dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
Here's an overview of the team and where I think it stands...
I think we have a very good coaching staff. I think the players have bought in to Kubiak and I think they play hard for him. Furthermore, I think he's going to be an excellent head coach. We now have the best Oline coach probably in the history of the NFL. While I'm not sure what I think about Shanahan, I have no worries with the offensive coaching since he'll essentially be under the supervision of Gibbs and Kubiak. Defensively, I do have some concerns. I like the Rhodes hiring but I'm not sure if Richard Smith has a defensive philosophy. And if he does, I'm not sure how effective he is at implementing it. Having said that, I think he's capable and I think it's too early to tell what kind of DC he is. Overall, I think we have a very strong staff- one that inspires the playes, teaches well, and is at least solid at game planning.
I'm excited about our QB play. At worst, I think we are in the top half of the league at QB. I have some reservations about Schaub's ability to stay healthy, though I have none about his ability to play at a high level. As long as Sage is here, those injury concerns are diminshed.
At RB, I'm a believer in Chris Taylor. I don't think it's wise to trust him with the job yet, but I think the combination of Green, Taylor, CBrown, DWalker all being coached and running behind an Alex Gibbs line make it likely that this will be our most effective year running the ball.
WR: This is our strongest position, I believe. AJ is one of the 5 best WRs in the game, IMO and he has a QB very willing to get him the ball downfield and on time. I think the supporting group of: walter, jones, adavis, are quality as well.
TE: I'd really like to see Bruener not make the team. At this point, he's so stiff, that I doubt how effective of a blocker he is. Furthermore, I doubt there's much difference in athleticism between him and a tackle eligible. I'm interested to see Dressens in an expanded role and I'm excited to see Daniels' growth this year. In all, it's an area that needs improvement but may happen simply from the development of guys we already have.
OL: I'm desperate to not have Salaam start any games this year. I'm hopeful that between Spencer, Butler, Frye and whatever else we do this off-season, we'll find a better answer- not just for the long term but the short term as well... Obviously, our two best linemen are Winston and Pitts and I'm excited to see their growth under Gibbs. I think Briesel, Eslinger, White each have promise and I'm very interested to see how everything shakes out. Mostly, though, I'm eager to see the impact Gibbs has on the unit and really interested in how the roster shakes out- I don't think any observer can really have a handle on it at this point.
DL: I love how Mario grew into a near dominate player last season and can't wait to see him this year. I hope and do think Okoye will make a similar leap this season and I was very happy with the play of Travis Johnson. Furthermore, I thought Cochran was one of the most underrated players on the team and would like to see him heavier in the rotation- which is likely this year. Hopefully Weaver can play better this year. I'd like to see him play effectively opposite Mario on running downs and replaced with a speed-rusher on passing downs.
LB: I think we'll dramatically improve at LB this year. Clark was servicable but limited. CAnderson did a respectable job but was playing out of position and lacked the natural instincts for the position- I felt he was particularly challenged in coverage. I think Thompson provides a lot of athleticism and versatility- which I'm excited to see. Also, I'm looking forward to Diles on the field and feel good about Bentley provide solid depth.
CB: I'm very happy with the Reeves signing. However, I think I differ with many on the board in that I'm quite concerned about Bennett. While I like his agressiveness, he's not a special athlete and his body tends to be all over the place when he's in coverage and particularly when he's attacking the ball carrier. I just saw a lot of rawness from him last season and felt like he would of been exploited more if we weren't so weak on the opposite side and in the slot. This position has to get addressed in the draft, I think.
S: Again, I'm in the minority on the boards. I really like GEarl as a SS. I think he needs to be paired with an athletic FS with good cover skills (not Brown). I'm hopeful Demps will continue to perform well and am hopeful one of the Brandon's will step up this season- I don't want this position addressed early in the draft, though I do think it needs to improve.
Overall, I think we will likely be a formidable team this season. Barring another injury heavy season, I think this team is a borderline playoff team right now. If we can find someone to rush the edge on passing downs and improve in the secondary, I think we are a 10 or 11 win team. Offensively, I think the addition of Gibbs, our depth at WR, and our QB play will make us at least an above average defense- if we solve LT this year, it could be special!
