While I was disappointed to see us fall so far behind early, you have to love the fight in this team. I think Coles and Cotchery are a great receiving tandem and Penny is fine. I think the rest of the team is still trying to find itself...especially the running game and D-Line. However, I think the running game will improve as the young linemen gain experience. The D-Line will need further tweaking, but I think Mangini and Sutton will figure it out. The thing that bodes well is that for a first year HC, I just don't see Mangini making any real game day mistakes (then again compared to Herm, a chicken pecking at the playbook could call a better game). He seems very prepared and on top of things. This team seems like one that will start to put together the pieces around mid-season and be one of teams that oppenents will not want to face. The overall win total is somewhat irrelevent for this year (although I am thinking we we will be around 8 wins and miss the playoffs). However, come next season, we will take that next step and be a formidable playoff team. The first two weeks have far exceeded my expectations. I am having fun so far this season and it seems like things will only get better. DbJ
IMO i can see them playing good football the 2nd half of the year. They showed alot coming back on NE if HE was still coaching we would have lost 34-0. If the jets can slove the RB issue will be fine.
I hope that you're right, but the flaw I see in your logic is your assumption that the running game will improve as the young linemen get experience. Maybe so, but maybe not, and given the weather around here (and in New England and Green Bay) in November and December, you can't win without a running game.
The team so far has played two very inconsistent games (good first half, bad second half against Tenn - the opposite against NE). This is the sign of an inexperienced team and coaching staff which is a few players short of playoff contention. Let's see if they can put together a solid 60 minutes of football. It will do wonders for their confidence.
Well said DBJ- I wasn't delusional enough to believe a team with an overhauled coaching staff in Game 2 with a QB coming off of injury was going to beat the dangerous Patriots. The Jets made it interesting- we showed we have playmakers (albeit not at RB!) on the offensive side of the ball. The defense showed some toughness in forcing a big fumble on Brady (Rhodes looks excellent). Sure, we have some wrinkles to iron out but we're MUCH further along than I expected. Who says a .500 season or maybe even 9 wins is out of the question? Hell, I'm dreaming of the playoffs and who knows what will come from that.
