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NFL Football Players Draft Injuries Rookies Season SuperbowlPublished: December 7, 2009
Dec 6, 2009.
Eight minutes and thirty-one seconds into overtime, I lost my heart…for the last time.
The Washington Redskins (3-9) proved that even when you can’t help but win a game, try really hard and you’ll find a way to squander it. The Skins led the New Orleans Saints (12-0) for most of the game, never giving a lead change.
I love this time of year. The air is cold and dry. Snow on the ground. Christmas is right around the corner.
The Redskins, of course, have been in the giving spirit all season long. Their first six opponents were winless before facing Washington. To be fair, the Giants were 0-0. And of those six teams, the Giants, Lions, Panthers, and Chiefs all left with a “W.” Only the Rams and Buccaneers were left to find a win somewhere other than DC.
With the 11-0 Saints on the verge of their first loss, the Redskins knew what had to be done. They gave away the lead. They gave the Saints their twelfth win. What a great bunch of guys.
With the clock winding down in the fourth and a healthy 10 point lead, Washington decided it was time to prove the Saints were the Saints and those Redskins were still the Daniel Snyder flavor of Redskins. To paraphrase, They DEFINITELY are who we thought they were.
In the game, kicker Shaun Suisham missed a nut the size of which a blind squirrel could find. With the “gimme” chip-shot miss at the 23 yard line, Suisham may have given up his roster spot as well.
Then, Robert Meachem was left uncovered to score his second TD of the game. LaRon Landry decided to play “Secret Santa” as well by pretending he had never seen a double move by a wide-out before. He was burned twice, once by Marques Colston and once by Meachem. By the way, Meachem’s first trip to the endzone came after quarterback Drew Brees threw an interception to Kareem Moore.
I guess Moore saw how much that upset the Saints because he quickly gave the ball back. Meachem was happy to accept.
Jason Campbell even got into the act. With the opportunity to sew up the victory in regulation, Campbell scanned the sidelines until he found Jonathan Vilma and delivered a brilliant pass to the Saints linebacker.
Most kind of all though was the generous turnover in overtime. The Redskins, being the winners that they are, even won the coin toss. Knowing that it truly is better to give than receive, Campbell completed a pass to Mike Sellers. Sellers, who is rarely given the chance to make a big contribution, saw his chance to deliver. After making the catch, he was hit by Saints defensive back Chris McAllister and turned the ball over.
The Saints drove down the field, all the way to the Redskins one yard line before kicking a chip-shot of their own. I’m sure the Saints are already trying to find a way to truly show their appreciation for such a kind-hearted gesture.
Well, with all the giving the Redskins have been involved in this season, I decided to give a little myself.
I’m giving up.
I’ve been a Redskins fan for 27 years and I can’t take it any more. If I were to keep this team, I would effectively give away my sanity. So, immediately following the loss, I put my fanhood up for sale on eBay.
That’s right, I’ve lost my heart and elected to sell my soul . 10 days from now, I will have a new team to cheer. I pray the winning bid does not go to an Eagles, Giants, or Cowboys fan.
The sad truth is that the slow death the Redskins are putting me through is only one ring of my hellish inferno. I’m also an Orioles fan… for now.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: June 2, 2009
At 2:30 am on the morning of Jan. 1, 2007, Darrent Williams was pronounced dead.
An apparent altercation between some club goers and gang members would cost Williams his life.
The 24-year-old Williams had been at a New Year’s Eve party at a Denver nightclub. He was there to bring in the New Year and celebrate the birthday of Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin.
Williams left the club around 2:00 in the morning. Just 12 hours before, Williams had played the final game of the 2006 season for the Denver Broncos against the San Francisco 49ers.
As Williams and friends settled into their rented limousine, a second vehicle pulled alongside and fired shots into the limo. Darrent Williams was struck by a single bullet to the back of the neck and slumped into the lap of then-Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker. At 2:10 am, Williams would take his last breath.
The Denver police department would impound the car of a known Crips gang member, Brian Hicks. Hicks was already in prison and awaiting trial for attempted murder and drug charges. Immediately, the police turned to known associates of Hicks for answers.
