View Full Version : Apart from Walker and Bailey has any other player impressed this season?
eddie mac
11-26-2006, 03:49 PM
Those 2 have been the obvious stars on our team this year but the number of other players who've stood out for me have been few and far between.
Honourable mentions go to:
Mike Bell. For an undrafted free-agent he's performed steadily if unspectacular and in sporadic action has gained 423 yards and more importantly is second on the team with 5 TD's.
Kenard Lang. The 5th consectutive pick-up from the Browns has been pretty decent so far at DE and overtook Mr Pryce's sack mark a few weeks ago and has 6 sacks so far this season.
Elvis Dumervil. Who said this kid was too small to play Defensive Line in this league. IMHO if he had 3 half-decent Linemen beside him he'd be a force in this league. Has also recorded 6 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries to date. Excellent value for a 4th round pick thus far.
Other players have made decent contributions so far inc, our Linebackers, Lynch, Darrent Williams, etc.
The disappointment list is a lot longer and includes: Jake, Tatum, Foster, Warren, Ernster, Courtney Brown, Special Teams Unit minus Elam. I'd also include Scheffler in this category because for a 2nd rd pick and the fact we're the worst in the NFL at TE, we really needed this kid to pick up the offense this year and by all accounts he hasn't to date.
I was also expecting to see more of Kircus, Rod and Marshall this year but IMO the blame for that lies directly at Jake and his inability to get them the ball.
TheDave
11-26-2006, 04:08 PM
Add to the suprises Erik Pears... Who would of thought and undrafted FA could replace Lepsis.
Hercules Rockefeller
11-26-2006, 04:08 PM
They have nice numbers, but Lang and Dumervil have been way too inconsistent.
elsid13
11-26-2006, 04:10 PM
I think Myers has been solid contribuer and Nails continue to be the key to the line.
Let's see Champ and Javon....... ya that covers it.
Popps
11-26-2006, 04:16 PM
They have nice numbers, but Lang and Dumervil have been way too inconsistent.
Exactly.
The real test for this defense needs to be what they're doing against high quality offenses.
We all know our defense can put up nice numbers against the Oaklands of the world. But, guys like Lang... Ekuban and Dumervil were absolutely invisible against Indy, San Diego and a healthy Kansas City.
That's been the M.O. for our defense for a few years, now.
As for other stand-outs, I don't know..... Elam?
I struggle to think of any other player who's really made a case for themselves this season. We've seen a lot of solid play from guys like Lynch and Wilson.
But, Walker/Bailey are clearly the stand-outs on this team. That's probably why their pay-checks are the largest.
eddie mac
11-26-2006, 04:17 PM
They have nice numbers, but Lang and Dumervil have been way too inconsistent.
I dont think they're getting the same kind of help from inside like the pass rushers got last year Herc. It's well seen it's not a contract year for Warren, either that or he's playing hurt.
2KBack
11-26-2006, 05:04 PM
They have nice numbers, but Lang and Dumervil have been way too inconsistent.
They still showup more than once a season (unlike pryce), which is nice. A nasty DT would make these guys look really good.
Northman
11-26-2006, 05:07 PM
When given a chance with the ball Kircus has shown promise. Same with Marshall.
JDB7821
11-26-2006, 05:07 PM
They still showup more than once a season (unlike pryce), which is nice. A nasty DT would make these guys look really good.
The defensive line is definitely the biggest problem on the team. I haven't been looking into the draft prospects yet, but hopefully there's a stand-out guy available at the Broncos' pick.
2KBack
11-26-2006, 05:09 PM
honestly, we should reserve judgement and see if Cutler turns out to make a big difference.
Paladin
11-26-2006, 05:29 PM
On defense?
Oh, yeah.
On defense.
Cutler.
The Rookie QB.
Clockwork Orange
11-26-2006, 05:45 PM
Tatum Bell impressed me until his inevitable injury happened.
youcandoit1687
11-26-2006, 05:45 PM
ive been impressed with the whole offensive line minus foster. the interior has been solid and pears and meadows stepping in has been great.
brian clark has impressed me on KRs, too bad his good ones have all been called back. ive also been impressed with the play of the fullbacks, especially mock's boy cecil, we need to give him more FB dives
youcandoit1687
11-26-2006, 05:47 PM
Tatum Bell impressed me until his inevitable injury happened.
ahh yes the misconception about tatum not being durable, i covered this in a nother thread. tatum looked very good this year and i still think that he has a few more good games left in him. dont lose faith so fast, jeez.
