Don't know how many of you have followed the Hawks since the mid 80's but I can't help but be reminded of the 1985 season. That was the year the Hawks had this high of expectations (with the exception of maybe 2004) and were to make and win the Super Bowl by many pundits, including the famous "Playboy" football issue. The media around here were just salivating that thier beloved Hawks were the talk of the NFL. Even the late Wayne Cody had a speical which had Ron Essink and Reggie McKenzie on it talking about the upcoming season. It was almost embarrassing but god bless 'em.
Anyhow, the reason I bring it up, as I stated earlier, is because the expectations were just as high then as they are now. We had bascially the same team return from 1984 (this was all before free agency when true dynasties could be built) and we had the return of a healthy Curt Warner (much of the reason we were favored). We had a great defense and Dave Krieg, god bless him, was considered on his way up after a Pro Bowl season.
However, as many of you know, that was the infamous 2-2 season.....2 wins, 2 losses....onto an 8-8 record. They bascially collaspsed. Could not handle the presusre. I ran out of fingers on both hands counting how many times Darryl Turner had mental errors. And much of what made them successful in '84, they went away from. They became more of a passing team in '84 with the loss of Warner. But, with his return, Knox, I guess, figured they could go back to the basics and I think that hurt the team. Plus the fact that Warner was not the "Warner" of 1983. He seemed fatigued and did not seem to handle the load like he did the previous season. (1986, he was a stud but that was after a off season of regular rest...not the relenting demands of "Rehab"). There could also be something said that that year, '85, they reduced roster levels back down to, I believe, 49 players and they may have hurt the Hawks.
Either way, my concern with this team, as talanted as they are, ARE young. Aside from Wilson, who could withstand the pressures of the Marinas Trench, it will be interesting the see how the dymanics play out. I like youth but that can be a double edged sword. Do you replace a veteran at a higher priced tag for a younger, cheaper evenally matched player who, when it comes to crunch time, may not have the mental toughness or savy that is required. This is not saying I don't want them to do well. But, youth can have it's downside when it comes to experience and having the short term memory you often need in this profession.
Just would like to know what anyone thinks.
Anyhow, the reason I bring it up, as I stated earlier, is because the expectations were just as high then as they are now. We had bascially the same team return from 1984 (this was all before free agency when true dynasties could be built) and we had the return of a healthy Curt Warner (much of the reason we were favored). We had a great defense and Dave Krieg, god bless him, was considered on his way up after a Pro Bowl season.
However, as many of you know, that was the infamous 2-2 season.....2 wins, 2 losses....onto an 8-8 record. They bascially collaspsed. Could not handle the presusre. I ran out of fingers on both hands counting how many times Darryl Turner had mental errors. And much of what made them successful in '84, they went away from. They became more of a passing team in '84 with the loss of Warner. But, with his return, Knox, I guess, figured they could go back to the basics and I think that hurt the team. Plus the fact that Warner was not the "Warner" of 1983. He seemed fatigued and did not seem to handle the load like he did the previous season. (1986, he was a stud but that was after a off season of regular rest...not the relenting demands of "Rehab"). There could also be something said that that year, '85, they reduced roster levels back down to, I believe, 49 players and they may have hurt the Hawks.
Either way, my concern with this team, as talanted as they are, ARE young. Aside from Wilson, who could withstand the pressures of the Marinas Trench, it will be interesting the see how the dymanics play out. I like youth but that can be a double edged sword. Do you replace a veteran at a higher priced tag for a younger, cheaper evenally matched player who, when it comes to crunch time, may not have the mental toughness or savy that is required. This is not saying I don't want them to do well. But, youth can have it's downside when it comes to experience and having the short term memory you often need in this profession.
Just would like to know what anyone thinks.
buuutt that was then this is now 
