2009: A year lost?

[top dawg]

I know that I am not the only one thinking that the two biggest moves that the FO has made this year should have been done last year. But, I'm OK with it (I gotta be). I have asked myself numerous times over the last week, " If they were just going to let Pep walk this year, then why in the hell did they tender him last year?" Perhaps it was a bit of wishful thinking on their part. Moreover, like many others, I was beside myself when Delhomme got so long an extension for so much money. I remember almost having a wreck when I heard that report on my way home from work. But, yet again, I can half-way rationalize that---even though i never believed the argument---because Jake was our best option. "He had a bad game," I said to myself. I continued, "Why in the hell would they give Jake that type of contract at his age, after the worst playoff implosion by a QB that I've ever seen?"

"Why?"

Well, in both the case of Pep and Jake, the only thing that I can come up with is that some within the FO decided to lose their business sense, and make decisions with their hearts out of some nostalgic sense of loyalty.

Hindsight truly is 20:20, but doesn't it seem like we'd have been in a much better position to compete in 2010 if we had let Pep walk, and given Jake the axe before last season? Perhaps. But, experience is the best teacher, as they say, and---but for last season---we would have never found out that we can probably do better without post Tommy John Jake, and a Pep who was looking at the "green" grass on the other side of the fence. So, in that sense, 2009 may not be a lost season afterall, but something that the FO had to go through to get real, do some soul searching, and get the team to where it needs to be. Maybe 2009 should be remembered as the watershed moment in our team's history, where the up and down status quo became unacceptable not only in the minds of fans, but of the entire organization.

I am guardedly optimistic.

[carpanfan96]

Well with the Kemo and Lewis cuts Jake only cost's us 3 million this season.

[top dawg]

Well with the Kemo and Lewis cuts Jake only cost's us 3 million this season.

We're on the hook for 12, from what I read.

[carpanfan96]

We're on the hook for 12, from what I read.

We are, but by cutting lewis and Kemo we've saved over 9 million on the season.

[top dawg]

Now, the question is: Where is all this saving of bread going to lead us?

Will manna fall from Heaven (in the form of a Moore and/or DE or WR perhaps)?

[Jangler]

Well, thinking back to last year. The Jake and Peppers BS might be why the sons are no longer involved with the team and those mistakes were not made again (Pep) and the other was corrected....somewhat.

[Udogg]

I agree on the Jake signing was more loyalty with a little bit of salary cap relief. Plus with his attitude there was no way he would be emotionally scarred from that Arizona game.....errrrr. wrong.

Peppers was more of a we don't have a pass rusher, don't know if we can get a good one in the draft, better to hold on and try for one last push next year with the threat of the uncapped year maybe working in our favor. I think coupled with seeing what Johnson and Brown could do, along with his huge franchise number, they waited and gave him the final offer. Can't really fault their decision making or attempt to sign long term deal with peppers. Jake is another story, but hey they fixed it now

[carpanfan96]

Well, thinking back to last year. The Jake and Peppers BS might be why the sons are no longer involved with the team and those mistakes were not made again (Pep) and the other was corrected....somewhat.

Very good point and I was thinking about that myself. I think that might be it actually.

[top dawg]

Well, thinking back to last year. The Jake and Peppers BS might be why the sons are no longer involved with the team and those mistakes were not made again (Pep) and the other was corrected....somewhat.

Yes, I think you're on the money, that's why I purposefully said "some within the FO..."

[Rags]

Maybe we'll have a hand in FA this year...?

[top dawg]

Yeah, that's what I am banking on. I am glad with it either way though---FA or draft. Actually I can see both being a benefit. And that's the way I would like to go. I'd get a "name" WR (pray tell) from FA, and get me a speedster with my first or second pick.

I know that some may want to address DE first in the draft, and depending on what happens with DE in FA, and who is available at WR, I would be hard to pass up a Jacoby Ford (for example).