They're down 2-4 again. They've got a relatively easy stretch of schedule coming up (like last year).
The question is do they simply fold? Are they too devastated from blowing a 21 point lead? Are they turning on one another in the lockerroom? Or are they united as a team as they were last year?
Unfortunately I don't see this team's character being as strong as it was last year. Last year there was a cause, a force greater than individual player talents that took hold of the team and made everyone play better. Play above their heads. This year, it is a bunch of talented individuals playing....as a team I suppose, but hardly united like last year, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe there were too many new names. Maybe the addition of certain players destroyed the atmosphere that was created last season. Maybe players quickly tired of Sparano's philosophy, tired of the grueling camp and grueling practices.
Where is the character? Will it show up for the next two games and get these Fins back on track? Will there be a voice on defense that says, "NO!"?
This team undoubtedly has more talent than they did last year. And the second half of the schedule is just as easy as it was last year. So come week 16, I don't see why the Fins should be in any different position than they were last year...except for character. Do they rise to the challenge after the mental errors, sloppy play, and questionable coaching of earlier this season? It starts this week against the Jets.
The question is do they simply fold? Are they too devastated from blowing a 21 point lead? Are they turning on one another in the lockerroom? Or are they united as a team as they were last year?
Unfortunately I don't see this team's character being as strong as it was last year. Last year there was a cause, a force greater than individual player talents that took hold of the team and made everyone play better. Play above their heads. This year, it is a bunch of talented individuals playing....as a team I suppose, but hardly united like last year, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe there were too many new names. Maybe the addition of certain players destroyed the atmosphere that was created last season. Maybe players quickly tired of Sparano's philosophy, tired of the grueling camp and grueling practices.
Where is the character? Will it show up for the next two games and get these Fins back on track? Will there be a voice on defense that says, "NO!"?
This team undoubtedly has more talent than they did last year. And the second half of the schedule is just as easy as it was last year. So come week 16, I don't see why the Fins should be in any different position than they were last year...except for character. Do they rise to the challenge after the mental errors, sloppy play, and questionable coaching of earlier this season? It starts this week against the Jets.