Fins' Weakest Links - Question Marks (and their Impact)
Some people call it paranoia, others call it pessimism, I call it reality with a healthy dose of pragmatism. There is not a team in the NFL without question marks. However, as we're all aware of, not every weak link on a chain has the same possibility to make that chain break. So, I write this now to bring up the topic of where our beloved Fins have weakness (admittedly perceived, as the topic is nothing if not subjective) and what the potential for serious ramifications is with each weakness. Undoubtedly, this is a topic that a GM and coaching squad are constantly looking at in order to shore up the soft spots, but it does help me a fan to think about where we could get burned. These are only preliminary thoughts by me and I only hope that each of you adds and contributes to what you think is an issue and, by the same token, what is not.
OLB - The poll on the front page says it all. We're currently choosing between Hodge, Spragan, and Newman. In a defense that many of us feel will continue to ramp up the use of the 3-4, LB's are key key key. Moreover, and this is only based on anecdotal evidence, it always seems like at least one or two LB's per season will at some point miss time due to injury, the position is as rigorous as they come. I see the impact for bad outcomes with this weakness as one of serious importance only amplified by my second concern which is.....
DB/S - Noone can deny that we were missing at least one or two solid DB's last season. Game after game we got burned on the big pass. The moves we've made in the offseason speak to the fact that Saban and co. are no blind spectator when it comes to this issue, revamping this facet of the team with several key additions. The question is how well they will gel and is only made more important by the fact that we may have issues stopping the run with our current make up on the LB front (mentioned above). If we can't count on our DB's to stop the pass then we can't add that 8th man in the box to stop the run, and that to me spells a whole load of trouble. Allen may be a key player here as many have mentioned his ability to cover the field from end to end. We shall see but to say that our DB's are anywhere near reliable yet is a big question mark to me.
WR - We have Chambers - the guy has the make up of a champion - this is not about him. This about receivers #2-#4. I mentioned it on a previous thread about Jerry (not Joey!) Porter in terms of the way I'm thinking about so I requote myself from there now. I have faith in Chambers, I have some faith in Booker (though I haven't seen as much of him in Miami as I've expected - we'll see if this changes with Daunte which obviously could be huge for him), and I don't have a ton of faith in Welker, Campbell and the rookies. Welker is a solid player, don't get me wrong, the guy has the heart of a champion, but you know a Honda Civic with the engine of a Ferrari still gets blown away by a Ferrari with the engine of a Ferrari. Welker could be a force though if he focuses purely on kick returns and coming in on 4/5 WR sets. The rookies, they have what looks like some serious potential, especially Hagan, but you know at the end of the day they're still rookies and haven't played one NFL down yet in their lives - I cannot count on blind faith when it comes to the rookies. Hopefully I'm wrong on a few notes and Booker comes out like a true #2 and the rest of the crew raises their level to where a reliable #3 can come about, but if my doubts are warranted then any receiver with the chance of cracking the top 3 is worth a shot in my book - again, at the right price (goes without saying).
Feel free to praise, demolish, add or subtract.
Some people call it paranoia, others call it pessimism, I call it reality with a healthy dose of pragmatism. There is not a team in the NFL without question marks. However, as we're all aware of, not every weak link on a chain has the same possibility to make that chain break. So, I write this now to bring up the topic of where our beloved Fins have weakness (admittedly perceived, as the topic is nothing if not subjective) and what the potential for serious ramifications is with each weakness. Undoubtedly, this is a topic that a GM and coaching squad are constantly looking at in order to shore up the soft spots, but it does help me a fan to think about where we could get burned. These are only preliminary thoughts by me and I only hope that each of you adds and contributes to what you think is an issue and, by the same token, what is not.
OLB - The poll on the front page says it all. We're currently choosing between Hodge, Spragan, and Newman. In a defense that many of us feel will continue to ramp up the use of the 3-4, LB's are key key key. Moreover, and this is only based on anecdotal evidence, it always seems like at least one or two LB's per season will at some point miss time due to injury, the position is as rigorous as they come. I see the impact for bad outcomes with this weakness as one of serious importance only amplified by my second concern which is.....
DB/S - Noone can deny that we were missing at least one or two solid DB's last season. Game after game we got burned on the big pass. The moves we've made in the offseason speak to the fact that Saban and co. are no blind spectator when it comes to this issue, revamping this facet of the team with several key additions. The question is how well they will gel and is only made more important by the fact that we may have issues stopping the run with our current make up on the LB front (mentioned above). If we can't count on our DB's to stop the pass then we can't add that 8th man in the box to stop the run, and that to me spells a whole load of trouble. Allen may be a key player here as many have mentioned his ability to cover the field from end to end. We shall see but to say that our DB's are anywhere near reliable yet is a big question mark to me.
WR - We have Chambers - the guy has the make up of a champion - this is not about him. This about receivers #2-#4. I mentioned it on a previous thread about Jerry (not Joey!) Porter in terms of the way I'm thinking about so I requote myself from there now. I have faith in Chambers, I have some faith in Booker (though I haven't seen as much of him in Miami as I've expected - we'll see if this changes with Daunte which obviously could be huge for him), and I don't have a ton of faith in Welker, Campbell and the rookies. Welker is a solid player, don't get me wrong, the guy has the heart of a champion, but you know a Honda Civic with the engine of a Ferrari still gets blown away by a Ferrari with the engine of a Ferrari. Welker could be a force though if he focuses purely on kick returns and coming in on 4/5 WR sets. The rookies, they have what looks like some serious potential, especially Hagan, but you know at the end of the day they're still rookies and haven't played one NFL down yet in their lives - I cannot count on blind faith when it comes to the rookies. Hopefully I'm wrong on a few notes and Booker comes out like a true #2 and the rest of the crew raises their level to where a reliable #3 can come about, but if my doubts are warranted then any receiver with the chance of cracking the top 3 is worth a shot in my book - again, at the right price (goes without saying).
Feel free to praise, demolish, add or subtract.
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