Not quite yet. So the Black and Gold are little more Black than Gold these days. Let's break it down before we get ourselves into a total funk.
- 2 losses - 2 road losses to decent teams.
- Both losses in winnable games, in fact, both games basically decided in the waning moments.
- If Limas Sweed holds that ball in the end zone, or if Ben manages one more first down on the next drive, the bungle in the jungle probably goes down as a win.
- Should Jeff Reed not push BOTH 4th quarter FGA's, the game in the Windy City is probably also a win.
- Most importantly, if the world renowned defense makes a stop in both contests, when it really mattered, the team is sitting at 3-0.
So, why the funk? Is this Superbowl hangover? Not really. These are not cases of ill prepared defending champs getting socked in the face by eager underdogs. These losses are simply the result of a team desperately missing their superstar playmaker, and just not quite finishing out drives and defensive stands.
There are some positives that can be taken out these first three games. First, the passing game looks to be shaping into something that could be downright lethal as the season progresses. Rookie Mike Wallace looks to be the playmaker he was drafted to be. Hines Ward looks like, well, like Hines Ward usually looks. After taking away a few picks, The Large One looks to be in mid season form already. The highly scrutinized offensive line seems to be giving Ben the time to do his thing, and it actually looks interested in opening an occasional hole for a tailback to squeeze through. With that, the running game is gaining some ground, no pun intended, and once Mr. Mendenhall can finally find a way of staying on the field, it could provide that elusive 'balance' that offensive coordinators always talk about. The trick now is finding the offensive identity. When I say this, I mean getting that overall rhythm and knowing when to be a passing team and when to be a running team. One must assume that Bruce 'Air' Arians shoulders the bulk of that mission.
The offense is filling up the stat sheet, but not the scoreboard, and last time I checked, the scoreboard counts a little more. I truly believe that these bugs will get worked out, as well as I believe that the defense will figure out a way to strengthen the garrison as it awaits the triumphant return of #43.
Panic? Not yet. Let's give these champs one more night. If a smack down gets laid on the San Diego Lightning Bolts, and the record gets shored up at 2-2, I think that sigh of relief can be exhaled. If Sunday Night produces L number 3, then I'd say it's time for that panic button.
Open to your always colorful thoughts...
3 comments:
Let’s not over simplify and say the D isn’t good any more because Troy is out. There were a bunch of guys last year that were “game changers”. Troy was clearly one, and we can be much more creative with him on the field. I do agree he is the all around best Defensive player on the team, perhaps in the league.
That said…SOMEONE MAKE A FREAKIN PLAY!!!!!
Harrison forced a bunch of fumbles last year, he also had big sacks at opportune times…drive ending sacks, game ending sacks. Woodley had a bunch of big plays last year…how different would the game be if one of them had a sack on the last drive? My guess is we would be 2-1. There are other guys on this squad besides 43 who need to push the attack button. I haven’t seen Clark deliver one of his famous bone crushing hits (you know the ones, receivers drop the ball, hear footsteps later in the game…) Hell, if freaking Ike Taylor had hands of gravel instead of granite…well that has always been that way I guess. The D needs to create a few turnovers, some sacks, be the big play D they were last year. It’s not all about stopping the run in the first half.
My guess? We will struggle to run all year. Ben will have to carry the load. Its hard to say he is doing great except for the picks. The picks have hurt a lot. He owns that as much as the receivers…oh right…the receivers…seems like there is a competition between Holmes and Sweed to see who can drop a more important pass. That needs fixed. Sweed, enjoy the pine, Wallace is faster and proving he is not a puss….Holmes, get your shit together. We need you.
Bottom line, time for someone to step up and play like a champion. 60 minutes, not 45.
I'm really not over simplifying anything. I just don't think the straits are so dire right now.
Considering that Ben is completing 72% of his passes, with an average gain of almost 8, I would say that he is doing just fine, sans the picks. Bear in mind, he also had 2 TDs dropped.
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