NFL New Year's Resolutions

    Happy New Year everyone! 2017 is here. That means that it's time to get to work on your New Year's resolutions. Be honest, you made one. Everyone has a resolution, whether you say it out loud, write it down, tell your friends, and take steps to make it happen, OR you keep it to yourself because you're not sure you'll last a week. There's no shame in that one. It happens. I'm keeping mine to myself if that makes you feel better.

    Anyway, with the NFL regular season winding down, it's time that NFL teams should start thinking about their resolutions for 2017. Even the playoff teams should have one, because every team can improve in some way Since I'm not sure that these organizations will follow through and make one, here are the resolutions, that I think each NFL team should make. Let's take a look shall we?

49ers: Distance yourself from Colin Kaepernick
    No surprise here. Colin Kaepernick has been the most polarizing figure in sports this year, and not for anything good. Media circuses are never good for a team, and the 49ers already have enough problems. The good news is that it already looks like the 49ers are doing this by dumping him after the season. The funny part is that Kaepernick seems to think it's his decision, saying he's "chosen to test free agency". Okay. Whatever makes you feel better Kap. The best thing for San Francisco's rebuilding process is to clean their hands of anything and everything related to that man.

Bears: Move up to draft Deshaun Watson

Watson is expected to be an early 1st-round
pick at the NFL Draft in April

While the Bears will probably have a top-5 draft pick already, this is the QB situation that I see as the most desperate. Jay Cutler is not now, nor has he ever been, the answer at quarterback. I will forgive Chicago for trading for him in the first place, and I will force myself to look the other way on that AWFUL contract extension, because everyone make mistakes, no matter how bad they may be. The point is, Jay Cutler is a problem. The Bears have great young talent on offense-Jordan Howard, Alshon Jefferey, Cameron Meredith-but that doesn't matter if no one gets the ball to them. The Bears need to do themselves a favor a draft the best QB in a really weak position class.

Bengals: Settle on one running back
    There are actually a couple of things that I could recommend for Cincinnati. One thing is that maybe they should give AJ McCarron a shot at quarterback. Generally Andy Dalton is underachieving and McCarron played very well in 2015 after the Dalton injury, including the playoff game against Pittsburgh, which they should have won. But I'm going to say the most important thing is deciding between their two running backs, Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard. Two back systems are hard to pull off. No one back can get momentum if their being pulled off every two plays. More backs, more problems.

Bills: Get a QB
    Firing Rex Ryan was a good start, but Buffalo's real problem is Tyrod Taylor. He's a great athlete, but not a great QB. He doesn't play like one. He doesn't pass the ball often or well. With talent like LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins, and a defense built by Rex Ryan, Tyrod Taylor's flaws stand out. McCoy's carrying that offense. Find a passer who can take the pressure off of McCoy and get the ball to Watkins. But, that might be easier said then done. Brock Osweiler might be available soon, just saying.

Broncos: Have faith in Trevor Siemien
    This was a mystery to me: When CJ Anderson was healthy, Trevor Siemien was more than a capable quarterback...he was pretty good. Yet somehow, Siemien was overshadowed all season and everyone was looking at Paxton Lynch or possibly even Tony Romo. I don't get it. Trevor Siemien has so much poise in the pocket and the Broncos were in every game. Not to mention that after the Anderson injury, the running game dissolved into nothing. No quarterback can succeed like that. Get CJ Anderson back and have some confidence in Siemien, and the defending champs will be just fine.

Browns: Enjoy the success of the Cavs and Indians
    What can I say? The Browns are a mess. I'll make this quick: The Browns need more help than I can provide. My advice to the Browns is just to enjoy the success of the Cavaliers and Indians, because, for the foreseeable future, that's the closest the Browns are getting to a championship.


Buccaneers: Draft Receivers
    Jameis Winston is improving by leaps and bounds and the defense had a great finish. If the improvement continues, all that Tampa needs is to draft a couple of weapons for Winston to throw to (and maybe some o-line protection). The Bucs gave the Falcons a fight in the NFC South, so sign a couple of talented ball hawks, and they'll be a bigger force in their division.

Cardinals: Trade for Tony Romo

Romo was replaced by Dak Prescott
after suffering an injury in the preseason

    The biggest question of the off-season is going to be: Where will Tony Romo play next season? The best thing for the Cardinals is if Tony puts on the Cardinal red. Carson Palmer's dealt with injuries the last couple of years, Larry Fitzgerald is still there for now, and they have a great young runner in the backfield. Sure, Romo's age makes him only a temporary option, but we know the Cardinals are okay with that because he's basically the same age as Palmer.

