We can be 10-6 and better than last year

[Arkyvarminter]

With a tougher schedule, and it does look more difficult, I think we are at least a 10-6 team BUT a better team than last year. The only thing stopping us from an NFC championship is coaching and I'm not bashing Garrett. This is my pre- preseason prediction. OF course this prediction is barring any kind of major injury to a key player. The offense is going to be very, very good and I think the D is going to do some things last years D couldn't do, create turnovers. I think our secondary is going to be fine. My only concern is the ability of the coaching staff to get this team ready for a playoff run. I know its early and there is a lot to learn before the season starts but this is just the way I feel about the current team. I think David Irving becomes well known and Dak just gets better. Those saying we are going to regress may be right, but only in the win column.......in the regular season. I guess my gut says that if we don't make the conference championship, its the coaches fault and that's just the way I feel............

 

[StarBoyz83]

Going to be an interesting season. They struggled vs teams with good defenses and played a lot of teams with good offenses. This year is oppostie. A lot of good defenses and a lot of weak offenses

 

[rockj7]

With a tougher schedule, and it does look more difficult, I think we are at least a 10-6 team BUT a better team than last year. The only thing stopping us from an NFC championship is coaching and I'm not bashing Garrett. This is my pre- preseason prediction. OF course this prediction is barring any kind of major injury to a key player. The offense is going to be very, very good and I think the D is going to do some things last years D couldn't do, create turnovers. I think our secondary is going to be fine. My only concern is the ability of the coaching staff to get this team ready for a playoff run. I know its early and there is a lot to learn before the season starts but this is just the way I feel about the current team. I think David Irving becomes well known and Dak just gets better. Those saying we are going to regress may be right, but only in the win column.......in the regular season. I guess my gut says that if we don't make the conference championship, its the coaches fault and that's just the way I feel............

I thought the exact same thing we can have a worse record and be a much better team especially on the defense.

 

[rockj7]

With a tougher schedule, and it does look more difficult, I think we are at least a 10-6 team BUT a better team than last year. The only thing stopping us from an NFC championship is coaching and I'm not bashing Garrett. This is my pre- preseason prediction. OF course this prediction is barring any kind of major injury to a key player. The offense is going to be very, very good and I think the D is going to do some things last years D couldn't do, create turnovers. I think our secondary is going to be fine. My only concern is the ability of the coaching staff to get this team ready for a playoff run. I know its early and there is a lot to learn before the season starts but this is just the way I feel about the current team. I think David Irving becomes well known and Dak just gets better. Those saying we are going to regress may be right, but only in the win column.......in the regular season. I guess my gut says that if we don't make the conference championship, its the coaches fault and that's just the way I feel............

I still think we are 1 more solid draft away from going on a run

 

[haleyrules]

This club goes as far as the defense takes it.

 

[jchap]

It's going to be a very young defense so there may be some growing pains early. If they make it to the playoffs it may all come together.

 

[MileyDancer]

The main thing holding us back is coaching. If we make the playoffs, I want it to be as a wildcard. We all know how well-prepared Garrett's teams have been after a week off.

 

[waving monkey]

I still think we are 1 more solid draft away from going on a run

could be

 

[JoeKing]

Those that are saying this team will regress from last year are just wishful thinking. This team is going to light up the scoreboard this season so If a team is going to beat our boys they are going to have to do the same plus one. Though I feel good about out defense, until I seem them in action I fear they may not live up to expectations. This season's schedule is tougher so we could end up with less wins but the team will be better. I think we repeat as east champions and get a first round bye but if we go any further than that will depend on the defense.

 

[MileyDancer]

I still think we are 1 more solid draft away from going on a run

I agree completely. We need more pieces on defense. Hopefully we replace Crawford next draft.

 

[Techsass]

Fortunately we don't have to face many real powerhouse offenses. By the time we do, the D should have worked out most of the rookie jitters & wrinkles.

 

[robjay04]

I remember looking at our schedule last season and thinking it's going to be tough.

At Green Bay
At Pittsburgh
At Minnesota

At home against a strong Bengals team
At home against a strong Ravens team that will always give us trouble.

We went 5-0 in those games . Most here would've been thrilled with 3-2...2-3 if they knew we were playing with a backup.

The point is, these schedules are so hard to predict. With injuries and roster turnover, I just shrug my shoulders whenever someone mentions a team having a tough schedule because no one has any idea.

No disrespect to the OP, I'm just bored hearing about tough schedules in May.

 

[jobberone]

First goal is to win the East. That's tough. You need to win 4-6 of those games.

How to win the East. We should be able to score 30 PPG. As another said, it will be the defense that has to answer. Last year we gave up 308 points or 19 PPG. Good not great. If we get to 17 PPG then we'll be smoking. Then we need to be able to play in the big games. That requires pressure, pass defense, and turnovers. Those are the most significant things necessary IMO along with PPG on defense.

 

[CF74]

9-7 with one playoff win is my expectation.. Anything above that is gravy for ole 74...

 

[noshame]

The only thing that'll hold this team back is the coordinators. run a wide-open offense and attacking defense the sky's the limit. That said, is Linehan reverts to his old base offense and Rod rushes three and drops 8 we aren't going to do so well.
So there you have it we'll be somewhere between 14 - 2 and 8 -8 depending on game plans.

 

[jobberone]

The only thing that'll hold this team back is the coordinators. run a wide-open offense and attacking defense the sky's the limit. That said, is Linehan reverts to his old base offense and Rod rushes three and drops 8 we aren't going to do so well.
So there you have it we'll be somewhere between 14 - 2 and 8 -8 depending on game plans.

I don't see a wide open offense with Zeke on board. I suspect we will be very balanced around 50/50 pass/run. That works for me. It's matchups that matter as well as running the right plays at the right time. It's good to be a little predictable as long as you throw in a curveball on occasion. That keeps them honest.

IF we get pressure and 40+ sacks then the DBs will have help and that opens up the schemes and non-front four blitzes. If we don't then Marinelli will have to resort to stacking the DBs to get the pass defense we need. It won't be as good as having adequate pass pressure but it will be the best he can do. That's when you blitz your LBers some and bring your corner blitzes then pray you aren't caught doing so.

Pressure and pass defense are the keys and without them you have to game around it which is just not as good.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I agree completely. We need more pieces on defense. Hopefully we replace Crawford next draft.

I agree with both yourself and Rockj7, but with a slightly different reasoning.
How do our new DBs hold up, our TEs, does our front seven on D, get enough pressure. Do we look like we need to use a top 2 picks on a WR.
I kinda feel like for the first time in a long time, we have depth accross the board.
Now, this year - probably moreso than in past years, self scouting will tell the FO, where we are weak.
Of course picking for need is bad, but like you guys think, one more solid draft where they can really round out the squad and we are on a long dominant run !

 

[links18]

Missing Leary on the OL is going to burt more than people think. Collins isn't a slouch, but he basically hasn't played in a year. We hope Free's replacement is an upgrade, but we won't know until the games are played.

On defense: We have a bunch of rookies, journeymen and Nolan Carroll. What could go wrong there?

 

[Proof]

I remember looking at our schedule last season and thinking it's going to be tough.

At Green Bay
At Pittsburgh
At Minnesota

At home against a strong Bengals team
At home against a strong Ravens team that will always give us trouble.

We went 5-0 in those games . Most here would've been thrilled with 3-2...2-3 if they knew we were playing with a backup.

The point is, these schedules are so hard to predict. With injuries and roster turnover, I just shrug my shoulders whenever someone mentions a team having a tough schedule because no one has any idea.

No disrespect to the OP, I'm just bored hearing about tough schedules in May.

Having a tough schedule doesn't mean you'll definitely lose the games. Winning those 5 was impressive. This schedule is still tough. May or not

 

[robjay04]

Having a tough schedule doesn't mean you'll definitely lose the games. Winning those 5 was impressive. This schedule is still tough. May or not

Oh I agree the schedule looks tough...my point is last years schedule looked just as tough in the offseason by to ended up being one of the easiest schedules in the league.