My Reasons for Optimism

[Frizzy350]

1.  The D-line being infused with sexy.

 

2.  The depth and surprisingly opportunistic play of the secondary.

 

3.  A good start to preseason! 3-1, not bad.  We seemed to be in pretty good control of the games we won as well.  We also gave ZERO hints about the type of offense we are going to run.  Even the most conservative power running games don't run it straight up the gut like that every play.  They always mix in power formations, off tackle runs, counters, stretches, etc.  The play calling was so unrealistically stupid that it simply cannot be what we plan on running, I flat out refuse to believe it.

 

4.  Most importantly, and what I think will push all those close games from the past 2 years into wins this year, is what Gettleman stated was the biggest problem with this roster.  It wasn't DT, it wasn't WR and it wasn't the OL (although 2 of those are still very real issues), it was the bottom half of the roster.  Backups and special teams baby.  We've been damn near dead last in special teams since Smith was doing returns for us.  We miss critical kicks, we blow coverage on returns, we have dud punts at inopportune times.

 

Think about it, all those years with Hurney we always had so much optimism because our team always looked star studded and loaded with quality starters.  We were a team that always looked nice on paper, we always had well graded drafts by "experts" and it always seemed to be a team you'd want on madden.  Man though many of our backups had no business on being anywhere but on a practice field, and in turn our special teams suffered.  Now I don't expect our STs to leap out of gate and go from abysmal to best in the league, but I do expect them to be able to provide occasional  sparks and to not blow games for us.  They've impressed all pre season, and ST players don't phone it in during pre-season as they are all guys battling for spots.

[Mr. Scot]

"D-Line" and "sexy" should not be used in the same sentence :lol:

[Frizzy350]

"D-Line" and "sexy" should not be used in the same sentence :lol:

 

Someone's gotta boost their confidence.  They probably hate QBs so much because of all the attention and women they get.

[NotForMyHaters]

anyone know our TO ratio for the preseason?

[frash.exe]

Lol Josh Norman leads the league in picks

This was the guy that Ron benched last season

[RelaxImaPro]

anyone know our TO ratio for the preseason?

 

3.25 TOs per game.  That should put us at 52 TOs over a 16 game season.

 

I can dig it.

[MHS831]

 

4.  Most importantly, and what I think will push all those close games from the past 2 years into wins this year, is what Gettleman stated was the biggest problem with this roster.  It wasn't DT, it wasn't WR and it wasn't the OL (although 2 of those are still very real issues), it was the bottom half of the roster.  Backups and special teams baby.  We've been damn near dead last in special teams since Smith was doing returns for us.  We miss critical kicks, we blow coverage on returns, we have dud punts at inopportune times.

Gettlemen willl make us all realize how bad Hurney was before nextt season.   I am not sure we realize it yet.

 

[Swaggasaurus]

Lol Josh Norman leads the league in picks

This was the guy that Ron benched last season

He should have been benched last season. This is a new year though and hopefully he has made major improvement. The guy made Ramses Barden look like Randy Moss last year.

[xav8tor]

Lol Josh Norman leads the league in picks

This was the guy that Ron benched last season

 

Maybe the time to sit and watch is what lit a fire under his butt.  Say what you may about RR as an HC, but when it comes to developing a D team/players, the man is pretty darn good.

 

PS - Reason for optimism (maybe a little, maybe not):  Carolina Panthers - 2013 NFC South PRESEASON Champs!  

[Khaki Lackey]

The play calling was so unrealistically stupid that it simply cannot be what we plan on running, I flat out refuse to believe it.

Normally, I would agree, but with Shula's reputation, I'm a little concerned. 2011 was a good blueprint of what this offense is capable of.

[NotForMyHaters]

3.25 TOs per game.  That should put us at 52 TOs over a 16 game season.

 

I can dig it.

 

What about +/-?

[Khaki Lackey]

Gettlemen willl make us all realize how bad Hurney was before nextt season. I am not sure we realize it yet.

I agree. I think in a couple of years, once we're out from underneath all of the bad contracts, Gettleman will build us a dynasty. There, I said it. We have too many young aces in key positions. If we make the playoffs this and next year, that's just a bonus. An advance of what's coming up, if you will.

Gettleman waited a long time to get a GM spot and he knows this is probably his one and only shot.

[jarhead]

"D-Line" and "sexy" should not be used in the same sentence :lol:

Especially Colin Cole. man that guy has a fat ass

[frash.exe]

Maybe the time to sit and watch is what lit a fire under his butt. Say what you may about RR as an HC, but when it comes to developing a D team/players, the man is pretty darn good.

PS - Reason for optimism (maybe a little, maybe not): Carolina Panthers - 2013 NFC South PRESEASON Champs!

Well, given that logic, Ron should've deferred to someone else to call timeouts in 2011 since he doesn't know when to call one

Plus Norman didn't automatically develop ball skills out of thin air after he was benched. He's shown that prowess in college. If he didn't he probably wouldn't even be here.