Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
Originally posted by NCommand:
Alex is essentially a rookie this year, IMHO. He has another OC, entire new coaching staff, new offense, no time to install it, key injuries to all three WR's, changes along the OL, tough early schedule, etc. The reality is that he is doing everything that is asked of him at a very high level and I feel he will grow as the offense evolves and injured players get back into the fold. Remember, he's had to "unlearn" 7 years of different offenses and that is very difficult esp. with no offseason. He is essentially a rookie who isn't making rookie mistakes right now. To say we need an upgrade right now is very premature as he's grown every week with really, only one area he needs to improve upon and that is his deep accuracy although he's made some beauties here as well this year esp. along the sidelines in between defenders.
I agree with HessianDud as well re: our potential upgrades. I'd also consider a true two-gap dominant NT as well which would give us a ton of depth on the DL. Safety is a big one as we essentially have two strong safeties right now who excel at playing inside the box, in run support and are benefiting off a great pass rush and plenty of extra CB's on the field. But both are slow in range and can certainly be beaten deep and sometimes, slow to help over the top. We could use another star RB or a scat-back, another dominant MLB in case Willis/Bowman go down. Maybe another veteran C just in case and blocking TE. We need mostly depth and preparation in case anyone goes down...next guy up.
No question Alex can be better next year with 2 years in the same system. He didn't even have a legitimate offseason and all new system and coaches.
If better QB play was an easy thing to find, 22 other teams in the league would do it today.
QB and WR are inextricably linked. As Edwards and Crabtree get more PT, both positions will be improved. As it stands now, PATIENCE is what is needed. Right now Smith is playing better than he ever had, better than 20+ other QBs in the league. His arrow is pointing up. Until it becomes clear he has reached his ceiling, any move would be foolish.
WR is in the same category as QB, IMO. It needs time. That being said, the passing game needs a speedy guy that can really go get the long ball. Ginn has neither the hands nor the judgement to be that guy. All good passing teams have more than just two dependable catchers. Davis and Walker add a component that some other teams do not have but they are not put in the position of sitting outside and scaring the safety into doubling over the top. Green Bay sets the standard for WRs right now. They can bring 5 guys that force the DC to plan for them.
Center/RG is an area that needs upgrading but Kilgore may play in that issue. Again, the main thing needed here is PATIENCE. For 8 years the coaching has been so bad that we really don't know what the current roster can do or what is needed that is here but only needs time to develop.
On defense; you can never have too many pass rushers, but the present mix of Aldon, Justin, Haralson and Brooks seem to be bringing it more and more as time goes along.
The secondary is the one obvious area of need. A big CB with speed is the single greatest need.
The safety position is a changing one in the league. Both safeties need excellent cover skills. Goldson, as exciting as he is with some of his hits, is not a good cover guy. No one else on the roster appears to have the skill set needed to play safety. Add AT LEAST one, better still, two players at this position.
By the time we actually CAN do something about upgrades, we will know a lot more about WHERE we need an upgrade.
[ Edited by dj43 on Nov 3, 2011 at 9:42 AM ]
