Quote
TonyHunter87
So, let me get this straight...
Case Keenum (a journeyman we've already cut) is our starting QB. Sean Mannion (a 3rd round pick from a year ago) is our backup. We're returning the same starting offensive line and WR corps (save for a 2nd tier WR from the draft who's injured) from last year and Todd Gurley is STILL the team's only real source of offensive production.
Basically, we're in virtually the exact same position offensively (that's 31st, btw.) as we finished in 2015.
Well... except for two MAJOR differences...
We've got a shiny new 3rd string quarterback and NO worthwhile draft collateral until 2018.
I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Here's what I see.
Keenum 2016 > Foles 2015 + Keenum 2015. It's not just that CK obviously looks better so far. It's that it makes sense: more experience in the offense, an off-season as #1, etc.
Mannion 2016 > Mannion 2015. Not seeing room for debate there based on preseason play, which is all we have to go on.
Gurley 2016 > Gurley 2015. I have no doubt that he will be a better player, as runner and receiver. Whether than translates into more yds, we'll see.
Cunningham 2016 and Brown 2016 > Mason 2015 and Cunningham 2015.
Austin 2016 > 2015. I thought Austin was very good in 2015 and they evidently want to get him the ball more. If so, VERY good news IMO. And TG got 1300 yards of offense in 250 touches last year, almost all carries. TA got 900 yards of offense on 104 touches, split evenly between catches and runs. TG is main cog, but to say that he was "the team's only real source of offensive production" is just wrong.
Greg Robinson 2016 > Greg Robinson 2015. Worth highlighting him since his positions critical and his play has been average at best.
OL 2016 > OL 2015. Again, as in all these cases we only have the preseason to go on, but I don't see the argument to the contrary.
Kendricks 2016 > Kendricks 2015. No reason to think LK will block any worse and we're all liking his hands early.
Higbee 2016 ~ Cook 2015. I think we have every reason to think Higbee > Cook in the long haul. His rookie year? Plus, his court case still to be resolved.
WR 2016 ~ WR 2015. The change here is change at the margins. Essentially the same cast of main characters. Maybe Spruce and/or Cooper steps up, but I don't think we saw nearly enough in preseason to really believe that will happen.
And then there's this: in the preseason the 1st team offense absolutely moved the ball against some good defense 1st teams and, Denver game notwithstanding, got 6 when they reached the red zone a good chunk of time.
OBVIOUSLY, again, we have to see whether the relative success of the first-team offense carries over from here on out. But I think we have much more reason to think things will improve - having to wait on Goff notwithstanding - than to believe that they won't.
