When Camp Started I Thought...But Now...

I understand that you're not trying to compare the players in quality or total value, but I think this argument would be better invoked on a guy like Adrian Peterson. AD is a major limiting factor on the quality of his team's passing game, but despite that, OH MY GOD LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE GETS THE BALL.

It's because Mason isn't going to start for us (unless you think of him as a future starter) that he has to do the small things well to have value. If he's being kept as the 3rd RB, he's probably only going to find his way into the game situationally, in which case, he's a liability if he can't do simple blitz pickups.

So while it's true that a running back's primary job is to carry the football, the only time Mason is a primary running back is during the preseason. You know, before the cuts.

Now, if you want to keep him on the roster and invest in him for future value and try to improve his pass blocking over time, that's a completely different perspective. Players like Mason take a lot of coach hours to turn into that kind of player, but I think the guy has the potential to be an elite runner. He's no older now than Willie Parker was in 2005, so that's probably his upside.

Of course, Willie Parker is one of the weakest players who is still a Steelers regular, so you have to keep everything in perspective. If the fruits of your labor is to develop Mason into the starting RB in 2011, and by 2013, he's a liability that we need to spend a draft pick on to replace (either partially or completely) is it really worth it?


..............................................Yes.

Well GTripp, here's the deal. When Mason wakes up in the moring he pisses excellense, he's just a big harry winning machine. You know....if you aint first your last. ;)

When camp started I thought we'd all be seeing Mike Williams stunning the rest of the NFL. But now, not so much.

Although some of these might still happen:
When Camp Started I Thought...

We were finally gonna see more of Fred Davis and these mythical double TE passing sets.

I thought that Trent Shelton would win the 5/6 WR spot.

I thought the offense would have more multiple formations with more 4/5 WR sets.

I thuoght that Landry was gonna look ready to emerge

I thought that Kareem Moore was gonna make a name for himself

I thought that Randy Thomas was done (i'm glad i was wrong)

I'm with you on these two points -- I'd love to see Campbell in the shotgun with 5 wides airing it out here and there.

Kareem Moore has been trying to take some heads off this preseason, I'd say he's safely in the backup role. Never heard of Trent Shelton.

When camp started I was a Devin Thomas hater...

Now, I think he could rise up and be a playmaker.

In fact, I'm very encouraged by Thomas, Kelly, and Mitchell and the passing game from a theoretical standpoint. I'm seeing things I was calling for late last year, like the bunch formation and Cooley running deeper routes. Pre-season, of course, but even so.

I am willing to eat crowe on Vinny's receivers if they can produce. It will taste like twinkies if we are winning.

On that first drive against the Steelers we saw a lot of Davis and Cooley together, with Cooley moving all over the place. But I think ultimately the ball was given to CP in those situations.

Damn dude chill, I said that half jokingly. I didn't really mean that he was pissed. I do believe however that he is going to snub the guy because he doesn't play teams. Yes, there is fact in Danny's statements, but the "why" was not explained. He made it seem that it is because of pass protection or whatever, but he did not actually come out and say it. Danny could just be biased against the guy for not playing teams. Even I don't know that for sure. Sure he hasn't played a snap in the regular season, but he has taken snaps in preseason. He has film out there that suggests that he can be good for something.

Honestly. I think Danny Smith is a little touchy because Rock is his ST captain and he is acting like a bi-otch because he might be leaving. Also who gives a damn what Danny Smith says. He is not a spectacular ST coach. he actually is horrible. He needs ot be cut. All these people saying this crap about Mason not having speed? Huh. I advise you go to Youtube or look at some of the game film. Him not being a change of pace back. I think he has the same skill sets as a younger Portis. May not be a change of pace. But he runs better than Betts and Rock. IF special teams was playing lights out. I would be all for keeping Rock. But if he is the captain of ST. What does that say. CUT!!

OK I am a big man and I can admit when I am wrong about something.

First, Chase Daniel is a better QB than Colt Brennan and if he makes the team it is well deserved.

Second, I was not a huge fan of Malcolm Kelly, but he has progressed nicely this preseason. If he ends up being the number 2, more power to him. I don't care who makes the plays anymore, as long as the plays get made.

Finally, I noticed that Marcus Mason was playing on special teams tonight on KO returns, so maybe I was wrong about him playing teams, but I think that he still makes the team based on running ability.

One final thought, wouldn't it be some shit if Colt gets placed on IR and they had to do it all over again next preseason?

Honestly. I think Danny Smith is a little touchy because Rock is his ST captain and he is acting like a bi-otch because he might be leaving. Also who gives a damn what Danny Smith says. He is not a spectacular ST coach. he actually is horrible. He needs ot be cut. All these people saying this crap about Mason not having speed? Huh. I advise you go to Youtube or look at some of the game film. Him not being a change of pace back. I think he has the same skill sets as a younger Portis. May not be a change of pace. But he runs better than Betts and Rock. IF special teams was playing lights out. I would be all for keeping Rock. But if he is the captain of ST. What does that say. CUT!!

No offense dude, but a lot of your comments come off as just hating on or liking a player wayyy too much. I honestly don't have much of an opinion on Danny Smith, but he is the ST coach and a lot of these 3rd stringers' main contribution to the team will be through special teams play. So I would say his opinion is pretty important.

I honestly feel that Alridge, Mason, and Dorsey are pretty interchangeable when it comes to keeping them or getting rid of them. If we are lucky, we won't see any of them starting, because if any of them are starting (or hell, even Rock) we are in big trouble.

When camp started I thought Marko Mitchell would be a pretty decent reciever and I wondered why he lasted until the 7th round but now I think he's going to eventually become our number 1 (not this year mind you).

Proof:

I'm actually liking the pick. Big relatively fast guy that most importantly was actually productive. On top of that NO DURABILITY ISSUES. This is Colt's #1 reciever for the preseason.

For some reason I think there's a bit of sarcasm in that comment. I'm ready for the Colt and Marko show!!

None at all. I'm completely serious. He will be this preseason Maurice Mann except this time he will make the team.

Little did I know it would end up the Marko and whoever's throwing me the damn ball show.

When camp started I thought Orakpo would be a reach at Linebacker now I think we need to find more ways to make sure he's on the field though I still feel he needs to be starting at End in 2010.

When camp started I thought Brennan would wipe the floor with Collins and at least create enough doubt to get considered for an outside chance at the starting job. Now I think I've had to much Pineapple.

When camp started I thought JC was all but done but now I think he's going to have a 90+ rating when 2009 is said and done.

When camp started I thought I was gay but now I'm straight. What?

When camp started I thought the O-Line was going to struggle again with pass protection but now I think they're going to be more then fine when it comes to protecting the QB. Funny how that and the JC prediction coincide.

I thought I'd be worried about our pass protection but I'd feel good about our run game. Now, I'm not too sure that we'll be able to run the ball efficiently, at least early in the season.