kerouac9
Klowned by Keim
I don't think this is all his fault. Let's start from the premise that Steve Wilks wasn't his choice, and neither was Mike McCoy. I'm fairly certain on the first premise; I'm less so on the second. But let's say that Michael Bidwill chose Wilks and Wilks chose McCoy.
I don't think that Keim was responsible for:
1) The linebacker situation. Our linebackers are very bad! But I think that Wilks told Keim that he could work with Deone and Reddick.
2) Defensive scheme change. I refuse to believe that Wilks lied to everyone about scheme/system when he was hired. I think he hoped he could make it work, and there turned out to be more departure from the Bettcher version of the 3-4 than was anticipated.
3) David Johnson being bad. No one expected this.
4) Sam Bradford and his dumb contract. We couldn't have known that there'd be a rookie QB available to us. If your new coaching staff asks for Bradford instead of Keenum or Bridgewater, I think you have to give it to 'em.
Things I do hold Keim responsible for:
1) The wide receiver situation. Even with a veteran quarterback playing above-average football, Fitz, Chad Williams, and [Draft pick TBD] made little sense as a starting group, and there was no depth behind them. Putting your faith in Brice Butler and Greg Little to make this group better was a non-starter.
2) Releasing Honey Badger. I think we'll find out more about this in the next year if Wilks decides that Patrick Peterson isn't worth the salary. This team would be better with both Mathieu and Baker.
3) The Offensive Line. I know Harry likes to harp on this, but I disagree about "the Eggshell Line." Huge failures from Jonathan Cooper and (maybe) Jared Veldheer plus the inability of a handful of mid- and late-round draft picks to separate put this unit behind schedule. After next season, we're married to Justin Pugh and that's it.
Things I give Keim credit for:
1) The defensive line. I was wrong about Benson Mayowa. He's a starting-caliber player who was probably playing better than Markus Golden is right now. There is good depth on this unit, even if guys like Olson Pierre have regressed a little due to injury and the scheme change. Defensive line depth is one of the most difficult things to build in the NFL, and we have it.
2) The defensive secondary. I still think that this is one of the better groups in the league. We have good depth across the board, and if the defensive scheme can settle itself (and is actually fundamentally sound), this could be a good unit. Keim has developed expertise at reworking a secondary on the fly almost every season, and that's a pretty great skill in today's NFL.
The draft class is such a crap shoot, and we're not gonna know for a couple of years how Kirk fits in and whether Cole is actually good. THose look good right now, but there's lots of time.
There are some YUUUGE decisions to make next offseason.
I don't think that Keim was responsible for:
1) The linebacker situation. Our linebackers are very bad! But I think that Wilks told Keim that he could work with Deone and Reddick.
2) Defensive scheme change. I refuse to believe that Wilks lied to everyone about scheme/system when he was hired. I think he hoped he could make it work, and there turned out to be more departure from the Bettcher version of the 3-4 than was anticipated.
3) David Johnson being bad. No one expected this.
4) Sam Bradford and his dumb contract. We couldn't have known that there'd be a rookie QB available to us. If your new coaching staff asks for Bradford instead of Keenum or Bridgewater, I think you have to give it to 'em.
Things I do hold Keim responsible for:
1) The wide receiver situation. Even with a veteran quarterback playing above-average football, Fitz, Chad Williams, and [Draft pick TBD] made little sense as a starting group, and there was no depth behind them. Putting your faith in Brice Butler and Greg Little to make this group better was a non-starter.
2) Releasing Honey Badger. I think we'll find out more about this in the next year if Wilks decides that Patrick Peterson isn't worth the salary. This team would be better with both Mathieu and Baker.
3) The Offensive Line. I know Harry likes to harp on this, but I disagree about "the Eggshell Line." Huge failures from Jonathan Cooper and (maybe) Jared Veldheer plus the inability of a handful of mid- and late-round draft picks to separate put this unit behind schedule. After next season, we're married to Justin Pugh and that's it.
Things I give Keim credit for:
1) The defensive line. I was wrong about Benson Mayowa. He's a starting-caliber player who was probably playing better than Markus Golden is right now. There is good depth on this unit, even if guys like Olson Pierre have regressed a little due to injury and the scheme change. Defensive line depth is one of the most difficult things to build in the NFL, and we have it.
2) The defensive secondary. I still think that this is one of the better groups in the league. We have good depth across the board, and if the defensive scheme can settle itself (and is actually fundamentally sound), this could be a good unit. Keim has developed expertise at reworking a secondary on the fly almost every season, and that's a pretty great skill in today's NFL.
The draft class is such a crap shoot, and we're not gonna know for a couple of years how Kirk fits in and whether Cole is actually good. THose look good right now, but there's lots of time.
There are some YUUUGE decisions to make next offseason.
