True Story

[Feva]

I love all of this rationalization.

Taking away practice reps from healthy players isn't important.
If these gimps contribute anything it's a bonus.
Buckhalter was good, once.
28 year old, injury-prone, unproductive DEs definitely need to be in camp.

Wow.

Taking reps away from who?  Gimme 1 worthwhile guy on the team who won't get reps because of these guys competing.  Should I be pissed that because McDougle competes that Juqua Thomas might not make the team?  Should I curse Reid because letting JR Reed get a shot is gonna force Mahe to work Chickie & Pete's full time?  Should I worry about Josh Parry's chances because Tapeh is getting a look at FB?

C'mon man... these guys like Reed, McDougle, etc... are getting a shot to see if they can come back to where they were.  If they weren't here, sure there'd be a "healthy" guy in their place... but you're kidding yourself if you think it'd be something other than just some fringe player with no shot of making the team.  These "gimps" are getting shots because they still have the potential to be better than the guys that are currently occupying their respective positions.

[reese125]

reading some of those names above really frightens me.

[Feva]

Well, the fact that we're only talking about the 4th DE, the 2nd or 3rd kick returner and a FB who we'll use about 3 snaps a game should make you feel a little better. 

[sallad selgae]

Healthy players are one practice rep from becoming injured..

[Diomedes]

*sigh* 

Buckhalter
Tapeh
Reed
McDougle

Four dudes the coaches will spend time with, meaning four other dudes WON'T get that time.  Four dudes whose camp will be taped and reviewed, meaning four other dudes won't.  Maybe the guys who don't get a look as a result are lousy, what do I know.  Maybe there's a gem in the rough amonst them.  Only way to know is to look at them, and that's not going to happen because the team is busy looking at these four names.

I'd like the team to be as strong as possible, so I hope the coaches know what they're doing, and I hope all four of these guys does great.  But it is a fact that every minute you spend with Buckhalter is a minute you're not spending with someone else, and at some point, that fact has got to garner your attention.

[SD_Eagle5]

*sigh* 

Buckhalter
Tapeh
Reed
McDougle

Four dudes the coaches will spend time with, meaning four other dudes WON'T get that time.  Four dudes whose camp will be taped and reviewed, meaning four other dudes won't.  Maybe the guys who don't get a look as a result are lousy, what do I know.  Maybe there's a gem in the rough amonst them.  Only way to know is to look at them, and that's not going to happen because the team is busy looking at these four names.

I'd like the team to be as strong as possible, so I hope the coaches know what they're doing, and I hope all four of these guys does great.  But it is a fact that every minute you spend with Buckhalter is a minute you're not spending with someone else, and at some point, that fact has got to garner your attention.

Aside from KR (Reed), there's already depth at RB and DE and no question who the starters are going to be, so who are they really taking coaching time away from? Juqua Thomas? Josh Parry? Bruce Perry? Its not like there's some young guy there who's going to suffer over this. If any of them make the team they'll be 3rd on the depth chart.

[General_Failure]

We know who the RBs will be. Westbrook, Moats, Perry. Having Buckhalter in camp doesn't change that even if he manages to stay healthy.

[rjs246]

You guys just keep telling yourselves that Mahe won't be on this team. Perry is in very real danger of being the more talented and potentially productive player and still getting the axe.

[rjs246]

Aside from KR (Reed), there's already depth at RB and DE and no question who the starters are going to be, so who are they really taking coaching time away from? Juqua Thomas? Josh Parry? Bruce Perry? Its not like there's some young guy there who's going to suffer over this. If any of them make the team they'll be 3rd on the depth chart.

Dio is spot on. You don't think that UDFA FB could use some extra looks/coaching in camp? You don't think Perry could use the extra between the tackles reps that Buckhalter will be eating up? You guys are something else.

[Wingspan]

Aside from KR (Reed), there's already depth at RB and DE and no question who the starters are going to be, so who are they really taking coaching time away from? Juqua Thomas? Josh Parry? Bruce Perry? Its not like there's some young guy there who's going to suffer over this. If any of them make the team they'll be 3rd on the depth chart.

Dio is spot on. You don't think that UDFA FB could use some extra looks/coaching in camp? You don't think Perry could use the extra between the tackles reps that Buckhalter will be eating up? You guys are something else.

during shorts and helmets non contract drills...how will that really determine anything?

[SD_Eagle5]

Aside from KR (Reed), there's already depth at RB and DE and no question who the starters are going to be, so who are they really taking coaching time away from? Juqua Thomas? Josh Parry? Bruce Perry? Its not like there's some young guy there who's going to suffer over this. If any of them make the team they'll be 3rd on the depth chart.

Dio is spot on. You don't think that UDFA FB could use some extra looks/coaching in camp? You don't think Perry could use the extra between the tackles reps that Buckhalter will be eating up? You guys are something else.

No, if it weren't Buck it'd be someone else. Every player in camp is under a microscope, they'll all get a long look and plenty of reps before the coaching staff can make their decision. Competition is a good thing.

[rjs246]

As GF already pointed out, Buckhalter isn't in competition for anything. So why even have him here? Charity case. Period.

[MURP]

I just cant understand why a former first round pick who the coaches feel is looking good is getting time at mini camp when Darrell Lee could be getting the reps he needs to make the Arena league.   gosh darn it. 

[SD_Eagle5]

As GF already pointed out, Buckhalter isn't in competition for anything. So why even have him here? Charity case. Period.

So we're just going to hand over the 3rd RB spot to Perry?

[rjs246]

As GF already pointed out, Buckhalter isn't in competition for anything. So why even have him here? Charity case. Period.

So we're just going to hand over the 3rd RB spot to Perry?

No, as I said, that already belongs to Mahe. But if Perry could get a few more reps it would help his campaign to force the coaches to finally kick that bum to the curb.