I like our chances a lot to be serious conteners for a wild card spot. I dont think we have a chance at winning the division. However, there are divisions I think we could win, but not the AFC east. SOrry this is a little long.
I am convinced our defense will be amongst the best in the league when the season is all said and done. Their perfromance hinges on two factors. The #2 corner position, and Free Safety. We do have some good young talent at both those spots, so it is possible things work out. As for the front seven, I think the scheme alone has made these players confident enough to make up for any lack of talent or bodies. But we do need Chester healthy.
Offensively, we are vastly improved. Everyone is pretty sure, as am I, that the Oline is no longer a weakness. Maybe it is a year or two away from being a strength, but it is definately not going to be a weakness. Our recievers are in a better system, and we added a hopefully healthy David Boston. Puting it modestly, we have a nice triple threat their. IMO Runningback we are better than ever. If Rick comes back, we will have 3 potential starters on the roster. Now, I left QB for the end of this because it is hard be overly optomistic when talking baou them, as I have been throughout this monolouge. GUs is serviceable for a year I hope, and AJ could be good, but is still a big question mark.
As I said before, the defense hinges on the secondary, but if the QB's dont perform good it wont even matter. at least as far a making the playoffs are concerned. Yes I am a homer, but I think Saban has made the nesscesary improvememnts to make us contenders. I hope.