FanPost

The paper tigers 2.0


2 months ago I posted here my view of the 2014 team –

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2014/6/22/5831572/the-paper-tigers

With the final dress rehearsal behind us and the season stating in 11 days it's time to revisit that post and add to it a look ahead into the actual season.

Defense –

June view:

Yes, we lost 2 leading CBs but both were gone in the 2nd half of the championship year. The starters are there and their backups look as good as ever. The LBs are all back with reinforcement. The DL lost Red and Clem who did not have a stellar 2013 season, McDonald is gone too. KW was added and lots of red shirts are fighting for their place on the team. If you did not know this was one of the best defenses in the history of the game you might be thinking that those guys should be better next year.

Current view:

The DBs are all back in action and looking ready willing and able. The LBs took a bit longer. Wags should be ready to start the season, Irvine might take a week or 2 longer but Coyle is a pleasant addition. The DL is getting close to season shape. Some questions left regarding the run game defense which was less then stellar and the rushing ends personal. However, Obi and Marsh look ready to go and the defense as a whole seems capable enough to keep scoring to a minimum. It may not repeat the 2013 total domination but it should not fall far behind at worse case.

Offense –

June view:

The OL sucks. Well, maybe it did in 2013 decimated by injuries at all key positions etc. Just being mostly healthy should be an improvement. Both Guards look primed for a major career year. The 2 leading receivers for 2013 – Rice and Harvin played 10 games combined. Most of those by a banged up Rice who missed the whole preseason and it showed. A better OL protecting a year older young QB with a highly improved array of targets sounds like a major reason to expect improvement. Not just a small step for offense men, I'm talking a giant leap for the offense kind.

Current view:

The OL starters are back and should be ready for GB. The early prediction regarding Sweezy (15 pounds stronger and experienced enough to make his final leap) and Okung (20 pounds faster and ready to make an impact) seem to be spot on. The array of targets for RW with Harvin looking absolutely unstoppable is as good as advertised. RW looks razor sharp and confident leading an offense that easily scores at will. I stand by the Giant leap prediction for 2014.

Forecast –

June view:

A lot will happen between now and the GB game. A lot can happen during a full season. However, right now and until whatever could happen does happen, we are actually a better team then the 2013 SB champions. It's all on paper and a lot of papers will be printed till September. Houston and Atlanta were formidable paper tigers this time a year ago and we know how it ended for them. Still, until proven wrong – We are the biggest and meanest paper tiger in this paper jungle. When it's time to unleash this tiger onto the grass fields we'll know more.

Current view:

Preseason is just preseason but this paper tiger looks even better on grass then it did on paper. It's a team that will scare defensive coordinators just as much as it scared offensive coordinators. If nothing happens to push us out of track, this team can go 14-2 or better.

A year ago I predicted a 13-3 season (loses at SF, ATL and HOU). I also predicted a SB championship and placed 100$ on it in Vegas.

My bench marks for 2013 were going 2-0 to start the season (winning a 10am away game at CAR and our hardest home game against SF) followed by 4-1 after week 5 (i.e. winning at least one of the back to back away games at HOU and IND).

My bench mark for 2014 is simple – starting 3-0. We face the 2 best QBs in the league at home (Rodgers and P. Manning). We face a playoff team with Rivers under center away at SD. Winning all those games will be a clear statement – hide your women and children, nobody is safe, the Seahawks are out for blood.

I know we face the toughest 2 divisions in football (AFC and NFC west). SF is formidable, ARZ is coming and the RAMs have a roster of 1st round picks. Still, my bold prediction is 14-2 and a 2nd SB ring.

Call me a crazy homer but I said it here.