2014 Season Moot?

Honestly, if Talib somehow stays healthy for the playoffs and TJ Ward, Ware and Miller stay healthy... that's a good D....

Now, if Talib reverts to good ole Talib and the hip flares up come January that weakens their D a lot and changes it all.

Even a healthy team vs. healthy team we could beat em anyway.

QFFL said:

I agree with the analysis. For Colts to be a serious contender in the post season. They have to improve their defense. With Andrew Luck and all his weapons, plus a "first round RB", forget about the RB, their offense can dance with any team in NFL. Without a first round pick in the draft, I don't think they can upgrade their defence much. They surely are a playoff team, but don't expect them to go deep in the playoff.

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No doubt that I agree with you and ausbacker about the weakness on the IND defense. That said, who's to say that they don't spend a first round pick on defense, and improve throughout the draft? Heck, for all we know, they may be moving and shaking and end up with some nice picks. Should that happen (or their offense improve with Wayne, Hilton, Nicks, and Fleener as receiving options), the Indy Colts could certainly get hot at the right time and make a deeper run.

One thing about the NFL is that things don't often happen exactly as you initially envision them, so we'll likely see one or two teams place themselves in the mix to win the AFC.

supafly said:

No doubt that I agree with you and ausbacker about the weakness on the IND defense. That said, who's to say that they don't spend a first round pick on defense, and improve throughout the draft? Heck, for all we know, they may be moving and shaking and end up with some nice picks. Should that happen (or their offense improve with Wayne, Hilton, Nicks, and Fleener as receiving options), the Indy Colts could certainly get hot at the right time and make a deeper run.

One thing about the NFL is that things don't often happen exactly as you initially envision them, so we'll likely see one or two teams place themselves in the mix to win the AFC.

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The Colts traded their first round pick to Cleveland for Trent Richardson. They'd need to trade back into the first round.

ausbacker said:

The Colts traded their first round pick to Cleveland for Trent Richardson. They'd need to trade back into the first round.

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Ooops...as Mike Reiss would say "10 yard penalty." Talk about over paying in trade value!

Forgot all about that debacle of a trade, but I still think that they may end up improving enough in several areas on defense to end up winning an extra playoff game to get to the AFCCG, should the cards line up right for them.

Arthur Jones, D'Quell Jackson, and Robert Mathis are 3 formidable defensive players. I can't remember if they retained Vontae Davis or not, or if Landry is still there and under contract, but I think that we should see some type of improvement. Whether or not it will be enough to make a deeper type of run remains to be seen.

supafly said:

Ooops...as Mike Reiss would say "10 yard penalty." Talk about over paying in trade value!

Forgot all about that debacle of a trade, but I still think that they may end up improving enough in several areas on defense to end up winning an extra playoff game to get to the AFCCG, should the cards line up right for them.

Arthur Jones, D'Quell Jackson, and Robert Mathis are 3 formidable defensive players. I can't remember if they retained Vontae Davis or not, or if Landry is still there and under contract, but I think that we should see some type of improvement. Whether or not it will be enough to make a deeper type of run remains to be seen.

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They re signed Vontee Davis Supa, and Landry still their, which is good for opposing teams cuz he's just a roided freak.

If at any point Gronkowski returns to a reasonable level of health"

Man I hope this happens.....but given the guys track record and inability to stay healthy for a full year....and the way he plays on AND OFF the field......I don't think this will ever happen.

ausbacker said:

If at any point Gronkowski returns to a reasonable level of health in 2014 and is available for a long playoff run, I find it difficult to believe the Broncos will cruise past New England with Revis on D. Both players are generational talents, both players force the opposition to plan around them and both players are difference makers.

The Broncos and Patriots are evenly matched. If Brady has his full compliment of skill position players, I trust Brady over Manning in the playoffs.

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The loss of Knowshon>>>The loss of Decker

Glad to see people still overrating Decker, he's either overachieving or disappearing. The latter far more often than the former, glad the Jets have him because he won't be a factor against us at all. He's the type to go off for 3 TD's against the Raiders or the Bills and disappear against us and any other quality playoff team.

supafly said:

Ooops...as Mike Reiss would say "10 yard penalty." Talk about over paying in trade value!

Forgot all about that debacle of a trade, but I still think that they may end up improving enough in several areas on defense to end up winning an extra playoff game to get to the AFCCG, should the cards line up right for them.

Arthur Jones, D'Quell Jackson, and Robert Mathis are 3 formidable defensive players. I can't remember if they retained Vontae Davis or not, or if Landry is still there and under contract, but I think that we should see some type of improvement. Whether or not it will be enough to make a deeper type of run remains to be seen.

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I agree, and they will add to their passing attack in the second round with either another TE or WR. I think the Colts will be a serious threat because Luck is the real deal and he is always going to be a b.tch to beat.

