or how much do you think he'll improve over the years?
If he's reached his ceiling the TE position is in serious trouble.
No.
We could've had Witten.
Hey, the Cowboys have Witten AND Price....you should go root for them. Think about it.
Ooooh! I like Zanshin's idea.
lj needs to stop trying to use his speed to outrun people and learn how to do things such as find the spot in a zone to sit down in...hes too ridged right now...te is not like wr where you need to run the perfect route...sometimes its just about getting open
i hope his ceiling is high tho as hes my fantasy te...hes on shaky ground right now tho...eric johnson is a free agent waiting to get healthy and steal his job
Witten proved Sunday he's going to be a favorite target of Bledsoe.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 13, 2005, 04:01:15 PM
Ooooh! I like Zanshin's idea.
He can't because TO is GOD. If his name was Peerless is GOD, he'd have no problem making the transition.
I hope not. He played injured much of last year and obviously we are only 1 week into this season. Im not giving up on him yet.
Well someone's gonna have to be a downfield threat to compliment TO. I nominate LJ. :yay
He was hurt all last year and this is technially his first season as a starter and NOT hurt. Give him a chance.
I think yes.
I'm not going to stress too much about LJ yet. He still has loads of potential. Until I see a good game by the offense to contrast with the crap fest that was last night's exhibition it's hard to say how good (or bad) anything's going to be this year. There's too much emphasis on week 1 in the NFL (side topic I know) and it gets more out of hand every year. I still remember the media riding Spurriers jock after barely beating the Cards, was it, a couple of years ago.
Anyway, I think LJ still has room to grow, but I wonder how big of a role he currently has on the team.
I'll tell you what I don't like about LJ:
missed blocks
stupid penalties
dropped passes
He's been guilty of more than his fair share of all three. I'll gladly admit I'm wrong if he blows up, but I'm starting to think he's no great shakes.
Quote from: Diomedes on September 13, 2005, 04:18:21 PM
I'll tell you what I don't like about LJ:
missed blocks
stupid penalties
dropped passes
He's been guilty of more than his fair share of all three. I'll gladly admit I'm wrong if he blows up, but I'm starting to think he's no great shakes.
I agree with his shortcomings that you listed. But I don't think he's reached his ceiling.
He needs to remove his head from his ass and make plays. The stupid motion penalties piss me off though.
The missed blocks bother me the most. Does the team now have to draft pass catching tight ends along with blocking tight ends (to go along with the snapping tight end)? Penalties can be worked out. Dropped passes... sometimes they're bad throws, but he does drop too many catchable balls at times, but then again Chad dropped passes that slapped him right in the mits too.
That reminds me, what the farg was going on with the illegal formation penalties last night (I'm sure its been discussed in the game thread but I'm no sifting through 37 pages to find an explaination)? Can someone summarize what the farging deal with that was?
LJ had a great block (2 actually) on Westbrook's TD run.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 13, 2005, 04:26:21 PM
That reminds me, what the farg was going on with the illegal formation penalties last night (I'm sure its been discussed in the game thread but I'm no sifting through 37 pages to find an explaination)? Can someone summarize what the farging deal with that was?
Reggie Brown was not on the LOS.
Even though it was on #86, they call the OT on the play because he is the end man on the LOS. The only way an OL can be the end man on the LOS is if he is an eligible receiver and reports it to the ref prior to the play.
But Tra did have one of his patented lining too far up off the LOS penalties though.
If I could've bludgeoned an Eagle with a yellow flag last night - I would have.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 13, 2005, 04:26:21 PM
That reminds me, what the farg was going on with the illegal formation penalties last night (I'm sure its been discussed in the game thread but I'm no sifting through 37 pages to find an explaination)? Can someone summarize what the farging deal with that was?
Hard to say for certain without knowing what the plays were, but I think a lot were on Reggie Brown not being up on the line.
It was infuriating. THREE illegal formation penalties?! It was like watching the taterskins.
