Horse Tracks - 2/13/10 - All is quiet on the Western Front

by John Bena on Feb 13, 2010 7:01 AM MST in Horse Tracks

Things are quiet, at least for the next 12 days or so. In between the Super Bowl and Scouting Combine, not much happens in the NFL. Sure, there is the occasional roster move, but teams use this time to evaluate their teams and decide on their plan of attack moving forward. Anyway, we always have the Olympics to keep our attention, technical difficulties and all.

Broncos' Martindale getting down to business - The Denver Post
Having just moved up without moving out, newly-hired Broncos defensive coordinator Don Martindale, continues to settle into his new job, pouring[sic] over what the Broncos did last season to see what needs fixing and what may not.

"Aggressive" key word to describe new Broncos defensive coordinator Martindale - The Denver Post
Faced with a pressure situation, one in which he felt he needed to make a play, Don Martindale chose to blitz.

Back to school time for three Broncos | All Things Broncos
Three Broncos players — linebacker Spencer Larsen, defensive lineman LeKevin Smith and tackle Brandon Gorin — are scheduled to participate in the NFL’s Business and Entrepreneurial programs.

Donovan McNabb and Denver Broncos a perfect fit, says ESPN's Amy Lawrence - Denver News - The Latest Word
NFL fan sites have been abuzz about rumors that the Broncos are interested in trading for Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb ever since an ESPN report mentioned the possibility. Broncos sources swear nothing along these lines is happening, but ESPN Radio's Amy Lawrence thinks it should be.

2010 draft: center, fullback grading scale | National Football Post
The 2010 center class possesses some solid talent toward the top end, but there doesn’t seem to be much in the form of starting-caliber prospects after the initial four players on our list. The same can be said for the fullback position, where there’s some potential at the top but then backup types after the top three.

Brees talks Super Bowl win, contract situation | National Football Post
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been a busy man since being named Super Bowl XLIV MVP after knocking off the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Miami just five days ago.

Diner morning news: Tag threat may help Pats | National Football Post
Thursday was the first day teams could apply the tag to any player whose rights they want to secure for the 2010 season. However, the day passed and the Patriots did not tender Vince Wilfork -- so does this mean they’re not going to tag their valuable nose tackle? Of course not. New England will eventually tag Wilfork before Feb. 25, but first it would like to get a long-term deal, so it must let the negotiation process run its course. This strategy applies to the Patriots and all the other teams in the league. Unless a team just wants to rent a player for one year, then there’s still time to get a long-term deal before placing the tag on him.

Wilson: Bengals to part ways with Shayne Graham | National Football Post
The Cincinnati Bengals don't intend to re-sign kicker Shayne Graham.

Wilson: Dolphins confirm Porter is still on the roster | National Football Post
On the same day they announced that they were cutting him, the Miami Dolphins have now acknowledged that they have to hold onto outside linebacker Joey Porter.

Wilson: Jets announce Carrier hire | National Football Post
The New York Jets made it official, announcing the hire of retired Pro Bowl safety Mark Carrier as the team's new defensive line coach.

Wilson: Colts not expected to re-sign Stover | National Football Post
The Indianapolis Colts are not expected to re-sign veteran kicker Matt Stover, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Biggs: Redskins hire strength and conditioning coach | National Football Post
So much for Bill Romanowski coaching up the Washington Redskins on the finer points of strength, training, nutrition, supplements and all that good stuff.

Report: McNabb, Kolb not available for trade | National Football Post
Paolantonio writes, "The Eagles, according to multiple league sources, have so far told teams that both McNabb and his primary backup, Kevin Kolb, are not available."

The good, bad and ugly for the NFL's 12 playoff teams
Now that Super Bowl XLIV has determined a NFL champion, this is the perfect time to reflect on the good, bad and ugly moments of the 12 playoff teams' seasons. Teams are listed in the order in which they were eliminated (except for the champion New Orleans Saints, of course).

NFL Commissioner Goodell receives new contract until March 2015
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been given a new five-year contract as the league heads into a key period of labor negotiations that could lead to a work stoppage in 2011.

NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Cardinals want to extend Whisenhunt’s contract "
The Cardinals are working on a contract extension for coach Ken Whisenhunt, sources told the Arizona Republic on Friday.

