mgteich

Yes, we need to have improvements on the defense. And yes, we are looking for a #3 and #4 WR to upgrade Ocho and Underwood.

But, first we have lots of work to do to maintain what we had in 2011 on offense. This is not a huge list, not worse than most years. But we should not ignore the needs.
==========================================

RB
Green Ellis is unsigned.

C
Connolly and Koppen are unsigned.

OG
Waters may retire. Many consider him our best OL of 2011.

WR
Welker and Branch are unsigned.

We will have achieved status quo if everyone is back (well, one of Connolly and Koppen). This presumes that improved production by youngsters makes up for diminished production from older players like Branch and Waters who seem unlikely to produce as much as in 2011).

BOTTOM LINE
If everyone is back, the primary opportunity for upgrade is at WR. At very minimum, we will upgrade Underwood. We might also upgrade Johnson and/or Branch. We could also add insurance/depth at TE; a Crumpler type player would be a fine addition.

VrabelJr

We will still have an elite offense but I expect a slight drop off. The schedule of defenses we play next year looks to be a lot more challenging (barring any major drop offs) than what we played this year.

Ron Sellers

Considering that free agency has not even begun yet, I would say that it is nearly impossible to predict whether the 2012 offense will be as good as the 2011 version right now.

mgteich

I agree.

My point was that we have lots of personnel moves to make before our talent was the equal of 2011.

Smokeeye123

...How could our offense possibly be worse than last year? We will have all the same parts, (barring BJGE, but Vereen and Ridley can fill in), and will most likely have deep threats next year.

VrabelJr

Because our offense was pretty fresh and new. Now other teams have 19 games of film on it.

mgteich

We could be hoping that Welker plays the first few games on his franchise tag, have no #2 or #3 receiver, have Wendell at center, and have Cannon at RG.

The point is that we do NOT have the same parts as 2011 unless our own free agents are re-signed.

Perhaps Ridley and Vereen can produce as much as Ridley and Green-Ellis. It is certainly not a sure thing by any means.

LetsGoPats36

How could it possibly be worse?

Statistically, this was an immensely successful offensive year and an offense that was able to avoid serious injury until the AFCCG. We also played a very easy schedule.

It's not hard to imagine that the offense in 2012 doesn't put up as many points or yards as last season.


Still doesn't change the fact that if the plan for free agency HAS to be to retool the defense.

Connolly, Koppen, BJGE and Branch are all fungible. Not a single one of those guys is going to command a lot of money on the open market. BJGE would probably get the most but I can't see another team bending over backwards to hand him a huge contract. I like the guy and all, but would he really be considered a "big, detrimental loss?" We drafted Ridley and Vereen high for a reason. BJGE saw his touches reduced by 50 this year and was well under 4.0 yards per carry.

Losing Waters would suck but there are some solid guards set to hit the market.

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bucky

The offense has potential to be better. But as long as the Defense isn't significantly better, they'll still be 1 bad Brady game away from being eliminated.

mgteich

you mean one dropped pass?