Having seen the playoff's what do we need to win?

[MoLewisrocks]

Does anybody on these boards watch the games?

Honestly...

The Steelers were clicking on all cylinders in the first half. They went cold as a mackrel thereafter (and the loss of their Center Pouncy was a large part of that) and didn't score another point. The JETS had excellent field position handed to them on several occasions, and while they got hot in spurts in the second half, the Steelers D was able to rise up when it mattered most.

Similar scenario played out in the NFC game as well. That game underscored how difficult it is for even an elite defense to counter the unknown x factor QB...but down the stretch they rose up and did.

Brady played better than any QB in the final 4. But it was defense that carried the day for both teams and I imagine it will be a similar battle in Dallas.

We need to round out the rebuild by upgrading the trenches. We may not even need the so-called pure pass rusher (or some elite RB or deep threat) if we do that. Having a $20M FA pass rusher didn't do the trick for the Bears at the end of the most important day of their season...

Our offense is plenty potent as is. It needs to be more balanced to facilitate both the ground game and play action, but that starts at the LOS with a more physical OL that can handle itself without consistent help and open some holes or hold their blocks when push comes to shove. Our defense is young and fast but we need another stud DL to go with Wilfork and Warren and a stud OLB to make the front 7 a force behind what should be an excellent secondary provided Bodden shows up. How much they can focus on defense in the draft depends on whether they can get Mankins signed and extend Light while they retool that OL for the remainder of Brady's career. He's not the problem and frankly I don't think he will ever become one. I think he will play as long as he can and bow out when he senses he can't. And I don't forsee the latter happening for another 5-6 years baring truly debilitating injury which a top tier OL (and DL) will also mitigate paying mega dividends.

And while RB could certainly be upgraded and will need to be augmented with the parting of at least a couple of aging veterans including one who couldn't justify a roster spot all season, it won't matter as much unless they upgrade the OL. Mendenhall was a first rounder but not a difference maker until his 3rd season behind an upgraded OL. Starks on the other hand made a difference in year one after being drafted in Brady range...

 

[Ring 6]

Honestly...

The Steelers were clicking on all cylinders in the first half. They went cold as a mackrel thereafter (and the loss of their Center Pouncy was a large part of that) and didn't score another point. The JETS had excellent field position handed to them on several occasions, and while they got hot in spurts in the second half, the Steelers D was able to rise up when it mattered most.

Similar scenario played out in the NFC game as well. That game underscored how difficult it is for even an elite defense to counter the unknown x factor QB...but down the stretch they rose up and did.

Brady played better than any QB in the final 4. But it was defense that carried the day for both teams and I imagine it will be a similar battle in Dallas.

We need to round out the rebuild by upgrading the trenches. We may not even need the so-called pure pass rusher (or some elite RB or deep threat) if we do that. Having a $20M FA pass rusher didn't do the trick for the Bears at the end of the most important day of their season...

Our offense is plenty potent as is. It needs to be more balanced to facilitate both the ground game and play action, but that starts at the LOS with a more physical OL that can handle itself without consistent help and open some holes or hold their blocks when push comes to shove. Our defense is young and fast but we need another stud DL to go with Wilfork and Warren and a stud OLB to make the front 7 a force behind what should be an excellent secondary provided Bodden shows up. How much they can focus on defense in the draft depends on whether they can get Mankins signed and extend Light while they retool that OL for the remainder of Brady's career. He's not the problem and frankly I don't think he will ever become one. I think he will play as long as he can and bow out when he senses he can't. And I don't forsee the latter happening for another 5-6 years baring truly debilitating injury which a top tier OL (and DL) will also mitigate paying mega dividends.

And while RB could certainly be upgraded and will need to be augmented with the parting of at least a couple of aging veterans including one who couldn't justify a roster spot all season, it won't matter as much unless they upgrade the OL. Mendenhall was a first rounder but not a difference maker until his 3rd season behind an upgraded OL. Starks on the other hand made a difference in year one after being drafted in Brady range...

The difference between the SB years and the last few years is that we go thorugh a regular season and anyone watching knows their only chance of beating us is creating a gameplan that negates Brady. When you know that is your only chance, and you know it is THAT difficult you take all the risks you need to. You create a defensive game plan that is all or nothing. If you execute it and get a few breaks you win.
That causes us to take our #1 strength and make it stare into the teeth of the tiger. Brady's job is made more difficult, and is done so by the combination of:
1) No one believes we can or will run it down their throat if they dare us
2) We are so successful throwing it, arguably we are stupid to go away from that no matter what
3) We don't have a defense we can trust to win a game when we take the air out of the ball

That iis what needs to change, and frankly, I don't think there ismuch personell change required to get there.

 

[SanAngeloState]

Not enough strength on the DL to stop the run.

Not enough pass rushing.

Not a strong enough running game to run it all day.

No deep threat to spread the field.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I think the biggest problem is we've become eerily similar to the Colts in our attitude. It goes like this: Punting is bad; field goals are bad; if throw an interception, we'll lose; if let the other team hang around, we'll lose.

We just have to accept that in the playoffs, you rarely see a perfect offense or a perfect quarterback. 2009 was a fluke season where Manning and Brees played pretty darn well up until the SB. For the most part, championships are won in spite of offensive mistakes.

 

[Ring 6]

I think the biggest problem is we've become eerily similar to the Colts in our attitude. It goes like this: Punting is bad; field goals are bad; if throw an interception, we'll lose; if let the other team hang around, we'll lose.

We just have to accept that in the playoffs, you rarely see a perfect offense or a perfect quarterback. 2009 was a fluke season where Manning and Brees played pretty darn well up until the SB. For the most part, championships are won in spite of offensive mistakes.

