Buchanty
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2006
- Messages
- 637
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It's hard not to be excited by the reports from camp, especially those citing the capabilities being shown by the defensive rookies, including Ebert and Francis. But I am still going to take it with an optimistic smile and a mild pinch of salt. Not that I doubt the growing cohesion, or the emergence of defensive backs being where they should be. However it is still pre-season, and they are facing an offense that has several holes and a unit that dropped off considerably from the opening week of camp.
I might be mistaken but it almost appears as if the offense has had a governor on their motors, one that is planned rather than one influenced by the defense. Perhaps the coaching staff is manufacturing that sense of confidence that comes through in each report. I could attribute this sense of puppetry to the changes in the camp dynamic demanded by the CBA. Gone is the intensity of two-a-days, and the sense of exhaustion they produced. So too is the change in tempo or lack of it, as you could more or less detect what stage of the camp/preseason we were in without looking at the calendar.
Another factor could be the 3 games in 10 days, and solid reason to rest offensive starters. I wish that we could get more observations and analysis on the effect of both schedule and CBA limitations on training camp, it is just so different from previous seasons.
Having sown some doubt I should add that I have gained confidence on a number of key areas on defense:
a) they will be better than last season, not top tier (that will take months not weeks and not a few but many) but more towards the middle of the pack.
b) they should be able to get off the field sooner this year, giving the offense the advantage of better time of possession.
c) they should be better on 3rd and long than in the past few years. Part of that is due to the fact that we appear better able to generate more pressure with the front 7; and we have something better than JAGs at FS (potentially several).
d) Wilfork will not be asked to do everything again, not that he couldn't, but I want him to be a lasting inspiration and team leader. A fresh Vince is a formidable defensive weapon.
Excited? - its hard not to be: I just want to establish some realistic expectations, and if they are exceeded I will be even happier.
I might be mistaken but it almost appears as if the offense has had a governor on their motors, one that is planned rather than one influenced by the defense. Perhaps the coaching staff is manufacturing that sense of confidence that comes through in each report. I could attribute this sense of puppetry to the changes in the camp dynamic demanded by the CBA. Gone is the intensity of two-a-days, and the sense of exhaustion they produced. So too is the change in tempo or lack of it, as you could more or less detect what stage of the camp/preseason we were in without looking at the calendar.
Another factor could be the 3 games in 10 days, and solid reason to rest offensive starters. I wish that we could get more observations and analysis on the effect of both schedule and CBA limitations on training camp, it is just so different from previous seasons.
Having sown some doubt I should add that I have gained confidence on a number of key areas on defense:
a) they will be better than last season, not top tier (that will take months not weeks and not a few but many) but more towards the middle of the pack.
b) they should be able to get off the field sooner this year, giving the offense the advantage of better time of possession.
c) they should be better on 3rd and long than in the past few years. Part of that is due to the fact that we appear better able to generate more pressure with the front 7; and we have something better than JAGs at FS (potentially several).
d) Wilfork will not be asked to do everything again, not that he couldn't, but I want him to be a lasting inspiration and team leader. A fresh Vince is a formidable defensive weapon.
Excited? - its hard not to be: I just want to establish some realistic expectations, and if they are exceeded I will be even happier.
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