SI Blogger Predicts 8-8 from Training Camp

[Seltzer]

Had seen this posted anywhere:

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/07/27/nfl-training-camp-tour-blog

Written by Robert Klemko.  Some contradictory info about having no speed at WR and then mentioning Ted Ginn still being blazing fast and Benjamin being impossible to cover.  Also says Gettleman staking his scouting reputation on Shaq Thompson, which is ridiculous.  Gettleman had arguably the best draft of any GM in the league last year, and has been scouting for 27 years so I doubt in the eyes of anyone in the NFL his entire career will be based on Shaq alone.

But I digress- SI (or any other national publication for that matter) doesn't let facts get in the way of the dumbed down narrative they want to portray.  Anyway, he does admit trying to defend the Panthers in the red zone will be futile.

[KSpan]

People predict lottery numbers based on brthdays and anniversaries as well, probably with about the same accuracy.

[rico6]

8-8 with TD, Kalil, and a couple of other Key Starters removed from the line-up? poo, about time we got some compliments!

[L-TownCat]

What exactly is an SI Blogger?

[Seltzer]

What exactly is an SI Blogger?

I would imagine intellectually speaking they are on par with the average caller into WFNZ.  Someone who makes Peter King feel even better about his station in life

[Carolina Cajun]

Wait...lemme guess...The Saints will win the NFC South with a record of 17 and -1?

[Castavar]

It was actually a good read. Wasn't annoying and provided some reasonable concerns, although I do disagree with a couple of points.

[Seltzer]

I definitely agree with anyone that LT is still a significant question mark, and even provided Oher can be serviceable at LT, who is going to fill in behind him?  No one in the right mind could be comfortable with Silatolu or Chandler starting at LT for any significant amount of time.

Even the question on speed at receiver is somewhat valid, although just posting 40 times as the end-all, be-all towards determining success is lazy and not indicative of real game conditions at all.

However, absent the question at LT, I truly feel better about the talent and depth of this team than any team I can think of since 2006.  That certainly doesn't mean injuries won't come or the team won't underperform.

But compared to even last year, where there were significant holes at both tackle spots, every receiver position, every secondary position, and returner,  I think it would be hard for anyone to feel like this team is in a much better position at least going into the season.

[Batman]

I just don't get why everyone thinks we're gonna suck simply because we won the division at 7-8-1 last year. They don't seem to understand that means everyone else sucked even more.

[CarolinaNCSU]

"8-8 with high upside" is fair IMO by the author. 

Plenty to be excited about (especially as actual fans of the team), but the question marks are still big.  ST improvement must still be seen on the field, Shula is gonna Shula, and who knows at LT.

 

The red zone ability could've been there last year as well...but we sucked. We've added another tall rookie who's an unknown at this point.  To fans, we're excited.  But like I said above...Shula is going to Shula, and this team was fine settling for FGs once the Riverboat slowed down last year. 

[BigBoss]

"Carolina huddle poster is hurt in the anus because somebody doesn't predict his team in the playoffs."

What else is new.

[GRWatcher]

Well, it's not exactly straight 8-8 statement. Bolding by me. :)

Gut feeling: 8-8, with high upside if Funchess is the real deal and Oher or someone else thrives at left tackle.

[Thorrez]

That means we will win our sh********* of a division so I'll take it.