Wild Card Sunday Open Thread

IAOFM Jan 9, 2011 1:00 PM

Enjoy the games, everyone! Go Ravens and whoever will beat the Bears!!!

UPDATE 2:07PM ET - Shannon Sharpe is among 15 modern-era finalists for induction to the Pro Football HOF in 2011. Terrell Davis, the greatest postseason runner in NFL history, was among 11 semifinalists who did not make the cut.

Open Threads

Update:

RT @mortreport: Broncos OC Mike McCoy under serious consideration to replace Charlie Weis for the Chiefs as Weis packs his bags.

Interesting. I&#8217d been sort of down on McCoy because his play calling seemed kind of uninspired and frustrating but it also seemed to get better with Tebow in the last 2 games, so who knows. I won&#8217t cry if he leaves and don&#8217t expect him to stay anyway with a new HC coming in.

Posted by underdog on 2011-01-10 03:25:39

In regards to Peyton and the Colts, I do believe that the depth of that team is more hollow than it appears and it is being masked somewhat

If we can see that, certainly Peyton can too

That makes the scenario of him leaving all the more interesting

As with Champ, Manning&#8217s new contract got pulled back, although I think that was HIS decision if I remember correctly

If Manning sees the Colts as a sinking ship and decides to move to a new spot, can you even imagine?

He would be the most sought after FA since the inception of free agency

What if a team that was already close but with a gaping hole at QB, say SF, threw their wallet at him?

They have already shown to not be miserly with their pursuit of Harbaugh

What if Harbaugh, as a bright new coach, made a deal with Manning to effectively allow Manning to be a de facto OC on the field?

He could direct a team with young talent on both sides of the ball in a very weak division

I know it is HIGHLY unlikely, but fun to think about

Posted by NaggleNole on 2011-01-10 01:58:27

About the playoffs, I was reading on other boards complaining about the Colts (ie. chokers, bad coaching etc.). What I think is being lost in the whole situation is that they are at the end of a competitive cycle, and that Manning is so good that this is being masked somewhat. Unlike NE, the Colts have not attempted a talent rebuild in the last few years. It is now starting to show as they have not had an impact player drafted in the past 5-6 years. Manning is great, but he is a one man show on offense. This prevents the Colts from running out the those massive leads they used to get and allowing their defense to just rush the passer. The Colts will always be there in terms of playing in the playoffs, but their chances of winning the SB anytime soon is very small.

Posted by John Hilton on 2011-01-10 01:32:49

Wasn&#8217t it Vernon Gholston? Or do I have my years mixed up? Remember though, McD made that pick for the Jets because didn&#8217t you know, he wants to sabotage all the teams that hurt New England (like Denver, because Denver ALWAYS beats NE).

Posted by John Hilton on 2011-01-10 01:23:29

Most overrated player in that draft:

Rey Maualuga.

Walter&#8217s hate clouds his judgement.

Posted by Joaquim Baeta on 2011-01-10 00:26:34

You could replace Cutler, Marshal and Shefler with Bradlee Van Pelt, Charlie Adams and our Equipment manager and that would have been an upgrade! Did you see our equipment manager was catching ALL of Tebow&#8217s passes during rookie camp? Why isn&#8217t that guy signed? Makes you wonder about ALL the personnel projections!!!

Matthews and Ayers have totally different skill sets with totally different position responsibilities. Though really, why should those little facts get into any rational discussion? <img alt="wink" height="19" src="http://www.singernet.com/images/smileys/wink.gif" style="border:0;" width="19">

I like Ayers. Before he broke his foot, I liked him a lot. He&#8217s no skilled pass rusher, but with Elvis back taking those duties, and some delayed help from the inside from Haggan or DJ&#8217s replacement, I&#8217m pretty happy with how things happend. That said, Matthews grew up about 30 min from where I live, played at USC (my sisters alma mater) so I am pretty partial to Clay.

Posted by Joe Howard on 2011-01-10 00:06:22

But Joe, haven&#8217t you heard?

How about this gem:

&#8220WalterFootball.com certainly isn&#8217t surprised Denver is where they are. Let&#8217s recap Josh McDaniels&#8217 first offseason in Denver: ran Jay Cutler out of town, selected the most overrated player in the 2011 NFL Draft in Robert Ayers, traded the 2010 first-round pick for Alphonso Smith, and also selected a blocking tight end later in the second round. Yeah, when you make moronic personnel moves, it is going to come back to bite you.&#8221

Without even diving into the other popular press misconceptions, I was given pause by that Ayers statement.

I know a lot of people thought he was raw or possibly a 1 year wonder, but the most overrated player in the draft? Wow!

I also remember the well-respected Mike Mayock claiming (and I&#8217m paraphrasing) that in 3 years, Ayers would be the best defensive player in the draft

Here comes year 3, hopefully under an excellent defensive mind like Rivera (unlikely it seems), Fewell, Williams, Fox, etc.

I thought that Ayers and Doom are arguably our most compelling reason to stay in a 3-4

They function sort of like the Anvil (Ayers) and the Hammer (Doom)

Impossible to please some people unless you are a getting the sack highlights I guess

Posted by NaggleNole on 2011-01-09 23:50:21

HAHA Dude. Damn that Ayers and his edge setting run support! We coulda had a second long-haired elvis.

