I always thought this season would be a dress rehearsal for the coming years. You cannot overturn an entire roster to implement a new scheme without essentially tanking a season and I don't think anyone in the executive suite wants that. So a brand new head coach with 2 brand new coordinators implementing a brand new scheme to a mostly pre-constructed roster would have some bumps. 4-4 with a couple ass kickings from more physical teams seems right. How they grow from this into next year is much more important to me than how this season goes record wise. At this point, it is clear the roster IS NOT physical enough.
And with that said, I have a feeling the roster will look a lot different next year come training camp and I hope they attack both starters and depth with the same cutthroat approach they did in 2011. The one thing I picked up on from MM's introductory conferences was the need to be physical at the LOS. Controlling the trenches was critically important to him. On both sides of the ball, this team cannot do that. They get run all over, they cannot run block, and are the worst pass blocking group in the NFL. For the OL - it makes sense, JS has for a decade skimped on the positional unit, taking flash over ugly. Dead last in salary commitment, dead last in rankings. I am firmly in the camp of JS's seat getting warm if he refuses to improve that unit. 4 of the 5 current starters should probably be different come week 1 from FA signings and high draft picks. Going into next year with the same guys is inexcusable. K9 is a legit top 10 guy and in 3 games so far, the run game is non existent because the DL so severely overwhelms this OL.
The DL/front 7 is interesting because there actually is talent there but something is broken. Today wasn't an anomaly where the RB goes 6 yards untouched consistently, it is way too common. MM has said he feels the DL is mostly doing their job, so why are there constantly big run lanes? Scheme errors? Run fit mistakes? To me it points to the LB group and to an extent safeties at the second level. Overall I felt Jones was 100% an upgrade over Baker and him being a step out of place is understandable with only 4 days on the team. Don't think Dodson will be returning. It may just be that although talented, some of the guys simply aren't good scheme fits and they'll need to shuffle.
DK's agent got a nice gift today showcasing what the Seahawks offense looks like without him demanding double teams all day. 200ish yards is bad enough and most came from the final TD drive in meaningless minutes. I've never wanted him gone, sure would love those 1-2 bonehead plays a game to go away, but a guy with his size/speed who can lineup everywhere and manhandle DBs in the run game is impossible to replace. This year he's been a consistent 100 yards 1(+) TD asset. Lockett is on his way out, JSN is a wonderful piece but not someone defenses scheme away (yet), and then nothing at WR.
As someone very high on Witherspoon, his season has been extremely disappointing to me. His jawing down 31-10 on essentially a dump off really bugged me. Especially when he did it to a guy who went 9 for 107 on them and routinely beat the secondary. He was the 3rd overall pick and came in expected to be all over the field making plays. He's been 'in position' this year but I cannot recall many times he flashed. There just aren't many guys putting the team on their back and saying I got this; he was expected to be and isn't.
Next week will be interesting. McVay learned how to consistently beat Pete's defense by the end but isn't a physical/mauling style. I could see the defense playing better like they did against the Falcons.
