That's why I said "not bad at all" as opposed to "set" or or something extremely positive like "great". They can clearly win with this group when healthy and it's much better than what they had in 2011 but I definitely think there's room to get better.dead_poet wrote: This is the only one where we're not in agreement. I think the CBs still look pretty bad for next year, barring unforeseen improvement from Cook and Robinson. Winfield can't keep up this level of play and the Vikings ideally already wanted to play him in the slot and limit his snaps this season. The same has to be true for next season. Cook hasn't developed as much as I had hoped (perhaps I had too high of expectations), part of the problem being he's not being used as much to jam (which is his strength) and playing off so much so often that he's simply not as effective as I believe he could be. That aside, he's just been "a guy" to me this season. Perhaps I should cut him some slack being out for so long with the injury (another obvious concern), but I'm starting to question his ceiling and if he truly has #1 CB talent. Provided he can stay healthy/out of trouble next season, it will be a pretty significant season for him, playing in a contract year.
I like A.J. Jeffereson, just not in a starting role. At all. From what I've seen, he's a capable backup (probably more capable than we've had in the last few years) but he should not be starting for us next season. His ball skills are a liability and his tackling ability is mediocre at best. Here are a few of his recent stats:
vs. Rams: Allowed six catches for 80 yards in nine targets with an interference call.
vs. GB (week 17): Allowed six completions for 67 yards and a touchdown in seven targets, taking a 16-yard pass interference penalty. He also was called for interference on fourth-and-1 against WR Jarrett Boykin, who caught Rodgers' back-shoulder throw anyway.
vs. Bears (Nov. 27): Gave up four completions for 46 yards to Marshall, who stiff-armed Jefferson to finish another play, and took a personal foul for fighting WR Eric Weems.
I mentioned this in another thread, but Josh Robinson has flashed some ability, so I suppose I'm hoping for him to take over the other spot outside Cook. Really, it's because I know what we have in Jefferson, Sherels (yuck) and lack of any other quality options. My hope here is that he can improve and be a legit starter but that's yet to be seen. As such, I still think we need to spend either top (rounds 1-3) selection on a CB and/or bring in a proven guy (Brent Grimes, Sean Smith, DRC). In our division with Rodgers/his stupid stable of receivers, Marshall/Cutler, and Stafford/Calvin our CBs are overmatched even at full health.
So when you say "they don't look bad at all" I have to respectfully disagree given the WRs/QBs they play against the most. Thankfully you qualified that by adding that a talent injection is necessary. Because it most certainly is.
Honestly, my take on the roster is that there's only one position where they probably can't get a better player and that's starting RB. Peterson was historically great this season. Beyond that, as I've said before, they need impact players so if they have the opportunity to draft one in any round, at almost any position, I think they should take it. Ideally, I'd love to see them upgrade at their positions of greatest need but anything that makes them a better overall team helps.