On May 30, 2008, the Rocky Mountain News posted a story claiming they possessed a letter in which Willie Clark had confessed to firing the shot that took the life of the Broncos defensive back. That October, a grand jury indicted Clark in the murder.
Clark was set to stand trial on July 6, but a judge in the case has postponed the trial until Oct. 13 as per the request of Clark’s attorneys.
The attorneys claim that Clark was influenced by police officers trying to force a confession and, therefore, the letter should not be admissible in court. District Judge Cristina Habas will rule this week on the matter.
Handwriting analyses obtained by the Rocky Mountain News confirm that Clark was the author of the letter. The letter was examined by an independent with certification from the National Association of Document Examiners. The Denver Police also had the document examined and authenticated.
Clark’s letter was matched against 14 other samples, including a letter to the U.S. District Judge Wiley Y. Daniel.
Sources: Rocky Mountain News, ESPN
Published: May 16, 2009
In part two of this three-part series, “Know Your Enemy”, we’re going to take a look at the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are Denver’s most bitter rival, although in recent years, the Raiders’ record has taken some of the intensity out of the rivalry.
In 2007, the Raiders organization welcomed Lane Kiffin as the 16th coach of the franchise. In 2008, they handed him his walking papers.
Enter Tom Cable.
The team finished 5-11 and in third place in the AFC West. It was the first time in six years they didn’t finish in last. The Raiders, ranked 29th in total offense, amassed a paltry 263 points. The defense, ranked 27th overall, allowing 388 points.
The team hoped to address the offensive line and the wide receiving corp in the draft. Well, with the seventh pick overall, the Raiders selected swift-footed wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey from the University of Maryland. Heyward-Bey will probably have the opportunity to make an impact. The other six rookies selected in the ’09 draft will, more than likely, have to wait their turn.
JaMarcus Russell sort of came into his own this past season with a QB rating around 77, 2423 yards in the air, and 13 touchdowns versus eight interceptions. The Raider Nation hopes Russel to Heyward-Bey will be a phrase repeated many times this season.
With little altered from 2008 to 2009, it would seem the Raiders will be hard pressed to greatly improve upon their situation. Still, a brief look at the 2009 schedule and I could see them winning anywhere from four to seven games this year.
And, that may be enough to keep them out of the basement for a second consecutive season. Only Al Davis knows if it will be enough to give Cable a second season as head coach.
Next up in the assessment, the San Diego Chargers.
Sources
Retrieved May 16, 2009, from NFL.com
http://www.raiders.com/Newsroom/Default.aspx?id=132
Retrieved May 16, 2009, from CBSsports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/depth-chart/OAK
Published: May 16, 2009
In order to accurately predict how well your team will do in the upcoming season, it is not only important to evaluate the steps taken by that team to improve, but also to evaluate the status of the teams they will be competing against.
In this three-part series, “Know Your Enemy”, I will be dissecting the Denver Broncos AFC West opponents.
The Kansas City Chiefs 2008 season ended with a 2-14 campaign. The woeful Chiefs longtime team president Carl Peterson resigned at seasons end and made room for former Patriots exec Scott Pioli (he helped the Pats claim three Lombardi trophies in ’01, ’03, and ’04 and a 16-0 regular season mark in 2007).
Immediately after taking the helm, Pioli fired head coach Herm Edwards, traded away Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons, and picked up Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel from the Pats via trade.
After a thrilling Super Bowl performance, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley was hired on as the Chiefs newest head coach. The ’08 Chiefs scored a total of 291 points on offense. By comparison, Haley’s offense put up 427 points.
The Gonzalez trade netted Kansas City a second rounder in 2010. The feeling around KC is that Brad Cottam will take the majority of plays from the tight end spot. And to be fair, TEs in Haley’s system don’t need to be pass-catching superstars.
They just need to know how to block.
Haley was the reason for Kurt Warner’s “rebirth” and now he welcomes in a tested Matt Cassel. In 2008, Cassel went 11-5 in relief of Tom Brady.
