I've said elsewhere, it's odd to have a 1-week window. You could have said this on August 1 as easily as August 25.
I'll also say, if Deion is out, by trade or holdout, at the beginning of the year, this offense gets very, very creative. We have a guy who can get the ball dink-dunk style to enough no-names to replace a running attack (see 2001) or can go over 4000 yards in a season (see 2005)... Lack of big names is not doom in our passing game. What it will do is shift the focus. They will still not be able to stack 8 in the box every play, because QB accuracy allows for connections on quick outs and over the middle, if everybody is set up for the run. And the fact that you cannot ignore the passing game still opens up that run attack. Most of all we're set up to *@#&$^% teams up the @(*#$& with no lube, as regards time of possession. Oh by the way, we have 4 good tight ends, 1 of whom is probably as physically gifted as a Gates or a Gonzo, just playing in a different system.
That said: better to play with Deion than without. I just think this is a face saving move to let Deion back off his 10 game holdout commitment.
And if I'm wrong?
Break my heart, Deion.... wonder of Terry Glenn got a ring in 01? Doesn't much matter. If he has any self respect he wouldn't wear it.
PFnV