Quote:The Gene Smith era was over three years ago, but we're still feeling effects from it.  Caldwell has had to put a team together with what scraps he could scrape together, and three drafts (and of course our first round pick from this year is out for the year, and our top FA Acquisition is also out for 1/4 of the season).  


Don't mistake this as me saying Caldwell is doing a good job.  So far, he is not.  But we're still feeling the effects from the Gene Smith era.  Four years of drafts in which only maybe ONE Player (who Caldwell traded away)  was worth much.  Okay, two counting our weapon Bryan Anger.  And few good FA acquisitions on top of that (and those that are, are aging).  That's not going to be something that's erased in three years.  That doesn't mean we couldn't be good now with much better decisions.  But the Gene Smith era would still be felt even if we were 1-0 right now celebrating a big win over the Panthers in a whomping.  Missing that many draft picks will be felt by any team.  Caldwell just hasn't lessened it enough yet.