DCS, still the optimist

Originally Posted by dressedcheeseside

As the offseason gives us time to look ahead, it also allows us to look back. So, what about the 2012 performance expectations I had from last year's offseason? Well, I expected better, I can't deny that. But what were the specific areas that fell short of my expectations?

1. OL. The offensive line had a pretty good year, in fact, they were better, overall, that the previous year. I just expected a bigger leap forward from 2011. I expected them to dominate, honestly. Instead, we were slow out of the gate and came on strong towards the end and got are asses handed to us a couple of times along the way.

2. WR. I know we were pretty inexperienced in this department, so I didn't expect a whole lot in the catching department. What surprised me was how ineffective they were blocking on the edge and downfield, especially early in the season. We had a definite size advantage, but couldn't use that to our advantage.

3. D. I was really blind in my optimism for a better defense last offseason. I didn't expect top 10, 20 or even 30, but thought a top 40 or 50 not only possible, but probable. The reports from spring and fall camps of it finally clicking in Groh's 3rd season filled me with optimism. That and I knew we had some pretty good athletes back there. I knew our DL was gonna be our weakness, but didn't expect all the bad tackling and out of position issues from the back 8.

Tevin did about what I expected as did the Abacks. I was actually hoping Vad was gonna blow up and take the reigns away from Tevin, but it never happened. Some blame that on CPJ, I just think he didn't do it. I wouldn't say I'm disappointed he didn't turn into "Cam Jr" overnight as he did make progress and showed us enough glimpses of what's ahead to get me excited for next season.

Once again, I'm expecting the OL to be a force next season. I'm expected the qb position to be a mixed bag of timely "WOW's" and untimely "F***s". I expect all 3 phases to be better than last season: offense - slightly, defense - markedly and kicking game - extensively.

Doh! Didn't we hear all this last February?

Originally Posted by srschirm

Good synopsis. What about B-Back? Wasn't this a position where every year we'd have a 1,000-yard guy?

The position as a whole picked up 1200+ in 2012. Kinda hard to eclipse 1000 when you're splitting carries.

I think that was a good synopsis. I felt the OL really emerged late in the season. I don't think I could be more optimistic going forward. We lose Uzzi, which will hurt, but we gain even more in terms of quality depth. I didn't know what to expect from the defense exactly heading into 2012, but what I got was worse than could have been imagined. I wasn't expecting a great pass rush, but I did think we would tackle better and execute the defensive plan a whole lot better. The talent is there to expect better next year. If if if if we can find some DLs who can control some space and penetrate once in a while, we will be a good defense in 2013.

Other than that, I think I got about what I expected out of the rest of the team. I was predicting 9 wins and just about got it.

Without looking at the roster, my perception of our WRs is they really aren't all that big. They may be taller and weight more than CBs but most of their weight advantage is skin and bone that doesn't mean stronger.

Originally Posted by HelluvaMGTmjr

Without looking at the roster, my perception of our WRs is they really aren't all that big. They may be taller and weight more than CBs but most of their weight advantage is skin and bone that doesn't mean stronger.

I agree. Nothing about our WRs appeared the least bit physical last year. We had a major step down in terms of perimeter blocking and winning jump balls. In our offense that is the number one most critical quality for the position.

Originally Posted by Boomergump

I agree. Nothing about our WRs appeared the least bit physical last year. We had a major step down in terms of perimeter blocking and winning jump balls. In our offense that is the number one most critical quality for the position.

Only someone who never played football and/or especially WR would think new young guys would come in and block at a high level.It is HARD.Look at moore and greene.they looked like scarecrows out there sometimes besides not knowing the effort/techniques required.

To take it a step further,Vad might be less than a hero this yr in passing game if his WRs are less than average which really should be expected.I think our OFF will be more erratic with Vad.(see the bowl game)Could he have actually won that when a steady hand was needed?.