Optimistic for the future

[Davis83]

I won't get into the coaching crap - I'm optimistic for the "players".

I'm not ready to declare Jimmy as the saviour, I'm not ready to declare a 12-4 season - BUT:

I was actually interested for the entire game - that in itself is an improvement from the first 3 games. We had a chance to win right to the final seconds of the game.

Play calling still sucks at times, players are still blowing coverages or blocks, but I saw some improvement and I saw a "young team" grow a little bit.

The feeling I got yesterday was that this team is just at the cusp of coming together. Somebody just needs to step up and take over the leadership of the offense - it should be Jimmy, but he's a young rookie and it was only his 2nd game... its not HIS team yet.

Being named starter does not mean you own the team - he has to earn the respect of the veterans and I'm not so sure they are "all in" yet. No picks, no fumbles in the game will only help with that.

The game pace is obviously a lot faster than what he's used to - at times he seems to be over analyzing the defense and then has to rush the snap because the play clock is winding down - time will heal these things for him. Some of his throws dive into the ground, seems like when he gets really excited he drives the nose down. Something to work on, but better than over throw - tip - INT.

Now why am I optimistic? I look at 2 other teams in the NFL that have young teams - RAMS and LIONS.

Rams have suddenly become a threat to win and they have a rookie qb! Sometimes all it takes is a little success to get a team over the hump and then the players begin to believe and then they are on the way.

Lions have played a couple of good teams right down to the wire and let it slip away at the end. They have lost their young qb to injury - but still right on the edge. Beware when they finally pull one out - again success can be a powerful incentive.

Yesterday I saw a Panthers team that seems to be having trouble getting over the hump - I'm optimistic - might not happen this year (I hope it does), but right now we have a young QB that is growing with alot of young players around him - if/when it happens, they could be together for along time and success is a powerful medicine.

now hand over the pie!

flame away - but I remain hopeful

[Panthers128]

I got the gist of contagist.