Al, after examining the core details of the contract for Collins, I have come to the same conclusion as the local Redskins media and football media across the league: it is a superb contract and Eric Shaffer has been universally praised as a mastermind in making such a deal.
The contract is out there for everyone to see. It has been out there for two days at OTC and Spotrac.
Talent is undeniable. You might be alone in your thinking of Collins as a player, but you are entitled to that opinion.
As for all-star bowl games, combines, pro days, private workouts, etc. - further evals on players provides teams with additional insight to any prospect. Really can't believe that anyone needs such an explanation, but that's fine.
As for mocks, predictions, etc. - I can stop that practice altogether in here. If that is the feeling of everyone, then I will cease to bring guests to do mocks and I will discontinue the practice as well. During the winter, I typically rise before dawn on Saturdays and spend all or most of the day doing evals - watching vids, examining scouting reports, reading any and all relevant material, talk on the phone or on skype with various Redskins pundits, and try to DM prospects if at all possible. Why? To make key prospects known to everyone at BGO - nothing more, nothing less.
I do my best to cultivate relationships with key members of the media and the vast array of pundits out there, including some that I do not like? Why? To provide info for the masses at BGO. It's that simple.
I don't mind the time put into all of this - not at all. I thrive when working long days and when it serves a practical purpose. That's just me. When others benefit from all of the research that is done, then my work is not in vain. Your flippant attitude toward the team is fine - there are many times when I feel the same way. Fully understood, brother. Having a flippant disregard toward me is fine as well. That is better than taking it out on other members here.
I disseminate info for everyone here. I'm happy to do it, but only to a point. You come at me each year whether it be directly or indirectly and I'm at my wit's end. Imagine being the teacher in a class where twenty-nine students are willing to discuss the lesson plan of the day and have a healthy debate about it, but one student is off to the side and says "everything sucks". It affects the class and the teacher.
This is where I'm at right now. I'll continue with the off-season blog and there will be disagreements and agreements - I welcome that interaction. I'm done with the "everything sucks" discussions and the lengthy dissertations that follow.
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