Fox may be losing the team

[Mr. Scot]

Smitty has complained in the press before about not getting passes, and guys like Lucas and Buckner flapped their gums as well.

Also Jenks was a locker room problem as well as being injury prone. It's not like the only or even biggest problem was never meeting a microphone he didn't like.

I'm not saying I think one way or another, just saying the evidence presented isn't convincing.

I could be wrong. Heck, I'd like to be wrong.

At this point, I'm not honestly even sure it's at an entirely conscious level yet. But if the season continues to be a parade of issues, it may get there.

[bleys]

I've never been a "Fire Fox" guy. You know that. Nor have I ever been on the "bench Delhomme" train. My profile has always been the cautious optimist.

Regardless, I have always called it as I see it, and that includes this season.

What I see thi season is that we look awful, even against awful teams.

I just can't defend that.

that's right about where I fall at this point... I felt good that we turned the corner after '08, even though we had problems, overall- it was positive.

To see this puts me right back where every year we fail to live up to our potential... Trends that are glaring issues that never seem to be addressed in a successful fashion.

[monstercat]

I've never been a "Fire Fox" guy. You know that. Nor have I ever been on the "bench Delhomme" train. My profile has always been the cautious optimist.

Regardless, I have always called it as I see it, and that includes this season.

What I see thi season is that we look awful, even against awful teams.

I just can't defend that.

Yeah, but having a slow start to the season does not mean the players don't want to play for the HC. Sometimes you try hard and still fail...especially when you're trying new schemes on defense for the first time in years.

Anyway, I have seen a lot of things they can build on in these last two games, especially on defense. Say what you want about the Bucs, but they do have a pretty darn good O-line and our D-line did a great job against them. And if your defense is playing well, you always have a chance, IMO.

[Snake]

This team is one or two losses from breaking apart. Mark my works on that......

[Mr. Scot]

Yeah, but having a slow start to the season does not mean the players don't want to play for the HC. Sometimes you try hard and still fail...especially when you're trying new schemes on defense for the first time in years.

Anyway, I have seen a lot of things they can build on in these last two games, especially on defense. Say what you want about the Bucs, but they do have a pretty darn good O-line and our D-line did a great job against them. And if your defense is playing well, you always have a chance, IMO.

I see defensive improvement, but I need to see us do it against good teams before I can really sign on.

[outlaw4]

Smitty has complained in the press before about not getting passes, and guys like Lucas and Buckner flapped their gums as well.

Also Jenks was a locker room problem as well as being injury prone. It's not like the only or even biggest problem was never meeting a microphone he didn't like.

I'm not saying I think one way or another, just saying the evidence presented isn't convincing.

I'll second that motion. At the least, it's hard to read much into anything as we're hitting the soft part of our schedule.

Starting Week 8 forward, Cardinals, New Orleans, & Atlanta is going to be the litmus test. If the team doesn't get their act together by then, the signs will definitely be showing up at the end of that stretch.

[Mr. Scot]

I'll second that motion. At the least, it's hard to read much into anything as we're hitting the soft part of our schedule.

Starting Week 8 forward, Cardinals, New Orleans, & Atlanta is going to be the litmus test. If the team doesn't get their act together by then, the signs will definitely be showing up at the end of that stretch.

Right now, my personal read is that we are on the low end of average.

That means we can beat the bad teams, though not convincingly.

Against good teams? We can put up a fight, but we can't win.

Again, I'd love to be wrong.

[bleys]

Yeah, but having a slow start to the season does not mean the players don't want to play for the HC. Sometimes you try hard and still fail...especially when you're trying new schemes on defense for the first time in years.

Anyway, I have seen a lot of things they can build on in these last two games, especially on defense. Say what you want about the Bucs, but they do have a pretty darn good O-line and our D-line did a great job against them. And if your defense is playing well, you always have a chance, IMO.

as much as I agree with this... If our OLine cannot generate any push and not protect Jake against good DLines in the future causing a lot of 3 and outs.. No matter how good our defense is, they will buckle towards the end of games most every time.

Just sayin, that aspect of our game needs to get on track for that scenario to work...

[Nu Guns]

I agree with all you have stated Scot. kudos

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As for players playing hard etc...look they all get paid.

If you go out and play half ass that does nothing for your career.

[monstercat]

as much as I agree with this... If our OLine cannot generate any push against good DLines in the future and not protecting Jake causing a lot of 3 and outs.. No matter how good our defense is, they will buckle towards the end of games most every time.

Just sayin, that aspect of our game needs to get on track to hold up for that scenario to work...

I have seen some improvement in the O-line too though. Hell, one of the biggest things is to stop with the stupid penalties. In the first three games, it seemed like everytime they got a decent drive started, somebody would false start or hold and put them right back where they started. I saw a lot less of that in the last two games, and that has nothing to do with the quality of the opponent.

[Nu Guns]

Our game plan is too predictable and we are COMPLETLY one dimensional.

I want to get excited about the defense, but we have been playing teams that our worse then us. (there is about 6 or so)

[outlaw4]

Right now, my personal read is that we are on the low end of average.

That means we can beat the bad teams, though not convincingly.

Against good teams? We can put up a fight, but we can't win.

Again, I'd love to be wrong.

I like seeing putting up a fight when overmatched. I can deal with seeing effort. Plain out giving up and knowing the game is over by halftime, that's another story. Can't imagine what it feels like to be a Titans fan after THAT on Sunday.

as much as I agree with this... If our OLine cannot generate any push and not protect Jake against good DLines in the future causing a lot of 3 and outs.. No matter how good our defense is, they will buckle towards the end of games most every time.

Just sayin, that aspect of our game needs to get on track to hold up for that scenario to work...

If all else remains equal, the two areas with greatest need for improvement is:

- Passing attack. If the staff is adamant about keeping Jake as a starter, then they have to give him help. Moose has already mentioned that the defenses might be keying off on our passing plays and this isn't the first time we've heard something like that mentioned. I'm just not liking our passing scheme at all.

- Special teams. Saved us last week. Tried to wreck us this week. Oy! How Crossman still has a job should be on Unsolved Mysteries.

[bleys]

I have seen some improvement in the O-line too though. Hell, one of the biggest things is to stop with the stupid penalties. In the first three games, it seemed like everytime they got a decent drive started, somebody would false start or hold and put them right back where they started. I saw a lot less of that in the last two games, and that has nothing to do with the quality of the opponent.

very true.. but also our OLine needs confidence to know they can handle a quality opponent or false starts will be an issue with trying to jump the snap on time to be in position.

penalties have killed us. there is no doubt about that. Let's hope this trend continues and we are able to build on this momentum...

[Purity-Control]

No Offense but this sounds like something I would read from Florio and crew over at drama Hungary PFT :shocked:

I think its really easy to read to much into things when the team is not playing up to expectations and you lose 3 straight every little thing is magnified. But I don't see it like that

I think the coach loses the team not when a few players voice there emotions, but when they give up on the field & I haven't seen that.

And really what was said thats such a big deal: An emotional receiver said he wants the ball more and the true leader of the Defense said others need to step up, So what & IMO the Delhomme/Davidson is a non issue.

Personally I like when guys on the team speak up to me it means they actually still care. I wouldn't classify that as "Mouth Running"