Horse Tracks - 9/8/10
by John Bena on Sep 8, 2010 5:30 AM MDT
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Work pays off for Broncos wide receiver Matt Willis - The Denver Post
Even for a guy known for his speed, this was a little ridiculous. When the time came for Matt Willis to make his pitch to play football, all he got was 30 seconds.
Paige: Here's the forecast — call Broncos unpredictable - The Denver Post
Of these predictions we can be certain: The Broncos start the 2010 season on Sunday and end it in 2011.
Veterans want no part of 18 games - The Denver Post
If only this were about nothing more than solving a second-grade math problem.
Thomas returns to practice, but status uncertain - The Denver Post
The first of the Broncos' two first-round draft picks (some guy named Tim was the other), Thomas has missed most of the offseason and all of the preseason with a left foot injury.
AFC West open for the taking - The Denver Post
And with the NFL opening its 2010 season this week, the AFC West is a feel-good spot, with four teams dreaming the dream, believing in what they have and what they can be.
An NFL trio — the Gronkowskis - The Denver Post
Although they won't exactly threaten the Mannings as the NFL's most famous brothers, the Gronkowskis now have Peyton and Eli beat in quantity.
Analysis: Hunter's rise on Denver's defense coincides with Moss' fall - The Denver Post
When the Broncos' starting defense lined up for practice Tuesday, newcomer Jason Hunter was at the weakside outside linebacker position — the position star pass rusher Elvis Dumervil usually plays.
Garrard, Not Jones-Drew, the key to Sunday | All Things Broncos
But in the real football world that is played between the lines, Garrard is the guy the Broncos have to stop if they are to win the opener Sunday at Jacksonville.
LenDale White has surgery | All Things Broncos
Broncos running back LenDale White had surgery Tuesday to repair the Achilles tendon he injured last Thursday.
Tebow draws fans like no other in NFL - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
They arrived like pilgrims this summer, each looking for something different and yet ultimately searching for the same thing: a hero, an inspiration, somebody to believe. It was, as the woman, a nurse and mother of six said, they were tired of "the garbage" of "the gunfights and murders and dogfights." She wanted someone her children could admire.
NFL Power Rankings Week 1 - National Football League - ESPN
The 2010 NFL regular season kicks off with some titanic tilts that should shake up our Week 1 ESPN.com Power Rankings.
Donovan McNabb says ankle won't keep him out Week 1 - ESPN
Donovan McNabb said Tuesday his sprained ankle isn't 100 percent, but it won't keep him from starting the Washington Redskins' opener Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
Sources: Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans discuss Albert Haynesworth - ESPN
Exhausted by the distraction and lack of effort from Albert Haynesworth, the Washington Redskins have once again gauged trade interest in the defensive tackle from his former team, the Tennessee Titans, according to team sources.
Source: Talks between Tom Brady, New England Patriots heat up - ESPN Boston
Contract discussions between the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady escalated Tuesday to the point where a deal could be completed before New England opens its regular season, according to a source close to the situation.
Mike Tomlin won't guarantee Ben Roethlisberger's starting job - ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday there's no guarantee that Ben Roethlisberger will be the starting quarterback when he returns from his four-game suspension.
Jeff Ireland assumes reins as Miami Dolphins' football czar - ESPN
The Miami Dolphins' football czar has given control of the team to general manager Jeff Ireland but will retain a role as a daily consultant. The Dolphins announced the move in a three-sentence statement Tuesday, five days before the start of the season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman back at practice following injury - ESPN
Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman practiced for the first time since breaking the thumb on his throwing hand and expects to play in the Buccaneers' season opener against the Cleveland Browns.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh: Move to Baltimore Ravens 'refreshing' - ESPN
T.J. Houshmandzadeh is embracing his change of scenery with the Baltimore Ravens after officially signing his one-year, $855,000 contract Tuesday.
NFL again tweaks where umpires will line up - ESPN
Peyton Manning complained, the NFL listened and now the league is making additional tweaks to the umpire rule.
Kudos to Bill Walsh and putting away the preseason | National Football Post
I played for Bill Walsh for all 10 of his years in San Francisco and I'm often asked about his legacy. Is it his offensive innovation? Was it his organizational skills in building a company that would win 5 Super Bowls? Was it his deft skill at play calling and anticipation that kept opponents off balance? All of these could make compelling arguments as his top achievement, but I was reminded late last week by a release from the NFL on August 30 of one that also stands the test of time equally.