I dont see that in our attitude at all.
I still see, everyone do your job, protect the football, dont give up the big play.
I also see do what you do best, and unfortunately, a team has jumped up and been able to find a scheme to limit that in the playoffs, and we haven't overcome that.

 

[luvbrain]

Our offense is plenty potent as is. It needs to be more balanced to facilitate both the ground game and play action, but that starts at the LOS with a more physical OL that can handle itself without consistent help and open some holes or hold their blocks when push comes to shove. Our defense is young and fast but we need another stud DL to go with Wilfork and Warren and a stud OLB to make the front 7 a force behind what should be an excellent secondary provided Bodden shows up. How much they can focus on defense in the draft depends on whether they can get Mankins signed and extend Light while they retool that OL for the remainder of Brady's career. He's not the problem and frankly I don't think he will ever become one. I think he will play as long as he can and bow out when he senses he can't. And I don't forsee the latter happening for another 5-6 years baring truly debilitating injury which a top tier OL (and DL) will also mitigate paying mega dividends.

This. I think we haven't had anyone who has replaced Richard Seymour. Another DL like Seymour should help us tremendously.

 

[mgteich]

We haven't replaced Seymour, McGinest or Vrabel, or even Jarvis Green.

This. I think we haven't had anyone who has replaced Richard Seymour. Another DL like Seymour should help us tremendously.

 

[JoeShmoe]

I would put the OL at the top of our list. We need to sign Mankins back and find at another mauler for C or the other G position. Allow the offense to be more balanced in the play offs and to sustain longer drives. A deep threat at WR would be nice also.

I am all for improving our defense but I didnt think they played poorly at all in the lose to the NYJ. I think they were the victom of poor field position and too much time on the field. If a stud pass rusher could be had that is great, but, Cunningham could be that man. A dominant DE would also be nice but Warren is coming back. Warren, Wilfork, and pretty much anybody is an impressive line. I would like the rotation of Wright and all the younge DL players we have.

Injuries could certainly change my thinking but I am very optimistic about our D

Id agree with this. The Brady pick and one fluke 60 yard catch plus the poor special teams meant the D always started in their own half. I'm not as sold on a pure pass rusher as some are. The smash mouth teams like the Ravens, Steelers and Jets you need a guy who can set the edge for 2 downs and then maybe a specialist 3rd down guy. With Warren coming back and Brace another year on we have a big front 3 with Wright and the young guys to sub.

What we need IMHO is a bigger OL (replace Koppen and leave Connoly as a back up). We need a FB and/or a big RB to compliment BJGE and play these smash mouth teams who dare us to run. If you're only ever going to rush 4 use those big TE's and pound it down their throats, gas them out

If we can come out of the draft with a top OC and OG, a DE, 3rd down OLB and a RB+FB in the lower rounds i'll be delighted

As has been said we need to be able to take the ball out of Brady's hands if we have to and have teams respect that

 

[mgteich]

It is interesting that worry about the offense so much when
1) We have one of the very best offenses in the nfl.
2) We have one of the very best quarterbacks in the nfl.
3) We have THE VERY WORST defense in the nfl with regard to defensing third down (and the worst that Belichick has ever coached).

BOTTOM LINE
Who has replaced the production of Seymour, Vrabel, McGinest and even Jarvis Green and Heath Evans.

We can match the offense well with past offenses. We can match well at NT, ILB and in the secondary.

Perhaps, we can't have it all. There are alwqays room for upgrades throughout the roster.
But, the positions of DE and OLB seem to stand out as needs, once we replace or re-sign those whose contracts are ending.

Id agree with this. The Brady pick and one fluke 60 yard catch plus the poor special teams meant the D always started in their own half. I'm not as sold on a pure pass rusher as some are. The smash mouth teams like the Ravens, Steelers and Jets you need a guy who can set the edge for 2 downs and then maybe a specialist 3rd down guy. With Warren coming back and Brace another year on we have a big front 3 with Wright and the young guys to sub.

What we need IMHO is a bigger OL (replace Koppen and leave Connoly as a back up). We need a FB and/or a big RB to compliment BJGE and play these smash mouth teams who dare us to run. If you're only ever going to rush 4 use those big TE's and pound it down their throats, gas them out

If we can come out of the draft with a top OC and OG, a DE, 3rd down OLB and a RB+FB in the lower rounds i'll be delighted

As has been said we need to be able to take the ball out of Brady's hands if we have to and have teams respect that

 

[JoeShmoe]

It is interesting that worry about the offense so much when
1) We have one of the very best offenses in the nfl.
2) We have one of the very best quarterbacks in the nfl.
3) We have THE VERY WORST defense in the nfl with regard to defensing third down (and the worst that Belichick has ever coached).

BOTTOM LINE
Who has replaced the production of Seymour, Vrabel, McGinest and even Jarvis Green and Heath Evans.

We can match the offense well with past offenses. We can match well at NT, ILB and in the secondary.

Perhaps, we can't have it all. There are alwqays room for upgrades throughout the roster.
But, the positions of DE and OLB seem to stand out as needs, once we replace or re-sign those whose contracts are ending.

Re; the Defense, id have agreed with you 6 weeks into the season but the last 7-8 weeks the D was much better. Next year we'll have 2 legitimate starters back in Warren and Bodden and the rookies will only improve (as will guys like Brace, Chung etc)

SB42 - we lose because the OL cant block 4 rushers, Brady is on his back
Ravens 2010 - we lose because both O and D were bad that day
Jets 2011 - Brady sacked 6 times with 4 pass rushers, game plan to drop 7-8 men into coverage

To me the D will improve with a few studs if we can draft them next year but until we shore up that OL and protect BY FAR our biggest asset against top rated defenses they will scheme to beat us