10-21-2020, 04:47 PM
(10-21-2020, 04:43 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: I completely understand the frustration, but how much of this was our misperception about the weapons, not just the line?
AJ Green has arguably been the third best receiver on the team behind Boyd and Higgins. Look at how the offense struggled when the Ratbirds put their best CB on our slot WR. Nothing. Nothing to the outsides at all, and of course they abandoned running the ball again.
I thought Ross being on the field with Green and Boyd would be amazing. He would take the proverbial top off the defense and Green, Boyd, and Sample/Uzo would eat underneath.
We were so encouraged (or at least I was) of the mid-season schematic change to the offensive line and how Mixon took off. It was "pick your poison" offense. We would be unstoppable. Oh, and we have Joe fricking Burrow!
Only the very last statement proved valuable this year. We see the potential in Burrow. But Green, Ross, and Mixon from a rushing standpoint have been massive disappointments. That being said, they are averaging 21.5 PPG THIS season, including a clunker against the Ratbirds.
Now we are seeing Green show signs of life. Higgins is emerging. Sample is at least serviceable. The line is improving (but it is probably hard to go anywhere but up).
I will give them the rest of this year to see if they can do these three basic things:
1.) Average 24 points per game or higher. As you pointed out, it is the only stat that really matters (and it will correlate to wins). They need to finish drives and overcome drops, penalties, and be more creative and aggressive in their play calling.
2.) Get some consistency on defense
3.) Stop giving up points EVERY DAMN GAME in the 2 minutes before the half.
In the offseason, I made Joseph Thuney my #1 priority. He plays RG and XSF goes to LG. They can continue to try and develop Jordan. Hart competes with Adeniji for RT. Get whatever trade equity you can for the likes of Green, Dunlap, Atkins, and Ross. Spend a lot of picks on the trenches. Defensive Tackle, Defensive End, and G/OT should be the first three picks. I think you can get a burner WR from a small school to stretch defenses since we never seem to use Ross on screens and jet sweeps.
It isn't over yet. We could bring in Quinton Spain today and it would be an immediate upgrade at Guard.
