NFL '06-'07 Season Discussion/Predicitons

[god is a redsox FAN]

Their defense is average, but defense only get you so far anyway as the Bears proved.

Yea tell that to the Ravens team that won the super bowl couple years back, with their QB being Trent Diffler. Tell that to Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed. Yea, who needs defense?

[Beckett95]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2544230

 

Claretts a f***ing idiot. What a waste of immense talent

[god is a redsox FAN]

anybody surprised by this?

[See Red]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2542300

 

The Denver Broncos have made Mike Bell, an undrafted rookie out of Arizona, the #1 RB. Especially impressive considering how high people have been on Ron Dayne, here.

 

Can anybody say Terrell Davis?

[See Red]

I'll tell you why Denver wins. They obviously have the skill as they proved this past season with their division win and victory of the Patriots. Their defense is average, but defense only get you so far anyway as the Bears proved. Their offense, however, is even better. Plummer is kind of a choke artist yes, but now he has even more to work with. Javon Walker is a great wide receiver and will give Plummer another great target. Their running game may not be as great as when Terrell Davis was around, but it's still good. Jay Cutler's success is yet to be determined, but if he's as good as hyped he may be able to fill in for Plummer if he struggles. I also think Denver made the best draft pick of all that went well beneath the radar, and that is offensive lineman Greg Eslinger. Somehow this guy slipped to the sixth round which is pathetic. I may be a little off on the numbers, but I believe he's a three time all- Big Ten, two time all- american, and also won the Rimington Trophy, and best center trophy this season. He's also been the center for a Gophers team that has fielded TWO 1,000 yard rushers in each of the last three seasons, which no other team has done. eslinger may not be a starter right away, but if he's your backup you're in pretty good shape. aside from that i just have a gut feeling on the broncos. i picked the steelers last year mostly on a gut feeling, so i'm sticking with my gut.

 

I almost resent the fact that you refer to Denver's defense as 'average'. Their LB's are the best in the league, they have a very good secondary (despite my feelings of Lynch being overrated), and the defensive line is very good at stopping the run. Their only real weakness is the pass rush (from the D-Line), and they've been able to, Pittsburgh game aside, cover that up with good blitz packages. This is a defense that had the Patriots offense befuddled. I would not refer to the 3th best team in terms of points against per game as having an average defense.

 

I don't get where people get the idea that this team is any worse than last year -- they've added Javon Walker -- if Lelie plays for 'em this year, how many teams can trot out WR's like that? Not many -- Lelie may not be the greatest, but he's proven capable of averaging 20 Yards per catch. They'll have another 1,000 yard rusher, possibly two with Tatum Bell, who lead the league in Yards Per Carry last year. At the very worst, they'll split with the Chiefs, with taking both games being far more likely than losing 'em both. Broncos can't win at Arrowhead, sure, but atleast they're close. Chiefs can't even keep it close at Invesco, not even when Plummer throws left-handed from the endzone for a free Chiefs TD.

[CrespoBlows]

I almost resent the fact that you refer to Denver's defense as 'average'. Their LB's are the best in the league, they have a very good secondary (despite my feelings of Lynch being overrated), and the defensive line is very good at stopping the run. Their only real weakness is the pass rush (from the D-Line), and they've been able to, Pittsburgh game aside, cover that up with good blitz packages. This is a defense that had the Patriots offense befuddled. I would not refer to the 3th best team in terms of points against per game as having an average defense.

 

What exactly did Denver add to that defense? They were absolutely torched in the secondary last year, and they lost a pretty good defensive end in Trevor Pryce. So yeah, I'd call that defense, "average."

 

I don't get where people get the idea that this team is any worse than last year -- they've added Javon Walker -- if Lelie plays for 'em this year, how many teams can trot out WR's like that? Not many -- Lelie may not be the greatest, but he's proven capable of averaging 20 Yards per catch. They'll have another 1,000 yard rusher, possibly two with Tatum Bell, who lead the league in Yards Per Carry last year. At the very worst, they'll split with the Chiefs, with taking both games being far more likely than losing 'em both. Broncos can't win at Arrowhead, sure, but atleast they're close. Chiefs can't even keep it close at Invesco, not even when Plummer throws left-handed from the endzone for a free Chiefs TD.

