What John Clayton Has Revealed About His Football Knowledge
by HillisRanUover on Sep 8, 2009 5:10 PM MDT
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(Obviously this is written with my tongue, ever so slightly in my cheek...:)
Alright, I am as tired of John Clayton as anyone, but his 3-13 prediction for the Broncos this year just proved his ignorance and ineptitude regarding the entire game of Football. Hey John... here's some wisdom for you...
"Better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Better put some tape over that trap, Mr. Clayton, or you might reveal the obvious. Ooops. Too late.
Mr. Clayton... here are some things to consider... (and please, strap on your thinking cap because it might be kind of complicated for a seasoned NFL expert like yourself.)
The Broncos have a better Offensive Line than last year. Returned all 5 starters. 12 sacks last year... with a rook on the left side. These guys can only be getting better.
The Broncos have a better Running Game than last year... by far!!! We know how good Hillis was last year, until his injury, but now we added Moreno and Buckhalter. Dude, compare who was in the backfeild last year and then tell me we are not 1000 times better right now.
The Broncos have a better WR corp than last year. Brandon Marshall is going to play this year... and play big because it's "Contract Time". Eddie Royal will be better this year, after an amazing Rookie Season. Gaffney... Stokely... Lloyd... McKinley... the tools are better this year than last... no doubt.
How about on Defense.
Is Brian Dawkins an upgrade from last year? How about Goodman? What about Hill? Is the secondary better or worse than last year?
DJ Williams is finally in a position where he can shine. Same with Elvis Dumervil at OLB. Both players will be better this year than last.
What about up front? Last year they were about as bad as you could get... but they have quietly upgraded every position. Maybe they won't all be pro-bowlers... but they are much improved from 2008. Even a hater would have to admit that.
Special Teams will certainly be better this year as the Coaching Staff has made that an emphasis, instead of a sidelight. The core is there, in Kern and Prater, and add the NFL's best long snapper... are things going to be better?
How about upgrades in the coaching staff. How is Josh McDaniels as a QB developer? An Offensive Coordiator? Does he have any talent there? What about Mike Nolan as a Defensive Coordinator? What has been his track record? What about all the other position coaches? Think about it.
OK, now let's talk Jay Cutler. No doubt that Jay is an amazing QB. As you would say... "He can make all the throws." However, he is the only part of the offense that has changed... and really... the only part of this team that you could reasonably argue hasn't been upgraded or improved between 2008 and 2009. Seriously Mr. Clayton... 1 player downgrade (your opinion) out of 53 other peices... most of which are significant upgrades over 08', and you still think it's doomsday for the Broncos? Do you still have your thinking cap on? Maybe it's strapped on a little too tight.
Personally, I think that Orton is a very good QB, who was stuck in a "not-so-QB-friendly" system, with not very many tools in the bag to work with. How did Cassel do under McDaniels coaching and play calling? Any chance that Orton does the same? Did you happen to see Rookie Tom Brandstater play the last couple of week under McD's coaching? Oh, probably not... from the looks of things, you don't actually watch much football, cuz you must be too busy talking about it...
The Broncos did finish last years season at 8-8. Which is average. Considering that they have improved almost accross the board (except at QB in your opinon) then wouldn't you say they would at least be looking at around 4-12... maybe even 5-11. It just makes sense. I mean, could you even consider 6-10? Obviously not.
So think about it Mr. Clayton. I know I gave you alot to think about, but hopefully, you've learned something. Obviously, if you are reading this here at MHR... your moving in the right direction.
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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Clayton's 15 minutes
are just about up, now that Adam Shefter is in Bristol.
Agreed...
Shefter seems to keep his opinion based on reportable facts. Clayton’s days are numbered.
"So tell me what happened."
"Well, the last thing I remember is seeing this flash of Blue and Orange and the #22... then everything just went black..."
by HillisRanUover on Sep 8, 2009 5:44 PM MDT up reply actions
Same for Kisla
The dude thinks he’s a coach now…says Simms ought to start against Cincinnati. The only thing I read of Kisla’s any more is his responses to fan e-mails. At least he gives some effort to be non-biased and balanced there.
by BroncoCUbuffs on Sep 8, 2009 9:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Never ceases to amaze me
How those who’ve never collected ONE SINGE PENNY for their skills in coaching football players or the administration of a team, somehow know better than the paid professionals.
I’m looking right at you, Sandy Clough.
by AllBroncsallday on Sep 9, 2009 10:30 AM MDT up reply actions
rec'd. I agreed with everyone, except
Orton being a really good QB. I’m not sold, but for now I’ll call him VERY serviceable.
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
He might not be Brady...
but it seems pretty obvious to me that McDaniels is able to develop an offensive strategy that utilizes the QB’s strengths and minimizes his weaknesses… which makes a qb look “really good”
"So tell me what happened."
