Seahawks Slaughter the Broncos in PSG #2

Not to sound like a broken record but why is the NFL still thinking 4 preseason games are a good idea? Derek Wolfe, one the most promising young Defense Linemen the Broncos have is out with that scary head shot, Wes Welker and Champ Bailey got banged up and then on one pass play Peyton Manning gets body slammed to the turf like a rag doll in the 1st half and for what? A meaningless preseason game?

The NFL will tell you the primary reason they play them is to evaluate back ups and Rookies and get the veterans some scrimmage time in a game setting prior to opening day. The truth is the reason they play them is based on greed. They’re a useless sideshow to generate more money for the NFL and for the owners who have to pay all there super stars their out of this world salaries. Honestly how much money is enough?

Don’t you think Manning would take a pay cut to avoid playing 2 preseason games or better yet none at all to avoid getting a serious injury in games that don’t count? I believe he would, he certainly wouldn’t be extending his career or his career earnings by receiving a serious injury would he?

I’m for getting rid of them altogether. Maybe the NFL should change the rules to allow the team rosters to be expanded to 63 instead of 53. Let the new players make the team on the practice field at camp, those that can’t make the new 63 man roster who have potential could still make the practice squad. As for the practice squad why not increase the number of players they can have on that roster?

Bottom line, something needs to change, greed is a horrible reason to play 4 meaningless games.

Hillman fumbles a sure 6 points.

Hillman Fumble in the Endzone... GAME OVER!

The Seahawks game confirmed the Broncos running game is in no way ready for the start of the regular season. I didn’t like the draft pick of Ronnie Hillman last year and still don’t. He only has 2 assets in his skill set, speed to get to the outside and he can catch a ball. He needs more skills in his toolbox to be a difference maker in the NFL. The reason they drafted him is because they thought he could become a Darren Sproles prototype.

Hillman doesn’t even come close physically from a strength prospective to Sproles. Below the waist even for his small size Sproles legs are twice the size of Hillman’s.  In the open field Sproles has great speed, can make guys miss and has enough power in his small frame to break tackles and finish runs. Hillman as I see it never will. Hillman between the tackles or in short yardage or goal line situations will never improve either.

One large disadvantage to being small in a big man’s game is something some don’t mention often but it’s important and boy, did it manifest itself in the Seahawks game. Hands… small RB’s have small hands and with small hands it becomes much harder to hold onto a football, especially when a defender is trying to tear it away. Hillman had to 2 fumbles and one was very costly, it amounted to a 12 point swing. The shot he took in the end zone was not a big one; clearly his hand size and hand strength came into play.  

I know big hands can’t always prevent a fumble from occurring but you have to believe that size matters and in most cases that big hands possess the ball better than small ones. After losing C.J. Anderson to a knee injury the pool of RB’s becomes smaller and it puts a lot more pressure on Montee Ball to emerge quickly as the primary RB. Hillman and Knowshon Moreno are nothing more than role players at best.

The one good drive capped by the Wes Welker TD was the only positive on offense for the whole game. I was impressed again by the play of TE Julius Thomas despite the fumble. He’s a big man with good hands and I think he’ll give Joel Dreessen  and Jacob Tamme a run for playing time since neither guy brings much to the table.

The reality is for games that don’t count they still… don’t count but the Seahawks did a great job of exposing the weaknesses of the Broncos. Next week the starters will most likely play the whole 1st half against the Rams. The 3rd game of the preseason is really the biggest test for the first team O and D because the following week they won’t get any playing time. Let’s hope for a positive rebound and no more serious injuries.

Von Miller’s 6 Game Suspension

This is really going to hurt the Broncos Defense and the team as a whole. Nate Irving doesn’t have Miller’s skill set. Without him they lose their best pass rusher and tackling LB. You combine this with the Broncos questionable running game and you have to wonder just how deep the Broncos will go into the playoffs. I’m really disappointed with Miller; somehow I thought he was a far more intelligent person. The show must go on without him however and let's hope good coaching by John Fox and Jack Del Rio can make up for the deficiency.