TriplecHamp said:

The loss of Knowshon>>>The loss of Decker

Glad to see people still overrating Decker, he's either overachieving or disappearing. The latter far more often than the former, glad the Jets have him because he won't be a factor against us at all. He's the type to go off for 3 TD's against the Raiders or the Bills and disappear against us and any other quality playoff team.

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I agree, the bronco's can easily replace Decker with any WR who can stretch the field that they get in the first three rounds. Average player that Manning made look like a Pro Bowler. He is going to show his true colors with Geno Smith throwing to him.

If the Broncos get into the playoffs and reach the AFCCG, what quarter do you guys think Talib will leave the game with a "game ending injury"? I'm saying the end of the first, beginning of the second at the latest.

KontradictioN said:

If the Broncos get into the playoffs and reach the AFCCG, what quarter do you guys think Talib will leave the game with a "game ending injury"? I'm saying the end of the first, beginning of the second at the latest.

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I agree. I'd put the over/under on 30 minutes of game time.

dales804 said:

I agree. I'd put the over/under on 30 minutes of game time.

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I'm still not convinced that he was so injured that he couldn't have came back into the game. Dennard didn't seem to think so either.

Ivan said:

I agree, the bronco's can easily replace Decker with any WR who can stretch the field that they get in the first three rounds. Average player that Manning made look like a Pro Bowler. He is going to show his true colors with Geno Smith throwing to him.

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The Broncos do not need a WR who can stretch the field. With Manning's arm, that is a waste of skills. What they need is a big receiver who can go up for the ball and catch the ducks that Manning throws. Manning is still smart enough and has a quick enough release to hit the open guy, but he cannot throw the ball down the field.

KontradictioN said:

I'm still not convinced that he was so injured that he couldn't have came back into the game. Dennard didn't seem to think so either.

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I thought the same thing when he walked off during the 2012 AFCCG to be left standing on the sideline watching the rest of the game. When he went out this past January, I figured he was done again. He just couldn't be counted on in the biggest games, unfortunately.

What'd Dennard do or say about the subject? I think I missed it.

KontradictioN said:

If the Broncos get into the playoffs and reach the AFCCG, what quarter do you guys think Talib will leave the game with a "game ending injury"? I'm saying the end of the first, beginning of the second at the latest.

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Is Edeleman close enough to Welker size to take him out?

KontradictioN said:

I'm still not convinced that he was so injured that he couldn't have came back into the game. Dennard didn't seem to think so either.

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Imo he has already confirmed that was the case. Dennard was basically begging him to go back in on the sideline and Talib just kept shaking his head no, then he tells Denver media it was just a goddamn bruise at his press conference. I have never ever heard of any NFL player refusing to play because a of a goddamn bruise before. Talib was worried about his impending free agency during both of the championship games the past two years., not the outcome of the game, and he let them down big time both times. Good riddance imo, he is great against big receivers but he sucks against the quick ones. he should do well against Brandon La Fell, that's got to be worth 50 million.

dales804 said:

I thought the same thing when he walked off during the 2012 AFCCG to be left standing on the sideline watching the rest of the game. When he went out this past January, I figured he was done again. He just couldn't be counted on in the biggest games, unfortunately.

What'd Dennard do or say about the subject? I think I missed it.

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Dennard was seen imploring Talib to go back in on the sideline during the game and talib just kept shaking his head no. It really pissed me off and led me to believe he could go but wasn't willing to, and that was while the game was in progress.

Rob0729 said:

The Broncos do not need a WR who can stretch the field. With Manning's arm, that is a waste of skills. What they need is a big receiver who can go up for the ball and catch the ducks that Manning throws. Manning is still smart enough and has a quick enough release to hit the open guy, but he cannot throw the ball down the field.

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I agree that Manning throws ducks and his arm strength is really waning, however he continues to put the ball in front of his receivers downfield and his accuracy is still excellent. My only point was that Decker was a downfield receiver not a slot or possession guy, and they can replace that in the draft. Sanders and Welker are their underneath guys and they aren't going to bring in another WR like them but one like Decker and they will be able to find that if they want, he wasn't special.

joepatsfan said:

Honestly, if Talib somehow stays healthy for the playoffs and TJ Ward, Ware and Miller stay healthy... that's a good D....

Now, if Talib reverts to good ole Talib and the hip flares up come January that weakens their D a lot and changes it all.

Even a healthy team vs. healthy team we could beat em anyway.

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If Talib doesn't get a bruise he should be good to go.

Ivan said:

I agree that Manning throws ducks and his arm strength is really waning, however he continues to put the ball in front of his receivers downfield and his accuracy is still excellent. My only point was that Decker was a downfield receiver not a slot or possession guy, and they can replace that in the draft. Sanders and Welker are their underneath guys and they aren't going to bring in another WR like them but one like Decker and they will be able to find that if they want, he wasn't special.

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Do you think DEN is going to go after a WR in the draft? I don't know enough about his game but can Sanders fill the role Decker vacated?