I'm starting to change my mind

Yeah. Which means we need to spend a first rounder on the WR, IMO. I'm not googling it bc I'm drunk right now, but I don't think this team has EVER drafted a WR #1.

 

Carruth.

Again I really don't think WR is the biggest problem on this team. I'm OK with whoever the best player is, and if that's a WR, that's great. There are a couple fantastic ones coming out. But in all these close games, the bigger worry is not being physical enough.

 

The trend of mid 4th qtr offensive inadequacy, while leading, is depressing

 

I think I blacked out Carruth, so I stand corrected. I think my point is that defense isn't the problem this season. If you hold a team under 20, you should win, unless your offense is inept, which ours seems to be now.

I actually saw plenty of physicality on defense in this game. The oline really got owned though, which makes it seem that our offense isn't physical.

The last 3 Super Bowl winners (NY, GB, NO) all got there with prolific passing. I thought we were close to that last year. We certainly are not now. I think WR is a part of that.

 

it reminds me of John Fox, for those that preferred that. That team could choke away a mild 4th quarter lead to set up getting the ball back like nobody else.

offense is definitely the problem. Lack of a stronger line is a bigger deal, though remedied fairly easily with a good RG. WR is definitely part of prolific passing, but I don't think this team is that much 'better' with 2 top WR and no strength at DT, and minimal at CB. Murphy/LaFell/Gettis should be good enough, with some things behind them to have some hope in. They could definitely be more consistent, I agree.

I know people get uptight about Smith being older. It's fantastic to have had one Smith. You can Lions-style bankrupt yourself demanding a replacement for a superstar, much less expecting a 2nd one.

 

Murphy doesn't have the hands to be one of the 3. Gettis can't get on the field. LaFell can be part of the solution, but he's not good enough on his own to get the thing done.

 

I'm not ready to write off Murphy yet. He's also had some difficult catches he has made. I have to wonder if losing makes everyone start pressing looking for the big play before the ball is secure or taking stupid chances. Even Smitty has made some horrible non catches over the years when he's planning his after the run catch before the catch. I'm still wanting to see what keeping defensive players out of the back field would do for our run & passing game before I give up.

 

We came back quite a bit too, something we've done only once in 22 games with Rivera.

I feel like this team has no chance once we trail by any margin.

 

I hope John Fox kicks the shit out of us in a few weeks. I hope he comes in here with his biggest, most expensive watch and completely crushes us. Maybe that will be the thing to push Richardson over the edge and start firing everyone.

 

This High School offense needs to go...painful to watch the zone read against an NFL D, just plain painful.

Hurney needs to go...need Line help on both sides of the ball.