Is anyone watching NFL preseason?

[Bob Hunter]

Anyone watching NFL preseason? Any predictions from actually seeing these teams on the field?

I was impressed with the Cleveland Browns and Jack Delhomme's performance. He's definitely a veteran and right now Cleveland needs a good solid season, I hope they go 8-8 and get a wild card. That would be progress.

Looks like Sam Bradford had a rather rough wake up call in his NFL opener, yikes! But then, it is a rebuilding year for the Rams. They will probably be going with the veteran I'm guessing.

Any other thoughts?

[Shea Zellweger]

Watching, yes, but no predictions. Let's not forget that the 0-16 lions were 4-0 in the preseason

[Ryan Plott]

I just got back from the Colts-49ers game. Does that count? Colts backup QB's need work on their reads and decision making, San Fran's running back(I wanna say Dillman) looked very good.

[Bob Hunter]

Okay, here are my grades on rookie QB's, at least the ones I am familiar with:

Colt McCoy: D-
Sam Bradford: C-
Tim Tebow: B

For what it is worth...

[Steven Martinez]

Okay, here are my grades on rookie QB's, at least the ones I am familiar with:

Colt McCoy: D-
Sam Bradford: C-
Tim Tebow: B

For what it is worth...

Um... You do realize that Bradford played in the first half while Tebow played in the 4th quarter. Bradford played against guys who will most likely make the team while Tebow played against guys fighting for practice squad spots. Lets hold off on grades until they start some games.

[Shea Zellweger]

Um... You do realize that Bradford played in the first half while Tebow played in the 4th quarter. Bradford played against guys who will most likely make the team while Tebow played against guys fighting for practice squad spots. Lets hold off on grades until they start some games.

Thank you, Steve. You said it better than I ever could .

Not saying Tebow didn't perform well against his competition, but it's the preseason, and he's 2nd string (or is he 3rd?), playing against weaker teams.

[Bob Hunter]

From everything I read, he will be Kyle Orton's backup. So far, Brady Quinn is showing more of the same mediocrity that pretty much defined his 3 years in Cleveland. Moreover, Orton's contract is up after this season, and I don't think he will be in Denver after that. McDaniel's has bet the farm on Tebow...if it doesn't work out, he might as well look for another job.

[Benjamin Burch]

Um... You do realize that Bradford played in the first half while Tebow played in the 4th quarter. Bradford played against guys who will most likely make the team while Tebow played against guys fighting for practice squad spots. Lets hold off on grades until they start some games.

I like this and I think it's fair in respect to looking too much into comparisons and other QB rookie performances but I don't want to take anything away from Tebow with this. I'm the first guy to say that I've never liked Tebow much, I don't think he's going to be a QB, and have never really thought he was a good QB in the first place - just an amazing athlete.

That being as it is, i think Tebow played not well, but great. He was not only playing against guys fighting for practice squad spots, but with guys doing the same. He was also one butter-fingered drop away from a 9-13 performance with over 150 yards. Those are decent numbers for your first time on an NFL field regardless of who you're facing.

His only bad stat was the fumble lost which would was a play that routinely happens to some of the better QB's in the game - a blindside shot while in the middle of throwing motion.

I think this debut laid a lot of foundation for potential and upside.

Even though McCoy may have played against much better opponents, his performance was bad by any standards and certainly didn't produce what Tebow's did. Are they a 1-to-1 comparison? No. Not by any means and I think you nailed that on the head, Stu (I'm gonna start calling you that now. Have to get used to it).

However, I do think that we can fairly say what I have here. Tebow gave reason to be optimistic and McCoy's left a lot to be desired.

[Shea Zellweger]

From everything I read, he will be Kyle Orton's backup. So far, Brady Quinn is showing more of the same mediocrity that pretty much defined his 3 years in Cleveland. Moreover, Orton's contract is up after this season, and I don't think he will be in Denver after that. McDaniel's has bet the farm on Tebow...if it doesn't work out, he might as well look for another job.

I don't see McDaniels as having "bet the farm." Tebow was considered 2nd round talent, and the Broncos jumped and took him in the later half of the 1st round. That's considered drafting above his class, but it's not such a disparity that it's ridiculous or shocking- This isn't Ditka giving up all 7 picks for one player, it's McDaniels taking a slight chance on a good athlete. I will not be surprised if Quinn gets listed as the reserve QB, but I agree with Ben that it's just as likely Tebow will end up in another position as it is that he will remain a QB. As for where Orton will be next season, it is WAY to early to tell, and if the Broncos can recapture whatever it was they had the first 6 games last year, the last thing they'll be doing at the end of the season is letting Orton go and starting over with a Sophomore QB who presently is still having issues with his delivery.

[Shea Zellweger]

However, I do think that we can fairly say what I have here. Tebow gave reason to be optimistic and McCoy's left a lot to be desired.

