I have always loved the idea of "changing things up" and practicing vs another team. The Lions have some talent and will challenge us quite a bit.
Coming into the season, I felt that this was the "basic outline" of our team:
1. We would have a strong defense against the run. Big DL and I liked ILB BJ Goodson.
2. We would be gouged by good passing teams as we lack enough pass rushers and DB depth after Jenkins, Collins and Apple.
3. We would be a running team, much improved from last year only because last year we had 5 OL's who were backups on most any team at times starting! I believe Solder & Hernandez will give us strong blocking on the LEFT and Flowers will be a better RT than LT.
4. We have 4 major league weapons to throw to on offense and no team can consistently cover 4 guys. As long as we stay healthy, we should be able to throw the ball.
5. Special teams can only GO UP as last year was as bad a year as I can recall.
The basic outline remains for me after witnessing game 1 and reading the reports. We must, of course, stay healthy to achieve WINS cause we aren't deep on the OL, CB or WR.
My biggest question mark is Eli Manning. Yes, Eli. Why? He was clearly "feeling the rush" last year and releasing fast and making mistakes. Yes, the players around him were about as bad as he's ever had to play with but 37 year old legs may be part of the problem.
Dan Marino's arm was fine his last year but he could no longer side-step a pass rush, leaving him a target and unable to perform.
Troy Aikman, it is said, had the "deer in headlights" look and had to retire.
QB's get old so I pray Shurmur and company really know what they are doing and are sure the problem ain't Eli but the surrounding personnel.
If we stay healthy; if Eli has something left that is average at worst; and, if the team learns the system fast enough we could be fighting for a playoff spot this year. Lets see what happens in Detroit this week, esp. with Webb as Eli likely won't get enough reps to know much.
3 days vs Detroit ....with a decent Defensive minded HC.....should sharpen the OL.
I agree Eli must rebuild confidence and needs to undo some bad habits.....but if OL gets fix....everything should fall into place.
I feel Gettlemen got enough help to hold up the defensive backfield....if they stay healthy.....which has not exactly been healthy .....
Unless he gets hurt, I'd feel pretty safe betting that he will.
Our team rebuild takes on a WHOLE new meaning if the future / current QB isn't on the team right now.
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In our offense last year he would look horrible. Not exactly Rice, Craig, Rathman, Cross, Mcintyre, Walsh back there.
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The odds of him being a healthy non-start are very slim. Thought I do see him as a bit of a question mark, there are bigger questions for the team. The organization pushed their chips in the middle with Eli. They will sink or swim with him this season.
I agree with the sink or swim. I'd just **LOVE** to see Eli side-step a strong rush; plant his feet; and make a good throw just like he did in 2011, his best season. I just don't know if that guy exists in 2018. And if I'm being honest, I know he doesn't cause we haven't seen that in about two years (at least not consistently I don't think).
Hopefully Hernandez and Omameh is not being pushed into Eli'a shins all day. The only defebsive player I loathed us playing was Justin Smith, Eli has always been terrible when the front pocket is being pushed into him. Someone like Damarcus Ware would routinely turn Diehl into a turnstile, but he did not disrupt Eli constantly.
The 3rd game, against the Jets, is usually the "get ready" game and still will have the starters playing the most snaps; however, I believe the Lions game will be quite telling for where we are as a team.
The Jags are talented but I feel that we can match up with them; by and large; IF we can protect Eli and stop their vaunted run game enough.
The 3rd game, against the Jets, is usually the "get ready" game and still will have the starters playing the most snaps; however, I believe the Lions game will be quite telling for where we are as a team.
The Jags are talented but I feel that we can match up with them; by and large; IF we can protect Eli and stop their vaunted run game enough.
I think we're a good matchup against Jags, as Snacks is the anti-Ewok, he should neutralize Fournette.
Only question is if our giant black hole of a free safety will make Bortles look like Joe Montania.