thepistonsfan
Bench Warmer
...and here is why:
1. Brutal way to start the season. Since the NFL introduced the tradition of the Super Bowl champs hosting the opening Thursday game, those teams are undefeated in said game-- and each game (with one exception) has pretty much been a slaughter. You can also make a great argument that this ranks as the toughest game on our entire schedule-- maybe at Dallas.
2. Following with the theme of #1, the Giants had an incredible emotional boost to start the game. The crowd was wild, the team was jacked, etc.. and they totally punched us in the mouth to start that game. It was utter domination. We got off to about the worst start possible. At the end of the 1st quarter, I thought we were going to lose 56-0. But we fought. We got better. It certainly wasn't good enough to win, but I appreciated the fight.
3. I believe in Zorn, I really do. I see what Snyderatto saw in him, I think. There is nothing to base this on right now other than gut feeling, but I believe Zorn "gets it." During the 8:00 mark everyone is freaking out about, I actually LIKED the way we handled things. I think Zorn was more worried about putting a good drive together than putting a quick drive together. I think he was staying the course. I think that shows confidence in your plan, and that confidence has a way of filtering to the team.
4. As much as I "believe" in Zorn, I also realize he's going to have some growing pains. He's making a huge jump from where he was to where he is, and I accept the fact that he's going through some on-the-job training. As much as I like his approach, I also realize he's going to take his lumps.
5. How you start in the NFL isn't a huge deal. In 2003, we started 3-1, and wound up 5-11. In 1996 we started 7-1, and missed the playoffs. Last year, the Giants were 0-2 and got destroyed in the first two games. Last year, the Saints started 0-4 and rallied to make a push for the playoffs. This is a marathon. My goal is to be 4-4 after the Lions game.
6. People can rip on Snyderatto all they want....and I am certainly witholding judgement. But the fact is that TEN draft picks made the team this year-- something very different for our Skins. Did they make it because Snyderatto wanted to prove a point? Did they make it because the rest of the team stinks? I don't know. But I am willing to let it play out for at least a season until I start ripping this draft class/approach.
7. I think this team has heart-- something they proved last year and it's not something I think they are going to lose under Zorn. Toughness and effort is not an issue. The defense really played hard last night against an excellent and efficient offense. They held their ground and gave our offense chances to win the game. Offensively, we gradually got better. It wasn't close to being good enough, but I saw signs. The OL protected very well after the 1st quarter, the running game was good enough....the passing attack just isn't there yet. Will it ever be? Is JC going to be good enough? I really don't know. But I'm not anywhere close to being ready to write either of those things off.
8. This season isn't about going 13-3 and winning the Super Bowl. It never was. I think this season is about steady improvement and a coach, a system, and a QB finding their groove in the NFL. I do not think we will "learn" much from a 4-12 type season. If we wind up down there, then I might just jump on the freakout bandwagon. I think the "goal" should be a winning season (9-7). Depending on circumstance, any number of wins in that range could be acceptable.
9. Each week, I will ratchet up my expectation level. For week 1, it was a blank slate. I give them a mulligan. Against the Saints, I want to see a much better start to the game. I want to see the offense move the ball and not put the defense in so many tight spots. I want to see the run defense improve a bit. I want JC to stretch the field a bit more. I want to see more points. Each week, I want to see those things get better. If they don't, then I'll start worrying.
1. Brutal way to start the season. Since the NFL introduced the tradition of the Super Bowl champs hosting the opening Thursday game, those teams are undefeated in said game-- and each game (with one exception) has pretty much been a slaughter. You can also make a great argument that this ranks as the toughest game on our entire schedule-- maybe at Dallas.
2. Following with the theme of #1, the Giants had an incredible emotional boost to start the game. The crowd was wild, the team was jacked, etc.. and they totally punched us in the mouth to start that game. It was utter domination. We got off to about the worst start possible. At the end of the 1st quarter, I thought we were going to lose 56-0. But we fought. We got better. It certainly wasn't good enough to win, but I appreciated the fight.
3. I believe in Zorn, I really do. I see what Snyderatto saw in him, I think. There is nothing to base this on right now other than gut feeling, but I believe Zorn "gets it." During the 8:00 mark everyone is freaking out about, I actually LIKED the way we handled things. I think Zorn was more worried about putting a good drive together than putting a quick drive together. I think he was staying the course. I think that shows confidence in your plan, and that confidence has a way of filtering to the team.
4. As much as I "believe" in Zorn, I also realize he's going to have some growing pains. He's making a huge jump from where he was to where he is, and I accept the fact that he's going through some on-the-job training. As much as I like his approach, I also realize he's going to take his lumps.
5. How you start in the NFL isn't a huge deal. In 2003, we started 3-1, and wound up 5-11. In 1996 we started 7-1, and missed the playoffs. Last year, the Giants were 0-2 and got destroyed in the first two games. Last year, the Saints started 0-4 and rallied to make a push for the playoffs. This is a marathon. My goal is to be 4-4 after the Lions game.
6. People can rip on Snyderatto all they want....and I am certainly witholding judgement. But the fact is that TEN draft picks made the team this year-- something very different for our Skins. Did they make it because Snyderatto wanted to prove a point? Did they make it because the rest of the team stinks? I don't know. But I am willing to let it play out for at least a season until I start ripping this draft class/approach.
7. I think this team has heart-- something they proved last year and it's not something I think they are going to lose under Zorn. Toughness and effort is not an issue. The defense really played hard last night against an excellent and efficient offense. They held their ground and gave our offense chances to win the game. Offensively, we gradually got better. It wasn't close to being good enough, but I saw signs. The OL protected very well after the 1st quarter, the running game was good enough....the passing attack just isn't there yet. Will it ever be? Is JC going to be good enough? I really don't know. But I'm not anywhere close to being ready to write either of those things off.
8. This season isn't about going 13-3 and winning the Super Bowl. It never was. I think this season is about steady improvement and a coach, a system, and a QB finding their groove in the NFL. I do not think we will "learn" much from a 4-12 type season. If we wind up down there, then I might just jump on the freakout bandwagon. I think the "goal" should be a winning season (9-7). Depending on circumstance, any number of wins in that range could be acceptable.
9. Each week, I will ratchet up my expectation level. For week 1, it was a blank slate. I give them a mulligan. Against the Saints, I want to see a much better start to the game. I want to see the offense move the ball and not put the defense in so many tight spots. I want to see the run defense improve a bit. I want JC to stretch the field a bit more. I want to see more points. Each week, I want to see those things get better. If they don't, then I'll start worrying.
