NFL Off Season

[SomecallmeTim]

Does it seem to anyone else that sports writers...

I read a lot of football related articles during the offseason due to the fact that I'm a full-blown NFL addict, and I'm with you. I'm pretty sick of hearing about the Redskins in particular, who have seemingly stunned the media by acquiring two wideouts so talented that neither of them has ever eclipsed 800 yards in a season. It's a solid upgrade at the position for sure, but you'd think they signed Steve Smith and Torry Holt by the way they get talked up by the national press.

 

[Curry46]

I forgot about the whole Al Saunders thing. Hopefully that won't hurt the Chief's offensive dominance...

 

[wolfs]

I forgot about the whole Al Saunders thing. Hopefully that won't hurt the Chief's offensive dominance...

The system's in place, there's not a lot of new faces on the offense, I think Herm said he's not changing a thing about the O, I wouldn't worry if I were you... they'll probably call a few more running plays this year.

 

[Adam Barkley]

Mario Williams has the potential to flop bigger... DE's don't have glamorous jobs (well, they do relatively for the front seven, but that's not saying much). I want Mario to prove 'em all wrong, but I don't think he will. I think he will be a good, but not great DE... again, I hope I'm wrong.

Bush, on the other hand, if he gets over his ego and gets a deal done (I certainly hope that "sitting out the whole season" talk is just a contract strategy) going into training camp, I think he'll have a crazy season, mainly as a return man with a few touches out of the backfield and a couple slants and deep routes... imagine the swing if he scores three or more special teams touchdowns this year... that's pretty huge.

Bush will not get 1000 yards. Between a O line that is part swiss cheese, sharing rushing duties with Duece, and realizing that he, the one time "most electricifying player in college sports" is now playing for one of the biggest duds in the league.

That's if he doesn't get injured. Nobody in the this draft will have a bigger target on him. He's lucky the truly dirty players (Romanoski) are less common than they used to be.

 

[wolfs]

I read a lot of football related articles during the offseason due to the fact that I'm a full-blown NFL addict, and I'm with you. I'm pretty sick of hearing about the Redskins in particular, who have seemingly stunned the media by acquiring two wideouts so talented that neither of them has ever eclipsed 800 yards in a season. It's a solid upgrade at the position for sure, but you'd think they signed Steve Smith and Torry Holt by the way they get talked up by the national press.

It always seems to me that Championship teams are made up of more than a collection of individual talents... certainly some of the dynasties of the past had that feel, e.g. a collection of individuals, the Cowboys in the 90's in particular. There's a special feeling around the team that wins the SB all year... I guess that's a hard thing to nail down since now is the time of hope (as Peter King's very decent article today was talking about). How do you seperate the truly inspired lockerrooms from the long shots?

I just remember when the Packers' 96 season... whatever anyone else thought before the season, the entire state felt like we were going to finally make it to the Super Bowl and win. The Steelers had that swagger to them last year when they were behind the eight ball. I got a similar vibe from the Broncos until that Championship game... aside from that game, they were like, "no one knows just how good we are." I have to say that the few times I saw the Colts, they didn't have that even with all the buzz around the almost perfect season. They were winning to be sure but the offense looked off at times... winning in the playoffs is about everything clicking on all cylinders, about things like special teams going your way... about decent players playing like superstars (and then parlaying that attention into undeserved and lucrative FA contracts ).

Ah well, is it too obvious that I'm dying for the regular season here!!!

 

[wolfs]

Bush will not get 1000 yards. Between a O line that is part swiss cheese, sharing rushing duties with Duece, and realizing that he, the one time "most electricifying player in college sports" is now playing for one of the biggest duds in the league.

That's if he doesn't get injured. Nobody in the this draft will have a bigger target on him. He's lucky the truly dirty players (Romanoski) are less common than they used to be.

I don't think Bush will get 1000 yards rushing... he may get 1000 yards all purpose... and he may score 10-15 touchdowns. I think other teams will be gunning for him, but I think it'll take a year to figure out how to get him. I think at most he'll rush for 700 yards (probably more like 600) but he'll be used to stretch the play out to the flat and from sideline to sideline to make up for Jarlsberg offensive--and I mean, offensive--line. I imagine the game plan will be more of a dink-and dunk, three step drops, screens, quick slants affair...

Let me just say that it's a wonderful thing that the Saints dropped Aaron Brooks. Good for both parties. I know the Saints always manage to drag their talent down to the murky deeps of the Mississippi basin, but if Brees makes it back from surgery okay, he's just the sort of bland gamer to run an offense with two players incredibly more talented than him.

