heels, sox & steelers
If the Steelers were hearing interest about trading FWP before camp, I cannot understand why they straight out cut Davenport before the trade went through and Jones signed, Kevin Jones is not on the team yet.
What would FWP command on the trade market? I can't see the Steelers giving him up for draft picks, I can only understand a OT or an elite DB being of equal value to the Steelers right now (if you consider the Steelers being in contention for a SB this year, which I assume).
In my previous post I was continuing on bengt's comment in the previous thread.
Signing Kevin Jones makes no sense. Let's hope he signs with the Bears, who STILL need a running back desperately and never should have passed on drafting Rashard Mendenhall.
A short pointless story.
A few years ago I walked into the locker room of a gym in Manhattan. Sitting next to my locker was Jerry Stiller.
What he was doing there, I don't know. He certainly didn't look as if he worked out. Anyway, there he sat, wearing a towel around his waste and a pair of yellow-lensed wraparound sunglasses over his eyes. He looked tired and disgusted--just like Frank Costanza. He had a nice tan, though.
Another possibility: The Steelers sign Jones, the top RB available in the free agent market. Some other team has an injury or poor rookie performance at RB, and Jones looks great, so the Steelers trade Jones to said team for a 5th or 6th round pick, while having saved mileage on their RBs at camp. What's not to like? I'm all for adding more talent to the roster, even if it is a #3 RB.
Just to add onto my comment, what have the Steelers lost if they give him a try in camp and find that he's not worth keeping so they cut him? Worst case is they have some good RB depth, something we've had trouble with this decade.
For full disclosure, I'm a Hokie and would love to see KJ on the Steelers, but I guess I don't see what the big deal is in signing a young talented guy who is obviously content to not be the starter (was looking at signing with TB also, another crowded backfield). It's not like this was JJ Arrington or Curtis Enis... Jones had pretty good numbers when he was healthy, which in my mind is a perfect backup.
Sorry, "worst case" should have been "upside"
Cutting Najeh to sign Keven Jones doesn't make that much sense to me (Najeh's much healthier and performed better last year than Jones has since 2004). But in and of itself, signing Jones for the $595k league minimum for camp seems okay to me. If he's worth keeping, he's cheap, even as one of 6 backs. If they cut him, the cost will be under $100k.
Oh, and I was confused why they'd cut Zabransky if Dixon is likely going to be on IR. Why not keep him to at least take some camp reps for Ben and Batch?
I guess you didn't hear that Brett Favre is going to be coming available...
Brett who?
Jones is a Bear, per Schefter.
I think Jones' agent was using the Steelers as a stalking horse.
Most likely. Looks like it worked, with a 1-yr deal for the minimum...
With that disaster averted, it looks like Mark Madden's back in business, and more interestingly, Jerome Bettis could be Chubby's replacement at 1250. Weird.
Not sure how it would have been a disaster to sign a younger guy for the minimum to replace a guy (for camp competition purposes) who was older and making more than the minimum. But anyway . . . .
Where's the Dixon to IR info coming from? I din't see it in the PG or at Scout, but was it one of Wexell's discussion thread revelations or something? I can't even find a hit for it on those usually reliable internet tubes.
I mean it might have been vomitous, but not disastrous.
Matt,
Fair point on Jones, although I'm not convinced he's somehow better than Najeh. Of course, it doesn't matter now.
RE: Dixon to IR. Yeah, I mentioned it in the previous thread. Soon after he was drafted I vaguely remember some discussion of him sitting out the year, but I don't have a link. That would be too easy.
$hit! Now I guess I'm supposed to tune into the X to listen to Mike Lange coupled with Mark freakin' Madden? Jeebus! I seriously hope not.
Kevin Jones discussion is now indeed moot, but even if he's not better than Najeh I think the point is that they might -- and only might, because who really knows whether his agent was just using this ploy -- might have had an interest in signing him only for far less money than Najeh made.
And signing him would not have signaled the end of the Gary Russell era. I love Russell too, or at least the idea of him that I've created in my head. Of course I also loved the idea of Dante Brown, the UFA that was the apple of everyone's preseason eye before FWP came along.
In any event, let's not forget that last year the team brought in Kevan Barlow and unceremoniously cut him when he proved inferior to Russell; so I have no doubt that Russell will get a spot if he earns one in camp.
