BOLT ANALYSIS - PRESEASON PRIMER

Hey all. The Bolt Analysis is back with its annual preseason primer. The giddy optimism that has surrounded the last couple of offseasons has been tempered somewhat by the bizzare 8-8 season we all lived through. However, perhaps this preseason primer finds the Bolts at their strongest position since the dark period ended around 2004. Let's review: the amazing 14-2 season of 2006 ended with a bonecrushing loss to the Patriots in a game filled with mistakes and missed opportunities. That offseason had a feeling like "Just wait 'till the season starts...we will pick up where we left off". Unfortunately, all of our coaches left...Marty got fired...and the Norv era began. The 2007 season ended with the Boyz toughing out some huge wins on the way to a cold weather loss at the Patriots with Phillip on one leg...no LT..and hardly any Gates. That offseason was a high point...the feeling was "If we can come that close to the BOWL with half our players...just wait till next year". Well, 2008 was brutal and taught all of us some lessons: 1)Overconfidence is lame, 2) Merriman is important 3) Luck is required (read: Hochuli). Even though the season hit a high point in December with some nice wins and a great playoff game, the loss to the Steelers exposed all of this team's shortcomings.

So, why is this offseason maybe our best chance? First, no coaching weirdness...we have continuity for the first time in 3 years with Norv and Ron Rivera. Second, health. Everyone is saying this is the most healthy the team has been in years. Merriman, LT, Gates, McNeil, Cromartie, Hart, all back and saying they are 100%. That is hugely important. But, maybe most important is the fact that this team should not be in any way overconfident. Last year's team seemed genuinely surprised that other teams played them hard and beat them up. This year's team should not be that stupid. They have a tough schedule and are seasoned now. No excuses.

So, we await the four mostly meaningless preseason games. The best thing that could happen is that nobody gets hurt and a couple of rookies and young players get some good experience. Who cares if we win or lose these games? Just stay healthy....let the media gush about Tom Brady and his bionic leg and how he is in "midseason" form and he is the second coming. Let them gush about the Steelers and how they are "even better than last year". Just go about your business boyz..and get ready for September 14.

The Analysis will see you all again on the eve of the the NFL kickoff...as the Sports world returns to relevance.