Did you really think that the first preseason game in the Josh McDaniels-Kyle Orton era was going to go well for the Broncos? After all the crap that happened to this team since the end of last season, did you really think it was going to be smooth sailing for the Broncos? Denver's 17-16 loss to San Francisco in game one of the preseason was only significant because of Kyle Orton's three interceptions in his first three series of the game. I'm not going to sugarcoat it because Orton's three picks were bad, but in his defense he actually looked really good on most of those drives. He drove the team down the field very nicely on the first drive, only to throw a bad pick in the endzone. On drive number two, he again looked very good and made some nice throws before getting picked off by forcing one to a covered Brandon Stokely. His third interception was the worst of all three, but he was facing a 3rd and 11 from his own 10 yard line. I thought overall the offense looked good, and Orton spread the ball to a number of receivers. Hey, it's the first preseason game. Seriously, I can't get too worked up about it. Let's give Orton some time, and worry about interceptions when the games actually count. Some other thoughts: 1) Knowshon Moreno looked really good before he left the game with a knee sprain. I think he is going to be a star, if he can manage to stay healthy. 2) The first string defense got 3 sacks. I thought Nolan did a nice job of mixing up some blitzes and pressure schmes. 3) I was impressed by Ronnie Fields, Kenny Peterson, and Ryan McBean. 4) Andra Davis is going to be a weak link as far as coverage goes. Vernon Davis ate him up in the passing game for SF 5) The Broncos lack depth on defense. Let's pray that they can stay relatively healthy all season long. 6) Both sides of the ball would have been helped out if Brandon Marshall and Brian Dawkins played in the game. 7) Peyton Hillis is a good asset to this team, and McDaniels should be able to use him in a lot of different ways to help the offense.
Overall, it is just the first preseason game, so let's just hope that Orton improves and the Broncos stay healthy the next game at Seattle. Trust me, there is no need to jump off the ship at this point.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
NFL Preview 2009- Part 1:AFC Predictions
Part Two of my NFL preview focuses on the AFC. One quick note before I get started, I said in my previous post that usually 4 of the 8 division winners won't repeat the next year. In 2008, only 2 out of 8 division winners repeated. This year I'm only picking 2 out of 8 to repeat because last year, New England and Indy did not win their respective divisions. The Pats finished tied with Miami but lost out due to tiebreakers. Indy finished 12-4 and lost out to 13-3 Tennessee. I think this year both NE and Indy get back on top of the divisions. Here we go with the AFC:
AFC EAST
1) New England Patriots (11-5): The Pats are loaded for '09. Getting Tom Brady back will help them, but they are also so loaded on offense. You've got Moss, Welker, Watson, a healthy Maroney, and they added Joey Galloway. They added some depth in the secondary (Springs, Bodden and Darius Butler),but their pass rush remains a concern. The bottom line is that they have Brady and Belichick and that's all you need. The Pats roll to the division title in '09.
2) Miami Dolphins (9-7): Last year's surprise will be a good in 2009, but they won't have enough to make the playoffs. The Dolphins are well coached, and have a good defense, but I think the Wildcat will only get them so far. Pennington is a solid QB, but their schedule is very tough and they won't be sneaking up on anyone this year. They will play hard every week, but I think they miss out on the playoffs.
3) New York Jets (8-8): New coach Rex Ryan created some bulletin board material for the rest of the AFC East this offseason, but he might have trouble backing it up. I see the Jets getting off to a tough start (Their first four games are brutal), as rookie QB Mark Sanchez needs time to develop. I think their defense will need some time in the beginning to adjust to Ryan's attacking scheme. I think the Jets are one of those teams that will be like 5-8 and then win their last three games to finish 8-8 and probably spoil someone's season.
4) Buffalo Bills (5-11): I was thinking about picking Buffalo to make the playoffs, but I decided against it. I just can't trust their offensive line and Trent Edwards. The addition of Terrell Owens will help, but I see the Bills struggling in a tough division. I'm not a fan of Dick Jauron, and I think this is the end of the road for him.
AFC NORTH
1) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): The Steelers will have some bumps in the road in defense of their title, but they have a very good coach, a great QB, and a fantastic defense. In the NFL those elements provide winning seasons. The Steelers will reload and win the division. It may be tougher than people expect, but they will get it done.
2) Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): My "Super-Ultra Sleeper" for the 2009 season: The Bengals. I know that sounds pretty ridiculous, and I know I picked them last year to win the division and they finished 4-11-1, but I have a gut feeling the Bengals will surprise people this year. You get a healthy Carson Palmer back, and people forget about how good Palmer is. They added some decent pieces to the defense (Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, Rey Maualuga, Michael Johnson) and their defense was actually underrated last year. They added Coles to Chad Johnson and Chris Henry, and they drafted Andre Smith. This team won 11 games in 2005, they were 8-5 with three games to go in 2006, their defense and off the field incidents killed them in 2007, and Carson Palmer was hurt basically all of 2008. I just have a feeling about the Bengals this year. I don't know how to explain, but I think they are a sleeper and make the playoffs as a wild card. If they don't, then I will definitely never pick them ever again.
3) Baltimore Ravens (8-8): I think the Ravens take a step back in 2009. They won 11 games last year, and they didn't really beat anyone. Their only real impressive win was at Dallas in Week 16. Then they got a perfect matchup in round 1 against the Dolphins, and they beat the Titans in round 2 because Tennessee shot themselves in the foot all game long. I like Joe Flacco, but I don't love him. I still don't think he has a lot of weapons around him, and that includes getting Derrick Mason back. They are getting older on defense, and they must adjust to the loss of Rex Ryan and Bart Scott.
4) Cleveland Browns (3-13): When Eric Mangini was with the Jets, I never watched a game thinking that Mangini is such a shrewd coach. I think he is actually overrated. I don't like the Browns QB situation. This is a team in transistion. They may be better then what I predict, but I don't think the Browns are going to be very good.
AFC SOUTH
1) Indianapolis Colts (11-5): The Colts get the division back in 2009. I know that Tony Dungy is gone, but the Colts still have Peyton Manning. Manning will lead the Colts very deep this year. Plus, the Colts are hungry. They have lost their last two playoff openers the last two years, and everyone is talking about the Steelers and the Pats in the AFC. The Colts just reload, and their window to win is never closed with Manning.
