2009-2010 NFL Season

[lsiberian]

Denver is certainly for real. Beating the Pats. This is gonna be a crazy year.

 

[just listening]

Was only able to see the overtime of the Broncos/Patriots game. Probably a good thing considering how ugly those original uniforms of the Broncos appeared.

Looking at the stats most interesting was Brady's 2nd half numbers: 5-14, 65 yards. The Denver defense once again got stronger as the game wore on.

 

[aberkowitz]

Turns out the Broncos are much better than I originally thought... I can admit when I'm wrong!!

I did have tons of fun watching the Giants play the Helen Keller School for the Blind... I mean the Raiders. Is there a more dysfunctional team in the NFL right now??

 

[lsiberian]

Turns out the Broncos are much better than I originally thought... I can admit when I'm wrong!!

I did have tons of fun watching the Giants play the Helen Keller School for the Blind... I mean the Raiders. Is there a more dysfunctional team in the NFL right now??

The Rams are on the selling block. The Jags can't even fill the stands.

I'd say there are a few teams with issues. But the Raiders need a new owner and a good coach. They have the talent IMO. But lack the coaching.

 

[aberkowitz]

I'd say there are a few teams with issues. But the Raiders need a new owner and a good coach. They have the talent IMO. But lack the coaching.

They may have some talent, but their QB is TERRIBLE. Scary enough, yesterday was one of JaMarcus Russell's best passing days from a statistical perspective all season. 8/13 for 100 yards and no picks- that's his best completion percentage and he didn't throw an int. Here's his line from his first 5 games-

Week 1- 40% completion, 200 yards, 1 TD, 2 picks
Week 2- 29% completion, 109 yards, 0 TD/INT
Week 3- 57% completion, 61 yards (12 passes completed for only 61 yards!), 2 INT
Week 4- 36% completion, 128 yards, 0 TD/INT
Week 5- 61% completion, 100 yards, 0 TD/INT

Let's face it... this guy may be the biggest QB draft bust EVER, remembering that he was #1 overall pick- with apologies to Mr. Couch, Mr. Leaf, and Mr. Smiths (Alex & Akili).

 

[MinusTheBear]

Turns out the Broncos are much better than I originally thought... I can admit when I'm wrong!!

I mean the Raiders. Is there a more dysfunctional team in the NFL right now??

The Buffalo Bills. They are bad....really bad.... both the Raiders and the Bills are dysfunctional from the owners, player personal, coaches and players.

 

[lsiberian]

They may have some talent, but their QB is TERRIBLE. Scary enough, yesterday was one of JaMarcus Russell's best passing days from a statistical perspective all season. 8/13 for 100 yards and no picks- that's his best completion percentage and he didn't throw an int. Here's his line from his first 5 games-

Week 1- 40% completion, 200 yards, 1 TD, 2 picks
Week 2- 29% completion, 109 yards, 0 TD/INT
Week 3- 57% completion, 61 yards (12 passes completed for only 61 yards!), 2 INT
Week 4- 36% completion, 128 yards, 0 TD/INT
Week 5- 61% completion, 100 yards, 0 TD/INT

Let's face it... this guy may be the biggest QB draft bust EVER, remembering that he was #1 overall pick- with apologies to Mr. Couch, Mr. Leaf, and Mr. Smiths (Alex & Akili).

And he also hasn't had a coach worth his salt. Lane Kiffin? and Cable?

How good would river be if he wasn't being coached by Norv Turner?

Romo has struggled under his coaching too. You put in Shannahan here and I bet you he becomes an elite QB. The Raiders have a terrible organization so bad that McFadden hasn't developed either. Don't tell me that Guy wouldn't be a top rusher if he was on the Giants instead of the Raiders. Good organizations develop talent. Bad organizations ruin it. David Carr is a great example of this fact.

 

[aberkowitz]

And he also hasn't had a coach worth his salt. Lane Kiffin? and Cable?

How good would river be if he wasn't being coached by Norv Turner?

Romo has struggled under his coaching too. You put in Shannahan here and I bet you he becomes an elite QB. The Raiders have a terrible organization so bad that McFadden hasn't developed either. Don't tell me that Guy wouldn't be a top rusher if he was on the Giants instead of the Raiders. Good organizations develop talent. Bad organizations ruin it. David Carr is a great example of this fact.

Coaching is part of it, but in football I think personnel is more important. McFadden would be a top rusher on the Giants because their offensive line is one of the best, while the Raiders have a patchwork line with about 3 guys on injured reserve this year. David Carr was terrible in Houston because he got sacked 250 times in 5 seasons (70+ in his first year)- btw, how ridiculous is that stat?!?!?!

Romo played quite well under Wade Phillips his first couple years in Dallas... you cannot blame his personal troubles on the coach (although you can blame the poor game-planning of the team as a whole on the coach).

Not sure why we are lauding Shanahan as a QB god... his best Denver teams were generally run-oriented teams (using the run to set up play action) behind solid offensive lines that were experts in cut & trap blocking. I don't think anybody would describe Jake Plummer or Brian Griese as "well-developed" QBs. Don't get me wrong, I loved Mike as a coach and didn't like how he was run out of town, but in the 10 years since SB XXXIII he made the playoffs 4 times and only won 1 game.

