Rumblings' Pre-Season All-AFC East Team
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 1:33 PM EDT
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PrintAs it's Friday afternoon, I thought it'd be fun to step back slightly from our constant coverage of one team, the Buffalo Bills, and broaden the scope a little bit to the AFC East. Looking to generate a little discussion, I decided to put together a pre-season All-AFC East Team heading into the new football season, which, unfortunately for us, contains more Jets, Patriots and Dolphins than it does Bills. I'll plop the team right here on the front page, and leave the bigger analysis for after the jump.
| Pos. | Name | Team |
| WR | Brandon Marshall | Dolphins |
| LT | D'Brickashaw Ferguson | Jets |
| LG | Logan Mankins | Patriots |
| C | Nick Mangold | Jets |
| RG | Eric Wood | Bills |
| RT | Vernon Carey | Dolphins |
| TE | Dustin Keller | Jets |
| WR | Randy Moss | Patriots |
| QB | Tom Brady | Patriots |
| RB | Shonn Greene | Jets |
| RB | Ronnie Brown | Dolphins |
| LE | Ty Warren | Patriots |
| NT | Kris Jenkins | Jets |
| RE | Shaun Ellis | Jets |
| LOLB | Tully Banta-Cain | Patriots |
| LILB | Bart Scott | Jets |
| RILB | Jerod Mayo | Patriots |
| ROLB | Calvin Pace | Jets |
| LCB | Darrelle Revis | Jets |
| SS | Brandon Meriweather | Patriots |
| FS | Jairus Byrd | Bills |
| RCB | Sean Smith | Dolphins |
| K | Dan Carpenter | Dolphins |
| P | Brian Moorman | Bills |
| RS | C.J. Spiller | Bills |
Offense
No one touches Brady at quarterback, and I didn't really consider anyone else at running back (sorry, Fred Jackson), receiver, left guard (though that'll change if Mankins whines his way out of New England), center or right tackle, either. If you want to yell at me for that, feel free, but I've got rebuttals at the ready.
I picked Ferguson at left tackle over Jake Long because I think the former is slightly better as a pass protector than the latter. Long's a heck of a player, though, there's no question. Right guard was tricky, but I picked our boy Wood over the Jets' Brandon Moore because there were times in '09 when Wood was Moore's equal; add in Wood's upside, and that's why the decision was made. As with including Shonn Greene at running back (as well as other areas), there's a bit of projection going into this, and I think Wood will have a better season than Moore will.
Tight end was interesting, because I happen to think very highly of Miami's Anthony Fasano. He's just a really solid all-around football player. In the end, Keller is a far more dynamic offensive weapon, and I couldn't keep him off this team after his outstanding 2009 post-season.
Defense
Here, decisions were a lot trickier, and not just because the Jets play a different version of the 3-4 than the Patriots, Dolphins and now the Bills do. The only easy decisions were Revis (obviously), Bart Scott, and, oddly, the outside linebackers. This division is not long on elite pass-rushing outside linebackers, folks - that kind of caught me off-guard.
Shaun Ellis technically plays left end for the Jets, but I moved him over to the right side to make room for Ty Warren, who I consider the second-best 3-4 end in the division, and also plays left end. I strictly adhered to the positions these guys played offensively - that's why Jake Long isn't the right tackle despite obviously being, at worst, the second-best tackle in the division - but defenders move around so much that I felt compelled to put the two best players on the team.
I like Jenkins over Wilfork because of what he offers the Jets schematically. Wilfork is a beast.
Knowing Scott, the ideal strong-side ILB, would be taking up one of the ILB spots, I had a really tough choice between Mayo, Karlos Dansby and David Harris for the other spot. In the end, I took the player that has the best natural talent; if he can stay healthy in '10, Mayo should emerge as one of the best linebackers in the league.
At corner, there were some excellent options, but I went with Sean Smith opposite Revis because of his unusually strong rookie season and his unique physical skills. He's not really a playmaker, but he's got shut-down potential. Leigh Bodden and Antonio Cromartie were excellent considerations as well. At safety, Meriweather and Byrd were simply the two best playmakers in a division that values ball skills at the back end of their defenses. Keep your eyes on Brodney Pool, though - he's an outstanding fit for Rex Ryan's scheme.
