TMD, I love you my man, but saying that our D-Backs are poop... I would heartily disagree with that opinion. Let me explain:

 

A) Both were rookies last year, and for most of the season had a rookie free safety in with them. Both made a jump from lesser competition (Big East and AAC) to starting on an NFL team. Most teams don't even consider having two rookies in the backfield, we put three and all three made clear improvement from the first game to the last. Note also that they played behind the worst pass rush in the league, in a defense that counts on the pass rush to succeed. No one in their right mind expects rookies to come in and shut down opposing offenses week in and week out.

 

 B )Considering the fact that Cyprien was our second leading tackler and Gratz is extremely physical as well, it's clear that they have the right mentality as it comes to stopping the run. Cyprien is incredibly athletic, and Gratz makes up for his lack of measurable with a knack for making plays on the ball (which after all is the most important part of being a corner). They have potential in their skillsets, for Cyp I (and many other commentators much more knowledgeable than me) believe he has the potential to be elite. This offseason is critical to their development and by all accounts they seem to be making the most of it.

 

C) Unless you know something our staff and the rest of the league doesn't, you may be wrong in assuming that you know more about the quality of these players than the professionals. I would also say you're throwing your argument into question by saying that Colvin, torn ACL and all, is the best player in our backfield despite never having played a snap.

 

D) And this is really just an aside for you and every one else here... I'm not saying throw on the deep-tinted teal shades, but it really is ok to be optimistic about our team. Why? Because our team is realistically getting better. It's not just a mantra anymore. We have young talent such as Cyp, Gratz, Joeckel, Lee, Colvin, etc. We also are currently grooming our franchise QB (who is by all accounts making great strides). That's not to say that our team is gonna be amazing. We have questions, specifically along our offensive line and wide receiver depth. I personally would be ecstatic if we made 7-9. But that doesn't mean that we have to be negative about our team. It's possibly the result of so many years of depravity, but regardless it needs to stop, for all of us.

 

One can never stop finding faults in a given situation. If you look you're gonna find them. It might be harder, and more potentially damaging on your emotions, to put some emotional stock in this team, but you know what? I would rather be disappointed for 10 games and overjoyed with six, than detachedly pessimistic about them all. 

 

#GusJuice 

---