In the AP story about Taylor's visit to OBD:

With 11,271 yards, Taylor ranks 16th on the NFL's career rushing list, and is within striking distance of passing Jim Brown (12,312).

"That's a part of the process, but at the end of the day, that's not the ultimate goal," Taylor said. "I do want a ring."

And he is visiting NE today?  We don't stand a chance, do we?

As a college student, I am well acquainted with the game of ultimate frisbee.  I play at both the club level in the summer, and the college level during the rest of the year.  Every Monday night, I play in an indoor league that is a mix of veteran club players, active college students, and a few random high schoolers in there as well.  I am not going to spend time defending the sport (yes, it is a sport),  but rather draw a parallel between the make up of the teams.

I find myself watching and analyzing all the players.  The old guys (30+ in ultimate age) know what they are doing, but don't have the athleticism to keep up with many of the younger players, so they have to use their knowledge to be effective.  The young high schoolers that were invited are very athletic, but very often do not have the knowledge of the game of the many other players.  The college players and the players right out of college tend to be the most effective.  They have the athleticism to take advantage of match ups, but the knowledge of how to use that athleticism.  The older guys still impart their wisdom since they do know the most, but the college players know enough to be more effective players.  There are however the college guys who think that their athleticism is enough to get them by, so they do not take the time to learn the game, and end up being ineffective players.  My team had a bunch of the latter players, and we got third out of fourth.  A number of my team mates played on another team with a good mix of the above, and ended up winning the league.

What does this have to do with football, and sports in general?  I believe that the most effective players are those players that have high athleticism, but a high enough football IQ to know how to develop that athleticism and to know they just can't get by on that athleticism.  For instance, DE need to work on moves to get by the O-linemen and learn the defensive scheme, not just think they will be able to run past them.  But a mix of savvy vets is needed to help those younger players develop.  With regards to the draft, I believe we need to look at those players that have the athleticism, especially in the higher rounds, but also have the drive.  Character is important, but athleticism is just as important.  I am not going to pretend that I know as much as most of you, because I continually am amazed at the analysis and football knowledge of the people on this site.  So maybe you guys figured this all out.  The more I read what I just wrote, I realize it is fairly common sense.

Oh, and there is one more group.  The old guys who never really knew that much, and are not really all that athletic, and are ineffective despite the effort they put forth.  So Chris Kelsey exists in my world as well...

I know that this is a longshot, but is anyone on this site going to be at the game on Sunday?  I go to SLU and myself and a few of my friends have scoped out a parking lot and are going to "tail gate" before the game and it would be great to have other people out.  We found a place that has some Blue (expensive, but worth it every once in a while) and we are in the process of finding a grill.  We are probably going to try to get there between 11 and 11:30.