Ah, you beat me to the punch. Great post.

I think we have a nice rotation at D-end and I think Jackson is an alright player certainly not worth the #3 pick though. If we add a NT we're set on the line.

We led the leauge in rushing and have one of the most explosive RBs in the leauge who people continually bitched didn't get enough carries, yet RB is on the list of most peoples needs.

What? BU RBs are a dime a dozen. All we need is to run JC more and let Jones back him up.

No.

Haley was clearly right about his approach with JC. His goal was keep him fresh so he could be as explosive as possible and it clearly worked. And you're right, Back up backs are a dime a dozen. But we're not looking for just another Back up. We need a back that can step in for JC and not miss a beat.

Our offense shouldn't change when a different back comes in place. Having JC on the field keeps the defense on its toes. Once he comes out, the D can breath a sigh of relief. We don't want that. When JC comes out, we need another back to step in and make the D say, "Oh ****"

This team will win games this season the same way they did last season. And right now, we only have one back on the roster worth a shit and it's debatable if he'd be as effective/durable for 350+ carries.

I love Charles as much as the next guy, but no one wants to see Haley Herm him to death.

This team needs a back and they WILL draft one. Just a matter of who.

Cassel/_______
Charles
Castillo/Cox
Bowe
_____
Moeaki
Albert
Lilja
________
Asamoah
Richardson/________

Dorsey
________
Smith/Jackson
Hali
Belcher
DJ
________/Studebaker
Flowers
Carr
Lewis
Superman


I count 3-4 for sure needs on this team that each would go a long long ways towards helping us get to the next step and three big ifs.

Add a nose guard to this defense and it makes EVERYONE on defense better and would round out one of the better 3-4 DLs in the league if Smith plays as well as he did and Jackson builds on what I saw as progress last year (though he will never live up to #3 billing and we all knew that as soon as the pick was made)

We add a guy that can compliment Hali in the pass rush while helping the safeties in coverage with tight ends and this defense has a chance to be one of the better ones in the league if we keep Crennel on staff for a couple more years.

I am starting to change my thoughts on Cassel a bit after the Zorn hiring. Matt did very well until the news got out about Charlie Weis and I think Zorn has enough experience and knowledge to help Cassel continue to progress into a guy we have a chance with. I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt at this point and hope for the best after seeing him showcase the ability to improve his game quite a bit in one year under Weis.

Instead, I think the offense could take the next step with adding a good young center to the line to help protect Cassel against bigger nose guards and to give us the ability to effectively run up the middle in short yardage situations. The other major need on offense is someone to compliment Moeaki and Bowe by being able to stretch the field and run great routes while being able to effectively block for the running game.

If handled as well as the last draft/free agency period, we could be in much better shape next year to play with the big boys.

...

All in all, the discussion about winning a championship ultimately is talking about if you think Cassel is capable of being that good once those pieces are there. I think he showed the ability to improve on a fairly good year but who knows how close to his ceiling he is?

After all the hatred for Cassel I have shown over the last couple years, this post should show how much I love the Zorn hiring.

5 is more realistic...

RB2, WR3, DE and ILB are not even close to being pressing needs... not saying they couldn't be upgraded... but those spots aren't holding us back like the others.

People have some serious reading comprehension.

To me, contender means championship.

If you just want to go 9-7 or 10-6 every year, maybe make the playoffs, maybe not, then the positions I mentioned don't need upgrading.

This team WILL NOT win a championship with the Cassel, Jackson or Belcher as full-time starters.

I'd trade the 21st for a 2nd this year and a 1st next year. That be my draft day dream scenario. I want to stock pile picks every year like the Patties do. If Cassel lays and egg we gun for Luck and if Cassel is the man we trade and stock pile.


PhilFree:arrow:

RB2 is a pressing need if you don't believe the Chiefs should be giving Charles 350+ touches. Count me as a non believer.

I beg to differ(Dilfer?), teams with bigger holes than those have won championships.

I dont know man, those are pretty big ****ing holes.

:facepalm:

Another guy hoping for lightning to strike instead of building a dynasty.

No, I am not saying we SHOULDN'T upgrade those spots.. just that being Henny Penny about it isn't helpful either.

No they aren't.. they are weak spots for sure.. but they aren't HOLES like our total lack of NT or C or OLB or WR

You don't have to have 35 ProBowl players to be a contender.