People seem to be ready to make critical changes...namely reductions to the Rams team. I cannot understand that line of thinking.
We are not far away from a Super Bowl contender.
Letting Johnson or Watkins walk...or both with be a step backwards for this team unless they sign individuals better than both. What is that likelihood?
Many on this board are adverse to paying players. Sometimes it seems there is more interest in lining up draft picks and saving dollars than building a Super Bowl contender/winner. It's nice to see the team do well as one of the youngest teams in the league. But the reality is that is not a recipe for winning it all. Experience matters...please review Falcons vs. Rams 1/6/18.
Let's keep contributors. Obviously if someone offers stupid money to these players, we won't go there. But, if we are talking $1+ million diff, then sign them and build. We have our QB at a bargain for at least 3 more years.
Austin was not a contributor...he was a cog that can be replaced. Watkins had 8 TDs on a mere 39 receptions. While not at the quantity we desire, it is at the quality we need. He was our only red zone threat. He was the only one good enough to use his physicality/size to matter. Whether you buy it or not, Goff missed an open, dare I say wide Watkins on many occassions, choosing to check down. If/when Goff grows and works more with Watkins, I can see that TD total to be in double digits with another 30+ receptions. Actually, I'm worried more about Watkins health than ability...which I think he has mounds of.
Johnson played solid and often covered the other team's #1. While Julio Jones caught a lot of short passes, he couldn't get deep. Johnson isn't the best in the league but he is big, physical, plays well and has held up health wise. Letting him go and drafting a corner would just...be stupid...unless we know we're hitting on a Lattimore...and there is no way to know that. We know what we have in Johnson and he is a significant gear in the success of this defense.
How do we maintain and improve?
Add players to complete the transition to a 3-4 from a 4-3.
Sign Johnson.
Sign Watkins.
Strongly consider keeping Quinn at a lower cost.
Add some depth to the OL.
Sign a number of the RFAs
Do our best to sign Donald long term.
Anticipate growth with Goff.
And finally, for the umpteenth time...based on the type of QB I see in Goff, he would go to the next level with the right TE. A solid TE is how you build the team to go to the next level...not tear it down.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/2018 05:58AM by jemach.
