If we finish 8-8/9-7 (The way I see it)

[Alex44]

We will be improved from last year. Now hold on I know a lot of you are going to say 'But Alex we were 9-7 last year.' well your correct, but record doesnt always indicate how good you were.

In all honesty we beat some terrible teams last year and then NE's backups, this year we faced some good competition and came away with some wins.

Sure we also lost to some bad teams, I'll give you that. But we were put into a tough situation with a lot of new players, and coaches. A new O-line and an injured QB. After everything settled and we got our feet under us, there is no doubt we were/are a better team than we were last year. IMO last years 9-7 was somewhat of an illusion and our record showed better than we played, so to everyone that thinks we have taken a step back, or that Saban cant make us better, etc give it another year, we are in fact headed in the right direction

Thoughts?

 

[TampaFinsFan01]

We will be improved from last year. Now hold on I know a lot of you are going to say 'But Alex we were 9-7 last year.' well your correct, but record doesnt always indicate how good you were.

In all honesty we beat some terrible teams last year and then NE's backups, this year we faced some good competition and came away with some wins.

Sure we also lost to some bad teams, I'll give you that. But we were put into a tough situation with a lot of new players, and coaches. A new O-line and an injured QB. After everything settled and we got our feet under us, there is no doubt we were/are a better team than we were last year. IMO last years 9-7 was somewhat of an illusion and our record showed better than we played, so to everyone that thinks we have taken a step back, or that Saban cant make us better, etc give it another year, we are in fact headed in the right direction

Thoughts?

My thoughts are we are as good as our record says we are. If we are 7-9 or 8-8, then we are worse than last year. Why? Because we lost more games. If we are 9-7, then we are the same.

A better team than last year wouldn't have lost to the Texans or Bills or Steelers really, as bad as they are this year. But anyway, this year is over. Let us focus our attention to the offseason.

 

[dolfan87]

We beat the Titans, a good Bears team, a tough Chiefs team, the Vikings ( which have a great run defense ) Lions, and Patriots.

Three of those 6 are dang good teams.

I say we have improved, I just want to see us stick with the coaches we have, and BUILD on it instead of start over.

Also the QB position is going to be an issue...

 

[Alex44]

My thoughts are we are as good as our record says we are. If we are 7-9 or 8-8, then we are worse than last year. Why? Because we lost more games. If we are 9-7, then we are the same.

A better team than last year wouldn't have lost to the Texans or Bills or Steelers really, as bad as they are this year. But anyway, this year is over. Let us focus our attention to the offseason.

So you think if they were both on the field last years team would beat this years team? I dont think there is a right or wrong answer really.

 

[Rocky Raccoon]

definately better. I think we've added more pieces this year that will carry into the future of our team. And our defense this year is unreal.

 

[Kdawg954]

I think we got unlucky with the QB problems early this year and the new coaches . . . but Saban doesn't need to start this over, he just needs a few pieces and a definite answer on the QB situation. K maybe a problem, I want to see Mare these final 3 games, I haven't given up on him yet . . . no matter what anybody else says, going into next season with a rookie or a guy we have to sign off the couch is a STEP BACK at that position. Fellas, next year is the year for us to make that next step.

 

[Nick13]

here is how i see it:

we finished with an equal record to last season, so we certainly didnt regress.

we have a ton of cap room.

we have pulled some players off the bench (Bell, Roth) who have performed very well.

we have a potential pro bowl QB coming back after having a full season to sit back and soak in the system.

i would say that we are definetly better this year AND have even more potential than we did going into last offseason.

guys, Saban is a perfectionist, he isnt going to quit until the job is done, just wait it out.

 

[PHINANALYST]

Bottom Line is that our 'depth' has improved ... improved to the point that some will displace the starters .... so yes, we are better positioned than last year ...

The challenge is to keep that pipe line going ... and start with the next line of depth ....

