d-dave

So I started HoW yesterday (but didn't get a lot into it). I toured the Reef. I already did the six bounties prior to launch (got a key and a ton of blues). Then did the first story mission. This is a great expansion! I'm seeing how much fun this is going to be. It might just be the newness after doing the same TDB stuff for 5 months, but I LOVE the LORE, the story telling (in the first mission), and the new Public Event style bounties are a lot of fun. The Scorch Cannon is too much fun! What a great addition to the game! The saddest part about my start has been my RNG luck. I leveled my factions for packages and got warlock gloves...and motes...yay. No new guns. But I did get a bunch of my stuff to 331 because of the material exchanges! But I still need more Radiant Shards, alas! Looking at the videos for Prison of Elders, it looks to be a lot of fun. I'll probably do that this weekend, at least the 28 one. Over all, I'm extremely pleased with the expansion. In July, that might change, but we'll see. I am a little disappointed that the ascendant and radiant materials I need to upgrade my other stuff have dried up. VOG and CE are the only ways I'm going to get the stuff I need, which is kind of disappointing. But that's because I'm very casual.

Sadly, we didn't follow "their" guidelines to NFL success! I mean, if a magazine writer knows more than actual coaches and personnel guys...wait, why is he just a writer? They are simply writing click bait. The news media get's a hold of it, spouts it off on the radio, gets the fans rilled up and has them call in. They are just trying to create traffic. Come September we'll see how well paper champions do versus the paper losers...

It's interesting. Collins will get all the attention that the star provides. I just think it's interesting what he thinks his future is. The left side is pretty set with Smith and Martin. The spent a high choices on their Center who played well. They had two quality RTs with experience (can't recall if they kept both) so does he see himself as a RG? I guess an interesting choice for Collins. He could have had a shot at LT (and the future payday) here.

I agree to a large degree that the proportion of success and failure is too often associated with the position. BUT! The QB touches the ball more often than any player other than the Center. When you're down four points, who does the team turn to? Who is going to be the one changing plays at the line? While the defense should keep you within a field goal and shut everyone down in the 4th quarter, and should leave you plenty of time to run the ball and kick a field goal; the NFL doesn't work that way. So I have no problem with Cam getting a bunch of money. He's a playmaker. The team is getting built up around him, we're navigating the salary cap with Cam and Luke's contracts in mind. I do not think we're very competitive without Cam. As far as Wilson, he does have some serious leverage (though diminished for the Pick in the SB, he should have told them to run the dern ball regardless of the play sent in) given his success. That being said, I think Seattle has every right to tell RW to cool his jets. He has a great RB and an excellent defense. Those two items set him up to make plays. Folks will talk about his targets, but the thing is, they keep making those plays. Maybe not consistently, but when the poo is on the line, Wilson's guys step up and make those catches. So Wilson is an important part of the Seahawks for sure, but if he's going to ask for $30 million a year, guaranteed for 10 years, I'd tell him to come talk when his head has come out of his own backside!

I never saw HoW as a make it/break it for Destiny. It was an opportunity. Players will still play if they followed their own formula of a few missions, strikes, maps and a raid. Bungie took the feedback to heart from the community and have tried to make a lot of changes that the community wanted. I'm not having a lot of success watching the stream currently, but from what I've seen, I'm happy with the new game mode. It looks challenging, and it looks like it will be a lot of fun. I like the weapons from heaven thing and the rotating challenges. Folks who only want a raid are going to be sour pants, but I think the majority of players are going to be thrilled. Also, as a Titan, Bubble-Bros are back in! Though looking at the stream for the few moments I could, all classes should have some uses. I'm so excited for all the NEW coming May 19th! Glad my show is over before then so I can edge my faction reps and try to get some more crucible marks!

Xbox: Dionysusfiend I'm exclusively playing Destiny as it has me roped in, and I enjoy playing. Will be picking up Shadows of Mordor GoY when it comes out =) And Dragon Age Inquisition when it goes on sale again...I love me some RPGs!

