rick smith

[TexanJedi]

I have to agree with some of the concerns here regarding Rick. It looks like the Ravens may want Kevin Walter, still a couple of days till free agency though. Perhaps the perceived non action has a lot to do with the uncertainty about the NFL labor deal about to expire, but it seems like we are only going to be able to tread water and fill only a need or two. Maybe they hope the team will mature and grow into a winner, but as of now we need: CB, FS, LG, C, RB, DT, and now perhaps a WR, not to mention adding depth all around. It's nice to think they can hit on all their draft picks, like '06, but with a thin free agent class it might not be realistic to try and fill all of your needs through the draft. I am not one of those "McNair is cheap" types and again free agency is thin (maybe not totally bare) this year anyway. The off season has barely started, but so far if we lose Dunta followed by Chester and Kevin with DeMeco and/or Owen unhappy or holding out, that just does not bode well for turning the corner. I hope this man has a real plan for this team.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by TexanJedi

I have to agree with some of the concerns here regarding Rick. It looks like the Ravens may want Kevin Walter, still a couple of days till free agency though. Perhaps the perceived non action has a lot to do with the uncertainty about the NFL labor deal about to expire, but it seems like we are only going to be able to tread water and fill only a need or two. Maybe they hope the team will mature and grow into a winner, but as of now we need: CB, FS, LG, C, RB, DT, and now perhaps a WR, not to mention adding depth all around. It's nice to think they can hit on all their draft picks, like '06, but with a thin free agent class it might not be realistic to try and fill all of your needs through the draft. I am not one of those "McNair is cheap" types and again free agency is thin (maybe not totally bare) this year anyway. The off season has barely started, but so far if we lose Dunta followed by Chester and Kevin with DeMeco and/or Owen unhappy or holding out, that just does not bode well for turning the corner. I hope this man has a real plan for this team.

Well said and I agree with pretty much everything you're saying. I would further add that next year's schedule (at least right now) looks brutal and has a lot of the type of aggressive defenses which have traditionally given us fits. Suffice it to say, I'm very concerned about next year if we now have to replace several starters from last year in addition to the holes we had to begin with.

[NBT]

It's too soon to panic over these guys. After March 5th, we will know more since that is the first day a FA can be signed, I think. The Texans would rather these negotiations be kept low key so as not to get too much publicity, I guess.

[Joshua]

I guess we'll just wait and see how it all unfolds. However, I'll admit that even though we supposedly had our best year last year, I nevertheless became quite pessimistic about this team over the last year. That doesn't mean that I think Kubiak and Smith are terrible. Actually, I think they are something that can often times be worse-average. I think they are average, and average rarely wins championships. However, by being just good enough to provide a glimmer of hope allows them to hang on well past their expiration dates. In short, I've pretty much concluded we're the Jacksonville Jaguars. I would put Kubiak on about the same level as Del Rio. Del Rio is just good enough, and has just enough success to keep his job, but I don't think anyone really expects him to get the Jags over the hump. Similarly, much like the Jags have been the last few years, we've positioned ourselves to be competitive and maybe even make the playoffs if things go right. Thus, I see Kubiak being like Del Rio and continuing to hang on even though no one really thinks he's the guy to win it all. I truly hope I'm wrong but this is the vicious cycle I think we're headed for.

[Nconroe]

I think I am much more optimistic about the team and coaches and GM to get to playoffs and SB. I think other than a particular RB and/or Kicker we could have made playoffs this past year, don't expect those two to be back.

It seems to me the coaching on offense and defense has been a big improvement this past year. Way above average results other than wins which can be explained.

And teams depth has constantly improved.

I am not so worried as some of you, I don't think we will loose our RFA and likely not the FA who need to be kept. It is the process to follow and every team has to do this. There are several hundred RFA , some who are top 5, who are in the same position as our top guys.

Hopefully we keep all of last years starters and get some consistency and then next years schedule can maybe be ok. If we have three new OL starters, could take a while for them to jell. That would worry me.

But certainly time will tell.