QUOTE: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” -- Martin Luther King Jr.
Sunday was a very busy day in the NFL. As we all suspected, trades have become more prevalent in the league based on the new uncapped rules as teams are more willing to dump salary without any concerns about the cap. Here’s a breakdown of what transpired:
LT and the Jets
Let me start by saying I’m not a Jets hater. In fact, I loved their draft last year and wrote glowingly about their decision to not only draft a legitimate quarterback in Mark Sanchez but a very talented running back in Shonn Greene. And I have nothing against LaDainian Tomlinson; in fact, had he signed with any other team, I would feel the same way about signing an older back. I just do not see an explosive player any longer, and the fact the Jets cashed in a 1,400-yard back to sign LT makes this move strange.
Here’s the reason for my reluctance to believe that older running backs can return to their once-great form: When I was with the Browns, we signed Joe Morris, the former Giant who was on the downside of his career. Morris came to Cleveland and looked amazing. He was explosive, fast and powerful -- in the offseason. But once the contact started, he was not the same back who had been great with the Giants. He no longer had the ability to break tackles with his lower body. He no longer had bounce in his step or explosive movement. As the season went along, the worse he became.
I learned a valuable lesson — never trust an older back in the offseason. The evaluation in the offseason is the not the same that will happen during the season. They may look great (or is it that they just look fresh?) when the season starts, but once the pounding begins, there’s very little ability to recover. And it always goes from bad to worse to unplayable.
This is what makes me worry about LT, who is no longer the same player he was for the Chargers years ago. Tomlinson’s decision to come to the Big Apple makes sense from his standpoint since he doesn’t have to learn a new offense. He’ll have the same runs that he’s had his whole career and will not have to adjust his game. Yet the Jets’ decision to base their trust in LT regaining his old form has me skeptical. They better hope Greene can stay healthy or that they know more about LT regaining his old form than the Chargers.
Brady Quinn and the Broncos
I’m not a Brady Quinn fan and have been writing for weeks that the Browns would dump him. Yesterday’s trade with the Broncos for fullback Peyton Hillis was basically a dump. Yes, I know some fans might think Hillis is a valuable commodity, but his lack of blocking and production without the ball makes him very iffy to even make the Browns roster next season. Hillis might look good occasionally with the ball in his hands, but his lack of overall toughness without it has to be in question.
No, I’m not a Brady Quinn fan, but I’m a huge Josh McDaniels fan, and if anyone can bring out the best in Quinn, it’s McDaniels. If McDaniels can make Matt Cassell successful, there has to be hope for Quinn. The Broncos gain a player at a position of need without any significant cost. Now McDaniels can keep the pressure on Kyle Orton and decide if Quinn has the skills to fit into his system. This shouldn’t change the Broncos’ approach in the draft, nor will it change the Browns’. They still need their quarterback of the future since Jake Delhomme was signed for the present and helps them change the culture in Cleveland.
The Browns under Mike Holmgren are changing their approach to everything, and these changes will keep happening. Holmgren is in charge and is making his presence felt, so much that I often ask myself, “Where is Eric Mangini?” Mangini has gone from being in control of everything, from the décor of the office to just being in the office. His fate now is tied to Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.
Once the signing of Delhomme was announced, I wondered how much longer until the Browns announce the hiring of John Fox as head coach? Fox has less than a year left on his deal in Carolina, so the “Fox Watch” in Brownstown has officially begun. More on that later.
Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi
For more on the Brady Quinn move to Denver, check out this article from Bleacher Report.
Mike..as you know I hate to agree with you....but I agree 100%. THis makes no sense. Why be cheap with Thomas Jones in an uncapped year in a new stadium.? Anytime the chargers have been in a big spot for the last three years...Tomlinson could be found on the exxercise bike or pouting behind the blacked out visor.
Also...can we please not refer to him as "LT" in NY....jet fan/giant fan...whatever..if you have anyrespect for football...theres only one LT in NY...and its not tomlinson...
Orton has never needed anyone to push him to play better. I've never thought much of his talent level, and I saw him for years with the Bears, but I always admired his work ethic. He's a team guy and he comes into camp with the attitude that nothing is guaranteed, that he will have to fight to win a job. That said, I think the Browns have two QBs who will battle to take them nowhere. Neither is a franchise QB.
I agree completely with the LT assessment, and would even add an additional negative myself which is that Tomlinson is a significant locker room risk. He likes to tell people that he's a very classy player, but the fact is that when things don't go his way he gets pouty, and things are stacked to not go his way. Even if the Jets win more than 9 games this year, he is unlikely to get very many critical touches. I have a hard time believing he'll be a good soldier when he finds himself riding the pine as an afterthought.
