Seems that one of our problems has been focusing on the playoffs, instead of the game at hand...

[Wundrbread33]

There have been various comments made by our team that indicate we keep looking too far down the road, and most recently, Rivera's "Chiefs as inspiration" comment got me thinking about this more.

Last year, the "we are focused on one game at a time" cliche was beat to death, but it certainly seemed to be an ingredient to our success.

This may be obvious, but this, along with some players seemingly not being as prepared as they should be: such as Bene's comments about being out of shape (although recently injured) and Shorts comments about needing to "get his wind up" because he ALL OF A SUDDEN realized that teams game planned him this year...

Well this all just seems like a team that was feeling itself...with at least certain personnel that thought they could show up, make the playoffs, and THEN put in the hard work.

 

When this is such an obvious pitfall, how did this happen? 

Rivera and co. need to only discuss and focus on our next opponent. We don't need to hear about this "playoff" talk anymore.

[ItsPantone278]

Insert Jim mora

[Wundrbread33]

3 minutes ago, E CaT PanTHer 2 said:

it's difficult when you have a big "X" on your back. Our success last year, along with Cam's antics have teams gunning for us this year. Remember, Rivera is not a great coach under pressure. He loves flying under the radar, and now, fortunately for him, he's got his wish with a 1-5 start. It's not ideal, but it's just how Rivera likes it. 

But you don't think the "gunning for us" thing is overrated? I always have. I mean teams were "gunning" for us last season too.

I know we have defensive talent issues, but I just have a feeling that it is less "gunning for us" and more us simply thinking we had arrived.

[Castavar]

Completely agree.

If you think that superbowl loss also didn't hurt them psycologically, then you are a fool. Seems like they thought they could just come into this season and waltz into the playoffs and go from there. KK thought he could just beast again and get his mega contract. The whole offense and KB thought that he could just be inserted and the offense would be legendary. Coaches thought they could just go into the season with the same gameplan and it would work just like last year. And the biggest failure in Gettleman thought the team was so good that they could just let an All-Pro and a solid safety go and replace him with 3 rookies because he thought the front 7 was that good. Point being, ego and complacency reared it's ugly head.

[iamhubby1]

23 minutes ago, Wundrbread33 said:

But you don't think the "gunning for us" thing is overrated? I always have. I mean teams were "gunning" for us last season too.

I know we have defensive talent issues, but I just have a feeling that it is less "gunning for us" and more us simply thinking we had arrived.

 

We play a different schedule this year. Last year teams were not "gunning" for us until the season was half way over. This year teams are coming at us from the start. Or were coming at us, they might feel sorry for us by now. he he

I am sorry, but I just have a hard time thinking that players who have worked their butts off to become an NFL player, would all of a sudden decide not to put the work in. I just don't see it with this team.

[frash.exe]

more than anything else has been because guys are underperforming

[Nate Dogg]

I definitely agree that teams have been "gunning" for us this year. Similar to how every smaller team that plays UNC in basketball has some kid who averages 4 a game, but against the Heels he drops 20 something and has the game of his life. Cam has become such a huge figure that playing against him is a mini Super Bowl for other teams.

[Jon Snow]

I really don't think they're focused on anything from the looks of it.  

[Khyber53]

Too many on the team, and the fanbase, thought we had arrived, that we were a team to be among the elites, like there was some kind of club membership card or something.

Those perennial playoff teams play it one game at a time, taking each opponent seriously and pride themselves on the work they put in and the culture of work they maintain to get back there. The Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks and Steelers don't get spotted a number of games each year at the beginning of the season.

Lots of folks visit LA each year, tour the homes of the stars, eat the good food and go a little bit Hollywood. That short tour, however, doesn't mean your new home is Beverly Hills. It takes years and years of hard work to get there for the long run.

[mc52beast]

Not only do we not have a lot of the players here from last year(cohesion) and the problem you mentioned but also teams have adjusted to what this team does and our coaching staff evidently isn't smart enough to re-adjust to what other teams are doing.

[Toolbox]

It doesn't help that ron/gettleman are too loyal to people who clearly don't belong on the team anymore..

[iamhubby1]

15 minutes ago, Bogart said:

I really don't think their focused on anything from the looks of it.  

 

Oh snap....lol

[2jakefansinva]

Scoring early in games will help tremendously......

changes everything

PS....and not turning the ball over

[top dawg]

1 hour ago, iamhubby1 said:

 

We play a different schedule this year. Last year teams were not "gunning" for us until the season was half way over. This year teams are coming at us from the start. Or were coming at us, they might feel sorry for us by now. he he

I am sorry, but I just have a hard time thinking that players who have worked their butts off to become an NFL player, would all of a sudden decide not to put the work in. I just don't see it with this team.

I think that perhaps it is more of a subconscious thing.  The concept of a Super Bowl hangover didn't spring up out of thin air, it is something that teams really have to address.  The "work ethic" part of it doesn't necessarily have to be impacted in a major way, or at all, but sometimes subtle changes in thinking and expectations makes all the difference. Perhaps the loss took some steam out of them after being on such a high. Or, maybe they were simply overlooking each step---some steps---of the ladder because they were thinking too much about returning back to the rooftop. Perhaps they're simply not as hungry.  I don't know. I am not sure that anyone knows, but need to take it one snap at a time, much less one game or regular season. 

I guess what I'm suggesting is that perhaps the physical preparation is there, but the mental preparation is lacking and being negatively affected by what has transpired so far this season.  

It doesn't help when you are dealing with a few rookies who have been thrust into positions that they are not necessarily prepared for.