(01-21-2013 12:29 PM)JDaveG Wrote: ....I don't buy into the "our window is closing" or "this was our best shot" arguments, and here is why.
In 2008, we had what was, before this year, our best shot. We barely lost to an Arizona team that went to the Super Bowl. In 2010, we got blown out -- absolutely embarrassed, by the Packers. In 2011, we got blown out -- absolutely embarrassed, by the Giants.
This season, we beat everyone's Super Bowl favorite in a close game. Then, we lost to everyone's remaining Super Bowl favorite, also in a close game. In both games, we had the ball at the end with a chance to win it all. We fell short. But that is a HUGE improvement from our last 2 playoff games, where we weren't even in the game after the 1st half.
I still think our arrow is up. If we improve the defensive personnel, that will take some pressure off the offense to score on every possession. If we improve the run game, that will improve our ability to run the clock and still put up points while keeping the other team's offense on the sideline (which is realistically what buried us in the 2nd half of this game). Julio Jones is a monster, and he will only get better. Matt Ryan is in his prime. Our o-line finally seems to have gelled, and hopefully with McClure likely retiring we can keep that nucleus together and replace him with little fuss. We have been the no. 1 seed in the NFC 2 of the last 3 seasons. But we don't even have to replicate that success to win the Super Bowl. We just have to keep making the playoffs, and there is nothing that I see that indicates this team is suddenly going to stop making the playoffs anytime soon.
I'm disappointed -- horribly so. But I'm also optimistic. I like where this team is, and I like where I believe it is going.
+1000, thank you. Another thing is that this will be the second year for both coordinators. I have heard several coaches say that teams usually make their biggest improvement from year one to year two yet people treat it like it's static, like it's impossible for Koetter and Nolan to improve.
Having had some time for reflection....
Post: #8