2) Tennessee Titans (10-6): Originally, I thought that the Titans wouldn't make the playoffs this year, but after looking at it deeper, I think the Titans get in as a wild card. Jeff Fisher is a very good coach, and they were the best team in the AFC last year. They killed themselves in the playoffs against Baltimore, and I think they are going to be very good this year. I like Kerry Collins, and he has help on that offense. Chris Johnson is a gamebreaker, and they added some help to their WRs with the addition of Nate Washington. Their defense is solid with good players at every level-especially Vanden Bosch, Bulluck, and Finnegan. The Titans will be a team no one wants to see in January.
3) Houston Texans (8-8): The Texans will be picked by a lot of people to make the leap and finally make the playoffs in 2009. I don't see it. I am not jumping on the Houston bandwagon this year. I like their offense, but Matt Schaub has to stay healthy. Their defense and their toughness up front is what disturbs me. Plus, their division is very tough. Four games with the Colts and Titans is what is going to kill them. The Texans miss out on the playoffs again.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Which Jacksonville team will show up? The team that went 11-5 in 2007 or the team that imploded on their way to 5-11 in 2008. Which version of David Garrard will show up? The sensational 2007 version or the medicore 2008 version. This is just a weird team to figure out. They might be able to make some noise in 2009, but I just don't have enough confidence to pick them.
AFC WEST
1) San Diego Chargers (12-4): The class of a weak division. The Chargers should have missed out on the playoffs last year, but they got hot at the end and won the West. San Diego should be better in 2009. Philip Rivers is a franchise QB, and LT will be very good this season. Throw in Gates, Sproles, Jackson, and Chambers, and the SD offense should put up a lot of points. Their defense obviously gets better with the return of Shawne Merriman. The Chargers have been in the playoffs in 4 of the last 5 years. They have won 3 playoff games in the last two years, but they haven't been to the Super Bowl. They need to take the next step. This could be the year they do.
2) Kansas City Chiefs (8-8): The Chiefs are done with the putrid Herm Edwards Era, and now start the Scott Pioli-Todd Haley Era. The Chiefs are a popular pick to be this year's Dolphins, especially since they added Matt Cassell. I think the Chiefs will be very improved and very well- coached this year, but they are a year away from making the playoffs. Their problem will be their weapons on offense and some defensive issues. I don't think they have enough playmakers to hurt defenses, and their front seven looks like it isn't good enough to slow down any good offensive team.
3) Oakland Raiders (6-10): The Raiders show some improvement this year by winning 6 games, but I'm not buying into the Tom Cable and JaMarcus Russell era in Oakland. I think Jeff Garcia will be starting by Week 5, but I don't think he will be able to help the Raiders into the playoffs. The Raiders are a team in disarray and they always will be as long as Al Davis is running the team.
4) Denver Broncos (5-11): Warning: This is going to be long! Now we get to my team, The 2009 Denver Broncos. What an offseason: Shanny gets fired, Bowlen hires Josh McDaniels, McD fueds with Jay Cutler, they trade Cutler to Chicago, name Kyle Orton the starter, Brandon Marshall wants a trade, they don't address their awful front seven in the offseason, and now everyone is picking Denver to win no more than 6 games max. Why did I pick Denver to go 5-11 and finish last? Well, there are a couple of reasons: 1- Reverse Psychology 2- Too much drama in the offseason 3- A rookie head coach under the most pressure ever in NFL history 4-Subtracting Jay Cutler and adding Kyle Orton 5-Their defensive front seven doesn't have a lot of talent 6-I picked them to make the playoffs last year and they were 8-5 and collapsed to finish 8-8 and I'm not doing that again. There are a lot of negatives for the Broncos going into 2009. Their are also so many questions surrounding this team. How will the team respond to McDaniels when faced with adversity? How will Kyle Orton play learining a very difficult new offense? How will the Brandon Marshall situation play out? How much will they improve at all on defense? How will adjust to Mike Nolan's new 3-4 scheme? How will Champ Bailey bounce back? How will an old secondary fare? I will give you this: The Broncos might not be as bad as everyone predicts in 2009. Kyle Orton will have some weapons on offense (Royal, Marshall, Stokely, Gaffney, Graham, Scheffler, Moreno, Hillis, and Buckhalter) and he has a very good OL to work with. McDaniels is a tremendous play caller and offensive mind, so the offense could be pretty good. Maybe their defense comes together. They really can't get worse than they were last year. Maybe guys like Ron Fields, Kenny Peterson, DJ Williams, Robert Ayers, Andra Davis, and Elvis Dumervil step up and give that front seven some reliability. The secondary with Dawkins, Champ, Andre Goodman, Renaldo Hill, and Alphonso Smith plays well and creates some turnovers. Maybe they get a break in their schedule and catch some teams at the right time, and they win a few close games they shouldn't. Who knows? That's the thing about this Bronco team. The title of their 2009 Media Guide should be: "The 2009 Denver Broncos- Who the Hell Knows?" I'm not trying to drink the kool-aid too much, but stranger things have happened. The Broncos are a true sleeper this year, but I'm not gonna jinx them. I did that last year and look what happened. I like this spot for Denver- laying around in the weeds with no one expecting anything. Maybe the worst offseason in Denver Broncos history will be replaced with one of the most satisfying and surprising season in Denver Broncos history......We'll see.
AFC Playoff Predictions
1) San Diego (12-4)
2) Indy (11-5)
3) New England (11-5)
4) Pittsburgh (10-6)
5)Tennessee (10-6)
6) Cincy (9-7)
Wild Card Round
3-New England over 6-Cincy (Brady and Belichick move on to face Indy)
5-Tenn over 4-Pittsburgh (Tenn upsets the defending Super Bowl Champs)
Divisional Round
1-San Diego over 5-Tenn (SD moves on to host AFC Title game)
2-Indy over 3-New England (Manning outduels Brady)
AFC Championship
1-San Diego over 2-Indy (SD makes first SB since 1994)
SUPER BOWL XLIV
San Diego Chargers over Philadelphia Eagles
AFC EAST
1) New England Patriots (11-5): The Pats are loaded for '09. Getting Tom Brady back will help them, but they are also so loaded on offense. You've got Moss, Welker, Watson, a healthy Maroney, and they added Joey Galloway. They added some depth in the secondary (Springs, Bodden and Darius Butler),but their pass rush remains a concern. The bottom line is that they have Brady and Belichick and that's all you need. The Pats roll to the division title in '09.
