Your Expectations for 2023 Season in this Year of Big Changes

[88Comrade2000]

Well, 2023 is going to be a big year of changes for this franchise. By 2/18/24 it should be completely different.

 

 

Key upcoming moments:

 

New OC hired- EB officially announced on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

Annoucement of team being sold, is what we are waiting for.

 

Free Agency- March 15

 

Owners Meeting-3/26- Where new owner can be approved.

 

Draft

 

Future possiblity- new Gm.

 

 

So as each key moment occurs, our expectations for the season changes.

 

 

So the first big change has happened, we hired Eric Bieniemy as our new OC.

 

The next change will be how Eric reshapes the offensive staff. Who stays and who does he bring in.

 

 

So, before free agency, draft and ownership change; what are your current expectations for 23?  Obviously this will change but what is it right now? Then as changes occur, you can update.

[NoVaSkins21]

The sale of the team is the biggest domino.  Everything else will flow from that.

Edited February 18, 2023 by NoVaSkins21

[hail2skins]

8-9

[samy316]

7-10 or 8-9, no playoffs and either 3rd or 4th place in the division.  But, we will be trending up big time, with a new owner, and a new path forward after next season.  Any success we have in 2023 will be the cherry on top.  Our real ascent to relevancy begins after next the 2023 season.  I do think that Sam Howell will have his ups and downs as a first year starter.  If we lose Payne, I expect our defense to take a step back, maybe big time if Ridgeway/Mathis don't come close to replacing Payne's production.  2023 is all about Howell's progression, and whether or not we have Payne beyond next year.  Having Allen/Payne as our DT combo is just as important as keeping Young/Sweat in my opinion.  We CANNOT lose Payne, if it means keeping both Sweat and Young.

Edited February 18, 2023 by samy316

[Zim489]

I expect a major dumpster fire. The luck wont be at the same level it was this past year. The schedule is harder. The Division isnt getting worse. Dan being out with a new owner leaves an "ominous" cloud for the staff specifically. Ron starts out to his normal slow start and with a 2-3 wins on the first half of a season and gets canned leaving JDR to run the team leads to an implosion. 

 

4-13 season.

[Riggo-toni]

This is the year Ron gets over the hump; 9-8

[NoVaSkins21]

Way too early to talk about record predictions when the sale hasn't taken place, same with FA and the draft.

Edited February 18, 2023 by NoVaSkins21

[KDawg]

I have none. Neither should anyone. Either way. We haven’t had FA or the draft. 

[-9-]

[The Rook]

 

I need a few more shoes to drop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rook

[Rex Tomb]

[88Comrade2000]

Right now, I’ll go under assumption the ownership change doesn’t happen until after the draft.

 

So, I would expect us to sign a veteran lower tier qb to backup Sam. I also think we may draft another qb in the lower rounds.  The main focus of free agency and the draft will be to fix the oline, get a cb and maybe another lb. Also, probably a te.  I think we franchise Payne to non exclusive tag. So, if someone signs him and we don’t match; we get 2 first round picks.

 

My guess we struggle as usual early, as hiring EB won’t stop that. It will take time to adjust to new offense and Sam will have ups and downs.  The slow start gets Ron fired. The new owner promotes EB to head coach.

 

I say we go 6-11 to at best 9-8.  I think the offense improves enough to earn EB his head coaching shot. Either we make his interim gig permanent or he gets hired elsewhere.

 

 

Now if we get a owner at the March owners meetings; then all bets are off. I think our offseason direction changes.

[KDawg]

2 hours ago, Rex Tomb said:

I forgot this happened.

 

As I just watched it the first time I thought this was a scene from a comedy about a football team that just couldn’t get it together and two of their best players got hurt in pre-game.

 

I really did.

 

Then the graphic popped up and I remembered. This **** actually happened. In real life.

[Skinsinparadise]

Unless there is something I am missing those expecting us to match last season or be worse must assume Wentz-Heincke >> Howell?

 

Otherwise the logic escapes me.  I think almost for sure this O line will be better.  So better O line play, better play calling -- yet we end up worse?  Anything is possible but to me it feels either like a plug for Heinicke or feeling down about Howell and whatever veteran backs him up.

 

If its about the schedule, I think its too early to land on how that will go.

Edited February 19, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[Simmsy]

I thought for sure we would be playoff bound going into the new season. I even followed the off season more closely than ever before. I learned that you should ignore what people say at training camp unless they're local beat guys. Everyone else just watches clips and makes assumptions.

[88Comrade2000]

1 hour ago, Skinsinparadise said:

Unless there is something I am missing those expecting us to match last season or be worse must assume Wentz-Heincke >> Howell?

 

Otherwise the logic escapes me.  I think almost for sure this O line will be better.  So better O line play, better play calling -- yet we end up worse?  Anything is possible but to me it feels either like a plug for Heinicke or feeling down about Howell and whatever veteran backs him up.

 

If its about the schedule, I think its too early to land on how that will go.

I expect Howell to struggle at first. It’s his first year and he’s going to have ups and downs. He may even get benched for a bit.

 

Those expectating playoffs under Howell first of year starting, is expecting way to much. He’s not Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes.