 

Who is that 1,000 yard rusher? Mike Bell? Tatum Bell doesn't stay on the field long enough to be a 1,000 yard rusher. He starts strong, then fades badly. The disparancy between his first 10 carries and his last 10 is almost 3 yards per carry. He's not a workhorse, he's a very good backup, but not a guy who can shoulder the load.

 

Javon Walker is coming off a knee surgery. I'd wait until you proclaim him a savior. Rod Smith is 36 years old, you can't expect him to repeat his '05 season.

 

The Chiefs added Ty Law, and Tamba Hali to that defense. It's safe to say that the defense will be better. Both teams will probably finish near 11-5.

[See Red]

Have you checked the track record of Denver RB's before their getting their chance to start?

 

Terrell Davis -- 6th round draft pick, was the sixth string RB heading into training camp

Olandis Gary -- ... need I say more?

Mike Anderson -- Converted from Fullback

Ruben Droughns -- Converted from Fullback

 

Are you actually questioning the Broncos running game? I think they've proven the system works no matter who is back there.

 

Tatum Bell will be a #2 for the reasons you mentioned -- that's expected. He's been listed as such this entire time. If Mike Bell doesn't work, is Ron Dayne really a bad alternative considering he's actually had Pre-Broncos success in a similar system at Wisconsin?

 

They said Rod Smith couldn't repeat his 2004 season. A declined Rod Smith with the addition of Javon Walker, even at 80% is still better than 2005 Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Besides, that 80% has been wowing everyone at Broncos minicamp thus far.

 

Besides, the Chiefs also lost one of the best run blocking O-Linemen ever to play the game.

[schillingouttheks]

Terrible news for the Patriots. Bruschi had surgery today on a broken wrist. Screws were inserted to hold the bones in place. He's gone for at least the entire pre-season.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2544977

 

Am I late on this, or is this new? Sorry, I might be having a brain fart right now.

[YanksHater213]

I heard that he had a sore wrist and was DTD but that news is new to me.

[schillingouttheks]

Yeah, I heard something about the wrist, but the surgery was news to me as well.

[YanksHater213]

Well you're f***ing retarded.

[schillingouttheks]

[YanksHater213]

ooooh baby i like it raw

 

OLD DIRTY BASTARD LIVE AND UNCUTTTTTTTT

[CrespoBlows]

Have you checked the track record of Denver RB's before their getting their chance to start?

 

Terrell Davis -- 6th round draft pick, was the sixth string RB heading into training camp

Olandis Gary -- ... need I say more?

Mike Anderson -- Converted from Fullback

Ruben Droughns -- Converted from Fullback

 

Are you actually questioning the Broncos running game? I think they've proven the system works no matter who is back there.

 

Tatum Bell will be a #2 for the reasons you mentioned -- that's expected. He's been listed as such this entire time. If Mike Bell doesn't work, is Ron Dayne really a bad alternative considering he's actually had Pre-Broncos success in a similar system at Wisconsin?

 

Anderson, Droughns, and Davis all had a lot of talent. Davis was a star, and probably would have been elsewhere. I don't know that you can insert Mike Bell into the 1st RB and expect him to run wild. Ron Danye could probably do it, but Mike Bell? I'm not questioning the ability for the Broncos to run the football, but I don't see two of those running backs rushing for 1,000 yards.

 

 

They said Rod Smith couldn't repeat his 2004 season. A declined Rod Smith with the addition of Javon Walker, even at 80% is still better than 2005 Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Besides, that 80% has been wowing everyone at Broncos minicamp thus far.

 

Rod Smith is 36 years old. Other than Jimmy Smith, who else has been an elite WR at this stage of their career? Smith has been a good player, but if he gets 1,000 yards, I'll be shocked. Training camp? Playing in practice is much different then playing in live action. s***, the Bucs said they loved this kid Paris Warren during training camp, they loved him so much that they cut him. Walker's been a good player, but he's good. Not elite. He certaintly could become elite, but I doubt that he's going to hit the ground running this upcoming year.

 

Besides, the Chiefs also lost one of the best run blocking O-Linemen ever to play the game.

 

Larry Johnson is good enough to overcome that. Don't fool yourself, Roaf was nagged by injuries, and shouldn't be confused with the dominant player he once was. In fact, he missed 5 games last year. Didn't hurt Larry Johnson.

[yankeessuck013]

Maurice Clarett is in REAL Trouble this time...caught with guns and a bullet proof vest in his SUV, and I heard Vodka. Lucky the cops caught his ass now, otherwise something worse could have happened.