The Chiefs also added Zach Thomas (to the defense) and Bobby Engram (to the offense) from the free agent pool.
Their first three picks of the 2009 draft were from the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end Tyson Jackson (reunited with LSU teammate Glen Dorsey) came with pick No. 3. Pick three in the third round (67) netted defensive tackle Alex McGee of Purdue and in the fourth round (pick No. 2, 102 overall) Kansas City snatched up 6’0” cornerback Donald Washington from the Ohio State University. Don’t worry (two Brandons) Flowers and Carr, I think your jobs are safe.
Kansas City’s defense was ranked 31st overall and gave up 440 points in 2008. A 35-year-old Thomas and 33-year-old Vrabel may not be the cure-all the Chiefs would like. KC would also like to see Glen Dorsey’s performance greatly improved.
Looking at the ’09 schedule, an at Baltimore, at Philadelphia, and at Washington all before the Bye Week spells three losses. The Chiefs will host the Giants, Cowboys, and Steelers, but where’s the consolation in that?
A realistic approach to the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs campaign looks less like a 2-14 performance, but somewhere shy of a 6-10 outcome. I’m going to say 4-12.
Next up, the Oakland Raiders.
Sources
Retrieved May 16, 2009, from CBSsports.com
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/depth-chart/KC.
Published: May 15, 2009
Change.
Barack Obama ran an entire presidential campaign on the idea of change. When life becomes stagnant or the status quo just isn’t good enough anymore, change is the cure-all.
After 14 seasons as the Denver Broncos head coach, Mike Shanahan (146-95-0 in the regular and post season, including back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1997 and 1998) was released from the team.
It was time for a change.
That change came in the form of Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels is a graduate of the Bill Belichick (102-42 in the regular season and three Super Bowl Championships as the head coach of the New England Patriots, 2000 to present) school of football.
Fellow graduates include Charlie Weis (29-21 as the head coach at Notre Dame, 2005 to present), Romeo Crennel (24-40 as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, 2005-2008), and Eric Mangini (23-25 as the head coach of the New York Jets, 2006-2008).
In some cases, it would appear the apple falls quite far from the tree.
Please don’t get me wrong. McDaniels is his own man and the Broncos are nowhere near the shambles that Notre Dame and the NFL’s Browns and Jets were in when these men took over.
However, aside from the hiring of Mike Nolan as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator, McDaniels’ infancy in the head coaching arena has been mired by bad decision after questionable decision. In fact, many of his more recent moves have looked awfully “Shanahanish.”
If Mike Shanahan had made these moves (the botched Cutler fiasco or the No. 12 draft pick used to pick up Knowshon Moreno instead of addressing the defensive front seven), we’d say it was just Mike Shanahan being Mike Shanahan. Unfortunately, Pat Bowlen and the Broncos fans called for “change” and McDaniels has only given them “more of the same” (thank you, Democratic National Convention).
Some of the biggest changes came in the cuts/signing department
The Broncos not only bobbled the situation with Jay Cutler, but Patrick Ramsey was released. That means Kyle Orton and Chris Simms are their likely one and two quarterbacks.
Cornerback Dre Bly, 5’10” and 31 years old, was cut and his likely replacement is 5’9″ Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest. Did I mention the Broncos gave up a first round draft pick for Smith?
Thirty-five year old Brian Dawkins becomes the new safety for the Broncos. They’re going to need him to play in 30-year-old form.
Although Knowshon Moreno may be a game-changer some day, was it necessary to pick him up with the No. 12 when the Broncos already had Buckhalter, Arrington, and Jordan? And just recently, Denver added Darius Walker. The smart money would have guessed that pick was being applied to the OL or DL.
With a 2009 schedule that pits the Broncos up against six teams that qualified for the 2008 NFL playoffs (Baltimore and Pittsburgh back-to-back following the Week Seven bye) and five of those games are against eight of the past nine Super Bowl champions, an 8-8 finish looks like a highwater mark for this team. A 6-10 season may be a little closer to how this year plays out.
