Was this season, this teams successful version of 2012?

[Glasgow Seahawk]

I think before the season started a lot of people felt like we were a year away from contending and this season came a little out of nowhere. (I had us as a 12 win team and winning a play off round or 2 but the Rams and Eagles being the contenders).

In 2012 the team started to click and probably should have beat the Falcons in the play offs. If they had, there was probably every chance they beat the 49ers in the NFC championship game who they had stomped at home in December of that year. Every chance they beat Baltimore as well. Chris Clemons tearing his ACL against the Redskins in the wild card game probably screwed us.

With this version of the team, can you see more improvements being made to the roster for a deep run now that the big pieces are there and the expectation is here now like in 2013?

 

[Timberhawk]

I have been wondering that too. One of the things I recall thinking about Pete’s team, mostly the defense, was that the more time they spent learning and understanding each other as players and the schemes the better they would get as a total unit despite how “simple” Pete’s system supposedly was.

That would apply to Coach Mac’s team and the defense in particular. I wonder if anyone has asked him that? Throughout this season, as well as we did play overall, it seems like there were a lot of small opportunities in most games, and clearly some work to do against the Rams the last two games. Coach Macdonald seemed to often reference that he could have made a better call or they could have executed better. Chase perfection and catch excellence along the way.

I know these are pro’s and they will always find ways to get some yards, but I feel like this team and defense still has a lot more it can learn and more of the playbook to capitalize on in the next year and beyond. That gives me a lot of optimism going into next season esp if they can continue to upgrade some of the talent.

That said I am going to make sure I still enjoy this second SB for the rest of my life. Of course, if we get 3, 4, 5, 6, 7… more SBs I’ll enjoy the heck out of those too

 

[Dolomight12]

Yep. Great points.

 

[Grahamhawker]

Yes. Been saying that for a while now.

 

[Sperrydogg]

I can agree because you added successful. The 2012 team was meteoric though. This team has a much more stable feeling to it

 

[EverydayImRusselin]

The only reason I would disagree is the number of free agents we currently have. 2012 offseason we scooped up Bennett and Avril. This year we have to re-sign a bunch of guys.

 

[pmedic920]

I think before the season started a lot of people felt like we were a year away from contending and this season came a little out of nowhere. (I had us as a 12 win team and winning a play off round or 2 but the Rams and Eagles being the contenders).

In 2012 the team started to click and probably should have beat the Falcons in the play offs. If they had, there was probably every chance they beat the 49ers in the NFC championship game who they had stomped at home in December of that year. Every chance they beat Baltimore as well. Chris Clemons tearing his ACL against the Redskins in the wild card game probably screwed us.

With this version of the team, can you see more improvements being made to the roster for a deep run now that the big pieces are there and the expectation is here now like in 2013?

IMO

I will depend wholly on how well management can keep the core together.

Key players obviously but we have the unknown of Offensive coaching also.

JS/MM have their work cut out for them.
My biggest concern is the team Chemistry, OC that keeps things in balance with Sam.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

The only reason I would disagree is the number of free agents we currently have. 2012 offseason we scooped up Bennett and Avril. This year we have to re-sign a bunch of guys.

We can always put it in the credit card like the rams did with clever accounting/void years. Eventually the bill comes due but gives you a 3 year or so window. I doubt we do that though