OR we can say that this was McCoy's first appearance against NFL talent, and he's got a lot to learn, while it was Tebow's umpteenth appearance against College Talent, which we all know he can handle.

[Benjamin Burch]

OR we can say that this was McCoy's first appearance against NFL talent, and he's got a lot to learn, while it was Tebow's umpteenth appearance against College Talent, which we all know he can handle.

This may be true. I still think mine is a fair version of this...

An NFL stage, no matter who is on it, is NOT a college game.

[Benjamin Burch]

I don't see McDaniels as having "bet the farm." Tebow was considered 2nd round talent, and the Broncos jumped and took him in the later half of the 1st round. That's considered drafting above his class, but it's not such a disparity that it's ridiculous or shocking- This isn't Ditka giving up all 7 picks for one player, it's McDaniels taking a slight chance on a good athlete. I will not be surprised if Quinn gets listed as the reserve QB, but I agree with Ben that it's just as likely Tebow will end up in another position as it is that he will remain a QB. As for where Orton will be next season, it is WAY to early to tell, and if the Broncos can recapture whatever it was they had the first 6 games last year, the last thing they'll be doing at the end of the season is letting Orton go and starting over with a Sophomore QB who presently is still having issues with his delivery.

This is a different topic for a different thread but there is no such thing as "recaptur[ing] whatever it was they had the first 6 games last year."

They might do it again for 6 games, but no more. That defense played amazing for 60 minutes a game for 6 games. The offense was not a big help. The fact is that the defense had to do all the work and be on the field a lot. As the season progressed, the defense simply couldn't handle the work-load any longer. No team could.

McDaniels followed his typical pattern by having Noland fired as D-Coordinator since it was the defense that "gave up" at the end of the season. The fact is, the defense was too tired from playing too hard for too many minutes over too many games because McDaniels failed to put together a quality team and traded away the franchise QB for Orton.

Noland took that defense from 29th in the league to 7th and was fired because of their performance down the stretch. It was McDaniel's fault from the start and it will continue to be so. If the Broncos are smart they will fire this cancer at the end of this year, next year at the latest.

[Bob Hunter]

I actually do think McDaniels has set himself up for a fall with Tebow or this might be a stroke of genius. If Tebow develops then you can say goodbye to Orton. In a QB starved league, Orton will be out of there after next year. It will be more like Tebow as the starter and Quinn as the back-up. If that scenario doesn't work out, then you can say goodbye to McDaniels. Because that would put him back to square in the QB department and I don't think it would bode well with ownership.

But here is the deal, this just might work and lets face it, people are talking about the Broncos. NFL's use of the wildcat formation is growing and McDaniels seems to be leaning that direction. Tebow's versatility as a dual threat QB can make that kind of offensive line-up very exciting. So if McDaniels pulls this off, the Broncos will be the team to watch. I didn't say they will win a Superbowl...I just said they will be a team to watch.

[Ryan Scott]

You also have to take into account expectations. Bradford will be a starting QB this year, Denver wants Tebow to be a starting QB this year, and Cleveland hopes McCoy will be a starting QB in 2012.

[Bob Hunter]

You also have to take into account expectations. Bradford will be a starting QB this year, Denver wants Tebow to be a starting QB this year, and Cleveland hopes McCoy will be a starting QB in 2012.

Ryan,

I don't think Denver had any expectations of Tebow starting this year. Kyle Orton has the offense well in hand, McDaniels has made it pretty clear that Orton is the starter unless he completely falls apart or gets injured. In that case, we will see Tebow in the pocket. Quinn is going to warm the bench I'm afraid.

Bradford will be the starter no matter good, bad or ugly. I think for the team McCoy is on under Holmgren, if he doesn't show serious improvement this year and the potential to be a starter next year, then he may not make it in Cleveland. We'll see...

[Ryan Scott]

Ryan,

I don't think Denver had any expectations of Tebow starting this year. Kyle Orton has the offense well in hand, McDaniels has made it pretty clear that Orton is the starter unless he completely falls apart or gets injured. In that case, we will see Tebow in the pocket. Quinn is going to warm the bench I'm afraid.

Bradford will be the starter no matter good, bad or ugly. I think for the team McCoy is on under Holmgren, if he doesn't show serious improvement this year and the potential to be a starter next year, then he may not make it in Cleveland. We'll see...

That's the difference between "wants" and "will be." You don't think McDaniels would love to have Tebow playing at a level where he feels comfortable taking over at some point this season? Hasn't he already said Tebow will see playing time this year? I'm not expecting it and I don't think Denver is planning on it, but they'd love for him to be ready to start this season.

[Bob Hunter]

That's the difference between "wants" and "will be." You don't think McDaniels would love to have Tebow playing at a level where he feels comfortable taking over at some point this season? Hasn't he already said Tebow will see playing time this year? I'm not expecting it and I don't think Denver is planning on it, but they'd love for him to be ready to start this season.

