Wk 1 Preseason questions

[Cooley Cadets]

Not having had the opportunity to see any of the games so far I would like input from those in the know about the following

1. What is the story behind Brit Miller in SF? LB turned FB who made a nice impression this week.

2. Did we see this years version of Kyle Orton or was week 1 a fluke and he improves dramatically?

3. Did Sage Rosenfels perform well enough to make the starting position his? And if so was it good enough to make him a solid fantasy #3?

4. Where was Sorgi? Even Peyton made a guest appearance in the game why not their back up? Did I overlook an injury or something?

5. Did Collie leapfrog Garcon on the depth chart or is it still to early to say?

6. JaMarcus did better than many thought - what are his chances of starting to enjoy a little success this season?

7. A nice part of Russell looking better was Schilens. What should we be expecting from this kid?

8. Much like Collie and Garcon in Indy what do you make of the Hurd and Austin comparisons in Dallas?

9. I hoped for the best when Dennis Dixon entered the NFL - did he perform well enough to give hope that he will eventually have a starting gig somewhere? (I know not much to go on for such a lofty goal but any feedback would be nice)

10. What is the word on Lance Long in Arizona and Justin Harper in Baltimore? Sleeper worthy yet or still need more proof?

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

I've not seen many preseason games thus far because they haven't been televised here. The few that I can comment on however are as follows:

2. Did we see this years version of Kyle Orton or was week 1 a fluke and he improves dramatically?
Very good question. I tend to believe that this is the Kyle Orton we will see in Josh McDaniel's system. Remember, last year Kyle threw quite a few dump off passes to Matt Forte and kept things short and simple. In Denver, with a little better O-line and a way better receiving core, he was instructed to open the field up a bit. This is dangerous because he never was a great passing QB. He's a good manager on the field, when too much responsibility is not placed on his shoulder. If they stick with Orton, they'll have to model the game plan around him. Knowshon will help out with this. I see McDaniels working well with Kyle however and he does improve. The question really is, will Orton win the starting job. I feel quite strange saying this, but Chris Simms looked damn good.

3. Did Sage Rosenfels perform well enough to make the starting position his? And if so was it good enough to make him a solid fantasy #3?
The answer to the first of this 2 part question is yes. However it had less to do with Sage's performance and more to do with Jackson's crap of a show. I felt, as all of you probably did, that Sage was to be the starter the moment he signed. He's a good QB. Honestly, he may even be able to put up Matt Ryan type of numbers this year becuase they don't have the worst receiving core and they will rely heavily on the run game. That puts him a low #2, solid #3 fantasy QB, IMO.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

The question really is, will Orton win the starting job. I feel quite strange saying this, but Chris Simms looked damn good.

I thought Simms would end up being the leading candidate to start when the 2 were acquired but that never seemed a likely option... until now perhaps. Simms has not proven himself enough to convince me his performance will not fluctuate. Will be looking though as he would be a great sleeper if he consistently outperforms Kyle.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

That's what it comes down to, Cooley. Last night, Simms completely outperformed his competition. Unlike you however, I never assumed Simms would win a starting job. I feel at this point, the starting position is still Orton's to loose. He can do nothing but shoot himself in the foot. If Simms continues to do well and Orton steps his game up, matches, hell, even under performs Simms a bit, the job is still Kyle's. It's going to take 3 preseason games of Orton throwing 2+ picks a game for him to loose the job, IMO.

 

[bobbeaux]

simms was looking pretty good in short duty in tampa before his issues with his insides . . . i forget exactly what it was . . . lol . . .

 

[Cooley Cadets]

simms was looking pretty good in short duty in tampa before his issues with his insides . . . i forget exactly what it was . . . lol . . .

That was my impression and he sort of became the forgotten man once he fell out of favor there. I thought he would separate himself from Orton but the game stats were the 1st indication that might still happen that I am aware of.

 

[bobbeaux]

That was my impression and he sort of became the forgotten man once he fell out of favor there. I thought he would separate himself from Orton but the game stats were the 1st indication that might still happen that I am aware of.

i hope the better man wins the job . . . i've always wanted simms to do good . . .

 

[Cooley Cadets]

i hope the better man wins the job . . . i've always wanted simms to do good . . .

Exactly. Nothing against Orton just thought Sims was the better option moving into a new system...

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

Interesting. I never liked Sims. I watched him that whole season, from Raymond James. Wasn't a fan.

Oh and that injury he had... ruptured spleen.

 

[derringer007]

To bad for Denver that they could not work it out with Cutler, now there is a QB nightmare, didnt they learn anything from Orton's stint in Chi-Town.

Not so sure if Sims is the answer but i'm 100% sure Orton is not, Sims should get to work with the 1st team over Orton IMHO

With a ruptured spleen, Sims showed how tough he is when he continued to play, that guy has testicular fortitude 10 fold

 

[bobbeaux]

on a side note, i'm planning to watch the 49ers defense and see if they are pulling it all together . . . they've got some serious playmakers on D and a defensive minded HC . . . could be a sleeper in the making . . .

 

[Cooley Cadets]

on a side note, i'm planning to watch the 49ers defense and see if they are pulling it all together . . . they've got some serious playmakers on D and a defensive minded HC . . . could be a sleeper in the making . . .

Who do they play next? With all the turmoil this off season I didn't expect Denver to be an offensive juggernaut from the start so I don't really give this weeks showing to much weight.

