Clark Judge: Rating smartest, boldest, scariest offseason moves

[DaneMcCloud]

Rating smartest, boldest, scariest offseason moves
May 13, 2009
By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11743195

Five boldest moves

Kansas City hiring Scott Pioli

Some people automatically put this one in the win column. Not me. Not after Charlie Weis fizzled at Notre Dame and Romeo Crennel bombed out in Cleveland. OK, so they were former New England coaches, and Pioli was a decorated GM. They still fall from the same tree. The question I have is this: How much was Pioli responsible for what happened in New England? "I guess we're about to find out," said one NFC general manager.

The good news is that Thomas Dimitroff had New England ties, too, and he circled the bases in his first turn as a GM in Atlanta. The bad news: Pioli's first draft with Kansas City: There are reaches everywhere. He also reversed the team's Get Young Now policy by adding 30-something discards like Bobby Engram, Zach Thomas, Monty Beisel and Mike Vrabel. You can do that when you're at or near the top, like New England. But this is a team that lost 23 of its last 25, for crying out loud.

Five biggest gambles

Kansas City acquiring Matt Cassel

I know what he did with New England. But that was the Patriots, and tell me where you find Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Richard Seymour and Bill Belichick in the 816 area code. Cassel was surrounded by a raft of talent on the field and on the sidelines in New England, and I'm still looking for that support group here. So he produced a couple of 400-yard passing games and won 10 of 15 starts. That was nice. But I want to see him reproduce it here. OK, I know what you're thinking: What do the Chiefs have to lose -- especially when all they surrendered for Cassel and Vrabel was a second-round draft pick? Try this: They're paying Cassel $14.65 million in guaranteed salary. If he turns out to be the next Scott Mitchell I know some bean counters in red suits who will demand explanations.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by milkman

That's the thing, right there.

Even though you and I disagreed strongly in a number of discussions, we were able to have civilized debates.

But, yes, there were some who simply resorted to namecalling simply because I disagreed with them, or agreed with mecca or Hamas.

Yep. That's what I thought. Just another Mecca ballwasher...

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

I hear what you're saying, man. I do. And you're right that most of the discussions around draft time degenerated into pissing contests.

To a certain extent,some of that is predicated on the fact that we discussed the shit out of every small detail to the point of exhaustion. People become unnecessarily entrenched in their positions, and thus the insults could fly because, well, there was little else left to do.

I firmly believe--(read: know for a fact) that all of the posters you've mentioned--Dane, Mecca, etc.--are good dudes and willing to engage in high-level argumentation, the kind of stuff that makes this board fun. And they'll be respectful of your disagreement.

But I'm sure we'll disagree on the following, which I do believe is the root problem: Some of the n00bs have changed the overall tenor of this place. And some very strong posters, such as yourself, have accidentally been lumped with those with whom you don't belong. The resulting tension between n00b and vet has been such that knee-jerk reactions have been the norm.

I fully agree with this. That's why I mentioned the part about Mecca starting threads about subjects that had been discussed to death and resulted in arguments every time. He repeatedly started those threads for controversy, taking backhanded shots at anyone who didn't share his views in the process, and then acted surprised if anyone took a shot at him. Seriously, now he is some sort of victim? I can't believe smart posters don't see this. I realize many people agreed with his player takes, which is fine, but I don't know how anyone could defend his posting style.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Yep. That's what I thought. Just another Mecca ballwasher...

And again, has anyone actually ever called you a "Mecca ballwasher?" I have seen others, (many whom probably are), called that, but never you, milkman, OTWP (maybe I saw OTWP a time or two this offseason)

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by doomy3

I fully agree with this. That's why I mentioned the part about Mecca starting threads about subjects that had been discussed to death and resulted in arguments every time. He repeatedly started those threads for controversy, taking backhanded shots at anyone who didn't share his views in the process, and then acted surprised if anyone took a shot at him. Seriously, now he is some sort of victim? I can't believe smart posters don't see this. I realize many people agreed with his player takes, which is fine, but I don't know how anyone could defend his posting style.

