And so I pose this question about Austin.

[tpaulus_2]

But my point is pretty moot, because he's pretty likely a goner because of his cap figure. Whomever he plays for next, though, is getting a guy on the verge of 1,000 career tackles- a pretty impressive career benchmark...

 

[tpaulus_2]

Does anyone else remember Tulloch taking the game-winning INT away from Witten a couple seasons ago to complete that crazy 4th quarter comeback in Dallas? He gives up like 6 or 7 inches on Witten and just went up and took it away while in great coverage 20 yards down the field.


Now there's an impact play...

 

[broncosmitty]

Smitty,

Tulloch. Just. Aint. That. Good. Bruh.

You remember when NFL players voted on a Top100 list? And Tully was ahead of Staff, and I got ripped on for bein' all, "right, cuz he's better..."

Yeah. Me neither.

Lulz

 

[lionstop1]

What you're saying is true TP but I've just never been impressed with Tully at all.

 

[tpaulus_2]

Tough crowd, lol. Like you said earlier, you're definitely an offensive-minded guy...

 

[RobBase]

In his prime playing in the wide 9 where everything was funneled to him, he was awesome. At one pint opposing TE's averaged less than a yard per catch against him or something crazy like that. But he's past 30 now, and coming off a bad injury. Levy, Whitehead and Palmer played well. Van Noy is expected be to healthy.

Combine that w needing room to free up space and I don't expect him back.

 

[RobBase]

What you're saying is true TP but I've just never been impressed with Tully at all.

He was definitely good for us. Tackling machine in the wide 9. Good cover backer too. But his best days were already behind him before that injury.

 

[broncosmitty]

Are we arguing if Tully will be back?

If Tully was good?

If Tully is good? Will be good? Might be good still? Maybe?

If he's old!?!

Or if Tully getting hurt affected what Austin had to work with? Cuz I sure as hell did not expect Whitehead to step right in and have the defense excell. If someone else did, Id like the number for the guy you get your crystal balls from.

 

[lionstop1]

Lol. Smitty.

I think we're arguing all kinds of stuffs.

 

[broncosmitty]

I expect and want him to be cut. So it's hard for me to put much effort into supporting his cause.

But the dude was damn good for us. And was a better football player for us than Levy ever will be. Tully always wrapped up and finished tackles. Always.

And that's all I have to say about thaaat.


Well, Id be fine with him being resigned on the cheap too. Now Im done.

 

[Old Lion]

Let me summarize.

Tully was good
He may no longer be good because of his injury and age
He wont be back because of his Cap#

Can we get back to the topic now?

I think Austin is just better and more season then Lombardi at this point. Lombardi gets somewhat of a pass because of the injuries and his youth. He wont be afforded those luxuries next year.

 

[tpaulus_2]

30 years old aint shit for a middle line backer. Or most positions for that matter.

Its pretty significant for RBs, but that line of thinking has incorrectly trickled into the thought process for fans (and only fans, personnel peeps know better) when they evaluate pretty much every player now, and it's a shame, because with most of the "greats" they had their best seasons between 30 and 35 years old...

 

[tpaulus_2]

Imo, the closer one plays to the ball, the less impact aging has on their careers. Speed positions like WR and DB start to lose their wheels, so that can slow them down and effect their games, but when you look at linemen, the good ones play well into their mid 30s.

RB is another story- 30 isn't some magic number where they just lose their skills, it' more of a benchmark for the pounding they've taken over the years. Career back-up RBs don't hit that 30 year old wall because they haven't taken the beating that starting backs do...

 

[TwoCents22]

Tulloch is solid. We're lucky enough that he's about the 5th or 6th most important player on our defense. But that doesn't mean he sucks.

 

[gvsulaker82]

Going into this season the talent level was through the roof offensively and not near as much defensively. Austin has gotten the max out of his players while Lombardi has went in reverse. Lions added Tate, and ebron and their offense was much worst. Offensive line was horrendous but much of the blame should fall on Lombardi.

 

[gandydancer]

I will give you he had injuries to deal with. What I hated was his play calling at times. Was it Caldwell chirping in his ear or was it him is the question? I hope those were not scripted plays starting some games.

It will be year two and I expect more from the weapons on offense. I like that they changed some of Stafford's mindset with some things. That showed in some of his play. IMO the weak OL mostly to blame for the inept offense. Pass blocking was terrible and run blocking was pedestrian at times.

Stafford had really good games when CJ was out. So i don't see that as a excuse for Lombardi.