Sadly it's that time of year to accept that we are preparing for next year and not going to make the playoffs again this year. For the sake of our players and fans, I'd wait for one more loss before making changes for the future. We can still dream of ripping off a win streak, then reassess the standings. Once that dream diminishes, I'd turn to analyzing our cap and future. I'm assuming that Glazers give Lovie another year. A major problem is that our highest paid players are underperforming as a whole. Here's our cap numbers for $2million+ players under contract next year: Cap Number Dead Money Potential Cap SavingsGerald McCoy $13,000,000 $7,500,000 $5,500,000 UnderperformingVincent Jackson $12,209,778 $2,432,000 $9,777,778 UnderperformingLavonte David $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 UnderperformingLogan Mankins $7,000,000 $0 $7,000,000 AverageAlterraun Verner $6,750,000 $0 $6,750,000 UnderperformingJameis Winston $5,761,654 $20,741,954 ($14,980,300) OverperformingBruce Carter $4,250,000 $0 $4,250,000 UnderperformingMike Evans $3,990,410 $8,645,888 ($4,655,478) Average with upsideGosder Cherilus $3,500,000 $0 $3,500,000 OverperformingClinton McDonald$3,250,000 $0 $3,250,000 IR, but keeperEvan Smith $2,500,000 $0 $2,500,000 UnderperformingGeorge Johnson $2,000,000 $0 $2,000,000 UnderperformingHere's my play for these guys:1. We need McCoy to get right... sit him and let him heal if necessary. He's killing morale and his future credibility with his overpaid mediocrity this season. Also, give the guy a gag order.2. I appreciate VJ, but not his salary. Use 2nd half to see what we have in Dye and Humphries and buy Evans some stick-um3. Lavonte confuses me... I haven't questioned his spirit like McCoy and don't view him as a guy who cashed it in, but he did make those comments about the defense changing after first series of first game. Invest in a sports psychologist to get his head right. Get out of jail free card for this year, but monitor closely.4. Logan is overpaid, but adds value and continuity in other ways. The offense is on the upswing and the OL still a work in progress. He's been competent this year, but not dominating. Use his leadership to develop the rooks. 5. I like Verner and blame performance on scheme, but that cap hit is a problem. We're desperate at CB so keep him and it looks like he's improving in Lovie's scheme.6. Jameis- give him opportunity to make more on-field play calls to continue his development.7. Carter- option A) ask him for a thank you card for the generous pay, use it as a pay reduction request or pink slip... option B) get him on field more, but not to reduce kwon's playing time. i'd be open to a one week lavonte benching or using him on other side. Reassess at end of year, then probably revert to option A.8. Evans- stick um or catching coach. Now for my bigger issue with him: Discipline him for every time he gripes about not getting a pass interference call and doesn't fight for the catch all the way through the route. make sure he's not hanging out with johnny.9. Gosder- Quality depth. Tell him to beat up Bruce Carter and get some of the money we gave him... we'll look the other way.10. Clinton- provide constant encouragement during his rehab. 11. Formerly EDS- keep him as depth if he continues to look adequate at guard and pay part of his salary in protein powder to bulk him up... buys us some time to draft some more OL and develop them. 2.5 is high for backup, but could be much worse (see Bruce Carter). Our OL hasn't looked this good in years and I don't want to have another purge like Lovie's first year. We need to protect Jameis. Never let him perform another shotgun snap in his life. Consider release if draft pick looks good in camp.12. Johnson- never sign a DE with last name of Johnson again. See if he makes the cut as depth next year after adding more DEs.We should be looking at playoff contention next year and a major push in 2017 for Jameis's third year. By that time, Mankins and VJ will be off the team. To get there, we need to:1. Draft a DE high and sign a DE if we can get someone good. I'd be watching JPP closely throughout end of season and see if he's productive, available, and wants to come home at a discount to what he's historically earned. I put DE as our highest priority and think a consistent pass rush would greatly benefit our secondary. 2. We need a replacement for Mankins ready to produce in 2017.3. We need a replacement for VJ in 2016 or 2017 (preferably 2016). This player needs to bring more speed and have excellent hands. VJ and Evans have problems with drops. Big body optional since Evans fills that role. Watch Humphries closely to see if he is the sure handed, shifty slot receiver we need as 3rd receiver. Have Jameis and Afro Thunder work out privately in offseason to see if he can be the guy. Brady shows that passing game can work with a bunch of reasonably priced guys if they run good routes, have good hands, and possess different skill sets. I'd like to draft someone, but also have more needs than draft picks. Let Koetter buy one FA of his choice who is a value guy and let him fight out a roster spot with Louis Murphy.4. Build upon strength which is our offense: Resign Martin. He's more important to us right now than VJ and can be part of long-term plans. Keep Rainey for depth unless a speed back falls to us.5. Looks like we should consider another TE through draft or FA. We still don't know what we have in ASJ but can't rely on him yet.6. We need a long-term center, but that can wait if needed. Same with RT.7. Secondary- Since I think Lovie is still here next year, we're stuck with scheme. Need talent upgrade.8. LB- roll with what we have.9. ST- k/p fine. continue to search for return upgrade but use rainey as default.So, this was a very long post that most won't read, but it was fun for me to think about it. My synopsis would be:This year1. See what we have in rooks at WR rest of year.2. Give Jameis more on-field freedom and responsibility to increase the learning curve.3. Give more reps to young guys in secondary and continue purge of dead weight.Draft1. DE is #1 priority- hopefully in round 1 and free agency2. Use BPA, but target DE and CB in rounds 1 & 2. A multi-dimensional receiver could also work well here.3. Use BPA, but target C, G, and/or RT in rounds 3 & 4. This is usually a high value spot for those positions and we'd benefit from 1 new starter on line next year. A speed receiver or back could work here as well and presents value. 4. Late rounds are depth guys, though I'd strongly consider Aguayo if he slipped this far. I don't normally like to draft kickers, but he's different.FA1. DE- our history is bad here, but keep trying as we also draft guys- we're targeting playoff contention in 20162. Take a swing at TE Coby Fleener (still young) and/or a receiver Koetter likes3. Resign Martin4. Keep targeting secondary help 5. Keep trying at "affordable" quality depth and competition across the board.6. save powder for big push in 2017 and contract extensionsBased on Jameis's development, I am optimistic for next year. Go all in at DE and I think this team has a shot at playoffs next year with 2017 looking even better.
