if its DRob’s knee? That could be serious…

I know it’s an old cliche’ but nodody has been cut and resigned more than Chad Mustard. His value has always been his versatility to play TE and Guard on the O-line. What helps is his knowledge of the playbook and his trap/block ability, however this could be the beginning of the end. There is much more talant and depth on the O-line than the past few years and Denver kept four Tight Ends last year besides Mustard.

I really think that Mustards services are limited on the OL with backups like Gandy ready to come in. They really don’t need him as a receiving TE, which leaves his only contribution as a blocking TE.

Is Graham enough, or do we really need Mustard as a blocking TE? If the answer is yes that they need Mustard, then mabey the depth at TE is overdone and guys like Jackson are losing stock.

No doubt that Mustards stock will depend on his own health and the health of the other Tight ends on this team. It’s still early, but I wouldn’t bet on Mustard being there in September.

To Mustard will probably be one of the last cuts if he is cut. He is valuable but sometimes ohter needs makes him expendable for a week or 2. On Martinez I always have thought since Royal was drafted he was the odd man out. Plus with signing Jackson and Colbert along with the Brandons. When was the last time Shanny kept 6 wr’s. Its a numbers game and unfortunately he is a victim of the numbers game.
Plus with Torian moving up thats a good thing. But I keep reading here where someone is specualting that he would go onto the IR. I would guess that with Shanny’s statement unless he does get hurt that probably wont happen

I hear that his stock is rising: some of our guys on MHR have referred to it. Might that be a problem for Jack Williams or, potentially, Barrett?

Never had any doubts about Fast Eddie. :)

I had concerns about Henry as of Pittman’s signing. Letters began to form on the wall.

I don’t see much hope for Martinez. I can’t see the Broncos wasting a roster spot for someone who is nothing more than a backup returner, especially with people such as Hall there.

Rumblings have seemed to come from camp that Foxworth is pushing Bly as a starter. That would make Bly’s injury even more serious for him, if that is true. Anyone else hear of at least implications of such?

I have this funny feeling of something good-and maybe sooner than reality should expect. For some reason I really like the players this camp. It may just be a funny feeling-but its a funny feeling of something good. Let’s clear out the distractions. Let’s bring in people that want to play. Let’s pretend we are the Denver Broncos again-a team-a team of players that love to play. Its a funny feeling—but a feeling of something good.

from me. I did find some quotes on him, early camp, good but general stuff.
I was a little surprised in going through draft scouting reports to find that the same draftee hits like a freight train but ‘finesse’ tackles, apparently a bad thing. Williams and Barrett were both lauded for football intelligence and panned for not having it, so I suppose it depends on which scouts you believe. This came up with jonahsilas’ remark:

Could really be played as an H-back, providing some of the blocking (although that was one of the biggest critiques of his game coming out) in situations where a backup blocking TE were needed.

Yep, twas said. But two reports added, “Can finesse block with good hand placement or hunker down and knock defenders back when leading on sweeps…Will get bounced around some lead blocking up the middle, but uses his shoulders well in attempts to widen the rush lane…Takes good angles into the second level to execute cut blocks…Can adjust on the move and is aggressive looking for targets to hit.” And:

He is technically sound and gives a good effort as a blocker. Gets in good position with solid leverage as a blocker. Does an excellent job of hitting the moving target in space and works hard to sustain once locked on. Shows very good awareness in pass pro. Runs hard with good pad-level and drives his legs to gain yards after contact.

Same old thing – Comes down to who did the analysis, and what is their perspective, I suspect. I noted yesterday that Scout.com rated Hillis as the 78th ranked player in the draft, and we got him at pick 227, so I suppose that we could have a steal in him.

