TheOgre said:
I'll play Devil's Advocate:
1. We have reshuffled the LB's, but are they better than last year's?
2. We haven't made any changes to what was bad O-line production in 2004. Even if they get better, will they be even an average line?
3. We have yet to add an offensive playmaker (whether a WR, TE, or power RB) to keep defenses from using a 2-deep zone with emphasis on scheming out AJ. Are we going to draft/acquire one?
4. The D-line has been injury riddled for 2 years. Is that really going to change this year? Are we going to have better depth if that does happen?
5. Joppru hasn't played a down, yet we are counting on him to remain healthy AND productive?
6. Carr made major strides from 2003 to 2004. If the line continues to struggle to pass-protect, will Carr continue to progress?
7. Aaron Glenn's production took a dive last year. Was that a product of lingering injuries or of his age?
I'm not saying I believe that we are doomed. These are just areas of concern for me going into this season.
Well, I'll tell you what I think about your concerns. Some of them I share of course but here it is.
1. On the linebackers I don't know and I wonder about that too. I do know one thing and that is I'd like to see them play Mr Peek. I believe that if our current crop of linebackers has a chance of being better than last years group then (barring a move to draft DJ) our best shot at it is going to be Babin, Greenwood, Wong, and Peek. I expect the Texans to put their 4 best linebackers on the field at the same time and while I know Wong wanted to be "OLB Sack Master" I think he plays where he helps us most.
2. I look at not changing the offensive line as a good thing. Overall our guys aren't any worse than average. We've got solid people there who just need time to get good together. This I don't worry about. I don't think they've got that far to go to reach average.
3. I think we've got two ways of dealing with the "offensive playmaker" question. On the one hand the Texans might be thinking that if the line plays up to snuff then increased performance from our exisiting playmakers might be enough. What's the biggest thing holding AJ back? I'd say it's Carr having time to spare to let AJ get away from his man. With Armstrong, Gaffney, and everyone else catching be ball not named Johnson or Davis the biggest problem is Carr looking for his primary and then his safety valve. I think the coaches might be right in expecting better things with better line play. A lot of
if's in there though. On the other hand they may add a playmaker through the draft, a big running back or one of the better recievers might come down to us.
4. The D line better stay healthy this year. They're due an injury free season IMO and it would make all the difference in the world.
5. This one scares me too. Joppru misses another year and even though you can't blame him for his body not working you have to move on. I'm so sick of not having a real TE on the roster who can block AND catch. I'm about done with Billy Miller who I think the world of but who's the answer to nothing at TE. I'd rather see Bruener start every game and drop half the balls thrown to him then see Miller come in on passing downs all year. We need a TE badly.
6. I'd like to think that Carr is going to progress again this year but I think if the season starts off with him being mugged heavily then it's going to be about the same as last year. He needs the line to give him a reason to trust them. It's all so tied together. Here I'm worried too but I'm trying to keep my faith up. So much is tied to the line doing better here.
7. Glenn will be fine unless injuries get him. He had a down year but the defense in general seemed to have a down year. Glenn's not as quick as Dunta is and I think the weak pass rush last year hurt him more than it did Robinson in the latter part of the year.
That's what I think at least.
