Tweet
Watching this game tonight, I started thinking about next year (big shocker, eh?). What bothers me is that I can't really say what changes are going to have to take place in order to get me truly excited about next year.
Mainly, I want some assurance that we aren't going to continue our path toward replacing the Bangals as the league's favorite punchline.
Say we pick up a dominant DT and retain Sam Adams and/or Edwards fully recovers. We'll even assume that Spikes is fully recovered and ready to go. Nate could be franchised. I'm still not all that excited. This cast pretty much sucked all year. Adding back Spikes and a dominant DT just isn't enough for me.
Say we get a new LT and a good Center to build a real OL? A good OL will improve the offense, but by how much - they're exceptionally bad right now. JP is still an unknown. Willis has been great at proclaiming himself great, but 3 yards vs. the Pats doesn't do it for me. Moulds may or may not be here. Evans certainly put up a questionable show vs. the Broncos. Who's the #3? Roscoe has shown a knack for getting open for a 4 yard gain on 3rd and 9. Reed has shown me enough to permanently curb my enthusiasm. Aiken isn't the answer.
A new GM isn't going to do it for me. We all know the problems. If TD is here and makes the right moves to fix the OL and DL, I'd be just as happy as if a brand new GM came in and did the same thing. The only note here is that if TD stays and doesn't address the line issues - then I'll be watching the first game in a dark room, alone, dressed in black with candles burning. . . and a hanky to cry into.
New coaches might help. New schemes and fresh attitudes can make a big difference. Of course it can set you back a year, too, while the team learns the new system.
I'll be watching the transaction wire with baited breath, I'm sure. But I think I need to see at least some coaching changes, if not a clean sweep. I also need to see real lineman on both sides brought in - preferable some guys with mean dispositions. Drafting lineman won't be enough, I need at least a couple of proven vets.
What do you guys need to see happen in order to really get you excited about next season?
Mainly, I want some assurance that we aren't going to continue our path toward replacing the Bangals as the league's favorite punchline.
Say we pick up a dominant DT and retain Sam Adams and/or Edwards fully recovers. We'll even assume that Spikes is fully recovered and ready to go. Nate could be franchised. I'm still not all that excited. This cast pretty much sucked all year. Adding back Spikes and a dominant DT just isn't enough for me.
Say we get a new LT and a good Center to build a real OL? A good OL will improve the offense, but by how much - they're exceptionally bad right now. JP is still an unknown. Willis has been great at proclaiming himself great, but 3 yards vs. the Pats doesn't do it for me. Moulds may or may not be here. Evans certainly put up a questionable show vs. the Broncos. Who's the #3? Roscoe has shown a knack for getting open for a 4 yard gain on 3rd and 9. Reed has shown me enough to permanently curb my enthusiasm. Aiken isn't the answer.
A new GM isn't going to do it for me. We all know the problems. If TD is here and makes the right moves to fix the OL and DL, I'd be just as happy as if a brand new GM came in and did the same thing. The only note here is that if TD stays and doesn't address the line issues - then I'll be watching the first game in a dark room, alone, dressed in black with candles burning. . . and a hanky to cry into.
New coaches might help. New schemes and fresh attitudes can make a big difference. Of course it can set you back a year, too, while the team learns the new system.
I'll be watching the transaction wire with baited breath, I'm sure. But I think I need to see at least some coaching changes, if not a clean sweep. I also need to see real lineman on both sides brought in - preferable some guys with mean dispositions. Drafting lineman won't be enough, I need at least a couple of proven vets.
What do you guys need to see happen in order to really get you excited about next season?
Id love to see a return to the 3-4 our LB's are so fast and athletic. If we signed Darren Howard and drafted Ngata (who is practically built for the 3-4) we'd be able to cope a little better with losing Clements by dropping back some of these LB's into coverage.
Comment