NFL Season 2009

[XXXIV]

So which QB are the Rams taking in the draft.

I dont think you get a draft pick when you get relegated to the second division.

[dbdynsty25]

It's fun playing teams that have no earthly idea what they are doing on offense and can't stop the run at all. Makes everyone look good...even Rookie QBs making their first start.

Why is Scott Van Pelt Buffalo's OC again? He's got experience in NFL Europe at least.

[greggsand]

35-0 ... Niners get 3 TDs directly on turnovers as one INT and 2 fumbles are returned for TDs. The offense was -21. I think its a bug. It has to be a bug. Im waiting for the NFL to release a patch.

good one. If I was playing madden & that happened to me, I wouldn't 'save' my game & play it over again thinking "there's no waaay". rough...

[MizzouRah]

So which QB are the Rams taking in the draft.

I dont think you get a draft pick when you get relegated to the second division.

[Zeppo]

Weird scene at FedEx today with a mood that was a mixture of fear of losing to a terrible team and deep anger at our hated ownership and management. And what a way to start the game! This O-line is a complete disaster. After a 5yd run came a sack when the Bucs rushed only three, and then a sack and a fumble. The boos began. They got worse at the end of the half.

Thank goodness for Santana Moss. What a nice looking play, and what a wonderful release for us in the crowd, to have something good to scream about finally. I was sure Campbell threw it way too flat, but what a sight to see the ball and Moss work their way together. TV doesn't do that type of stuff justice at all.

It wasn't a pretty win, but it was a win. But what happens when we have to play the good teams?

[Brando70]

I'm still not sure how the Bears scored 48 considering Detroit had 120 more yards and 13 more minutes of possession. This team still seems afraid to just let the offense loose. Decades of bad QB play will do that. I honestly think if Ron Turner would pull the Shoop out of his ass, this team would be a strong NFC Championship contender. Didn't think that pre-season, but the defense is better than I expected.

The Broncos are officially legit, especially their defense. That team looked like a disaster in the making before the season started, but kudos to McDaniels for toughening them up.

I think I would have rather swallowed my tongue than watched the Skins and Bucs. I don't know how you did it, Zeppo.

The Rams and Bucs don't play each other this year...is 0-32 possible?

[RobVarak]

Brando,

You're not getting the benefit of the awesome power of a fully operational meatball Bears fan electorate. The Bears could average 350yds and 35pts per game, but if they don't rush for 200 while wearing leather helmets a vocal minority of morons will castigate the team for not doing it the Staley way.

[JRod]

The Broncos are officially legit, especially their defense. That team looked like a disaster in the making before the season started, but kudos to McDaniels for toughening them up.

So will say they are legit.

A lucky win against Cincy. Then wins against the Browns and Raiders. They should have lost against Cincy and the Browns and Raiders are terrible. The Cowboys have all sorts of problems and should have won this game. Maybe it was injuries or coaching but they dominated the Broncos until Barber went out. Broncos didn't so much win it as the Cowboys never could put it away. And when you leave teams around the NFL, they'll eventually hurt you.

Orton might be able to manage are way to the playoffs but as Bears fans saw he'll crumble eventually.

Nnow could you imagine this team with this defense and Cutler? Probably not as close of games and the Broncos had.

[Brando70]

Brando,

You're not getting the benefit of the awesome power of a fully operational meatball Bears fan electorate. The Bears could average 350yds and 35pts per game, but if they don't rush for 200 while wearing leather helmets a vocal minority of morons will castigate the team for not doing it the Staley way.

I especially don't get it because the one thing their receiving corps has is speed. It seems like if they threatened to go deep more, it would open up the running game, and if teams still stacked against the run, they could throw deep. Maybe Ron Turner needs to play a Bears franchise in Madden so he can see what this offense could do.

I do like the aggressiveness of the defense. Their blitzes still get picked up too much, but they're getting good pressure with the front four most of the time.

[RobVarak]

Brando,

You're not getting the benefit of the awesome power of a fully operational meatball Bears fan electorate. The Bears could average 350yds and 35pts per game, but if they don't rush for 200 while wearing leather helmets a vocal minority of morons will castigate the team for not doing it the Staley way.

