Can we rebuilt enough in 2017 to win NFC title?

[Jmac]

After the sh%t show that was 2016, can this team add enough pieces to return to dominance?  Between the draft and FA, are they close enough to fill the gaps next year and be fighting for the division and NFC title again? Opinions please.

[Khyber53]

Honestly, rest and recuperation will be the biggest part of it. Evolve the offense a bit more and maintain the defense that we saw coming around at the end of the season and we'll be more than competitive.

And if the Falcons get the trophy, we can put the target on someone else's back for once.

[pantherfan49]

Yes. 

This is the Rivera approach.  Win one season, but not have enough in reserves the next season to overcome 1) loss of FAs from other teams signing your players after good seasons, 2) low draft position, 3) loss of coaches to other teams, and 4) injuries that impact the game.  Keep in mind when you go deep into the playoffs, you are putting off offseason surgery and rest. 

It is also a simple fact that often times good teams have players playing in contract years and you don't get that motivation going forward. 

[Saca312]

Easily. We have very few holes when it comes to starters. SS is the only thing that's an issue.

Luxury picks like a future RB and a 2nd TE would likely bolster our offense into a juggernaut.

Only pressing depth concerns are LT, CB, and such imho. 

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

8 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Easily. We have very few holes when it comes to starters. SS is the only thing that's an issue.

Luxury picks like a future RB and a 2nd TE would likely bolster our offense into a juggernaut.

Only pressing depth concerns are LT, CB, and such imho. 

Depth concerns at LT? We need a viable starter at LT like we have for years since Gross retired. Then we can worry about depth. 

SS the only issue? How about defensive end? Running back is a bigger issue than many of us care to admit. Stew is older, slowing down, expensive, and there isn't anyone on the roster behind him that could carry the load. We also need a young guy in the mold of Ginn except with consistent hands. 

[csx]

I don't know. Let's watch and find out

[top dawg]

We have the money, the draft position (and I'm not just talking the #8 pick, but the 40th on), and the core talent to make it happen. With "intelligent" and thoughtful acquisitions, I don't think it will take much to get us into the conversation. With a change in offensive philosophy, and just plain execution in all three phases, it shouldn't take much to get us back to king of the hill.

Here are a few thoughts :

A lot of it is going to depend upon the progression of the defensive secondary. I think that if they can at least play up to a middle of the pack level---basically keep building upon what they showed us the last four or five games of the past season, then we'll be good. Add in one starting-caliber SS or FS, whether via FA or the draft, at minimum, and that will help tremendously. Personally, I'd also like to add Michael Thomas (FA from Dolphins) for depth, but also---perhaps more importantly---as someone who is a legitimate special teams ace. Another cheaper option would be Quintin Demps, and we even have the money to sign Jonathan Cyprien. We could also stand to get another cheap, veteran corner. 

Some Huddlers incorrectly thought that Kurt Coleman was just a camp body or a bench warmer when we signed him. I think that another player that may add that type of competition and promise at his position, if he were to be brought here is Jabaal Sheard. I have already discussed in another thread how he showed great promise in Cleveland until they switched from a 4-3, so much so that Bill Belichick signed him to a two-year deal. He has had mixed reviews in NE, but it may not have been the best of fits anyway. Here, we are committed to a 4-3 defense, so with a change of scenery I believe Sheard could at least compete with the guys we will already have here (assuming Addison and CJ come back). I think that with more consistent playing time in a true 4-3, there is no reason to believe that Sheard couldn't give the guys a run for their money, including Super Mario and Kony Ealy. For all the negativity regarding Sheard and his lack of production/benching in New England, PFF still ranked him the 39th best edge rusher in the league in 2016 (and I believe that list includes linebackers, correct me if I'm wrong if you have PFF).

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2017/1/21/14342296/cowboys-2017-free-agency-focus-jabaal-sheard-has-been-quite-active

Offensively, I've already suggested Kyle Juszczyk and Jeremy Kerley in the thread about intelligent shopping. Both are doable. I think that Juice would be an excellent addition, and could conceivably play a little TE (if only in the form as an H-back). People will say that we haven't used the FB much, but we probably use the position more than anyone else. When your FB isn't really adding much, of course his use us going to fall off. Juice would give us a much needed option in the running and passing game, but more importantly he is a damned good blocker (actually the best). Juice would be a blue goose for us, while Kerley in the slot would just be another solid, and proven option, though not spectacular. We might also take a look at Kenny Stills (though I'm not sure if he is a true slot guy), and Robert Woods.

All of the aforementioned guys shouldn't break the bank by any means, and should at the very least be an upgrade to the bottom of the (active) roster.

Now with OT, we'll just have to dig deeper in our pockets for a Band-Aid, like Whitworth or Vollmer, or it would behoove us to try and add depth and get lucky with a Rieff or Kalil (two cheaper prove-it options).

As for RB, I personally think that if worse comes to worse, we can get by another year with what we have. But, this draft is deep. A potential Stew heir should be available on day one or two (or possibly even three).

In any event, all of this is still doable, and it would help us better be able to focus on the best players available when we're on the clock. We just have to be willing to part with dead weight, and infuse the team with some new energy. We have options.

 

Oh, yeah, on an off note, I got no ideas for Shula. We're just going to have to pray that he is as smart as some believe that he is, and that if he isn't that Rivera will have the balls to ax him early if things begin to go south early.

 

[nctarheel0619]

50 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

 

Easily. We have very few holes when it comes to starters. SS is the only thing that's an issue.

 

[L-TownCat]

Maybe, there are teams that ask that question every year.

Some teams ask if they can rebuild enough just to contend for a playoff spot.

We have the luxury of knowing we have made playoff runs 3 out of the last 4 years.  Our window isn't closed, we have money to spend and our core is in place.

As always, the variables are what steer a season; injuries, execution, schedule, luck etc.

All we can do right now is pray the front office gets it right or more importantly refrains from making mistakes.

Then all that's left is the players being healthy and motivated.

 

boom, superb owl.

[nctarheel0619]

40 minutes ago, OnlyPantherFaninMaine said:

Depth concerns at LT? We need a viable starter at LT like we have for years since Gross retired. Then we can worry about depth. 

SS the only issue? How about defensive end? Running back is a bigger issue than many of us care to admit. Stew is older, slowing down, expensive, and there isn't anyone on the roster behind him that could carry the load. We also need a young guy in the mold of Ginn except with consistent hands. 

Might want to ignore Saca.  He's started doing heroin before he post.  Really makes him loopy and retarded in a positive way.

[uncfan888]

Yes, we can get back there next year. But this offseason has got to be executed perfectly by Gettleman. He better not screw around 

[ickmule]

Take off the rose colored glasses and you'll see this team has holes everywhere. I'd say we will be lucky to make the playoffs next season. The Falcons and Bucs have improved and will give us fits next season. I don't expect the Falcons to fall off like we did.  

[Mojo]

Rebuilding won't be enough.  We need the proper leadership as well or it'll just be more misuse of talent.  If the coaches can't evolve a bit more rapidly then we'll just have more frustration.

[Anybodyhome]

Simple and direct answer: No.

The only NFC playoff team the Panthers may have stood up to was the Lions. Beyond that, they could not have beaten a single NFC playoff team, and odds are that 4 of those 6 will be back next year.