My take on the Raiders after 2 fake games (1 Viewer)

[Sticks2u]

Im really bummed on the raiders and moss myself, having owned him since his rookie year I am now starting to believe the good times are over for him and he is a sub par WR...because of his attitude 50 % and because of the talent around him isnt that good also 50 %...

What you guys take on this..?

 

[kaso]

From RAIDER TAKE.5. I won’t lie, the first team offense has me a bit worried, and judging by the look on Randy Moss’s face, I’m not the only one. But it’s only August 14. I like how Fabian Washington is playing. Chris Carr and Sebastian Janikowski are on fire, and our linebackers are rising to the occasion, especially with Howard being a rookie and Williams shaking off injury rust. Our defensive line is inconsistent right now, but will likely prove to be strong enough. Most of all, I like the fact that this is a team with a purpose, guided by the vision of a coach who clearly means business. Merit is back in vogue, and that’s going to light some fires. Our guys looked excited and motivated after big plays, celebrating together with vigor. Sapp is on the sideline in the last minute of the second preseason game, shouting encouragement and instruction. All positive signs.

Well said.

 

[Ed Wood]

Talk about hitting the panic button too early on your own team. Wow. It is early preseason maybe have a beer and calm down. How long were these guys even on the field.Jordan and Moss are two great athletes and I am sure they will find ways to produce. I would be exstatic to have Jordan and Moss fall to me in the 2nd and third rounds of a 12 team draft but thats not going to happen because most people dont draft based off of a quarter of a preseason game.

The panic isn't just from 2 preseason games bro. It's from Art Shell/ Tom Walsh and their new 1976 offense.I don't understand why people on this board seem so oblivious to this MAJOR change in Oakland.

That 1976 offense was awesome. Snake, Davis and Van Eeghen (sp?), Branch and Biletnikoff, Casper. Shell, Upshaw, Dalby (forget the right side of the line.And, oh, yeah, Errol Mann.

 

[Saints-Man]

They don't make the pair of glasses which will make me see the glass as half-full right now.

- First and foremost, I want to throw up watching Aaron Brooks play QB for the team I love. His sideline interview made me especially ill. "I just want to go out there and have fun." No, you #######. You're not there to have fun. You're there to get better and to be a leader and to win games. Nobody cares if you have fun. In fact, please DON'T have fun. Go out there as if this is what you do for a living!

I couldn't agree more. The word I would use is "oblivious". He seemed oblivious on the field and during the interview. I was amused that he even seemed quite happily oblivious to the implications that his backup was having a FAR better day than he was.

Gentlemen, I feel your pain.

 

[JAMMIN]

Fellas....Fellas...relax it's the pre-season and a couple things need to be noted.1. Pre-season is for shaking off a little rust and looking for talent outside the starters. 2. Brooks did not get all those gaudy stats in past except last year excluded by not having talent.3. This is a new coach and new system with a new qb it takes pre-season to iron these things out.4. DON"T GET YOUR STUDS HURT. Moss is a player who wanted to shine in a game against his old team, Art did not want Moss hurt (smart).5. Don't panic just yet Raider fans alot of teams that look good in Pre-season suck it up later.6. I don't think Art is going to show everything in the Pre-season anyway he's old school.NOW I'm a little worried about the o-line but not ready to throw Brooks under the :11: just yet and say it won't work out. ...Just relax for now.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

From RAIDER TAKE.

3. Unsolved mystery: stupid penalties. But I’m glad we have Sherlock Shell on the case. Last year, stupid penalties were met with impotent grimaces by Norv Turner, as if it were a matter tottally out of his control, like bad luck and taxes. This year, we’ve got a coach who’s taking notes and taking names, and doling out evil eyes that promise actual consequences. Therefore, I’m not going to panic yet about all of the yellow flags. I think we’ll clean up our act as time goes on. Art Shell will make sure of that.

The same Norv we knew in Washington. Seriously, weren't Shell's old teams known for lots of penalties?

Um - Hello! Yes.

 

[Raider Nation]

Guess I'm not the only one "overreacting" to this situation.