I especially don't get it because the one thing their receiving corps has is speed. It seems like if they threatened to go deep more, it would open up the running game, and if teams still stacked against the run, they could throw deep. Maybe Ron Turner needs to play a Bears franchise in Madden so he can see what this offense could do.

I do like the aggressiveness of the defense. Their blitzes still get picked up too much, but they're getting good pressure with the front four most of the time.

Turner at heart is still a classic West Coast guy. He only likes to go deep on play action, and most of his plays are traditional catch-and-run routes. Between the Bears and Illinois I've watched him far too much. I think a lot of the lack of a vertical game has also come from the fact that Cutler's had to check down for lack of time. The OL has been ok, better than I expected actually; But they're still not solid enough to buy Cutler a lot of time to explore those few deeper routes that he does have.

I think the lack of a legitimate No. 2 back is hurting the offense as well. Wolfe's not an NFL back, and if they could spell Forte with a reliable runner it would help the rushing game a ton.

Agree with the defense. The biggest difference that I've seen between this year and previous defenses is responsiveness. Lovie is much better at adapting to the game on the field than his previous coordinators have been, which I think is one reason that we've seen them whipped up a bit early but toughen later in several games.

[Brando70]

So will say they are legit.

A lucky win against Cincy. Then wins against the Browns and Raiders. They should have lost against Cincy and the Browns and Raiders are terrible. The Cowboys have all sorts of problems and should have won this game. Maybe it was injuries or coaching but they dominated the Broncos until Barber went out. Broncos didn't so much win it as the Cowboys never could put it away. And when you leave teams around the NFL, they'll eventually hurt you.

Orton might be able to manage are way to the playoffs but as Bears fans saw he'll crumble eventually.

Nnow could you imagine this team with this defense and Cutler? Probably not as close of games and the Broncos had.

No doubt they would be SB contenders with Cutler, but they are a legitimate team. Orton is not going to beat teams with his arm, but he's thrown no picks in four games. He's a good game manager, and he's a good choice for a team like Denver that can run the ball well.

The Denver defense stepped up against a Dallas team that has been running on everyone. I think Romo is starting to show why he was undrafted. Even then, Dallas is still a pretty dangerous offensive team, and the Broncos kept them in check most of the game. Regardless of who they have played, they've given up 26 points in four games. The next closest team is San Fran at 53.

It's early and they've got a tough stretch coming up, so things could go south. But given the horrendous offseason they've had, I'm impressed with how they've come out of the gate. Confidence goes a long way in the NFL and they have to feel good after shutting Dallas down.

[JRod]

So will say they are legit.

A lucky win against Cincy. Then wins against the Browns and Raiders. They should have lost against Cincy and the Browns and Raiders are terrible. The Cowboys have all sorts of problems and should have won this game. Maybe it was injuries or coaching but they dominated the Broncos until Barber went out. Broncos didn't so much win it as the Cowboys never could put it away. And when you leave teams around the NFL, they'll eventually hurt you.

Orton might be able to manage are way to the playoffs but as Bears fans saw he'll crumble eventually.

Nnow could you imagine this team with this defense and Cutler? Probably not as close of games and the Broncos had.

No doubt they would be SB contenders with Cutler, but they are a legitimate team. Orton is not going to beat teams with his arm, but he's thrown no picks in four games. He's a good game manager, and he's a good choice for a team like Denver that can run the ball well.

The Denver defense stepped up against a Dallas team that has been running on everyone. I think Romo is starting to show why he was undrafted. Even then, Dallas is still a pretty dangerous offensive team, and the Broncos kept them in check most of the game. Regardless of who they have played, they've given up 26 points in four games. The next closest team is San Fran at 53.

It's early and they've got a tough stretch coming up, so things could go south. But given the horrendous offseason they've had, I'm impressed with how they've come out of the gate. Confidence goes a long way in the NFL and they have to feel good after shutting Dallas down.

Contender...

We got lucky to Cincy. The Raiders and Browns are terrible. Maybe a step above last year Lions bad. We've played bad offensive teams so far. The Cowboys wins was more of loss by the Cowboys than a win by the Broncos.