Chargers: Stay in San Diego
    Listen, the Chargers aren't a well-run franchise, which is probably why they are likely to join the Rams and move to Los Angeles. This is a terrible mistake. The Chargers usually aren't a playoff team, and probably won't be for a couple of years, but they did have one of the league's best offenses this year. But, the chargers are not good enough yet for L.A. Look at the Rams: they stink. There's so much to do in L.A. that no one is paying money to sit in a college stadium and watch a bad team...not in Los Angeles. Plus, San Diego is a beautiful city, with a huge military presence that pushed back on the anthem protest. Do the right thing, stay put.

Chiefs: Get Value for Jamaal Charles
    Kansas City's biggest problem before this year was the fact that they weren't getting enough touchdowns from receivers. One year later, they got a couple threats, including the sensational Tyreke Hill and have surged into the playoffs. Their next problem: Get SOME value for Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs don't need him. They have an effective running game with Spencer Ware and a much improved passing game. But don't just let him walk away. Trade him. Possibly to Detroit, who needs a legitimate running back. He's still value when, healthy...just not to the Chiefs.

Colts: O-Line, O-Line, O-Line!!!

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This is the same old story. Andrew Luck is one of the best QBs in the league, but he won't do much good on the ground. The offensive line has been in shambles for years. The Colts have pieced together a good receiving core and finally have a good solid running back. Overhaul the offensive line and keep Luck upright. Giving him time to make plays will put the Colts right back on top of the AFC South.

Cowboys: Trade Tony Romo
    The Dallas Cowboys saga finally seemed to be over. They had chosen Dak Prescott as their franchise guy. After all, you don't lock down home field advantage throughout the playoffs, then dump the guy that got you there. However, the Cowboys have announced that Tony Romo will play in Week 17. To what extent, we don't know, but I hope this is an audition. Tony's got a few good years left and there are plenty of teams in need. Dak is their guy. They made their choice. Dallas should make a New Year's resolution to trade Tony Romo. Call up Arizona and get it done.

Dolphins: Keep building
    For the first time in a while, I have more good things to say about the Dolphins than bad. The Miami rebuild has gone remarkably well. Jay Ajayi is having a great year, Ryan Tannehill was having the best year of his career before the injury, and the defense is solid. If they keep building like this, the Patriots may have some serious competition for the division crown very soon.

Eagles: Trust Petersen/Wentz
    I heard a crazy report earlier this season that Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was on the hot seat. What? The Eagles started the season 3-1 with Pederson and rookie QB Carson Wentz, before and injury to LT Lane Johnson crippled Philadelphia's offensive line. The Eagles have now scrambled to a last place finish in the NFC East. Pederson isn't to blame. The NFC East was the toughest division in football this year, and if there's anything the Colts have taught us, it's that a weak offensive line can be awful for a QB, especially a rookie, which Wentz is. On top of that the Eagles' defense gave the Giants fits it Week 16 and should do the same this week against the Cowboys. Pederson is doing well, and Wentz is still the guy I think the Rams should have taken with the #1 pick. I have confidence in Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz and the best thing for the Eagles is if they do too.

Falcons: Plug holes in defense
    The Falcons have the league's best offense this year and are looking like the team with the best chance to defeat the Cowboys in the NFC. Matt Ryan is having an MVP caliber season and Julio is still Julio. However, Atlanta's defense is still full of holes. They have lost a lot of high-scoring close games this year. If they didn't have the league's best offense, they probably wouldn't be in the playoffs. The defense is improving incrementally, but it needs to happen faster and I hope Dan Quinn can do that.

Giants: Build offense around Beckham, not Manning
    The Giants defense is what has gotten them into the playoffs. Whenever he's in the playoffs, Eli Manning is usually pretty good, but in the regular season, he's pretty average. Odell Beckham Jr. is way above average. The Giants offense is non-existent at times. It's time for the G-Men to build an offense around their stud wide receiver, and not their spotty quarterback.

Jaguars: Hire Tom Coughlin

Coughlin coached the Jaguars
from 1995-2002

    The Jags, like the Browns, are bad. Very bad. Their former head coach Gus Bradley is now statistically the worst head coach in NFL history, and Blake Bortles isn't the franchise QB they'd hoped he'd be. The Jaguars need help and here's a good place to start: Hire Tom Coughlin as head coach. Coughlin was the head coach in Jacksonville from 1995-2002, so he knows the city. he also has two Super Bowl titles with the Giants, so he knows how to win. Coughlin could be the guy to begin to solve the countless problems in Jacksonville.

