Posted by Solace:
That's why the addage about not putting too much into small sample sizes comes in. They played around .500 for a stretch and we'll calling this a victory. That was their best. If when they're tops, fully healthy, they're playing .450 - .500 and the rest of the time they're .300 - .400, they're destined to be a team in the .350 - .450 range every year. That's not hating, just fact. It's also unrealistic to not expect injuries. Every team has them. Good teams should be able to sustain an injury or two (we did, with the exception of Lee AND Crawford injured simultaneously). Long way to go, long way to go my friends. Finally, teams are supposed to come together in the clutch, injuries or not. A playoff run is that time. Instead, we crumbled, stopped playing hard and blame other teams for beating us with their reserves. Poor, piss poor.
I don't agree. You have to consider that when injuries hit this year, we were forced to play rookies. Next year, Balkman and Collins will be better prepared to play meaningful minutes if injuries occur again. Moreover, the team and the coaching staff will have a better idea of what the team is trying to do next season. IT can work on getting Curry to pass out of the double-team all summer and in training camp, and the players will have more defined roles in the offense now that IT has a better idea of what players can and cannot do. Additionally, Lee, Nate, and possibly Frye will all be better next year. Simply put, this team should be a more cohesive unit next season. Factor in the fact that the team should not start the year off getting booed at home, and I think it is very realistic to expect the team to perform at a .500 or better level next year. While that is not great, it is a start.
4/12/2007 4:50 PM
