jammerhawk":2byhdmjg said:
Really? Why is it unlikely?
My belief is there going to be a lot of “experts” having to eat a lot of crow and humble pie by the surprisingly good performance of the ‘nobody’ roster of the Hawks.
Because as fans, most lose sight of ABC logic and allow themselves to be consumed with the team without considering whats going on outside of that little world. Last year we had a weak, favorable schedule and failed to make the post season with a roster that is more talented than the one we currently have. This seasons schedule is brutal. Just the NFC West alone will account for 4 losses, maybe 5.
Lets look at our team - Running game - yeah Pete wants to pound the rock and he will probably do so to a fault. Lets face it, even with Solari changing things up, the Oline will still be a bottom 10 unit. There is just not much talent to pick from besides Brown and Britt (and thats hoping Britt bounces back from a poor season last year). We let go a HoF weapon in Graham that we never could use properly and signed and drafted a couple TE's to block. Hope it works out, but thats just one less option for Russ if it doesnt. We have Carson and Penny sharing time. We can only guess and hope on both of those two unproven backs. Sure, it'll be better than last season, but how couldnt it be?
Passing game - should be alright. I think Richardson was better than anybody we picked up, but not to any great effect. Graham wasnt great last year for sure, but he's a redzone target that cant be replaced. All in all, with Baldwin and a healthy Lockett, passing game will be fine.
Kicking game - Who the hell knows. Everybody knows how bad Walsh was last year, but did we really improve by signing Janokowsi? The guy is a dinosaur who missed the entire season last year and missed 5 of 6 FG's from 50 yrds out the previous season. This team is going to need 50 yards FG's this year. People are thrilled by the name and the player he was 5 to 10 years ago. He isnt that kicker anymore. Rookie punter is a weapon though.
Defense - I have a serious question, where are the people that were applauding and sticking up for Bennett when he had 8.5 sacks before hurting himself last year. Havent heard from any of them since we let him go. Anyways, I still believe we are going to struggle pass rushing this season. Unless Clark becomes twice the player he has been, QB;s should have time back there. Dline will be or should be ok even with Richardson's absence. Wagner and Wright will be awesome as usual. Secondary will be a problem. The days of the LOB are over. Its going to take time for these guys. There will be games where they get torched.
All in all, I predicted 8-8 and i'm still sticking with that.