"Well, the last thing I remember is seeing this flash of Blue and Orange and the #22... then everything just went black..."
by HillisRanUover on Sep 8, 2009 5:46 PM MDT up reply actions
Love it HRU...rec'd
I just wish that someone would put him back under the rock from which he came from…Where the heck did he come from anyway?
under a rock...
you said it…
"So tell me what happened."
"Well, the last thing I remember is seeing this flash of Blue and Orange and the #22... then everything just went black..."
by HillisRanUover on Sep 8, 2009 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions
Clayton
Came from the Seattle area. Covered the Seahawks for the paper in Tacoma for years. I lived in Seattle for a while when he was there. I used to think he had some decent insight and analysis, but maybe success had made him somewhat lazy?
Our 2009-2010 Avs: The towel has been thrown into the rink.
by Bob in Boulder on Sep 8, 2009 6:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Clayton
reminds me of a Barney Fife type of guy. Only Barney Fife was a little smarter. Then again maybe he played football in high school and got wacked in the head a few times
Nah
Clayton didn’t even stay at a Holiday Inn last night.
It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09
My Thoughts...
I for one respect John Clayton. He has always based his arguments on good thoughts and facts. I don’t always agree with him, but at least the guy knows what he is talking about. He is the opposite of Jamie Dukes who just throws crap at the wall and see if it sticks. As a journalist/analyst he is very good at what he does.And who is to say that he isn’t right? I for one would love to see the Broncos surprise everyone and play beyond their potential. I also look at this realistically and say this:
1.) We have a new quarterback learning a brand new system. Even if he learns half of it he doesn’t have the physical gifts that “the player” had.
2.) The turnover of this years teams from last years team is enormous. It’s almost like having a expansion roster. How many times have you seen and expansion team be competitive in the first year.
3.) On paper (and I stress on paper) we have very little in terms of experience in a 3-4 defense. We have know idea what we will be seeing this fall and that is something to be skeptical about.
4.) Coach McDaniels will have to lose this year to understand what it takes to be a head coach. We learn more in our failures than our successes. If you want to see him build long term success with this club. You must root for him to lose a lot. We can only gain from the short term pain.
5.) The X factor. This includes all of unknowns that will happen. They can be both positive or negative but include, but not limited to: Injuries, Breakouts, and Good Coaching.
Anyways, back to my original argument. You might not like what Clayton is saying, but he has a good argument to back what he is saying.
don't take offense but..
I feel its easy to back an argument when you continually change the “facts” to support the same argument over and over…. first it was Cutler and his man crush…..then it was the draft, not addressing the defense, yadda yadda…then it was Orton…yadda yadda….so forth and so on….
Every time the Broncos shoot down one of his “expert opinions” he just deflects it onto another cliche excuse for not doing his homework…
I see him as an expert of deflection….and to me that is not “respect” worthy… That is how I feel about Clayton…
Another point…I dont think McD has to lose to gain success….in fact I think just the opposite ;) Success breeds Success ;)
"The question that sometimes drives me hazy, Am I or the others crazy?" -Albert Einstein
Yes and no...
1. We do have a new QB and a new system and lots of new faces. It could take years to mesh… it could take 1 game. Nobody knows. However, everyteam has the same kind of work to do… only to different degrees. That last pre-season game sure looked like the D was meshing… don’t you think?
2. The majority of turnover was on Defense… and we can only be better for it.
3. Your right… lots of new learning… but again, good coaching and good gameplanning and good preparation (all things that seem to be at work right now) take care of alot of that.
4. You have got to be kidding. We need to root for him to lose a lot? Is Mike Tomlin a good coach? Did he have to go through a lot of losing to become a SuperBowl Champion Coach? This is crazy. McD will learn well enough… but you don’t have to lose to learn how to win… just learn from the other losers…
5. That’s why predictions are so foolish in so many ways. No one can predict the future.
"So tell me what happened."
"Well, the last thing I remember is seeing this flash of Blue and Orange and the #22... then everything just went black..."
by HillisRanUover on Sep 8, 2009 7:27 PM MDT up reply actions
New system and new faces....
yes we do have new faces…as to how fast or well they mesh…I think that opinion could be swayed with the type of faces we brought in…smart veterans, bight rookies (in terms of football IQ), all leaders at some time in their career. With that I feel the chemistry factor will hinge directly on the scheme….everyone buying into the system, and all the leaders pulling in the same direction. And from all accounts (player / coach interviews) that is the case.
As for the system, from the vanilla we have seen in the pre season, it is still a refreshing look for the Broncos, and I for one, am much intrigued to see where it leads as well as the journey getting there!
