Horse Tracks 5/7/09

by Douglas A. Lee on May 7, 2009 5:30 AM MDT in Horse Tracks Comment 31 comments

Horsetracks_new_medium

ESPN - According to Pork Chop, the Broncos are reportedly interested in signing OT Levi Jones as a backup to Ryan's Clady and Harris. Jones was cut by the Bungles.

t - Drew Rosenhaus says his client, former Texans RB Darius Walker worked out with the Broncos yesterday.

DB - Gray Caldwell examines the Broncos three quarterbacks, getting quotes on how they view themselves and each other, plus Josh McDaniels' viewpoint.

IN - Here's a pre-draft interview with NT Chris Baker, who Denver signed as a UDFA.

HI - Over in NJ, Knowshon Moreno is a legend. Here's a profile of the newest Broncos running back from a hometown paper.

ESPN - Since I feel like I dropped the ball here, a programming reminder. Rick Reilly's Homecoming show with John Elway will air tonight at 8pm EST on ESPNU. It will also be on ESPN Classic tomorrow night at 8pm EST and Sunday Morning at 7am EST. In case you miss all of those, it will be on ESPN2 next Thursday, May 14th at 8pm EST.

NFP - Here's what stood out to Wes Bunting about the seventh-round, including his approval of Denver's choice (Blake Schlueter).

DP - So if you must know, McDaniels is moving into Tom Nalen's neighborhood. Penny Parker has all of the obnoxious details.

KCS - Tamba Hali will get to try out the elephant position with the Chefs, since he couldn't hack it as a 4-3 end.

SFG - Jokeland is reportedly interested in old friend Michael Pittman.

NFL - That was quick; forget about Larry Foote, folks. The linebacker has already signed a one-year deal to go home to Detroit.

NFL - The Bungles agreed to terms with ~~overrated horse-collar tackler headhunter~~ safety Roy Williams, formerly of the Cowboys.

t - Peter King is hearing that Colts WR Marvin Harrision will retire.

NFL - The builder of the Cowboys' ill-fated practice bubble has had other structures collapse due to inclement weather. Hello, Lawsuit.

Y! - New England's third-round choice, LB Tyrone McKenzie, tore his ACL in during mini-camp and will miss the entire 2009 season. Ouch.

NFP - Robert Boland eulogizes the late Jack Kemp.

NFP - Matt Bowen looks at QBs who directed spread offenses in college and explains why they don't fit in the NFL.

CBS - Coaches league-wide are upset about changes to the NFL's pension plans.

FOX - Jeff Legwold looks at some recent draftees he considers to be high-risk/high-reward undertakings for their new teams.

SI - Ross Tucker says Mark Sanchez's charisma will only take him so far. In New York, that is definitely the case (What have you done for me in the last 3 minutes?).

NYT - Statheads unite! K.C. Joyner is looking at more ways to measure O-Line run-blocking and running backs, and so far it looks like he's onto something. Of course, if you can only be bothered to look at wins and losses, don't waste your precious time with this link...

*******Brett Favre Comeback Section (Puke)*******

SI - Don Banks has some sharp words for Brett Favre and Bus Cook.

NFP - Mike Lombardi explains how Brett Favre has tossed away our trust like yet another interception (yes, even I used to like the guy).

ESPN - Gene Wojciechowski is hoping Favre comes back yet again.

SI - Steve Aschburner thinks Minnesota would be atwitter if Favre joined the Vikes.

NFL - Vic Carucci says the Packers/Vikings rivalry will reach new levels if Favre heads to Minnesota.

NFP - Andrew Brandt is wondering about Brett Favre, the Legacy Games, and Darnell Dockett's trade demands.

NFP - Matt Bowen is actually happy that Brett Favre is probably coming back.

CBS - Clark Judge doesn't get why the Vikings are interested.

ESPN - John Clayton chimes in. At least he manages to put out a full column without ripping the Broncos or Josh McDaniels.

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Good Morning

Lots of goodies today. Thanks NYC

My Dad told me about the 4 seasons:
Pre-season
Regular-season
Post-season
Off-season

by KaptainKirk on May 7, 2009 6:23 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Morning nyc, Horse Tracks and Coffee--what a way to start your day...

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on May 7, 2009 6:33 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks man!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????

by boydy2669 on May 7, 2009 7:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Morning fellas

Thanks NYC

by diviesti on May 7, 2009 7:09 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

System players

Somebody better call Drew Brees and tell him he’ll never amount to anything in the NFL because he’s a system player. I have issue with the premise presented in the Matt Bowen article because it’s false logic. You don’t fail in the NFL because you came from a spread offense, you fail because you don’t have the ability to play in anything else. Just because a guy comes from a ‘system’ doesn’t mean he won’t transition to the pros. There are guys who don’t come from offenses like Tech that don’ t make the jump, either. It’s all about the individual and his abilities to both learn and produce in a system. It’s just glaring when a guy has such high production in college but doesn’t get drafted. For some reason, scouts didn’t see a lot of what it takes in Harrell this year.

by BroncosBassist on May 7, 2009 7:40 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

I think you missed Bowen's point...

