PDA

View Full Version : Larsen playing MLB and Fullback this week?



broncofaninfla
11-10-2008, 08:57 AM
From the Denver Post:

Spencer Larsen, a special-teams hitting machine, cattle-roped Josh Cribbs, lifting the dangerous Browns' returner in the air before throwing him down. Larsen became the fullback after Hillis moved to tailback. This week, Larsen might play some fullback and middle linebacker.

Retired_Member_001
11-10-2008, 09:07 AM
Are we that desperate that we have to play someone on offense AND defense? If so, that's just insulting.

MOtorboat
11-10-2008, 09:10 AM
Are we that desperate that we have to play someone on offense AND defense? If so, that's just insulting.

Not really.

If he can fill a role on both sides of the ball, I don't see anything wrong with it. Old school football.

broncofaninfla
11-10-2008, 09:10 AM
Are we that desperate that we have to play someone on offense AND defense? If so, that's just insulting.

I'm guessing Larsen is making his case to play in the event Kato goes down this game. The Broncos could use a TE or back OL in a FB if needed.

Retired_Member_001
11-10-2008, 09:11 AM
Not really.

If he can fill a role on both sides of the ball, I don't see anything wrong with it. Old school football.

The guy is going to get tired.

MOtorboat
11-10-2008, 09:11 AM
The guy is going to get tired.

And...

Retired_Member_001
11-10-2008, 09:15 AM
And...

We've had enough injuries.

FB is a punishing position. If he's playing FB AND MLB then his body is going to take alot of punishing for 1 game. We could use with avoiding another injury.

MOtorboat
11-10-2008, 09:19 AM
We've had enough injuries.

FB is a punishing position. If he's playing FB AND MLB then his body is going to take alot of punishing for 1 game. We could use with avoiding another injury.

A.) The FB isn't utilized on every play. I imagine more one-back sets will be utilized this week, anyway, as our receiving corp and TEs are finally healthy, and our running backs are not. That leaves Hillis in the backfield, and he's a true fullback, so he'll fit fine for blocking purposes when needed.

B.) We haven't run the ball a whole lot this year, anyway, so the FB hasn't been that big of a part of our offensive scheme. Hillis has been a part of the offensive scheme because of what he brings to the table. Larsen doesn't carry that same skill set, so in this case a FB may not be needed very much.

C.) He'll be the back up at MLB, so hopefully, barring another darn injury, he won't have to do much but spell him there.

D.) He'll still be utilized on special teams, so that's going to limit his time at the other two positions as well.

The bottom line is that he can be used in about the same number of plays he normally is, just in three aspects, a FB package on offense, backup MLB and special teams specialist, so we need to use him.

broncofaninfla
11-10-2008, 09:21 AM
I hate to ever wish an injury on ANY player but it won't hurt my feelings to see Kato go out and Larsen get a shot at MLB.

Retired_Member_001
11-10-2008, 09:23 AM
A.) The FB isn't utilized on every play. I imagine more one-back sets will be utilized this week, anyway, as our receiving corp and TEs are finally healthy, and our running backs are not. That leaves Hillis in the backfield, and he's a true fullback, so he'll fit fine for blocking purposes when needed.

B.) We haven't run the ball a whole lot this year, anyway, so the FB hasn't been that big of a part of our offensive scheme. Hillis has been a part of the offensive scheme because of what he brings to the table. Larsen doesn't carry that same skill set, so in this case a FB may not be needed very much.

C.) He'll be the back up at MLB, so hopefully, barring another darn injury, he won't have to do much but spell him there.

D.) He'll still be utilized on special teams, so that's going to limit his time at the other two positions as well.

The bottom line is that he can be used in about the same number of plays he normally is, just in three aspects, a FB package on offense, backup MLB and special teams specialist, so we need to use him.

Well if Shanahan does what you've just posted, then that's fine. The problem will come if Shanny starts over using him. As I said, FB is a punishing position.

weazel
11-10-2008, 11:14 AM
Are we that desperate that we have to play someone on offense AND defense? If so, that's just insulting.

I like it!

thats the way football should be played. Old school, baby!