2) Miami Dolphins (9-7): Last year's surprise will be a good in 2009, but they won't have enough to make the playoffs. The Dolphins are well coached, and have a good defense, but I think the Wildcat will only get them so far. Pennington is a solid QB, but their schedule is very tough and they won't be sneaking up on anyone this year. They will play hard every week, but I think they miss out on the playoffs.
3) New York Jets (8-8): New coach Rex Ryan created some bulletin board material for the rest of the AFC East this offseason, but he might have trouble backing it up. I see the Jets getting off to a tough start (Their first four games are brutal), as rookie QB Mark Sanchez needs time to develop. I think their defense will need some time in the beginning to adjust to Ryan's attacking scheme. I think the Jets are one of those teams that will be like 5-8 and then win their last three games to finish 8-8 and probably spoil someone's season.
4) Buffalo Bills (5-11): I was thinking about picking Buffalo to make the playoffs, but I decided against it. I just can't trust their offensive line and Trent Edwards. The addition of Terrell Owens will help, but I see the Bills struggling in a tough division. I'm not a fan of Dick Jauron, and I think this is the end of the road for him.
AFC NORTH
1) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): The Steelers will have some bumps in the road in defense of their title, but they have a very good coach, a great QB, and a fantastic defense. In the NFL those elements provide winning seasons. The Steelers will reload and win the division. It may be tougher than people expect, but they will get it done.
2) Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): My "Super-Ultra Sleeper" for the 2009 season: The Bengals. I know that sounds pretty ridiculous, and I know I picked them last year to win the division and they finished 4-11-1, but I have a gut feeling the Bengals will surprise people this year. You get a healthy Carson Palmer back, and people forget about how good Palmer is. They added some decent pieces to the defense (Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, Rey Maualuga, Michael Johnson) and their defense was actually underrated last year. They added Coles to Chad Johnson and Chris Henry, and they drafted Andre Smith. This team won 11 games in 2005, they were 8-5 with three games to go in 2006, their defense and off the field incidents killed them in 2007, and Carson Palmer was hurt basically all of 2008. I just have a feeling about the Bengals this year. I don't know how to explain, but I think they are a sleeper and make the playoffs as a wild card. If they don't, then I will definitely never pick them ever again.
3) Baltimore Ravens (8-8): I think the Ravens take a step back in 2009. They won 11 games last year, and they didn't really beat anyone. Their only real impressive win was at Dallas in Week 16. Then they got a perfect matchup in round 1 against the Dolphins, and they beat the Titans in round 2 because Tennessee shot themselves in the foot all game long. I like Joe Flacco, but I don't love him. I still don't think he has a lot of weapons around him, and that includes getting Derrick Mason back. They are getting older on defense, and they must adjust to the loss of Rex Ryan and Bart Scott.
4) Cleveland Browns (3-13): When Eric Mangini was with the Jets, I never watched a game thinking that Mangini is such a shrewd coach. I think he is actually overrated. I don't like the Browns QB situation. This is a team in transistion. They may be better then what I predict, but I don't think the Browns are going to be very good.
AFC SOUTH
1) Indianapolis Colts (11-5): The Colts get the division back in 2009. I know that Tony Dungy is gone, but the Colts still have Peyton Manning. Manning will lead the Colts very deep this year. Plus, the Colts are hungry. They have lost their last two playoff openers the last two years, and everyone is talking about the Steelers and the Pats in the AFC. The Colts just reload, and their window to win is never closed with Manning.
2) Tennessee Titans (10-6): Originally, I thought that the Titans wouldn't make the playoffs this year, but after looking at it deeper, I think the Titans get in as a wild card. Jeff Fisher is a very good coach, and they were the best team in the AFC last year. They killed themselves in the playoffs against Baltimore, and I think they are going to be very good this year. I like Kerry Collins, and he has help on that offense. Chris Johnson is a gamebreaker, and they added some help to their WRs with the addition of Nate Washington. Their defense is solid with good players at every level-especially Vanden Bosch, Bulluck, and Finnegan. The Titans will be a team no one wants to see in January.
3) Houston Texans (8-8): The Texans will be picked by a lot of people to make the leap and finally make the playoffs in 2009. I don't see it. I am not jumping on the Houston bandwagon this year. I like their offense, but Matt Schaub has to stay healthy. Their defense and their toughness up front is what disturbs me. Plus, their division is very tough. Four games with the Colts and Titans is what is going to kill them. The Texans miss out on the playoffs again.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Which Jacksonville team will show up? The team that went 11-5 in 2007 or the team that imploded on their way to 5-11 in 2008. Which version of David Garrard will show up? The sensational 2007 version or the medicore 2008 version. This is just a weird team to figure out. They might be able to make some noise in 2009, but I just don't have enough confidence to pick them.
AFC WEST
1) San Diego Chargers (12-4): The class of a weak division. The Chargers should have missed out on the playoffs last year, but they got hot at the end and won the West. San Diego should be better in 2009. Philip Rivers is a franchise QB, and LT will be very good this season. Throw in Gates, Sproles, Jackson, and Chambers, and the SD offense should put up a lot of points. Their defense obviously gets better with the return of Shawne Merriman. The Chargers have been in the playoffs in 4 of the last 5 years. They have won 3 playoff games in the last two years, but they haven't been to the Super Bowl. They need to take the next step. This could be the year they do.
2) Kansas City Chiefs (8-8): The Chiefs are done with the putrid Herm Edwards Era, and now start the Scott Pioli-Todd Haley Era. The Chiefs are a popular pick to be this year's Dolphins, especially since they added Matt Cassell. I think the Chiefs will be very improved and very well- coached this year, but they are a year away from making the playoffs. Their problem will be their weapons on offense and some defensive issues. I don't think they have enough playmakers to hurt defenses, and their front seven looks like it isn't good enough to slow down any good offensive team.
3) Oakland Raiders (6-10): The Raiders show some improvement this year by winning 6 games, but I'm not buying into the Tom Cable and JaMarcus Russell era in Oakland. I think Jeff Garcia will be starting by Week 5, but I don't think he will be able to help the Raiders into the playoffs. The Raiders are a team in disarray and they always will be as long as Al Davis is running the team.
