Mr. Scot

The Saints didn't get off to a good start this year (neither did we) but they're "peaking" at a good time to at least play spoiler. Of course, it could be argued so are we. (I'd feel a lot better saying that if we win this Sunday, though) For now at least, the Saints are the only team in the division with a win over every other team. We have a chance to match that by season's end, and we'll need to if we really wanna make the playoffs. As to the players: I'd still say it's a little early to put Hubbard or Dowdle individually on a higher plane than Kamara (heaven knows i want them to be). Equal.isnt bad though. As a two pronged attack, hell yeah... but when are we gonna see that? Similar issue with Coker but he's getting back up to speed. Sure couldda used him in some earlier games. Mind you, I compare Coker to Pettis based on their depth chart positions, but realistically Coker ought to be our #2. (don't think too many would dispute that spot on our chart is basically a gaping black hole at the moment) And of course, McMillan. Over the last few games he's had some drops and things that made me wonder if the proverbial rookie wall was hitting. The good news there though is that if it is, our bye week hit at just the right time. The OL..yeah Now all that said, if everyone gets healthy and we smooth out a couple of rough spots, this time next year it's quite possibly a very different conversation. (one that'll make me, you and a lot of others here feel much more optimistic)

If you say so

No, I did

Packers, Rams, Jets, both Falcon games were all decent to good (one, argubly two great) including a bunch of fourth quarter comebacks. As far as last game bias, that goes both ways.

NFL game performance isn't cumulative. Week 15 Bryce isn't the same as Week 1 Bryce. And i gotta go back again to the should / will distinction. My opinion of Bryce is that he's not good enough. My expectation of what's gonna happen is that he's still our starter through at least next season. None of that is statistical.

I was damn proud of that thread too Hell, it wasn't even a pro Bryce thread (which it wouldn't be given that I'm not pro-Bryce). Just a minor treatise on why I don't go by stats. Got a few trollish responses from some of the usual suspects but it wasn't anywhere near as contentious as the average thread gets anymore. I'm mystified

I'll rehash / summarize the breakdown I gave earlier. McMillan vs Olave: probably a push (could become an advantage as soon as next season, but not just yet) Legette vs Pretty Much Anybody: Yeah, that's a loss, arguably a big one. Jalen Coker vs Dante Pettis: Probably a push if I'm being objective. I'd take Coker but I can't say people outside the Panthers fanbase would. Our TE by Committee vs Juwan Johnson: Another loss Hubbard or Dowdle individually vs Kamara: Again, probably a push if I'm objective. Kamara might not be as durable as he used to but our guys are younger and neither of them made it through a full season healthy this year either. Hubbard / Dowdle as a combo vs Kamara and his backup: This could be an advantage (would be our first if it were) but only if Dowdle were at full strength and I don't think he is yet. Whoever's Playing Center This Week vs Fortner: Yeah, loss. Puts us down by three at this point. Our Left Side (Lewis, Ickey) vs Their Left Side (Radunz, Banks): This is the first comparison where I feel confused giving us the advantage, but it's not a blowout win, and not enough to put us ahead, especially when you move to... Our Right Side (Moton, Corbett?) vs Their Right Side (Ruiz, Fuaga): At full strength, we win. Sadly we're not at full strength and haven't been all year. So again, loss.i FINAL SCORE: - 1 win - 4 losses - 3 even We lose by three. If you disagree on these, show me where and why.

Philp Rivers is returning? (how did I miss that news?)

Dark times mess with your head.

U Has a whole thread about why I don't go by stats but apparently it was deleted. Don't know why. As to the "other guy" he only said he's watched all the games and you didn't believe him. You now state that you "took a look at this across a WIDE variety of overall metrics and statistical groups that should give an idea about overall play and some potential aggravating factors associated with their play". That's a lot broader claim than he made. Should i believe you? That might sound snarky, but that's pretty much how you dismissed his argument, so hey... And yes, I've made counter arguments. You don't accept them as valid. I don't accept your stat based argument either, but I've made an effort to explain why beyond just saying "well you're wrong because...stats". Bottom Line: You still believe Murray will be valued and starting somewhere next year. I have my doubts, but even if he does get another shot that doesn't guarantee he's gonna be any better. I'm comfortable waiting and seeing. Will he be better than Bryce? Don't think so, but admittedly unless he's a Panther, won't really care either. I definitely care about Bryce, but I'm not a whole lot more optimistic on that front than I am about Murray.

Also my first thought...

Fair point...

Or undercredit him... See, here's the thing... Bryce isn't good enough. He doesn't have to be the worst in the league or in history or even this season to not be good enough. He just has to be, right now...not good enough. Yet somehow, it isn't enough to just say that. When someone saya he's not good enough but dismisses the hyperbole, your response is to devote significant effort to basically argue "Nuh uh! He is so the worst ever! And if you don't believe that well then you're just a Bryce atan engaging in Brycemania!" This is what For Jimmy was calling out, and he's right. It's like trying to debate complicated philosophy with an emotional child And yes, it's obsessive behavior.

Brycemania...yeah, sure Hell, if I thought we could win every game by bringing back Chris Weinke and going wildcat all the time, I'd order a #16 jersey right now. I like winning. I don't really give a sh-t how it happens.

Canales played a pretty big role in that. (Jaycee Horn falling down a couple of times did too)