I can't believe I'm doing this, but if you can get past all of the extra "I'm an ass" commentary, Mark Madden actually has a good point somewhere in the below-linked article. To save you from having to give his article more traffic, his basic point is that Druckenmiller might be a good thing because he might be willing to spend more money on players (and coaches).
Another bonus-- Druckenmiller holding a majority share would also remove the Steelers from the ranks of mafia-owned businesses, if you believe Mark Madden.
I know the intelligent majority can't stand him, but what is this segment of the Pittsburgh population that keeps Madden (marginally) employed? Is it the notorious mullet crowd? When he was a writer, he couldn't write, and as an agitator he barely agitates as his schtick is so over-the-top that he can't be taken remotely seriously (can he?). I don't get it.
Last word on Russell I heard was from Wex and the word was he has put on 10 lbs. and looks great. I am still stinging from the Dante Brown shout out..I was on that bandwagon too! I really believe that Gary is going to be a contributor for us but RM being drafted certainly didn't help his chances.
Anyway, I am glad we have some quality depth at RB.
> "Mark Madden actually has a good point somewhere in the below-linked article."
Wow. I accepted the dare, and Madden makes just about all the same points I did last week: on the declining cash flow, the Steelers' modest successes outside of the decade of the 1970s, Art II's unknown abilities and qualifications, the fact that the "Rooney family" (concerning stable team ownership and control) consists of Dan, Dan, and only Dan, now a 75-year-old man. I'm kinda scared now. Should I reconsider my last post? Naw.
Interesting Editorial is the WSJ today.
Its writer posits that the Rooneys' sale of the Steelers is being exacerbated by the family's fear of increased estate taxes if Obama is elected.
Possible, as this ownership sale issue really heated up in a hurry. But Dan Rooney is an Obama supporter, and more importantly if you believe those family sources in Sunday's PP-G piece, Dan is the person who started pushing the buyout (suddenly citing NFL rules), not the other brothers. At least some of them were claiming that they were just fine with the existing ownership structure (with Art Jr's sarcastic, flippant responses in particular being downright hilarious).
Maybe Obama heard Dan endorsing him and gave him a call...
GlennW = Mark Madden
????
Men...
I may need your help here - or psychological testing - Two nights ago I had a dream that the Steelers were in the Super Bowl but losing late in the third quarter to the Falcons 10-0. Ben had just thrown an INT into the end zone.
Last night I had a dream that I was sitting in the locker room next to James Farrior eating a dum dum sporting Steeler uniform pants and telling James "I can't believe we are world champs..." To which James responded "I'm definitely coming back next year..."
Dream on, Bill.
Thank you Randy....
The Falcons...?
>The Falcons...?
Dr. Z picked the Vikings
A certain NE QB has a model-girlfriend because of his...arm
Our team has a chance to lose Rooney control
Gas is over 4 bucks a gal
GEICO is no longer the cheapest car insurance
So yes, it is possible--the Falcons.
Hey I didn't write the memo - I just read it...
(translated - I had no control over it)..
Gentlemen. They arrived today. Steelers tickets.
Let's Go.
Adam...I'm trying to remain calm with only days until Camp.
Although I admit that I have begun a list of Steeler items that I need to buy for this year - and of course the dreams...I need help.
Oh by the way....
Tonight at 10:30 Eastern on the BigTen Network there is a show about Rashard Mendenhall's Journey to the NFL...
I doubt the sale is driven by Obama fear. Even though it just became public, the sale has been in the works for at least two years. And according to the PPG, the estate tax issue is already onerous for the Rooneys:
"If the brothers die without selling, their children would be required to pay the federal government 45 percent of the shares' value. In cases where the Pennsylvania estate tax is applied as well, heirs would pay a total tax of about 48 percent, according to LeRoy Metz, president of Downtown law firm Metz Lewis.
Using conservative estimates of the team's worth, the Rooney brothers' heirs would owe hundreds of millions of dollars in tax on an asset they couldn't sell. They'd have to find to find the money elsewhere. Cashing it out now will make estate planning easier."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/0...5/896744-
66.stm
Anybody else get a scare this week? My DirecTV bill jumped $41.50 this month, and I was just about to bitch and complain to them, until, I realized it's my first installment for NFL Sunday Ticket. Bring on the 2008 season!
David...that was my first thought when I started reading your post...my second thought, don't show this to SteelerDawn..
Men....
