New plan for 2012

[el diablo]

Winning 4 out 5, with the potential for finishing 6-10 or 7-9 calls for a reevaluation.
Its about character. This team could have mailed it in (Indy) and didn't. It shows that they are starting to play like a team. That being said, improvements still need to be made.
First, Ireland must go.
Second, Sparano stays for one more year. Sounds crazy, but he changed and so did the team. One more year with the same staff just might do wonders next year.
Third, sign De Sean Jackson. With him opposite Brandon Marshall would just completely open up the pass game. With Devone Bess/Brian Hartline at the slot. Look out.
Fourth, the draft. They need to draft a guard or tackle to play the right side. Sorry for the Luck supporters, but this requires first round attention. Then they need to address the defensive end &safety positions.
Of course, anything could change in the future. But if the season ended the way I think, this is the way I would go

[DZA]

Im not a Luck supporter,  I rather them Draft Robert Griffin

[MikeO]

Winning 4 out 5, with the potential for finishing 6-10 or 7-9 calls for a reevaluation.
Its about character. This team could have mailed it in (Indy) and didn't. It shows that they are starting to play like a team. That being said, improvements still need to be made.
First, Ireland must go.
Second, Sparano stays for one more year. Sounds crazy, but he changed and so did the team. One more year with the same staff just might do wonders next year.
Third, sign De Sean Jackson. With him opposite Brandon Marshall would just completely open up the pass game. With Devone Bess/Brian Hartline at the slot. Look out.
Fourth, the draft. They need to draft a guard or tackle to play the right side. Sorry for the Luck supporters, but this requires first round attention. Then they need to address the defensive end &safety positions.
Of course, anything could change in the future. But if the season ended the way I think, this is the way I would go

Well we agree on Ireland must go, but aside from that NO to everything else you mention.

-Tony has to go. We have regressed every year under him. Moving in the WRONG direction.

-NO WAY IN HELL to Desean Jackson. One WR who is a head-case/lunatic is enough for any team

-Luck supporters? That ship sailed about 5 weeks ago, where have you been?? LOL LOL. And if we draft another o-linemen in round 1 then this franchise is officially the worst in the NFL and has no friggin clue as to what they are doing. Jake Long, Mike Pouncey, Vernon Carey, Marc Colombo....how many first round picks do you want on the o-line? And by keeping Tony under your hypothetical what makes you think he is going to get rid of his buddy Colombo? Our O-Line GURU head coach has 4 1st round picks on the o-line and you want to keep drafting O-line in Rd 1?? It's amazing!

[JVides]

Gotta say no on the keep Sparano point.  While the team's winning now and playing like we hoped it would - and that goes to Sparano's credit - an NFL team should never - ever - lose 7 in a row to start the season.  Clearly, there are exceptions (we'll call it the Jimmy Johnson exception) but I stack up 7 straight Ls on a team he's had 3 years to build versus how the team is playing now and I come up with he needs to go.

[MikeO]

Gotta say no on the keep Sparano point.  While the team's winning now and playing like we hoped it would - and that goes to Sparano's credit - an NFL team should never - ever - lose 7 in a row to start the season.  Clearly, there are exceptions (we'll call it the Jimmy Johnson exception) but I stack up 7 straight Ls on a team he's had 3 years to build versus how the team is playing now and I come up with he needs to go.

They lost 10 in a row going back to last year. Had December home losses to Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo. Playoff spot on the line, he choked. His team went around a calender year without winning a home game. While opponents (Pitt and NE) had more wins in our stadium than we did. That's just sad and embarrassing.

Tony went from 11 wins to 7 wins, to 7 wins, to this year 7 wins or LESS than 7 wins (most likely) and put that on a graph chart. And anyone who can point to that and say we are "improving" with a straight face I would love to see.

[Brian Fein]

I agree with the original post.

Even though I know I am wrong because MikeO says so.

But, I think Tony has turned the team around and deserves another look as a result.  You're so quick to point out 5-week-old bad stuff, but no one gives credit for recent good things.  He deserves credit, and you should give it up.

Go Tony!

[JVides]

^^^Brian, the problem with your logic is that the team lost 7 straight games with Tony's/Ireland's guys.  This isn't a case of a coach inheriting a poor roster.  This was the coach's rebuilt roster losing 7 straight.  I'm sorry, but as good as they'ved been lately, going 0-7 is in my book unforgivable.  Sorry Tony, I like you and all but you have to go.

[Spider-Dan]

^^^Brian, the problem with your logic is that the team lost 7 straight games with Tony's/Ireland's guys.  This isn't a case of a coach inheriting a poor roster.  This was the coach's rebuilt roster losing 7 straight.

Actually, it was 10 straight.  The team was on a 3-game losing streak coming into week 1 (and that streak was also with Sparano/Ireland's players).

[Brian Fein]

there were so many changes in the offseason, which didn't exist.

I'm not making excuses for the guy but its not a coincidence that they are suddenly playing well.  They got better with time.  

I think there's more to it that "you lost 7 games, you're fired" - I think just the fact that he got them turned around to the point where they blew out a 7-4 team makes you think they are trending in the right direction.  Yes they started of poorly, but a new OC new QB, injuries on defense, etc will do that.  And its not like they got blown out, they were competitive in every one of those games.

I think getting rid of him just when he gets going is a mistake.  And, I think you let him start next season on a short hook, and get rid of him the second the team slips up.

[Brian Fein]

Actually, it was 10 straight.  The team was on a 3-game losing streak coming into week 1 (and that streak was also with Sparano/Ireland's players).

Last season.  it really can't be seriously counted.  Its convenient to emphasize your point but it was a different team.

[Spider-Dan]

...except that that team was also coached by him, and hand picked by this regime.

He had his players, his coaches, his team.  He lost 10 straight.  This is a simple fact.

[MikeO]

Last season.  it really can't be seriously counted.  Its convenient to emphasize your point but it was a different team.

Why not? Tony was the coach then. Sure it counts!

[EKnight]

No it doesn't. Different QB, two different running backs, different OC, and didn't the number one receiver on that team miss two out of the last three games last year? The whole offense was different. That's not even close to the same team- oh except that defense you keep raving about. THOSE guys were the same. -EK

[MikeO]

No it doesn't. Different QB, two different running backs, different OC, and didn't the number one receiver on that team miss two out of the last three games last year? The whole offense was different. That's not even close to the same team- oh except that defense you keep raving about. THOSE guys were the same. -EK

Tony was the head coach last year but its not his team?? Because he failed with those assistants (mind you he hired them) it shouldn't be counted against him?  And he gets no blame for the results? The results shouldn't count against him??

Are you F'n serious?  So last year doesn't count? Strike it from the resume, Tony gets a free pass.  ha ha ha ha!! I needed a good laugh this morning.

[EKnight]

He didn't hire Henning- that was an Ireland/Parcells move. He didn't draft Ricky or Ronnie. Didn't draft Henne either. Didn't trade for Marshall. Way to dodge every one of those points. Talk about a laugh. -EK