Montee Ball (2 Viewers)

[cloppbeast]

I don't understand folks calling Ball ordinary. He has good jukes for a man his size, and obvious power. Ball maybe doesn't have the burst/speed of an elite talent, but that doesn't make him JAG.

Buy low before Seattle.

Wait, what? You think he's going to have a big game @ Seattle??

I think if you believe in Ball, u wont find him any cheaper then AFTER this week 3 game.

The idea would be to buy on the assumption that he'll have a down game in this bad matchup. His "value" may go up if he just has a halfway decent game this week.

I think he will have a start-worthy game against Seattle.

 

[fire_tune]

Wes Welker can only improve things for MB right? Wondering by how much though whether a small, medium or significant margin.

 

[unckeyherb]

I'm thinking it'll be fairly significant, honestly. Tough matchup but welker specifically should draw enough attention to open up lanes for Ball

 

[TeeDub]

Guarantee that anyone that sits ball this week is going to regret it......it's only week 3

 

[Chaka]

Lots of people hanging their hopes for Ball on the performance of an injury prone WR who was decidedly average over his last 10 games.

 

[chad in Indy]

Lots of people hanging their hopes for Ball on the performance of an injury prone WR who was decidedly average over his last 10 games.

Yes, but when there he does get the defenses attention. That's the hope anyway.

 

[rjv]

Fumbles 2 min into game lets give CJ. A shot!!

 

[dschuler]

Ball is running hard today. Can't get very much help. Running up the middle seems to work better against SEA than the stretch play.

 

[togo]

Ball is running hard today. Can't get very much help. Running up the middle seems to work better against SEA than the stretch play.

Running hard?? Are we watching the same game? He's run for 8 times and averaging 2 yards. He looks like he's tip toeing into the line (even though there doesn't seem to be much room) instead of ramming it in there.

Now Marshawn Lynch is running hard today. And he has quicker and shiftier feet to find and get to the holes.

I have Ball him and hoping for something more today.

 

[togo]

And I don't get Denver's offensive line. Manning doesn't have a grass stain on his uniform and hasn't been touched. They can pass block, however their run blocking is awful!

 

[Chaka]

Defenses seem to be living in the Denver backfield. Guy always seems to have a d-lineman in his face 2 yards behind the LOS (cj does too).

 

[Adam Harstad]

And I don't get Denver's offensive line. Manning doesn't have a grass stain on his uniform and hasn't been touched. They can pass block, however their run blocking is awful!

Peyton Manning is a big reason why Peyton Manning's jersey is always so clean. Avoiding pressure is as much on the QB as the line.

 

[urbanhack]

Buy super low?

 

[togo]

Hillman in the last 2 series. Ball hurt? Ball benched? Thought I saw him standing on the sideline.

 

[need2know]

Ball is running hard today. Can't get very much help. Running up the middle seems to work better against SEA than the stretch play.

Running hard?? Are we watching the same game? He's run for 8 times and averaging 2 yards. He looks like he's tip toeing into the line (even though there doesn't seem to be much room) instead of ramming it in there.

Now Marshawn Lynch is running hard today. And he has quicker and shiftier feet to find and get to the holes.

I have Ball him and hoping for something more today.

how bout we put almost any rb behind that line playing in sea. yeah they arent getting squat either

 

[dschuler]

Ball is running hard today. Can't get very much help. Running up the middle seems to work better against SEA than the stretch play.

Running hard?? Are we watching the same game? He's run for 8 times and averaging 2 yards. He looks like he's tip toeing into the line (even though there doesn't seem to be much room) instead of ramming it in there.Now Marshawn Lynch is running hard today. And he has quicker and shiftier feet to find and get to the holes.

I have Ball him and hoping for something more today.

how bout we put almost any rb behind that line playing in sea. yeah they arent getting squat either

Ball was getting hit 3 or 4 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Peyton wasn't even able to hand the ball off on one occasion. The YPC from the other backs were much worse. Lynch on the other hand, wasn't getting touched until he was a couple yards up the field. I'm not comparing the two, just saying Ball was running hard and his offensive line got utterly dominated until the fourth quarter when they were down but forced to throw the ball. If anything, I feel much better about Ball keeping his starting role after that game.

