Team Leader needed

[rathalarge]

There is no one on our squad who imposes his will to win on his team mates such as Michael Irvin did. Realistcally, this is a good, young 9-7 team, but can we go into next season status quo at wr (we need to get younger, but have roles for Key and Glenn), safety, the entire O-Line (Larry Allen included), and kicker? Parcells sold us short at these spots, but I understand he can't fill all holes in one year. Let's hope players signed in free agency and drafted rookies will have no history of injury as we've seen since Parcells arrived.

 

[MDCowboy]

There is no one on our squad who imposes his will to win on his team mates such as Michael Irvin did. Realistcally, this is a good, young 9-7 team, but can we go into next season status quo at wr (we need to get younger, but have roles for Key and Glenn), safety, the entire O-Line (Larry Allen included), and kicker? Parcells sold us short at these spots, but I understand he can't fill all holes in one year. Let's hope players signed in free agency and drafted rookies will have no history of injury as we've seen since Parcells arrived.

I agree. Our team leaders (IMO, Ellis, Glover, R. Williams) lead by example rather than inspiration.

I also agree with all of the positions that you listed as needing to be addressed. I think that BP and JJ have no one to blame but themselves for not finding a capable starting RT when you have a QB that needs to have a clean pocket, a FS when your most explosive defensive player is a SS that needs to be as close to the LOS to make game-changing plays and a PK that can consistently hit from 40yds and in. All of these were areas of concern after 2004, and to have to sit back a lament another year wasted in a weak NFC is shameful.

Good WRs can be gotten in FA, but I agree that both Key and Terry Glenn need to have reduced roles. We need a true #1 WR. Someone that will force defenses to commit a safety in deep coverage.

As far as the rest of the OL goes, I think that a complete overhaul may be necessary. Gurode showed last night why he will not be anything more than a back-up, LA is past his prime and so may be Rivera. Flozell may be able to come back from injury next year to form, but I have always been troubled by his past statements of needing to play next to LA to be effective. And Al Johnson is NOT the answer at center, he gets blown off of the ball too much and cannot create space in the running game.