How would you approach this offseason as a GM: Trades? Draft. Free Agency. How do you fix this team?
(for the purposes of this, pretend Philbin/Sherman/Coyle return)
Sorry, if this coaching staff returns you don't fix it in 2014.
How would you approach this offseason as a GM: Trades? Draft. Free Agency. How do you fix this team?
(for the purposes of this, pretend Philbin/Sherman/Coyle return)
I am not married to the 4-3. Changing to a 3-4 might be a way to utilize more talent currently on the roster IF Soliai can be re-signed.
But Vernon doesn't fit the 3-4. Ireland made a mistake this offseason, no surprise, by resigning Misi to an extension who is okay at best. Dion Jordan should be learning to play SLB & be used similar to Von Miller. Having three good pass rushers on the field at all times is a better proposition than yo-yoing back & forth between defenses.
Getting rid of Sherman is a must.
But as far as personnel goes, I'd sign an OT, draft an OT, sign a G, draft a G, and make sure to keep Soliai. I'd keep Grimes unless there is any elite corner on the market we can get for similar money (I don't know of any hitting the market this year). Draft a DT in in the middle rounds, and find a RB to work with Miller.
I understand your point, but unless you know something that I ignore, it's almost impossible to get both Soliai and Starks back. Explain this please.Fire Coyle. I dont think he a poor coach, but he has underacheived with the talent available and our players are best suited to a 3-4 IMO.
I would go against the grain and keep Sherman. We forget that we have the worst tackles in football, no O'line depth, no blocking TE, FB or RB and this has to be addressed and IMO him staying would be best for RT.
I would re-sign, Starks, Nolan Carroll, Chris Clemons, Brent Grimes, John Jerry, Paul Soliai, Will Yeatman.
Release Dimitri Patterson, Daniel Thomas, Jonathan Martin, Michael Egnew.
I wouldn't sign any Free Agent for more than a 1 year contract. I would pick up players with a point to prove, much like Grimes & Keller this year and then re-assess at end of season. Pick up players released after the initial flurry of throwing money away.
With the players re-signed, it would keep our Defensive side of the ball in tact. A 3-4 front 5 of Starks, Soliai, Odrick, Wake & Jordan should cause havoc. This would be massively enticing for any 3-4 DC. Can you imagine a Wade Phillips or a Rex Ryan with this front and a secondary of Grimes, Jones, Clemons & Carroll.
I would finally build through draft. With my defense in place, I would concentrate only on offense. Next years draft his high on OT in 1st round. I would love Kouandijio and plug him in at RT. I would have in mind an O'line next year of McKinnie, Garner, Pouncey, Jerry, 1st rnd pick. Dallas Thomas, Brenner, Will Yeatman, plus any OT willing to compete on a 1 year contract, would back up.
I would move Clay to H back and aim to draft a TE in round 2. I would love Austin Seferian-Jenkins. With Dion Sims they would provide a nice pairing.
I would then draft a RB, G, legitimate FB and another WR. I would also consider QB with this years class. Someone to backup and in future push RT. I want much like Pete Carroll said, competition in every position.