CoachChaz
11-10-2008, 11:16 AM
Playing both ways is an azz whipping. Players arent trained for that and they'll get exhausted too fast. If he plays both...he'll be hurt by halftime

weazel
11-10-2008, 11:20 AM
I dont think he would be playing every down. I would think he would spell the other POS playing MLB.

underrated29
11-10-2008, 11:49 AM
keep in mind that lichtenstieger or whatever the hell his name is also has been playing FB. He is a backup lineman/long snapper- his only game time action is when he goes in the heavy package at goaline.....Maybe we see him at FB to spell larson....

Day1BroncoFan
11-10-2008, 11:55 AM
Has he had practice actually carrying the ball lately? If he can do something blocking great as long as it's not an every play thing I see no reason to not do it. If he carries the ball at all I just hope he can hang on to it. We don't need turnovers.

broncofaninfla
11-10-2008, 11:59 AM
keep in mind that lichtenstieger or whatever the hell his name is also has been playing FB. He is a backup lineman/long snapper- his only game time action is when he goes in the heavy package at goaline.....Maybe we see him at FB to spell larson....

Lich looked good in there at FB. We need more beef in the middle on short yardage and obvious running situations. I'd like to see Larsen get his shot at MLB.

G_Money
11-10-2008, 11:59 AM
I fully support Larsen getting at least some time at MLB. Niko was pretty woeful out there, and if Larsen can thump for 2 downs and make tackles, let's see it. I want to know it this year.

I've never been behind Larsen as a FB, but I apparently can't stop Shanny from doing it to him. So hopefully he's so good at MLB that we decide not to have him play ALL THREE aspects. I can support Lichtensteiger as FB - that's just mean to opposing LBs. :D

If we must play Larsen as a FB then hopefully we use the FB for approximately 4 plays a game. But whatcha gonna do? If Larsen watched the tape of our MLB performances and begged Shanny on his knees for a chance to play it better, and Shanahan said, "only if you still crush people on Special Teams AND play fullback, my little Mormon friend..." then I'll take what I can get, I guess.

~G

broncofaninfla
11-10-2008, 12:01 PM
Has he had practice actually carrying the ball lately? If he can do something blocking great as long as it's not an every play thing I see no reason to not do it. If he carries the ball at all I just hope he can hang on to it. We don't need turnovers.

Larsen never carried the ball or was ever thrown a ball, they have used him stictly to block to date.

Italianmobstr7
11-10-2008, 12:51 PM
We'll see Lichtenstiger play some FB too this week. I'd put money on it. Larsen won't see full time on both sides of the ball. He'll probably be in as a FB on a few plays and MLB on a few plays.

DenBronx
11-10-2008, 01:26 PM
I have a gut feeling about Larsen at MLB. I think this kid is a natural mauler and a great tackler. I hope he gets in the game early and often. This is his shot and I hope he takes full advantage of it. Hopefully he does not quit playing on special team to fill these roles though because he has been great on special teams. Larsen is really starting to hit stride and the fact that he can play ST, FB and MLB is very valuable to the team.

Is Licht even qualified to play FB? Anyone know if he has been taking alot of reps at FB in practice?

broncofaninfla
11-10-2008, 02:23 PM
I have a gut feeling about Larsen at MLB. I think this kid is a natural mauler and a great tackler. I hope he gets in the game early and often. This is his shot and I hope he takes full advantage of it. Hopefully he does not quit playing on special team to fill these roles though because he has been great on special teams. Larsen is really starting to hit stride and the fact that he can play ST, FB and MLB is very valuable to the team.

Is Licht even qualified to play FB? Anyone know if he has been taking alot of reps at FB in practice?

I have the same feeling about Larsen at MLB, we need some beef there somebody who can lay a pop and make RB's think twice about running up the gut on us. As it is now, there is no fear, every RB that has faced us has had a field day! Even if he is just in for short yardage I think it would be huge for our team. The guy brings it and has played more than good enough on ST to deserve a chance.

Licht stepped in and actually looked very good at FB. On one play he absolutely flattened a LB.

