ballpeen

I think LBs started to be diminished past the 80's. I just pointed out the 80's since it was still a top position on D. You still had plenty of teams still playing a 3-4 base. I don't think anybody has played that as a base in quite a few years. It just became a tweener position. As O's started to go pass heavy, backs became diminished as did the need for linebackers. Teams either wanted more size and pass rush from the front 4 and wanted to have more DBs on the field.

It had to have been 1955 since it was Otto Graham's last season.. A friend of my Dads had to cancel at the last moment, so dad took me. We played the Eagles. We won, but don't remember the score. I have slept a few times since then. I remember the weather being decent, so it had to be early fall. Maybe October. I was young enough that the game was more secondary to being there with my Dad and inside a huge, full stadium of people. I do remember not liking the mustard....a bit spicy for a 6-7 year old.

In the sense of the D, LB is a "get later" position. I think 10 LBs were drafted in the first 3 rounds this past draft. Basically 10% of all drafted players in those rounds. In the NFL of today, LB just isn't a marquee position anymore as it was in the 60's. Even the 80's. I can't think of any defensive formation where a team brings in more linebackers. Can you? They start pulling them off the field in favor of faster coverage guys or more beef along the line in a goal line deal.

That is a different issue. To be honest, I don't know one way or the other, so I suppose there is no choice but to trust them. I can suspect all I want, but until there is actual proof, what are you going to do?

Look at the goons they elect. Fetterman shows up at an event wearing basketball shorts and tee shirt. Not sure what that was about. It probably makes it easier for his caregiver to change his diaper when needed. I don't blame the politicians. I blame the simpletons who elect them.

I am glad to hear it as well. I don't know if I like the guy so much, but my liking him doesn't matter. I think he can be a pretty good player, BUT, he has to grow up and quit being an egghead. His actions have him in a position where he isn't a 100% lock to make the team. In years past he was a 100% lock. It's pretty rare, for any team to cut a fairly high draft choice after 1 year. That could happen to the guy this year. He doesn't need to give the staff an extra reason to drop him. He is already in a position where the coaches are going to be debating "do we keep this guy or that guy". He best do what Schwartz and his defensive line coach want him to do without constant "playground" distractions. The line between "tough love" and "screw you" can be pretty thin.

Myles is at a crossroads of sorts. Before he has had coordinators he could blame to some degree, or at least he so thought and people went along with that. Schwartz is different. He is highly qualified and has had great success with his defensive lines.

No doubt. That is why I said you have to keep it in perspective. Also, the reports seem to be wide ranging, so I don't think it is all through the team mouthpiece. No matter. The reports are good. Now we will see how all of that transitions to training camp next month.

It does tell you something. Like I said before, you have to keep it in the perspective of what it is and what it is for. Being good at the end is the result of being good along the way. Camp is a step by step process just as the season is a 17 step process.

Like I said, when they are on the road the rules are different because the employer is paying. I am sure employers can't mandate an employee be in by 9PM. Don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with the thought. I just know from a legal standpoint, they can't, and I do agree with that. If the team wants to mandate all players stay in a team hotel and pay for meals during these camps, they could do that and set a curfew.

Maybe a little of all? LOL...I'll be happy if some day people say they hope their receiver is a bit like Tillman. Hyatt got a lot of love and well deserved, but until Tillman got hurt, he was the Vol receiver you planned against. I think a lot of people have forgotten that. I think we got a good one with that guy. A lot depends on the receiver, QB connection, but this has a chance to be the start of a beautiful relationship.

I am not sure they can. Maybe on the road where everybody is in a hotel, but there isn't any way to check if a player is in or out. I don't think your employer could just arbitrarily set some curfew you had to follow. Just because they play football doesn't make them any different than any other employee.

Maybe. Or maybe just some insurance. You never know if someone is going to get hurt in camp or early in the season. Having the money to be able to sign someone or trade for someone is important.

As I told my kids, I set 12:00 AM as their curfew except on rare occasions. I always told them that nothing good happens after midnight. These guys aren't kids so I am not saying they should be in by midnight, but 3:30? Come on! Obviously these cats need a little extra supervision at practice. Maybe several extra gassers might give them the opportunity to think and reflect. Better than that, let them reflect while they blow the start whistle and watch their team run gassers for them. Yep, that is what I would do. After all, those guys would have to be tired after a late night out. Let them relax while watching their mates run around for them. I am sure the teammates will be happy to do that.

Good stuff buddy. I also like the way the guy knows how to shield defenders in tight coverage. I live in Tennessee so I could watch all the Vols games I wanted. Minus the top end speed, he reminds me of Terrell Owens in body type and how he can use his body to be open even when he isn't. Some receivers play skinny. Some know how to play wide. He can play wide. 10" hands don't hurt anything either.

It's not hard to grasp.

Cool, but you are comparing last regular season to this seasons 1st mandatory camp. I don't know if that is a fair comparison or standard to use. Maybe starting comparing season to season when the games are real.

I need you to qualify that. I am not sure what you are saying?

No doubt Nick, but once you understand what it is, then you can go from there. Camp is a process. Go with the process and you can see the positives. I mean, if we weren't looking good in the part of the process where you should look good, that wouldn't be a concern? Come on buddy, you know darn good and well it would. Sometimes, it doesn't hurt to feel good about things..tee's and shorts are a good barometer if tees and shorts are the baseline.

No doubt. This time of year, you don't want to hear anything else. At this point it is still passing camp. See your receiver and hit him. When watching the tapes available, it looks like the QB can look around for 5-6 seconds. At some point, it if was the coach I would start blowing whistles at 4.5 seconds and call a sack. But in fairness, the QB can't just roll out as he feels the 4 second clock closing and buy a few more seconds.

That's cool. I just don't see the big deal. Maybe because I have never seen Myles as a leader. He hasn't demonstrated that since he was drafted. Some people just don't fit in to that mold, so why try at this point? As long as he plays well, I don't care about the leader part.

The guy needs to get in shape, but shape for a person that big. The reality is he isn't ever going to have to run more than 10-15 yards. Probably more like 5-10 yards before the back is past him and blocking becomes pointless. For guys like that, 20 yard sprints is what I would have them do .I think sometimes coaches and trainers have a 1 way fits all, and that isn't the case.

LOL....lord no. I was just talking about the wheel well covers. You had to take them off to change the tire. My car in question was a 1966 Pontic wagon. An older beater with thin tires, so I had to change more than a few flats! LOL It did run well, so there is that. Not much for style, but it did the job.

Probably going to happen no matter where he plays. Once you have rattled your brain a few times the odds are pretty steep it will continue. If it happens again, if I were him I would seriously consider retirement. But, it may already be too late. He may already be destined to being a drooler by the time he is 65.

I'd say right about now that Hunt has lost those ideas and will be willing to take any deal some team is willing to offer. You can have all the thoughts you want about a starting gig, but by June he is willing to be back-up to the back-up. No other job is going to pay him $700,00 a year, or whatever it is. The guy was a great back, for about 3-4 years but his running style doesn't lead to a long career.