DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum The Roster: Evaluations and Expectations

Coaching:

Once again we agree ... but i can expand here ...

- love zampese also ...
- love the O brain power with Hue, Haley and Zamp ... LOVE IT ...
- agree on williams ... he is the definition of an egotistical blowhard if u ask me ... but he knows his D

My hope is for the O coaches to work together ... bone brought up one of th things i love most about Haley ... he tailors things to the skill set of those he has playing for him (IMO its one of the things that seperates Billicheck and its SO SIMPLE ... yet a lot of guys at that level struggle with it ... ) ...

I also like Hue a lot more as HC than the duel role he had his first two years ... one of th most impressive things about Hue is over the last 2 years the team NEVER QUIT ... thats pretty remarkable and says a lot about what the players think about playing for Hue ... Hue’s is a players coach .. that’s BAD most of the time ... NOT IN THIS CASE ... the players RESPECT hue and that showed in the fact they never ever gave up over the last two years ....

Having Hue in one role is HUGE in a bunch of ways ... but having a MUCH BETTER TEAM that will win some games once we get by the first two (and we could surprise both teams IMO) games and that will help Hue BIGLY in the emotional/mental aspect ... I’ve never seem a coach take losing so hard ... I think it affected him way more negatively than it should have mentally and it was so bad it took a toll on his health ...

That will lead to better decisions from the head honcho IMO ... logically it should anyhow ... *L* ...

Haley was a HUGE ADDITION in many many ways ...

Haley taking advantage of what our guys do well combined with Hues creativity .... OH MY .. the possibilities are ENDLESS with the talent we have at the skill positions ... STUPID JOES BODY BREAKING DOWN ... DAMM IT!!!!!!

PS. They have a reciever that can CATCH THE F’NG BALL!!!!

I’ll come back for intangibles later ... gotta run for a few ...

j/c:

Some good commentary. Thanks, guys.

Instead of giving long winded takes on each position I will simply evaluate the state of each position compared to other NFL teams:

QB: Below Average
RB: Below Average
OL: Average
WRs: Above average, could be a strength
TE: Below Average, NJoku Flashed but TE’s historically don’t produce until year 3 at least.

DL: Above Average, Garret is a “Customize your player” body type with the intangibles to boot. Super Star potential…..the tackle situation is suspect past Ogunjobi who I love.
LB: Average, no studs, all solid, injuries a concern.
DB: Below average, I love Ward but everyone else is either unknown, unproven or terrible.

Coaching:
HC: Below average, I suspect he will lose us more games than he wins us with his coaching.
DC: Average, I question if his time is up in the NFL…..we were the only team to run a base 4-3 in the NFL lasts season. Every team runs a hybrid but us….
OC: Above Average: I think his track record across multiple teams speaks for itself, I love that we will bring a screen game to a team I’ve been begging to run screens with Duke for 2 years. He’s a cuck and likes to watch but whatever, he’s a good coach.

GM: Average, which is a gigantic upgrade for us.
Owner: Below average……horrible decision maker, meddles too much, like the upgrades to the stadium but I need more than that it’s almost a 20 year old stadium and all we did was add a scoreboard and some VIP lounges.



We are a below average football team that has chemistry problems. That does not bode well, but we brought in some "Glue" guys in landry and Taylor so maybe we can finally get some chemistry?

Unless we have a significant culture and chemistry bump, this team cannot win more than 6 games.

I have to disagree with you here.

We have really good talent at CB, with players like Gaines, Carrie, Boddy-Calhoun, and Mitchell vying to play opposite Ward. We went from weakness to strength here, IMO. I am hopeful about Randall at FS, as I feel that he was played out of position at CB.

I like Kindred at SS, and hope that he really is getting a fair shot at the job. My fear is that Peppers is shoved into the starting role because of his draft pedigree, though I am hopeful that Williams would resist that kind of thing.

S obviously doesn't have the same kind of depth as CB does, but the secondary, as a group, has the strongest starting talent, and depth, since Bill Belichick.

As far as TE, I don't know where you get that it takes 3 years for a TE to produce in the passing game.

Kelce, Ertz, Engram, and Ebron had stong 2nd seasons. Jimmy Graham, of course, had a monster 2nd season, as did Gronk. Jason Whitten had a very good sophomore season. Ed Dickson's 2nd season was his best of his career to date.