 

[jive1]

I read a lot of football related articles during the offseason due to the fact that I'm a full-blown NFL addict, and I'm with you. I'm pretty sick of hearing about the Redskins in particular, who have seemingly stunned the media by acquiring two wideouts so talented that neither of them has ever eclipsed 800 yards in a season. It's a solid upgrade at the position for sure, but you'd think they signed Steve Smith and Torry Holt by the way they get talked up by the national press.

Living here in DC, I have to say that I get tired of the Redskins hype in terms of their free agent signings. There biggest improvements have been on the coaching side with Joe Gibbs, Gregg Williams, and now Al Saunders. That's what made the difference, not the revolving door of high priced free-agents that make for media highlights. Every year they open up the wallet, sign some big names, cut some big names, have a decent season but seem to miss some element that puts them over the hump.

Hey Snyder, how about trying to buy some contintuity?

As far as hype, the Redskins get a lot, but IMO NY teams get the most. Even when they suck, there's always a media frenzy and hype surrounding the possibilities of the teams.

 

[jive1]

As much as it's easy to make a target of Reggie Bush, he does have a lot of potential. Not because he was good in college, but because he has shown his knowledge of the game and displays quickness and strength. He's not just a guy with good numbers in college, but he's a freak in terms of lateral movent and the ability to cut and accelerate. Plus the guy showed his strength in games and at the combine.

He might have a slow start in the Big Easy, but he'll develop. If Deuce McAllister can rack up 1000 yard seasons, a quicker guy that hits the hole faster can too. Plus Bush is as fast as any of their receivers, and he'd make a great back for running a motion play and running clear outs. It's a matter of his ability to learn pro style receiving and route running.

Bush is a different athlete than other well known busts like KiJana, Leeland McElroy, Curtis Enis, etc.. He has some once in a lifetime athletic ability.

Aside from injuries, I think this kid will live up to his potential.

 

[wolfs]

It's a matter of his ability to learn pro style receiving and route running.

I think playing in Norm Chow's USC offense has will give him the jump on getting the NFL transition...

I guess the only real concern about Bush to my mind is how small he is... he's strong, no doubt, but he didn't play up against many of our big midwestern college linebackers out there in Californy... man, how hard is Julius Peppers going to take him down on an end-around that Peppers sniffs out? Ouch! It seems like he has the possibility to be injured a good deal, but what RB doesn't.

I still think Bush will score 3 special teams touchdowns, at least 2 on punt returns... and if he catches 30 passes or so, that's already better than most first year WRs do.

 

[jive1]

I think playing in Norm Chow's USC offense has will give him the jump on getting the NFL transition...

I guess the only real concern about Bush to my mind is how small he is... he's strong, no doubt, but he didn't play up against many of our big midwestern college linebackers out there in Californy... man, how hard is Julius Peppers going to take him down on an end-around that Peppers sniffs out? Ouch! It seems like he has the possibility to be injured a good deal, but RB doesn't.

I still think Bush will score 3 special teams touchdowns, at least 2 on punt returns... and if he catches 30 passes or so, that's already better than most first year WRs do.

I agree his frame is a little small for a 20-30 carry guy, but somehow Tiki Barber, Warrick Dunn, and Charlie Garner managed to have productive careers despite their size. And Bush has more athletic ability than all of them.

I think he'd make a great candidate to pull a Tim Brown. He would make a great WR, especially as a slot receiver. He'd be a mismatch strengthwise for most nickelbacks, and if he motioned into the slot and depending on the D formation, he could line up against a linebacker or safety, where his speed will be a mismatch. I can really see him fitting into that role and thriving, if only because of his YAC ability.

 

[jive1]

BTW guys, I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really miss football.

 

[Adam Barkley]

I agree his frame is a little small for a 20-30 carry guy, but somehow Tiki Barber, Warrick Dunn, and Charlie Garner managed to have productive careers despite their size. And Bush has more athletic ability than all of them.

I think he'd make a great candidate to pull a Tim Brown. He would make a great WR, especially as a slot receiver. He'd be a mismatch strengthwise for most nickelbacks, and if he motioned into the slot and depending on the D formation, he could line up against a linebacker or safety, where his speed will be a mismatch. I can really see him fitting into that role and thriving, if only because of his YAC ability.

The only viable comparision between Dunn and Bush is height. Dunn is a 5'6" or so mountain of a man. To say he doesn't have once in a lifetime ability, is kind of weird. Maybe not once in a lifetime for all sizes, but for his size he is the power rusher best I've ever seen. I knew that back when I watched him at FSU.

