Rookies turning this thing around

[TheRed]

Hopefully next year it doesn't take wasting half the season and injuries before the right players end up starting.

 

I just don't want the improvement of the OL, which was at one point arguably the worst our franchise has ever seen, to give our FO a false sense of security. We still need to keep looking for talent there, and LT is still a need. Bell is not a starter, it really is not a debate.

 

Also, I hate to say it, but I wouldn't put it past Ron to plug Amini and Chandler back in as starters when they're healthy again. If Ron is going to be here next season, which it certainly looks that way, Gettleman needs to reel Rivera in on his roster management, immediately.

[TMS3426]

I didn't see any mention of Kony Ealy who's getting better each week.  DG did a great job last year.   

[bandu]

why didn't Newton include Kony Ealy?

[PandaPancake]

To me, our biggest need after LT.

I hope you mean we need Lester not Harper. I don't think anyone has said we need Harper this year.

[Ricky Spanish]

 

 

Defensive end Kony Ealy isn't a starter, but the second-round pick out of Missouri also has been a big contributor in his first season. He had a sack against Cleveland to give him three on the season, one in each of the last two games. 

 

 

For those who missed the part about Ealy. It's there, you just have to read the whole article. 

[Captain Morgan]

to be honest, we have played crap teams for the most part that these guys have shined.

But at least they shined.

 

So they have given us a lot to be happy about.  Now, think about the fact that we also have

Cam, Luke, Star, and KK......yes, the future is bright.  Can't wait to see who Getty gets us in the

next draft.

[MHS831]

This is fantastic. The more they play together the better they will get. We have a very good future lined up for us.

Agreed.

If people can't see Gettlemen's strategy now, may the football gods have mercy on their souls.  He said, "TD scorers (Benjamin, Brown), pass rushers (Ealy) and QB (Cam).  He also said "Big men help you compete" (Turner, Norwell, Remmers, Star, Short). No money for free agency, he has done this with smoke and mirrors.  This is what he meant by "building the roster from the bottom up".

 

You have to be pumped by this--

 

Before                                                                                    After

We needed 2 starting CBs                                                     We need a nickel

We needed 2 safeties                                                            We need a SS

We needed a G, LT, and RT                                                  We need a LT

We needed a DE to replace Hardy                                        We are probably set at DE

We needed a deep threat WR, a #2 WR                               We need a #2 WR

 

The list on the right is manageable; many teams have lists that size.  The list on the left, however, would be incredibly difficult to remedy in one offseason.  This team is building

[panthersphan]

1,000 Yard / 10TD rookie WR!?

Yes Please! Thanks you KB! Just what the Dr ordered!!

[TheRed]

to be honest, we have played crap teams for the most part that these guys have shined.

But at least they shined.

 

Yeah I think that also needs to be kept in perspective. Our last 3 wins came against teams with a total record of 15-30.

 

At one point this season we had been blown out 6 times in a 10 game stretch.

 

That goes back to what I said about our FO and a false sense of security regarding the OL.

[mav1234]

Yeah I think that also needs to be kept in perspective. Our last 3 wins came against teams with a total record of 15-30.

 

At one point this season we had been blown out 6 times in a 10 game stretch.

 

That goes back to what I said about our FO and a false sense of security regarding the OL.

 

While it is easy to point at the awful records of our opponents, keep in mind it wasn't just good teams that were beating us.  The team is fundamentally playing better football. 

 

I don't think these rookies mean we're set forever and don't need to draft OL or secondary, but I'm pretty excited that they are contributing at all.

[CRA]

Bene has been the biggest surprise IMO.

everyone talking Norman....this may be the real future stud

[TheRed]

While it is easy to point at the awful records of our opponents, keep in mind it wasn't just good teams that were beating us.  The team is fundamentally playing better football. 

 

I don't think these rookies mean we're set forever and don't need to draft OL or secondary, but I'm pretty excited that they are contributing at all.

 

I would put more emphasis on those blowouts at this point, that is absolutely abysmal. We seem to have quickly forgotten.

 

Is the team that much better, or is the level of competition lower?

 

We've got one win against a winning team right now. I still don't know how we beat the Lions.

[TheWiz]

I don't Miss Pat Yasinskas.... David Newton seems to actually do his homework.

 

That being said... a game away from winning the NFC South... with 7 rookies?

 

Im starting to think that it doesn't matter where we draft.... we'll get the value we need. Imagine what this team will be when we get our cap situation in order?

 

Gettleman is the Blue Goose.

 

 

[CelibatePimp]

Exactly, three wins against losing teams, two of which were playing for nothing does not suddenly give me hope. The oline looks better and Cam is playing better but it may be a consequence of the poor competition we've faced.

However, we were unable to beat bad teams at the beginning of the season so maybe it's a legit improvement. That can only be proven by winning at least two playoff games IMO