Originally posted by rhadaddy
I think it's all of those things. For one no one anticipated Dixon being out the entire season, but hindsight is 20/20 and Miami should've spent the money on Gandy. I think what's more devastating is the overall bad paly of the entire o-line. Considering Wade Smith is a rookie with one year's college experience playing LT, he's doing damn good. Everyone except Clumpy expected Nails to return to his dominant form last season. So I guess Clumpy you were right. I think Ruddy, McKinney, when filling in, Perry and Wade has been very bad which is a big suprise.
Coaching has been a big disapointment as well. But I sincerley believe that Mike Shula's departure had a more adverse affect on our pasing offense and the overall qb development than the staff is realing letting on. JF played great at the begining of last season and played well enough after his return from injury to put us in a position to win, but this year he just looks off. No one expected our Wr's would be that big of a bust especially DT. That's really hurt the offense, and finally Ricky just doesn't look like the ricky last year. he's indecisive, dancing in the back field and going down with the first tackle. Maybe he needs to put back on some weight?
All in all, we should've beat Houston, however remember our defense was still getting use the new zone packages. Those same zone packages have made our defense less predictable and more potent even with the lack of overall pash rush. I don't care what anyone says, NE is a great team, well coached, and even if they were 0-12, as with buffalo or the jets, they would still play us tough. Our division games are always tough, therefore I put that loss squarely on the back of Mare. You get paid 2 mil/year, the teams drives down into your range in overtime. You make the kick...simple. the indy game, was a combination of poor tackling, poor blocking and bg coughing up the ball. tennesse, just outplayed us.
so i think there is a fair amount of blame to go around. and ne has a much better o-line, which is the starting point for any offense.
"Great motivators" are overrated. These are grown men who are millionaire professionals hired to do a job. This isn't rah rah high school and college ball. What they really need besides OL help and a legit #2 WR is a field trip to the Wizard of Oz to get some heart.