Who's back? Who's not?

[vaoutlaws2006]

Originally Posted by dmek25

as much as it pains me, i agree. i think with some tinkering, this defense can be very good again. i think marshall is the key. can he go back to 2005 form, or was he just playing over his head? and bringing clements here is the move i would make in free agency

reality check time...marshall was playing over his head. i am a little apprehensive about free agency...everytime we go that route this damn thing seems to blow up in our face. see 2000 season and 2006 season if you have any questions about that.

[djnemo65]

Clements, Rogers, Springs, and Taylor starts to look like a little more respectable secondary. Springs is very outspoken and a natural leader, so he should be comfortable captaining the secondary from the SS spot in a manner similar to Clark when he was here. LB's should be better, although we might look to upgrade Marshall. The D-Line could use another player, and we'll probably get one through the draft. The problem remains depth, however, which we'll never have without draft picks. Every year we put together a starting 11 that looks good on paper, but never have an answer when someone goes down. It was Springs abdominal injury that, in my opinion, started the defense's unraveling this year.

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

Clements, Rogers, Springs, and Taylor starts to look like a little more respectable secondary...

Couple that with Prioleou, Vincent, and Wright as the primary backups and I think we should have a good, interchangable secondary.

We need to upgrade MLB. I loved the way Lamar played at the end of last year, but he has dropped off. We need a vocal leader at MLB who plays smart, tackles well, and covers short crossing patterns.

Griffith has said he is playing at a weaker size because of injury problems in camp and it has hurt him. We also need to get a big, fearsome DT that can hold his ground on double teams so that Griffith can be more of an impact. If that happens, our DE's should magically get better because of blocking breakdowns.

In short, we need to re-sign Dockery, pick up Clements, upgrade MLB (through free agency), and draft a big DT with our first rounder.

[gabe1984]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

Couple that with Prioleou, Vincent, and Wright as the primary backups and I think we should have a good, interchangable secondary.

We need to upgrade MLB. I loved the way Lamar played at the end of last year, but he has dropped off. We need a vocal leader at MLB who plays smart, tackles well, and covers short crossing patterns.

Griffith has said he is playing at a weaker size because of injury problems in camp and it has hurt him. We also need to get a big, fearsome DT that can hold his ground on double teams so that Griffith can be more of an impact. If that happens, our DE's should magically get better because of blocking breakdowns.

In short, we need to re-sign Dockery, pick up Clements, upgrade MLB (through free agency), and draft a big DT with our first rounder.

I agree with you for the most part, but I think we should try to get another middle line backer through the draft and not free agency. As you said before, Marshall had injury problems this season. I think he should get another chance to prove himself when he's healthy before we go spending money on another line backer, I think we owe it to him after the way he played for us last year.

[BDBohnzie]

It's a shame the 2 guys that were supposed to serve as #2s to compliment Moss (Patten, Lloyd) just aren't panning out.

If Springs moves to safety and Clements comes aboard, the Skins need to fill the holes on the line and at middle linebacker.

Seems to me that once again, the Skins are only a few pieces away from a complete puzzle. The defensive line hasn't been stellar, but has had a few guys step up. The offensive line has played quite well, and would like to see some depth added there as well.

[dmek25]

wide receiver is the least of the worries on this team

[redsk1]

I agree w/ much of the article w/ the exception of B Lloyd. I guess I'm one of the one's defending him much of the time but I believe given the chance Lloyd could be a great #2. When thrown to, he makes the catch 99% of the time. When thrown to, good things happen like pass int. calls. How many times has he made some great downfield blocks? Alot.

Yea, he kind of blew up a little bit, but hey, he's pissed b/c we're losing and he can't do anything about it. We've barely threw the ball to him all year.

So to look at the #'s and say it's his fault is not looking at the full picture. Let's face it, right now and all season we haven't been able to spread the ball b/n the WR's. That's not bashing JC b/c he is learning, but it's the truth.

[riggoraider]

Originally Posted by redsk1

I agree w/ much of the article w/ the exception of B Lloyd. I guess I'm one of the one's defending him much of the time but I believe given the chance Lloyd could be a great #2. When thrown to, he makes the catch 99% of the time. When thrown to, good things happen like pass int. calls. How many times has he made some great downfield blocks? Alot.

Yea, he kind of blew up a little bit, but hey, he's pissed b/c we're losing and he can't do anything about it. We've barely threw the ball to him all year.

So to look at the #'s and say it's his fault is not looking at the full picture. Let's face it, right now and all season we haven't been able to spread the ball b/n the WR's. That's not bashing JC b/c he is learning, but it's the truth.

Lloyd will probably be a good #2 to someone like Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions or Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans but to Santana Moss he is not a good #2 to because they are both doing the same things only on different sides of the field. They both just fly down the field and look up for the ball we need someone who can compliment our deep passes with a crossing pattern every now and then (and I am not talking about Cooley who is NOT a WR!!!!).

[gabe1984]

Originally Posted by riggoraider

Lloyd will probably be a good #2 to someone like Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions or Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans but to Santana Moss he is not a good #2 to because they are both doing the same things only on different sides of the field. They both just fly down the field and look up for the ball we need someone who can compliment our deep passes with a crossing pattern every now and then (and I am not talking about Cooley who is NOT a WR!!!!).

