2004 vs. 2005

[gortiz]

What jumps out at you guys when looking at this years squad vs. last years? Besides the emphasis on the long ball, I think our WR's look so much more active, and energized. I think D. Dockery is looking much better. I'm also impressed on how we improved with time management, as far as getting the plays in. Also, at least with the first two games, we have gotten decent returns on turnovers, something we didn't much last year ...

[scrapdog]

Originally Posted by gortiz

What jumps out at you guys when looking at this years squad vs. last years? Besides the emphasis on the long ball, I think our WR's look so much more active, and energized. I think D. Dockery is looking much better. I'm also impressed on how we improved with time management, as far as getting the plays in. Also, at least with the first two games, we have gotten decent returns on turnovers, something we didn't much last year ...

I never bank a season on a team's ability with special teams play and takeaways...even though if you have good squads, the more help with the D and O the better.

How's the Skin's O-line and running attacking looking of the upcoming season?

[gortiz]

Originally Posted by scrapdog

How's the Skin's O-line and running attacking looking of the upcoming season?

O-line has only given up a couple of sacks, I don't think they have had one false start. Jansen and Rabach have really stepped up, so has Dockery. Portis has seen limited time, but our #2 Betts has been very solid - so all in all, not bad on both fronts...

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by scrapdog

I never bank a season on a team's ability with special teams play and takeaways...even though if you have good squads, the more help with the D and O the better.

How's the Skin's O-line and running attacking looking of the upcoming season?

Our offensive line is healthy - compared to last year, when we started nine different linemen (and had already lost RT Jansen in the preseason). I'm pretty sure the starters haven't given up any sacks this preseason, and the team has only given up 3 sacks in 84 attempts.

Hard to say about the rushing - we haven't focused on it in preseason. I like a healthy Portis more than just about any back in the NFL, so hopefully we'll have him ready to go.

[scrapdog]

cool, thx for the feedback.

I just hope that the Skin's can snag more than one win away vs their dual season matchups against the Cowboys and Eagles....two of my most hated teams in the league...

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by gortiz

What jumps out at you guys when looking at this years squad vs. last years? Besides the emphasis on the long ball, I think our WR's look so much more active, and energized. I think D. Dockery is looking much better. I'm also impressed on how we improved with time management, as far as getting the plays in. Also, at least with the first two games, we have gotten decent returns on turnovers, something we didn't much last year ...

The biggest thing I've noticed is the speed of our offense, including, as you mention, time management. We seem more energized offensively, and I think that the O is going to step up and take responsibility for the outcome of games. Not just rely on the defense

[That Guy]

cool, you don't iggles or the roids... welcome!

I'd love to nail both for sweeps, of course.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by gortiz

Portis has seen limited time

limited time as in one rush for 4 yards in the whole preseason. he didn't play vs. cinci because of a sore elbow, but after reading an article on skins.com it says he should get quite a bit of playing time vs. pitt and baltimore. our backups have performed well, but some long shots to make the squad have fumbled a bit, that fumble from nemo suprised me given that he's supposed to be a bruising runner. our starting o-line has performed well, practically no penalties, only a sack or two i believe. our first team defense is doing great, but our second and third team defense aren't up to par yet. our passing game has looked great at times, i believe we have shown that we can have a great deep passing game, but the interceptions from p.r. have really hurt us. our special teams has looked good, we blocked a kick already, and our return game is solid.

[dblanch66]

Dockery has looked great so far. Buges has really worked his magic with Dock and the rest of the team thinks he can be the best lineman on the field. Rabach is such an understated signing but has already shown what an athletic center can bring to the line. Jansen is the heart of the team and Randy Thomas is the right amount of crazy. Samuels has quietly had a solid camp and has been protecting the QB's blindside beautifully. Of course the running game has been relatively vanilla due to the emphasis on passing, but Portis sure does look happy this year for some reason. Let's hope it pays off with improved 3rd down percentage and a better yards per carry average overall.

[BossHog]

Just the fact we're going to open up the offense.

[BigSKINBauer]

our o-line will have a big test this friday, but then again Rucker, buckner, peppers and jenkins got served the first game.

I think o-line is gonna take us far, with 2 players starting that didn't last year we will be much better. We have HUGE potential and i expect to live up to that potential this year

[12thMan]

I think Dockery's improvement alone, will help not just the O-line but the offense as a whole. The penalties and false starts were momentum and drive killes last year. It will be easier to sustain drives and get into a groove. More than the anything else the offense will be able to dictate to the defense a little better this year, which wasn't the case last year.

Also, I feel lot more confident in our ability to punch-it-in in a goal line situation. I think we should also keep our eyes on #71, we could be very quitely developing a solid DE.