Special Teams
Yes! The area at which the Bills have the best shot for nominations! Moorman's one of the best two or three punters in the league, so with all proper apologies to Zoltan Mesko, I went with the veteran over the flashy name. I have no idea how many opportunities Spiller will get as a kick and punt return specialist, but I can't undersell his skill here - he's got Devin Hester-type potential in that area. He was beyond phenomenal as a returner in college.
There are some good kickers in this division, but Dan Carpenter really flies under the radar. He's only two years into his NFL career, but has already connected on 46 of his 53 career attempts, making a few big ones along the way.
Y'all are, of course, welcome to make compelling arguments for guys not on this list, or to call me a moron for not including David Garrard on this team. Have at it.
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Comments
You’re going to have to sell me on Shonn Greene being the 2nd RB on this team. If I was a Jets fan, I’d be slightly terrified of the fact that the Jets cut their best offensive weapon and handed the premier job of their offensive focal point to a guy with a little over 500 yards rushing in his career.
Since this is based on the upcoming season, it’s entirely possible Jackson doesn’t get a ton of touches and Maroney is what he is at this point. You picking Greene may speak more to the fact that the running back position in the AFC East isn’t as loaded as people think.
You say “a little over 500 yards rushing in his career,” I say “304 rushing yards at 5.6 yards per carry in 3 playoff games.” He was the best running back on that team during the post-season. He’s young, he’s durable, and he’s got a golden opportunity to produce behind a solid enough line (even losing Faneca). I think he’s going to have a great year. Oh, and I actually have him listed as the first RB on this team. :)
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
So when you do this are you judging the players on how successful of a year they will have or how good of a football player they are?
3 playoff games does not a career make
gotta disagree with you there. shonn greene does not deserve this spot…
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5
by silverstreak3k on Jun 18, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
This team has nothing to do with who’s had the best career, though. It’s about who will be the best this season.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
i get that
but three games should not determine what someone will do for 16….shonne will even out, and now that hes first fiddle on that team, he wont have the same success.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5
by silverstreak3k on Jun 18, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Hold the phone. Are you suggesting that his appearing on this list will make him have a worse season? ;) (Yes, I know what you really meant.)
I brought up the playoff games not because I think he’ll do that for 16 games, but because in those games, he made huge, game-changing runs. There’s not a lot of that in this division, first and foremost. He might get off to a slow start, but I’m confident he’ll pick up steam as the season progresses.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah cause Thomas Jones was terrible as the #1 RB last year for the Jets
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Right – and it’s not like he doesn’t have help behind him, either. The Jets will keep him fresh.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not sold on the Jets keeping him fresh. I think LT is done, the Jets will figure that out quickly, and they’ll pound Greene into the ground.
by Jeff Winters on Jun 18, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
For the role the Jets will ask him to play, I think LT’s got enough left. “Done” is harsh; “almost done” is more accurate, if you ask me.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
while I agree with you that Greene is a questionable addition to this roster, I do not think the Jets will pound Greene into the ground. They know that they have a young enough nucleus that they’ll want to have Greene be an effective runner as long as possible and that means limiting his workload a bit. You add to that that they have added receiving firepower and Sanchez will be asked to throw more and I dont think Rex will overuse Greene.
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
i think thomas jones was a better rb than greene
where i think greene will be contained, i dont think jones would have been, so to me its not like comparing the two.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5
by silverstreak3k on Jun 18, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Jones, in his heyday, had a little more wiggle than Greene does. I doubt that’ll be a big factor this season; Greene’s still young and explosive.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
End of Argument
Take Greene out, go 3 WR and put Welker in. I don’t think anyone can argue that Welker would deserve this tremendous honor.
Unfortunately, that wouldn’t end the argument, because as I said, Greene’s my No. 1 RB on this team. ;)
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I also disagree with the Shonne Greene
placement as the #1 running back. Mainly because I really don’t believe he’s anywhere near the most talented player at that position in this division. He is, however, running behind the best run blocking offensive line in the division. So he’ll probably put up the best numbers of everyone not named Ronnie Brown, he’s not the best player at this position.
