9-7 or 8-8, I dont see any truth to that record this season

St dude and I are clearly on the same page, but this team's needs seem clear.

On offense, assuming Deuce does not return, we need a big running back for the rotation. That's it. It would be nice to add offensive linemen, a young tight end, a young quarterback. But in every offseason, a team has limited resources as far as draft picks, dollars, and available free agents who can be signed, and this year our resources are especially limited in the draft.

On defense, we need first for the highly paid defensive ends to step up and make plays. But we need on defense playmakers--anywhere on defense we could use players who step up, make big plays and make those around them better. This year we had zero playmakers on defense. Vilma played awfully well, but with Vilma you get a high level of execution and intelligence more than exceptional athleticism. He's close to being blue chip, but not quite. No one else at linebacker is a red chip.

Nobody in the secondary is red chip though Porter could be and McKenzie in 2007 was. Our safeties simply did not make positive plays in 2008. And nobody on the defensive line was a playmaker though Ellis soon will be and McCray met expectations.

Ideally, in the 2009 offseason--assuming no free agency losses who absolutely have to be replaced from outside--we would like to get a big running back, another defensive tackle, an athletic and fast weakside linebacker, a free safety, and a second defensive back. That's five players. You can get two in the draft. But that means getting two or three in free agency.