Oh please, we had a rash of injuries, didn't get the two people we wanted on the Oline, and the OL needed revamping, I give much credit to Spielman for pulling the tigger..
We lost:
Ricky W. retired
D. Boston..injured
McIntosh: played injured
T. Bo: injured
Chester: injured
Seau: injured
Zach: Missed games injured
Konrad: injured
Fielder and AJ, played injured
Gordon: Injured
Minor: Injured
Newson: Injured
Bell: Injured
Atkins: Injured
New OC..no experience
Wanny refused to open the O.
I never think a team is top tier until they prove it on the field..I thought our OLine was keeping us back and that was before last year.
With the additions of Booker, AJ, James, McIntosh, St. Clair, Poole, Pope, Bua, Carey, and our injured players back, along with the FA's and draft this year I think we'll be a very good team. Wanny had a close top tier team, but not top tier, we had too many holes on O. I like the fact that Speilman went after that. Yes you have to break some eggs, before you hach a chick..but I think Spielman's move started that haching. He did a good job. He had to start somewhere which mean we had to sacrifice one year, but we have a #2 pick for a change and a chance to do some things..Saban wouldn't have a chance to trade down and acquire more picks if this didn't happen. Last year might have been the best thing to have happen to the phins in terms of getting this thing changed around. Props to Speilman and I HOPE HE'S RETAIN. The guy is a good talent evaluator and I trust him, more than Saban at this stage.