BCJ
11-10-2008, 02:49 PM
Are we that desperate that we have to play someone on offense AND defense? If so, that's just insulting.

Amazing we cannot bring in someone to help out. I pray that Young is getting better with the extra time off but Hillis in as HB/RB is not the foundation to beat the Falcons. Hillis playing FB is the smart choice if we have anyone that can come in and play. Sapp, Cobbs, Davenport just someone as that position is cursed and I would hate Peyton to fall victim to it. Two way position? Just like good old 8 man football in high school.

underrated29
11-10-2008, 02:50 PM
DO WE know though, if hillis is our starting RB? I know he took over in the cleveland game, but we had no one else active.

You can be sure that pj pope, will be active, and i am willing to bet cory boyd too.... Just wondering if active, likely they will play, and if they play then maybe we can put hillis back at fb, larsen full tim at MLB (kootie BLOWS!) and the world is somewhat right again.

broncofaninfla
11-10-2008, 03:04 PM
DO WE know though, if hillis is our starting RB? I know he took over in the cleveland game, but we had no one else active.

You can be sure that pj pope, will be active, and i am willing to bet cory boyd too.... Just wondering if active, likely they will play, and if they play then maybe we can put hillis back at fb, larsen full tim at MLB (kootie BLOWS!) and the world is somewhat right again.

Not sure if Hillis is going to be the man at RB but in reading online what he has had to say, he feels he would be much better after a weeks worth of practice at that spot and early indications are he will be running the ball. I look for him to get 10-15 carries with Pope spelling relief for him. I’d be surprised if Boyd was in football shape right now. And I’m sure Shanny signs another RB to add to the mix.

Superchop 7
11-12-2008, 12:02 AM
Just get him on the field.

AFGAHNI_BATTLE_DONKEY
11-12-2008, 12:50 AM
The guy is going to get tired.

this isnt england where the worst thing that can happen to you is a drive by argument.

football is played by real men.

Larsen might get a little tired but he will gut it out and succeed just like he is expected to do.


stop being scared of injuries.

Spencer Larsen is a 6-2 240 pound Caucasian. he's a force.

NameUsedBefore
11-12-2008, 01:02 AM
Anybody but the GTAIV guy. Seriously, he sucks. Although he does look cool when his ushanta flies off after getting hit by a taxi.

Den21vsBal19
11-12-2008, 08:15 AM
this isnt england where the worst thing that can happen to you is a drive by argument.

football is played by real men.

Larsen might get a little tired but he will gut it out and succeed just like he is expected to do.


stop being scared of injuries.

Spencer Larsen is a 6-2 240 pound Caucasian. he's a force.
No need to be insulting

broncofaninfla
11-12-2008, 09:21 AM
It looks like the Broncos signed FB Haynes to add depth at FB and allow them to use Larsen at MLB, most likely as a back up to Kato at first but maybe give him a opportunity to show coaches what he can do during a real game at MLB.

Retired_Member_001
11-12-2008, 09:24 AM
this isnt england where the worst thing that can happen to you is a drive by argument.

football is played by real men.

Larsen might get a little tired but he will gut it out and succeed just like he is expected to do.


stop being scared of injuries.

Spencer Larsen is a 6-2 240 pound Caucasian. he's a force.

What is it with all these new posters who can't string sentences together?

DenBronx
11-12-2008, 01:37 PM
What is it with all these new posters who can't string sentences together?

:lol:

dogfish
11-12-2008, 01:50 PM
It looks like the Broncos signed FB Haynes to add depth at FB and allow them to use Larsen at MLB, most likely as a back up to Kato at first but maybe give him a opportunity to show coaches what he can do during a real game at MLB.

yep, that's what i was thinking also. . .

and i would expect a lot more two TE sets rather than two back sets if hillis is starting at tailback-- they're going to want our best players on the field as much as possible, the guys that are most familiar with the system. . . at this point, i'm sure the coaching staff is probably more comfortable with chef or nate jackson than a RB we signed three days ago. . . i'm also hoping that the extra rest from the extended break allowed chef to heal up some. . .

and i'm very much in favor of getting larsen in there on defense-- niko is freakin' useless, let's see what the kid can do. . . .

