dc.

Ah, and now the change in argument. No one argued he doesn't own or that he isn't responsible. Spen (and now I) only argued that it is exaggeration to call it the team's most unbreakable record. That line turns a fair, deserved and reasonable criticism of Flacco into a line of total bull. He can own that stat- that awful, embarrassing, pathetic stat - and it says plenty without you all making up so one other level of hate.

Old82 - I generally agree, but technically the system is set up like this (to my knowledge). The CBA's that are renegotiated every few years between the teams/league and the players associations include discussions how making sure the wealth is spread appropriately. To my knowledge, the cap numbers as well as minimum numbers for vets, etc are tied to percentages of league revenue. As I remember it, last time the CBA was due to be discussed (not long ago given the big hold out, was that just 2012?) one sticking point was that "percentage of revenue" that players deserved. My understanding was that NFL players were getting less than MLB and NBA players on average and wanted to at least be in the same ballpark. Regardless, in the end I think you are right - in many ways the $$ doesn't matter so much as the time debt the teams are locking themselves into.

I think the contracts are crap - but it's not the money or the player, it's the length. Numbers on contracts are going up and always will (like the cap) so long as the league keeps increasing revenue. Now, of course we know the math works so the biggest cap hits come much later in the contracts and they get dumped or restructured - but locking guys in for 7 years is what's lunacy. The contract length is also what's pushing up salaries. Cutler is only so valuable compared to a league of good QBs. But he's not up against every QB in the league - he knows the Bears are looking at him or... Well, who knows, but it's not Peyton or Brady. Long contracts take players off the market, making good look great when they are the only option left. Silly, but the Bears are certainly saying "what other choice do we have?"

You are following such basic rules of pathetic internet arguing, I am wondering if I'm at Dee's board or on ESPN. 1. make exaggerated claims to get attention or just because you're that full of shit 2. Avoid merited arguments at all costs: Call anyone that disagrees a loon, hack, groupie, etc. 3. Continue to avoid merits at all costs: Deflect by "feeling sorry" for those who wish to actually discuss. (Didn't you notice how I predicted that move by acknowledging that I was taking the bait... Or do you not understand that reference) You can call me whatever you want, avoid me all you want. I'm patient. I'll wait for you to come around and actually talk merits. I know it may not happen. That's ok.

Fine. I'll take the bait. Go find me all my pro Flacco posts. What defines a Flacco groupie? Go find me the post that says I like his contract. Go find me the post that says I think he's elite. Or how about the one where I say he's on par with Manning or Brady. I'll help, just to make another point. Here's one that qualifies for the last box: Flacco's int total this year is still lower than Manning's personal record: 28. Or 23 in his sixth season. (Because I know you are both actually going to say that is a pro Flacco item, I will be very clear and say directly: my intent is only to prove how breakable that "record" is. Now, 165 points in 16 games... I'd call that on a different level. But I guess everyone's entitled to their own "opinion")

I think Spen's agenda is closer to mine than it is to being pro-Flacco. In fact, prior to the arrival of you two/one, he could have been put in a more Flacco doubter category - regularly questioning his decision making etc... I would say he still does. As for his agenda - like mine - it's to point out stupid, exaggerated, emotional and illogical arguments. Most unbreakable record is INTs? Silly. But it sure does sound good if you want to make a point.

Stupid and football stupid are very different. Doing it and explaining it are also different. Bradshaw sounds like a moron... But on the field he could see it and do it. I can see the solution to almost any visual puzzle and execute, but i cant describe what i am doing. The comparison is bad. I'm not saying Joe is Manning. He's not. But he's also bright enough if he has some tools - like a few seconds to throw or some decent plays to run.

What mistake? Trying something to make the team better? Again, if he'd sat on his thumbs and done nothing then we'd all be up in arms that there was no change despite the obvious personnel shortcomings. Harbaugh actually meddles the perfect amount I'd argue. He doesn't overdo it like so many coaches, but he's also not stubbornly stuck in some formula. That doesn't mean every decision is right but none of those options ensures a perfect product.

True. Point to Spen. Harbaughs misjudgment this year was Castillo - but I don't blame him for trying something. We lost our primary receiver and Birk. Had he sat on his hands and done nothing, we would have blamed a bad offense on not making any changes. I think Castillo was a miatake, but I can't say its a "pattern." I say the bigger mistake and issue is with not making a change - to play calling and blocking - earlier. But even that is hard: how do you rewrite an offense midseason? I think Caldwell, "the only FO move," deserves plenty of blame for lame game plans and calls.

There is something very wrong with our O, and play calling is a tremendous part of that. But I think the real problem is our OL schemes and sets. There is something beyond wrong there.

Michael Kiwanuka... crazy mixture of some of the greatest in classic soul/rock/folk... Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Al Green... all hidden in here. This is the one that's just been stuck in my head for weeks. But check out his others.

Bengal Billy... we can start this debate if you want... but put on some Mumford & Sons or some Dawes and tell me they aren't doing some fantastic things. Writing all their own music. Playing it all themselves. Quality song writing without being cheesy or overly cliched. And both, at very young ages, have written not only solid albums, but albums that span from anthems to slower quality 'drawls' for lack of a better word.

I clicked on this thread for the first time in months... knowing that THAT is what Spen wrote. I'm just surprised that there wasn't a video embedded. I owe Ken $10.

Streets of Baltimore is a fav of mine. I asked the O's to play it at games this year because I think it could be a great inter-inning anthem. Especially when he says "she swore the prettiest place on earth was Baltimore at night!" Gram Parsons does a great version as well. And Adam Duritz of Counting Crows has a version in Baltimore (Powerplant?) on YouTube I think.

Speaking of can't figure it out / stop listening... I love Dylan and his music, but he does some just plain wacky performances. I mean, I don't know if this is how he likes it to sound (as it sounds this way frequently) or if he was just high as a kite... but the way everyone else performing was so into it... and Dylan is just 'blah' is fascinating. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHX-JBHRk-8

Craig is out there... but I love it. It's all unscripted, ad-lib... I think all of his puppets are hilarious... The pig, which was winning the puppet vote off, dropped out of the race in Mark Sanford (governor of Georgia style)... He's just a goofball. My kind of humor, my kind of funny guy. And I also like that he does "serious" very well. He often makes very thought-out speeches about the state of our country or world, etc, and it's never blaming anyone in particular... it's just like, here we are, dammit.

Funny enough... I actually saw this performance on Dave before watching Craig Ferguson... The weird dancing girl was mesmerizing ... I don't know what else to say ... And yeah, it made me laugh like crazy... I just don't get it... but I can't stop watching... Also... I express this frequently... but I really don't like Dave. I especially hate just how clearly fake his "you were great" moments are. "Wow. Outstanding. Wow. Great. Just Great. Wow. Remarkable. Mmm... Edward Sharpe..." Every damn night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoaTl7IcFs8 Michael Franti and Spearhead... Say Hey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_02xJnMXDnc

Rain King by Counting Crows... live version where they transition into Thunder Road by Springsteen... A - MAZ - ING

Brett Dennen www.brettdennen.net Yes, he's 29 and looks like a 13 year old girl... and occasionally sounds like one too... but his music is amazing. Saw him at the Recher this weekend. Stellar.

I'll say what I said last time... Amos Lee. Swweeeeeet.