I also vote for slow season starts. Throughout Dimma's tenure, we appear to be going in one direction with our game plan, while the rest of the comp is going in the other direction. Wonder what our opposition analyst does during the pre-season. If we do scout the other teams, then no-one is listening to the findings.
If I had another vote, I'd say the inablility of the coaching staff to get the players properly motivated for must win games.
Oh, and on-field leadership too. We don't have much of that.