I think a lot of us were expecting a better performance out of the offensive line, quarterback, running backs and wide receivers than we have seen thus far in 2024. This was refortified by the FSU performance and how we were able to control the line of scrimmage and make plays against what we thought was a top 10 football team. As we found out later FSU was a paper tiger so instead of validating our expectations, we should have been more realistic that what we were observing was a good performance against a bad football team. In other words, we had discovered fool's gold.
King has been off all season. My observation that he has not displayed much joy is playing the game this season and whatever is bothering him finally led to his inability to perform at all mid-season. Pyron was not able to sustain the expectations we had for him as a backup so now we are left to wonder who will salvage our QB situation. The most important player on any football team. Jamal has given us everything he has but he just has not been able to stand up to the punishment and lack of running lanes. We have had a sustained series of injuries to the backups, and we might end up in the same boat as we are in at QB at RB. The wide receiver talent has been underutilized, probably due to the limitations at QB, but also just a lack of quality performance on their part. I don't know what has happened to Leo Blackburn, but he has not produced any measurable contribution so far. Many of our other receivers seem to be unable to get open or make clutch plays when we have to have them.
The defense is showing marginal improvement, but we are still unable to generate a pass rush, our defensive backs are still not able to provide quality coverage, and we are thin at linebacker and scrambling to field competent talent at that position. I think our coaching is moving us in a better direction, but we need better talent and quicker development of the players we have in house.
It will be a challenge to get one more win this season. It is possible but it will take a special effort. I hope out players and coaches find a way to make it happen.
Go Jackets!