PennSkinsFan
10-01-2003, 09:43 AM
Here are my thoughts on disappointments and surprises so far in the young 2003 season, my top five surprises and my top 5 disappointments
SURPRISES
1. Running back by committee: Although I was a proponent of this formula, i really, at least, mentally, do not expect the committee appraoch to work as well as it has. Canidate is sixth in the NFC in rushing and really has not even rushed that much. he only has 46 carries. His yard per carry is much higher than I anticpated and he has shown a promising burst. Furthermore, despite the ball jarred out of his arms by a punch to the ball this week, he has held onto the football. I was not a Trung fan, i was not happy with the signing, but i am pleased with his production and have come around to be a decent Trung fan. I do not believe we take advantage of his speed in the passing game the weay we can. The compliment of Ladeell Betts has been excellent. Betts is averaging 3.9 yards per carry and has added two TDs and picked up some sweet first downs. Rock has show a knack for getting into the endzone when we need him to. For the remaining 3/4 of the season, this group can impress me more by picking up bluitzes and protecting Ramsey more.
2. Safeties. An expected weakness has turned into an unexpected strength. We all knew Bowen was gonna be good, he can hit, and has nice speed, but i don't think may of us anticpated the high playing level of Iffy. He has done much better than i thought. i expected an average to maybe a little above average production, but IFFY has provided outstanding play at Safety. His knack for beign around the ball and making nice tackles is increasing.
3. Darnerien McCants: He is taking off from last year by showing a knack for getting open in the endzone with two TDs and a two point conversion. Obviously, the unexpected injury to Taylor Jacobs helped McCants show he belongs here. Furthermore, hsi productuion is impressive aside because of the one-two punch we have in Coles/gardner.
4. Patrick Ramsey: I don't honestly know what i expected here,, but i can tell you i did not expect Ramsey in Week 4 to be leading the NFC in yards passing and being third in passer rating. We all knew the kid had toughness, we all knew he had poise, but i am pleasantly surprised with the way he has taken this team like a captain takes a ship. I am also pleasantly surprised to see Ramsey limiting mental errors and bad decisions. He has been sound and is quickly becoming the heart of this team. i dont think any of us, not the experts either, expected this quality of play this soon.
5. Steve Spurrier. The play calling has been decent and Spurrier has shown that the words he spoke about learning much last year, were not just words, but real hard lessons. His commitment to the run has taken defenses by surprise as well as many of us. Surprisingly, he has not taken the deep threat as much as we thoguht. Overall, he has handled things much better and his tutilege of Ramsey is proving successful.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
1. Offensive Line: After the money we through in here, I expected better protection and play up front. I don't think we are gettign our $$$ worth here. Yes, in Spurrier's scheme we will be blitzed much more than most, and yes the RBs have been slow to picking them up, but the OLine has not met my expectations to say the least. Many of us talked about this OLine being one of the best in the NFL. I dont think we are even near that.
2. Chris Samuels. Guys is suppossed tio be an anchor here for years to come, on of the very best OTs in football and a pro bowler. Yet, this year he seems ot get beaten every game and always puts up esxcuses like "well, we can expect that to happen at times" NO WE DON'T EXPECT IT! You are a pro bowler makign big money and it si time to prove worth. We coudl have paid way less money for average play.
3. Consistency. This team fluctuates from quarter to quarter, hot to cold. Can't ring up a big win. Consistency kills us and we need to gain some quickly.
4. Penalties. For a team that stressed error free football in camp, for a team that parcticed with refs at camp, they are still showing an undisciplined approach to the game. What is more disturbing is to watch the same player get called for the same penalty back to back. And furthermore, it seem to be the veteran leaders of this team committing the penalties. Thsi team has to become more disciplined, period!
5. Special teams. We spent solid money on Morton. Yet, I really do not find the blocking much better, Morton has no room to run, and i am pretty upset with the lack of improvement in this area. I have been a Stiock supporter, but man, if things don't improve, it may be time to look fresh elsewhere. Coverage seems to be a bit better. Wea re giving up less yards per return, but for the omeny we spent on morton, we are not getting a vested return because of the lack of holes being opened.