Posted by Joe Howard on 2011-01-09 23:40:14

Oh there is Clay Matthews again, kicking butt!

Oh, Brian Xanders, if you would have only grown a pair we would have drafted this guy&#8230right? Isn&#8217t that true?

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2011-01-09 23:35:05

NaggleNole, it&#8217s not even an Eagles thing. Philly teams in general have tough fans.

Posted by Joaquim Baeta on 2011-01-09 23:22:58

Boy do I love Eagles fans

Akers misses a FG and you can already (faintly) hear the boo birds

Is there something about Philly that breeds hostility among their fans?

I still remember them cheering not one, but two career-ending injuries back in that dungeon known as the Vet

One was Michael Irvin, I can&#8217t remember the other

Posted by NaggleNole on 2011-01-09 23:07:12

It&#8217s a little sorry how vacated Arrowhead got in the 4th. But if the Broncos were in that position, our &#8216fans&#8217 would have been booing by the half.

Posted by Chibronx on 2011-01-09 23:02:21

One thing to remember about Elway&#8217s comments about Tebow. Just because Elway says something doesn&#8217t make it true, although some Broncos fans would believe it so.

First, Elway needs to define good for us. Wins? Yards? 3rd downs? Completion %? I happen to believe he&#8217s already better than 1/3 of the Qbs in the league already. I may even write about this next week.

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2011-01-09 22:59:18

Hey Doug, did you go and tick of Jason La Confora? <img alt="smile" height="19" src="http://www.singernet.com/images/smileys/smile.gif" style="border:0;" width="19">

Posted by Joe Howard on 2011-01-09 22:48:43

They have wide receivers? Thought those were just decoys. Was Champ guarding Bowe again today?

Posted by Joe Howard on 2011-01-09 22:06:43

Just a side note,

I really liked what I saw from Fewell in that video.

Now, I&#8217m sure the Broncos PR spun it to put him in a positive light, but I really liked it. Besides, if he could bring back the 4-3, we will have a shot at Bowers who would be a fantastic 4-3 rusher. I would support Fewell.

Anyone else?

Posted by NickCast on 2011-01-09 22:06:21

what&#8217s even better than watching ketchup and mustard suck this loss down is knowing they are losing their OC,that Haley is a brooding coach who throws his players under the bus, their wrs can&#8217t get open, and their QB is average at best&#8230..will be nice to see them down again next year&#8230

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2011-01-09 22:03:44

...and shove it up Haley&#8217s nose.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-01-09 22:01:25

I&#8217d like to see Haley wag his finger and have Harbaugh break it off.

Posted by Joe Howard on 2011-01-09 21:59:49

Interesting to see all those &#8220great fans&#8221 in KC cleared out halfway through the 4th quarter.

Eat it, Chefs&#8230

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2011-01-09 21:59:36

The big question now: Will Haley shake hands, or will he pout because the Ravens were mean to him?

Posted by DCJ on 2011-01-09 21:54:20

Looks like KC D wore down like defenses usually wear down with no offense able to control ball.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-01-09 21:43:24

Classy, Tyson Jackson, classy.

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2011-01-09 21:38:32

Hali is a free agent after this game (or whenver contracts expire).

Chefs will have to pay up to keep him. There could be exodus of talent on the defensive side of the football from the AFC West.

Nnamdi

Hali

Champ (of course, hopefully not)

Wish there was a Charger I could list here

All this means to me is that there will be plenty of Free agents available for Denver to try to attract&#8230coach will be vital.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-01-09 21:25:26

Good bye, Kansas City!!

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2011-01-09 21:20:08

Dude, I would be honored

Besides, it fits in with the whole culinary nickname theme of Chefs <img alt="wink" height="19" src="http://www.singernet.com/images/smileys/wink.gif" style="border:0;" width="19">

Posted by NaggleNole on 2011-01-09 21:16:13

Naggle,

That&#8217s the funniest nickname for the Chiefs I have ever seen. I&#8217m stealing it if you don&#8217t mine.

Kansas City Condiments.

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2011-01-09 21:14:19

Cassel looks like a deer in the headlights

Will be very interesting to see how the Condiments deal with the loss of Weis and the realization of Cassel&#8217s albatross contract

Posted by NaggleNole on 2011-01-09 21:11:43

Watching the game right now, don&#8217t think the Broncos should over look the value of a mobile Qb. Mobility looks like a very valuable commodity if you ask me!

Posted by tom3565 on 2011-01-09 21:11:17

Haley is an excellent villain. He looks like one of the characters in a prison movie.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-01-09 20:46:50

Hmm, Nnamdi Asogmuha a free agent? I envision Champ now waits to see what Nnamdi (4 yrs younger) gets on the open market to see his worth.

Is it me or has the emphasis of the DL and CB (even safety position) lapped the LBs? $ says so IMO.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-01-09 19:54:46

I hope you are kicking your &#8220feet&#8221 up today Rex Ryan.

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2011-01-09 19:06:19

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