[donkey687]

I don't think we have ever seen something like this year with 3-4 defensive starters not coming back for their fifth year (Jackson, Buncom, Barton and Edwards) and retire from football. Injuries played a role but this is still unusual.  Football clearly wasn't fun for them any more. It is a grind.  That such a large number of players felt that way could explain last year's underachievement. The team was filled with people who didn't really want to be there.

[donkey687]

I don't think we have ever seen something like this year with 3-4 defensive starters not coming back for their fifth year (Jackson, Buncom, Barton and Edwards) and retire from football. Injuries played a role but this is still unusual.  Football clearly wasn't fun for them any more. It is a grind.  That such a large number of players felt that way could explain last year's underachievement. The team was filled with people who didn't really want to be there.