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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
        
(Message started by: StegRock on Aug 13^th, 2004, 5:16pm)

Title: Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
Post by StegRock on Aug 13^th, 2004, 5:16pm

...It's A Sequel!

Leading up to the season, we are going to do these occasional "Don't Believe The Hype... It's A Sequel!" threads. Basically, these threads will be for conducting debates, stating cases for or AGAINST (the wave of opinion) and perhaps ultimately just taking polls on players who heretofore have not lived up to expectations, BUT for "some" reason are being hyped going into '04. Along the lines of this functioning as simply a poll of sorts, please do remember, especially if you explain away your position, to submit a "BOTTOM LINE" vote literally in the last line of your message.

Moving right along,...

This one is dedicated to Ashley Lelie, "proverbial" third-year wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. There are many who believe that he will take over the role of #1 go-to guy from Rod Smith this year. Ain't happenin'! [smiley=nono.gif] He is already hurting (back) and missing practice time. Early word had Darius Watts potentially competing with him. I don't think that will be the case, though. When it all comes out in the wash, Lelie will be the #2. That said, the Broncos did take a long, hard look at Tim Brown when he became available. All in all, I don't think it bodes well for Lelie. Smith is finally once again healthy (he hasn't really been over the last two seasons) and will be the guy much more so than Lelie who Jake Plummer relies on in the way that he relied on Shannon Sharpe. You'll hear talk about how good Lelie looks in practice, but the litany of players down through the years we've heard that about is unending. Practice is practice, game time is game time and Lelie has yet to really show up at game time! And, I don't think the Broncos offense is situated for him to do so this year and a potential lingering back injury doesn't help the matter. He may still be the Broncos go-to receiver of the future, but that future is not to be for another year or two.

My "bottom line" vote on Ashley Lelie for '04 - [smiley=thumbsdown.gif] !!!

Some further, albeit a bit redundant, relevant info on this can be found on the following page:

http://www.ffpro.com/teamreports/broncos/broncos-footballinfoframes.htm.

Next "batter" [smiley=waitinforu.gif] up...

Title: Re: Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
Post by StegRock on Aug 24^th, 2004, 12:48am

Bump...

Title: Re: Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
Post by BarnabyWilde on Aug 24^th, 2004, 1:52am

I for one agree with you Steg. I have never been impressed with Lelie; he's fragile and that back injury will bother him all season long. I am a big time Rod Smith fan, so I hope he does have a big year ( I have him in the QFL )

Title: Re: Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
Post by Philly on Aug 24^th, 2004, 11:04am

I have to admit I was a big believer in Ashley Lelie prior to the preseason. He had everything going for him. Jake Plummer had a full year in Denver. Sharpe had retired and said Lelie was going to be the next big thing. Rod Smith and Shanahan had both put pressure on Lelie to be the next big thing. Lelie had an excellent off-season and came into camp with more size.

I also think Rod Smith is on the decline. So, everything was lining up for him. I do believe he has the ability to be a solid WR in the NFL. Maybe not a superstar...

Anyway, now that he is injured, I have to admit that my love for him is fading quickly. I keep reading that Watts is challenging for the #2 WR spot behind Smith right now. I thought Lelie could have pulled the #1 ahead of Smith.

So, I am not believing the hype, but merely because of the injury.

Title: Re: Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
Post by captainpurple on Aug 25^th, 2004, 2:30pm

I actually had a guy offering me Lelie for Stallworth. I turned him down. Though both are injury prone, Stallworth has shown more ability to show up for big plays. I am, by no means, a consistent Broncos watcher; however, it seems to me most of the plays Lelie makes are wide open catches. I don't recall a lot of coverage catches or over-the-middle-taking-a-shot-hi-my-name-is-batman plays. I know he's been young, but I need to see an ability to get some catches with someone on his back before I believe the hype.

GO VIKES!

Title: Re: Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
Post by Philly on Sep 13^th, 2004, 1:20pm

It's only one game, but Lelie was the Bronco's leading pass receiver (yardage) against KC... not Rod Smith, not the wunderkind Darius Watts.

Title: Re: Don't Believe The HYPE... Ashley Lelie
Post by KillerKingSting on Sep 14^th, 2004, 9:55am

I like Ash and I kept him on my rosterage come keeper-cut time.
But I also agree w/ Cap. Purple's assessment in that, he needs to make those tough catches w/ defenders on his back.