4) Denver Broncos (5-11): Warning: This is going to be long! Now we get to my team, The 2009 Denver Broncos. What an offseason: Shanny gets fired, Bowlen hires Josh McDaniels, McD fueds with Jay Cutler, they trade Cutler to Chicago, name Kyle Orton the starter, Brandon Marshall wants a trade, they don't address their awful front seven in the offseason, and now everyone is picking Denver to win no more than 6 games max. Why did I pick Denver to go 5-11 and finish last? Well, there are a couple of reasons: 1- Reverse Psychology 2- Too much drama in the offseason 3- A rookie head coach under the most pressure ever in NFL history 4-Subtracting Jay Cutler and adding Kyle Orton 5-Their defensive front seven doesn't have a lot of talent 6-I picked them to make the playoffs last year and they were 8-5 and collapsed to finish 8-8 and I'm not doing that again. There are a lot of negatives for the Broncos going into 2009. Their are also so many questions surrounding this team. How will the team respond to McDaniels when faced with adversity? How will Kyle Orton play learining a very difficult new offense? How will the Brandon Marshall situation play out? How much will they improve at all on defense? How will adjust to Mike Nolan's new 3-4 scheme? How will Champ Bailey bounce back? How will an old secondary fare? I will give you this: The Broncos might not be as bad as everyone predicts in 2009. Kyle Orton will have some weapons on offense (Royal, Marshall, Stokely, Gaffney, Graham, Scheffler, Moreno, Hillis, and Buckhalter) and he has a very good OL to work with. McDaniels is a tremendous play caller and offensive mind, so the offense could be pretty good. Maybe their defense comes together. They really can't get worse than they were last year. Maybe guys like Ron Fields, Kenny Peterson, DJ Williams, Robert Ayers, Andra Davis, and Elvis Dumervil step up and give that front seven some reliability. The secondary with Dawkins, Champ, Andre Goodman, Renaldo Hill, and Alphonso Smith plays well and creates some turnovers. Maybe they get a break in their schedule and catch some teams at the right time, and they win a few close games they shouldn't. Who knows? That's the thing about this Bronco team. The title of their 2009 Media Guide should be: "The 2009 Denver Broncos- Who the Hell Knows?" I'm not trying to drink the kool-aid too much, but stranger things have happened. The Broncos are a true sleeper this year, but I'm not gonna jinx them. I did that last year and look what happened. I like this spot for Denver- laying around in the weeds with no one expecting anything. Maybe the worst offseason in Denver Broncos history will be replaced with one of the most satisfying and surprising season in Denver Broncos history......We'll see.
AFC Playoff Predictions
1) San Diego (12-4)
2) Indy (11-5)
3) New England (11-5)
4) Pittsburgh (10-6)
5)Tennessee (10-6)
6) Cincy (9-7)
Wild Card Round
3-New England over 6-Cincy (Brady and Belichick move on to face Indy)
5-Tenn over 4-Pittsburgh (Tenn upsets the defending Super Bowl Champs)
Divisional Round
1-San Diego over 5-Tenn (SD moves on to host AFC Title game)
2-Indy over 3-New England (Manning outduels Brady)
AFC Championship
1-San Diego over 2-Indy (SD makes first SB since 1994)
SUPER BOWL XLIV
San Diego Chargers over Philadelphia Eagles
NFL Preview 2009- Part 1:NFC Predictions
Finally, my favorite blog entry of the year is here. After an entire offseason including the Combine, Free Agency, the Draft, Minicamps, OTAs, and Training Camp, I can finally post my 2009 NFL Preview and Predictions. Let me first explain why I love making predictions on the NFL season. It has been something that I have done since 1994. How do I remember that it started in '94? That was the summer that I had my first job. I worked in the backroom of an old card store packing and stuffing the Sunday newspapers. The only perk of the job was that the owner of the store gave me free magazines every Sunday after I worked. That Summer every week, I would go home with Pro Football Weekly, The Sporting News, Baseball America, and every NFL preview magazine that you existed at that time. I also got access to few dirty magazines as well, but that is a story for another forum. Anyway, I read all of these NFL magazines, and I decided to make predictions for the 1994 NFL season myself. I wrote them down on looseleaf before the season started, and I would see how I did at the end of the season. My 1994 picks didn't go so well: I had Denver beating the Cowboys in the Super Bowl. That was the last time I would pick Denver to go to the Super Bowl. Although my predictions didn't really pan out, I had fun doing it, so every August I would sit down and read all the NFL preview magazines, and make predictions. I guess I would call it my little guilty pleasure. I have done it every year since that Summer. Last year, I started this blog, and I was excited to be able to put down these predictions in a proper forum. Now my predictions post will be my favorite post of the year. I love doing it. Predicting the NFL is so hard and that is why it is so much fun. It is almost impossible to get most of your predictions right, but it is a challenge I thoroughly enjoy. Before I get to my 2009 NFC predictions, let me explain the formula for predicting an upcoming NFL season. I went over this last year, but let me just rehash it: At least 6 of the 12 playoff teams will be different from the year before. Last year 5 out of 12 made it back, only New England missed out to prevent 6 out of 12, and the Pats finished 11-5. Also, at least 4 of the 8 division winners will be different. Last year, only 2 out of 8 division winners repeated, but I expect this year more division winners will hold serve. Also, expect some teams that finished with 10 or more losses to jump up and make the playoffs in 2009. This happens every year, and 2008 was a record year with Miami, Baltimore, and Atlanta all getting into the playoffs after terrible seasons in 2007. Allright with all the clerical information out of the way here we go with the NFC predictions for 2009:
NFC EAST
1) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): I think the Eagles are primed and ready for a big season in 2009. I like what the Eagles added to their offense (Macling,McCoy, Peters), and I think McNabb has enough weapons (Westbrook, Celek, Jackson, and Curtis) to create a lot of offense. The passing of Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson is both tragic and troublesome. They will miss his schemes and presence. Also, losing Brian Dawkins will hurt, but I think the Eagles defense will do enough and get enough stops in big spots to get the job done. In a tough division, Philly is the best team and wins the East.
2) Dallas (10-6): The Cowboys are ready to get back into the playoffs. Dallas is a good team that fell apart down the stretch. They have a very good defense, and I think losing Terrell Owens won't be a major issue for the offense. Remember, TO had one of his worst seasons last year. Throw in the fact that Tony Romo will be without the distractions of Owens, and I expect a lot out of Romo this year. There wasn't a lot of noise out of Dallas this Summer and that is a good thing. The Cowboys get into the playoffs as a Wild Card.
3) New York Giants (8-8): Every expert thinks the Giants are the favorite in the NFC. On paper, that is true, but I just have a feeling about this. The Giants have been in the playoffs every year since 2005. It is hard to make the playoffs 5 years in a row. Not having a really viable replacement for Plaxico Burres will be an issue all year long for Eli and the Giant offense. I guess I going out on a limb, but I think the Giants take a step back this year. Maybe injuries play a role, or they just lose some close games, but I see the Giants missing out of the playoffs.
