Steve Smith wasn't lying...

[Baschski]

Hahahahaha. Get rid of Steve Smith. You guys are hilarious.

[Baschski]

I have an idea, let's come out the next week, against a sub-par team, after our 2 rookie WR's had a coming out day, and NOT throw to them. Let's go back to locking onto Smith.

I have a better idea. Get rid of your #1 receiver whose presence drew the attention and coverage of the defense and thereby took the pressure off our rookie receivers and allowed them to "come out." That will solve our problems .

[Baschski]

Brayton's play led to the Rams putting 7 on the board. Both the offsides and then getting his feet caught in cement on a screen. But, by all means, feel free to ride his jock all the way into retirement.

You're ridiculous. No one on defense except maybe Anderson and Beason played well today. I never once said that Brayton was All-Pro material, just that he deserved to be a starter given our DE core. That absolutely remains true.

[OneBadassCat]

Like I said LaFell was given favor over Gettis today.

[Proudiddy]

You're ridiculous. No one on defense except maybe Anderson and Beason played well today. I never once said that Brayton was All-Pro material, just that he deserved to be a starter given our DE core. That absolutely remains true.

No, you thinking there's that big of a gap from Brayton DOWN to CJ and Hardy is ridiculous. Could Brayton bring down that WR down in the openfield like Hardy did on a pass? And he ran him down from behind. OR could he run down Bradford like Hardy did? Which would've been a sack on at least half of the QBs in the NFL but Bradford threw it away. CJ leads the DL in sacks. Yet you believe Brayton is still better than both of them?

It's your line of thinking and "loyalty" to players like Brayton playing in front of more talented players that had James Anderson sitting behind Na'il fuging Diggs for years while he rotted on the bench. I said Anderson should've been given that spot in his 2nd year. To my knowledge, he hasn't put on much if any weight, and he was VT's best performer in the weight room before we drafted him... so go ahead and give me an excuse about his strength or whatever as to why he wasn't playing.

Same reason Jake was starting after his failures. Same reason DJ stayed on this team for as many years as he did... What was it, 4?

You have a problem with someone suggesting Smitty be traded, or should've been traded? He's had multiple injuries. He's 30+. He doesn't look like the same player he used to be. When he does make the catch, he's going down on first contact. That hardly ever happened before.

A lot of the elite WRs, like Smitty WAS, can play into their mid-late 30s and still be good-great... Like Rice did or T.O. is doing right now. Difference is, those guys are bigger and have the size to compensate for diminishing skills. Smitty doesn't. He's thrived off unparalleled athleticism and now that he's losing it and has injured himself repeatedly, he's not going to out jump many guys for balls, or out-strengthen or outrun guys after the catch.

Tell me how the Patriots have done over the last 9 years or so??? Now tell me how loyal are to players? Exactly. But, I understand, as a fan base all we have known is consistent inconsistency and mediocrity, so I know you don't know or expect any better.

[Zaximus]

I have a better idea. Get rid of your #1 receiver whose presence drew the attention and coverage of the defense and thereby took the pressure off our rookie receivers and allowed them to "come out." That will solve our problems .

Hey homer, how well did that work out today?

[Baschski]

Hey homer, how well did that work out today?

That's not homerism, that's basic intelligence and common sense. Get rid of Smith and Gettis gets doubled. I like our rookie receivers but they're not going to be busting coverages without another threat to take pressure off of them.

[Zaximus]

And yes, Smith is getting old, losing a bit of speed, which is his game. The reason TO is having a much much better season than Smith is cause he has size and other skills that are still useful at his age.

[OneBadassCat]

He also has Chad Johnson and a formidable running game.

[-13 Amp-]

TO also hasnt missed any game time this year...unlike smith...no QB changes either

[Baschski]

Things

Sure, Smith may not be the player he once was but, even with the drops and fumbles, he's far and away our best receiver. One good game by Gettis doesn't make him an All-Pro. If you take Smith out of the equation the defense can focus all their attention on Gettis and Lafell and they just aren't good enough yet to consistently make plays under those conditions.

And I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree about Brayton. Yes, Hardy is looking good but that's still in spot-duty. Brown looked good today too and I don't see you calling for him to start. Johnson was invisible today.

[Baschski]

Please stop saying that Smith is losing his speed. He may not threaten to go the distance after the catch every time anymore, but he's still beating DB's with ease.

[Zaximus]

Please stop saying that Smith is losing his speed. He may not threaten to go the distance after the catch every time anymore, but he's still beating DB's with ease.

He's definitely lost "hands". Too many drops and the fumble. Also, him whining about getting passes forces our QB's to do dumb things.

[Baschski]

He's definitely lost "hands". Too many drops and the fumble. Also, him whining about getting passes forces our QB's to do dumb things.

Fair enough, but the fact remains that he draws the coverage and opens the game up for the other receivers.