Ziggy
11-12-2008, 02:39 PM
yep, that's what i was thinking also. . .

and i would expect a lot more two TE sets rather than two back sets if hillis is starting at tailback-- they're going to want our best players on the field as much as possible, the guys that are most familiar with the system. . . at this point, i'm sure the coaching staff is probably more comfortable with chef or nate jackson than a RB we signed three days ago. . . i'm also hoping that the extra rest from the extended break allowed chef to heal up some. . .

and i'm very much in favor of getting larsen in there on defense-- niko is freakin' useless, let's see what the kid can do. . . .

Personally, I'm going to wait until Niko gets in and starts a game or 2 before I call him useless. Paymah looked horrible coming off the bench his first couple of games, and now may be the most improved player on the team.

Besides, Webster put up big tackle numbers, but most of them were 5-10 yards down the field. I'm surprised at how many people on this board are being suckered by Nate's stats. They are incredibly misleading. Let's also remember that some of those stats came against powerhouse offenses like Oakland (29th), Cleveland (27TH), and Kansas City (25th). Atlanta has the 2nd best running attack in the NFL, and the Broncos are giving up 5.1 yards/carry. That's a formula for disaster regardless of who your MLB is. Maybe Niko can make some tackles a little bit closer to the LOS.

Ziggy
11-12-2008, 02:42 PM
As I said, I'm willing to give Niko a shot at MLB before I discard him as trash, but I too would love to see Larsen line up on the defensive side of the ball. I still think he has the best instincts of the 3 MLB'ers on the team.

G_Money
11-12-2008, 04:11 PM
Personally, I'm going to wait until Niko gets in and starts a game or 2 before I call him useless. Paymah looked horrible coming off the bench his first couple of games, and now may be the most improved player on the team.

Besides, Webster put up big tackle numbers, but most of them were 5-10 yards down the field. I'm surprised at how many people on this board are being suckered by Nate's stats. They are incredibly misleading. Let's also remember that some of those stats came against powerhouse offenses like Oakland (29th), Cleveland (27TH), and Kansas City (25th). Atlanta has the 2nd best running attack in the NFL, and the Broncos are giving up 5.1 yards/carry. That's a formula for disaster regardless of who your MLB is. Maybe Niko can make some tackles a little bit closer to the LOS.

Niko was scared by the speed of the game against Cleveland. That’s what bothers me. He was somehow both tentative AND caught out of position by either under- or over-pursuit.

Maybe that’ll be better now that he has a game under his belt. Maybe he just can’t play MLB worth a damn and Seattle – team of the dozen-needs-to-fill-this-offseason – is snickering under its breath at what we paid for Niko.

I much prefer Larsen’s instincts, and I don’t particularly care how slow they claim he is right now. He makes all those ST plays for a reason – he’s hard to block and reads a play well, and is a damn fine tackler. We need all three of those qualities on defense. He might only be Keith Burns revisited, but I’d like to find out by letting him play his actual position for at least a week. With how the rest of our rookies and young players have exploded onto the scene when given a chance, it seems silly to hang our hats on his speed being an issue when we have sooooo many others.

Larsen had a terrible 40 time - He just made plays on the field in college, and whenever he’s been given a chance to do so in the pros. As long as we don’t drop him into man coverage much, I’d love to see him. He can play zone fine. He reads plays much better than most of our defensive players. He hits like a truck.

Why is it so hard to get this guy on the field when every other MLB on the roster is either tentative or out of position – or both?

Let the man play for one week, against a team that’s gonna try to kill us with the run and then see where he fits. We have plenty of fast LBs to cover the backs and receivers - it’s not the worst thing in the world to have a 2-down LB who is death to the run.

In theory, I would embrace that particular LB like a long-lost relative, or a friend bringing me money.

~G

dogfish
11-12-2008, 04:27 PM
Personally, I'm going to wait until Niko gets in and starts a game or 2 before I call him useless. Paymah looked horrible coming off the bench his first couple of games, and now may be the most improved player on the team.

