West Ham Online

"Free agency started last night and was pretty crazy some huge money being spent. Osweiler getting £18m a year for the Texans, leaving the Broncos without a QB, Giants have spent a fortune on good but not great players, Oliver Vernon has more guaranteed money than JJ Watt. lots more deals but cant be bothered to list them all."

"Not really sure Mike, maybe they aren't as good as the old days RBs are."

"cough, what do you think is limiting RBs lifespan these days? It can't be the tackling as I thought the game was much more violent years ago, maybe it's these synthetic pitches they play on? who knows"

"If you're good RB you get a nickname, Diesel and Sweetness"

"norf, very true and especially for modern backs but my two favourite ever rbs (payton & riggo) were playing better than ever well in to their 30s. not sure if they were just freaks of nature or just worked harder, but the modern backs do seem to have limited longevity"

I think Barry Sanders got better the longer he played?

Mike Yes but the main difference between all those positions is the players tends to get better the longer he plays but th opposite seems to happen with RB's

"norf, the top guards/tackles are also on big contracts"

"I just think a lot of teams are realising they don't need to pay big bucks for a RB as once they have a bit of mileage on the clock their output drops dramatically. They are drafting players for 3 years on rookie contracts and saving cap space for QB, WR and pass rushers."

Any thoughts on the Cook move by the Vikes or is it a salary cap thing?

Jets might be interested?

"Cook released by the Vikings, don't understand that one at all unless they have the next Barry Sanders lined up?"

"Agree about Elway just a great QB in that era there was some great QBs Elway, Marino, Jim Kelly, Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, I'm not going to say Jim McMahon, he was decent but he was in a great team and agree about Barry Sanders, easily the best RB since Jim Brown but what a shit team he was on."

"There were many players I loved watching from that era (Randall Cunningham being another QB, although he wasn't at the same throwing level). But the other big name who was mesmerising was Barry Sanders. Never been a better running back in the modern era. That guy was untouchable. His balance and agility have never been matched. And in a poor side, most seasons. Talk about carrying your team."

"Yep - totally agree on all fronts. Brady is a brilliant percentages man: cold, calculated under pressure, knew his playbooks inside and knew the percentage chances of each throw. Seriously good in a frantic sport. But Elway had something more magical and the ability to improvise in a way that Brady couldn't. He could be 3rd and 18 (as he was on The Drive) and his primary receiver would be doubled-teamed and he'd still find a way to get the ball to his third or fourth check-down for a first down. Usually using those incredible feet to find some extra room. That's something Brady never had."

"him & payton (sweetness) are my favourite non redskin players. elway literally had you on the edge of your seat, the ultimate competitor. also loved singletary & ronnie lott"

"Elway is the GOAT, in my view. Other contenders are greats - Brady, Manning, Montana, Unitas, Brees, Marino etc - but nobody has been better than that fella. Put him in that Belichick side for twenty years and he wins even more than Brady (who is unquestionably superb, and I say that sooo reluctantly as a Jets fan). But it's Elway. He often had a bang average side around him, too. The Drive is a work of art combined with sheer bloody mindedness and determination."

"John Elway, The Drive https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FLL2RC75CQY"

Part 2 https://youtu.be/y7OrmqQDipg

"Oh fuck, no! I don't want to see us implode in the dressing room - as well as on the pitch. Again! Go to Houston or somewhere pointless instead."

"Hasn't the Hard Knocks announcement normally been made by now? Me personally, I have fingers crossed for the Jets."

Jim Brown was a titan in that sport. Any sport. Decades ahead of his time. Just an unbelievable player. Incredibly sad that he's passed.

"Scorchio Jim Brown - a man for whom great and legend are not hyperbole - at college a star in football, basketball and lacrosse. Later an actor and activist - even Richard Pryor went to him for counsel - too late unfortunately. RIP"

"Oh shit that's a shame, one of the greatest if not THE greatest RB of all time. Was great in the Dirty Dozen as well. RIP"

"The greatest of all time, Jim Brown, has died aged 87. RIP. https://youtu.be/b6cCXNBeVfc Love watching this video from time to time. Incredible stuff."

"Can't believe that fee for the Commanders. But I bet the fans are doing cartwheels finally getting rid of Snyder. Let's hope the Jets, and the Johnson & Johnson shampoo-ers, are next out the door."