 

[Sgt John]

Not having had the opportunity to see any of the games so far I would like input from those in the know about the following

OK

1. What is the story behind Brit Miller in SF? LB turned FB who made a nice impression this week.

6-0, 251lbs UDFA LB out of Illinois. Was waived by the Panthers and claimed by SF, who promptly moved him to FB. As SF doesnt really have a brutal lead blocker type, expect him to see the PS this year and remain there as needed.

2. Did we see this years version of Kyle Orton or was week 1 a fluke and he improves dramatically?

Yes you saw it. Orton does NOT have the arm to run the Patriots offense. Expect to see Simms.

3. Did Sage Rosenfels perform well enough to make the starting position his? And if so was it good enough to make him a solid fantasy #3?

Not yet. Childress will blow Tarvaris Jackson for as long as he can. In the end I expect Sage to win the job and be a solid 3. Dont go rush out to draft him yet.

4. Where was Sorgi? Even Peyton made a guest appearance in the game why not their back up? Did I overlook an injury or something?

Sorgi is out 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury. He will be fine for the start of the season, where he will take a Sarge estimated 6 snaps. All year.

5. Did Collie leapfrog Garcon on the depth chart or is it still to early to say?

Camp intel indicates these two will be used in the same position on a situation by situation basis. Depth Chart position for them doesnt mean anything at this point.

6. JaMarcus did better than many thought - what are his chances of starting to enjoy a little success this season?

His better still wasnt that great. Id expect him to finish the year in the mid 20's QB wise. I also forsee an injury this year costing him a couple games.

7. A nice part of Russell looking better was Schilens. What should we be expecting from this kid?

Expect 65 receptions for 750 yards and 4-5 TDs. Not as much a problem with him as a problem with the QB. Any game Garcia starts guarentees this guy 5 receptions. Draft him as your WR4 or 5 with confidence.

8. Much like Collie and Garcon in Indy what do you make of the Hurd and Austin comparisons in Dallas?

Hurd was TOs boy. Miles Austin is a kick returner type. Unless you get points for return yards I dont see much for either one. Im still expecting to see a cheap vet deal for Harrision or Jones before the start of the season. Dallas just doesnt have the depth at WR.

9. I hoped for the best when Dennis Dixon entered the NFL - did he perform well enough to give hope that he will eventually have a starting gig somewhere? (I know not much to go on for such a lofty goal but any feedback would be nice)

With the advent of the Wildcat anything is possible short term. Long term, I dont see him as a starter in the NFL for the forseeable future. I think the Steelers will never let him go just the same.

10. What is the word on Lance Long in Arizona and Justin Harper in Baltimore? Sleeper worthy yet or still need more proof?

Havent heard anything about Long, but when your dealing with that glut of WRs, I wouldnt expect much. Harper...with Mark Clayton AND Maurice Smith sidelined, he has likely made the squad and could open the year at the #3 WR Spot.

Now, this is the Ravens..so thats like 10 receptions.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Sorgi is out 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury. He will be fine for the start of the season, where he will take a Sarge estimated 6 snaps. All year.

I see Manning getting injured instead of J. Russell (for Russell they may just claim it is an injury to save face)

Hurd was TOs boy. Miles Austin is a kick returner type. Unless you get points for return yards I dont see much for either one. Im still expecting to see a cheap vet deal for Harrision or Jones before the start of the season. Dallas just doesnt have the depth at WR.

I agree about the depth but without a signing one would have to be relied upon substantially in my opinion. I was leaning toward Austin but Hurd does always seem to be lurking and may now make a push.

With the advent of the Wildcat anything is possible short term. Long term, I dont see him as a starter in the NFL for the forseeable future. I think the Steelers will never let him go just the same.

Because he has big Ben in front of him or because he needs that much work?

Havent heard anything about Long, but when your dealing with that glut of WRs, I wouldnt expect much. Harper...with Mark Clayton AND Maurice Smith sidelined, he has likely made the squad and could open the year at the #3 WR Spot.


This was the 1st I heard of Long as well but Harper has been getting some press. Don't you think they will pass more than last year at least? Didn't I read something about Mason also getting dinged?

 

[Sgt John]

I see Manning getting injured instead of J. Russell (for Russell they may just claim it is an injury to save face)

I dont think so. Manning will be fine as always. Guys just inhuman when it comes to avoiding injury. Russell, once Big Al turns on him, will take the blame for everything. I think its very telling Russell and DHB are on the bus to suckville (driven by Javon Walker) and a guy like Schwhatever is the #1 WR.

I agree about the depth but without a signing one would have to be relied upon substantially in my opinion. I was leaning toward Austin but Hurd does always seem to be lurking and may now make a push.

Choose very carefully. Miles Austin would be the #3. Though I find no information on him, I know Manuel Johnson could be a capeable 4 this year, pushing Hurd to 5. The only guy I expect to be released before the season is Isaiah Stanbeck.

Because he has big Ben in front of him or because he needs that much work?

Because he has Big Ben in front of him. Ben is THE MAN in Pitt, and thats the bottom line. However, they KNOW what they have in Dixon, and they are not going to allow anyone else to get their hands on it. Charlie Batch can go, Dixon, never.

This was the 1st I heard of Long as well but Harper has been getting some press. Don't you think they will pass more than last year at least? Didn't I read something about Mason also getting dinged?

Yeah, Mason had the finger issue. I dont know how much they will pass, but I just dont see much food AT THIS POINT for the #3 WR. You still have to go through Mason, Rice, and whatever is at TE. I would watch this situation carefully as camp progresses. Smith tore his ACL so he gone for the year.