This whole firing/keeping Philbin thing is really a complicated question. I think we all understand Philbin's shortcomings. But there are other things to consider - like if you fire him, who do you replace him with? Name one available proven entity that you'd salivate over.(that is itching to coach again) Do we want to can Philbin and replace him with someone unproven who may run completely different systems, start over, purge the roster, go through 5-11 seasons for two years until we finally get re-built to where we are now, and we've wasted two years of our good players' primes? Going into this season, I thought we were still one offseason away from really being true playoff contenders and noise makers. Last off-season, too much energy, money and time had to be dedicated to fixing that d**n o-line, that we couldn't focus on making upgrades elsewhere. This year, I think our weaknesses really stand out, which allows them to be quickly addressed We need to shore up the middle of the o-line(Still...but at least we're not trying to find five new starters-maybe just one if we're counting on Billy Turner) get a stud, big running back to match with Miller, and find a seam TE. We could use some upgrades maybe/depth at LB. Re-sign Pouncey, Clay and Odrick, and I think this off-season can really set us up to be a big time contender next year. I have faith in Hickey's drafting,(I hope he doesn't get too cute and overdraft too many small school guys- that's my only concern) and I think that without so much pressure to fill so many o-line positions it will make the free agency period easier for him. Barring a total flop in the last 6 games, I think Philbin and Hickey should get one more shot. I know this opinion has been stated before by many, but I just felt like with the small re-build necessary this past off-season, it really set us back. I'm pleasantly surprised and thrilled to be where we are right now, and it feels really good at this point in the season to know we' re close, watch other teams and root for those in our way to lose, rather than to be seeing how many teams draft in front of us.