Inside the playbook: blitzing Favre | National Football Post
Let’s talk Vikings-Saints today. We know that New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is going to dial up pressure against Brett Favre and the Vikings — especially in third-down situations — but how? What Williams wants to do on Thursday night is pressure, but with coverage principles in the secondary. Cause confusion in the Minnesota protection schemes and then bait Favre into making a mistake with free runners in his face.
Revis resolution: bridge to future | National Football Post
Revis resolution happened a week before my predicted date of September 14. I thought Revis would try to force the issue for one game, banking that the Ravens' performance against the Jets sans Revis would provide more leverage.
Houshmandzadeh's impact in Baltimore | National Football Post
Let’s take some time this morning to talk about a couple of moves made yesterday in the NFL that upgraded some rosters, and also hit some quick notes from around the league.
Jaguars sign Nwaneri to $24 million deal | National Football Post
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed offenisve guard Uche Nwaneri to a five-year, $24 million contract, according to FOX Sports.
Chiefs sign Quentin Lawrence to practice squad | National Football Post
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed wide receiver Quinten Lawrence to the practice squad.
Chargers cut Brandon Hughes | National Football Post
The San Diego Chargers cut cornerback Brandon Hughes, a former fifth-round draft pick.
Source: Ravens worked out Chevis Jackson | National Football Post
Former Atlanta Falcons third-round cornerback Chevis Jackson visited the Baltimore Ravens today, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
Saints issue counterfeit ticket warning | National Football Post
The New Orleans Saints have issued a warning to fans that counterfeit tickets are being circulated for Thursday’s kickoff game with the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome.
Sergio Kindle: 'I'm confident that I'll be cleared, but I don't have the final say' | National Football Post
Baltimore Ravens injured rookie outside linebacker Sergio Kindle has completed a series of neurological exams, and he’s now awaiting Baltimore doctors' medical opinion on when he can resume playing football again.
Jerryworld to host LSU-Oregon | National Football Post
Jerry Jones continues to come up with events to fill the cash registers at Cowboys Stadium and the latest marquee event will be a kickoff weekend game in 2011 between LSU and Oregon.
Jets cut Patrick Turner, Donovan Warren and Ricky Foley | National Football Post
The New York Jets placed wide receiver Patrick Turner on waivers after claiming him Sunday off waivers from the Miami Dolphins.
Just like that, Seahawks bring back Jordan Babineaux | National Football Post
ust released safety Jordan Babineaux is back in the fold, a transaction made possible after he agreed to a new contract, according to Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times. Babineaux was due to earn $2.45 million this season, and the new figure is somewhere south of there.
Browns cut David Veikune, sign Derrick Roberson | National Football Post
The Cleveland Browns dumped former second-round linebacker David Veikune today, and signed defensive back Derrick Roberson.
Houshmandzadeh on being cut by Seattle: 'Me not being there had nothing to do with football' | National Football Post
Newly-acquired Baltimore Ravens wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh implied that he wasn't given a fair shake by the new Seattle Seahawks regime of Pete Carroll and John Schneider.
NFL.com news: Saints DL Hargrove misses practice because of knee injury
New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove sat out practice Tuesday with an undisclosed knee injury.
NFL.com news: Favre brings interest, but will drama overshadow 20th season?
The 2010 season is loaded with intriguing storylines, beginning with the fact that this could very well be the final NFL schedule played without interruption.
NFL.com news: In terms of predicting success, 11 seems to be magic number
Whether your favorite team is an extension of the West Coast offense or some variation of the East Coast offense -- if there is such a thing -- the truth is that teams use multiple personnel groups throughout each and every game.
NFL.com news: Gimme 5: New contenders for the next decade
1. New York Jets Looking into a crystal ball is not advised given all the volatility and worst-to-first scenarios that seem to pop up every year in the NFL. Still, it's interesting to take a calculated look at the 32 teams and try to predict which could become the Patriots, Steelers, Colts and Eagles in this new decade.
NFL.com news: Gimme 5: 2009 non-playoff teams primed for 2010 postseason
1. San Francisco 49ers The Niners were one of the most impressive teams I visited with this summer. The quarterback situation looks resolved, as Alex smith appears ready for the next step in his development. The 49ers were 5-1 in the division last year, finished 3-2 in their last five games and have looked strong all preseason.
Ten issues of '10: Money matters unresolved - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Some day when the history of the NFL is updated, the 2010 season may become known as the Year of the Contract Squabble. Not only are we sitting on the edge of possible labor strife, but the trickle-down effect is that three prominent players are entering this season not under contract. Their absence could go a long way toward impacting the season, but that’s far from the only issue to consider on the eve of the campaign:
NFL umpire rules continue to be tweaked - NFL News - FOX Sports on MSN
The NFL has tweaked its new umpire positioning rule with a few changes, and for the most part they make sense.
