No, it's not just you...

by scriptcomesfirst , Monday, April 27, 2009, 05:49 (6302 days ago) @ FunkDoctorSpock

I'm quite bullish on this season's prospects. I think Hafis is going to be ready to be a solid contributor on the D-line. So that leaves me warm and fuzzy on 3 of the 4 starters. I expect our back seven (I'm assuming Te'o will be a sold contributor here) to be as good as anything I've seen since at least '88, and our back 4 (with depth) to be as good as any, period. A big key on my defensive thoughts is the ability to rotate fresh bodies without the marked drop-off of previous years.

Offensively, I wouldn't worry too much about our pass protection taking a step back, and I expect our running game to take a considerable step forward. Improved talent + improved coaching = improved result. Simple, right? (cough)

A running game makes our passing game just plain lethal. We have a schedule that should allow us to handle some of the growing pains on defense, and the speed to make up for some of the rest. I think the speed I witnessed at practice is the root of my optimism.

Also, and we don't talk much about this, I think our special teams take a big step forward this year.

So Funk, I'll be Jamestown to your Jim Jones. Don't kill me, okay?