 

We are going lose some games due to Sam alone, as he adjusts to a full season of playing in the nfl.

[samy316]

14 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

Unless there is something I am missing those expecting us to match last season or be worse must assume Wentz-Heincke >> Howell?

 

Otherwise the logic escapes me.  I think almost for sure this O line will be better.  So better O line play, better play calling -- yet we end up worse?  Anything is possible but to me it feels either like a plug for Heinicke or feeling down about Howell and whatever veteran backs him up.

 

If its about the schedule, I think its too early to land on how that will go.

He’s a rookie next year.  Rookies go through ups and downs during the season.  I’m not putting any pressure on him to equal or exceed that 7-8 win plateau yet.  I expect Howell to shine at times, but also really struggle.  If we get to 7-8 wins, and Howell shows signs of improving during the season, i would count that as a success. Playoffs are unlikely for us next season.  No one will give us any kind of chance to make the postseason, so I’m going to be watching to see if Howell is the answer for us at QB.  If we get to the playoffs, and Howell is exceeding all expectations, that will be a bonus.

Edited February 19, 2023 by samy316

[Zim489]

14 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

Unless there is something I am missing those expecting us to match last season or be worse must assume Wentz-Heincke >> Howell?

Howell can be worlds better and have a technically worse season with Turnovers. Its hard to fathom having that type of luck that TH had. 

[Skinsinparadise]

I get the lecture about rookies (young Qb technically, won't be a rookie) struggiling.

 

My point is while Heinicke and Wentz weren't rookies, they sucked.  Suck is the bar Howell has to exceed.  That bar isn't that big. 

 

Also the O line issues were glaring.  And yeah I do think it will be better.

Edited February 19, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[moondog]

I am massively optimistic about this team taking a big step forward. JP Findlay and annoying ass Peter whatever on his podcast just strike me as not being knowledgeable about much and just want to gripe. They constantly **** about Rivera not being accountable and shucking blame. I think Ron is just extremely conscious about what he says publicly and how it may affect the team. They act like he’s a huge softie but I think anyone knows Ron is a hard as and fired up with the team but presents a very different persona publicly vs how he is with the team. A HC is very different then a coordinator at the pro level - much more a manager of the team and personalities and a motivator and leader. See Gibbs. Hire the right people and put them in positions to succeed. I think this, more than anything else has been a limfac for EB getting a HC gig. I think it’s in his future but if you pay attention I think his hardass approach probably steers owners away from a HC gig more than anything else because it doesn’t resonate with building a team that has struggled (ie a team that just fired their coach). It works great with success but can rub people the wrong way if they’re losing. 
 

QB - A lot to like for upside with Howell. Not much else to say there. Clearly, EB believes he can maximize him because they’re all on board with that direction. 
RB - does anyone think EB won’t maximize Robinson and then Gibson out of the backfield as a weapon?

WR - mclaurin and Dotson are studs, but I’m very excited to see EB maximize Samuel as a weapon along with Gibson. 
TE - there was a ton of hype about Turner and the rest of our young TE’s. I expect much more from them with EB scheming effectively with our personnel, especially in the red zone with a ton of tall, athletic types. 
OL - needs a lot of revamping but I’m confident this group receives appropriate attention this off-season. 
 

S - need to extend curl. And sign reaves. But a great young group with butler and Forrest. 
DL - I HATE to lose Payne. But the guy does seem more motivated by money and we have ridgeway and Mathis. I’d prefer to keep him over sweat/young given he’s young and never missed a game but I just am not sure he’s all bought in. I’d love to keep him but wouldn’t hate seeing a tag and trade for a first rounder next year. Gives us flexibility to maneuver in drafts going forward the way the eagles do with added cap space. 
DE - look to sign Obada. I would absolutely pick up young’s option to give flexibility and look to resign sweat - dude is healthy and productive, seems to have bought in and games missed were a freak jaw injury - otherwise he’s always healthy. 
LB - sign Holcomb and Davis looks solid. 
CB - definitely need to draft and probably resign McCain. 

[Rex Tomb]

4 hours ago, moondog said:

annoying ass Peter

Pete Hailey?

[profusion]

On the assumption that there won't be as many off-field distractions, it mostly comes down to Howell and whether he takes the next step..

[CapsSkins]

On 2/18/2023 at 10:34 AM, Zim489 said:

I expect a major dumpster fire. The luck wont be at the same level it was this past year. The schedule is harder. The Division isnt getting worse. Dan being out with a new owner leaves an "ominous" cloud for the staff specifically. Ron starts out to his normal slow start and with a 2-3 wins on the first half of a season and gets canned leaving JDR to run the team leads to an implosion. 

 

4-13 season.

 

Genuine question: what is the maximum amount of money you would be willing to bet that they win 4 or fewer games this season?

 

I will take you up on it depending on the number. We can have a mod hold the cash in escrow during the season. I'm serious. 

 

Edited February 20, 2023 by CapsSkins

[FootballZombie]

Way to early for this.

 

Too much will change between now and the start of the season to give a reasonable assessment right now.

[moondog]

17 hours ago, Rex Tomb said:

Pete Hailey?

That’s the one.