5 areas we can improve

[lightsout]

There are a ton of threads on this, but here are my 5. 

 

1. offensive tackle. Obviously, we had issues. Sure, we won 17 games with our line as it was, but against speed rushers, they weren't very good. This is a copy cat league, so expect New Orleans and Tampa to find their Vic Beasley/Von Miller type this off season. We need an answer for that.

2. Tackling. We looked great as a defensive unit for much of the year, but we also blew some leads and had some embarrassing drives against us due to poor form tackling. Particularly in the secondary against running backs. We must do better there to solidify our defensive presence. Holding your breath if a rb gets past lb level is no fun.

3. Mental errors. All season we had segments of games where you could tell there was a mental lapse. Whether it be running the wrong route, not looking the ball all the way in, not being in the right zone, continuous false starts, or failing to tackle a punt returner who never indicated fair catch, these are things that can't happen, especially in big games.

4. Situational awareness/adjustments. We improved last offseason, but it must continue to improve. In certain spots, Cam is trying to do too much as a passer. He hangs out in the pocket far too long with blitzers coming, or doesn't check a receiver to a hot read to combat a blitz. Dont get me wrong, i love how tall he stands in the pocket looking to dissect the defense, but he has to improve his mental clock at times. This also applies to coaching. Mix up first downs, run more play action, more bootlegs to combat up the gut pressure to take pressure off the tackles.

5. Depth. We have depth on the defensive line and running back, but that's about it. Offensive line needs better quality depth, as does our secondary. Klein being able to play all three LB spots is useful, and Mayo may be serviceable, but who knows? Adding Finnegan and McClain helped our secondary when Bene and Peanut fell, but we can't be dumpster diving when a guy goes down. In certain situations, the answer needs to be on the roster.

If we improve those things, we're repeating as division champs and returning to the Superb Owl.

[neverlosethefeeling]

Honestly, I'd put pass rush as a bigger need than offensive tackle. We couldn't seem to generate much pressure, outside of KK, without help from LBs and DBs. If we can get to the QB with 4, like we could in 2013, watch out. 

[Daddy_Uncle]

DE is the biggest need. I would say defensive backs is a top priority as well along with finding a legit feature back to pair with Stew because I don't see CAP as the feature back of the future. As weird as it may seem I put TE as a top priority as well. We need another play making pass catching TE to pair with olsen and open up the field a little bit. I think that would do so many wonders to our offense

 

1) Defense end/pass rushers

2) defensive backs. ( need to get younger, bigger, faster and more physical on the backend of our defense) 

3) #2 feature running back to give Stew rest without losing production while giving us a long term answer.

4) TE another play maker at TE would open the field up for us on offense and give us many more sets we could use while giving us an eventual replacement for Olsen. 

5) OT - I am confident Daryl Williams is going to be a best at RT for us for a long time. Could look for an eventual replacement for Oher. Depth never hurts there either.

6) more dependable deep threat WR

[TheSpecialJuan]

1 hour ago, neverlosethefeeling said:

Honestly, I'd put pass rush as a bigger need than offensive tackle. We couldn't seem to generate much pressure, outside of KK, without help from LBs and DBs. If we can get to the QB with 4, like we could in 2013, watch out. 

yes

[TheNewStandard]

Immediate needs are in our defensive backfield, I truly believe that as Shaq progresses, Luke, TD and one of our corners will get more chances at rushing the passer...if not Shaq himself could even get in on the act. 

I agree we need to draft a young DE so that when CJ is released, we will have a semi-seasoned DE that's ready to play full-time within the next 2-3 years after he is drafted.

i believe in building the future through the draft and picking up at least 1-2 guys who can come right in from day one and push for a starting spot and the easiest transitional positions for this team will be at OG, S and possibly CB. 

We definitely need to upgrade our OT positions and DBs. 

At this point, because of excellent scouting and smart drafting, it's becoming nit-picking against our roster and the question of youth, vs crafty vets, is the status-quo. It seems as though our team is a very good mix of both and I think it will stay that way as our young talent becomes savvy vets who are able to lead our youngsters, prolonging this culture of winning even if it comes down to next man-up.

Regardless, we're on the fast-track and our formula for success has been established throughout our franchise. 

Overall, we need versatility on our roster with borderline starters all play roles and have success whether it be practice competition, ST contributors or every down starters or rotation/situational personnel.

[d-dave]

Hrm...5 Areas...

