re: How Deep Is the Hole?

This melt is a study in overreaction. Did any of you actually expect to win last night? Against a good Tennessee team? Why? Our only chance was for an emotional, play-above-heir-heads victory, which we got the week before at Arrowhead. That was our shining moment of the season.

This team is fatally flawed on offense. Period. It starts with an OL that couldn't block the Pillsbury Doughboy. That's primarily on coaching, not the players. It's further impacted by a group of young receivers who can't run a route - again, coaching primarily. And by a beat-up RB unit - and for some inexplicable reason (to us) the coaches don't play the backs with the best stats/visible upside. COACHES. And the final nail in the offensive coffin is a talented but extremely green 18 year old QB who's just not ready to hold that mess together. The team is lacking in coaching effectiveness and player leadership. It is what it is.

This team is a story of a great defense wasted.

How deep is the hole? Next year probably isn't pretty, as 808 said. Probably won't go bowling then either. BUT, the defense could be better. We return the full line, plus Brantley. The potential is there. A strong defense will keep us in every game, and a marginally improved offense should win a few of them. It boils down to coaching. Hiring a top-notch OC is almost as important as the HC hire.

The next coach will have his hands full, no doubt. But to act like there are no bright spots at all is just melt. Pure and simple.