I think better in terms of playing sound fundamental football. Now how this plays out in W-L record, I have no idea. I hope it means losses, if any, are by a respectable margin. We have talent with the DB's, but they have never played every down "on an island" with not a lot of safety help. Should be interesting. The CB's will need to be very physical at the LOS. I am hoping to see the physicality we saw when Sanders was DB coaching i.e. receivers knocked on their butts, into the sideline or run out of the play. We face some decent QB's so it should be interesting. A D built to stop the run sounds good. Attacking down hill sounds good. Gang tackling sounds good. Things we have missed for several years..... I'm ready to see it.
If our run game goes stagnant, we are in trouble. I think MR and Langs plan to use the run game to open the passing game. How much of last years ground game was AA and how much was the OL doing their job to make him look great? If its up to the backs to make the holes........
By all accounts, TA is improving. Again, simply looking off the DB's and using the RB as a release will do wonders for his game and NU. The jet sweep and good play calling should also help.
With the schedule, we have the talent and ability to go undefeated IMO. With the previous staff, were a lock for the 9 wins. This staff, IMO, with its experience should be good for at least another win or 2 on paper. I'd like to think we go 10-2, 9-3 at the least in the regular season. Tough OOC games so we should have a good idea by conference play.