Mike,
You mentioned that you are a big fan of Josh McDaniels and that got me wondering which coaching staffs do you think are the best at developing QB's right now?
Have you ever noticed that as a near-universal rule, the QB is the best-looking guy on any football team?
So when I see a butt-ugly guy like Kyle Orton taking snaps, that tells me the dude got there through an unbelievable work ethic that probably started at the Pop Warner level. They can bring in Brady Quinn, they can bring in anyone they want. But they only way they'll get the starting job is to pry it from Kyle Orton's cold, dead fingers.
Mike,
I also agree with the article but I also feel that Jack makes a good point.Lad T has shown nothing the past few years as far as being a team player. Its always about him and what he thinks. Anyone who has to tell the world that they are classy etc really knows they are not which is why it is important to try to get people to think they are.
I still remember several years ago when Phillip Rivers sat down on the bench next to Lad T and he gave him a look and got up and moved away. The announcers brought it up how he dissed his teammate and QB.
I bet there is a QB in San Diego that is glad he is gone.
Hey Michael,
While I disagree with your evaluation on Hillis I do agree with your evaluation on McDaniels and Quinn. I was skeptical of Quinn coming out of college but the Broncos gave up basically nothing for him (I love Hillis but he was not going to do anything in McDaniels offense) and with coaching from McDaniels he could end up a starter.
Quinn had nothing going on in Cleveland they traded their best receiver who isn't that great and their O-line wasn't very good either. In Denver, it is yet to be seen how good is receiving corps will be (hopefully Marshall stays) and the offensive line is definitely an upgrade.
Best at developing QBs: Packers, Saints, Chargers
Worst: Vikings, Bears, Raiders
"Mangini's fate now is tied to Delhomme and Seneca Wallace" Holy crap, DEAD MAN WALKING!!!!
Getting rid of his QB's may be one thing (although I'm not sure Quinn played enough to make a judgment), but the trade of Wimbley to the Raiders is even worse. Holmgren showed he couldn't run personnel in Seattle, looks like he's out to carve it in stone.
How exactly does terrible Quarterback play 'change the culture in Cleveland'?
Mike, where is your comment on the Raiders Wimbley trade. I'm surprised you didn't report what an awful trade it was for the Raiders to get a former 1st round pick in his prime for the 3rd . My guess is if it was New England or Denver you'd be talking about what a good trade it was. Also, where is your criticism of Holmgren for giving so much money for Delhomme ? Who was he bidding against?
For all intents and purposes, Orton welcomes Quinn's challenge, but I still believe, for now, Orton is our best option. Nevertheless, we can now kick Chris Simms to the curb which we should have done from the beginning. As for LaDainian going to the Jets, I don't know how this helps them. Rex Ryan's brashness can sometimes be arrogance and perhaps that's what's going on here. If this makes the Jets better I take everything back. As for the Browns, Peyton Hillis is a nice player but we have tailbacks coming out of our ears in Denver and he won't be missed. He's incongruous to McDaniels' scheme. Cleveland, as hard as it is to imagine, will be worse with Delhomme than they would have been with Quinn. Without Steve Smith to throw to, he'll suck even more than usual. Thanks for the read, Lombardi. Your words have been lionized on the Mile High Report, just so you know!
LT in NY = Jerry Rice in Oakland
A fly on the wall of the most recent Browns meeting involving Holmgren and Mangini:
"I'm sorry, Eric, I didn't mean to forget about you. Here's a buck for a soda. And when you pick up lunch, could you make sure it's still hot when it gets here? THANKS!"
On LT going to the Jets - I wonder if he really understands what NY media scrutiny is going to be like. For his entire career he's been in casual Southern California, where everything he does and says is doted on. What happens when the Jets lose and he's held to 20 yards on 8 carries, or when the Daily News or Post starts comparing him unfavorably with Thomas Jones? If he and the Jets had been playing the Patriots in the 2007 title game and he'd been on the bench, they would have absolutely ripped the guy for weeks.
And I haven't seen any evidence at all that LT can roll with this kind of stuff. He's very emotiona, very proud, and more than a bit needy. That doesn't bode well.
@ Devin: Norv Turner must be in the top 3 at this.
