Which team is more impressive, the Colts or the Saints?
I’m going to have to go with the Saints here. To begin with, their running game is more impressive than the Colts. New Orleans is 5th and the Colts are 29th. New Orleans has almost double their yardage. 16 TDs to 9. Not to mention, if need be, Brees can score on the ground, this is not even close to the same as with Peyton Manning. When it comes to special teams, the Colts are bottom of the league in return yardage, including dead last in kick return average yards. I also feel that New Orleans has some more trusted options in the passing attack. Both teams are awash in a lot of categories, however, the Colts were closer to 2 losses than were the Saints. Finally, when it comes to the postseason and making quick decisions, I’m going to have to trust Sean Peyton over Caldwell.
Who does Peyton Manning need more, Reggie Wayne or Dallas Clark?
Reggie Wayne. I looked at this from all angles, and while Dallas Clark has a higher DVOA (Defensive Value Over Average) for his position, Wayne still ranks right with him. The fact that Wayne is drawing double teams constantly, and is still producing is one of the main reasons why Manning has been putting up monster numbers this year. He’s had 5 more 20+ yard plays than Clark, he’s had 9 more first down resulting plays on top of 5 more touchdown resulting plays. Wayne also has a league high 98 targets, which means that Peyton is relying on him more than anyone. Dallas Clark’s abilities won’t ever result in single coverage for Garcon or Collie.
Reggie Wayne. No doubt about this.
Who has been the most underachieving player in the NFL in 2009?
At first look, I say Jay Cutler. 10 seconds of thought later, I change my mind, as he hasn’t been much different than when on the Broncos, just has worse receivers. I’m going to go with Brandon Jacobs. While he’s still in at over 4 yards a carry, and while he keeps defenses bruised for Bradshaw, he’s not done what he’s known for. He hasn’t gotten many touchdowns (2), or first downs (28). Picture this, this season he’s had 151 carries for 617 yards, last year while battling injuries he had 219 carries for 1089 yards. He has to average 6.95 yards a carry to get back to that. He also has to get 13 more touchdowns in 7 games. I understand the lack of Plaxico, but he’s not as bad as he is playing. He also needs to step up as a leader. All he has done has been making excuses to the media--Just upsetting. Especially since he hasn’t missed a game, and has been near 100% all year.
Are the Broncos a fluke?
I don’t think they are. That being said, I think they are what their schedule is. They are a 9-10 win team at best. They just won a few extra games to the start the season. Next year you will see the real results. I don’t have faith in Orton, as he’s alienating Royal and Scheffler, but besides that, if Moreno grows up and can hold onto the ball, they have a line that can make this offense top 10. Their defense under Mike Nolan, assuming they can keep him there for the foreseeable future, has done a tremendous turnaround. Their special teams unit is solid. I think they need to start to prepare for life after Bailey, although they aren’t in a rush, and they need to get Marshall happy. If they can build on what they have, they’ll compete with the Chargers for the next couple years. They play in a tough conference, and won’t even shine as a #1 or #2 seed, but they can make enough noise to be impressed with.
To be honest, I think a lot of it was luck in terms of how they got their talent, but Nolan and McDaniels have done a tremendous job getting the most out of it. Almost the polar opposite of what Mangini has done.
Who is the worst team in the league?
The Browns are. Starting top to bottom. The GM no longer exists. The coach lost his players from day 1. Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson should have been traded, as should Josh Cribbs. I know that Cribbs is really cheap and under contract for a long while, however he won’t be around when the team is done rebuilding. Why not sell high, teams would jump all over that player/contract. The whole importing of Jets castoffs was a disgrace. Which one of them worked out? Letting Bodden go was a mess, even though he’s only a #2, he’s still better than what’s in that defensive backfield (minus Wright). James Davis should have never practiced without pads.
As far as talent, they traded their top receiver, had their 2nd receiver go to jail. They didn’t seem to take advantage of Massaquoi. There is no consistency; no chemistry is going to be developed. Quinn is not the answer, either. He constantly throws behind receivers and has no arm. Their defense is the only somewhat surprise. They play with a lot of consistency. They aren’t very good, but they get consistent results that are better than some realize. The glaring hole is their defensive line. Besides Rodgers, no one can stop the run or force pressure on the QB.
To sum them up in 2 sentences: They are 32nd in team offense and defense. Watching the last play of the MNF game against the Ravens shows how they are coached.
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