I said the same thing for 2018, and was deeply disappointed. Not holding out hope of improving on that result, but looking forward to seeing some of the new recruits in actions.
I actually didn't expect that much last year, new coaching staff, serious salary cap issues with a need to shed players. Which always meant that it would be the higher paid ones that had to go, shedding lower paid players was not going to make enough of a difference, the hole was that deep. Losing higher paid players, commonly but not always the best players, affects the team in multiple ways. Obviously you don't have them in your team and they are in other teams playing against you. Plus it disrupts what ever pre season training you might have had. But the most debilitating is the affect it has is on those that stay, they lose their mates, guys they have shed blood, sweat and tears with, some for more than one season. Plus, until the salary cap compliance in locked in, there is always the thought of "who's next, is it me"?
Once that was complete and the coaching staff had time with the players left they started to play as a team and the results were effen obvious. With a whole pre season and more stability (yes, not total stability, but certainly more) I expect to see a better team than we saw for the last half dozen games last season. I see the recruiting (of new players) as being secondary to the team building with the existing guys. That's why the team drills, ball skills, working with each other I see as being so encouraging.
Go Dogs