From Fanball tonight:

The News

With the Raiders offense playing poorly for the second time in only two preseason games, rumors are beginning to swirl in Oakland. Aaron Brooks has completed only two passes (one in each game) and has looked lost during both of his appearances. ESPN.com's Adam Schefter is reporting that the quarterback position isn't the only position in question in Oakland, but that some around the league believe the Raiders are running an archaic offense. There are questions about whether offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, who had been out of football running a bed and breakfast since 1994, is qualified to run Oakland's offense. The Raiders think yes; others around the league are a lot more skeptical.

Our View

The Raiders have looked as bad as an NFL team can look on offense this preseason. Lamont Jordan has not ran the ball with authority, Randy Moss is already throwing tantrums on the sidelines, Aaron Brooks is playing like a high-schooler, and the team seems completely lost on both sides of the ball. The Art Shell experiment may end up being a huge embarrassment for Al Davis, and could eventually help facilitate Al's hiring of a general manager. All of that speculation aside, we are becoming more and more down on all Raiders for the upcoming fantasy season.

 

[toxicbees]

It's going to be sweet watching my Niners kick the crap out of the Raiders on Sunday Night Football this weekend.

 

[chris1969]

They don't make the pair of glasses which will make me see the glass as half-full right now.

- First and foremost, I want to throw up watching Aaron Brooks play QB for the team I love. His sideline interview made me especially ill. "I just want to go out there and have fun." No, you #######. You're not there to have fun. You're there to get better and to be a leader and to win games. Nobody cares if you have fun. In fact, please DON'T have fun. Go out there as if this is what you do for a living! And I swear, if I see him smiling when he leaves the field after throwing a pick - like he did in New Orleans - I will drive to wherever they are playing and....... nevermind. I don't feel like getting locked up right now.

- Our offensive line is downright offensive. Coached by all these fantastic former O-linemen, they look sloppy, unprepared and lost. I am P-R-A-Y-I-N-G that they are just "working on things" at this stage. Because I'll tell you right now, if this continues into the regular season, this team won't win 4 games. They are getting sodomized with all the defensive jailbreaks.

- Someone else in my league can draft Randy Moss too high. I have no faith in any QB on Oakland's roster. This team is going to lose, Randy will "be Randy" and get frustrated, and he'll be in another uniform in '07.

- Did Warren Sapp EAT Ted Washington in the offseason??? :X

- You know things are bad when your best player is your punter. SeaBass looks like he's finally going to be the kicker that the Raiders selected two picks before Shaun Alexander in the 2000 draft.

- It's not all bad, however. - I am encouraged by Oakland's starters on defense. They are young and they fly to the ball. There will be lumps for sure due to the youth, but in a couple of years, this has the makings of one of the better defenses in the NFL. Especially if they have another solid draft or two.

- And we still have the best uniforms in the league.

I hate to tell you this, but they made him pee in a cup and it melted.

 

[Raider Nation]

Couldn't have said this better myself:

By LOWELL COHN

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The Raiders are that troubled kid you knew back in the fifth grade. He

always had a problem. The teacher made him sit in the last row so he

wouldn't disrupt the others.

His parents came to school a lot. Nice people they were. The dad wore an

overcoat even in warm weather, and he stood outside the classroom

waiting for the 3 o'clock bell to ring so he could meet with the

teacher. His skin was gray.

He was worried about his kid. He and the missus had tried everything,

honest they had. There were even rumors of a headshrink for their kid -

and it's true, he always left early on Tuesdays.

But nothing helped. Always problems.

Always the dreamy faraway look, and sometimes tantrums and scenes. No

wonder the dad suffered.

If you want to make comparisons between that troubled kid, that

dysfunctional family and the 2006 Raiders, be my guest.

You watch them play on TV and you know something's wrong. No matter what

anyone says. No matter that it's exhibition season and the games don't

mean diddly and teams do not game plan and don't play their first string

that much and head coach Art Shell is still getting the feel of things,

so cut him some slack.

No matter the Raiders have won their two games. You still know there are

problems. Maybe not on defense, although that's still to be determined.

But on offense. Come on. Tell the truth. The Raiders' offense is almost

unwatchable. The offensive line hasn't been so hot - left tackle Robert

Gallery, taken second in the draft two years ago, is so bad he couldn't

even block a dead person.

But the real problem is at quarterback. Say it. Aaron Brooks.

Say it again. Aaron Brooks.

For this guy, the Raiders ran Kerry Collins out of town. Collins had his

liabilities - slow thinker, slow delivery, slow runner. Just plain slow.