Peter King's predictions for the 2010 NFL season - Peter King - SI.com
It's time for the 91st NFL season to begin, but it wouldn't be a real NFL season without some really bad predictions from me. I'm the one who picked the Browns to make the Super Bowl in 1995 (they had fans throwing dog bones at them by the end of the year, as they tucked their tails between their legs and slinked off to Baltimore), told you to take Danny Wuerffel as your fantasy quarterback in 2002 (he lasted all of 92 passes), and, well, the last time I picked the Super Bowl winner was, I think, when Lombardi prowled the Tundra.
Joe Theismann Tapped for Thursday Night NFL Broadcasts -- NFL FanHouse
Joe Theismann will be back in the broadcast booth as part of NFL Network's Thursday night telecasts, the league announced on Monday.
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Woop! 1st?
Great to hear that BayBay (How the hell do you spell that?) returned to practice. Again. Now, hopefully all is going the right way with that foot and we’ll start to see him on the field by week 2.
Ugh... Paige is such a tool.
I posted a question to his mailbag that I am hoping he has the balls to answer. I’ll get a kick out of it regardless of how he replies. Anywho… off to bed.
"It is better to be rougly right than precisely wrong." - John Maynard Keynes
in the case that he does not reply,
would you divulge the contents of your question to us here?
The poster formerly known as "Denver_Diaspora"
by Jay Fin Anderson on Sep 8, 2010 8:08 AM MDT up reply actions
Why is he a tool? His prediction last year was not worse than others....
If I remember correctly one of the prognostications for last year on this site was 11-5. Woody was 5-11. Yes woody took a beating when they were 6-0 or was it 6-1, but considering how the last 8 games went his prediction was no worse than the 11-5 and making the playoff prediction. In fact, it was better because he predicted they would not be in the playoffs which they were not.
Besides, he admitted his prediction last year sucked, he could have defended it and said something to the effect that the spirit of his prediction was right the broncos did not get a playoff berth. Then he would be a tool, but he did not and admitted his prediction blew.
by Keyworthpunch on Sep 8, 2010 8:38 AM MDT up reply actions
According to kool-aid logic anyone who predicts the Broncos to not make the playoffs is a tool.
Well said Keyworthpunch I agree with you. I trust the keyboard warriors will have the “balls” to email the Post to apologise if he does indeed prove to be right. Can’t have it both ways people.
Woody will be the first to admit he’s wrong if, as we all hope (including Woody himself) he is wrong.
Until then some people here should grow up, stop the Woody bashing and just accept the fact that he made an honest prediction as a professional writer.
What would Blackie Lawless do?
by British Bronco on Sep 8, 2010 10:18 AM MDT up reply actions
I'm not usually a fan of Woody but...
He picked 8-8. So have a lot of people. Its an honest guess but in the end all it is is a guess. For most people these sorts of predictions are just about giving yourself something to crow about in December if you’re right, or something to deny and rationalize if you’re wrong. At least Woody will own up if he’s wrong. But predicting how a team is going to finish the year is as hit and miss as predicting the weather. It isn’t Woody’s job to be a homer, he’s a journalist.
I stick with 8-8 because this team is hard to read right now, and whether they finish 6-10 or 10-6 I get to say I wasn’t far off!
I’d love to see the Broncos make the playoffs this year but we aren’t going to know what kind of team we have till they hit the field. There’s no way I am ready to go out on THAT limb, and that’s just me being honest.
But it won’t stop me from pulling for them. I’ve got the kool-aid chilling in the fridge.
You're either a fan or you're not.
by TheMastermind on Sep 8, 2010 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions
Wow...Peter King and his SI cronies have now reached the level of Woody Paige. I am no expert, I get that, but could these guys no ANYTHING less about football. Especially Bettis. Chargers as SB winners? REALLY????
You, my friend, are proof you dont need to have big floppy feet and a red nose to be a clown!
"I actually watched the World Cup. I HATE baseball. Hockey’s over. Hey, at least we have the WNBA. Oh, man. I’m making a noose. Want one?"
Harv Neptune.
I love it when the 'experts' keep picking the Chargers.
They are a paper tiger. At least when it comes down to any kind of meaningful post-season.
Super Bowl?? Puh-lease. Maybe win a playoff game first, huh?
Great passing offense. Indeterminate running game. Questionable Defense. Can’t win a SuperBowl without a great D & O line. Sorry, disChargers fans, don’t think you have both.
by Gristle McThornbody on Sep 8, 2010 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions
Only one NFL.com writer picked them to go to the Super Bowl
Only two predicted they’d even make it to the Title game. Here’s the link. Don’t be too jaded yet, the media as a whole isn’t calling them gods or anything of the sort.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
I'm speaking of all the love they get in respect to the AFC West, also.