Jim Wexell posted his thoughts going into camp:
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=6...=1893&
t=2668756
who else hates pay sites?
> "I doubt the sale is driven by Obama fear. Even though it just became public, the sale has been in the works for at least two years."
I don't believe the Obama fear thing either, but I'm also not totally buying into this urgency for estate planning, unless by "in the works for two years" you mean "two years ago Dan said it's time, so it's time". It's pretty obvious that Dan Rooney has turned up the heat here. If this were all a normal, inevitable, conciliatory estate settlement, you wouldn't have the brothers employing different brokers and seeking out competing partners. If there were actually a cohesive "plan" in place, they'd all be on the same page looking for the biggest/most reasonable/best candidate as a buyer (for a majority or minority stake).
I think Dan saw the potential pitfalls of dividing the Rooney empire too far, and had to be cognizant of its growing value... $200M a few years ago, to $900M-$1.2B now? Sure, buy in before it gets even bigger.
My apologies Dean - there is some good info in there though...
anything worth sharing? Specifically, any insight on the OL?
Dean...if you want..e-mail me directly and I can send you some info...
Watched a bunch of vids featuring Limas Sweed on the NFL Network's page.
I don't know how good a player he will be for us, but he is one impressive young man..smart,,polite, funny..and he seems to have those leadership qualities that some people just exude naturally.
Feeling really good about that pick because in addition to all those qualities he has 1st round talent as a WR. Its been a long time since I remember a WR with that kind of talent say he is ready to do anything ..including special teams...to make a team.
I can't wait for Hines to take this guy under his wing.
I think Sweed will be special, but wonder if he'll see much action this season. Late season, maybe?
For whatever reason, I'm a post-gazette apologist (I know not many people in the world are such). But does anyone find it strange that we're this close to training camp and getting -- basically -- nothing about the upcoming season? I mean, the trib is on top of it. But my post-gazette.....eesh.
The Trib is still catching up from the spring. Calm before the storm for the P-G.
FW, I agree he won't play much to start. I think we agree that he looks like a long term keeper.
There's one Mayock clip from NFLN that was cool. The kid displayed speed, awareness, balance and vision and burst all on way play. I could watch film all day and not see even a 1/4 of what guys like Mike do, but even I could ascertain that Limas has special talents.
I might be happier with some O-line depth but over the last year the Steelers have drafted some nice LB`ers to shore up that position and now the WR`s slot looks pretty good too in terms of long term depth. How good does the RB position look right now? Fairly awesome IMO. If I could believe the O-line will be much improved over last year and that the ST`s will finally start contributing? I might be really optimistic. wink...
Question. Since we blew the deadline to sign Starks to a long-term deal, and by default grossly overpaid, could we trade him and the target team be able to then turn around and offer a new deal? Would assume so. Starks is likely gone next year, so why not do a player for player trade of a young OT prospect?
Word on Lolley`s blog (http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/) that Mendenhall and Sweed will be signed by the weekend.
Also guys on scout.com are saying that McFadden and Marvel Smith are looking to get contract extensions prior to training camp. I am really enthused about the word on Smith's back. I had no idea how bad his problem was and the surgery seems to have worked wonders. We need him back to form to say the VERY least. Bryant is a guy who needs to wrest the starting role away from Townshend this year. They must like what they see if they are offering him a long term extension..
Lolley mentions something about Starks that I didn't understand..Can they reopen his contract or something? I thought it was locked in for this year but I am sort of clueless on the financial/contractual front.
Rob - did scout.com say that McFadden & M. Smith want long term extensions, or that they are in talks with the Steelers?
Also, just because we haven't yet seen Mendenhall on the field, here's his combine montage. I'm thinking he'll have the starting gig in 2009. Parker is certainly quicker, but dude looks like he can knock some LBs over.
Dean (although I never went to college or university, I just straightened up in my chair and cleared my throat..That "Dean" handle is intimidating!Yes,,I watched "Animal House" wayyyyyy too many times and now I am not fat, dumb and stupid. Or at least not all of them..)
This is my mind of vacation..my apologies..anyway..
The source for that story is this site:
http://www.theinsideronpittsburg...dden-
about.html
I had read the synopsis on topix.com and had seen Jay Glazer's name at the end and thought it was HIS story.It wasn't. It's an anonymously sourced one so you can judge it on its own merits as I don't know the TIOPS site at all.
