TheFinisher
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The off-season is about to be full steam ahead next week with FA kicking off. With some of the moves we made this week, cutting Sensy and tagging Spencer, I'm wondering how this changes how you view our needs and the order of importance.
1. Safety
I really want to put RT or interior OL here and would have no problem with the team spending our 1st to address either, but releasing Sensabaugh has thrown a wrench into this for me. We cannot go into the season with Church coming off an achilles injury and either Matt Johnson/Danny McCray as our plan A at the safety positions. That's a disaster waiting to happen, and as we stand we have the worst Safety situation in the league heading into the off-season. MUST be addressed.
2. C/OG
We re-signed Costa and have Mack and Livings under contract for a few more seaons, so unlike Safety we at least have some insurance policy at the interior OL. But that's not to say we should consider ourselves "set" at the positions. We need to bring in at least 1 guy, whether it's C or OG, to challenge for the job... and preferably it's an upgrade in talent.
3. OT
Free was our worst lineman last season and I don't expect him to return, but luckily we have a possible replacement already on the roster in Jeremy Parnell. But, he's a little bit of an unknown and we could use someone to challenge for the job as insurance policy. Also, it's important in today's league to have a quality swing Tackle off the bench.
4. RB
This is a bigger need than it should be because of the question marks surrounding DeMarco Murray and his ability to stay on the field. He fell in the draft due to durability concerns, and while he's great when healthy, those durability concerns have stayed with him in the NFL. With Felix likely done in Dallas we have the opportunity to bring in another back, but it can't be a "compliment" back... we need to almost plan like Murray isn't on the team. Luckily, starting quality backs can be found after Round 1 and all the way through the middle rounds.
5. OLB
Carter and Lee are entrenched into 2 LB spots, but what are we doing about the 3rd? We've been drafting 3-4 LBs for years and unfortunately guys like Albright and Wilbur are odd fits in this new scheme. Sims or Connor might be an option as a stopgap, but neither are longterm answers at Sam and if we have the opportunity to grab a legitimate starter we need to pull the trigger.
6. DE
Even if Spencer stays for this season, his future is up in the air and we don't have legitimate options to replace him. Crawford lacks the athleticism and quick-twitch ability to be an effective edge rusher, he'll likely slide inside in the new scheme. Outside of Ware and Spencer who are the edge rushers under contract?? It's a critical position in this new D that requires quality depth.
7. DT
A rotation of Ratliff, Hatcher, Crawford and Lissemore is pretty solid but both starters are on the wrong side of 30 and neither would be confused with pro-bowl talent. We're OK there if we don't address it this off-season, but if an opportunity arises where we can land a blue chip 3-tech we need to think long and hard about it.
8. WR
When Dez and Miles are healthy they are a fantastic duo on the outside and Harris can hold his own in the slot. The problem, Miles is hamstung too often and when he goes down we don't really have another WR on the roster who can win consistently opposite Dez on the outside. He also has not lived up to the contract extension and we would be wise to start grooming an eventual replacement. Even if Miles is healthy, he's someone who can slide into the slot leaving another opportunity for an outside WR to step in and make plays. We could use another WR with the height/weight/speed combination of a Dez or Miles.
1. Safety
I really want to put RT or interior OL here and would have no problem with the team spending our 1st to address either, but releasing Sensabaugh has thrown a wrench into this for me. We cannot go into the season with Church coming off an achilles injury and either Matt Johnson/Danny McCray as our plan A at the safety positions. That's a disaster waiting to happen, and as we stand we have the worst Safety situation in the league heading into the off-season. MUST be addressed.
2. C/OG
We re-signed Costa and have Mack and Livings under contract for a few more seaons, so unlike Safety we at least have some insurance policy at the interior OL. But that's not to say we should consider ourselves "set" at the positions. We need to bring in at least 1 guy, whether it's C or OG, to challenge for the job... and preferably it's an upgrade in talent.
3. OT
Free was our worst lineman last season and I don't expect him to return, but luckily we have a possible replacement already on the roster in Jeremy Parnell. But, he's a little bit of an unknown and we could use someone to challenge for the job as insurance policy. Also, it's important in today's league to have a quality swing Tackle off the bench.
4. RB
This is a bigger need than it should be because of the question marks surrounding DeMarco Murray and his ability to stay on the field. He fell in the draft due to durability concerns, and while he's great when healthy, those durability concerns have stayed with him in the NFL. With Felix likely done in Dallas we have the opportunity to bring in another back, but it can't be a "compliment" back... we need to almost plan like Murray isn't on the team. Luckily, starting quality backs can be found after Round 1 and all the way through the middle rounds.
5. OLB
Carter and Lee are entrenched into 2 LB spots, but what are we doing about the 3rd? We've been drafting 3-4 LBs for years and unfortunately guys like Albright and Wilbur are odd fits in this new scheme. Sims or Connor might be an option as a stopgap, but neither are longterm answers at Sam and if we have the opportunity to grab a legitimate starter we need to pull the trigger.
6. DE
Even if Spencer stays for this season, his future is up in the air and we don't have legitimate options to replace him. Crawford lacks the athleticism and quick-twitch ability to be an effective edge rusher, he'll likely slide inside in the new scheme. Outside of Ware and Spencer who are the edge rushers under contract?? It's a critical position in this new D that requires quality depth.
7. DT
A rotation of Ratliff, Hatcher, Crawford and Lissemore is pretty solid but both starters are on the wrong side of 30 and neither would be confused with pro-bowl talent. We're OK there if we don't address it this off-season, but if an opportunity arises where we can land a blue chip 3-tech we need to think long and hard about it.
8. WR
When Dez and Miles are healthy they are a fantastic duo on the outside and Harris can hold his own in the slot. The problem, Miles is hamstung too often and when he goes down we don't really have another WR on the roster who can win consistently opposite Dez on the outside. He also has not lived up to the contract extension and we would be wise to start grooming an eventual replacement. Even if Miles is healthy, he's someone who can slide into the slot leaving another opportunity for an outside WR to step in and make plays. We could use another WR with the height/weight/speed combination of a Dez or Miles.
