Originally posted by Masherbrum
He's always been the bridesmaid and I believe Wade Phillips STAYING in San Diego, would have secured Marty's job. But, when Wade left, Marty was on the chopping block.
A shame San Diego was so close, now, it'll be crappy for em. How in the hell they are already favored to win next year's Super Bowl is beyond me. Indy and NE have a better team.
Indy has a salary cap problem, and likely to lose either Freeney (likely franchised though), Harper, June, and Rhodes.
Of those, Rhodes is almost certainly gone. That means they'll have to find another RB for their 2-back system. That won't necessarily be easy with the draft pick they have. Next gone is probably Harper. That one doesn't bother me so much, because he's been hurt more than not, and it hasn't hurt them all that much in the long haul. With Bob Sanders healthy, and keeping Dwight Freeney, I would imagine the defense will be okay- not great, but okay.
Indy's schedule next year will be tough.
Indy may lose some coaching. We'll see how that pans out. I hear SD is looking for coaches.
All-in-all I'd say it'll be pretty tough for Indy to repeat.
I think NE may even be worse off. They are going to lose some key defensive players to free agency. They have done as well at anyone in replacing their talent, but I believe there's only so much you can overcome.
Chicago has the best chance to get back to the dance if you ask me. Replace one player and they are sitting pretty atop the NFC again. Jeff Garcia? Donovan McNabb? Imagine... stability in the quarterback slot. That's all it would have taken this year. Chicago could be sitting back with homefield advantage throughout playoffs again next year, no problem.
