09-06-2015, 12:00 AM
(09-05-2015, 11:22 PM)Utts Wrote: The offense will not improve despite the return of MLJ and Eifert. Dalton is still Dalton, and I think he's getting worse not better. Add to that a fragile line and a shaky center, and you have a recipe for mediocrity at best.
We will continue to struggle with pressuring the QB, and our LB situation is a concern. Add to that the DB's are going to get worse not better with Hall and T-New getting old / moving on.
Now factor in the difficult schedule, and the coaching staffs inability to get this team to execute in big games. I say 8 is the ceiling, and I won't be surprised if the adversity causes an implosion leading to 6.
I can do the same thing with each of our rivals.
Firstly, the schedule is harder for all of us.
Steelers - Lost their legendary defensive coordinator amongst many other starters. Will have to rely on rookies and second year players to live up to a vaunted reputation. Let's face it, the defense stunk last year already, and will be worse this year.
Their offense is good but they already lost pouncy for a period of time which will certainly hurt every aspect of their offense. Their players get suspended constantly and they are without two of their biggest weapons in one of their biggest games.
Ravens - The loss of Kubiak will hurt them more than anyone thinks. Does anyone really think that RB they had last year is anything without Kubiaks amazing offensive scheme? PFFT no way. They lost Torrey Smith, who, while being a crappy player most of the time, did make some spectacular plays now and then. Steve Smith is there... cool, but the rookie WR they drafted is hurt and wont start the season anytime soon, not to mention if that Pitta guy even plays anymore. They have very little offensive power, I honestly don't get the hype.
Defensivley, they are a good team, but they lose Ngata which is a pretty damn big blow. They lost their safety for the year I believe, which certainly doesn't help either. Didn't they also lose a starting corner in free agency? Once again, I'll believe this Raven hype when I see it.
Browns - Oh hey, Josh Mccown is going to be the savior of the offense... along with Dwayne Bowe. This is like a terrible fantasy football team, where the guy traded away all of his good players to his buddy for $5.
Their defense will still be very good.. they didn't lose much on that front.
I guess what I'm saying is If our ceiling is 8 wins, then the Steelers ceiling is 8 and the Ravens is 7. We are better than the teams in our division, so the record doesn't matter as long as we are better then them.
