What do we do this offseason?

[CollegePanther]

We made huge strides this year in finally putting together what we have. We also found two studs at DT and have 2 solid vets... a long awaited fix. We have an elite set of DEs(if we can keep Hardy) and our linebacker group is also very solid. We just have problems in the secondary and on offense. So here's what I think we do:

• Fire Shula, bring in someone who can actually run an NFL offense. Shula had some bright spots this season but the dark ones obviously outweighed them. I don't care how close he is to Cam... I loved my high-school Chemistry teacher but he didn't have a clue how to teach. After watching the game today I think this is a must fix. Got stopped on the one yard line twice and had countless dumb play calls. 
• Draft WR in the first. You typically can't find an elite OT in the late first round and I think WR is just as pressing with Smitty coming to the end of his career. But if an good OT is available, take him. 
• Draft CB in the second. Melvin White was a good find and Munnerlyn is a great nickle but neither are NFL starters. OG would also make sense here depending on FA. 
• TE in the third, Olsen is solid but we have nothing outside him. 
• Resign Hardy. Hardy is a monster and single-handedly kept us in several games this year. Pay the man.
• Resign Gross, Ginn, Mitchell, Mikell, Anderson, Scott(as a backup), and Gano. 
• Let LaFell walk. Good riddance. 
• Extend Newton. Obviously he is our franchise QB and don't want to risk him testing the market next season. 
• Sign a starting WR, RT, CB, and RG. I think we can get away with signing a mid-tier RG and CB(ie Mitchell and Ginn last season) but I think it's time we sign a big name at either WR(Nicks, Maclin, Decker) or RG(Albert, Monroe, Oher). I'm not one who believes in building through FA but sometimes you have to make fixes that way. 

I think if we do all these things we will come back a much better team next season and actually make a splash in the playoffs. 

[*FreeFua*]

Just curious, where did you find all the cap space in order to do what you did

[CollegePanther]

Just curious, where did you find all the cap space in order to do what you did

There's no way you read all that in a minute. The only big signings are Hardy and either at WR or RT. We can afford that. 

[*FreeFua*]

There's no way you read all that in a minute. The only big signings are Hardy and either at WR or RT. We can afford that.

For starters you want to re sign Hardy, Gross, Ginn, Mitchell, Mikell and extend Cam.

Then you want to sign a starting WR, RT, CB and RG. You said you want a big name at WR or RG neither will come cheap. No way this is possible.

I don't think it's possible to continue to build for the future and re sign hardy. Best thing is to tag him and trade him IMO.

[Jackofalltrades]

Call Geico and hope we can save 15% on our cap space.

[camtheone]

Remember Godfrey is owed 7 million which he'll likely be cut or severely reduced salary.  That will help with getting a few players or add to Cams renegotiated contract.  We also have about what 18-20 UFA contracts but most are backup players.  We finally have some cap room too this year, thank GOD hurney is gone.....Would be nice if CJ restructured but he's deserved his money.....we will see....and we have all our draft picks this year....KEEP POUNDING!

[Snake]

What we want and what we will get are two different things.

 

Shula will not be fired that for sure.

 

What DG does will be huge.

 

Rivera will get a new contract.

 

We more than likely want be much better next year with our cap hell.

[CollegePanther]

For starters you want to re sign Hardy, Gross, Ginn, Mitchell, Mikell and extend Cam.

Then you want to sign a starting WR, RT, CB and RG. You said you want a big name at WR or RG neither will come cheap. No way this is possible.

I don't think it's possible to continue to build for the future and re sign hardy. Best thing is to tag him and trade him IMO.

We are 17 million under the cap. Also cutting Godfrey will free up a ton of room if I'm not mistaken. Mitchell, Mikell, and Ginn should all be very affordable, otherwise let them walk. When I say starting RT, CB, RG, and WR I just mean like what Gettleman did this year. He is good at finding hidden gems and getting them for cheap; signing someone like Nicks makes since since Smitty is almost done and we have virtually nothing behind him. Hardy makes way too much of an impact on this team to just let him walk... and yes a tag could make since for this season. 

[Anybodyhome]

I'm ready to find more part time work. Once I supplement my retirement income, I'll begin completing some upgrades to my new home, I'm trading in the Tahoe for a smaller, more economical SUV or pickup truck. 

 

I'm close to 60 and have never experienced any health problems and never been hospitalized (except for the 6 hours to have my gall bladder out) and within the last month I've been diagnosed with a couple issues that require immediate attention... so getting healthy again is a major priority.

 

I want to read more history and biographies this year also. 

 

 

[AceBoogie]

I wouldn't extend Rivera. Keep the pressure on him make him do it again. We don't have to go 12-4 again but we need to be back in the playoffs

[ajax4132]

We need two receivers in the 1st and 2nd

[ncfan]

Resign Hardy- Our Front 7 Carried us all year, take a major piece away from that and we are back to square 1 like Tampa.

 

WRs- Need 2 Solid guys not LaFell guys, guys who would be #1-2 guys on majority of teams.  Smith needs to move to the slot.  Gotta give The young QB weapons to keep him rolling and building confidence.  Need guys out there catching passes so 1. teams can't stack and load the box which will open up and help the RB's.  2.  tougher to blitz and rush- as much tough love our OL is getting most OL in football would struggle getting rushed with 5-6 guys every down.  Some weapons = improves the running game And pass protection.

 

DB's- defensive coach and GM, have that front 7 beasting but secondary gets exposed when teams neutralizes the front line.    If we are trying to win that old school way need to shore up the DB's to make it tough across the board like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, NYG.

 

OL- soon as we get those other 2 fixed grab fix for Bell if possible and depth.

2015- Double up OT 1-2 if we could squeeze 2 more years out of Gross, try to grab a top tier RB 1 RT/OG 2-3

[Jangler]

Call Geico and hope we can save 15% on our cap space.

 

[MtnProwler]

OP there is no way we can do everything you listed in this off season. Godfrey comes with a hefty amount of dead money so it's not so easy to cut him as it seems just to free up a couple of million. Just to let you know a franchise tag for DE will be 10-13 Million out of the 17 you say we have I'm a little worried that may only leave us with 4-7M, not enough to go into the draft and do resigns. Realistically this is what we do, and there isn't a whole lot of flexibility here:

Sign Hardy to a staggered contract that is top heavy from CJs. Like a 5-6 year deal at 60M. Work it to where he only hits us about 8M a year over the next three years, while we get all the cap mess fixed.

Resign the players who will take a M or less to come back per year, we really don't have much room to be picky here. We would only have an estimated 5-6M to do this with. People not very educated on our cap situation will be upset come next season because of our lack of flexibility. I hope Ginn and Mitchell and at some of the Oline are in this group for depth, but they may want too much.

Draft. We need improvement in all areas. I still think our front six are fine on D even though it was a tough game for them against San Fran. We need to go WR/OL/DB all heavy and for cheap.

Number 1 thing we need is for some GMAN magic to get this all done, his work is cut out for him. There really isn't much room to venture FA for a top DB or receiver without doing a massive restructuring of many contracts.