The next man up is cute rhetoric, but in reality it doesn't mean much. Your starters are starters for a reason - they're more talented, faster, quicker, stronger, more instinctive. If Harrell or Driver were forced into the position of "next man up" we could preach the mantra all we want, but would you really expect the same production?

Originally Posted by: musccy 

Ted always leaves us dangerously thin at one position or another.

This year was OL.

And QB...

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

If it were that easy, everyone in the league would have a 100 yard rusher each game. I'm sure Campen is an issue, but aside from Lang and Sitton at guard, I have virtually no confidence in anyone else on the roster at any other OL position. They seemingly can't pull, move for screens, hell they were manhandled in a 3 man rush at times last night. Every f'n draft pick in 2013 should be on an OL - well maybe one pick on a WR capable of beating a 5'9" corner pressing at the line wouldn't hurt.

Originally Posted by: musccy 

I agree, I think Mark Murphy should find a better General Manager. Ted Thompson is failing to have starting caliber backups at all 22 starting positions and can easily be replaced.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

i don't think that's fair. Ted has to own his part of the blame with regard to positions he left thin. And we all know he left BOTH DL and OL depth thin on the final 53. I , personally, cannot believe he did not find an adequate backup at NT for this season. That blows my mind.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

I love Ted, and I think he's been an amazing GM for us. I like McCarthy too. Hey, this staff of his got an inordinate amount of rookies to step up and play very well.

I'm just saying there are a couple of areas that are in fact on the GM. OL and DL depth. To start the season, both were left quite thin, were they not? Now, we've got atrophy on both lines, and questions looming about how to fill in the blanks. I'm not railing on Thompson, not at all. But, he left us thin in the trenches, where most teams win in this NFL.

The kicker for me is the DL. We needed pass rush. That was paramount after last season. Why, why, why leave your DL thin to start the season?

As for the OL, I happen to think we wouldn't even be talking about it if they were coached up to smash the Giants in the mouth for 4 quarters of run dominated offense.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

The kicker for me is the DL. We needed pass rush. That was paramount after last season. Why, why, why leave your DL thin to start the season?

Originally Posted by: play2win 

I will disagree with the premise that we don't have better DL depth than last season.. the numbers simply tell us that we have a better rotation than last season. See the defensive comparison thread.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z