Look at the bright side - since he isn't getting on base AT ALL, walks or otherwise, his body should hold up better!

Interesting from EJ Smith on PHLY.

Les Bowen is in for Bo and he asked him the question that a lot of us have been asking. There seems to be only one suitor and how does a deal get done if the Patriots seem unwilling to meet Howie's steep asking price. EJ said talking to people at the owner's meetings, he's getting the sense that the Patriots are going to be willing to cave and to finally meet Howie's asking price of a 2027 1st and 3rd+. Just his opinion of course.

2 hours ago, devpool said:

When the first "hit pieces" about Hurts came out about him being cold and not hanging out or whatever it was a year or so ago (or maybe it was 2023 when the team also sucked), I said the same thing. In a group of 53+ players (not including practice squad or preseason roster) you're going to have people who don't like him. It is what it is, he has the personality of a piece of cardboard.

His public persona is anyway. I've heard or read that Hurts is less stoic behind closed doors.

2 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

Interesting from EJ Smith on PHLY.

Les Bowen is in for Bo and he asked him the question that a lot of us have been asking. There seems to be only one suitor and how does a deal get done if the Patriots seem unwilling to meet Howie's steep asking price. EJ said talking to people at the owner's meetings, he's getting the sense that the Patriots are going to be willing to cave and to finally meet Howie's asking price of a 2027 1st and 3rd+. Just his opinion of course.

This dynamic makes me think this will drag into June and July - I can't see the Pats just agreeing to a 1st and 3rd on June 1. A lot will come down to (i) who do they draft and (ii) do they bring back Diggs. If I were the Pats, I'd try and hold firm at my level and wait out Howie, but I also think there's basically a 0% chance Howie caves on his price before training camp. This could go on longer.

Just my opinion, but I think they have the framework mostly done and agreed to. Not saying they have a firm or even handshake agreement to wait until June 1, but the offer is agreeable enough but not blowing Howie away to tank his 2026 cap space. Howie is making the gamble that everything stays the same for the next two months but if something happens and Pats bow out, he's fine with AJ for one more year.

1 minute ago, vikas83 said:

This dynamic makes me think this will drag into June and July - I can't see the Pats just agreeing to a 1st and 3rd on June 1. A lot will come down to (i) who do they draft and (ii) do they bring back Diggs. If I were the Pats, I'd try and hold firm at my level and wait out Howie, but I also think there's basically a 0% chance Howie caves on his price before training camp. This could go on longer.

Yes, I've been seeing some people say Howie may have to cave and just accept a 2nd or something. I will guarantee that doesn't happen. For one, he's already turned down a #1. He's not going to reject a #1 pick(I believe the offer was 2026's) and then turn around and trade him for a 2nd later. That's how people negotiate in the bizarro world. He will hang on until he gets his asking price. We'll see if the dynamics change after the draft from the Patriots side. Also will be interesting to see if the Eagles draft a WR earlier or trade for one so they have a pivot already on the roster in the event the Patriots do eventually meet the high asking price. If not, they are gonna be backed into a corner with no pivot move for a WR if the Patriots finally cave in July. Not exactly going to be a lot of options for them at that point.

1 minute ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Just my opinion, but I think they have the framework mostly done and agreed to. Not saying they have a firm or even handshake agreement to wait until June 1, but the offer is agreeable enough but not blowing Howie away to tank his 2026 cap space. Howie is making the gamble that everything stays the same for the next two months but if something happens and Pats bow out, he's fine with AJ for one more year.

I wouldn't be shocked if some parameters are agreed to, but so much can happen between now and then. Honestly, not sure why the Pats would be dumb enough to agree to something with all the moving pieces.

22 hours ago, NCiggles said:

The ref's request for a raise is in line with the increase in salary cap space which is connected to revenue. The total dollar amount is insignificant in the scheme of things. The NFL should agree to their increase in order to have playoff games called by refs with the best evaluations rather than seniority. This has to be a negotiated agreement because refs are unionized. The NFL seems like it would rather pay replacement refs than agree to the increase in salary which is overall a 7 figure number in total when looking at the differences between their proposals.

I doubt most fans would care if the refs were replaced. Yeah, I read that the NFL has offered a 6.45% – 6.7% increase annually (which they should honestly take), but they want an increase over 10.3%. I'm all for the union and fighting for stuff, but that ask is absurd.

