As long as we have hit bottom are on our way back up I will be happy. I think we need to win in dec and make a strong push toward 2007. I dont think we win more the 7 games but more then half of those wins will be later in the season. It wont be pretty early in the season
Wins and losses arent necessarily the measure of success for me this year. It has to do more with the way the team plays. Are they showing up to the games and playing hard for the whole game. How is Mangini's play calling? Is he taking some risks and calling good plays or is he calling a draw on 3rd and 15. Is the D playing tough, smart football. Are they hitting hard and not giving up big plays? Is there enough pressure on the QB? Has the O-line improved and jelled with 2 new starters and a position change at the premium o-line positions? Will they be able to keep our QB's healthy? Can they open holes for the rushing game? These are just some of things that if they happen, then the season should be successful. Wins will occur when these things happen as well.
I agree that expecting the playoffs at this point is a bit unrealistic, but I also feel that people saying 4-12 at best are being too harsh. Our core players, when healthy, are a decent set of players who can bring success to a team under the right system. Our coaching staff, although young, has years of experience at the NFL level, and from all indications thus far is doing a great job of building the necessary attitude among players to be successful. IMO, that is half the battle right there. We are no longer clinging to the past with certain players, and a strict, competitive training camp can bring out the winners of this team. Chad has an anxious Ramsey looking over his shoulder. Curtis will do what needs to be done and with Houston and Blaylock splitting carries with him, I expect our running game to be miles ahead of last season. Our OL should gain some confidence with the newly added young talent. Our recievers will be fine especially if Cotchery is given a fair shot. Ellis will regain his form now that he's out from under the shadow of Abraham. Barton is healthy again, Vilma will be manning the middle of our LB corps, and our young secondary has a whole year of experience under their belt. I'm just tired of hearing all the doom and gloom about our team. We were a bad football team last season, but 80% of that was because of injuries. Our core players are now healthy, and although they must prove themselves, I feel our team is decent. A .500 record is not out of the question as some would make it seem.
