[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Brudlee,
I would suggest that football has always been based on performance and not promises. Your boss for instanced propmised you a job but if you were dropping stuff all the time, could not focus on the task at hand or get the project any further, let alone you bumped you head. He would set you down, get the next guy to get the job done for the team.

I say it makes the players step it up and fight for their job and not think about what was promised.

Plus I don't think anyone here can quote the Coach saying "I Promise P. Ramsey will be the starter"

"He's our starter" Yes
"He's our guy" Yes

peace to ya bro
mike