Concerns going into 2012 season

[BananaRepublican]

This year, there are two tests early, with Baltimore and Denver, and two late, Houston and San Fran. The Seattle game is a tough haul all the way across the the country. The Jet games are always emotional, and the St. Louis game follows the Jet home game. The Rams could be a trap game in London. This year's schedule, at this point on July 23, looks to be a bit more of a test, but certainly not grueling.

I think Tennessee is going to be a test. This is a rebound year for Chris Johnson, and they should have Britt and a healthy Hasselbeck. I see them as a tough out - not fair to rate this game on the basis of last year's Titans.

Seattle is going to be a tough out. The Pats could lose that one. Seattle still has QB questions but they obviously have a great defense and a very tough stadium and crowd. They will be pumped and jacked. Again, this version of the Seahawks is not last year's. Much improved. They could be the division winners for all we know.

The Rams are still not going to be a great team but let's face it that they are vastly upgraded over last year. Everything went wrong for them last year. This year they have the coaching and a very fine group of young players from the draft. Still looks like a W for the Pats but I'm just saying that the schedule is not as weak as if they were playing last year's teams.

We don't know how Buffalo is going to shape up but it does look like they are going to be a winning team (as opposed to last year). We'll get two chances at them alone, so this year's schedule is going to be harder than last year's.

 

[Salva135]

I think Tennessee is going to be a test. This is a rebound year for Chris Johnson, and they should have Britt and a healthy Hasselbeck. I see them as a tough out - not fair to rate this game on the basis of last year's Titans.

Seattle is going to be a tough out. The Pats could lose that one. Seattle still has QB questions but they obviously have a great defense and a very tough stadium and crowd. They will be pumped and jacked. Again, this version of the Seahawks is not last year's. Much improved. They could be the division winners for all we know.

The Rams are still not going to be a great team but let's face it that they are vastly upgraded over last year. Everything went wrong for them last year. This year they have the coaching and a very fine group of young players from the draft. Still looks like a W for the Pats but I'm just saying that the schedule is not as weak as if they were playing last year's teams.

We don't know how Buffalo is going to shape up but it does look like they are going to be a winning team (as opposed to last year). We'll get two chances at them alone, so this year's schedule is going to be harder than last year's.

Every game is a test. It's the NFL. If you're going to make a case why the 2-14 Rams are going to be a challenge then just end the discussion because there are clearly no gimmes on the schedule, and by definition they don't exist.

 

[Steve102]

Every game is a test. It's the NFL. If you're going to make a case why the 2-14 Rams are going to be a challenge then just end the discussion because there are clearly no gimmes on the schedule, and by definition they don't exist.

Coach Belichick in the hizzy

 

[PatsBoy12]

Finally the non-football season is drawing to a close, pity we have to bid a slow farewell to the summer as well, but give me football any day over boringball aka MLB.

My concerns for the team are similar to many of the other posters:

1. Injuries - while these are part and parcel of the season I would like to avoid them as we head into the playoffs. Injuries have played a significant role in making the post season quest for the 4th Lombardi so much more difficult. Welker in 2009, Hernandez (played injured) in 2010 and Gronk/Spikes/Mankins in 2011 (not to mention what happened in 2008). An injury free post season is on my Christmas list.

2. The strength of character in the secondary. Yes they got to the SB, but the path was less than pretty. Now with all the available analysis it seems that confidence was a major factor. That of course can be attributed to a lack of strong leadership (step forward please Mr Chung), loss of players with knowledge of the system (Sanders and Merriweather), limited training especially on changes from man to zone coverage. We haven't brought in any major talent in FA and we are dependent on McCourty returning to 2010 form, and Dowling being able to contribute a full season. Gregory and Allen may be a step up from Brown, Barrett and Ihedigbo but its not a big one. I am looking for more steel from the vets.

3. Stability on the OL - I would prefer that we make the transition to Connolly being full time Center instead of him filling in for injuries on the line. Problem is that Koppen is not so flexible, making him an expensive backup. Mankins and Volmer injured, Waters not back in the fold and Solder left to be the anchor in the group. I fear that Gallery will be an interesting experiment but little else. The thought of Solder, Gallery, Koppen, Connolly and Cannon facing the Ravens(even without Suggs) and Bills in weeks 3 and 4 leaves me feeling uneasy.

