What we need for next season

[Anthony]

Well weneed to resign WIlson, Wagner, and keep Lynch

We need to get a legit #1 Wr that can beat man to man coverage.

Improve the oline pass blocking

Get a new OC

[RiverDog]

Priorities are Wilson then Wagner. As much as I like Beast and what he brings to the team, we can survive without him, at least more so than guys like Wilson and Wagner. Lots of teams replace their signature running back and do just fine in the years following. I don't mind a tweak here or there in his existing contract, but I don't want some long term deal hanging around our necks for the next 4-5 years.

[NorthHawk]

I don't think we have to worry about our FO overspending.
If the deal works for both, ML will be back, and I hope so.

Needs are on Offense primarily with a dominating WR or TE and OL, OL, OL with questions about Okung being here next year as well as Carpenter this year.
I'm of the belief we are not as good run blocking as the numbers suggest. There aren't too many backs that break tackles like Lynch and although competent, the backups don't bring to the table any where near what Marshawn does.

[Anthony]

I don't think we have to worry about our FO overspending.
If the deal works for both, ML will be back, and I hope so.

Needs are on Offense primarily with a dominating WR or TE and OL, OL, OL with questions about Okung being here next year as well as Carpenter this year.
I'm of the belief we are not as good run blocking as the numbers suggest. There aren't too many backs that break tackles like Lynch and although competent, the backups don't bring to the table any where near what Marshawn does.

and a new OC

[obiken]

Should you lose your job over the worst call in the history of football?? Don't know. We need DT's, bad. WR's, and Lynch pin. Chancellor is gone.

[Zorn76]

For as good as we are, all kinds of holes to fill.

Defensively, a legit pass rushing DE that will compliment what's already there. You can also never have enough good CB's for depth.

Offensively, yea, WR, OL, and another RB to groom when ML is gone.

[HumanCockroach]

Obi you think the Hawks are cutting Chancellor?? Man, stop drinking, the game is over, no sense killing yourself over it.. Good lord, nobodies cutting an ALL Pro safety.

[I-5]

What we need is Chris Matthews!

[Anthony]

Should you lose your job over the worst call in the history of football?? Don't know. We need DT's, bad. WR's, and Lynch pin. Chancellor is gone.

Ahh Kam is not a free agent we just signed him

[obiken]

Oh really, cool! That makes me feel a little better.

[RiverDog]

What we need is Chris Matthews!

Yep. He was definitely the bright spot, had a good shot at being named SB MVP had we won. Plus he came up big for us in the NFCCG. He won himself a roster spot with his play over the past couple of weeks. We need a big target like him to create some mismatches.

We have some big decisions to make. IMO we first lock up Russell and Wagner with long term deals then see how much cash we have left before we do anything else. One of those secondary decisions will be whether or not to bring James Carpenter back.

[depaashaas]

Maybe draft a devensive end, when Avril went down the defense was unable to put any pressure on brady what so ever and he was able to do pretty much what ever he wanted from that point on

[NorthHawk]

We have Cassius Marsh on the DL for the future at DE. He might show us something more this year now that he's had some game experience and it isn't all new to him.
As well, at DT Jordan Hill is on the DL, too and we all know about how good Mebane is so when healthy we are not in bad shape.

The OL? well we might lose Carpenter this year if he gets a better offer and Okung might be gone after this year and I think it needs upgrading.
My wish would be 2 OL that are road graders.

[The POPE]

FAITH my people ---FAITH--

The Pope

[Vegaseahawk]

[/quote]I don't want some long term deal hanging around our necks for the next 4-5 years.[/quote]

I disagree. Lynch has shown NO sign of drop off that typically comes with the position when the RB hits 30 years of age. I think a 4 year contract would be perfect. Lynch would retire a Seahawk.

[NorthHawk]

I don't want some long term deal hanging around our necks for the next 4-5 years.[/quote]

I disagree. Lynch has shown NO sign of drop off that typically comes with the position when the RB hits 30 years of age. I think a 4 year contract would be perfect. Lynch would retire a Seahawk.[/quote]

There are many ways to structure a contract that both gives the player a satisfactory amount of money and also protects the team in the event of a decline in play.

