To date I think they've done a very good job of assembling the bottom part of the roster. I was very happy with the extensions given to Ninkovich, Aiken, LeVoir, Kaczur, Alexander, and Connolly.
The problem is, they've yet to replace some of the talent at the top of the roster that they've lost over the past few seasons. That's just as important when building a 53-man roster.
This is where I disagree. We lack nothing at the top of the roster, compared to any team. We've been more top heavy since 2007 than we ever were before. It was a process. I have reviewed the history and I am certain that the following occured:
1) As of 03-04 it was impossible to retain the talent level on the team as contract matured. We couldn't afford to keep everyone (we probably would have needed 50-75% more cap to do that) and the ones that left exited cap slots that were nowhere near enough to replace them with equal talent.
2) Given the inability to continue to stock the roster in the same manner (that overperforming middle class is exactly what changed, look at cap numbers for players 18-30 in 2004 and 2009) BB decided (or it evolved decision by decision) to overcome the holes with more areas of greatness (see best O in history in 2007) and what suffered was that middle class. I think the bottom of the roster is simply a function of coaching up young players and good evaluation of on the cusp guys not a personnell strategy.
3) We 'evolved' from a team thats strength was in having no weaknesses, no liabilities to be picked on, to a team that was top heavy, with more inadequecies, holes, and liabilities. It showed up in the 06 and 07 playoffs, it showed up in 08 without Brady, and it made its statement in 09. We have continued to beat up average and bad teams, and we have continued to lose to teams who can match up their best strength against our liablity.
IMO, we don't need big name players, we don't need 'stars'. We need to eliminate the liabilities.
The liabilities I see are:
OFFENSE
-OL can be in rare cases a liability against a top front 7. Vollmer will help overcome that, a backup/replacement for Neal is a possible need.
-WR? With Moss and Welker, not to mention Edelman, I think its crazy to call this spot anything but excellent, as good as any team. Due to Welker's injury, a 2/3 guy to come in shores up the hole. We don't need 3 all-pro WRs, we just need a reliable fill in if Welker starts late or slow.
-RB? I'm fine with what we have, assuming they come back. Not a greatness but far from a liability.
-TE? Clearly a hole, but we can fill it so many ways, I'm not concerned. Grab some versatile guys who can contribute in the blocking game first and passing game 2 nd and thats enough, any more is gravy.
DEFENSE
-DL? Warren-Wilfork-Wright is fine. We need depth. No huge moves needed.
-ILB? Not a liability, especially assuming McKenzie comes along. Could use vet jag.
OLB? This is the biggest liability. In 06-07 when we were in tight games, QBs found the secondary weakness, that we were SLOW and couldnt cover man to man (Harrison and Gay were tooled in the SB loss, for example) In 2009 we improved this area, but the lack of pass rush made it hard to realize. In 06-08 we couldn't cover for very long (some guys) then in 09 we could cover longer, but had to cover much longer. TBC is effective, as the 2nd or 3rd OLB. We must address this. I don't care that we didn't get Peppers. We don't need a Ware or Freeney who grabs headlines with one-dimensional play, we need SOLID all around OLBs who can play the run and rush the QB, and at least one of which can cover. TBC is the closest we have to that on the roster....I cold live with him as the 2nd best, but 3rd best would make me happier.
CB- If we keep Bodden, I think we are fine here, assuming we probably add another jag and a draft choice. I expect Butler to start and be very good this season. Wilhite, Springs, Wheatley, a jag and a rookie are fine by me to fight out the depth.
S- We are fine here IMO. Solid, deep and young.
My Goals for the offseason
1) Fix the OLB position, make it solid, don't worry about big names 15 sck guys, get all-around players.
2) Starting corner, Bodden would be fine.
3) 2/3 type WR
4) Solid vet players at C/G, DE, CB(Springs if he stays)
5) Get some TEs
6) UPGRADE DEPTH WHEREEVER POSSIBLE
7) Draft value