Lolley mentions something about Starks that I didn't understand..Can they reopen his contract or something? I thought it was locked in for this year but I am sort of clueless on the financial/contractual front.
Rob D | 07.21.08 - 4:27 pm | #
No. They missed the deadline on Starks, so we're sitting on his big, fat transition tag cap hit.
Everyone take a breath...relax...it is 5 days until camp and then well 6 months of stress....
Enjoy..
Rob - thanks for the link. Let's hope the story is accurate on BMac and Marvel.
If really want to try to be intimidating, I might change my name to Kaiser Sose...
Dean, if you were Keyser, you'd never let on.
In fact, you wouldn't be posting here. You'd be having your lawyer Kobayashi posting for you.
Great movie...
Usesless trivia:
Did you know "Kaiser" is the proper ancient Roman pronunciation of the word, "Caesar"?
(Obviously, there's not much to talk about.)
How do we know how ancient Romans pronounced things?
Eric, Randy is really, really, REALLY old...
http://postgazette.com/pg/08204/...4/898550-
66.stm
Quote:
Colbert was not as confident about signing any veterans to contract extensions anytime soon, but indicated they will work on doing so before the season begins.
"We're going to try to get something done as we go through training camp, like we always do, and maybe even before, but with only a week to go it's unlikely we'll be able to sign anybody before camp."
Doesn't sound like they are close to signing Bryant or Marvel. Colbert said they weren't in any "heavy negotiations" with anyone in this category.
Damnit..I really want them to tie up Smith in particular. As long as he is healthy he is by far our only real choice for a LT until we draft Michael Oher next year...hee hee..
Rob...one item looming over the re-signing of anyone is the change in ownership. They may not want to tie up too much long-term money if another owner steps in...
Let's assume (I know I know) said owner decides to sign a big name in Free Agency next year...you get the point..
Finn,
You're right, as always: I am really really really old.
And Eric, for what it's worth, language experts can recreate pronunciations of lost languages if they have lots of material to work with, particularly poetry, which traditionally was written primarily in rhyme.
One example: Latin scholars found a story in which a Roman writer was making fun of the Saxons' use of a soft "s" sound for Latin words that are spelled with a "c". A "c" in Latin is always pronounced like a "k".
Eric,
One more example as to how the Anglo-Saxons corrupted Latin speech: The original name of the Jersey islands in the English Channel may have been the Roman word, "Caesarea," which, when spoken with a soft "s" sound, could easily have become corrupted into "Jersey."
If you want to stretch the story a bit, you could argue that New Jersey's name is actually a corruption of New Caesar.
Well there is no doubt that Jersey is corrupt.
Anyone ready to make thier playoff predictions yet, or is it too early still?
Huck...I'm trying to be calm before the storm...4 days....if I think about the Season right now I get nervous and anxious....I need those four more days...
But that's just me
I predict the season can't get here fast enough...
Even if you don't subscribe, go to the main Scout.com/SteelCity Insider page to see the snapshot for undrafted free agent DL Kyle Clement. Not to change movies from "The Usual Suspects" to "Blazing Saddles," but Clement looks like a guy who could punch a horse.
The UDFA DL guys will be an interesting sub-story. Some unsubstantiated info on Clement I dug up: "Clement was 6'4", 317 pounds on his pro day workout. Ran the 40 in around 5.2 seconds, vertical 30", and lifted the bar 37 times. Better numbers than Sedrick Ellis managed at the Combine, and Clement is 3 inches taller, 20 pounds heavier."
Need even more reason to get fired up for the season?
Read the description on this Steeler t-shirt (look on the right hand side under the product rating):
http://
www.dickssportinggoods.co...oductId=3084728
Punch a horse? More like eat a horse.
Good transcript of Tomlins press conference:
http://pit.scout.com/2/771607.html
I love that he is our coach. That guy speaks so eloquently, so professionally. Gets his point across. All business. Now, if he can only figure out the whole 2 point conversion thing... j/k.
There are some youtube clips of Kyle Clement that make him look like superman..course it IS Division II but he certainly seems pretty quick.
To guys like me, they all look like world beaters. Must be the fact that I have little athletic ability and admire people who do. And by "little" ..of course I mean "none" (blatantly stealing Ryan's patented phrase)
Still, I think we should see some benefits of another year of experience from players and coaches and even our head coach that should be reflected in wins,a little more cohesion (O-line? I'm talking to you so straighten up and fly right!) and perhaps even a dark horse coming out of the ranks of the UDFA`s. We seem to find at least one most years. Perhaps Mr. Clement will prove to have more than horse punching ability to recommend him to the Steelers. I mean, that would be a shame if him and Ryan McBean proved to be quality backups along the D-line.
