ravidubey
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With all the attention focused on the signing of Terrell Owens and accompanying predictions of his supposedly pre-programmed meltdown due at next year's offseason, what about the other meltdown we're supposed to be experiencing-- namely Drew Bledsoe's?
Just like TO's future is supposed to be an exact carbon copy of his time in Philadelphia, isn't Drew Bledsoe about to disappoint us in a major way starting his second season-- just like he did in Buffalo? It's supposed to be exactly the same, right?
I mean, football is simple and easy to predict, right? The media says it's always the same as the previous year.
I mean Bledsoe started great in Buffalo in 2002, leveled off, and could not get it going again in 2003 and 2004. The Bills made Bledsoe the scapegoat and basically told the media he'd have a meltdown in Dallas.
2005 results: Bledsoe started great for Dallas in 2005 and then leveled off, despite late season rallies vs the Broncos and Chiefs, Bledsoe and the passing game faded fast down the stretch.
I think the similarities are superficial and end there, but it's too neat a package for the media (and spiteful Bills fans) not to predict the demise of first Bledsoe (and now Owens).
Looking deeper, Bledsoe's offensive line was truly offensive in Buffalo and never seriously upgraded during his stay there. Mike Williams was a major bust and the line featured not a single pro bowl candidate. Opposing teams broke down the Bills' offensive schemes over 2002 and the Bills did not or could not compensate. Worse, in 2003 Buffalo let the short range outlet TE Riemersma and complementary deep threat Peerless Price leave town and replaced them with a utility TE and Josh Reed, another 1st round bust.
In Dallas, Bledsoe's supporting cast declined from about the 5th game on with Adams and Crayton's injuries, Pettiti prematurely inserted at RT, Witten called back in to block, and Dan Campbell and Larry Allen wearing down at times over the year. Bledsoe had lost his protection and nearly half of his best receiving targets.
The net results were superficially similar to the leveling in Buffalo, but the causes were different.
Now, unlike the 2003 Bills, Dallas has made moves to keep Bledsoe armed and hopefully dangerous in 2006. Owens, Fabini, and Kosier have been added to replace the departing Allen, Campbell, and Keyshawn Johnson. The OL has become younger and more talented at the OT position and the WR corps has added a player who can change the game with a single play while drawing true double coverage.
Looking deeper, Gurode and Pettiti now provide quality depth instead of being called on to start, allowing Jason Witten to enter more pass patterns and return to elite status. Dallas will thus maintain its short, intermediate, and deep receiving threats and allow Bledsoe the widest range of options to counter defensive adjustments. Whoever the blocking TE will be, it will likely be someone healthy, unlike the Dan Campbell of 2004-2005.
I don't think the Cowboys are done yet, and expect them to further support one or more of the OL, TE, or WR position in the draft, and so I boldy predict there will be no meltdown to keep Bills fans warm this winter :laugh2: .
Just like TO's future is supposed to be an exact carbon copy of his time in Philadelphia, isn't Drew Bledsoe about to disappoint us in a major way starting his second season-- just like he did in Buffalo? It's supposed to be exactly the same, right?
I mean, football is simple and easy to predict, right? The media says it's always the same as the previous year. I mean Bledsoe started great in Buffalo in 2002, leveled off, and could not get it going again in 2003 and 2004. The Bills made Bledsoe the scapegoat and basically told the media he'd have a meltdown in Dallas.
2005 results: Bledsoe started great for Dallas in 2005 and then leveled off, despite late season rallies vs the Broncos and Chiefs, Bledsoe and the passing game faded fast down the stretch.
I think the similarities are superficial and end there, but it's too neat a package for the media (and spiteful Bills fans) not to predict the demise of first Bledsoe (and now Owens).
Looking deeper, Bledsoe's offensive line was truly offensive in Buffalo and never seriously upgraded during his stay there. Mike Williams was a major bust and the line featured not a single pro bowl candidate. Opposing teams broke down the Bills' offensive schemes over 2002 and the Bills did not or could not compensate. Worse, in 2003 Buffalo let the short range outlet TE Riemersma and complementary deep threat Peerless Price leave town and replaced them with a utility TE and Josh Reed, another 1st round bust.
In Dallas, Bledsoe's supporting cast declined from about the 5th game on with Adams and Crayton's injuries, Pettiti prematurely inserted at RT, Witten called back in to block, and Dan Campbell and Larry Allen wearing down at times over the year. Bledsoe had lost his protection and nearly half of his best receiving targets.
The net results were superficially similar to the leveling in Buffalo, but the causes were different.
Now, unlike the 2003 Bills, Dallas has made moves to keep Bledsoe armed and hopefully dangerous in 2006. Owens, Fabini, and Kosier have been added to replace the departing Allen, Campbell, and Keyshawn Johnson. The OL has become younger and more talented at the OT position and the WR corps has added a player who can change the game with a single play while drawing true double coverage.
Looking deeper, Gurode and Pettiti now provide quality depth instead of being called on to start, allowing Jason Witten to enter more pass patterns and return to elite status. Dallas will thus maintain its short, intermediate, and deep receiving threats and allow Bledsoe the widest range of options to counter defensive adjustments. Whoever the blocking TE will be, it will likely be someone healthy, unlike the Dan Campbell of 2004-2005.
I don't think the Cowboys are done yet, and expect them to further support one or more of the OL, TE, or WR position in the draft, and so I boldy predict there will be no meltdown to keep Bills fans warm this winter :laugh2: .
