one down!

Finally some actual news. Ray Fisher signed a 4 year contract today. Not the most thrilling news but it's something to write on. 4 years, 1.83 million, 42,000 as the bonus. Not bad money at all for a 7th rounder primed for very little other than special teams duty. Hope Ray can make it and contribute. He better improve his tackling!

2010 season breakout players

if you check out my breakout players post of last year........I absolutely nailed it. My stat line for each player (pierre and clint) was absolutely SPOT ON. ESPECIALLY with clint. So I decided to do this again for this season.

Offense

Teetering between Gonzo and Donald Brown. I am gonna say Donald just because he's got nowhere else to go but up. We saw Flashes of awesomeness from him last year. That first touchdown run in Miami, the catch and run in Arizona, the break away 45 yarder against the Rams, the goal line run against the Jets for a touchdown. Those all were nice. His inability to adjust quickly to pass blocking for Peyton may have really held back his playing time. One if his best qualities is his "want to". I think he'll show definite improvement in this area. I also think that with the teams commitment to make the line bigger to improve the ground game will definitely help. I think Donald will get significant playing time due to the usual second season "jump" most players make from year 1 to year 2. I see probably around 750 yards rushing in a platoon role with Joe Joe, 8 touchdowns. Probably another 200 in receiving and another receiving touchdown.

Defense

Fili Moala. Judging from all the stories written about the second rounder from USC, he is pissed that he sucked last year. He's gotten serious about getting on the field and making plays. I think he'll be a beast this year in our tackle rotation. He has the talent to play end as well. I think using him as a power end would be awesome. I think he's a motivated guy that will get plenty of time in the rotation behind Dan, Mookie, and Eric foster. I think he'll come through for us this year as our good pass rusher tackle (one we have not had since Montae Reagor, who I dearly miss). I see Fili coming through with 30 tackles, 4 sacks, and probably 20 pressures.

Bored and can't sleep

I'm gonna go ahead and do a quick roster prediction. I'm usually pretty good at it. I usually screw up on one group (last year it was defensive tackles). This year the hardest group to get will be the defensive backs (particularly corner). Had plenty of turnover at this position with Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings, and Tj Rushing gone. Add in the fact that Kevin Thomas is gone for the year with a injury (in his first flippin mini-camp). Ok here it is

QB: Peyton Freakin Manning, Curtis Painter

RB: Joe Joe, Donald, Mikey Hart

FB/HB: Brody Eldridge (can't wait to see him)

TE: Dallas, Jacob Tamme, Tom Santi (if he can keep himself together)

WR: Reg, Pierre, Gonzo, Austin, Giguire

C: Jeffy, Jamey Richard

OG: Pollak, McCLendon, Devann, Alleman

OT: Diemer, Charlie, Ugoh, ADAM TERRY

DE: Dwight, Bert, Jerry, Riccardo Matthews

DT: Danny, Mookie, E-FO, Fili

WLB: Clint, Humber

MLB: Gary, Pat

SLB: Phillip, Flying Death Squirrel, Cody Glenn

CB: Kelvin, Jerraud, Jacob, Brandon King, Thad Turner

FS: Antoine, David Caldwell

SS: Bobzilla, Melvin, Mike Newton

K: Adam

P: Pat McAfee.........athlete

LS: Justin Snow

KR: Brandon James

Thats my first 53 man prediction. If you don't like it............................whatever.

BACK!

I've completely forgotten about this. 3 weeks til camp starts. I'll start it up again once that happens. Roster prediction after first preseason game. Football is creeping closer!

Correction

Got a quick Correction to make, Cody Glenn was not added to the PS. He was added to the Roster. Not sure who was cut to make the room......I'm waiting on the local coverage to find out. That might be sometime next week knowing how slow the local news and papers are to freaking find stuff out.

the lovely waiver claims and the PS

as it has been the last few years we're making moves after cuts on the waiver wire. not surprising though. I was kind of surprised when I saw that Matt was cut. He is a good special teamer and can play on the spot in games.....I guess they felt this Francisco kid is better. Could be so if he has been the captain of the Cardinals Special teams the last 3 years. Bring the guy in...what the hell. Also a linebacker, Cody Glenn has been claimed. No idea who he is, but he's on the team now so he'll be a guy to watch.

Giguire, Thomas, Gill, Hart, MATHEWS (I know I know WTF on this one), Taj, Colin Cloherty, and Glenn round out the practice squad. I'm really happy to see that Mike hart is on here, maybe around mid season when he's completely healthy and ready to go he can get signed onto the squad and contribute. I was definitely shocked to see niether Grady or Terrence Taylor to be added on here. They both had such promise. Gill sucked in my opinion. The guy played damn near two full games and never sniffed a tackle or applied pressure. Grady Seemed to constantly be penetrating and Taylor was the 4th round pick I was really excited about. Oh well.........I don't call the shots.

it almost counts......

preseason over, cuts done, football that counts is almost here.

I like what I saw in the cuts. although I do believe Tauilili is better than keiaho, but oh well. I was a little surprised to see Grady AND terrance taylor both getting the axe, but again who cares. They'll probably both get thrown on the practice squad and called up in mid season when somebody goes down. I wasn't that surprised when Mike Hart and Marcus Howard both were cut. Mike couldn't stay healthy, devestating injury first year plus constant sitting for minor injuries will get you axed. Howard was a beast in college, but was way way too small. He's like Kieaho (another tony dungy speed first BS player). yes he had the speed to be a good edge rusher, but he was weak. When a tackle flicked him with an inded finger he went flailing into the turf and was ultimately out of the play. Steve justice, josh thomas....good riddance.


One guy I liked seeing make it was Ramon Humber. He is a bomber. I think he'll be comparable to Darrell Ried. Good special teamer that will rarely see the field on D.

It's good to see that Caldwell isn't against axing players with "promise". I think Tony hung on to players for WAY to long.....the same with coaches. It didn't take a football person to realize that Marcus Howard sucked. Doesn't take a brilliant mind to see that Josh Thomas was horrible, or Steve Justice couldn't block a cardboard box, or that Freddy Kieaho was a HORRIBLE middle linebacker. It is good to know that Jim can separate from these guys and realize that a good person can be a sucky professional football player.

Bob was activated from Pup, doubt he plays in the opener but one can hope for it. only a week away from actual football. Stay tuned......................