That crap gets annoying.
And it seems like since OTA’s the MSM has been giving them love. It never ends.
by Gristle McThornbody on Sep 9, 2010 8:26 AM MDT up reply actions
Well just speaking from recent history, it makes sense
Not to often have the Chargers even been close to losing the division. Over the past decade, they won the division five times, four of which, they won it by two games or more. Out of the past five seasons, they won it four times, three by two wins or more. I don’t think it will be as easy as it has been in the past, but I still think they have the tools to win this division.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
They have some tools, yes. No question.
But the MSM hate toward all things Denver (not just Broncos) is real and documented and what permeates most of their opinions, IMHO. I’ve been following media bias against Denver for almost 2 decades now.
by Gristle McThornbody on Sep 9, 2010 10:07 AM MDT up reply actions
Moreno is seen by Dukes as his "most improved" this season
Denver is expected to get 2nd in the division behind a very talented team, Orton is getting his respect as a solid starter, and most people think we have a great secondary, a solid set of young wide receivers. The biggest problem most people have with us is our lines, and I totally agree. I’m no Denver local, but I see more bias against teams like Cleveland or Cincy much more obvious. If they were saying we were in the bottom five in the league, I could agree, but most places have us from 6-9 wins, which is a very reasonable, logical prediction. I’m all for thinking a team is underrated, because every fan thinks that, but media bias is just a cop out way of saying that the MSM is making good points, but you don’t want to admit it.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
I’m all for thinking a team is underrated, because every fan thinks that, but media bias is just a cop out way of saying that the MSM is making good points, but you don’t want to admit it.
It’s not a cop out. I’ve lived in Denver for most of my life, seen it firsthand. But I’m objective enough that if some outlet can make a good point or unbiased prediction, then I will applaud them for it.
For every one large outlet that says Denver has “6-9 wins” or that KnowMo is “most improved” there are 3-4 (like Peter King, for example…just heard him this AM) that say Denver’s in 3rd place this year and the flippin’ Raiders are in 2nd place. The Raiders! The media LOVES them now that Campbell is with them but had he been picked up by Denver instead of Orton…..they’d hate him! That’s a guarantee. And that’s just one example. How much time do you have?
I’m no Denver local, but I see more bias against teams like Cleveland or Cincy much more obvious.
OK, sure. Cincy and Cleveland get bias against them, I could see that. They are also a small market team/small market city and not the “centers of the world” like LA or NY City. But I would seriously question that they get “more than Denver”. Denver is often viewed by those on the west coast and east coast as a non-existent entity. I have a hard time buying the two you mentioned get more.
The biggest problem most people have with us is our lines, and I totally agree.
I also agree. 100%. But the difference in your honest critique – a critique that most of us on here would probably share, if we’re unbiased, anyway – is that the MSM as a whole do not give honest evaluations of Denver in rational form. This irrational banter, year in and year out, is what irritates the crap out of me and what I have a problem with. So please don’t ignorantly generalize me and say fans like myself make “cop out” statements when you don’t know anything about me.
Anything else you want to debate about? ;)
by Gristle McThornbody on Sep 9, 2010 12:33 PM MDT up reply actions
I don't want to debate
I want to make the point that you, like me, are biased for the Broncos. While sports broadcasters generally try to be unbiased, they are human. Many were coaches or players, who have obvious loyalties or biases against certain teams or coaches. Other may just not like the way certain teams are run, like how many don’t like Bill Belicheck and how he coaches, while others such as Parcells or Reid or Morris are all seen differently because of their coaching style. But just because a broadcaster doesn’t think your team will make the Super Bowl, doesn’t mean they are biased.
As for “is that the MSM as a whole do not give honest evaluations of Denver in rational form” I don’t understand that. Okay, here’s a situation, you get a new coach, that usually means a little shake up, you know you are going to struggle a bit, then you trade away a young Pro Bowl quarterback, that’s acceptable, but you might see some offensive slow down. You change your defensive scheme and move key players around, that might be a problem for the offense. So the team was 8-8 before, I would say that team is around 6-10 maybe 8-8 again at the best. I think most would agree. If that team then shipped off their Pro Bowl receiver, their top receiving TE, and lost their Pro Bowl sack leader, I’d say that team would be around 6-10 to 8-8 again at best again.
