Defense:
D-Line - Taylor is still one of the best but we are pretty average at the other spots. We've done a lot blitzing to put pressure on the quaterback which indicates to me that the coaches don't think much of the d-line's ability to do so without blitzing. The blitzing has hurt us against the run as we've given up some big runs up the middle at times.
Linebackers - Thomas has been tremendous so far and Seau has been very good too. We're fine here.
Secondary - Considering the injury problems we've had, this unit has played very well and shut down some pretty good receivers.
Overall - The D has generally been great, but needs to do more to stop the run (which might be helped by simply blitzing less, although the loss of Chester hurts). Also, I'm concerned that once again the D played great for 58 minutes and then on the final drive they gave up big first downs when they needed a shut down. Yeah, they had a right to be tired, but this happens entirely too often with this team.
Offense:
Quarterback - At this point, I think its safe to assume we are not a playoff caliber team and have nothing to lose by finding out if Feeley's an NFL caliber starting quarterback. The trouble is that at this point I still have no idea. He didn't look good against Cincy, but the O-Line sure didn't help him. His decision-making was poor and could have easily thrown 4 or 5 more interceptions. However, I don't think Joe Montana would have been able to do anything with the constant "2 seconds and get rid of the ball" protection he received. I at least give him credit for not snapping or giving up.
Running Back - Same thing as above pretty much applies here but I was really disappointed with what I saw last night. He didn't show any burst or break away speed and missed holes on the rare occasion that there were any. I'll give him a couple of more weeks, but I think a replacement may be needed next year.
Receivers - Chambers looked great. I've seen enough of Booker to know he's very good. We should be set here for a long time.
Tight End - McMichael is a tremendous asset.
O-Line - Wow. That may have been the single worst performance I have ever seen by an O-Line. Wade Smith has no business in the NFL, let alone a starting lineup. McIntosh can't get healthy fast enough. Once he does, we should be adequate on the left side. Unfortunately, we still have average to below average players on the rest of the line and we need help. Hopefully, Carey will progress quickly, but I don't think a rookie is the immediate answer with this group. I think this is something we will just have to struggle through all year to at least see how is worth keeping around. Right now, it looks to me that we will be badly in need of solid veterans at center and right tackle next year, and hopefully we can plug Carey in at right guard. This has to be our priority heading into free agency next year even if it means overpaying. Although as a general rule I believe you can't build a championship team by overpaying for players, how much better would we be right now if we had held onto Todd Wade?
Bottom Line - The Phins are done for 2004. Not a chance in the world that the O-Line will gel in time to salvage this season. The upside is that it seems this defense with a bit of tinkering can still be really good for another 3 years or so as Taylor, Thomas and Seau don't look to be slowing much. Even the offense has great potential as we have great weapons at receiver and tight end.
D-Line - Taylor is still one of the best but we are pretty average at the other spots. We've done a lot blitzing to put pressure on the quaterback which indicates to me that the coaches don't think much of the d-line's ability to do so without blitzing. The blitzing has hurt us against the run as we've given up some big runs up the middle at times.
Linebackers - Thomas has been tremendous so far and Seau has been very good too. We're fine here.
Secondary - Considering the injury problems we've had, this unit has played very well and shut down some pretty good receivers.
Overall - The D has generally been great, but needs to do more to stop the run (which might be helped by simply blitzing less, although the loss of Chester hurts). Also, I'm concerned that once again the D played great for 58 minutes and then on the final drive they gave up big first downs when they needed a shut down. Yeah, they had a right to be tired, but this happens entirely too often with this team.
Offense:
Quarterback - At this point, I think its safe to assume we are not a playoff caliber team and have nothing to lose by finding out if Feeley's an NFL caliber starting quarterback. The trouble is that at this point I still have no idea. He didn't look good against Cincy, but the O-Line sure didn't help him. His decision-making was poor and could have easily thrown 4 or 5 more interceptions. However, I don't think Joe Montana would have been able to do anything with the constant "2 seconds and get rid of the ball" protection he received. I at least give him credit for not snapping or giving up.
Running Back - Same thing as above pretty much applies here but I was really disappointed with what I saw last night. He didn't show any burst or break away speed and missed holes on the rare occasion that there were any. I'll give him a couple of more weeks, but I think a replacement may be needed next year.
Receivers - Chambers looked great. I've seen enough of Booker to know he's very good. We should be set here for a long time.
Tight End - McMichael is a tremendous asset.
O-Line - Wow. That may have been the single worst performance I have ever seen by an O-Line. Wade Smith has no business in the NFL, let alone a starting lineup. McIntosh can't get healthy fast enough. Once he does, we should be adequate on the left side. Unfortunately, we still have average to below average players on the rest of the line and we need help. Hopefully, Carey will progress quickly, but I don't think a rookie is the immediate answer with this group. I think this is something we will just have to struggle through all year to at least see how is worth keeping around. Right now, it looks to me that we will be badly in need of solid veterans at center and right tackle next year, and hopefully we can plug Carey in at right guard. This has to be our priority heading into free agency next year even if it means overpaying. Although as a general rule I believe you can't build a championship team by overpaying for players, how much better would we be right now if we had held onto Todd Wade?
Bottom Line - The Phins are done for 2004. Not a chance in the world that the O-Line will gel in time to salvage this season. The upside is that it seems this defense with a bit of tinkering can still be really good for another 3 years or so as Taylor, Thomas and Seau don't look to be slowing much. Even the offense has great potential as we have great weapons at receiver and tight end.