Rock Sexton wrote:
Amazing isn't it? Run out and snag one of the top WR's in the game and top LB's and what are the results? Very little impact worth mentioning. I'd go so far as to saying that this team is regressing before our very eyes.
Yes you picked up those two guys, but you also got a lot younger (and far less experienced) overall as a team.
2nd youngest team in the NFL. Inconsistent play and growing pains are to be expected. Throw that 2nd youngest team in the NFL into a gauntlet of games against Superbowl contenders and and 4-4 is about what you get.
Let's look at the roster overall:
No need to mention that Henne is still a toddler when it comes to the QB position.
On the offensive line, you replaced your entire interior offensive line with younger, less experienced players. Berger in particular has never been a starter before this season. He started some games last year in relief of an injured Grove. You also brought in Jerry and McQuistan, two guys who have never started before in the NFL.
You got better at receiver and the numbers show that. But your tight end is still a number #2 tight end at best. The best friend of a young, developing QB is the tight end.
Your running backs are older of course, and seem to be losing a step (or a coach that will actually call plays for them).
On defense you really got younger, replacing your two outside linebackers, free safety one cornerback position and a lot of rotational positions with younger players. Special teams are full of younger, less experienced players.
Say what you want about the players we got rid of, Porter, Taylor, Ayodele, Smiley, Grove, etc (and Will Allen to IR), this team got younger and less experienced. And I think that factors into why they are 4-4 and perform inconsistently from week to week.