Did We Move the Proverbial Needle this Off-season?

[Pass2Run]

IMO… they have overall improved the roster from where it was at the end of last season.

There have been some losses and departures, but they have at least marginally improved those areas or at least are treading water and breaking even.

The biggest issue this franchise is facing right now is failure fatigue. Hope is at an all time low, and cynicism is at an all time high. We have seen this team talk themselves up and choke at the worst moments. Until they prove it on the field, they will be dogged by doubt and skepticism

Yeah, agree they have improved. I just wanted to check in with the folks who say we made X,Y, Z move, but it didn't move the needle. They did what they could to move the needle.

Worst case scenario is they end up signing a RB or DT or both down the stretch.

For now, they've done a pretty bang up job shaping up the roster with legitimate talent..

I'm just stoked we got Pickens. I mean, that's a lot of talent for a 3rd even if we end up signing him.

 

[gimmesix]

1000%
These guys don't have the football smarts to put together a team built to make a SB.
29 Years is a huge sample size.
They are great at entertainment.
Roster construction?
Not so much.

Yeah, but it is what it is. We're stuck with them, so I choose to enjoy what I can. That doesn't mean I'm going to be unrealistic and expect a Super Bowl when all the evidence we have accumulated over the years says that's highly unlikely. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised by something I don't think is likely then raise my expectations only to see them dashed again.

Moving the needle for this team simply means getting back to the playoffs, and there's not even a guarantee of that. I'm not sure we're capable of more than that with this front office.

 

[Gameover]

Jerry's people are good at what they do, I hope they get rewarded for the great job they've done for at least the last 15 yeears

 

[gimmesix]

On average, it takes 32 years to win a Superbowl. We're right on track.

Things that could untrack us:

1) Dak being unable to stay healthy. He's missed time in three of the past six years and just may be at the point where his body is breaking down.

2) Two vets also showing decline (under 4 YPC the past two years) and several late-round backs not being able to get the running game going.

3) The tackles struggling to provide enough pass protection to take advantage of this receiving corps.

4) The defense being soft in the middle of the line, allowing teams to control the game and clock with their running game.

5) The linebackers adding to that since we primarily added a former first-round pick for cheap because he has poor instincts, a cheap FA who can be exposed in coverage and a late-round rookie, with our best linebacker out for who knows how long.

6) Our secondary not shaping up because of injuries and the fact that another former first-round pick was traded to us for cheap because of his struggles.

7) Aubrey suddenly becoming mortal.

8) And, of course, injuries. We've been snakebit by that bug in several years and our front office doesn't know how to overcome it (even if it's just one major injury).

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

Very concerned about our run defense.

As am I. I do think they've done enough at LB to at the very least have a steady rotation of competent players on the field. Going to need some luck at DT unless they find a trade or TC cut. Toia looks promising, but can't count on a late round DT to fix a major problem. Maybe a light comes on for Mazi? He flashed some last season, but still has alot of work to do before he's a serviceable player.

That said, the run defense was bad last season and didn't have much help from the offense. They still managed to win 7 games. Establish a ground game, score some points, and we should see improvements across the board..... hopefully.

 

[Reid1boys]

Take notes, everyone.

This is how you do it.

hang out around here long enough and you learn.

 

[Pass2Run]

hang out around here long enough and you learn.

Almost 25 years, I think.