I don't understand the conventional wisdom that Al Harris' return will somehow make this defense better. If this secondary is going to get lit up for the first six weeks, I have to believe the situation would have been equally bad whether or not Harris stepped foot on the field. He hasn't practiced a single day this offseason; he is still rehabilitating. People seem to underestimate the grotesque severity of his injury. Even if Harris does manage to come back sometime between Week 6 and Week 9, I question how much he'll actually contribute this season. It wouldn't surprise me if he's placed on the IR later this year.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

The first six weeks are
1 @ PHI
2 BUF
3 @ CHI
4 DET
5 @ WAS
6 MIA

Those teams (other than the Eagles) don't have that many good receiving choices after their #1s (which hopefully Woodson can handle). But not counting the Eagles the Lions or Bears have the best #2 WR we'll face.


Eagles have a good offense all around but their new QB (who is good as well) and their OL haven't been on the same page. I don't know who's fault it is but just seems like the OL doesn't know where the QB will be and the QB doesn't know where his blocks will be and when he gets pressured should he take up or role out and which way.

The Bills have some good RBs... and a decent to good WR. That's about all I have to say about them.

The Bears got Mike Martz. Martz isn't a bad OC IF (and this is a big if) a team has good pass blocking AND a tough QB... which Martz needs because he's game plans have been all about the 7 step drops which is easy to pass rush against so the QB is gonna get beat up unless the pass protection is great. And the QB has to not be afraid of the hits even though they know they're coming. And that's why no QB has been good and lasted long in with Martz other than Kurt Warner. I'm not sure how Warner did it other than both a ton of mental and physical toughness.

The Lions are under rated. They've been so bad for so long... but they got a good QB, a great WR (when he's healthy), a good WR from FA (at least when he's healthy which hasn't been often) and two good RBs (one isn't healthy but the other one could be great in the open field.) And a decent TE. Their only weakness is the OL (which I'm so glad they passed on OT Oher for a TE) But they're under rated, don't take them lightly as they are starting to build well IMO.

I'm trying to think what the Redskins have on offense... they have McNabb, Rbs, TE Cooley... Moss (who has tons of speed and the Packers had trouble with that against the Redskins last time but he couldn't keep a hold onto the ball) and some back-ups.

The Dolphins traded for Brandom Marshal. And they have Bess (or is it Bass?) but not too much else.

"Greg C." wrote:

The first six weeks are
1 @ PHI
2 BUF
3 @ CHI
4 DET
5 @ WAS
6 MIA

Those teams (other than the Eagles) don't have that many good receiving choices after their #1s (which hopefully Woodson can handle). But not counting the Eagles the Lions or Bears have the best #2 WR we'll face.


Eagles have a good offense all around but their new QB (who is good as well) and their OL haven't been on the same page. I don't know who's fault it is but just seems like the OL doesn't know where the QB will be and the QB doesn't know where his blocks will be and when he gets pressured should he take up or role out and which way.

The Bills have some good RBs... and a decent to good WR. That's about all I have to say about them.

The Bears got Mike Martz. Martz isn't a bad OC IF (and this is a big if) a team has good pass blocking AND a tough QB... which Martz needs because he's game plans have been all about the 7 step drops which is easy to pass rush against so the QB is gonna get beat up unless the pass protection is great. And the QB has to not be afraid of the hits even though they know they're coming. And that's why no QB has been good and lasted long in with Martz other than Kurt Warner. I'm not sure how Warner did it other than both a ton of mental and physical toughness.

The Lions are under rated. They've been so bad for so long... but they got a good QB, a great WR (when he's healthy), a good WR from FA (at least when he's healthy which hasn't been often) and two good RBs (one isn't healthy but the other one could be great in the open field.) And a decent TE. Their only weakness is the OL (which I'm so glad they passed on OT Oher for a TE) But they're under rated, don't take them lightly as they are starting to build well IMO.

I'm trying to think what the Redskins have on offense... they have McNabb, Rbs, TE Cooley... Moss (who has tons of speed and the Packers had trouble with that against the Redskins last time but he couldn't keep a hold onto the ball) and some back-ups.

The Dolphins traded for Brandom Marshal. And they have Bess (or is it Bass?) but not too much else.

"Greg C." wrote:

Ah, I hadn't taken a good look at the schedule. That's actually a pretty good draw for a team that is hurting in the secondary. Nonstop has a point about Harris needing some time to get back into top shape after returning from his injury, but even at less than 100%, I think he would be better than any of our other CBs except Woodson and maybe Tramon Williams. I think Nick Barnett started pretty much right away when he came back from that same injury last year.

"Greg C." wrote: