FrenzyFan

While I have tried to feel optimistic and put a positive spin on this off-season, I have to confess that I feel somewhat "blah" about out free agency period. I am please we retained Howard, but the rest of our moves have left me feeling vaguely dissatisfied.

I see no real impactful changes made to this team. After last season, there is no doubt that impactful changes were needed. When I get really focused on single moves, I feel better about it (Young has a motor and plays 3, so Sully can move to 2!) But, at the end of last season I expected to fill the glaring holes I saw in our team namely at CB and LB. Thus far, I do not believe we have been successful

We just hired this CB from the Jags (5'11' said to be speedy) and we are told he will compete for a starting job with Thomas and Ambrose. If our standing two are close to the same level with the new guy, he is not very good. Don't get me wrong, I like Thomas but Ambrose is a complete waste. That new rule about illegal contact was designed with his type in mind. I've been watching game tape and he is so slow he has to hang on almost every play.

At LB, we haven't done anything and to me that was the highest priority to upgrade this off-season. Last year our best tackler (stat wise) was a safety (Bellamy). It staggers the imagination to think that stat does not belong to one of our LBs. It also lets you know where we are stopping most plays - hint, it ain't at the line of scrimmage.

We are right at the cusp of the draft now so I am hoping our acquisitions will help make me feel better about this season. My fear is that we will pick something like a WR in the first round and wait for "value" guys to fill ourCB and LB need. While a good (and dependable) WR would be a big help, we don't need a project player at LB - we need an immediate starter who will have impact.

Fiscally, I give us an A- this off-season.
Overall, I feel like we earned a C.

[Edited on 13/4/2004 by FrenzyFan]