seq004 Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 ...and probably 10-6. To me it started in the Arizona game when Willis became the starter in the Arizona game. The first couple plays he ripped for long gains and a TD. His ability for picking up yards after the first hit. He added attitude to the offense that wasn't their in the beginning of the season. The offense was no longer one of the worst in the league. You can certainly make an augument that the offense is still not good, but adequate in a team that has defensive talent and a knack for take-aways. The other reason for the improvement is the rookie sensation Lee Evans. He wasn't an option for Drew early on. This guy has been the best No 1 draft pick in years. I like the way Mike Williams has come around also. He makes the O-line so much better, way to go big Mike. I knew the defense would be very good but unless you can score some points you will still struggle.
JohninMinn. Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 ...and probably 10-6. To me it started in the Arizona game when Willis became the starter in the Arizona game. The first couple plays he ripped for long gains and a TD. His ability for picking up yards after the first hit. He added attitude to the offense that wasn't their in the beginning of the season. The offense was no longer one of the worst in the league. You can certainly make an augument that the offense is still not good, but adequate in a team that has defensive talent and a knack for take-aways. The other reason for the improvement is the rookie sensation Lee Evans. He wasn't an option for Drew early on. This guy has been the best No 1 draft pick in years. I like the way Mike Williams has come around also. He makes the O-line so much better, way to go big Mike. I knew the defense would be very good but unless you can score some points you will still struggle. 179362[/snapback] For me it's simple McGahee brought back the swagger!
Rico Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 (edited) 1. MM 2. MVP Willis 3. Jerry Gray 4. Bobby April 5. Evans 6. McNally 7. Wyche & Clements, for having the patience of Job in working with Drew. oops, forgot Bobby April. Edited December 27, 2004 by Rico
MRW Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 And what about Bobby Shaw getting cut? Hard to say for sure, but I think that sent a signal too.
spidey Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 1. MM2. Willis 3. Jerry Gray 4. Evans 5. McNally 6. Wyche & Clements, for having the patience of Job in working with Drew. 179384[/snapback] 7. I went to Arizona game and am wearing the same hat I wore that game ever since ( except for the Sunday night loss to NE, I didnt understand the power of the hat yet )
Grant Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 The abillity to adjust properly in the second half is the real reason we're winning. We didn't do that last year, and consequently, unless we started the game hot we were done from the start.
Rico Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 7. I went to Arizona game and am wearing the same hat I wore that game ever since ( except for the Sunday night loss to NE, I didnt understand the power of the hat yet ) 179390[/snapback] 8. I started watching the games at Tully's, beginning with the Rams game.
ajzepp Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 I think all the extra work that TV did with Lee Evans after practice has paid off, too.......Evans is tearing it up lately!
jarthur31 Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 ...and probably 10-6. To me it started in the Arizona game when Willis became the starter in the Arizona game. The first couple plays he ripped for long gains and a TD. His ability for picking up yards after the first hit. He added attitude to the offense that wasn't their in the beginning of the season. The offense was no longer one of the worst in the league. You can certainly make an augument that the offense is still not good, but adequate in a team that has defensive talent and a knack for take-aways. The other reason for the improvement is the rookie sensation Lee Evans. He wasn't an option for Drew early on. This guy has been the best No 1 draft pick in years. I like the way Mike Williams has come around also. He makes the O-line so much better, way to go big Mike. I knew the defense would be very good but unless you can score some points you will still struggle. 179362[/snapback] None of that happens until the O-line started to play better at blitz pickups and run blocking. Willis, IIRC, got mostly 3 yard runs on his own willpower but later it started to open up for him once the line started to believe in itself. Plus, the receivers aren't fumbling or dropping balls like they used to; although it still happens far too frequently even now.
SDS Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 I generally shy away from the spotlight, but any careful analysis will point to me as the reason we are on a streak...
Frez Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 I generally shy away from the spotlight, but any careful analysis will point to me as the reason we are on a streak... 179407[/snapback] Streak in your undies maybe.......
ajzepp Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 I generally shy away from the spotlight, but any careful analysis will point to me as the reason we are on a streak... 179407[/snapback] thy bidding be done, master
seq004 Posted December 27, 2004 Author Posted December 27, 2004 And what about Bobby Shaw getting cut? Hard to say for sure, but I think that sent a signal too. 179388[/snapback] You know getting caught up in all the hoopla lately I forgot all about that until you just mentioned it. Wasn't that the same week Big Sam blew a gasket for getting pulled and since then has played great? I think that it's possible both actions helped both sides of the ball.
seq004 Posted December 27, 2004 Author Posted December 27, 2004 I generally shy away from the spotlight, but any careful analysis will point to me as the reason we are on a streak... 179407[/snapback] Um OK... Just bringing it up for conversation and opinions.
SilverNRed Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 You know getting caught up in all the hoopla lately I forgot all about that until you just mentioned it. Wasn't that the same week Big Sam blew a casket for getting pulled and since then has played great? I think that it's possible both actions helped both sides of the ball. 179415[/snapback] Aren't those Mularky moves? MM has been great this season. I'm hoping the start of the season was just some growing pains and that he's the real deal. It's been a while since we had a coach we could all believe in.
Fake-Fat Sunny Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 I think that looking for one single reason or even one game is going to be wrong. It was the whole, it was organic, and it was a progression of events rather than looking for one person or one answer. I think there were a number of key events worth noting and many of them are mentioned in posts above. I would add these particulars to the list: 1. Red zone improvement- One of the examples of MM/Clements work which I found of particular importance was when in the face of a lack of solid redzone performance in early games, the team went to a set-up which made use of Bannan and Adams as part of the redzone offense, I think this move did several things: A. He took a page from the BB/NE workbook which saw them emply WR Truy Brown for use as a DB. It added fun back to the game, rewarded individual players for their efforts, and reminded players they are football players on a team and not specialists out for themselves. B. It worked to improve redzone production 2. Campbell's big game signaled a turn- It was not so much better play by the TE, but the coaches noticed a way to exploit and opposing D and successfully implemented it. Confidence in the team working together soared and though there were other players or approaches which were the focus in other weeks and Campbell or the TE spot never produced as they had in that game it marked a turn for me in us making offensive adjustments. 3. Vincent's performance was not a turning point but his success upon return at a new position which he himself chose to do rather than the coaches telling him to do it kept the ball rolling and helped make this a team which could not be denied. The turnaround is so complete that it is simply impossible to highlight one thing as the thing.
ajzepp Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 The turnaround is so complete that it is simply impossible to highlight one thing as the thing. 179537[/snapback] That is for sure......
buckeyemike Posted December 27, 2004 Posted December 27, 2004 Biggest reason = McGahee. The line seems significantly better with him in there. As soon as Willis starting playing, it opened up the whole offense more. The change of coaches had to help as well. You can tell MM will be a good HC. Mike
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