1) Coaching - Most of us who follow the NFL know that coaching plays a bigger role in game outcomes in the NFL more than any other sport, and it isn't even close. Next to a great QB, good to great coaching is the single most important factor in a team's success. Not just teaching, but leading, inspiring, talent evaluation, game planning, and game adjustments. We might just be going from among the worst at each of these (with the exception of loyalty, I suppose) to among the best. Certainly, offensively and defensively it might not be a small upgrade, but a seismic one at the single biggest determinate of success, next to...
2) QB - Let's not get it twisted. Jared Goff might be the real deal. He might not, of course, but he also might. Deep insight, I know. The story always seems to be, yeah, he had the worst offensive coaching, protection, and weapons in the league, more or less, but wow, he sure did struggle when he played. Um...Well....You see.....Read that again, dummies! Now, will the protection magically become top tier? No. But if it is decent, and if the Whitworth domino really takes effect and the coaching really improves thing, and Goff's second year really brings maturity and understanding, well, hey, second year's for good QBs can be a beautiful thing. Why not Goff, I ask? Really, why not Goff? Well, that brings us to...
3) Weapons - Gurley is fine. I have no questions about him. None. Can you imagine Tavon contributing to the passing game because we finally have a real offensive mind? Imagine!!! Higbee? Why not? Look, it is not going to be the '85 Dolphins, but it might be good enough to get out of the bottom third of the league, especially if #1 & #2 above are legit. Which leaves us with...
4) Defense - Again, coaching. Oh, and ridiculous talent all over the place. And if you add a glimpse of hope that the offense will actually score more than once and not go three and out every other time in order to highlight Hekker's brilliance, they may actually play with more of a purpose for 60 entire minutes.
Again, I say with a HUGE upgrade in coaching across the board (not only realistic, but expected), a legit jump from Goff (very possible, if not necessarily a given), and a dominate defense (with that front 7 - 6 first round talents and a 2nd rounder!!!! maybe the best player in football!!! - why not?), I say 12 wins is within the realm of dreams and reality.
5) For those still doubting this, I refer you back to 1999. And in this case we don't even need to rely on an out of the blue former stock boy, we can just count on the best QB from his draft class fulfilling his potential.
Now, it is time to watch the Giants start their path back to the World Series.