Change has come to Denver…and it may not be for the best.
Sources:
Retrieved May 12, 2009, from NFL.com
Retrieved May 12, 2009, from denverpost.com
Retrieved May 12, 2009, from Denver Broncos team page
Retrieved May 12 2009, from ESPN.com
Published: May 15, 2009
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The Denver Broncos may not have made a huge splash in the 2009 NFL Draft, but they have drawn from the free agency pool to address some glaring weaknesses.
After an 8-3 start where a win in any of the final five games would have given them a playoff berth, the Broncos pulled on the emergency brake and changed course.
The obvious problems with the 2008 roster were quality at defensive line (particularly nose guard) and safety on the defensive side of the ball. Quarterback (the loss of Cutler was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg) and running back proved to be the trouble spots on offense.
Early in free agency, the Broncos added running backs J.J. Arrington (Cardinals), Correll Buckhalter (Eagles), LaMont Jordan (Patriots), and Darius Walker.
After acquiring Kyle Orton (Bears) in an attempt to have something to show for blowing it with the Pro Bowl selection Jay Cutler, the Broncos moved on Chris Simms (Titans).
Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense added a few free agents as well. Linebackers Andra Davis (Browns) and Nick Greisen (released by the Ravens) were snatched up with defensive tackles Ronald Fields (49ers) and Darrell Reid (Colts) and defensive backs Brian Dawkins, Andre Goodman, and Renaldo Hill. Finally, defensive end Kenny Peterson was re-signed.
On a team lacking a star to headline its 3-4 defense, the Broncos had hoped to land a defensive lineman in the draft.
Well, with pick No. 18 the Broncos nabbed Robert Ayers.
The 6’3”, 270-pound Ayers was a run-stopping defensive end for the Tennessee Volunteers who will likely see some outside linebacker duty for Denver as well.
The Broncos addressed their hole at safety with pick No. 48, Darcel McBath and pick No. 114, David Bruton.
Running back Knowshon Moreno was taken with the first of Denver’s two first-round picks (No. 12 overall) and with the first pick in round six, Tom Brandstater was selected (No. 174).
Moreno will have a real opportunity to make an impact on the Broncos squad. Brandstater is lucky there are only two other quarterbacks on the team (for now).
Let’s liken this to pickup football games we played as children. Remember the short, chubby, uncoordinated, asthmatic kid whom always got picked last? He was important for one reason … he was No. 8.
Without him, you had a four on three or an all-time quarterback situation on your hands. You let him play strictly because you needed an extra body.
Following the draft, the Broncos took a look at the undrafted collegiate free agents. In all, Denver would sign 15 of these free agents (four WRs, one RB, one TE, two OTs, two CBs, one P, two DEs, one DT, and a LB). Among them was wide receiver David Grimes, who played for head coach Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.
Weis was the offensive coordinator who preceded Josh McDaniels in the Patriots organization. It would be fair to predict the two systems will be comparable.
If we look at the projected depth chart objectively, six of the 11 defensive starters did not play in Denver last year. The offense is a bit more recognizable (aside from Orton and the running backs).
Most people would agree that the Broncos’ offense was mostly fine before Cutler was run out of town, so there wasn’t much to improve on that end.
The defense was 30th in scoring and 29th overall. Nothing short of an overhaul was going to help.
I believe the Broncos did a fair job addressing their weaknesses efficiently.
Are the holes filled? Yes.
Will it be enough to take the division? I say probably not, but only time will tell.
Published: May 15, 2009
After finishing the regular season 8-8 and missing the playoffs, Pat Bowlen decided it was time for a change.
Well, here it comes.
Mike Shanahan was fired on December 30, 2008. His replacement, Josh McDaniels, was hired on January 12, 2009.
Shortly after taking over the new job, McDaniels shook up both sides of the ball. He brought in Mike Nolan to run the Broncos defense, and the scheme was changed from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
The Denver D was ranked 30th in points, 19th in yards, 26th in defending the pass, and 27th against the run.
