It's hard to project W/L record in March, it will be easier after the draft and when schedules are out. But I believe you will be competitive in most games and team will improve every week. That's all you can ask for in second year of a complete (re)building. If you can get a step further into a playoff push (even if you don't go there at the end), Gus and your GM deserves at least a serious consideration for HC/GM of the year.
Slow start wouldn't surprise me (not another 0-8, but something like 2-6), but then in the second half of the season when the team with a lot of new players starts to gel together, you can again win 4 or even 5 games.
Quote:It's hard to project W/L record in March, it will be easier after the draft and when schedules are out. But I believe you will be competitive in most games and team will improve every week. That's all you can ask for in second year of a complete (re)building. If you can get a step further into a playoff push (even if you don't go there at the end), Gus and your GM deserves at least a serious consideration for HC/GM of the year.
Slow start wouldn't surprise me (not another 0-8, but something like 2-6), but then in the second half of the season when the team with a lot of new players starts to gel together, you can again win 4 or even 5 games.
I agree with that. There are too many new players to come sprinting out of the gate. Offensive line, especially, takes quite a few games to gel together into a unit. I'm thinking 7-9 would represent substantial progress in year two. Last year we weren't even competitive for our first 8 games. We were staring into the abysss of a historically bad season to rival the 0-16 Lions. Winning 4 out of 5 games after midseason was highly encouraging, but everyone agreed this was the worst roster in the NFL. We can't build this team in one offseason.
Progress, no Playoffs...yet.
11 draft picks will better the team in the long term, but rarely will rookies make a large impact in year 1.
On offense... Henne is a Band-Aid, and unfortunately the starting QB going into the new year. The WR corps is one of the worst groups in the league. The OL will get an upgrade with Beadles and Joeckel returning, but 2 interior positions are void of quality talent.
On defense... Bryant is an upgrade over Alualu, and Clemons should be an upgrade over Babin. Hood and Watson are backup guys today, with possible upside in play. With a year more of experience in the young secondary, I think the unit will show improvement even without further personnel additions. All together, there are enough mild improvements that should give us a better defense this next year.
I see 7-8 wins possible this year, with the current changes.
Quote:11 draft picks. Use them all on QBs and we're gonna get a good one somewhere.
Seriously though. I think we take defense in the first and get Garoppolo in the second, then sit him behind Henne.
Now there's an idea...draft tem all....LOL. :woot:
Quote:You do realize that from weeks 9-16 our schedule was ridiculously easy, right?
Watch the real Henne next year when we've got a tough schedule. It won't be pretty. He's not good. He's barely mediocre. I see Jeff Kemp when I watch him play.
Then again, you see David Carr when you watch his brother play based only the last name.
Quote:Ahhh, Playoffs... I've seen them on TV before....
Look, let's not pretend that we are a playoff caliber team. We're not. Unless we pick up Vick and he starts every single game, there's not a QB we can pick up that will make us a playoff team.
Yes we are getting better. But are we better than the c'lots? No. They have a QB. Are we better than anyone in the AFC Central besides the Browns? Maybe Pittsburg, but even though Rothlesburger is a middle tier QB, he's better than anything we have or will get.
Are we better than KC? No. Are we better than the Chargers? No. Are we better than Oakland? Push...
I hate to be a wet blanket, maybe I'm a bit bitter sitting on my couch instead of hookin' up with my wife... But I just don't see us making that quantum leap to the playoffs without a franchise QB.
This draft doesn't seem to have one in it. I know Bridgewater seems like he's the top prospect. But I can't really trust his talents. The highlights I've seen from him just don't impress me. And he's not even lighting up a top tier conference.
I think our D will be much improved. WE will be a TOUGH team to beat.
But c'mon ya'll. We don't have a QB, any QB we pick up in the draft isn't gonna be that stellar right out of the gate to make us that successful.
Also, on Henne... He's not that great. He's not leading us to anything but maybe 6 wins. And those wins will be mainly by him not losing the game. Not him snatching a win. Yeah, went 4-4 in our last 8 games. Yeah, we looked alot better on offense after Henne started. But to think anything about Henne other than the fact that he's not worth anything but a clipboard holder and a backup is just silly.
The FA has been AWESOME to behold. Clearly our new GM has a plan. It's refreshing compared to the philosophy we had with the old owner and front office. It really looks like we have focused on D, which is great. But this all means we are still in a slow rebuild. Unless we hit pocket aces on QB, we are only going to be mildly better next year. 6-10 would be a GREAT record.
If we go 8-8, Caldwell should be named Executive of the year. If we make the playoffs... I'd expect we found the 2nd coming of Marino.
Agree on Henne.
I see us as a 5-6 win team. We were absolutely terrible last season, despite finishing with 4 wins. Remember, we got two of those wins against the imploding Texans and barely squeaked past the Browns.
Our team was bad but should be improved this season. But unless they get a new QB, were still in the sub-8 win range.
I'm not gonna say it's can't happen. I'm just gonna say Chad Henne is our QB. Think about that for a bit.
