0-4 in Preseason

[RiverDog]

Does it mean anything? Are we destined for a sub .500 season? Do we start the season out slow because of it?

My take is that the 0-4 record is pretty much next to meaningless. Although everyone wants to win vs losing, the main objectives of preseason activities do not include winning preseason games. The objectives are for the starters and major contributors to get some limited reps against credible competition in an actual game setting and for teams to evaluate talent in order to make roster decisions.

Having said that, there have been times when a problem that shows itself in the preseason, such as our lack of pocket protection, carries over into the regular season. A couple of things that I've observed in this preseason is that our defense did not get one single turnover and our former #1 draft pick at RT seems to be regressing.

Comments?

[c_hawkbob]

IMO winning in preseason preseason means you're getting to look at all the important position battles, youngsters are absorbing the material and nobody is getting hurt. Losing on the other hand just gives an added urgency to what the coaches are saying.

This preseason wasn't all good, but wasn't all that bad either.

[Aseahawkfan]

I don't know that it means anything. I don't expect to be as good this year even if we went 4-0 in the preseason. This team isn't as good as past years. Legion is gone. Earl is holding out. Pass rush isn't nearly as good. Some key players are injured. I'm not seeing much impressive about this team. Russell may keep us middle of the road, but we'll see. I hope either our defense is better than we expect it to be or our run game gets going. Either of those happen, then maybe we can push for a playoff spot.

[NorthHawk]

O-4 means our depth isn’t as good as previous years.
That, in turn means if we want to be successful, we have to stay relatively healthy and not lose players at key positions.
No team goes through the year unscathed, but a raft of injuries means a lot more pressure on lesser players.

[trents]

I think Northhawk's assessment is valid.

My biggest concern is the defense. In preseason there were too many times they couldn't get the other teams off the field on third downs and this last game there were too many long plays surrendered. Sloppy tackling too, on those big plays.

[obiken]

IMO winning in preseason preseason means you're getting to look at all the important position battles, youngsters are absorbing the material and nobody is getting hurt. Losing on the other hand just gives an added urgency to what the coaches are saying.

This preseason wasn't all good, but wasn't all that bad either.

Right, I agree!

[jshawaii22]

To me, we actually had the first string offense play much better this year than in the past few years under Russ and company. This included the OLine (most of it) and the receivers (without the top 2). It was the 2nd and 3rd string (or lack of) offense and the ouch play of the D-Backs that gave up TD's, It really doesn't matter that much, but we all know Pete is fuming right now. That's why he traded for the b/u QB, too. No offense past Russ.

[idhawkman]

Its more of a statement on our depth than anything else. I just hope we don't wait until the 4th quarter this year to start scoring points. If we score early, I think we are in any game.

[RiverDog]

To me, we actually had the first string offense play much better this year than in the past few years under Russ and company. This included the OLine (most of it) and the receivers (without the top 2). It was the 2nd and 3rd string (or lack of) offense and the ouch play of the D-Backs that gave up TD's, It really doesn't matter that much, but we all know Pete is fuming right now. That's why he traded for the b/u QB, too. No offense past Russ.

I agree. Russell looked pretty darn sharp, didn't throw any picks in almost 50 attempts, and our overall protection seems to have improved. Not a lot of rushing yardage but hopefully once Penny starts seeing more touches that should improve. Just as we've been talking about, the offense is probably going to be a little ahead of the defense this season, at least early on. Fortunately we don't have to go up against a MVP quality QB like Rodgers, Ryan, or Brees in our first few games.

[burrrton]

I wish they'd just do away with preseason. It's pointless except to give the defense a chance to hit someone with extreme prejudice.

Eliminate them and add a couple regular season games.

[Hawktawk]

The first team looked pretty good. The secondary excluded IMO. The d seems to have speed everywhere even second and 3rd team although they had it used against them due to over pursuit and being to aggressive. I love the RB situation obviously with Carson but Mike Davis is a load as well with nice nifty wheels in the hole. It will be interesting to see how penney fits in with all this.

Keeping MCkissic was a surprise. Id rather have seen another receiver honestly. As for 0-4 I heard somewhere no team has gone 0-4 preseason and won a superbowl although I'm Pretty sure the early 80s skins went 0-5 and went to or won the SB that year.

If we got Russ and Wags and role players we got a shot every game IMO.

[RiverDog]

I wish they'd just do away with preseason. It's pointless except to give the defense a chance to hit someone with extreme prejudice.

Eliminate them and add a couple regular season games.

Eliminating at least some preseason games has been kicked around for quite some time. It used to be that they had 6 preseason games (called exhibition games back in the day), and they eliminated two of them when they went from a 14 to 16 game regular season. The problem is that the players don't want to add anymore regular sseason games and the owners don't want to eliminate a source of revenue.

What I suspect what might happen some day is that they reach a compromise by eliminating 1 preseason game and adding 1 regular season game to be part of the international series that would not have a home or visiting team designation applied.

[hoxgmp]

I agree, River. Eliminating one pre-season game would be a reasonable compromise.