Well guys/gals, looks like we're going to have

[Woods]

to start the "rebuilding" process over again pretty soon.

Hopefully, however, it won't take too long to rebuild.

To me, at least, several trends are clear.

1. This team has problems winning in December, which is the kiss of death if you want to make it far in the playoffs, IMO.

2. Once our defensive schemes get figured out, we are unable to make necessary adjustments.

3. On offense, we have to upgrade the OL asap. As for JJ, I don't know what's wrong, but I wouldn't mind taking a RB in the 1st, if a good one is available.

4. On defense, my God, what a nightmare. Where to begin? It MUST be at DC, IMO. After that, we need one more pressure player opposite Ware.

5. In the Secondary, we need to draft a CB/Safety type.

I'm not sure what's happened to our defense the last few weeks, but I refuse to believe that we're this bad. Now, I'm NOT saying we're so GOOD, but honestly, I've got to think that the players on the defensive side of the ball have lost confidence in the coaching staff and in their own abilities.

Simply said, we are UNDERPERFORMING with the talent on this team. It really wouldn't surprise me that with just 1, maybe 2, players on defense (one in the secondary and one in the front 7), we can be a solid defense, if not a very good defense.

My BIGGEST concern is that our poor play on defense carries over to next season - esp. the lack of confidence. One way to alleviate this concern is to change the coaching staff on that side of the ball. Start fresh.

I think that will happen, esp. after today's debacle.

[The30YardSlant]

We really don't need much "rebuilding"....

All we really need a is a remolded O-Line, a true franchise back and a FS who can cover and we're set (a new DC wouldnt hurt, either).

[Wolfpack]

Great post


to start the "rebuilding" process over again pretty soon.

Hopefully, however, it won't take too long to rebuild.

To me, at least, several trends are clear.

1. This team has problems winning in December, which is the kiss of death if you want to make it far in the playoffs, IMO.

No question, that why you pay coaches the big bucks

2. Once our defensive schemes get figured out, we are unable to make necessary adjustments.

See above comment

3. On offense, we have to upgrade the OL asap. As for JJ, I don't know what's wrong, but I wouldn't mind taking a RB in the 1st, if a good one is available.

OL is bad, it has been the albatoss of this team all year. An OL coach would be a start. On that note, an offensive coordinator just might help as well.

4. On defense, my God, what a nightmare. Where to begin? It MUST be at DC, IMO. After that, we need one more pressure player opposite Ware.

Certainly the DC position is under review. If Zimmer is back, then he has pictures of Jerry and farm animals.

5. In the Secondary, we need to draft a CB/Safety type.

I like Watkins, I think the scheme stunk..the one that left him deep by himself all year. CB/S would be near the bottom of any draft chart of mine.

I'm not sure what's happened to our defense the last few weeks, but I refuse to believe that we're this bad. Now, I'm NOT saying we're so GOOD, but honestly, I've got to think that the players on the defensive side of the ball have lost confidence in the coaching staff and in their own abilities.

Clearly something is rotten...

Simply said, we are UNDERPERFORMING with the talent on this team. It really wouldn't surprise me that with just 1, maybe 2, players on defense (one in the secondary and one in the front 7), we can be a solid defense, if not a very good defense.

I think a Belichik type makes this a top 5 defense easy...hell zim had it there for a few weeks. No players needed...please draft OL.

My BIGGEST concern is that our poor play on defense carries over to next season - esp. the lack of confidence. One way to alleviate this concern is to change the coaching staff on that side of the ball. Start fresh.

Agree.

I think that will happen, esp. after today's debacle.

[big dog cowboy]

We really don't need much "rebuilding"....
I completely agree. If Sean Payton and his staff were coaching the Cowboys this year the "rebuilding" job you advocate would be called "upgrading depth".

[Yakuza Rich]

2. Once our defensive schemes get figured out, we are unable to make necessary adjustments.

The scheme wasn't figured out, it's just Zimmer doesn't know how to disguise a blitz and we rarely stunt or zone blitz. The 3-4 is still working well in SD, New England, and Pittsburgh....but they've got D-Coordinators with a clue.

3. On offense, we have to upgrade the OL asap. As for JJ, I don't know what's wrong, but I wouldn't mind taking a RB in the 1st, if a good one is available.

Not when you have Barber. Better off finding another 3rd down back and making Barber the starter. The O-Line's problem is Rivera sucks and Flozell is one of those left tackles who's just good enough to get you beat. But Kosier, Gurode and Colombo aren't the problems and really Flozell isn't either (and we still scored 31 points).

