This team is vastly improved from last year, we just haven't gotten over the hump yet. Our secondary still obviously needs work. But the team is much more competitive this year. I don't think there are many of us who thought we would hang around that Packers game as long as we did.

So we started the season 0-4. We all expected that. In fact, there were a number of us who said we'd be 0-6 going into the Bye week before we picked up our first win. So why all the disappointment? For a coach to bring a team back from 0-16 in two years is impossible. And look at who we've played to begin the season. A 3-1 Bears team (who we actually beat), an Eagles team led by a "playing like he's 24 again" Vick, a disruptive Vikings D and an explosive Packers O. I realize there aren't many players left from the winless days, but we haven't exactly been given an easy road by the NFL scheduling committee either.

Our first must-win of the season is next week against the Rams at home. This will be a true test for Schwartz and gang (just like last year). Our improved D-line should be able to disrupt a rookie QB with a good arm but little experience. And the reason this is such a big game is because the Rams actually look fairly decent this year. Unlike last year, when they were winless before beating us, this Rams team deserves some respect. For Detroit to go in and get our first W of the season would be very pleasing. Some analysts/bloggers even believe the Rams have a chance to win the NFC West. This is a true test to see where our team is. Some believe the trust test would've been against big-name teams like the Vikes or Packers. I, for one, think it's too soon to use games like those as a measuring point. It's not normal for teams to turn around so quickly. We're not all the Miami Dolphins.

I guess what I'm trying to say in a long-winded way while sitting at my desk on a chilly Monday morning in Dallas is simply this: I can see improvement. And if you think about it, isn't that all you can really ask for?