It's funny how awesome your players become when you win

It has a lot more to do with filling out the roster with good players than it does winning, though the culture plays a big part in the mindset.

Last year, with such a depleted roster, no one could shine on defense. Cushing and Smith were actually doing really well, but the secondary was so horrible, it didn't matter. The folks going overboard panning those two weren't paying attention.

11 players all doing their part cover up mistakes that are glaring when half the starters have no business being on the field.

Today's rush is effective since receivers can't get open as easily. The secondary has an easier job because deep plays don't have time to develop with the rush kicking down the door. Cushing and Ryans have an easier time cleaning up against the run since the D-Line is so disruptive. It's a fantastic self-feeding cycle of win.

 

cushing was suspended for steroids?? i must have missed this, did they add more games to his HCG suspension?

 

Barwin - Injured all last year, barely got any snaps his first year

Cushing - Way off last year and never got on pace

Joseph - 1B to Aso 1A in FA CB's

Schaub - Don't care what the numbers say, didn't look that great to me this year

Offensive line - Have fallen back to earth in the last two games, had unbelievable run during this season

Smith - Thriving in new system. Not getting any more pub than previous years. Plenty of people said he was better than Mario last year

Kareem Jackson - Slight improvement but mostly getting helped by much better safety play and a great pass rush



You are saying wins means we think the players are better, but really the players getting better is translating to wins.

 

Do you think he took it for a practical joke so he could test positive on a pregnancy test?

 

Agreed. Except I still contend Aso is the best CB in the league and a top 10 player overall, despite Joseph having the better year and being flat-out amazing for us.