We don't disagree on anything here.

There are no victims, generally speaking, on CP.

That said, some of the posters put forth more personal information than others, and, inevitably, it's used as ammo against them. That's why you're seeing a bit more defense of Mecca, I believe, because some of the shit he takes hits close to home, literally.

These comments inspire the type of pathos that recipients of comments like, "You're a ****ing moron." something generic, won't get.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by doomy3

And again, has anyone actually ever called you a "Mecca ballwasher?" I have seen others, (many whom probably are), called that, but never you, milkman, OTWP (maybe I saw OTWP a time or two this offseason)

Nope.

Not sure about milk, but OTWP has caught some shit for some reason. Not sure why, since that dude goes to great lengths to support his assertions, maybe more so than anyone else in the draft forum.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Yep. That's what I thought. Just another Mecca ballwasher...

Sorry.

Couldn't "wash" what you'd already "cleaned".

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Forget the value for a second.

You either think he's capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl, or you don't. There's no in-between, it's a simple yes or no question.

If you think he IS capable, then there's no reason you wouldn't have traded the 3rd overall pick for him. A true franchise QB is INVALUABLE.

So it sounds like many of you think he's incapable, but it's OK because we only spent a 2nd round pick.

That pretty much cover it?

Not at all. That's so incredibly inflexible it's LAUGHABLE.

He MIGHT be capable. Therefore it's WORTH the risk of the #34 pick, but NOT worth the risk of the #3 overall pick.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

I'm presenting you with three quarterbacks. You hold no allegiance, strings, or power with the Chiefs. Who are you putting your money on first? Who's going to make it happen first? Who do YOU pick for YOUR TEAM???

How much simpler can I possibly make this question?

I can't. If you can't grasp the concept now, there's no point in continuing.

You're attempting to make an ABSOLUTE judgement devoid of mitigating factors. You simply CANNOT do that an maintain any sense of intellectual integrity.

In a perfect world, I take Sanchez. But apparently you're not capably of looking around and seeing that the world isn't perfect.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by milkman

Sorry.

Couldn't "wash" what you'd already "cleaned".

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

We don't disagree on anything here.

There are no victims, generally speaking, on CP.

That said, some of the posters put forth more personal information than others, and, inevitably, it's used as ammo against them. That's why you're seeing a bit more defense of Mecca, I believe, because some of the shit he takes hits close to home, literally.

These comments inspire the type of pathos that recipients of comments like, "You're a ****ing moron." something generic, won't get.

I thought the attacks on Mecca about where he lives and what he does for work were out of bounds and I mentioned that in the thread I saw them made in. I'm with you 100% on this.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by THISmaqe

You're attempting to make an ABSOLUTE judgement devoid of mitigating factors. You simply CANNOT do that an maintain any sense of intellectual integrity.

In a perfect world, I take Sanchez. But apparently you're not capably of looking around and seeing that the world isn't perfect.

You're going to have to use MUCH smaller words for RoR.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Do I have a reading comprehension issue?

Every time I see shorts like that, all I read is "Look at my ass".

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by milkman

Do I have a reading comprehension issue?

Every time I see shorts like that, all I read is "Look at my ass".

No, not at all.

It's actually written in braille, which confuses me when women look offended when I try to read it. WTF, chick?

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

We don't disagree on anything here.

There are no victims, generally speaking, on CP.

That said, some of the posters put forth more personal information than others, and, inevitably, it's used as ammo against them. That's why you're seeing a bit more defense of Mecca, I believe, because some of the shit he takes hits close to home, literally.

These comments inspire the type of pathos that recipients of comments like, "You're a ****ing moron." something generic, won't get.

Yeah, I don't like that shit at all. No need for it. However, Claythan has received that same treatment for years now, and I haven't seen people jumping to his defense. Not to mention, I have seen many, including Dane and Hamas take shots at people like JASONSAUTO about being a mechanic and such. That stuff happens.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

No, not at all.

It's actually written in braille, which confuses me when women look offended when I try to read it. WTF, chick?