Do we need a big receiver, I think so. But I do not think that is a top priority next year, and I don't think the receivers we have now will change. There are too many other problems in the defense to worry about receivers right now, plus we just spent too much money on them to not give them another chance with a year of experience under their belt in the new offense. In addition, Moss is not just a deep threat, he is very dangerous after he catches the ball short, we've all seen him make plays like that. In addition, he is surprisingly strong for his size. Remember this year in the Jaguars game when he scored the TD in OT, he had two Jaguars hit him before he broke free and scored. Also, last year in the 2nd giants game he had a big TD after breaking two tackles, the man is pretty versatile. I just think you're discounting Moss's skills a little bit.
Are you sure ARE was never a number 2 at Pittsburgh, who was it last year if it wasn't him? I'm pretty sure it was him, they drafted that guy Santonio Holmes from Ohio State to take his place, and I'm pretty sure he starts now.

[riggoraider]

Originally Posted by gabe1984

Do we need a big receiver, I think so. But I do not think that is a top priority next year, and I don't think the receivers we have now will change. There are too many other problems in the defense to worry about receivers right now, plus we just spent too much money on them to not give them another chance with a year of experience under their belt in the new offense. In addition, Moss is not just a deep threat, he is very dangerous after he catches the ball short, we've all seen him make plays like that. In addition, he is surprisingly strong for his size. Remember this year in the Jaguars game when he scored the TD in OT, he had two Jaguars hit him before he broke free and scored. Also, last year in the 2nd giants game he had a big TD after breaking two tackles, the man is pretty versatile. I just think you're discounting Moss's skills a little bit.
Are you sure ARE was never a number 2 at Pittsburgh, who was it last year if it wasn't him? I'm pretty sure it was him, they drafted that guy Santonio Holmes from Ohio State to take his place, and I'm pretty sure he starts now.

You are correct ARE was a starter for the Steelers last year he and Cedric Wilson split time. He is just not very productive and can not move the chains. We have too many deep receivers. I would like for our receivers NOT to have a good game every 3 to 4 games we need for someone to show up every game and we are just not getting that.

As far as the great catch that Santana made against the Jags he never broke any tackles the 2 guys basically ran into each other. I am not taking anything away from Moss, in fact,I am one of his biggest fans but it is a MUST that we get some size at that position THIS year by hook or by crook however we can get it it has to be done. The 3 and outs are killing us. I do not care what kind of defense we put together if they are on the field the majority of the game they are going to be worn out by the end of the end of the third quarter

Most fans love to see the deep passes but those passes are not high percentage ones and while they do have their places in games they should not be tried everytime a team passes. Defenses will pick up on that and we will start having games like the Rams game were our receivers were put totally on lock down.

[gabe1984]

Originally Posted by riggoraider

You are correct ARE was a starter for the Steelers last year he and Cedric Wilson split time. He is just not very productive and can not move the chains. We have too many deep receivers. I would like for our receivers NOT to have a good game every 3 to 4 games we need for someone to show up every game and we are just not getting that.

As far as the great catch that Santana made against the Jags he never broke any tackles the 2 guys basically ran into each other. I am not taking anything away from Moss, in fact,I am one of his biggest fans but it is a MUST that we get some size at that position THIS year by hook or by crook however we can get it it has to be done. The 3 and outs are killing us. I do not care what kind of defense we put together if they are on the field the majority of the game they are going to be worn out by the end of the end of the third quarter

Most fans love to see the deep passes but those passes are not high percentage ones and while they do have their places in games they should not be tried everytime a team passes. Defenses will pick up on that and we will start having games like the Rams game were our receivers were put totally on lock down.

I think you may be the only person on this site with such dersire to get another wide receiver, I understand where you're coming from, I'm not sure if I agree totally, but DAMNIT I respect your opinion! Rank the following from most important to least important for next year, everyone else please feel free to do this as well. Big receiver, CB, MLB, DL, and another over payed bench buddy for AA.

[MTK]

I'm torn on Lloyd. He has playmaking abilities, but he seems to have run himself into the coaches' doghouse and that's not good. The question is how will he respond this offseason? Will he be motivated to bounce back or will he sulk his way outta D.C.? Or has a decision already been made on him?

We shall see.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm torn on Lloyd. He has playmaking abilities, but he seems to have run himself into the coaches' doghouse and that's not good. The question is how will he respond this offseason? Will he be motivated to bounce back or will he sulk his way outta D.C.? Or has a decision already been made on him?

We shall see.

I still hope he can turn it around, but whenever they show his routes in slow mo he either looks like he gives up on plays quickly or doesn't know where he's supposed to go & when he's supposed to look for the ball. I remember Brunell looking pissed at him once when he overthrew him & Loyd didn't seem to adjust at all. He doesn't look like a tough reciever to me, whereas I think the other guys we have are not afraid of contact & will go across the middle w/confidence. Loyd just looks too timid on some plays.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I pretty much give the team a pass on this year. Just as has been stated numerous times, this just wasn't the year. Injuries, new system, moves that should have been made earlier at QB and LB just weren't done. The defense just doesn't go to hell that quick after being top ten for two years. Let's look at who is producing and who isn't after about four games into next year, then we'll talk about who belongs.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I pretty much give the team a pass on this year. Just as has been stated numerous times, this just wasn't the year. Injuries, new system, moves that should have been made earlier at QB and LB just weren't done. The defense just doesn't go to hell that quick after being top ten for two years. Let's look at who is producing and who isn't after about four games into next year, then we'll talk about who belongs.

I would like to chalk this up as an off year as well, but I still have my doubts about the staff.

The thing with this team is that no one doubts the talent level, it just seems we're always one injury or one this or one that from imploding.

You almost get the feeling almost everything has to be 'perfect' for this team to be a legit threat.