I think that some of the TE who struggle to make a statistical impact are those who are block 1st TEs. Of our top 3 TE, the only one of them who fits this mold is Fells. I think that Njoku has a ton of talent, and that he is a real threat in the red zone. I also like DeValve as a receiving TE. I think that they will both step forward, with better QB play. (although, with more weapons, they may only get a similar, limited number of touches as last year) I would also add that some TE play on teams either without quality QB play, or with a good QB, but high level talent at the other receiving positions. (and maybe even with a 2nd quality TE)

I'd say this:

QB - Below Average (which is obviously the HUGE factor)
OL - Average
TE - Average
WR - Above Average (the biggest upgrade)
RB - Average (this is assuming Hyde is healthy and Chubb isn't awful)

DL - Average (I'll hold off on praising Garrett; he needs to get better and stay healthy)
LB - Average (addition of Kendricks is big IMO)
DB - Below Average (us hitting on Ward is a MUST)

Coaching - I don't even know how to assess them.

Fans - Above Average

I may have mixed up my own thoughts on TE, I thought I remember arguing that tight ends were worthless in their 1st two seasons aside from Mike Ditka. It may have been just 1st season.


I have been around the Browns long enough to just flat not believe in players other teams cast off and end up here. I love Ward, but we are counting on a rookie and a group of casts offs to shore up our abysmal pass defense. I just can't call that a strength.

Randall is an unknown, on paper I like it, but I can't trust it. I think Kindred far outplayed Peppers last season, but it's impossible to judge because a. Kindred wasn't great, he just wasn't really bad. and b. Peppers was playing free safety out of pure necessity, a position that no one in their right mind would put him in given another option. So I am left to believe that they see a lot in Peppers where as they saw less in Kindred who could ONLY play SS. That is complete conjecture however.

I can't call this bad of misfits a strength. They are at best average, but when I look at our division, they are below average until Ward proves it.

Overall, I think that we have average type talent across the board, with several who have a lot of potential, and some true star type players sprinkled in.

I hope that Mayfield will become that stud QB we all hope for, as that would improve a lot of positions all across the board. The receivers would all become better, as would the RBs, The defense would be able to play looser, and not freak out over the idea that a single mistake could cost them the game.

I remember the Colts, when Manning was injured. (right before he left Indy) Their defense had most of the same players as they did the year before, but the fact that Manning was out meant that they could not take chances, blitzing, and so forth, because Manning was no longer there to bail them out. Did they "tank"? Probably. However, they also had real issues involved in going from Manning to Sorgi, (or whoever took over for Manning) that went far beyond just the passing game.

When I look at our Division, I feel that the Browns are more talented than either Cincinnati or Baltimore, but are behind Pittsburgh. The problem is, the games are played on the field, not on paper. Given the strength of schedule, I expect 6 - 7 wins, and 3 - 3 within the Division. Could they do better? Yes. Could they do worse? Also a yes. With so many new faces, there is so much that is unknown. I do know that I am more positive about the upcoming season than any season since 1989.

JMHO

This team has to get past worrying about things like the difficulty of their schedule. That has been, in no small part, of their own doing. They have added 5-6 games to their overall opponent strength of schedule simply by losing to their division opponents so consistently.

It's time for the team to start seeing every game as winnable, and playing as such.

I've said this many times, but let's be honest: we can have all the talent in the world at all positions, but if Tyrod (and mostly Baker) don't pan out it doesn't mean squat. On the other hand, if this QB is finally the answer ... everything else falls into place.

It's not like NE, Pitt, GB, etc have talent everywhere ... they just have great QBs

J/C

I know the coaching discussion has gone round and round with some on either side not willing to even consider (a.) agreeing to disagree or (b.) change their opinion no matter what. That being said, I do think the staff as a whole looks solid on paper (hopefully not toilet paper!)

While I have questioned some of Jackson’s decisions in the past, I really think this is the first season he’ll have an opportunity to be a head coach with at least avg. NFL talent in more places than we’ve seen in the past. I certainly don’t blame him entirely for the 1 win in the last 2 seasons, but I do think there have been mistakes - some of which are now 20/20 hindsight, admittedly.

I am looking forward to seeing how Jackson manages the game now that he’s turned over the OC duties. As Diam said earlier, Haley’s addition should be a positive. Things like clock management, challenges, and overall team attitude, hustle, and identity can now be things we really get to see and evaluate with Hue. I do agree with Diam (once again), that the team kept playing for Hue last season, so that definitely tells me something about his impact on the locker room. With the improvements to the roster, he needs to keep them playing - especially with higher (to what degree remains to be seen) expectations.

Overall, I’m looking forward to the entire experience of the season - good or bad. Either way, this season will say a lot about the next 3-5 years of this team. Will we rise or stay underwater?

I agree w/you in regards to Hue. I was supportive of bringing him back and giving him a chance with a real GM and some real players. Nobody can say we haven't given him a fair shake now IMO. We've gotta show some strides and some WINS

Guys, please don't turn this into a Hue thread. It's fine to mention him while mentioning other parts of the team, but please..............do not turn this into a Hue thread. There already is a "Hue" thread.

This is just my opinion, but I also think that there are posters who are overrating the roster. There are quite a several disputes when someone doesn't assign a high grade to a position group. Yet, rasta is the only person who has said that we are overrating those groups.

I think both sides are wrong. This team didn't win a damn game last year. They won one game the year before. They won three the year before that and lost some of their "best" players after that year.

I truly get the "fan" thing. It's fun and cool to be positive. However---and I have been saying this for years---when reality sets in, those same "positive" posters are looking to assign blame. Firing folks and constantly revamping rosters has NOT worked. Stop the madness.

I started this thread because several posters have asked me about my feelings on this team. My intentions were to be as realistic as possible.

The roster has certainly improved, but not as much as some of you are claiming. We still have a ton of question marks and until we have a franchise qb, it's pretty difficult to get too high on a team that has been the laughing stock of the league.

As I've said for a few years - about the draft, the potential - I'm not getting excited about anything until I start seeing W's going up.

That's the bottom line. I refuse to get suckered into "oh, we drafted so and so, and we got so and so in free agency, we're good".

Nope. W's on the board. That will mean something.

You can fill a roster with Pro-bowlers at every position but until they learn to play together and gel the results will be very mixed.

Just because a guy has a lot of talent doesn't mean he's going to be an immediate stud on our team. Every guy on the roster has to get familiar with the team, the schemes, the coaches and teammates. That goes for vets as well as rookies. Also, the players currently on the roster have to get used to the new players. Until they're comfortable with all that they will struggle, in varying degrees. Several guys struggling in several position groups will upset the hopes and dreams of unrealistic expectations of success.

I think we all have to be aware that we are building a team. We did not buy one rehearsed and ready to shine. There's a lot of polishing to be done. On a positive note, I think they can do it. On a negative note, they don't have a chance. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, and the only way we're going to know the results are to wait until the results are in. Meanwhile, we are fans. Be we positive or negative it should be a fun and engaging season.

Go Browns!

Nice post. And while reading your thoughtful reply, I noticed something in my own quote that was incorrect.

I said:



I misspoke because what I really mean is that the roster was poor in terms of overall talent, experience, or both that it's a lot to overcome in just one off-season.

I think Dorsey blew the draft, but that's for the future and is a great unknown. I do think he did a great job in FA and w/the trades [for the most part.] However, the roster was bad. Really bad. Having such a long way to go is tough.

We're on the right track, but we have to display patience.

I'm excited about the season, a small part of me thinks we can go to the playoffs, but I agree that we best temper expectations and give this team time to grow.

In reality, a 7-win season would be a dramatic turnaround. 5-11 wouldn't shock me. I'd be disappointed but not overly surprised.

I'd say if we don't win 5 games it'll be disappointing. I'm conditioned to think with pessimism, but we've made enough moves, acquired talent, gained experience, etc ... we should be able to garner 5 W's. If not, things will change again IMO>

Time to stop waiting perhaps.

Hatch the chickens and count them! So to speak, I get kinda excitable near TC.

j/c

I think we've improved the roster dramatically. The vets added - at most every position group - are younger guys with experience...but not last-check collectors...a huge difference STR.

I think Dorsey NAILED the draft. He identified who he wanted and he went and got them. No more messing around 'hoping' someone he really wanted would fall to us. Due to the vet roster upgrades, we are only counting on one draft pick to be a starter on Opening Day. These guys can be brought along as needed and not thrust into the lineup due to ineptitude in their groups.

