ESPIN Broncos #One Overrated Team - The Orange Mane

DukeWoody · 09-30-2007, 06:55 AM

AFC West powers have plenty of problems
By Jeffri Chadiha
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: September 27, 2007
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I said this at the start of the season and I'll say it again: Evaluating teams based on how they look on paper is always a waste of time. You really have to wait until a team takes the field to have some sense of what they're capable of doing.

And now that three weeks of the NFL season have passed, I can offer a more accurate assessment of which teams are overrated and which ones are underrated. Hey, I'm going to be doing it eventually, so I might as well get an early start on the evaluations.

Overrated

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Mike Shanahan's revamped defense has been a trouble spot for Denver so far this season.
1. Denver: This team really should be 0-3 instead of 2-1. The Broncos barely escaped Buffalo and they beat Oakland only because Sebastian Janikowski choked on his second chance at a game-winning field goal in Week 2. All you have to know about the Broncos is that their run defense is killing them. They're giving up 166 yards a game (tied for 29th in the NFL) and the addition of five new starters and a new coordinator on that side of the ball apparently were bigger issues than they realized.

2. Dallas: Yes, I like the way the Cowboys are playing on offense. But let's also be honest: Coach Wade Phillips is supposed to know a thing or two about defense and the Cowboys are fairly mediocre on that side of the ball. So far their best efforts have come against a team with few weapons (Miami) and another with no quarterback (Chicago). They've also dealt with key injuries, such as the torn biceps that ended the season for nose tackle Jason Ferguson and the foot injury that has hobbled cornerback Terence Newman. So while the Cowboys are the NFC's hottest team, I have to wonder when that defense starts impacting their unblemished record.

3. San Diego: I know, I know. This one is a no-brainer. The Chargers look so disappointing right now that the Kansas City Chiefs -- with an offense that is averaging 8.7 points a game -- have a shot at stealing a victory on the road this weekend. Aside from the presence of coach Norv Turner, the second-biggest issue for this team is the lack of talent at wide receiver. You'd think the inability to get LaDainian Tomlinson going would open up more opportunities down the field. Instead, Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates continues to be the lone constant in the passing game. Something tells me that will be a problem for this team all season.

4. Chicago: As bad as Rex Grossman was, I just have a hard time believing that Brian Griese is going to make them a better team. Remember, we're talking about a guy who lost his job to Chris Simms in Tampa Bay. I also don't see greatness in Cedric Benson, even though some scouts tell me that he's the type of runner who gets better with more carries. Right now, I just don't see this offense helping a defense that has been worn down by injuries and too much time on the field.

5. Cincinnati: Any team that gives up 51 points to Cleveland has to be on this list. The problem with the Bengals is their defense is only good when it creates turnovers, as it did in a season-opening win over Baltimore. Without those takeaways, opponents clearly have little trouble moving the ball against them. This wouldn't be such an issue if they played in the NFC. But in a division that also includes Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Bengals will struggle to gain ground as we move deeper into the season.

Underrated

1. Philadelphia: The Eagles are the best 1-2 team in football. If it weren't for a couple of punt return miscues in a season-opening loss to Green Bay, they'd be on the right side of .500 right now. Their 56-21 win over Detroit also indicates that their offense is becoming as explosive as I thought it would be coming out of training camp. Their only major concern should be the health of running back Brian Westbrook. He's so dinged up each week, it's hard to imagine him playing an entire season.

Tom Brady

Quarterback
New England PatriotsProfile
2007 Season Stats Att Comp Yds TD Int Rat
88 70 868 10 1 141.8 2.
New England: I admit it: I looked stupid
on this one. I figured the early season absence of strong safety Rodney Harrison and defensive end Richard Seymour would hurt the Patriots' hopes of a fast start. Now I only can wonder how good they'll be when they're at full strength. If Tom Brady continues his torrid pace, he'll run away with NFL MVP honors. And as for that Moss fellow, he's still pretty scary.

3. Indianapolis: This just in: The Colts actually won the Super Bowl last season. You'd think they'd get a little more credit for that instead of hearing people talk about how great the Patriots are. In case you also haven't noticed, the Colts are sharper on defense and the offense continues to click as it always has. So until somebody dethrones them in the postseason, we should give them a pretty good shot at repeating.

4. Pittsburgh: New coach Mike Tomlin is quietly doing a great job in his first season with the Steelers. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has returned to his steady, efficient ways and Willie Parker continues to prove why he's one of the NFL's top backs (he's averaging a league-best 122.7 yards in his first three games). Throw in a defense that ranks first in scoring defense (8.7 points a game) and you have a squad built for a strong postseason run.

