Gil Brandt Predicts Chiefs to Win AFCWest

[cdumler7]

Oh and just to add to that 3-game stretch that is where Manning got hurt. He had a Jacksonville player go low and hit him right at the knee. Essentially Manning ended up with a high ankle sprain where he had to almost wear a cast during the games to be able to play. As his ankle healed his numbers went back up. it is why I would say injury plays a lot more of a concern than that of Manning's arm wearing out.

 

[gb2]

I thought Brandt died?.........oh well.
Chiefs will back up this year.
Last years schedule was soft, this years will be harder.

 

[RP-29]

Manning's arm wearing out.

To be clear, I don't think it's Manning's arm that is as much of a concern as the blows and wear he takes throughout the grind of the season. I think he has lost a little something on his arm, but I think he could still play pretty well into his 50's if he never got hit.

To this day, Brett Favre still claims he can make all the throws he used to be able to make at age 30 (minus a couple yards on the deep balls), but his body just doesn't have the youthful bounce-back it once had to get up from a hit - the physical side of the game. It wears on you harder the older you get and I see that wear take its toll on Manning as seasons progress.

Credit to the Broncos organization for acknowledging the toll football has taken on Manning physically and cutting his reps down for preservation. Maybe this year he will finish stronger because of it.

 

[cdumler7]

To be clear, I don't think it's Manning's arm that is as much of a concern as the blows and wear he takes throughout the grind of the season. I think he has lost a little something on his arm, but I think he could still play pretty well into his 50's if he never got hit.

To this day, Brett Favre still claims he can make all the throws he used to be able to make at age 30 (minus a couple yards on the deep balls), but his body just doesn't have the youthful bounce-back it once had to get up from a hit - the physical side of the game. It wears on you harder the older you get and I see that wear take its toll on Manning as seasons progress.

Credit to the Broncos organization for acknowledging the toll football has taken on Manning physically and cutting his reps down for preservation. Maybe this year he will finish stronger because of it.

Oh I understand that side of it. Manning has said essentially that all of his power comes from his legs anymore. AS the legs go so does his season. The last two years he has suffered a high ankle sprain and then this past year a torn quad and with that we saw the dip in his play. The problem has been the coaches during that time still decided to play Manning for the most part to his full work load never giving the injury time to heal. I think with the new regime we are seeing a very different approach to all of that making sure Manning come playoff time is who he is at the beginning of the season. Heck I could see if he does suffer even a small leg injury the team deciding to sit him a week as I do think Kubiak trusts Brock Osweiler to lead this team and maybe even find a way to win knowing they should have a good running game and a defense that can stop anybody in the league. So it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see Osweiler start a game even if Manning is say 90%. Manning won't be happy about it but I think he will understand it is for the best for the entire team.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I've heard good things about Peters in practice. There is a difference though of going up against the Chiefs receivers with Smith throwing them the ball compared to the Broncos receivers with Manning throwing the ball. I think Manning will have a few tricks up his sleeve to really test that rookie early. I'm guessing there will be some double moves off the playaction to see if the kid will bite.

Manning is great about being sharp out of the gate...and KC will be fired up at home. Peters can expect a heavy dose of targets to his side. I was hoping he'd be the Steelers pick...glad to see he's adjusting to pro ball...wish the kid well.

People talk about tough schedules, and it's a factor...Idk about other fans but I like the tough schedule...hell I ain't playing...this will be a good test for the Steelers to see where they really stack up.

I'm looking forward to this year.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

It is true you can make numbers say what you want. I just think the whole his game falls off a cliff to close out seasons thing is overblown by the media. Does he have some drop off sure I have no problem admitting that. There could be a thousand reasons why that happens. I mean he does play in Denver so cold weather becomes a major concern at the end of the year. All QB's play worse in bad weather. Some of those games that he played bad in were bad weather games such as 2012 the playoff game was one of the coldest days in Denver in a long time. There was also huge winds that day so again any QB is going to have some drop off in that type of game.

