Which unit will be better this season - the O or the D?

[Redskin in Canada]

I do not know what it is but this offense is definitely not a threat to anybody.

Did you not watch the same unit I did? I thought they moved the ball pretty effectively with the first team in, especially given 1) how good the Steelers D is, especially against the run and 2) who was not playing for the 'Skins. I'm not saying I expect a world-class offense but "not a threat to anybody" is a bit much.

Steeler defense is not as impressive against the run as it was last year. Porter is not with them and it shows. They were not playing at the top of their game. Just like us, they are not showing everything they wish to do in the regular season.

Our "running game"??? Which one? Who? Geeeez, I am sure Tomlinson is really envious of the holes opened up to our RBs.

And that guy Heyer may be a great find ... NEXT SEASON!!! He was not beat physically in the injury to Campbell. He LOST HIS CONCENTRATION. If you see the injury play, he missed his assignment for about a full second, which allowed the DL to reach Jason. This means that another injury to Samuels and our BLIND SIDE becomes a KNOWN vulnerable position.

All it takes for a blitz to be effective against us right now, it is to do it through the blind side of Jason. Heck, they do not need even a blitz. A skilled DE will run around Heyer no problem EVERY second play. If Simeon Rice has been Chris Samuels' nemesis, Heyer has a a much longer list this season if he does not CONCENTRATE on his assignment.

[Fios]

I do not know what it is but this offense is definitely not a threat to anybody.

Did you not watch the same unit I did? I thought they moved the ball pretty effectively with the first team in, especially given 1) how good the Steelers D is, especially against the run and 2) who was not playing for the 'Skins. I'm not saying I expect a world-class offense but "not a threat to anybody" is a bit much.

Steeler defense is not as impressive against the run as it was last year. Porter is not with them and it shows. They were not playing at the top of their game. Just like us, they are not showing everything they wish to do in the regular season.

Right, I get that it is a preseason game but it was also fairly intense for said game. Both teams clearly took some pride into putting on a solid show defensively. How can you possibly determine their run defense has dropped off? Sure, losing Porter hurts but the Steelers had the third-best run defense in the NFL last season, losing Porter isn't going to turn them into a bottom-half D just like that.

Our "running game"??? Which one? Who? Geeeez, I am sure Tomlinson is really envious of the holes opened up to our RBs.

It helps when you address points I actually made rather than fabricating quotes and replying to those.

And that guy Heyer may be a great find ... NEXT SEASON!!! He was not beat physically in the injury to Campbell. He LOST HIS CONCENTRATION. If you see the injury play, he missed his assignment for about a full second, which allowed the DL to reach Jason. This means that another injury to Samuels and our BLIND SIDE becomes a KNOWN vulnerable position.

See above ... and, yes, Heyer was beaten on that play but he is NOT A STARTER. Putting it in all caps doesn't make him one.

All it takes for a blitz to be effective against us right now, it is to do it through the blind side of Jason. Heck, they do not need even a blitz. A skilled DE will run around Heyer no problem EVERY second play. If Simeon Rice has been Chris Samuels' nemesis, Heyer has a a much longer list this season if he does not CONCENTRATE on his assignment.

So, basically, your concern is a guy who will likely be a back-up for the team this season? I mean the last two thirds of your post can be answered by saying: Samuels and Portis did not play. MY post said the offense looked effective with the first-string unit in there and especially so given the people who did not play. As Mursillis pointed out, this unit finished ranked 13th last season, it isn't a huge leap of faith to assume they can maintain or even improve upon that ranking.

[Redskin in Canada]

I mean the last two thirds of your post can be answered by saying: Samuels and Portis did not play. MY post said the offense looked effective with the first-string unit in there and especially so given the people who did not play.

My point is: if these two guys are hurt, we are in deep trouble. And both of them are hurt right now. Worse yet, we are not sure whether Portis will be able to be back without problems in the future. But my problem is different than you characterize: The OL was not opening big holes for our RBs. Clinton can not run without holes either.

As Mursillis pointed out, this unit finished ranked 13th last season, it isn't a huge leap of faith to assume they can maintain or even improve upon that ranking.

And THAT is the main difference in our perspectives: I say that if this offense remains at 13th place (or nearby) the season is yet another mediocre and futile exercise. That may be fine for some, it just does not cut it with me.

I will consider this season a failure if the team does not make the playoffs. This is not a superbowl team so I am cautiously optimistic but you guys miss my underlying premise here:

This is the season just before the final season of Joe with us. He is just running out of time to develop a true offense that becomes a threat in the NFL. He has not done it. It is still doubtful whether he will do it this year. Time is running out on him. He is stubbornly sticking to some bad judgment choices like Brunell and some fundamental coaching issues such control of the offense versus time management.

13th best offense ??? (Place your favourite four letter word here)!!!

[Mursilis]

RiC, all I can say is give it time. It's still only preseason and a lot of things have yet to full gell. Offenses take time to come together sometimes. The starters have barely had two halfs of real gametime, and without some key starters. Indy's potent offense only scored 10 in their first preseason game. Sure, I'd like to see more points from the offense, but I'm going to try and be patient on this one.

[Irn-Bru]

I voted for defense on the grounds that they are far deeper and more talented (in my opinion), and I see a return to 04-05 glory this year.

As we all know, our offense will only need to be "somewhat productive" in order to do well in the league, as long as our defense plays in the top 10. Despite all of the emphasis made by Gibbs et. al. on not having a slow start, I can't help but speculate that our offense won't be in full form until the middle of the season. There have been too many injuries so far, and Campbell is still too inexperienced to come out of the gate swinging.

[Redskin in Canada]

RiC, all I can say is give it time. It's still only preseason and a lot of things have yet to full gell. Offenses take time to come together sometimes. Blah, Blah, Blah ...

I have been repeating to myself those words for the last three past seasons, make that over decade and a half. But you are RIGHT. It is all speculation on my part right now. In an optimistic scenario, everything will work itsel outf. You are right. It is better to be on the optimistic side ...

... at least at the beginning of the season.

It is the weeks prior to the regular season folks. It makes me very edgy. The world is not falling apart, yet.

[Countertrey]

The world is not falling apart, yet.

Ahh, you Canadians... always seeing the world through rose colored glasses...

[Mursilis]

RiC, all I can say is give it time. It's still only preseason and a lot of things have yet to full gell. Offenses take time to come together sometimes. Blah, Blah, Blah ...

I have been repeating to myself those words for the last three past seasons, make that over decade and a half. But you are RIGHT. It is all speculation on my part right now. In an optimistic scenario, everything will work itsel outf. You are right. It is better to be on the optimistic side ...

... at least at the beginning of the season.

It is the weeks prior to the regular season folks. It makes me very edgy. The world is not falling apart, yet.

That's the spirit! Sunshine and optimism are the order of the day for now - save the doom and gloom for the regular season! Plenty of time for them then!!

[Scooter]

Our linebackers haven't looked this good in soooo long - great to see it!

[HardDawg]

Here is a novel idea, how about showing the blitz and then only rush 3 or 4. That would totally catch a team off guard, because we almost never fake a blitz.

YES YES YES! I wonder that one often....

Don't be surprised if they send Rocky on the blitz while Marcus is out....

"Offense sells the tickets but Defense wins the games!"

My vote- D-E-F-E-N-S-E