5. Green Bay: I didn't think the Packers were legitimate until they beat San Diego last week. Now I can see them making a run at a playoff spot. The Packers' defense is playing so well, quarterback Brett Favre has shown the kind of patience on offense that we haven't seen from him in years. He's managing the game and leading the Packers to the kind of season that didn't seem possible three weeks ago.

Jeffri Chadiha is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...fri&id=3038472

DukeWoody · 09-30-2007, 07:18 AM

If we're so overrated, why is it i don't remember any media giving us praise and some kind of verbal blow-job for all the great work the team has done thus far??

I'll tell you why, because we've been non-rated the whole time this year...The only thing i've read, is how lucky we've been so far and that we don't deserve to have the wins we've earned either...

That there is B-rated or 2nd rated and overlooked...

DB_champ24 · 09-30-2007, 07:20 AM

I dont get how Brady is on the underated list...everyone gives him his due and the rest of the team as a whole too much praise

MechanicalBull · 09-30-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeWoody

If we're so overrated, why is it i don't remember any media giving us praise and some kind of verbal blow-job for all the great work the team has done thus far??

I'll tell you why, because we've been non-rated the whole time this year...The only thing i've read, is how lucky we've been so far and that we don't deserve to have the wins we've earned either...

That there is B-rated or 2nd rated and overlooked...

I was just going to say the same thing. I don't remember us being rated high enough for us to be over rated. Going in to the season everyone had San Diego winning the division in a cake walk and pretty much making the superbowl with Denver being only a possible playoff team around 8-8 to 10-6. So aren't we almost exceeding expectations by being in first place so far for the first 3 games of the season eventhough Denver hasn't looked good at all.

Should San Diego, New Orleans, and Chicago be the top 3 overrated teams by default?

rbackfactory80 · 09-30-2007, 08:11 AM

Enter Hogan: Yawn

Ratboy · 09-30-2007, 08:52 AM

Everyone will be singing a different toon if we come out and smoke the Colts.

DukeWoody · 09-30-2007, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratboy

Everyone will be singing a different toon if we come out and smoke the Colts.

I used to smoke colts, wine tipped rum dipped

but i gave it up because smoking is bad...

With our luck we'll beat them with a last second ?? by 2-3 points and the **** will continue to roll...Ooohh, we were just so lucky and shoul

You know the rest...

elsid13 · 09-30-2007, 09:18 AM

ESPIN the most overrated pseudo media organization ever

7 4ever · 09-30-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeWoody

Overrated
3. San Diego: I know, I know. This one is a no-brainer. The Chargers look so disappointing right now that the Kansas City Chiefs -- with an offense that is averaging 8.7 points a game -- have a shot at stealing a victory on the road this weekend.

Underrated

5. Green Bay: I didn't think the Packers were legitimate until they beat San Diego last week.[/B]

Whatever, too bad we have to read the whole thing to find how stupid this guy is.

BMF Bronco · 09-30-2007, 10:38 AM

precisely, two seconds after he said how overrated the Chuggers were, hi mr. contradiction.

lazarus4444 · 09-30-2007, 10:40 AM

Stupid article.

Broncos4tw · 09-30-2007, 11:11 AM

Yea, it is fairly stupid. We were overrated at some point in this season? When was that? I missed the articles about how powerful a team the Broncos were after our cllose wins.

broncofan2438 · 09-30-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukeWoody

If we're so overrated, why is it i don't remember any media giving us praise and some kind of verbal blow-job for all the great work the team has done thus far??

I'll tell you why, because we've been non-rated the whole time this year...The only thing i've read, is how lucky we've been so far and that we don't deserve to have the wins we've earned either...

That there is B-rated or 2nd rated and overlooked...

Yea, I remember that

Raiders Rock · 09-30-2007, 12:14 PM

I think I was the first to say Denver should be 0-3

Hogan11 · 09-30-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbackfactory80

Enter Hogan: Yawn

You got that right...there should be a yawn smile thing for articles like this.

Bronx33 · 09-30-2007, 12:29 PM

ESPN writers are overrated..

TheChamp24 · 09-30-2007, 12:32 PM

What a piece of garbage that article is. I really hate how people say the Broncos should be 0-3. Well, guess what, they found ways to win and are 2-1.
Plus Dallas on the overrated list? They've looked like the best team in the NFC so far.

Garcia Bronco · 09-30-2007, 12:34 PM

I think Jeffrey has been playing with his name. These people always amuse. I used to date a girl named "Mari"....

...whatever "Mary"

400HZ · 09-30-2007, 12:34 PM

They never miss a chance to fellate Tom Brady.