Why does he have to be the most talented?
He’s got the best situation (great line, opportunity, run first playbook, backup is a corpse) and actually is quite talented. He’s big, quick and has big play potential. He breaks tackles and is tough to bring down. Maybe he’s not as physically talented as a healthy Ronnie Brown or CJ Spiller, but Greene is going to be very, very good this year.
I’d be shocked if Ronnie Brown had the most rushing yards in the division.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
That's pretty much what I said
I think Ronnie Brown and Spiller are more talented, but Greene has the better offensive line. Plus, he did not record a single reception during the regular season. I’m not sure how he is as a blocker, but that could potentially be something that keeps him off the field at times. With that said, I believe Greene’s carries will be limited with LT and Joe McKnight who will likely take over as their scat back, Leon Washington replacement. I think 250 carries would be a bit high for Greene this season, tempering expectations from me.
Last I heard
Welker might not be playing for large amounts of te season….so if that’s the case he doesn’t deserve it. Also coming back from that injury may impact his ability, so I think there are some serious question marks surrounding good ol Wes.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5
by silverstreak3k on Jun 18, 2010 8:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He's been practicing with the Pats....
Running, doing minor cutting and catching passes. I think he’ll be more than ready to go come September, surprisingly….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Wow
That’s good for him. I did not expect such a recovery. Well I stand corrected, although I still think the pats wr aren’t gonna be as good this year (maybe wishful thinking)
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5
by silverstreak3k on Jun 18, 2010 9:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If Welker truly is healthy
He’ll be fine. Moss is the one that might struggle at times, IMO.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Welker practicing now
doesn’t mean he’s going to be ready by seasons start. They’re still saying he’s going to miss a good portion of the season. A player that makes a leaving on quick, sharp cuts and stop and goes that puts tremendous stress on the knee, needs to be 100% to be effective. He will not be by September.
There’s no doubt he was good in the playoffs, but I’d be concerned that his success was partially because they limited his workload in the season and because they played the sieve-like run defenses of the Chargers/Colts and a Bengals run defense who barely showed up in the playoffs. There’s no doubt he’s young and has a good opportunity, but I don’t think opportunity necessarily mean success.
I’d be hesitant to extrapolate those three playoff games into a full season of being the workhorse. I think Greene will have a decent year, but I would have picked Brown/Maroney probably.
by Jeff Winters on Jun 18, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Why Maroney? Dude averaged less than 4 yards per carry, and only had a couple hundred more yards than Greene did. I like Maroney just fine when he’s healthy, but New England’s muddled backfield is ridiculously difficult to project, particularly given Maroney’s injury history.
The two backs I considered beyond the two that made this team were Fred Jackson and Ricky Williams. Maroney didn’t even make the conversation.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I thought Maroney had a better year than that last season. On second thought, I’d go Brown/Jackson.
by Jeff Winters on Jun 18, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Though I obviously disagree, I won’t say anything against Fred Jackson. :)
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I remember a thread earlier this year and I had high praise for Green and I was told this same stuff too.........
Im behind you 100% with this selection…….
so you have that going for you.
Chan Gailey's #1 Fan!
by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 18, 2010 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Of the RB's Brian put on the team
Ronnie Brown is the one I have a problem with. He’s coming off a major injury and in a timeshare with Ricky. I think Greene has an excellent year and don’t worry that Tomlinson is going to do much to steal touches.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Jun 18, 2010 2:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I actually
double taked when I got to the RBs. I didnt like either selection. But when you sit back and think about it, who was he going to put on there?
Ricky Williams is a monster – I’ve said many times hes the only Dolphin I actually root for when hes not playing Buffalo – but hes said hes content as a back up so take him off the list. Marshawn is a beast but hes Marshawn and right now he cant be on the list. CJ hasnt proven a thing. Ronnie is injury prone, Maroney is just average. If we were going on who deserves to be up there as opposed to potential for a good season next year Freddie might make it but he wont get enough touches in 2010.