Besides, Webster put up big tackle numbers, but most of them were 5-10 yards down the field. I'm surprised at how many people on this board are being suckered by Nate's stats. They are incredibly misleading. Let's also remember that some of those stats came against powerhouse offenses like Oakland (29th), Cleveland (27TH), and Kansas City (25th). Atlanta has the 2nd best running attack in the NFL, and the Broncos are giving up 5.1 yards/carry. That's a formula for disaster regardless of who your MLB is. Maybe Niko can make some tackles a little bit closer to the LOS.


saying that niko looks like garbage out there shouldn't be taken as an indication that i was happy with webster. . . .


:lol:

BeefStew25
11-12-2008, 04:28 PM
Larsen is like Sandler in Water Boy. He has no regard for his personal safety.

We need to give him a shot.

BCJ
11-12-2008, 06:07 PM
What is it with all these new posters who can't string sentences together?

you add a couple of Zzzzzz to it and i know who came crawling back under a different name!

AFGAHNI_BATTLE_DONKEY
11-13-2008, 04:23 AM
What is it with all these new posters who can't string sentences together?

what are you too stupid to read what i type?

i can post like you with my sentences all strung together but i dont have too now do i? stop crying mate, oh and im not new. i just dont post often on this site

Dreadnought
11-13-2008, 07:46 AM
Chuck "Concrete Charley" Bednarik was an All-Pro Center and MLB, and played both ways into the early 60's. He says real men can play both sides of the ball :laugh:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/Lundbergm/Chuck-Bednarik.jpg

He is remembered for hitting Frank Gifford so hard that Gifford missed the next two seasons. Who wouldn't like to see Larsen drill Larry Johnson that hard?

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/Lundbergm/ChuckBednarik1.jpg

Seriously? The game has moved past that, but I can't see any problem with Larsen playing, say, 20 plays on offense and 35 on D. He does seem to have a bit of that Old School Bednarik mentality

gobroncsnv
11-13-2008, 08:00 AM
Niko was scared by the speed of the game against Cleveland. That’s what bothers me. He was somehow both tentative AND caught out of position by either under- or over-pursuit.

As evidenced by the play where the Cleveland RB was pretty much just waved past by Niko on one of the longer runs of the night... I swear, thought I was watching a matador out there. G-man, you're right, you don't have to be the most athletic guy out there, if you play with smarts and have it in you to really plow a guy when you make your hits. Especially these days, for all the talk about how fast the Broncos LB's are, that speed hasn't done much good. Sometimes, it just makes you fast enough to be the first one to miss a tackle. I'm game for trying Larsen, the man is just a football player. Let's see if his ST abilities translate enough to make our D somewhat special.

Den21vsBal19
11-13-2008, 08:23 AM
Chuck "Concrete Charley" Bednarik was an All-Pro Center and MLB, and played both ways into the early 60's. He says real men can play both sides of the ball :laugh:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/Lundbergm/Chuck-Bednarik.jpg

He is remembered for hitting Frank Gifford so hard that Gifford missed the next two seasons. Who wouldn't like to see Larsen drill Larry Johnson that hard?

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/Lundbergm/ChuckBednarik1.jpg

Seriously? The game has moved past that, but I can't see any problem with Larsen playing, say, 20 plays on offense and 35 on D. He does seem to have a bit of that Old School Bednarik mentality
As an aside, Gifford was one of the first presenters we got this side of the pond...........

Any ideas who the last player to play both ways at an 'impact' position was? :confused:

By which, I don't mean WR/QB/DB ;)

Traveler
11-13-2008, 08:29 AM
Niko was scared by the speed of the game against Cleveland. That’s what bothers me. He was somehow both tentative AND caught out of position by either under- or over-pursuit.

Maybe that’ll be better now that he has a game under his belt. Maybe he just can’t play MLB worth a damn and Seattle – team of the dozen-needs-to-fill-this-offseason – is snickering under its breath at what we paid for Niko.