Quote from: Zanshin on September 13, 2005, 04:00:36 PM
Hey, the Cowboys have Witten AND Price....you should go root for them. Think about it.
I didn't say I want Witten, I'm just pointing out that we could've had him.
Quote from: Avenger on September 13, 2005, 04:33:12 PMI didn't say I want Witten, I'm just pointing out that we could've had him.
How helpful.
Hey, I'm here to help. :yay
Liar.
lj has a permanent brain cramp...good athlete but dumb......dumb.......dumb.
Quote from: mhunt on September 13, 2005, 04:41:22 PM
lj has a permanent brain cramp...good athlete but dumb......dumb.......dumb.
what do you expect from a Rutgets grad?
Quote from: Sun_Mo on September 13, 2005, 04:42:20 PM
what do you expect from a Rutgets grad?
Smacky will sue you for that.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 13, 2005, 04:29:19 PM
It was infuriating. THREE illegal formation penalties?! It was like watching the taterskins.
There were at least four possibly five. I lost count.
I thought a few of them were illegal motion/false starts. Whatever, I could barely stand by the time kickoff rolled around so I'm not claiming to remember anything better than anyone.
LJ...hmmmm
It seems everytime he gets the ball, he gets hammered. I don't know if its just me. But guys half his size lay him out alot. For a player his size he should be running dudes over. Never does. Nor does he ever get YAC. Wheres the YAC at LJ? Its a big year for LJ, way to short to say hes hit the ceiling. Like PG said, he was hurt all last year, this is actually his first year as a starter and he's healthy. I just hope he can learn to adjust to McNabb and his 5 yard rockets. It makes me cringe when I see McNabb fire the ball that hard on a short yardage throw. >:(
got your answer now.
keep em coming LJ. :yay
Team Smith says "Bow down, bitches."
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
In spite of my sponsorship, Team Smith agrees with this assessment. But you still need to bow down.
you just want me to bow over so you can touch my "haha" spot.
i need an adult.
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
LJ is already in the HOF after this past game.
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
A Pop Warner team with perhaps the best cover OLB in the league. Peterson's known for shutting opposing TE's down the same way Emmons did for us a few years back.
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
No it doesn't, but a game like he had yesterday is a real big step in the right direction.
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
you might be able to take Sean Salisburys job with insight like that.
Quote from: MURP on September 20, 2005, 09:22:50 AM
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
you might be able to take Sean Salisburys job with insight like that.
Anyone with a mouth half the size of his head could take that bozo's job.
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
If he wouldn't have performed he would be getting bashed for playing zesty against a zesty team. Thats a lose/lose situation...like beating up someone who is handicapped.
Quote from: NGM on September 20, 2005, 11:38:19 AM
If he wouldn't have performed he would be getting bashed for playing zesty against a zesty team. Thats a lose/lose situation...like beating up someone who is handicapped.
I'm having trouble seeing how anyone loses in that situation.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 20, 2005, 11:41:41 AM
Quote from: NGM on September 20, 2005, 11:38:19 AM
If he wouldn't have performed he would be getting bashed for playing zesty against a zesty team. Thats a lose/lose situation...like beating up someone who is handicapped.
I'm having trouble seeing how anyone loses in that situation.
you could cut your hand on their teeth?
Remember, this is the guy that beat a man with his prosthetic arm.
Quote from: SD_Eagle on September 19, 2005, 06:56:04 PM
Quote from: L-ong-B-each-I-ggle on September 19, 2005, 03:49:17 PM
1 good game against a pop warner team doesn't mean he has arrived.
A Pop Warner team with perhaps the best cover OLB in the league. Peterson's known for shutting opposing TE's down the same way Emmons did for us a few years back.
I wonder if the 49ers were using Peterson to cover Westbrook. He's the only LB they have who has the athleticism to match up with him.
Nevertheless, this game was a big step for LJ. Now if he could put up those 100 yard games on a regular basis.... :drool
According to 9erfan Peterson is now used as a pass rusher more than he is a cover LB. Since the game wasn't even close I didn't really pay attention to him.
