Last 4 seasons:
2008 - 11-5 (+101 point diff), missed playoffs
2009 - 10-6 (+142 point diff), lost in WC round
2010 - 14-2 (+205 point diff), lost in divisional round
2011 - 13-3 (+171 point diff), won AFCCG, lost in SB (lots of salary cap space, 2 first-round picks)
Now, maybe I'm crazy, but that looks like a team on the *ascent*, not a team on the decline.
PS: Compare it with this team...
2009 - 9-7 (+112 point diff), lost in AFCCG
2010 - 11-5 (+63 point diff), lost in AFCCG
2011 - 8-8 (+14 point diff), missed playoffs (very little cap space)
2008 - 11-5 (+101 point diff), missed playoffs
2009 - 10-6 (+142 point diff), lost in WC round
2010 - 14-2 (+205 point diff), lost in divisional round
2011 - 13-3 (+171 point diff), won AFCCG, lost in SB (lots of salary cap space, 2 first-round picks)
Now, maybe I'm crazy, but that looks like a team on the *ascent*, not a team on the decline.
PS: Compare it with this team...
2009 - 9-7 (+112 point diff), lost in AFCCG
2010 - 11-5 (+63 point diff), lost in AFCCG
2011 - 8-8 (+14 point diff), missed playoffs (very little cap space)