Here's what I see at each position (+ for improvement; = for staying the same; and - for worse):
RB - RW (Will be just as good, but should have a better year). +
FB - Konrad (they keep saying they will get him the ball more in the passing game - I will believe it when I see it). =
QB - Fiedler/Feeley (If Feeley starts, I think it will be a definite improvement - b/c he'll have beat out last year's starter). Either way, I think there will be improvement here b/c of 1) A good QB coach (Trestman); 2) A better OL and running game; 3) Improved WR's. +
OL:
LT - Wade Smith (Improved over last year) +
LG - Jeno James (better than anyone on the OL last year) +
C - Seth McKinney (Will improve and be better than Ruddy last year; he's more physical if not as experienced) +
RG - Question mark here. But, compared to Todd Perry last year? I don't think it can get much worse. =
RT - T. Wade had his worst year, imo, worse than his rookie year. I think, if Vernon Carey wins the spot, he'll be no worse and by the latter half of the year will be better than Wade was. =/+
TE: McMichael (I think he'll come into his own this year and that the OC will utilize the TE position more effectively as they did at Indy). +
I also give a plus b/c the backups will be improved. Especially with Perry back as the longsnapper.
WR: Chambers (should improve under tutilege of Sullivan) +
WR: Boston (still a big question mark. But, consider, can he be ANY worse than Thompson was last year? No way, imo). +
WR (backups): I think Thompson will be better, especially if he's not starting. And, I think the young guys will be even more competitive than last year. +
O-Coaching/Coordinator: The fact that we are keeping in tact Norv's system is a positive. It's like having a part of Norv still around. I like some of the new ideas that will come in from the three new coaches. I think we'll have a bit more balance in the playcalling (didn't think Norv did a great job there last year). The difficulty will be molding all the new players and coaches into a cohesive unit - especially if things start slowly. I don't think we'll lose a lot, if any, with the new ideas and with the improved position coaches (QB/WR). =/+
There's no doubt that we all would have liked to have seen even greater improvement on the offense in general. But, barring major injuries which is always a factor, the offense should be improved at all positions over last year, especially as we get into the 2nd half of the season. Will it be enough to win it all? I'm skeptical of that at this point. But, it could be good enough to win the division and possibly get a bye, if the defense improves (Which, I think it will).
Welcome thoughts of others on these points.
RB - RW (Will be just as good, but should have a better year). +
FB - Konrad (they keep saying they will get him the ball more in the passing game - I will believe it when I see it). =
QB - Fiedler/Feeley (If Feeley starts, I think it will be a definite improvement - b/c he'll have beat out last year's starter). Either way, I think there will be improvement here b/c of 1) A good QB coach (Trestman); 2) A better OL and running game; 3) Improved WR's. +
OL:
LT - Wade Smith (Improved over last year) +
LG - Jeno James (better than anyone on the OL last year) +
C - Seth McKinney (Will improve and be better than Ruddy last year; he's more physical if not as experienced) +
RG - Question mark here. But, compared to Todd Perry last year? I don't think it can get much worse. =
RT - T. Wade had his worst year, imo, worse than his rookie year. I think, if Vernon Carey wins the spot, he'll be no worse and by the latter half of the year will be better than Wade was. =/+
TE: McMichael (I think he'll come into his own this year and that the OC will utilize the TE position more effectively as they did at Indy). +
I also give a plus b/c the backups will be improved. Especially with Perry back as the longsnapper.
WR: Chambers (should improve under tutilege of Sullivan) +
WR: Boston (still a big question mark. But, consider, can he be ANY worse than Thompson was last year? No way, imo). +
WR (backups): I think Thompson will be better, especially if he's not starting. And, I think the young guys will be even more competitive than last year. +
O-Coaching/Coordinator: The fact that we are keeping in tact Norv's system is a positive. It's like having a part of Norv still around. I like some of the new ideas that will come in from the three new coaches. I think we'll have a bit more balance in the playcalling (didn't think Norv did a great job there last year). The difficulty will be molding all the new players and coaches into a cohesive unit - especially if things start slowly. I don't think we'll lose a lot, if any, with the new ideas and with the improved position coaches (QB/WR). =/+
There's no doubt that we all would have liked to have seen even greater improvement on the offense in general. But, barring major injuries which is always a factor, the offense should be improved at all positions over last year, especially as we get into the 2nd half of the season. Will it be enough to win it all? I'm skeptical of that at this point. But, it could be good enough to win the division and possibly get a bye, if the defense improves (Which, I think it will).
Welcome thoughts of others on these points.