But in fairness...we know AHEAD of time what is going to happen. When SP went down, I really don't think we had a PLAN in place for that and there was some confusion.

We have been planning on this for months now. This is the biggest difference in this entire equation. This is why I am not that nervous about it. Will we miss certain things, ABSOLUTELY but I don't think it is going to be as devastating as it seems.

How many of the coach's you listed above had head coach's in the wings as we do on our coaching staff?

I was with you until you said Caldwell was "coaching".

He was more like the secretary writing down what manning was doing for later reading.

How many of our coaches on staff have been picked off as head coaches?
Being called in for a legit body for interviews does not make these guys head coaches.

In recent times..Dennis ALlen..Curtis Johnson for Tulane. You are right, being called for interviews does not make them a head coach but it gives credibility to the fact that obviously they have the skills to maybe be a head coach.

But none of that is neither here nor there. The FACT is we have been planning for this. You can't honestly think that if we were say 3 weeks into the season and this happened, we wouldn't be worse off. That would be devestating.

SP layed out a very solid plan for the season. The staff have been in this system for 6 years along with our field generals.

I am not arguing his presence will not be missed. All I am saying is we don't need to go all "The Dude" on this and find a cliff to jump off of.

I'm being very 'Devil's Advocate' here. Everyone is making valid points, and I agree with you Mike about being able to prepare.

The GUT WRENCHING killer issue we face is when we lose a game etc. because the coach or interim misses a timeout, or we kick a field goal when we should go for it.... or we go for it and should have kicked the field goal. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda - Sean Payton gets those call just right. I think 90% of the rest of the NFL screws those calls up.

Those are margin calls that make the difference between good teams and great ones.

We've been great because of those calls made on the margin. We also have fantastic clock management compared to ever before. Sean Payton will be SORELY missed. :(

Definitely not time to go all "The Dude"! LOL :D
I hope I'm so freaking wrong and we just kick major butt this year!!:crazy:

:patos:

I here ya bro. I get everything you are saying and that may very well cost us a game or 2 but for now....I am not taking my glasses off :bng:

All I know is that we stay inhouse.

I really have a hard time getting excited for this season. I just don't have that fuzzy feeling. Pair that with the fact we have a tough schedule and everyone in our division has improved and I have not reason to be optimistic. I will watch every Sunday rain or shine, but I am not getting my hopes up for a playoff berth.

How have Atlanta and Tampa Bay improved?

Atlanta dismantled some of their defense and let their coordinator go. Many agree with me that their defense was scrappy and a stronger point. They've improved their defensive back field but their d-line and lb's will be weak.

Tampa Bay is in rebuilding. They have a long road ahead and most don't expect them to contend for the division this year (either).

Carolina will be improved as Cam Newton is a stronger pocket QB than most give him credit for.

I still do see how other teams in our division have improved to cause you to lose optimism.

We DO have a tough schedule. I think I'm more concerned with out of conference matches than inner-conference right now.

Agree with all of this. Especially Atlanta. They have done nothing and 2 of the 3 free agents they brought in are already gone. Carolina is the only real threat in my eyes and that is mainly because of the defense being healthy. But for how long will be the question.