Adding Star means at least .500. Don't underestimate Chico. Cam is Key

[top dawg]

Provided that Cam has turned the page from his inexperience the last couple of years, we will win at least eight games this year. Say what you want about Rivera, but since he has been here we have drafted potential bosses every first round pick that we've had. Cam and Keek have already shown the glimpses of greatness, and they are nowhere near their ceiling. I suspect that Star is going to be in that same vein. Rivera knows defense, knows how to coach up defensive stallions to bring out their best, and knows how to help develop players, period. The addition of Star in the middle will be profound for a defense that was already ranked 10th last year. His presence will throw opposing offenses into a quandary, freeing not only one or both of our rushers, but also our prized MLB. Star is going to have to be dealt with, which should make up our sneaky solid Dwan Edwards even more of a force inside. The D-line as a whole will be a brick wall with few holes, but even if the opposition is able to sneak through the holes, they have Kuechly, Beason and Davis waiting for them (not to mention solid rotation guys). I am telling you right now, if we get a starting caliber safety out of this draft (and even if we don't) the presence of Star makes everyone better. Everyone is going to be able to be a little freer, even the DBs because opposing QBs will have to be running for their lives and/or getting the ball out quicker which will cause many more mistakes---some which will be the key to winning a few games this year. I cannot express what difference this will make. If we get a hard hitting, sure tackling, instinctual, smart safety, we will get to 10 wins (provided Cam does his thing).

So all you, "Rivera sucks", lame duck proclaiming, G-man-wants-his-own-guy expressing haters you can throw that poo out the back door. We will more than likely have a winning season this year with the addition of Star alone. Now will it be enough to get into the postseason? I don't know. But I wouldn't bet against us. I wouldn't. We just got arguably the best player in the draft. At the very least we arguably got the best DT and/or player at his position, and Star Lotulelei is just what the doctor ordered for our situation. Hopkins, Austin, or Warmack would have been great, but FA pickups (not that we're done, and guys returning from injury should help out Cam a great deal. And, yeah, did I mention that we still have four more picks (including another starter that comes tonight)?

The future looks to be in good hands.

[tiger7_88]

Cam has started slow both years?

Ermmm...

[top dawg]

Cam has started slow both years?

Ermmm...

Yeah, it could be arguable depending on your perspective, but I have to look at the final results, and, no, he couldn't get it done. He was close (and still is), but he has to pull out the wins---close and otherwise, to become great in this league.

[Ruff]

a wall o' text appears!

it's super effective!

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea, I don't agree Cam had slow starts. His rookie year he came out starting with a bang and really only the defense held the team back. Last year, Chud had the slow start. Cam had a few moments (last throw vs Seattle, running for his life vs Denver, down game vs NYG) but overall it was Chud holding the team back, not Cam.

Agree with everything else though.

[carolina-chuck]

Rivera sucked the past two seasons. He has a new season to redeem himself with a better roster. Here's his chance to not "suck".

[LinvilleGorge]

He passed for what, 750 yards in his first two NFL games? I hope he can replicate that slow start this fall. His slow start last year was primarily due to Chud going full retard.

[Panther_Brotherhood]

I feel like you have to give a head coach a couple of years to develop, the same way you have to give a player a couple years to develop. I think Chico is starting to really figure everything out and get comfortable. I know people bring up Harbaugh, but he was a coach at a D1 school, Rivera hasn't been a head coach before, so hes gotta adjust. I think year 3 is the year for Chico.

[top dawg]

Cam has started slow both years?

Ermmm...

Yea, I don't agree Cam had slow starts. His rookie year he came out starting with a bang and really only the defense held the team back. Last year, Chud had the slow start. Cam had a few moments (last throw vs Seattle, running for his life vs Denver, down game vs NYG) but overall it was Chud holding the team back, not Cam.

Agree with everything else though.

I changed it to inexperience

[Who Said What?]

We have been in position to win all but maybe four games the last two years. Cam is fine, and now our defense is instantly better. I am glad Tavon did not fall to us, because I have seen enough getting the lead and the defense losing the game the last two years. Defense still wins championships.

[CPF4LIFE]

Im iffy on taking Cyprien in the second round if he is there, Star was a hell of a pick in the first round for the defense, i really want to address the offense early too. We could find a safety later on in the draft. There is not that much difference in talent of that group this year.

[Cyberjag]

I feel like you have to give a head coach a couple of years to develop, the same way you have to give a player a couple years to develop. I think Chico is starting to really figure everything out and get comfortable. I know people bring up Harbaugh, but he was a coach at a D1 school, Rivera hasn't been a head coach before, so hes gotta adjust. I think year 3 is the year for Chico.

You would think that, but if you research all the winning coaches the vast majority started winning right away, even the ones without head coaching experience.

I think Rivera is good at teaching, below average at game planning and making adjustments. And some of his crunch-time decisions have left a lot to be desired. But I think we get him a winning record this year, so I sure hope he's gotten better before we get out-coached in the playoffs.

[SauceBoss]

Really it comes down to the fact that with Dwan and Star in the middle, we can now stop the run. That was major problem the first half of last year. I still say we grab a fatty DT in the late late rounds. But either safety/cornerback in 2nd, receiver in 4th, guard in 5th.

[top dawg]

You would think that, but if you research all the winning coaches the vast majority started winning right away, even the ones without head coaching experience.

I think Rivera is good at teaching, below average at game planning and making adjustments. And some of his crunch-time decisions have left a lot to be desired. But I think we get him a winning record this year, so I sure hope he's gotten better before we get out-coached in the playoffs.

There are more than a few great coaches who didn't start out with a bang---Belichick and Johnson,er chief among them. Even guys like Cowher and Parcells didn't exactly light the world on fire, and they both had stints of down years where they were rebuilding. Rivera may have needed an extra year to make the transition. This year will tell the story.