He's a FA like any other at this point. The money isn't going to be the biggest issues, I would guess opportunity to make more money would be the biggest selling point for him now. His contract is going to be limited as he will be a UDFA. So as I look at it, here he has a chance to start, a team on the rise, a buddy on the OL, and a nice community. It's going to depend on what's best for Collins, and how his agent, supports, and he feel. I think Carolina is a compelling option, but there are also a lot of other ones out there. Look at him this way: he could end up being a great player. That happens all the time in the NFL. Undrafted guys go on to have excellent careers while first rounders implode. It happens. If we get him and he's great, awesome. If we don't sign him and he's great, it happens all over the NFL

It's a head scratcher for sure, trading a 2, 3, and 6 for 16 spots... I like Funchess. A big tall guy, though he has some hands issues. I don't care as much about the 40, he looks like he has enough speed. He'll be a big target in the middle with Olsen, which is good. I still think the Panthers are going to find a speed guy somewhere in here. It will be very interesting to see how things workout this season. I get why folks are mad because they think they know better than a GM. But this was on of the players that Gettleman wanted. It's what he felt he had to do. If it doesn't, then Gettleman will feel the heat thats for sure.

So looking at the new PVP maps....I'm all for the European Style Map! I think it's called Widow's watch or something, but man, that is so pretty. I'd love for us to be able to play story missions in places like that! I'm hoping that map is in a lot of my rotations. Anyone salty that the maps that came with TDB are free? I don't care at all. Honestly, letting stuff come free like that or the reef seems to be a good business decision. It has that freemium feeling to it, but since I've paid for my season pass, I don't care. For a new player, they get to try stuff out, even get max level, and a better rotation of maps for the regular $60 (or whatever the box games sell for now). Then if they really dig the rest of the game, then they can buy the expansions. I feel like Bungie has really paid a lot of attention to what the players want, and how they can make things significantly easier for returning or new players to catch up with their other friends.

I guess there is a reason we're fans and they are pros.... I'm on board for it. Some of the media darlings have fallen quite far, and may continue to do so. This is a future pick. He can contribute on D and ST while he is groomed for TD's role. The Panther felt like he was a special talent.

I'll add you soon. Dionysusfiend. So how's everyone feeling about the trials of osiris and the crucible changes? I'm not a huge pvper but the change in rewards might cause me to play more. Doubling the rep and marks is going to make it very worth while. Also the new year looks amazing!

From my completely outside perspective, VoG has a lot more specific encounter mechanics than CE. The most complicated part of CE is the Bridge that every group I've gone in with (via LFG) cheeses. I'd like to do it legit, but everyone just wants to cheese =( I just need my shards, and I"d love to do enough HMs to get the Word of Crota for my thorn bounty... I am looking forward to VoG. I love the whole oracle thing, the Time's Vengence, among other things. I'd love to try to run the relic too. Lord knows I've watched Datto do it a hundred times! Personally, CE is fun, but it's because I've only done it like four times. I can see how very quickly people would get very tired of it. VoG has so many variables like the Gorgon's Maze and the Jumping Puzzle which can completely derail an attempt due to a mistake by one person. Needless to say, I look forward to the challenge =) Hopefully my wife will pass out early on Saturday night so I can be on closer to 9. On the flip side, I do not want to hold up anyone's raid. If you and Kurb (or whoever) are good to go, then my feelings won't be hurt if y'all head in and kill stuff. EDIT: My xbox GT is dionysusfiend

I have a secret (ok, not really), but I've actually never done VoG at all! I've watched it done probably 100 times though...sad I know. That being said, I'd be happy to run things with folks. I'll be on after 9 (maybe closer to 10) Saturday night. I'd love to see if I can get a CE Normal in as well (shards baby shards!) I played with a guy from here a while ago (xmexicanx1 is is XBL tag not remembering forum name sadly) and it was fun. I'd love to run with more huddle folks =)

I'll add you when I next get on Kurb! So Wednesday was the first info dump from Bungie officially on House of Wolves which included a twitch stream. I think I'm most excited about the Speaker swapping shards, energy and motes! I have so many shards and so few acsendant energies. I have a bunch of rad energies but I need the shards for 32! Anyone up for a Saturday evening CE raid? Maybe if we do it quick, we can do a VoG for those who never got/dismantled/missed out on that stuff lol...

