2011 New Year's Resolutions for All 32 NFL Teams
It's that time of the year when people start looking back at the year of 2010 and start figuring out what their New Year's resolutions are going to be.
NFL teams are not exempt from these feelings.
Owners, coaches, and players who are out of the playoffs will start wondering what they did wrong and how they can fix it.
Some teams have some major holes, others have minor ones that just need to be filled to continue their tradition of winning football games.
So without further ado, here are each team's New Year's resolutions for 2011.
Happy New Years everybody.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
New Year's resolution: Get a new quarterback, improve secondary.
The Arizona Cardinals, owners of a 5-10 record and in last place in the weak NFC West division, have a plethora of holes to fill.
The first being the quarterback spot.
It didn't matter who started for the Cardinals, whether it be Derek Anderson, Max Hall, or John Skelton.
It never amounted to many wins.
Also, despite the Cardinals having a perennial Pro Bowler in strong safety Adrian Wilson, the Cardinals have given up 26.4 points per game going into their last game.
The secondary needs to be beefed up.
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
New Year's resolution: Develop secondary, beef up defensive line.
It's hard to find many glaring weaknesses for a 12-3 team, but if I had to nit pick, I'd say improving the secondary and defensive line would be the top priorities for the Atlanta Falcons.
The secondary, despite talk of it being the Falcons weakest point, is actually not as bad as it seems.
The team hasn't given up more than 24 points since Week 7 and the secondary appears to growing rapidly, evidenced by the 17 points given up to the explosive New Orleans Saints in Week 16.
I would stick with what they have and develop.
Also, the Falcons rank near the bottom of the league in sacks with 28 on the season. 13 of these sacks have come from defensive end John Abraham. The Falcons need to get better on the rest of the D-line.
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
New Year's resolution: Improve defense.
It seems crazy to suggest the Baltimore Ravens improve their defense given they've annually been a defensive powerhouse, but this year the Ravens' defense took a step back while the offense took a step forward.
They are still a very good defense, mind you, ranked third in the league in points allowed, but they aren't the same intimidating defense they've been in years past.
They gave up 37 points to the Buffalo Bills in Week 7, 28 to the Houston Texans in Week 14, and 24 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.
They also rank near the bottom of the league in sacks (27) and aren't producing the same amount of turnovers as in years prior.
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
New Year's resolution: Find QB of the future, improve defense.
Ryan Fitzpatrick has done an admirable job as the Bills' QB this season, with 3,000 yards passing and 23 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.
First, the Bills have to figure out if he's the QB of the future. Second, if he's not, they have a prime spot in the 2011 NFL Draft to nab one.
Also, the Bills' defense was one of the worst in the league this season, giving up 25.8 points per game and forcing only 10 interceptions on the year (ranked 27th in the league).
They also don't get to the quarterback often, with 26 sacks on the year. They need help filling some spots at linebacker, and fourth round draft pick cornerback Terrence McGee needs to be replaced.
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
New Year's resolution: Everything imaginable.
The 2-13 Carolina Panthers were just a bad team this season.
They have so many holes to fill, it's gotta be overwhelming for the organization.
First, they need a new QB (thankfully, Stanford QB Andrew Luck should fall right in their laps at the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft).
Second, they need some more receivers (David Gettis isn't the star some people thought he would be).
Third, the defense has given up more than 25 points per game. The Panthers have done a decent job of getting to the QB and creating turnovers, but that doesn't matter when you also give up the big play often and are constantly on the field because of the offense (the Panthers scored a league worst 12.4 points per game this year).
Fourth, the Panthers need a new coach, as John Fox won't be resigned.
Good luck Carolina.
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
New Year's resolution: Develop Jay Cutler.
Jay Cutler is starting to prove that he can be a star in this league.
Known throughout his career as a turnover prone quarterback, Cutler has recently been playing very well.
He's teleported back to his second year with Denver when he was looking like the real deal.
Cutler has 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions this season, and has thrown six touchdowns to two interceptions in his last two games (including against the New York Jets).