Its a tough call, AFC East RBs
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
I don't immediate injury recovery concerns were really considered when Brian put together his list—more of an "if they're healthy" type of deal.
You also have Kris Jenkins and Eric Wood coming off of bad season ending injuries.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Add in the disputes with Mankins, Mangold and Revis, and we’ve got a team full of question marks. Injuries were not a consideration; obviously, if Tom Brady gets hurt in Week 1 like he did in ‘08, he probably doesn’t have a great shot at yet another Brady-esque season. :)
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of contract disputes, the payroll of this team would absolutely astronomical.
I don’t even want to think about it.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Eric Wood
I thought it was interesting pick at RG but, have to wholeheartedly agree he’s the best RG in the AFCE there might be some bias in there. I remember being pretty excited when the Bills picked him at the end of the first round last year. I do think he’s going to be a premier OL for years to come I hope he comes back strong from that nasty injury. With him Hang and Levitre all healthy that’s a pretty good interior line.
by brucesmithistheman on Jun 18, 2010 1:48 PM EDT reply actions
Right now, Eric Wood is not the best right guard in the AFC East. Brandon Moore is, and I might even give Stephen Neal the nod over him as well. But I think Wood’s in line for an excellent year.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting
I’m quite bullish on Wood myself just because of his athleticism, stature and ability to bounce back from a potentially career ending injury, but this is one position where I just don’t know enough to pick the standouts in the conference.
What elements factor into your praise of Brandon Moore and Wood, and what ultimately leads you to pick Wood as the man.
thanks for edufying
Moore’s just all-around solid. Great motor, solid run blocker. Coming off an excellent season. I don’t know how much better he’ll get, but as far as NFL starting guards go, Moore is rock solid.
Wood’s getting there. He’s a better prospect.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as we're projecting
Why not Pozlusny at ILB? If the 3-4 works as advertised he’ll be freed up to get to the ball carrier without having to shed big blockers. If that’s the case, he could have a monster year in terms of tackles. Scott didn’t exactly tear it up last year, though David Harris should be the Jet ILB on this list, IMO.
Yeah there’s a learning curve for him, and the 3-4 probably won’t always work as advertised this first year, but I’m just playing devil’s advocate for more Bills on the list.
I love Posluszny’s potential in the 3-4, but this division is absolutely loaded with quality ILBs, so there wasn’t really a strong argument for putting him there.
Harris is excellent, but you shouldn’t read much into Scott’s stats; that’s just the role he plays. He’s an elite inside linebacker with tremendous leadership ability. He’s the first LB I put onto this team.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
so there wasn’t really a strong argument for putting him there.
what about 111 tackles, 3 INTs, and 3 forced fumbles despite missing a quarter of the season?
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
Pales in comparison to Harris’ impact, and Dansby has been a more consistent playmaker as well, and should return to that form in Miami after an off year in ’09.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I forgot about Dansby! Good call.
Harris had a major impact to be sure but I would imagine that after witnessing his great strides last season and the switch to the 3-4, Posluszny has a chance to be the highest impact player on our team.
Although with Dansby in the discussion I guess I would have put Dansby and Scott on the team.
Holy, there are some serious LBs in this division!
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
I think I would start Harris over Mayo.
Both are young linebacking stars, but Harris is far and away the better playmaker, particularly in Rex Ryan’s defense. When I watch Mayo (and I have to watch him every single week living in MA) it almost always seems like he’s racking up his tackles 4 or 5 yards downfield. Harris gets his nose in there, disrupting plays up front and makes contact with the quarterback more often than just about any other ILB in the NFL.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
i think with mankins pouting, it will affect his play, therefore he might not deserve to be there this year. another year and no contract dispute, and yea hes there hands down, but maybe not so much this year. same with dany moss, if we are projecting who will be the best this year, i think. with welker most likely out for awhile, i see his production going down, plus hes on the wrong side of his career at this point, look for him to lose a step or two, but then i think, who the hell else can you put there? edwards? he has such great talent, if only he didnt have bricks for hands…
and how dare you but meriweather above donte! (i just kind of hate meriweather after the UM-FIU thing)
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5
The other left guards in the division are Andy Levitre, Donald Thomas and Vladimir Ducasse. Mankins wipes the floor with them whether he’s being pouty or not.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I will fight you tooth and nail over that D'Brickashaw selection, Brian.