Concerns for the media and fans

4. Hype and high expectations are the killers; media feeds the fans, the fans fuel the media. I think too much is being expected from Hightower. Yes I am excited about what he offers, but to believe that he will have as immediate an impact as Mayo in his first season is optimistic. Part of Mayo's success could be that less was expected from him (reasonable college career as opposed to a stellar one from Hightower). Same goes with Dowling and McCourty, where the expectations that they will perform at or close to pro-bowl level and lead to a dominant secondary is ill founded. I will be happy with an improvement but to expect a change from 31st to top 5 is unwarranted.

The AFC East is going to be closer than some think, although the only division sweep I see the Bills getting is against Miami. The Jets do have plenty of problems, but they still have a good defense and while they are wildly inconsistent on offense they can sometimes lead a charmed life (same can be said of their QBs). Say what you will about Rex Ryan, he is a good Defensive Coach and plans well. Sparano is an upgrade over Schottenheimer so expect two close games. You know they are putting the majority of their play designs into beating the Patriots.

That said I am expecting a winning season and will be happy with 12-4 or even 11-5. Anything more is icing on top of the cake, and yes more than welcome if we can get there with a trophy in February.

I feel like "Being John Malkovich" right now. Did you take a journey into my brain and this is a journal of what you saw? This post is spot on!

 

[IllegalContact]

strength of schedule has only a regular season impact

'battle tested' is a notion I don't buy into...the pats did not beat the broncos and ravens because they were battle tested.

my biggest concerns are the health of the OL and the development of the secondary

I think hightower will be in the running for DROY

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Finally the non-football season is drawing to a close, pity we have to bid a slow farewell to the summer as well, but give me football any day over boringball aka MLB.

My concerns for the team are similar to many of the other posters:

1. Injuries - while these are part and parcel of the season I would like to avoid them as we head into the playoffs. Injuries have played a significant role in making the post season quest for the 4th Lombardi so much more difficult. Welker in 2009, Hernandez (played injured) in 2010 and Gronk/Spikes/Mankins in 2011 (not to mention what happened in 2008). An injury free post season is on my Christmas list.

2. The strength of character in the secondary. Yes they got to the SB, but the path was less than pretty. Now with all the available analysis it seems that confidence was a major factor. That of course can be attributed to a lack of strong leadership (step forward please Mr Chung), loss of players with knowledge of the system (Sanders and Merriweather), limited training especially on changes from man to zone coverage. We haven't brought in any major talent in FA and we are dependent on McCourty returning to 2010 form, and Dowling being able to contribute a full season. Gregory and Allen may be a step up from Brown, Barrett and Ihedigbo but its not a big one. I am looking for more steel from the vets.

3. Stability on the OL - I would prefer that we make the transition to Connolly being full time Center instead of him filling in for injuries on the line. Problem is that Koppen is not so flexible, making him an expensive backup. Mankins and Volmer injured, Waters not back in the fold and Solder left to be the anchor in the group. I fear that Gallery will be an interesting experiment but little else. The thought of Solder, Gallery, Koppen, Connolly and Cannon facing the Ravens(even without Suggs) and Bills in weeks 3 and 4 leaves me feeling uneasy.

Concerns for the media and fans

4. Hype and high expectations are the killers; media feeds the fans, the fans fuel the media. I think too much is being expected from Hightower. Yes I am excited about what he offers, but to believe that he will have as immediate an impact as Mayo in his first season is optimistic. Part of Mayo's success could be that less was expected from him (reasonable college career as opposed to a stellar one from Hightower). Same goes with Dowling and McCourty, where the expectations that they will perform at or close to pro-bowl level and lead to a dominant secondary is ill founded. I will be happy with an improvement but to expect a change from 31st to top 5 is unwarranted.

The AFC East is going to be closer than some think, although the only division sweep I see the Bills getting is against Miami. The Jets do have plenty of problems, but they still have a good defense and while they are wildly inconsistent on offense they can sometimes lead a charmed life (same can be said of their QBs). Say what you will about Rex Ryan, he is a good Defensive Coach and plans well. Sparano is an upgrade over Schottenheimer so expect two close games. You know they are putting the majority of their play designs into beating the Patriots.

That said I am expecting a winning season and will be happy with 12-4 or even 11-5. Anything more is icing on top of the cake, and yes more than welcome if we can get there with a trophy in February.

You are already 3 generations behind when it comes to the Jets.