Folks that believe that we will have 'tons' of cap room, really need to consider how many contracts expire this year .... when you look at how 'many' roster spots we will need to fill ... we won't have the amount of manuever room most think we'll have .... certainly not more than 1 or 2 'top' tier FAs .... [preferebly a OLB, T or C] ...

We are in good shape overall ... and definitely headed in the right direction ...

 

[PYRO]

We are definately improved but I think our record could have been better if we would have put Joey in to begin with. Culpepper was still healing when he went in...that was not bright to think a scrambler could be turned into pocket until his knee healed. that is equivilent to starting Michael Vick with the same injury.

But after our team got together and worked together we have won 5 of our last 6 games. Against good teams nontheless. Our team is better this year my only question is whether our starters our going to all return to work together at the begging and not the end..

 

[Silverphin]

here is how i see it:

we finished with an equal record to last season, so we certainly didnt regress.

we have a ton of cap room.

we have pulled some players off the bench (Bell, Roth) who have performed very well.

we have a potential pro bowl QB coming back after having a full season to sit back and soak in the system.

i would say that we are definetly better this year AND have even more potential than we did going into last offseason.

guys, Saban is a perfectionist, he isnt going to quit until the job is done, just wait it out.

:yes:

 

[zonk4ever]

Certainly going into next year things will look brighter. Every area of the team will be the same or better potentially. We'll have Joey back (I'm not saying he's good but he's not that bad), Culpepper situation can only get better and we're not giving up a 2, obviously Ricky will be back (Saban loves him), WR - status quo, OL - can't get worse. Defense, of course, age is always a concern, but as long as no one gets seriously hurt, the talent & coaching on this side of the ball will keeps us competitive, special teams - status quo (we sure could use a kick returner). My only concern is Mularkey, but everyone thinks he'll be better with another year. That remains to be seen.

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

Well I guess I have to be the first to disagree. Last year we had the single hardest schedule in the league going in, this year we had one of the top three easiest. Last year we had a backup QB and still were able to win, this year we spent our future cap for a QB that looks like he may never be what we hoped. Chambers who looked great last year looks like he maybe living off last years accomplishments.
We do have some bright spots with the defense playing as good as anyone could have hoped but the running game and QB position are not at a championship level and I really don't see it getting better any time soon. I like our coaching staff and if we can keep them together for a few years we have a chance to make a playoff run next year, but not a championship run. Our QB position is actually worse now than it was last year this time. Joey is a solid backup who is turnover prone, and Danute will end up costing us a ton to get rid of. Since we are out of the playoffs I say see what Cleo can do. Who knows maybe he could be as good as the jags backup.
So in closing I would say that this team this year may be able to play even football with the team we had last year but our future last year looked much brighter last offseason than this offseason will look.

 

[trate121hb]

i think we've gotten alot better especially on defense.......our defense is worlds better than last year and is the type of defense that can dominate a game for 4 quarters.....our defense last year couldnt do that at all........as far as our offense it think our setback was the whole C-Pep thing......and I think we've taken the necessary steps in the right direction

 

[muscle979]

The defense is much better and will continue to be good next year even with the loss of a couple of the old guys. Daunte does have upside and should be as close to 100% as he'll ever be by next season. I don't know what to think about Chambers right now but at least Booker has stepped up. Ronnie is solid and can make plays. Hopefully the only position that will be changed on the Oline is left tackle. They need some continuity there. It's time for Mare to go unfortunately. Hopefully it won't be hard to find another serviceable kicker. I think the key to next year is minimizing the roster turnover. They should only change players when it is a clear upgrade. Nick and the fins can't afford another bad start next season. I think there's a lot to look forward to next season. The team this year has been a lot more dominant in their wins than they were last season. And against better opposition at that.

 

[BLITZKRIEG]

Not sure....

The defense has played better this year, but the offense has been a work in progress much like a year ago. Improvement is still needed in plenty of areas, so I'd say we're about the same as we were in 2005....

PHINZ RULE!!!!