Quote:It has been 3. You need 5 years to fix a defense? Dave is a good GM, but he also made the decision to completely gut the roster. If this year isn't the year we win 7-11 games, I can't find a reason to bring either the GM or HC back for another year. 

Dave has spent the bulk of the time he has been here in fixing the offense. We now have (what appears to be) our franchise quarterback plus some good receivers and a decent RB. The decision to gut the roster was necessary to move on from the disaster created largely (though not exclusively) by Gene Smith. It was made very clear at the time of the decision that this would not be a typical 'quick fix' as seen so often around the NFL. It would require years to undo the dumpster fire that the team had been turned into.

 

Now Dave is going to largely focus on the defense, but make no mistake; it will take at least a couple of years to get it back on it's feet, much less make it a defense to be reckoned with as it once was in years past. Those who think that this would be a quick turnaround with Fowler on the field for the first time, or the return of Mack, or even any mid range f/a acquisition, or getting some good draft picks... are simply not thinking realistically.

 

*Fowler is essentially a 1st season rookie and the expectations of him should be no higher.

*Mack is an unknown quantity at this point. It would be great if he had a great showing this season but we don't know what to expect.

*We will probably get some f/a help this season but I wouldn't expect too much from it.

*We will almost certainly get some good picks via the draft... but the norm is for rookies to take at least a couple of years before they really contribute.

 

The probability is that we're looking at another sub .500 season. It is possible that we might crack 8-8, but I don't think I'd bet the house on it. Essentially, we're still in building mode...it's the defenses turn now. Let's also not forget that we still need serious help on our o-line too. I'd look for us to go 6-10, or maybe even 7-9 this season.

 

Another sub .500 season will more than likely spell the end of the tenure of Gus Bradley here though. Which means that we would be getting a new HC and the new HC will probably want to replace other coaches and bring his people in. That means next season (2017) would be spent learning the 'new' system (provided the new HC replaces our current OC). So in this scenario it looks like things should come together for us in 2018...two years from now.

 

We knew patience would be required to rebuild this club the right way, and we've turned a significant corner already. Let's hope for the best; it would be great if we had a great season this year. We'll see.

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