Verdict
11-08-2004, 12:08 AM
Some tough decisions regarding personnel are gonna have to be made this off season, and this team is going to have decide what type of team it wants to be.
DEFENSE
The defense is really in transition. I really question whether Glover is the answer on the D. Line. The Saints let him go for a reason. I thought it was for cap reasons initally, but now I see it differently. Glover is only effective when he has a huge run stuffer playing next to him requiring double teams. I think that is a waste of cap space. If you are going to pay a guy like a pro-bowler he should be able to cause some havoc on his own, not rely solely on another dominant D.L. to free him up. Glover is OK, but i think I'd look to "possibly" trade him as he does have some value.
The same is true of our linebackers. Our current philosophy is to have the D. Line tie up things so our backers can make an impact. This only works if you have a HOG up front like a Ted Washington (I'm not advocating him, just a younger version of him). Our run defense is fair, but especially suspect on a short yardage basis. If it is 1st and Goal on the 5 you might as well count it as 6 points with this defense.
We need a cover corner in the worst way. Then again, our safety play (excluding Roy) is mediocre at best. We need a true free safety, because true shut down cover corners are just too hard to come by. The good news is, relatively speaking, I think we could get a decent free safety in free agency, or in the middle rounds of the draft.
Next seasons DEFENSIVE MUST haves in my opinion are:
1. dominant defensive lineman-huge run stuffing type
2. true free safety (in lieu of paying a cover corner huge bucks)
3. Solid defensive end- Wiley isnt the answer
4. run stuffing linebacker-we need more size in our linebacker corps
OFFENSE
Vinnie isnt the greatest thing since sliced bread, but he has been ok. Historically he has always been a good athlete, but kills you with poor decisions. Looks like Henson is gonna get the reins in 2005.
Running Back- Julius Jones is a nonfactor this year so far because of injury. Lee hasnt been trusted for whatever reason, George needs be put out to pasture, Bickerstaff is injured. Anderson is long in the tooth. .....I say we need to draft or acquire a starting caliber back for next year. Even if Jones is a stud, injuries usually pile up at RB. Depth is critical at RB, and we dont have it now.
Our offensive line looks ok, but L. Allen needs to be put out to pasture.
Our tight ends look good.
We need to draft an impact receiver, or acquire one in free agency.
Offensive MUST HAVES:
1. Impact Wide Receiver
2. Starting Quality Running Back (even if Julius is capable of starting)
In conclusion, this team has some playmakers, but it needs to fill a few holes and add depth to really contend for a playoff run. If Henson isnt the answer at QB, we havent seen the worst of it.
DEFENSE
The defense is really in transition. I really question whether Glover is the answer on the D. Line. The Saints let him go for a reason. I thought it was for cap reasons initally, but now I see it differently. Glover is only effective when he has a huge run stuffer playing next to him requiring double teams. I think that is a waste of cap space. If you are going to pay a guy like a pro-bowler he should be able to cause some havoc on his own, not rely solely on another dominant D.L. to free him up. Glover is OK, but i think I'd look to "possibly" trade him as he does have some value.
The same is true of our linebackers. Our current philosophy is to have the D. Line tie up things so our backers can make an impact. This only works if you have a HOG up front like a Ted Washington (I'm not advocating him, just a younger version of him). Our run defense is fair, but especially suspect on a short yardage basis. If it is 1st and Goal on the 5 you might as well count it as 6 points with this defense.
We need a cover corner in the worst way. Then again, our safety play (excluding Roy) is mediocre at best. We need a true free safety, because true shut down cover corners are just too hard to come by. The good news is, relatively speaking, I think we could get a decent free safety in free agency, or in the middle rounds of the draft.
Next seasons DEFENSIVE MUST haves in my opinion are:
1. dominant defensive lineman-huge run stuffing type
2. true free safety (in lieu of paying a cover corner huge bucks)
3. Solid defensive end- Wiley isnt the answer
4. run stuffing linebacker-we need more size in our linebacker corps
OFFENSE
Vinnie isnt the greatest thing since sliced bread, but he has been ok. Historically he has always been a good athlete, but kills you with poor decisions. Looks like Henson is gonna get the reins in 2005.
Running Back- Julius Jones is a nonfactor this year so far because of injury. Lee hasnt been trusted for whatever reason, George needs be put out to pasture, Bickerstaff is injured. Anderson is long in the tooth. .....I say we need to draft or acquire a starting caliber back for next year. Even if Jones is a stud, injuries usually pile up at RB. Depth is critical at RB, and we dont have it now.
Our offensive line looks ok, but L. Allen needs to be put out to pasture.
Our tight ends look good.
We need to draft an impact receiver, or acquire one in free agency.
Offensive MUST HAVES:
1. Impact Wide Receiver
2. Starting Quality Running Back (even if Julius is capable of starting)
In conclusion, this team has some playmakers, but it needs to fill a few holes and add depth to really contend for a playoff run. If Henson isnt the answer at QB, we havent seen the worst of it.