flintsilver7
Sack Monster
I know a lot of you will be flaming me for this, because you think that Saban can do no wrong. However, I'm trying to start some discussion here anyway.
1) The decision to bring Saban on. Personally, I thought Jim Bates was a much better choice to be a coach. Bates wasn't ever really in serious consideration, despite his standing with the team and his vast improvement over Wannstedt. For all of Saban's supposed defensive magic, we've got three or four outstanding players on this defense and Green Bay is still better than Miami in most defensive categories (including total defense and scoring). That to me is inexcusable. That said, I think a coach needs a full year to be fully evaluated. The Dolphins, however, were NOT the 49ers, as Ricky Williams was more or less the difference between 10-6 and 4-12.
2) Obviously, Gus Frerotte. If anybody was deluded enough to think Frerotte was part of Miami's future before the season, they shouldn't be thinking it now. Frerotte, sadly, is only playing slightly below his career numbers. I live in Redskins country, and they will ALL tell you that this is exactly what Gus does. We had nothing to lose and everything to gain by testing A.J. Feeley with this team, compared to having nothing to lose and nothing to gain by playing Frerotte. I do not want to hear any comparisons to the Ronnie Brown quote, because Gus is a longtime veteran while Brown has played 6 games.
3) Ricky Williams. I don't think the team wanted him back, and while I understand there were potential gains - either he does well, and then can benefit the team, or he does well enough to attract something of value in trade. Well, he hasn't shown anything yet. I don't know if that's entirely fair, because he hasn't had much exposure and can still catch the ball. However, Brown is really starting to improve. He should be getting the bulk of the carries as long as he's fresh.
4) Personnel. I think Saban drafted well - Daniels and Crowder are going to be pretty good. Roth hasn't shown anything yet, but he might. He hasn't really played. I like the defensive line overhaul. It sucks that Taylor has fasciitis, as he'll probably have a quiet season from now on, but both Taylor and Thomas have a few good years left in them. They're veterans, but they're not old. (Thomas is 32 and Taylor is 31.) Spragan has been serviceable. I think Seau should be allowed to freelance if that's what he does, since the guy carries more clout right now than Saban likely ever will. (See: Greg Williams and LaVar Arrington.) The offensive line - we HAVE potential in-house. Carey and Hadnot will be good. I believed that last year and I believe it this year. McDougle was apparently a waste. McIntosh might be good, as I think he's improving here. We need a center in the worst way.
Basically it all comes down to Frerotte. If we have ANY kind of decent quarterback, we're 4-2 or 5-1. Frerotte has played two decent games (2.5 if you count Buffalo) and we're 2-4. Coincidence? Not to me. The offense has completely stalled sometimes - due mostly due to Frerotte's inaccuracy and partly due to Ronnie Brown being underutilized. If the offense gets moving a little, then the defense (currently ranked 30th in time of possession) gets a bit of a break. We all like to blame the defense - I did as much here - but the fact of the matter is they're ranked 7th in yards per play. They're on the field so much - they get tired. I can't explain the opening drive syndrome they've been experiencing, but for the most part the other team has been earning their points. When they have so many chances, it hurts them.
1) The decision to bring Saban on. Personally, I thought Jim Bates was a much better choice to be a coach. Bates wasn't ever really in serious consideration, despite his standing with the team and his vast improvement over Wannstedt. For all of Saban's supposed defensive magic, we've got three or four outstanding players on this defense and Green Bay is still better than Miami in most defensive categories (including total defense and scoring). That to me is inexcusable. That said, I think a coach needs a full year to be fully evaluated. The Dolphins, however, were NOT the 49ers, as Ricky Williams was more or less the difference between 10-6 and 4-12.
2) Obviously, Gus Frerotte. If anybody was deluded enough to think Frerotte was part of Miami's future before the season, they shouldn't be thinking it now. Frerotte, sadly, is only playing slightly below his career numbers. I live in Redskins country, and they will ALL tell you that this is exactly what Gus does. We had nothing to lose and everything to gain by testing A.J. Feeley with this team, compared to having nothing to lose and nothing to gain by playing Frerotte. I do not want to hear any comparisons to the Ronnie Brown quote, because Gus is a longtime veteran while Brown has played 6 games.
3) Ricky Williams. I don't think the team wanted him back, and while I understand there were potential gains - either he does well, and then can benefit the team, or he does well enough to attract something of value in trade. Well, he hasn't shown anything yet. I don't know if that's entirely fair, because he hasn't had much exposure and can still catch the ball. However, Brown is really starting to improve. He should be getting the bulk of the carries as long as he's fresh.
4) Personnel. I think Saban drafted well - Daniels and Crowder are going to be pretty good. Roth hasn't shown anything yet, but he might. He hasn't really played. I like the defensive line overhaul. It sucks that Taylor has fasciitis, as he'll probably have a quiet season from now on, but both Taylor and Thomas have a few good years left in them. They're veterans, but they're not old. (Thomas is 32 and Taylor is 31.) Spragan has been serviceable. I think Seau should be allowed to freelance if that's what he does, since the guy carries more clout right now than Saban likely ever will. (See: Greg Williams and LaVar Arrington.) The offensive line - we HAVE potential in-house. Carey and Hadnot will be good. I believed that last year and I believe it this year. McDougle was apparently a waste. McIntosh might be good, as I think he's improving here. We need a center in the worst way.
Basically it all comes down to Frerotte. If we have ANY kind of decent quarterback, we're 4-2 or 5-1. Frerotte has played two decent games (2.5 if you count Buffalo) and we're 2-4. Coincidence? Not to me. The offense has completely stalled sometimes - due mostly due to Frerotte's inaccuracy and partly due to Ronnie Brown being underutilized. If the offense gets moving a little, then the defense (currently ranked 30th in time of possession) gets a bit of a break. We all like to blame the defense - I did as much here - but the fact of the matter is they're ranked 7th in yards per play. They're on the field so much - they get tired. I can't explain the opening drive syndrome they've been experiencing, but for the most part the other team has been earning their points. When they have so many chances, it hurts them.
