Hardy Nickerson and Joe Johnson were supposed to fill gaps back in the Sherman years but clearly that didn't work. We could spend 9 mil on Byrd and he could go the way of Haynesworth or get injured day 2 of training camp. This is why in general I like Ted's approach, he knows there is never a sure thing or silver bullet so he never makes a knee jerk move that could jeopardize future years and needs.
Originally Posted by: musccy
"Knee jerk moves that could jeopardize future years?" 2012 was a "future year" back in 2011 when Nick Collins, his Pro Bowl S was declared out for the season in September. He could have made a trade for another safety back then, he had time before the deadline. Sure could have used an adequate replacement in 2013...
How about "NO MOVES?"
We were made to look like pretenders in the playoffs, three years in a row. How can you like that approach? You don't see his INACTION jeopardizing the 2014 season as well as the last 3?
Did he draft a top Safety last year? Yeah, didn't think so. It was such a glaring need, and it remains so.
I do happen to think, like PFWT, our window of opportunity is not all that big anymore. We've pretty much kicked the "we're not going to play in FA" can down the road for 3 years, and look what that has gotten us. Three seasons wasted. This next one is not looking too promising either unless we add the top talents we need at multiple positions on defense, for starters.
That is why I am hoping for a more balanced approach to adding talent to our roster, utilizing all means of talent acquisition at Ted's disposal in order to alleviate our problems and put us back into legit SB contention.
There are no guarantees. I never said there were. But, like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play. We won with Woodson and Pickett in their primes. Ted boldly traded up into R1 in 2009 to add two very serious defenders at positions of need. And, we won a SB. That took 4-5 years to add all of that talent together.
To me, we are way behind schedule, and some bold moves must be made again if we are to truly contend with the likes of SEA and SF, et al in these next 3-5 years, which is our window with Aaron at QB.
I'm not asking for knee jerk moves from Ted Thompson. I'm asking for his best and most comprehensive personnel moves ever made. We need that now. Trading up in the draft, signing key FAs, making a trade or two for top talent. Whatever it takes.