re: My take, for what its worth...

You make some solid points OP. But what I find troubling is that the game is hard enough with a new coach, staff and guys playing together for the first time. But it is almost impossible to win when the basics of the game are not present. Penanties bad (we commit far, far too many), qb play where we have great receivers but can't seem to find them, defense great but we can't cover at times with blown coverages or allow their running game to gut us, and no sense of offensive rhythm. It's water torture watching the downs click down with minimal gains until we're at 3rd and long with a blitz we can't (or don't) pick up. A foundation of solid consistent play must be laid or we'll always be in jeopardy of beating ourselves.