2KBack
11-26-2006, 05:51 PM
On defense?
Oh, yeah.
On defense.
Cutler.
The Rookie QB.
Relax, that post wasn't intended as a reponse to the Defensive line post.
Clockwork Orange
11-26-2006, 05:55 PM
ahh yes the misconception about tatum not being durable, i covered this in a nother thread. tatum looked very good this year and i still think that he has a few more good games left in him. dont lose faith so fast, jeez.
Misconception? What am I misconceiving about a guy who has never made it healthy through a season in his first three years in the NFL?
Oh, right, you pointed out other RB's injuries. That cleared that right up. Thanks. ::)
youcandoit1687
11-26-2006, 05:59 PM
just bc he misses, on average, 2 games a season, does not mean he is a walking injury. i did overreact because you just said his inevitable injury. to this point, he has had an injury per season. i just dont think that people should treat him like he is the next charles rogers or anything. sorry to be a little on the defensive lol
Clockwork Orange
11-26-2006, 06:04 PM
just bc he misses, on average, 2 games a season, does not mean he is a walking injury. i did overreact because you just said his inevitable injury. to this point, he has had an injury per season. i just dont think that people should treat him like he is the next charles rogers or anything. sorry to be a little on the defensive lol
No big thing. I'd just like the Broncos to try and land a back who can be counted on not to be constantly nicked up (Portis, Bell) or be completely worn down by the end of the regular season (Anderson, Droughns). Not an easy task by any stretch, but it's worth looking into.
maven
11-26-2006, 06:08 PM
Also, we actually CUT a star punter. Oh well, but I would say not too many. Other than Champ & Javon, Elvis has impressed for a 4th round pick. Cutler era begins next Sunday, and looked amazing in preseason.
youcandoit1687
11-26-2006, 06:24 PM
No big thing. I'd just like the Broncos to try and land a back who can be counted on not to be constantly nicked up (Portis, Bell) or be completely worn down by the end of the regular season (Anderson, Droughns). Not an easy task by any stretch, but it's worth looking into.
well of course i would like that but i think it would be a luxury. i feel that until we address bigger needs which cannot be addressed like the RBs can, RBs should just be addressed with the cheap and efficient system that is in use now. i would have been very happy with drafting maroney however because he was a perfect fit and would be amazing here although at the time i was hoping for chad jackson and/or manny lawson. cutler was worth it all however.
DBroncos4life
11-26-2006, 06:27 PM
ernster looked good when we still had a NFL punter on our team.
Popps
11-26-2006, 07:48 PM
Look at what the Ravens did to the Steeler today. That's what a dominant defense does. They absolutely destroyed Rothlisberger on every play. The Steelers were riding a high and putting up big numbers as of late.
They SHUT DOWN Willie Parker and they DESTROYED Ben Rothlisberger.
There's your model for what a defense should do against a high powered offense. Given, they're no Indy, but they were a high scoring offense... until this week.
Mike Bell has been impressive... I think Brandon Marshall has shown some skill. Erik Pears could be our RT of the future with his size. Then again Adam Meadows was really impressive in his lone start. Dumervil has the talent to affect games. Al Wilson despite playing with a injured thumb has done very well too. I also thought Sam Brandon was having a very good year before blowing out his knee.
BigPlayShay
11-26-2006, 10:12 PM
Elam
theAPAOps5
11-27-2006, 12:07 AM
Elam
Elam is a given. I also think that Walker has been amazing as well, better than I thought coming off a knee injury. One final one I am thinking has done pretty well for himself is DJ Williams. Haven't heard his name too much but you usually see a LB name when he gets burnt. He has done pretty well.
Dudeskey
11-27-2006, 12:14 AM
I agree on DJ Williams. Mobley never got much mention either @ SLB either
Sassy
11-27-2006, 12:31 AM
I agree on DJ Williams. Mobley never got much mention either @ SLB either
Until he knocked down that pass from Favre in SB 32 ;D:strong:
Dudeskey
11-27-2006, 12:35 AM
Until he knocked down that pass from Favre in SB 32 ;D:strong:
indeed... :notworthy @ #51
Kaylore
11-27-2006, 02:24 AM
Elam
He's been great.
Hercules Rockefeller
11-27-2006, 02:31 AM
I agree on DJ Williams. Mobley never got much mention either @ SLB either
Mobley was All-Pro in '97
milehimike
11-27-2006, 02:53 AM
Elvis!!!!!!
Popps
11-27-2006, 04:09 AM
Mobley was All-Pro in '97
Damned right he was.