 

[Houston turmOiler]

I keep wanting to offer him for trade but then the schedule gets much easier after 8 weeks or so. He isnt doing much now though. Maybe they can sort it out during the bye and get him going

 

[dschuler]

I keep wanting to offer him for trade but then the schedule gets much easier after 8 weeks or so. He isnt doing much now though. Maybe they can sort it out during the bye and get him going

They play in Denver, Ball has good size. When it starts getting colder I think he becomes a bell cow. Hillman looked terrible and CJ Anderson couldn't break through a wet paper sack. Anyone that thinks Ball's job is up for grabs is crazy.

 

[Brewtown]

I think the thing that concerns me about Ball is not his talent or ability, but rather that the DEN O-line has looked so bad in run blocking. It's seriously discouraging to watch the D on the wrong side of the LoS so often. There just isn't any push whatsoever in the run game. When there have been seams, Ball has taken advantage and run well. But when D-linemen are across the LoS, even the best RBs are going to struggle to make positive runs. And that's a completely unexpected occurrence. I never expected to see such a drop in the O-line play in the run game, and it's substantial.

That affects Ball's value, without question.

So you have seen a massive drop in o-line run blocking. This "substantial drop" is the result of what?

Is it change in personnel?

Change in offensive scheme?

Just not getting a good push at the line of scrimmage?

Knowshon had no problem running behind that offensive line last year without Clady. In a Peyton Manning lead offense with numerous weapons do you even need a STUDLY o-line to run the ball effectively? I say no....

Monte Ball needs to start producing!!!

Ball looks unimpressive!!!

 

[Smack Tripper]

Ball is trash. Can't even flip this bum. Every fellow onward has to be concerned.

 

[tandl71]

He'll be a bell cow just like Andre Ellington, that floating turd.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

And I don't get Denver's offensive line. Manning doesn't have a grass stain on his uniform and hasn't been touched. They can pass block, however their run blocking is awful!

Peyton Manning is a big reason why Peyton Manning's jersey is always so clean. Avoiding pressure is as much on the QB as the line.

 

[dschuler]

And I don't get Denver's offensive line. Manning doesn't have a grass stain on his uniform and hasn't been touched. They can pass block, however their run blocking is awful!

Peyton Manning is a big reason why Peyton Manning's jersey is always so clean. Avoiding pressure is as much on the QB as the line.

Peyton can read blitzes as well as anyone in the league and is outstanding at getting his line and RBs to change their protection. Plus, he gets the ball out of his hands quickly if he needs to.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Montee Ball rushed 14 times for 38 yards and caught two passes for six yards in Sunday's Week 3 overtime loss at Seattle.

Ball lost a fumble on his first carry of the game, but encouragingly was not benched. He just had no shot against a Seattle defense that was able to crowd the line of scrimmage most of the game before Peyton Manning finally abandoned the run. Things won't get much easier for Ball after the Week 4 bye, as he'll have to face the Cardinals, Jets and 49ers in Weeks 5-7. We still think his touchdown potential gives him borderline RB1 status the rest of the way. Don't sell low.

Sep 21 - 8:46 PM

 

[RichInOrlando]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

 

[TeeDub]

Thanking Fred Jackson on his good game today to use as trade bait to get ball low

 

[BassNBrew]

Thanking Fred Jackson on his good game today to use as trade bait to get ball low

Better try tonight while the Ball owner is still drunk.

 

[Faust]

Broncos, Ball struggle in run game:

http://espn.go.com/blog/denver-broncos/post/_/id/8878/broncos-ball-struggle-in-run-game

 

[Houston turmOiler]

I keep wanting to offer him for trade but then the schedule gets much easier after 8 weeks or so. He isnt doing much now though. Maybe they can sort it out during the bye and get him going

They play in Denver, Ball has good size. When it starts getting colder I think he becomes a bell cow. Hillman looked terrible and CJ Anderson couldn't break through a wet paper sack. Anyone that thinks Ball's job is up for grabs is crazy.