There are my top fives. Obviosuly i could fit more. These are SURPRISES only. Stuff that i did not expect, and of coruse, only my opinion!.
:D
SURPRISES
1. Running back by committee: Although I was a proponent of this formula, i really, at least, mentally, do not expect the committee appraoch to work as well as it has. Canidate is sixth in the NFC in rushing and really has not even rushed that much. he only has 46 carries. His yard per carry is much higher than I anticpated and he has shown a promising burst. Furthermore, despite the ball jarred out of his arms by a punch to the ball this week, he has held onto the football. I was not a Trung fan, i was not happy with the signing, but i am pleased with his production and have come around to be a decent Trung fan. I do not believe we take advantage of his speed in the passing game the weay we can. The compliment of Ladeell Betts has been excellent. Betts is averaging 3.9 yards per carry and has added two TDs and picked up some sweet first downs. Rock has show a knack for getting into the endzone when we need him to. For the remaining 3/4 of the season, this group can impress me more by picking up bluitzes and protecting Ramsey more.
2. Safeties. An expected weakness has turned into an unexpected strength. We all knew Bowen was gonna be good, he can hit, and has nice speed, but i don't think may of us anticpated the high playing level of Iffy. He has done much better than i thought. i expected an average to maybe a little above average production, but IFFY has provided outstanding play at Safety. His knack for beign around the ball and making nice tackles is increasing.
3. Darnerien McCants: He is taking off from last year by showing a knack for getting open in the endzone with two TDs and a two point conversion. Obviously, the unexpected injury to Taylor Jacobs helped McCants show he belongs here. Furthermore, hsi productuion is impressive aside because of the one-two punch we have in Coles/gardner.
4. Patrick Ramsey: I don't honestly know what i expected here,, but i can tell you i did not expect Ramsey in Week 4 to be leading the NFC in yards passing and being third in passer rating. We all knew the kid had toughness, we all knew he had poise, but i am pleasantly surprised with the way he has taken this team like a captain takes a ship. I am also pleasantly surprised to see Ramsey limiting mental errors and bad decisions. He has been sound and is quickly becoming the heart of this team. i dont think any of us, not the experts either, expected this quality of play this soon.
5. Steve Spurrier. The play calling has been decent and Spurrier has shown that the words he spoke about learning much last year, were not just words, but real hard lessons. His commitment to the run has taken defenses by surprise as well as many of us. Surprisingly, he has not taken the deep threat as much as we thoguht. Overall, he has handled things much better and his tutilege of Ramsey is proving successful.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
1. Offensive Line: After the money we through in here, I expected better protection and play up front. I don't think we are gettign our $$$ worth here. Yes, in Spurrier's scheme we will be blitzed much more than most, and yes the RBs have been slow to picking them up, but the OLine has not met my expectations to say the least. Many of us talked about this OLine being one of the best in the NFL. I dont think we are even near that.
2. Chris Samuels. Guys is suppossed tio be an anchor here for years to come, on of the very best OTs in football and a pro bowler. Yet, this year he seems ot get beaten every game and always puts up esxcuses like "well, we can expect that to happen at times" NO WE DON'T EXPECT IT! You are a pro bowler makign big money and it si time to prove worth. We coudl have paid way less money for average play.
3. Consistency. This team fluctuates from quarter to quarter, hot to cold. Can't ring up a big win. Consistency kills us and we need to gain some quickly.
4. Penalties. For a team that stressed error free football in camp, for a team that parcticed with refs at camp, they are still showing an undisciplined approach to the game. What is more disturbing is to watch the same player get called for the same penalty back to back. And furthermore, it seem to be the veteran leaders of this team committing the penalties. Thsi team has to become more disciplined, period!
5. Special teams. We spent solid money on Morton. Yet, I really do not find the blocking much better, Morton has no room to run, and i am pretty upset with the lack of improvement in this area. I have been a Stiock supporter, but man, if things don't improve, it may be time to look fresh elsewhere. Coverage seems to be a bit better. Wea re giving up less yards per return, but for the omeny we spent on morton, we are not getting a vested return because of the lack of holes being opened.
There are my top fives. Obviosuly i could fit more. These are SURPRISES only. Stuff that i did not expect, and of coruse, only my opinion!.
:D