The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

[Skinsfan1906]

THE GOOD: Were 2-0!! Were in first place by ourselves. We beat two (2) teams that were in the PLAYOFFS last year. We are in the TOUGHEST part of our schedule. The offense is putting up good numbers and the Defense is shutting down opponets. Ramsey has grown. Coles is a BEAST. Spurrier is learning the NFL game.

THE BAD: OUR SPECIAL TEAMS. Mark my words. They are going to LOSE a game for us this year. Our field position has been horrible (especially when our D is playing and the opponet is STARTING near the 50 yard line). Although we are 2-0, we STILL make way to many mistakes (especially penalties).

THE UGLY: Yes, were 2-0, but didn't exactly look great in doing it. Lets face it, our record isn't that much of a surprise.....against two teams who have 2nd string QB's and skill position players out due to injuries. We have won 2 games by a total of only 5 points. Yes, a win is a win, but we can't really expect to "SQUEEK" past teams such as the Giants, the Eagles (although they are 0-2), the Bucs, the Bills, New Orleans, etc.

THESE ARE MY THOUGHTS, AND I'M STICKIN' TO THEM;)

[Patrick]

I can see your point of view - but remember, A GOOD team will win the games they are suppose to. Last year, I don't know if we would have won against a team like the Jets or Falcons just because they were starting the second string QB.

[dj_stouty]

Good STuff

I also agree that our Special Teams are hurting. You can tell that our schemes are not producing the right holes or blocks to make Morton effective. Same goes for the kick coverage. We are not making downfield tackles like we were in the preseason. Lets hope this turns itself around.

Regarding the "UGLY"...I'm not looking down on any wins this season. Sure...we beat our last two competitors by narrow margins, however, we pulled it out. Imagine if we were "that team" that lost both of those. We would be considered the team that just "couldn't get it done" late in the game. Winning close games is an X-Factor most teams can't boast about. We can.

Sure...we played two teams without their best QBs. But we also played 2 teams who won games in the playoffs last year. Even though Vick and Penn were not present, Abraham, Martin, Crumpler, Price, Brookings, Buchannon...etc were on the playing field. The biggest drawback to our early scheudle was playing so many '02 playoff teams. Well...we just knocked off two. (most likely 2 more than the critics thought we would)

[PennSkinsFan]

The ugliest of the ugly is the protection. Canidate, betts, Johnson,a nd Cartwright must step up and make the blocks and block these blitzing Lbs and Safties or young Patrick is going to have more than a sprained non-throwing shoulder.

I agree. Our coverage units and blocking on St's suck. We spent big $$$ on Morton but improved nothign to help him break the returns, kind of a waste. Then again, look at the numbers, Morton is averging a little over 20 yards per return and Betts averaged 24.6. Hmmmmm

[hail2skins]

I agree with everything you said. I'll take a win no matter how it came. Remember, we were in a 17 point hole on the road and came back to win. That counts for something.

I special teams coverage is terrible and our returns are horrible. I don't understand why Stock can't see this. Why don't we use the scheme that the Jets used to make Morton a good returner.

[camasterton]

Everything comes down to field position. See where the Falcons or Jets started thier drives. The ones starting near midfield almost always scored. The ones they started inside thier 20, they did'nt score. It will hold true in any game for any team. We've lost the field position battle both weeks (and all last year too). Field position even affects a punt returners decision. If Morton is receiving a majority of the punts inside our 25, he has tension and apprehension that cause him to fair catch, don't attempt to field it or altered and hesitated runback decisions. We need to do that to other teams. Morton or any returner has more confidence fielding nearer midfield and it shows in return length. Also, when we are protecting a lead, he takes a more cautious approach. So I am not so much worried about his play yet.