What we cannot see yet

[StarBoyz83]

September 13, will not be a real test. Adversity comes against better competition; especially teams that have owned them lately.

Need at least 5 games in to tell much

 

[Hawkeye0202]

7 wins or .441 winning percentage proved the naysayers wrong? Welcome to Bizarro World.

bookmarked....lol

 

[Hawkeye0202]

So burnt toast Revel is a leader now? Vonn Miller and Ceedee Lamb sharing a thot is a great example to other players? EZ who is a bust is also a leader in the locker room? Dak who folds like a cheap lawn chair in high pressure games is going to lead the team against adversity?

Overshawn is going to cheer for the team from his hospital bed? Not sure what planet you are living on.

Why hell.......maybe you should skip the season and get ready for a top 10 draft pick (lol)

 

[Diehardblues]

We are so desperate for success. And like hopeless romantics gluttons for punishment.

 

[Bobhaze]

Because there have been many signs that point toward him being viable. Didn't you notice the draft and FAs we picked up? Completely unJerry-like. It's obvious that Jerry isn't making these decisions.

No, we don't know for sure, but it sure does appear that Schotty provides the calm leadership we've been needing.

I have no problem with optimism based on the signs we’ve seen.

But I also think those who are waiting to be excited based on actual results also have their place too. With this organization I never count anything until it’s happened.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

We are so desperate for success. And like hopeless romantics gluttons for punishment.

So you don't see them having a winning season?

 

[kskboys]

We are so desperate for success. And like hopeless romantics gluttons for punishment.

Things appear to be different for the first time since Tuna. This team is different.

 

[Diehardblues]

7 wins or .441 winning percentage proved the naysayers wrong? Welcome to Bizarro World.

We are so desperate for success. And like hopeless romantics gluttons for punishment.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Things appear to be different for the first time since Tuna. This team is different.

This ^^^^^

 

[kskboys]

Stockholm Syndrome. They will accept anything Jerry gives them.

The disparity in the reaction to the Schottenheimer hire to how he is perceived now, with only one 7 win season in between is comical.

They can't help themselves.

No, not true. Negativism comes from the history, but also includes a major ignoring of facts.

 

[kskboys]

Same it was a good offseason. I dont expect a good season but this should be an interesting and fun season.

Why not? Signs point toward 11-13 wins.

 

[kskboys]

And paper thin. One injury away from an eight loss season.

Not at OG.

 

[kskboys]

I hate him so much that it would actually piss me off if he got to win another Super Bowl. It would be 90% celebration for the franchise and 10% bleep him and his entire family.

I will never ever forgive destroying a dynasty to appease his own ego.

On board.

 

[Risen Star]

No, not true. Negativism comes from the history, but also includes a major ignoring of facts.

What facts are those?

Have I been imagining the last 30 years?

 

[Diehardblues]

So you don't see them having a winning season?

I don’t have a crystal ball. And dont make predictions.

I’m looking forward to how this defense develops and the impacts it could have and hope the offense can stay healthy and as good as last year.

And as it develops I’ll gain confidence . No doubt the prospects look better this year.

But there are still many unknowns like how much has rest of our division and conference improved . And how injuries could impact .

 

[kskboys]

It’s extremely too early to be making these assertions . It really wasnt that hard to make better decisions on defense with so many 1st round draft picks at our disposal.

Not sure why it isn’t enough to be just excited we will have an improved defense without all of the attachments thereof .

Your posts point toward the polar opposite of your last sentence.

No, it's not too early if one has studied and assessed the additions. I'd say the opposite, you're late!!!!

 

[Kwyn]

My main concern is the adversity factor for both the team and the fans. For all the reasons Bob mentioned, they simply haven't been tested yet and we are all drinking deep at the preseason mirage of an oasis.

Defensively, the talent is still levels below an elite unit. This defense is going to face true adversity and when that happens, coaching and culture are the only things that will keep them at even a mid-tier level.

Given the talent level, the real test will come when they get punched in the face, and I don't mean for a single drive, a half, or even one game. There will be a stretch of true trouble where the talent simply cannot handle the challenge of the opposing offense. I can already see some of those games on the calendar. At that point, the system, scheme and the culture will ultimately determine how the season goes down.

It is not just the defense, either. The offense has its own weaknesses. While not fully exploited last season, those flaws were definitely exposed, and opposing defenses will scheme to capitalize on them. Schottenheimer and Adams have work to do regarding red-zone efficiency and overall drive quality. If the coaching staff doesn't step up, the offense will slide.

They are returning every player from last year while adding nothing, and every key player (with the possible exception of Pickens) has already played the best football of their lives.

So, while I am excited and hopeful, much more so than I have been in years past, I am also realistic.

Turning a historically bad defense into a championship-level unit does not happen in a single season.

If it actually does happen, the entire defensive staff, and Schottenheimer as well, should have their agents working on their next contract immediately.

Being an early adopter and advocate for both, I’ll be first in line to measure them for gold jackets, while knowing that if they fall on their face, there are a bunch of zone regulars who have been keeping receipts.

 

[kskboys]

What facts are those?

Have I been imagining the last 30 years?

An offseason completely unJerry-like. Topnotch 3 tech and solid players surrounding him. Top SSLB in Gary, good Ss in Thompson/Locke. Very good prospects to play CB. A vet to play WSLB along w/ good looking young talent.

It looks entirely different. What facts are you pointing at to say things haven't changed?

 

[StarBoyz83]

Why not? Signs point toward 11-13 wins.

I dont expect the defense to have a big turnaround year 1 and I think the schedule will be tough. I could be wrong on both but im thinking 9-8.

Hard to tell with schedules though. Last years looked rough and was really easy

 

[kskboys]

I don’t have a crystal ball. And dont make predictions.

I’m looking forward to how this defense develops and the impacts it could have and hope the offense can stay healthy and as good as last year.

And as it develops I’ll gain confidence . No doubt the prospects look better this year.

But there are still many unknowns like how much has rest of our division and conference improved . And how injuries could impact .

Let's see, a team that was 7-9-1 w/ the 30th D in the NFL made major upgrades and you can't see more wins? For Bog's sake, why not?