Quote:
Originally Posted by FrenchSkin
That bolded part is 100% right... but I'm not worried about the middle of the season, I'm worried about the very beginning of the season: we can't afford to drop the first two games of the season to bad prep, because then the schedule gets brutal.
Now I understand preseason games are not the only preparation they get, and it's not like Alex Smith and his receiving corps were rookies, Alex is not going to be surprised by the speed of the game.
I don't know what solution is better, I just hope they win those first 2 games.
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To add to this, guys need to get used to hitting and being hit.
Week 1 they are expected to play fullspeed for the first time and they aren't going to last 4 quarters.
Look at the scoring in the second half of week 1 games under Gruden:
2014: 0
2015: 0
2016: 10* In a blowout against a Steelers team that put up 24 points in the second half
2017: 3 in a 14-16 game at the half against Philly
This team is worn out by half time and players are vulnerable to injuries because they aren't physically prepared.