Now even more, Jerry is thinking we are SO CLOSE!

[LarryCanadian]

Thinking about it from his usual optimistic slant, Jerry is probably sitting there thinking:

In 2006/2007 we beat the Indi Colts in regular season, and they went on to win SuperBowl against the Bears.

In 2007/2008 we beat the Bears in the regular season who had gone to SuperBowl last year.

In 2007/2008 we beat the Giants twice and they "shouldn't have" beaten us (his mind, not mine, although the stats of game sure agree) in the playoffs. Then they go on and win the SuperBowl.

Throw in the victory over the Packers during regular season, etc.

By virtue of looking at it this way, Jerry MUST think this team truly is a contender. Just needs to get the playoff losses monkey off the back.

In a sense you can't really argue with that way of thinking.

My worry is the chemistry and toughness of players AND coaches. The team needs leaders, not worriers/whiners (Ellis) or over-rated, diminishing talents (Roy Williams) dragging it down.

Close but no cigar yet. I don't think this team is far away, and has the upside because of lots of young players that can still get better as well as 3 draft picks in the top 60 or so this April. I don't think this team is close enough to say trade away 3 picks and/or 3 players to get McFadden and we are pushed over the top.

I'm guessing Jones will be even more willing to spend money to fill in what he perceives are the shortcomings after watching the Giants win it all yesterday. He must be even more disappointed now. I think it's a much more positive sign than having NE kick the crud out of the Giants though. Perhaps the Giants were a much better team than most gave them credit for, and they certainly hit on their draft picks and had much better calibre backups than I ever gave them credit for.

Eli Manning will be even tougher than before now, with the monkey off his back, but I think it's still better to win against good teams anyway. Earn it. Get better by playing good opponents.

So close, but no cigar still.

So what is Jerry going to try to do to take that next step, that seems so little, but looms like the Grand Canyon for his players?

LarryCanadian

 

[windward]

Jerry's gonna do something big this offseason, hopefully it can put us over the top.

 

[tyke1doe]

I don't know who it was but shortly after the Cowboys playoff loss, a certain poster said we should trade for someone like Ray Lewis. I scoffed at the notion. But looking back on it, I think that would be a smart move, if it could be done without giving up too much and without limiting us cap wise.

We need a fiery veteran in that locker room, a player who will get in the face of players like Crayton and Bradie - players who like to run their mouths - and a player who knows what it takes to win a championship.

I don't know who's available, but we need someone like that in the locker room.

 

[The Panch]

You have some weird logic. Indy went from 9-0 to 12-4 last year. Plenty of teams started beating em.


The Bears went 7-9 this year. What does them losing a SB matter??


I dont know why people cant see that what you do in the regular season and who you do it do doesnt matter. It's what you do in the playoffs. We've been finding that out for 12 years.

 

[Woods]

We're not that far away at all, especially in the NFC.

But what we do need is more veteran leadership.

More guys who have won in the playoffs before.

And I still think we need to get 1 vet WR along side our rookie draft picks.

And I still think we need 1 solid 3rd CB to complement TNew and Henry.

If we also sign Hamlin and Flo with these FA pick-ups, we're in great shape heading into the Draft and into next season.

 

[Woods]

I don't know who it was but shortly after the Cowboys playoff loss, a certain poster said we should trade for someone like Ray Lewis. I scoffed at the notion. But looking back on it, I think that would be a smart move, if it could be done without giving up too much and without limiting us cap wise.

We need a fiery veteran in that locker room, a player who will get in the face of players like Crayton and Bradie - players who like to run their mouths - and a player who knows what it takes to win a championship.

I don't know who's available, but we need someone like that in the locker room.

Actually, who do we have on our team who has actually WON a playoff game, any playoff game?

Let's see

Hamlin (but wasn't he injured during the Seattle Super Bowl run?)
Fergy? But he didn't play this year anyway.
Brad Johnson, but he's not a starter.
TO

Who am I missing?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm afraid he will do something drastic, but I don't think he should. If we just add two good players with those two first rounders, plus a smart free agent acquisition or two, we'll be in good shape.

I don't think you can panic and go for a single player or two to put you over the top. Just add as many good ones as you can and keep plugging away. The reason the Pats are so good is because they consistently draft well and are smart in free agency. That gives them a chance every single year.

 

[batman36]

Woods, I think Anthony Henry, while still capable of playing well, is starting to slip. I think a new corner is needed sooner than later to replace him.

 

[canters]

I just hope he doesn't trade up for DMC. Roy Williams at WR looks nice. but lets get our FAs we want locked up first.

 

[Woods]

Woods, I think Anthony Henry, while still capable of playing well, is starting to slip. I think a new corner is needed sooner than later to replace him.

What I'd consider is getting a solid number 3 CB in FA. A dependable CB who is capable of starting in a pinch.

In the Draft, I'd use one of the 1st rounders on another CB to develop as a starter a year down the road.

So, we'd have TNew, Henry, FA acquisition, Round 1 Draft pick, and then Ball and Oglesby (sp?) battle it out for the number 5 position.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I don't think we're terribly far away and I'm hoping Jerry and company are able to make the moves, free agent wise and in the draft, to put us over the top.

But, we'll see. It's way to early in the offseason to even really begin to speculate or garner any sort of hope or promise.

 

[Woods]

I don't think we're terribly far away and I'm hoping Jerry and company are able to make the moves, free agent wise and in the draft, to put us over the top.