I like where his head's at right now, and with a defense like the Bears, if he can continue to play consistent ball and limit his turnovers, this team could really be something.
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
New Year's resolution: Find new QB, improve defense.
I'm convinced that Carson Palmer is not the answer for the Cincinnati Bengals at QB.
He's had plenty of chances to prove he's a guy who can lead a team to a deep playoff run, and despite having Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco this season, he wasn't able to get it done.
The Bengals need to start developing a new QB or trade for one.
As far as defense, the pass rush needs a significant upgrade with just 23 sacks on the year.
A lot of that falls on the defensive line, which hasn't been much of a threat all season long.
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
New Year's resolution: Develop Colt McCoy, improve pass rush.
The Browns were starting to resemble a respectable team early this season when they beat the New England Patriots, 34-14.
But they whimpered down the stretch to a 5-10 record.
A lot of it has to do with QB Colt McCoy settling in, as he still clearly needs to adjust to the game.
But I have faith in the guy. Before he faced the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15, McCoy had thrown five TDs to three interceptions in limited duty. I would put faith in McCoy and develop him.
Also, the D-line and the linebacking core needs a makeover after not getting to the QB much this season.
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
New Year's resolution: Look for new QB, improve secondary.
Tony Romo, much like Carson Palmer, hasn't proven he has what it takes to lead this team deep into the playoffs (or lately, into the playoffs).
He puts up good stats, but when it comes down to crunch time or when his team really needs him, he doesn't seem to have that ability to rise to the challenge.
The Cowboys began their resurgence under coach Jason Garrett, but they also began it under backup Jon Kitna.
Also, the Cowboys are giving up 28.1 points per game this season.
That's just not going to get it done. The secondary gives up way too many big plays and needs to be infused with some new talent.
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
New Year's resolution: Defensive overhaul.
The Denver Broncos, despite solid play from QB Kyle Orton, have given up 29.2 points per game this season; good for last in the NFL.
Broncos' fans know this isn't a fluke.
The Broncos have the worst defense in the NFL. They are second to last in interceptions (nine) and dead last in sacks (18) by a wide margin at that.
Their starting front three have two combined sacks.
The Broncos need a defensive overhaul.
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
New Year's resolution: Get more offensive weapons
The Detroit Lions have a defense unbelievably on the rise with such players as defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and linebacker Julian Peterson.
But their offense has faltered lately. I expect the Lions to stick with Matthew Stafford (don't forget he had six touchdowns to one interception in three games before his injury). They would be wise to draft another running back in case Jahvid Best doesn't work out (he averaged 3.2 yards per carry this season).
Finding some receivers beyond Calvin Johnson would be wise too.
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
New Year's resolution: Add to backfield.
The Green Bay Packers are near the top of the league in points allowed, interceptions, and sacks. Check.
The have a star QB. Check.
Solid receiving core. Check.
But one thing I do feel they still lack is a star running back to take some pressure off QB Aaron Rodgers.
Brandon Jackson has been decent but not great, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He adds to the passing game, but you still need someone who can threaten the defense with his running ability.
The Packers would be wise to pick up a running back in 2011.
Houston Texans
13 of 32
New Year's resolution: Improve pass defense, pass rush.
The Houston Texans score a respectable 23.7 points per game and have a three-headed monster of QB Matt Schaub, receiver Andre Johnson, and breakout running back Arian Foster.
The problem is, their defense continually lets them down. Not only do they give up huge plays and huge points (third worst in the league), they also don't create many turnovers, with just 12 interceptions on the year.
Defensive end Mario Williams has become a pretty darn good player—after everyone stopped complaining he was drafted before Reggie Bush—with nine sacks this season. But the rest of the defense, particularly the secondary, hasn't come along for the ride.
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
New Year's resolution: Improve linebacking core, draft a running back.
Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney have a combined 20 sacks this year, but the Colts only have 29 total sacks as a unit.
The Colts need a pass rusher from the linebacking core, and giving up 4.7 yards per carry is further proof the Colts need to revamp the depth chart.
Also, Donald Brown still hasn't proven he can be a number one running back, as he's averaged 3.9 yards per carry given more of a workload. Drafting another running back may need to be the next step.
