The fact that PC and Schneider have put together a team that is very deep is going to show up big time this year. They can pound the rock all day, and knock the snot out of you on defense. Add that to Wilson's ability to avoid the pressure and/or run at any given time, a ton of weapons on offense etc. We have the makings for a better team. Next guy up is basically how it is. Pete has created an atmosphere of comPETE and it is flat out working. This team is hungry, and you can bet every guy on that team from last year has a bad taste from how it ended. I can't see them dropping off one bit. IF Miller doesn't come back, that hurts more than Percy imo. Percy is an added bonus to a team that already had one of the best offenses in football. He's 25 years old, he'll have fresh legs, and a lot to prove. Just because he got a huge contract, doesn't mean the guy isn't hungry, or isn't competitive enough to want to be the best and/or to get that ring. I think we'll all look back at this crappy news, and realize it was for the best down the road. When he's standing on the field w/his Superbowl Champion cap at the end of the year, we'll all be very glad he chose to take care of this now. He WILL contribute this year, and in a big way. Just having him on the field will make defenses have to account for him at all times. It opens it up for everyone else. When a team plays the Hawks, it's kind of a pick your poison type of thing. You're gonna' try to stop the run? Fine, we'll go over the top. Or, we'll let Russell dink and dunk you and run for first downs all day. You gonna' try to stop the read option, fine, we'll run the ball down your throat. And, we'll also let Miller do his thing and shred your Defense, while you're trying to figure out just who to concentrate on. I see the team making defenses very tired in the 4th quarter. The physical nature of the Hawks is what is going to pay off in the end. That, and the fact that we have a 1st round talent, and one of the best leaders in football running the show in RW.
This team isn't one that has a "small window" like a lot of teams. This team is built to be good for years, and even though I didn't know what to think of the PC thing, he, along with management have done a hell of a job with this team, in a short time.
