tsylvester Posted December 3 Posted December 3 The bye week could not have come at a better time. It has been quite the strange season, for fans and for the team. So many promising looks before the season began, players coming back healthy, not having to rehab injuries in the offseason, gave everyone hope of conquering the AFC and winning a super bowl. But then the wheels started to get loose, 2 close loses that could have been wins if not for ill timed mistakes. A once dominant defense, just a year ago, now a shadow of its self. The offense, wow, there were times when it appeared no one could stop it, then times when the offensive wheels went flat. Once we add in special teams and the struggles Tucker has had kicking field goals and extra points, wowza, fans, players, coaches all need this break. Along the way, one player was left home from a game, then cut. Another benched for a game or two, then replaced all together. Rumors of turmoil brewing in a once, proud, tight nit family, are they still? As we sit, 8-5, all five loses by 7 pts or less, 2 by 3 pts or less. Combined, 22 pts in total, while Tucker has missed a total of 23 pts between field goals & extra points. No, we can't just add the points on and call them a win. Scoring leads to momentum shifts, who knows how either team will play if those points were made. My point, however, is that this team is really close to putting it all together, or, falling a part completely, as another player may be readying his resume to hand in at burger King. The once porous pass defense has been quite stingy of late. Is it the change in safeties, or just that they have not faced any real prolific passing offenses as they did earlier in the season? The offense seems to have hit a road block, suddenly unable to finish off drives in the endzone consistently. But there is hope, real hope that it will hold up its end of the bargain. The defense too should be getting better as some key injured players will be back after the bye. So four games await this team, one a true get right game against perhaps the worst team in the league. Yes, I know, I hear your groans, the Raiders were supposed to be a pushover too, we saw how that went. So take this time, watch other games, see those teams make mistakes, relax this week & weekend and just breathe, as I hope our team is going to do to clear their heads and come back ready to make a serious run. Quote
oldno82 Posted December 3 Posted December 3 Like I said, the Ravens are quite able to win the next 4 games and if Pitts has a loss against the Eagles and us, then we're in as Division champs. That's the optimistic outlook. Pessimistically, we lose to Houston and Pitts and wind up as a wild card team. If we can get the FG game back on track, I like our chances with the first option above. But, if Tuck continues to miss FGs in the 45+ yard range, then I lean towards the pessimistic option. A lot depends on Tucker and whatever help our coaching staff can throw his way. I hope somebody is actually out there helping him in some way and that he's not just in this slump all alone. Will be an interesting finish to the season. Right now I'm kind of holding my breath. Quote
tsylvester Posted December 3 Author Posted December 3 I heard Matt Stover say that he & Tucker have talked, that's a good thing. So Tucker is not all alone in his head. Quote
oldno82 Posted December 3 Posted December 3 Good. I hope they keep talking, but he might need more than just Matt. Quote
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