I do, and have to believe everyone else here does as well. What were we expecting from our team? For me, I was looking at 10-6, with 4-4 at the halfway point, and the "easy" portion of the schedule coming up. I was half right. On D, I expected little. Too many young guys, question marks all over the place, Starks on the nose, no way, Clemons at FS, shoulda kept Wilson, Odrick starting, no way, Misi starting, what are we thinking? Dansby gonna fix all this, Lots of Luck. On O, I was pumped. R&R were gnna run for 2,000 yards, Marshall was gonna catch 100 balls for at least 1200 yards, and Henne was gonna be the answer. Our O was gonna light up the scoreboard to make up for a learning D. Damn, shows ya what I know. Who here thought differently?
I was thinking that we would go 1-7 at home and 6-1 on the road heading into the last week of the season...
I was hoping for a dynamic offense and Henne to do his best Good Jake Delhomme impression. I figured something where Henne would have almost 4000 yards with lots of TDs and a fair amount of INTs (perhaps 25 TDs/17 INTs). I thought our offense would score plenty of points and the defense would be an adventure and probably cost us a game or two. I expected a 9-7 or 10-6 finish, but likely on the outside looking in for the playoffs.
I thought the offense was going to light people up this year as well. I didn't think the defense would be this improved, but I also knew Nolan would be a very positive influence. I also predicted 10-6.
Honestly During Preseason I Felt Uneasy about Henne, How He Had No Chemistry With Marshall and couldnt get this Offense Going. I Thought We were Just Holding Back because it was preseason. I Felt More Comfortable Everytime Pennington Came Into The Game. And Then We Played The Patriots...It all went Downhill from there. I Expected Average At Best W/ Henne Under Center
I thought we'd win around ten games. I had no idea the team would regress the way it has. The defense was at least a pleasant surprise.
I really believe that, and my check from Ross for my expectations is in the mail. Got the winning lotto numbers handy?
To be honest, I'm kinda glad we did not win 10. It would have been a mirage, kinda like 2008. We now see our problems, and I look forward to correcting them for a run next year. We are close.
I thought a lot like the OP.... offense would be the strength and we´d be around 10-6, depending on how crappy our defense was. Sigh.
I remember getting creamed on this board for saying that our O-line sucked and Sparano was tinkering way too much with it. They actually surprised me with their pass blocking some games. I also remember Sparano nearly ending Long's season short by playing him in the Dallas game.
I expected everyone to be blaming the QB by himself for at least 4 or 5 losses. Overly elevated expectations always lead to finger pointing. The defense did what I hoped it would even though I was told there was no way it could happen.