at a bar -- the chances are pretty high of that -- and we were to strike up casual conversation, anything I would feel comfortable telling you in that setting, I will tell you here.

 

I'll try to stay on this as much as I can, but there might be long periods between activity. But this site already is part of my daily routine.

 

Thanks for letting me hang around.

 

So ... the glasses are washed, the bar's been wiped down, and Tim's Place -- where the wings are hot, the beer is cold, and the football talk doesn't stop at closing time -- is open for business.

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So ... the glasses are washed, the bar's been wiped down, and Tim's Place -- where the wings are hot, the beer is cold, and the football talk doesn't stop at closing time -- is open for business.

 

 

Tim - I missed the beer and wings - where are they? More on track - while there is a long way until the season begins who do you thing in the division (AFC East) is likely to take a step forward this year, who might take a step back and why?

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The original "Ask Tim Graham" thread is beginning to creak under the weight of more than 800 posts, so I decided that once the odometer hit 100,000 page views, it was time to let it retire gracefully and fire up another one.

 

For those of you just joining us, this pinned thread is a place for Stadium Wall members to interact with Tim Graham, the proprietor of ESPN.com's AFC East blog. From "Ask Tim," v. 1.0:

 

 

So ... the glasses are washed, the bar's been wiped down, and Tim's Place -- where the wings are hot, the beer is cold, and the football talk doesn't stop at closing time -- is open for business.

 

I will have a Tanqueray and Tonic 20 extra hot drenched please. Oh and extra BC and celery. Thanks.

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Tim, since you have the big ESPN bucks, how about drinks on you?

 

While we wait for our drinks, have you heard anything about Langston Walkers' thoughts on playing LT? Will he try and slim down, knowing he has to face speed rushers for 16 games? Maybe you can do a story on Walker, I have not heard one word from him since the Peters trade.

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Hey Tim,

 

(As I posted earlier, can you help me on this one)

Everyone kept saying, Marshawn will appeal the suspension and get 1-2 games not 3. Why hasn't he appealed yet? What is he waiting for? Is there a chance that after his talk with Goddell he was informed he has to keep it at 3? I just don't get it.

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Hey Tim,

 

(As I posted earlier, can you help me on this one)

Everyone kept saying, Marshawn will appeal the suspension and get 1-2 games not 3. Why hasn't he appealed yet? What is he waiting for? Is there a chance that after his talk with Goddell he was informed he has to keep it at 3? I just don't get it.

 

Thats a GREAT question! :thumbsup:

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Why hasn't Marshawn appealed his 3 game suspension? I would think he might be able to get it down to 2 games. Any thoughts?

 

Is it possible he was told NOT to appeal by the commish?

 

 

Huh? That makes little sense, as he is the one who issued the suspension. Where else could Lynch appeal? It would make a mockery of the whole process, and the NFLPA would go berserk if they ever got a sniff of something like that. And, since the Commish has already ruled, what would be the disincentive for Lynch to appeal? The Commish couldn't simply add more time if Marshawn appeals...it doesn't work that way.

 

Now, if you are suggesting he has told Lynch he will reduce the suspension if Lynch stays out of trouble, and made a gentleman's agreement to do so if Marshawn doesn't appeal...well that's a different issue. Still, I expect the NFLPA will pressure Lynch to appeal, at some point.

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Tim,

 

 

As we all know, Patriots LB Tyrone McKenzie tore his knee up in the mini camp and is out for the year. My question deals with his contract. Obviously, he is injured before having signed one, so what happens to him? Also, how does that effect the negotiations for his rookie contract that every rookie signs? Do they not take the injury into consideration? Does McKenzie get screwed? How do they go about negotiations now? Loaded question I know, but very interesting, at least to me.

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Hey Tim,

 

Any sense that the Bills are reluctant to make long-term commitments to players that fit the Cover 2 system because of the realization that if Jauron is gone after the season, the next coach likely won't want to run the same defense?

 

No sense of that at all. In fact, I'd never even thought of the notion until you raised it.

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Huh? That makes little sense, as he is the one who issued the suspension. Where else could Lynch appeal? It would make a mockery of the whole process, and the NFLPA would go berserk if they ever got a sniff of something like that. And, since the Commish has already ruled, what would be the disincentive for Lynch to appeal? The Commish couldn't simply add more time if Marshawn appeals...it doesn't work that way.

 

Now, if you are suggesting he has told Lynch he will reduce the suspension if Lynch stays out of trouble, and made a gentleman's agreement to do so if Marshawn doesn't appeal...well that's a different issue. Still, I expect the NFLPA will pressure Lynch to appeal, at some point.

 

What I meant was the commish could have made it 4 games but made it 3 and told him not to push the issue. I hope he does appeal and gets it reduced.

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Tim, am I reading too much into it, or does the fact that Levi Jones and his agent seem to be in no rush to sign (the cancelled trip to Seattle) point to possible lingering injuries?

 

My guess is he doesn't want to attend the off season stuff.

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Tim,

 

 

As we all know, Patriots LB Tyrone McKenzie tore his knee up in the mini camp and is out for the year. My question deals with his contract. Obviously, he is injured before having signed one, so what happens to him? Also, how does that effect the negotiations for his rookie contract that every rookie signs? Do they not take the injury into consideration? Does McKenzie get screwed? How do they go about negotiations now? Loaded question I know, but very interesting, at least to me.

 

Draftees who report for rookie camp or participate in other team activities before they are under contract are presented with a tender letter that binds the team in case something like this happens. The stipulations are that if the player suffers a serious injury, the team must negotiate a contract in good faith based on the contract signed by the player drafted in the same slot the previous year.

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