Actually, if there were ever a year to be bad, its 2009. Since 2010 will be the last year of the CBA, certain rules go into effect. One of them is that the best 8 teams in the NFL (teams that dont make the playoffs or who are eliminated from the playoffs wild-card weekend) are forbidden from signing free agents until the lose an equal number of their own. For example, if we wanted to sign in 2 free agents, we would have to release two of our own first... and its not like we could just sign them back later on... other than the draft, we'd be extremely limited in what we were able to do to upgrade our team.
Also, Ive also read conflicting reports about whether there will be a draft in 2011... if theres not, i can see an increased number of juniors entering the draft in 2010 to avoid the uncertainty in whatever would happen in 2011. So by playing poorly in 2009, we would be in a much better position to acquire talent in 2010 - the last year with a draft. It would put us in a much better position long-term.
Just to clarify, i'm in no way advocating that we deliberatly tank the 2009 season. I just think the dynamics of the expiring CBA may make this the best time to focus on the future, instead of constantly trying to patch this team together with aging vets, like we've done for the past decade.
On a side note, If theres not a draft in 2011, perhaps we can trade some of our 2011 picks to a team that hasnt done their research