4) Washington Redskins (5-11): I am not a big fan of Jim Zorn as a NFL Head Coach. The Skins obviously wanted to upgrade their QB position and didn't, so there will be a lot of pressure on Jason Campbell this year. Their offensive line will struggle, and their defense can only do so much. The Redskins struggle in 2009, and it sets the stage for Mike Shanahan to become their new Head Coach in 2010.
NFC NORTH
1) Chicago Bears (12-4): The Bears added Jay Cutler and that trade will pay off for the Bears in 2009. Forget about the receivers, a big time QB will improve the offense and the receivers, and Cutler is that big time QB. He has good weapsons around him (Hester, Forte, and Olson), and a good offense will help that defense. The Bears will win the NFC North, and Cutler will be an MVP candidate.
2) Green Bay Packers (10-6): The Packers are back for a bounce back year in 2009. Aaron Rodgers is the real deal, and they improved their defense (Raji, Mathews, new DC). The Packers schedule is favorable, and I think they will battle it out with the Bears for the division title all the way into December. Green Bay gets back to the playoffs in 2009.
3) Minnesota Vikings (8-8): The whole Brett Favre saga was draining on every one in the organization. Even if Favre signed with the Vikings, I still don't think they would have made the playoffs. Now they are stuck with Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. Their defense is getting older and it is hard to keep that level of play on the defensive side going every year. The Vikings take a step back and miss the playoffs.
4) Detroit Lions (3-13): When you go 0-16 and clean house, the only place to go is up. The Lions are building a new program in Detroit, and new coach Jim Schwartz needs time to develop his program. Add in first overall pick, Matthew Stafford and any amount of victories will be considered a success. Detroit is a few years away, but in the NFL who knows. I think 3 wins would be a good stepping stone for the Lions in '09.
NFC SOUTH
1) Atlanta Falcons (11-5): I struggled with who would win this division in 2009, but I settled on the Falcons. Matt Ryan is the goods at QB, and having Michael Turner will help that offense. Don't forget that they added TE Tony Gonzalez. The trio of Ryan, Turner, and Gonzalez with Roddy White is a nice group of offensive skill players. John Abraham is a force on defense. The Falcons won't sneak up on anyone this year, but in a wide open division, I think they will get the job done and win the South.
2) New Orleans (9-7): I originally had the Saints penciled in as my division winner, but I changed that. I picked the Saints to get very far last year, and they burned me. I am not going to invest in them again. They will be good, especially on offense (Brees, Thomas, Bush, Colston, Moore, and Shockey), but I am not sold on their defense. I know they added a good DC in Greg Williams, but I'm still not sold. I see the Saints leading the division all year, then fading at the end. No playoffs for the Saints in '09, and Sean Payton on the hot seat.
3) Carolina Panthers (8-8): I think that crushing loss to Arizona last year will have an effect on this team. You know they will play hard, run the ball, and play solid defense, but I think the pressure will be on Jake Delhomme. I don't trust Delhomme, and the Panthers will take a step back in 2009 and miss the playoffs.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): The Bucs collapse at the end of last season was brutal, and it lead to the firing of Jon Gruden and the beginning of the Raheem Morris Era. I don't know if I can buy into Morris as a bonafide Head Coach in the NFL. I think the Bucs are rebuilding. I think they will start out slow, and maybe show some progress as the season goes on, but the Bucs are in for a rough 2009.
NFC WEST
1) Seattle Seahawks (10-6): I love the Seahawks as a bounce back team to win the NFC West. Matt Hasselback is back and healthy, and I love their WR Corps (Houshmanzadah, Burleson, and Branch). Their defense should rebound from a bad year in 2008. Also, they have one of the rare home field advantages left in the NFL. Jim Mora will do a nice job with this team, and he will be considered a coach of the year candidate by November. Seattle rebounds and wins the weak NFC West.
2) San Francisco 49ers (8-8): Mike Singletary will be able to motivate this team, and they will play hard. Their problem will be the QB spot. If it is Shaun Hill or Alex Smith, I don't see them getting the production they need to make the playoffs. The Niners could suprise this year, but I think they are a year away.
3) Arizona Cardinals (7-9): The annual "Super Bowl Hangover" hits the Cards this year. All of a sudden the Cardinals are relevant, and I think they take a step back this season. I think Kurt Warner will have trouble staying healthy-just a hunch- and I think they will get a lot of teams' A-Game. The Cards struggle and miss out on the playoffs.
4) St. Louis Rams (4-12): The Steve Spagnuolo Era begins in St. Louis. The Ram defense was awful last year, and I think Spags will help them a little bit, but he needs more time to build it. Steven Jackson could have a big year, but I think Marc Bulger will struggle. I think the Rams are a year away from making a playoff push.
2009 NFC Playoff Predictions:
1) Chicago (12-4)
2) Philly (11-5)
3) Atlanta (11-5)
4) Seattle (10-6)
5)Dallas (10-6)
6)Green Bay (10-6)
Wild Card Round:
3-Atlanta over 6-Green Bay (Matt Ryan gets his first playoff victory)
5-Dallas over 4-Seattle (Dallas gets first playoff win since 1996)
Divisional Round:
1-Chicago over 5-Dallas (Cutler gets his first playoff win)
2-Philly over 3-Atlanta (Philly gets to 6th NFC Title game since 2001)
NFC Championship:
2-Philly over 1-Chicago (Reid and McNabb win the NFC Title for the late Jim Johnson)
NFC EAST
1) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): I think the Eagles are primed and ready for a big season in 2009. I like what the Eagles added to their offense (Macling,McCoy, Peters), and I think McNabb has enough weapons (Westbrook, Celek, Jackson, and Curtis) to create a lot of offense. The passing of Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson is both tragic and troublesome. They will miss his schemes and presence. Also, losing Brian Dawkins will hurt, but I think the Eagles defense will do enough and get enough stops in big spots to get the job done. In a tough division, Philly is the best team and wins the East.
2) Dallas (10-6): The Cowboys are ready to get back into the playoffs. Dallas is a good team that fell apart down the stretch. They have a very good defense, and I think losing Terrell Owens won't be a major issue for the offense. Remember, TO had one of his worst seasons last year. Throw in the fact that Tony Romo will be without the distractions of Owens, and I expect a lot out of Romo this year. There wasn't a lot of noise out of Dallas this Summer and that is a good thing. The Cowboys get into the playoffs as a Wild Card.