L T is washed up Whenis the last time he actually played a full season He always seem to be sitting on the bench from some aches and pains L.T has a attitude problem
" Yet the Jets’ decision to base their trust in LT regaining his old form has me skeptical. "
This is the problem with your assessment, you are ASSUMING the Jets expect LT to regain hiss old form, that is NOT what they are expecting and it would be foolish for anyone to assume that. Greene is their no. 1 back, LT will be used in passing situations and occaisionally to rest Greene. He is a much better receiver and pass protector than TJ ever was. One of the things that made it really tough on Sanchez last year was he didn't have a RB to dump the ball off to after Leon went down, neither Greene nor Jones were very good out of the backfield. I'm kind of disappointed that this wasn't obvious to you Mike!
"His fate now is tied to Delhomme and Seneca Wallace."
Dead man coaching.
SGJ made similar response. You can have this headset when you pry it from my cold, dead, noggin.
He may retain coaching duty, even Shannahan had to take notice of problems in his personnel decisions, the hard way.
yahoodave is 100% right. "LDT" is just another washed-up RB who can't deal with the fact that the best years are behind him... and he's certainly not going to be "LT" in any New Yorker's mind. Not in this New Yorker's, that's for sure.
The Jets should not have rid themselves of Thomas Jones.......I think they've made the same mistake as when the Bears did it a couple seasons back....
So LT's lack of success last season had nothing to do with the awful Chargers O-line? The media is giving Thomas Jones too much credit! The guy did nothing in Arizona and Tampa... had decent seasons behind a solid O-line with the Bears, and has enjoyed fantastic blocking behind one of the most dominant lines in the league the last few years in NY. They have 4 1st round picks on the line with Ferguson, Faneca, Mangold, and Woody. Jones is also older than LT and never had a great burst to begin with. LT will enjoy a great season running behind those guys next season, and Thomas Jones will prove to be an awful signing for KC.
LT is going to kill u all
I want to get this straight, so I will quote Mike about Hillis "Yes, I know some fans might think Hillis is a valuable commodity, but his lack of blocking and production without the ball makes him very iffy to even make the Browns roster next season. Hillis might look good occasionally with the ball in his hands, but his lack of overall toughness without it has to be in question". Hillis blocked for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones while at Arkansas, I think they did ok in college. Then his lack of toughness, for Mikey's information Hillis played with a broken bone in his back his freshman season at Arkansas, thats pretty tough even if it was only in the SEC.
He is not too old. I have never seen a player train more then LT. His workouts are so amazing to watch.
thanks for list
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The concepts of natural law became the basis of gotomeeting ideas about those conditions in which the civil society should be possible or, at least in broad strokes, had already become fact. It is important that you have to bite at a meal something to be chewed and not the things that are simple. And now as a proper rest helps in this state, this clinical picture?
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Must eb great to take more time celebrating it. Good luck for promoting the new policies!
Sunday was a very busy day in the NFL. As we all suspected, trades have become more prevalent in the league based on the new uncapped rules as teams are more willing to dump salary without any concerns about the cap. Here’s a breakdown of what transpired!!
Hillis might look good occasionally with the ball in his hands, but his lack of overall toughness without it has to be in question". Hillis blocked for Darren McFadden and Felix Jones while at Arkansas, I think they did ok in college.
A well-written article. I look only NFL. By the way, you have chosen a very good quote Luther King.
He no longer had the ability to break tackles with his lower body. He no longer had bounce in his step or explosive movement. As the season went along, the worse he became..
Great article. Thanks for sharing information with us, this blog is very interesting, I learn a lot of things.
yes you are right,i agree with youL T is washed up Whenis the last time he actually played a full season He always seem to be sitting on the bench from some aches and pains L.T has a attitude problem
I agree completely with the LT assessment, and would even add an additional negative myself which is that Tomlinson is a significant locker room risk. He likes to tell people that he's a very classy player,
I think LT still has some gas in the tank but you make great points
While the Jets may have dumped a 1400 yard back I saw them get rid of a back that no longer finished runs...at least with a "new" person on the team they have something to prove and can get at least 1-3 solid years out of LT and hopefully win a Super Bowl
Your analysis of preseaon vs real season is spot on...older players simply can't recover from the beatings day in day out
There are some very great sources here and thank you for being so kind to post them here. So we can read them and give our opinion on subject.
I don't get it really.. Anyways, thank you for sharing this with us.
Yes, I guess so that LT is just too old for Jet.
oh no link? haha,good !
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Mar 15, 2010
10:43 AM
What does the LT signing tell us about Leon Washington's future as a Jet? Is he going to be traded? Is his rehab stalled? The crowded backfield last year really stunted his impact and apart from punt returns will he and LT being fighting for the same posessions?