A lot of people have jumped on this bandwagon. But the wins we've had weren't wins because we were the better team, we were not. The next few weeks will be telling, we have New Egnland, Baltimore and Pitts. I think, I need to look at that again. But I know we have a few of the top teams to play.

And Orton as a game manager will be a disaster. When it gets tough they can't make plays and they'll crumble. Orton is a joke.

[Brando70]

The Cowboys wins was more of loss by the Cowboys than a win by the Broncos.

Look, I could care less about the Broncos. But I don't see how you can't give credit to Denver for winning that game. Their defense played really well. They shut down a tough Dallas running game, made a key pick against Romo, and had five sacks. Dallas did have a big yardage advantage in the first half, which would be meaningful if football games lasted only one half.

They are probably going to fall to earth somewhat given their schedule. However, they look considerably better than the Chargers, who have an atrocious defense this year, and I think Denver's got a pretty good chance of winning the AFC West. The next game against the Pats should indicate how they stack up against other elite AFC teams.

[TCrouch]

I have to go out now and say that after the loss to the Chargers (where the Raiders played well), I really thought they'd be exactly like my preseason prediction--closer to 8-8.

Now I think they'd be LUCKY to go 3-13 with the way JaMarcus is playing. They play the NFC East this year, and have absolutely no rushing game when the opposing teams can stack 9 guys in the box and JaMarcus can still miss wide open receivers, or dance around in the pocket long enough for a sack/strip.

Watching Russell's footwork is liking watching a jittery kid who's never played QB before. He has such a huge frame, but he constantly hops backward on one leg when he throws, and it's not getting any better. He'll NEVER be an NFL-caliber QB, but since they're so dead-set on giving him this season to audition for the job, that means that McFadden and Bush will consistently be blown up in the backfield.

Just suck, baby.

[RobVarak]

The Cowboys wins was more of loss by the Cowboys than a win by the Broncos.

Look, I could care less about the Broncos. But I don't see how you can't give credit to Denver for winning that game.

I kind of agree. But in all the credit being given to Marshall, people seem to be overlooking the shockingly bad tackling on that last play. Awful!

[pk500]

Why is Scott Van Pelt Buffalo's OC again? He's got experience in NFL Europe at least.

Alex Van Pelt.

He was on the Bills' radio team until 2005, when he worked with the University of Buffalo, then NFL Europe and then the "offensive quality control coach" and QB's coach for the Bills before being named the OC.

A pretty odd path that makes about as much sense as the Lions hiring Matt Millen out of the radio booth to be club president and GM, and we know how that went.

Regarding the offense, Van Pelt and/or Jauron don't trust Edwards to throw the ball downfield. My knee-jerk reaction is to say I can't blame them, as Edwards' arm strength isn't great.

But isn't that the reason the Bills got T.O., to out-leap defenders and grab those 50-50 jump balls? And can't Edwards hit Lee Evans on a streak when he's open by two steps?

Apparently not.

If Edwards continues to play like this, it's time to try Fitzpatrick. The Bills will go from a Stanford man to a Harvard man. From one football powerhouse to another.

At least the Bills' QB's could do well on the LSAT's if they want to pursue law school after football.

I don't see the Lynch-Jackson platoon working at running back, either. Freddie proved he's an NFL starter when Lynch was on dope leave, and Lynch doesn't seem to be the kind of team player who will accept a shared position.

Combine that with Buffalo's run defense giving up more than 470 yards combined the last two games, and the Bills' train is careening toward a brick wall very quickly. It's going to be an ugly wreck.

Take care,
PK

[RobVarak]

I think I would have rather swallowed my tongue than watched the Skins and Bucs. I don't know how you did it, Zeppo.

Someone on Deadspin caught Zeppo in his Redskins-game uniform.

[10spro]

After week four, I think the Colts are the team to beat. Peyton is well Peyton, they lose Gonzalez, the new core of receivers are adjusting rather well, new coach, the D is coming along and if Junior signs, watch out.

Should be a good one tonight between Min and GB.

[dbdynsty25]

Regarding the offense, Van Pelt and/or Jauron don't trust Edwards to throw the ball downfield. My knee-jerk reaction is to say I can't blame them, as Edwards' arm strength isn't great.