Garcia Bronco · 09-30-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth1331

What a piece of garbage that article is. I really hate how people say the Broncos should be 0-3. Well, guess what, they found ways to win and are 2-1.
Plus Dallas on the overrated list? They've looked like the best team in the NFC so far.

I don't mind people saying we "Could" be 0-3. That's the truth. We could be 0-3. Regardless in relaity, we're 2-1.

Arkie · 09-30-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogan11

You got that right...there should be a yawn smile thing for articles like this.

This will have to do.

Bronx33 · 09-30-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400HZ

They never miss a chance to fellate Tom Brady.

It's in toms contract..

400HZ · 09-30-2007, 12:56 PM

Tommy Jackson? It's disgusting watching him flail around to fluff up the Broncos.

BMF Bronco · 09-30-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400HZ

Tommy Jackson? It's disgusting watching him flail around to fluff up the Broncos.

hEY 400, IS lt GOING TO DO SOMETHING TODAY OR DO i bENCH HIM?!

--EDIT-- sorry for the caps, oops.

400HZ · 09-30-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMF Bronco

hEY 400, IS lt GOING TO DO SOMETHING TODAY OR DO i bENCH HIM?!

--EDIT-- sorry for the caps, oops.

Bench him. Start Addai.

09-30-2007, 06:55 AM	#1
DukeWoody Happenin Homer Homie Back to the drawing board Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In The Loft / Dog House Posts: 1,151 Adopt-a-Bronco: NEXT BIG STAR	ESPIN Broncos #One Overrated Team AFC West powers have plenty of problems By Jeffri Chadiha ESPN.com (Archive) Updated: September 27, 2007 Comment Email Print I said this at the start of the season and I'll say it again: Evaluating teams based on how they look on paper is always a waste of time. You really have to wait until a team takes the field to have some sense of what they're capable of doing. And now that three weeks of the NFL season have passed, I can offer a more accurate assessment of which teams are overrated and which ones are underrated. Hey, I'm going to be doing it eventually, so I might as well get an early start on the evaluations. Overrated Rick Stewart/Getty Images Mike Shanahan's revamped defense has been a trouble spot for Denver so far this season. 1. Denver: This team really should be 0-3 instead of 2-1. The Broncos barely escaped Buffalo and they beat Oakland only because Sebastian Janikowski choked on his second chance at a game-winning field goal in Week 2. All you have to know about the Broncos is that their run defense is killing them. They're giving up 166 yards a game (tied for 29th in the NFL) and the addition of five new starters and a new coordinator on that side of the ball apparently were bigger issues than they realized. 2. Dallas: Yes, I like the way the Cowboys are playing on offense. But let's also be honest: Coach Wade Phillips is supposed to know a thing or two about defense and the Cowboys are fairly mediocre on that side of the ball. So far their best efforts have come against a team with few weapons (Miami) and another with no quarterback (Chicago). They've also dealt with key injuries, such as the torn biceps that ended the season for nose tackle Jason Ferguson and the foot injury that has hobbled cornerback Terence Newman. So while the Cowboys are the NFC's hottest team, I have to wonder when that defense starts impacting their unblemished record. 3. San Diego: I know, I know. This one is a no-brainer. The Chargers look so disappointing right now that the Kansas City Chiefs -- with an offense that is averaging 8.7 points a game -- have a shot at stealing a victory on the road this weekend. Aside from the presence of coach Norv Turner, the second-biggest issue for this team is the lack of talent at wide receiver. You'd think the inability to get LaDainian Tomlinson going would open up more opportunities down the field. Instead, Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates continues to be the lone constant in the passing game. Something tells me that will be a problem for this team all season. 4. Chicago: As bad as Rex Grossman was, I just have a hard time believing that Brian Griese is going to make them a better team. Remember, we're talking about a guy who lost his job to Chris Simms in Tampa Bay. I also don't see greatness in Cedric Benson, even though some scouts tell me that he's the type of runner who gets better with more carries. Right now, I just don't see this offense helping a defense that has been worn down by injuries and too much time on the field. 5. Cincinnati: Any team that gives up 51 points to Cleveland has to be on this list. The problem with the Bengals is their defense is only good when it creates turnovers, as it did in a season-opening win over Baltimore. Without those takeaways, opponents clearly have little trouble moving the ball against them. This wouldn't be such an issue if they played in the NFC. But in a division that also includes Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Bengals will struggle to gain ground as we move deeper into the season. Underrated 1. Philadelphia: The Eagles are the best 1-2 team in football. If it weren't for a couple of punt return miscues in a season-opening loss to Green Bay, they'd be on the right side of .500 right now. Their 56-21 win over Detroit also indicates that their offense is becoming as explosive as I thought it would be coming out of training camp. Their only major concern should be the health of running back Brian Westbrook. He's so dinged up each week, it's hard to imagine him playing an entire season. Tom Brady Quarterback New England PatriotsProfile 2007 Season Stats Att Comp Yds TD Int Rat 88 70 868 10 1 141.8 2. New England: I admit it: I looked stupid on this one. I figured the early season absence of strong safety Rodney Harrison and defensive end Richard Seymour would hurt the Patriots' hopes of a fast start. Now I only can wonder how good they'll be when they're at full strength. If Tom Brady continues his torrid pace, he'll run away with NFL MVP honors. And as for that Moss fellow, he's still pretty scary. 3. Indianapolis: This just in: The Colts actually won the Super Bowl last season. You'd think they'd get a little more credit for that instead of hearing people talk about how great the Patriots are. In case you also haven't noticed, the Colts are sharper on defense and the offense continues to click as it always has. So until somebody dethrones them in the postseason, we should give them a pretty good shot at repeating. 4. Pittsburgh: New coach Mike Tomlin is quietly doing a great job in his first season with the Steelers. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has returned to his steady, efficient ways and Willie Parker continues to prove why he's one of the NFL's top backs (he's averaging a league-best 122.7 yards in his first three games). Throw in a defense that ranks first in scoring defense (8.7 points a game) and you have a squad built for a strong postseason run. 5. Green Bay: I didn't think the Packers were legitimate until they beat San Diego last week. Now I can see them making a run at a playoff spot. The Packers' defense is playing so well, quarterback Brett Favre has shown the kind of patience on offense that we haven't seen from him in years. He's managing the game and leading the Packers to the kind of season that didn't seem possible three weeks ago. Jeffri Chadiha is a senior writer for ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...fri&id=3038472