Reading Tomlin's press conference transcript is refreshing. I'm now ready to grab a helmet, pads, and . . . hand them to one of the real players.
When I was reading how Tomlin mentioned all of the 2nd year players, I'm glad to see that almost all of them are still with the team a year later. The only one missing is Cameron Stephenson, but if the rest of these guys hang on as role players for a good while, it will turn out to be a pretty darn good draft.
So it's official: if Clement makes the team, his nickname is "Mongo."
What's the word on Anthony Smith? Do they look at him as a kid who will learn from his mistakes and overconfidence last year?
I liked the pick when it was made but he had a rather embarrasing game against the Pats and Tom Brady who seemed to enjoy humiliating him just a LITTLE too much. Then the Pats lackeys in the press piled on and AS got to wear the scarlet letter for the rest of the year. He wasn't the first DB to get torched but he sure was a high profile one.
Here's hoping he can contribute and get over the harsh learning experience.
Yeah....
- I want that T-shirt.
- Having a guy on the DL who is nicknamed Mongo would be ... just... it would make me cry tears of joy. No, I haven't been fruiting my beer.
- Anyone considered how having Mendenhall in camp is going to push FWP's buttons? I would hate to be the guy trying to catch that fella this fall.
- If I have another kid, his middle name will be Tomlin. I love having him as our coach.
Wait till Mongo meets..James Harrison.
Yikes..
Ryan will appreciate this...we just became a bit shorter at receiver:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/...s/
s_579272.html
Read somewhere Trannon had broken a finger? Anyway, we're a solid 4 deep. The 5 spot looks like Dallas Baker or Willie Reid. So IF the Steelers keep 6, the height bonus ain't cuttin' it. My guess is, if we keep six, that #6 has to be a KR. Moore can return punts, but a pure kickoff specialist might make the fold. Kevin Marion out of Wake might be a guy to keep an eye on.
Even though Smith got torched, it did lead to one of my favorite moments of last season. Brady started taunting Smith, and then Harrison stepped in and suddenly things changed. From the look in his eye to his posture, every pore of Brady screamed "frightened little girl." Shades of Super Bowl X with Lambert, Gerela and Cliff Harris...
I hear that Hank Poteat is available for that kickoff specialist job...
Brady was so scared that he proceeded to carve us up like a Thanksgiving turkey for the rest of the game, from a rocking chair. I'm not settling for these moral victories; we actually need to beat these guys for a change. And Smith needs to keep his mouth shut, or at least come close to backing it up with his play...
Yeah, unless Harrison sacks Brady 2 or 3 times, I'm not buying the scared thing... I am interested in seeing if Woodley can't scare up a few Brady-flinches when we go up there.
S. Holmes is entering his 3rd season as a WR, which is supposed to be when the young WR's get fully adjusted to the league. Wouldn't be surprising to see him in double digits for TD's this year.
Sugar Bear,
I think Holmes will easily get double digit touchdowns... provided he and Roethlisberger stay healthy.
It's the staying healthy part I'm concerned about.
Eric,
I can't argue with that. Obviously if BB isn't upright, there will be no touchdowns.
I'm probably in the minority, but I really feel like Simmons is the only worrisome spot. Colon was in his first year. Kemoeatu is inside, and looks to have the tools for the trade. I believe Starks has gotten his wakeup call. Having experienced back problems, I don't doubt Smith when he says he feels like a new man. And Hartwig has good history in the run game... I mean the Panthers had who at quarterback? And they still ran effectively. There's something to what Tomlin mentioned about the skill positions making the line better. Blocks can only be held so long. Frankly as long as Arians doesn't get too fancy, I don't think we will have trouble on the offensive side of the ball.
Now special teams... I think that's the real X factor. Hopefully we win alot more of those field position battles than we have post-2005. If not, we can count on Ben setting some get-sacked records.
Oh, the Pats game was a debacle. And I don't think it affected Brady's performance. But it was great to see him go in a split-second from mouthing off to, "Oh, shit, I better shut up and get the hell out of here."
This stood out for me from Tomlin:
Q: What are you intial plans for Rashard Mendenhall and will he determine the number of chances he gets?
