OK, 4-7.
We SHOULD finish the year at 7-9. I know that's a stretch, but we've got Oakland, Jacksonville and Chicago. I think we should win all of those games.
Don't believe what you've heard. When we had success on that 3 game run, we weren't as good as they told you. When we've gotten handled, we're not as bad as they tell you. Coming into the season, I felt like we were a 7 to 9 win team. That's about what we are. But we're a 7-9 team that is a lot closer to the playoffs than we were a year ago. You can count the holes on this team on one hand.
IMHO the biggest need we have is on the DL. We need that big fat dude in the middle. I would have liked to seen Okam develop into that guy, and he might, he's still young... but we desperately need that guy to make this team go. A lot has been made about our lack of blitzing, but I was watching ans how often do we collapse the pocket from up the middle. It becomes a lot harder to get to the qb if he only has to step up. Collapse the pocket and our rush will be much more potent. Teams will have a hell of a problem if we're able to keep blockers off of Ryans. If there's one facet of the game he consistently struggles in, its shedding blockers. Anyone remember when they were talking about the decline of Ray in balt? Then they got that big kid in the middle and wow, he's amazing again. If we can start shutting down the run, getting the pass rush becomes easier, getting the D of the field becomes easier and we'll likely be relying on the pass on offense less frequently.
Finally we're getting a chance to see what we have in our young draftees. Abidi has looked nice. I think that between Ryans, Diles and Abidi we have 2/3 of our starting LB corps for next year. We also have the top reserve in our rotation.
A SS would be a blessing, and as much as I've maligned out CBs over the last year, if Daunte is as close to himself as he has looked over the last two weeks, everybody slides down a notch and we're not nearly as bad as it looked earlier in the season.
On offense, we need help in the middle of the line. That's about it. A big bruising back would be nice. And a mean streak. I'm still confident in Matt. I know some aren't. Would someone PLEASE chop block the next DL to go for his knees? If someone hits him can we put their head on a platter? Does anyone notice that no one hits Sage like that? I don't know why, but I imagine there isn't the same emphasis on him because plainly, he's not as good.
Its a long season guys, this team isn't going anywhere this year... Oh, can we get a new DC? I don't think its Smith's fault, but we need to send a message that you WILL be held accountable.
Mike
We SHOULD finish the year at 7-9. I know that's a stretch, but we've got Oakland, Jacksonville and Chicago. I think we should win all of those games.
Don't believe what you've heard. When we had success on that 3 game run, we weren't as good as they told you. When we've gotten handled, we're not as bad as they tell you. Coming into the season, I felt like we were a 7 to 9 win team. That's about what we are. But we're a 7-9 team that is a lot closer to the playoffs than we were a year ago. You can count the holes on this team on one hand.
IMHO the biggest need we have is on the DL. We need that big fat dude in the middle. I would have liked to seen Okam develop into that guy, and he might, he's still young... but we desperately need that guy to make this team go. A lot has been made about our lack of blitzing, but I was watching ans how often do we collapse the pocket from up the middle. It becomes a lot harder to get to the qb if he only has to step up. Collapse the pocket and our rush will be much more potent. Teams will have a hell of a problem if we're able to keep blockers off of Ryans. If there's one facet of the game he consistently struggles in, its shedding blockers. Anyone remember when they were talking about the decline of Ray in balt? Then they got that big kid in the middle and wow, he's amazing again. If we can start shutting down the run, getting the pass rush becomes easier, getting the D of the field becomes easier and we'll likely be relying on the pass on offense less frequently.
Finally we're getting a chance to see what we have in our young draftees. Abidi has looked nice. I think that between Ryans, Diles and Abidi we have 2/3 of our starting LB corps for next year. We also have the top reserve in our rotation.
A SS would be a blessing, and as much as I've maligned out CBs over the last year, if Daunte is as close to himself as he has looked over the last two weeks, everybody slides down a notch and we're not nearly as bad as it looked earlier in the season.
On offense, we need help in the middle of the line. That's about it. A big bruising back would be nice. And a mean streak. I'm still confident in Matt. I know some aren't. Would someone PLEASE chop block the next DL to go for his knees? If someone hits him can we put their head on a platter? Does anyone notice that no one hits Sage like that? I don't know why, but I imagine there isn't the same emphasis on him because plainly, he's not as good.
Its a long season guys, this team isn't going anywhere this year... Oh, can we get a new DC? I don't think its Smith's fault, but we need to send a message that you WILL be held accountable.
Mike
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