But, we'll see. It's way to early in the offseason to even really begin to speculate or garner any sort of hope or promise.

FA starts in less than a month.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Oh, I know. I just mean in the big picture thing. Free Agency, Draft, camp. We have to go into the year healthy and stay that way. Lots of things to have to think about between now and next january.

 

[Woods]

Oh, I know. I just mean in the big picture thing. Free Agency, Draft, camp. We have to go into the year healthy and stay that way. Lots of things to have to think about between now and next january.

I'd like it if we could sort out our coaching staff this week and hopefully start re-signing some of our own FAs over the next 2 weeks.

 

[Clove]

Add speed to the defense.

 

[theebs]

I'm afraid he will do something drastic, but I don't think he should. If we just add two good players with those two first rounders, plus a smart free agent acquisition or two, we'll be in good shape.

I don't think you can panic and go for a single player or two to put you over the top. Just add as many good ones as you can and keep plugging away. The reason the Pats are so good is because they consistently draft well and are smart in free agency. That gives them a chance every single year.

I fear a desperate jerry and the drastic move.

This offseason lines up as that time to me. We have a good team, it is the last season in the stadium and he needs to sell alot of tickets by next year at this time for the new stadium.

I am holding my breath from now until the draft.

 

[Aliencowboy]

Mock Draft/2nd chance at Cromartie
Here's the off-season game plan:

If Cromartie is available at #22, we cannot go find another
Carpenter again.

I think we can all agree on our weaknesses:

Weaknesses on Defense:
CB-
SS-
WSLB-


Weaknesses on Offense
-2nd receiver
-LG
-2nd RB

Draft:
#22 - a)Cromartie (or if he's gone)
b)Tracey Porter
These guys are playmakers that can cover.

#28-Trade for Roy Williams WR Detroit. Wants to go to Texas-Free agent next year. This might go.


2nd round pick: Carl Nicks: 6'5 330. Played OT in college but would make a nice guard. Let's invest now so we don't have to over pay for this position.
Tired of watching Kosier getting blown up.

Free Agency: Re-sign Floz. - He gets flagged- a little deaf but he shuts
down top pass rushers consistantly. 3 year deal.
Let Hamilton walk.
Sign Marcus Truffant
Move Henry to SS finally. Maybe he can tackle better if they are in front of him. He'll get 10 picks from this position like in the old days.
Yes, addition by subtraction- Cut Dough Boy Roy-too many
mistakes. No heart. Out of shape. The game has changed
and so has he. Give Watkins a shot at FS. It's his third year and he has the speed and height to take center field.

We'd have the CBs to match up with New England: Newman takes (Welker) the slot. Truffant Moss and Cromartie on the otherside. Henry covers TE. Watkins over Moss. Bring the blitzes like we imagined.

No lightening to Mario's thunder but maybe trade up for Slaton in the 3rd.
Can't get everything!!! :laugh2:

 

[Mansta54]

JJ should be thinking we're close, cause we are and should've been there this year. Hey look, congrats to the Giants but I'm just not impressed with them at all. I truely believe we're better then them and I'm prolly saying what most us feel.

 

[Doomsday101]

I fear a desperate jerry and the drastic move.

This offseason lines up as that time to me. We have a good team, it is the last season in the stadium and he needs to sell alot of tickets by next year at this time for the new stadium.

I am holding my breath from now until the draft.

2008 and 2009 are sellouts already. Jerry is not concerned with putting people in the stands right now. I'm sure Jerry wants to win and I look forward to seeing what addition we bring to the team but I think the core group of this team is very good and see no reason why we should not be in the thick of it next season.

 

[Clove]

Mock Draft/2nd chance at Cromartie
Here's the off-season game plan:

If Cromartie is available at #22, we cannot go find another
Carpenter again.

I think we can all agree on our weaknesses:

Weaknesses on Defense:
CB-
SS-
WSLB-


Weaknesses on Offense
-2nd receiver
-LG
-2nd RB

Draft:
#22 - a)Cromartie (or if he's gone)
b)Tracey Porter
These guys are playmakers that can cover.

#28-Trade for Roy Williams WR Detroit. Wants to go to Texas-Free agent next year. This might go.


2nd round pick: Carl Nicks: 6'5 330. Played OT in college but would make a nice guard. Let's invest now so we don't have to over pay for this position.
Tired of watching Kosier getting blown up.

Free Agency: Re-sign Floz. - He gets flagged- a little deaf but he shuts
down top pass rushers consistantly. 3 year deal.
Let Hamilton walk.
Sign Marcus Truffant
Move Henry to SS finally. Maybe he can tackle better if they are in front of him. He'll get 10 picks from this position like in the old days.
Yes, addition by subtraction- Cut Dough Boy Roy-too many
mistakes. No heart. Out of shape. The game has changed
and so has he. Give Watkins a shot at FS. It's his third year and he has the speed and height to take center field.

We'd have the CBs to match up with New England: Newman takes (Welker) the slot. Truffant Moss and Cromartie on the otherside. Henry covers TE. Watkins over Moss. Bring the blitzes like we imagined.

No lightening to Mario's thunder but maybe trade up for Slaton in the 3rd.
Can't get everything!!! :laugh2:

You want to cut both of our Safeties? If you're going to move someone, why not just drop RW (which I doubt we do, but for the sake of this post) sign and move Hamlin to SS, then bounce Henry and Watkins at safety. Flip flop them, or just go with one.