But, good grief, he has a cannon and he could find wide receiver Randy Moss.

You expected Brooks to be an upgrade - a Jeff Garcia, only better.

He'd be running all over the field making those big defenders look like

saps, and then he'd stop on a dime and zip the ball across the middle

for one of those crisp completions that lets you know a quarterback is

in charge.

Right.

Sure.

Have you ever seen a more confused quarterback than Brooks? Has anyone

ever been this ineffectual?

He's completed exactly two passes in two games. That should make

somebody over at the Raiders worry.

Brooks and Moss don't seem to exist in the same area code. The team has

a great wide receiver, a fast runner with fabulous hands, who can take

over a game, and the quarterback - at least so far - doesn't have a clue

what to do with him. It's like the Raiders are playing one game, and

there's poor Moss in his own world, running patterns in a ghost game.

So here are some things you should know.

The Raiders play the Niners on Sunday night, and, although the game

doesn't matter, in a way it does.

Brooks needs to be a quarterback instead of a zombie in shoulder pads

wandering the field in a semi-conscious state.

If he begins to find himself, does well, I apologize for doubting him -

and doubting the Raiders.

But if he continues to underwhelm, the Raiders have a big problem.

Or maybe not. Backup quarterback Andrew Walter threw a long touchdown

pass Monday night, the kind of bomb that makes Al Davis see visions of

the deity.

Maybe Walter can combine with Moss as the touchdown combination Davis

prays for. Maybe, if Walter shows an aptitude for the job, he ends up

being the starter.

Maybe the Raiders make the change before the season even begins.

And why not? These Raiders aren't going to the Super Bowl. Don't even

think about it. So they should develop their young players. And that

could mean playing a quarterback with a future instead of one whose

future already is in the past.

 

[Cookiemonster]

well, let's remember at least that this is the Raider's second preseason game. I agree with RN about everything. Last year they ignored Moss and they seem set on doing it again. You would think that a coaching change would bring in the realization that they have the best WR in the game and if he sees any less than 150 targets you're nuts. Maybe not.

They didn't ignore him last year. Moss was the only person (in Raiders' colors) that Collins would throw to and that's what got his narrow ### killed vs. S.D.. After that, Moss was playing at what appeared to be 70% and was completely ineffective, but still got more throws than he deserved.

 

[cr8f]

Did you notice how pissed Moss looked tonight? Not good.

And it's just the preseason! Imagine when the games count.

YES Chargers, Vroncos and Chefs fans are excited already. Not to forget Tom Jackson. Shell needs to do what the Skins did and hire great coordinators.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I'll say this. Is anyone from California saying "Don't worry. Give them time to gel. It's only pre-season."? The positive things I'm hearing in this thread are from Ohio and Alabama. Granted, you know your college football, but this is Al Davis we're talking about.

Brooks has looked lost. Maybe its his fault, maybe it isn't. New offense, poor blocking and preseason scheme... I'm not passing judgement but I'm not excited.

The problem with this team lies in its owner and coaching. Shell, I'll take him or leave him. He's not too bad, but he's not the coach. Al Davis is. And the coordinators. Walsh got Shell fired the 1st go-around and looks even worse now as defenses have evolved, while his 7-step drop, deep passing game has not. Now Rob Ryan... is only making a living on his daddy's good name. Its not his fault that the defense is looking better, they just have some better talent. Jesus, does anybody remember T.Brayton and G.Irons playing OLB in a 3-4! What he does w/ his personnel is criminal. Yeah, look at the goal-line TD when he's still in a 4-3 and the D line is spread wide w/ the LBs 5 1/2 yards off the ball (that's 4 yards deep for those that didn't watch).

Want to know what I'm steamed about. The '04 draft. Washington wanted Gallery and was willing to swap #2 for the #5 spot and include C.Samuels. That's Sean Taylor people! Samuels and Taylor for Gallery would have been worth is even if Gallery had lived up to the hype.

As for all of the Hall of Fame coaching on the staff... "Those that can, do. Those that can't, coach." They could, and they did. That doesn't mean they can coach a lick. Pretty apparrent, huh. Gel my ###. With the offensive philosophy they have, it won't work anyways.