[monkey]

Northawk, Lynch is 29 years old with a bad back! It would be the height of stupidity to sign Lynch to anything past two to three years MAXIMUM.
Although, since NFL contracts aren't guaranteed, the years are not the problem so much as the guaranteed money, and so the length really isn't that big a deal as long as it's front loaded and or not guaranteed.
Still, hard running 29 year old running backs with chronic back pain, are NOT who you want to be looking to sign long term!!!

[HumanCockroach]

Northawk, Lynch is 29 years old with a bad back! It would be the height of stupidity to sign Lynch to anything past two to three years MAXIMUM.
Although, since NFL contracts aren't guaranteed, the years are not the problem so much as the guaranteed money, and so the length really isn't that big a deal as long as it's front loaded and or not guaranteed.
Still, hard running 29 year old running backs with chronic back pain, are NOT who you want to be looking to sign long term!!!

I could see a 4 yr 30 million offer ( of which the bulk of the guaranteed cash would be front loaded into the first two years, say 17 million, 10 next, 7 the following, couple more guarantees in roster bonusses for the next two seasons) I don't think Lynch is planning on playing until he is 35, but 31? Yeah, I could see that, and Lynch want's his money "now" I doubt he would care much about it in year three, as he might be inclined to retire anyway.

[monkey]

I keep seeing people list Defensive tackle and defensive end as big needs, I disagree.
If one happens to fall in the draft, then sure, why not? But they really are not big needs at all.
You guys seem to be forgetting that we got DECIMATED by injuries this year, especially at DT. Mebane and Jordan Hill are both STUDS. Cassius Marsh has upside at DE and DT in the nickle. We have a SOLID base defense, great against the run with Mebane back and healthy next year, and I see us being able to do what the Giants did in their two Super Bowl wins against the Pats, with Marsh and Hill or Bennett at DT, and Avril and Bennett or Irvin at DE in nickle situations.
That's a really studly Nascar package right there.
That's not mentioning the other guys we still have as depth for next season. No...I don't see DT or DE as much of a need at all!
In fact, I could see CB becoming a much bigger need since Maxwell is most likely gone possibly forcing Lane into starting opposite Sherman. That's a significant drop off.

I see our biggest needs as:
1. offensive line. HUGE need because of Carpenter possibly leaving and Okung on his last year. Between free agency and the draft, I think we need at least three guys on the offensive line, possibly more.
2. We all saw the need for a real X receiver. We saw it all through the playoffs...all through the season really.
I'm loving what we have in the slot with Baldwin and I love the upside of Richardson, and Kevin Norwood. I think that Matthews has a chance to possibly do something.
We just need a true #1, X receiver.
A large body, big catch radius, high pointing, good leaping ability wide receiver. Wilson would benefit SOOOOOOOOOO much from this!
3. A studly tight end instead of a WR would also work, because we do have so many young WR's that we are still trying to figure out hat we have with. Guys like Gronk aren't growing on trees necessarily, but they can't be THAT hard to find. We'll be needing one anyway, regardless, because of Zack Miller's expiring contract. Luke Wilson showed some real big time upside, but he's more of a speed guy than he is a big body, high pointing baller. He's not the world's greatest blocker either, and he'll be the best we have without Miller. Love his speed, but...
4. A corner back. As I said before, losing Maxwell (most likely) is a downgrade with what we currently have now.

After that, it's just a matter of getting the best players available and guys for depth etc... We don't have a lot of real big needs right now. This is still a team that can make a Super Bowl run next year.

[RiverDog]

Monkey, you have a good read on the situation. If there is a top speed rushing DE, then I could see going defensive line, but at tackle we have some strength. Maybe even Jesse Williams will work out, as well.

