If this happens, your opinion of Pioli would be...

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

The problem is that people obsess over superstars.

Pioli walked onto a team with enormous gaps at C, G, RT, #2 RB, FB, TE #1, K, Nickel Back, WR #2, WR #3, ILB, LOLB, FS, SS, DE #1, NT, QB. Not to mention we had zero depth anywhere.

It's pretty amazing how quickly people forget about that. 3 years later, we cut that list down to 4 (assuming Hudson is an answer at C). RT, #2 RB, NT, QB. And we have an enormous amount of cap space. 2 of those are very easy to fill. As I've said in other posts, Pioli's done a much better job with this team than he gets credit for, but it's those last two moves (particularly at QB) that are going to define his legacy here. And it sure seems like he's pushing to compromise all the good he's done to hitch his wagon to the wrong guy.

C - Went from Niswanger to Weigman/Hudson - clearly an improvement. +
G - Went from Waters to Lilja - downgrade. -
G - Jones/Smith to Asamoah - Too early to tell. His run blocking is horrible. Inc.
RT - McIntosh to Richardson - still a big hole. -
QB - Thigpen to Cassel - still a big hole, at the most important position. -
#2 RB - Johnson/Charles/Battle to Charles/Jones/Battle - #2 HB still not filled. -

FB - who cares. not utilized enough to make a difference.

TE #1 - TG to Moeaki - downgrade. Some may disagree, but I categorize it as a still needs to be filled because of Moeaki's injury history.

WR 2 - Bradley to Breaston. Clear upgrade. +
WR 3 - Darling to Baldwin. Technically too early, but give Baldwin the benefit. +

I get 3 clear improvements (C, WR2, WR3)

1 too early to tell (RG)

5 downgrades or still need to fill the position.