Lets start with Pass Rush - I think this is one of the most important areas for us to shore up this off season.  While we did well in the number of sacks, there were far too many games and times where the pass rush disappeared.  Or when we needed a QB hit, and we got nada.  Our Pass Rush was good in places, but just not consistent enough.

Running the Ball - Let's not kid ourselves, without Cam we have an extremely average rushing attack.  Frankly, we need to do a much better job of establishing the run independently of Cam.  Sure, we ran the ball more than anyone else because of Cam's carries, but we need to be able to hand the ball off to RBs 30x a game and still be successful.  Then add in Cam.  That's part of what killed us in the SB (of many things) was we weren't able to really run effectively. 

Pass Blocking - Athletic, speed guys make Remmers look terrible.  That's just the truth.  All it takes is a few misses in the blocking and adjustments for a game to change, see our two losses.  Is it "them" getting into "Cam's head?"  Or do those 3rd down sacks just kill all momentum.  Frankly, we need to give  Cam 2 seconds, and then we need to make sure we get that hot read open.  Period.

Play Calling - Offense - While we were able to impose our will on our opponents this year, and volume run them down, next year is going to be a different animal.  We'll see more of this delay/Coverage/Green Dog blitzing as a way to disrupt our offense.  Getting KB back will be really helpful as he is close to unstoppable on an 8 yard slant when no one is sitting under the coverage.  We're going to have to be able to beat that on a regular basis.

Pass Coverage/Slot - Partially as a lack of pass rush, we often got nailed on the CB2 and CB3 spots.  While you can't stop every offense, we really got hit there hard.  Part of this was due to injuries and player experience.  

Looking at that, it's not that terrible of a list of things.  There's nothing truly groundbreaking and difficult to fix.  The NFL will get better, so we have to get better (isn't there a saying that Cam likes to use there...=P).  Having been to the big dance, and knowing how we lost it ourselves, we are in a great position to make another run next year.  The pieces are in place, we just have to make those last few plays in the Super Bowl.  

And we'll have everyone wanting to take our dabbing celebrating team to the woodshed...Let's hope we bring them to the woodshed instead!

[Khyber53]

If special teams isn't on your list, you need to relook your list...

[NYPantherFan]

1) Pass Rush - it's no secret a solid pass rush can mask issues you have in the secondary. We need another DE who can put pressure on the QB even if it doesn't result in a sack. Solution: Cut Johnson and sign one of Olivier Vernon (might be too much), Robert Ayers, William Hayes. If you want depth, then look at Derrick Shelby. I'd even bring back Greg Hardy.

2) Defensive backs - As this season has shown, we need depth. Norman and Benwikere should be the starting DBs but after that is is a question mark. I suspect we draft one early on but we could also use a slot corner. Benwikere has played much better on the outside in his opportunities. Solution: Sign one of Truman Johnson or Prince Amukamara if we are looking for an outside CB. Casey Hayward or Leon Hall for a slot CB. Safety is another concern where I could see us drafting one if they feel Boston can start every week. If not, then you can sign Eric Weddle, George Ilona or even Husain Abdullah. A potential buy low guy might be Tashuan Gipson who has a bad year last season but was solid across the board in years prior. 

3) Tackle - If I'm Gettleman, i'm shoring up that RT spot. Norwell is a below average RT and there are some upgrades on the FA market. Corey Glenn is top on the list (he's a LT) but will get tagged by Buffalo. Kelvin Beachum is coming off an ACL injury and might not cost as much. Joe Barksdale and Andre Smith are other low cost options. I'm all for Williams getting a shot at winning the job this summer as well, but it's nice to have options and depth.

4) New offensive wrinkles - We have seen first hand what happens when you don't change your play calling and don't introduce anything new to your offense. Granted, we will always be a run first team, but there needs to be some new wrinkles in this offense to shake things up. Solution: Our backfield should be involved more in the passing game on 1st and 2nd down. Our backfield totaled 51 receptions last year which is slightly below the average when looking at the top offenses in the league. Just look at how the Cardinals, Steelers, Patriots and Chiefs all use their RB's in the passing game. It opens up things down the field when the defense has to account for that short pass.

5) Competition - Competition breeds success. Players have said this past training camp had some of the best competition they have faced which made the team better. I think they need to continue with that mindset and Gettleman/Rivera should not hold anything back when it comes to having young players press the veterans for more snaps. I think is particular on the defensive side of the ball more since there are several holes to fill.

