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In the name of fair-and-balancedness, I appreciate it.
I'll defer to you on Antwon Burton, since I just don't consider him important enough to go back and forth on. But Warren's tackle stats took a 33% jump from 2005 to 2006. Good for him to officially get in on more business than before, but the difference wasn't really that notable either way. And yes, give him credit for playing through major foot problems to achieve those numbers. Lord knows I just about cry when I cramp in the pool.
Bates loves the guys that he drafts, I'll give him credit for that. If he says Marcus will start for a long time, I'll guarantee you it'll happen and it'll happen under Bates. But it's not going to happen now. This season is clearly too valuable to the Broncos and they're going to slowly work Thomas in. Same with Moss, although I've read Bates' words on Crowder and yeah, I think you've got an insta-starter there.
I can't settle in with Lang making this team, though. All signs point to Bates slowly washing the DL clean of former Browns. I can't see more than four DEs making this team (or five, if you want to count McKinley as a hybrid, which I wouldn't). Obviously Crowder and Moss are in the mix, and Ekuban's simply got more left in his tank than Lang does. Those are the big three that will remain, and if there is a fourth thrown in the mix, I bet it'll be Dumervil in a Kendrell Bell-type role where he steps in on selective obvious passing plays. I think Lang's gone.
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