oldmanfan

It usually takes a while for rookie O linemen to figure it out in the NFL. Indy has two guys in Nelson and Smith that broke the mold, although you might have guessed Nelson would. My guess is that Beane already has couple guys targeted in free agency for the O line. I am quite sure they realize the O line needs significant upgrade, and will look more towards FA to get some experience in here. Should they use high round picks to build the O line? Absolutely, if they see a guy they think will be an All Pro type then go ahead and use a #9 on a G or C or T. Talent is talent; if you can add that level of talent in front of your young QB it would definitely be worth the asset. I just don't know if there is that level of talent in this year's draft, whereas there are a number of defensive front 7 guys that could fit the bill.

I'd do the same if I were Elway.

All defenses played well this week. As Alpha said above too many people read it as an either/or thing. Your D has to be there in the playoffs. And your O. And as the Bears saw your special teams. i said above defenses were the best units for all 4 teams this weekend, but when they had to get a stop a couple didn't.

Neither game had truly effective offenses today. Defenses were the best side of the ball for all 4 teams. But credit given where due; at the end when a stop really had to be made teams fell short.

I'm pretty sure I have. In the playoffs defense counts, running game, passing game. Balance.

I suspect things like a promising young QB on the roster, a HC who seems to be respected by his players and above all the $$ offered trump the appearance of a locker room.

Good for Gilmore. Bad for folks memories. Gilmore has improved under Belichick. When we had him he had good coverage skills but did not track the ball well. He also was not good in run support and had questionable tackling skills - remember many times him just throwing a shoulder at a guy and watching him Boyce off. McD's D expects CBs to perform in run support.

What a regular season hockey game has to do with the NFL playoff escapes any rayional explanation. One team yesterday shut down the # 1 rushing team in the league and another yielded 7 points. Pretty good D. Others have also mentioned O line. Also important as the Colts showed especially. Do you need good QB play? Sure. Is a QB enough in the playoffs? No. D will always be important. I think you'll see one of the teams next week that have been offensive juggernauts get beat by better D. The Rams most likely just like last year.

Watched the early game and watching the Boys/Hawks now. Defense always counts in the playoffs.

I'd have to look back. But in many sports you can look at guys who either never played in the bigs or had less than star careers. Think of baseball with guys like Weaver, LaRussa, LaSorda.

Different GMs, different philosophies. No less, no more. Doug thought he was close so he was aggressive. Beane didn't see that and felt he needs to build his way. Each can work, each can fail.

Many times the best coaches were the ones that were marginal players. To gain the success they had as a player they had to study the game a lot more.

Don't know who this guy is. He did say he based it upon his admittedly subjective analysis. So it's just some guy with an opinion.

Bravo

If it were Noll, Big Ben and Brown would be gone tomorrow.

He has the cap space and draft picks he wanted to have to build the team the way he and McD want. It's on him now to make the right choices. We'll see how he does.

The question is if they are a stable and we'll run organization. Stable - yes. Ownership is stable and you have a HC and GM that should be here for a while. Well run? Depends how you define things. They seem to have a successful business going, so yes in that regard. They have a HC and GM working well together. So yes there. But if you define by their record, they have work to do.

Good point. I'm not sure there's a perfect way to address this.

That as well. He should get interviews because of his experience. But, unfortunately I think, he will be interviewed only because of the Rooney rule by some teams and not because of his talent. Three minority coaches were fired today. I think that's sad. I agree there should be more representation of minorities in coaching and front office spots. But the Rooney rule to me isn't the best way to accomplish that.

Lot of it is timing. I hope Josh invites the WRs to Wyoming or wherever this offseason for some extra work

But it's reality. Right now there's two African-American HCs left if I'm counting correctly and it's a priority for the league.

Frazier will get interviews. Rooney rule.

Just stop it. This was a unique situation where the game was in hand and they wanted to honor a guy that gave 13 years to the team.

If you didn't live through it you'll never really understand why some of us hate the Mammals so much.

Mayfield's pretty good. Better than I thought he'd be.