While it’s not the be-all, end-all in statistical analysis if you don’t care for the site, I’ll direct you to ProFootballlFocus for evidence of Jake Long’s snubbing. I believe fewer sacks, quarterback pressures, and penalties along with a significantly higher pass block rating should be enough to give Jake the nod over D’Brickashaw. Both are great tackles, though.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 2:22 PM EDT reply actions
PFF has its uses, but I just think Ferguson is the better player, by a very, very slim margin.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
That's understandable.
And it’s your site, your decision, but I’ll stand by my guy.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
And I think you have a very compelling argument for doing so. As I say, I very nearly made Long the right tackle.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
You really can't go wrong either way.
That’s kind of “decision” that a coach would kill for.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya, I think Jake Long probably should have been the roster, even if it meant putting him in at RT. Guys a beast.
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
Brian seemed pretty adamant about keeping players in their actual positions.
But Jake does have some limited and specified experience playing over on the right side of the line on wild cat plays.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
with his tremendous
run blocking skills I could see him being just as effective on right as he is on the left. How much are you paying him by the way?
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
He signed a $57 million deal before the 2008 NFL Draft.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
thank you
I’m curious as to what kind of money a guy like Marcus McNeill would command in the rare event we get a trade done. I was hoping to use Jake as a reference but I’d guess his rookie deal isnt indicative of the market for LTs right now.
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
Yeah, Jake is paid an out of this world type salary.
Fortunately, we didn’t decide to give all that money to someone like Vernon Gholston and instead took a player who is living up to the billing. Not that anyone really deserves $57 million for playing a game.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
oh no doubt
you could do a lot worse than giving 57 mil to a young, talented LT.
Nothing bugs me worse right now than the Albert Haynesworth debacle. Hes got a 100 mil contract and is still unhappy. Makes you wonder what kind of ridiculous thoughts dance around in his brain. $100 mil to play the greatest game on Earth! And he doesnt like his working environment. I dont like my office and i dont make nearly enough to be there everyday but I’m not gonna whine about it! Whats wrong with that man!
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
Here's the thing.
The whole basis of his complaint is that he didn’t sign with the team to play in a 3-4 defense. His concern is understandable in that everyone an their brother knows that the glamor of being a 4-3 defensive lineman far outweighs that of a nose tackle. But, unless he had it physically written in his contract somewhere that the Redskins have to play a 3-4 while he’s a member of the team (which would be utter nonsense, of course), then he has no standing here whatsoever. Not that players ever really have any standing in this contractual disputes (you agreed to play, you signed on the dotted line, you can’t complain), but it’s even less for for Haynesworth. Throw in the fact that the contract he wants to void gives him a cool $100 million and it’s even more ludicrous. I really hope he ends up having to pay that $21 million signing bonus back and just sits out the season pouting.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope so too. I’m sure the Redskins are feeling pretty lucky there is no salary cap this year!
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
Haha it's Dan Snyder's dream come true!
Now he can throw wads of cash around with slightly less repercussions than before!
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the only exception I made there was at DE.
Brandon Meriweather isn’t a SS, either, he’s just the placeholder until Chung is ready. At which point he’ll move back to FS, and be a better all-around defender than Byrd.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on...
Bills should have had the Special Teams sweep! :-)
Ive had the Bills tattoo but just got the Sabres one done 6.16 ... see the avatar.
