04-06-2019, 03:01 PM
Can we compete in the AFCN? Of course. We're good for a split against the Ravens and hopefully, coaching makes a difference against Pittsburgh and we're healthier when we play the Browns. 3-3 is doable, 4-2 if we sweep Ravens. Our chances really don't have to do much with the other teams. The real questions are:
Is Bobby Hart suddenly going to turn into an average RT? If they draft a guy and he outplays Hart in the preseason, would he start despite Hart being paid like a starter? Is John Miller really that big of an upgrade from Redmond and will it help Hart? I'm not worried about Price, I think he'll take a step in year 2, but if he doesn't the coaches will need to put Hopkins at C and not waste any time. Boling is still solid and Glenn is good when he's healthy. Too bad that's only for 10 games or so. They'll def need a tackle in the first 3 rounds.
Is a premium pick at Linebacker going to make this group massively better? Preston Brown is a 2 down at most linebacker, Vigil is average at best. The rest of the guys are unproven or trash (Nickerson). Is a guy like Zach Brown still on the table as he's still on the market? Will they get the Jets to agree to send Darron Lee for a 5th or 6th? Maybe Malik Jefferson surprises us. You never know but they shouldn't bet on it.
No way the defense is as bad as it was last year, but can they play up to their talent level and not to be mediocre to where we'll settle for "well, at least it's not Austin". Can the corners catch an INT (INTs aren't the most important stat but still a game-changing play)? Will the d-line play up to its potential especially if we add a premium pick at DT? Can Carl Lawson come back and not miss a step? And of course, league average linebacker play will help.
Can John Ross take the 3rd year leap that Boyd did and become a factor outside of the end zone? Can ZT and Callahan truly unlock him or will we be forced to draft a guy high?
If we lose AJ, Eifert for a couple of games, will the offense not suddenly die? Boyd showed he is capable of being a #1 and if Ross becomes more productive, you'll only need to worry about that #3 guy. Erickson has shown he's capable. Does Malone finally put it together and becomes a solid #4 WR? Maybe they'll draft a guy like Hakeem Butler in the first 3 rounds.
Can ZT and co. get more out of the guys that aren't starters? Depth (along with injuries and coaching) is really what sank us. I think a good amount of guys on this roster have been underperforming and if ZT can put some of them (not all cause most teams will have some bad players) in a place to succeed if we need them to, that'd be great and it'd be another example as to why Marvin's approach was flawed.
Obviously, every team has questions like these but they're not all going to come true. I say if they get better linebacker play, the line shows slight improvement and we don't have 20 IRs we can certainly be in the mix. Easier said than done obviously. Here's to hoping ZT is confident in his plan and he puts it together.
Is Bobby Hart suddenly going to turn into an average RT? If they draft a guy and he outplays Hart in the preseason, would he start despite Hart being paid like a starter? Is John Miller really that big of an upgrade from Redmond and will it help Hart? I'm not worried about Price, I think he'll take a step in year 2, but if he doesn't the coaches will need to put Hopkins at C and not waste any time. Boling is still solid and Glenn is good when he's healthy. Too bad that's only for 10 games or so. They'll def need a tackle in the first 3 rounds.
Is a premium pick at Linebacker going to make this group massively better? Preston Brown is a 2 down at most linebacker, Vigil is average at best. The rest of the guys are unproven or trash (Nickerson). Is a guy like Zach Brown still on the table as he's still on the market? Will they get the Jets to agree to send Darron Lee for a 5th or 6th? Maybe Malik Jefferson surprises us. You never know but they shouldn't bet on it.
No way the defense is as bad as it was last year, but can they play up to their talent level and not to be mediocre to where we'll settle for "well, at least it's not Austin". Can the corners catch an INT (INTs aren't the most important stat but still a game-changing play)? Will the d-line play up to its potential especially if we add a premium pick at DT? Can Carl Lawson come back and not miss a step? And of course, league average linebacker play will help.
Can John Ross take the 3rd year leap that Boyd did and become a factor outside of the end zone? Can ZT and Callahan truly unlock him or will we be forced to draft a guy high?
If we lose AJ, Eifert for a couple of games, will the offense not suddenly die? Boyd showed he is capable of being a #1 and if Ross becomes more productive, you'll only need to worry about that #3 guy. Erickson has shown he's capable. Does Malone finally put it together and becomes a solid #4 WR? Maybe they'll draft a guy like Hakeem Butler in the first 3 rounds.
Can ZT and co. get more out of the guys that aren't starters? Depth (along with injuries and coaching) is really what sank us. I think a good amount of guys on this roster have been underperforming and if ZT can put some of them (not all cause most teams will have some bad players) in a place to succeed if we need them to, that'd be great and it'd be another example as to why Marvin's approach was flawed.
Obviously, every team has questions like these but they're not all going to come true. I say if they get better linebacker play, the line shows slight improvement and we don't have 20 IRs we can certainly be in the mix. Easier said than done obviously. Here's to hoping ZT is confident in his plan and he puts it together.