3) New York Giants (8-8): Every expert thinks the Giants are the favorite in the NFC. On paper, that is true, but I just have a feeling about this. The Giants have been in the playoffs every year since 2005. It is hard to make the playoffs 5 years in a row. Not having a really viable replacement for Plaxico Burres will be an issue all year long for Eli and the Giant offense. I guess I going out on a limb, but I think the Giants take a step back this year. Maybe injuries play a role, or they just lose some close games, but I see the Giants missing out of the playoffs.
4) Washington Redskins (5-11): I am not a big fan of Jim Zorn as a NFL Head Coach. The Skins obviously wanted to upgrade their QB position and didn't, so there will be a lot of pressure on Jason Campbell this year. Their offensive line will struggle, and their defense can only do so much. The Redskins struggle in 2009, and it sets the stage for Mike Shanahan to become their new Head Coach in 2010.
NFC NORTH
1) Chicago Bears (12-4): The Bears added Jay Cutler and that trade will pay off for the Bears in 2009. Forget about the receivers, a big time QB will improve the offense and the receivers, and Cutler is that big time QB. He has good weapsons around him (Hester, Forte, and Olson), and a good offense will help that defense. The Bears will win the NFC North, and Cutler will be an MVP candidate.
2) Green Bay Packers (10-6): The Packers are back for a bounce back year in 2009. Aaron Rodgers is the real deal, and they improved their defense (Raji, Mathews, new DC). The Packers schedule is favorable, and I think they will battle it out with the Bears for the division title all the way into December. Green Bay gets back to the playoffs in 2009.
3) Minnesota Vikings (8-8): The whole Brett Favre saga was draining on every one in the organization. Even if Favre signed with the Vikings, I still don't think they would have made the playoffs. Now they are stuck with Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. Their defense is getting older and it is hard to keep that level of play on the defensive side going every year. The Vikings take a step back and miss the playoffs.
4) Detroit Lions (3-13): When you go 0-16 and clean house, the only place to go is up. The Lions are building a new program in Detroit, and new coach Jim Schwartz needs time to develop his program. Add in first overall pick, Matthew Stafford and any amount of victories will be considered a success. Detroit is a few years away, but in the NFL who knows. I think 3 wins would be a good stepping stone for the Lions in '09.
NFC SOUTH
1) Atlanta Falcons (11-5): I struggled with who would win this division in 2009, but I settled on the Falcons. Matt Ryan is the goods at QB, and having Michael Turner will help that offense. Don't forget that they added TE Tony Gonzalez. The trio of Ryan, Turner, and Gonzalez with Roddy White is a nice group of offensive skill players. John Abraham is a force on defense. The Falcons won't sneak up on anyone this year, but in a wide open division, I think they will get the job done and win the South.
2) New Orleans (9-7): I originally had the Saints penciled in as my division winner, but I changed that. I picked the Saints to get very far last year, and they burned me. I am not going to invest in them again. They will be good, especially on offense (Brees, Thomas, Bush, Colston, Moore, and Shockey), but I am not sold on their defense. I know they added a good DC in Greg Williams, but I'm still not sold. I see the Saints leading the division all year, then fading at the end. No playoffs for the Saints in '09, and Sean Payton on the hot seat.
3) Carolina Panthers (8-8): I think that crushing loss to Arizona last year will have an effect on this team. You know they will play hard, run the ball, and play solid defense, but I think the pressure will be on Jake Delhomme. I don't trust Delhomme, and the Panthers will take a step back in 2009 and miss the playoffs.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): The Bucs collapse at the end of last season was brutal, and it lead to the firing of Jon Gruden and the beginning of the Raheem Morris Era. I don't know if I can buy into Morris as a bonafide Head Coach in the NFL. I think the Bucs are rebuilding. I think they will start out slow, and maybe show some progress as the season goes on, but the Bucs are in for a rough 2009.
NFC WEST
1) Seattle Seahawks (10-6): I love the Seahawks as a bounce back team to win the NFC West. Matt Hasselback is back and healthy, and I love their WR Corps (Houshmanzadah, Burleson, and Branch). Their defense should rebound from a bad year in 2008. Also, they have one of the rare home field advantages left in the NFL. Jim Mora will do a nice job with this team, and he will be considered a coach of the year candidate by November. Seattle rebounds and wins the weak NFC West.
2) San Francisco 49ers (8-8): Mike Singletary will be able to motivate this team, and they will play hard. Their problem will be the QB spot. If it is Shaun Hill or Alex Smith, I don't see them getting the production they need to make the playoffs. The Niners could suprise this year, but I think they are a year away.
3) Arizona Cardinals (7-9): The annual "Super Bowl Hangover" hits the Cards this year. All of a sudden the Cardinals are relevant, and I think they take a step back this season. I think Kurt Warner will have trouble staying healthy-just a hunch- and I think they will get a lot of teams' A-Game. The Cards struggle and miss out on the playoffs.
4) St. Louis Rams (4-12): The Steve Spagnuolo Era begins in St. Louis. The Ram defense was awful last year, and I think Spags will help them a little bit, but he needs more time to build it. Steven Jackson could have a big year, but I think Marc Bulger will struggle. I think the Rams are a year away from making a playoff push.
2009 NFC Playoff Predictions:
1) Chicago (12-4)
2) Philly (11-5)
3) Atlanta (11-5)
4) Seattle (10-6)
5)Dallas (10-6)
6)Green Bay (10-6)
Wild Card Round:
3-Atlanta over 6-Green Bay (Matt Ryan gets his first playoff victory)
5-Dallas over 4-Seattle (Dallas gets first playoff win since 1996)
Divisional Round:
1-Chicago over 5-Dallas (Cutler gets his first playoff win)
2-Philly over 3-Atlanta (Philly gets to 6th NFC Title game since 2001)
NFC Championship:
2-Philly over 1-Chicago (Reid and McNabb win the NFC Title for the late Jim Johnson)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Lombardi's Take on McDaniels
The best analyst out there, Michael Lombardi, gave his impression of Josh McDaniels and evaluated what lies ahead for the new Head Coach of the Denver Broncos:
BACKGROUND
When he was hired by the Broncos in January, McDaniels, 33, was the youngest coach in the NFL (Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris, 32, has since assumed that distinction). McDaniels was born to coach: His father, Thom, is a successful high school coach in Ohio. Josh, after a successful playing career at John Carroll University, got his first job working for Nick Saban at Michigan State as a graduate assistant. On Saban’s recommendation, he moved to New England to work in the personnel department before transitioning into coaching. In the Bill Belichick program, cplayers and plays. Working for two of the top coaches in the game and learning the lessons taught by his successful father have helped McDaniels on his fast track to coaching in the NFL.