Lets Go Buffalo!!
sean smith out drayton florence in the 3/4 man defense is draytons bread and butter
YES YOUR FAITH IS AWESOME SON IT BRINGS ME TEARS NOOOOOOOOT NO FAITH BROTHER SO WHY BOTHER TELLING YOU U ARE A PESSIMIST , WELL I THINK YOU MAY LIKE THE LIONS OR THE RAIDERS IF YOU THINK OF YOUR BILLS LIKE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE THE SURPRISE OF THE N.F.L GET IT, WRITE IT ,STICK IT REAMENBER IT--abayarde
I’m not sure that’s a compelling argument. I like Florence, but Smith’s a better corner.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
why not take a risk and slot in mckelvin there?
this is a Bills site after all, and I dont think anyone would fault you for predicting him to be better than smith this year; the talent is there
MAYBE this will break the mold , we need to come to play sunday and this year we will not SURRENDER TO KNOW ONE THIS IS BUFFALOOO Godzilla nation
-abayarde
by uPitt_BillsFan on Jun 18, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I addressed McKelvin later on in the comments section.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Great post as usual
I think you pretty much hit every selection on the nose.
Except, Mayo for the Patsies shows flashes one week, and then gets run over or looks confused another week. He does have potential to be a probowler with his physical skills, but my pick would’ve been Karlos Dansby.
That dude is crazy good.
"A failure becomes just one time at bat if you refuse to let it defeat you." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jun 18, 2010 3:17 PM EDT reply actions
McKelvin
If this is based on how we think they’ll do this year, I think Leodis should’ve been considered over Smith. He’s entering his third year and has more playmaking ability.
"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they're bigger than everybody else, and that's what makes them the biggest guys on the field."
- John Madden
I think McKelvin will have a much more difficult time earning his starting job than many here are willing to consider. Buffalo’s got two consistent veteran performers on the edges already, and nothing will be handed to Leo.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
nothing will be handed to him your right. But in terms of team building philosophy, wouldnt now be the time to let Leodis play and work out his development – in our first rebuilding year? I feel like you would go with the consistent veteran performers when you have a team on the cusp and you need to hold down a position while you make a title run. When your in the gutter, you have the liberty of rolling with the high upside but riskier option of a younger player because you really won’t be tossing away a season if he fails. Correct?
So I think all Leodis has to do to beat out Florence or McGee (it is a new regime, no ones job is safe) is to prove to them he is worth the opportunity rather than the better player.
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
by poz on Jun 18, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I disagree on your last point. Chan Gailey does not strike me as the type of coach that will take a good player off the field for a guy who’s OK, and might be great. McKelvin will earn his playing time, and he’ll earn a starting job if he outplays Florence or McGee. Those are really the only scenarios in my mind.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I get that approach, it builds a sense of loyalty and fairness among the veterans that builds good team chemistry. But for the Bills, who haven’t been to the playoffs in a long time and in the NFL where you have limited time to rebuild before you get canned, I’d imagine Gailey knows he has to advance our young talents development as fast as possible.
I’d guess his approach will be a combination of those two factors.
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
I love the logic in this reply...I am on board 100%, and think this way with alot of players on the roster this year
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jun 19, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Bart Scott?
“That, that makes me smile, that makes me laugh.” He’s very good, but K Dansby everday over him. And I’d take either over Mayo.
Bell literally was a pro-bowler last year, I’d put him past Merriweather
Someone has to be better than Carrey at RT. He’s pretty good, but not much more
I love the Byrd choice, and am still astonished that he didn’t win ROY the first time, and even moreso after the masking agent-scandal.
You arlready highlighted why you didn’t put in Wilfork. And I respect that even though I mightt have.
Agree with pretty much all of the other choices. Great post.
Though, Merriweather was a Pro Bowler, too.
And I don’t believe he made it as a third replacement or whatever Bell was. I love Yeremiah to death, but Merriweather is certainly deserving.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone has to be better than Carrey at RT
Haha, thats what I thought too.
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
I think Vollmer will turn out to be better than Carey at RT.
That is, if New England mans up and actually plays him there all season.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s certainly better than Nick Kaczur, who kind of stinks.
If I were NE, I’d put Light over on the right side and let Vollmer man the left side. Like, yesterday.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I tried to argue that over on Pats Pulpit a while back.