I think we have a very good coaching staff. I think the players have bought in to Kubiak and I think they play hard for him. Furthermore, I think he's going to be an excellent head coach. We now have the best Oline coach probably in the history of the NFL. While I'm not sure what I think about Shanahan, I have no worries with the offensive coaching since he'll essentially be under the supervision of Gibbs and Kubiak. Defensively, I do have some concerns. I like the Rhodes hiring but I'm not sure if Richard Smith has a defensive philosophy. And if he does, I'm not sure how effective he is at implementing it. Having said that, I think he's capable and I think it's too early to tell what kind of DC he is. Overall, I think we have a very strong staff- one that inspires the playes, teaches well, and is at least solid at game planning.
I'm excited about our QB play. At worst, I think we are in the top half of the league at QB. I have some reservations about Schaub's ability to stay healthy, though I have none about his ability to play at a high level. As long as Sage is here, those injury concerns are diminshed.
At RB, I'm a believer in Chris Taylor. I don't think it's wise to trust him with the job yet, but I think the combination of Green, Taylor, CBrown, DWalker all being coached and running behind an Alex Gibbs line make it likely that this will be our most effective year running the ball.
WR: This is our strongest position, I believe. AJ is one of the 5 best WRs in the game, IMO and he has a QB very willing to get him the ball downfield and on time. I think the supporting group of: walter, jones, adavis, are quality as well.
TE: I'd really like to see Bruener not make the team. At this point, he's so stiff, that I doubt how effective of a blocker he is. Furthermore, I doubt there's much difference in athleticism between him and a tackle eligible. I'm interested to see Dressens in an expanded role and I'm excited to see Daniels' growth this year. In all, it's an area that needs improvement but may happen simply from the development of guys we already have.
OL: I'm desperate to not have Salaam start any games this year. I'm hopeful that between Spencer, Butler, Frye and whatever else we do this off-season, we'll find a better answer- not just for the long term but the short term as well... Obviously, our two best linemen are Winston and Pitts and I'm excited to see their growth under Gibbs. I think Briesel, Eslinger, White each have promise and I'm very interested to see how everything shakes out. Mostly, though, I'm eager to see the impact Gibbs has on the unit and really interested in how the roster shakes out- I don't think any observer can really have a handle on it at this point.
DL: I love how Mario grew into a near dominate player last season and can't wait to see him this year. I hope and do think Okoye will make a similar leap this season and I was very happy with the play of Travis Johnson. Furthermore, I thought Cochran was one of the most underrated players on the team and would like to see him heavier in the rotation- which is likely this year. Hopefully Weaver can play better this year. I'd like to see him play effectively opposite Mario on running downs and replaced with a speed-rusher on passing downs.
LB: I think we'll dramatically improve at LB this year. Clark was servicable but limited. CAnderson did a respectable job but was playing out of position and lacked the natural instincts for the position- I felt he was particularly challenged in coverage. I think Thompson provides a lot of athleticism and versatility- which I'm excited to see. Also, I'm looking forward to Diles on the field and feel good about Bentley provide solid depth.
CB: I'm very happy with the Reeves signing. However, I think I differ with many on the board in that I'm quite concerned about Bennett. While I like his agressiveness, he's not a special athlete and his body tends to be all over the place when he's in coverage and particularly when he's attacking the ball carrier. I just saw a lot of rawness from him last season and felt like he would of been exploited more if we weren't so weak on the opposite side and in the slot. This position has to get addressed in the draft, I think.
S: Again, I'm in the minority on the boards. I really like GEarl as a SS. I think he needs to be paired with an athletic FS with good cover skills (not Brown). I'm hopeful Demps will continue to perform well and am hopeful one of the Brandon's will step up this season- I don't want this position addressed early in the draft, though I do think it needs to improve.
Overall, I think we will likely be a formidable team this season. Barring another injury heavy season, I think this team is a borderline playoff team right now. If we can find someone to rush the edge on passing downs and improve in the secondary, I think we are a 10 or 11 win team. Offensively, I think the addition of Gibbs, our depth at WR, and our QB play will make us at least an above average defense- if we solve LT this year, it could be special!