We have a ton of guys coming into their 3rd year who have already played a lot of NFL football...all of these guys were starters at some point: Shobert, Ogbah, Nassib, Kindred, Drango, C Coleman, S Coleman...

Also...we have a slew of 2nd year guys who also played a ton and/or started: Garrett, Ogunjobi, Brantley, Coley, Njoku, Peppers...

Time will tell if these 2nd/3rd year guys are stars, contributors, or quick flashes...but there is a lot of talent there.

We moved on from some position coaches and added some experienced offensive guys in Haley and Zampese. Hue gets another shot with less on his plate, but his #1 positive attribute appears to be that the players didn't quit on him last year. I don't see that as a huge accomplishment with the number of young guys we had on the roster...many of whom simply must have been happy to be in the league. In any event, the players respond(ed) to him and he's better positioned than last year with an OC...an influx of vets...young guys getting acclimated and a draft class that doesn't HAVE to be 'The Guy'.

There is a lot to like and a lot to be excited about...but they still have to figure it out. We've kept the HC and DC and some/many of the position coaches which is huge for continuity, but there is still a lot of 'newness' to this team and coaches. I think we will get off to a slow-ish start...but I expect us to be competitive in every game. I really don't have any real concerns going into the season...a first for me STR.

j/c

I'm certainly not a stat guy by any stretch. But last year, we averaged scoring 14.6 points per game. Last in the NFL. We gave up 25.6 points per game which ranked 31st in the league. At the same time we ranked in the top 10 against the run.

That makes it painfully obvious as to our biggest needs. I think we all know that any team ranking that highly against the run had to be terrible against the pass. As much as some may question the DL, it seems the run wasn't really an issue last year and in the second season under Williams things should only get better if anything in that department.

So the biggest way that the D could have been addressed is via the secondary. That was done in a very big way. The question is how well was it done? That's something that remains to be seen. Randall moving back to the FS position is the biggest question of the group IMO. That will be critical. At first I was very excited with the signing of E.J. Gaines. But after seeing his salary of 4 million, it's made me question why he came so cheap. So we'll see. There was a huge infusion of talent brought to the secondary which will certainly create a situation of improvement in the unit. How much improvement and how quickly it will manifest itself remain to be seen.

In terms of the O, our average yards per carry weren't bad. The thing that killed us were turnovers. So I believe it's quite true that a QB like TT will be a huge improvement in that department. But I also believe people need to keep one thing in mind. Buffalo only averaged scoring 17.9 points per game last year. Only 3.3 points per game than we did with TT at QB.

Yet if we take it back to 2016, we scored an average of 16.5 points per game while Buffalo scored an average of 24.9 points per game.

I guess the question really boils down to this. Does the roster of our O more closely resemble the 2016 Bills or the 2017 Bills? Because a seven points scored per game difference will have a huge impact on the W/L record.

2016 was the last year that the Bills had Sammy Watkins, and while he didn't rack up a ton of yardage (593 yds on 39 catches), he still had 8 TD's so you know he was impacting things and defenses were accounting for him.

They also had Woods, if I'm not mistaken.

At the end of the day it’s all about wins/losses... you are your record. Personally I see a 5-7 win team.... probably end with 6 wins. I think that is a very reasonable expectation. Here’s hoping they over achieve!

IF Baker pans out then next year we’ll be in the playoff mix.

I like the fact that some competent veteran presence has been added to virtually every position group on the team. That's positive.

I think the draft was decent but as you say that really won't be determined for a season or two. If Ward plays at a level approaching Lattimore last year then this draft gets an immediate gold star!

I never saw many Buffalo games with Taylor behind center so I don't have enough first hand information to have a decisive opinion about him. I get the impression that he is efficient if not spectacular. His turnover ratio is impressive. If he can be efficient and maintain his low turnover rate we will be in many more games in the fourth quarter with an actual chance to win. Just getting competent play from the QB will help make the running game improve. Whether it would have come from Crowell or we get it from a combination of Hyde and Chubb, I'm expecting that we are not as one dimensional as in seasons past.

Fewer turnovers alone should help our defense. Hopefully the addition of healthy pass rushers for the whole season and more athleticism in the secondary will reduce the long unstoppable drives (or the short explosive ones) we've seen too often. My impression which is vague, about William's DL over the years is that an immovable 2 gap NT has never been essential to what he does. I expect one or more of the younger, perhaps smaller, penetrating type of d-linemen to be deployed in sub packages. Chris Smith or maybe Trenton Thompson will get some of those reps.