I think KB really over produced based on our expectations, and that happened to a lot of the rookie WRs. He still has a lot of work to do, he knows it, and he's working on his problems. I think he will get better and more consistent as he goes a long. I'm really excited for next year to see how he grows and how the team continues to evolve through the draft.

Breaking up the band already? Wilson is good. His touch is almost uncanny, he's extremely elusive, and he is smart. He's an important cog in the Seattle machine, that goes without saying. He's also benefited from a very strong team around him and excellent playcalling (generally). What will be interesting to see is if Seattle tones down the run first approach before or after he signs his mega deal where he becomes the focal point for the offense. For most teams, they know they have to stop Lynch first before they can do much else because the play action game is killer for Wilson. If I'm Wilson, why break the team? While everyone wants to to get paid, in Seattle, he can become a community corner stone and be something special both on an off the field. Why destroy that for a few extra million you can make up in sponserships and good will? I don't think this is a major thing. Both sides will get things straightened out and move on together. It just doesn't make sense to try to burn it all...

Hey folks! If you're still a fan, you might have heard that Bungie finally is starting to release some details on House of Wolves. A quick summary from me: May 19th is the day! Prison of Elders / Arena is going to be a new endgame PVE event. It's only three people as opposed to six, and a lot of folks are thinking like a firefight/horde mode style of play. I'm excited for something like that! Trials of Osiris is coming as well! The gear looks absolutely amazing. No raid - they are going to release it later this year...only 8 months to go?? I think it will be out over the summer before the Comet release personally. Upgrade your legendaries (or just fatebringer?) - They showed a fatebringer going from 300 attack to 365 attack...hrm...Might be time to farm some VoG HM before May 19th... The Reef as a social space! Finally, a new place for the robots to sweep! You can read up on all the official particulars from Bungie.net. The response on the b.net forums is pretty hilarious. People losing their poo left and right considering the details are pretty vague as best. For me, I think Bungie does listen to the player feedback and monitors the player data very attentively. HoW will be better than TDB, though maybe not much. It will at least be progress. Despite all the internet-tears (200/200 in a 12 second span there), folks are going to forget about the raid being delayed because they are going to be too busy in Arena while they upgrade their older legendary gear. Looking forward to it! Though I need to make some more time for Crota and get my last few shard for 32... Alas time!

I think that a lot of receivers are going to end up over drafted based on last year's success. Or rather there will be a run on receivers. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, if guys are as good this year as they were last year. On to Cooper, if he approaches 10, I think folks are going to start trading up to get him. All of the talking heads and draftnics are all over him being so incredibly pro ready, an instant starter with the potential to be super-duper good. Unless the Panthers are the ones trading up, I don't see him being around for our pick.

So are undies getting twisted over word choice? Really? This is football, not public speaking. We kept key contributors from last year, which is what we didn't do last year letting Ginn, Michell and Munerlyn walk. That's a step up. I am going to stick to the idea that over spending for flashy FAs is a terrible risk. You keep the guys who play well in your system, and you add guys who can play well in your system. I'd much rather save the money for our guys who perform well. Does anyone want to let KK Short go? Or do we save the money and keep the band together while it works? If Cobb went to somewhere else, and was asked to take on #1 responsibilities, would he be as successful? Ask Eric Decker about that. Would it have made sense to pay $10 million a year for a guy who plays well in THEIR system, but not ours? Football is a true team sport, and that guys need to be a better fit on a team as opposed to something like the NBA where it's easier for a guy to take his super star talents across team lines (OK...Lance Stephenson isn't the best example...). The proof is in the pudding on this one. If Cam is upright more, we win more games, and move further in the playoffs, is that OK with everyone?

