Originally Posted by
bwilliams
In my opinion, there were holes that our team needed to fill in order to win games. While its nice that we may have long term solutions at FS, slot CB, scatback/3WR, and TE, I don't think it matters so long as we start the worst RT, NT, and ILBs in the league. Not to mention that we still have major questions at pretty much every position except RB, FS, and CB.
I understand that people want to give a new regime time. That we're all so thankful to be out of the Herm Edwards era that anything looks good next to it. But I don't think we can win many games with a 3-4 defense that lacks a NT, LOLB (Vrabel can't rush the passer and Studebaker can't defend the run), and ILBs. I don't think we can win with a precision passing game with WRs that drop the ball, no true TE (Moeaki was oft-injured in college, I don't trust him as a pro), and a *still* terrible OL. I don't think our running game will be able to be as awesome as they could because we'll be playing from behind most games.
Could I be wrong? Maybe. Hopefully. But I think the same people who slammed Herm for his idiotic defense, his inattention to the OL, his faith in a oft-hit unproven QB, and in general his belief that his schemes could overcome a lack of talent are now backing Pioli/Haley. Even though they're doing almost exactly the same things that sunk us in this mess to begin with.
I don't agree that Seattle got much better. I liked their draft and some of their offseason moves, but they're still a 5 to 6 win team, and will be until they get a QBOTF (Whitehurst ain't it) and a pass rush. And Washington is Washinton. They've have a great offseason, but they don't have the discipline to turn it into wins in the regular season.
And as much as I hate to say it, Oakland will win a few more games this season than last one. Getting rid of Russell guarentees that. The Broncos will be lucky to avoid 0-16 though, they're that bad.
The teams that had the best offseasons (IMO) were the Ravens and Packers, both of which should win between 12-14 games next season. As to who will improve by the most games, don't be shocked if it's the Bucs. They drafted sneakily great, they have a very good young OL, and they got Freeman some weapons.
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