Am I delusional? Maybe. But I still think there's talent and possibility on this current team. All is not lost. We just need to shore up a couple loose ends and we can still make a serious run at this season.
The most promising thing I saw last night is Troy and Woodley are definitely back and at 100%. This should bode well as some of our younger players develop. Add in the play of Ike Taylor and I can see this defense turning into the best in the game once some of the younger guys develop like Cortez, McClendon, Heyward, Hood, JJ, Shark, and Williams. I've seen some flashes of talent in these young players but still a lot of mistakes. But it's enough to make me feel like this defense could be the most feared in the league come December and heading into the playoffs. JJ had 7 tackles last night. That's a lot of plays for a 3-4 OLB. And it's only his first game starting. The splash plays are coming.
While the O didn't click last night, the unit overall looked much better. If our franchise QB had any ounce of accuracy on some of his throws last night, we could have easily won that game. The thing that makes me feel better about last night's loss is that it pretty much falls on the shoulders of Big Ben. Ben needs to get it together. And he consistently had over the years. So I'm happy because I think this is something he can play through. And getting Heath back might be just around the corner.
Fernando really solidified the interior of the line. I think he anchors and is harder to move than Pouncey. That was the best DLine we're gonna see and our new C made it look easy. DD looked a little over matched and so did our tackles, but I think things improved and took a big step forward with Fernando. Can't believe I'm saying this.
And ST finally got it together. I can't remember a game in the last several years where something on ST made me furious. I'm pleasantly surprised. It's looking like we now have 2 good units to go along with Ben and the O. And really the only thing holding back the O last night was Ben. We can fix this. There really is a fine line and this team isn't that far away from crossing over.
We can do this. 14-2 isn't as crazy as it sounds. Let's go!!!!!!!!
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