Dumb analysts.

[JADJARHD]

The following is a prime example of lazy analysts. USA Today has an article on its website grading the playoff teams.

www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2006-01-05-bonus-playoff-grades_x.htm

I would not normally complain because I know that grading is arbitrary at best. Thus a low or high grade means less about the teams being graded than the individuals doing the grading. But I think it is intresting to note that the writer of the article gave the Broncos linebackers a C. He backed this up by saying that injuries have limited the consistency of the unit.

How could he be this dumb? Because he is not really paying attention. This is a guy that knows nothing about the Denver defense. He looked into it a little and saw two things:

1) Al Wilson will be playing with a cast.
2) DJ Williams numbers dropped off from last year.

What he does not know is that Ian Gold had a banner year. (Gold is not a star and thus not worthy of his consideration.) He does not realize that the Wilson injury has not yet slowed him down and is unlikely to in the future. Finally he does not know that Williams decline in numbers is not about Williams play but his adjusted role in the defense. This is why guys paid to look at the whole league are so often wrong. They know a little about every team, but are hard pressed to come up with specifics about any team. Thus the conclusions they draw are suspect.

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Twice, the article calls Wood and Pitzer, the authors, "experts."

First, they call themselves "experts" after they give the Broncos' LBs a "C"? I have a better word: incompetent.

Second, they give Denver's running game a "B" and Indy's running game an "A" in the same article.

Indy

Yards: 1706. Rank #16
YPA: 3.66. Rank #24 (!)
TD: 18. Rank #7


Denver

Yards: 2,539. Rank #2
YPA: 4.68. Rank #4
TD: 25. Rank #3

The running game made Denver #4 in total offense, as opposed to Indy's #5 total ranking.

The problem is, Indy has Edgerrin James, whom the authors did not fail to mention. I don't care if Indy has Jim Brown reincarnated: It is what it is. One doesn't give a team a grade inferior to another team when its production has been superior. That is, unless one is mentally deficient.

:coffee:

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[Fat Joe]

yea yea yea, bla bla bla the media hates us. What else is new.

[Southstander]

:coffee: Not suprised :coffee:

[JADJARHD]

yea yea yea, bla bla bla the media hates us. What else is new.

I am not actually saying the media hates us (Denver Broncos). What I am saying is that they usually do not know what they are talking about. I don't think the so-called experts have time to know all the stuff they pretend to know. This is why they all sound the same. One guy glances at a highlight reel of a team (any team) and makes a dubious conclusion. All the other "experts" read it, parrot it, and it becomes conventional wisdom.

It is kind of like a someone who picks up a newspaper, reads only the headlines, makes a conclusion, then proceeds to tell everyone all about his opinions. The people he tells have not even picked up the paper and suddenly everyone thinks they are an expert on current events.

[bronxs]

The following is a prime example of lazy analysts. USA Today has an article on its website grading the playoff teams.

www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2006-01-05-bonus-playoff-grades_x.htm

I would not normally complain because I know that grading is arbitrary at best. Thus a low or high grade means less about the teams being graded than the individuals doing the grading. But I think it is intresting to note that the writer of the article gave the Broncos linebackers a C. He backed this up by saying that injuries have limited the consistency of the unit.

How could he be this dumb? Because he is not really paying attention. This is a guy that knows nothing about the Denver defense. He looked into it a little and saw two things:

1) Al Wilson will be playing with a cast.
2) DJ Williams numbers dropped off from last year.

What he does not know is that Ian Gold had a banner year. (Gold is not a star and thus not worthy of his consideration.) He does not realize that the Wilson injury has not yet slowed him down and is unlikely to in the future. Finally he does not know that Williams decline in numbers is not about Williams play but his adjusted role in the defense. This is why guys paid to look at the whole league are so often wrong. They know a little about every team, but are hard pressed to come up with specifics about any team. Thus the conclusions they draw are suspect.
It sounds like denver is one of the most injured team in the playoffs based on this article. I give it a C+ rating.

[sportsgeist]

Here's my grade.

DENVER BRONCOS: A-

Offensive line — Grade: A

The best Offensive Line in the entire league and not one is going to the Pro Bowl.

Running game — Grade: A

Two names Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell.

Passing game — Grade: A

Jake Plummer has only 7 INTs right now.

Defensive line — Grade: B

Could stand to get a little more pressure on good teams.

Linebackers — Grade: A

Fast and hard hitting. Al Wilson has never been known as the INT king. The cast means nothing.

Secondary — Grade: A

Cincy got their turnover ratio by playing cover 2 defense. Not us.

