Well DW has reasons to be optimistic about, he states some of them in the article. We all know his famous cliche, "We're this Close!"
There is someone new, to make final personnel desicions, other than Dave. RS has, on paper upgraded the OL, the secondary, the WR corps and the Special Teams and is working out a way to keep CC and Wale as a Finz.
Let's hope that the backup QB role is finally settled in TC. I believe the backup QB has been a major contributor in our failures the last few years, we were 5-8 (.38%) with DH, Lucas and BG. With those backups the team scored an average 14 ppg. I don't believe that our 4 year QB (JF) is the weakest link on this team. The team has scored, in spite of him, an average of 21 ppg in a 35-16 (.69%) record. After all, the Patriots have also average 21 ppg with T. Brady as a starter.
DW has brought a QB coach this year to strictly coach the QBs, we did not really have Norv putting alot of time with them last year. Mike Shula was shurely missed in 03'. I am sure Norv had to make time for game planning, specially when our OL and WR, were the weakest link on the team.
DW has brought in a new WR coach and recently has promoted their newly aquired TE, coach to OC. I know, will just have to see how this pans out.
Bottom line, with the upgrades (on paper), to our weakest areas on the Offense, including improving our backup QB situation (JF or AJ) and strenthing our Defense, DW has a right to be optomistic... :) and SO AM I... :D
That's my $2 dollars worth, or a gallon of gasoline for those that might be a little pessimistic...