Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Good list.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Yeah I think Ramsey is the biggest key of all, going hand-in-hand with team continuity. Last year, the offensive line played like hell in the beginning of the season, and then got a bit better as time went on. Ramsey played so much better than Brunell. We all saw what happened when Ramsey was playing and the o-line started to come together a bit, they went 3-2 in the last 5 games, and before that they had a very competitive game against the Steelers. If Ramsey just plays like he did last year, and the offensive line pretty much picks up where it left off, as long as the D doesn't lose too much ground, that could be 8-8 or 9-7 right there. Now, if Ramsey takes that key step forward, he could take us to 10-6 or maybe even better.

I really like the fact that we're beefing up our goalline offense too. Do you guys remember how many 3rd and 1's and goalline runs we got stoned on? Imagine if we were able to keep those chains moving a bit more, and actually punch a few of those goalline tries into the end zone. Could have made the difference between 6-10 and 8-8. A Gibbs offense has to be able to use power when running the ball, I don't care how fast our receivers are.

I like the direction we're headed. Everybody just pull for Patrick!

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

For that matter how many first and 1's and 2nd and ones we got stonewalled on. Though I feel your outlook is a bit too optimistic, I agree.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I really like the fact that we drafted a battering ram as a fullback. :)

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]For that matter how many first and 1's and 2nd and ones we got stonewalled on. Though I feel your outlook is a bit too optimistic, I agree.[/QUOTE]

I'm sure we'll have our fair share of challenges. We like to think the line will be so much better with a healthy Jansen, and it will be. But we often don't stop to think what will happen if Samuels goes down, God forbid. Or any other key offensive player, for that matter.

I also think our receiver/QB connections will be fuzzy in the beginning of the season. I wonder if they will be on the same page?

I also wonder if we'll be able to replace Pierce's brain as the signal caller in the middle of the D. Somebody needs to be calling the shots out there.

I don't worry about Walt Harris, Sean Taylor, Lavar Arrington, or Carlos Rogers. Gregg Williams can make do without any one of them. But we'll face challenges for sure. But even if we show weakness in dealing with some of those challenges, I think Ramsey can carry the day if he steps forward, and we get better at goal-line running.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Exactly. Just like you were saying, being able to punch in a few of those goalline plays would have made the difference between a losing team and a winning team.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I also like the fact we added some beef to the backfield. With the two fullbacks we added I hope one will emerge as a short yardage back as well. Surely something that was missing last year that we can look to improve upon this year. Having that guy who can move the pile for us will be huge. While Portis is basically a good all around back, blocking, catching, and running in the open field, it nothing like having that Gerald Riggs type guy just to score touchdowns when we get inside the ten. In addition they will also help on special teams which is greatly needed.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I like the post--here's what I'd add:

Coaches on offense MUST adapt and get a winning game plan. So much is about coaching these days. Look at Williams did even with all the injuries last season. We need that kind of coaching job on the offensive side of the ball. A healthy O-line will help everything in that department, but it all lies on Gibbs, Buges, Breaux, Musgrave, etc. TIme for them to show their stuff.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I'm just confident he'll stick to his promise of opening it up. I would feel more comfortable if he said BLOW IT WIDE OPEN because simply opening it up after last year would be maybe adding ANOTHER sweep.