Here's what needs to happen:
Free Agency/offseason moves
1. Coles is signed and can produce his 2008 numbers.
2. We sign or trade for a competent LG that is at least a marginal upgrade over Douchebag Dockery.
3. Peters is extended and gets his fat, lazy ass to OTAs and camp
Draft
1. we draft an impact pass rusher(s) at DE, preferably not a white, high-motor guy.
2. We draft a solid receiving threat at TE. He is ready to play on day one.
3. We draft a LB that's an upgrade over Ellison
Players
1. Trent takes another step. Plays at least 14 games.
2. ML's suspension is short and/or Fred Jackson can carry the load while he's out. Jackson plays like the end of last year.
3. Evans becomes a 10-15 TD guy with Coles in the lineup.
4. Josh Reed stays healthy.
5. Peters returns to 2007 form and stays healthy. Butler stays healthy.
6. Schobel returns healthy, gets double-digit sacks with help on the other side.
7. Whitner is embarrassed by his 08 performance and takes a step forward.
8. Youboty picks up where he left off and contributes to nickel blitz again.
9. Leodis takes a step forward at CB.
10. Poz disrupts the backfield more.
11. Stroud stays healthy
12. Trent/Evans or ML steal a couple games with big performances to offset coaching blunders.
Coaching
1. Dick really does improve game management.
2. Dick gets team ready to play in the 1st quarter. Not the second half.
3. Dick ends infatuation with deferring and gets the offense on the field first.
4. Kugler gets his head out of his a** and gets these guys physical. Or else fans throw him in Erie canal and float him back to Lockport and we beg Mouse to come back for a season.
5. Turk remains committed to the run like the last 3 games. Only asks Trent to make 2-3 big plays in the passing game a game.
6. Bobby April doesn't get run over by bus (or by Marshawn)
Schedule/AFC
1. Some opponents not as strong as they appear. God knows we won't outcoach them.
2. Pats D fails them, we steal a game. Because there's no way Golden Boy and Moss don't come back strong.
3. Jets don't get an answer at QB.
4. Miami takes a step back. Especially Pennington.
5. 10 games gets a wild card, not 11+
We hit 80% of these, we got a shot at the wild card. IMHO, of course.