Proof Evolution is a Fraud

[Flasteel]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

I have a degree in Ecology and Evolution from Pitt so I'm qualified to speak on this matter.

In the CFL, all teams employ one player for both the punting and kicking duties. I think if you look at the history of the game, the amount of specialization has increased with roster size.

I would guess that if game day roster sizes went up to 55 or 60 you would see a few teams emply two place kickers, one for accuracy and one for distance. I would guess taht you would also see some teams hold a spot for a wild-cat specialist. In other words, not all of the expanded roster would be used exclusively for depth at the existing positions.

So how long have you been waiting to actually use your degree?

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

As for Evolution, again you need the assistance of man's intelligence to push you along. You're Welcome

This situation you suggest would not prove evolution correct, but prove it is incorrect. If kickers and punters morphed into one you would be going backwards, not forwards. All players used to play both offense and defense thus limiting a players ability in any one position. When the NFL evolved to only using players who played only one side of the ball the product got better as you now had specialists in offense and defense.

Some might erroneously call this 'devolution', but current theory suggests that if K/P morphed into one position, it's evolution to a simpler state. Evolution does not require progress to a more complicated state.

Sid's misconception that intelligence drives evolution is commonly termed teleology. It is not a reaction to necessity where creatures make a conscious effort to gain adaptive traits. Hitler became one of history's all-time bad guys by trying to guide the human gene pool in a particular direction. Despite that and other efforts at genocide, humans more commonly follow the standard path, those who survive the stresses of their environment best become the progenators of the next generation.

[snarky]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

I have a degree in Ecology and Evolution from Pitt so I'm qualified to speak on this matter.

In the CFL, all teams employ one player for both the punting and kicking duties. I think if you look at the history of the game, the amount of specialization has increased with roster size.

I would guess that if game day roster sizes went up to 55 or 60 you would see a few teams emply two place kickers, one for accuracy and one for distance. I would guess taht you would also see some teams hold a spot for a wild-cat specialist. In other words, not all of the expanded roster would be used exclusively for depth at the existing positions.

So how long have you been waiting to actually use your degree?

Well I've never really used my degree. I work in IT. When I was in school I was never really concerned with the usefulness of my degree. I simply found the subject matter fascinating and wanted to study it. But probably about half the people in my program ended up with jobs either with state/federal park services or environmental engineering firms.

[Steel Life]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

In case you didn't realize it, you already have your "hybrids" on the team...

Ben Roethlisberger: In 2002, while playing at Miami of Ohio, he punted three times in a game against Toledo. He landed all three punts inside the 20-yard line and was named the MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts. He also booted a career-long 59-yard punt versus the Tar Heels. During the course of the season, Ben booted 9-of-11 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line during the season and booted three punts of 50 yards or greater.

We won't get into Hines (QB, RB, WR at UGA), ARE (All everything at IU)...& even our punter - Sepulveda played LB at Baylor.

[Chachi]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

Some might erroneously call this 'devolution', but current theory suggests that if K/P morphed into one position, it's evolution to a simpler state. Evolution does not require progress to a more complicated state.

Combining kicking and punting would be the more complicated state, asking a player to perform at an above average level in more than one specialty. Separating the 2 is the simpler state. You have it backwards.

[snarky]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

Some might erroneously call this 'devolution', but current theory suggests that if K/P morphed into one position, it's evolution to a simpler state. Evolution does not require progress to a more complicated state.

Combining kicking and punting would be the more complicated state, asking a player to perform at an above average level in more than one specialty. Separating the 2 is the simpler state. You have it backwards.

The K/P would be a generalist, and generalists survive by being able to do many things well. Specialists survive by being able to do one thing optimally. A case in point would be the cheetah which is specialized to catch gazelles. Lions, on the other hand are generalists in that they are equipped to capture all kinds of prey including wildebeasts, zebras and gazelles. Neither is "more evolved" than the other.

[snarky]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

In case you didn't realize it, you already have your "hybrids" on the team...

Ben Roethlisberger: In 2002, while playing at Miami of Ohio, he punted three times in a game against Toledo. He landed all three punts inside the 20-yard line and was named the MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts. He also booted a career-long 59-yard punt versus the Tar Heels. During the course of the season, Ben booted 9-of-11 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line during the season and booted three punts of 50 yards or greater.

We won't get into Hines (QB, RB, WR at UGA), ARE (All everything at IU)...& even our punter - Sepulveda played LB at Baylor.

Don't forget David Johnson.

[Chachi]

Re: Proof Evolution is a Fraud

In case you didn't realize it, you already have your "hybrids" on the team...

Ben Roethlisberger: In 2002, while playing at Miami of Ohio, he punted three times in a game against Toledo. He landed all three punts inside the 20-yard line and was named the MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts. He also booted a career-long 59-yard punt versus the Tar Heels. During the course of the season, Ben booted 9-of-11 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line during the season and booted three punts of 50 yards or greater.

We won't get into Hines (QB, RB, WR at UGA), ARE (All everything at IU)...& even our punter - Sepulveda played LB at Baylor.

No, we don't.

While Hines, ARE, Sepulveda, and Ben all have experience at other positions none of them are back ups at those positions. Some may be "emergency" players at said position (ARE at QB, IIRC), but none of these players skills are actively practiced in order to open a roster spot.

When we lost Speulveda, did Ben become the punter for the rest of the season?

Why did we sign Leftwich with Hines at our disposal?