FlyingGreg wrote:jkitsune wrote:I honestly think it's not worth it to start wondering about Carroll. Yeah, the record is frustrating, but a couple of things are important to remember:
This team has been a monster in the draft, and the talent on the roster is skyrocketing. This team is INCREDIBLY young, and EXTREMELY talented. That translates into wins more often than not once players start to reach their prime. Everyone wants to win, losing sucks, and average teams are frustrating, but it doesn't take much imagination to see that this roster is growing more talented each year.
The defense as a unit is great. Yes, it sucked today, I'm not denying that, but it's genuinely talented and extremely young. It's not a mirage. They'll only get better the more they play.
We have a QB who looks legit, has a great deep ball, and gives us a legit play-action threat. He's still a rookie, and he throws some frustrating picks, but he has also improved dramatically over the course of the year, he is NOT too short, his pocket presence has improved, he's shown a knack for making clutch plays... That bodes really, really well for us.
Oh, and he was a 3rd rounder. Which means that first rounder next year doesn't have to go to a QB. It can go to playmakers.
Is it really fair to label us a "monster" in the draft? I'd say we are a monster if it translates into more wins, which it hasn't.
We've drafted well in spots...but if there is no change in the end result, what gives?
There's been an enormous change in the record of the team since Carroll took over, but rookies don't often immediately translate into wins. Compared to 3 years ago, the team's way better. Compared to last year, the QB is better, the OL is better, the receivers are about the same, and the D is better. It's easy to focus on the record alone and not notice the scores in those games, and the teams that they're playing. Yes, this was a shitty loss, but it was also a 3-point loss on the road to a very, very good Detroit team. A year or two ago, that's not a close game.
Like I said to someone else, if we're still 8-8 in two years, then we'll talk. But right now, I'm really encouraged by the development of RW, the OL, and the D.
And Sidney Rice beginning to emerge is a nice change, too.