Greg Haefner's Letting Loose

[Walter]

http://walterfootball.com/greglettingloose.php

10 guys who will benefit/could benefit from a change of scenery in 2008.

[NoNonsenseCoach]

Jeremy Shockey isn't going anywhere. How is Jason Taylor supposed to revive his game? He's the only person for Miami playing defense and he'll only decline with age no matter where he goes.

I disagree with Alexander, I think he's just flat out done, but that's just me.

Johnson Hall and Allen all were at the top of their game. Allen lead the league in sacks, how is a change in scenery supposed to "revive" their game?

[McNulty]

Love the Vilma call though. this guy had the look of a potential Superstar in his frosh and soph seasons and immediately became one of the elite 'backers in the NFL, but the arrival "Mangenius" and 3-4 turned him into merely mediocre. We talk so much about who's the best D in the NFL, but the additions of Ellis and Vilma amongst others could make the Saints one of the most improved units in the NFL.

[Walter]

Here's what I think about Alexander:

He's one of the softest backs in the league. In the words of Emmitt (he actually said this), "He falls down before he get hits."

With that in mind, I can't see such a soft player being a short-yardage back.

[PuppyPuncher]

I don't get the name of the title. It sounds like your writing about farts.

Way to give a shout out to Fabian Washington.
I don't see Shaun Rogers at all. Here is a guy destined to crap out around the 8th game.
I don't think you should be allowed to include Shockey and Taylor. Especially since it's unlikely that either gets moved.

[Blazedestin]

My only beef with it is that the list seems too obvious.

But I agree with Walt about Alexander. He's not much of a blocker and he never really was a physical runner. He's a 1st-2nd down back, and that's about all.

[NoNonsenseCoach]

My only beef with it is that the list seems too obvious.

But I agree with Walt about Alexander. He's not much of a blocker and he never really was a physical runner. He's a 1st-2nd down back, and that's about all.

I was thinking that but couldn't put it into the right words.

[MMONTERO]

My only beef with it is that the list seems too obvious.

But I agree with Walt about Alexander. He's not much of a blocker and he never really was a physical runner. He's a 1st-2nd down back, and that's about all.

I've always felt he was overrated. In their Super Bowl run, he benefited from an amazing left side of the line with Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson. They ran much more to that side and Alexander thrived. When Hutchinson left, I said he was going to decline and sure enough, he did.

[Matt McGuire]

It may be obvious, but it's correct.

[Blazedestin]

Yeah, but there's no point in reading things that are already known.

[NoNonsenseCoach]

How is Jeremy Shockey correct? He isn't even going anywhere. Looks like Jason Taylor isn't either.

[Greg_Haefner]

NoNonsenseCoach:

None of your arguments make sense.

Yeah Shockey and Taylor aren't going anywhere, but that doesn't change the fact that they were brought up in trade rumors and would benefit from going somewhere else. Taylor's game will decline no matter what? Really? What happens if you actually put him next to someone like John Henderson in Jacksonville who also commands a double team? There's a difference between facing an entire offensive line by yourself and playing on a real defense. And this list isn't just about guys who WILL be better in new locations, but also guys who COULD be better in new locations. I stated that at the beginning of the article.

And your arguments for Allen, Johnson, and Hall are completely irrelevant. That's why they're on the HONORABLE MENTION list. I thought that was pretty obvious.

As for Blazedestin:

You make a good point, but not everyone would agree about these guys being better in new locations (i.e. Puppy Puncher doubting Shaun Rogers), which is why I write about who I think will/would thrive.

[Luke #28]

a) Shaun Alexander is done.
b) I cant see Shockey improving elsewhere, he was Eli's go to guy at the Giants and would probably receive as many if not less receptions elsewhere.
c) Not a big fan of Julius Jones, so I cant see him really having a big year.