Thoughts on the roster now?

[Guest]

Like most I think we are pretty solid as long as we can avoid injuries. We really need to coach up some of these young players and hope they step up and fill key roles on this team. I think there will be some growing pains with the new scheme, especially on defense, but that's to be expected. I'm going to be most curious to see just how much the secondary improves and who steps up to be a difference maker on our defensive line. I think there's some quality talent at the different positions which should make for some great competition. 

[Guest]

This would make me happy to see Game 1 on the line:

LT Christian Darrisaw
 LG Ezra Cleveland
 C Chris Reed

RG Ed Ingram
 RT Brain O'Neil

[Guest]

@minny65 said:
Let's pretend we have a league lowish injury year?

(Disclaimer - all this is conjecture and opinion

I think we have a borderline playoff team if all goes well even though I expect a lot of early hiccups and adjustments with new Coaching, new Schemes and about 7 or 8 new starters (rebuild/retool) from who started last year, mostly on Defense of course.  

Also, on paper (toilet) we seem to have a decent schedule of opponents.  The Bears are in full rebuild and Lions still suck even with an infusion of newbie draft lottery tickets.  Really should be 4 wins there.  Then we play the downtrodden teams - Falcons, Panthers and Saints.  But we also have some big boys but all 3 at home (again paper reference) TB, Chiefs, Chargers.  Insert: Any given Sunday mantra here.  

If we can overcome some early hiccups and squeeze out a win or two that we didn't last year then we can build into the playoff hunt.  Then the final question is the one that hangs over almost every team's head - QB.  I hope Kirk can prove a lot of "us" wrong and can carry the team to some crucial/clutch wins down the stretch.  He has done it before specifically in that wild card vs Saints.  The 3rd Q dime to Thielen (great catch as well) on a 3rd and 9 - wow, that was clutch.  Then the nice OT catch by Rudolph arms extended high above his head was also an underrated throw from Kirk...He and Thielen won that game for us!

It is a team game, but I hope Kirk can lead a winning dangerous team forward because he hasn't done that consistently enough (see Saints WC) yet going into his 11th year.  But Hope springs eternal.  

Homer. :-)

[Guest]

Not sure anyone can say this roster doesn't have talent. How quickly they effectively grasp a new D and O scheme is the thing. Might take a bit.

[Guest]

@StickyBun said:
Not sure anyone can say this roster doesn't have talent. How quickly they effectively grasp a new D and O scheme is the thing. Might take a bit.

McVay famously barely plays anyone worth a lick in the preseason. I’m curious how KOC will handle it. Last year’s sloppy preseason under Zimmer definitely bled over into the regular season. 

[Guest]

@pattersaur said:

@StickyBun said:
Not sure anyone can say this roster doesn't have talent. How quickly they effectively grasp a new D and O scheme is the thing. Might take a bit.

McVay famously barely plays anyone worth a lick in the preseason. I’m curious how KOC will handle it. Last year’s sloppy preseason under Zimmer definitely bled over into the regular season. 

Yup agreed.

I was hoping a switch would be turned on once the season started, but it never did...

[Guest]

Lets hope this coaching staff doesn't determine who their starters are before training camp like the last staff and they are willing to let guys actually compete for starting spots.  If a starter struggles lets hope the new staff has the decency to at least try a different guy and bench the guy not getting the job done.

[Guest]

@Greylock said:
Lets hope this coaching staff doesn't determine who their starters are before training camp like the last staff and they are willing to let guys actually compete for starting spots.  If a starter struggles lets hope the new staff has the decency to at least try a different guy and bench the guy not getting the job done.

I don't think this will be the case, but I just really hope the new staff isn't so adverse to playing or even starting rookies. That was one of my biggest gripes with Zimmer. It took some guys until mid-season to see the field even though they were better and more talented then the guys playing 

[Guest]

I’m curious what they are doing weight room wise. Years back, Zimmer switched everything over to free weights. I’m not a fan for several reasons, number one being injuries. The other issue with free weights, in my opinion, is they can hold back improving functional strength. 

Anyhow, just curious if there’s been any talk on it. Awhile back I read about 1/3rd of NFL teams still use free weights. 

[Guest]

I am most concerned about Smith on defense and thielwn on offense. Not sure how much gas those guys have left in the tank. Especially Smith.