At the Quarter Point of the Season For Us...

[CarolinaNCSU]

We're 3-1.

@Washington, @Philly, vs. Baltimore, and vs. Tampa Bay coming up.  NEED at least 2-2 in this group, but going 3-1 would put us in prime playoff position at the halfway point. 

The Good?

• Cam, despite being iffy today, has been really good.  The offense in general is bristling with potential...but will we actually realize it and utilize our playmakers?
• The patchwork OL has held up well, hopefully that continues and hopefully Ryan Kalil isn't too banged up after leaving today's game.
• TD is now back, and Olsen looks to be back for Week 6 as well.  Obvious help to both the offense and defense here. Reid will also improve as the year goes along.
• Special Teams - Shout-out to Gano
• The Falcons may have played themselves out of the playoffs already, making this a Carolina/New Orleans division race

The Bad? 

• The defense. We have too much talent on that side of the ball to look so consistently average, and I'm afraid it's a combination of Eric Washington & Rivera's bend don't break philosophy, that's breaking. A half competent defense and we're undefeated right now. 
• Outside of a handful of moments (Efe, parts of the Cowboys game), the pass rush has been pretty anemic.  Pep might be playing himself into game shape, but these guys have to show up...or we have to start blitzing more. 
• Rivera seemingly continuing to hold back the more talented players (Moore, Samuel) instead of getting them involved in games.

 

If we're going to make the playoffs, or make any kind of run, this defense has to get its poo together.  Overall though, with our injuries and outlook early on, this first quarter of games for us have to be considered a win overall. 

[Castavar]

The good thing is, ANY team can hit a switch and just go on a roll. No matter how bad our defense has played, it's a lot better making adjustments when you're 3-1, than if you're 2-2 or less. I don't have confidence in Rivera or Eric Washington to fix it though. Ron is stuck in the 1980s, and Eric Washington is just bad as a DC.

[Smithers]

3 minutes ago, CarolinaNCSU said:

We're 3-1.

@Washington, @Philly, vs. Baltimore, and vs. Tampa Bay coming up.  NEED at least 2-2 in this group, but going 3-1 would put us in prime playoff position at the halfway point. 

The Good?

• Cam, despite being iffy today, has been really good.  The offense in general is bristling with potential...but will we actually realize it and utilize our playmakers?
• The patchwork OL has held up well, hopefully that continues and hopefully Ryan Kalil isn't too banged up after leaving today's game.
• TD is now back, and Olsen looks to be back for Week 6 as well.  Obvious help to both the offense and defense here. Reid will also improve as the year goes along.
• Special Teams - Shout-out to Gano
• The Falcons may have played themselves out of the playoffs already, making this a Carolina/New Orleans division race

The Bad? 

• The defense. We have too much talent on that side of the ball to look so consistently average, and I'm afraid it's a combination of Eric Washington & Rivera's bend don't break philosophy, that's breaking. A half competent defense and we're undefeated right now. 
• Outside of a handful of moments (Efe, parts of the Cowboys game), the pass rush has been pretty anemic.  Pep might be playing himself into game shape, but these guys have to show up...or we have to start blitzing more. 
• Rivera seemingly continuing to hold back the more talented players (Moore, Samuel) instead of getting them involved in games.

 

If we're going to make the playoffs, or make any kind of run, this defense has to get its poo together.  Overall though, with our injuries and outlook early on, this first quarter of games for us have to be considered a win overall. 

Fair and accurate.  Well done.  And thanks for not overreacting and saying that we need to fire Rivera in order to have a chance to make a run lol

[Randolph Panther]

Lets hope we can grab 3 of these next 4.  Would put us in a prime positon for a playoff run on the backside.  

[Randolph Panther]

Seems like we have had Washingtons number the last 10 years.  Need to try and get that one next week.