I’m very, very impressed with Vollmer in both his current state, and his prospects for improving. Apparently, though, Belichick has been very adamant about Light retaining his left tackle job, saying that he just isn’t right tackle material. Light’s contract is up after this season and Kaczur was already locked up, so I can’t see anything other than Vollmer/Kaczur in 2011.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 19, 2010 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, Belichick’s not wrong about Light being a best fit at LT.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 19, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Bart Scott?…K Dansby everday over him
Unfortunately they dont play the same position… there are 2 ILB spots that have two different assignments. Dansby is great, but Scott happens to be one of the elite at his spot as the stack and shed ILB
MAYBE this will break the mold , we need to come to play sunday and this year we will not SURRENDER TO KNOW ONE THIS IS BUFFALOOO Godzilla nation
-abayarde
by uPitt_BillsFan on Jun 18, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to dicount how good CJ Spiller can or will be, but how can he be first team in anything?
He hasn’t played a down of football at the NFL level, so how can he be the best out of 4 teams with established players? The guys that have bee there should at least get the nod over someone who has yet to prove anything.
"Maybe winning isn’t everything for 2010"
Guess
I’ll take a guess and say it’s more a prediction i.e. pre-season picks of whom may be all-stars this upcoming season. Not based completely on previous pro experience. If I’m wrong sorry, thats how I interrupted it to mean:)
by buffalobacker on Jun 18, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
There isn’t a single good, proven returner in this division that isn’t also on the Buffalo Bills. Leon Washington and Tedd Ginn were traded during the offseason. The Pats really mixed things up with their returners last year and nobody touched the ball with any consistency. Davone Bess and Jim Leonhard are mediocre punt returners. I think Spiller as the returner on this team is a no brainer.
SFC: Were you excited about Clausen dropping to the Bills pick? Or did you have a feeling that the Bills wouldn’t pick him anyway?
Galliford: Both, like when that hot chick waves at someone she knows standing behind you.
I agree.
I don’t see anyone else as dynamic as Spiller who could return kicks, especially if he wasn’t toting the ball around as a running back.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 18, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep. Precisely.
Also, I don’t know if y’all got this, but Spiller is P.H.E.N.O.M.E.N.A.L as a returner.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Smith had 10 kick returns last year and 24 for his entire career. He’s almost never been used as a punt returner registering only two career punt returns. He’s almost as unproven as Spiller.
SFC: Were you excited about Clausen dropping to the Bills pick? Or did you have a feeling that the Bills wouldn’t pick him anyway?
Galliford: Both, like when that hot chick waves at someone she knows standing behind you.
i dont understand mayo>dansby
dansby is waaaay better
WE GOT BRANDON MARSHALL!!!!!
"Faster than a speeding walrus" -Me.
"Violence is not the answer, it's the question; the answer is YES!!!"
I can listen to arguments claiming Dansby, right now, is better than Mayo. I’m curious to see how he fits into Miami’s 3-4, which is markedly different than Arizona’s. I absolutely love Mayo’s potential, and as I stated above, I think he’s ready to put his name into the “league’s best linebacker” conversation.
Boy, StroudFanClub’s gonna have a field day with this thread.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Due to the sheer volume of predictons, I won't hit you too hard : )
I’m sure you’ll have many good predictions to go with the ones that turn out not-so-well! I def respect you for putting it all out there, though….
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jun 19, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well Brian, if you made a NON-All AFC East team, the Bills would dominate
Of course, thats a huge indictment of how our team has been handled more than anything.
abayarde- "I SAY this get ready cause the BUFFALO BILLS ARE COMING TO TOWN and I dont mean like Santa clause. WE will not Surrender this is were you all FALL The WHAGON BLASTER IS TAKING OFF AND YOU PUNKS are in our way, This wagon has no BREAKS so get ready for the ride of the life time"
There are alot of people around here who severly over estimate the talent of our players.....
and underestimate the talent in the division…….
And here’s a hint……………..its not Brian.
Chan Gailey's #1 Fan!
by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 18, 2010 8:09 PM EDT reply actions
I don't disagree with too much here Brian
I’d put Welker on there ahead of Marshall. I think Welker will be back, and will have another great season with Brady, while Marshall struggles somewhat with adapting to Henne and a no-nonsense coach.
