Overall preseason schedule thoughts

I'm not much of a believer in pre-season being the predictor of regular season success, but we are going up against 3 of the best defenses in the NFL (Carolina, Baltimore, Pittsburgh) in the 4 week preseason. I know that there's not much scheming and game planning that goes on and I'm not really too interested in that aspect, but I want to see if we can move the ball against their first units. Just basic man on man football on the offensive lines, WR and CB it may be a good measuring stick for where we are. Scheme is only part of the equation, you have to beat your man more than he beats you in order to have team success regardless of the time of year.

Like I said earlier, even though as you said, its going to be watered down, were facing three of the leagues best D's. In fact, if you ask me, all three defenses (Carolina, Baltimore and Pittsburgh) are better defenses than every single team we play, with the exception of maybe Philadelphia. I think thats an advantage for us. We get to face some good competition early on, and I think it will help to get our offense on track. Again, its pretty much the opposite, as those teams are weaker in offense (carolina and cinci are alright, but nothing great) , so our defense wont really face a true test until week 4 or 5 into the regular season. Again, its waterted down on both sides of the ball, but I think it could be somewhat of a indicator.

Not only that, it's all about execution. If we execute, then we can't be stopped.

if ramsey and co. does well we will know that our offense improved

However if we don't preform we will not know if itis because we still suck or if it is because of the teams we are playing

Regardless it is good to play hard d's now and learn rather than learn late in the season when it counts

Unfortunately, I think the way the preseason works is that if you mess up then we know that you're no good--but if you play well then that doesn't means you're any good.

You need to look at the individual matchups.

However, it would be a nice confidence builder for Ramsey and Portis to score against the first string defense.

At the same time, if you are old enough to remember Gibbs last time around--it's not about winning the game--it's about doing the minimum you can to win the game. Gibbs plans seasons--not games. There were plays that you used to see for the first time in the playoffs or very late in the season that were not run earlier.

As soon as a succesful play is run, defenses watch the tape and adapt. Since Gibbs won't show his hand until the playoffs, he certainly won't show his hand in the offseason. Instead he uses it to test players and get the team's sense of timing down.

The key to look for is not whether we win or lose or score or not score--but rather if the first string o-line clicks. If we can do that then I believe that we have a good shot at the playoffs.

I personally don't care who we play in the preseason - although I'm glad the NFL seems to be scheduling the Ravens in our preseason to build a little regional rivalry.

My big beef is with the 8 pm starts. For the past two years, we've had no day games in the pre-season. I was going to try and take my young son to a game, and figured this would be a good introduction to the NFL - a little less stressful than the real deal. Hopefully, they can return to a more balanced schedule in the coming seasons.

I think it's all about the O-line. If they can handle the first string Ds we should be all right.