I much prefer Larsen’s instincts, and I don’t particularly care how slow they claim he is right now. He makes all those ST plays for a reason – he’s hard to block and reads a play well, and is a damn fine tackler. We need all three of those qualities on defense. He might only be Keith Burns revisited, but I’d like to find out by letting him play his actual position for at least a week. With how the rest of our rookies and young players have exploded onto the scene when given a chance, it seems silly to hang our hats on his speed being an issue when we have sooooo many others.

Larsen had a terrible 40 time - He just made plays on the field in college, and whenever he’s been given a chance to do so in the pros. As long as we don’t drop him into man coverage much, I’d love to see him. He can play zone fine. He reads plays much better than most of our defensive players. He hits like a truck.

Why is it so hard to get this guy on the field when every other MLB on the roster is either tentative or out of position – or both?

Let the man play for one week, against a team that’s gonna try to kill us with the run and then see where he fits. We have plenty of fast LBs to cover the backs and receivers - it’s not the worst thing in the world to have a 2-down LB who is death to the run.

In theory, I would embrace that particular LB like a long-lost relative, or a friend bringing me money.

~G


The scouting reports on him coming out of college were pretty much much you've stated above. Larsen shouldn't be judged on his speed because all he did in college was make plays. His ability to diagnose plays are top notch and he's a tackling machine. I say give him a shot. Can't be much worse than those we've already tried IMO.


SI Scouting report om Larsen:

POSITIVES: Intense defender with a great head for the ball. Quickly reads the action, disciplined with assignments, and aggressive in all aspects of the game. Displays speed in pursuit, quick out to the flanks, and plays with a lot of explosion. Forceful up the field filling gaps in run defense. Possesses a terrific straight-line burst of speed. Efficient, takes good angles to the action, and sacrifices his body to make the tackle. Plays faster than his 40 time.

NEGATIVES: Easily locked up at the point by blocks and must do a better job using his hands to protect himself. Does not consistently play under control and pursues the action too aggressively at times. Average athlete with marginal skills in coverage.

ANALYSIS: Larsen is a high-motor defender who.s been very productive on the football field. His intangibles, smarts, and work ethic should get him drafted in the middle rounds and give him a chance to start at the next level.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2008/draft/players/43110.html

BeefStew25
11-13-2008, 08:39 AM
He need someone mentally unhingd out there, and since CSWIL has a bad back, I think Larsen is our guy.

Set the man free.

G_Money
11-13-2008, 02:15 PM
As much as I enjoy the combine, I happen to agree with James Laurinaitis about taking the "measurables" thing too far:

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8431772/Conversation-with-James-Laurinaitis


CFN: I always feel funny asking this. What are your measureables?

JL: I don't really even know. I'm more about just being a football player. I think there's an overemphasis on the measureables and not nearly enough focus on whether or not the guy can actually play. Yeah, people go nuts over a guy who'll run really, really fast, but is he really fast and running into a block, or is he really fast and making plays? If you have a guy who has all the measurables and can really play, like (former Buckeye linebacker and current Green Bay Packer) A.J. Hawk, then that's what you want. Then you have someone who's a no-brainer. But I think that some of these guys can run really fast or can jump really high and then don't show up on film, so you're taking a big chance on them because they might not be able to shed a block, take the right angles, or just play. It's not just me that feels that way; it's a lot of players around here. There's a lot of emphasis on getting bigger and stronger and faster, but it doesn't mean anything if you're not doing the work in the film room and if you can't make it happen on the field.
I want good football players. If God loves me they should be fast, good football players, but I'd take slow-but-good ones over fast-but-sucky ones. I can at least get SOMETHING out of a slower player who can play ball.

So I'd like to let Larsen fail first before declaring that he cannot play MLB in the pros. Larsen ran a 4.9 40 at the combine, which is atrocious, and followed it up with a 4.8 at his pro day, but he's NOT that slow on the field. TD and Joey Porter both ran around 4.7, and I wouldn't call either of them "football-slow."

Having Larsen at least prove he's worthy of a backup LB role would be nice, because it would let us cut Webster free next year, assuming we get a player like Spikes in the draft, or a nice MLB in FA or trade. And if he proves he can't hack it, then we're the exact same terrible defense we already are, except without as much spontaneous-helmet-dislocation and troubles with chinstraps - and Larsen can go back to just killing it on special teams for us.

