Evaluation Time

[barrett]

As the year winds up I start thinking about the offseason and what I'd love to see.

Offense
QB - I want to see Schaub back. If we get an offer for Rosenfels like last year I'd take it (vikings 3rd). Not because I have a problem with him, but because he is going into the last year of his contract and we have a chance to get something for him. If we can't I think he is a good backup. I also wouldn't mind a 2nd-5th round pick on a QB. Schaub is solid but does lack mobility in a system that calls for it. If a guy drops like a Bradford, Sanchez, etc with above average mobility in addition to the QB tools, I say pull the trigger now before we have a desperate need (similar to the broncos with cutler and plummer).

RB - Bring back Slaton as the starter and everyone else goes. Draft a short yardage back somewhere in the middle rounds. Sign a low end, cheap, DURABLE vet who will simply be available for 16 games. Don't get cute with an old guy again.

FB - Leach is a stud and will be back. I bet we sign an undrafted rookie to play training camp FB.

WR - Bring back AJ, Walter, Davis, and Anderson in the same roles. Davis wasn't a big part of the passing game this year because we stayed healthy but he was great on special teams. He covers punts about as well as anyone in the NFL. He blocks well. Does whatever we ask of him. As for Jacoby, I am not sure. The talent is there but he doesn't appear to have grown up in two years. I bet his offseason determines his job status next year. I am sure we will sign a rookie or two as camp competition for him.

TE - Bruener needs to be put out to pasture. Very happy with Daniels and Dreesen. Would not mind a project type receiving TE who could be a red zone target. You know, the basketball PF type. But only as a low pick or udfa.

T - solid here as long as they think Salaam can still be the backup.

G - We are ok with who we have but we can definitely upgrade here. RG is not a glamour position but it would help the short yardage cause. I would hope at least one G is picked in the middle/late rounds.

C - See Guard.


Defense
DE - we need a true edge rusher and it can be a DE or a OLB. Either way it needs to be someone we turn loose. I don't think it has to be a high draft pick, since it COULD be a part time player, but we need someone who plays all out on passing downs. They tried Colvin and that was no good, we need to do better this time. I want to see Mario, Buhlman, cochran, and potentially Weaver back (weaver depends on a pay cut and what else we do).

DT - I want them all back but Zgoniga. TJ, Okoye and Robinson have shown good things the 2nd half. Nading has earned a chance to fight for a job in camp. Okam is intriguing enough to bring back through a full offseason and camp. But we also need to add one BIG body through FA or the draft. It would do wonders for Okoye and our LBs if we had a space eater in the middle.

MLB - Demeco is great. We have no true backup here. Like to see a MLB drafted somewhere.

OLB - Diles, Adibi, and Bentley all played well and can handle these two spots. Greenwood needs to go. If a good OLB/pass rusher can be signed in FA do it and put him in a 3 point stance on 3rd down.

S - Ferguson played well against the Raiders but is nothing special. Wilson has good range and ball skills. At least one needs to be upgraded. Just watch what Ed Reed does for Baltimore's pass defense, what bob sanders does for the colt's run defense, or what polamalu does all over the field. Maybe the 3 most valuable defensive players in the NFL. As the league has gone to more and more passing, the FS position has replaced MLB as the heart of the defense. We have to get better here.

CB - Re-sign Dunta whatever it takes. He is not an elite CB but he is irreplacable because the good ones almost never become available. Plus he is a great football guy with a big heart. Bennett and Reeves are fine as the 2nd and 3rd man. Molden deserves to come back just on the strength of his special teams play and he may unseat one of the other two.

K/P we are fine

Coaching Staff
Head Coach - Kubiak will get another shot. Stability is rewarded in the NFL so I am fine with staying the course another year. The players obviously care about him and play hard or they would have given up on the season and his job 6 weeks ago.

DC - fire richard smith. I said it last week and people said he had saved his job with the good stretch of play. But to me the good stretch doesn't save it and the bad game yesterday doesn't get him fired. I fire him simply because I don't think we'll ever put a GREAT defense on the field with him as our coordinator.

ST coach - Has any team been caught with their pants down more in the last few years than us? He should be fired.