5. In the Secondary, we need to draft a CB/Safety type.

Get rid of Bradie James first. The Lions game plan was pretty simple in that they had Furrey run short patterns, mostly crossing routes on James and then they peppered James with passes to others as well. James got picked on badly today. Thus, it became hard for them to pressure the passer when the short pass was open and when others tried to help out, the Lions could just go deep. I don't think the secondary played all that bad, but James was god awful and may be the worst starting LB in the game and that is just not giving the defense much of a chance.

I'm not sure what's happened to our defense the last few weeks, but I refuse to believe that we're this bad. Now, I'm NOT saying we're so GOOD, but honestly, I've got to think that the players on the defensive side of the ball have lost confidence in the coaching staff and in their own abilities.

The talent is there. Ware is one of the best players in the league...he's that damn good. Newman is a great CB and Roy is still a very good safety. Ayodele is solid, Ferguson is a very good NG and while Spears and Canty aren't exactly lighting things up, they are decent enough. Watkins played well today and Henry and Glenn are about as good of a #2 and #3 CB's you're going to find. But it's all for not if you can't rush the passer decently and if your starting ILB (James) is a free-for-all for opposing offenses.

My BIGGEST concern is that our poor play on defense carries over to next season - esp. the lack of confidence. One way to alleviate this concern is to change the coaching staff on that side of the ball. Start fresh.

My biggest concern is that we're going to ditch the 3-4 when that's not the issue or we'll stick with James because we signed him an extension and he has experience and that we'll stick with Zimmer because they'll blame "lack of execution" for the defense's poor performance. We're not in rebuilding mode by any stretch, but there's a lot of things that must be done or the roof will cave in. We've got a pretty young roster with some good young players, but we've got too many bad players and some coaches that don't have a clue on how to turn things around.


YAKUZA

[Woods]

Then do you guys think there will be a change with the DC at the minimum in 2007?

I just can't see JJ sticking with the status quo.

[windward]

Rebuilding is the wrong word imo, I think this team is a few pieces (DC, passrusher, OL FS) from seriously contending.

[windward]

Then do you guys think there will be a change with the DC at the minimum in 2007?

I just can't see JJ sticking with the status quo.
We will have a new DC.

[Bleu Star]

We really don't need much "rebuilding"....



I agree. In today's day and age you can turn a team around in an off season if your organization dedicates itself to making that happen unequivocally. Whatever it takes... It can be done.

Case in point:

Jets
Saints

[Woods]

Rebuilding is the wrong word imo, I think this team is a few pieces (DC, passrusher, OL FS) from seriously contending.

Yes, I think you're right.

Maybe the right word is upgrading about 3-4 positions and hiring a new DC.

Though I wonder if BP really has the stomach to come back . . . .

[The30YardSlant]

IMO, this offseason we need to do 3 things:

1: Fire Zimmer, barring an epic playoff run by the defense, and hope Romeo Crennel gets canned and get him to run the defense. If not, then go to the college ranks for a guy like Mike Stoops. (For the record, I am not in the fire Parcells camp yet, as I believe he will lead us to a great run in the playoffs).

2: Throw every last cent you possibly can at Adalius Thomas from Baltimore if he isnt franchised. Go back to the 4-3, put him opposite Ware with Akin Ayodele manning the middle with Canty, Fergy, Spears and Ellis up front.

3: Find a new LT and RG. Hopefully, we can get one in the draft, and then sign the best available at the other position.

[windward]

IMO, this offseason we need to do 3 things:

1: Fire Zimmer, barring an epic playoff run by the defense, and hope Romeo Crennel gets canned and get him to run the defense. If not, then go to the college ranks for a guy like Mike Stoops. (For the record, I am not in the fire Parcells camp yet, as I believe he will lead us to a great run in the playoffs).

2: Throw every last cent you possibly can at Adalius Thomas from Baltimore if he isnt franchised. Go back to the 4-3, put him opposite Ware with Akin Ayodele manning the middle with Canty, Fergy, Spears and Ellis up front.

3: Find a new LT and RG. Hopefully, we can get one in the draft, and then sign the best available at the other position.
1. I agree

2.I agree

3. I agree. I don't kn ow if McQuistan will be the answer or not but we should hedge our bets. Justin Blalock would be an excellent first round pick imo.

[AbeBeta]

Great post

Disagree. 9-7 teams need tweeking. Some of y'all are spoiled by the SBs in the past.

Oh yeah. The FREAKING SEASON IS NOT OVER YET.

[Woods]

IMO, this offseason we need to do 3 things:

1: Fire Zimmer, barring an epic playoff run by the defense, and hope Romeo Crennel gets canned and get him to run the defense. If not, then go to the college ranks for a guy like Mike Stoops. (For the record, I am not in the fire Parcells camp yet, as I believe he will lead us to a great run in the playoffs).

