bloodsunday
05-27-2005, 09:48 AM
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/magazine/magBlog?id=2040361
The best quotes about Denver:
On the defensive
Two interesting notes out of Denver: Ian Gold will now be known as the "reduction-side" linebacker, and after being filleted by Peyton Manning two years in a row, Broncos coaches are spending more time teaching their safeties out to cover receivers man-to-man.
In the Cross Hairs
Defensive Lines
1. Denver's entire defensive line: The Cleveland imports had better pay off.
2. Cleveland's entire defensive line: The six defensive linemen on the Browns' roster have a career total of 6.5 sacks.
Coaches
1. Joe Gibbs, Washington: Start with his head-shaking quarterback philosophy (Ramsey, Campbell and Mark Brunell). Continue with the fact that his player relations have been poor (Taylor, Laveranues Coles). Continue more that it took him most of the year to use Clinton Portis correctly. Continue with a 6-10 season & you get the point.
2. Dom Capers, Houston: Still searching for his first non-losing season with the Texans, who were handed loads of personnel advantages upon joining the league.
3. Mike Shanahan, Denver: Hasn't won a playoff game since January 1999. If that stat continues, you wonder if he might look for a way out of Denver.
Some Props for Rod
Let's say it's true that Jerry Rice signs with Denver and is reunited with Mike Shanahan. If the decision to employ Rice is partially based on molding former first-round pick Ashley Lelie into a top receiver – and I think it is – my first thought is: Why does Lelie need Rice to accomplish this?
Of course, any receiver would do well taking tips from the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), but Lelie has had the most underrated receiver of the past 10 years – Rod Smith – to learn from. Since 1997, only Marvin Harrison has more receptions than Smith's 690 – not bad for an undrafted free-agent quarterback.
And, as Chris Mortensen said on SportsCenter, Rice would be a fourth receiver and might have to play special teams, an apparent sticking point. Again, look to Rod: Last year, at age 32, he returned punts.
The best quotes about Denver:
On the defensive
Two interesting notes out of Denver: Ian Gold will now be known as the "reduction-side" linebacker, and after being filleted by Peyton Manning two years in a row, Broncos coaches are spending more time teaching their safeties out to cover receivers man-to-man.
In the Cross Hairs
Defensive Lines
1. Denver's entire defensive line: The Cleveland imports had better pay off.
2. Cleveland's entire defensive line: The six defensive linemen on the Browns' roster have a career total of 6.5 sacks.
Coaches
1. Joe Gibbs, Washington: Start with his head-shaking quarterback philosophy (Ramsey, Campbell and Mark Brunell). Continue with the fact that his player relations have been poor (Taylor, Laveranues Coles). Continue more that it took him most of the year to use Clinton Portis correctly. Continue with a 6-10 season & you get the point.
2. Dom Capers, Houston: Still searching for his first non-losing season with the Texans, who were handed loads of personnel advantages upon joining the league.
3. Mike Shanahan, Denver: Hasn't won a playoff game since January 1999. If that stat continues, you wonder if he might look for a way out of Denver.
Some Props for Rod
Let's say it's true that Jerry Rice signs with Denver and is reunited with Mike Shanahan. If the decision to employ Rice is partially based on molding former first-round pick Ashley Lelie into a top receiver – and I think it is – my first thought is: Why does Lelie need Rice to accomplish this?
Of course, any receiver would do well taking tips from the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), but Lelie has had the most underrated receiver of the past 10 years – Rod Smith – to learn from. Since 1997, only Marvin Harrison has more receptions than Smith's 690 – not bad for an undrafted free-agent quarterback.
And, as Chris Mortensen said on SportsCenter, Rice would be a fourth receiver and might have to play special teams, an apparent sticking point. Again, look to Rod: Last year, at age 32, he returned punts.