It almost scares me a bit to say it but I REALLY like our team and our chances this year. Of course, as always, it depends on Ben - will he be fully recovered (doesn't have to be 100% the old Ben but close) and can he stay healthy? Assuming that is the case, I don't see any real holes on offense, defense, or STs. Every team has depth issues in a salary capped league but I'd match our starters with anyone else:
QB - In spite of his age and the league trend to dual threat QBs, Ben is easily still a top 10 QB when healthy. He has a big arm, can make all the throws and he's a gutty playmaker that can make the clutch plays when you need them
RB - I like the group as a whole. Connor is an all round back -tough and productive, Snell is an adequate backup and McFarland brings speed and big play ability we have lacked in recent years. Plus the "other Watt" should bring some fire and work ethic.
WR - This is a good group; not sure we have a number 1 but not sure we need one. JJSS, DJ, JW and now Claypool. All these guys are solid, all bring something a little different to the table, and I don't see a lot of drop-off when one of them goes off the field and another comes on.
TEs - Hoping for the best with Ebron. If he can live up to the positive expectations and not the negatives this skill position will have improved greatly over last year we can have a great tandem between he and the Vanimal.
Oline- Got rid of the weak piece in Foster and replaced him with a savvy vet and a young road grader. The group is aging but proud and skilled and should be very motivated to have their leader behind center once again.
Dline- Lost the Gravedigger but get Tuitt back. Heyward is a stud and the unquestioned leader. The rest of the group are pretty damn solid and I hope someone emerges to take over the middle.
OLB - Watt is arguably the best in the game and Bud is pretty damn good as well. I like Highsmith's potential. Either him, Skipper or Ola should emerge as a better alternative than Chick as the top backup.
ILB - With Safety, this is still the thinnest group IMO but I like the teams plans to go with a hybrid for cover purposes. Vince is great against the run and the best tackler on the team. Bush showed flashes of his dynamic playmaking ability and should take a major leap forward this year. They obviously like UGIII's potential and so do I
CBs - Man, after so many years of this being the weak link it is so nice to think of it as a team strength with Haden, Nelson and Hilton. Looking forward to some improvement from Layne.
S- Minkah is probably the best in the game. Teams used to kill us deep but after he came in, they almost quit going there. Edmunds is solid. Depth is a problem but I'd like to see Sutton get some time at Safety as he has cover skills, speed and tackling ability.
ST- Boz is apparently back and all is well at PK. Punting is OK. Coverage seemed to improve last year but lots of changes so we'll see. Lots of options for return men. I assume we'll see Switzer on punts. Not my preference but... since he's still Bens BFF he'll probably make the squad.
Coaching. Not gonna get too deeply into the Tomlin thing as there's no point. He has his strengths and weaknesses which have both been well documented. I like some his staff adds in the last few years though. The team has also worked hard to reduce distractions.
Overall - Hope springs eternal this time of year. Got a tough row to hoe with a lot of AFC teams improving; Rats, Chiefs, Bills, even the Clowns have some very good players. Glad Marcia Brady is in the NFC now - that helps. HERE WE GO!
