I can't help but to sit smugly. I suspect Jason, Jerry, Romo, and the 'Boys are doing much of the same.
It's like holding pocket-threes when the flop comes up 3-King-Ace. You know that no one at the table knows who the real threat is, so you sit there, underbet, and milk the situation. Ensue milking.
What this season holds in store is still very much a mystery, but it's tinged with justifiable optimism. Questions remain unanswered, and a flurry of activity must unfold before Sunday Night against the Giants. This thing ain't perfect. It's not pristine. It certainly has a veil of wait-and-see wrapped around it. But the vibe....the vibe is more than pretty good.
She's looks purdy, but what's she got under the hood?
Here's what we do know.
This thing tackles. Good gosh, when's the last time we saw this team tackle. Everybody's wrapping up, starters and backup backups alike. I've seen very few missed tackles. While Rob Ryan spent hours, days, and weeks teaching defensive trigonometry, these guys Kiffin and Marinelli teach fundamentals. The simplified system has allowed oodles of time to be spent on tackling, stripping the ball, hawking interceptions, and just general defensive dogpilery.
That's the most refreshing revelation thus far. This team will finally play some dadgum defense for a change. It will produce turnovers and three-and-outs. It will win its share of games.
This thing also has diversity and weaponry on offense. The backs are deep and different; Dunbar is going to add an all-new element. Zone blocking very much suits Murray, Randle, and Tanner. Dez looks impossible to stop, and Miles looks healthy and determined not to get replaced by Baylor's own. Notice how little they've thrown to Witten! That in itself speaks to a much more voluminous offense, most of which they haven't begun to reveal. Romo looks absolutely giddy. He knows.
This thing is HEALTHY. Sure, we've had the naggings of training camp, but it would be foolish to complain when we've only seen a single soldier lost for this campaign, and a backup at that. The Giants lost a starting safety this weekend on top of other lingering issues. If all we're missing opening week is Ratliff from the starting lineup, then we're in high Fieldturf.
And perhaps most importantly, this thing has a head coach. Garrett is hitting his stride. His staff is good, his roster is mostly rebuilt, the offseason of uncomfortability is over, and the Giants sit in his crosshairs. He drove it all home with a purposeful benching of Murray to seal the way things are gonna be.
Again, there's still a hail dent here and there. It's got a bit more spit-shine to apply. It still needs a guard, and I'm sure the personnel boys are also hoping for a certain defensive tackle or two gets slashed in a cap maneuver or positional logjam. The Cowboys will have to say bye to a few really nice players, too, for the same sort of reasons. A bit of good furtune here would go a long way.
But all-in-all, I think this thing looks mighty promising as we pull away from the dock. This is a very dangerous team for the likes of San Fran and Seattle to be mindful.
My official prediction, therefore, is 11-5, and an appearance in the NFC championship. Beyond that is the stuff of hopes and dreams.
But tell no one, please. I'm just going to sit quietly and smile for a while.
