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I am not feeling overly optimistic about the start of the season. I could be wrong and hope I am. But losing three players who were Pro Bowlers last season, including the leading scorer is not something any team can just easily overcome.
As much as I really like Austin Ekeler and am impressed by Justin Jackson, I am far from convinced they are going step in and fill the hole left by the absence of Gordon (whom TT should not cave into IMO). I think Ekeler has excelled in his role as a change of pace to MG for a reason, because that is the perfect role for him. Jackson is largely untested and may be better suited for the same type of role Ekeler has played. I anticipate Ekeler and Jackson will share an equal workload in a committee, taking about 90 percent of the entire RB workload. I am not sure that is going replace MG. Those who believe that JJ is going to step in take over for MG as the feature back and equal or exceed MG's play...well I think that is a pipe dream. I could be wrong - I frequently am - but the chances of JJ becoming an elitish back of MG's caliber are slim IMO. In the Rivers era, this team has excelled when the offense is balanced by a strong running back. First LT, then in RM's best season of his career the Bolts were back in the playoffs after a several year drought, then with the emergence of MG the Bolts are back as an elite team. Rivers has needed a bell cow RB to make this team successful. RB by committee by choice will be a new thing. Maybe it works. But I have some doubts.
Then you have the loss of a Pro Bowl LT, the best player on a very shaky OL, the weakest unit on the team. The plan appears to go with a 2018 UDFA (Scott) at that position. SMH. That's all I can say.
Then we lose our enforcer on the back end of the defense, a player who did everything last season, who was a major contributor to the defense's success last season. He will be replaced by an admirable alternative in AP, but AP is not going to replace DJ. Opposite AP the choices are just guys in Jenkins and Watkins and a rookie. And in packages when AP is a dime LB, who's going to protect the back end? I cringe.
I could be wrong. As I said, I frequently am. But I think this team could be .500 after ten games. But after week 11, if James, Okung and Gordon are back, this team could go 6-0 to close out the season and roll into the playoffs as a Wild Card and the hottest team in the league. I feel this is a very possible scenario. So I am not pessimistic about the season as a whole. I do believe, however, this team could struggle out of the gate, minus three Pro Bowl players.
Also, if Gordon doesn't report for the start of the season and the tandem of Ekeler/Jackson is not getting it done 3-4 games in, I think TT will find a way to bring MG back real quick.
As much as I really like Austin Ekeler and am impressed by Justin Jackson, I am far from convinced they are going step in and fill the hole left by the absence of Gordon (whom TT should not cave into IMO). I think Ekeler has excelled in his role as a change of pace to MG for a reason, because that is the perfect role for him. Jackson is largely untested and may be better suited for the same type of role Ekeler has played. I anticipate Ekeler and Jackson will share an equal workload in a committee, taking about 90 percent of the entire RB workload. I am not sure that is going replace MG. Those who believe that JJ is going to step in take over for MG as the feature back and equal or exceed MG's play...well I think that is a pipe dream. I could be wrong - I frequently am - but the chances of JJ becoming an elitish back of MG's caliber are slim IMO. In the Rivers era, this team has excelled when the offense is balanced by a strong running back. First LT, then in RM's best season of his career the Bolts were back in the playoffs after a several year drought, then with the emergence of MG the Bolts are back as an elite team. Rivers has needed a bell cow RB to make this team successful. RB by committee by choice will be a new thing. Maybe it works. But I have some doubts.
Then you have the loss of a Pro Bowl LT, the best player on a very shaky OL, the weakest unit on the team. The plan appears to go with a 2018 UDFA (Scott) at that position. SMH. That's all I can say.
Then we lose our enforcer on the back end of the defense, a player who did everything last season, who was a major contributor to the defense's success last season. He will be replaced by an admirable alternative in AP, but AP is not going to replace DJ. Opposite AP the choices are just guys in Jenkins and Watkins and a rookie. And in packages when AP is a dime LB, who's going to protect the back end? I cringe.
I could be wrong. As I said, I frequently am. But I think this team could be .500 after ten games. But after week 11, if James, Okung and Gordon are back, this team could go 6-0 to close out the season and roll into the playoffs as a Wild Card and the hottest team in the league. I feel this is a very possible scenario. So I am not pessimistic about the season as a whole. I do believe, however, this team could struggle out of the gate, minus three Pro Bowl players.
Also, if Gordon doesn't report for the start of the season and the tandem of Ekeler/Jackson is not getting it done 3-4 games in, I think TT will find a way to bring MG back real quick.
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