I love predictions….The Amazing Karnak was always my favorite…. ;) My least favorite Jimmy “The Greek”……..ugh I celebrated when he got the “big hook”
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
Let the naysayers say nay….I shall say NEE!
"The question that sometimes drives me hazy, Am I or the others crazy?" -Albert Einstein
Absolutely! Well, at a casual glance at least...
From where Clayton is coming from [ a perspective of knowing football, but not looking in depth at the reasons that the changes that occured ] he has a good argument. I can understand the viewpoint. I think HillisRanUover covered pretty well why these points are at best actually in favor of a better team or at least a wash.
1.) ‘the player’ would still be learning a new system (or still bemoaning Bates being gone, not sure which)
2.) turnover at D can’t make it worse
3.) you said it, we’ll be playing on turf and not paper
4.) McDaniels will definitely learn from his mistakes… From play to play. Short term pain = 2nd
quarter. He’ll adjust and make new mistakes until he finds what works. You don’t have to loose to learn.
5.) X factor……. Brian Dawkins
I don’t like what Clayton is saying, but he does do it better than Dukes
"My job description is to win football games. I'm a hard worker. I'm not flashy by any means, but my job is to play football and win and I plan to do that." Kyle Orton
Root for McD to lose?......................
Never!! What about Miami and Atlanta last year, it can be done without becoming a cellar dweller. I think McD has been in this game long enough to know how to handle a loss. He understands what it takes to win, while we might have to wait a year for consistent wins, we will get our share of them this year. I’ll bet we get more of them than anyone thinks. Maybe an up one week, down one week kind of year but we will be competitve.
We gotta get nastier on D!!!!!!!!!
You can probably add Adam Schein and Jamie Dukes to this
Not to mention several other msmers….today when I heard Schein picked the Broncos to go 3-13 while the former NFL PLAYER AND PRO BOWLER (mvp as well if im correct), Rich Gannon, picked the Broncos to go atleast 8-8….even said he likes what McD is doing. I almost fell out of my chair laughing at Schein as he weakly attempted to explain his reasoning, but o well there is a reason those guys are in the msm and not in a locker room
On To Victory!!!
Good With Words vs Good With the Truth
I’ll give Woody Paige a kudo. He has a way with words. Colorful comments are more interesting than merely reciting the truth. John Clayton is in a similar category. Good with words but pitiful with the truth.
Quarterbacks
I’ve come to realize that guys like Clayton only care about quarterbacks. That’s it. Reading some of his articles after coming to this realization has been pretty funny. He completely ignores that the rest of the team is better in almost every way.
I believe Kyle had to relearn how to be a quarterback after spending those dreadful years in Chicago.
Kyle is not the Bears type of quarterback and he had no leverage there to really chew out his wide receivers for not running the right route or not giving him his shoulder. The bears have completely turned the cogs in a different way for Cutser and given him the keys to the city. Kyle will be fine in this offense but it might take a little while to get comfortable in it. John Clayton…his dad should have pinched his head off as soon as he was born so he wouldn’t have to raise such an inept little boy who probably got his butt wiped at least once a week in school.
Fact: Hydrocephalus ≠ football analysis
Slowww down there Johnny boy…let’s just stick to the reporting. Don’t make me get Sean Salisbury back in here to give you a noogie!!
Peace!
by BringBackOrange on Sep 8, 2009 10:04 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Clayton
knows his job is on the line with Adam there now. Im realy starting to think that Clayton and Al Davis are related.
live and die blue and orange
Personnel change
They need that at ESPN. But srsly, the Broncos change in D personnel with 8 new starters is not the same thing as saying, the O personnel has 8 returning starters. That D stink, stank, stunk! That’s what I can’t wait for, seeing some takeaways!
Some facts, and an opinion
Facts from Preseason (from nfl.com):
Defense rank, total points against: 13th
Defense rank, total yards against: 7th
Defense rank, yards per play against: 9th
Defense rank, 1st downs against per game: 2nd
Defense rank, 3rd down conversion against: 6th
Opinion: NO WAY is that indicative of a 3-13 team.
(And, I believe these starts were brought down by the second and third string defenses, compared to our first unit which for the most part played really well.)
But if you value preseason stats ....
Record: 1-3.
Offense: 24th in ppg.
Offense: 19th in ypg.
Offense: 24th in 3rd down conversions.
Offence: 22nd in yards per play.
Team: 29th in turnover differential.
I think our D should be better. Our O, on the other hand? And most of the big plays I remember did not involve our new starting qb.
Our 2009-2010 Avs: The towel has been thrown into the rink.
by Bob in Boulder on Sep 9, 2009 5:21 PM MDT up reply actions
Totally fair point
It is really weird, but I am more worried about the running game than the run defense. Now that is a new feeling.
by Bradoncadonc on Sep 11, 2009 12:45 PM MDT up reply actions
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