I know its way early into the season, but these studs days have got to be numbered. Lewis has only one game in but put up a measily 4 and 1. Fletcher put up huge points week 1 but average numbers week 2 (for him). I think Blades and Gooden are in line to take over and wonder if that is true and what the thoughts are on the board on how this will pan out. Either by injury or until they retire????
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passing of the torch (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Badm
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I disagree. both are still capable of putting up elite numbers every week.
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BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
Ray Ray will play two more years after this one. He has a plan.
The team isnt benching him unless he benches himself. Or is injured.
The team isnt benching him unless he benches himself. Or is injured.
trader jake
Footballguy
Both will benefit this season because their defenses will be on the field a lot. The Redskins offense is still new and getting organized while the Ravens is led by a rookie and has injuries to key contributes.
London Fletcher is still an IDP stud.
Ray Lewis is still an every week starter but he is no longer a stud.
Unless your fantasy team is in rebuilding mode (or you get some no-brainer offer) I don't see why you would part with Fletcher. I could understand parting ways with Lewis for the right price but I certainly wouldn't be looking to rid my team of his services.
London Fletcher is still an IDP stud.
Ray Lewis is still an every week starter but he is no longer a stud.
Unless your fantasy team is in rebuilding mode (or you get some no-brainer offer) I don't see why you would part with Fletcher. I could understand parting ways with Lewis for the right price but I certainly wouldn't be looking to rid my team of his services.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
I don't see any signs of Fletcher slowing down. He still has 2-3 good years left. The guy is a tackling machine. Lewis has only a durability issue. He can still play at a high level.I don't expect Blades or Gooden to be a factor anytime soon.Blades was 4-2 last game
Lewis has only a durability issue. He can still play at a high level.
I don't expect Blades or Gooden to be a factor anytime soon.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
When I say "factor", I mean a viable fantasy starter. Blades is not one right now despite those numbers last week.Blades was 4-2 last gameI don't see any signs of Fletcher slowing down. He still has 2-3 good years left. The guy is a tackling machine.
Lewis has only a durability issue. He can still play at a high level.
I don't expect Blades or Gooden to be a factor anytime soon.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Without a major injury, Gooden and Blades are not threats until 2009 at the earliest. Blades played SLB last week for Marcus Washington. Good week, but he's not an every-down player and not indicative of any likelihood to push Fletcher out. Lewis' faced little tackle opportunity in Week 1; plenty of very good backers have weeks with five or fewer solos. In fact, it happened nearly 40% of the time to last season's top ten tackling linebackers (as a collective). Lewis belongs outside the LB1 tier at this point in his career, but not on the Raven bench.
If, on the other hand, by numbered days, you meant more than 365, then I agree completely.
If, on the other hand, by numbered days, you meant more than 365, then I agree completely.
Ok, my bad. I didn't exactly write this question up very well but I think the input was good. More specifically I was wondering if Blades and Gooden were the heir apparent if Fletcher or Lewis has an injury or retires. The second part was, theses guys are getting up there in years and generally teams will start looking for their replacement, planning for the future kind of thing. There were points from some above that they think Lewis and Fletcher have 2-3 years left in the tank. Does anyone have insight if the teams believe, Blades and Gooden are the future when that time comes or do you believe they will continue to draft for a replacement....Thanks for the input.
P.S. It was nice not getting blasted with insults from my question. I could only imagine the responses I would have received if this was posted on the Shark Forum....
P.S. It was nice not getting blasted with insults from my question. I could only imagine the responses I would have received if this was posted on the Shark Forum....
Fletcher is in the 2nd year of a 5-year, $25 million contract that he just signed in 2007. It included $10.5 in guaranteed money. As long as he continues to play at a high level, I don't think they'll try to force him out. Wouldn't surprise me all that much if he played all 5 years of the contract but I definitely think he'll have at least 1 more year after this one.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I'd expect both teams to be looking for backers in the draft relatively soon. Neither have the greatest depth and both have older players who have been injury prone recently and players nearing the end of their current contracts. Blades has proven he can play all three positions effectively now and is considered the heir apparent by most right now. After his solid play last week, however, that could be anywhere. If he continues to play this well for Marcus Washington, he may be entrenched as the SLB by the time London Fletcher breaks down. That doesn't look likely to happen in the next season or two, but anything is possible after the age of 30.Gooden hasn't proven anything yet, and a number of close observers feel strongly that Baltimore will sign Lewis to another extension this offseason. If that's the case, Gooden's immediate future will probably be as Bart Scott's replacement (who may not be re-signed if Lewis is re-upped), but he may have to wait still longer.
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T Bell
Footballguy
Blades filled in capably for Marcus Washington, and the team is very impressed with his ability to play all three LB positions capably. They love his instincts and how he's always near the ball. I agree that Fletcher looks as young as ever - simply incredible given the position he plays - but the key here for Blades may not be Fletcher so much as it's that Washington looks like he's nearing the end of the line, and McIntosh has had a somewhat slow recovery from knee surgery and has a history of knee problems.When I say "factor", I mean a viable fantasy starter. Blades is not one right now despite those numbers last week.Blades was 4-2 last game
Lewis has only a durability issue. He can still play at a high level.
I don't expect Blades or Gooden to be a factor anytime soon.
Blades is now rosterable beyond your taxi squad, and is a good guy to have in deep leagues sitting on the end of your IDP bench as your LB7 or LB8 as a just-in-case player for you. He may be the starting SLB next year if Washington doesn't get and stay healthy.
Edit- well, that's what I get for not reading Jene's last post first. He wrote much the same thing I did.
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trader jake
Footballguy
That's how we roll over here.
Interesting thread. I'd like to take a trip down memory lane with a few other former IDP studs that may be in line to "pass the torch" or hang up the cleats very soon. These were the top dogs not long ago.
* B. Urlacher (2 years?)
* Z. Thomas (already passing the torch)
* D. Edwards (I'm still amazed at the 16 combines tackles, 2 INTs and a TD in one game back in 2004. Has there been a better individual game by an LB?)
* M. Peterson (he was really good when he was on Indy)
* D. Brooks
* B. Urlacher (2 years?)
* Z. Thomas (already passing the torch)
* D. Edwards (I'm still amazed at the 16 combines tackles, 2 INTs and a TD in one game back in 2004. Has there been a better individual game by an LB?)
* M. Peterson (he was really good when he was on Indy)
* D. Brooks
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
Tim Krumrie with 21 solos and 1 assist as a defensive tackle!
Eugene Lockhart with a single season phenom of having the ONLY legit 200 tackle season, 1989.
Eugene Lockhart with a single season phenom of having the ONLY legit 200 tackle season, 1989.
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T Bell
Footballguy
Tim Krumrie with 21 solos and 1 assist as a defensive tackle!Eugene Lockhart with a single season phenom of having the ONLY legit 200 tackle season, 1989.
Both of those are simply insane stats.
The Man With No Name
Footballguy
Joey Porter, 2002 vs. Oakland had:
11 solo tackles
1 assist
3 sacks
2 interceptions, 2 PD
114 int. return yards
11 solo tackles
1 assist
3 sacks
2 interceptions, 2 PD
114 int. return yards
You're right. That Harrison game last year was probably the best game. 10 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 PD. Beats Porter's 2002 game in my scoring system. Wow.
Tecmo
Footballguy
London Fletcher isn't passing the torch, he's reaching his prime. I'm amazed at how old this guy gets treated when his stats show no decline whatsoever. I pity the fantasy owner holding onto Blades hoping, wishing Fletcher will go away. This is clearly a player whose game is based on instincts and will play into his later 30s. my 2 cents
