Quote:
Originally Posted by Paintrain
Only one Smackdown, to myself.
I believed that despite the fact we had an awful QB situation, a patchwork offensive line comprised of castoffs and hope-to-be players, a WR corp comprised of exactly the same and a RB group designed the exact same way that we could have a chance at a decent offense.
I believed that our 'retooled' defense made up of much of the same, players unwanted by their teams and average players who look good on our bad team-most of whom are still misfit for our scheme would improve and I wouldn't see the same of what I've been seeing for years. Blown assignments, big plays and horrendous tackling.
I smackdown myself for falling into the trap again. I know this is a long rebuild but I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to believe when Matt Williamson said coming off of the lockout that we had the least talented roster in the NFL. I didn't want to agree with the skeptics who said our start was a mere mirage. I had visions of playoffs and even in a thread last week I concluded we would finish 8-8.
I've now smacked myself into reality that we need to keep the coaching staff in place and let them build towards competing in 2014. I've smacked myself into the reality that John Beck, Rex Grossman, Ryan Torrain, Anthony Armstrong, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Terrence Austin, Logan Paulsen, Will Montgomery, Kory Leichtenstiger, Erik Cook, Jamaal Brown, Rocky McIntosh, Kevin Barnes, Reed Doughty, DeAngelo Hall and Oshimigo Atogwe will never be starters on a playoff team as individuals and will never post a .500 record or better collectively. I've smacked myself into reality that it's going to be a long time before I enjoy Sundays in the fall again.
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I still don't think the D is as bad as people claim. Yeah we are giving up some big plays, but overall we hold teams to lower than their average. To me, that means we are NOT an average defense. I think we are a bit above average and are quite good at times. Our main weakness at D is our secondary. If you spread us out with 4/5 wide we can get burnt. But we do a good job of forcing teams to 3rd and long and we are pretty good in the RZ.
Honestly, the D has given us a fighting chance in each game. The offense is pathetic. Having no depth at Oline is really hurting us. The blame falls squarely on the FO. Olinemen get hurt all the time. We know this, but yet we get scrub WRs instead. I know that is gross oversimplification of the issue (I understand our receivers stink along with our QB) but plenty of teams are doing well with 2nd and 3rd string Olinemen.