Thread: Prognosticating vs Reality

Originally Posted by NightTrainLayne

Ahem. .. just would like to take this opportunity to note that I adopted Fields as my adopt-a-Bronco right after we picked him up.

Not that I'm a great judge of talent. .. it was more along the lines of "man, we really need this guy to step up, so here's hoping he does well."

He's not a top-tier NT, but he's done well enough so far. I'm pretty pleased with he performance, and like many other pieces of this team, he seems to be steadily improving as we move along.

I'll also credit you with starting the first ever "Fire Slowick" thread last year, so maybe your prognostication is better than you think. And if Fields isn't a top tier NT you sure couldn't prove it by his last two games.

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

Good call. Fields and Andra Davis have been the finds of the year so far IMO. The center of our run defense bears no resemblance to the squishy soft thing we watched in 2007-08, and those guys are a big part of it. I really liked the Davis signing when we made it, but had no idea Fields would perform as well as he has so far

Buckhalter and Goodman haven't been too shabby either.

Davis was probably my favorite free agent signing because of what he was able to do in the past in a 3-4 scheme. Fields was a decent pick-up too, considering he isn't a great player. It just goes to show you how well players can do when they work within their roles and buy into the scheme trying to be sold. What also helps is that players love playing under Nolan. He brings out the best in everybody and does what it takes to adjust that players role to what he can do for the team. This defense is heads and shoulders above what they were last year, but are still a long ways off.

Originally Posted by BigDaddyBronco

Buckhalter and Goodman haven't been too shabby either.

It's funny how a lot of the "no-name" or "lower-tier" pick-ups that this staff made in the off-season were ridiculed at the time and used as more fuel on the fire of the whole Cutler disaster.

But now, almost all of those pieces are contributing in our wins so far.

I wasn't all that thrilled with the Davis signing, but I'm always happy to be proven wrong.

I've held a grudge against him mainly for the simple fact that his helmet throw during a Browns Chiefs game gave KC a second attempt at a FG they had missed previously and ended up winning the game.

As long as he can channel that passion into winning games and not doing stupid things that give opponents second chances he can stay around.

Originally Posted by Slick

I wasn't all that thrilled with the Davis signing, but I'm always happy to be proven wrong.

I've held a grudge against him mainly for the simple fact that his helmet throw during a Browns Chiefs game gave KC a second attempt at a FG they had missed previously and ended up winning the game.

At least his helmet doesn't fly off once or twice a game.
:drinksashot:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyBronco

At least his helmet doesn't fly off once or twice a game.
:drinksashot:

Nor have I seen him do a Victory Dance after holding a guy to a six yard gain

Look Dread, stop hating on Jamie Winborn.

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

Nor have I seen him do a Victory Dance after holding a guy to a six yard gain

Considering that he's no longer in the NFL in any capacity, I understand those celebrations much better. You see, he knew that to be a part of any NFL play. . .even tackles 8 yards down-field was a miracle of the highest order, and he was going to celelbrate.

Fare-thee-well Jaimie Winborn. . ..

Originally Posted by Requiem

Look Dread, stop hating on Jamie Winborn.

Dread misses Nate Webster.

Originally Posted by Slick

Dread misses Nate Webster.

Yeah, like I miss my ex-wife...

Originally Posted by Jrwiz

I suspect after a few games folks will game plan against them.. the first few games no body has any game tape on them.. now they do the good OC will start to game plan around the weaknesses..

I find it hard to believe that we would be one of the heaviest DL and some as some teams NT weigh more that our DL does..

IIRC they are all about 305-315..

Now that is a HUGE upgrade from years past but.. I find it hard to believe we are one of the biggest..

I suspect they will end the year in the top 20 maybe 15, because there is not alot of depth and IF the O does not start winning the TOP issue big time they will still wear down.. Even IF technique is on the moon they have a long schedule and not much Quality depth.. But then again more than last year..


Doomerville I am pleasantly surprised about I said years ago he was not going to be a great DE to small to play more than passing downs.. I think they have found a good home for him @OLB..

Actually, with Fields (314), Baker (329), and Thomas (316), the Broncos
stack up quite well in the league at NT, in terms of weight.

Regarding the DLs overall, here are some averages, according to CoachScout:

Denver 308
Dallas 308
NYG 280
Wash 298
GB 309
Pitt 297
Cle 318
NE 313
Minn 296
Balt 313

So Denver shows up quite well in average weights.

Regarding depth, none of the 3-4 teams have more than 7 active players on
the DL, that I have seen. That is how many the Broncos have: Fields, Baker,
Thomas, Holliday, Smith, McBean, and Peterson. They all have played, and
they all have shown well. So, while depth was a concern before they had a
chance to play with each other, I don't see how it is now. Looks like seven
pretty good players to me . . .

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put me down for brian dawkins as the best free agent pickup so far-- dude brings leadership, intensity, accountability, and oh yea-- seventeen tackles in his first two weeks here. . . .

safeties are allowed to make tackles! who knew?

Originally Posted by dogfish

put me down for brian dawkins as the best free agent pickup so far-- dude brings leadership, intensity, accountability, and oh yea-- seventeen tackles in his first two weeks here. . . .

safeties are allowed to make tackles! who knew?

No kidding. After watching Calvin Lowery et al. hit ballcarriers with all the force of an Angel's shrug last year its a pleasure to watch Dawkins play