That said I hope Bush helps his team and has a long career there. Guys like Gard need some rays of sunshine. Also, the team won't stay in the Big Easy if they don't turn out fans (not that is a problem regardless of how much they suck).

I bet he is playing for a defensive team looking for some offense in a few years. Hello Chi-town.

 

[wolfs]

BTW guys, I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really miss football.

Ha! Yeah, man, me too... did you ever pick some NFL Films? I would recommend watching the series covering Super Bowls I-X with emphasis on numbers I and II

But, hey, training camps are opening up this week. We'll get to get some news about how things are coming together and end some of this open ended speculation.

 

[jive1]

Ha! Yeah, man, me too... did you ever pick some NFL Films? I would recommend watching the series covering Super Bowls I-X with emphasis on numbers I and II

Yes, I did. I got the Bears history DVD that spans over 80 years of Bears football. Brought man-tears to my eyes when I watched the highlights of Butkus, Sayers, and Payton.

 

[wolfs]

Yes, I did. I got the Bears history DVD that spans over 80 years of Bears football. Brought man-tears to my eyes when I watched the highlights of Butkus, Sayers, and Payton.

Hard not to be inspired by such talented players... what's the earliest that they have video footage of players and games?

 

[jive1]

Hard not to be inspired by such talented players... what's the earliest that they have video footage of players and games?

They went back to the first years of pro football back when the Bears were the Decatur Staleys, and players wore leather helmets. Red Grange, Bronco Nagurski, and Sid Luckman were represented.
Players back then were real iron men. 12 man rosters with guys playing both offense, defense, and special teams.

And, seeing Halas and Lombardi shaking hands on the sidelines after a game made me quiver with reverence.

 

[cheezewiz]

Bears still suck.

 

[wolfs]

They went back to the first years of pro football. Red Grange, Bronco Nagurski, and Sid Luckman were represented.

And, seeing Halas and Lombardi shaking hands on the sidelines after a game made me quiver with reverence.

Ah! To revere, respect, and fear our coaches like that! Won't happen again, unfortunately...

Wow, they have actual video footage from the 1920's and 1930's... I would've thought that the earliest player footage (not just photos montages, latter day interviews, etc.) would've been from the late 1940's. Very cool!

"I was interviewing George Halas and I asked him who is the greatest running back you ever saw. And he said, 'That would be Red Grange.' And I asked him if Grange was playing today, how many yards do you think he'd gain. And he said, 'About 750, maybe 800 yards.' And I said, 'Well, 800 yards is just okay.' He sat up in his chair and he said, 'Son, you must remember one thing. Red Grange is 75 years old.'" -- Chris Berman

 

[Curry46]

I agree his frame is a little small for a 20-30 carry guy, but somehow Tiki Barber, Warrick Dunn, and Charlie Garner managed to have productive careers despite their size. And Bush has more athletic ability than all of them.

You beat me to it. I was gonna say Tiki Barber comes to mind. He could be real good, I'm just not sure that Bush is going to be real good in New orleans.

But you know what I'm excited for, maybe even more than the NFL? College football. But damn that ESPN insider thing.. I wanna read what they have to say about my favorite Jayhawks. But what's really cool is a guy who went to my high school a few years ago, Mike Rivera, is probably gonna be a beastly middle linebacker for KU this year I hope, anyways...

 

[clavefa]

My favorite teardrops to see are in green and yellow.

Truth is when was the last time the Packers had a "star" receiver before Walker? Sterling Sharpe. Now I know that a younger Favre and healthy Sharpe would have made a great Cheesehead porno flick, but the truth is that Favre made mediocre to average receivers into productive players. Brooks, Freeman, Schroeder, Glenn, and Driver are/were average receivers. None of them were stars, and all flopped when they played on other teams. Ferguson was on the team for 3-4 seasons and had plenty of snaps with the first team. Driver was healthy for the season. And the loss was Walker for the season and Franks for a few games. The O-line was pretty bad, and the running game was inconsistent, but the WCO with it's short drops and quick passes are designed to alleviate blitzes and the pass rush.

Unfortunately, the devil's spawn has lost the milliseconds off his throws that are the difference between a completion and interception. He's always been a gambler who relied on his fastball, but it's declining. Sure some of the INTs were receiver errors, but that excuse doesn't buy Joey Harrington any slack in Detroit.

Satan is either tired of bailing out his kid, or he's calling him back home for other duties. Either way, I'm looking forward to more of this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Link Removed

Remember This11