Now take into concideration who is posting here and listen to those who know and live Raider football. THEY SUCK! Moss will be a servicable #1, or a great #2. I wouldn't take him at his ADP though. Jordan, I'd downgrade at least one round if not two. He won't catch 70 balls this year and I'd be surprised if he tallies 1K yds. Brooks will kill you if you're penalized for INTs. If you're not, he'll be decent thanks to garbage time. The defense can't stop the run. That combined w/ the putrid offense tells me that they will wear down by mid-season when, just like last year, the entire team will quit anyways thanks to being out of playoff contention by week 9 or so. My point is that ADP will cause Oakland players to be drafted too early, so unless the free-fall, avoid them.

Here's to the '07 draft fellow Raider fans!

 

[Raiders Fan]

From RAIDER TAKE.

3. Unsolved mystery: stupid penalties. But I’m glad we have Sherlock Shell on the case. Last year, stupid penalties were met with impotent grimaces by Norv Turner, as if it were a matter tottally out of his control, like bad luck and taxes. This year, we’ve got a coach who’s taking notes and taking names, and doling out evil eyes that promise actual consequences. Therefore, I’m not going to panic yet about all of the yellow flags. I think we’ll clean up our act as time goes on. Art Shell will make sure of that.

The same Norv we knew in Washington. Seriously, weren't Shell's old teams known for lots of penalties?

Different type of penalties.. Shell hates stupid ones. He doesn't mind aggressive ones as much. The Raiders are making a lot of stupid ones right now.

 

[DawnBTVS]

For those concerned about Brooks' FF potential after the first 2 pre-season games...

If the Raiders can turn it around, I see signs for optimism based on Art Shell's history with fantasy QBs. I downloaded the ProFootballReference season excel file (thanks Drinen for sharing it on your site) and added in FP and FPPG.

Scoring was determined as 1/25 passing, 1/10 rushing, TD*6, INT*-2

1990: Jay Schroeder finished 11th among QB and had 13.63 FPPG.

1991: Jay Schroeder again finished 11th among QB and had 11.21 FPPG.

1992: Jay Schroeder finished 22nd among QB and had 9.16 FPPG.

1993: Jeff Hostetler finished 4th among QB and had 16.26 FPPG.

1994: Jeff Hostetler finished 8th among QB and had 15.58 FPPG.

In 5 seasons (I didn't include 1989 due to the shared time b/w QBs) the QBs finished 11th or higher in 4 seasons and had at least 11.21 FPPG in a season where they finished 11th or higher.

I can definitely see Brooks reaching Hostetler level placement when he gets comfortable with the offense, whenever that may occur. The biggest concerns I'd have with him are whether your leagues penalize for fumbles or sacks. If not, I think he'd make a great QB2 gamble.

 

[Raider Nation]

They don't make the pair of glasses which will make me see the glass as half-full right now.

- First and foremost, I want to throw up watching Aaron Brooks play QB for the team I love. His sideline interview made me especially ill. "I just want to go out there and have fun." No, you #######. You're not there to have fun. You're there to get better and to be a leader and to win games. Nobody cares if you have fun. In fact, please DON'T have fun. Go out there as if this is what you do for a living! And I swear, if I see him smiling when he leaves the field after throwing a pick - like he did in New Orleans - I will drive to wherever they are playing and....... nevermind. I don't feel like getting locked up right now.

- Our offensive line is downright offensive. Coached by all these fantastic former O-linemen, they look sloppy, unprepared and lost. I am P-R-A-Y-I-N-G that they are just "working on things" at this stage. Because I'll tell you right now, if this continues into the regular season, this team won't win 4 games. They are getting sodomized with all the defensive jailbreaks.

- Someone else in my league can draft Randy Moss too high. I have no faith in any QB on Oakland's roster. This team is going to lose, Randy will "be Randy" and get frustrated, and he'll be in another uniform in '07.

Sorry for bumping my own post, but it was unfortunately spot on. :( Did anyone see Brooks smiling and laughing after getting pulled?

GOD, I hate that gutless SOB!!!

 

[Raider Nation]

Raidernation, it's still pre-season. You're overreacting just a little.

Can I start to overreact now?

 

[jdoggydogg]

Raidernation, it's still pre-season. You're overreacting just a little.

Can I start to overreact now?

