I'm trying to keep in mind that new players on an OL need time to gel, to learn to play together, as a unit. That might take as long as to the mid-season point. In the meantime, I do hope that Henning can recognize that area of weakness instead of pretending it doesn't exist, as have our Coaches for the last 12 years. I hope that he can design ways to make teams pay for stacking the box against us while the line works toward cohesion. The Special Teams issue? I don't know; it certainly seems as though we have adequate talent there. It also seems as though they play sloppily and undisciplined, in contrast with the way those same players play in their non-ST positions. Can it be the coaching?
I agree Brother Greg on special teams. The other thing I am concerned with the caliber of teams we play this year, can our front seven get enough pressure on the opposing Qb's to give the secondary enough time to grow together and know each others habits? One more is the middle of our defense enough to stand up to the teams we will be facing this year?
I havent read the thread but I'm most concerned with special teams and the lack of explosive firepower on offense. I'll read the thread tomorrow.
i think its an excellent point about the lack of contunuity with this group..I mean think about it, the longest you can string 2 players together is 1 year, between Jake and Vernon..The rest of the combinations havent ever played a real game together....They sure didmake some beutiful pockets the other night, yeah, we gotta give em 4 games of action.
One thing that concerns me that hasn't been mentioned is the amount of injury prone players we have on the Offensive Line. Grove, Thomas, and Smiley had their shares of injuries. With our depth, I'm not comfortable with our O-Line.
Bingo! Nailed it, stole the words right out of my keyboard! Just one more thing: 5) Our secondary, giving up big pass plays.
same as we started the season, ILB ... now that Roth is returning, i think you will see improved play from the WOLB ... STs are woeful ... not much else to say -- how does this guy still have a job ? still believe with improved LB play, our secondary wouldn't be as exposed as they are ... but it is what it is -- so the secondary is going to have to mature quickly. WRs will be ok with Henne at the helm ... nothing special - but they'll be able to get the job done.
Lack of pass rush scares me. Especially on third and nine yards or more. QBs should not have 4 seconds to pass the ball downfield. Age of JP and JT also scares me. Especially having JT at strong side. I am hoping Roth is able to either spell him or take over so JT can be a pass rush specialist.
3rd and Long on defense. I feel more confident in our defense to come off the field in 3rd and short than I do 3rd and long...
I haven't. Most passes I have seen on Bell, Bell had pretty good coverage, minus the long bomb to Vincent. Gibril is the scapegoat due to his horrible tackling. Also if a team is going to give the QB 5 or 6 seconds to complete a pass there are very few safties in this league that can cover in that situation
