Maualuga will use a spork from KFC cause he’s just that badass.

The mere fact that we are depending on an opponent’s injuries to be confident in a win says a lot about how we really feel about the team. I don’t think this is going to be a sure win at all. We have a lot of new guys starting, a QB who may have trouble being mobile enough to elude tacklers or set up a screen, a DL who still can’t seem to penetrate even a mediocre Ram’s OL, a #2 WR who can’t seem to get open, a #3 TE starting, an O scheme that my grand daughter can predict, a RB who is averaging 3 yards and change, way way too many turnovers and an Oline that is still trying to keep D jerseys off of the QB.

We are probably going to get stronger as the season progresses, barring bad injury situations, as the team gels as a unit on both sides of the ball. Play this same game in week #6 and I feel good about it but this team is balanced on a razor’s edge and could as easily fall on the poor side as the rich side. We must remember that we are at a point where everything needs to go right for us to have a winning season and we are not off to a good start. The lack of humility some posters show is stunning considering where this team is coming from. I have no expectation of any “feasting” or winning any game with “ease”. I will be happy with any kind of win. Let us not get ahead of ourselves. Nothing is easy – nothing! I also have hopes that Rey is a “badass” but until he does it on game day in a game that counts against a team that matters I am going to take a cautious view. Anyone who knows me knows that I am an optimistic sort but common guys lets keep it real. We have a lot to prove before we can go into any – any – game confident we are going to win. Finish the first 6 games 3-3 or 4-2 and then we can let our breath out a little. Until then a little humility is in order. IMO we are still another good off season away from being where many seem to think we are now.

Now that I have exercised caution let me discuss the positives. Devner has a 1st string QB who is injured and not that good to begin with, a #2 who is injured but expected back who couldn’t displace Orton, a disgruntled #1 WR, a very good RB who has some nicks and bruises annd a starting OL guy who probably won’t play. Their D is pretty good but we are probably a bit better overall if they are who I think they are.

Our DBs are seemingly better than theirs so as long as we don’t make too many assumptions they will probably be able to make them run the ball into the strengths of an improved Bengal’s DL. Stopping them on 3rd down via screens and short passes from an injured or 3rd string QB is key. I actually do think our DL backed up by Rivers, Rey and two reasonably strong safeties in Chinney and Roy should be able to hold them to 100 – 125 yds rushing and fewer if run attempts are under 50% which I do not expect.

I also expect Zimmer to spice up the pass rush with some here to fore unseen looks that he has touted with blitzes by Rey, Rivers and the safeties as I think the D line can hold it’s own against their guys one on one. I think the same is true of Brat. The players have backed up his claim to have some new and effective stuff that we have not seen yet. I, for some reason expect Coles to have a good day. Lots of small reasons I won’t bore you with.

So do I think we should win? Yea. But easy? Well I hope so because if we win it easy we may have a chance as that first game will go a long way toward us gelling and getting some pride and confidence. We are going to need it as the next 3 games will probably set the tenor for the rest of the season. If we don’t win it isn’t the end of the world but they really have to avoid a slow start and one loss could determine how far we go even if we are better than I think we are.

We have obvious advantages with Carson as QB, my only concern being that his tenuous mobility when healthy is going to be hampered further by an ouchy ankle. I think his lack of mobility can be an advantage as the Oline will at least know where he is without having to keep an eye on him as he won’t be out of the pocket. So as long as he gets rid of the ball quickly their decent but not stellar pass rush shouldn’t a big factor. I see this as a probability. Someone wil be open and if Carson has 4-5 seconds to throw the he should be able to control the ball and clock. I will be looking to see is they have improved their halftime adjustments. On O or D if it worked in the first half you still have to adjust in anticipation of their adjustments. We do not have a history of doing that very well.