Hey, firstfan, some extra Bear pics are always appreciated. I can tell the missus that they’re picn-up pics…..

from “sporting news draft”-

strengths: is a good, versatile athlete capable of contributing as a blocker, runner, and receiver from a variety of alignments(fullback, h-back, wingback, tight end and slot). as a receiver, shows good hands and runs sharp routes. keeps defenders on his back, plucking passes away from his body. is adept at going into motion and kicking out the containment defender to open up off-tackle holes for ballcarriers. has elusive running skills for a fullback.

weaknesses: is a positional run blocker who doesn’t deliver strong, aggressive blocks or consistently get through the line in time to block the linebacker. at times, looks disinterested in blocking. does not consistently stay after his block, allowing his man to get back into the play. is not a strong or powerful runner.

bottom line: the more film of hillis you watch, the more he grows on you because of his ability to contribute as a blocker, receiver, and ballcarrier. he is often compared to st. louis fullback brian leonard, but hillis is not as productive with the ball in his hands and must become a more consistent blocker.

he is also listed as “best receiver” for a fb, saying: “adjusts to make tough catches routinely, and knows how to get open.”

it appears his blocking may need some work from this writer’s opinion, anyway

in light of recent events, how does this all effect the fb situation? also, how is larsen looking as a fb candidate? my reasons for asking are this: does pittman seem headed for halfback competition only, now? is mike bell headed for rb competition now? if larsen makes the team as a backup fb, and hillis excels, do both sapp and bell get released? does this open up a potential spot for hall now? is torain now pretty much a lock at power rb? it looks like it might shape up this way:

fb-sapp, hillis
rb- young, torain, hall, pittman

i still don’t think alridge will make the team, and larsen at fb would have to be pretty impressive to stick there. maybe as a goal-line fb specialist/st’s, but is there room for that on the roster? any way we keep more than 2 fb’s and 4 rb’s, maybe another as a returning option? i would like to see pittman at fb, and bell at rb, in depth/specialists roles, but there is no way we keep 3 fb’s. it looks to me like sapp and bell have their work cut out for them, but i think sapp will stick with his fb experience here. bell may be odd man out here, if pittman looks good at either position. there’s much to sort out, and it’s too early to tell, but it will be interesting to see where shanny decides to give these guys reps in the coming months. stay tuned. your thoughts?

Is there a restriction by PSN how many players you can have on the team? i.e. could you have 53 RBs if you wanted (not that you would). Or is it just 53? Thanks.

Thank you all! Just one more reason why I love MHR.

I used to do some research, wrote a couple textbooks. I mention is only because verbosity is an occupational hazard :)

Thanks, Dave:

peyton hillis
from "sporting news draft"-
strengths: is a good, versatile athlete capable of contributing as a blocker, runner, and receiver from a variety of alignments(fullback, h-back, wingback, tight end and slot). as a receiver, shows good hands and runs sharp routes. keeps defenders on his back, plucking passes away from his body. is adept at going into motion and kicking out the containment defender to open up off-tackle holes for ballcarriers. has elusive running skills for a fullback.

weaknesses: is a positional run blocker who doesn’t deliver strong, aggressive blocks or consistently get through the line in time to block the linebacker. at times, looks disinterested in blocking. does not consistently stay after his block, allowing his man to get back into the play. is not a strong or powerful runner

This is from his scouting report, this one through ESPN, I believe:
Can finesse block with good hand placement or hunker down and knock defenders back when leading on sweeps…Will get bounced around some lead blocking up the middle, but uses his shoulders well in attempts to widen the rush lane…Takes good angles into the second level to execute cut blocks…Can adjust on the move and is aggressive looking for targets to hit.
Then there’s Rivals.com –
As a fullback, he needs further work as a lead blocker from both a strength and hand technique standpoint, but he has the physical talent to develop further in that key role. Though he was not an overpowering blocker, he gets into an opponent and gives movement with the ability to consistently seal the corner.

And not to beat the insensate equine, but from nfl.com -
Hillis is one of the best fullbacks in the draft. Some had him rated higher than Owen Schmitt who was taken earlier. He was one of the main players responsible for opening up holes for first-rounders Felix Jones and Darren McFadden and will have a chance to contribute right away in the NFL as a blocking fullback…A punishing blocker, a powerful runner and a natural receiver…

You’ve GOT to love this guy. Other than the back injury, he’s supposed to be too small but has character by the ton and a heart like a lion. Gonna be a fun year…