I agree about the need for a big, physical wide out. Not necessarily 4.4 speed, but with the catching radius and leaping ability to make a catch even when seemingly covered. At tight end, I want to see a guy with soft hands who can block. Miller is a quality player, but I am not sure what he has left, and whether he can stay healthy. Willson is a speed guy, and should be able to learn to exploit the seams, but we need a TE who can help with the run game.

Corner is looking more and more like a problem, as we will surely lose Maxwell. Simon, Lane, Burley, Shead, and Charley's uncle will compete for the open spot, but it is certainly a question mark. Simon is the most likely, and as poorly as he has shown so far, he still has promise with maturity. Early on, Maxwell and Thurman both looked pretty hopeless, but both turned into pretty decent backs with time. We have really good coaching in our defensive backfield, so it is too early to be giving up on a guy. Lane, currently, seems the most mature back, as I see Burley as more of a slot guy.

We also need to look at the RT situation. Britt seemed fairly competent, but I am troubled by his lack of quickness to the outside. Perhaps he should slide to a guard, and we find another candidate for the position on the edge. You can't coach quickness. Thoughts?

I agree with elevating CB to a position of need. I don't think it trumps our needs on the OL, but it's perhaps moved up to #2 on our wish list.

[mykc14]

For those who are hoping for OL personnel improvement I don't think there is really any chance of that happening, except for maybe depth and possibly RG, depending on what they do with Carp. Obviously this is barring injury but your LT will be Okung, no doubt there. Carp is the question mark, IMO and I fully believe that they will bring him back if they can sign him to a reasonable contract. Unger is going to be our starting center. They love Sweezy and he has been our most consistent lineman, he's not going anywhere. That leaves us with Britt who they are high on. I could see them brining in a cheap veteran to 'compete' against him but it won't be some high priced obvious improvement/upgrade RT. The reality is I wouldn't be shocked to see the exact same starting lineup to begin the next season on the OL, except for Carp.

That brings me to WR being our biggest need. We need a true #1 receiver and Pete and John have seen this need since they got here and have put valuable resources (2nd round pick or higher) in almost every year that they have been here (Tate- 2nd round pick, Rice- big $ FA, Harvin- #1 pick and $, and Richardson- 2nd round pick) and it is a very real possibility that none are active for our season opener next year. That need is very obvious and clear and in reality, IMO, this is the only position where I can see us actually spending a lot of $ on a player in Free Agency.

A DB to compete with Simon is essential IMO. We are decent at the slot. I like Lane a lot and think he will recover fine from his arm and Burley played well last season. At the same time I would not be surprised at all if Simon is starting week 1 next year.

A pass rushing DE would be great, especially because we probably will lose Schofield in FA (although I am hoping Marsh will fill that role), but that would have to come in the draft. I don't see us spending the $ required to sign an impact type of FA at that position.

[NorthHawk]

The OL is a concern.
Carp's contract is up this year, Okung and Sweezy next year.
3 starters to be re-signed over 2 years might be a lot to ask considering other teams want OL, as well.
If Sweezy is viewed around the league as just now coming into his own, he will be a hot property next year. Someone will probably take a stab at Okung so we might also lose him.

To me that yells OL as a priority this year so we can really see if the selections will work out or if they have to try again next year. Maybe not the first round, but maybe 2nd - 5th for at least one and if it falls right 2 players to get the guys you want with the most upside.

A CB prospect that is outside the box might be Nick Marshall, the former Auburn QB. 6-2, 200+ lbs 4.4 - 4.5 40 yard dash.
He played CB in the Senior Bowl and although he looked out of place at times, most reports said he looked to have potential.
NFL DraftScout said: "he made a favorable impression with his combination of length, fluidity and acceleration". It sounds like his athleticism is what our FO looks for and since our Defense isn't that complicated compared to some around the league, he might be able to excel at an early stage of his career.

[monkey]

I agree North, nice find BTW on the Auburn QB playing corner. I hadn't heard about that, (I don't follow college all that much to begin with). Sounds interesting, might be the type of guy we can groom.

[NorthHawk]

I hate the Falcons...
We should be OK, though as Pete always seems to have people in the pipeline to move up to more responsibilities.