 

That dude needs help, psychiatrically. Prison will make him worse, and whenever he gets out, he'll be right back in.

[CrespoBlows]

Maurice Clarett is in REAL Trouble this time...caught with guns and a bullet proof vest in his SUV, and I heard Vodka. Lucky the cops caught his ass now, otherwise something worse could have happened.

 

That dude needs help, psychiatrically. Prison will make him worse, and whenever he gets out, he'll be right back in.

 

f*** him.

 

He's gotten every single advantedge handed to him ever since he was a high school student. He needs more help? The guy's a lost cause. He'd probably be better off in prison for the rest of his life. He isn't going to amount to anything.

 

Except that Indoor Football League he's got going on for him. Thumbs up Clarett, you really showed the facists of the NFL.

[See Red]

Anderson, Droughns, and Davis all had a lot of talent. Davis was a star, and probably would have been elsewhere. I don't know that you can insert Mike Bell into the 1st RB and expect him to run wild. Ron Danye could probably do it, but Mike Bell? I'm not questioning the ability for the Broncos to run the football, but I don't see two of those running backs rushing for 1,000 yards.

 

I'll admit that I know nothing about this Mike Bell kid -- literally nothing. But Ron Dayne could definetely have success in this system. He's trimmed down, and as I mentioned before, his success at Wisconsin came in a similar system. He looked good when he got time last year, which admittedly, wasn't often. But if Olandis Gary could do it, it's not insane to think Mike Bell could be good. They went into training camp not expecting him to be a contributor, so there's no harm in giving him a shot, right? If he fails, oh well, we still have the original plans we came in with.

 

Tatum Bell won't be the #1 guy. Shanahan likes him as a guy who can bust a big play when the defense gets worn down. Tatum's blocking isn't good enough, nor is his ability as a reciever out of the backfield.

 

Rod Smith is 36 years old. Other than Jimmy Smith, who else has been an elite WR at this stage of their career? Smith has been a good player, but if he gets 1,000 yards, I'll be shocked. Training camp? Playing in practice is much different then playing in live action. s***, the Bucs said they loved this kid Paris Warren during training camp, they loved him so much that they cut him. Walker's been a good player, but he's good. Not elite. He certaintly could become elite, but I doubt that he's going to hit the ground running this upcoming year.

 

But Walker's a proven good WR, unlike that Paris Warren kid. Not elite, but can you honestly say his best years of production are behind him? As for Rod Smith, if he can be close to what he was last year. Just in the general ballpark -- this group is still better than Lelie/Smith were last year, in my mind. It's a shame that Lelie doesn't realize that you've got to put up the numbers to be a number one option, and not the other way around.

 

Larry Johnson is good enough to overcome that. Don't fool yourself, Roaf was nagged by injuries, and shouldn't be confused with the dominant player he once was. In fact, he missed 5 games last year. Didn't hurt Larry Johnson.

 

No argument here. I was on the Larry Johnson bandwagon before a lot of people. Would've been on it sooner if he hadn't come out of the Big Ten. He'll certainly rush for 2,000 yards at some point in his career, in my opinion. I still think losing Willie Roaf will hurt some. He may have been a shell of him former self, but I can't see whomever replaces him being better.

 

As for the secondary being torched, how much of that was because the 2005 Broncos were very rarely losing in a game and teams were throwing the ball and playing from behind?

[CrespoBlows]

I'll admit that I know nothing about this Mike Bell kid -- literally nothing. But Ron Dayne could definetely have success in this system. He's trimmed down, and as I mentioned before, his success at Wisconsin came in a similar system. He looked good when he got time last year, which admittedly, wasn't often. But if Olandis Gary could do it, it's not insane to think Mike Bell could be good. They went into training camp not expecting him to be a contributor, so there's no harm in giving him a shot, right? If he fails, oh well, we still have the original plans we came in with.

 

Tatum Bell won't be the #1 guy. Shanahan likes him as a guy who can bust a big play when the defense gets worn down. Tatum's blocking isn't good enough, nor is his ability as a reciever out of the backfield.

 

Bell never cracked 1,000 yards at Arizona, and most of his games were against teams with sub-par defenses. The skinny on Bell is that he's not particularly fast, or particularly strong. But, who the hell knows? I can guess that Bell won't be the starting RB week two. It will probably go to Ron Dayne. (Which is kind of what you said)

 

 

But Walker's a proven good WR, unlike that Paris Warren kid. Not elite, but can you honestly say his best years of production are behind him? As for Rod Smith, if he can be close to what he was last year. Just in the general ballpark -- this group is still better than Lelie/Smith were last year, in my mind. It's a shame that Lelie doesn't realize that you've got to put up the numbers to be a number one option, and not the other way around.

