1 -"O-line", pieced together after playing the scuffle game and at one point of the season dead last in sacks allowed. Book end tackles were question marks this year due to age and injuries, next year more the same and both a year older. Sitton may be the only position that is set going into training camp. This is a major work in progress
2. - "Defense", an improvement from last year but had the growing pains associated with move to the 3-4.
Key injuries at the CB position exposed a weakness late in the season as far as depth at the position.
Kampman's switch to the new position still a question mark, his injury and contract lead only to more questions.
Mathews was a nice surprise and exceeded expectations in his first year, Raji like most rookies has a lot of things to improve. Brads Jones another welcomed surprise, interesting to see how he develops.
Question marks about AJ Hawk, bumpy road to start (lions game 9 reps) did some good things late, but awful playoff performance, Barnett with nothing to brag about either that game, but one year removed from knee injury may see him fully back to his old self
Defense still came up short playing the better teams in the league, Steeler/Arizona 1000 yards against. Big concern here, not a top 5 defense yet.
3 - "Special Teams" Issues with skill positions, kickers and return men. Last year a major focus by MM saw at best no improvement this year and may have gotten worse. Ranks on the bottom of the 32 teams in the NFL
4 - "Offense" A-rod is now in the debate as a top 5 QB and earned a leadership role on the team. Finnely/Havner have greatly added to our receiving threats and Grant had another 1000 yard performance. Still looking for another RB to compliment Grant in the running game.
4.5 - Penalties, again and again we seem to lead the league in this area, worst of the year was Johnny Jolly losing his cool in the home game against the vikings and adding insult to injury his interview after the game.
5 - Next year schedule is much tougher:
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, New York Jets
From my point of view, with the harder schedule, we have to make some big changes this season to improve on a 11-5 in and done performance. I don't think TT's building only in the draft is going improve our chances next year, maybe the years to follow. My main concern is the O-line, if he only adds rookies in the 2nd and latter rounds, next year will be a developing year to prepare this team for years to come.
There are just too many areas that need attention, and rookies take time to fill the voids.
2. - "Defense", an improvement from last year but had the growing pains associated with move to the 3-4.
Key injuries at the CB position exposed a weakness late in the season as far as depth at the position.
Kampman's switch to the new position still a question mark, his injury and contract lead only to more questions.
Mathews was a nice surprise and exceeded expectations in his first year, Raji like most rookies has a lot of things to improve. Brads Jones another welcomed surprise, interesting to see how he develops.
Question marks about AJ Hawk, bumpy road to start (lions game 9 reps) did some good things late, but awful playoff performance, Barnett with nothing to brag about either that game, but one year removed from knee injury may see him fully back to his old self
Defense still came up short playing the better teams in the league, Steeler/Arizona 1000 yards against. Big concern here, not a top 5 defense yet.
3 - "Special Teams" Issues with skill positions, kickers and return men. Last year a major focus by MM saw at best no improvement this year and may have gotten worse. Ranks on the bottom of the 32 teams in the NFL
4 - "Offense" A-rod is now in the debate as a top 5 QB and earned a leadership role on the team. Finnely/Havner have greatly added to our receiving threats and Grant had another 1000 yard performance. Still looking for another RB to compliment Grant in the running game.
4.5 - Penalties, again and again we seem to lead the league in this area, worst of the year was Johnny Jolly losing his cool in the home game against the vikings and adding insult to injury his interview after the game.
5 - Next year schedule is much tougher:
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, New York Jets
From my point of view, with the harder schedule, we have to make some big changes this season to improve on a 11-5 in and done performance. I don't think TT's building only in the draft is going improve our chances next year, maybe the years to follow. My main concern is the O-line, if he only adds rookies in the 2nd and latter rounds, next year will be a developing year to prepare this team for years to come.
There are just too many areas that need attention, and rookies take time to fill the voids.