Jets: Offensive overhaul
    I think Todd Bowles is a good coach and a pretty good fit for the Jets, but you wouldn't know it with their 4-11 record heading into Week 17. I don't think this is Bowles' fault...he's just got nothing to work with. Fitzpatrick is an INT machine, Geno Smith is overrated, and the young QB's aren't ready to take over. With the Eric Decker injury, Brandon Marshall is their only offensive weapon worth his salt. The Jets need an offensive overhaul, and that will take a while, but that's how the business works.

Lions: Find work horse running back
    The focal point of Detroit's offense used to be Pro Bowl wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but that never seemed to manifest itself into playoff success. After his retirement last season, the pressure to throw to a superstar receiver seems to be off of Matthew Stafford, and the Lions are benefitting. A pivotal Week 17 game against the Packers may decide whether the Lions make the playoffs or not, but this has still been Stafford's best season. However, the Lions haven't had a legitimate work horse at running back since Barry Sanders. Detroit has platooned running backs for years, and that's not helping anyone. Take even more pressure off of Stafford and find a legitimate back. Call Kansas City. They may have one for you.

Packers: Teach Rodgers leadership
    First off, I'm going to acknowledge that Green Bay's defense is bad, but that's not what their resolution should be. It should center around their signal caller, Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, even though he's a great quarterback, has never really gelled with his Packer teammates. Former teammates like Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley have confirmed his aloof, arrogant nature. Take one look at those State Farm commercials: He basically only does those with Clay Matthews, who has been accused of similar attitudes. Give Rodgers some lessons in leadership. If Jon Gruden is available, hand Aaron over to him, that ought to do it.

Panthers: Move on from Cam Newton

Newton-career lows in every major
offensive category in 2016

    The Carolina Panthers went from Super Bowl 50 to NFC bottom dwellers in one year. Their defense is still in tact, their receivers are healthy, and Ron Rivera's still the coach. That just leaves one factor: Cam Newton. Ever since the Super Bowl loss, Newton hasn't been the same player. As I said in an earlier post, Cam Newton: Return to Sender, Cam seems generally uninterested in being a part of that team. If that's the case, it's time to move on.

Patriots: Make a Decision on Garoppolo
    Yes, even the "Team of the Decade" could use some advice. The Patriots seem to do almost everything right, including drafting quarterbacks. In 2014, the Pats drafted Jimmy Garoppolo as the QB of the future. But after Tom Brady was suspended for the first four games of this season, it would seem that the future is now. Garoppolo performed admirably in his brief time under center, creating a possible demand for his services from other teams. It's now up to New England to decide what to do. Either, they do the unthinkable and part ways with future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady and insert Garoppolo immediately, or they trade him and lose Tom Brady's insurance policy, when Brady probably only has a few years left. The Pats kind of find themselves in a lose-lose situation, but the time for a decision is now.

Raiders: Keep Building with Veterans
    To everyone's surprise, the Oakland Raiders were looking like legitimate contenders for a Super Bowl run before Derek Carr's devastating injury in Week 16. Despite that, Oakland's rebuild has gone remarkably well, and seems to be coming to a close. I see a Super Bowl in their future, so they just need to keep rebuilding. The nucleus of the Raiders are young and inexperienced, so in the final stages of the rebuild, it would behoove the Raiders to add a few veterans to their young team. There is a real possibility that the Raiders could follow the New England Patriots and be the next great NFL dynasty.

Rams: Do whatever it takes to hire Jon Gruden

Gruden won Super Bowl XXXVII (37)
as head coach of Buccaneers in 2003

    As I said earlier, the Rams aren't good enough to survive in Los Angeles. There's simply too much to do in L.A., to go to a bad NFL game in a college stadium. Add to that the fact that Jared Goff has been a huge disappointment in his rookie year, and Todd Gurley had an awful season running the ball. After firing head coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams' only hope is to hire a coach that people want to see and who can whip this team into shape. That guy is Jon Gruden. It's highly unlikely that Gruden would leave his analyst job, but he has said that he'd think about it to coach in L.A. However, the price tag for Gruden would be pretty steep-about $8-9 million a year. But given the desperate state of the Rams, the best thing for them is to do whatever they can to hire Jon Gruden as their new head coach.

