[The Goat]

Great thread in general and I see the wisdom of GM's words: just a couple comments.

Originally Posted by GMScud

For me, success from these guy will be measured in both tangibles and intangibles.

Jason Campbell
-Tangible: 3500+ yds, 20+ TDs, 10 or less INTs, a rating in the high 80s or better. How about a few hundred rushing yards? We saw late in the season how valuable an asset his legs can be.
-Intangible: As someone mentioned earlier, I'd like to see him step up and become THE leader of the team. I don't need him to be all rah-rah, but maybe a few late game rallies and a total command of the offense would be great. How will he turn the trade speculation into fuel for performance?

I think the only legit criticisms of JC are his tendency to lock on a receiver when he's short on time...given time he scans the field pretty well. Well the WCO requires quick timing much of the time so he needs to scan faster and decide quicker on maybe half(?) the pass plays we run. That said...Jason is not the worry IMO if the o-line steps up and our WRs do their jobs

Originally Posted by GMScud

Devin Thomas
-Tangible: In the neighborhood of 30 catches, and 3-5 TDs. Also, I'd like to see signs of him becoming a deep threat. He's got the speed for sure. Unless he or Kelly overtake ARE for the #2, it's hard to expect more than 30 catches with two WRs and a TE in front of him as Campbell's go-to guys.
-Intangible: Work ethic and playbook knowledge. He needs to work as hard or harder than anyone on our offense to show he cares and belongs. Maturity, Devin. Let's see it.

While DT needs to bone up on the playbook and his routes I also think Zorn needs to design plays to get Devin the ball early and often. DT seems like an emotional player...a guy who will have a great game when you get him rolling so Zorn needs to get him rolling early!

Originally Posted by GMScud

Malcolm Kelly
-Tangible: See Devin Thomas. The exception being, rather than him develop as a deep threat, I'd like to see him develop as a red-zone threat. Nothing would make me happier than to see him catch some jump balls or fade routes in the end-zone a la Plaxico and Fitzgerald.
-Intangible: Don't know if this falls in this category, but HEALTH. I hope the knee issues are behind him. Unfortunately I doubt it.

Kelly's progress has as much to do w/ perception as reality beyond the need for him to stay healthy. He's so tall and at least in college had great hands...so it won't take more than a few 1st down catches and TDs before teams start to key in on him, which opens things up for everyone else. I'm not looking for Kelly to be the #1 guy, but for him to punish defenses that don't treat him like one.

Originally Posted by GMScud

Big Albert
-Tangible: If Greg Blache allows him to freelance like the Titans did, I see no reason why we shouldn't get a monster season out of Haynesworth. I think Blache already said he would let him do his thing, which is a positive.
-Intangible: How will he play now that he got his gigantic payday? He's saying all the right things. Let's see if he backs it up on the field. For the record I think he will.

There can't be even the slightest sign Albert mails it in...not even in one game. Second, he needs to utterly take over a few games this year, where he punishes the QB early and therefor the o-line has to double and triple team him the rest of the game so our other guys can wreak havoc in the backfield. Carter is a smart cat...i bet anything he's working harder than ever to button down technique so as to capitalize on Al's presence. Therefor Al will be a success if he takes over a few games and AC breaks a dozen sacks on the season. Personally I won't be surprised if Carter goes nuts and has 15 or 16.

Originally Posted by GMScud

D.Hall
-Tangible: Hall is paid like a shut-down corner. He needs to perform like one. I want to see him lock down our opponents #1 WRs. His style is a great fit for Blache's scheme. He played well for us last year. Keep it up and he'll be damn good for us. And teach Carlos some ball skills, would ya?
-Intangible: Character. He was a model citizen last year for us while knowing a big day was on the line. Now that he's got his money, will he become a malcontent?

Similar to big Al, we must see Hall literally take over a few games. There ought to be gamedays w/ multiple INTs and his receiver completely shutdown.

...generally I expect our secondary to "look" better this season because of the upgrades to our d-line. I think even Smooter has a rebound here (as a nickel ).