Hooskins Presents the "Who Needs to Step Up" Poll

[MTK]

I voted other... I'm going with a boring response of the entire D.

I'm not too concerned about the offense this year, I think they'll move the ball and score points, but the D really needs to rebound for this team to have any hope of making a playoff run.

[skinsfan_nn]

I think Rodgers has alot to prove, he really need's to step it up, last year IMO he played aweful. And this year as it stands if we keep Springs as our #1 which of course he will be if he's with the team and healthy, he better step it up there's some stiff competion at CB. But it's close I also want to see something out of Rocky.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I also think that Landry or whoever plays the other safety starting out is a close second. Holdman and AA were HORRIBLE and the journeymen we got out of FA weren't much better. With better safety play, the overall defense is going to be better.

[hesscl34]

I'm so glad to see that most agree with me about Rogers!!!!

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

I'm so glad to see that most agree with me about Rogers!!!!

hess....go ahead and telll us what you "REALLY" think of rodgers, no sugar on top

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

I'm so glad to see that most agree with me about Rogers!!!!

I voted for Rogers to "step up" because I think he is capable of playing better than he has shown, which is different than saying that he should be let go because he'll never be any good. He dropped way too many potential INTs so he needs to step up and hold on to those, just like he has to react to the pass better. He's already proved to be pretty good in run support, so he helps the team out in that aspect.

So, while we have the same answer for the poll I think we have very different reasons for our answers.

[Lady Brave]

Alex, I'll take Carlos Rogers for $1000 please.

[hesscl34]

We all know I'd fire Rogers as fast as possible if it were up to me....

[12thMan]

For the record, I think we have some helluva talent on defense. Pound for pound, I'll take our unit against any other team in the NFC, save the Bears maybe.

I think C. Rogers can and will develop into a very good cornerback. Cornerback is such an isolated position that if you're not doing too well, it really makes it look like you suck. And conversely, if you're catching a lot of interceptions people tend to equate that with a Pro-Bowl caliber corner.

If Rogers grabs half, yes half, those interceptions last season, we're not even having this conversation about what a bum he is.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

For the record, I think we have some helluva talent on defense. Pound for pound, I'll take our unit against any other team in the NFC, save the Bears maybe.

I think C. Rogers can and will develop into a very good cornerback. Cornerback is such an isolated position that if you're not doing too well, it really makes it look like you suck. And conversely, if you're catching a lot of interceptions people tend to equate that with a Pro-Bowl caliber corner.

If Rogers grabs half, yes half, those interceptions last season, we're not even having this conversation about what a bum he is.

I'm buying that. I think Carlos had a really bad year, but so did the rest of the D. I read a good while back that he was going to work with Darrell Green & Deion in the off-season, that should pay huge dividends.

I look for him to come out and play as we thought he would last season, really well. Also, I think if he were to have any problems the depth we have is great. And Smoot can still be a #2 in this league, he's back were he belongs.

[hesscl34]

We can only cross our fingers and hope for the best!

[GTripp0012]

I have a quick question about the "stepping up" cliche. Does "stepping up" imply giving more effort, necessarily? Or rather, does it imply a significant improvement in ones football ability?

I don't think it was a effort problem at all. I thought the whole team fought their guts out every week. They just didn't have the talent to stay close on the road, and lost a bunch of close ones at home.

If "stepping up" refers to the latter, I think you have to look at your young players for improvement. Landry's a rookie. Wade's a seasoned vet. If we have to count on the former, our safety situation isnt so good. The latter is not someone who we should be expecting big things from at LG.

Golston was a mid round pick who should contribute under reasonably low expectations.

So the answer should be the "rest of the above" (Rocky, ST and Carlos). Our young guys need to mature and start providing some return on our investment in them.

I voted for Carlos, because Rocky has still yet to see PT. But I nominate Taylor for a choice in the poll. He needs to make the biggest strides to reach his potential.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I have a quick question about the "stepping up" cliche. Does "stepping up" imply giving more effort, necessarily? Or rather, does it imply a significant improvement in ones football ability?

I don't think it was a effort problem at all. I thought the whole team fought their guts out every week. They just didn't have the talent to stay close on the road, and lost a bunch of close ones at home.

If "stepping up" refers to the latter, I think you have to look at your young players for improvement. Landry's a rookie. Wade's a seasoned vet. If we have to count on the former, our safety situation isnt so good. The latter is not someone who we should be expecting big things from at LG.

Golston was a mid round pick who should contribute under reasonably low expectations.

So the answer should be the "rest of the above" (Rocky, ST and Carlos). Our young guys need to mature and start providing some return on our investment in them.

I voted for Carlos, because Rocky has still yet to see PT. But I nominate Taylor for a choice in the poll. He needs to make the biggest strides to reach his potential.

It's Hooskins poll, so you'll have to ask him. But I believe essentially it's who needs to step forward (perhaps that's a better term here) and perform at a higher level than last year in order for us to be successful.

Can we, for example, afford another season of drops by Rogers so long as Rocky McIntosh plays like LaVar circa 2002?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It's Hooskins poll, so you'll have to ask him. But I believe essentially it's who needs to step forward (perhaps that's a better term here) and perform at a higher level than last year in order for us to be successful.

Can we, for example, afford another season of drops by Rogers so long as Rocky McIntosh plays like LaVar circa 2002?

Well, I think in that case that it really doesn't matter who steps up, so long as we find a quality player somewhere, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

If Rocky were to play like Lavar2002, it would more than make up for a few dropped INTs. However, its far more reasonable to expect Rogers to put a little time into improving his hands in the offseason than it is to expect Rocky to be the next coming.

I mean outside of the LBs, we are pretty much attacking this thing with the same team as last year. So to expect better results than last year, we have to expect better play than last year. And it can come from anyone, but within reason, we have a new MLB, and a new WLB. So it's pretty much going to have to come from there. The rest of the team is back.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It's Hooskins poll, so you'll have to ask him. But I believe essentially it's who needs to step forward (perhaps that's a better term here) and perform at a higher level than last year in order for us to be successful.

Can we, for example, afford another season of drops by Rogers so long as Rocky McIntosh plays like LaVar circa 2002?

I think that is exactly what I mean.