LES STECKEL EFFECT
McDaniels has full control of the roster and the full backing of owner Pat Bowlen. This support allowed McDaniels to make the call on trading quarterback Jay Cutler and starting his regime with Kyle Orton at the oaches and scouts at times become interchangeable parts, learning the essentials of both helm.
When McDaniels took the job in Denver, many in the NFL viewed it as the best job in the league because the team had a budding star at quarterback. But for whatever reason, it didn’t work. Now, McDaniels must make it work with Orton as he installs his unique offense, which will feature multiple looks, formations and packages.
With the Cutler trade, he got the team’s attention – there’s a new sheriff in town. With the power to hire and fire, McDaniels will have the players’ full attention when he stands in front of them at team meetings. There won’t be any question who’s in charge, and with a good, solid foundation of veteran players on the team, there will be cooperation between players and coaches.
THEY DIDN’T TELL ME THIS WOULD HAPPEN
McDaniels inherited a team built to score points but a defense that’s poorly constructed. Since 2003, the Broncos have drafted eight first-day (rounds 1-3) defensive players and have one starter to show for those efforts. In the 2006 and 2008 seasons, they didn’t select a defensive player on the first day. It’s no wonder the 2008 season was so bad on defense. It’s hard to play good defense when you don’t address your needs. As you look over the Broncos’ defensive roster, there are only two draft picks from previous years in the starting lineup. It’s hard to mix and match defensive talent and expect to put a quality product on the field. Elvis Dumervil is counted as one of the draft’s starters (D.J. Williams is the other), and I’m not sure he can hold down a starting position as he makes the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Dumervil is just an average rusher against bad tackles and is not very effective when the competition rises. He would have a hard time starting for many quality defensive teams in the NFL, which is always the key assessment.
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ON GAME DAY?
McDaniels is going to be a very busy man on game day, but despite of his youthful appearance, he’ll be ready for the challenge. Having spent time roaming the sidelines with Belichick is going to serve him well in terms of game preparation. The key to being effective on game day is being able to visualize the game before the game. Good game managers know the exact pace that will be required to win the game. Some games might be field position games, others might be offensive battles, but whatever is decided before the game, the key will be to rehearse those elements in practice so the actual calls are easy to make.
With McDaniels making the calls on offense, someone will need to be in his ear to help him with replays and other situations. Having a bad defense can place the play-caller at a disadvantage because there’s a fear that if you punt, you give away points. So there’s a sense of desperation with each call, wanting to make sure you don’t give the ball back without scoring some points.
I KNOW WHEN TO PUNT...I THINK
McDaniels is talking about being versatile with his offense, which means knowing that who’s on the field will dictate what kind of offense they run. When RB Knowshon Moreno is in the game, the Broncos might be spread, attempting to create a loose play attack. When LaMont Jordan is in the game, they might want to power teams with their run game and eat the clock. And based on the level of excellence in camp, other roles will be discovered. Nevertheless, the key for the opponent will be trying to figure out how they will attack your defense, not necessarily how they attacked the opponent the week before.
Last year, for example, even though the Patriots were not a power team, they played the Cardinals at home in Week 16 and started with two tight ends and two backs (with guard Ross Hochstein as the fullback). They knew the Cardinals did not adjust well to that formation, allowing the Pats to control the game and score four of the first five times they touched the ball. Controlling the game did not mean they ran the ball out of that formation, it just meant it gave the Patriots an advantage in both the run and pass elements of their offense. The key to being multiple on offense is not running new plays each week, but rather running the same plays from formations and personnel groups that specifically bother the defense.
McDaniels will be different each week. At times, he will be very aggressive with his calls; at other times, he will be very deliberate. He will be a student of how to give his team a chance to win games and will excel in this area.
I WISH WE HAD DONE...
There will be no doubt that this year the Broncos might take some steps to improve their defense, but they will still be too many players short of being consistent. I really believe they’ll regret not getting more beef for their defensive line in the draft; in fact, they should have dedicated more of the draft to the defensive line. Picking one defensive lineman for a team as bad in the defensive line as they are was a mistake. It will set the recovery time back. They’re so thin in the defensive line, it might get ugly in October if injuries occur to their front line players.
Drafting three defensive backs might look good now, especially since every starter in the secondary is over 30 years old, but with no pressure, they’ll be exposed no matter how young or old. Second-round pick Alphonso Smith (5-9, 193) worries me with his size at corner, especially when opponents get into the red area and try to find the smallest corner to throw the fade.
I AM GOING TO REMEMBER THIS ONE...
When October comes rolling around, the Broncos will be tested physically on both sides of the ball. Starting Oct. 4 with the Cowboys, followed by the Patriots, Chargers, Ravens and Steelers, Denver’s depth will really be tested. Injuries will creep up from playing these five physical games, and the Broncos will be thankful their bye comes after the first three, giving them time to heal their wounds.
THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT NEXT YEAR
McDaniels made a bold move trading Cutler, but by next season he will either be a hero or on the hot seat, depending on how his team plays. He controls his future with his ability to coach, lead the team and evaluate. The key for the team in 2010 will be finding out whether McDaniels has the Belichick ability to evaluate players or if he’s like other coaches from the tree, unable to handle that key element. My sense is McDaniels will be a very good coach for years to come, and much better in 2010.
BACKGROUND
When he was hired by the Broncos in January, McDaniels, 33, was the youngest coach in the NFL (Tampa Bay’s Raheem Morris, 32, has since assumed that distinction). McDaniels was born to coach: His father, Thom, is a successful high school coach in Ohio. Josh, after a successful playing career at John Carroll University, got his first job working for Nick Saban at Michigan State as a graduate assistant. On Saban’s recommendation, he moved to New England to work in the personnel department before transitioning into coaching. In the Bill Belichick program, cplayers and plays. Working for two of the top coaches in the game and learning the lessons taught by his successful father have helped McDaniels on his fast track to coaching in the NFL.
LES STECKEL EFFECT
McDaniels has full control of the roster and the full backing of owner Pat Bowlen. This support allowed McDaniels to make the call on trading quarterback Jay Cutler and starting his regime with Kyle Orton at the oaches and scouts at times become interchangeable parts, learning the essentials of both helm.