Anyway at this point all we can do is sit back and watch what happens. I will say though as I said above this regime has done a lot more to preserve Manning than what we had the last few years. Manning is getting days off and will get days off during the season as well to rest up. Even during practice though Manning is getting less reps at passing. They said that in past training camps the play calls were something like 70% passing to 30% rushing. Now it is about 50-50 in practice. So again limiting his reps to help save his arm.

I would also point to there is probably no other HC in the league more qualified to know how to handle a HOF QB at the end of their career. Kubiak worked with Steve Young during his last MVP/Super Bowl run before he retired and of course with Elway in the final few years of his career. He knows what these guys need to be playing their best at the end.

PM is at the end of his career...idt there's any shame in losing something off your fastball in perfect 75 degree day much less Dec or Jan when you have played the lionshare of your career indoors.

It is what it is, PM doesn't have an Aaron Rodgers arm...imo DEN needs to be more balanced when the games really matter, we saw Fox make a concerted effort to do that LY. Also, Manning is going to have to play better for Broncos to get another shot at a ring.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Marcus Peters can be a year in year out pro bowler.....

If he uses his head.

 

[cdumler7]

Manning is great about being sharp out of the gate...and KC will be fired up at home. Peters can expect a heavy dose of targets to his side. I was hoping he'd be the Steelers pick...glad to see he's adjusting to pro ball...wish the kid well.

People talk about tough schedules, and it's a factor...Idk about other fans but I like the tough schedule...hell I ain't playing...this will be a good test for the Steelers to see where they really stack up.

I'm looking forward to this year.

The thing about looking at the schedule right now is it is impossible to say which games will be hard and which ones won't be. When Manning joined the Broncos in 2012 the Broncos were supposed to have the 2nd toughest schedule in the entire league. By seasons end it was viewed as one of the easiest. Heck the Chiefs were supposed to dominate that year then ended up getting the 1st overall pick in the draft. It is why these type of predictions are just that and fun to talk about but in the end we see a lot of them end up being a joke by the end of the year.

Now I am like you in I do like for my team to go into the playoffs tested. I think part of the struggle in 2012 is all of our toughest games were at the beginning of the year when the team was 2-3. We then went on an 11-game winning streak where no game was closer than 7 points. I think the lack of close tough games really hurt when the team actually found themselves having to fight with a good team.

 

[cdumler7]

PM is at the end of his career...idt there's any shame in losing something off your fastball in perfect 75 degree day much less Dec or Jan when you have played the lionshare of your career indoors.

It is what it is, PM doesn't have an Aaron Rodgers arm...imo DEN needs to be more balanced when the games really matter, we saw Fox make a concerted effort to do that LY. Also, Manning is going to have to play better for Broncos to get another shot at a ring.

Manning never has had the Rodgers arm. His whole game is based around what he does with his mind. The issue especially last year is when his body couldn't do what his mind was seeing. His leg injury made it where his body just was not listening. You are right Manning will have to play better and I think he will with the leg injury healed up. We shall see if he can make it through a whole season without that type of injury. The team is definitely working to help him with that and a good run game is always a QB's best friend. Going to be an interesting year to be a Bronco fan as I could see this season going so many different ways.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

The thing about looking at the schedule right now is it is impossible to say which games will be hard and which ones won't be. When Manning joined the Broncos in 2012 the Broncos were supposed to have the 2nd toughest schedule in the entire league. By seasons end it was viewed as one of the easiest. Heck the Chiefs were supposed to dominate that year then ended up getting the 1st overall pick in the draft. It is why these type of predictions are just that and fun to talk about but in the end we see a lot of them end up being a joke by the end of the year.

Now I am like you in I do like for my team to go into the playoffs tested. I think part of the struggle in 2012 is all of our toughest games were at the beginning of the year when the team was 2-3. We then went on an 11-game winning streak where no game was closer than 7 points. I think the lack of close tough games really hurt when the team actually found themselves having to fight with a good team.

Exactly, but you do have a better idea of your team's true strength and weaknesses...especially DEF...when you're facing a playoff caliber team.

 

[cdumler7]

Exactly, but you do have a better idea of your team's true strength and weaknesses...especially DEF...when you're facing a playoff caliber team.

Right but again just hard to know who those teams are until later in the season. A great example is the Broncos going from 2nd worst record in football to playoff team the next year and ever since then. The Chiefs went from worst to playoff team in a year as well not too long ago. Indy worst to first in their division. Although that one was a little easier to see happening.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Manning never has had the Rodgers arm. His whole game is based around what he does with his mind. The issue especially last year is when his body couldn't do what his mind was seeing. His leg injury made it where his body just was not listening. You are right Manning will have to play better and I think he will with the leg injury healed up. We shall see if he can make it through a whole season without that type of injury. The team is definitely working to help him with that and a good run game is always a QB's best friend. Going to be an interesting year to be a Bronco fan as I could see this season going so many different ways.

No, he hasn't, when you think about most of his career, indoors, controlled environment in 9 games a year...one in JAX and maybe Nashville is a 50 deg day...it was never really much of a factor...he's always been an anticipation QB with a solid arm.

Yeah I get you on the leg LY...that was more injury related. Is the rookie going to start @ LT for DEN?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Right but again just hard to know who those teams are until later in the season. A great example is the Broncos going from 2nd worst record in football to playoff team the next year and ever since then. The Chiefs went from worst to playoff team in a year as well not too long ago. Indy worst to first in their division. Although that one was a little easier to see happening.

True, you don't know how the outcomes are going to on a year to year basis...ATL, NO and CAR at one time all looked like playoff teams and record wise a couple of yrs later 7 or 8 wins took the DIV...and teams playing the NFCS were beating up on so called bottom feeders.

But from a fan perspective (at least me)...when you face DEN, NE, GB, BAL...there's an anticipation there that's not quite the same when you play CLE or OAK.

 

[SpringStein]

No, he hasn't, when you think about most of his career, indoors, controlled environment in 9 games a year...one in JAX and maybe Nashville is a 50 deg day...it was never really much of a factor...he's always been an anticipation QB with a solid arm.

Yeah I get you on the leg LY...that was more injury related. Is the rookie going to start @ LT for DEN?

Yes, no doubt Ty Sam is going to start at LT. I'm guessing he gets TE help more than most Denver LTs recently. A huge hit to lose Clady for the year which made both LT and RT weaker, assuming Ty Sam would have started at RT.

 

[cdumler7]

True, you don't know how the outcomes are going to on a year to year basis...ATL, NO and CAR at one time all looked like playoff teams and record wise a couple of yrs later 7 or 8 wins took the DIV...and teams playing the NFCS were beating up on so called bottom feeders.

But from a fan perspective (at least me)...when you face DEN, NE, GB, BAL...there's an anticipation there that's not quite the same when you play CLE or OAK.

Good point there are those teams that year in year out are usually in it or at least in the running for the playoffs up until the final weeks of the season.

As for our LT looks like it will be our rookie Sambrailo. In fact it is looking like from LT to Center will all be guys who will be making their first snaps in the NFL week 1. So that could be worrisome for some but I do feel better about it knowing Kubiak is leading this team. Last year Baltimore for part of the year if I remember right started an UDFA Rookie and he did just fine at the position. Kubiak has a great system to help out the OL as one guy making a mistake doesn't destroy the play as they are usually tag blocking then working to the 2nd level with the ZBS that Kubiak uses. Sambrailo had an up and down first preseason game. He had a false start and a couple of blown assignments. As the game went on he did settle down and looked like he could do pretty well. I would guess the team will go bigger sets to open the season to help protect some of these young guys a bit more and more important protect Manning as they learn the game.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Good point there are those teams that year in year out are usually in it or at least in the running for the playoffs up until the final weeks of the season.

As for our LT looks like it will be our rookie Sambrailo. In fact it is looking like from LT to Center will all be guys who will be making their first snaps in the NFL week 1. So that could be worrisome for some but I do feel better about it knowing Kubiak is leading this team. Last year Baltimore for part of the year if I remember right started an UDFA Rookie and he did just fine at the position. Kubiak has a great system to help out the OL as one guy making a mistake doesn't destroy the play as they are usually tag blocking then working to the 2nd level with the ZBS that Kubiak uses. Sambrailo had an up and down first preseason game. He had a false start and a couple of blown assignments. As the game went on he did settle down and looked like he could do pretty well. I would guess the team will go bigger sets to open the season to help protect some of these young guys a bit more and more important protect Manning as they learn the game.

Sambrailo...that's him...wow...3 new OL. Manning has a way of making OL look better than maybe what they really are...Ben on the other hand stresses the OL to the max with his extend the mentality.

That will be something to pay attention to seriously though...I've always said it takes 4 to 5 games with a new starting 5 to really be in sync.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Yes, no doubt Ty Sam is going to start at LT. I'm guessing he gets TE help more than most Denver LTs recently. A huge hit to lose Clady for the year which made both LT and RT weaker, assuming Ty Sam would have started at RT.

Identical situation happened in ATL LY...6th overall...Matthews is taken and pretty much gifted the RT spot from the day one...Sam Baker (LT) goes down in the 3rd or 4th game...they moved Matthews over to LT and insert OT3 @ RT...they both struggled...but by the end of the year Matthews had improved a great deal and has taken over LT permanently.

 

[cdumler7]

Sambrailo...that's him...wow...3 new OL. Manning has a way of making OL look better than maybe what they really are...Ben on the other hand stresses the OL to the max with his extend the mentality.

That will be something to pay attention to seriously though...I've always said it takes 4 to 5 games with a new starting 5 to really be in sync.

Yeah we will have actually 4 new starters on the OL with 2 of them having experience. Right now unless something drastically changes it will be Sambrailo (rookie), Garcia (rookie), Paradis (2nd year guy but was on the practice squad last year), Vasquez (the one guy who started for us last year), and Harris (started quite a few games but new this year to the team or old I guess depending what you think since we did draft him a long time ago). It definitely will take some time which is why I do think Kubiak will be a little more conservative to start the season trying to run the football and go with the big packages. Ease the new guys in instead of making them have to sink or swim day 1.

Pretty much everything the Broncos are doing right now is trying to build for December on in this season and have next year figured out pretty much with some young guys getting some major playing time. It definitely could be a bit rough early on but if they can survive those first say 5 games I think this team could get rolling and really kick it into high gear when it matters most.

 

[cdumler7]

Identical situation happened in ATL LY...6th overall...Matthews is taken and pretty much gifted the RT spot from the day one...Sam Baker (LT) goes down in the 3rd or 4th game...they moved Matthews over to LT and insert OT3 @ RT...they both struggled...but by the end of the year Matthews had improved a great deal and has taken over LT permanently.

That is the nice thing about Clady getting injured when he did. At least don't have to try and switch midweek to a brand new player at such a huge position especially with a rookie. He has had all off season to get ready to play LT. He has definitely had his struggles but I keep hearing more good than bad lately about how much he has improved.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

That is the nice thing about Clady getting injured when he did. At least don't have to try and switch midweek to a brand new player at such a huge position especially with a rookie. He has had all off season to get ready to play LT. He has definitely had his struggles but I keep hearing more good than bad lately about how much he has improved.

Timing...Ty Sam gets the benefit of several snaps at LT before the bullets go live...the speed won't be a shock to him...Matthews played some LT at A&M, but he said it was "different" after spending all OTAs, camp, preseason and the 1st game or 3 all at RT.

As mentioned earlier...they will actually get help from Manning too...he knows they're young and learning.