[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I understand being upset with some of the moves the FO has made, but theyve made far more good personnel moves since the 2007-2008 offseason than bad ones. Was the trade for Jason Taylor a panic move? Yes - but in the end, the only significant thing the move cost us was the 2nd round pick in this years draft. Could we have taken a great player with that pick? Possibly. But its also possible the guy we would have taken with the pick would be a bust - theres no way of knowing.

Overall, i'm very please with last years draft. We had all 22 starters from 2007 coming back, so we were able to pick up alot of project and depth guys - guys who didnt need to start right away. I think atleast 6 of the 2008 draft class are poised to play a significant role for the team in 2009.

As for this offseason - so far its been phenomenal. Free agency is two weeks old yet and so far weve signed:

Albert Hayneworth - Pro-bowl starter. Best DT in the league.
DeAngelo Hall - Pro-bowl Starter. Playmaker, interception machine.
Derrick Dockery - Starter
Ethan Albright - ST Starter
Anthony Montgommery - Starting quality DT
Kedric Golston - Starting qualtity DT
Alfred Fincher - Solid backup LB and great special teamer.

4 of those players will start in 2009. The other 3 will play extensively.

Right now our main needs are SLB, RDE, ol depth and RT (Kickers are positions we can address at any point.) We very likely will bring back Phillip Daniels to help out at DE. We may bring back Marcus Washington and Pete Kendall as well. So our immediate needs at RDE, SLB and backup OL are more or less solved. If we address RT somewhere in free agency, then we can enter the draft with the ability to pick the best player available if we stay at 13. Thats a great position to be in.

You say the FO doesnt have a plan? I see a front office that has already dramatically improved the main weaknesses of our team last year - the lines. I see a team that is getting younger and better. I see a team that is poised to add one stud player or several quality depth/future starters in this years draft. I see a team that will enter the uncapped 2010 season with a near-full complement of draft picks and very few glaring needs.

Sure the FO has missed on a couple things, but, with the exception of the Taylor trade, this team has showed a clear commitment to building for a stable, successful future the past two years. In my opinion,the franchise is moving in a better direction now than ive seen it move in a long, long time.

Thanks BHA, you even made me feel better.