port allegany Posted January 11, 2006 Posted January 11, 2006 It does seem that way. But things aren't so bleak (although a turnaround depends on improved coaching and I'm not sure we're an attractive spot for a top-drawer assistant coach). In some ways, 2005 was a Perfect Storm: a lot of players either got old fast or had off years, we had injuries at 2 key spots - replacing Pat Williams with Edwards, and our best player Spikes; and the geniuses at the top handed an NFL team over to a rookie QB that hadn't played a big game in his life (by definition, Tulane doesn't play 'big games'). Things kind of snowballed out of control. Looking at 2006, on the plus side, we have 4 of the top 75 picks in the draft. Our receivers are pretty good and now have some experience (and there's a chance to resign Moulds). McGahee is a good back - maybe not a superstar yet but another year removed from the knee injury. The line can't help but improve - Peters & the rookie center will have some experience under their belts and an entire off-season to learn. Mike Williams had a nightmare year and it's 50/50 if that will be the norm or the improving 2004 season. Gandy is a decent backup, the draft is deep in OL and there are FA possibilities. On defense, the line got some good experience. Anderson improved and he was designed as a rotation player behind Edwards. Assuming Edwards is good enough to let Pat Willliams go, you have rotation there with a deep DT draft. Our ends are fair (Schoebel is certainly acceptable but Kelsey/Denney/a FA/a top draft choice needs to be upgraded. However, there will be experienced depth. The LB are solid, assuming Spikes comes back nearly 100% and Crowell wasn't a fluke. Clements will be back (perhaps franchised or maybe resign - we caught a break on the franchise tag there), McGee is improving and King/others provide some experienced depth. The safeties are experienced and TVincent will have another year at the position (with him it's a double-edge sword, more experience = older). The kicker did fine. The punter is outstanding. The special teams are tops. The two unknowns will determine 2006: 1) Losman - of our 2 QBs, he's the only potential starter. It's a shame our brilliant coaches/GM wasted this year without getting Losman experience or the chance to take leadership of the team. If anything, they added doubt in his mind and in his teammates. In some ways, Losman is behind where he was when they gave him the keys to the team. If Losman has the goods, things might be promising. If not, well forget about it. 2) Coaching - I don't know how you fire the GM and just about every assistant, realize the young QB was handled like a rag doll, have a veteran revolt, and embarrassing loses, yet the HEAD COACH keeps his job. Maybe the top folks know something we don't - somehow it really was ALL Donahoe's fault. Otherwise, you got a HC on eggshells and how in the world can he put together a quality staff? Here's hoping the glass is half-full.
PromoTheRobot Posted January 11, 2006 Posted January 11, 2006 What a friggen mess this team is! 561486[/snapback] Did something happen in the last week that put us in a deeper mess? No? Then why keep harping on it? Let the new regime get settled in. PTR
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