Alex, Scott, whatever. LOL.

As for the offense...my buddy (another die hard bills fan) is just so pissed that Edwards keeps checking down. He claims that Edwards doesn't trust the receivers at all so he won't throw a ball that they can go get. The best example was in the 4th quarter, deep in Bills territory and I think it was like 3rd and 10 (trailing by 28 or so) and instead of giving themselves a chance and throwing it past the first down marker, regardless of if it gets picked or not, he throws 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. My buddy literally went nuts...he says they do that all the time.

I mean, when you're down by that much, what's the harm in throwing a bomb to TO or Evans (both above average receivers)? I mean best case, a catch/pass interference/incompletion and worst case it's picked and it acts like a punt which you're gonna do anyway if you get -2 yards on a 3rd and 10 inside your own 20. It makes no sense.

I feel your pain man. The Dolphins have been fine this year, they've just been unlucky on the scoreboard. Unlike two years ago when they looked like the Bills do now. Literally having no idea what to do on offense and getting gouged regularly on D.

[pk500]

My buddy literally went nuts...he says they do that all the time.

He's absolutely right. One of the many reasons it's a good thing I'm bald. Otherwise, there were be clumps of hair in my basement every Sunday that I pulled out watching Edwards play.

I'm so sick of the Bills lacking a complete package at QB since Flutie in the late 90s. Rob Johnson and J.P. Losman belonged to the "Major League Body, Minor League Brain" club. Edwards is like Todd Collins before Flutie, a "heady QB," which is football-speak for "limited physical skills."

Bledsoe was pretty much shot when the Bills got him, and Kelly Holcomb was, well, Kelly Holcomb.

Frustrating.

Take care,
PK

[lexbur]

Cheer up PK, at least the Bills get the Browns this week. Bills are favored by 6.

Things have gotten so bad there's a bar near me offering to pick up your tab if you watch the game there and the Browns win...

[pk500]

If I was Mangini, I would put the ball in Harrison's gut about 40 times, and the Brownies might have a chance. The Bills' run defense has been HORRIFIC the last two games.

Take care,
PK

[Rodster]

I feel your pain man. The Dolphins have been fine this year, they've just been unlucky on the scoreboard. Unlike two years ago when they looked like the Bills do now. Literally having no idea what to do on offense and getting gouged regularly on D.

Looks like the Dolphins guessed right with Henne. I'm feeling a lot better after watching him play yesterday. He was poised for his first NFL start and made very few mistakes. Nice pick six by Vonte, that dude can play although he did some rookie mistakes which was to be expected. Three sacks for Cameron Wake, sweet.

[dbdynsty25]

Looks like the Dolphins guessed right with Henne.

I told you he'd be alright. Thought it was just against the Bills. If he does the same thing next Monday night against the Jets and their D, then I'll be more confident. He didn't make any terribly difficult throws yesterday except for maybe the TD to Hartline...that was pretty nice.

[JRod]

The Cowboys wins was more of loss by the Cowboys than a win by the Broncos.

Look, I could care less about the Broncos. But I don't see how you can't give credit to Denver for winning that game. Their defense played really well. They shut down a tough Dallas running game, made a key pick against Romo, and had five sacks. Dallas did have a big yardage advantage in the first half, which would be meaningful if football games lasted only one half.

They are probably going to fall to earth somewhat given their schedule. However, they look considerably better than the Chargers, who have an atrocious defense this year, and I think Denver's got a pretty good chance of winning the AFC West. The next game against the Pats should indicate how they stack up against other elite AFC teams.

The AFC West is the worst division in the league.

Here's why I can't give them credit. After Barber went out the Cowboys decided to turn the ball over to Romo. The Broncos played deep to stop Romo. The Cowboys were the better team before the half. And they lost because they didn't keep the same gameplan.

Broncos may win the division but all this talk about the real thing is crazy. They are a lucky team playing bad teams or poorly coached teams. We'll see what they do in the next few weeks.

And Orton will still show how bad of a QB he is. Yes we have more weapons but you know what, our WRs have saved his ass this year.