What are the 2 most important things that need to be addressed this offseason?

[mussop]

If you had to break it down and say what are the 2 most important things that need to be taken care of this offseason for us to have a chance at becoming a playoff team. IMO the key to this franchise geting over the hump and becoming a regular playoff contendar is

#1) cutting down on turnovers and

#1a) being able to stop the run on a consistant basis.

Until we address those 2 major flaws we are doomed to hoping for 8 and 8 down the stretch every year. IMO strengthening the trenches fixes both of these problems.

Improving the offensive line gives Schaub more time and allow him to make better decisions. It also improves the running game wich takes pressure off Schaub. We now have our stud RB and with the life expectancy of RB's around 3 years IIRC it would be nice to get the best OL in front of him now!

I dont care how we do it ( FA or Draft) but we must improve our trenches. We must use what ever is needed of the draft and FA to insure this happening. I want at least one starting DL in this draft or FA. I dont want to wait on Okam, TJ and Okoye to reach their potential anymore. I dont want to go into next year without at least adding solid depth at OT & C.

My targets FA - I want at least one of these guys.
Haynesworth
T Suggs
Jordan Gross

My early Draft targets
Oher
Monroue
Raji
Orakpo
Mack 2nd
Unger2nd

[DiehardChris]

1 - cut down on turnovers.
2 - ONCE AND FOR ALL figure out what the HELL is going on with our defensive line.

Of course, #2 is not easy, for many reasons. I wish it was as simple as cutting Weaver and TJ, but for salary cap reasons, it's not. But those two guys have been bad-to-mediocre for so long now, and at this point I'd rather just cut ties and move on, cap hit be damned. Trouble is - that's crazy talk. I actually think they're both going to be back in 09, but my hope is they will both be at the back end of the depth chart.

[Tailgate]

Seems like too many needs to boil it down to just 2 things. So what would have the most impact imo?? Hmmm...

1) A premier rushing DE opposite Mario (we need to pressure and create more turnovers).
2) A perfect find for Def Coordinator that runs exotic blitzes(see above).

...... Just for fun :

3) A big double teaming required DT
4) A true playmaking safety.
5) A short yardage change of pace back to compliment Slaton.
6) Upgrade/depth along the interior of the O-line.

[kiwitexansfan]

1.) Find a way to take the ball away, whether it be through better scheming, or more likely by finding some ballhawks in free agency/draft.

2.) Get Schaub into the best shape of his life, get him fully healthy and get him the best line we can scrape together. I think with Schaub fully fit and available for a full year, the turnovers will come down.

[imatexan]

Red zone!

Turnovers!

[mussop]

Originally Posted by imatexan

Red zone!

Turnovers!

Redzone was #3 for me.

[BattleRedToro]

1) Install a philosophy on defense.

2) Win the turnover battle.

[Thorn]

1. The defense
2. The defense

We have a offense that is better than some that made it to the playoffs this year. If we don't fix the defense in the offseason, forget about the playoffs. Now, as to what needs fixing on the defense, I'd say first and foremost is getting a good DC. After that, well, there are just to many things to list for second place on fixing the defense.

[drewmar74]

1) running back

2) wide receiver

[/sarcasm]

[DBCooper]

I can only pick 2?

[IlliniJen]

Originally Posted by BattleRedToro

1) Install a philosophy on defense.

2) Win the turnover battle.

Put me down for these two as well. I think most everyone will agree that turnovers are a huge deal. And rather than get specific with the defense (so many issues), I like the overall approach here by BRT.

1) D Coord.
2) DE

[DiehardChris]

Originally Posted by Ali4Real

Target FAs...

1.) Albert Haynesworth - In a previous post I mentioned that almost every 4-3 defense has a player who is a big space eater who can play next to a quick DT. Adding a big guy like Haynesworth will allow Amobi Okoye to battle it out one-on-one instead of being responsible for taking on two or more linemen.

2.) Nnamdi Asomugha - Doesn't grab a bunch of INTs like I would want but he scares opposing QBs from throwing in his direction. Proven player who still has production left in him.

3.) Gabe Watson - A poor man's Haynesworth. @ 6'3" 330-Lbs he is a massive force that can take on two blockers and still stop the run as well as get up the field and sack the QB. Hasn't played much but with coaching can become a solid player. A diamond in the rust IMO.

Haynesworth is going to command the highest defensive contract in NFL history. No chance.

Nnamdi is going to be franchise tagged... plus, we're not going to sink all that money into Nnamdi, Dunta, and Reeves last year. Now - if we DON'T resign Dunta AND Nnamdi isn't franchise tagged - then all we have to do is give what might be the highest contract in the history of the NFL for a cornerback. Not going to happen.

Gabe Watson is a restricted FA. We'd have to give up a draft pick to get him - what round I don't know - but I imagine he'll have a mid-tier tender. I'll be interested to see what kind of pick it would take to land him... I imagine it will be too high a pick to get him, though.

We have to start thinking in more realistic terms for our FAs.

[Nawzer]

1. Long snapper

2. A new waterboy

[pittbull3]

1) Cutting down turnovers.
2) A creative defensive package. - Even the worst palyers on teams are better, when the scheme is extremely creative. Not many of the 3-4 scheme players go to other teams and have great careers. But the scheme is so good, it makes average player look even better! Bring the Heat!

[pittbull3]

Player-wise.....SAFETY and Outside LB!

[DocBar]

Everybody already said what I think we need to work on. I DID notice, however, that this is the 1st time in 7 years that a thread like this has been started W/O mention of OL, specifically, LT, QB or a stud RB. That is pretty cool.

My
1. Get a REAL D philosophy- You said it great, BRT.
2. Get a handle on turnover: Need more on D and less on O.

[Shaft75]

1) The economy

2) Childhood obesity

[Texan in Japan]

1. Hiring the "right" defensive coordinator.
2. Reducing turnovers and increasing take aways.

I think #1 will help us with #2 and #2 should help us in the red zone.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by Texan in Japan

1. Hiring the "right" defensive coordinator.
2. Reducing turnovers and increasing take aways.

I think #1 will help us with #2 and #2 should help us in the red zone.

Eins, Zwei, Drei...Yup even in German that's still 3.