I say, Heck yeah!
Let’s see...
Coaching. Three new coordinators THREE!. I love the O’Connell addition which plugs a ‘19 hole. Staley seems like an upgrade over the stale Wade Phillips (Wade is still unemployed, btw). Bonamego doesn’t have a high bar to exceed the down-trending Fassel of the previous 2 years.
On O...
QB. More experienced and benefitting from O’Connell’s influence. Can’t be overstated.
RB. Damaged Gurley gone and replaced by Akers. Hopefully, Hendy has upped his pass pro and grasp of playbook.
OL. Gotta believe that this group benefits from last years experience together, plus Blythe and Hav are now healthy.
TE. Needle definitely pointing up for Higbee and Hopkins sure looks like an upgrade for 3rd string.
WR. Is the tandem of Reynolds/Jefferson an upgrade over the concussed Cooks of ‘19? I sure think so.
On D...
DL. Better run D than last year with the ARob addition and with impressive depth.
Edge. Floyd looks like a push vs Fowler because of better run D and coverage skills. Matthews, frankly, won’t be that hard to upgrade among 4-5 candidates waiting in the wings.
ILB. Littleton was a fine player, but nor necessarily a good fit for Staley’s D. That can’t be overstated. I expect better run D this year from Kiser and whoever wins that other spot in base D.
CB. Ramsey and Hill/Long/Williams? Are you kidding me? Long/Burgess/Williams at nickel? Wow! An embarrassment of riches at CB this year, honestly.
S. JJ and Rapp/Burgess depending on set called by Staley? Mercy! Is there a more versatile D in either secondary or front 7 anywhere? I’ll wait.
On ST...
As I said above, Bonamego doesn’t have a tall order to exceed the Fassel results of the last 2 years. Seriously, Bones was coasting on his previously elite reputation. I predict a Hekker return to All Pro level and one of those three impressive K candidates should be able to exceed GZ’s mediocre 40-49 yard numbers of ‘19. Coverage and return units are likely to be markedly better, too.
So, there you have it in black and white. I see upgrades and/or potential upgrades just about everywhere I look. The only exceptions might be at one edge and at ILB in base. And even those might not be downgrades at all.
