AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 25
Monday, September 25, 2006
Pass the Kool-Aid
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, if I hear you guys correctly, you’re saying that the Thrashers defense is so much improved that the team can withstand a moderate dropoff in offensive production and still be a playoff team. If you guys believe it, then I’ll believe it, too, I guess. I trust your opinions.
But here’s why I have a problem with it. Last season, the team’s mentality seemed to be: Let’s be a high-scoring offensive-minded team because our defense is so middle-of-the-road. And you have to admit that the offense won a heck of a lot more games than the defense last season. And, yet, this season the mentality seems to be: We don’t need a top-shelf offensive center because we’ve loaded up on “defensively responsible” forwards, Lehtonen will cut our goals-against and our defense continues to get deeper.
That’s virtually a 180-degree shift in team philosophy. And I don’t like those.
And when we talk about this ‘deeper’ defense, we need to be clear about what we’re talking about. We’re talking about five of the same top-six that played last year and a battle for the 6-7 spots between a bunch of guys who all look good but are largely unproven at this level. So if the defense was so average last year, why are we entering the season saying it’s markedly improved? I’m not saying it can’t or won’t be better, but I just don’t think it’s automatic. I feel like I am watching the same d-men as last year … because I am.
But, like I said, if you guys are OK with it, then count me in. I don’t claim to be an insider or guru of any kind, just another loud-mouth idiot on a barstool.
OK, so speaking of the defense, two quick thoughts:
I have to go now. Chris Berman just starting reciting the lyrics to “City of New Orleans” at halftime of the Falcons game. I’m gonna go throw up and then throw my TV out the window. Or maybe I’ll throw up on my TV and then throw myself out the window.
