KSpan

Which is absurd. Brady could absolutely sling it when he wanted to, but he generally utilized softer touch as a QB should (see: early Cam Newton). However, he could throw lasers and had a fantastic deep ball. Dude was throwing the ball 55+ yards on a dime at 45 years old his last year in the league... Brady did not lack arm strength.

That could be percevied as a double standard there, though I'll agree there are people that just seem to delight in trolling and/or are legitimately miserable. The whole point of engaging like this is for opinions to be shared, contrasted, and discussed, and if folks are going to express optimism then there are those who will engage with counterpoints as well. It's on them to recognize trolls vs legitimate pots and to discern accordingly, as lumping all other opinions into one bucket is not a good route. Looking forward, I think a lot of eyes were opened this past season and things will be more balanced. My main rub with your statement though was the assertion that anyone who wasn't optimistic either doesn't care or is miserable. That simply isn't true. In the end I don't think our views are that far off. It just sucks that the team sucks as badly as they do and have sucked for as long as they have.

Yeah, no. Bullcrap like this is the attitude that led to so much divisiveness last year when people dated to ask questions, and look who was right. Healthy skepticism/neutrality is not automatically indicative of either misery or apathy, and in fact can lead to some quality discussion if pollyannas/the rose-colored crew can handle it. I think that group is much smaller this time around than it was a year ago, but they still exist.

No, at this point he can't - it's not who he is as a player. When he winds up and puts all of his body into it he can get some velocity and a bit of distance, but downfield the accuracy goes away entirely. Anyone who watches this past season and still argues arm strength as anything above bottom-tier at the NFL level as of right now is deluding themselves.

Sanders was a ridiculous signing, another obvous and easily avoidable screw-up that the FO stil managed to bunder into. He might be worth keeping around at a fraction of his salary but sure isn't worth what he's getting.

Talk is cheap, as I said in another thread. Will believe it after seeing it for a long and sustained period of time. Call me skeptical.

Has he ever?

Has he ever?

Sorry man, but at this point nothing will incite hype until it actually shows up on the field. Talk is cheap and there's been no shortage of hollow drivel for the better part of a decade now.

He played under the 5th year option. He would now be an unrestricted FA if the team doesn't tag and/or re-sign him.

Higgins isn't under contract and neither is Burns, so some oddball dual franchise-and-trade would have to happen. Would be a rather unique happening.

No disagreement with your later statements, and I might be OK with keeping him at a decent price. That just doesn't seem likely at this point though, and if he walks with minimum compensation that's just a sign of how badly Fitterer screwed it up. However, the team team can't back the Brinks truck up out of fear.

In fairness to your comment I went and looked up the highlight... Brown already had a fistful of Baker on that play after he and Luvu blew up the pocket, and Baker was backpedaling and falling down when Burns finished him off. Burns did nothing of note on that play but got the statistical credit. This is not at all a counter to my point.

What an offense does is irrelevant - a strip-sack late in a close game (as one example) is definitely impact and game-changing. Burns, or any other defender, can't control what happens on the other side of the ball. With that said you could substitute 'memorable' for 'game-changing' and the result is the same. I've watched almost every game and don't recall a single outstnading, memorable play that Burns has made. It's hardly scientific of course, but when I think back to Peppers I can remember blocked field goals, the Denver game in 2004 (Plummer out at the 1, 99 yard interception return very next play), touchdown return vs Atlanta, and him just generally taking over games. I'm not saying that Burns or anyone else needs to be Peppers to be a quality player, because Peppers is a lock for the Hall. But he wants to be paid like guys that play on that level in today's NFL and the production and impact just isn't there.

Like how he was a top DE before he was unhappy with his contract, right? Making all of those big game-changing plays? There is 5 years of tape on Burns. He is a known quantity, and people tend to suddenly get better/play harder before the contract, not after. This team only lost by 2 possessions or less several times - Burns had his chance to show he took the next step and deserves elite money. He failed to do so.

For the billionth time, the decision isn't about trying to replace him one-for-one, it's about taking the value that he brings and spreading it across the defense. Is it worth letting him go if it nets a couple of better starters and depth? Absolutely. The bottom line is he's not worth what he's asking, period. He's a known quantity, and that quantitiy is not a game-changer. That money can go to Luvu, Brown, FAs, and any draft picks (which again, might be a moot point given how badly Fitterer screwed that up) may very well be a greater gain than his value.

Why would he do that though, at least at this point? Way less money and way more stress, plus he seems to enjoy being off the field vs on it at this point.

Rhule just regrets not having a former HC to throw under the bus for 'not giving proper guidance'.

But hey, Carolina got Jaycee Horn.

And the arm of a 50 cal. Works fine in that offense.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

We already know it's possible once every few blue moons. It's just not a winning strategy to count on, akin to banking on winning the lottery to fund their retirement.