HOMERS - What Players / Issues do think the National Media Gets Wrong? (1 Viewer)

[ctt8410]

The Cowboys' O-Line issues are being shrugged off too quickly by the national media who continue to refer to this team as a Super Bowl favorite. Everyone sees the shiny toys at the skill positions and assumes that this will be an unstoppable offense, but I'm seriously worried about that line. With the exception of Doug Free, all of these guys are in their 30s and 2 of them are already questionable for week 1. To make matters worse, the backups are all turnstiles. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys' running game is anemic this year and Romo spends a significant amount of time scrambling for his life.

It's just one game, but this offensive line is really bad with any of the starters out.

 

[ctt8410]

LT is going to surprise a lot of people. From what I've seen / heard, there's a definite spring in his step. I love Greene (and am high on him) but I expect LT to have a nice fantasy-worthy season as well.

Lots of good stuff in this thread, but wish I had listened to this one the most.

 

[The Jacket]

Hmm. Good question.I think the national media still overrates Brian Waters. He's NOT good -- like, not any good at all -- at this point. I think they're probably also clueless on Glenn Dorsey's progess, and label him along the lines of a bust because he hasn't made the Pro Bowl. In reality, he's sort of coming along, reasonably slowly but surely. This will be a big year for him (only year 3) -- still somewhat out of position but finally with a competent defensive coordinator. Crennel FWIW has called really good games in the preseason so far, getting multiple sacks out of reasonably average players like DeMorrio Williams and Andy Studebaker. I also think they miss the boat on Brandon Flowers. His metrics are among the best in the league and he's a VERY good CB. You wouldn't know it if you didn't watch.

Looks like people are finally finding out about Flowers, who's taken his game to another level this year obviously. Waters has been darn good this year and a key cog in the #1 rush offense which has also allowed the least sacks in the league. But I promise you he was pretty darn bad for a few years after the great run of Roaf/Shields etc. Nevertheless, it's good for KC that he's rejuvenated.

 

[first round bust]

that ray rice is better than willis mcgahee

 

[Righetti]

One thing about the Texans that I've only heard from local press is about a change in the running philosophy under new OC Rick Dennison. Alex Gibbs had the running backs looking for the cut-back lane first and foremost, which I think contributed to part of the poor Texans running game last year because the line wasn't opening as many holes nor pushing the line, and the backs were ending up caught up on their own linemen's backs too often.Local columnist Lance Zierlein ("Dr Z") had a great report about how Dennison has the RBs this year looking to bounce it outside first and go for the cutback lane only when they see one is there. I hadn't noticed it myself before reading it. But afterwards, I think I can definitely see a positive difference from this in the preseason games. Foster has had a few nice runs he bounced outside that I think last year would have resulted in 2 yard plunges into the line. Combine that with better blocking in general and I think it' may contribute to a better running game.

 

[JMJ]

That Bart Scott is the 2nd most important defensive player on the Jets or that he is our best LB. While he is great, David Harris is amongst the best 5-6 LBs in football and its a shame he's only made the Pro Bowl once in the past 3 years (as an alternate no less!). Guy should be a perennial Pro Bowler with no question.

 

[Steed]

Re the Browns - everyone outside of Cleveland seems to think Massaquoi is the #1, everyone in Cleveland thinks it's Cribbs then Robiskie (if he has progressed as much as he reportedly has) then Massaquoi.Also, Hillis has been the talk of camp but it seems as though with Hardesty out the national media's catching on finally.

Nailed the Hillis call. I did draft up until the the opener and no one was drafting Hillis before the 15th.

 

[NinerFan49]

Great idea for a thread.

I would also like to respond to this:

The 9ers front office deserves more respect now that Jed York is in charge. He's made some very good signings and financial moves in recent years (staley, willis, and he's got davis coming up), bringing the team back to .500 and in contention for the division lead for the first time in a while. I hate John York and even dislike the 49ers (I'm a Packer fan) but I don't think the job that the 9ers are doing to rebuild is getting enough national attention.