I'm really glad that the posters here know more than the guys who run the team! Phew! Richardson is very protective of the Carolina Panthers brand, image and identity. We are still a young franchise. Fundamentally, Richardson decided to cut ties with Hardy because it was hurting the brand. It has less to do with the NFL and more to do with protecting his own legacy. Now why is the NFL so hungry for the Hardy evidence? It's kind of a big deal. If Hardy did cause the kinds of injury to Holder that she claimed and there is direct physical proof AND he paid her off to prevent a jury trial...what kind of damage does that do to your brand? Sure they don't all need to be boy scouts, but they need to be trusted not to make terrible decisions when given millions of dollars... It's one thing to pull several Steve Smiths (punching teammates) when he's an all pro, but beating up women in your home is not acceptable. This has much less to do with the legal findings as much as it does with the court of public opinion. Will Hardy make the Cowboys happy? Maybe. Or maybe he'll get hurt. Maybe he'll make another questionable decision that get's put on TMZ and ESPN. How many out comes are there, and what are the probabilities of each. That's an interesting question.

Good one...Good Charlotte! Though I wouldn't want to admit that it's a guilty pleasure I enjoy listening to when I've knowingly done something wrong, got caught, fought over it, lost, and am still punished by my wife yet feel like I'm right even if I was completely wrong.... No, I'd never, never admit that! NOPE! =) This would be pretty cool. If he's good for 700ish yards and 5-6 TDs a year, and can really help the younger guys out then this could be another one of those Gettlemagic deals...

I think the most important fact that folks tend to completely ignore when talking about Revis or Peyton Manning is the FIT. Is a guy going to cash in and wash up like a Haynesworth? Is he going to get better? Has he hit a plateau? VERY RARELY do you manage to get really good players off of good teams. Sometimes you have situation where there is a moving on period for the players or teams (Manning and Revis are prime examples). That's where you get the best value. Rarely do you sign a guy who had a breakout year to see him succeed. There have been lots of stuff thrown in here about guys some folks want and think would be an upgrade. How could we pass up on so and so? Do their skills translate to what you want to do? Look at Mike Wallace? Talent and Ability, but he should have stayed in Pittsburgh where he found the most success and acceptance. He goes to Miami and is chased out of town for a 5th round pick...on that huge salary... Will these guys fit? Will they still produce here? For a lot of the questionable FAs, do they have enough in the tank to make it happen for us? It's not always about being able to bring them in, but it's also if they actually can help.

Yep, time to cut everyone and sign all the big names in March! That's when we win! In March! Yeah... Keep in mind, that same team was within one play of beating the Pats. An arrogant, stupid play call. What other FAs would you bring in and/or trade for to improve the secondary? Would their deals have fit into our plans versus what we'd have to give up to get them? Gettleman has done well since he got here, and the team isn't perfect. He's got a plan, he's deliberate, and he's going to make sure we keep our two foundation players here: Cam and Luke. They will set the tone for the team, lead the team. Looking at the past few years of FA spending (since the lockout), there have been a lot more misses than hits. I'll gladly play the slow game and grow our talent instead of going all Saints or Eagles this offseason.

Arguments that will be posted: 1. We don't have a reliable #2 to take pressure off of KB and Olsen. 2. We are relying on a guy better known for a movie than his on the field play (or better known as a bust) 3. The Super Bowl is tots won in March. Just look at the Eagles! They are having their parade because they signed like 18 running backs over 25! 4. Since we "lucked" out and play the worst teams possible, and they are all getting a ton better because of their FA spending and trading while we stand pat; we are immediately worse than all of them. 5. This isn't how I run my Madden/Fantasy team! I won several championships last year! What it comes down to: We are fans, some more knowledgeable than others. Gettleman is a real GM who'se helped build Super Bowl winning teams. I'll trust him. We can bicker about fits and players and stuff, but at the end of the day we have no control over anything football related. I'm not unhappy with where we are right now. I question some of the moves, but I look forward to seeing how everything comes together. I'm a fan. It's March. I have hope!

What is going on? I mean, it's great to watch the Saints implode and all, but what is the impetus for it? They had a bad year, but they still have a HoF QB (and his monster contract).