Re: Are we not as far as we originallly thought?
With all the talking head shenanigans of there being no "shutdown defense" in the league anymore, I would love for BB to come out guns blazing and punch some teams in the mouth next year. Is the d really that far off? Sign Bodden and I actually love our secondary for the first time since Hobbs has played legitimate minutes. Butler will step up next year (thought he was amazing for a rookie no 2 this year), and I like where the S position is headed with the youngins. OLB is a need. Draft one, maybe find a way to get the bs with Adalius straightened out (humble pie to this disaster?), and bring someone in and all of a sudden that looks better. Not sure why, but I think McKenzie will surprise us next year, maybe even starting by the end of the year, pushing Guyton outside. Of course theres Mayo, need a true SILB to get him where he belongs, is Dansby really an option for us or a pipe dream? Get him here and that sures up the LB situation pretty well, if not, turn to the draft. Brings us to th d-line. I want Wilfork in town, tagged or signed. Period. Draft somebody in the 1st at DE, and that leaves a question mark at the other DE. All said and done thats a pretty solid defensive unit. A little more creativity (loved the "organized chaos" approach this year) and the defensive unti would be head and shoulders above last year with 1 or 2 of the picks contributing consistently by the end of the season.
Turn to the offense. I want a big ugly in the 2nd, with a late (6/7th) used on a developmental guy. Bring in a younger (<31) reciever FA, and go after Ben Tate in the draft (my binky, I want him in the flying elvis), and take a flier on a good blocking TE in the later rounds. The O-line is interesting, as if Kaczur can get thrown inside (RG for neal if he isnt back) and we hit on a center in the late rounds (for two yrs from now), the unit would be solid. Kick Light to Right, Vollmer at Lt with Mank (Tate/Taylor/Maroney having a field day running to the left), Kaczur/Light on the right, what is not to like? Keep Baker around as I love the way he blocks, and hope the late round pick steps up. moss/FA/Edelman/Tate(?) should be able to get it done, and theres always Faulk who could be split a little more often instead of in the backfield.
The obvious big needs are DE/OLB. Bring in Dansby or a true stud in the 2nd and ILB is a strength again. O-line needs some youth in the wings, and of course I want Tate. Grab a WR in the 2nd and bring in a FA and Wr has some promise. while there seems to be a lot of potential holes, it seems there are a litany of potential answers (of course draft isn't the ideal answer, for right now impact, but the guys get picked for a reason). I'm quite optimistic in any case, and think we will certainly be playoff contenders next year at a minimum. Maybe I'm still just riding the Peyton blew it hard high lol. Anyways, heres to next year!