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
New Year's resolution: Improve pass rush.
With 26 sacks on the year, the front seven certainly haven't helped the secondary.
The secondary has also been near the bottom of the league, with just 13 interceptions.
Until the pass rush improves, the secondary will be hung out to dry.
The Jaguars have a highly capable offense, but they give up 25.7 points per game.
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
New Year's resolution: Develop, develop, develop.
The 10-5 Kansas City Chiefs have all the makings of a perennial contender.
They won the AFC West this year, and they did it from top to bottom—from the owner all the way down to the players.
Coach Todd Haley has this team playing with the right mindset, and he's done a terrific job developing the young players.
This teams needs to have a solid offseason in 2011 and they could be in line for another AFC West crown next year.
Miami Dolphins
17 of 32
New Year's resolution: Find a new QB.
This team's defense is solid, there's no question about that.
But QB Chad Henne clearly hasn't worked out, Tyler Thigpen is a career backup, and Chad Pennington continues to be injury prone.
Time to draft a QB. However, it's going to be hard to get a top one where the Dolphins are currently slated to draft.
Minnesota Vikings
18 of 32
New Year's resolution: Find a new QB
This could very well be Brett Favre's last year, and backup Tarvaris Jackson hasn't shown enough in limited action to be considered the starting QB come day one. Rookie Joe Webb, who just had his first start (and win) against the Philadelphia Eagles, looked good Tuesday but you can't give the job to him based on one start.
There will be plenty of good talent where the Vikings will likely draft, and I would be surprised if they didn't nab a QB.
New England Patriots
19 of 32
New Year's resolution: Develop young defense
Despite being a clear weakness for the Patriots early on in the season, the Patriots' young secondary has grown by leaps and bounds.
Once considered the recipe for Tom Brady throwing the ball 50 times a game, the young secondary has developed into an actually decent defense, and if they keep developing at this rate, the 2011 Patriots will be scary.
Not that they aren't already.
New Orleans Saints
20 of 32
New Year's resolution: Create more turnovers on defense
The New Orleans Saints secondary is not bad, but I expected the defense to come up with more than nine interceptions this year.
They have some talent on the defensive side of the ball, but they haven't caused enough turnovers.
Create more turnovers and that could lead to a Super Bowl run for the Saints in 2011 (they still have a chance to make a run this year, too).
New York Giants
21 of 32
New Year's resolution: Come into 2011 with a positive state of mind.
It baffles me how this team continually loses against top teams with the talent they have.
The New York Giants have enough talent to be a top defense in the league (yet aren't), and enough offense to blow people out of the water (but suffer lapses).
The offense hasn't scored a lot of points against a good defense all year, and the defense 38 and 45 points to the Eagles and Packers respectively.
Is this coach Tom Coughlin's fault? Could be. This team needs to start meditating or something.
New York Jets
22 of 32
New Year's resolution: Develop Mark Sanchez, become the vaunted defense the Jets were supposed to be.
I don't know if Mark Sanchez will ever become the star quarterback that he once showed glimpses of, but the truth is he doesn't have to with this defense. That's why I see coach Rex Ryan sticking with him. He simply needs to learn to not turn the ball over so much. He has one touchdown and five interceptions in the last four games.
Also, although the Jets defense is good, it isn't near what some people thought it would be coming into the season. Darelle Revis, after all the offseason malarkey, has zero interception this season. Antonio Cromartie hasn't proven to be the lock-down corner many thought he was. Still two of the better corners in the league, but they haven't been as stellar as they could have been.
The Jets had a league worst eight interceptions this season.
Oakland Raiders
23 of 32
New Year's resolution: Go into 2011 how they ended 2010
The Oakland Raiders, despite a 7-8 record, have looked like a vastly different team this year than last.
QB Jason Campbell has played decent football, and Darren McFadden is finally showing what he can do when he stays healthy.
The Raiders look like a very competitive team right now, and a good offseason could give them a chance for the AFC West crown next year.