09-30-2007, 07:20 AM	#3
DB_champ24 Pro Bowler Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Agoura, California Posts: 526 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	I dont get how Brady is on the underated list...everyone gives him his due and the rest of the team as a whole too much praise Last edited by DB_champ24; 09-30-2007 at 07:23 AM..

09-30-2007, 12:34 PM	#18
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,987 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	I think Jeffrey has been playing with his name. These people always amuse. I used to date a girl named "Mari".......whatever "Mary"

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09-30-2007, 07:18 AM	#2
DukeWoody Happenin Homer Homie Back to the drawing board Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In The Loft / Dog House Posts: 1,151 Adopt-a-Bronco: NEXT BIG STAR	If we're so overrated, why is it i don't remember any media giving us praise and some kind of verbal blow-job for all the great work the team has done thus far?? I'll tell you why, because we've been non-rated the whole time this year...The only thing i've read, is how lucky we've been so far and that we don't deserve to have the wins we've earned either... That there is B-rated or 2nd rated and overlooked...

09-30-2007, 08:11 AM	#5
rbackfactory80 Ring of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New York Posts: 4,606	Enter Hogan: Yawn

09-30-2007, 08:52 AM	#6
Ratboy It's all over... ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 13,276	Everyone will be singing a different toon if we come out and smoke the Colts.

09-30-2007, 09:18 AM	#8
elsid13 Lost In Space Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: DC Posts: 19,080	ESPIN the most overrated pseudo media organization ever

09-30-2007, 10:38 AM	#10
BMF Bronco Offseason sucks... Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 11,724 Adopt-a-Bronco: ME	precisely, two seconds after he said how overrated the Chuggers were, hi mr. contradiction.

09-30-2007, 10:40 AM	#11
lazarus4444 Ring of Famer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,240 Adopt-a-Bronco: Coach McDaniels	Stupid article.

09-30-2007, 11:11 AM	#12
Broncos4tw Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,458	Yea, it is fairly stupid. We were overrated at some point in this season? When was that? I missed the articles about how powerful a team the Broncos were after our cllose wins.

09-30-2007, 12:14 PM	#14
Raiders Rock The Darkside RaidersKickAss.com Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 4,571	I think I was the first to say Denver should be 0-3

09-30-2007, 12:29 PM	#16
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	ESPN writers are overrated..

09-30-2007, 12:32 PM	#17
TheChamp24 DERP DERP DERP The Legend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Broncos Country Posts: 4,874	What a piece of garbage that article is. I really hate how people say the Broncos should be 0-3. Well, guess what, they found ways to win and are 2-1. Plus Dallas on the overrated list? They've looked like the best team in the NFC so far.

09-30-2007, 12:34 PM	#19
400HZ Ring of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,342 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ed Hochuli	They never miss a chance to fellate Tom Brady.

09-30-2007, 12:56 PM	#23
400HZ Ring of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,342 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ed Hochuli	Tommy Jackson? It's disgusting watching him flail around to fluff up the Broncos.