let's talk offense...
 

I know a lot of people are very pessimistic about our possibilities this year.

I'm a little more optimistic.

We never really did settle on a RT last season, so I'd consider that position the same as last year; although with a little more hope. Terry, if he's allowed to play, has the talent. Svitek is maybe up to it. I think LT will be better, upgraded to 'solid' but unspectacular. He's no Roaf, but nobody is.

We've got a new talent at WR, and if Webb is even solid, I think we've signifigantly helped the position. I don't think Parker can even crack #3 as Webb is your returner now (I'd imagine.)

I think the biggest change will be that we have an offseason in which to put together an identity that will fit our personnell rather than changing on the fly like last year.

I've said it in other posts, but I really think making use of play-action in the passing game will be key. Keep that stacked front honest. Croyle has a bigger arm than Green ever did, and I think with Kennison and Bowe we could hit some deep balls off of PA. Those safeties will be thinking run support due to Johnson.

I think you can really use Wilson as an H-Back weapon; motion him up to line opposite Gonzales and run things as a one-back, two TE, two WR set. You can run it; you can pass and have 4 receivers in the pattern. You can keep him in the backfield to help with the rush. Gonzales should be a little free-er due to Bowe's physical presence.

I just think #16 last year with all the injury problems we had was pretty remarkable. I think we can do that well with an offseason to plan even with probably a young QB. There are a lot of weapons there, IMO.

I'd love to see the return of the DeBerg play action game, but in order for it to work, the running game has to be dangerous. In order for that to happen, our line has to prove it can open a hole or two, in order to make the safeties overplay the run... which is where all our doubts come into play.
The good news is that the D is getting much better. This almost always helps a running game, because the more chances to run usually equals wearing down a defense to the point that 1-3 yard gains can become 5-8 yard gains in the 2nd half (the Jerome Bettis theorem).

I have written 2007 off as a rebuilding year honestly and I feel our OL will be our Achilles tendon this year. I expect next year to be a good OL line year in the draft and then we will be competitive in the playoffs after 2008. IMO.

This isn't what you had in mind, but Keyshawn Johnson's on my mind so forgive me.

Acquiring KJ would give us two significant veteran talents. EK can stretch the field, KJ can own it. Bowe can crash the middle of the field. Parker and Hannon can race. Webb can be a top-notch slot receiver. To say nothing of Tony G or Wilson coming out of the backfield.

Our OL will need a lot of work but if we have a threatening pass game and Larry f'ing Johnson, we don't need a dominant line to be successful.

Expect more work to be done for the OL before the season starts, and next year will be crucial in repairing that unit.

Right now I'd have to say:

LT - McIntosh
LG - Waters
C - Weigmann
RG - Welbourne
RT - Sampson

It's threads like these that make CP great.

Pray continue gentlemen.

I couldn't agree more... its not the woe is us... actual constructive conversation... what a concept!! thanks, enjoying it!

maxwell

I felt as if the draft was particularly offensive.

Draft was fine.

Chances are we drafted 4 immediate starters if you count Medlock.

For me it hinges on several aspects:

1. Coaching/play calling. Let's assume that we can take nothing from last year. Herm isn't going to run that damn circus offense (DCO). Hopefully, he'll let go of RRPK as well. I assume that Herm and Solari have a vision of a physical, diverse offense that has a balance of pass and run. But, if things don't go right, if Herm loses confidence, like last year, we can expect to see the re-emergence of RRPK and then I expect the offense to be worse.

2. LJ. Yeah, 400 carries is just a number and LJ is an extrordinary running back. But if history has anything to say, Larry will be significantly less productive this year (under 4.0 ypc). That is not a prediction, but it is a possibility that one has to acknowledge when forcasting the offensive production. Herm will want to run Larry less this year and I think he will make good on that, at least.

3. Offensive Line. Obviously this won't be a strength like in the past. The situation with Terry adds uncertainty to an already uncertain situation. OL takes time to gel. But there is a small window of hope things will be better than last year, especially if we can avoid injuries. I think solid (not spectacular) line play is a prerequisite for good performance from...

4. QB. I'm not a Huard fan due to his limited ability and his age. There is no up side there. I'm hoping Croyle will emerge. I would trade the whole next season for development of Croyle into a solid starter in '08 or even '09. Only about 1/3 first round draft choices emerge to be a franchise QB. The odds drop for QBs not taken in the first round, but its still possible. I'm sure Herm/Solari will implement an offense that gives him a good chance to succeed.

5. Development of the WR. Kennision is the only proven guy and most of his contemporaries are out of the league due to age. Parker might do okay in the slot. I'm pretty sure that Bowe will win the #2 posiiton, but can he have enough production for him to be more than a distraction? I'm not counting on Webb. I've seen so many developing WR over the the last 10 years I can't keep track of them all. What makes Webb any different?

That's too many things that have to go right. Truthfully, I'd be happy with:

1) a low work load for LJ
2) identifying solid long term starters for at least 3 OL positions
3) promising starts and continual slow development of Bowe and Croyle
4) developing an offensive identity

If we did that but only averaged 17 points a game, I'd consider it to be a great season.

I think if the O line can protect at least enough to be average we'll be ok. I don't think things are as bad as some folks think. Of course our QB situation is a big key and question mark simply because we don't know yet who it will be.

Did anybody every watch Croyle play at Alabama? Does he really have the goods or was he a 3rd round "In case he has talent" pick?

The O this year will be limited to safe play-calling..It looks like Herm is building the D to stay close in games..The Kid has a bigger-gun than Huard, but Huard has the experince..only thing I dont like about Huard is his small hands..Dave Krieg like..fumbles alot and passes sail high ....

He dropped to the 3rd round because of his injury history.

Much like Tank Tyler dropped to the 3rd round because of his off-the-field issues.

Croyle has the goods. He had minimal talent around him and still managed to win some big games, and he holds a boatload of Alabama passing records, IIRC.

His Oline seemed like they were paid to take Croyle out. Bad, even worse than the Chiefs at times. That makes it hard to shine. He did do well at Senior Bowl workouts if IRC.

He was a "has the goods, but has an injury history and a slight frame" pick. He's the real deal, physically.