Philadelphia Eagles
24 of 32
New Year's resolution: Put franchise tag on Michael Vick, trade Kevin Kolb, limit big plays on defense.
Despite a recent slump of sorts for Michael Vick, it's amazing how great he's looked this year given his layoff from football for so long.
He looks like an entirely different quarterback, and he seems extremely focused right now. Giving him another offseason to improve and the confidence of the coaching staff could make the Eagles Super Bowl contenders again next season.
Backup Kevin Kolb should be traded in this case. He's a great backup, but the Eagles could probably get a good deal for him.
Lastly, the Eagles defensive scheme lends for creating turnovers, but the defense also has to watch for giving up big plays. They've given up too many this season and it's led to inflated point totals for other teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers
25 of 32
New Year's resolution: Stay healthy, work on offensive line.
The one glaring weakness this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers has been their offensive line. QB Ben Roethlisberger doesn't get nearly enough time to get rid of the football.
Steelers QBs have been sacked a total of 41 times, the sixth most in the NFL.
Of course, countless injuries have also taken their toll on the O-line and the rest of the football team.
The Steelers are looking to stay healthy in 2011.
San Diego Chargers
26 of 32
New Year's resolution: Sharper focus.
This team is too talented to be missing the playoffs or not making a Super Bowl run.
The Chargers have one of the best defenses in the AFC, and a strong offense, as well.
But they aren't consistent. They lose to the Oakland Raiders, blow out the Kansas City Chiefs, and lose to the Cincinnati Bengals in a game they absolutely had to win to stay in the playoff hunt.
It shows a lack of focus, not a lack of talent.
San Francisco 49ers
27 of 32
New Year's resolution: Find a new QB, GM, and coach.
What a disaster of a season for the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite going 5-9, they still had a chance to win a weak NFC West division with a win over the St. Louis Rams in Week 16.
They not only lost fill-in QB Troy Smith, who got in a shouting match with coach Mike Singletary which was followed by Singletary getting fired after the game, the organization is already searching for its new general manager.
The Niners have a lot of things on their To Do list in 2011.
Seattle Seahawks
28 of 32
New Year's resolution: Find a new QB, new defense.
Matt Hasselbeck is on his last legs and backup QB Charlie Whitehurst is not the answer.
In addition, the Seattle Seahawks defense gave up 26.7 points per game this season despite amounting 34 sacks.
That falls on the secondary. A complete overhaul should be in order. The Seahawks' pass defense may have been as bad as the Broncos' this season.
St. Louis Rams
29 of 32
New Year's resolution: Improve pass defense.
Despite amassing 43 sacks this season, the Rams pass defense still gave up way too many points this season.
The secondary clearly needs to be addressed. But a significant upgrade in pass defense could go a long way for the Sam Bradford-led squad.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
New Year's resolution: Improve front seven.
Just 3-13 last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have come a mighty long way.
Not only have they vastly improved, they have an emerging three-pronged attack in Josh Freeman, Mike Williams, and LeGarrette Blount.
The Bucs have regularly made top teams uncomfortable this season.
They one glaring weakness they have that needs to be addressed is their run defense and pass rush. They gave up 4.7 yards per carry this season, second to last in the NFL. They also had only 23 sacks, second to last.
That falls on the front seven.
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
New Year's resolution: Find new QB, trade Vince Young
I'm convinced that coach Jeff Fisher is officially done with Vince Young after benching him at the end of this season.
The Titans would be wise to trade Young for some fresh talent—perhaps in the receiving department—and either draft a QB or trade for one.
Jeff Fisher and Vince Young must part.
Washington Redskins
32 of 32
New Year's resolution: Improve defense, trade Donovan McNabb.
I think controversial coach Mike Shanahan is going to stick with Rex Grossman over McNabb. McNabb is clearly aging and he doesn't appear to see eye to eye with Shanahan.
But that's not even the Redskins' biggest worry.
The Redskins gave up 4.8 yards per carry this year and 262 passing yards per game despite having a solid corner in DeAngelo Hall.
That marks a collective meltdown by the defense. Either they won't play for Shanahan or they just aren't that good across the board.
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