The season isn't lost. Yet...

[calia]

This season may be a big disappointment, and injuries have been brutal. Not having your top 3 WRs, top 3 DEs, blocking TE, starting FS, starting RB, and QB for significant portions of the season is very difficult to recover, particularly when we're still trying to make up for years of poor drafting and FA decisions. Let's not forget, we're only in year 2 for this group. Even if this season ends up a disappointment, another year of talent acquisition could have us getting closer to building a contending team that will have some staying power, and that is the ultimate objective.

Last season was magical, but even if we have a step back this year but can keep the team moving forward in the near future, we're on a much better path than 24 years of Snyder.

As for this season, I want to see some fight. And see some of our younger players get some reps to see what we have in them (of course, with the injuries, that may be by necessity).

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by calia

This season may be a big disappointment, and injuries have been brutal. Not having your top 3 WRs, top 3 DEs, blocking TE, starting FS, starting RB, and QB for significant portions of the season is very difficult to recover, particularly when we're still trying to make up for years of poor drafting and FA decisions. Let's not forget, we're only in year 2 for this group. Even if this season ends up a disappointment, another year of talent acquisition could have us getting closer to building a contending team that will have some staying power, and that is the ultimate objective.

Last season was magical, but even if we have a step back this year but can keep the team moving forward in the near future, we're on a much better path than 24 years of Snyder.

As for this season, I want to see some fight. And see some of our younger players get some reps to see what we have in them (of course, with the injuries, that may be by necessity).

Great post. I remember someone said that we should not use injuries as an excuse and pointed to the 49ers team as an example. Lynch and Shanahan are now in their 8th year, so they had plenty of time to build the team that can withstand injuries. AP and Dan are now in the 2nd year and it's unrealistic for us to expect them to build a such team within 1.5 years.

[sdskinsfan2001]

Just don't ever trust 1-word this coaching staff says. Especially about injuries. Whatever they say, just add at least 2 weeks onto it.

[AnonEmouse]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Great post. I remember someone said that we should not use injuries as an excuse and pointed to the 49ers team as an example. Lynch and Shanahan are now in their 8th year, so they had plenty of time to build the team that can withstand injuries. AP and Dan are now in the 2nd year and it's unrealistic for us to expect them to build a such team within 1.5 years.

I think that was me (49ers) but what I was referring to is that injuries can't be used as an excuse to give up, not that we should be doing as well as the 49ers. Key difference for us is we've lost our top edge rushers and top WR's for a good proportion of the season to date, and our depth has just about kept us going rather than step into the breach.

And agree with Skins; we've had too many drops. Ertz and Moore are 9th and 10th in drop %, McNichols not far behind, and of the top 10, Ertz is 3rd in targets. JD5 isn't the problem, he's still in the top half of the league, by rating, and our offense is in the top half on TD's. He missed (by my count) 3 passes v Dallas before he went out the game, and the INT v Chi was the only other pass I've seen that badly thrown when not under pressure. The Dallas game is still fresh in our minds and clouding the picture. The O isn't really the problem (though it isn't the solution either), its the D that's let us down.

Injuries are a factor, but the standard of play has to improve. And this is where I'm, looking at Whitt. he doesn't seem to have them prepared and playing the right scheme for the opposition. There were at least 3 plays v Dallas I remember when he only rushed 4 and clearly should have blitzed. Without a rusher than could get in Prescott's face, he had all day and he picked us apart. Coverage doesn't help, but at least 2 of his passes were undefendable, and that's because he had the time to make the best throw. The players have to play better, sure, but the DC needs to call better plays to put them in position to perform better.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by AnonEmouse

I think that was me (49ers) but what I was referring to is that injuries can't be used as an excuse to give up, not that we should be doing as well as the 49ers. Key difference for us is we've lost our top edge rushers and top WR's for a good proportion of the season to date, and our depth has just about kept us going rather than step into the breach.

And agree with Skins; we've had too many drops. Ertz and Moore are 9th and 10th in drop %, McNichols not far behind, and of the top 10, Ertz is 3rd in targets. JD5 isn't the problem, he's still in the top half of the league, by rating, and our offense is in the top half on TD's. He missed (by my count) 3 passes v Dallas before he went out the game, and the INT v Chi was the only other pass I've seen that badly thrown when not under pressure. The Dallas game is still fresh in our minds and clouding the picture. The O isn't really the problem (though it isn't the solution either), its the D that's let us down.

Injuries are a factor, but the standard of play has to improve. And this is where I'm, looking at Whitt. he doesn't seem to have them prepared and playing the right scheme for the opposition. There were at least 3 plays v Dallas I remember when he only rushed 4 and clearly should have blitzed. Without a rusher than could get in Prescott's face, he had all day and he picked us apart. Coverage doesn't help, but at least 2 of his passes were undefendable, and that's because he had the time to make the best throw. The players have to play better, sure, but the DC needs to call better plays to put them in position to perform better.

Gotcha, yeah I agree with you on all points. I admit, I'm still unsure about Whitt. I just find it hard to believe that Whitt is the sole reason why the defense is playing bad since the team did decent last year. Perhaps Whitt struggles to pivot to work around the injuries, he didn't deal with injuries last year. Letting Chinn go might be a mistake on AP's end.

[AnonEmouse]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Gotcha, yeah I agree with you on all points. I admit, I'm still unsure about Whitt. I just find it hard to believe that Whitt is the sole reason why the defense is playing bad since the team did decent last year. Perhaps Whitt struggles to pivot to work around the injuries, he didn't deal with injuries last year. Letting Chinn go might be a mistake on AP's end.

Quinn's suggesting they're making a lot of adjustments to the D to stop the mistakes and hesitation, and Whitt has said Magee will get more playing time. I'd say let's see before passing judgement either way, but at least they aren't burying their heads in the sand.

[WCommandersfan99]

Originally Posted by AnonEmouse

Quinn's suggesting they're making a lot of adjustments to the D to stop the mistakes and hesitation, and Whitt has said Magee will get more playing time. I'd say let's see before passing judgement either way, but at least they aren't burying their heads in the sand.

Agree. Hopefully a lot of adjustments on defense. Just tough with the defensive ends injuries but should be better than they've played. Will have a super tough test at KC.