There is plenty to fix, but it's not a quick fix. Step one is realize it's not an overnight fix. It may be to get back to .500, or even a playoff berth. But if the goal is to compete for a superbowl, year in and year out... that's not a quick easy fix.
1. Top 5 pick... Get a franchise QB. Personally, I would trade 'almost' anything for Luck, but Jones and Barkley show allot of promise. As great as a Manning would be, a Rivers or Big Ben would be awesome as well. We need a QB to build around.
2. Evaluate the team.... obviously most positions need an upgrade, but again that's not going to happen over 1 off season... Sort them into Must Haves, Would Like, If Easy, Starter.
There is no need to go over every position here, but I think on Offense, Long, Pouncy are starters, the rest of the line needs upgrades. Only right tackle is a Must have. Either Carey goes back, or you draft a Tackle. At RB, they also could upgrade, but their if easy. TE is a would like, obviously a upgrade is important there, but not at an extreme price.... plus we don't know what we have in Clay. Wide Outs, I think Marshall and Bess are starters as #1 and #3 Wide outs, are there better upgrades? Sure, but ones we can get? No. I'd like to see some more speed, a 'titus young', or mike wallace type of player opposite marshall, with bess in the slot. (how did Holmes get traded for a 5th... man we should have done that)
Defense is trougher... I think another passrusher (or 2), along with saftey help are must haves, but this is a Defense that was playing well last year. I'm not ready to give up on them all yet. Obviously, if a talent is available in the draft, which could upgrade a LB, CB, or any position you take him and make the upgrade.
One problem with this team has been reaches. Taking value works, expecially after round 2. Take good value, players who maybe should have gone earlier and find steals there.
3. Fire the coach, AFTER THE SEASON. there is no reason to fire him mid season... almost never works. Let him finish up... then find someone new. Keep Nolan, 1 season removed for golden child on a team not motivated. I would go get a young motivated coach. Maybe offensive minded, keeping Nolan on Defense.
4. New GM, DON"T GIVE COACH GM POWERS! It's a tough enough job to be a coach, or a GM, don't be both. Let the young coach coach.
5. Stay to the plan, don't take shortcuts... don't pay anyone over 30 big money, don't pass on a franchise QB, unless you already have one. don't trade away first round pick. (unless it's for a franchise QB). Don't trade picks for anyone over 30. Don't trade top 3 rounds for anyone who is mediocre... (Orton)
6. Be willing to loose with a young team, young teams get better, old teams retire. (I'd rather have Misi out there than Taylor... If i'm in the superbowl... get me taylor! Trying to build a new team... Misi)
7. Trade older/ downtrending players for picks.... more the better. Picks are young players. Some hit, some miss. More hits with more picks... plus old players always leave.
8. Fix the schedule, back to early Sunday games.... white at home. Hot, sticky, hard to play in.
9. Change attitude (New Coach), at some point you have a 3rd and 1.... and you run up the middle. They know your running up the middle.... you know it, everyone knows it. Can you get 1 yard. If you can't... then your not going to a superbowl.
The biggest thing for me is to understand it's not a quick fix. We could go trade for 3 players, and get a exciting coach, be all pumped up and maybe squeak into a wildcard next year... but in 2 years we'll be right back at this point. (hence why I was so happy we didn't trade for Orton). Lets build a winner, around winning fundamental football. Run the ball, playaction, good tackling defense, pressure the QB... But it all starts with a franchise QB.
Just my opinion.... I'm a hockey coach so what do I know? No Iceing in football.