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Chat leftovers

Email|Link|Comments (22) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff July 25, 2009 06:00 AM

Going back into Thursday's chat and answering some leftover questions. ...

1) From MattK: Do you feel like we've done enough to improve our defense from last year?
Yes, I think so. The lingering question is at one of the outside linebacker spots, and that's just one that we'll have to wait to see how it unfolds in training camp. Otherwise, I see improvements across the board, with cornerback topping the list.

2) From Ryan: Don't you think that the drafting of Ron Brace is a clear indication that the Pats do not intend to re-sign Wilfork and instead will put their money towards re-signing Seymour?
I look at it more as insurance, Ryan. Brace gives the Patriots a fallback plan, or at least a little leverage in the negotiating process. But I don't think it's cut and dried that the drafting of Brace means they are turning their attention toward Seymour over Wilfork.

3) From Walter: What do you think the RB depth chart is going to be? Will there be a clear starter? Or will it be RB by committee with different RBs starting with the most "favorable" matchups?
I'd start with Kevin Faulk, because he's such a big part of the passing game. But in terms of the more traditional running backs, I think it will be a committee, with Fred Taylor getting the first crack, followed by Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney. Matchups against the opposition should play a big part in it.

4) From Nel_Boston: Who's the primary signal caller on the defense this year? Will it still be Bruschi? How about Sanders taking over that responsibility?
If I recall, outside linebacker Mike Vrabel was the primary signal-caller last year, with the communication device in his helmet. Adalius Thomas was the backup signal-caller. I think Thomas would become the primary option, with Jerod Mayo a likely No. 2 option. Sanders is valuable coordinating things on the back end, so I think we'll see someone from the front seven lead the huddle, with Sanders taking charge with the post-huddle communication in the secondary.

5) From Sportsbozo: Are you a proponent of the Patriots taking a chance on Mike Vick?
I'm not, and it's purely with football in mind. I think Vick is the type of quarterback that teams must build their entire system around and, for one, I don't think he's a good fit for what the Patriots do. One thought is that he could be a Wildcat quarterback, but I don't see the value of locking up a roster spot for 1-2 plays per game unless he'd add value elsewhere (e.g. special teams), which he wouldn't.

6) From Pete: Who do you think the top 5 QBs are in the league right now? Mine would have to be: 1. Brady, 2. P Manning, 3. Brees, 4. Warner, 5. McNabb
I'd rank mine this way, with the toughest choices coming at Nos. 4 and 5 as there are a lot of good options: 1. Tom Brady, 2. Peyton Manning, 3. Drew Brees, 4. Philip Rivers, 5. Matt Ryan.

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22 comments so far...

Sorry Mike, I couldn't disagree with you more on your top 5 QB's....
HOw you can not have Roethlisberger in top 5 is truely amazing.
Ben Roethlisberger is the 3rd best QB...He is 8-2 in playoffs and second most winning QB in NFL behind Brady since his rookie year....and oh, bye the way, 2 superbowl rings.....Brees can't hold on to Ben jock strap......I will give Brady and Manning are better but Roethlisberger is the 2nd best clutch QB in the game...
Rivers is NOT better than Roethlisberger
Matt Ryan is better than Roethlisberger????NOT
Are you telling me that when it comes to a game winning drive....You rather have Manning,?? Rivers??? Brees?? Ryan??? ahead of Roethlisberger????
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

Posted by Steelers Fan July 25, 09 10:28 AM

How Roethlisberger doesn't make a top 5 quarterback list is mind-bottling. The guy may not be pretty doing it, but he flat out wins games. The guy is a warrior. There is an argument for Brees and Rivers to be on an even keel with him... but Matt freakin Ryan? What a joke.

Posted by Billy July 25, 09 12:20 PM

I'd have to agree with Steelers Fan Mike. To not have Big Ben ahead of Matt Ryan or Rivers or Brees is a little odd. Just my humble opinion.

