How close are we to competing in the South

[nctarheelreincarnated]

30 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If Brees and Brady retire, we could potentially be looking at another 7-9 division champ.

Ah come on. You weren't impressed with Winston yesterday? LOL. 

[nctarheelreincarnated]

35 minutes ago, Icege said:

A good offseason that addresses the OL and gets improvement out of the young defense I genuinely believe gives the team can compete as soon as next season. They're hanging in there in most of the games, but seem to be cursed by 3s: 3rd down on offense, 3rd down on defense, 3rd quarter adjustments. Part of this is on coaching, part of it is on talent, and part of it is on execution.

The offense and defense getting an actual offseason to gel would be awesome. That OL is in disarray and is going to be needing bodies next season. Shore up the OL, replace Whitehead & Boston, get a big body target for the redzone, and let it ride!

And drafting a QB for the future, right? Come on, type it. You know you want to. 

[LinvilleGorge]

30 minutes ago, Ricky Spanish said:

Next Year. I say that with the caveat that we need to move on from Hurney as GM first.

This is the key. If we don't do this then all this other talk is moot. We're doomed. Straight up doomed. At that point it's time to abandon ship.

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, nctarheelreincarnated said:

Ah come on. You weren't impressed with Winston yesterday? LOL. 

Payton could potentially fix him. I don't completely rule it out.

[hepcat]

Franchise QB away

[nctarheelreincarnated]

Just now, LinvilleGorge said:

Payton could potentially fix him. I don't completely rule it out.

I concur, but their cap situation could be an issue if Winston wants to get paid. 

[trueblade]

Sounds like we might get a sneak peak at the post Brees Saints on Sunday. If Payton can make Winston look good, the anticipated dropoff when Brees retires might not happen.

[philit99]

2 hours ago, trueblade said:

Sounds like we might get a sneak peak at the post Brees Saints on Sunday. If Payton can make Winston look good, the anticipated dropoff when Brees retires might not happen.

Jameis signed a one year deal, for about 1.2 Million. There is no way, no way he will play again for that price. Crab legs aint cheap. I have no doubt that Sean Payton could get the best out of Jameis with a full offseason, and working closely with him. I am also positive that did not happen this past offseason (COVID), nor will the Saints have the cap to sign him long term. Chances are Jameis will head to another division all together next year and be someone elses problem. However, the Saints have been known to do some crazy things to get under the cap, so I guess it is possible, but we are talking about Jameis Winston.

[kungfoodude]

We could be competitive next year, if things go well in the offseason. We could be pretty good in 2022, if things go well in consecutive offseasons. 

I would say the most optimistic outlook would be 2022 at the earliest, IMO. 

[jtm]

5 hours ago, Shotgun said:

I agree but why sign Teddy then? Makes no sense.

Rhule and Brady were very high on Teddy.  Teddy isn't the problem and this team just doesn't have enough talent yet, but I can see the vision and it is positive.  Who knows if Teddy is the long term QB for the Panthers and if he is not, they don't have a lot of money invested in his contract by today's standards and he seems like the kind of guy that puts team first and would be a great mentor for a rookie QB.  Those kind of guys are hard to find.

 

[GoPanthers123]

Our best player was out most of the season so what do you expect?  With CMC we can compete with anyone even KC. If he is healthy next year we got a chance at this division.

[Davidson Deac II]

Realistically, and not judging solely on yesterday's game, we aren't that far away.  The difference between competing and not competing in the NFL is a fine one. If we change the score by 1td in every game this year, either scoring one more for our side or preventing one additional one on the defensive side, we are probably above 500 this year, maybe even in first place division wise.  The young guys have to improve, and we have to get better at a few key spots, but its certainly possible.  

[MechaZain]

I think if we can get the defense together we'll be competitive but I don't know how long that will take. And every year we're waiting for Brees and Brady to age out so is CMC.

[Mvp2014]

2 years.  Way too many holes on both sides right now