I can completely understand where the media is coming from, and frankly, their rating us around the 20 seems about right. I’m a Bronco fan, and I don’t think I’d rank the Broncos higher then 15, more realistically around 20 or 21. NFL.com experts actually range from 17 to 27, with an average of 24. I can completely understand that ranking, we are weak on both lines, there are questions about our pass rush and running game. We have an average to above average passing game, and a great secondary, but other then that, we aren’t set or solid in many other areas. Show me a review showing that they think we have a weak secondary, or that Orton will be holding us back, and I’ll agree that the MSM “do not give honest evaluations of Denver in rational form. This irrational banter…” But if they make comments that our lines are in question or that we might not generate much pressure, don’t say anything about irrational banter or dishonest banter.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
But if they make comments that our lines are in question or that we might not generate much pressure, don’t say anything about irrational banter or dishonest banter.
I’ll stand by what I said. Again, nobody would disagree with honest evaluation of the team (any team) such as you once again did above. But your setting up your strawmen and knocking it down with the last two posts by meshing my arguments together. I’m talking about topics like the Oakland one I made earlier, for just one example. You’re trying to make it sound like I disagree with critiques like " being middle of the pack…..trading Pro Bowl recievers, etc." I understand those kind of complaints.
Again…..a few MSM outlets fairly bring up the weaknesses of the Broncos. Most do not. There IS an East/West Coast Bias against Denver. And I was never talking just about rankings or exclusively one point. I’m talking in general. I hear butt-crack sniping from the MSM in radio, print and web daily. Seriously man, do you want me to start keeping a log?
I’m done with this topic. Done, I say! lol
by Gristle McThornbody on Sep 9, 2010 5:20 PM MDT up reply actions
Michael Irvin predicted that SD would win the super bowl.
It was on some NFLN roundtable show with mooch, primetime, marshall faulk and irvin.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
If someone owned an ICEE truck and wanted to kidnap me, I'd let them.
by Troy Hufford on Sep 8, 2010 4:15 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, that’s Michael Irvin, though. Nuff said….
by Gristle McThornbody on Sep 9, 2010 8:23 AM MDT up reply actions
Agreed with Gristle
It’s Irvin, he wore his Hall of Fame jacket for two days straight, even in bed, I mean, what can I say.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Thanks, John.
"All the world's indeed a stage, and we are merely players."
"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.
Quitter's People United Member #18
by Tempestuous Binary on Sep 8, 2010 8:13 AM MDT reply actions
Re: Woody
Not going to rag on his predictions. They’re his predictions. I will say this though, why is it tht he believes Matt Leinart will be starting for Houston by the time we play them. Does he not realize that Schaub is the most underrated QB in the leage and base on numbers probably top 6. Does he forsee an injury? I don’t understand that.
I also don’t get all the love for the Jags. I watched them quite a bit last year. They stunk. MJD is great don’t get me wrong but a lot of his stats are on a few big plays. Their line was terrible and outside of those big plays he got stuffed near the line quite a bit. It’s not like he busts off 15 yards every time he touches the ball.
We can win this game if we jump on them early and force them to abandon the run. Which is something Del Rio is prone to do.
Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?
He's hardly underrated
Last season, he was one of the leading quarterbacks in the league, but part of it was due to Andre Johnson, and secondly, his outstanding play didn’t get his team into the playoffs.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
league leader in yards last year
I agree, he’s a top 5 QB in the league. I hope Woody’s right though and Leinart is starting when they play us, although I never openly root for guys to get hurt (well maybe Phillys Rivers, but nobody else :-)
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination."
- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
Maybe with smart people like those on MHR
but you never hear him mentioned in the list of elite QB’s…I know they didn’t win but they make the playoffs with a better D and a better Kicker. Also if Slaton doesn’t fumble at the goal line a ridiculous amount of times
Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?
IMO, Woody picked a bad week to quit sniffing glue.
Losing to the Jags?? I don’t think so. Not if Denver comes to play, anyway. And hydrates properly.
Losing to the Colts, Titans AND Ravens? Broncs won’t lose all 3 games, THAT I will GUARANTEE. At worst, I see 1-2 but 2-1 is very possible. We have to end the losing streak to the Colts sometime!
If Denver is not at least 2 games better than last year, this will be a disappointing season, IMO. 10-6 or bust!
by Gristle McThornbody on Sep 8, 2010 9:56 AM MDT reply actions
OT: Condolences to Lance Ball
http://twitter.com/LanceBall35/status/23271143110
Had to put my grandma to rest today…RIP Newtie Ross. You effected many people in ur time on this earth. Love (cont) http://tl.gd/3hdemu
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
That article about Willis is a good read.
Jason
The Hanging Curve
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