Time on the Clock

[The Ancient Enemy]

In case any of you don't know already, I get pretty irritated when teams run the clock out before the half, and even sometimes at the end of games. Obviously it makes sense to take a knee at the end if you are up by less than 6 points, in a real game. Tonight's preseason game between Denver and Indianapolis was more than just Denver looking for revenge on the team that sent them from the post season the past 2 years. It was, like all preseason games, the only place where bubble-players can try to avoid being released. At the end of the game tonight, Denver had the ball inside the ten and were up 37-24. Even an interception or fumble returned for a touchdown would not be enough to give the Colts the win. There was little time left. Here's the problem with this. The Denver Broncos have a 4-RB competition going on where any of them can probably get that starting job. That includes former Ok State standout Tatum Bell, some Mike Anderson guy, Maurice Clarett, and former OU standout Quentin Griffin, who a year ago at this time was the starting RB before taking a serious knee injury. Most teams traditionally try to run the ball into the endzone when down that close to the goal-line. Now, remember that the bench-warmers were on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Bench-warmers who are trying to make an NFL team. Denver decided to take a knee and end the contest. Who benefits from this? The game was already over. I threw out a "BOOOOOOOOOOOO" at that one.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Here's an update. Clarett is now released from the Broncos, and I also forgot to add Ron Dayne to that depth chart. There's a guy who wo the Heisman and is trying to turn his career around.

[flybynight]

you think clarret will get picked up by anyone?

[fleaflicker]

Perhaps, but certainly not as more than an emergency back up. Clarett's story is kind of a shame, because he let his fame and talent get to his head. If he had stayed two more years at Ohio State as a running back, he likely would have went in the first round this year and been much more ready for the NFL.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Maurice Clarett just returned after an injury sidelined him for the past 2 weeks. Mike Shanahan said yesterday that Clarett had made strides but does not understand what hard work really is. Denver is not the place for him. They have 4 other running backs that can start on a professional team and they will also split time between them. That's a hell of a lot of competition, especially when those guys are all solid backs.

Like I said before on here, when people were badmouthing guys who "flopped" in the NFL. The National Football League is all about timing and placement. Is Todd Marinovich a failure if he goes to a different team? How about Ryan Leaf, who maybe only needed a coaching staff who were better suited to deal with his immaturity at that point. Not saying they would have made it, and I know you get a shot and must make the best of it. But it remains that the timing and the placement have a lot to do with young players success, whenever it's so easy to get buried on a depth chart and never see daylight, then you get released or fade away. Kyle Orton now has a chance to step up for Chicago after Grossman unfortunately got injured. I think Kyle Orton is going to be a fantastic NFL quarterback, which is hard for me to admit because I hate his guts.

Clarett was lucky to be drafted at all, and he unfortunately was thrust into a situation where he had 3 other good backs to deal with BEFORE they even brought in Dayne, which makes 4. If he gets into the right place and a coach more suited to his attitude picks him up, look for Clarett to turn into the superstar we all know he can be.

What I don't understand is this: Maurice Clarett told the Denver Broncos months ago that he was not accepting any guaranteed money from the organization. He told them he was going to earn every penny he made. Now, if that's the case, and that's his mindset, why not sign him to a few hundred thousand and ship him to Europe until he gets his act together as far as training-wise? The guy is not a bust. It is in the best interest of every team in the NFL to consider picking this kid up and either letting him earn his stripes as a third teamer or else ship him to the Rhine Fire and let him dominate that league. He has the ability to make it happen.

[Pale Rider]

Hah! If you think so highly of Ron Dayne, why don't you claim him off waivers?

[The Ancient Enemy]

I'm a step ahead of you, old man. They named Mike Anderson the starter. It's a waste of a roster spot right now to pick up a Denver guy when you know 4 dudez are gonna get carries.

[fleaflicker]

Well, Maurice Clarrett should get a shot on another team since he doesn't want any guarenteed money. Perhaps Pittsburgh will give him a shot.

[El-Moldo]

I actually know someone who selected Clarett in a fantasy draft. Probably because he came from the Big Ten.

[The Ancient Enemy]

I would have picked Chad Owens #1 if I wouldn't have forgotten about him.