Yeah, I'd say so. This O-line is a joke. And Baltimore this week? Oakland may get shut out twice in a row for, what, the first time EVER? I have been an Oaktown fan since 1979, and this team is more depressing than the Joe Bugel team.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I'll say this. Is anyone from California saying "Don't worry. Give them time to gel. It's only pre-season."? The positive things I'm hearing in this thread are from Ohio and Alabama. Granted, you know your college football, but this is Al Davis we're talking about.

Brooks has looked lost. Maybe its his fault, maybe it isn't. New offense, poor blocking and preseason scheme... I'm not passing judgement but I'm not excited.

The problem with this team lies in its owner and coaching. Shell, I'll take him or leave him. He's not too bad, but he's not the coach. Al Davis is. And the coordinators. Walsh got Shell fired the 1st go-around and looks even worse now as defenses have evolved, while his 7-step drop, deep passing game has not. Now Rob Ryan... is only making a living on his daddy's good name. Its not his fault that the defense is looking better, they just have some better talent. Jesus, does anybody remember T.Brayton and G.Irons playing OLB in a 3-4! What he does w/ his personnel is criminal. Yeah, look at the goal-line TD when he's still in a 4-3 and the D line is spread wide w/ the LBs 5 1/2 yards off the ball (that's 4 yards deep for those that didn't watch).

Want to know what I'm steamed about. The '04 draft. Washington wanted Gallery and was willing to swap #2 for the #5 spot and include C.Samuels. That's Sean Taylor people! Samuels and Taylor for Gallery would have been worth is even if Gallery had lived up to the hype.

As for all of the Hall of Fame coaching on the staff... "Those that can, do. Those that can't, coach." They could, and they did. That doesn't mean they can coach a lick. Pretty apparrent, huh. Gel my ###. With the offensive philosophy they have, it won't work anyways.

Now take into concideration who is posting here and listen to those who know and live Raider football. THEY SUCK! Moss will be a servicable #1, or a great #2. I wouldn't take him at his ADP though. Jordan, I'd downgrade at least one round if not two. He won't catch 70 balls this year and I'd be surprised if he tallies 1K yds. Brooks will kill you if you're penalized for INTs. If you're not, he'll be decent thanks to garbage time. The defense can't stop the run. That combined w/ the putrid offense tells me that they will wear down by mid-season when, just like last year, the entire team will quit anyways thanks to being out of playoff contention by week 9 or so. My point is that ADP will cause Oakland players to be drafted too early, so unless the free-fall, avoid them.

Here's to the '07 draft fellow Raider fans!

Wanted to find this thread to bump my own post, but RAIDERNATION beat me to it. Don't say we didn't tell ya!

 

[mbuehner]

The O-line was bad, but blame the coaching for putting them in that situation. There is nothing that makes a D-line happier than seeing an offense go into a 7 step drop play after play. No need to do anything but get upfield as fast as possible. Ever heard of the screen pass? Draw play? Quick slant? WR screen (this actually was tried and worked, but too late)?

 

[Deadzone21]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but...

Where are those NFL blackouts?

This may be the year, that local here will be glad they can't catch the Raider's game on tv. I felt sick watching that team on the field.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The O-line was bad, but blame the coaching for putting them in that situation. There is nothing that makes a D-line happier than seeing an offense go into a 7 step drop play after play. No need to do anything but get upfield as fast as possible. Ever heard of the screen pass? Draw play? Quick slant? WR screen (this actually was tried and worked, but too late)?

Jerry Porter rambled about how this offense is 20 years old. Maybe he was right

 

[joffer]

hmmmm..............maybe the preseason isn't always worthless

 

[jurb26]

The O-line was bad, but blame the coaching for putting them in that situation. There is nothing that makes a D-line happier than seeing an offense go into a 7 step drop play after play. No need to do anything but get upfield as fast as possible. Ever heard of the screen pass? Draw play? Quick slant? WR screen (this actually was tried and worked, but too late)?

My lord yeah. I just didn't understnad what Oak was doing as far as play calling the entire game. They continually put themselves in 2nd/3rd and long with those stupid 7 step drops. That crap don't work in the NFL anymore... news flash to Shell. If you want to get longer drops you have to move your QB outside of the pocket in todays NFL. Get him to a corner where he has only half the rush to worry about... especially when the guy is Brooks. Then, they finally go to the quick hitter to Moss (which worked every time) and for some reason go right back to the rediculous 7 step nonsense. All the while, there are no runs, draws or screen passes to take advantage of a team that was clearly doing nothing other than speed rushing on nearly ever play. I know that SD has a good D and the front 7 is one of the best in the NFL. Remember we saw them confuse and get to Indy last year as well. Still, I just don't understand what was going on with that playcalling.

