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So it's a little bit early, but here's my opinion on where we stand so far.
Negatives:
1. JP's inexperience. I don't want to invoke the old Bledsoe/Losman argument- Drew didn't work out as we hoped and it's time to move on. But the fact is that JP has 0 NFL starts and his lack of experience will show, at least initially.
2. O-line. I don't want to hear the "we only lost one player" argument. We lost a player at the most important position, have two linemen who weren't on the team last year (Anderson, GandY), and two linemen who weren't even linemen last year (Bannan, Peters). This alone could be death for our team- I'm worried that they'll get JP and/or McGahee injured.
3. Kicker- Lindell is a HUGE liability, especially if we play ball-control offense and end up in a lot of close games. I guarantee he will cost us at least one victory and I won't be surprised if he costs us more.
4. DL- the loss of Williams is huge and will have a negative effect on the ability to stop the run, which is key to our defense.
5. TE- if Campbell and Everett heal, we'll be solid at this position. As it stands, we're really weak.
Positives:
1. Returning 10 starters on D and the best ST in football, which is only going to get better with the addition of Parrish as a returner. This should take the pressure off the offense.
2. McGahee- the guy's a monster and will only improve as his recovery continues. If he stays healthy, the rest of the NFL better look out.
3. Coaching. Mularkey's no Marv Levy, but he learned quickly last year and I think he's a solid coach. Gray, April, Wyche and McNally are the best assistants in the business. Say what you want about TD but we have one hell of a coaching staff. And if anyone can get our rag-tag O-line to play well, it's McNally.
4. JP's work ethic- this guy is working his ass off, and if he has half the talent the coaching staff thinks he does, he'll be a big help to our team by mid-season.
5. Lee Evans- he's either going to eat up the NFL or open up the field for Moulds. Either way, it helps the passing game tremendously.
Prediction:
I honestly don't know. If the O-line struggles, JP has a hard time picking up the NFL, and Edwards or Anderson can't step up on D-line, I could see us going 5-11 (especially since we're in the toughest division in football and have a difficult schedule).
If JP plays well, our D is solid, and McNally gets the O line in shape, we'll make the playoffs without a problem. 10-6 is realistic but 11-5 or 12-4 isn't outside the realm of possibility.
My best guess is that we'll be fighting for a playoff spot late in the season, and whether or not we make it depends on JP Losman.
Thoughts?
Negatives:
1. JP's inexperience. I don't want to invoke the old Bledsoe/Losman argument- Drew didn't work out as we hoped and it's time to move on. But the fact is that JP has 0 NFL starts and his lack of experience will show, at least initially.
2. O-line. I don't want to hear the "we only lost one player" argument. We lost a player at the most important position, have two linemen who weren't on the team last year (Anderson, GandY), and two linemen who weren't even linemen last year (Bannan, Peters). This alone could be death for our team- I'm worried that they'll get JP and/or McGahee injured.
3. Kicker- Lindell is a HUGE liability, especially if we play ball-control offense and end up in a lot of close games. I guarantee he will cost us at least one victory and I won't be surprised if he costs us more.
4. DL- the loss of Williams is huge and will have a negative effect on the ability to stop the run, which is key to our defense.
5. TE- if Campbell and Everett heal, we'll be solid at this position. As it stands, we're really weak.
Positives:
1. Returning 10 starters on D and the best ST in football, which is only going to get better with the addition of Parrish as a returner. This should take the pressure off the offense.
2. McGahee- the guy's a monster and will only improve as his recovery continues. If he stays healthy, the rest of the NFL better look out.
3. Coaching. Mularkey's no Marv Levy, but he learned quickly last year and I think he's a solid coach. Gray, April, Wyche and McNally are the best assistants in the business. Say what you want about TD but we have one hell of a coaching staff. And if anyone can get our rag-tag O-line to play well, it's McNally.
4. JP's work ethic- this guy is working his ass off, and if he has half the talent the coaching staff thinks he does, he'll be a big help to our team by mid-season.
5. Lee Evans- he's either going to eat up the NFL or open up the field for Moulds. Either way, it helps the passing game tremendously.
Prediction:
I honestly don't know. If the O-line struggles, JP has a hard time picking up the NFL, and Edwards or Anderson can't step up on D-line, I could see us going 5-11 (especially since we're in the toughest division in football and have a difficult schedule).
If JP plays well, our D is solid, and McNally gets the O line in shape, we'll make the playoffs without a problem. 10-6 is realistic but 11-5 or 12-4 isn't outside the realm of possibility.
My best guess is that we'll be fighting for a playoff spot late in the season, and whether or not we make it depends on JP Losman.
Thoughts?
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