I voted "not really all that concerned to be honest, we're that good this year" and I truly believe it. I'm in agreement with FlyingGreg and kearly here. This team is deep as hell and philosophically, they've been built to withstand and overcome adversity no matter what it is. We've already seen the PED issue, now there's a rash of injuries, all before the first snap of the regular season. To be honest with you, I'm okay with that, I invite it actually. I've got to be honest, I was getting a little nervous with all of the love from around the country. With the expectations being set so high, it's only natural for there to be a massive letdown. I didn't want this team to think that they were the best team in the league and that if they just played their game they would dominate on their way to a championship. Not this year at least, maybe Super Bowl victory #2 can be like that.
If you look at the Super Bowl winners over the past 3 years, they've all been deep and they all had to overcome injuries and adversity. Green Bay, New York, and Baltimore all rode strong quarterback play throughout, that was the one constant, and while they might have struggled through the regular season, they clicked towards the end of the year when guys got healthy. That's why I'm fully expecting a slower start then what I might have expected a few months ago. I can definitely see a loss in Carolina now. Not that I expect defeat, but I could definitely see the 'Hawks losing a heartbreaker to start things off. Either that or they pull one out of their asses and escape with a W. Of course, that's what I'm hoping for but I doubt it's a laugher either way. I think it'll be a hard-fought, competitive game, as will most of our early season encounters for the most part.
As most of you know, I'm attempting to go to every game on the regular season and playoff schedule (of course Super Bowl) this season. The idea spawned from the belief that I truly feel that the Hawks are going to win it all this year and I want to be there every step of the way. Now, with all the injuries and everything popping up, a few of my buddies have asked me if I'm starting to have second thoughts about everything and if I think it will be a mistake to follow the team this year. I'm being 100% honest when I tell you that I believe these injuries will actually help our chances of winning it all this year. It'll be a more intense season than me (and my heart) were probably hoping for but honestly... it'll make it that much sweeter if/when we do win. I have no regrets and I can't wait to get on that bus from Chinatown and wake up in Charlotte the next day. Players will step up in the absence of others and others will emerge from out of nowhere to help produce and keep this team's head afloat. Then, when it all comes together, it's going to be an amazing, beautiful ride through the playoffs, possibly in road venues, all culminating with Russell Wilson hoisting the Lombardi Trophy over his head in a blustery East Rutherford, New Jersey while the rest of us party like it's the end of the world. I can't wait!