 

[Lefty27]

The O-line was bad, but blame the coaching for putting them in that situation. There is nothing that makes a D-line happier than seeing an offense go into a 7 step drop play after play. No need to do anything but get upfield as fast as possible. Ever heard of the screen pass? Draw play? Quick slant? WR screen (this actually was tried and worked, but too late)?

My lord yeah. I just didn't understnad what Oak was doing as far as play calling the entire game. They continually put themselves in 2nd/3rd and long with those stupid 7 step drops. That crap don't work in the NFL anymore... news flash to Shell. If you want to get longer drops you have to move your QB outside of the pocket in todays NFL. Get him to a corner where he has only half the rush to worry about... especially when the guy is Brooks. Then, they finally go to the quick hitter to Moss (which worked every time) and for some reason go right back to the rediculous 7 step nonsense. All the while, there are no runs, draws or screen passes to take advantage of a team that was clearly doing nothing other than speed rushing on nearly ever play. I know that SD has a good D and the front 7 is one of the best in the NFL. Remember we saw them confuse and get to Indy last year as well. Still, I just don't understand what was going on with that playcalling.

That was one UGLY game. The SD defense just manhandled them and took the game to them - and Oakland did not have an answer. This is about as bad a display of game management and game planning/execution as the Wannie days with the Bears.....

 

[TinHat]

Hey, it's only preseason -- this doesn't tell us anything.

 

[joffer]

regular Preseason.

fixed

 

[Keys Myaths]

hmmmm..............maybe the preseason isn't always worthless

Sure it is.As I showed about a month ago, about the same number of these things DON'T work out in the regular season as DO work out.But yes, Oakland is very, very, very bad.

 

[joffer]

did Brooks get hurt today or benched?

 

[CalBear]

did Brooks get hurt today or benched?

Injured shoulder.Does this count as "seeing what they have in Walter"? Precisely what I expected.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Things are looking up for the Raiders. At least they scored this week.

 

[TinHat]

hmmmm..............maybe the preseason isn't always worthless

Sure it is.As I showed about a month ago, about the same number of these things DON'T work out in the regular season as DO work out.But yes, Oakland is very, very, very bad.

I didn't look at all of them, but many of the preseason "reactions" you surmised were not any conclusions that any reasonablty astute FFer would have made.Ie Drew Brees struggling because he goes 2 for 5 or Ron Dayne being a superstud for running for 55 yardsThe preseason has information that needs to be assesed.

 

[Colin Dowling]

As a Titans fan, I can say with absolute confidence that the Raiders are TERRIBLE.

 

[BlackHole]

As a Titans fan, I can say with absolute confidence that the Raiders are TERRIBLE.

The offense is terrible. The defense and special teams have actually been pretty darn good. How many times can you hold a team to a field goal or less that keeps getting the ball inside the 50? How many times can you hold the Ravens and the Chargers to three and outs only to have your offense go backwards before kicking the ball or giving up an interception (4 times in a row in the 2nd half against SD when it was only a 12 point game, no one seemed to take note of this part though). We are witnessing the worst offense in NFL history IMHO.

 

[redman]

As a Titans fan, I can say with absolute confidence that the Raiders are TERRIBLE.

The offense is terrible. The defense and special teams have actually been pretty darn good. How many times can you hold a team to a field goal or less that keeps getting the ball inside the 50? How many times can you hold the Ravens and the Chargers to three and outs only to have your offense go backwards before kicking the ball or giving up an interception (4 times in a row in the 2nd half against SD when it was only a 12 point game, no one seemed to take note of this part though). We are witnessing the worst offense in NFL history IMHO.

Hmmmmmm, and Rex Ryan was the only holdover coach that Shell retained on his staff. It's just coincidence I'm sure.

 

[Keys Myaths]

I didn't look at all of them, but many of the preseason "reactions" you surmised were not any conclusions that any reasonablty astute FFer would have made.

I picked the ones I did *specifically* because I remember someone in here (from memory, the threads have been purged) reacting badly to it, whether in the game thread, or another thread.

 

[cantrell]

...and after 2 real games, it still isn't good.