Just one of a bunch of multiple Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame players on that "average" defense we had.
OrangeShadow
11-27-2006, 07:04 AM
DJ and elam,everyone else has been to inconsistent
UKBronco
11-27-2006, 07:32 AM
Put me in the minority that think DJ has been disappointing then.
He's still overpursuing too many plays, and he's been stiffarmed way too often for a guy who has the physical and mental ability to be a phenomenal player.
I'm not saying he's sucked, but he's certainly not playing like he can.
Oh, and Mobley was going to be a long-term Bronco great until he shredded his knee.
dbfan21
11-27-2006, 09:25 AM
Those 2 have been the obvious stars on our team this year but the number of other players who've stood out for me have been few and far between.
Honourable mentions go to:
Mike Bell. For an undrafted free-agent he's performed steadily if unspectacular and in sporadic action has gained 423 yards and more importantly is second on the team with 5 TD's.
Kenard Lang. The 5th consectutive pick-up from the Browns has been pretty decent so far at DE and overtook Mr Pryce's sack mark a few weeks ago and has 6 sacks so far this season.
Elvis Dumervil. Who said this kid was too small to play Defensive Line in this league. IMHO if he had 3 half-decent Linemen beside him he'd be a force in this league. Has also recorded 6 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries to date. Excellent value for a 4th round pick thus far.
Other players have made decent contributions so far inc, our Linebackers, Lynch, Darrent Williams, etc.
The disappointment list is a lot longer and includes: Jake, Tatum, Foster, Warren, Ernster, Courtney Brown, Special Teams Unit minus Elam. I'd also include Scheffler in this category because for a 2nd rd pick and the fact we're the worst in the NFL at TE, we really needed this kid to pick up the offense this year and by all accounts he hasn't to date.
I was also expecting to see more of Kircus, Rod and Marshall this year but IMO the blame for that lies directly at Jake and his inability to get them the ball.
I agree with a lot of the nominations. One of my nominations would go to Ian Gold. In the game vs. SD, he was flying around the ball and making hits/tackles. I think he brings energy to the defense.
Sassy
11-27-2006, 10:17 AM
Put me in the minority that think DJ has been disappointing then.
He's still overpursuing too many plays, and he's been stiffarmed way too often for a guy who has the physical and mental ability to be a phenomenal player.
I'm not saying he's sucked, but he's certainly not playing like he can.
Oh, and Mobley was going to be a long-term Bronco great until he shredded his knee.
I agree with you on DJ...for every great play he's made, he's made 2 or 3 more boneheaded plays...he's gotten burned a lot this year.
-Slap-
11-27-2006, 10:34 AM
Michael Myers has had an excellent season. He leads all linemen in tackles and he's undoubtedly the most underrated player on the roster.
Chad Mustard has been a welcome addition as a blocking tight end.
Dedhed
11-27-2006, 10:41 AM
Damned right he was.
Just one of a bunch of multiple Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame players on that "average" defense we had.
Are you saying the '97 D was better than this one?
Billy Clyde Puckett
11-27-2006, 11:14 AM
Elvis!!!!!!
Elvis had two good games and has been invisible since. He needs to be more consistent.
Dos Rios
11-27-2006, 12:16 PM
Another way to ask the question is if there are any Pro Bowlers on the roster this year? Champ's a lock. Javon has a shot. Who else?
Maybe Nalen or Wilson based partly on reputation, partly on performance. I don't think either is having his best year. Elam maybe. This was to be the year that either Gold or DJ Williams or both jumped to Pro Bowl level, but you can't say either has been dominant. After those names, I'm blank.
Realistically, this could be a playoff team with one Pro Bowler. I love the potential of some of the younger players on the roster. Of the more established players, however, there are a decent number who are either (a) battling Father Time (Rod, Nalen and Lynch come to mind); (b) solid rotation guys without Pro Bowl potential (Myers and most of the DL); or (c) Pro Bowl potential players still showing maddening inconsistencies (Warren and, for my money, DJ Williams).
Spider
11-27-2006, 12:25 PM
No love for Rod Smith ?
well Rod has impressed me the most , out of all of them ..........
Mountain Bronco
11-27-2006, 12:56 PM
No real bright spots. D line is average at best. Linebackers are above average but are being exposed by the D line. Champ and the safteys were playing well, but Darrent kills the secondary. He is a whipping boy out there.
Javon has played well, but he is the only offensive player playing well.
Not a large list at all unless you want to quantify it with "for a rockie" etc...