Colts leader Polian looks ahead to 2010, not back at Super Bowl loss
Bill Polian is finished thinking and talking about the 2009 season and the Colts' Super Bowl loss

Colbert: Steelers plan to treat 2010 as if it were a capped season
The NFL might not have a salary cap this season. The Pittsburgh Steelers will. The Steelers, one of the league's most popular and successful franchises, plan to follow a self-imposed cap in 2010 and won't take advantage of the possible lack of a collective bargaining agreement to add more quality free agents than usual.

Saints' Super win was perfect ending to entertaining decade in NFL
Super Bowl XLIV marked a perfect ending to the decade for reasons beyond its high entertainment value and the fact it was won by perhaps the most popular underdog in the game's history.

NFL.com Blogs " Holt ‘definitely’ would consider joining Bears
Free-agent WR Torry Holt seems like a natural fit with the Bears, who recently hired offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Holt enjoyed the best years of his career under Martz in St. Louis and said that he would consider coming to Chicago.

NFL trio to take humanitarian trip - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
After New Orleans defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove(notes) limped off the field from the Super Bowl, his left foot suffering from a severe case of turf toe, he smiled broadly in the afterglow of victory and declared where he was headed soon.

Viking fans get FavreWatch '10 started with a billboard - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Lord knows Brett Favre(notes) has enough different factors to consider when deciding whether or not he'd like to come back for another year with the Vikings. There's his age, his health, his love of the game, his family, his relationship with the coach, his chances of getting back to the Super Bowl, his inability to throw the football to a player wearing the same-colored jersey in the most important moments.

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Comments

Thanks for the Tracks John

live and die blue and orange

by jerry251 on Feb 13, 2010 8:33 AM MST reply actions

Thanks John

To treat your team like there will be a Cap next season is really the only sane thing to do. That way you err on the side of caution.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Feb 13, 2010 8:34 AM MST reply actions

Thanks John...Amy Lawrence?...Oh, The middle of the night ESPN radio "hostess"

This pretty much covers the credibility I would assign to Amy Lawrence…

From an article by Martin Brady @ Sports Media America:

“Take Amy Lawrence, who I keep running into on ESPN Radio’s "GameNight," or sometimes subbing for Bobby Valvano on his otherwise excellent weekend gig. I have hated her from the very first moment I heard her faked, overenthusiastic voice come over my car radio spewing all kinds of canned knowledge which clearly revealed that she doesn’t know squat about sports. Well, I take that back: She apparently knows how to regurgitate phrases, words, and jock names that make it SOUND like she knows about sports. And she desperately puts it all out in this awful screeching voice that makes me feel like I’m listening to an obnoxious high schooler who is desperate to have someone notice her. "Hey guys, look at me!!!" Amy seems to say. Er, shout. "Look at me!!! I know a lot about sports!!!" hollers Lawrence, hammering syllables with odd and/or overemphasized inflections. Her tonal quality is wholly unpleasant, too. Get thee to a broadcasting school, Amy.”

Get off the “McNabb to the Broncos” idea Amy!

-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

by BroncoSense72 on Feb 13, 2010 9:25 AM MST reply actions

Sounds to me like she desperate to make a show.

The Eagles announced they won’t be dealing McNabb or Kolb in any sense. They may be willing to offer Vick up though.

by bfree2bronc on Feb 13, 2010 11:53 AM MST up reply actions

She is a Broncos fan so....

this might be what she wants.

I have listened to her on ESPN Radio before and don’t mind her, however I DO NOT want him on the Broncos.

Floyd Little: HOF Class of 2010.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Feb 13, 2010 8:21 PM MST up reply actions

Sometimes the more aggressive approach doesn't work.

“I’m an aggressive guy by nature,” Martindale said. “I believe in physical, smart football, and I have an aggressive attitude about things. The players already know that by being with me.”

Like players over pursuing a particular play. I’m not at all convinced that the players were the main reason for the decline at the latter part of the season. Play calling may have been a factor to some of those long runs in the second half of the season. Sure there was a new system with people doing things they hadn’t done in the NFL, but I believe alot of the problems on the defense was play calling on Nolans part.

by bfree2bronc on Feb 13, 2010 11:48 AM MST reply actions