Ed’s Take–Feb. 23, 2011
The 2011 NFL Draft is just two months away. Regardless of whether the labor agreement is worked out by then, the Draft is scheduled for April 28-30.
With the scouting combine getting underway in Indianapolis this week, the Denver Broncos took care of a major offseason priority yesterday by re-signing free-agent-to-be Champ Bailey. This move also allows the team to sharpen its focus on its draft preparation with the No. 1 cornerback spot solidified.
So, what should the Broncos do with that No. 2 overall pick? If they identify a guy with at that spot who they feel will be an impact player, who will change their team, then I think they have to take him.
If, on the other hand, they feel like the best guy at that spot is no better than the guys they already have on their team, and they don’t see any future potential of him being better than what they have, they should trade the pick and acquire more players with it. They should try to get as many athletic guys as they can on the team and coach them up in the mold of the player they’re looking for.
Broncos fans, what would you do with that No. 2 overall selection?
Ed’s Take–Feb. 16, 2011
After a great Super Bowl to end another fantastic NFL season it has been disappointing as a fan to see the conversation shift now to the labor battle between the owners and the players.
Having played the game I’m all for seeing everything be done to protect players and make sure they are are taken care of in the best way for the risks they take and the long-term health implications. And I also understand that owners have business to run and need to protect their interests.
But in the end, I think fans are reluctant to take a side in the issue because they just want to see football, and have a hard time sympathizing with either side when the game is so popular and fans play a big role in supporting it.
Does that describe your feelings as a fan, or are you on one side or the other?
Ed’s Take–Feb. 11, 2011
Broncos fans had a reason to rejoice last weekend with Shannon Sharpe’s election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. What a great achievement for a true professional with whom I was proud to play for so many years.
Being around guys like Shannon helped me prepare even better than I had before. He made me realize what more I could do, because he did everything he could possibly think of doing to prepare for playing the game of football. He left nothing to chance. Football was his life and you could see the desire he had to be great.
With Shannon in the Hall we’re starting to change to history of this proud franchise being under-represented in Canton! The Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor for a player, and it’s terrific to see more Broncos recognized.
Next up, in my opinion, should be T.D., Terrell Davis. He was a 2,000-yard rusher, a league MVP, a Super Bowl MVP and had seven consecutive postseason games with more than 100 rushing yards, on top of the many he had in the regular season. He was great, and was at his best when the games counted most. The only thing the voters hold against him is longevity, but he was the best in the business when he played.
Which former Bronco do you think deserves to go in next?
Ed’s Take–Feb. 4, 2011
Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup is one great tradition in NFL history. Green Bay vs. Pittsburgh. Two iconic, storied franchises. And just as they’re in a virtual dead-heat in terms of their tradition, I see this game as a tight matchup that could go either way.
For the Packers, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing phenomenal football right now. The playoff run he has been on is right up there with the best who have ever played the position. With the exception of a portion of the Chicago game, Rodgers has been on fire, and so has the Packers’ offense.
For the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger has been his usual self, avoiding pressure and extending plays—just what they need from him with that very well-balanced, veteran team. Green Bay does need to try to put pressure on him. The worst thing they can do is to sit back and let Big Ben pick them apart.
Pittsburgh will want to play smash-mouth, tough football on both sides of the ball, and the Packers will have to match their intensity. I see this as a good matchup, and a close game, but I’m giving the edge to Green Bay.
I’ll never count Pittsburgh out. They’re a talented team with players who have won championships before, but I just think this is Green Bay’s year.
Who is your pick?
Ed’s Take–Feb. 2, 2011
Having been fortunate to play in three Super Bowls, it’s always fascinating to me to watch the coverage each year of Media Day, and the circus surrounding it.
The misnomer of Media Day is in the fact that it’s not the only day the media have access to the teams. They have a media session every day you’re there. Media Day on Tuesday of Super Bowl week evolved out of the original Picture Day, and it takes place at the stadium. Other than that, it’s not unique—except for the zany characters from the non-sports media they let in.
It’s often said, though, that the team that embraces the hoopla and handles the spectacle best will prevail on game day. While talent and preparation will be the biggest factors, there’s some truth to that statement.
My first Media Day, with San Francisco in 1994, was uneventful. I sat in my assigned spot while the stars manned their podiums, and I don’t think one person came up and talked to me the whole hour.
Contrast that with the scene four years later, when our Broncos team was defending champs and favored to beat Atlanta. That was the year Shannon Sharpe and the Falcons’ Ray Buchanan got into a good-natured war of words that started with Buchanan wearing a dog collar to Media Day to play up their underdog status. I’ll just say this: You don’t get into a war of words with Shannon Sharpe and win. Trust me. Bad move.
The year before, when we were 13-point underdogs to Green Bay our challenge was to bite our tongues and follow Coach Shanahan’s orders to keep a low profile, when we were very confident we would win.
Even Shannon followed the script. We unleashed our pent-up energy on game day and let our play do the talking, and the rest is history.
Which team do you think will best handle the hype this year, Pittsburgh or Green Bay?
