NFL Losers Need Love Too, Part 2

Yesterday, I gave you part one of “NFL: Losers Need Love Too.” 

Obviously when I give you a part one, I’m going to deliver a part two—and look, here it is.

TAMPA BAY

The Buccaneers were the last team I expected to win 10 games this year, but all that proves is that I should be staying out of the prediction game.

What’s most impressive is how young this team is. Players like Josh Freeman, LeGarrette Blount, Mike Williams and Gerald McCoy on defense led the pewter resurgence.

But the rebuilding job is far from over.

Look for another round of defensive pick-ups via the draft and free agency. They could use some quality depth at all levels (DL, LB and eventually Tiki’s brother is going to hang up his cleats).

On the offensive side, the Tampa line is a young one. Left tackle Donald Penn is the veteran of the group at 27 years of age. They certainly could use one more offensive lineman off the bench, someone who can play both guard and center.

Also, look for the Buccaneers to grab another target for Freeman to go along with Mike Williams at the wide out spot.

NY GIANTS

The Giants brought back Tom Coughlin, which I guess is only fair considering he won a Super Bowl just two years ago. Besides, while Giant fans everywhere are disappointed in yet another late season collapse, let’s not forget, no one was picking this team to win the division this year anyhow.

If anything, 10 wins is an overachievement.

In the end though, the Giants struggled this season because they couldn’t hold onto the damn ball: Manning threw more interceptions than any other quarterback this year (25 total) and as a team, they lost 20 fumbles on top of that.

Hold on to the ball, you win; you don’t, enjoy your free January.

In the offseason, the Giants need to find some depth for the offensive line, as well as finding some more depth at linebacker.

They also have to make some decisions at RB. Bradshaw is a free agent and Jacobs has turned into a full-blown problem child.

Why not let them both go and chase after Ronnie Brown or DeAngelo Williams (two guys who don’t fumble the ball).

SAN DIEGO

So, what do you do when you miss the playoffs despite having the league’s No. 1 ranked offense and No. 1 ranked defense? First, you dream about the team that could have been.

Next, you look ahead to the future.

The Chargers struggled with holdouts, injuries, turnovers and bad special teams. Those are fixable problems that don’t need a major overall.

I’m assuming the Chargers will say goodbye to Vincent Jackson, so look for them to find a solid pair of hands via free agency.

Why not try to trade for Carolina’s Steve Smith? In the draft, they should try to find a special teams expert, while shoring up both the outside linebacker and defensive end spots.

OAKLAND

At 8-8, the Raiders put together their best season since going to the Super Bowl in 2002, yet reports are that head coach Tom Cable is out.

That’s the life of the Raiders under Al Davis. If Cable is gone, who comes in? Who wants to come in? My guess is that Al will just promote offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.

He alone gets a ton of credit for turning around one of the league’s worst offenses. He made Jason Campbell look like a respectable quarterback and he made Darren McFadden look like an All-Pro.

The trick for the Raiders is to keep moving forward without taking a step back. First, they need to decide on a quarterback and they really could use a consistent possession receiver (much like the Giants’ Steve Smith).

On the defensive side, the Raiders did a surprisingly fine job against the pass (second overall in yards allowed), but were beat up in the run game.

In the interior, one has to wonder how many good years Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly have left in them. It might be time to look for a replacement this offseason.

JACKSONVILLE

The Jaguars had their chance to steal the division, but in the end they couldn’t overcome the Colts.

It just seems like the Jags are stuck in mediocrity right now. Bringing back Jack Del Rio is probably a smart move.

I just don’t see Jacksonville having the ability to bring in a better coach, unless they know something I don’t.

David Garrard and the 27th ranked passing game should shoulder a lot of blame, but the Jaguars’ offseason focus should be fixing what ills the defense. They were 27th in points allowed (26.2ppg) and 28th in yards allowed (372ypg).

They were equally bad at stopping the pass and run.

The fact is, the defense was young this season and no one stepped up to be a leader. You can have talent, but you need someone on the field to lead them.

MIAMI

First things first, the Dolphins will need to sort out their coaching spot.

Everyone is saying the Dolphins quit on Tony Sparano. If that’s the case, can the Fins really bring him back?

The problem is, the Dolphins’ GM is Jeff Ireland (you remember, he was the idiot who asked Dez Bryant if his mom was a prostitute).

Would a big name coach want to play for him?

While Miami’s D wasn’t too shabby (sixth in yards, 14th in points allowed), the offense was a tragedy (you know things are bad when you actually let Chad Pennington back on the field).

The good news is that the O-line is pretty good and Brandon Marshall remains a solid target on the outside. However, the Dolphins clearly need a quarterback and let’s be honest, I think it’s time to say goodnight to the Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams combo package.

If the Dolphins decide to go quarterback in the first, they can probably land Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, who has been rising up the draft boards.

However, why not grab Mark Ingram in the first at RB and wait one more round for a quarterback?

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