Mr. Scot

Passing on both Neal and Cross?

Interesting article... How close are Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis? “Talking to teams, Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis are neck and neck,” Pauline said. “The team that wants to start their rookie earlier are going to go with Pickett. The teams that are looking long range are going Willis. But they are right there. Neck and neck.” Cam Mellor adds this... Willis seemingly separated himself at the Combine. He was seen helping a homeless person outside a hotel in downtown Indianapolis. There was that video of him completing a throwing session in the hallways of the hotel. Then, he was impressive in all facets during interviews and on-field workouts. This all came after he wowed those in attendance at the 2022 Senior Bowl. But then there’s Pickett. Somehow quietly in the corner, Pickett measured his hands at the Combine. That may seem trivial to the uninitiated, but it was massively important that he did so. Yet, it wasn’t as critical as his on-field throws at the Senior Bowl and the Combine. So how’d the general public forget about Pickett? That’s a mystery to be solved for another day. Both Pickett and Willis have incredible work ethics and are born leaders. They each have had a special journey to the NFL through their collegiate careers. Willis, an Auburn transfer, found greener pastures at a different location. Pickett, a four-year starter, found glory in his final year of eligibility at Pittsburgh. They both have a terrific athletic profile and more than enough talent in their arms. The neck-and-neck nature of Willis and Pickett each receiving top quarterback grades from some NFL teams is a microcosm of just how close the top of this quarterback class is. It remains to be seen which of them comes off the board first. And as the saying goes, the rest will be history. We’re all just ready to watch it unfold.

Campen reportedly asked why he didn't.

It definitely does. I'd call him obsessive but who am I to talk?

Speaking of... I get the sense their future plans involve winning in something less than seven years

I subscribe to The Athletic for the content anyway, but even if I didn't, Brugler's draft guide would be worth the subscription price by itself. Highly recommend it...

Marty too...

Don't have to.imagine

Person, Voth, Gantt and others have pretty much confirmed that story. Richardson wanted to fire Rivera, but Hurney offered to fall on the sword to save him. Richardson agreed. Why? Not sure anybody knows except I guess Marty convinced him. Prior to that, Hurney had worked for years without a contract. Gantt had said numerous times that Marty was "GM for life" if he wanted to be, so something like this was about the only way you were going to get him out of there. When he came back, a lot of us knew the interim tag was bullsh-t. It was just a matter of time before he got the permanent job. Heck, if not for the scandals that took down Richardson, Marty might still be the GM today.

Hence why I said "agreeing to terms" as opposed to "signing". Hadn't occurred to me that some might not know the difference. Signed contracts have to be reported to the league for approval.

I mean, if it went that far and he was still available in like the 5th or 6th, I'd take a shot at him.

As I recall, Lombardi's been a GM a couple of times but never for very long. A couple years back when he was working as an insider, he reported the story that John Fox was going to be fired. Nobody else was saying it but he stuck by it and repeated it over and over. It didn't happen.

I'd view Tepper not liking somebody as a pretty solid endorsement. Technically though, Rhule does still have final say.

That particular paradox is true more often than I wish it were.

It'd mean Rhule won the debate. Scott Fitterer pretty clearly wants to draft a rookie and build around him. Matt Rhule doesn't have time for that.

People who are convinced they're smarter than everybody else don't hear wakeup calls.

You read right. It could change, but as of right now there haven't been any plans to have him visit reported.

That...doesn't sound good

How many times have we seen deals announced with people we didn't even know we were talking to? Hell, that's been this entire offseason.

It works pretty much any way you want. No one's required to report anything until it's official.

It's not hard to see that Fitterer wants to go the draft route. Convincing Rhule might not be easy though.

We're reported to have been in touch with Duane Brown. I could see a scenario where they agree to terms in secret but don't announce anything until after the draft so as not to telegraph their plans.

Is he wrong though?

I knew the dude was an a--hole but geez

That's it? There's gotta be more than that. Hell, if I had to answer for stuff I said or did back when I was young and stupid, I suspect I'd have gotten turned down for a job or two myself. (and I doubt I'm the only one who can say that)