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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   2895 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for April 25, 2025

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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I think draft coverage can often underplay how much destination matters.

I think, conspiratorially, that such coverage becomes too grim at a certain point. When you realize that some players are being unwillingly doomed to play for a franchise that will fuck them up, it starts to feel too much like a very high end slave auction. But you're absolutely right, there's such a big difference, and so often high profile flame outs are tied to team culture. Does Johny Manziel blow off the whole NFL thing and sink into drink and drugs, if he is playing for a better team than the Browns, with a culture of success and veterans to look up to and guide him? When Aaron Hernandez went into the draft, some of his friends and family were hoping he would be drafted by ANY TEAM except New England, because they wanted him away from his Connecticut ghetto homeboys and bad habits. Late round picks like Purdy, Hurts, Brady, Prescott have to get lucky to ever get a chance; health and performance from the guys in front of them and they are career backups. Destination is everything.

That said: Cleveland is ideal for Sanders, because even more conspiratorially:

current reporting suggests Watson has likely played his last snap for the Browns.

I refuse to believe that Watson actually suffered a career ending injury. Rather, the league and the Browns and Watson came to an agreement to let Watson fake an injury, collect his checks, and the Browns are able to recoup some cap room through an insurance policy. This got Watson out of the news, and allows the Browns to begin moving forward a little earlier.

Sanders is stepping into not just a complete roster void, but a deep emotional void. Cleveland fans want someone to love, the league collectively wants the Browns to move on and resign Groper Cleveland to the memory hole, the team has a few great players who want a shot in the arm and a bit of hope. If Sanders has three good weeks in a row, he'll be front page news nationwide.

How good is Sam Darnold?

Probably about as good as Geno Smith, kind of a lateral move imho.

Rather, the league and the Browns and Watson came to an agreement to let Watson fake an injury, collect his checks, and the Browns are able to recoup some cap room through an insurance policy.

I feel like this requires a level of planning and intellect which is essentially never observed in the league.

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