I don't think any parameters are agreed to. Teams don't like to dilly dally. If they were, they'd have agreed to a trade already and just dealt with the cap hit. Deals can fall apart when they aren't official and if both teams got what they wanted they'd have just done it. I don't think the Patriots have been willing to meet his asking price and it's as simple as that. My guess is the sticking point is probably 2027 picks, which they are probably loathe to part with given the potential upside of where they could be if they have a down season.

I don't pay that trade rumor stuff any mind. I hope AJ remains an Eagle, but I won't cry if he's dealt. IF he's traded to the Pats, then I really hope we face them/him in the SB and we destroy them! 😄

2 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

I wouldn't be shocked if some parameters are agreed to, but so much can happen between now and then. Honestly, not sure why the Pats would be dumb enough to agree to something with all the moving pieces.

So I probably framed it in a bad way. I don't think Patriots agreed to do anything and always have the right to change direction where they see fit. More like a line was drawn in the sand. This is the max of what we are willing to offer. Howie thinks it's a good not great deal. He's willing to take it but not until after June 1 because of the cap implications. When or if they re-open talks, Howie is hoping the offer more or less still stands.

7 hours ago, ManuManu said:

I love that the guy who re-tweeted this has a Hurts SZN hat in his profile pic.

We talk about 2027 picks in regards to AJ but I wonder if come June, 2028 comes more into play.

Say the Eagles get a 2027 3rd and a 2028 1st. Would that be an acceptable return?

27 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

Interesting from EJ Smith on PHLY.

Les Bowen is in for Bo and he asked him the question that a lot of us have been asking. There seems to be only one suitor and how does a deal get done if the Patriots seem unwilling to meet Howie's steep asking price. EJ said talking to people at the owner's meetings, he's getting the sense that the Patriots are going to be willing to meet Howie's asking price of a 2027 1st and 3rd+.

I would be surprised but that would be a very good deal for the Eagles.

4 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

We talk about 2027 picks in regards to AJ but I wonder if come June, 2028 comes more into play.

Say the Eagles get a 2027 3rd and a 2028 1st. Would that be an acceptable return?

Depends on how good they project the 2028 draft to be. My guess is they'd probably be adamant about 2027.

2 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

We talk about 2027 picks in regards to AJ but I wonder if come June, 2028 comes more into play.

Say the Eagles get a 2027 3rd and a 2028 1st. Would that be an acceptable return?

Maybe. He wants two firsts to make a move for a QB if necessary. Don't know which class is stronger.

16 hours ago, T-1000 said:

That isn't the same as a dome, what you are talking about is a retractable roof which they can choose to keep open or shut. I would be perfectly fine with that. A dome on the other hand would absolutely suck.

I wonder how often stadiums with retractable roofs are kept open when it's raining, snowing or cold. Yet those are the exact conditions that some here that want a retractable roof would want it open. I expect that a retractable roof would stay closed except on nice summer and fall days. As for spectators on a cold snowy day, I'll bet if that stadium held 68,000 people,66,500 of them would want the roof closed for their own comfort. Buffalo seems to value football played in the elements. You see how they built their new stadium. We'll see how Lurie chooses.

12 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Over a dozen sources interviewed for the article.

3 minutes ago, NOTW said:

I mean, we have video and pictures. Is it really that hard to "register eye contact"?

3 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

Over a dozen sources interviewed for the article.

People never bring up Scott Loeffler but I would not be surprised at all if he was one of the sources. I'm sure he isn't thrilled about leaving a HC job to get one year here as QB coach before being shown the door.

2 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

People never bring up Scott Loeffler but I would not be surprised at all if he was one of the sources. I'm sure he isn't thrilled about leaving a HC job to get one year here as QB coach before being shown the door.

That's a good call - didn't think about him.

Lets go! Now down just 5-2 against the Nationals while wasting a Sanchez game.

26 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

I don't think any parameters are agreed to. Teams don't like to dilly dally. If they were, they'd have agreed to a trade already and just dealt with the cap hit. Deals can fall apart when they aren't official and if both teams got what they wanted they'd have just done it. I don't think the Patriots have been willing to meet his asking price and it's as simple as that. My guess is the sticking point is probably 2027 picks, which they are probably loathe to part with given the potential upside of where they could be if they have a down season.

This song might help you

6 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

People never bring up Scott Loeffler but I would not be surprised at all if he was one of the sources. I'm sure he isn't thrilled about leaving a HC job to get one year here as QB coach before being shown the door.

Well, the point for people to process is that there are numerous people bringing Hurts issues to light. Which is nice.