MT: Our initial plan is that he will be a supplemental runnner. We've explored him potentially returning kicks and he's worked in that area this offseason.
Well we signed our first rounder. Though why we ever mad THIS guy our first rounder I will NEVER understand...
http://content.answers.com/main/
...nfeld_s8e17.jpg
I loved the Mendenhall pick. It made sense to me. But then, I liked their first 4 picks this year... and I've been wrong before.
Random thought of the day....
What is EA Sports going to do if Favre does indeed get traded? For those of you scoring at home, Favre is the cover-boy for Madden 2009
(this from a 39 year old trying to prove how hip he is despite his preference for Strat-O-Matic)
I loved the Mendenhall pick. It made sense to me. But then, I liked their first 4 picks this year... and I've been wrong before.
Sugar Bear | 07.25.08 - 8:42 pm | #
I loved the Mendhall pick... the joke was in the link... sorta ties to the Jerry Stiller pic & Seinfeld.
Brett is spitting in the face of the almighty Madden Curse, which could be his undoing. Let's see...
'01 - Eddie George (wrist, ankles)
'02 - Daunte Culpepper (knee)
'03 - Marshall Faulk (ankle)
'04 - Michael Vick (fibula, dogs)
'05 - Ray Lewis (hamstring, menopause)
'06 - Donovan McNabb (sports hernia)
'07 - Shaun Alexander (foot)
'08 - Vince Young (quadricep)
'09 - Brett Favre (?)
You sure you wanna tempt fate there, Brett?
Just in case any of you are hungry for some reading material this summer, try this trilogy by Arturo Perez-Reverte: "Captain Alatriste," "Purity of Blood," and "The Sun Over Breda."
It's an action adventure series set in 17th century Spain focused on the trials and tribulations of a swordsman for hire. It's surprisingly beautifully written, although it moves slowly in spots. Lots of great historical background and great characters.
Originally done in Spanish, the translation is excellent. Even the poems the author has picked up maintain their rhyme and meter in English.
Of other interest, anyone have an opinion of the Pirates' trade?
I like the Pirates trade well enough. Everyone seems to think we should've gotten Hughes or Kennedy or Austin, but I like the idea of getting back three starting prospects rather than just one supposedly "can't miss" guy. It's always a crapshoot of course, esp. with the young and talented but troubled outfielder Tabata, but I've had it with every armchair expert who complains about the Pirates exorbitant demands then also complains when they trade for real players instead of supermen.
In other news, Happy Training Camp Eve everyone!
And these two are classic:
'04 - Michael Vick (fibula, dogs)
'05 - Ray Lewis (hamstring, menopause)
I hate the Pirates trade. Hate it. The three pitchers project better as relievers than they do starters. Tabata is a legit prospect, but him and three relievers isn't enough for Nady and Marte. If that was the best offer they should have just kept both guys, offered them arbitration, and then collected the draft picks when they left as free agents as the Yankees will now do.
They aren't turning this thing around by stockpiling 26-year old, low ceiling relievers.
Oh, and to top it all off they didn't even call up Andrew McCutchen to replace Nady. They brought up Steve Pearce!
Goodness. Steelers season can't get here soon enough.
Stratomatic? Never played that.
How about NFL Strategy instead? http://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/49782
OK..training camp is almost here..What are you guys and gals (OK..our one gal left after the short playoff run but out of respect for her..) looking to come out of this camp in terms of positives for the Steelers?
For me, its a few things:
1. That the O-line battles don't take too long to work out and they can have a unit that gets to work out the kinks as soon as possible.
2. That many of the 2nd and 3rd year players make good strides now that the learning curve for many of them is flattening out.
3. Special Teams. Please. Be special.
I think some of the kids we drafted this year are going to help a lot in this very important area..Humpal,Sweed, Mundy, Davis and Mendenhall
4. That we start seeing more of a "thunder and lightning" approach to running the ball. Spell FWP with a guy like RM or GR or MM (our third down dark horse?) Perhaps that broken leg made them stop and realize that you can't run a smallish back "till the wheels fall off" and expect to be successful in this league. I was appalled at the way they distributed the carries last year. Big fan of FWP and I want him around for the next SB win..
5. That our D-line stays healthy and isn't asked to do too much in preseason. We are so thin there and one injury a la Aaron Smith could put us in a hole very quickly.
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