Oh you better believe that they would love him to play, are you kidding? Do you know what that would do for the Franchise? As it is, Tebow has brought about enough hype to send the sales of Broncos attire sailing. But the reality is, Kyle Orton showed up to training camp poised and ready to take over the Denver offense-and that is what will happen.

That said, here is where I think we are going to see Tebow in action, one word: Wildcat. I've said it before, this formation is growing in popularity and with Tebow's dual threat abilities, it will certainly come in handy. Look for McDaniels to do some unconventional things with the offense. And my guess is that he will not preview any of those plays in the preseason, he just may hold those plays close to his chest. The wildcat formation can confuse a defense and open up all kinds of opportunities. We'll see! Gonna be fun...

[Bob Hunter]

Tebow had another not too shabby outing Sunday night, he threw the only TD and looked good. He's maybe getting the idea that you need more than your legs in the NFL to score TDs. Look for he and Quinn to split playing time next week while Kyle Orton gets rested up for the first regular season game. Bradford will be the Rams starter after his impressive showing Thurs. Colt McCoy won't see the light of day, and I'm beginning to think he just won't make the cut in the NFL.

[Billie Goodson]

The INT he threw will cause him to respect the DB's more. Every corner he will face in the NFL is better than the best he ever faced in college. That is a lesson all QB's have to learn. He looked good overall, but still a way to go which is to be expected at this point. I don't think it is a good thing that Bradford is going to start, not behind that line. But, if he survives, then he will be better for it. The same thing regarding DB's will be in Bradford's future, doubled since he played in a conference that hasn't seen a pass defense in some time. But, I wouldn't vote against either Bradford or Tebow. Then again, I wouldn't vote for them either. Star college QB's are a dime a dozen in the NFL, and not too many of them play long enough to draw retirement. The odds are against both of them.

No eyes on McCoy may not be a bad thing for him. Frankly, it may be the path to success. Some QB's have played it into a pretty fair future. No one was heralding Brady as a phenom, but look what some time and learning got him.

[Shea Zellweger]

Okay, here are my grades on rookie QB's, at least the ones I am familiar with:

Colt McCoy: D-
Sam Bradford: C-
Tim Tebow: B

For what it is worth...

Well, at this point I believe the score is something like...
Bradford: 42
McCoy: 0
Tebow: 6

[Bob Hunter]

Well, at this point I believe the score is something like...
Bradford: 42
McCoy: 0
Tebow: 6

Well you have a point there Shea, but McCoy didn't have such a bad outing today with Cleveland. And Tebow just hasn't been on the field much. I can't argue Bradford's progress, he is doing just fine. But I think I based this on pre-season performance which may or may not be an indication of things to come.

[David Lyons]

I was thinking about posting about the preseason-type game I watched today. The Pittsburgh Steelers two quarterbacks on the roster and the Cleveland Browns two quarterbacks on the roster had not thrown a pass in a regular season game this year until today. Even though Ben did very well and Colt did pretty good, they both looked like it was the first game of the year, which it was for them really.

I am glad that Ben had a warm-up game before he has to play against real NFL competition in the next few weeks.


(By the way, the pc smilie is James Harrison, the pc user represents the Browns' wide receivers.)

[Shea Zellweger]

Well, at this point I believe the score is something like...
Bradford: 42
McCoy: 0
Tebow: 6

Ok, so I feel like if the Broncos had Tebow listed as a FB, I'd say "wow, he's doing a pretty good job for a rookie," but because the roster still says QB, I find his performance thus far to be particularly unimpressive.

[Bob Hunter]

Ok, so I feel like if the Broncos had Tebow listed as a FB, I'd say "wow, he's doing a pretty good job for a rookie," but because the roster still says QB, I find his performance thus far to be particularly unimpressive.

Good point Shea, even my son suggested Tebow should maybe change positions! Kyle Orton has earned his playing time, he is currently my Fantasy QB and I'm doing quite well starting either him or Aaron Rodgers. Tebow's chance will come in a couple years. Though he did have a TD pass today against the Chiefs. He's just not going to be an immediate starter. I am very thrilled with McCoy and the Browns, who would have thunk it? Though McCoy's numbers are not overly impressive, he is at least making the Browns look competent and avoiding mistakes. Peyton Hillis is giving the Browns quite a running game. Also, makes you wonder what Denver was thinking when they gave Hillis away to get Quinn. Where is Quinn these days? On the sidelines I'm afraid! And with all of their RB injuries, they could have used Hillis. A lot of people in Denver were not happy about seeing Hillis go away.

[Shea Zellweger]

Ok, so I feel like if the Broncos had Tebow listed as a FB, I'd say "wow, he's doing a pretty good job for a rookie," but because the roster still says QB, I find his performance thus far to be particularly unimpressive.

of course, as soon as I say that, he has his first passing attempt- a 1 yard TD completion.