I noticed Peterson was lazily covering Westbrook on the 2-yd TD pass...luckily he took his frustrations out on that fat cameraman.
i think team LJ needs to explain why he stole Larry Johnson's "LJ" fist to elbow thingy during introductions on Sunday
Team Smith needs to explain nothing. All you need to do is recognize the skills. Little John tears through JV teams like nobody's business.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 20, 2005, 01:46:35 PM
Team Smith needs to explain nothing. All you need to do is recognize the skills. Little John tears through JV teams like nobody's business.
well that may be so, but he needs to come up with his own clever introduction thing
He's dumb as a post, why else would someone like me have to speak on his behalf. I'm surprised he even saw the possible corrolation between Larry Johnson's celebration and his first name.
He is pretty thick, isn't he?
Quote from: rjs246 on September 20, 2005, 01:54:13 PM
He's dumb as a post, why else would someone like me have to speak on his behalf. I'm surprised he even saw the possible corrolation between Larry Johnson's celebration and his first name.
fair point sir
Someone's angling for an extension... ;D
Player rankings (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/playerrankings/regularseason/TE)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-eagles-smith&prov=ap&type=lgns
Good article on why LJ was able to do what he did. Andy ate the new SF coach alive!!
Quote
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- L.J. Smith is going to make defenses think twice about double-teaming Terrell Owens.
The third-year tight end had his best game for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, catching nine passes for 119 yards and one touchdown in a 42-3 rout over the San Francisco 49ers.
Owens also had outstanding game with five receptions for 143 yards and two TDs -- all in the first 19 minutes. Greg Lewis caught four passes for 39 yards and one score.
``They were rolling to T.O. and they were manning up and doubling up on the backside with Greg,'' Eagles coach Andy Reid said. ``That left L.J. in a one-on-one situation. He's pretty good at those situations.''
Smith spent the past two seasons learning from, and splitting time with, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Chad Lewis. After Lewis went down with an ankle injury in the NFC championship game, Smith started in the Super Bowl loss to New England. He became the full-time starter this season when Lewis remained unsigned.
He had only three catches for 29 yards in the season-opening loss to Atlanta, but Reid took the blame for not calling more plays for Smith.
``We are better when we spread the ball around,'' Reid said. ``We are more effective as an offense when we do that and I didn't do a good enough job during that first game mixing it up.''
Smith was involved right from the start against the 49ers. He had a 4-yard catch on the first play from scrimmage, and finished the first quarter with six catches for 78 yards. Only once before did Smith have six catches in an entire game. That came against Atlanta in his rookie season when he had six catches for 97 yards.
``We did a lot of film work. It works,'' Smith said. ``Once you know what they are going to do out of certain defensive formations, they have only so many options, so if they play zone, I know they are going to do only one or two things. I knew what to expect.''
Owens, the All-Pro wideout in his second season with the Eagles, is quarterback Donovan McNabb's main target. But McNabb has always favored throwing to his tight end. Lewis led the team in receptions (69) in 2000, and had 83 catches over the next two seasons.
Smith isn't the first option on most passing plays, but realizes there's a good chance he's getting the ball every time because defenses focus on stopping Owens.
``Tight end is such a vital part of this offense that I never feel like I'm just running out there so someone else can get open,'' Smith said. ``There are so many times that I'm the second and third read, but a lot of times, Terrell is double-covered, so I'm right there. I always feel like I'm running out there with a purpose. If I'm not running, I'm blocking. Being the tight end, I have a lot of responsibilities.''
Smith was Philadelphia's second-round selection from Rutgers in the 2002 NFL draft. He had 122 receptions for 1,458 yards and 10 TDs in four seasons at the school while playing against teams like Miami, Boston College, Syracuse and West Virginia.
``L.J. has done well,'' McNabb said. ``Being in the situation now where he is the starter, we're able to do a lot of different things now to get him in position versus linebackers or versus safeties. We feel good about that competition. He's been able to get separation. It's not going to happen like that every week, but we just take full advantage of it when it does.''