JC et al still under the radar...

[djnemo65]

I don't see anyway we don't improve significantly on our defense last year (we really have nowhere to go but up, unless we end up DEAD last), and with our qb working hard and learning the system, I'm looking forward to surprising some people.

Seriously, the closer we get　ｔｏ preseason, the more confident I am feeling. Something about this team just feels right this year.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

I don't see anyway we don't improve significantly on our defense last year (we really have nowhere to go but up, unless we end up DEAD last), and with our qb working hard and learning the system, I'm looking forward to surprising some people.

Seriously, the closer we get　ｔｏ preseason, the more confident I am feeling. Something about this team just feels right this year.

Yup I'm feeling same thing but still no high hopes

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

I don't see anyway we don't improve significantly on our defense last year (we really have nowhere to go but up, unless we end up DEAD last), and with our qb working hard and learning the system, I'm looking forward to surprising some people.

Seriously, the closer we get　ｔｏ preseason, the more confident I am feeling. Something about this team just feels right this year.

You know how many times every year folks have said that in recent memory just to be very disappointed by mid season since the beginning of the Turner era to the present? It is nice to get excited every season I guess, but I for one have counted my chickens before they have hatched many times since the Frerotte years, only to be bummed out even before the midway point of the season. With exception to the addition of Fletcher and Landry, this essentially is the same team as last year. In the preseason publications that I have seen, most of them have us placing 3rd in the division and have us most likely finishing from 7-9 to 9-7. It is one thing to buy into these preseason publications, but they have been pretty accurate about the Skins in recent memory. We as Skins fans alway look at it through rose colored glasses, so any objectivity is lost. I know I am sounding like a real downer, but I think folks should not get their hopes up too high before we see the final product put on the field. If e verything goes according to plan, we should have a nice run, if even half the questions conerning this team are answered in the negative, then we are in for another frustrating year.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

You know how many times every year folks have said that in recent memory just to be very disappointed by mid season since the beginning of the Turner era to the present? It is nice to get excited every season I guess, but I for one have counted my chickens before they have hatched many times since the Frerotte years, only to be bummed out even before the midway point of the season. With exception to the addition of Fletcher and Landry, this essentially is the same team as last year. In the preseason publications that I have seen, most of them have us placing 3rd in the division and have us most likely finishing from 7-9 to 9-7. It is one thing to buy into these preseason publications, but they have been pretty accurate about the Skins in recent memory. We as Skins fans alway look at it through rose colored glasses, so any objectivity is lost. I know I am sounding like a real downer, but I think folks should not get their hopes up too high before we see the final product put on the field. If e verything goes according to plan, we should have a nice run, if even half the questions conerning this team are answered in the negative, then we are in for another frustrating year.

Don't forget about Smoot, Macklin & Butler competing for pt at cb, plus Stoutmire & a healthy Prioleau. Golston & Montgomery will be a year better as will Rocky, who knows how good they'll really be, but we could have at least 3 new starters on D - Fletcher, Landry, & Rocky, plus Golston & Montgomery might crack the lineup.

On O, we only lost Dock, but we re-signed a lot of guys. I appreciate your point about the offseason optimisim, but one thing I really like about this offseason is that we re-signed vet guys & didn't have to cut anybody significant to bring in the guys we did,i.e. this is the most continuity we've seen in a long while. Plus, 2nd year under Al Saunders' O & we know who the starters are w/the exception of LG.

How were we picked to finish in 05? I don't remember anyone having us in the playoffs. This offseason reminds me a bit of 05.

[mike340]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Don't forget about Smoot, Macklin & Butler competing for pt at cb, plus Stoutmire & a healthy Prioleau. Golston & Montgomery will be a year better as will Rocky, who knows how good they'll really be, but we could have at least 3 new starters on D - Fletcher, Landry, & Rocky, plus Golston & Montgomery might crack the lineup.
...

...and a healthy Springs!

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

You know how many times every year folks have said that in recent memory just to be very disappointed by mid season since the beginning of the Turner era to the present? It is nice to get excited every season I guess, but I for one have counted my chickens before they have hatched many times since the Frerotte years, only to be bummed out even before the midway point of the season. With exception to the addition of Fletcher and Landry, this essentially is the same team as last year. In the preseason publications that I have seen, most of them have us placing 3rd in the division and have us most likely finishing from 7-9 to 9-7. It is one thing to buy into these preseason publications, but they have been pretty accurate about the Skins in recent memory. We as Skins fans alway look at it through rose colored glasses, so any objectivity is lost. I know I am sounding like a real downer, but I think folks should not get their hopes up too high before we see the final product put on the field. If e verything goes according to plan, we should have a nice run, if even half the questions conerning this team are answered in the negative, then we are in for another frustrating year.

Okay, first I am acutely aware of the disappointments surrounding this team in the past. This is not my first year as a Skins fan. However, it is my measured cautious opinion that we will be formidable this year - and I'm telling anyone who will listen. I don't understand fans who go into the season with a bad attitude. If you are a Pittsburgh Pirates fan that's one thing, but this is the NFL, and one or two teams come out of nowhere every year. Isn't it more fun to have some faith in the guys you dedicate so much time to following?

We as Skins fans look at it through Rose colored glasses, like fans of every other NFL team. Is this a problem? That's part of the fun. I respect that more than pussy footing around making a prediction, and then either hopping on the bandwagon if we are good, or saying I told you so if we aren't. I think you need to man up and take a position GF. You are getting kind of wobbly in this post. "If everything goes according to plan, we should have a nice run...." Way to take a stand my man. Yeah, I think so.

You say preseason pubs have been pretty accurate about us in the recent past....um, were you living on Mars for the 2005 season? Sports Illustrated picked us to go 4-12 I think. And last year most had us in the playoffs. Go figure.

Anyway, sorry for the pissy tone but I just get ticked when people patronize me for being optimistic about the team, like I don't follow them closely when they have been maybe the singly most important constant in my life since I was about 6 years old.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

Okay, first I am acutely aware of the disappointments surrounding this team in the past. This is not my first year as a Skins fan. However, it is my measured cautious opinion that we will be formidable this year - and I'm telling anyone who will listen. I don't understand fans who go into the season with a bad attitude. If you are a Pittsburgh Pirates fan that's one thing, but this is the NFL, and one or two teams come out of nowhere every year. Isn't it more fun to have some faith in the guys you dedicate so much time to following?

We as Skins fans look at it through Rose colored glasses, like fans of every other NFL team. Is this a problem? That's part of the fun. I respect that more than pussy footing around making a prediction, and then either hopping on the bandwagon if we are good, or saying I told you so if we aren't. I think you need to man up and take a position GF. You are getting kind of wobbly in this post. "If everything goes according to plan, we should have a nice run...." Way to take a stand my man. Yeah, I think so.

You say preseason pubs have been pretty accurate about us in the recent past....um, were you living on Mars for the 2005 season? Sports Illustrated picked us to go 4-12 I think. And last year most had us in the playoffs. Go figure.

Anyway, sorry for the pissy tone but I just get ticked when people patronize me for being optimistic about the team, like I don't follow them closely when they have been maybe the singly most important constant in my life since I was about 6 years old.

Nice, well said. I'm starting to feel really good about the Skins this season, and it's hard to separate that from the season itself & being ready for football.

The frustration w/our team is understandable, but as objective as I can be, I see the Skins being competitive. Further, I see the difference in those close games being JC, I really believe he will begin to shine.