Like I said, I don't want to put Larsen on Sproles out of the backfield, but I have faster OLBs for that. Woodyard ran a 4.51, let him cover Sproles.

What I want, and desperately need right now, is a big, mean guy who knows where the offense is making a hole and can fill that hole with alacrity and aggression.

I miss making plays at the line of scrimmage, or God forbid in the backfield. This tackling guys 7 yards down field and then strutting about it thing is getting under my skin.

I've never been Larsen's most vocal supporter, and still would draft a 1st round MLB in 09, but man, wouldn't you want to see ANYONE flatten a running back for no gain and then act like it was his actual JOB to do that? Like, on repeated plays during a game?

I might fall off my chair.

I WANT to fall off my chair.

~G

turftoad
11-13-2008, 02:23 PM
As much as I enjoy the combine, I happen to agree with James Laurinaitis about taking the "measurables" thing too far:

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8431772/Conversation-with-James-Laurinaitis


I want good football players. If God loves me they should be fast, good football players, but I'd take slow-but-good ones over fast-but-sucky ones. I can at least get SOMETHING out of a slower player who can play ball.

So I'd like to let Larsen fail first before declaring that he cannot play MLB in the pros. Larsen ran a 4.9 40 at the combine, which is atrocious, and followed it up with a 4.8 at his pro day, but he's NOT that slow on the field. TD and Joey Porter both ran around 4.7, and I wouldn't call either of them "football-slow."

Having Larsen at least prove he's worthy of a backup LB role would be nice, because it would let us cut Webster free next year, assuming we get a player like Spikes in the draft, or a nice MLB in FA or trade. And if he proves he can't hack it, then we're the exact same terrible defense we already are, except without as much spontaneous-helmet-dislocation and troubles with chinstraps - and Larsen can go back to just killing it on special teams for us.

Like I said, I don't want to put Larsen on Sproles out of the backfield, but I have faster OLBs for that. Woodyard ran a 4.51, let him cover Sproles.

What I want, and desperately need right now, is a big, mean guy who knows where the offense is making a hole and can fill that hole with alacrity and aggression.

I miss making plays at the line of scrimmage, or God forbid in the backfield. This tackling guys 7 yards down field and then strutting about it thing is getting under my skin.

I've never been Larsen's most vocal supporter, and still would draft a 1st round MLB in 09, but man, wouldn't you want to see ANYONE flatten a running back for no gain and then act like it was his actual JOB to do that? Like, on repeated plays during a game?

I might fall off my chair.

I WANT to fall off my chair.

~G

Great post "G".

gobroncsnv
11-13-2008, 07:02 PM
I want good football players. If God loves me they should be fast, good football players, but I'd take slow-but-good ones over fast-but-sucky ones. I can at least get SOMETHING out of a slower player who can play ball.

Look no further than Larry Bird in the NBA. By the measurables, he couldn't jump, wasn't fast... He just knew where the ball was gonna be when he played defense, knew positioning, and had the attitude. And, God does love you.

Dreadnought
11-13-2008, 08:21 PM
My favorite Bronco defender of all time didn't get picked until the tweflth round, wasn't ideally or prototypically suited to playing any of the seven defensive positions he played at one time or another. #77 just played football and raised Hell.

omac
11-14-2008, 05:39 AM
I like it that Larsen can flat out hit. I've seen a lot of plays where a Bronco tries to wrap up an opponent, only to be dragged a few more yards. I want slot receivers, TEs, and RBs to be a little tentative when they're going through the middle of our defense.

Retired_Member_001
11-14-2008, 06:22 AM
what are you too stupid to read what i type?

i can post like you with my sentences all strung together but i dont have too now do i? stop crying mate, oh and im not new. i just dont post often on this site

By the way, it's supposed to be I not i.

Example:

" I can post like you ..."

Also, it's "I'm"

not "im".

Anyway, no hate from me, just enjoy posting.

:beer: