madlithuanian

Good to know! Thanks for the PS3 insight!

Cracking a cold one is always good therapy! I follow... I just hit reply on purpose wanting to show what it is I'm responding to. I do respond on top of the quote, which I htink makes it somewhat easier to read. I hope I don't drive you to drink! But, then again, is that so bad?

True enough. THis is a solid OL draft it would appear. I guess I have as much confidence upgrading the OL next year as anyone would figure upgrading an RB. I just think Mendenhall is special. I'm not convinced any of the OL are other than Long (gone by our pick). You may be right about finding a LT being harder than a RB. However, finding a true start ar RB is very tough. I think Mendenhall could be that. Obviously, I could be wrong...and Williams or whoever could be the next Munoz. I do tend to a gree that a great OL will make the running game better. But the opposite also holds true. I guess it's really just down to personal preference and philosophy. I realize a lot is won and lost in the trenches... ...and I feel that RB is virtually a trench position. I think Turner is an unfair comparision to the OL signings. Faneca was a bonafide stud pro bowler. Turner was a 2nd string running back. Also many other OL were starters...it does make a difference. Turner is still pretty much unproven as an every down back.

Actually pent returns... But I'm on PS@...I'm waiting until I move in the next few months to upgrade systems to PS3. Probably with the roll out of the next Madden. For me, it just seems like the defenders are right on me once Hester catches the ball. Once in a blue moon, I can juke and then go off to the races, but usually I'm just angled out of bounds.

Yeah, but this year the porsche is priced really well (14)...we can get better tires next year!

Good examples... I was struggling to think os some.

You mean also before his 2 season ending injuries? Sorry, I just don't think he can be relied upon.

I have tried that, and once in a blue mopon get free. I must not be timing it right. But it seems like the D is just on him and can't get any space before he catches the ball. What formation do you call?

Please expound on item 1. I admit, I'm an internet/message board moron. I have no idea what you're talking about... I'm happy to oblige, if I knew what you were talking about. I normally just click on reply (only when I truly want to reply to specifics in a post...) and then type in front of the reply. I do so on this site, because when you do that, your first sentence comes out as the only things that resembles a subject line. Otherwise, I'd be relpying below.

agreed

I'm more than OK with us drafting a top OL! I just don't want us to reach for one. If all the top tier OL's are gone, and Mendenhall is there...I want him taken. And I still think he's worth considering even if some of the top OL's are there. A bad or suspect OL does not make a Benson. Benson had a pretty darn good OL for a season or so...and he still had poor training habits a questionable heart, fumbling issues, injury issues, etc... There's no gurantee that your desired OL won't = Benson as well... I do agree that some situations can dictate a players' worth. I also think many rise above...and those are they guys that are worthy.

I really disagree. A good back is a good back. He makes everyone better. He gives the QB some blocking and pressure release. He can make an OK line better, and he can help WR's by having D's focus on him. Now, I'm not saying Mendenhall is a guarantee that he's all that. I'm just saying, a good RB does that. I figure no matter what we do, we won't really see the fruits of that until next season when we hopefully have a true QB under center and more holes filled. I still think we will obtain some OL in FA when cuts happen. I think it'll help us this season. I also think having Clark in there, and another year under Olsen will help ,atters as well with blocking. I really don't think it'll be jailbreak 24-7 agasint the line. ...and even if we draft OL, how long until does it get good? There is no sense waiting...strike while the iron is hot. Anyone worth his mettle will handle a disappointing season. Heck, Walter didn't really get heated up intil late into his first season. It's how this kid handles that duirng and after. If he's still doing the smart things, trying hard, and still not getting anywhere...then we all know the line's at fault. And it will be addressed. If we go his direction and select him, it's not just for this season, it's more many seasons to come. If he's so weak a character that a little adversity turns him into Benson jr, then he's just another bust. He has no greater or less chance of being so than any other guy at any other position I feel. The OL won't be fixed regardless...I don't think that we should wait until Christmas when the back we need is ready to be had. And don't get me wrong, if we take Williams, I'm good with it. I just don't want us lowering our standards to take OL when the best position available is there. I don't want to reach. We have too many holes. Takes the BPA that we need. And we have a lot! RB, QB, WR, OL, S....I just don't want to see DT, DE, LB, TE, FB or CB taken in the first! ...but as you well know by know, I have a soft spot in my heart for Mendenhall. So, I'd like him most barring the unusual.

Agreed. However, I'll be personally disappointed if we don't take Mendenhall at that slot. I htink he will be a premier back in the league...and I think we'll regret not pulling the trigger on him if available.

Maybe I'm using the wrong formation... I use the standard one....up the middle return. It seems their men are on my guy inches away and I can only get a few yards only when going at an angle that is almost side to side...

Anyone know how to get decent return yards? I use Hester obviously, but I can't seem to do better than 10 yard per attempt. I've got kickoff's down, but the kick returns have me stumped...

I think that would only add to the confusion. I say the fewer forums the better.

If Mendenhall's on the board, I hope and pray we take him. He's no more guarantee than any other back, but we desperately need a running game. With the last of FA's (Ward) now re-signed with the Giants, there's nothing left but to draft a RB. I also like Hart and would be more than OK with him. But I just like Mendenhall more. I ive in LA, and all the USC guys here that I know can't say enough good things about him and what he did in the Rose Bowl agasint a semi-pro D. I disagree that Benson is "the man". Maybe by default. But he cannot be relied upong for anything but being injured.

In a nutshell, I am worried. I really don't think things are in place to amount to much this upcoming season. I just don't think our offense will be good enough no matter what we end up doing in the draft. There wasn't much to be had in FA other than Faneca... I kind of look at this upcoming season as a setpping stone to the next. We line the ducks up this season, and shoot 'em down next.

Count me in the group... Anything that could be Bears should in in the Bears...

I agree with you. Payne has promise. But hopefully the draft will yeild another good prospect.

This old dog can't learn new tricks... Madden started me off, and Madden it will be. I've heard good things about the game though...

I hear ya...I put Booker on the moment he became a FA...

I'm in need of some tips! All Madden is tough for me. I win most my games, but they are nail biters...

I need to know how to do that! What's your secret!?

I hear you there. I've done all 3... Usually this time of the year, I tend to do option 2...thinking I can muster up a bette team in FA than what we've got. I'll do option 3 when our team is really bad in order to make me feel better. There's nothing quite like creating Walter on O and Burkus on D...it's fantasty in the truist sense.