So do you also deem the Steelers about a 4 win team? They have not looked like a team that will run their offense or defense efficiently based on their 3 preseason games. They looked good offensively against a very bad Bills team...Otherwise, have they inspired confidence? This is a team that has predominantly run a no huddle offense throughout preseason because they have been playing together for years and quite frankly should be dominating in a preseason setting. But...they haven't
Streeter was someone I was honestly hoping would catch on for the Ravens. Great size and speed combo, but way too raw. His route running and hands are both not NFL quality which is what led to him being cut. Maybe he's improved. Of course if he has, I'd prefer he stays out the AFC North. In terms of the preseason talk, I'll agree that the record doesn't matter but there's a lot to take out of preseason, especially week 3 aka the dress rehearsal. If a unit looks like they've never played together during week 3, you'd be better assuming they start the season slow as opposed to thinking they start off hot. Of course they could and should improve. How individual players perform is probably your best thing to take away from preseason. If your RT gets beat week in week out when healthy, then he's likely going to suck, preseason or not
I agree, Big Ben has been taking NFL hits for 10 seasons, while Hoyer has done it in about 4 NFL games. He has only played 16 games in 2 out of those ten seasons. At what point does the beatings catch up to him? Last year, one of Ben's best of his career, netted an 8-8 finish...has missed the playoffs two years in a row and arguably their roster has declined each of the last 3 years, based more on aging of their stars more than anything else..
I agree with this to a certain extent, but WE have a RT (since that was your example, and not entirely sure if it was done based on the Browns early woes) that has been getting beat, but improved this past game. The zone blocking scheme is something he will have to improve upon and could very easily get up to game speed and improve immensely as early as game one. The same is true for any team/players going into an entirely new system. No one is going to look midseason form in the preseason. But it is entirely possible they are looking like an entirely different player by that first regular season game, when the coordinators have pared down what is working and they work on it more in practice getting ready for the real thing.
No, but I have a hard time believing that you are legitimately trying to compare what you have seen from the Browns 1s and the Steelers 1s. But the Steelers will not be a hugely improved unit over last season either. The over/under on Pittsburgh should be set at 7.5 games. I know you pointed out the Browns earlier with having a 6.5, but Vegas does not go lower than 5 or higher than 11.5 this season and their will be teams that do both. These are my personal odds, and yes, there will be some money put down on certain teams if I find the odds favorable.
No, I am not...I am simply stating similarities in ineptitude of the preseason. I don not any anyway compare the Browns to any other franchise as of right now, because they are a black hole of information. We don't have any clue what they will be, simply using the preseason as a statement of evaluation is just as insincere on your part as my analogy of the Steelers. Vegas won't go any lower or higher because the NFL is the epitome of parity in professional sports. The top teams and the bottom feeders battle it out week in and week out. There is a reason only 4 teams since 1960 in the NFL have gone winless in a season. They are professionals and any given Sunday does not ring more true than in todays NFL.
Similarities there are, but there are more things that are not in common when you watch both units on the field. There is nothing insincere about my taking the time to look at both teams with an objective eye and break it down for analysis that I share with others. There are clues a plenty, it all depends on what you allow yourself to see, interpret and most importantly - look at without bias. Does not change the fact that there is a strong possibility that there will be teams that go over 11 and under 5.
Absolutely there are clues, but I would argue the clues are even more telling in an established team. In the majority of cases, the schemes are not going to change drastically year to year, but the personnel should still work in relative harmony, ala New Orleans and New England. Both of these teams first units look good today..Pittsburgh, should be in that category, but they do not. A new team like the Browns, Vikings and Texans who are in new systems and changing QBs all at the same time are vastly unknown. The difference in the team from the first preseason game to the first regular season game can be night and day. These are professional athletes, there is always going to be a learning curve, but with professionals it could be a short one. No arguments here, the challenge is identifying which ones they will be!! Projected playoff teams become 4 win teams (Falcons) while projected bottom feeders (Chiefs) become playoff teams... It happens every single season without fail. One of these bottom projected teams WILL make the playoffs, while one of the "contenders" will be have a top ten draft pick.
I can agree with that point, but in this case I believe that what we are seeing will be indicative of what this franchise will play like this season. I mean no malice in that statement, but I will always give my honest opinion. Yep, that's true as well, but you can make accurate assessments if you put in the time. I was correct on 8 of 12 playoff teams missing Green Bay, San Diego, Carolina and Philadelphia. There was reason to have Kansas City in the playoffs last season, it just depends on how you evaluate and whether or not certain elements remain a constant. Injuries would be the biggest wildcard followed by QB play (Schaub fell to pieces and the Texans did as well). You view it from the bubble of 'everyone stays healthy for the year' unless you have a player that consistently is out (think Jay Cutler) then you adjust accordingly. There will more than likely be a team that over/under performs to a great extent but the reality is that there are good teams and bad teams.
Let me say this. The defense does look improved except on 3rd downs. That's why Gilbert has to get better. The offense to me looks lost. I even seen JT get beat a few times. But I guess that will happen from time to time. But looking at this team from the last preseason games they look weak at QB and WR. They drafted Johnny. I did and do like that pick at 22. We needed a young QB and they went out and got one. Along with that comes growing pains. That's why I wrote to start Hoyer and let Johnny learn. If Hoyer doesn't move the ball by week 4 then its time for Johnny football. Say we are 1-3 or 0-4 then its time for a change. The other position they needed to address was WR. They knew 2 weeks before the draft about Gordons suspension. They should of drafted a wideout somewhere in the draft. That wasn't addressed. Now so far it shows. Go Brownies!!!
I like the back and forth with Tim and Irish. Nice points on either side, and respectfully presented. Gentlemen on both sides. Being an optimist, I lean towards Irish's side, looking for 6 wins or better, but admittedly without any solid foundation. The biggest wildcard to me is the new coaching staff. It's a new system, and that by itself suggests that our best football will be late in the season, not early. Irish correctly points out that the roster is stronger. That should get us a game or two, but the newness factor of the system and the subsequent learning curve looks like it is taking a lot of time to sink in. That in part is due to the split QB battle, and hopefully will accelerate as the reps go to the starter. The D looks like it could be tough. I like Gilbert and agree, he missed having his security blanket (Hayden) last week. The fact that Pittsburgh looks weak, also suggests a split, and Cinci has looked good on paper quite often, but a split there is at least 50-50 to me, so we need but 4 other games to hit 6, and that feels possible right now. Of course in 12 days they start playing for real, and I expect us to cringe a lot initially, but also to start to move the chains and look like a team as the quarters go on. Hoyer may not be Mr Right, but he is Mr Right Now, and that is mostly for the benefit of the rest of the O, in learning the new system. Once they've figured out what they're supposed to do, then Johnny may get his shot with the advantage of having a surrounding cast that actually can help him. Can't wait til game 1, with live bullets. Oh and the Gordon thing: I gotta figure he doesn't get the full 12 mo gig, or the NFL is really punishing the Browns. I hope the kid can keep clean and uses this to become the top reciever again, with only 8 games. Now that would be a story.
This is said often and is seriously misleading. Ben had 11 turnovers in their 0-4 start. If he protects the football they're a 10-6 team.
He played 16 games in more than 2 out 16 seasons ??? But he didn't. If my Aunt had gonads, she would be my Uncle.
On my phone so no quotes: 1. I said it was misleading. I didn't say it was inaccurate. 2. Irish's comment suggested Ben played great and the Steelers STILL only managed 8 wins. When in fact he played some of the worst football of his career during their 0-4 start.
