Depth took a double ( triple?) whammy this off-season.
Coaching changes should prove beneficial in the long run, but how long til they make a successful transition in coaching up and obtaining buy-in from their charges?
Was last season's glaring lack of chemistry/development a one time thing - or will it continue?
Will the excellent recruiting classes of the past 3-4 years be enough to allow for a successful transition to the post SB/TM era?
Where will the replacements for the portal/early draft losses come from? OR, could the early exits be a positive thing by allowing talented unknowns a chance to blossom?
The sum total of all the above questions has to drop us out of the Top 20 - on paper at least.
and make us an also ran in 2019 in the eyes of most talking heads. And that doesnt even take into account any future injuries, accidents, academic casualties to the rebuilding efforts needed at many positions.
OTOH, 2019 may provide CJF with a chance to demonstrate his skills and put together the kind of team we expected in 2018 but didnt see.
Expectations are gonna be much lower. Chemistry may well be fragile and endothermic early on. So fans will need to be patient and cheer on the Good Guys a lot more before the results we all want materialize. And perhaps it will first materialize on the D side of the ball ( despite limited DT depth) , with perhaps the O not coming around until 2020?
The logical side of me likes to set expectations based on the reality of what is, and be surprised by good news and surprise developments as they take shape.
Coaching changes should prove beneficial in the long run, but how long til they make a successful transition in coaching up and obtaining buy-in from their charges?
Was last season's glaring lack of chemistry/development a one time thing - or will it continue?
Will the excellent recruiting classes of the past 3-4 years be enough to allow for a successful transition to the post SB/TM era?
Where will the replacements for the portal/early draft losses come from? OR, could the early exits be a positive thing by allowing talented unknowns a chance to blossom?
The sum total of all the above questions has to drop us out of the Top 20 - on paper at least.
and make us an also ran in 2019 in the eyes of most talking heads. And that doesnt even take into account any future injuries, accidents, academic casualties to the rebuilding efforts needed at many positions.
OTOH, 2019 may provide CJF with a chance to demonstrate his skills and put together the kind of team we expected in 2018 but didnt see.
Expectations are gonna be much lower. Chemistry may well be fragile and endothermic early on. So fans will need to be patient and cheer on the Good Guys a lot more before the results we all want materialize. And perhaps it will first materialize on the D side of the ball ( despite limited DT depth) , with perhaps the O not coming around until 2020?
The logical side of me likes to set expectations based on the reality of what is, and be surprised by good news and surprise developments as they take shape.
