Originally Posted by
Flasteel
Rick, I'm shocked that you of all people aren't confident of a win.
If we do win, that will mean that we need to go 4-7 down the stretch to sink to your latest prediction of our season record.
I have agreed with you all along about the pass protection issues on our line, but I hope you can see now what I was talking about in terms of how we can cover those deficiencies up (or not) with our play calling. The no huddle is only one weapon in the arsenal and there isn't a whole lot they can do to prepare for it. It is more of a tool that quickens the pace of the game, doesn't allow for free defensive substitutions, and takes Bruce Arians out of the equation.
We need to mix it in liberally and in a timely fashion as well as the screens, draws, misdirection, and three-step drops/ quick passes.
I wish I could agree with you, but I can't. When you replace talent with backups, you lose, you don't win from this type transaction, unless you have players in waiting, and we don't. We weren't grooming anyone on the OL or DL. We got who and what we got,
and that is it. Losing FWP wasn't so bad because RM was here, then he broke his shoulder, now FWP being hurt, hurt us, because we lost the talent FWP, then the talent RM, then CD got injured and we're down to our 3rd down back and now replacements that couldn't make the team before, now in our game plan to play this weekend.
This is not good.
There are no probowl caliber OL out there waiting on a phone call to get their chance. LT is a skilled position that requires a very talented player. We haven't had one since Gandy left. We don't have a quality LG playing, we have a back up that was promoted, and has shown promise as a run blocker, but a lost soul on passing downs. A center that is no better then what he replaced. RG is up for grabs, and a 2nd or 3rd sting player will be the new STARTER, that is weakening an already weak line. At RT we have Willie Colon, and he's having serious problems like Marvell is on the other side, they get beat often by speed rushers. Willie is better suited to play guard, but our HC feels he is a tackle. Before he started for us at RT, he was the best back up at guard we had. It was thought he was AF's replacement. As you can see the OL is not healthy, full of lessor talent. It is weak and slow, with players who make mistakes, and get beat easily. The players taking the heat are the
money players, the RBs and QBs will be at the mercy of these 2nd, 3rd stringers, sitting at home waiting for a call replacements. Ben is going to be slaughtered by this OL at some point. We're in trouble folks, our D is playing well, but our O is at the mercy of the OL. The DL is losing talent as well, players are out, injuries are robbing us of this talent and at some point the D will suffer for it. But so far our D is getting the job done.
I'm not impressed with the coaching at all, from the HC to OC and OLC. It is clear Ben took charge and force fed the no huddle change, that should tell the HC his OC is not doing his job, and that is a serious problem. When the L's mount, the nerves will get stretched. Someone will be gone next year, who knows, maybe OC, OLC, I seriously doubt MT or KC will be fired this year, even though one or both should because of the OL problems, from the 7 million dollar mistake to the play, and loss of skilled players, due to the protection problems. These type of mistakes can not go unpunished. But the Rooney's will be the ultra nice guys and MT will get another year to prove his shtick. KC's job will never be in question. I personally think MT is all talk. He showed me that with his jaw jacking at the end of last season, then coming out after the 2 gimme games this year, saying his OL is the best it's been in years! Yeah, he's not getting the job done, so trump it up by giving the "You're the best" speech to motivate the scrubs we have starting. 2 games later, we're not impressed Mike.
We're also lucky to have Ben still healthy. He's gotten a shot this week in his shoulder. Maybe he won't feel the pain as much. It also could help him tear a tendon/muscle and not feel the damage until it is too late. Football through chemistry is never an option. Our team hopefully will come out and show me and the other fans who are concerned that the back ups are talented, can protect and open holes. Till they do that, the 8-8 stands as a serious prediction. There have been no changes, 8-8 in June, 8-8 today is the prediction. We almost lost a game I had us winning last week. 15 seconds of Ratstains rookie QB not making mistakes, a HC with his head in the game and throws the red flag on that TD, that was said to be out of bounds but replay showed it was a TD, they done their job, and they win last week. We got the W, and that is all that matters.
The real story is the rest of the AFCN, none of them are as strong as the experts said they were. Stains are a joke! Bungles may as well pack it up. Ratstains have a D, but no O. 8-8 still wins the North, gives us our chance at one n done in the play offs.
I'm not satisfied with that! I'm a nation fan and that is unacceptable! A frigging LT and that alone would have given Ben 50% better protection, his blind side secure, and Ben will light up the score boards. No, MT went out and got us a center for half the money of the center we had, and now we see why! Hartwig's play is no better then the guy he replaced. Now we lose Simmons and finally we will see what a good RG can do on this pathetic OL, but we don't have any great guards, we have a couple of back ups, but no one who is battle weary, and yeah we saw a half of no sacks last game, but Ben had more to do with that, with the no huddle, then the replacements. I think we're going to see against the better teams, the back ups are going to trip up and we will lose what talent we have left. Right now our LOS is in dire straights! The DL has back ups starting and now they're getting injured. Not good, recipe for failure.
For those who think my novel was long and you didn't like it, this is for you!
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