 

[darien87]

Let's face it... this guy may be the biggest QB draft bust EVER, remembering that he was #1 overall pick- with apologies to Mr. Couch, Mr. Leaf, and Mr. Smiths (Alex & Akili).

Finally, someone that might make everyone forget Ryan Leaf. And no apologies to that guy. F him. I wouldn't pee on him to put him out if he was on fire.

 

[lsiberian]

Coaching is part of it, but in football I think personnel is more important. McFadden would be a top rusher on the Giants because their offensive line is one of the best, while the Raiders have a patchwork line with about 3 guys on injured reserve this year. David Carr was terrible in Houston because he got sacked 250 times in 5 seasons (70+ in his first year)- btw, how ridiculous is that stat?!?!?!

Romo played quite well under Wade Phillips his first couple years in Dallas... you cannot blame his personal troubles on the coach (although you can blame the poor game-planning of the team as a whole on the coach).

Not sure why we are lauding Shanahan as a QB god... his best Denver teams were generally run-oriented teams (using the run to set up play action) behind solid offensive lines that were experts in cut & trap blocking. I don't think anybody would describe Jake Plummer or Brian Griese as "well-developed" QBs. Don't get me wrong, I loved Mike as a coach and didn't like how he was run out of town, but in the 10 years since SB XXXIII he made the playoffs 4 times and only won 1 game.

You see how bad the raiders are. It's sad truly sad. Al Davis used to be a really good owner, but in his old age he's lost it. He's the guy who first hired Gruden, and Madden. Now he's just an image of his former self.

 

[lsiberian]

Finally, someone that might make everyone forget Ryan Leaf. And no apologies to that guy. F him. I wouldn't pee on him to put him out if he was on fire.

He's a case study for not drafting early QBs

 

[MinusTheBear]

Finally, someone that might make everyone forget Ryan Leaf. And no apologies to that guy. F him. I wouldn't pee on him to put him out if he was on fire.

I still think Leaf will be hard to top. Russell still has not had a public breakdown with the media....yet...

 

[MinusTheBear]

He's a case study for not drafting early QBs

Not really. If you are drafting a franchise QB make sure you have a offensive line to protect him. Most issues with young quarterbacks stem from protection problems and they are unable to overcome it.

 

[lsiberian]

Not really. If you are drafting a franchise QB make sure you have a offensive line to protect him. Most issues with young quarterbacks stem from protection problems.

Very true, but I think you are better off getting a left tackle or defensive players in the first round. I like teams that run first and play great D though.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Very true, but I think you are better off getting a left tackle or defensive players in the first round. I like teams that run first and play great D though.

I agree with this. Offensive line is my favorite type of player to pick in the top 10. Or if a team plays the 3-4, a stud nose tackle.

 

[aberkowitz]

Very true, but I think you are better off getting a left tackle or defensive players in the first round. I like teams that run first and play great D though.

There's also a case to be made for these players because you can generally put them in the game right away. While the speed and strength of players in the NFL is vastly superior to college, the general idea of how you play on a linesman position doesn't really change between the two and there's not a huge challenge to learn the playbook. Each year there are guys who come from college and star at every position along both lines.

The way you play QB, WR, LB (with some exceptions, USC LBs can play right away generally), or CB in college is night and day compared to the NFL. A college WR just has to run fast to get open, while in the NFL it's all about recognizing the defense and crisp route running. An LB/CB in college generally has to be fast and can be a mediocre tackler to succeed, while in the NFL you must form tackle every time and you need to understand how the offense plays the game. For a QB it's everything- college and the NFL are not even the same sport for a QB.

There are a few QBs who can come in and play well immediately, but they are generally the ones with solid team foundations around them (e.g. Big Ben and Mark Sanchez through 4 games), but most guys struggle at the start and take time to learn (e.g. Peyton Manning on a god-awful Colts team), or they have the opportunity to sit on the bench and learn (e.g. Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers). I think you're almost always better off sitting a rookie QB and give him the chance to learn and get up to speed of the game. If the team is really bad, then give him a few reps towards the end of the season to get his feet wet.

I'm amazed how many teams screw up QBs each year...

 

[lsiberian]

I agree with this. Offensive line is my favorite type of player to pick in the top 10. Or if a team plays the 3-4, a stud nose tackle.

Miami is a case study for this. Went from being dirt to division champs after drafting a left tackle. I know they have a bad record ATM, but look at their schedule and I think you'll see they aren't as bad as they look.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Miami is a case study for this. Went from being dirt to division champs after drafting a left tackle. I know they have a bad record ATM, but look at their schedule and I think you'll see they aren't as bad as they look.

Bill Parcells knows how to evaluate talent. It all starts at the top and the personnel decisions. Its not surprising Miami has been a better team since he started calling the shots.

 

[sawzalot]

Donovan looked damn good in his return but The Phillies looked even better tonite, we put The Rockies to bed cold tired and de-flated, lets go Phillies bring on The Dodgies, .

 

[MinusTheBear]

Donovan looked damn good in his return but The Phillies looked even better tonite, we put The Rockies to bed cold tired and de-flated, lets go Phillies bring on The Dodgies, .

McNabb has looked really good, he just has to stay healthy; enough to seriously compete for the division. I see highlights such as McNabbs bombs to his rookie WR for touchdowns and it puts in perspective how inept Trent Edwards and the Bills offense is. It puts them to shame.