Team Depth to Compete for Super Bowl?

Originally posted by rk1642:
After watching the Super Bowl last night, it became apparent that we are a long way off in the depth charts when compared to teams like the Steelers and Packers.

GB has played without a 1/3 of the team at times this season and still got to the playoffs. Last night GB loses top DB and WR and still win the game. Seems like they just plug in a player and say "go get it done" and it happens.

Steelers lose their best Oline player at center and still block like they've been playing together forever. Holes were huge for the running game all night!

On the other hand, we can't even get it done with our starters? I know coaching is the main problem and we have finally addressed that situation. But I really think we are at least 2 really good drafts away from filling out our roster with quality depth that can step up if needed. I also think that the more depth we aquire, the better our starters will be due to the competition.

29 other teams feel the same way right now.

Consistency. Those two teams have stability and experience in GM, offensive system, and defense. Maybe not defense with Greenbay, but Dom Capers is one of the best in business and he had been there for 2 years. These teams may have lost coaches but they plugged in ones that fit and can continue the system that they have in place.

For us, we had first on the job GM Scot McCloughan, Nolan, Singletary, and the revolving door of OC every year. A couple of those OC have never been a coordinator. It affected the whole team. We used to be like these teams too. People were wondering how our backups were so good when they came into the game. Same story, it's years of stability from top to bottom, front office and coaching.

The 9ers have missed on many of the key positions--pass rusher, DBs, WRs, and QB. They have no depth at those positions and the guys they drafted have not blossomed. Is that coaching? Likely a big part of it. But, I liked R Smith and thought he would be a good starting safety by now. Lawson? I really like/liked him but he is not a pass rusher. Morgan? Decent WR but not a game breaker or consistent enough to be the safety outlet type.

They need some real talent at these positions before thinking about depth. The one position I would think is somewhat secure is TE if they can all adapt to Harbaugh's offense. The OLine is the second most secure part of the team if Heitman comes back and they keep Baas. As OLine players gain experience the team will have both quality and depth...though they still need to upgrade or coach up RG (hate the term "coach up" but it seems to fit).

[ Edited by dtg_9er on Feb 7, 2011 at 10:27:58 ]

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
Consistency. Those two teams have stability and experience in GM, offensive system, and defense. Maybe not defense with Greenbay, but Dom Capers is one of the best in business and he had been there for 2 years. These teams may have lost coaches but they plugged in ones that fit and can continue the system that they have in place.

For us, we had first on the job GM Scot McCloughan, Nolan, Singletary, and the revolving door of OC every year. A couple of those OC have never been a coordinator. It affected the whole team. We used to be like these teams too. People were wondering how our backups were so good when they came into the game. Same story, it's years of stability from top to bottom, front office and coaching.

Agree totally that the front office has to be top notch with a vision. Teams with great ownership and front office personel have had a huge advantage over us for the last 7 years. Jim and his staff will turn this around and at least we can get the most out of the talent we currently have on the roster.

With so many holes and lack of depth to fill, I really hope we don't reach for a qb at pick #7 unless Jim really thinks one of those guys has the potential to be great!

I too am struck by the depth of talent that these two teams have. And it is not just GB and PITT. Other top-tier teams also have deep rosters. But more than that, the GMs of the good teams recognize that there are players available who, although not prototypical athletes, still have skills that make them useful and productive in the NFL.

As a case in point, NE has some players - Welker, Edleman, Woodhead - who are not big or tall, but are quick, reliable and productive. Two of these guys were undrafted free agents and one was a 7th rounder. Jordie Nelson, despite his drops, also played a key role last night.

If I am not mistaken, Ted Thompson, left SEA in '05 and has been GB's personnel guy for the last six years. Compare his acquisitions to those of our beloved McLoughan. No comparison.

I have said for years that if I had to start a team, the most important figure would be the GM. If he is superior then your team will be superior.

So, if Baalke turns out to be average, our team will remain average. If he is top-ten, then eventually we will become top-ten.

We don't have the depth to be a Super Bowl team? What tipped you off?

Let's worry about the team surface first.

Starting with the QB position.

I noticed the packers had a couple of our cast offs playing for them last night as well, Diyral Briggs & Matt Whilhelm, shows how good our LB depth is.

Originally posted by rk1642:
After watching the Super Bowl last night, it became apparent that we are a long way off in the depth charts when compared to teams like the Steelers and Packers.

GB has played without a 1/3 of the team at times this season and still got to the playoffs. Last night GB loses top DB and WR and still win the game. Seems like they just plug in a player and say "go get it done" and it happens.

Steelers lose their best Oline player at center and still block like they've been playing together forever. Holes were huge for the running game all night!

On the other hand, we can't even get it done with our starters? I know coaching is the main problem and we have finally addressed that situation. But I really think we are at least 2 really good drafts away from filling out our roster with quality depth that can step up if needed. I also think that the more depth we aquire, the better our starters will be due to the competition.

It reminded me of the Niners back in the day before the salary cap. When they could sign guys that could have possibly been starters on other teams but were backups or subs on the Niners. The trick now is, of course, to do it within the cap. It reinforces the talent and stability needed in the front office down to the coaching ranks in evaluating player talent and character

In Bill Walshs' book he spoke of continuosly upgrading the roster. The roster spots 32-52 where being evaluated weekly, if any other talent came along they upgraded.

Look at Pete Carrol, he upgraded the roster throughout the season. I believe Baalke and Co stayed pat all season.

So many problems, all will be fixed if they get a qb who can make other players better around them.

Who knows what we have as startes and backups?

Our coaching staff was non-existent

Originally posted by rk1642:
After watching the Super Bowl last night, it became apparent that we are a long way off in the depth charts when compared to teams like the Steelers and Packers.

GB has played without a 1/3 of the team at times this season and still got to the playoffs. Last night GB loses top DB and WR and still win the game. Seems like they just plug in a player and say "go get it done" and it happens.

Steelers lose their best Oline player at center and still block like they've been playing together forever. Holes were huge for the running game all night!

On the other hand, we can't even get it done with our starters? I know coaching is the main problem and we have finally addressed that situation. But I really think we are at least 2 really good drafts away from filling out our roster with quality depth that can step up if needed. I also think that the more depth we aquire, the better our starters will be due to the competition.

Elite Qbs don't need to have pro bowl caliber receivers to move the chains. Look at what Peyton Manning did this year, 10-6 and a play-off appearance with practice squad level receivers. We don't even have a starting 11 that is on contender level, we have more holes than just a quarterback. A good QB could get us to being a 9-10 win team and than would be a start.

Originally posted by Bluefalcon61:
Let's worry about the team surface first.

Starting with the QB position.

Originally posted by Bluefalcon61:
Let's worry about the team surface first.

Starting with the QB position.