El Guapo
Cheesehead
Pre-Note: All of my comments are based on observations through four games with full recognition that things can and will change by the end of the season:
1) Injuries - Still a major issue as we've got hamstring injuries everywhere and now Francois out for the season with an Achilles. I'm still not in crucify-the-training-staff mode but I'm starting to drift in that direction after all of these years.
2. Fire Campen - As I always felt, this was a ridiculous statement. The line has done a pretty good job with a rookie and a relative rookie (Barclay) on the book ends. Toss in a vastly improved running game and this group is functioning above expectations. Granted our expectations should be at the Lombardi level but realistic expectations after a massive line swap and young starters were much lower in reality.
3. Cut Crosby - The dude is on fire. After being a staunch defender of him last season, I quickly moved towards the "cut Crosby" camp after his six misses in one day during training camp. That was on top of his horrendous Family Night performance. However, getting Crosby in a sink or swim situation with his contract seems to be all the guy need to get his head on straight. He is perfect on extra points and perfect (9 for 9) on FGs including three in the 40-49 range and his 52 yarder yesterday. One more factor that could be influencing things beyond his contract, may be that he is no longer on kickoff duty. Does his name now change from Missin' Crosby to Macon' Crosby?
4. Fire Capers - The defense hasn't been fantastic by any stretch, but I would say there is a slight improvement over last season. Getting Burnett back helped and hopefully Heyward won't be far behind. We need to corral the injuries though. Fire Capers? No. Keep him on the hot seat? Absolutely.
5. Cut Jerdroppal Paddlehands - Still my favorite name. He's playing pretty well this season, but drops are still an issue as yesterday's game highlighted. Certainly the concussion isn't helpful but I hope he'll start seeing dollar signs in his eyes as we head towards the playoffs.
Am I missing any other major themes from our off-season discussions?
1) Injuries - Still a major issue as we've got hamstring injuries everywhere and now Francois out for the season with an Achilles. I'm still not in crucify-the-training-staff mode but I'm starting to drift in that direction after all of these years.
2. Fire Campen - As I always felt, this was a ridiculous statement. The line has done a pretty good job with a rookie and a relative rookie (Barclay) on the book ends. Toss in a vastly improved running game and this group is functioning above expectations. Granted our expectations should be at the Lombardi level but realistic expectations after a massive line swap and young starters were much lower in reality.
3. Cut Crosby - The dude is on fire. After being a staunch defender of him last season, I quickly moved towards the "cut Crosby" camp after his six misses in one day during training camp. That was on top of his horrendous Family Night performance. However, getting Crosby in a sink or swim situation with his contract seems to be all the guy need to get his head on straight. He is perfect on extra points and perfect (9 for 9) on FGs including three in the 40-49 range and his 52 yarder yesterday. One more factor that could be influencing things beyond his contract, may be that he is no longer on kickoff duty. Does his name now change from Missin' Crosby to Macon' Crosby?
4. Fire Capers - The defense hasn't been fantastic by any stretch, but I would say there is a slight improvement over last season. Getting Burnett back helped and hopefully Heyward won't be far behind. We need to corral the injuries though. Fire Capers? No. Keep him on the hot seat? Absolutely.
5. Cut Jerdroppal Paddlehands - Still my favorite name. He's playing pretty well this season, but drops are still an issue as yesterday's game highlighted. Certainly the concussion isn't helpful but I hope he'll start seeing dollar signs in his eyes as we head towards the playoffs.
Am I missing any other major themes from our off-season discussions?