2: Throw every last cent you possibly can at Adalius Thomas from Baltimore if he isnt franchised. Go back to the 4-3, put him opposite Ware with Akin Ayodele manning the middle with Canty, Fergy, Spears and Ellis up front.

3: Find a new LT and RG. Hopefully, we can get one in the draft, and then sign the best available at the other position.


I sometimes wonder what a coach like BB of the Pats could do with our roster assuming NO changes in players.

I agree we should go after A. Thomas and upgrade the OL, but I think the first thing JJ needs to decide after this season ends is whether BP is/wants to come back, and right after that upgrade the DC position.

And IMO, it is UNACCEPTABLE if BP takes like 4 weeks to decide after our season ends if he's coming back or not. A lot of potentially good coaches/coordinators will be scooped up by then.

[The30YardSlant]

1. I agree

2.I agree

3. I agree. I don't kn ow if McQuistan will be the answer or not but we should hedge our bets. Justin Blalock would be an excellent first round pick imo.

I agree, I really like Blalock out of Texas. He would be an ideal player, especially considering he can dominate at both tackle and guard.

[noletime95]

Does anyone think Mcquinston is the answer at LT long term?

[Woods]

Does anyone think Mcquinston is the answer at LT long term?

I think he could be, but I'd still want to draft a guy to challenge him.

[22Cowboys21]

We NEED to do SOMETHING!

[big dog cowboy]

1: Fire Zimmer, barring an epic playoff run by the defense, and hope Romeo Crennel gets canned and get him to run the defense. If not, then go to the college ranks for a guy like Mike Stoops. (For the record, I am not in the fire Parcells camp yet, as I believe he will lead us to a great run in the playoffs).

2: Throw every last cent you possibly can at Adalius Thomas from Baltimore if he isnt franchised. Go back to the 4-3, put him opposite Ware with Akin Ayodele manning the middle with Canty, Fergy, Spears and Ellis up front.

3: Find a new LT and RG. Hopefully, we can get one in the draft, and then sign the best available at the other position.
That is a great start HH. I'd also add another quality CB and WR to replace TO.

[The30YardSlant]

That is a great start HH. I'd also add another quality CB and WR to replace TO.

I don't have any problem keeping TO. He has not been the problem this year. If he can get through the offseason without piping off, I say keep him.

As far as CB, I wouldnt mind moving Henry to FS and getting a quality corner, but it will depend on how good a corner we can get. Henry is struggling, but he isnt bad.

[windward]

I don't have any problem keeping TO. He has not been the problem this year. If he can get through the offseason without piping off, I say keep him.

As far as CB, I wouldnt mind moving Henry to FS and getting a quality corner, but it will depend on how good a corner we can get. Henry is struggling, but he isnt bad.
Is Asante Samuel available. Him or Nate Clements would be a good number two corner if we move Henry.

[The30YardSlant]

Is Asante Samuel available. Him or Nate Clements would be a good number two corner if we move Henry.

Samuel? No

However, I'd jump on Clements so fast the Bills would think we kidnapped him.

[Rockytop6]

Disagree. 9-7 teams need tweeking. Some of y'all are spoiled by the SBs in the past.

Oh yeah. The FREAKING SEASON IS NOT OVER YET.


Yeah, not winning one playoff game in ten years will certainly spoil a guy alright.

[kevsstang]

1. I agree

2.I agree

3. I agree. I don't kn ow if McQuistan will be the answer or not but we should hedge our bets. Justin Blalock would be an excellent first round pick imo.

I hope we sign Justin Blalock for RG. Gurode, Blalock and Colombo would be a start.

[Aikbach]

I completely agree. If Sean Payton and his staff were coaching the Cowboys this year the "rebuilding" job you advocate would be called "upgrading depth".I have to ask in general what is so great about Sean Payton? 10-6 with an offensively balanced ball club in a weak conference is not all that impressive upon further review.

Parcells did that with a less talented Dallas team some years ago, so they blasted Dallas, the Cowboys have already proven that they aren't very good, it should've been evident opening day truthfully.

Payton is the flavor of the month but I remeber Jim Fassel being the toast of New York for going 10-5-1 in 1997 and winning a weak East and Payton being a hero on that same club in 2000 when they went 12-4 and then were dominated in the Super Bowl but the very next season he fell out of favor and in two seasons after that Fassel became the Giants goat.

The NFL is capricious and I honestly do not forsee any long term success for the Saints.

Dallas is awful and the Saints are better but that doesn't mean a whole lot.