Let me start by saying that I had LOW expectations for free agency this year.  I also don't expect us to win more than 4 games in 2010.  And I usually don't get all impatient at this time of year, but I am really losing it right now.  Lets see, we have gaping holes for STARTERS and QB, LT, RT, WR, NT, DE and OLB.  Not to even mention how we have almost zero depth on the o line or at LB. 

I didn't expect us to jump right in after the big dollar free agents.  It just doesn't make sense for us because we are several years from fielding a playoff team.  But, I do expect us to try and field a remotely competitive team next year.  But I did expect that we'd be signing guys like Hicks, Dwan Edwards, Pashos, etc. for reasonable contracts to plug some STARTER gaps prior to the draft.  Then I figured we'd pick up a few 3rd tier FAs for depth along the line and at LB. 

Well, when someone like Hicks goes to Washington for 3 years/$9 million...that frustrates me.  Washington is in a very similar situation as us.  They go out and get Hicks and Pashos.  Neither are world beaters, but they are solid, capable guys that can come in and contribute right away.  Instant upgrades for reasonable deals.  And neither of them are old.  Where is the downside?

Why are we not doing this?  The majority of the solid OT's are gone now.  So we go into the draft with a huge hole there.  And knowing now that with a probably rookie LT and RT (or Meredith or Bell), we'll be having the same protection problems that we've had for years. 

Honestly, I don't see many other 'starters' out there that make sense for us to sign.  There are plenty of 'depth' players out there, and I am sure we'll go after some of them.  But I was really hoping we'd at least get 2 or 3 younger guys that could plug some 'starter' holes for us through FA.  I just don't see that happening now.  Maybe I am overreacting and will be pleasantly surprised.  But there really aren't many guys left that I see being a good fit for us to come in and start next year.  I would love Dwan Edwards, but there is about zero percent chance that we sign him.

Can we at least try to field a somewhat competitive team?  I just have a feeling next year could be a 2 win season.  Maybe that is what we need so we can get our franchise QB in next year's draft.