I don't know if it was strictly by design but spreading the veteran talent throughout the team who have either established themselves in the league or have been better than average in their careers should help infuse a winning culture.

I know that Cleveland is only one of 32 teams where guys get together for off season work but it is encouraging. I especially like the reports of Taylor and Mayfield working together. I think that reverberates thru the whole team.

Nice post and thread.

I think I am on board with the majority. I am very excited about the upcoming season - there are so many positive things to watch and anticipate. Unlike some my enthusiasm hasn't waned during the off season yet.

Yes - there are lots of "ifs" that we are all waiting on. And for every acquisition and anticipation of improvement and betterment -- there is a chance things go awry. Injuries, under performing, just plain old 'Browns being Browns' syndrome ..... certainly the chances of every possible outcome turning out with the most favorable outcome and success for us is unlikely. But I feel better about this than any time I can remember since the return.

I guess some quick highlights:

QB - I'm high on TT. Not as a top 10 NFL QB.... simply as a QB who protects the ball and is quite probably going to be the best QB we've had play here since 1999.

I was a Baker fan and was happy to draft him. I'm also happy for him to sit and wait till he plays so well he earns the job outright. I don't want him learning on the job and I am happy for him to sit for 16 games this year (or more!)

RB - I think Hyde is a good replacement for Crow. I hope he stays healthy. I expect Chubb to be an upgrade. But I'll be happy to spell him and have him as part of the committee.

WR - I was always hopefully Coleman would turn the corner, the dude has had more than his share of bad luck. He's flashed great potential but on balance he's probably shown more issues struggling to catch balls. If he ends up being our 4th guy behind Gordon, Landry and Calloway .... it'll be a splendid thing. This is the position group I am most enamored with. Gordon has the ability to be one of the top 3 WR's in the game. Landry will get plenty of opportunity to keep doing what he's done because of Gordon. Calloway was a top 20 talent that fell because he was a jackwad at school - no idea if he can or will straighten himself out. But man, if he does.

TE - I was more jazzed about Njoku last year than this... for as big as he is I would like more blocking. And more consistent hands. This is one of those areas of uncertainty. I don't have wild expectations that Njoku is going to morph into Tony Gonzalez.

OL - While it's impossible to replace JT ... I am less pessimistic about his departure than some. We had one of the best LT's in the game and what did it get us? I think we'll feel his loss and see pressure from the left side of the line - but nothing that more than 2/3 of the teams don't overcome week in and week out. I like the options we have on the line and hope we settle on a starting 5 early and they stay healthy.

CB - Love the depth we've added - and veteran leadership. Ward *might* end up being great. I'll settle for a good rookie campaign (while quietly hoping for him to compete for DROY) ... As jazzed about the WR core as I am - CB as a group probably improved the most right down to the 5th and 6th guy in the depth chart.

My biggest ? On defense is Peppers. I am not sold on anything about him as a football player till I see him do it week in and week out on the field. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kindred beat him out.

Finally I am in equal parts eager and happy to see Hue be a full time HC as I am to see what Hayley can create on offense.

The high end of the spectrum of success is a huge ? On offense so many things potentially could go well that we have a chance to be the team that turned it all around this year .... it may not be probable, and I am not expecting ... but I am not ruling 8 or 9 wins out. I think the low end of the spectrum is 4 wins - and that's if as many things can go wrong do go wrong.

Can not wait for September.

This has turned into a pretty good thread. Different opinions are being given w/out all the nastiness of many past discussions.

I'm enjoying reading all the different takes on the team.

I agree w/you about Njoku ... to me, he needs to improve in a number of areas. Does he have the physical traits? For sure ... but he just needs to get a lot better w/blocking, route running, and catching.

Let's remember: he was a 1st round pick (we even traded up for him) ... he has HIGH expectations

I think I read something saying Pro Football Focus increased his blocking grade over the last 4-6 weeks of last season. For me, if he only becomes average as a blocker and excels as a offensive weapon that is why he was drafted.

Intangibles ....

Agree a losing culture is hard to overcome ... one of the ways to overcome that is bring in vets that have won and/or are gonna be leaders ...

