I love your enthusiasm, but a few things I've learned over the years:
1) Pressure and expectations never help. Especially with a young team.
2) Chemistry takes a lot longer than 2-3 games to develop. The 2014 Ticats are a good example.
3) You can't surprise the entire league out of the gate 2 years in a row like we did last year. We're actually going to have to be good to win.
I expect a tighter league this year. For bad 2014 teams to gain wins, better 2014 teams have to gain losses. The Renegades or whatever they're called only won 2 games. I expect that to become at least 4-5. Hamilton was 9-9, and that was due to Collaros learning Austin's offence and him and the whole team being terrible for 1/2 a season. BC didn't look like a playoff team last year, and I think are a good candidate for regression. Montreal looks like they're due for a regression. Toronto... depends on Ricky Ray's effectiveness. Probably 8-10 to 10-8. You could argue Edmonton is due for a regression too given the massive jump they made in 2014; but I bet 12-6 or better for them. They're solid all around. Cowtown could be the surprise of the group... I see Edmonton winning that division, and a 10-8 ish Calgary isn't out of the question.
We were 7-11 last year and that was good for 2nd worst team in the league. 9-9 or 10-8 gets us to the middle of the pack, and a likely playoff berth. That's attainable, but Willy's got to stay on his feet longer, progress on a good 2014, and play smart to achieve that. The defense also has to be much better, and steps were taken there as well.
If you don't go into a year expecting playoffs, you're a Cleveland Browns fan. I'd say 9-9 or 10-8 is achievable, but needs an offensive progression to come to fruition or we don't hit this. I'd call 11-7 a ceiling. There's just too much change on the defensive side of the ball to go any higher. Floor? The floor isn't high with this team. I could see 3-15 if Willy gets hurt and the defensive chemistry doesn't come together quickly
Bah. Just because your a pessimist doesn't mean you need to try and bring someone down to your level.. He's optimistic because we just had one of our best off seasons in a long time...
Pessimistic attitudes get so much play on these forums at times.. Much depressing!