Posted by Moss4life July 25, 09 12:29 PM

Dude calm down...while I agree that Rothlesburger is probably a top 5 option, he's been protected by a great defense his entire career. Brees, Brady, Manning, and even Rivers have carried their offense and won games despite holes in their team's defenses over the past several seasons. And Rivers is a guy that i would def take in a playoff game he is tough and clutch in pressure situations. Just remember Rothlesburger had a 22.5 qb rating in super bowl 40. Don't get me wrong the guy is a great and clutch player but i don't think he is a better qb than Brady, Manning, or Brees.

Posted by Matt from RI July 25, 09 12:39 PM

I think Matt Ryan is seriously pushing it but I think your overrating Big Ben a little bit Steelers fan. His play in the regular season is so hot and cold.

1.Brady-07 threw 50 TDs and has proven time and time again that he is the best QB in the game right now.

2.Manning-Played like crap for the entire year but his leadership and IQ led helped that team win. Should have not won that MVP award.

3.Brees-His touch and arm strength is amazing but he is seriously beginning to become overhyped.

4.Rivers-Had a very great year and did it quietly. It helped that he played in that division but at the same time he has come a long way.

5.Rodgers- Warner had a great year but he isnt top 5 in the league right now and neither is Big Ben. Big Ben is a top 3 QB if I wanted to start up a franchise.

Big Ben finished only plus two last season with 17 TDs and 15 picks. Thats not a top 5 QB to me. He has alot of room to improve and hes a good leader and teammate but golly a top 5 QB? Please can you take off the Steeler goggles for a second and watch the man play?

Posted by Dorian July 25, 09 12:52 PM

brees is better than roethlisberger, the steelers won superbowls in spite of roethlisberger.
1 brady
2 manning
3 brees
4 ryan
5 rivers

Posted by steve July 25, 09 02:15 PM

Great passionate discussion here. Could have Big Ben in there, for sure. I guess I answered the question with this thought in mind: If I had to take 5 QBs for my team, this is how I'd rank them.
--Mike

Posted by Mike Reiss July 25, 09 03:18 PM

Matt, yes the Steelers have a best defense BUT this year should have proven to all the nay sayers.Big Ben had NO RUNNING GAME and No Protection....Big Ben has been sacked 139 times in 3 yrs..(some his fault but mostly offensive line)
THere is NO QB is in the League that could handle being hit that many times. THe Steelers ranked 23 in the running game....usually they rank 1 or 2, and you know that!! Our punter was out the whole yr..which if anybody knows football, the punter is the defense best friend...Spelduva was ranked in top 3 in field position.

Dorian...I am not pushing Ben. I said Big Ben is NOT better than Brady and Manning but Brees, Rivers..Ryan....Brees puts up nice numbers BUT remember, he plays in pass happy offense and How many playoffs games he play in???

Steve...U must not watch football.....Only Rivers in that list can come close, BUT Brees and Ryan....Ha Ha Ha......
I usually have good things to say about the PATRIOTS But when I read this post, It gets my heart rate up...LOL....................

Posted by Steelers Fan July 25, 09 03:32 PM

1) Brady - consistant winner
2) Manning - stat whore and 1 season winner
3) McNabb - winner
4) Roethlisberger - winner
5) Rivers - gamer/winner

Too early on Ryan. Brees just doesn't win consistantly. Warner is a HOFer but still a poor man's Manning

Posted by Rob July 25, 09 06:02 PM

So its Brees fault that the Saints cant put together a defense and the fact their running backs cant stay healthy?

I thought Ryan was seriously pushing it but Big Ben without a doubt is top 6-8. Were talking about good overall quarterbacks and who can lead a team.

If I wanted to pick a QB with good talent around him it would be Big Ben at number 1 but thats not the discussion.

Posted by Dorian July 25, 09 06:29 PM

Ben isn't better then Brees. Wins are team stat, he didn't win all those on his own. When's the last time Ben threw for 5,000 yards or 30+ TDs?Ben helped his team win, Brees was the only thing keeping his team in contention. Big difference in my opinion.