TT has won and has been a great leader since getting here ... seems like a new guy in that regard ... hes coming from a HORRIBLE ENVIRONMENT ... kudos to him and shows just how classy he is ... i would love to be wrong about this kid ... hes a GREAT KID ... everyone in the Buffalo community loved this kid ... lived the right way, gave his time and money to good causes and kept his mouth shut ... then last year at the new HC’s introduction news conference he came out and said he wanted a new QB ... he did not want to keep him .. he was forced to ... and he publicly shamed him verbally and with the benching ...

TT never said a word ... NOT A WORD ... not even when he got benched and u know the press goaded him especially after a 5 pick performance in less than 3 quarters i believe ...

I always rooted for TT cause of the person he was and the stories i heard about him ... after last year ... i’ll Root for the kid 30 years after he’s retired to be loving and enjoying life ...

He also won last year ... granted it wasn’t cause of him ... but he did help in some games and only hurt in a few ... ... he did win ... and more importantly he has been a GREAT LEADER here and he’s the #1 guy to do that at his position ...

We added Randall who came from a winning org. ... we added Janis from a winning org and Lendricks ... there’s some VETS from winning org’s ...

Then u have Jarvis ... he’s a VET going into year 5 that has the maturity and leadership of a 10 year VET ... dude is a hard ass worker with a ton of talent that loves the mental part of the game ... LEADER BY EXAMPLE of a group that is young and HOPEFULLY TALENTED ... (Calloway ... pretty sure we know who Coleman is ... i expect better play cause they may literally leave him uncovered on some plays this year ... *L* ... ) ...

Another way to get rid of the losing culture is to bring in TALENTED YOUNG VETS to add to the TALENTED YOUTH we all ready had ...

We addded guys like Carrie, Gaines, Hyde and RT from Pitt ... Hubbard .. brain fart ... add them to TT, Kendricks, Landry, Randall and the others ...

Then there’s the best way to get rid of a losing culture ... WIN ... u win with talent ... we FINALLY HAVE TALENT ... FINALLY ...

Were gonna win some games this year .... and not 4 or 5 ... OK ... maybe 5 ... *L* ... NO WAY ... NO WAY .. at least 6 .. i’ll save that for when i come back and talk about the “predictions” and some of the tudes and why i understand them but don’t agree at all ... i will LOGICALLY PROVE my take ...

Ward/Baker/Chubb ... WINNING WINNING AND WINNING .. and by winning I mean LOADS OF WINNING at all 3 schools ....

Thats enough on intangibles for now ...

In summary ...

This team has folks from winning orgs ... vets with talent to mix with our youth with talent as opposed to to our youth with talent being mixed with youth with a lot less talent ... *L* ...

This is a mUCH DIFFERENT TEAM ... one way more prepared to WIN WIN WIN ....

I’m gonna give a Rockne speech before the opener ...

LOL ............good post, but you're killing me w/this rah rah stuff.

We ain't that good yet, bro.

Reasonable expectations are needed.

I agree .. when i come back ... i’ll Show U why your being unreasonable ... ....

And the night before the opener after i give my speech ... i’m Gonna have u so fired up your gonna call me and ask if i wanna hop in the car and drive to C-town and scalp a couple for the game ... *LOL* ...

LOL..........you're killin' me.

I hope that's the case too

Diam, you're too much, man... :-p

Here are my expectations (since many, including myself, left that part out).

I expect us to be competitive in every game. I won't give a win total, since that's largely dependent on how other teams are doing, and injuries as we progress through the season. Predicting a win total for a team that has absolutely no momentum whatsoever (lots of rookies/2nd year guys, lots of new faces from FA, new coaches/systems, and lots of losses) doesn't make much sense to me.
I do think, however, that we are SIGNIFICANTLY more talented than the end of last year. My expectation is that the D should tighten up A LOT. Garrett healthy and stronger than this time a year ago. Ogbah should be back to 100% by kickoff. We don't have a secondary yet, but we have some pieces to begin assembling something resembling an NFL secondary, which is a huge improvement from a year ago. Offense has been covered already.
With all that, I expect us to get after it EVERY SINGLE GAME. We may not (probably won't) win many games, but I expect us to make each and every team work for it and sweat out each game. I expect to not turn off the TV by halftime, regardless of who we play. I also expect to build momentum as we go through the season. O and D should be a more cohesive unit the more time they spend next to each other. They'll need time to fit and gel.