KSpan

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.

No real disagreement, but the Chiefs got cute and cost themselves significant points between penalties and silly play calling at the end of the 1st half. The game really played more like a 27-17 type of score.

Yup, the game was there for the taking. It's not all on Lamar of course, definitely not, but the lack of playoff success is big at this point.

Baltimore's whole team seemed like they weren't prepared for the Chiefs to not just fold. The game was there to take and they just couldn't. Pretty clear that Mahomes should be MVP as well, stats be damned.

Lamar has unfortunately made the message quite clear. Pressure will just continue to build from here.