Well Ball hasnt passed the eye test so far either. Looked horrible 2 out of 3 games, didnt see last week's 12-60 "breakout." With all those receivers I doubt they become a power running team any time soon. Even with a bad run blocking OL youd think he'd have more success, considering he doesnt face stacked boxes snd has Peyton freaking Manning supposedly audibling him into good running plays. I wonder if a quicker back might be a better fit, so maybe it's the best move to trade him. It isnt hard imagining Anderson or Hillman providing a spark. RBs are hard to come by in many leagues so I think Ill fetch a decent return and move on. I dont this he is this bad but feels somewhat Trent Richardson-esque.

 

[shader]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

 

[RichInOrlando]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

Many experts help lists had Ball as the No. 5/6 RB at the beginning of the season. I believe the recommended order in many I follow was: Charles, McCoy, AP, Forte, Lacy, Ball, Lynch, Murray.

 

[shadyridr]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

Came down to Ball and Murray for me in the 2nd and I went for the "safe" play in Ball (safe meaning he doesnt have Murray's injury history). We all make mistakes.

 

[cloppbeast]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

Came down to Ball and Murray for me in the 2nd and I went for the "safe" play in Ball (safe meaning he doesnt have Murray's injury history). We all make mistakes.

What seems like a mistake at the end of week 3, may not at the end of week 16. A lot of football left.

 

[cloppbeast]

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

People who use this phrase should quit using it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

It's apparent that all of these "experts" had Ball that high cause of his situation, not because he is particularly good. Cause he's not. Which is why I never bought him as a first or second round pick. Most of us correctly assumed that the Broncos offense would drop off from last year's record-setting level, but a RB who looks like JAG and who has never done it is gonna be a top 5 or 6 RB? Yeah, I never bought that for a second.

And fumbling on the first play yesterday just showed why I, a Broncos fan, do not trust him. He basically gave Seattle 3 points right there, and in a game which they lost in OT, that is huge.

 

[shader]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

Many experts help lists had Ball as the No. 5/6 RB at the beginning of the season. I believe the recommended order in many I follow was: Charles, McCoy, AP, Forte, Lacy, Ball, Lynch, Murray.

I have no idea why. Sometimes, it's best not to over-analyze what the "experts" say. In the end, in my opinion, there is only one reason to ever draft a guy over proven guys like Murray and/or Lynch. That is if you think the player has more actual talent, but just hasn't had a situation to show it yet.

I've never been one to draft a situational guy early just because he's in a good spot. I want physical freaks, studs, and proven players early. Highest upside.

Ball didn't impress me last year and he hasn't impressed me this year. His high ranking was a source of total confusion when I first saw it this year.

 

[Synthesizer]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

Hindsight and cherry-picking are wonderful things. The other RBs ranked immediately after Ball were A.Foster (hurt), Lacy (sucks), and Doug Martin (hurt).

 

[shader]

It's apparent that all of these "experts" had Ball that high cause of his situation, not because he is particularly good. Cause he's not. Which is why I never bought him as a first or second round pick. Most of us correctly assumed that the Broncos offense would drop off from last year's record-setting level, but a RB who looks like JAG and who has never done it is gonna be a top 5 or 6 RB? Yeah, I never bought that for a second.

And fumbling on the first play yesterday just showed why I, a Broncos fan, do not trust him. He basically gave Seattle 3 points right there, and in a game which they lost in OT, that is huge.

Exactly. This was different than most other situations in which people forecast the leap. This is a situation where Ball was "given" top-ten status, just because of Peyton Manning. It had little to do with his 2013 performance and his ability, and everything to do with his situation.

 

[shader]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

Hindsight and cherry-picking are wonderful things. The other RBs ranked immediately after Ball were A.Foster (hurt), Lacy (sucks), and Doug Martin (hurt).

I never brought up those two, just commenting on them. You saying Lacy sucks is quite hilarious, btw.

