Quote:
Originally Posted by ethat001
Sure, we've been saying this for years, and Shanahan decided not to rebuild last year. I still wonder whether that was the right choice. BUT - now our starting #1 WR is 32 with few options behind him, our best LB and key to the defense is Fletcher (36) and here's an abbreviated list of one of the oldest rosters on the planet (ages for 2011):
P.Daniels - will be 38
McNabb - will be 35
Fletcher - will be 36
Casay Rabach - will be 34
Artis Hicks - will be 32
Santana Moss - will be 32
Andre Carter - will be 32
Kemo - will be 32
D. Dockery - will be 31
Clinton Portis - will be 30
Roydell Williams - will be 30
Cooley - will be 29
J.Brown - will be 29
I won't mention Galloway is all but already retired.
The question is - can we fix this team in 2-3 years? If not, we should rebuild, dump older players and accept a couple of bad seasons as they get experience. The Capitals rebuilt and now has one of the best young rosters in the league for years to come. The Eagles and Tampa Bay also come to mind with young talent.
The second question is: since coaches are rewarded for success - is there no incentive for Shanahan to rebuild because he knows that he could get fired if he does not deliver success within 2 years?
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I listened to the radio today and they mentioned that a writer supposedly heard or is writing about how Shanahan might be gone and Gruden in. lol. Shanahan signed a 5 yr deal. At the end of last yr everyone screamed to DS to get rid of VC, Higher a decent GM and HC, let them coach and build a team, and continuity. Everyone said we can't keep changing our system every 2 yrs. I'd like to think Shanahan will get his 5 yrs as long as he keeps showing improvement each year. Now if the team gets worse or still has a losing record then I can see DS letting Shanahan go, but not until after he has a few yrs to try and fix 10 yrs of distruction.
Now you mentioned needing to replace 5 people on the defensive side of the ball. Clearly Kemo is not the answer, or so I believe. Carter is not a 3-4 type of LB. Fletcher did pretty well and if they pick up another decent LB to replace Carter the LB might show better. If the team can build up the DL to younger, healthier, faster players who can take on more then one guy then the LB's might be able to get a better pass rush.
Depending on whats available in FA might depend on what they have to do in the draft. I'd like to see the team either go OL or DL in the first two picks, but since we have many needs it might also be wise to back out of our mid 1st round pick for more picks. Rabach has to go. I'd take either Center or RT. I feel if we can get the 3 main staples of the OL shored up the two Guard positions don't have to be top ranked talent. We also need a NT unless one of our Rookie guys steps up. and the QB spot? I get the feeling McNabb is here to stay and thats ok with me as long as they do something with the OL to give McNabb more time to throw and make holes for our RBs. Otherwise I see the need to get someone with legs to be able to run from when he has to.
I'd be happy going into next year with Torain, Williams, and Davis, but I'd still pick up a RB maybe a UFA who's decent. WR is the biggest need after OL on offense. Maybe Vince Jackson will be available, TJ Houshmendzadeh, and after them I'm not sure who is available. Those two alone along with Armstrong might be formidable. Thats not even talking about Austin yet and maybe another UFA WR.
How I'd fix this:
WR- FA.
OL- Draft.
DL- Draft.
LB- Draft/FA.
FS- Draft.
QB- Not sure. I think the teams plan is to keep McNabb. Grossman is not the answer. Can Beck be the guy? if not they need to start thinking of someone to fill in when McNabb goes down.