 

Yeah, that's why I've never put a lot of stock into training camps. Walker's good. So he should be able to breeze through training camps.

 

I will go out on a limb, and safely say that Walker will never again reach 1,400 yards receiving. I don't think he's THIS kind of player.

 

As for the secondary being torched, how much of that was because the 2005 Broncos were very rarely losing in a game and teams were throwing the ball and playing from behind?

 

I don't know. But the stats clearly indicate that the Broncos pass coverage was not very good. The Broncos had an inability to cover elite WR's, such as Terrell Owens.

 

I think Denver is a fine football team, but I don't think they are the best.

[See Red]

Well, they didn't get completely ripped apart. T.O. only had three catches against the Broncos. One of 'em, though, he was able to shake off Champ Bailey, one of the best tackling CB's in the League, and go 91 yards with it. Plaxico Burress could do as he wished without being called for Pass Interference against us. Jimmy Smith didn't do anything spectacular.

 

I guess what I would say is that the defense was susceptible to the big play from the better recievers in the league, but over the course of the game, they certainly didn't get ripped apart by 'em. I don't know, we were playing two rookies and towards the latter half of the year they were both injured. They're a year better now, and they were already impressive last season.

 

I think the problem with the defensive against the pass is that they were completely unable to reach the QB when they only rushed four. They didn't really do anything to fix that, though. I don't think the problem was with the Secondary or LB's in coverage.

 

But yeah, I don't think Denver is the best either, but I do believe they're one of the elite. 11-5 and 12-4 is probably realistic to expect probably. I do expect another AFC West Championship. If they can manage to get some home playoff games, they can do some damage since Denver really is one of the biggest Homefield Advantages in sports.

[noonanberg]

Maurice Clarett is a perfect example of what a bad ego does for you. He thought he was bigger than he was, now he's coming crashing down to Earth the hard way. That's what you get. Not to say I'm glad he turned into a criminal headcase, but I'm glad he was taught a lesson. I hope Matt Leinhart learns the same lesson very soon. Again, not rooting for a jail trip here, but a weak career would be nice to see. I hope the same for Eli Manning as well.

[BoSox34]

It'll be interesting to see where Jerry Porter and/or Ashley Lelie land in the next few weeks, if anywhere. Both have incredible athleticism and are dangerous deep threats. A team like the Falcons or Eagles would greatly benefit from a trade for one of these guys.

[Jon_Papelboner]

Clarett apparently had a lot of enemies and thats why he had all the guns and the bulletproof vest. Dunno if I buy that one or not. Sounds to me like they caught him before he robbed a bank.

[BoSox34]

Now it's looking like Porter is staying in Oakland.

[Jon_Papelboner]

Good, I have him on my fantasy team and I believe he's in a good enough situation.

[Beckett95]

Clinton Portis left tonights game with a separated shoulder, very similar to the injury Cedric Benson had a couple weeks ago.

[god is a redsox FAN]

that was a sick hit, clinton was kneeled down, and like jumped up for the takle and threw his shoulder into him, after the game a reporter asked him what happened? He simply replied I played to long, in a game i shouldn't even be playing in.

[See Red]

Clarett apparently had a lot of enemies and thats why he had all the guns and the bulletproof vest. Dunno if I buy that one or not. Sounds to me like they caught him before he robbed a bank.

 

From what I'd heard, and I've seen nothing on any sites to back this up, but I'd heard he was a couple of blocks away from someone he'd robbed that was going to testify against him. Again, though, just something I heard.

[BoSox34]

Clinton Portis left tonights game with a separated shoulder, very similar to the injury Cedric Benson had a couple weeks ago.

 

Pretty serious from what I've heard, he could miss some of the regular season.

[kreinbihl34]

The true story (I line in Ohio) is he was being pulled over, but started a police chase. So when he was finally pulled over they tried to shock the s*** outta him but couldnt because of the vest. So finally they got him arrested an looked the SUV an found three handguns and a assult rifle, which is going to get him a couple of years in the house.

[Jon_Papelboner]

Wow, that's funny. I was just thinking maybe I should have taken him over Tiki.