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KPKahder-Hates the Cable Co. won the Throwdown.

Danbash

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Christmas Tourney - Top 5 NFL 2007 Offensive Rookies

KPKahder-Hates the Cable Co. said 12/24, 08:43 AM
RB - Adrian Peterson
QB - Trent Edwards
WR - Calvin Johnson
TE- Greg Olsen
OT - Tony Ugoh

Pick your lineup and we can argue differences.

Danbash said 12/24, 09:19 AM
In order:

RB- Adrian Peterson
QB- Trent Edwards
WR- Dwayne Bowe
TE- Greg Olsen
OT- Joe Thomas

KPKahder-Hates the Cable Co. said 12/24, 10:03 AM
OK, so we will argue WR and OT
WR
I was tempted to go with Anthony Gonzalez for this slot but went with Johnson.
Comparing stats between Bowe and Johnson - Bowe has 69 receptions for 982 yards
He averages 14.2 per catch and has 5 TD's.
Johnson has 44 receptions for 702 yards. Averages 16 per catch and has 4 TD's. I would argue
that IF Johnson had 69 receptions he would have over 1000 yards. Johnson also has 54 rushing yards on
4 attempts and a rushing TD. He has far and away exceeded all expectations in his rookie year.

OT
I will admit that he has been stellar for the Browns. Thomas was a 1st round pick. Third overall. He came into the NFL with high expectations. He got a huge money contract and probably deserves it. But Andersons stats don't come near Mannings and offense rankings in the passing department far and away go to the Colts and Ugoh is a big reason for it. It couldnt have been easy to replace Tarik Glenn and given that he was picked 42nd - He has shown that he is a more valuable rookie than Thomas (imo). I concede that Peyton has been sacked more times than Anderson but I think teams blitz more on the Colts than they do on the Browns.

Danbash said 12/24, 10:13 AM
At widout, Bowe has the statistical advantage across the board. IF Johnson had that many catches, he would have better numbers, but the fact is, he doesn't. Johnson has NOT exceeded all expectations for his rookie year becasue he was given very lofty expectations from the media and his own team.

The OT position is a little tougher. Ugoh stepped in valiantly for the retired Tarik Glenn and played great for Indy, but Joe Thomas has been far more valuable. He has prevented a lot less sacks (that's pretty important) and what proof do you have that Indy gets blitzed more? If anything, I would say Cleveland gets blitzed more because Anderson is obviously more easily-rattled than Manning. Part of the reason Anderson's stats are nowhere near Manning's is because Anderson is nowhere near the QB Manning is.

KPKahder-Hates the Cable Co. said 12/24, 10:45 AM
OK, you're kidding right? Im trying to find stats for the blitzing. The only way for teams to beat teams like the Patriots or the Colts is to constantly blitz them or put pressure on them. Teams don't need to blitz Anderson for him to throw bad passes or make mistakes. You said it yourself, Anderson is nowhere near the QB that Manning is. A good part of what a QB IS, relies on how good his front line is. Manning has 9 throws for 40+ while Anderson has 5. This alone shows you the time Manning has to look around, pick a receiver and throw it downfield.

Lets look at the receivers that each team has. Detroit has McDonald , Furrey and WIlliams in addition to Johnson. Kitna clearly has no favorites. He spreads the passes around. Besides Bowe, KC has Gonzalez.. a TE. Thats it. Obviously the number of passes Bowe gets tossed to him will be significantly more than Johnson. Again, thats because KC HAS no other receivers. At least none worth mentioning.

Danbash said 12/24, 02:26 PM
The title of this throwdown is Top 5 NFL offensive rookies. Being good is usually defined by their talent and their statistical success. The Colts were going to be good even if Ugoh wasn't a factor. When Thomas came to Cleveland, he truly solidified the O-Line, leading both Derek Anderson and Jamal Lewis's resurgence.

You can't fault Bowe for being the only good wideout on his team the same way you can't fault Calvin Johnson for having a far better QB than Bowe. I'm sorry, but Brodie Croyle is nowhere near the level Jon Kitna is. Because thosee two factors cancel one another out, you have to look at their statistics. Bowe has far better statistics across the board than Johnson.

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Good picks Kahder, merry christmas

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Christmas Tourney - Top 5 NFL 2007 Offensive Rookies

Danbash beat KPKahder-Hates the Cable Co. 17 to 12

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