The FO's gambles this year

I intend this post as an exercise in taking stock. I am not here to judge Snead and Fisher. In a number of the items listed below, I would have likely done the same. And it’s probably true that all teams take significant gambles each year.

The point is, however, that as we look at this year, our prospects hinge on how well the gambles pay off. I mean, DL is not a gamble, although you could argue that taking A D was a gamble in comparison to needs elsewhere. By contrast, we went into training camp taking several significant gambles. Some might call them long shots.

1) Sam

OK, not much new to say here. I will say that they covered their bet on Sam better this year than they did last. But the big gamble that Sam would stay healthy has already crapped out. I can’t see how this doesn’t cost us a couple of games. Note: I was with them on this gamble all the way. We lost.

2) WRs

The FO gambled that Britt plus 1 or 2 emerging youngsters would get our passing game clicking. Frankly, I figured they were daft. I expected nothing from any of these guys except Stedman and, perhaps, Britt. I was wrong. I believe that the 3 year gamble on Quick is now paying off. Stedman will come back ready to go and Britt always was a productive talent, if he could stay healthy and on track. I am liking what I see at WR more than I have since Ike went to SF.

3) DBs.

The gamble is that talented youth can get the job done. Now, this one is still up in the air. There are significant concerns with these guys. BUT … I actually like what I am seeing and think that these guys will develop. I am slightly optimistic on this one.

4) OL.

This is perhaps the biggest of red flags. It could be a looming disaster. Consider:

– Saffold and Long and Wells are all fragile and prone to injury.
– Long is suspect pass blocking and still recovering–badly–from injury.
– G Rob is extremely raw at pass blocking, though I think he will eventually be fine. Right now, though, he isn’t an option.
– Saffold could go to LOT … if he could stay healthy.
– With one exception, the backups suck.

The exception, of course, is D Joseph. This was IMO a very good move on our part, getting some classy vet depth. Trouble is, there’s only 1 of him. With Saffold and Long questionable at best in terms of health and no one behind Wells, we are very, very close to offensive collapse.

Best case scenario, IMO? Saffold stays healthy and plays LOT: Saffold, G Rob, Wells, D Joe, Joe B. And pray your head off that no one gets hurt. Which of course is not going to happen.

Otherwise, we have a profoundly leaky OL trying to block for a 39 year old QB with no one behind him. I find this scenario terrifying … especially when you think of SEA and SF.

You know, I would rather see us pick up a viable vet LOT than a viable vet QB. Otherwise, we gonna do nothing this year, and both Hill and Davis gonna get killed.

The Rams’ bet on making do with the OL they had plus Joseph is likely to blow up our season. It’s already cost us Sam, Long ain’t ready, and Saffold can’t get through 2 series. A bad, bad bet.