Quote:I'm not gonna say it's can't happen. I'm just gonna say Chad Henne is our QB. Think about that for a bit.
He's our QB because the Texans are still on the clock.
Quote:Then again, you see David Carr when you watch his brother play based only the last name.
Its not based only on his last name. Its how he crumbles under pressure, (USC), just like his brother. Ain't my fault that the bloodlines translate.
Quote:I'm not gonna say it's can't happen. I'm just gonna say Chad Henne is our QB. Think about that for a bit.
If David Garrard can win a playoff game and Trent Dilfer a Super Bowl, then surely Henne is capable of a playoff berth. It all depends on how they continue to build the team.
Quote:If David Garrard can win a playoff game and Trent Dilfer a Super Bowl, then surely Henne is capable of a playoff berth. It all depends on how they continue to build the team.
If Henne can get the 09 and 10 Dolphins to 7 wins with Tony Sparano as head coach and Jeff Ireland as GM.....
Then surely he can do that or better with a revised roster and our staff.
Quote:We played 6 of the 12 Playoff teams last year.. we had the hardest SOS. Please be quiet.
What does playing 6 of 12 playoff teams have to do with losing in Oakland in week 2?
I always find it extremely amusing when someone completely misses the point of a post, and then tries to throw a dig on top of it. Learn to read man. Someone said we only won in the later half of the year because the schedule was way easier.
My point was we lost to Oakland in week 2 pretty badly and they stink, so even if the schedule was technically easier in the second half, there is still evidence that we improved as a team late in the year. Had absolutely nothing to do with our overall SOS, which ended up 14th by the way...
<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2014/1/26/5343676/saints-year-in-review-nfl-2013-strength-of-schedule-seahawks-broncos'>http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2014/1/26/5343676/saints-year-in-review-nfl-2013-strength-of-schedule-seahawks-broncos</a>
Quote:What does playing 6 of 12 playoff teams have to do with losing in Oakland in week 2?
I always find it extremely amusing when someone completely misses the point of a post, and then tries to throw a dig on top of it. Learn to read man. Someone said we only won in the later half of the year because the schedule was way easier.
My point was we lost to Oakland in week 2 pretty badly and they stink, so even if the schedule was technically easier in the second half, there is still evidence that we improved as a team late in the year. Had absolutely nothing to do with our overall SOS, which ended up 14th by the way...
<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2014/1/26/5343676/saints-year-in-review-nfl-2013-strength-of-schedule-seahawks-broncos'>http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2014/1/26/5343676/saints-year-in-review-nfl-2013-strength-of-schedule-seahawks-broncos</a>
We started tons of rookies/unexperienced players.. we obviously weren't going to be that good early in the season and that's a good example.
Quote:We started tons of rookies/unexperienced players.. we obviously weren't going to be that good early in the season and that's a good example.
So you're agreeing with me that the team improved later on in the season?
Quote:So you're agreeing with me that the team improved later on in the season?
Of course they did, when did I ever say differently?
Never mind man, time to put a bow on this baby.
Free agency isn't over and we have 11 picks in the draft so I imagine we will at least cover most of our holes.
Our D looks like it will be a top 10, so I could see us making the playoffs even with Henne.
I wouldn't bet on it, but I could see it happening.
Quote:Oh how the mighty have fallen so quick... I could see this being a three team playoff division sooner than later.. Colts are the Colts and I don't suspect the Texans will be down for too long. They have way to much talent. I will be able to better formulate an opinion after the draft.
Why do people think Texans are so talented? Andre Johnson is old. Arian foster can't stay healthy,Brian Cushing is only good lb and has torn ACL twice. Secondary is suspect. Antonio Smith is gone. Owen Daniels gone. Kareem Jackson overrated. Colts D stinks besides Robert Mathis who's not young. Luck,Hilton and Tightends are tough but oline needs work. Luck is gonna get killed by Watt,Clowney,Clemons,Babin,Branch,Etc. lol
Quote:If David Garrard can win a playoff game and Trent Dilfer a Super Bowl, then surely Henne is capable of a playoff berth. It all depends on how they continue to build the team.
David Garrard had a season that was filled with luck in terms of his passing game. Plus he had a borderline great defense and a 2 RBs that are monsters. He also was a scrambling QB that can turn a 3rd and 10 to a first down WITH HIS LEGS.
Dilfer had an all time great D.
So yeah, about Henne and the teams playoff possibilities... Do any of those things I mentioned translate to this team?
Our D
WILL be better this year. And it's gonna be awesome to watch it this year!!!! But are they the Buc's D? Are they even the Jags D of 2006/2007? Will Henne make plays with his scrambling ability? Is our running game gonna be monster?
Simple answer. The playoffs mean that Henne is not the QB beyond week 1. And the QB we have is gonna be a potential HOF'er...
I love how some of the "usual suspects" are already trying to spin that Henne is anything other than a small step above medicore at QB...it sounds like the plan from some, is that we can keep below average QB play as long as we have a record setting D and great running game...I wonder which is easier to get...