(12-18-2023, 01:09 AM)jaglou53 Wrote:

(12-18-2023, 12:35 AM)JagFan81 Wrote: Brilliant post. This team is young and hasn't really been 'built'. We spent a ton in FA and cobbled together a team that went on a magical run. Repeating this year would have been an achievement but some act like we should be winning the SB. The Niners, Chiefs, Eagles etc have been building those teams for years. We are starting that journey and are building it and we have some good pieces but we are still a long way from being a legit SB contender. I'm happy with playoffs and you never know what happens.

But this team, after so many years of being so so bad is turning a corner. We're becoming a competitor in the AFC and that's actual progress.

Thanks. I'm glad somebody else sees things this way. I get the frustration after we suffered year after year with horrible teams lead by quarterbacks who either couldn't throw a spiral or were just simply mediocre at best. I really believe that Lawrence has what it takes to be an elite quarterback- arm strength, toughness and leadership to name just 3 things required of a franchise q.b. Obviously, he needs to correct the mistakes and I believe he will. As far as Doug Pederson goes, he is the best coach in the team's history in my opinion. Coaches don't drop passes, miss blocks or run wrong routes. He has the perfect temperament for a coach and the players seem to really respect him. I really believe games are usually won on the line of scrimmage and Baalke must address this for the team to take the next step. The interior of the OL has been a glaring weakness which has hurt both the passing and running games. Fix this and next season should make up for the disappointment of 2023-24.

It's so nice to have a sensible, rational conversation about the team. A lot of hot takes and knee jerk reaction but I understand. Completely agree about Trevor, easily the best QB I've seen for us and I feel sorry for him right now. Playing through 2 injuries, injuries taking the Oline and WR help away and getting no real help with the run game. It's all on him right now and there's errors, mistakes and miscommunication which is really hurting us.

Completely agree about Doug too. Looking at the past few HC's, Gus was a nice guy but bad HC, Marrone got progressively worse the longer he was here and Urban was the worst HC job I've ever seen. Doug has done so much in so little time and is doing it with a lot of the players the others failed with. He's instilled a great atmosphere and identity in the team and that was a monumental task after Meyer. I feel the coaches are doing the best they can with the talent they have and they have made mistakes too, they are just starting to see what guys work in systems and get what they are doing.

Baalke has a huge task this offseason. Resign Allen, extend Lawrence, make decisions with cuts for cap space and we need to add some quality starters and depth. That could be vet help from FA or draft (much harder) but he needs to get every decision right this offseason. Both lines have to be a priority and I'd like some more depth at DB. 

Looking at this season, we are 8-6. That's not bad at all. It feels disappointing going from 8-3 to 8-6 and the injuries are really hurting us but we've got through the brutal part of the schedule in a pretty good spot. This team never does things the easy way and I still think that fighting attitude is there with the team. We played pretty well last night but the missed FG's and mistakes were absolute killers. We aren't getting blown away and beaten by 40+. A win would do wonders for everyone and I think Doug, like you say, won't overreact or panic, remind the team where they are and what they can achieve. Our future is still in our hands and a W Sunday would be the perfect Christmas present.

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