NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Round

[etothep]

he's so little, but so good

too bad i see aj smith letting him walk as a free agent

[justanewguy]

Great game. Sproles was incredible. Almost lost the game for them with that fumble near the goal line, only to come back with that really nice run at the end.

San Diego was very impressive on offense (especially considering there was no LT), defense and special teams. They pushed the Colts around for most of the game, despite it being so close.

Five weeks of top tier football from this team has made me a believer. It'll be interesting to see how they come out in Tennessee or Pittsburgh. I still favor those two teams over all other AFC playoff teams, but the Chargers have been playing the way they were "supposed to" all along, which could make the AFC a tighter battle.

[Arctic Blast]

I like Sproles...there's no way he'd stand up as an every down back, but he could be a decent rotational player. He's already a great return guy.

San Diego can beat Tennessee if they don't have Haynesworth and/or Vanden Bosh up front. And they can beat Pittsburgh without Big Ben. If those 2 teams are healthy, though...not sure I'd pick them.

[etothep]

I like Sproles...there's no way he'd stand up as an every down back, but he could be a decent rotational player. He's already a great return guy.

San Diego can beat Tennessee if they don't have Haynesworth and/or Vanden Bosh up front. And they can beat Pittsburgh without Big Ben. If those 2 teams are healthy, though...not sure I'd pick them.

Rothlisberger's numbers this season have been at best average. I'd rank him under Favre this season.

[bucher34]

I like Sproles...there's no way he'd stand up as an every down back, but he could be a decent rotational player. He's already a great return guy.

San Diego can beat Tennessee if they don't have Haynesworth and/or Vanden Bosh up front. And they can beat Pittsburgh without Big Ben. If those 2 teams are healthy, though...not sure I'd pick them.

I disagree. Sproles is still young and very durable. He is the type that can avoid those hard hits because he is so short, unlike Turner who is a bruiser back. Avoiding more hard hits than he takes only increases his ability to last in this league. Of course, he'd have to stay healthy outside of avoiding hits (i.e. groin, hammy, etc. etc. - the usual runningback injuries).

[Arctic Blast]

Rothlisberger's numbers this season have been at best average. I'd rank him under Favre this season.

My point was that Pittsburgh is definitely a better team with Roethlisberger behind center than with Charlie Batch behind center.

I disagree. Sproles is still young and very durable. He is the type that can avoid those hard hits because he is so short, unlike Turner who is a bruiser back. Avoiding more hard hits than he takes only increases his ability to last in this league. Of course, he'd have to stay healthy outside of avoiding hits (i.e. groin, hammy, etc. etc. - the usual runningback injuries).

He's 5'6" 181 pounds. There is no way he can touch the ball 350-400 times a year (runs & catches)...not to mention blocking against the blitz. Besides, giving him that many touches takes away some of his effectiveness as a returner, and THAT might be his greatest strength on the field.

[bucher34]

My point was that Pittsburgh is definitely a better team with Roethlisberger behind center than with Charlie Batch behind center.



He's 5'6" 181 pounds. There is no way he can touch the ball 350-400 times a year (runs & catches)...not to mention blocking against the blitz. Besides, giving him that many touches takes away some of his effectiveness as a returner, and THAT might be his greatest strength on the field.

He doesn't need 350-400 touches. Getting 300 or less (like DeAngelo Williams or Frank Gore) could prove to be very effective AND along with his return game, he could become the best all-around player in the game (that is saying alot, but if given the chance........). Only a handful of runningbacks receive 350-400 touches (i.e. Michael Turner, Adrian Peterson), but with his seemingly excellent ability in the "all-around" aspect of the game, he would need much less touches to produce just as well as those mentioned and he would stay fresh with fewer touches (the Marion Barber effect).

[bucher34]

"The Marion Barber effect" meaning Marion Barber got worn down because of overuse due to the Felix Jones injury.

[Arctic Blast]

I would definitely love to see him get a couple hundred touches (carries, catches and returns) a season...and I actually think San Diego might try and lock him up to split work with LT. One of the best all around players in the league...THAT might be a bit of a stretch, though.

[bucher34]

I would definitely love to see him get a couple hundred touches (carries, catches and returns) a season...and I actually think San Diego might try and lock him up to split work with LT. One of the best all around players in the league...THAT might be a bit of a stretch, though.

It'd be nice to see, but I doubt it. LT is soon-to-be closing in on rushing records and wouldn't want to be in a timeshare.

[Arctic Blast]

It'd be nice to see, but I doubt it. LT is soon-to-be closing in on rushing records and wouldn't want to be in a timeshare.

I dunno, I haven't really seen anything from LT that would indicate he's a selfish prick. He never complained when Michael Turner would get a series. Besides, it would probably extend his career.

The bigger issue I see with San Diego signing Sproles is their impending cap situation...after next year Philip Rivers, Marcus McNeill and Shawne Merriman are ALL unrestricted (Plus Antonio Cromartie and I believe Luis Castillo in 2010). There is no way in Hell they can afford all of them and still have spending room in the future. Nuts as it may sound, I think Merriman's probably the odd man out of that trio.

It also doesn't help their cap situation when AJ Smith tries to justify bad draft picks by giving guys like Jyles Tucker big new extensions based on...what exactly???

[bucher34]

I dunno, I haven't really seen anything from LT that would indicate he's a selfish prick. He never complained when Michael Turner would get a series. Besides, it would probably extend his career.

I'm not saying he's a selfish prick by any means, but with records in sight you never know what could happen - just look at Edgerrin James. Slightly different personality, but never expected an attitude like he has now.



Yeah that is going to be tough to deal with. In a way, if I was in AJ Smith's position, I would not be looking forward to these next couple years in terms of cap moves.

[ragecage]

I'm not saying he's a selfish prick by any means, but with records in sight you never know what could happen - just look at Edgerrin James. Slightly different personality, but never expected an attitude like he has now.



Yeah that is going to be tough to deal with. In a way, if I was in AJ Smith's position, I would not be looking forward to these next couple years in terms of cap moves.

I think what made LT better, was the fact they had depth in the running back core, to keep him well rested the most part. There is no need to give LT 25+ touches a game.

But that was one of the great games I have seen in a while. The penalties sucked there in the end, with the holding call, but I cant blame the refs for the face mask penalty, that was brutal what that guy did to Sproles. I think Indy got outplayed big time in the last 3 quarters, they were outplayed in just about every way possible with the exception of turnovers.

[EVEN11323]

Pennington is giving the Ravens this game. These last 2 picks have been awful. Ed Reed is so good in the open field.

[filihok]

I don't think that too many people can be surprised that Miami's getting it handed to them