I might put David Harris on there instead of Scott, but it’s hard to argue against that. I don’t see Poz being that close to making a team like this though, and that’s no knock on him. I think he’d be about 3rd team all-AFC East. With Harris, Scott, Mayo, Dansby ahead of him in my pecking order, and Channing Crowder pretty close, it’d be hard for him to leapfrog any of them outside of a MONSTER season. It could happen, but all of those guys are very, very good.
I could see an argument for 3 other Bills too….Fred Jackson (over Ronnie Brown), Dwan Edwards and Terrence McGee. The last two would have to have really good seasons though. I still believe Jackson gets a ton of carries and overall touches, while Brown will be in a 50/50 with Williams if he’s healthy. I can’t really see any other Bill being worthy unless they have an unexpectedly good season.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Hmm… not sure I agree with you about Brandon Marshall. He had a QB transition and a no-nonsense coach last year in Denver, and yeah, he had some issues, but he also had big numbers. If he can produce with Kyle Orton, he can produce with Chad Henne. Hell, he might even produce with Trent Edwards. Zinger.
Had I chosen to stick with my “only pick players for their specific positions” rule, Dwan Edwards would have been this team’s starting right end, with Shaun Ellis on the left side and Ty Warren off completely. That didn’t feel right to me.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 18, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Marshall
Maybe struggles wasn’t the right word. Maybe starts slowly is. I just have a feeling that the Miami situation will be tougher to adapt to for him than the Denver situation. Just a hunch. His hip is acting up already too, though I don’t see it as much of an issue.
Hell, he might even produce with Trent Edwards. Zinger.
Yeah, I’m going to go ahead and HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Marshall has undergone more serious hip surgeries in seasons past and still managed to put up Pro-Bowl numbers.
The potential for a slow start is ever present, but he’s been putting in all the reps he can and will, by most accounts, be ready for the start of training camp.
"To borrow a simile from the football field, we believe that men must play fair, but that there must be no shirking, and that the success can only come to the player who hits the line hard." — Theodore Roosevelt
by Chad Henne is Your New Bicycle on Jun 19, 2010 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
also, what kind of information do we have that spiller will be our guy for return duties? Given the fact that we have so many proven players for this position (mcgee, mckelvin, parrish, and jackson), I just wondering if he will be taking on those duties for certain or if this is more of an assumption at this point.
Good question
I think Leo should be the kick returner, or at least given every opportunity to win the job. His potential back there is just as great as Spiller’s…..Imagine having both of those dudes back there? It’s not likely, and probably not a smart idea, but you can’t kick away from them. Only short.
I think Spiller will return punts, or even Leo with Spiller as the main KR. Parrish was pretty terrible there last year….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
It seems as if parrish is ready for a fresh start, and considering his past performances, I really would like to see him penciled in as ’10 starter for punt returns. Id like to keep spillers legs fresh for running/ receiving duties duties(then again if spillers that good, I guess you have to find him touches any way possible and returning duties would be an easy way to give him touches)
I'm not sure Spiller will even return that many kicks
McKelvin did a pretty damn good job of that this year, and he’s only a second year guy. I know Spiller is dynamic, but have we already given up on McKelvin who was considered maybe the best return guy in the nation only one year ago?
Blame where you must, be candid where you can, And be each critic the Good-natured Man. - Oliver Goldsmith (Excellent advice)
Go Jazz! Go Hogs! GO BILLS!
McKelvin’s actually a third-year guy. :)
And you’re right – we don’t know how the Bills will split up return duties. If it’s not Spiller, it’s McKelvin, and McKelvin makes this team. The rest of the division’s return men kind of stink.
by Brian Galliford on Jun 19, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Poz vs. Mayo
thoughts…. I am not sold on the fact that poz isn’t one of the two best ILBs in this division… I hope this list changes next year :)
but I guess it has to be proven, of course
It is Brohm’s Bills jersey that is the least stained with doo-doo... GO BILLS
D'brickashaw
Shoulda,coulda,woulda…..
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jun 19, 2010 12:09 AM EDT reply actions
You are correct sir!
Was thinking of Ngata. Must be the extremely odd names or something.
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jun 19, 2010 12:32 AM EDT reply actions
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