Am I Unrealistically Excited?!

[Soonerpeace]

(06-11-2024, 05:31 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I'm usually an optimistic, but realistic, fan of this team.

I'm always hoping and cheering but I've never been this optimistic for the team.

My main reason for such high optimism this season is Joe Burrow, but more specifically the offensive line, because he led us to the Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game with a shitty offensive line, which now rankings have our line in the top ten or top fifteen. Karras might be a weak spot but I'd rather the weak spot be one at center than our tackles where speed rushers can get to Burrow. I'm excited for Cappa and Brown.

Burrow has had injuries, but he appears to be healthy, so won't he rip the league apart?

At running back, we had Mixon and Perine and it wasn't too impressive. Now, we have Moss and Brown, which I've said a lot that I think Brown's underrated and Moss is also better than he's given credit for.

At receiver, we might not be as good, but we still have Chase and Higgins (hopefully), and teams will have to sell-out to stop Chase, especially with the line giving Burrow time to throw, so any receiver will be able to produce with less coverage and a better running game. I've also voiced my optimism about Burton.

Gesicki and Hurst might be a wash, but I like that Gesicki's 6'6 and I think Burrow will look for him a lot in the red zone and on third downs.

On the defensive line, we have Hubbard and Hendrickson at ends, with Sample, Murphy and Ossai backing them up, which is pretty much the same.

At tackle, we did have Reader, Hill, and Carter, and now we have Rankins, Hill, Jenkins, and Carter, so I feel like that's an improvement.

At backer, we're pretty much the same (I think?).

At corner, we had Apple, Awuzie, Hilton, and Flowers, and now we have CTB, Turner, and Hilton, and I think Dax could be taking over the slot position, which I like, so I feel like that's also a wash.

At safety, we had Bell, Bates, Thomas, and Dax, and now we have Bell, Stone, and Battle, so I feel like that's a wash.

The only position I think that we might be weaker is receiver, but Burrow can make anyone look good, especially with Chase out there, and we improved GREATLY on the position group that kept us from winning the title in our first two playoff runs, the offensive line, so am I wrong for being this optimistic?

What am I missing? Why are people in the football world not higher on us?

Receiver we are much better. Gesicki more athletic and a threat than Hurst. Burton and Isovias more athletic and a threat than Boyd. Didn’t say better than Boyd in ‘21. But more a threat and matchup problem. IMO if Isovias & Burton emerge we don’t replace Tee next year. But we are faster and more athletic than ‘21. And I expect Isovias to blossom big time.

OL is better but we’ve been saying that each year. I think we will run the ball better.

We aren’t better at running back than ‘21 with Mixon and Perine was a bull and was at the Jets game and they kept pounding him running out the clock. Mixon was a tough runner and good in the passing game. But if Brown strengths are utilized they will be. There’s no denying his explosiveness. If they can just open some holes. I don’t think Moss is better than Mixon and I think Mixon will show that at Houston. Oh the board will say where was that guy? The Houston OL says hi to Cincy.They paid him a lot of money.

DL we aren’t replacing the immovable D J Reader or his disruptiveness. But we will have a better inside pass rush.

Secondary will be improved but corner the scariest position on the team. Turner or Dax have to emerge.

I think the offense will be improved and defense. I think 12 wins is very possible depending on Joe’s health.