Special teams — Grade: A

Todd Sauerbrun's punting. When you have almost half your punts inside the 20 what other grade can you use.

[bronxs]

next question.

[JADJARHD]

Fox News article about Mike Shannahan. A mostly complimentary article about the Broncos coach. At one point they talk about Shannahan's questionable personnel moves. Examples include Daryl Gardner, Dale Carter, and Alfred Williams. Alfred Williams? What was the problem with Williams. Nobody questioned that pickup at the time and he played well here. Clearly the writer did not know what he was talking about.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5221724

[PatrickdaDookie]

Here's what I consider to be fair grades:

Offensive Line (B+) They are the backbone of Denver's offense and lead possibly the league's most potent rushing attack, but they haven't performed their best in short yardage situations and are only average in pocket protection, forcing Plummer to stick to bootlegs or 3-5 step drops. They rarely give up sacks (thanks in part to Plummer's awareness) but do get called for holding penalties in the running game on occasion.

Running Game (A-) Denver would receive an A if they could pound the ball more consistantly. Anderson, Dayne, or Bell - any of these guys can be stopped on in short yardage. In an offense that relies on consistant positive yardage and moving the chains, sometimes you need a guy like Davis, Droughns, or a young Mike Anderson who you can count on 9 times out of 10. Denver is at its best when it features Anderson about 60% of the time, wearing down a team and setting up Tatum Bell for a big play. Plummer's mobility adds another element to Denver's rushing attack, and the Broncos are known to throw in a reverse every now and then.

Passing Game (B) Plummer and the Broncos are more than capable of moving the ball through the air, but this is not an offense adept at converting a 3rd and 15 situation. The ageless Rod Smith is a dependable receiver, capable of catching the ball and fighting to pick up a first down. Lelie is a streaky receiver who will dissapear from time to time. The other wideouts are below average and usually don't factor into a game. Denver's tight ends are average, but Kyle Johnson is one of the best receiving fullbacks in football. The passing game is at its best with Plummer on the bootleg, resulting in several deep completions this season. However, Plummer rarely hits his man in stride on the deep routes. Rather, he tends to loft the ball and hope his guys can beat the coverage, resulting in difficult catches and missed touchdowns.

Defensive Line (C+) Although improved over last year, the Broncos pass rush has dwindled in recent weeks. Too often, a lineman will blindly rush the quarterback, freeing up passing and rushing lanes. A spectacular rushing defense early in the season (thanks to defensive line penetration), they have shown vulnerability in the later parts of the year. Denver does have excellent depth at this position, allowing their linemen to stay well rested into the 4th quarter.

Linebackers (A-) Wilson is a Pro Bowl player and Gold is a well-deserving alternate. D.J. Williams plays good, but not great, coverage on tight ends, but can get bullied in the run game at times. Wilson will be playing injured, but this is still the fastest and possibly the best linebacker group in football. Denver lacks quality depth at the position, and an injury could severly impact its postseason hopes.

Secondary (B+) This is a sure-tackling group that excels in blitzing, run support, and causing turnovers. Should rookie standout Darrent Williams return from injury, they have the depth needed to compete with the Bengals' and Colts' offenses. Bailey has had an outstanding year, and Dominique Foxworth plays short routes well (though he is prone to giving up a big play) Sam Brandon is excellent in tight end coverage. Denver's biggest secondary problems stem from miscommunications, allowing receivers to find holes in the coverage, especially on middle and deep routes. Denver's safeties are hard-hitting, but lack the speed to recover on these mental errors.

Special Teams (B-) Elam struggled early in the year, came on in the middle, and sort of tailed off towards the end. He's still one of the best clutch kickers in football, and his veteran playoff experience may come in handy. Sauerbraun was punting like a man possessed early in the season, but has looked awful in the last five weeks. Neither Elam nor Sauerbraun can kickoff to the endzone, allowing opponents to get good field position. Denver's kick coverage unit is above average, and its punt return coverage is possibly the NFL's best. With Darrent Williams, Denver has an explosive and effective return game. Without Darrent Williams, there is little threat of a Broncos runback.

Overall (B+) More than any other team in the AFC, Denver needs to find early success. If the Broncos can get up by a few scores in the second quarter, they can expand their playbook on both sides of the ball and are extremely difficult to beat. If the game is close or the Broncos fall behind, they will have trouble establishing a rushing attack that needs 30+ attempts to be successful. If Denver's offense is struggling, their defense will keep them in the game, but will eventually break if Denver doesn't control time of possession.

[DenverBroncosJM]

Alfred Williams played very well when he was here. I liked that guy alot.