2009 NFL Regular Season Thread

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by rubecube

San Francisco - The defense is very good, they have an elite RB and what looks to be a possible franchise receiver in Crabtree. They need a QB that defenses will respect (a.k.a. not Shaun Hill) and won't turn the ball over (a.k.a not Alex Smith). They've had a lot of high draft picks in the last few years, so they may be more willing to part with what looks to be a mid-round pick this year if they can get a good QB that can start right away.

Pretty good analysis. Hill doesn't scare anyone deep, so with him in defenses were crowding the line and killing the run. The 49ers are going to give Smith the rest of the season to see what he has got AND they are not on record saying they are going to open up the passing game. So if Smith wanted a shot, he's got it.

The kicker for the Niners is they weren't able to fill all the needs they wanted to last year. The O-Line has been a constant struggle with injuries and subs. Expect them to go with either an offensive lineman or an OLB who can bring pressure on the QB. Those are the 2 things they have been trying unsuccessfully to get so look for those to be addressed early.

QB needs will be decided by the rest of the season. If the Niners could run with 8 or 9 in the box against them (they can't; those are the o-line issues limiting them to less the 3 yards per carry in those situations) then you would still see Hill in there. Smith is in there to open things up inside by using his arm with the deep strike. Vernon Davis and this past weekend Jason Hill have benefitted from this. If Smith finally gets some chemistry with Crabtree and Morgan and minimizes the picks then a QB won't be picked until further down the draft. Smith was actually starting to look good with Norv Turner as his OC. And if Smith does end up in Denver, he will probably avoid Mike Nolan. That is a bad history between those two.

The QB wildcard is rookie Nate Davis. Everything from training camp to now has said he seems to have the best football sense and the quickest release with very good arm strength. But he has a learning disability so he can't study the playbook like other QBs, so he is the 3rd QB and doesn't get the reps. I don't know what will happen with him.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

The kicker for the Niners is they weren't able to fill all the needs they wanted to last year. The O-Line has been a constant struggle with injuries and subs. Expect them to go with either an offensive lineman or an OLB who can bring pressure on the QB. Those are the 2 things they have been trying unsuccessfully to get so look for those to be addressed early.

Yeah, I think if the Niners think they can fill those things through a combination of free agency, draft, and natural progression within the organization then they might trade for a QB. Otherwise I think they stick with patch jobs at QB until they think they're solid at all of their other positions.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Also Dis, and other Bronco fans, is it just me or is Bailey starting to look like he is losing a step??

I still think he is an elite CB, but he just doesnt seem to have that one explosive move he always used to show.

I don't know about losing a step. I think he's a gambler, and he looks bad on occasion because of it.

You should've seen him last season when the team had no defense. He was everywhere. Making tackles against the run on the opposite side of the field. He's a gem.

As for 4-4...you crazy man! Crazy!

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Good read on the differences between Priest Holmes and LJ and what each meant to the Chiefs.

http://www.kansascity.com/180/story/1559398.html

I had no more use for LJ, and I'm glad he won't be a record holder for the Chiefs. I also think they needed to get him out of that room as fast as possible. But there is no denying that the Chiefs gave him exactly what he wanted all along. He got paid, and he got out of Kansas City. Whitlock had a point when he suggested the march him out there every week and force him to take a beating. Unfortunately they've already wasted enough time going nowhere with this rebuilding project they need to get this thing on track.

[Jesse834]

There is a slim chance my Ravens will get a playoff spot but I highly doubt it. This team needs another WR.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Jesse834

There is a slim chance my Ravens will get a playoff spot but I highly doubt it. This team needs another WR.

They need to make their defense much younger. They aren't a top 10 defense anymore. Age and losing players to other teams seem to have caught up to them.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I don't know about losing a step. I think he's a gambler, and he looks bad on occasion because of it.

You should've seen him last season when the team had no defense. He was everywhere. Making tackles against the run on the opposite side of the field. He's a gem.

As for 4-4...you crazy man! Crazy!

