What is necessary for us to be raised to the next level?

[skinster]

I think it is important to always look to the future of our team. What do you guys think is our biggest weakness that we must address to be raised to the next level? Of course there is room for improvement at most positions, but it is unrealistic to be able to address all our areas of weakness in a reasonable amount of time. I think we are 2 positions away from becoming real contenders; I feel like we are weakest on the OL and DL (more DL).
I'll be the first to admit that I said in the offseason that our WR's were atrocious and unable to produce, I also said that the McNabb trade was not worth the second and third picks, but I have had a change of heart. I still think we are among the worst receiving cores in the league, but I do not think it matters as much as I used to because McNabb has been absolutely incredible. He makes our passing game at least respectable despite having almost nothing to work with.
So back to where we need to improve to be raised into legitimate contenders. The DL and OL. From what I can see the DL is getting zero push. Teams are able to pass all over us because the quarterbacks are not getting the pocket collapsed on them in time. Our blitzes are also not as effective because of the weak push in the trenches. I watch the push that other teams get on us and it upsets me that we seem to never collapse the pocket like others seem to do to us. Fortunately we have McNabb who has be phenomenal at avoiding the pressure, but I can't help but think that we'd put up another td every game if we had a stronger OL push to help us with the run game (I do not think we get adequate push there either...Indy was an exception because they are so small) and give McNabb more time. I also feel that we have gotten extremely lucky on defense so far. It seems that offenses are able to drive on us every game, but somehow something always happens where their points don't reflect how they are dominating us. I feel that if we had a stronger DL everything would change. Our LB's DB's WR's RB's TE's QB's and FB's might not all be perfect, but I feel as if they are good enough that if we improve in the trenches we should be a legitimate playoff team, no questions asked.

[over the mountain]

The easy answer is:

1) 1 or 2 more years of adding the right personnel
2) 1 or 2 more years of the players playing in the same scheme

pretty much what we knew before the regular season began.

[skinster]

Originally Posted by skinster

I think it is important to always look to the future of our team. What do you guys think is our biggest weakness that we must address to be raised to the next level? Of course there is room for improvement at most positions, but it is unrealistic to be able to address all our areas of weakness in a reasonable amount of time. I think we are 2 positions away from becoming real contenders; I feel like we are weakest on the OL and DL (more DL).
I'll be the first to admit that I said in the offseason that our WR's were atrocious and unable to produce, I also said that the McNabb trade was not worth the second and third picks, but I have had a change of heart. I still think we are among the worst receiving cores in the league, but I do not think it matters as much as I used to because McNabb has been absolutely incredible. He makes our passing game at least respectable despite having almost nothing to work with.
So back to where we need to improve to be raised into legitimate contenders. The DL and OL. From what I can see the DL is getting zero push. Teams are able to pass all over us because the quarterbacks are not getting the pocket collapsed on them in time. Our blitzes are also not as effective because of the weak push in the trenches. I watch the push that other teams get on us and it upsets me that we seem to never collapse the pocket like others seem to do to us. Fortunately we have McNabb who has be phenomenal at avoiding the pressure, but I can't help but think that we'd put up another td every game if we had a stronger OL push to help us with the run game (I do not think we get adequate push there either...Indy was an exception because they are so small) and give McNabb more time. I also feel that we have gotten extremely lucky on defense so far. It seems that offenses are able to drive on us every game, but somehow something always happens where their points don't reflect how they are dominating us. I feel that if we had a stronger DL everything would change. Our LB's DB's WR's RB's TE's QB's and FB's might not all be perfect, but I feel as if they are good enough that if we improve in the trenches we should be a legitimate playoff team, no questions asked.

Sorry forgot to add what I wanted to say about how much improvement is needed. I think that we need two quality interior linemen (doesnt matter which positions), and one impact DL and one quality DL (doesn't matter what positions).
I think our OL doesn't need to dominate anything, they just need to be good enough so that Mcnabb can do his thing and so that we have a little more confidence in our run game. I am not worried so much about Brown or Williams for next year, they will both improve, just the interior who I do not see getting anything but worse.
I think that we need one DL which will wreak havoc and push the pocket/draw the double team, and one DL which can benefit from the other wreaking havoc. The second DL needs to just be good enough that he can get a reasonable amount of push, and I do not see anyone on our roster that is adequate to fill either of these roles in my mind (this is all said assuming Haynsworth is gone next year).

[SolidSnake84]

I think we need to keep working on the O-line.

We are set at quarterback for the next season or 2.

We have a bona fide starter and feature back in Ryan Torain, who is still very young.

[CrustyRedskin]

With the parity in the NFL these day anything could happen.

[over the mountain]

Torain is going to have to play well for the entire season (and perhaps then some) before I check feature runningback off my list of player needs. Not saying he cant be a good player or hasnt shown some promise thus far but I dont want to crown the kid just yet just like Horton was overly praised a few years ago.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

Torain is going to have to play well for the entire season (and perhaps then some) before I check feature runningback off my list of player needs. Not saying he cant be a good player or hasnt shown some promise thus far but I dont want to crown the kid just yet just like Horton was overly praised a few years ago.

I agree with your assessment on Terain. He's shown flashes and he also has his limitations. (1) demonstrate he can stay reasonably healthy for a season, (2) duplicate his best efforts on a consistent basis so he dosen't slip into that "hero" with accolades one week to he "sucks" the next.

