With the regular season now over in the NFL, I thought I'd give my take on what each team needs to do (or what I think they will do in the off season). I'll break them down division by division (and I will include teams in the playoffs)
Dallas Cowboys
First off, I think Jason Garrett stays. One more bad year (aka not making the playoffs) and then I think Garrett could be on some thin ice. Part of the problem with this year's squad was every running back they had seemed to get hurt. I heard even Tony Dorsett was having knee problems. I think the Cowboys would be well off to try and trade Miles Austin. If you could get a 3rd round pick or better for Miles, I would do it. Defensively and up front on the offensive line is where they need help, and that's where they should be looking to address the problems.New York Giants
If the Giants don't beat the Falcons, I think one can make a case for Tom Coughlin to be fired. The Giants have been like the hare the past few years and have finished the race like the tortoise. I think the Giants do have a budding star on their team in Victor Cruz though. He has established himself as one of Eli's trusted targets, to where I think the Giants could look at dealing Nicks or Manningham if it could net them something of worth in return. I think another thing the Giants should look at doing is continue to get younger on the defensive side of the ball.
Philadelphia Eagles
If this team had a full off season, I think they would have been better this season then their 8-8 record. If I was in charge of the team, I would want a DEFENSIVE guy as my defensive coordinator and not a former offensive line coach. I don't see Andy Reid being fired, but I don't see this team as the dream team either. Vick was overpaid when he got his contract extension. DeSean Jackson is a free agent, and I would look at replacing him with another Jackson (Vincent). Otherwise, I think the Eagles will be fine, but at the start of next season, will probably still be looking up at the Packers.
Washington Redskins
Let's just get this out of the way early; Rex Grossman is not the quarterback of the future. Can they get Robert Griffin III? Maybe, maybe not. It depends if the Vikings (I know they selected Christian Ponder in Round 1) or the Browns decide they need to select a quarterback. If they don't, then the Redskins will either need to explore a trade, or probably taking a quarterback later then Round 1. Free Agents they could opt for could include Jason Campbell (don't see that road being travelled again), Kyle Orton or Matt Flynn. Other then that, I think the Redskins have firmly decided on Roy Helu being the man at running back. I think they could use upgrades at WR. Defensively, they could use upgrades too (you give up 34 points to the Eagles in the last week, you need to do some upgrades).NFC North
Chicago Bears
Re-sign Matt Forte and getting Jay Cutler healthy would be a start. Also, I think the receivers really need some upgrades (I would have signed Terrell Owens in the off season). There are several options at free agency that are better then what the Bears have right now (Dwayne Bowe, Pierre Garcon and others). Defensively, I think the Bears might want to look for a couple of players, because you don't want to have a situation to where that defense gets old real quick and that could happen if you totally neglect it.Detroit Lions
First off, I don't think you panic because of Week 17. Flynn had a career day and the Packers offensive players could change their jerseys to where everyone says TNT because they are very explosive. You don't need to mess with the defensive line if you are the Lions but might want to address the linebackers and secondary. Also, I'd be a little concerned with the running game. Best is proving to be injury prone, plus with concussions you never know. I'd look for a durable running back, but it doesn't have to be a 1,000 or 2,000 yard rusher, but someone that is going to at least keep defense's honest.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is the man. I don't think the Packers need an upgrade at running back. If I am a Packers fan, the only thing that worries me is the defense. I would just tell them bear down and not rely on the offense to score 80 points every game. Other then that, the only thing that will stop Green Bay is Green Bay.
Minnesota Vikings
I don't think the Vikings need to fire Leslie Frazier. I don't think the Vikings need to draft a quarterback. I do think the Vikings need some help up front and on the defense. Even with Adrian Peterson out for a while, maybe for the first few games of next year, I think the Vikings can get by. I think a WR would help out Ponder a lot and long term, I believe the Vikings can be okay.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
One thing is for sure, they are set at a lot of the offensive skill positions. I always think teams can improve up front on both ends of the ball. Defensively, they could probably look to use some secondary help, especially with the NFC South being a pass happy division with Drew Brees and Cam Newton leading the way. I would also re-sign Curtis Lofton, so you don't have to add linebacker to that need list.
New Orleans Saints
Re-sign Drew Brees I believe is probably a formality. After that, (Guard) Carl Nicks & Wide Receiver Marques Colston are priorities. Defensively, they have to get better. I think counting on out shooting people is a recipe for disaster. But, don't ignore Brees. Get that done and then you can take care of everything else.
Carolina Panthers
For one, hope that Cam Newton's 2nd season is as good as his first. That probably won't happen, but another WR wouldn't hurt things. I think a Robert Meachem (New Orleans) or a guy like Mario Manningham (NY Giants) would help things. Defensively, they need to work on some things too finishing 24th against the pass and 25th against the run.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Make a good hire as head coach. I think Mike Sherman would be a good hire. After that, I think you need to look at the defense, the offense, the special teams. I don't think the Buccaneers were a big problem on the field this year, as much as their attitude was the problem with the team's quitting attitude. The Falcons could have probably hung 70 on them if they had wanted to in the regular season finale. Your leaders need to be leaders, and you need to make a good hire at head coach. I do think Raheem Morris will be a good head coach one day, but right now is probably a little too soon.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
Biggest overachievers in the league this year. Jim Harbaugh should definitely be the Coach of the Year in my opinion. The 49ers not giving up a rushing touchdown or 100 yard rusher until Week 16 is incredible. I think eventually the 49ers will need to look at upgrading at quarterback and adding a veteran wide out since Braylon Edwards certainly didn't pan out. David Akers could be the team's MVP.
St. Louis Rams
Again, another team where the head coach hire is critical to the success of the franchise. They have a franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford. Steven Jackson isn't getting any younger but I don't think he needs to be replaced, yet. Wide Receiver I think is a position of need, retaining Brandon Lloyd wouldn't be a bad start. Defensively, I think they should look in the secondary, but again this is a team that had problems getting Josh Brown on the field, for PAT's or field goals, so that means your offense is what needs the work.
Arizona Cardinals
Kevin Kolb being injured for most of the season doesn't help. While we are on topic of Kevin Kolb, after what happened Week 1 of his starting career when he was playing for Philadelphia against Green Bay, and he was taken out with injury (I believe concussion) and replaced by Vick, never got the job back, Kolb's career may never be the same. I think Arizona has to give him some time though and not say "We are done with you. It's John Skelton's team now". I think the loss of Steve Breaston also hurt. Beanie Wells finally was the running back that they thought he would be, and they also have Ryan Williams waiting in the wings next year. Defense might need some upgrades. They also have one of the biggest game changers in the league in Patrick Peterson (more as a return man right now, although I think he can be a dynamic corner as well).
Seattle Seahawks
First and foremost, re-sign Marshawn Lynch. Lynch had an outstanding season (he's in my top 10 of MVP candidates in the league). I think they need a quarterback, Tavaris Jackson is not the long term solution. I will admit, I was wrong on Pete Carroll. I didn't think he would succeed as a NFL coach again, with his rah-rah attitude, but it has been working. Seattle is a tough place to play and the defense has been tough as well. Seattle could be in competition in this cluster we call the NFC West.
It took me a week to write this (starting and stopping), so we'll see how long it will take me to get the AFC done. Stay tuned
