Personally it all starts with the coaching . We had a horrible coaching staff last year, week in and week out; it was evident that we were poorly prepared (i.e. 2 minute drill) for some games. This team was in complete disarray last year, every week it was something new, and I'm not going to open up old wounds by doing a recap, becasue we all know what they were. This team did not go 4-12 because of its' talent, it was because of poor coaching, and I'm not talking about just the x's and o's, I'm referring to motivation and control of this team. We had no leadership up top, frankly; I think some of the coaches just gave up. I applaud Jim Bates effort when he was the interim coach, and it was obvious that they played better under his leadership, but I agree 100% that Bates was not the man for the job.
We now have a coaching staff that will soon be recognized as second to none. Soon it will be our coaches being coaxed away from us for head coaching and coordinator positions, when is the last time that has happened to us? Saban, Houck, Linehan, Bagget, and Davis are some of the coaches on offense that will have an immediate effect on this team and it will transpire to the field.
We have very good weapons on offense. RB has excellent depth with Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Lamar Gordon, Kay Jay Harris, and Sammy Morris. We have a very good WR corp with Chris Chambers, Marty Booker, David Boston, Derrius Thompson and Bryan Gilmore. We have an excellent TE in Randy McMichael.
We all know our biggest questions are offensive line and QB. I think we solved one of these problems with the hiring of Houck and the addition of Stockar McDougal. The others will florish under Houck's tutelage and things will sort itself out. So now that leaves QB. Who will emerge as the starter? Frerotte or Feeley. I've been hearing mixed reviews on both QBs during mini camp, so I will have to wait and see what happens during training camp. It would be nice to see Feeley win the job, but at least we have a capable veteran who already knows the system and can step in and lead the team if needed.
Bottom line, we have a coaching staff in place that will have this offense firing on all pistons. I will take Linehan and Houch over Forester and Wise any day.