We are not "The worst team in the League" as some are suggesting. We aren't an embarrassment to the NFL. We aren't at rock bottom as a franchise and we surely look nothing like the 2007 Dolphins as another thread suggested. Last year we were a very poorly coached team. If you don't believe that we were a poorly coached team, just ask. There are tons of statistics that say otherwise along with plenty of game tape that doesn't lie. We were terrible at situational football. Now, it remains to be seen whether our new coach will be better or not. Its best to be optimistic in that regard and save judgement for during the season.
With that said, we overcame our coaching numerous times to show that we are a talented team (or that we had enough talent to overcome our coaching and the other team, for at least a portion of the game). We outplayed the NFL champion Giants through 3 quarters of football. We went toe to toe with the AFC champs in the first game before they took a 2 score lead in the fourth quarter. We had a 17-0 lead on those same AFC champs later in the year. We had a slow start with a new offensive system and a short offseason - understandable. The point is the players on this team are not as bad as you make them out to be on this board. When we peaked, we were well regarded by many media outlets. A few had us in their top 10, some said we were playing some of the best football in the league.
So far this offseason we have lost 2 key players - Kendall Langford. He will be replaced by Odrick and its really no loss. And of course, Brandon Marshall. Tough loss, but with the knowledge we have now, he probably would have missed a good chunk of the season anyway. Marshall was a huge reason we lost a few games last year anyway. I can't count the touchdowns he dropped. We got on Ted Ginn for dropping one on MNF vs the Colts and wanted him gone, but BMarsh drops td pass after td pass and we give him a pass. He's a physical specimen but there is no way I would consider him a "top 5" receiver as some of you on here proclaim. Here's a quick list of 5 better receivers: Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, Greg Jennings. Not to mention guys like Dwayne Bowe, AJ Green, Dez Bryant. Point is.. He's good, but we didn't just get rid of some irreplaceable player.
As for us being "a joke of a team" for trying to get Peyton Manning. In the words of WV - Get Real! Half the league was interested, and he didn't come here, not a big deal. In fact, I'd say kudos to our front office for going very hard after the best QB option we've had available in a long time. As for Matt Flynn.. how can you hate on our front office for trying to upgrade or bring stability to the quarterback position. And yeah, maybe they are low balling him a little bit.. GOOD! We don't want to be the team that over pays for free agents (see the Bills.. Mario was not worth that contract). After the first week of free agency the deals get smaller. We're being smart here and some of you guys are criticizing. Is Matt Flynn better than Matt Moore? We don't know.. only Philbin knows. And maybe they are pretty similar and having two above average quarterbacks push each other in camp will help them both get better.
Lastly, I know we didn't get Eric Winston or Laurant Robinson, whom we were apparently interested in. But winning a free agent is also subject to the winners curse, you end up paying more than the talent is actually worth. Winston is a top 10 right tackle. He wanted paid like the best right tackle. No thanks, we can find a solid right tackle in the first 2 rounds.
I posted this long post because I hate seeing "the sky is falling." I hate when our own fans thing we are the most embarrassing team in the NFL. We're far from it. We have talent. If you want to get mad at the front office, wait until the offseason is over and their plan is in place.
With that said, we overcame our coaching numerous times to show that we are a talented team (or that we had enough talent to overcome our coaching and the other team, for at least a portion of the game). We outplayed the NFL champion Giants through 3 quarters of football. We went toe to toe with the AFC champs in the first game before they took a 2 score lead in the fourth quarter. We had a 17-0 lead on those same AFC champs later in the year. We had a slow start with a new offensive system and a short offseason - understandable. The point is the players on this team are not as bad as you make them out to be on this board. When we peaked, we were well regarded by many media outlets. A few had us in their top 10, some said we were playing some of the best football in the league.
So far this offseason we have lost 2 key players - Kendall Langford. He will be replaced by Odrick and its really no loss. And of course, Brandon Marshall. Tough loss, but with the knowledge we have now, he probably would have missed a good chunk of the season anyway. Marshall was a huge reason we lost a few games last year anyway. I can't count the touchdowns he dropped. We got on Ted Ginn for dropping one on MNF vs the Colts and wanted him gone, but BMarsh drops td pass after td pass and we give him a pass. He's a physical specimen but there is no way I would consider him a "top 5" receiver as some of you on here proclaim. Here's a quick list of 5 better receivers: Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, Greg Jennings. Not to mention guys like Dwayne Bowe, AJ Green, Dez Bryant. Point is.. He's good, but we didn't just get rid of some irreplaceable player.
As for us being "a joke of a team" for trying to get Peyton Manning. In the words of WV - Get Real! Half the league was interested, and he didn't come here, not a big deal. In fact, I'd say kudos to our front office for going very hard after the best QB option we've had available in a long time. As for Matt Flynn.. how can you hate on our front office for trying to upgrade or bring stability to the quarterback position. And yeah, maybe they are low balling him a little bit.. GOOD! We don't want to be the team that over pays for free agents (see the Bills.. Mario was not worth that contract). After the first week of free agency the deals get smaller. We're being smart here and some of you guys are criticizing. Is Matt Flynn better than Matt Moore? We don't know.. only Philbin knows. And maybe they are pretty similar and having two above average quarterbacks push each other in camp will help them both get better.
Lastly, I know we didn't get Eric Winston or Laurant Robinson, whom we were apparently interested in. But winning a free agent is also subject to the winners curse, you end up paying more than the talent is actually worth. Winston is a top 10 right tackle. He wanted paid like the best right tackle. No thanks, we can find a solid right tackle in the first 2 rounds.
I posted this long post because I hate seeing "the sky is falling." I hate when our own fans thing we are the most embarrassing team in the NFL. We're far from it. We have talent. If you want to get mad at the front office, wait until the offseason is over and their plan is in place.