When McDaniels took the job in Denver, many in the NFL viewed it as the best job in the league because the team had a budding star at quarterback. But for whatever reason, it didn’t work. Now, McDaniels must make it work with Orton as he installs his unique offense, which will feature multiple looks, formations and packages.
With the Cutler trade, he got the team’s attention – there’s a new sheriff in town. With the power to hire and fire, McDaniels will have the players’ full attention when he stands in front of them at team meetings. There won’t be any question who’s in charge, and with a good, solid foundation of veteran players on the team, there will be cooperation between players and coaches.
THEY DIDN’T TELL ME THIS WOULD HAPPEN
McDaniels inherited a team built to score points but a defense that’s poorly constructed. Since 2003, the Broncos have drafted eight first-day (rounds 1-3) defensive players and have one starter to show for those efforts. In the 2006 and 2008 seasons, they didn’t select a defensive player on the first day. It’s no wonder the 2008 season was so bad on defense. It’s hard to play good defense when you don’t address your needs. As you look over the Broncos’ defensive roster, there are only two draft picks from previous years in the starting lineup. It’s hard to mix and match defensive talent and expect to put a quality product on the field. Elvis Dumervil is counted as one of the draft’s starters (D.J. Williams is the other), and I’m not sure he can hold down a starting position as he makes the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Dumervil is just an average rusher against bad tackles and is not very effective when the competition rises. He would have a hard time starting for many quality defensive teams in the NFL, which is always the key assessment.
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ON GAME DAY?
McDaniels is going to be a very busy man on game day, but despite of his youthful appearance, he’ll be ready for the challenge. Having spent time roaming the sidelines with Belichick is going to serve him well in terms of game preparation. The key to being effective on game day is being able to visualize the game before the game. Good game managers know the exact pace that will be required to win the game. Some games might be field position games, others might be offensive battles, but whatever is decided before the game, the key will be to rehearse those elements in practice so the actual calls are easy to make.
With McDaniels making the calls on offense, someone will need to be in his ear to help him with replays and other situations. Having a bad defense can place the play-caller at a disadvantage because there’s a fear that if you punt, you give away points. So there’s a sense of desperation with each call, wanting to make sure you don’t give the ball back without scoring some points.
I KNOW WHEN TO PUNT...I THINK
McDaniels is talking about being versatile with his offense, which means knowing that who’s on the field will dictate what kind of offense they run. When RB Knowshon Moreno is in the game, the Broncos might be spread, attempting to create a loose play attack. When LaMont Jordan is in the game, they might want to power teams with their run game and eat the clock. And based on the level of excellence in camp, other roles will be discovered. Nevertheless, the key for the opponent will be trying to figure out how they will attack your defense, not necessarily how they attacked the opponent the week before.
Last year, for example, even though the Patriots were not a power team, they played the Cardinals at home in Week 16 and started with two tight ends and two backs (with guard Ross Hochstein as the fullback). They knew the Cardinals did not adjust well to that formation, allowing the Pats to control the game and score four of the first five times they touched the ball. Controlling the game did not mean they ran the ball out of that formation, it just meant it gave the Patriots an advantage in both the run and pass elements of their offense. The key to being multiple on offense is not running new plays each week, but rather running the same plays from formations and personnel groups that specifically bother the defense.
McDaniels will be different each week. At times, he will be very aggressive with his calls; at other times, he will be very deliberate. He will be a student of how to give his team a chance to win games and will excel in this area.
I WISH WE HAD DONE...
There will be no doubt that this year the Broncos might take some steps to improve their defense, but they will still be too many players short of being consistent. I really believe they’ll regret not getting more beef for their defensive line in the draft; in fact, they should have dedicated more of the draft to the defensive line. Picking one defensive lineman for a team as bad in the defensive line as they are was a mistake. It will set the recovery time back. They’re so thin in the defensive line, it might get ugly in October if injuries occur to their front line players.
Drafting three defensive backs might look good now, especially since every starter in the secondary is over 30 years old, but with no pressure, they’ll be exposed no matter how young or old. Second-round pick Alphonso Smith (5-9, 193) worries me with his size at corner, especially when opponents get into the red area and try to find the smallest corner to throw the fade.
I AM GOING TO REMEMBER THIS ONE...
When October comes rolling around, the Broncos will be tested physically on both sides of the ball. Starting Oct. 4 with the Cowboys, followed by the Patriots, Chargers, Ravens and Steelers, Denver’s depth will really be tested. Injuries will creep up from playing these five physical games, and the Broncos will be thankful their bye comes after the first three, giving them time to heal their wounds.
THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT NEXT YEAR
McDaniels made a bold move trading Cutler, but by next season he will either be a hero or on the hot seat, depending on how his team plays. He controls his future with his ability to coach, lead the team and evaluate. The key for the team in 2010 will be finding out whether McDaniels has the Belichick ability to evaluate players or if he’s like other coaches from the tree, unable to handle that key element. My sense is McDaniels will be a very good coach for years to come, and much better in 2010.
Veterans Report: Training Camp 2009 Officially Underway
Friday, the Broncos held their first practice of training camp, and the Josh McDaniels' Era officially gets going. Here are some tidbits from Friday at Dove Valley:
1) Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers are still not signed yet. Other first round picks after these two have been signed already, so let's hope this gets done pretty soon. This better not last too long.
2) Champ Bailey, Marcus Thomas, and Renaldo Hill are all placed on the PUP list. They can be removed from the list at anytime. Interesting to see Champ on that list. Allegedly, they are on the list because they failed the conditioning test. I don't know about that because it seems strange that Champ would fail a conditioning test before camp starts. We'll see.
3) Brandon Marshall was at practice, and he looked really good in practice too. Let's hope that Marshall falls in line, and is happy about being a Bronco.
1) Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers are still not signed yet. Other first round picks after these two have been signed already, so let's hope this gets done pretty soon. This better not last too long.
2) Champ Bailey, Marcus Thomas, and Renaldo Hill are all placed on the PUP list. They can be removed from the list at anytime. Interesting to see Champ on that list. Allegedly, they are on the list because they failed the conditioning test. I don't know about that because it seems strange that Champ would fail a conditioning test before camp starts. We'll see.
3) Brandon Marshall was at practice, and he looked really good in practice too. Let's hope that Marshall falls in line, and is happy about being a Bronco.
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