Ravens: Upgrade offense
    Four years removed from their Super Bowl victory, the Ravens have struggled to find consistency since then. Their defense, even without Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, is still solid, but their offense is in need of an upgrade. Joe Flacco is inconsistent, Steve Smith, their #1 receiving threat is retiring, and their running game is average at best, since they released Justin Forsett. It's time to make a few offensive changes to complement that defense and get Baltimore back into the playoffs.

Redskins: Trust Kirk Cousins
    In a tough division, Kirk Cousins is solid QB for the Washington Redskins. With a little help in Week 17, the Redskins could find themselves in the playoffs for the second straight year. Cousins has had a really good year, and a second straight playoff appearance could give Washington the confidence that Cousins is their franchise guy. They should be pretty pleased with the combo of Cousins and head coach Jon Gruden. If they trust them, the Redskins will go places.

Saints: Draft defense
    The Saints put up big numbers on offense this year, as Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing yards, WR Brandin Cooks is havin a Pro Bowl year, and Mark Ingram is running the ball well. This is no surprise...the Saints offense is solid every year with Brees. The only difference between this season and the 2009 season where the Saints won the Super Bowl, is the defense. The NFC South was a pretty tight division this year, all things being considered. Prior to the 2011 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans had a terrible defense. Then, Houston had a draft in which they drafted almost all defensive players, including 1st round pick J.J Watt, and things turned around quickly. If the Saints had a similar draft this year, that could go a long way toward getting New Orleans back in the playoffs.   

Seahawks: Hang on to Pete Carroll

Carroll and Seahawks won
Super Bowl in 2013

    Ever since the Seahawks hired Pete Carroll as head coach in 2010, they have had consistent success. Seattle reached the Super Bowl in 2013 and 2014, winning it all in 2013. Pete Carroll has been know to be a coach that his players love playing for. With many head coaching vacancies coming up in both college and the NFL, Carroll's name is bound to come up. That being said, it is important for the Seahawks to do whatever they can to retain Carroll. Although unlikely that he would leave, the right offer could change things. Pete Carroll fits perfectly in Seattle and the team needs to keep him there.

Steelers: Find Consistency
    Ben Roethlisberger is a definite Hall of Fame quarterback, Le'Veon Bell is a dominant young running back and Mike Tomlin, like Pete Carroll is considered a player's coach. That being said, the Steelers have failed to find consistency this year. One week, they'd look unbeatable and the next, they'd look terrible. Pittsburgh's a bit of a mystery, and they did make the playoffs, so they're on the right track, but their biggest concern seems to be finding consistency.

Texans: Get Refund on Brock Osweiler
    Brock Osweiler is a $72 million investment that went horribly, horribly wrong. Despite a woefully unimpressive season in which Osweiler threw more interceptions (16) than touchdowns (14), the Texans made the playoffs as AFC South champs. The Texans overpaid Osweiler based on a handful of games in Denver in 2015. Seeing as Osweiler was benched against a terrible Jacksonville Jaguars team, and it was only after Tom Savage entered the game did Houston come back and win the game, it seems like it's about time that the Texans try to get a refund on that $72 million deal.

Titans: Get Mariota Healthy

Mariota suffered a broken
leg in Week 16

    The Titans improved greatly from last year to this year, due in large part to the improvement of Marcus Mariota and the implementation of the two-headed rushing attack of DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry. Until Mariota's season-ending injury, the Titans were tied for the division lead and head coach Mike Mularky was a definite Coach of the Year candidate. After building a talented team, Tennessee's highest priority should be getting Marcus Mariota healthy and ready for a run at the division crown next year.

Vikings: Offensive Health
    This one's easy: Minnesota's defense is fantastic, but they aren't in the playoffs. That means that Minnesota's new Year's resolution should be to get Teddy Bridgewater healthy. Before an injury in the preseason sidelined him for all of 2016, it looked like he was poised for a breakout year. Then, Adrian Peterson gets hurt early in the year. It remains to be seen if Peterson will be back in a Vikings uniform next year, but regardless, the health of Minnesota's key offensive players is vital to their success, especially Bridgewater. If Bridgewater and the rest of the starters are healthy expect the Vikings to be in the playoffs in 2017.

    There you have it: my New Year's Resolutions for all 32 NFL teams. What do you think of your favorite team's resolution? We'll see if they take my advise or just throw it out by February like most resolutions. But first, let's enjoy the NFL playoffs! Who do you think's going to win it all? Stay tuned for a new season "Empire Sports Talk" starting in January! Happy New Year everyone!