 

[Synthesizer]

I'm not giving up on Ball: With the fall of AP, my RB core relies on him and Gio, so I have no other choice but to hope he turns it around.

However, I'm realizing I let the experts sway my drafting to guys they say will blow up, and not the guys we know are proven because they "had a lot of carries" or "are prone to injury" etc etc. I take full responsibility for who I draft, but sometimes I think we have to realize guys like Ball (who are mostly unproven) aren't studs just because they become the back in a Peyton offense. Sometimes the guys like Murray and Lynch who seem like yesterday's news are the real studs.

My 2 cents.

If anyone drafted Ball over Murray and Lynch, (non-dynasty) they should just give up the hobby.

Hindsight and cherry-picking are wonderful things. The other RBs ranked immediately after Ball were A.Foster (hurt), Lacy (sucks), and Doug Martin (hurt).

I never brought up those two, just commenting on them. You saying Lacy sucks is quite hilarious, btw.

His fantasy production definitely sucks at this point.

 

[RichInOrlando]

It's apparent that all of these "experts" had Ball that high cause of his situation, not because he is particularly good. Cause he's not. Which is why I never bought him as a first or second round pick.

I know it's only Week 3, but still concerning to see him playing a small role when team falls behind. Completely understand the easiest path to victory is through Manning, but sad to see running abandoned.

Balls carries 1st Half: 9

Balls carries 2nd Half: 3

We knew running on Seattle would be tough, but they pretty much left Ball out of it (tried different runners to no avail, as well).

 

[White Lightning]

It's apparent that all of these "experts" had Ball that high cause of his situation, not because he is particularly good. Cause he's not. Which is why I never bought him as a first or second round pick. Most of us correctly assumed that the Broncos offense would drop off from last year's record-setting level, but a RB who looks like JAG and who has never done it is gonna be a top 5 or 6 RB? Yeah, I never bought that for a second.

And fumbling on the first play yesterday just showed why I, a Broncos fan, do not trust him. He basically gave Seattle 3 points right there, and in a game which they lost in OT, that is huge.

Do the CJ Anderson rumblings have merit? Could he take over the job anytime soon?

 

[JFS171]

It's apparent that all of these "experts" had Ball that high cause of his situation, not because he is particularly good. Cause he's not. Which is why I never bought him as a first or second round pick. Most of us correctly assumed that the Broncos offense would drop off from last year's record-setting level, but a RB who looks like JAG and who has never done it is gonna be a top 5 or 6 RB? Yeah, I never bought that for a second.

And fumbling on the first play yesterday just showed why I, a Broncos fan, do not trust him. He basically gave Seattle 3 points right there, and in a game which they lost in OT, that is huge.

Exactly. This was different than most other situations in which people forecast the leap. This is a situation where Ball was "given" top-ten status, just because of Peyton Manning. It had little to do with his 2013 performance and his ability, and everything to do with his situation.

I don't think it was completely without merit. Don't have time to look up the stats, but I know he averaged 4.7 ypc as a rookie. Combine that with the situation, draft pedigree, team stamping him as a 3-down bell cow (which he has been) and what we know about Knowshon Moreno pre-Manning, and it wasn't just fantasy experts hyping a guy for no reason and solely for his situation.

I've been disappointed as well, but the times I've watched him he literally has nowhere to go and is lucky to get back to the LOS.

 

[shadyridr]

It's apparent that all of these "experts" had Ball that high cause of his situation, not because he is particularly good. Cause he's not. Which is why I never bought him as a first or second round pick. Most of us correctly assumed that the Broncos offense would drop off from last year's record-setting level, but a RB who looks like JAG and who has never done it is gonna be a top 5 or 6 RB? Yeah, I never bought that for a second.

And fumbling on the first play yesterday just showed why I, a Broncos fan, do not trust him. He basically gave Seattle 3 points right there, and in a game which they lost in OT, that is huge.

Do the CJ Anderson rumblings have merit? Could he take over the job anytime soon?

