[Paintrain]

Offensively the biggest need is clearly the o-line. I'm in the minority that expects Thomas and Kelly to develop next season into legitimate threats, but in order for that to happen we've got to get new starters at RT, LG and possibly C. Samuels and Thomas have a good 2 years left (if healthy) as solid performers so we've got to address depth there, but for '09 we need to replace 2-3 of the current rotation.

Defensively it's got to be the pass rush. It's been far too long (Bruce Smith anyone-ugh) since we've had a legitimate threat to rush the passer. We've got to drastically upgrade the pass rush thru free agency and the draft. I'd like to see us add a stud DE at #13 and a stud LB thru free agency. The secondary is solid, assuming we resign Hall and either retain Rogers or trade him for a pick and replace him in free agency-I'm fine either way.

Special teams-I'd advocate an change at 3 key positions-K, KR, PR. I know the love for Rock is strong around these parts but if we can get Sproles, who will get the same field position but is a threat to break a long one everytime he touches the ball then we have to make the upgrade. Same thing for PR, Sproles can run around in circles like ARE, but we need someone heading north/south. We've ignored the kicker position since the days of Norv. We tried with John Hall but he could never stay healthy. It's time to invest legitimate $ on a kicker. Last year we should have signed Josh Brown but ignored him. Let's not make the same mistake again.

I'm fully expecting a down year next season unfortunately but if the upside is a Cowher/Holmgren/Shanahan move then I will be willing to suffer in the short term.