I couldn't disagree more. The York's mismanagement of the 49ers (first by John, now by Jed) has been and continues to be the team's single biggest problem. Even though the NFL almost guarantees parity (in time, if not right away) by giving losing teams high draft choices and the easiest schedules, the 49ers have failed to post a wining record during the past seven seasons and are a lock to fail again this season. Even barely competent management should have resulted in at least one winning season during that period, but the Yorks have demonstrated the opposite of competence. Since the poster makes the point that Jed is doing a better job than his father, let's take a quick look at the major decisions he has made.

First, let's consider if it was a difficult decision to extend the contracts of Patrick Willis--the team's best defensive player--and Joe Staley--the team's best offensive lineman (though that's not saying much)... If we are going to set the bar for that low, what's next? Giving credit to chimps for remembering that they like the taste of bananas? I'm thinking... not...

Let's instead look at two much more important decisions Jed has made: 1) Signing Mike Singletary to be the team's head coach, and 2) making himself the team's de facto "de facto GM"/top decision maker.

1. How smart was it to sign a head coach with no previous experience as a NFL or college head coach, offensive coordinator, or defensive coordinator? Has any NFL team ever made such a boneheaded move? No. And Singletary's performance this season is demonstrating why.

2. How smart was it for Jed to make himself the most powerful decision-maker in the team's front office by firing Scot McCloughan a few weeks before the 2010 NFL Draft and surrounding himself with "yes men"? Is there a precedent for an owner with so little knowledge of football monopolizing so much decision-making power?

Jerry Jones is the only owner who comes to mind but at least he was a star college football player (co-captain of the 1964 National Championship football team). Jed's greatest athletic accomplishment? Captain of his high school baseball team.

In the words of 49er beat writer Tim Kawakami:

There are two ways to run a sports dictatorship: You can surround yourself with seasoned lieutenants empowered to question decisions, or you do it the way York is currently doing it.

By circumstance and decree, York has kept his retinue limited to those who owe their careers to him.

****

(Trent) Baalke had never even interviewed for a top personnel post before getting the promotion to VP, filling many of the duties of ousted GM Scot McCloughan.

Interestingly, York withheld the GM title from Baalke, which makes it clear that York, not Baalke, will be handling the largest questions.

Who will decide whether the head coach remains?

“The head coach, because he’s going to keep winning,” York said. (Translation: York decides.)

Whom does Baalke report to?

“He reports to me,” York said. “As does coach Singletary.” (Translation: York breaks all ties.)

So you have ownership at the top, then executive VP/negotiator Paraag Marathe, the head coach and Baalke each in separate lanes?

“They all report to me,” York said. (No translation necessary.)

(source: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2010...ere-to-fix-it/)

Until Jed stops letting his ego writes checks that his knowledge can't cash and removes himself from his self-appointed position as the team's "de facto GM"/top decision-maker, the chances of the team posting a winning season are slim to none. And judging from the team's performance this season, slim is sprinting out the door.

 

[road warrior]

I loved the one 'Todd Haley's use of Jamaal Charles during the preseason is a smokescreen. Thomas Jones will have no fantasy value'

 

[Gr00vus]

I don't think the rest of the country really understands what's going on with the Chargers/A.J. Smith. This is a small market team with an antiquated stadium that A.J.'s skill in roster management and player evaluation has kept competitive for 7 years now. There's been a long term focus throughout his tenure. The emphasis is on building through the draft and securing the services of key players through contract extensions. A.J. has consistently put a premium on character on and off the field. This year is a mini rebuilding year, through which it was hoped they'd be competitive even though they've promoted numerous young/inexperienced talented players to new, more important roles. The main question mark in relation to their long term success is the HC. The current guy did get the team farther along than his predecessor, but he may not be the guy to get them all the way to the top. It remains to be seen if that is indeed the case, and if so whether management will recognize that and make an appropriate correction. There are several threads in the pool dealing with this already however.