What rumblings? He sucks

 

[Shutout]

Top-5 this year. Moved a bunch of future picks for him to complete my lineup in a league where I was weak at RB and I'm pumped.

I think so too. Im all in.....

People are going to be SO disappointed in Ball this year. Not because he won't be a valuable FF rb but you guys that are looking at this like he's going to be a top 5 RB are nuts.

TO do that, you are going to have to push some seriously ff-friendly rb talent to the side and I don't see it. Lightning in a bottle SELDOM repeats itself in ff with interchangeable parts. Sure, Marshall Faulk was God for a while but the thing is...he was always Marshall Faulk. You don't plug-n-play superlative talent in at RB often.

I get the drawing of the conclusion. People say Ball is so much better than Moreno and look what Moreno did. But, you know, the people with that line of thinking are likely the same people that sat here this time last year and said Moreno might get cut and it's Ball team..and watch out for Hillman.

This assumption that he would be top 5 or so basically means he has to come out here and do everything Eddie Lacy did last year, but a noticeable amount better. I just don't see it in terms of volume. Denver is just not one of those teams that says we are going to put a saddle on our RB and let him march us in. Forget the idea of "they will get leads and will want to milk the clock...blah blah blah." EVERY TEAM says that and I can tell you that Denver is not a team to practice that. If it were Pittsburgh, sure! If it were even San Diego or Tennessee, ok. But nobody in the league, from fans, to coaches, to the league office thinks the best way to showcase (and win) Denver on theire umpteen prime time games is to roll out the final days of Peyton Manning and handing it off 35 times a game. Manning is like a star gone super nova. He's burning hottest and brightest at the end and everyone knows he is to be ridden all the way. If they wanted to run that much, they could have kept Tebow.

Bumped my earlier thought just because I should have taken my own advice...Not on Ball but Charles..

Really, just a reminder to self (and others if they want) that these things can go sideways in a hurry.

 

[need2know]

The oline is the biggest reason for the poor rushing numbers. You can blame ball all you want but no other rb on denvers roster was going to get good numbers in sea yesterday. It will get better. He was ranked highly before the season due to manning and the workload. These things have not changed. No other rb on denver is a threat. Bench him at your own risk. When denver is blowing teams out, which they normally will, his numbers will go up

 

[RichInOrlando]

The oline is the biggest reason for the poor rushing numbers. You can blame ball all you want but no other rb on denvers roster was going to get good numbers in sea yesterday. It will get better. He was ranked highly before the season due to manning and the workload. These things have not changed. No other rb on denver is a threat. Bench him at your own risk. When denver is blowing teams out, which they normally will, his numbers will go up

This does raise an observation we CANNOT overlook particularly to this game. Seattle has Manning's number locked down. If Manning was able to get something going, Ball's game could have maybe opened up. Yes, Ball shouldn't be dependent on Manning to produce good stats, but if Manning isn't able to make defense soften up on the line, Ball was going nowhere.

 

[Adam Harstad]

Another week, another 70+% of offensive snaps for Montee. This time he finished with 78%. People might not like him, but there's no indication that he's going anywhere.

 

[Adam Harstad]

It's apparent that all of these "experts" had Ball that high cause of his situation, not because he is particularly good. Cause he's not. Which is why I never bought him as a first or second round pick. Most of us correctly assumed that the Broncos offense would drop off from last year's record-setting level, but a RB who looks like JAG and who has never done it is gonna be a top 5 or 6 RB? Yeah, I never bought that for a second.

And fumbling on the first play yesterday just showed why I, a Broncos fan, do not trust him. He basically gave Seattle 3 points right there, and in a game which they lost in OT, that is huge.

Do the CJ Anderson rumblings have merit? Could he take over the job anytime soon?

Anderson played 3 snaps yesterday (and hardly looked very good himself- 2 carries for -3 yards, 1 reception for 1 yard; nobody was getting anything against Seattle yesterday). Anything is possible, but Denver hasn't shown much interest in making a switch to this point.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Concerned Ball owner here... His value has already fallen and with the tough schedule the next month, I don't see it going anywhere but lower.