 

[Ace_Aladdin]

8 hours ago, NYPantherFan said:

1) Pass Rush - it's no secret a solid pass rush can mask issues you have in the secondary. We need another DE who can put pressure on the QB even if it doesn't result in a sack. Solution: Cut Johnson and sign one of Olivier Vernon (might be too much), Robert Ayers, William Hayes. If you want depth, then look at Derrick Shelby. I'd even bring back Greg Hardy.

2) Defensive backs - As this season has shown, we need depth. Norman and Benwikere should be the starting DBs but after that is is a question mark. I suspect we draft one early on but we could also use a slot corner. Benwikere has played much better on the outside in his opportunities. Solution: Sign one of Truman Johnson or Prince Amukamara if we are looking for an outside CB. Casey Hayward or Leon Hall for a slot CB. Safety is another concern where I could see us drafting one if they feel Boston can start every week. If not, then you can sign Eric Weddle, George Ilona or even Husain Abdullah. A potential buy low guy might be Tashuan Gipson who has a bad year last season but was solid across the board in years prior. 

3) Tackle - If I'm Gettleman, i'm shoring up that RT spot. Norwell is a below average RT and there are some upgrades on the FA market. Corey Glenn is top on the list (he's a LT) but will get tagged by Buffalo. Kelvin Beachum is coming off an ACL injury and might not cost as much. Joe Barksdale and Andre Smith are other low cost options. I'm all for Williams getting a shot at winning the job this summer as well, but it's nice to have options and depth.

4) New offensive wrinkles - We have seen first hand what happens when you don't change your play calling and don't introduce anything new to your offense. Granted, we will always be a run first team, but there needs to be some new wrinkles in this offense to shake things up. Solution: Our backfield should be involved more in the passing game on 1st and 2nd down. Our backfield totaled 51 receptions last year which is slightly below the average when looking at the top offenses in the league. Just look at how the Cardinals, Steelers, Patriots and Chiefs all use their RB's in the passing game. It opens up things down the field when the defense has to account for that short pass.

5) Competition - Competition breeds success. Players have said this past training camp had some of the best competition they have faced which made the team better. I think they need to continue with that mindset and Gettleman/Rivera should not hold anything back when it comes to having young players press the veterans for more snaps. I think is particular on the defensive side of the ball more since there are several holes to fill.

 

 

You mean Remmers, 

[juliosantos]

heres mine . 

d.e . we need to rush the passer , charles johnson might be cut same with allen  we need someone on the otherside of ealy 

Ot .    ill be nice and blunt remmers sucks , hes a  good backup but  we cant let him start . oher is decent but we need some guys for the future

[SOJA]

pass rush is my number one need going into the offseason. 

CB is our second biggest need, but I expect Getts to fill that with a low cost vet- same might be with SS.

Competition is needed at SS, RB, OT and TE #2 positions. 

 

[Semaj]

1) The first need to me is to strengthen the offensive line by all means necessary.  We were improved last year, but not good enough to win the Super Bowl.  Despite all the horrible officiating, we would have still won the game had we done a good job of protecting our QB.

2) Secondly we need to find another dominant DE who can create pressure from the outside.  We get a good push up the middle from our DT's but when QB's are flushed from the pocket we want them flushed into our DE's hands for sacks.  Ealy looks like the real deal and will continue to improve as he learns to compete at this level.  However, Johnson was not very effective last year and is getting older.  We need to start developing another young stud to start opposite of Ealy in the year or so.  

3) TE doesn't seem to be a big need with our man Greg Olsen dominating, but he isn't getting any younger.  We need to start grooming his replacement.  In 3 years I believe we will be in dire straits without a dominant TE like Greg is  now, for Cam to throw the ball to.  In the short term, it makes our offense that much better.  Two great pass catching TE's is better than one.  

4) Secondary depth.  After Bene went down we definitely were hurting at times and not the same as we were with him.  Actually we suffered several injuries that significantly impacted our defense.  There is no guarantee that Josh is coming back and even if he does for how long?  

5) More weapons for Cam.  Another stud at WR would be a great addition or a great pass catching RB.  I would look for a smaller speedier receiver to compliment "the VIN's/ Vin Brothers" Kelvin and Devin.  A dominant speedy pass catching RB would add another great facet to the offense as well.  A Sproles when he played with Brees type would be outstanding.  

Anyways, thats my 5 and why I think we should look that way.  I know that our outstanding GM will be drafting BPA as he should.  I believe that it will end up being one of those positions in the first and second rounds.  One more point, we have to improve our God awful special teams to be a top 5-10 unit.  Too many mistakes and another big reason we didn't win the big game.