There is plenty of room for improvement there. The problem comes when addressing the personnel. Six of the 11 defensive starters have changed and aside from Brian Dawkins, none of those changes scream improvement.
Ronald Fields, Darrell Reid, and Kenny Peterson will be the starters on the defensive line. Dumervil, Boss Bailey, Darrent Williams, and Andra Davis will be the backing corps, while Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill will team up with Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman in the backfield.
Before the offensive playbook could be addressed, there was a meltdown at the quarterback position and Jay Cutler fled the scene.
McDaniels added Kyle Orton to run his offense, which is not Mike Shanahan’s offense. No, we have not seen the end of the west coast offesne, or the running back-by-committee. McDaniels will implement some variation of the offense he was running in Foxboro.
In fact, it’s not easy to narrow down the Patriots offense. With the receivers constantly moving around and playing off each other, the offensive system is like water. It constantly shifts and moves to better adjust to defenses around the league. Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall should shine in this offense; think Welker and Moss.
You will not be shown the same offense two weeks in a row and for a team that just drafted University of Georgia standout Knowshon Moreno, it should be noted that the Patriots were sixth n the NFL in rushing last year. Buckhalter will likely get the bulk of the load in carries this year.
Jeremy Bates was released to make room for the Broncos’ new QB coach, Mike McCoy. McCoy worked with Steve Beuerlein and Jake Delhomme in the Carolina organization and will now be an asset to Orton and the Denver O.
It’s unfortunate to see a Pro Bowler run out of town, but points on the board and a stack of ‘W’s can make that bitterness disappear. One thing’s for sure, if the Denver Broncos don’t succeed, it won’t be because they didn’t make moves.
Published: May 15, 2009
If given the opportunity to engage one of the Denver Broncos players in a sit down interview, I believe these would be the 20 questions I would ask Broncos guard Ben Hamilton.
No. 50 has been a Denver Bronco for nine seasons, longer than any other player on the squad. The 6’4” center/guard was drafted in the fourth round of the 2001 draft.
1) You anchored the offensive line in 2003 when the Broncos set a franchise record for yards from scrimmage. Clinton Portis, Mike Andersen, Reuben Droughns, and Quentin Griffin (as well as Cecil Sapp for 1 game) amassed 2629 total yards that season. Who gets the credit for that, Mike Shanahan, the RBs, or the big uglies?
2) You’ve spent your entire professional career with the Broncos, and more notably, Mike Shanahan. How did you feel about the organization releasing your head coach?
3) What are your expectations for your new head coach, Josh McDaniels?
4) From 2002 to 2006, you started every game of the season. You missed all of 2007 with symptoms due to concussions. Then in 2008, you started all 16 games again. That’s 96 starts in 96 games. How important is it to be on that field when the game starts?
5) You’ve had four different starting quarterbacks since joining the Broncos: Brian Griese, Jake Plummer, Jay Cutler, and now Kyle Orton. Who has been your favorite field general and why?
6) Let’s fast-forward to 2013. You’ve started all 176 games you’ve played in. Do you make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
7) Who’s better, John Elway (48 years old) now or Kyle Orton (26 years old) now?
8) If you were going to be traded to another team in your division, where would you want to go?
9) Who was your favorite player when you were growing up?
10) This will be your last football question. Next we’ll get to know Ben the person. What do you enjoy more, pass blocking for that long strike or run blocking for the big gain?
11) Okay, now it’s time for some fun. If you weren’t in football (in any capacity), what would Ben Hamilton’s dream job be?
12) What songs are getting heavy rotation on your ipod right now?
13) Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, (NFL favorite) Jessica Simpson, or Jessica Rabbit?
14) You’re on a desert island with only your carry-on bag. What did you bring along?
15) They’re making a movie about your life… “The Gopher Who Became a Bronco”, who plays you?
16) Who plays the female love interest?
17) What do you like best about Germany (former Berlin Thunder)?
18) Orange Crush or Bronco Blue?
19) If you could have dinner and a conversation with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
20) Heads or tails?
Sources
Retrieved May 14, 2009, from the Denver Broncos team site.
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=720.