He was not saying that these guys couldn’t cut it because they came form a system. He was saying that they were successful in college because of the system they played in and that doesn’t always translate to the pros.

by SlowWhiteGuy on May 7, 2009 9:10 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Poorly presented point, IMHO

It isn’t that he didn’t have a point regarding guys like Harrell. I think he’s right — the system masks the problems with ability. NFL writers tend to present that point in a way that is misleading to the average football fan, I think. His point is that some guys look good in college because of system, but can’t make it in the NFL. It came across as ‘system guys can’t make it in the NFL.’ Subtle difference, to be sure, but still a difference. Brees and our own Orton could be lumped into that college-system quarterback bucket and forgotten about, but they both have the ability to perform at the professional level.

Thanks for the discussion. I have a tendency to post quickly and open myself up for argument sometimes. :)

by BroncosBassist on May 7, 2009 9:23 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It also takes the right system in the pros too...

Brees struggled at SD early on and it either took him time to adjust to the NFL style of play, or .. it took time for him to find the right offensive system that took advantage of those things he does best.

I think you can see Orton’s enthusiasm for THIS system as opposed to what he was being asked to do in Chicago.

Innovative coaches create opportunities for players who may not be matched to more traditional offenses. The scheme can change the value placed on certain skill sets.

The bottom line is still going to come down to some very basic things for any QB. Does he have the skills to learn and execute the offense we are running? There are still some questions on Matthew Stafford and his decision making ability.

It could be argued that Archie Manning was a great QB ruined by the system he went into and the beatings he took because of the lack of talent around him. We will never know. I can think of a lot of great QBs who would not have survived in Denver in the mid 80s. Had Montana been here instead of Elway, his career might have been over in 5 years.

"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987

by AlanC on May 7, 2009 10:15 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cutler's tools deserve mention here

since they are the types of tools that transcend system. Cutler can realistically play in ANY system. I wonder what that degree of flexibility might cost in specialization? Off hand I would say nothing,as in, he has the arm and the feet to keep plays alive after they break down, but a system would be asking for some different contributions….

There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

by Jeremy Bolander on May 7, 2009 1:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that Cutler can be successful in any type of system

What’s arguable is the degree of his success. Since JC has such a big arm and loves to use it, I would argue that he would not be nearly as successful in a system that relies on short to medium passes over the deep ball. Also, given his tendency to lock on to his first target and trust his rocket arm to squeeze the ball in there he wouldn’t thrive (or be happy) in a system that requires the QB to run through all of their progressions and either throw to the open man or throw the ball away. A system similar to the one McD is installing here in Denver. I believe that was a big factor in why Cutler demanded a trade. He’s not a dink and dunk QB. He wants to air it out every play.

From Cutler’s perspective, I don’t think he has ever seen a covered receiver. No matter how small the window is, he has confidence that he can get it in there. While he has the skill set to make some remarkable throws in tight places, this very skill set causes his biggest weakness IMO. Once he learns to throw to the open receiver or throw the ball away, he will then transcend an elite QB and could turn out to be one of the best ever. I used to pray he would get it mentally, now I pray that he doesn’t (at least not this year…come on high draft pick!).

If we could have just screwed another head on his shoulders, he would have been the greatest QB who ever lived.

by c_style on May 7, 2009 1:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

c_style

I agree and think Cutlers Ego caught him up with poor decisions to rifle the ball into double coverage as opposed to finding the open receiver or at least looking off the safety. Subtle nuances could have made a difference in his performance. I like the kid and think he is talented, but also think his youth stands out in his decision making.

My Dad told me about the 4 seasons:
Pre-season
Regular-season
Post-season
Off-season

by KaptainKirk on May 7, 2009 6:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that...he has the tools and now he needs the mental game!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????

by boydy2669 on May 7, 2009 7:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's certainly interesting to consider

that to a certain extent we’re building a system in which most QBs can succeed. That unties our hands, in terms of being beholden to a “franchise QB.” Maybe Jay saw the writing on the wall.

"They need a hero to tell them that the impossible can become possible..... WHEN... YOU'RE... AWESOMMMME!" -- Rhino the Hamster

by broncosmontana on May 7, 2009 2:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, NYC, for your continued coverage.

Levi Jones? Darius Walker? What’s this fetish McDaniels has with the offense?

Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy

by AZDynamics on May 7, 2009 8:11 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Love the new section :)

though you might want to make it a Bus Cook section (Puke) and keep it permanently.

by trumanj on May 7, 2009 8:29 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Good morning all and thanks NYC

• So let me get this straight: Favre still has a partially torn biceps in his throwing arm, hasn’t worked out at all this offseason, turns 40 in October, and lost four of his final five starts last season, throwing nine interceptions, two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 55.4? Yeah, I can see why the Vikings would jump all over him.

Classic Don Banks!

By the way, he also said that if he was cook he’d be rooting for Cutler in the division because Cutler’s next contract will be the motherlode, and he asked “What’s three percent of a motherlode?”

Now I know most show business agents routinely make 10% — do sports agents only make 3%??? No wonder Kareem and OJ ended up doing comedies.

"They need a hero to tell them that the impossible can become possible..... WHEN... YOU'RE... AWESOMMMME!" -- Rhino the Hamster

by broncosmontana on May 7, 2009 8:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs