Halfway point: Biggest disappointments, biggest surprises

[WindyCitySteel]

Dan Moore - He plays a tough position and we traded up to replace him and he just keeps fighting. He got jacked this offseason and by all accounts is one of the best teammates on the team. Can’t have enough guys like him.

Eesh. He may have worked hard but he's abjectly terrible at football.

[flippy]

Eesh. He may have worked hard but he's abjectly terrible at football.

I know this is not a popular opinion, but I like Moore. He was a guy that looked great when I saw him up close in camp this year and maybe that?s slanted my view.

But then he starts out the season against top tier pass rushers with a new line mate next to him.

He fights and holds up and I tend to see the bad plays being more communication and being on the same page with his line mates.

He?s improved and I understand some of the frustration cause he hasn?t let Brod beat him out. And I think that slants some of the frustration toward him.

it?s hard to grade the linemen imho unless a guy is a super athlete or getting to the 3rd level blocking. So I know I?m probably half right in my thoughts on Dan who has plays that can improve.

One other litmus test is a couple of former players - Ben and Foster both are always very positive and endorse Dan which Carries weight imho.

and he still has his starting job and Chuks doesn?t.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

The only pleasant surprise for me is the team's record. None of the players mentioned in this thread (Porter, Benton, Golden, Herbig) are surprises...they're all performing right about where I expected them to be. I'm happy with their performances, but no position or unit has been a pleasant surprise, as far as I'm concerned. I will say that while it doesn't necessarily qualify as a pleasant surprise, Boswell has been fantastic this year, as have the NFL's premier rush tandem of Highsmith and Watt.

The disappointment list is another story. Pickett stands on top of that list, followed by the (truly) offensive line and the secondary. While I love the big plays and pressure by the defense, they just can't get off the field with any regularity until the opposing team gets into FG range. That is why the defense as a whole is also on my list of disappointments. I expected all of these players and areas to be better - which is why I am amazed that the team is 5-3 and has a great chance in front of them to go to 6-3.

Wallace really is poor. Peterson is Toast. He is the type of corner coaches love to target.

Pickett is not a top 12. He is a bottom 1/4 the type of QB, or the 24th to 32nd best. Rookies are passing him. We won games in spite of this game manager. I said I'd give turkey until Thanksgiving, year two before calling him a bust.

Tomlin is Tomlin. His standard remains the same. We are on our way to not winning a playoff game is seven years in a row.

At the half way mark we are trending as a flawed playoff team.

[feltdizz]

I know this is not a popular opinion, but I like Moore. He was a guy that looked great when I saw him up close in camp this year and maybe that?s slanted my view.

But then he starts out the season against top tier pass rushers with a new line mate next to him.

He fights and holds up and I tend to see the bad plays being more communication and being on the same page with his line mates.

He?s improved and I understand some of the frustration cause he hasn?t let Brod beat him out. And I think that slants some of the frustration toward him.

it?s hard to grade the linemen imho unless a guy is a super athlete or getting to the 3rd level blocking. So I know I?m probably half right in my thoughts on Dan who has plays that can improve.

One other litmus test is a couple of former players - Ben and Foster both are always very positive and endorse Dan which Carries weight imho.

and he still has his starting job and Chuks doesn?t.

its personal for Windy. Ben said Moore played great after the first 2 games and since PFF said otherwise it means Moore sucks.

Moore is more than likely getting a second contract whether he is the swing tackle or the LT.

Chuks is not getting another contract IMO unless he takes a serious paycut.