The team needs a lot before it reaches the point where it's considered a legitimate contender on a consistent basis. Our areas of need are well documented, but just how we'll go about acquiring the personell necessary to fulfill those needs remains a mystery. The draft is not exactly a cure all unless we're talking about multiple ones.

[MTK]

More than anything, we need more time with the new systems. More playmakers on both sides is a given.

As far as Torain goes, I'm a fan but I'm not convinced he's the long term answer as the starter either. He's a grinder, but not a home run threat. It would be nice to find someone that can really scare a D with big play ability.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

More than anything, we need more time with the new systems. More playmakers on both sides is a given.

As far as Torain goes, I'm a fan but I'm not convinced he's the long term answer as the starter either. He's a grinder, but not a home run threat. It would be nice to find someone that can really scare a D with big play ability.

I agree, I have him as a backup RB on my fantast teams, although I traded him in one because the guy offered me killer WRs for him and he didn't have any feature backs.

We need another year or two with this scheme like you say, but we do need to start drafting smarter. Not saying just get better with scouting, but actually try to address team needs no matter what. If we need O linemen badly draft a few. A prime example was with Gibb's last or next to last draft when he got those 3 RBs. Why get 3 RBs since we had CP, Betts, and Cartwright? I could maybe see one, but two of those picks could have gone toward the line. Granted mid round picks usually don't amount to much, but you might find a gem or just upgrade your backups. This past draft we wasted some picks in my opinion, especially with that TE we drafted. You have Cooley and Davis, and on top of that you badly needed linemen. WE could have at least drafted a LB to gain an additional one for the 3-4.

[CrazyCanuck]

Originally Posted by skinzfan44

nobody's stating the obvious...our seconday absolutly stinks. Other than Landry, the rest of these guys need to go to the UFL!! Carlos Rodgers can't catch a cold, Reed Doughty...can't even comment, and Deangelo Hall is all talk. These guys don't scare anybody

I agree 0%.

Originally Posted by Buster

Carlos is an excellent cover corner. D-Hall is a playmaker and good cover guy as well. Buchanon is a solid nickel/backup CB.

Our safeties are not bad. Landry is a star of course, Kareem Moore is a solid young player with some progress yet to be made (dropping INTs), but is improving. Doughty is a solid tackler, but bad cover guy and Horton...not sure. Horton looked to be a great player in his rookie year but has been unseen since.

Overall, our secondary is pretty good I'd say. If a few guys could learn to catch the ball, we'd be intimidating. Seems like our cover guys can cover but not tackle and our playmakers can get their hands on the ball but can't tackle.

Landry can do everything though.

I agree 100%.

IMO our secondary is the strongest unit on the team (except maybe QB).

Los is having his best year yet, he's really becoming a great shutdown corner if not already. I say this cuz I haven't heard his name all year. As for the drops, I came to grips with it a while back. Trust me you just have to accept it you will be much happier. I used to be like "Fckn Rogers!!! ". Now I'm more like "Oh Carlos...".

Hall's average in coverage but he'll make a play when it's there. He reminds me of some of the Bears guys. He's fine. So far I've seen 2 great plays from Buchanon (last week), but at least 6 brutal ones this year. I'm not sold but there's hope. Moore can't tackle and Doughty can't cover. If we could meld them together we'd have a pro bowler.

And of course Landry. Really coming into his own. Hope they don't start fining him with the "new rules".

Don't know why this secondary wouldn't scare anybody, we've knocked like 25 guys out this year.

[Larry Michael is Satan]

Big, strong, young bad asses in the middle of the field. DT, OG and C. Imagine how much greater Landry and Orakpo could be if the D line could really take up blockers. On the O-line, get that unit to be as great as the ones Shan had in Denver. It wasn't by accident that he could plug any RB in there and gain 1000 yds. I'd take care of that in the draft, and try to sign a proven #1 WR via trade or FA.

[CrazyCanuck]

And please stop with the WR talk, I can't take it anymore.

WR is the most overrrated position in football. Why were the Lions so sh*t every year? Cuz they kept blowing picks on fckn RECEIVERS! How many bowls has TO won??

When I was 10 years old I thought the Fun Bunch was the best unit on the Skins. Now that I'm in my thirties I've come to realize it was the Hogs. Spending valuable picks to add a #1 WR to this team is like putting a spoiler on a car with no engine or wheels. It's retarted. Like others on this site have mentioned, you build a winner from the inside out.

Our OL SUCKS. TW looks solid but jeez Lichtenberger and Rabach and Brown and Hicks and Heyer...
You want a nose tackle? Fine we definitely need one if we're gonna play the 3-4. I wouldn't mind a LB either. I'm starting to see cracks in Fletch's armor. The guy was in the super bowl in the 90s, he can't last forever. We're gonna need a new captain soon. And we have to think about QB next draft if not this one (and McNabb must be resigned).

Give me OLs, DLs, LBs, DBs, QBs... but NO WRs!!! I'd rather they draft Durant Brooks again (Vinny ) than draft Taylor Devin Kelly (well not really but...).

[redsk1]

2-3 years of solid drafts. Quantity and quality. And of course time in this system.

[12thMan]

I think we missed a great opportunity to bring Lynch here. Coulda been a great fit. That said, this team is either beating or hanging with tough opponents week in and week out, we're not that far off.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I think we missed a great opportunity to bring Lynch here. Coulda been a great fit. That said, this team is either beating or hanging with tough opponents week in and week out, we're not that far off.

I don't know. Haven't we traded enough draft picks for others trash over the years? Lynch isn't any good.