Posted by Pete July 25, 09 06:34 PM

TOP 10 QBs: (taking into account the past 3 seasons + what they will do moving forward)
1. Tom Brady
2. Peyton Manning
3. Drew Brees
4. Phillip Rivers
5. Jay Cutler
6. Ben Roethlisberger
7. Eli Manning
8. Matt Ryan
9. Kut Warner
10. Donovan McNabb

Posted by Paul Pedersen July 26, 09 12:21 AM

i honestly wouldnt rank big ben in the top 5.
the steelers do not rely on their QB to win. they have the best defense in the game. their defense wins games, their QB just tries not to throw interceptions.

IMO when the most important position in football ISNT the most important position in your team, your QB is NOT top 5 material.

(btw, his numbers are WAY below brady's, peyton's, brees, etc).

wanna see me prove my point? throw brady in a steelers uniform and see what would happen. with that defense, they would go 19-0 5 years in a row.

Posted by Lucas O July 26, 09 04:12 AM

You guys need to learn how to read.....I said Ben is not better than Brady and Manning....He is better than all the rest.....
Brees....how many playoffs games???
Rivers...Right behind Ben...More Talent around him AND way better offensive line
Cutler.....no playoffs apperances
Eli.....LOL >>>LOL>>>>What are you series...out of 5 yr career he has had about 1 full season of good play....Without Plaxico...different QB.
Ryan.....Not after 1 year
Kurt....good qb and top 10 but all passing in Ariz
Mcnabb....yes, top 10......
Ben fist 3 yrs, under Cowher, Steelers were the top 2 running teams in football, and his stats were low.....JUST WINS GAMES.....
In 2007, he finished 2nd to Brady with 32 TD's ....New Offensive Coordinator who likes to pass..

Posted by Steelers Fan July 26, 09 09:28 AM

I personally hate 95% of what the Steelers Fan says, but we have to give it to him on this one. Big Ben is propably the 3rd best QB in the league. His wins in the post season are too big to overlook.

Posted by canpatsfan July 26, 09 01:12 PM

Canpatsfan;..Thanks.....I don't know why you hate 95% of what I say....This is first time I actually disagree with Mr Reiss and some of other people. If you look at my posts in other topics, I always have good things to say about Patriots. I truely respect your team and organization....

Posted by Steelers Fan July 26, 09 04:39 PM

Why do people have Rivers ranked so high? And why isn't Palmer even mentioned anywhere? Just because the Bengals are dysfunctional doesn't mean all the players suck. There's no wonder that Bledsoe was refusing to go there in '02.

Posted by MarkZ July 26, 09 07:40 PM

....gonna have to go with Steelers Fan and Big Ben on this one over Matt Ryan. I think Ryan COULD be there, but one season is not enough to compare against 2 Super Bowl rings.

Posted by Bruce M. July 26, 09 08:11 PM

Post1- Steelers Fan
This may not be the best time to bring up Ben Roethlisberger's jock strap or similar personal beginnings.

Posted by mynameisbob July 27, 09 12:42 AM

Matt @#$%^&* RYAN???

Posted by Fanatical Yankee July 27, 09 09:33 AM

Brace as even a fall-back plan is ludicrously risky; when you have the top NT in the league and you play a 3-4, you sign him--no bullshitt; Brace may spell Wilfork occasionally, but that's about it--never a replacement--not in a a million years

Posted by mike July 27, 09 03:24 PM

You don't spend a 2nd round pick on a guy that you think could be a career backup. If you don't get a starter out of the #40 overall pick, then you screwed up. Brace should be the 2010 starter, or else he's a bust.

You always have to take risks in a salary-capped league -- relying on guys like Crable, Woods, Guyton, and Chung to be big contributors are some examples. Wilfork is just going to cost too much money to be a viable option, IMO.

Posted by MarkZ July 27, 09 07:12 PM

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