IMO he has lost a bit of a step. The groin injury last year really hurt him. He's getting thrown at a LOT more the last few years, teams are learning he is no longer the ultimate shut down corner. He's still an all pro and amazing, but he's certainly more vulnerable, bound to happen to any aging skill position player. Of course, a good part of that is the Bronco lack of a pass rush, no one can cover for 6 seconds every play.

[Jesse834]

Vernon Davis has just given himself an enormous target on his back for the Bears defense, after calling them out, saying that the 49ers will be able to "destroy" them during their game on Thursday night.

"I think we can destroy their front. The guys up front, I think we can destroy them. I don't see anything spectacular about their front line. Their linebackers, I think we can handle them pretty well. I like Ogunleye. I like the way he's playing up front. He's about the only player I like on their defensive line. I think he's doing a good job."

[Sinatra]

Barely won my sportsaction bet on the Seahawks game. Seattle has an easy schedule coming up and thank god their division is easy.

[OILFAN #81]

Larry Johnson goes unclaimed on waivers and is now free to sign with any team that he wants/wants him. KC still owes him over $2 M:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4642672

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Sinatra

Barely won my sportsaction bet on the Seahawks game. Seattle has an easy schedule coming up and thank god their division is easy.

I don't think the Seahawks have much of a shot to make the playoffs. The game coming up against Arizona is the season for Seattle. If they lose that game they have 0% chance of making the playoffs. Realistically, being 3-5 and having to play the Vikings and Texans (both on the road), the best they can do is 9-7. Seattle will finish 7-9 IMO.

[rubecube]

Great, more bad news for the Eagles defense. We're now really thin at DB. Ellis Hobbs (who is also our terrific KR) was placed on IR, and now Joselio Hanson has been suspended 4 games for using a diuretic.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Great, more bad news for the Eagles defense. We're now really thin at DB. Ellis Hobbs (who is also our terrific KR) was placed on IR, and now Joselio Hanson has been suspended 4 games for using a diuretic.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

That's going to make quite the interesting matchup against San Diego this weekend. If their receivers can hold on to the ball, the Eagles might be in trouble.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

That's going to make quite the interesting matchup against San Diego this weekend. If their receivers can hold on to the ball, the Eagles might be in trouble.

Yep, especially since the Eagles defense relies on the nickle package for a lot of their plays. The nickle corner this week is going to be former Chief, Dimitri Patterson.

[Pagal4321]

So you pretty much lost Hobbs (nickle corner), Hanson (dime corner/ST) right?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

So you pretty much lost Hobbs (nickle corner), Hanson (dime corner/ST) right?

Hanson was the nickle, and Hobbs was the dime and kickoff returner. At least Patterson wasn't brutal in camp, and Hanson will be back by week 14.

[habernac]

Brady and Manning, are there two cooler characters in the league right now? Great article on the mutual respect they have for one another.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/col...ike&id=4644985

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by habernac

Brady and Manning, are there two cooler characters in the league right now? Great article on the mutual respect they have for one another.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/col...ike&id=4644985

I hate the Patriots but I do not hate Brady.

I remember 2 hours before the Colts were going to play the Bears in the Superbowl, Brady was one of 2 QB's who called Manning to wish him luck and ran through a few plays with him to use.

Manning returned the favor this past year on advice for Brady's knee as Peyton went through a similar (less severe) injury on his knee.

These guys talk and call each other in the offseason but only talk about football.

Also, a great story on TE Dallas Clark who should be a pro-bowler this year and in my mind has been underrated for the past couple years:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...d9/DallasClark

[rubecube]

The Browns are almost as much of a mess as the Raiders.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4647978

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis said he's frustrated by another losing season and believes coach Eric Mangini is pushing his players too hard.

"This is his show, not mine," Lewis said. "You got to take care of your crop. If you don't, when it comes time to harvest, you're not going to make no money because the crop is no good. That's that."

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yep, especially since the Eagles defense relies on the nickle package for a lot of their plays. The nickle corner this week is going to be former Chief, Dimitri Patterson.

Great timing. Thanks for that.